The Mystery at Lilac Inn - Carolyn Keene [35]
Exhausted, the couple rose to the surface and swam toward shore, gulping in fresh air. As soon as they sat down on the bank, John thanked Nancy for coming to his rescue. “You’re a wonderful partner to have around, Nancy—sleuthing or skin diving,” he said.
Nancy smiled. “Thanks, John. Let’s have a look at your foot and see if it’s injured.”
John sighed. “Yes, Nurse.”
They found that his foot was merely scraped. He and Nancy went underwater again to do some more sleuthing. But they uncovered nothing suspicious. Baffled, they swam back to their starting point and walked toward the inn.
On the way, Nancy saw Gil Gary trimming a hedge nearby. She and John went over to him.
“Do you happen to know anyone else around here who skin-dives, Gil?” Nancy asked.
The gardener did not look up, and continued his trimming. “Naw,” he muttered. “River bottom’s too muddy. It—”
He broke off. Nancy felt a surge of excitement. Why did Gil assume she was referring to the river? And did he know of its muddy condition from personal experience? Why had he not finished his answer?
“I suppose,” she said, “some people prefer to travel by canoe.” Nancy looked directly at the dock where one of the inn’s canoes was tied up.
“S’pose so,” Gil replied shortly.
John now stepped forward. “By the way, Gil, have you or Hank noticed any more tools missing lately?”
“Naw.” The gardener shook his head.
John shrugged casually. “Just wondered, because Miss Drew and I came across a funny gadget this morning. Sort of like a can opener. Sound familiar?”
“No!” the gardener snapped. He flung his shears to the ground. “I’m goin’ for lunch,” he said, and retreated hastily.
Nancy and John exchanged triumphant glances. “He’s nervous about something, all right,” John said.
“He certainly doesn’t act like an innocent person,” Nancy reasoned.
There was just time before luncheon for Nancy and John to report in private to their three young friends.
When Dick heard of the gardener’s reaction to Nancy’s queries, he frowned. “Maybe I should have a talk with him myself,” he said.
Nancy advised against this action for the present. “If Gil is connected with the diamond theft, we may learn through him who else is involved,” she pointed out. “And, perhaps, the identity of my double.”
“You mean, all the culprits might be trapped at once?” Helen asked, and Nancy nodded.
As Nancy sat down at the table with the others, Jean came over. “Thanks again for the ride, Miss Drew,” she said in her shy way. “It was real helpful.”
At this moment Maud Potter entered the room. Jean quickly bent over and whispered to Nancy, “Don’t forget! Watch out for that trouble-maker.”
Nancy did not know what to think. She disliked Maud, but felt it was unfair to accept Jean’s claim without proof. “Don’t trust an informer too far,” her father had once said.
The social director took her place. Looking at Emily, she announced, “Your aunt has a splitting headache and won’t be down.”
“Oh, poor dear.” Emily jumped up. “I’ll go see—”
“I wouldn’t disturb her,” Maud interrupted officiously. “She’ll feel better after some rest.”
Emily’s eyes blazed. “If I want to see my aunt, Maud, I shall. I’m sick and tired of your meddling. Dick and I are paying you to be social director—and—and nothing else!”
There was dead silence at the girl’s outburst. Then Maud gasped. “Well! That’s all the thanks I get.”
“Thanks for what!” Emily stormed. “Keeping Aunt Hazel under your thumb and being unpleasant to my guests?”
By now everyone in the dining room—waitresses and patrons—were staring in Emily’s direction. Dick tried to intervene. “Em, calm down,” he begged. “We’ll discuss it later.”
But Emily, overwrought, paid no attention. “I don’t care. I’ll give up Lilac Inn rather than see Aunt Hazel unhappy. I wouldn’t be surprised, Maud Potter, if you’re responsible for the awful things that have happened here!”
An almost bewildered look came over Maud’s flushed face. She started to protest, “I most certainly did not—”
Emily did not allow her to finish. “Furthermore,