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

little because of her Judo trick?
    The atmosphere the next morning was a bit strained, but Tina did help prepare breakfast. She did not serve the food, however. Instead she and Antin sat down in the kitchen to eat, while the others carried their plates of eggs and bacon to the dining room.
    Immediately after breakfast Nancy and Bess went upstairs to make their beds. George was about to follow a few minutes later when she saw Antin leave the house. On a hunch she trailed him, keeping well out of sight.
    The foreman went directly to the packing house and George started back through the grove. Suddenly it occurred to her that she might get a clue to the orange mystery from some of the pickers. Seeing two of them a little distance away, she walked toward the men.
    When George came near, she heard one man say, “I wouldn’t trust that guy any place.”
    His companion replied, “Me neither.”
    The other man said laughingly, “I’ll bet you the boss is making a killing for himself!” Were they talking about Antin or Mr. Billington?
    Puzzled but suspicious, George hurried back to the house. By the time she arrived Tina had gone upstairs and Bess and Nancy had come down. George told them what she had heard in the grove.
    “Which boss do you think the men were talking about?” she asked.
    Nancy smiled. “I’ll try to find out.”
    She went to the phone and called the packing house. When a man answered, she said, “I’d like to speak to the boss.”
    “Okay. I’ll call him,” the worker replied. He yelled. “Antin, you’re wanted on the phone.”
    Noiselessly Nancy put down the receiver and reported to the other girls.
    “Shall we go tackle him?” George asked. “I’m sure he’s doublecrossing Mr. Billington.”
    Nancy agreed but said, “I have a feeling that today Antin will be on his good behavior. In the meantime let’s try once more to get into the Webster house. I can’t wait to see the inside.”
    “How are you going to accomplish that without a key?” Bess queried.
    Nancy said she would start by going back to Mr. Scarlett’s office. She might be able to learn something from nearby store owners.
    When the girls reached the realtor’s office, they were surprised to see the door open. Lovely, low singing was coming from within. Wondering what was going on, the three callers walked inside. A stout, pretty woman was singing a lullaby as she dusted the furniture.
    Upon seeing the girls she smiled broadly and said, “You want Mr. Scarlett?”
    “Yes we do,” Nancy replied.
    The pleasant woman jerked her thumb toward a closed door. “He’s in there.”
    Nancy was surprised and delighted. Now she could get the key!
    She knocked on the closed door. A voice said, “Come in!”
    As Nancy walked in, she said, “Good morning. I’m Nancy Drew.”
    “Oh yes. Mrs. Nickerson left a note you might come. Why did you?”
    “To have you show me the interior of the Webster house,” she answered.
    The realtor scowled. “Don’t you know I’m on vacation?”
    “Your sign said so, but you seem to be right here,” the young detective replied with a smile.
    “Well, I am on vacation. There were certain papers in my files I had to pick up.”
    Nancy pretended not to notice he was trying to evade her. She said pleasantly, “I’m lucky to have found you. If you can’t show me and my friends the Webster house, then, since you know the Nickersons, will you please lend me the key? I’ll return it through your mail slot, unless my father decides he wants to buy the place. In that case I’ll keep the key.”
    “You’ll do nothing of the sort,” Mr. Scarlett said unpleasantly. “The house is not for you. You wouldn’t like it and there are lots of things the matter with the place.”
    “Like what?” Nancy asked.
    Mr. Scarlett frowned. “It’s not necessary for me to go into that.”
    Nancy was not ready to give up yet. She smiled. “Why are you so anxious to keep us away from the Webster property? If I were