Part 29 (1/2)
”Will you try to get in touch with her tomorrow?” Mr. Drew asked.
”Yes,” the other answered.
Carson Drew decided to take Margaret Judson into his confidence and explained that he wished to locate the two women in order to set a trap for Mrs. Brownell.
”If you are able to reach Mrs. Cartlett,” he said, ”inform her that you have recovered the jewelry. Tell her to notify her friend that she must meet you at the cabin if she wishes to get back the lost compact.”
”I'm almost afraid to see Mrs. Brownell alone,” Margaret admitted. ”She has a violent temper.”
”Perhaps I could come here with you,” Nancy suggested. Then as a second thought occurred to her she added, ”Oh, I forgot about the tournament tomorrow.”
Mr. Drew smiled at his daughter. ”I believe I can arrange matters for you so your match can be played in the afternoon. The tournament chairman is very reasonable. By the way, Nancy, how's your hand?”
”It's better, Dad. I haven't felt much pain in it today.”
A few minutes later Margaret Judson, her fiance, Nancy, and Mr. Drew prepared to drive to Deer Mountain Hotel. The engaged couple had decided to take rooms there until the mystery was cleared up.
As Nancy said good-by to Ned, she remarked, ”As usual, you seem to be the one who must hold the fort. Hope you're not too bored.”
”No chance,” Ned told her. ”Besides plenty of excitement, I've found some fascinating books here on wildlife.”
At the hotel Nancy was greeted by her friends with a flood of questions.
”We were worried sick over you,” said Bess.
She and the others were introduced and told the amazing turn of events. They congratulated the reunited couple.
Margaret was able to get a room near Nancy's. When they reached it, Nancy lingered a few minutes to talk.
”I don't wish to be personal,” she began, ”but are you well acquainted with a man named Martin Bartescue?”
”No,” Margaret replied promptly. ”I met him on my trip abroad, but I didn't care for him.”
”Have you seen him since your return to this country?”
”Oh, no. He was just a casual acquaintance.”
Nancy said, ”Mr. Bartescue has been staying at this hotel. He pretended to know you well.”
”Mrs. Brownell knew the man very well,” Margaret said thoughtfully. ”It was through her that I met him. Later she told him where I lived. But I did not want to encourage him to contact me and told her so.”
Nancy remembered the telegram Bartescue had intended for Margaret Judson. ”He decided not to send it,” the young detective thought, ”because deep down he knew she would not answer.”
Margaret looked so weary Nancy said good night and went to Bess and George's room to hear about their evening. The cousins related their adventure with Martin Bartescue.
”Don't feel bad about your mistake, George.” Nancy chuckled. ”It served him right. He thought he would play a joke on me by asking me to leave a message in one hand of the statue.”
”I still think Barty must be a crook,” George insisted. ”Otherwise, how do you explain his different styles of handwriting?”
Nancy's answer surprised Bess and George. ”I think he's just a practical joker. He thinks it's fun to keep us mystified.”