Read The Scarlet Slipper Mystery Online
Authors: Carolyn Keene
Tags: #Art Thieves, #Jewel Thieves, #Women Detectives, #Detective and Mystery Stories, #Girls & Women, #Mystery & Detective, #Dance Schools, #Juvenile Fiction, #Adventure and Adventurers, #Mysteries & Detective Stories, #Fiction, #Adventures and Adventurers, #Mystery Fiction, #Women Sleuths, #Adventure Stories, #Mystery & Detective Stories, #Drew; Nancy (Fictitious Character), #General, #Smuggling, #Mystery and Detective Stories
The Scarlet Slipper Mystery (6 page)
“I assure you, the Drews do not need protection from me,” the caller said. “Because I need your trust, I’d like to offer proof of my identity.”
He took out a wallet and several letters, which he showed the lawyer. When Mr. Drew seemed satisfied with them, Mr. Koff added, “And now may we talk alone?”
Mr. Drew led the way into his study and closed the door. Nancy went to the kitchen and explained to the Fontaines what had happened. She advised that they remain there until Mr. Koff left the house.
Five minutes later Mr. Drew came to the door of the study and called to his daughter.
“Please come in, Nancy,” he said. “I want you to hear an amazing story.”
As Nancy seated herself in a chair alongside her father’s desk, he told her that the caller was a writer for newspapers and magazines.
“I’ve come to your father,” Koff explained, “with a law case that may also need a little detective work.”
Mr. Koff leaned back in his chair, then went on, “I became excited on the plane, fearing it would crash, because I have much work to do for my native land of Centrovia, from which I escaped.
“I was so upset that I picked up a briefcase that I thought was my own. When I reached my hotel, I discovered that it belonged to someone else. The papers inside indicated that the owner was a Mr. Buzby in New York, so I sent the case to him, air mail, special delivery, at once.
“Then the trouble started. I received a phone call the following day from a man in River Heights who said that the briefcase belonged to him. Buzby had notified him and was sending it along. The man here is David Judson of Oakwood Avenue.”
Nancy was startled to hear this name but felt it was best to reveal nothing at this time.
“This David Judson,” the Centrovian went on, “told me that Mr. Buzby was a business competitor of his. As a result of seeing confidential material in the briefcase, he had learned business secrets and made a profit from them by getting several large orders. Mr. Judson claims he has suffered considerable financial loss because of it and is demanding damages from me.”
“Could he collect?” Nancy asked her father.
“Under certain circumstances,” the lawyer replied. “But listen to the rest of the story.”
Koff continued, “Well, Judson was aggressive. He frightened me. My daughter and I packed at once and moved to the hotel in Cliffwood.”
“But he found you?” Nancy asked.
“Yes, and tonight he made a new demand by phone. He said he had proof that I had deliberately taken his briefcase. A girl on the plane near me would swear to it.”
Nancy was startled. Did Judson mean her? There had been no other girl sitting nearby.
“If he produces this witness,” said Nancy firmly, “she’ll be a phony. Don’t worry about that.”
“I feel that the whole thing is a frame-up,” Mr. Drew stated. “This Judson hopes to get some money easily. We’ll try to put a stop to the threats at once. Suppose you drop a note to Mr. Judson, telling him that you have turned the matter over to me. If he still wishes to bring suit against you, I’ll agree to accept the case.”
“But I understand through a friend who spoke to the superintendent that Mr. Judson has left Oakwood Avenue and did not say where he was going,” Koff objected.
“You might try General Delivery at the post office,” Nancy suggested.
“I will do that,” the Centrovian agreed.
Mr. Drew asked, “Did you get your briefcase back?”
“No. Mr. Buzby wrote that he knew nothing about mine. It contained both my name and address but has not been returned.” Koff’s face grew grim. “There are many valuable things in it and I am concerned that the information may fall into the wrong hands.”
“The wrong hands?” Nancy repeated.
“In my briefcase,” he explained, “were a number of letters from the Centrovian underground in various countries. Through them, the occupying authorities might trace the loyal people who are working for us. I am sick with worry.”
Nancy felt sorry for Koff. “I hope everything will soon be straightened out,” she said, “and that your daughter can return to the charity show. I understand she’s a wonderful dancer.”
