The Mystery At Lilac Inn Part 3

She had no choice but to start around the curve. To her horror, the other vehicle was already edging around her left fender. Nancy glimpsed a chrome eagle ornament on the truck's hood.

A split second later her convertible was forced over into the ditch!

CHAPTER V.

Blackout!

As NANCY'S convertible leaned precariously, its right wheels in the ditch, the panel truck roared on around the bend and out of sight. Nancy braked her car to a stop, thankful it had not turned over.

"That driver ought to have his license revoked!" she thought indignantly. She knew it would be difficult to get out of the muddy ditch. "Well, I'll have a try," she decided. "Here goes!"

She tried to rock the car gently back and forth to gain momentum. The right tires spun crazily and sank lower into the mire.

Nancy tried again. No use. She feared it might be some time before a car would come along in this deserted area. Finally she decided to search for some objects to force under the right wheels for traction.

Just then, Nancy heard an automobile approaching. "Thank goodness!" she murmured a moment later. "A State Police car."

It drew up and parked at the side of the road. A young officer hopped out.

"Having trouble, miss?" he asked. "Lieutenant Brice, Benton State Police Barracks," he said pleasantly.

Nancy introduced herself, then explained. He asked if she had noted the truck's license plates. "No," she replied, but described the truck and the chrome eagle ornament on its hood.

Lieutenant Brice said that if he found the truck, he would see that the driver was brought to court, "I have a tow chain in my car. I'll try to pull you out. Keep the engine in gear."

Five minutes later the convertible was out of the ditch. Nancy thanked the trooper for his help, then drove off.

It was almost six o'clock when Nancy pulled into the Lilac Inn parking lot. She went at once to the patio, where the Willoughbys, Maud, Helen, and John were gathered.

"I'm glad you could return in time for supper, Nancy," said Mrs. Willoughby.

The others plied the girl detective with questions about the Drews' burglar. Nancy gave an account of her day's experiences, concluding with the reckless truck driver.

"Why, how terrible!" Emily exclaimed.

"The nerve of someone impersonating you!" Helen bristled.

Nancy smiled wryly. "I'd certainly like to know what the girl's purpose is."

Abruptly, Maud changed the subject. To Emily she said, "I dropped into the Empire Employment Agency this morning. A waitress walked in to apply, so I told her to report here tomorrow for an interview. Her name is Jean Holmes."

"But I asked-" Emily broke off when Nancy gave her a warning look.

Maud evidently did not notice this, and added sweetly, "I knew another waitress was needed here. I just wanted to make myself useful."

"I see. Thank you," Emily said coolly.

Later, after Maud had excused herself to dress for supper, Emily burst out, "Maud makes me so angry! Why doesn't she tend to her own job!"

"Don't pick on her, dear!" Mrs. Willoughby retorted. "She's had a hard enough time lately." Rising, Emily's aunt said she wanted to confer with Mr. Daly and went off.

The four young people were left alone. Nancy asked Emily how Maud had been chosen as social director for Lilac Inn.

"Aunt Hazel asked us to," Emily replied. In a whisper she added, "I wish Maud would concentrate more on our recreational program. Nancy, why did you give me the high-sign?"

Nancy told of having seen Maud enter the agency, and of being informed by the manager later that no one had inquired about a waitress.

Emily sighed. "I'll be so glad when d.i.c.k gets back. Especially if any more strange things happen around here."

"Emily, you've nothing to worry about," John declared. "Everything will be fine."

The young man stood up, saying he had a supper engagement in town. "Sorry I'll miss the festivities, Emily. I'll see your glittering gems later."

Emily, her face brightening, explained to Nancy that her aunt had planned a festive meal that evening. "To celebrate my receiving the diamonds."

"That'll be fun," Nancy said. "Helen, let's go now and change our clothes."

The two girls took the suitcases from Nancy's convertible. As they unpacked in the cottage and dressed, Helen discussed Nancy's impersonator.

"It's positively creepy, Nancy," she said worriedly. "Your double doesn't sound like an ordinary thief."

The girls quickly finished dressing. Nancy had put on a pink sheath dress and pumps. Helen wore an aqua organdy. They went to the patio where Emily joined them a minute later. She said that Jean Holmes, the waitress, had arrived unexpectedly for her interview. The girl had explained that she had heard of a second position, and wanted to make a decision immediately.

"Jean seems quite satisfactory," Emily stated. "She'll move in here tomorrow and start work."

Maud Potter joined the girls. "I'm so glad you approve my choice, Emily," she said ingratiatingly. "Now, let's have supper and see your diamonds."

Emily led the group to a small private dining room which opened off the larger room and overlooked a garden. They said good evening to Mr. Daly who stood just outside the connecting door.

Mrs. Willoughby was waiting for them near an open window and greeted Emily with a "Happy Birthday in advance, dear!"

"Oh, thank you, Aunt Hazel. Everything looks divine!"

All the girls admired the table, set with gleaming silver, a creamy lace cloth, and a beautiful birthday cake surrounded by red roses for a centerpiece. Soft light from colonial wall fixtures completed the picture, as shadows danced on the old paneled walls.

Emily's aunt beamed. "I want everything to be perfect tonight," she said.

Mrs. Willoughby sat at one end of the table, her back to the open windows, Emily opposite her. By the time the main course was finished, it was almost dark outside. Then the candles were lighted on the cake and everyone joined in singing "Happy Birthday" as Emily blew out the candles.

After dessert, Mrs. Willoughby asked Mr. Daly to close the door to the private dining room. The elderly man nodded understandingly and shut the door.

