The Haunted Bridge Part 31

"Yes. New York authorities now have evidence which I think will convict her. We want Margaret Judson's positive identification, however."

The young woman was with Mr. Haley, but at the lawyer's suggestion she came to the living room and sat down by a window. The others secreted themselves in a closet.

Fifteen minutes elapsed, and both Nancy and her father were growing weary of their cramped quarters. Suddenly they heard Margaret say in an excited undertone:

"Mrs. Brownell is coming now. And Mrs. Cartlett's with her!"

Margaret opened the cabin door to admit the two women. They glanced about quickly. Then, apparently satisfied that no trap had been set for them, addressed Miss Judson.

"I am in a great hurry," Mrs. Brownell said. "My friend tells me you have recovered the jeweled compact."

"I have it here," Margaret replied, "but I must be certain that it belongs to you." She handed over the case for her inspection.

"Yes, it's mine."

"You're quite sure?"

"Of course, I am," Mrs. Brownell retorted impatiently. "See, I'll show you." She opened the lid, displaying the picture. "This is a photo of my little girl, only it has been ruined."

Carson Drew and Nancy emerged from the closet and confronted the two startled women.

"Your identification is very interesting, Mrs. Brownell," the lawyer said evenly, "for that compact is stolen property."

"What do you mean?" she gasped, backing away.

"The jeweled case no doubt was given to you by a member of a notorious smuggling ring," the lawyer said quietly, "as a reward for your past services in selling stolen jewelry for them."

Mrs. Brownell stared hard at Mr. Drew and knew that his words were no idle bluff. She suddenly darted toward the door. But the lawyer, prepared for such a move, caught her firmly by the wrists. Simultaneously two federal agents appeared in the doorway to block Mrs. Cartlett's escape.

After Mrs. Brownell had been informed of her const.i.tutional rights, Mr. Drew urged her to tell the truth. "If you turn state's evidence your prison term probably will be lighter."

"It's true-the compact is stolen property," the accused woman admitted after a long moment of silence. "I didn't mean to steal nor to have dealings with thieves, but I met a very pleasant man who induced me to help him. At first I thought it was honest work, and I accepted this jeweled compact in payment.

"Later on I was rewarded with other rich presents, including another valuable compact to replace the one I lost. I put another picture of my daughter in it." She paused before adding, "By the time I suspected the truth there was no retreating. Many times I tried to break away from the gang, but it was impossible."

"What are the names of these persons with whom you have been dealing?"

Mrs. Brownell's eyes roved accusingly toward her companion.

"You can't drag me into this!" the other woman cried out.

Carson Drew looked at her intently. "As soon as I heard Miss Judson's story and learned your name and where you were staying, I contacted the authorities in New York. Your past record is known. Our case against you is very damaging, even without Mrs. Brownell's testimony."

"I will tell everything," Mrs. Brownell promised, "but only upon one condition."

"What is that?" the lawyer asked.

"My little daughter must not be involved in this sordid mess. She is attending school in Paris and knows nothing about it. May I please have her picture back?"

"I'll do my best to keep the knowledge of your arrest from her," Mr. Drew promised as he handed over the photograph.

"I will gladly make a full confession," Mrs. Brownell agreed, "without the advice of counsel."

The woman named all the members of the ring of jewel thieves including Mrs. Cartlett. She agreed to dictate the confession later and sign it.

"One more question," said Mr. Drew. "Did you burn down the Judson mansion?"

"No, no, I had nothing to do with that! The fire was an accident."

"But you did visit Miss Judson with the intention of stealing the family jewels?"

"Yes, I deliberately brought up the subject with her, inducing her to open the safe. When she wasn't looking, I took a valuable necklace, a ruby pin, and a diamond-studded watch. Miss Judson carried the other jewels to her room."

"What became of the stolen articles?"

"I p.a.w.ned them and gave part of the money to the gang."

"Do you still have the tickets?" Margaret Judson asked eagerly.

"Yes, I kept them because the jewels were worth far more than I received from the p.a.w.nbroker."

Margaret Judson was overjoyed to learn that every piece of her missing property would be returned. After federal agents had taken away the two prisoners, she thanked Nancy and Mr. Drew for their kindness.

"In helping you we helped ourselves," the lawyer replied. "Mrs. Brownell's confession is the beginning of the end for the ring of thieves."

"I think we are all rather surprised that Martin Bartescue had nothing to do with jewel smuggling," Nancy commented.

Her father smiled. "Apparently he's just a boaster."

Soon after the departure of the federal agents and the prisoners, Mark Wardell, Bess, George, and the three boys appeared at the cabin. They had remained away because they did not want to hamper the work of the detectives. There was general rejoicing because Margaret Judson had been completely vindicated.

"One angle of the mystery baffles me," Nancy declared as they all sat grouped about Joe Haley's bed. "I keep wondering who set up the scarecrow that made the bridge seem haunted."

Mr. Haley, who had enjoyed listening to the account of the day's happenings, began to chuckle.

"I did it," he announced. "Inquisitive young campers kept coming here and causing trouble. They bothered my mountain lion and tramped on my flowers. I thought the scarecrow might help to keep people away.

"It kept dogs away too. They used to attack the figure and bark so loudly that I'd always hear them and drive them off before they could come up here and damage my choice plants."

"Is that why you ran away from me?" Nancy asked. "Because you didn't want visitors?"

Mr. Haley nodded. "I didn't want anybody here, but now I'm glad to have friends like you."

Burt spoke up. "When Dave and I repaired the bridge, we set a new scarecrow in place. He'll guard your property for a long time to come."

"There's still one more thing to be explained," Bess declared. "What caused the groaning noise we heard so often?"

"I know the answer." Nancy smiled. "Wait until we walk over the haunted bridge on our way back to the hotel." She winked at Mr. Haley and whispered to him. He nodded.