The Mystery of the Fire Dragon - Carolyn Keene [48]
At that very instant George stood in the full glare of the fire dragon. Mrs. Truesdale turned and stared at the girl. She suddenly shrieked:
“Chi Che! You got off the junk!”
Nancy’s attention had been diverted for the moment from the scene nearer her. Now she saw that Mr. Stromberg was about to strike Mr. Soong. At the same instant, Ned appeared from among some bushes and leaped on the bookstore owner.
Swiftly Nancy started toward Mrs. Truesdale, but advanced only three feet. Someone behind her clapped a hand over the girl’s mouth and, with strong arms, dragged her away.
Nancy struggled and fought, but to no avail. The man who had seized her was suddenly aided by another, who lifted up her feet.
As she was carried off, the girl detective became aware that a Eurasian woman was accompanying the two men. Her strange captors took a path which was isolated and almost dark. No one came to Nancy’s rescue.
CHAPTER XX
The Escape
AS THE great fireworks dragon continued to crackle and emit fire and smoke, George and Bess dashed forward and grabbed Mrs. Truesdale.
“Take your hands off me!” the woman ordered.
At that moment Mr. Lee Soong and Ned came forward dragging Mr. Stromberg. The ex-police chief told the prisoners, “As you Americans say, I think your little game is up.”
“What on earth are you talking about?” Mrs. Truesdale asked airily. “Just because I said something to this impostor? I don’t know why she’s dressed up like a Chinese. For a moment I thought she was a wash-amah I know named Chi Che. She works for a friend of mine.”
By this time most of the guests had gathered around. Four men pushed their way through the crowd, nodded to Mr. Soong, and took charge of the two prisoners.
“These men belong to the colony police,” Mr. Soong explained.
“This is an outrage!” Mrs. Truesdale screamed. “I am just a tourist, not a criminal.”
All this time Mr. Stromberg had been glaring at Bess and George. Finally he said, “Officer, you have made a great mistake. Mrs. Truesdale and I have been friends a long time, and would swear to the honesty of each other.”
George faced the man squarely. “If you are honest, why did you run away from your bookshop? And where are you keeping Chi Che Soong?”
“I can only guess what you’re talking about,” Mr. Stromberg said icily. “A girl named Chi Che Soong worked in my bookshop for a short while. I understand she has disappeared, but why should I know where she is?”
“Take these people away!” Mr. Soong ordered the detectives.
As the group moved off, Bess suddenly asked, “Where’s Nancy?”
“She was standing by that archway back there when the trouble started,” said Ned.
Mr. Soong and the young people searched the estate gardens thoroughly. Nancy was not in sight.
Bess closed her eyes in terror. “I just know the gang has kidnaped Nancy again!”
The worried group held a conference. Ned said, “Mrs. Truesdale mentioned that Chi Che was on a junk. Perhaps that’s where members of the gang took Nancy. Have you any suggestions on how to find that junk?” he asked Mr. Soong.
The Chinese thought a moment, then said, “Mr. Lung recently acquired a combination sail-and-motor junk. I will try to find out where he keeps it.”
Mr. Soong hurried off but was back in a few minutes. He had not only obtained the information by telephone but had received permission from their hostess to use her motor launch for a chase.
“Please to follow me,” the Chinese requested.
At that very moment Nancy was being pushed aboard the large, sumptuous junk. Quickly the pilot cast off and the powerful motors began to move the craft toward the sea. A handkerchief which had been stuffed into Nancy’s mouth was now removed, but she was warned by her captors not to make a sound or her life would be in danger.
At that instant Nancy caught sight of a Chinese girl prisoner kneeling in the roofed-over section at the rear of the junk. From the photograph she had seen in New York, she was sure this was the real Chi Che Soong!
“Let your prisoner go at once!” Nancy demanded. “And me too.”
Her captors paid no attention and shoved