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

down the stairway and went toward the kitchen. The rear door opened just as Nancy clicked on the overhead light. They were astounded to see Antin Resardo coming in.
    “You weren’t taking a bath at all as Tina said!” George cried out. “You were in the orange packing house phoning!”
    Nancy walked up to him. “What does R-day mean?” she demanded.
    Antin gave a start, then suddenly his face flushed with anger and he glared at the young detective.
    “You little sneak!” he yelled.
    The next second he grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her so hard Nancy felt as if her head would snap off.

CHAPTER VIII
    Doubting Workmen
    “STOP that!” George yelled at Antin.
    She grabbed his arm and as Nancy staggered away, George buckled the man’s knees and flipped him over her shoulder. He fell to the floor with a crash.
    “Good for you, George!” exclaimed Bess in glee.
    Antin had been taken completely by surprise and had had the wind knocked out of him. Slowly he arose.
    Meanwhile Hannah had rushed to Nancy’s side and asked, “Are you all right? That was a contemptible thing to do to you!” she said. “Antin, hereafter don’t you ever dare lay a finger on Nancy or any of the rest of us!”
    Nancy assured Hannah she would be her normal self in a few minutes and flopped into a chair. Antin looked at her, then said grudgingly, “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I’m sorry if I did. You make me see red when you act suspicious of me. You mentioned my taking a bath. By the time I finished, Tina was asleep.
    “It worried me that since I’d been away all day the machinery might not have been switched off in the packing house. I went to investigate.
    “While there, I decided to put in a phone call to a friend of mine who is giving a surprise birthday party for his wife. Her name is Ruth. We are calling it R-day.”
    The commotion had brought Tina downstairs in her robe and slippers. She looked at the group questioningly. Antin repeated his story about R-day to her and she nodded affirmation.
    Hannah spoke up. “There may have been misunderstanding on all sides. Why don’t we talk this whole thing out?”
    “Good idea,” said Antin.
    Mrs. Gruen went on, “In the first place, I may as well tell you I resent your not helping in the house. You eat the food I cook and even leave your dirty dishes for me to wash.”
    Tina retorted, “Mr. Billington didn’t tell me I had to wait on these extra people. He just told me Mr. Drew and his daughter might be down. I’m not strong and I’m not too well,” she went on, “and I won’t wait on so many people! That’s final!”
    “She’s right,” Antin burst out. “Between all the extra work and you people practically accusing us of being crooks, I think Tina and I will move to a motel until after you go home.”
    Hannah and the girls looked at one another. It would be a great relief to have the unpleasant Resardos out of the house. But if the couple stayed, they could be kept under surveillance.
    Antin went on, “You think I had something to do with those explosive oranges. Well I didn’t, and I gave the FBI an airtight alibi about where I was the day it happened.”
    Nancy did not like the man’s defensive attitude. She knew that guilty people often play the part of aggrieved persons, trying to cover up the truth. Was this the case with the Resardos?
    Again Hannah spoke up. “I’m glad we had this talk,” she said. “Tina and Antin, I’m sure Mr. Billington would be very hurt if you leave and he might even decide not to let you come back.”
    This thought startled the couple. They looked at each other and finally Tina said, “All right, we’ll stay. I’ll help with the cooking whenever Antin and I are here. I guess all of us can keep the house clean.”
    Nancy sensed the Resardos were annoyed because Hannah had won her point. The couple wished the others good night and went to their room. George looked after them. Did she imagine it, or was Antin limping a