The Mystery of the Fire Dragon - Carolyn Keene [14]
George Fayne took an instant liking to the attractive Chinese girl. The stranger introduced herself as Lily Alys Wu. After a little more conversation, George had an idea.
“Perhaps I can get the job for you at the bookshop,” she said. “Would you like to talk it over?”
“Yes. But first, please explain why you are costumed and made up the way you are. You see, I am one of Chi Che’s closest friends.”
George smiled but did not reply at once. Could she trust Lily Alys with confidential information about the missing Chi Che?
CHAPTER VII
Strange Thefts
AS GEORGE stood debating whether or not to tell Lily Alys Wu about Chi Che, an elderly gentleman carrying a brief case came along the street. He and the Chinese girl smiled at each other.
“How are you, Professor Rankin?” Lily said.
“Very well, thank you, Miss Wu. And you?”
“Fine. I certainly enjoyed your lecture yesterday.”
“I am glad,” Professor Rankin said, and tipping his hat, went on his way.
The little episode helped George make up her mind. She was sure she could trust Lily Alys.
“The reason I’m masquerading as your friend Chi Che Soong,” she said, “is because Chi Che seems to be missing.”
“Missing!” Lily exclaimed. “I know she hasn’t been to classes for the past few days. I was going to phone her this afternoon. Please tell me more.”
George was guarded in her statements, but did reveal that Mr. Soong had not heard from his granddaughter since she left a note saying she planned to visit some college friends. “Did you know Mr. Soong is in the hospital?” George asked.
“No,” Lily Alys replied. “I am so sorry to hear that. What is the trouble?”
Since the story had appeared in the newspapers, George told what had happened to the elderly man.
“That is dreadful!” Lily Alys said. “I am very fond of Mr. Soong. And I know Chi Che loves and respects him very much. I cannot understand why she would stay away and not communicate with him.”
“That is what my friends and I cannot understand, either,” said George. “Would you be willing to come to the apartment where we’re staying and discuss the situation? Perhaps you can give us some clue to where Chi Che might be.”
Lily Alys said she would be happy to come. The two girls walked along side by side. There was no further recognition of “Chi Che” by any passers-by.
When they reached the apartment, Aunt Eloise, who had just arrived, opened the door for them. Since Nancy and Bess were not there yet, the conversation was general. Aunt Eloise served tea and cookies.
Presently Nancy and Bess announced themselves over the speaking tube at the front door and a few minutes later entered the apartment.
George introduced Lily Alys Wu and explained why she had brought the Chinese girl to call. Then, on a pretext that she had something in her purse to give Nancy, George asked her to come into the bedroom a moment.
Quickly the two girls exchanged stories. Then George propounded the idea she had had for the past half hour; that Lily Alys, who, like Chi Che, was a linguist, try for a position at Stromberg’s Bookshop.
Nancy smiled. “I think I know what you have in mind, George. You suspect that Chi Che’s message to Aunt Eloise might have meant she had found out some secret about the bookshop, and perhaps Lily Alys can learn the same thing without being caught.”
“Exactly,” said George. “And I feel sure Lily Alys can be trusted.”
Nancy too was certain of this. She and George returned to the living room and broached the subject to the Chinese girl. “That is, if you’re fortunate enough to get the position at the bookshop,” George added.
Lily Alys screwed up her face and looked a little frightened at the idea. “I do not know that I am capable of such work,” she said. “I have never had anything to do with solving mysteries.”
“It won’t be hard,” George