The Clue Of The Tapping Heels Part 2

When Nancy reached the garage, Bess and George were telling Mrs. Bealing what had happened.

"I didn't dream it," Bess was saying excitedly. "That side door to the garage was locked but I heard it squeak. When I looked that way, it was being pushed open."

George took up the story. "I was asleep, but when Bess shrieked, I woke up and turned on the light. I saw the door opening. But slowly it closed and the lock snapped shut."

How had the intruder managed to open it? Had he jimmied the lock? Nancy wondered. A quick glance revealed it had not been tampered with. She concluded that the stranger must have used a skeleton key!

"Did you see anyone?" Nancy asked.

Bess and George shook their heads, and George said, "There was such a commotion among the cats, we didn't have a chance to hunt for whoever tried to get in here."

"I think maybe I saw him," Nancy told her and explained. "Since I lost track of him so soon, he must have scooted around some other houses and disappeared."

The animal uproar continued. Two dogs came bounding into the Carter yard and yelped at the cats in the wire enclosure. The Persians in turn arched their backs and hissed at the tormentors.

"Get out of here!" George shouted at the dogs.

One of them slunk away but the other became defiant. He clawed at the wire cage, and when George rushed outside and tried to yank him away by his collar, he turned and would have sunk his teeth into her arm if she had not pulled it away in time.

Meanwhile, Nancy had found the garden hose. She turned it on and aimed the stream of water at the angry dog. For a few seconds he caught the water in his mouth as if playing with it, then gave up the fight and ran off.

The excited cats refused to settle down. Some had scooted up the sides of the enclosure and were clinging to it. Others had dashed into the garage and hidden under any available object.

Mrs. Bealing was wringing her hands. "I don't think we'll ever get these animals quieted down," she said. "Perhaps I should bring Miss Carter out here."

"That's a good idea," Bess agreed. "I'll help you."

As soon as Miss Carter arrived she began to call each Persian by name.

"Don't be so naughty, Abatha," she said to one.

The ball of fluff clinging to the top of the cage disengaged itself and climbed toward her.

"Come down here, Rosemond," she told another, and it obeyed instantly. The girls were amused by the names and amazed that the woman had such good control over the cats.

"She just loves them," Bess whispered to Nancy. "I should think she'd hate to sell any of her darlings."

At that moment they heard a shout from the house next door. A second-floor window was raised and a man stuck his head out.

"What are you trying to do?" he thundered. "Miss Carter, don't you know people around here want to sleep? I'm not going to put up with those cats of yours any longer! I've stood them for six months."

"I'm dreadfully sorry about what happened," Miss Carter called to him. "It wasn't the cats' fault. Someone tried to break into the garage and that upset them."

"What's that got to do with the dogs?" the man shouted.

"I'm sure it won't happen again, Mr. Bunce," Miss Carter a.s.sured him.

"That's a lot of talk!" the man exclaimed. "You're not going to get away with this. I've told you before to get rid of the cats."

Miss Carter looked worried. She said to Nancy, "This is the first disturbance we've had."

The conversation, which was too low for Mr. Bunce to hear, seemed to anger the man. "What are you conniving now?" he cried angrily. "Whatever it is, it won't do you any good!"

Bess stared at the man in disgust. "What a creep he is!" she whispered.

Mr. Bunce continued his tirade. "I'll tell you, Miss Carter, what I'm going to do-inform the authorities these cats are a nuisance and a menace, and I'll see to it that you get rid of them at once!" He slammed the window shut.

Miss Carter had turned ash white. In a tremulous voice she said, "I love my cats and selling them brings me a nice livelihood, which I need. Mr. Bunce will ruin my business!"

Another thought occurred to Nancy. If Miss Carter should decide to move away, the mystery of the stolen cats and the tapper might never be solved. She was determined to clear up both mysteries so this could not happen.

CHAPTER III.

Actor's Surprise

ALTHOUGH Bess was a bit fearful she agreed to spend the rest of the night in the garage with George.

"It's very comfortable here," she admitted, "and cooler than inside the house."

Mrs. Bealing made lemonade for the group, then they all went back to bed. At breakfast time Miss Carter insisted upon coming downstairs to the table.

Nancy said to her, "Do you think Mr. Bunce really intends to make trouble?"

Miss Carter shook her head. "He's hot-tempered but I'm sure his bark is worse than his bite. Let's forget him and concentrate on finding the tapper in this house."

"I'm afraid," said Nancy, "that I can't play detective tonight. I must go home for a rehearsal. And there's another one tomorrow night."

"Oh dear!" Mrs. Bealing spoke up. "Bess and George, do you have to go, too?"

"Well, n-o-o-o," Bess said after a pause, "but I hate to stay here without Nancy. I'm not much of a sleuth "

Miss Carter patted the girl's hand. "You were the one who saved my cats last night," she reminded Bess. "If you hadn't awakened, I might have lost several more of my prize Persians."

Flattery had its effect and Bess consented to stay if George would.

"I'm game," her cousin said.

Mrs. Bealing heaved a sigh. "I feel much better now. Thank you."

Miss Carter expressed interest in Nancy's rehearsal. "Is this for a concert or a play?"

"A play. I take the part of a dancer. I don't have many lines, but I do have three tap numbers."

Miss Carter leaned forward across the table. "Nancy, I'm terrifically interested. I used to be an actress myself." She looked off into s.p.a.ce. "I loved it and felt sad when I had to retire."

Bess asked what plays Miss Carter had been in.