The Clue Of The Velvet Mask Part 3

"You're accusing me of the theft?" Linda gasped. "I had nothing to do with it!"

Bursting into tears, the girl ran to Nancy. "Don't let them take me to jail!" she pleaded.

"I'm sure," said Nancy, "that Miss Seeley did not commit the robbery. Early in the evening she told me she was worried because there were so many more people here than had been invited."

"Is this true, Mrs. Hendrick?" Ambrose asked.

"Yes, it is," the hostess replied. "We were very foolish not to have taken Miss Seeley's advice about asking our guests to show invitations."

Ambrose thought this over, then glanced at Nancy. "If you say this girl is all right, we'll take your word for it," he said.

"Then come along, Linda," Nancy said, linking arms with her. "Ned and I will drive you home."

After they picked up their wraps, Gloria Hendrick walked with them to the front door. She smiled kindly at the distressed girl.

"We know it wasn't your fault, Linda," she said, "but we have suffered a dreadful loss and the party's ruined. Oh, Nancy, I wish you'd work on the case and help us get back our valuable miniatures. Will you?"

"I'll do what I can," Nancy answered.

On the way home Nancy asked Linda if anyone had rented a black cloak from her company.

"I don't think so, although several people at the party did rent costumes from us."

"And masks?"

"Yes, but not like the one you're carrying."

When Nancy reached home she said good night to Ned. He reminded her of the dance to be given by his cousin Helen Tyne on the twenty-eighth.

"I'll be here early to pick you up."

"I'll be ready."

Nancy's father had waited up for her in his den. When she related the strange events at the party, Mr. Drew frowned.

"Here's the black velvet hood which the police let me borrow," she concluded, handing it to her father. "I have a hunch it may be an important clue."

"How well do you know Linda Seeley?" her father asked.

"Not too well," she admitted. "Linda was in a few of my cla.s.ses."

"She may find herself in serious trouble," the lawyer said. "The Lightner Entertainment Company is having legal difficulties. Mr. Lightner, the owner, has appealed to me to defend his firm against several threatened lawsuits."

"Who's bringing them?"

"Former customers whose homes were robbed during parties arranged by the company. They're demanding that he settle for the losses not covered by insurance. They've given him a couple of weeks to decide. Mr. Lightner insists he's not liable."

"You'll defend the firm, Dad?"

"I probably will. Before I commit myself, though, I'd like to investigate the company. The trouble is, I'm tied up in an involved real-estate litigation. The case will take me out of town."

"How about appointing me your a.s.sistant?" Nancy proposed. "I'd love to work on the mystery until you're free to take over."

"I suspected as much." Her father chuckled. "All right, Nancy. While I'm away, suppose you check on Mr. Lightner, Linda, and the other employees. Find out what you can."

"I'll do that-first thing," Nancy promised.

The Lightner office was situated on a narrow downtown street in River Heights. Early the next morning Nancy walked to it, and on the pretext of returning the Spanish costumes asked to see Mr. Lightner.

He was a short, slightly built man. "What can I do for you?" he inquired nervously. "I trust you found your costumes satisfactory?"

"In every respect, Mr. Lightner. One of your employees, Linda Seeley, selected them."

"Linda is a very capable girl," the proprietor remarked. "She's been here only a few months, but she learns fast. And she has clever ideas."

Nancy glanced around the room. The office walls were decorated with a variety of weird-looking masks. She complimented Mr. Lightner on his unusual collection, then asked thoughtfully, "You have a great many velvet masks, I suppose?"

"Yes. Most of them are kept in the wardrobe rooms. Would you like to see them?"

"Very much."

Mr. Lightner pressed a buzzer, summoning an employee to show Nancy through the wardrobe rooms.

"I wish I had time to take you around myself," Mr. Lightner said regretfully. "I could talk myself hoa.r.s.e on the subject of masks."

Nancy asked if there was any particular historical significance connected with the wearing of black velvet masks.

"Oh yes," he replied. "Many men wore them during the reign of Louis XIV in France. In that period of terror and political intrigue it wasn't safe for certain persons to appear on the streets except in disguise. Black velvet hoods were worn especially with wide-sleeved dominoes or robes."

"Do you have some of these robes for rent?"

"Yes. John will show them to you."

John Dale proved to be an attractive and amiable guide. When they finished the tour of the wardrobe rooms, Nancy broached the subject of black dominoes. She told of having been at the Hendricks' masquerade and dancing with a stranger who was wearing that type of robe.

"I've been wondering who he is," she said. "Did you happen to rent such a costume?"

"No, I didn't," John replied. "Everyone who came to me wanted something spectacular. Would you like to see our black cloaks? We have several kinds."

"Yes, I would," Nancy replied, trying to stifle her excitement. It was possible that someone else in the firm had rented the costume to the thief I

CHAPTER III.

False Discoveries