“Yes,” Koff agreed, relaxing a moment. Then his voice rose excitedly. “Before the occupation there were many wonderful dancers in Centrovia. But no more. No, no more. The hearts of our people are crushed. They do not have the time or the spirit for singing and dancing.”
“Did you know many of the famous Centrovian dancers?” Nancy asked.
“Indeed I did,” Koff replied. “Most were killed, but a few fled the country at the time I did. I remember one family in particular, the Provaks, who went to Paris. The mother, an exquisite beauty, died there, and her husband did too. I learned from the underground that the children might be in grave danger.”
“What are their names?”
“They’re known as Helene and Henri Fontaine.”
Nancy heard his words with mixed feelings. Her old suspicion that Koff might be playing a double role flashed across her mind.
The young sleuth glanced at her father’s puzzled face. Evidently he, too, was trying to decide whether they ought to call in the Fontaines.
Catching Nancy’s eye, Carson Drew shook his head slowly as if to say, “Give nothing away!”
But the decision not to reveal the whereabouts of their guests was suddenly taken from them. Helene and Henri Fontaine hurried into the room I
CHAPTER VII
Masked Intruders
FOR the next few minutes there was near pandemonium in Mr. Drew’s study. Mr. Koff and the Fontaines were speaking Centrovian at the tops of their voices, their eyes flashing and hands waving.
As Nancy and her father stood by helplessly, Ned Nickerson, Hannah, and George rushed in. “I knew there’d be trouble! I just knew it!” Hannah cried.
By the sound of the Centrovians’ excited voices, the onlookers fully expected Koff and Henri to come to blows. To their amazement, nothing of the sort happened. But when Mr. Drew caught the word Judson, he stepped forward and took Henri by the shoulder.
“Please speak English,” he said.
The young man looked embarrassed. He bowed slightly and said, “I beg your pardon, sir. We Centrovians are excitable people. We were saying nothing you should not hear.”
The interruption quieted the three Centrovians. Helene and Mr. Koff also apologized, explaining that they were talking about conditions in Centrovia. Henri had also mentioned Nancy’s suspicions about the Judsons.
Helene and Henri, who had overheard part of their countryman’s conversation with the Drews, had not been able to remain in hiding when they heard Mr. Koff mention their names.
Nancy addressed herself to the Fontaines. She asked them frankly, “Do you want to tell Mr. Koff your whole story?”
“Oh, yes,” Henri replied.
From an inside pocket of his jacket he pulled out the warning note that had been left at the dancing school and showed it to the caller. After reading it, Mr. Koff remarked, “This just proves what I have been telling the Provaks—they are in danger.”
“We thought you sent that note!” George blurted out.
“Me!” Koff exclaimed. Then he smiled at George. “Is that why you’ve been following me?”
She admitted that it was.
“Well, I’m glad we’re getting things straightened out,” said Koff. “And now I must go.” He turned to Mr. Drew. “You will take my case against Mr. Judson?”
The lawyer nodded, then said, “Since I am handling your case, there are a few things I would like you to do. For one, everything that took place in this house tonight must be kept in strictest confidence.”
Koff nodded.
“Also,” Mr. Drew went on, “I see no reason for your hiding. If you wish to move back to the Claymore Hotel, I think it will simplify matters. It might bring Mr. Judson into the open, and I should like very much to meet him.”
“My daughter and I will come back to River Heights tomorrow,” Mr. Koff promised. “I know Millie will be pleased. She can resume her part in the charity performance.”
Nancy smiled. “Mrs. Parsons will be glad to hear it. I’ll tell her.”
The Centrovian said good night and left the house. The others sat down to discuss this newest development.
“I just can’t make up my mind about that man,” George said flatly. “One minute I trust him and the next I don’t.”
The Fontaines were confused by this observation. They trusted the man implicitly.
Mr. Drew and Nancy said that they felt a bit wary about Mr. Koff. Undercover agents were very clever. Helene and Henri admitted that perhaps they had told him too much.
“Oh, what shall we do?” Helene cried nervously.
Nancy had a ready answer. “I believe we should move you to another place.”
“We’ll go,” said Henri. “But where? We seem to cause trouble for ourselves and everyone else wherever we are.”
At this point Ned spoke. “I know the ideal spot for you. None of your enemies would ever think of it. My family owns a little place on Cedar Lake that they’re not using right now. I’m sure my parents would be glad to have you live there.”
