Part 30 (2/2)
”I have no objection,” Betsy a.s.sured her.
Nancy felt confident as she teed up the Jimmy Harlow ball. Had it not led her straight to an absorbing mystery? Could it also help her win the silver trophy?
CHAPTER XX.
A Day to Remember
NANCY was so intent on her golf game she hardly noticed the pain in her hand. She became oblivious to the crowd and their comments. She was not aware that her excellent shots were forcing Betsy Howard to ”press” and make costly errors.
After Nancy putted at the seventeenth green she vaguely heard Chris say, ”You're one up, Miss Drew! Halve this hole and the women's champions.h.i.+p is yours!”
Nancy played the eighteenth in true champions.h.i.+p style, every shot straight and true. Betsy, in a desperate attempt to win, had tried too hard. She had sent her ball into a sand trap, costing her an extra point. Nancy's ball already rested about ten yards from the cup.
After Betsy chipped her ball onto the green, she was eight feet from the hole. Nancy putted her ball with care and confidence. It rolled so swiftly that a little gasp of horror went up from the crowd. Many thought it would end at the far side of the green. But the ball had been tapped accurately and it dropped into the cup.
Betsy Howard stood perfectly still for a moment. Then she putted her own ball, missed, and tried again. This time it dropped, but already the match was lost. She reached out and grasped Nancy's hand.
”Congratulations, my dear. You played a beautiful game.”
The crowd cheered, and friends rushed forward to praise Nancy. She smiled happily and thanked them. Then she was led in triumph to the hotel and received the handsome silver trophy for the women's champions.h.i.+p.
”We knew you'd do it!” Bess cried gaily. ”Oh, Nancy, you were marvelous!”
”Your score today was sixty-nine,” George added proudly. ”It sets a new record for women at the Deer Mountain course. And you were the youngest one in the tournament, too!”
Nancy grinned, then whispered, ”Will you do me a favor?” George and Bess nodded.
”Please put this trophy in my room. I'd like to get to the cabin before Mrs. Brownell arrives.”
”Margaret decided to leave before you,” Bess told her. ”She thought you wouldn't mind. Your father wanted her to be at the cabin early.”
As Nancy hastened alone toward the woods she could not help reflecting that it was a pity Mrs. Brownell chose to live by dishonest means. She caught herself wondering about the child's picture in the jeweled compact. Who was she?
Nancy's thoughts were interrupted as she approached the bridge. Moaning and groaning filled the air, louder than ever, and the scarecrow danced wildly in the wind.
Nancy stopped in the middle of the bridge and gazed up into the tossing treetops, listening carefully. Suddenly she gave a little smile, and with a nod of satisfaction, hurried on.
She made her way quietly along the familiar path to the cabin. Hearing no voices within, she opened the door. Carson Drew sprang to his feet, then laughed in relief as he saw that the caller was his daughter.
”I thought for a moment Mrs. Brownell had caught me napping. Did you win the game?”
”Yes. Did you get the compact?” Nancy asked.
Mr. Drew nodded. ”I've given it to Margaret Judson. The detectives who brought it are hidden outside with the federal agents. In fact, there are men stationed all along the roads from her hotel. Should Mrs. Brownell decide not to come here or try to flee from us after being accused of the theft, she'll find every avenue of escape cut off.”
”You're convinced of her guilt, Dad?”
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