Тайна загадочной лестницы [with w_cat]

[541] Nancy and Helen ran down the steps and out onto the lawn. Just ahead of them stood Tom Patrick, the police detective. In a viselike grip he was holding a thin, bent-over man whom the girls judged to be about fifty years of age.

[542] "Is this your ghost?" the guard asked.

[543] His prisoner was struggling to free himself but was unable to get loose. The girls hurried forward to look at the man.

[544] "I caught him sneaking along the edge of the grounds," Tom Patrick announced.

[545] "Let me go!" the man cried out angrily. "I'm no ghost. What are you talking about?"

[546] "You may not be a ghost," the detective said, "but you could be the thief who has been robbing this house."

[547] "What?" his prisoner exclaimed. "I'm no thief I live around here. Anyone will tell you I'm okay."

[548] "What's your name and where do you live?" the detective prodded. He let the man stand up straight but held one of his arms firmly.

[549] "My name's Albert Watson and I live over on Tuttle Road."

[550] "What were you doing on this property?"

Albert Watson said he had been taking a short cut home. His wife had taken their car for the evening.

[551] "I'd been to a friend's house. You can call him and verify what I'm saying. And you can call my wife, too. Maybe she's home now and she'll come and get me."

[552] The guard reminded Albert Watson that he had not revealed why he was sneaking along the ground.

[553] "Well," the prisoner said, "it was because of you. I heard downtown that there was a detective patrolling this place and I didn't want to bump into you. I was afraid of just what did happen."

The man relaxed a little. "I guess you're a pretty good guard at that."

[554] Detective Patrick let go of Albert Watson's arm. "Your story sounds okay, but we'll go in the house and do some telephoning to find out if you're telling the truth."

[555] "You'll find out all right. Why, I'm even a notary public! They don't give a notary's license to dishonest folks!" the trespasser insisted, Then he stared at Nancy and Helen, "What are you doing in those funny clothes?"

[556] "We—are—we were having a little costume party," Helen responded. In the excitement she and Nancy had forgotten what they were wearing!

[557] The two girls started for the house, with the men following. When Mr. Watson and the guard saw Miss Flora and Aunt Rosemary also in costume they gazed at the women in amusement.

[558] Nancy introduced Mr. Watson. Miss Flora said she knew of him, although she had never met the man. Two phone calls by the guard confirmed Watson's story. In a little while his wife arrived at Twin Elms to drive her husband home, and Detective Patrick went back to his guard duty.

[559] Aunt Rosemary then turned out all the lights on the first floor and she, Miss Flora, and the girls went upstairs. Bedroom doors were locked, and everyone hoped there would be no disturbance during the night

[560] "It was a good day, Nancy," said Helen, yawning, as she climbed into bed.

[561] "Yes, it was," said Nancy. "Of course, I'm a little disappointed that we aren't farther along solving the mystery but maybe by this time tomorrow—" She looked toward Helen who did not answer. She was already sound asleep.

[562] Nancy herself was under the covers a few minutes later. She lay staring at the ceiling, going over the various events of the past two days. As her mind recalled the scene in the attic when they were pulling costumes from the old trunk, she suddenly gave a start.

[563] "That section of wall back of the trunk!" she told herself. "The paneling looked different somehow from the rest of the attic wall. Maybe it's movable and leads to a secret exit! Tomorrow I'll find out!"

[ 564 ] CHAPTER X. The Midnight Watch.

[565] As SOON as the two girls awoke the next morning, Nancy told Helen her plan.

[566] "I'm with you," said Helen. "Oh, I do wish we could solve the mystery of the ghost! I'm afraid that it's beginning to affect Miss Flora's health and yet she won't leave Twin Elms."

[567] "Maybe we can get Aunt Rosemary to keep her in the garden most of the day," Nancy suggested. "It's perfectly beautiful outside. We might even serve lunch under the trees."

[568] "I'm sure they'd love that," said Helen. "As soon as we get downstairs, let's propose it."

[569] Both women liked the suggestion. Aunt Rosemary had guessed their strategy and was appreciative of it.

[570] "I'll wash and dry the dishes," Nancy offered when breakfast was over. "Miss Flora, why don't you and Aunt Rosemary go outside right now and take advantage of this lovely sunshine?"

[571] The frail, elderly woman smiled. There were deep circles under her eyes, indicating that she had had a sleepless night.

[572] "And I'll run the vacuum cleaner around and dust this first floor in less than half an hour," Helen said merrily.