The Clue Of The Velvet Mask Part 10

A man was das.h.i.+ng across the lawn. He jumped into a car parked in front of the house next door.

"There he goes!" Nancy said grimly as the automobile roared off. Sensing the housekeeper's nervousness, she added, "Perhaps Bess and George should stay with you tonight. I'll call them." She phoned George and asked her to pick up Bess.

"Be there in fifteen minutes," George promised.

While Hannah Gruen hurriedly pressed a suit for Nancy, the girl detective started packing her overnight suitcase.

"I mustn't forget to take the black mask," she told herself.

When Bess and George arrived, they were astonished to learn that she was leaving at once for Amstar.

"Nancy, you're not going alone!" Bess protested. "George and I will make the trip with you. Why, someone might try to s.n.a.t.c.h that mask away if you're alone."

George snapped her fingers. "That gives me an idea. It will make your trip mugging-proof."

"What's your idea?" Nancy asked eagerly.

"I'll masquerade as you! I can wear your clothes and carry your bag."

"That's a very dangerous idea. I don't think-"

"I insist. After all, it's the most foolproof way I can think of to protect River Heights' number one detective," George interrupted. She fluffed her hair and added, "We'll rent a t.i.tian-haired wig for me and a dark-brown one for you."

Nancy was thoughtful. Although she worried about her friend's welfare, the idea appealed to her. If the girls' hunches were right, she might even catch the person who wanted the mask back!

"Well, what say?" George prodded.

"There's one drawback," said Nancy. "With eavesdroppers around I don't think any of us should rent the wigs."

"That problem can be solved easily." George looked over Nancy's shoulder. "Here's the person to do it. h.e.l.lo, Mrs. Gruen."

"What am I getting into?" the housekeeper asked with a smile.

While Nancy explained, George went to the phone and called Mrs. Fayne and Mrs. Marvin who gave their permission for the trip. Ten minutes later Mrs. Gruen was in a taxi on her way to the Lightner Entertainment Company.

Meanwhile, it was decided that the mask would be carried in Bess's bag. As soon as Mrs. Gruen returned with the wigs and the train tickets, George took Nancy's initialed suitcase and the cousins left to return home to dress for the trip.

"Hurry! There's not much time!" Nancy called to them. "And, Bess, take a bag without initials. I will too."

"I'm glad they're going with you," Hannah declared. "You'll need protection more than I will."

Bess and Nancy met on the station platform just as the train arrived.

By prearrangement they took seats near the rear of the second coach. Soon George came in with her luggage. Seating herself at the front of the car, she set the case so that the initials N.D. were plainly visible to anyone pa.s.sing through the aisle.

"I hope the trick works," Bess whispered.

"It will," Nancy predicted, although both girls remained silently concerned for George's safety.

Nancy nudged Bess to draw her attention to three pa.s.sengers who had entered the car directly behind George. One was a dark-eyed, sullen-looking woman in smartly tailored clothes. She was accompanied by two men.

They scrutinized George, who was thumbing through a magazine. Then their gaze wandered down the aisle to Nancy and Bess.

The woman and one of the men sat down in the double seat across the aisle from George. The second man took the seat directly in front of Bess and Nancy.

This was an unforeseen complication, for now they were unable to talk without fear of being overheard. Nevertheless, Nancy and Bess were jubilant. They were certain their ruse had worked!

The three pa.s.sengers easily might have chosen other seats. Instead, two had deliberately sat near the girl they thought was Nancy, and the third had probably stationed himself to listen to Nancy and Bess, the only other two young women in the car.

Nancy settled back in her seat and opened a magazine but did not read. The man in the seat ahead paid no attention to the other pa.s.sengers and devoted himself to a copy of a New York newspaper.

An hour later the conductor called out the name of a small but busy town. Nancy noticed that the stranger had put aside his newspaper. Was he going to leave the train? Had she been entirely mistaken about him?

Nancy and Bess did not venture even a whispered remark. But they exchanged glances.

The train began to slow down for the station. Nancy and Bess looked up to see what the couple across the aisle from George would do.

The dark-haired woman rose, stepped across the aisle, and bent over George. When she straightened, the masquerading "Nancy Drew" had slumped over, apparently in a faint!

"Oh dear! Our daughter is ill," the woman proclaimed in a loud voice. "We must get her off the train at once!"

By this time they had reached the station. The woman seized the suitcase with the initials N.D. Her companion gathered George up in his arms, carrying her toward the front exit.

Alarmed, Nancy and Bess grabbed their bags and started in pursuit. But their way was immediately blocked by the man who had seated himself directly ahead of them.

"What's the hurry, sister?" he asked, swaying from side to side to prevent their pus.h.i.+ng past him.

Nancy knew now why he had taken that particular seat. George's kidnapping had been planned -her abductors wanted no interference!

"Let us through!" Nancy ordered.

"There's plenty of time, girlie."

"No, there isn't," Bess fairly yelled.

By now several other pa.s.sengers began to take an interest in the commotion.

"The rear exit!" Nancy whispered.

She wheeled and Bess followed her. They leaped down the steps, and looking up the platform, saw the unconscious George being put into a waiting automobile. As Nancy and Bess dropped their bags and ran toward it, the car sped away from the station!

CHAPTER VII.

Double Talk