Mystery of the Moss-Covered Mansion by Carolyn Keene Read Free Book Online

she felt largely responsible for what had happened to Croft.
    Hannah asked, “How could you possibly be responsible?”
    Nancy replied, “We know there are people who don’t want us working on Mr. Billington’s case. They’re probably watching all our movements. They found out I went to Croft’s house today and figured he had told me all he knew about the case. That’s why he was beaten up!”
    “How terrible!” Bess said angrily.
    “Here’s another possibility,” said George. “Suppose Croft is actually one of the gang? He might have been the inside man.”
    Hannah spoke up. “If Croft is one of the gang, why would they beat him up?”
    “Because,” George replied, “he was given a job to do at the Base and he bungled it.”
    Nancy remarked, “That’s good reasoning, George. I don’t happen to agree with it, though. I think Croft was given the beating to keep him from saying any more. He may suspect other people whom he didn’t tell us about.”
    When she turned into the Billingtons’ driveway, George said, “The Resardos’ car is here.”
    “That Antin is a cheat!” Hannah burst out. “Mr. Billington pays him for working in the grove and taking care of these grounds. He hasn’t touched the lawn or garden since we came. The grass is getting so brown I put on the sprinkler today.”
    The housekeeper unlocked the rear door and turned on the light. “How about a little ice cream before we go to bed?” She went to the refrigerator to take some out.
    Nancy glanced at her watch. It was after eleven o’clock. “I wonder if it’s too late to call Mr. Datsun,” she said to the others. “I think I should tell him what happened tonight.”
    Hannah, Bess, and George agreed, so Nancy went to the phone and picked it up. Someone was using it!
    As the young detective listened, a man said, “Got it straight? R-day.”
    George had followed Nancy to the hall. Nancy made motions indicating that her friend was to run upstairs and see who was on the extension phone.
    As George took the steps two at a time, Nancy heard a man’s muffled reply, “Okay.” The connection was cut off.
    George came down the stairs to report that she had found no one using the extension phone up there.
    “The call must have been made from the orange packing house,” Nancy declared.
    Hannah had come to see what was troubling Nancy. After hearing about the conversation, she said firmly, “Nancy, you’re not going to that place to find out. It’s too dangerous. Anyway, the person who used the phone has probably left by this time.”
    Nancy agreed. “But I think Antin should investigate,” she said. “I’m going upstairs and tell him.”
    George gave a sardonic laugh. “He won’t thank you for waking him up.”
    “I don’t care,” Nancy replied, and mounted the stairway. She knocked on the Resardos’ door. There was no response, but after a second knock, a woman’s sleepy voice said, “Who’s there?”
    “It’s Nancy Drew, Tina. I’d like to speak to Antin. It’s very important.”
    There was a long pause, then finally Tina came to the door. “Antin can’t see you now. He’s taking a bath.”
    “Please tell him that some prowler is in the packing house. He’d better go find out about him.”
    “Okay, I’ll tell him.”
    Nancy returned to the first floor. She and the others ate their ice cream, but Antin Resardo did not appear.
    “Some more of his indifference,” George remarked. “He’s a surly person.”
    “Yes,” Bess spoke up. “He’s no help at all around here. I certainly think Mr. Billington should be told.”
    “You can bet he will be,” Hannah informed her.
    When they finished the ice cream, the girls washed and dried the dishes and spoons. Then they put out the lights and followed Hannah up the stairway. Suddenly Nancy turned back.
    “What is it?” Bess asked her.
    “Listen!” said Nancy. “I think someone is using a key to open the kitchen door.”
    Led by Nancy, the group tiptoed