The Mystery at Lilac Inn - Carolyn Keene [5]
“How about both of us going?” John suggested, smiling.
Emily spoke up. “Nancy, you and Helen must stay here longer. You can work on the mystery and also go skin diving with John.”
Both girls accepted eagerly. “We’ll paddle home tomorrow,” said Nancy, “pick up more clothes and my diving equipment, then come back.”
For the rest of the afternoon, the three girls discussed the subject of gowns to be worn by Emily’s bridal attendants. Nancy and Helen were delighted to learn that the color was to be lilac pink.
“By the way, Em,” Helen said, “do you know where lilacs came from originally?”
Their hostess nodded. “A German traveler brought the flower from the Orient to Europe in the sixteenth century. Eventually the lilac was introduced to America.”
All this time Nancy had noted that Emily was doing her best to seem cheerful, and Maud too continued to act carefree. Emily had arranged a steak cook-out on the patio, and the social director joined in the lively banter. When they finished eating, she brought out a guitar.
“How about some Western tunes?” she suggested gaily.
“Fine. Let’s all sing,” Helen answered.
At eleven o’clock the group said good night and the River Heights girls tumbled into bed.
The next morning Nancy had just finished dressing when there was a knock on the cottage door. John called out:
“Phone call for you, Nancy, at the desk in the lobby. The cottage phones aren’t connected yet.”
“Thank you.” Nancy hurried to the lobby and picked up the receiver. “Hello? ... Why, Hannah! What’s the trouble?”
Hannah Gruen was the Drews’ housekeeper, and had “mothered” Nancy since the age of three when her own mother had passed away.
“Oh, Nancy!” Hannah sounded almost hysterical. “Come home right away! Your father isn’t here, and someone broke into the house last night!”
CHAPTER III
A Stolen Charge Plate
NANCY was shocked by Hannah’s news. “Have you called the police about the prowler?” she asked the housekeeper.
“No. I wanted to tell you first. I didn’t know what had happened until I carried some clean clothes to your room. The second floor seems to be the only place disturbed.”
Hannah explained that she had tried to reach Mr. Drew at his hotel in Cleveland, where he was working on a case. But the lawyer had been out.
“I’ll be home as soon as possible,” Nancy promised. “In the meantime, please notify Chief McGinnis.”
“I will, Nancy. Good-by.”
Nancy was just about to put down the phone, when she heard a click on the line. Instantly she wondered if someone at Lilac Inn had been purposely listening in on her call.
Before Nancy could speculate further, Emily joined her. Quickly Nancy gave her friend Hannah’s report. “I must borrow a car and go right home,” she said.
Emily expressed concern about the apparent burglary. “I hope nothing valuable was taken. But, Nancy, you must have breakfast before you go.” Emily led the way to the dining room.
Nancy asked her where the other telephones at the inn were located and mentioned the fact that someone might have been eavesdropping on her conversation.
“Every room has an extension,” Emily said. “But the only ones connected right now, besides the desk phone, are in the kitchen, my bedroom, my aunt’s, and the recreation room.”
The young sleuth hastily excused herself. “I’d like to make a few inquiries, Em. Meet me at the table, will you?”
Nancy went into the kitchen. She saw Anna, the waitress, and asked the girl if anyone had used the telephone within the past few minutes. No one had. Then Nancy hurried to the recreation room. It was empty.
When Nancy reached the dining room, she found Emily at the table alone. “Did you learn anything?” Emily asked.
“No.”
Emily whispered, “I just remembered, Nancy. Maud had her phone hooked up yesterday.”
At that moment Maud came into the dining room. Nancy learned that Maud had just returned from a walk along the river. A few minutes later Mrs. Willoughby, Helen, and John