150 Mystery At Moorsea Manor by Carolyn Keene

Author:Carolyn Keene [Keene, Carolyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

9

Behind Closed Doors

Nancy examined the note, which was written on Moorsea Manor stationery. Begone? she mused. Give me a break. I mean, how many people in this century talk that way?

She met Hugh’s anguished gaze. “I didn’t tell the other guests this,” he said, “but Annabel’s upstairs in bed. She’s too upset to oversee dinner tonight, so Peggy is handling the meal. Annabel wouldn’t want anyone to think she’s shirking her duties, though, so please don’t tell the other guests.”

“I won’t,” Nancy said. Her stomach churned as she thought of Maisie being kidnapped by someone. “Please, Hugh,” she went on, “tell me everything you can remember about where and when you last saw Maisie. You noticed she was missing this afternoon?”

“Yes. Annabel last remembers seeing Maisie after the treasure hunt when everyone was gathered in the front hall describing their accidents. But she can’t remember seeing her after you spoke with us about Billy Tremain being in the barn. Oh, and by the way, Nancy, I couldn’t find Billy after I left you and Annabel so rudely.” He flashed her an apologetic half-smile.

“I don’t blame you for hurrying away to look for him,” Nancy said. “Billy was trespassing. And if he is guilty of the pranks, that means he has Maisie with him now.” Fingering Maisie’s collar, Nancy asked, “Exactly when did you find this?”

“About five o’clock,” Hugh answered. “Long after we first realized she was missing, which was shortly after I returned from scouting for Billy. It’s very unusual that Maisie would be gone even for an hour—she’s a real homebody, she doesn’t roam.”

Nancy cast her mind back over the events of the day. After interviewing the staff, she had taken a long walk on the beach and then headed upstairs to dress for dinner. She hadn’t noticed anything suspicious at all.

“So you and Annabel called Maisie for a while?” she asked.

“Yes, we called her and looked everywhere we could think of—the barn, the shops, the beach, everywhere. And then we found the note and collar.” Hugh was almost pleading with Nancy. “What on earth is going on?”

“I don’t know,” Nancy said. “But I promise I’ll get to the bottom of this. And I promise to find Maisie.” Nancy stared down at the note. “Would it be okay if I keep this? I’d like to investigate it later.”

• • •

At dinner Nancy and George invited Malcolm to join them. Unlike the merry atmosphere that had bubbled among the guests after dinner the previous evening, a gloom hung over the group. Each guest took a seat in silence. Mrs. Macmillan-Brown’s forehead was creased with worry, and even the normally cheerful Ashley was glum. Georgina Trevor seemed even more distracted than usual, pouring water into her already filled glass and taking no notice of the puddle that quickly formed below it.

Everyone started as Nigel spoke. “I wonder what will befall the next unlucky guest, and who he or she will be,” he remarked.

“Must you ruin my dinner by indulging in such morbid speculation?” Mr.

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