Nancy realized what the sale of the diamonds

would mean to Lilac Inn

Mrs. Willoughby withdrew a white velvet jewel Case from her handbag. Getting up, she went to place it on the table before Emily, then returned to her chair. With a smile she said: "This is a wonderful moment for you, Emily dear-the inheritance from your mother. I only hope these gems will bring you happiness."

Nancy noticed that Emily's hands trembled slightly as she opened the case. Everyone gasped. Against the white satin lining were the twenty diamonds which glowed and flashed.

"Oh!" Emily exclaimed. "Aren't they beautifull" She set the box on the table.

Maud stared in fascination, and Nancy and Helen expressed their delight at Emily's good fortune. Nancy realized what the sale of these gems would mean in financial a.s.sistance to Lilac Inn.

Emily arose and gave her aunt a hug and kiss. "Oh, Aunt Hazel, you're a love. I'm sure Mother would understand my wanting to use the gems for my future and d.i.c.k's."

Suddenly the group was startled by a clattering crash from the adjoining dining room. Simultaneously, the lights went out. Nancy hurriedly rose and flicked the wall switch back and forth, but the room remained dark.

"Mr. Daly," called Emily, opening the door, "will you please check the fuse box in the cellar ?"

"I will," he replied. "I think a main circuit's blown-all our lights are out."

"Oh, dear," fretted Mrs. Willoughby. "What a trying bother!"

"Yes. These old buildings are so undependable," Maud said crossly. "Something's always breaking down."

"This can happen in a modern one, too," Nancy said in defense of Lilac Inn. Maud merely sniffed in annoyance.

To everyone's relief, John was heard shouting from the garden, "Hold everything! I'll be right in!"

But as John stepped through the open window, the lights came on again. The next instant Emily, returning to her chair, gave a horrified cry.

"My diamonds! They're gone!"

The others gasped in disbelief. Hazel Willoughby, ash-white, stared at the place on the table where the velvet case had rested. Then she pitched forward in a faint.

"Oh!" Emily sobbed fearfully.

"Your aunt will be all right," said Nancy, who had jumped up. Quickly she and Helen dampened napkins with ice water from the tumblers and applied these to the woman's head and wrists. In a few seconds Mrs. Willoughby revived.

"I'm sorry," she apologized weakly. "Such an awful shock-the diamonds vanishing into thin air."

Emily insisted that her aunt go to her room and lie down.

"I'll be all right, dear. Really. What do we do now?" Mrs. Willoughby looked around helplessly.

"We'd better keep this to ourselves," John said. "Otherwise, dinner guests will be upset. I'll check outside for prowlers. However, the thief didn't go out this window."

Nancy decided to do some sleuthing for the thief in the building and hurried into the main dining room. The only guests were two elderly women, waiting to pay their bill. Nancy learned from them that the waitress Anna had accidentally dropped a tray, which caused the clattering noise just before the lights went out. The ladies were sure that no one else but Mr. Daly had been in the room at the time.

Nancy next went into the kitchen, where the cooks and waitresses were cleaning up after the evening meal. The girl detective asked where each of them had been when the inn was plunged into darkness. All the women except Anna replied that they had been in the kitchen.

Anna gave Nancy a curious look. "Why do you ask?"

The young detective explained that Emily Willoughby wanted to be sure no one had been hurt by an unexpected fall during the blackout.

Nancy left the kitchen and hurriedly went through the other first-floor rooms, but saw no one. As she walked back toward the private dining room, Nancy met Mr. Daly in the lobby. He told her that he had found nothing wrong with the lighting system.

"I can't understand what happened," he said, then added, "I just heard from Emily about the missing jewels. How dreadfull"

John came in at that moment and said he had found no prowler on the grounds. "By this time the jewel thief is undoubtedly far away," he concluded.

As Nancy returned with him to the private dining room, she was deep in thought. Logically, the only ones who could have taken the diamonds were she and her four dining companions! "But that's absolutely unlikely," Nancy told herself. She reported her findings to the others.

Maud Potter's eyes narrowed. "I suppose you think Emily should search us!" she said nastily to Nancy.

"Maud!" Emily protested. "Nancy meant no such thing."

Maud paid no attention, but turned on Mrs. Willoughby, who was still pale. "You can blame yourself, Hazel-announcing in a public dining room this morning that you were going to get Emily's diamonds!"

"I know." Mrs. Willoughby sighed. But Emily put a comforting arm around her, and gave Maud a look of disapproval.

"Let's all search this room," Nancy proposed quickly. "We might find some clue."

Everyone but Maud readily agreed. She sat sullen-faced, while the others looked carefully in corners and under tables and chairs.

Nancy herself was scrutinizing the area where Emily had sat. Suddenly her keen eyes spotted three tiny pale-purple lilac buds on the floor. One -two-three-she counted, then saw a fourth bud lying near the wall to the right of Emily's chair. Aside from the centerpiece, there were no other flowers in the room.

"How did lilac buds get in here?" Nancy mused. There was no sign of footprints near them.

Saying nothing, Nancy picked one up. It was fresh. She looked at the wall thoughtfully and closely.

Everyone watched in amazement as the t.i.tian-blond girl began to tap the wall, then listen intently.

Nancy motioned them not to say a word. She continued tapping, until she tried one spot which sounded different. It had a hollow ring. Nancy pressed against the wooden wall. Suddenly a panel slid aside noiselessly.

CHAPTER VI.

Uncanny Recoveries JOHN and the others gaped in astonishment as the panel in the wall slid open. "Nancy, you're terrific!" John exclaimed, handing her his flashlight.