“That’s an excellent idea,” Nancy declared. “Ned, find out about it right away, will you?”
He telephoned his mother at once. When Ned explained the situation, Mrs. Nickerson said she would be very happy to have the Fontaines use the cottage.
“It’s all settled,” he announced, coming back to the group. “When would you like to go?”
Nancy answered the question by saying she thought the Fontaines should leave immediately. She suggested that they pack while she and Hannah filled some cartons with food for them to take along.
Secretly Nancy and George were amused at Hannah’s reaction to the whole episode. She seemed delighted to have her guests leave and, with Nancy’s help, packed a large quantity of food.
Ned pulled his car into the driveway and parked near the back door. Suitcases and cartons were stowed in the trunk; then the Fontaines stepped into the rear seat and crouched down. Ned and Nancy climbed into the front.
As soon as they had gone, Mr. Drew got out his car and drove George home. He had just returned and was taking off his coat when the telephone rang. Hannah, on her way to the living room, heard him say, “I’ll be there as soon as I can make it.”
As he replaced the receiver, Hannah said, “Are you going out?”
“Yes, Hannah. The call was from Mr. Koff. He has a lead in connection with his case and is going to New York. He is leaving now and I’m to meet him there. I’ll take the next flight in about an hour.”
After the lawyer had left the house, Hannah sat down in the living room to read. Ten minutes later, she heard footsteps on the front porch.
“Nancy and Ned,” she thought. “Oh, dear, something must have happened and they couldn’t continue to the lake.”
Knowing that Nancy had a key, Hannah did not get up. But a moment later, when the bell rang, she thought that Nancy must have forgotten her key.
“Well, I can’t blame her with all the things she has on her mind,” the housekeeper said to herself. She rose and walked to the door.
As she opened it, Hannah Gruen froze to the spot. A man and woman wearing masks stood there! They rushed inside, slammed the door shut, and the man said gruffly with a French accent, “There is nothing to fear if you will do as we say. Where are the Fontaines?”
Hannah shuddered. Then she gained control of herself and said bravely, “You’re making a serious mistake. This is the Drew residence. There’s no one here by the name of Fontaine.”
“We happen to know they are here,” the woman declared. She spoke without accent and in a nasal tone.
At this moment there was an unexpected interruption. Togo, Nancy’s terrier, rushed in from the kitchen and leaped at the man. In a lightning-like move the masked stranger threw the dog to the floor, pulled a drape from the hall window, and quickly wrapped the terrier in it.
Hannah sprang into action. “Get out of here! Both of you!” she shouted, moving backward toward the telephone.
The intruders apparently guessed what was in the housekeeper’s mind. Roughly the man grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her into the living room. He glanced around, then said to his companion, “Go find some rope!”
The woman disappeared toward the kitchen. Hannah could hear her opening and slamming drawers. Finally she came back with a roll of clothesline.
Quickly, Hannah was bound to a chair. Then the couple disappeared up the stairway. Apparently they were making a thorough search of the residence, because Hannah heard them going to the third floor.
Satisfied that the Fontaines were not hiding at the Drew residence, the masked strangers stormed down the stairs. The man entered the living room and stood before Hannah Gruen. Glaring at her and shaking his fist, he cried out, “You tell us where Helene and Henri Fontaine are, or you’ll regret it for the rest of your life!”
CHAPTER VIII
The Artist’s Knife
As the Fontaines left the Drew home with Nancy and Ned, they felt relieved. They talked about the lighter side of their lives in France and described amusing incidents in connection with their dancing. Nancy was delighted.
Later, they approached the Nickersons’ cottage on the shore of Cedar Lake. Helene said cheerfully, “This is a charming spot. I am sure my brother and I will enjoy staying here.”
Ned said he hoped so; then a grim expression crossed his face. The cabin, now visible among the trees, had a dim light in it!
Nancy saw the light too. “Someone’s here,” she said tensely to Ned. “That’s strange. But how could anybody possibly have known that we were coming?”
“Maybe a tramp has broken in,” Ned replied calmly. “I’ll go and investigate. You wait here.”
Bent low, he sneaked up to the cabin. Then straightening up a little, he peered through one of the windows. Almost immediately he came hurrying back to the car, laughing heartily. He said, “Nancy, you’ll never believe who’s here.”
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