Nancy Drew 48: The Crooked Banister by Carolyn Keene

Author:Carolyn Keene
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Juvenile Fiction, Mysteries & Detective Stories, Girls & Women, Thrillers & Suspense
Publisher: Penguin
Published: 1971-01-01T05:29:55+00:00

CHAPTER XII

Phony Membership

“CLYDE Mead was here?” Bess asked Mrs. Carrier in surprise. “You mean the one who is interested in Indian children?”

Mrs. Carrier smiled. “He’s the one. Said he knows you. A very attractive man. We had a lovely talk.”

Nancy and George looked at each other but made no comment.

Bess asked, “Did he tell you about the Indian children he’s trying to help?”

“Indeed he did. Mr. Mead said you had been kind enough to assist one of them.”

Bess’s face lighted up. “I even had a letter from the little boy. His name is Tom Sleepy Deer Smith.”

She took the letter from her handbag and gave it to Mrs. Carrier. As the woman read it, a pleased expression came over her face.

“If I needed any proof that Mr. Mead’s story was on the level, this is it.”

Bess asked if she too had agreed to help an Indian child.

“Yes, I did,” Mrs. Carrier replied. “A darling little girl. Mr. Mead said she will write to me after she receives my donation.”

Once more Nancy and George looked at each other. They were still suspicious about Mr. Mead’s project. However, if Mrs. Carrier did receive a letter, perhaps it would prove that their doubts were unfounded.

Nancy finally spoke up. “Mrs. Carrier, did you make out a check to Mr. Mead to be forwarded to the Indians?”

“Why yes. Don’t you think that was all right?”

Bess answered, “Of course it was. You know, Mrs. Carrier, Nancy and George didn’t like Mr. Mead from the moment they met him and I’m afraid they don’t quite trust him.”

Bess wore a smug expression, mixed with a smile.

George remarked, “Frankly we didn’t. I certainly hope, Mrs. Carrier, that your money will get to the Indian child and not go into Mr. Mead’s pocket.”

“What do you mean?” the woman cried out in alarm.

George gave a candid answer. “The letters from the Indian children could be fakes.”

“Oh my goodness!” Mrs. Carrier exclaimed. “I never thought of that. I see what you mean. This Mr. Mead could have a partner in Arizona who sends these letters whenever he’s requested to.”

“Exactly,” George replied.

Nancy turned the conversation to Rawley’s house. “I can hardly wait to investigate that wall with the serpent picture.”

“But, girls, please don’t go there by yourselves,” Mrs. Carrier requested. “I finally found a man who is willing to guard the place. He’ll patrol the grounds.

“But this won’t make it any safer indoors. I don’t want you falling through any more trap doors or getting locked in towers or having that robot attack you again.”

Nancy was disappointed. She must figure out a way to get into the house without disregarding Mrs. Carrier’s request.

The doorbell rang and Mrs. Carrier went to answer it. She returned shortly, followed by her brother Thomas and a couple. She introduced them to the girls as Mr. and Mrs. Jacques.

“You may speak freely in front of these young ladies,” Mrs. Carrier went on. “They are trying to help us find my brother Rawley.”

Mrs. Jacques stared at the girls. She had a hard, unpleasant face.

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