Тайна загадочной лестницы [with w_cat] | страница 11

[138] "My goodness!" Hannah Gruen cried out. "Whatever in the world happened to you?"

[139] They explained hastily, then hurried upstairs to bathe and change into dry clothes. By the time they reached the first floor again, Hannah had placed sherbet glasses filled with orange and grapefruit slices on the table. All during the delicious dinner of spring lamb, rice and mushrooms, fresh peas and chocolate angel cake with vanilla ice cream, the conversation revolved around the railroad bridge mystery and then the haunted Twin Elms mansion.

[140] "I knew things wouldn't be quiet around here for long," Hannah Gruen remarked with a smile. "Tomorrow you'll both be off on big adventures. I certainly wish you both success."

[141] "Thank you, Hannah," said Nancy. She laughed. "I'd better get a good night's sleep. From now on I may be kept awake by ghosts and strange noises."

[142] "I'm a little uneasy about your going to Twin Elms," the housekeeper told her. "Please promise me that you'll be careful."

[143] "Of course," Nancy replied. Turning to her father, she said, "Pretend I've said the same thing to you about being careful."

[144] The lawyer chuckled and pounded his chest. "You know me. I can be pretty tough when the need arises."

[145] Early the next morning Nancy drove her father to the airport in her blue convertible. Just before she kissed him good-by at the turnstile, he said, "I expect to return on Wednesday, Nancy. Suppose I stop off at Cliffwood and see how you're making out?"

[146] "Wonderful, Dad! I'll be looking for you."

[147] As soon as her father left, Nancy drove directly to Helen Coming's home. The pretty, brunette girl came from the front door of the white cottage, swinging a suitcase. She tossed it into the rear of Nancy's convertible and climbed in.

[148] "I ought to be scared," said Helen. "Goodness only knows what's ahead of us. But right now I'm so happy nothing could upset me."

[149] "What happened?" Nancy asked as she started the car. "Did you inherit a million?"

[150] "Something better than that," Helen replied. "Nancy, I want to tell you a big, big secret. I'm going to be married!"

[151] Nancy slowed the car and pulled to the side of the street. Leaning over to hug her friend, she said, "Why, Helen, how wonderful! Who is he? And tell me all about it. This is rather sudden, isn't it?"

[152] "Yes, it is," Helen confessed. "His name is Jim Archer and he's simply out of this world. I'm a pretty lucky girl. I met him a couple of months ago when he was home on a short vacation. He works for the Tristam Oil Company and has spent two years abroad. Jim will be away a while longer, and then be given a position here in the States."