The Haunted Bridge Part 8

"Barty seems to be afraid someone will recognize his handwriting," Bess remarked. "Do you suppose he's a fugitive?"

"He seems to have plenty of money and apparently doesn't work," Nancy replied. "Still, it never occurred to me that he might be a criminal."

"Why don't you wear one of Barty's flowers, Nancy?" Bess suggested. "It would set off your dress beautifully."

"But I don't like him," Nancy protested.

"Oh, probably he won't even be in the dining room. Flowers are flowers, Nancy. Here, let me pin a rose on you," George insisted.

Nancy finally gave in. She hid the chest under the bed, and the girls left their rooms, each wearing a rose.

Since Mr. Drew had not returned to the hotel the girls planned to eat alone. They were led by the headwaiter to a pleasant table near a window.

"Oh, there's Barty," Nancy murmured to George as she noticed him seated alone at a table nearby. "Don't let on you see him."

It was impossible to avoid the man, however, because he immediately got up and came over to them. When he saw that Nancy was wearing one of his roses, the glance he bestowed on her was more than just friendly.

"May I join you?" he asked. Then, without waiting for a reply, he seated himself in the empty chair beside Nancy.

During dinner Bartescue enjoyed himself thoroughly. He idled over his food as he recounted his fantastic adventures in Africa. Nancy suspected that he had never been there.

Finally the meal came to an end. With feelings of relief the girls left the dining room. Bartescue followed.

"Of course you're staying downstairs for the dancing," he said to Nancy.

"No, I must see the doctor. He's going to examine my hand again and give his verdict on whether or not I can play in the tournament."

"You are very courageous. Few players would attempt it with such an injury."

Nancy made no comment. She gave a polite smile of farewell and moved away.

As Dr. Aikerman examined her injured hand, the three girls waited in anxious silence. He asked Nancy a question or two regarding the pain.

"Only one finger is stiff now," she replied. "Please say I can play."

CHAPTER VI.

The Caddy's Clue

"WELL, young lady," Dr. Aikerman said to Nancy, "I see you've set your heart on playing."

"Yes."

"Okay. I'll permit you to play on one condition. You must not remove this bandage."

Nancy frowned slightly. How could she hope to make a low score with one hand bandaged?

"I agree," she replied reluctantly.

"And another thing," the doctor added. "If your hand begins paining after you've started to play, you must default the match. Otherwise I won't be responsible for your case."

"I promise," Nancy murmured.

The girls were rather subdued as they went to their rooms.

"I don't think you should try to play in the tournament," Bess declared. "If you don't partic.i.p.ate, people will realize it's because of your injured hand. It's no disgrace to default."

"But I want to play," Nancy replied. "My mind is made up."

"Then," George said, "if you're determined to do it, the best thing is to go to bed and get all the rest you can."

"I have work to do before I go to sleep," Nancy announced. With a nod she indicated the carved bra.s.s chest under the bed.

"Let Bess and me try to open it," George urged. "Here, give me that spiked shoe, Nancy. You're apt to hurt your hand again."

Eagerly the cousins took turns prying at the stubborn lid of the mysterious chest.

Finally Bess exclaimed, "It's loosening! Yes, it's coming! Nancy, you shall have the honor of opening the chest."

"It may be filled with worthless things." Nancy laughed, but her hand trembled with excitement as she slowly raised the lid.

The girls stared into the interior, their eyes fastened in awe on the amazing contents. Nancy was the first to recover from her astonishment.

"It's almost unbelievable!" she murmured in a half-whisper. "I never dreamed that the chest contained anything like this!"

The carved bra.s.s case was filled to the top with jewelry. Even a casual glance a.s.sured Nancy and her friends that the pieces were genuine. There were necklaces of rubies, emeralds and turquoise, also rings with unusual settings and many other gold and silver pieces.

"All this must be worth a fortune," Bess murmured. "Nancy, you'll be rich!"

"The jewelry isn't mine just because I found it."

"But the owner may never be located," George said hopefully as she lifted a silver bracelet from the chest. "Isn't this gorgeous?"

Nancy was attracted by an emerald necklace, but as she started to lift it from the chest she saw an object beneath it which was of far greater interest to her. The article was a jeweled compact!

Eagerly she picked up the gleaming container and opened it. A tiny picture was fitted into the lower half of the mirror! As Nancy showed it to her friends, Bess declared, "It's the photo of a child."

"Evidently it was ruined by water," George observed. "This looks like the picture of a little girl."

George and Bess could not imagine why Nancy should consider the discovery so important. She was tempted to tell them of her father's search for the possessor of just such an article. But recalling that the secret was not hers to reveal, she remained silent.

"Nancy, you don't seem pleased over all this treasure," Bess remarked as she and George continued to examine the beautiful pieces.

"I was just thinking-" Nancy answered absently. "I must show Dad the chest as soon as he returns to the hotel."