The Haunted Bridge Part 3

Nancy ignored him. Walking away swiftly, she went directly to her room. The pain in her left hand was not so intense now, but the fingers were becoming stiff.

"I'll never be able to play in the tournament," she thought miserably.

While Nancy was in the bathroom running cold water on her hand, Bess and George came hurrying into the room.

"Oh, Nancy," Bess wailed, "we just heard about your accident. Barty said you weren't hurt, but you are!"

"Let me see the injury, Nancy," George demanded.

"There's nothing to see. The skin isn't even broken. But my hand still hurts!"

"You must go to a doctor," George urged.

At that moment Carson Drew returned to the hotel and came straight to his daughter's room. Upon hearing about the injury, he too became concerned, particularly when Nancy admitted that her back had been twisted slightly.

"Now don't be foolish," he said severely. "I'm going to have the house physician come up."

Dr. Aikerman was a quiet, dignified man who had little to say. The few words he spoke after his examination were directly to the point.

"This sprain isn't serious, but you must give your hand a rest. I'll bind it for you and don't use this hand for three or four days."

"You mean I can't play any golf?"

"No golf."

"But, Doctor," Nancy pleaded, "it really doesn't hurt very much. And the tournament starts day after tomorrow."

CHAPTER III.

Nancy's a.s.signment

"NANCY stands a very good chance of partic.i.p.ating in the tournament," Bess told the doctor. "It would be a shame if she couldn't play."

"Well," he said finally, after studying Nancy with twinkling eyes, "I suppose you could play. But right now I advise against it. However, by tomorrow night I may alter my opinion."

Dr. Aikerman picked up his physician's bag. "Nancy, I suggest a hot bath and a body ma.s.sage to prevent your muscles from becoming stiff." The idea rather appealed to Nancy, who felt battered and sore.

After the doctor had gone, George spoke up, "Bess and I could give you a good rub."

Nancy regarded her dubiously.

"There's absolutely nothing to it," Bess put in. "You locate the various muscles and then rub until the soreness is all gone."

Nancy allowed herself to be persuaded. After the hot bath, she stretched herself full length on the bed.

"Where do you hurt the most?" George inquired.

"Everywhere." Nancy groaned. "Oh, don't rub in that spot, please, George. It's too tender!"

"I have to ma.s.sage the muscles," her friend insisted.

"Where did you get that bottle of liniment?" Nancy demanded. "It smells awful."

"This is a free ma.s.sage, so don't be so critical."

Bess relieved George when the latter's arms grew weary of the task. There was no rest or relaxation for Nancy. She was pummeled and pounded by her well-meaning but inexperienced ma.s.seuses until she felt ready to cry from sheer exhaustion.

"Oh, girls, I can't stand any more," she pleaded finally. "Just let me crawl under the covers and go to sleep."

"We're through now, anyway," Bess declared as she helped Nancy roll over on her back again. "In the morning you'll feel fine."

"I hope so."

Nancy closed her eyes. Before George could snap out the light, the telephone rang. Bess answered the call.

"It's for you, Nancy. Long distance."

"I wonder who it can be. I hope nothing is wrong at home," Nancy said anxiously as she painfully pulled herself to a sitting position and took the phone.

A familiar voice at the other end of the line said cheerily, "h.e.l.lo. Nancy? This is Ned. Can you hear me?"

"Perfectly. Hi!"

"Your voice doesn't sound natural," Ned Nickerson remarked. "I guess I shouldn't have bothered you so late at night. But I thought maybe you weren't having a very exciting time and would like to hear from an old friend, meaning me."

"Oh, Ned, I love hearing from you, but you're entirely wrong about there being no excitement at Deer Mountain."

She told him about the haunted bridge, her unpleasant experience with Martin Bartescue, and finally of the accident.

"I'd like to give that guy a going over he wouldn't forget!" Ned replied angrily.

"You can't very well do it by long distance." Nancy laughed.

"No, but you may be seeing me sooner than you expect. I thought if you were planning to stay at the hotel for several days I might drive up with a couple of buddies."

"Meaning Burt and Dave?" Nancy asked.

"Yes."

"Terrific, Ned! And before you come will you do me a special favor? Would you look in the Social Register and see if Martin Bartescue is listed?"

"Say, I hope you're not getting interested in that-"

"Now don't be alarmed, Ned," Nancy interrupted. After explaining the situation, she hung up and told Bess and George the good news.