Mystery at the Ski Jump by Carolyn Keene Read Free Book Online Page A

know this?” Nancy asked.
    “I just told him,” Katy said. “Mr. Boyd checked out late last night. The night clerk forgot to report it to the day man.”
    “I’ll bet he left right after he stole the earrings from Bunny Reynolds!” Nancy thought.
    At Nancy’s request Katy took her to the swindler’s room. While the young detective investigated, a booming voice from the hallway announced the arrival of Sergeant Rolf. Nancy hurried to speak to him.
    After hearing the actress’s story, the tall sergeant asked to see the brooch which matched the stolen earrings. Nancy gave him the pin and told him that Sidney Boyd had fled.
    “The villain!” Miss Reynolds said bitterly.
    The officer listened to the details of the case, then said, “I’d like to take the brooch to the police laboratory and have some photographs made. We can give the pictures to our men and alert them to be on the lookout in case Boyd tries to sell those earrings again.”
    “You’re a remarkable detective!” Miss Reynolds cooed. “You’ll get my money back, won’t you, Sergeant? Right away?”
    The man looked embarrassed. “Now, Miss Reynolds, it may take time,” he protested.
    The actress rolled her green eyes at him. “Can’t you get some action by tonight?”
    Sergeant Rolf fidgeted. “Well—er—the fact is that a lot of the men will be off duty tonight, Miss Reynolds. It’s the Policemen’s Ball.”
    The actress grew tearful. “You’ll be dancing and having a good time while I—”
    The sergeant took a deep breath. “Look, I’ve got no special lady friend,” he said. “Suppose you come along with me?”
    Bunny Reynolds was all smiles. “Why, Sergeant! How delightful! I’d love to go!”
    Nancy beckoned to her aunt. “I think this is our cue for an exit.” She chuckled. “If the sergeant will write a receipt for this brooch, we’ll be on our way.”
    “Yes, ma’am.” The officer wrote the receipt and gave it to Nancy. Then he made a note of her aunt’s address and promised to return the brooch within a day or two.
    “You certainly accomplished a lot, Nancy,” Eloise Drew said when they entered her apartment. “And now, please relax for the rest of your visit. I’ve planned a special dinner tonight.”
    Later Miss Drew set the table with gleaming silver and tall lighted candles.
    “I was so intrigued by your fur mystery that I ordered things for a trapper’s dinner,” she said.
    When it was time to sit down to eat, Nancy was delighted. “How delicious everything looks!” she said. “Venison, wild rice, and my favorite currant jelly! Why, Aunt Eloise, this is a real north country feast!”
    As they ate, their conversation returned to the mystery. “What was it you said about Dunstan Lake?” Aunt Eloise asked. “Is that the location of the Forest Fur Company?”
    “So it says on the stock certificates,” her niece answered. “But not even the United States Post Office has ever heard of such a place.”
    “Maybe it’s not a town at all,” Aunt Eloise suggested. “You know, Nancy, I recall that name from somewhere, but I can’t remember when or how. I hope you’ll let me help in your mysteries even though my memory’s failed me!” she added with a chuckle.
    “I call on you whenever I can,” Nancy reminded her. “You’ve always been a help to me. Remember when you took my dog Togo to your summer home in the Adirondacks—”
    “Togo!” Aunt Eloise interrupted. “I remember now. Someone came to the cottage while we were there. I believe he was a trapper. He was looking for a mink ranch and a Dunstan Lake. But there’s no lake by that name around there. I remember thinking it might be the name of the owner of the mink ranch.”
    “That’s a wonderful clue!” Nancy exclaimed.
    “Please don’t follow it tonight,” her aunt teased, “or we’ll be late for the theater.”
    The next day Nancy and her aunt waited for word from the police. By evening they had received none, and Nancy finally