Тайна загадочной лестницы [with w_cat] | страница 58

[863] "But the man couldn't have entered this house any other way," Helen told him quickly. "Every window and door on this first floor is kept locked."

[864] The doctor raised his eyebrows. "You've heard of hallucinations?" he asked.

[865] Nancy and Helen frowned, but remained silent.

They were sure that Miss Flora had not had an hallucination. If she had said there was a man in the parlor, then one had been there!

[866] "Call me if you need me before tomorrow morning," the doctor said as he moved toward the front door. "Otherwise I'll drop in some time before twelve."

[867] After the medic had left, the two girls exchanged glances. Nancy said, "Are you game to search the parlor again?"

[868] "You bet I am," Helen responded. "Shall we start now or wait until after supper?"

[869] Although Nancy was eager to begin at once, she thought that first she should go upstairs and extend her sympathy to Miss Flora. She also felt that a delay in serving her supper while the search went on might upset the ill woman. Helen offered to go into the kitchen at once and start preparing the meal. Nancy nodded and went up the steps.

[870] Miss Flora had been put to bed in her daughter's room to avoid any further scares from die ghost, who seemed to operate in the elderly woman's own room.

[871] "Miss Flora, I'm so sorry you have to stay in bed," said Nancy, walking up and smiling at the patient.

[872] "Well, I am too," Mrs. Turnbull replied. "And I think it's a lot of nonsense. Everybody faints once in a while. If you'd ever seen what I did—that horrible face!"

[873] "Mother!" pleaded Aunt Rosemary, who was seated in a chair on the other side of the bed. "You know what the doctor said."

[874] "Oh, these doctors!" her mother said pettishly. "Anyway, Nancy, I'm sure I saw the ghost. Now you just look for a man who hasn't shaved in goodness knows how long and has an ugly face and kind of longish hair."

[875] It was on the tip of Nancy's tongue to ask for information on the man's height and size, but recalling the doctor's warning, she said nothing about this. Instead, she smiled and taking one of Miss Flora's hands in her own, said:

[876] "Let's not talk any more about this until you're up and well. Then I'll put you on the Drew and Company detective squad!"

[877] The amusing remark made the elderly woman smile and she promised to try getting some rest.

[878] "But first I want something to eat," she demanded. "Do you think you girls can manage alone? I'd like Rosemary to stay here with me."