Part 1 (2/2)

After the first few miles, Bess slumped down and wearily leaned her head back against the seat, while gazing out the window. ”Nice homes along this road,” she observed presently.

”Mostly country estates,” George added.

”Look at that large white house on the hill.” Nancy pointed toward one with s.p.a.cious grounds and a woods behind it. ”Isn't it a dream? The lawns are so well kept. Just my idea of a country place.”

”Wonder who owns it?” George asked.

Nancy had no chance to reply. Suddenly there was a tremendous explosion, and in an instant the lovely white house on the hillside burst into flames! Tongues of fire leaped from the windows and doors.

”There may be people trapped inside!” Nancy cried out. ”We must help them!”

She drove frantically toward the burning house, pressing the automobile horn incessantly, hoping to attract the attention of neighboring residents. As the girls pa.s.sed other vehicles, Bess and George shouted and pointed toward the house on the hill.

”We'll need all the help we can get,” Nancy said grimly, ”if anyone is to be rescued.”

The convertible swung into the driveway and headed up the hill toward the burning building. At a glance it was apparent to the girls that the house could not be saved. Nancy stopped the car and the three jumped out.

”There may be people trapped inside!” Nancy cried out

”If there are people trapped inside,” George exclaimed as they dashed toward the house, ”how can we ever save them?”

The girls scanned the windows anxiously but could see no one. Already the smoke was thick and the heat warned them that they could not enter-at least, not from the front.

”I'll try the back,” Nancy told the cousins. ”The smoke may not be so dense there. You'd better take the car to the nearest house and phone the fire department.”

As Bess and George hurried off, Nancy quickly rounded the house, only to be met by a heavy cloud of smoke being carried by the wind. It made her cough and choke, and for a moment her eyes burned so that she could barely see.

Nancy started forward again, then halted abruptly as she caught sight of a man about to crawl through the back hedge. He seemed to be running away from the burning building. Did this mean he might have set the house on fire?

”Stop!” Nancy cried.

The man turned his head and in the glare of the fire she caught a momentary but clear glimpse of his face. He was very blond, ruddy complex-ioned, and square jawed. Instantly he whirled, crawled through the thick hedge, and vanished.

”His actions were those of a guilty person,” Nancy thought. Who was he? she wondered. Nancy saw him again when he stood up behind the hedge. The man was tall and gaunt, and poorly dressed.

”He doesn't look like a criminal,” she thought. ”But his identification might prove vitally important to the authorities.”

Nancy had an instinctive talent for detective work. She was the only child of Carson Drew, a widely known lawyer. Mrs. Drew had pa.s.sed away when Nancy was a very young child, and daughter and father had become close companions. They often helped each other on cases.

The first mystery Nancy had solved was The Secret of the Old Clock, involving her in a dangerous search for a missing will. Since then, she had successfully tackled other unusual cases. Nancy's most recent adventure, centering around a strange white-robed clan, cleared up The Mystery at Red Gate Farm.

As Nancy stood staring after the stranger who had disappeared into the woods, she heard fire engines clang up to the house. She dashed to the front and met George and Bess, breathless from running. Neighbors were arriving from all directions, some on foot, others in automobiles. The sight of the burning building had attracted pa.s.sing motorists, and the driveway was quickly jammed with cars.

The firemen realized at once that nothing could be saved. By playing heavy streams of water on the house, the firemen barely succeeded in keeping the blaze from spreading to the outbuildings.

”What a shame such a beautiful home had to burn!” Bess remarked as the girls watched the firemen work. ”I-I hope the owners aren't in there.”

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