The Scarlet Slipper Mystery by Carolyn Keene Read Free Book Online Page A

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