Chapter 16 The Haunted Bridge by Carolyn Keene
The Hidden Note
MEANWHILE, at the Deer Mountain Hotel, George and Bess were wondering what had become of Nancy. They were pacing the lobby waiting for her. Finally she came in, and to their delight the three boys were with her.
“I didn’t mean to worry you,” Nancy apologized to the cousins. “I jumped from one thing to another so fast I forgot to leave word where I was going to be.”
Bess and George were enthusiastic tc have their favorite dates take them to the dance, and promptly forgave Nancy for the anxiety she had caused them.
The two girls hurried to their rooms to change. Ned, Burt, and Dave sat down in the lobby, while Nancy went to the desk to inquire for mail.
“Any letters for me?” she asked.
The desk clerk handed her two envelopes. One was plain, the other bore the hotel insigne. Nancy decided instantly that the latter was from Bartescue. She opened it and was not mistaken. It said:
I won my golf match today and hope the rain did not cause you to lose yours. Important business calls me away from the hotel, but I hope to see you before you return home.
“Important business,” Nancy mused as she tucked the letter into her pocket. “I wonder if it concerns Margaret Judson!”
She opened the second letter, and was astonished to learn that it was from the young woman she hoped to find that night. The typed message and signature read:
The bearer of this note said that you wish to see me. Please write your message and leave it tonight before nine o’clock in one hand of the fountain statue.
Margaret Judson
Nancy read the note a second time to be sure that she had fully absorbed its amazing contents, then turned to the desk clerk.
“Can you tell me who delivered this letter?”
“I was not on duty at the time, Miss Drew.”
Nancy wondered if the messenger could have been Bartescue. She would have to wait and ask the day clerk when he came on duty.
By this time Bess and George had returned. Before they went off with Burt and Dave, Nancy told them about the two notes. Afterward she showed Ned the one from Margaret Judson.
He grinned. “It looks as if your hunch is correct, Nancy. You may meet the mysterious lady before the evening is over.”
“Ned, let’s walk into the garden. I need a moment to figure out what to do. I’m not certain which statue Miss Judson means. It’s probably the large one at the rear of the hotel. I think that’s the only statue connected with a fountain.”
“Let’s look,” Ned suggested.
Without appearing to be particularly interested in the surroundings, the couple walked slowly about the hotel grounds. Finally they stopped at the fountain, pretending to watch the goldfish in its basin.
“I’ve decided to leave a blank sheet of paper here, Ned. I would write a note but I’m a little suspicious Margaret Judson didn’t send me that letter.”
“You think it’s a forgery?”
“It could be. I’d like to compare Miss Judson’s signature with the one on Mr. Haley’s photograph, but I won’t have time now to go back to the cabin.”
Ned looked at his watch. “No, I guess you won’t. It’s almost nine o’clock.”
“We must work quickly. Wait here, Ned, please.”
Nancy ran back into the hotel, but soon reappeared with a folded paper in her hand. The couple sat down on a nearby bench and waited until the grounds were deserted. Then Ned leaned across the stone basin of the fountain and placed the sheet of paper in the upraised hand of the marble figure.
“Now we’ll act as if we’re returning to the hotel,” Nancy whispered.
“Later,” said Ned, “we can sneak back here to see if anyone comes for the message.”
They retraced their steps to the hotel, walked through the lobby, and left by a side door. Selecting a bench which was screened from the fountain by huge bushes, they stationed themselves to wait.
Nine o’clock came, and no one appeared to take the message. An hour later a couple strolled past the fountain, but did not reach for the note.
“I’m beginning to think my piece of paper will never be claimed,” Nancy said with a sigh. “Ned, will you do me another favor?”
“You know I will.”
“This may sound silly, but I’d like you to drive me to the vicinity of Hemlock Hall.”
Nancy was convinced by this time that Margaret Judson was not coming to the Deer Mountain Hotel. She suspected that the mysterious note had been written by Bartescue.
“Haven’t you searched for Miss Judson at Hemlock Hall before?” Ned asked Nancy as the two rode along.
“Yes, but tonight I have a new idea. Maybe Margaret Judson has rented a home near the hotel. But she comes to Hemlock Hall once in a while. I want to interview various real-estate agents.”
“But their offices will be closed, Nancy.”
“I know, but we’ll call at their homes. Oh, Ned, I
must
find Margaret Judson tonight!”
Nancy set out with high hopes of calling on every real-estate agent in the small city of Crofton. As they tried one man after another, she learned nothing. Finally Nancy interviewed John Spencer, the last agent on her list.
“Why, yes,” he replied. “I rented a furnished house only this morning to a Miss Judson but I can’t recall her first name.”
When Nancy convinced him that the matter was of vital importance the realtor obligingly agreed to accompany the couple to his office. He and Nancy went inside. Mr. Spencer checked his records.
“Yes,” he said, “the house at 508 Elmwood Street was taken by a Margaret Judson. She signed a six-months’ lease.”
Nancy thanked him as she wrote down the address and how to find it. Then she hurried back to the car. The agent had given such precise directions for reaching Elmwood Street that Ned had no difficulty in locating the house. To Nancy’s disappointment it was in darkness.
“Perhaps Miss Judson has gone to bed,” Ned suggested, halting the car on the opposite side of the street.
“It’s possible she hasn’t moved in yet,” Nancy remarked.
“Suppose I run across the street and try the bell,” Ned offered.
As he started to open the car door, Nancy suddenly tugged his arm.
“Wait!” she whispered tensely.
A car with brilliant headlights came slowly down the street. The woman driver swung into the gravel driveway at 508.
“That must be Margaret Judson!” Nancy said excitedly. “After she’s inside we’ll knock.”
They watched the shadowy figure leave the car and enter the large white house. Soon the lower floor was flooded with light. The young woman closed the window blinds.
“Shall we go now?” Nancy suggested.
She and Ned went to the front door and pressed the doorbell. Presently they heard footsteps.