The chief frowned. “Last night’s attack is certainly bad business. I’m sorry we’ve made no proggress on catching the vandal. I take it you believe the same person—or persons—are responsible for both incidents. But this business about the phantom boat I still can’t swallow. There must be some logical explanation for it.”
Nancy smiled. “The apparition is pretty weird—but it is very lifelike.”
“I just don’t see any sense to it,” the officer said. “Granted, this phantom ship is man-made, as you say. But who would want to do it and why?”
“To scare people away from the lake.”
Chief Stovall shrugged. “Well, all right, I’ll look into that, too,” he promised, then the young sleuth left.
Nancy followed Niko’s car all the way to Baltimore. When they reached the historic old city, she was glad the young musician was leading her through the tricky narrow one-way streets to the record company’s office.
Niko introduced the girls to the president, Mr. Carpenter, and he in turn introduced another man as Police Detective Morton.
Nancy brought out the record she had purchased at the Misty Lake soda shop. She requested that before having it played, Mr. Carpenter bring in one of their own recordings of Niko’s number. This was done and it was played from beginning to end as everyone listened carefully.
“It’s a wonderful record!” Bess said dreamily.
“Thank you,” Mr. Carpenter answered, smiling. “We think so too. And evidently the public does.”
Nancy’s record was now placed on the player. Again everyone listened intently. For the first time Nancy detected certain faint sounds on the disc which she had not noticed before. “It sounded just like crickets in the background,” she exclaimed when the music came to an end.
Mr. Carpenter’s jaw set grimly. “There’s no question but that this was pirated from ours! Now we have something concrete. We’ll go after these thieves!”
“How will you do it?” Niko asked.
Detective Morton spoke up. “I’ll try tracing them through the jobber,” he said.
Nancy gave Neal Raskin’s name, explaining that the girls had tried unsuccessfully to see him. She suggested that the strange background noise on the record which sounded like crickets might be a clue, although a slight one, to the place in which the records were being cut.
“I realize,” Nancy added, “that crickets are found throughout the country.”
Detective Morton smiled at her. “Your suggestion may still be helpful, Miss Drew. At least it tells us the record was cut in a rural area where the sound of crickets could be plainly heard. And it must have been cut recently, since Niko’s number came out last month. If you unearth any more good leads, please get in touch with me.” Nancy promised to do so.
The callers arose and said good-by to Mr. Carpenter and the detective. The company president assured Niko everything would be worked out fairly, and he was glad to have proved to the young man that royalties were not being withheld from him.
“We’ll start a suit against those pirates immediately!” Mr. Carpenter said.
“I sure hope you do.” Niko replied. “Cecily and I need the money—to get married!”
Mr. Carpenter congratulated the engaged couple and wished them luck. “Maybe my engagement present to you will be a big fat royalty check!”
When he reached the street, Niko said he must go to the theater immediately for a rehearsal. He would see them after the show that evening.
When the singer had left, Bess asked Nancy, “What’s next on our schedule?”
The girl detective said she thought they should locate the Kenneth Wayne home and see what they could find out. After getting directions from a policeman, Nancy drove there. The address they sought proved to be a modest apartment house. Nancy rang the bell marked Wayne, but there was no answer.
“How am I ever going to find out about these people?” Cecily asked.
“Somebody here must know them,” said Nancy. She rang the bell of a Mrs. Rumsey on the first floor.
The woman was very cooperative. She kept staring at Cecily as she replied to Nancy’s question, “Mr. and Mrs. Wayne died about three years ago. Their two sons still rent the apartment, but both are in the Navy now and rarely come home.”
The woman went on, “Also, there’s a daughter named Susan. She was married in the old Wayne homestead up at Misty Lake about four years ago. She went out West to live and just seemed to disappear. Maybe her two brothers know something about her, but I never get to talk to them.”
Addressing herself to Cecily, Mrs. Rumsey added, “I’ve seen wedding pictures of Susan. She resembles you so closely it’s startling. You two must be related.”
Cecily was so surprised she did not comment. Nancy asked quickly, “Mrs. Rumsey, does Susan have red hair?”
“Oh, yes. Lovely, too.”
Nancy and the others exchanged excited glances! Could Susan be the red-haired stranger at Misty Lake?
Cecily smiled at the woman. “I’m trying to find out some information from the Waynes. It’s very important. If the Wayne brothers return within the next few days, will you ask them to get in touch with me at Mrs. Hosking’s in Misty Lake village? Otherwise, I hope they will contact Niko Van Dyke, the singer.”
“Do you know him?” Mrs. Rumsey asked. “I just love his records.”
Cecily blushed. “We’re engaged.”
“Oh, you lucky girl!” Mrs. Rumsey exclaimed. “I wish you all the best.”
Cecily thanked her, then Nancy expressed her appreciation for the woman’s help and the four girls went off. They had lunch, then checked into the motel at which they had arranged to stay, and where Ned, Burt, and Dave would meet them.
Soon after Nancy and the others had rested, showered, and dressed, the Emerson College youths arrived. All were grinning, obviously happy at seeing their favorite dates. Cecily was introduced to the three boys.
“I’ve always wanted to hear Niko in person,” said Ned, a handsome, dark-haired, athletic youth.
Burt was of medium height, husky and blond, while Dave was tall and rangy, with green eyes.
Amid much gaiety, the seven dined at a restaurant, where the boys were told of the mysteries Nancy was trying to solve.
Later, when they reached the theater, they found a mob of people already there, most of them in their teens or early twenties.
“It’s a good thing we have reserved seats,” Ned remarked.
Inside the theater the audience was shouting excitedly, and when the lights dimmed and the band came out, thunderous clapping started.
By the time Niko Van Dyke appeared on the stage, there was a standing ovation with screams and yells. The young musician turned around, and smiling broadly, bowed several times. When the pandemonium did not lessen, he held up his hand for silence. Finally the audience quieted down.
“Your fiancé sure is popular,” whispered Bess to Cecily, who beamed.
Every number on the program drew wild acclaim, and after Niko had sung a second time, there was no holding down the teen-agers. They kept up continuous applause which was so loud that the last number on the program could hardly be heard above the din.
“How is Niko ever going to get out of this place without being mobbed?” Nancy leaned over to ask Cecily.
“A private car is always waiting for him and he’s rushed off in a hurry. We’re to go backstage and see him after the performance.”
As the audience filed out, still in a delirious state, Cecily and her friends made their way to a door which led to the dressing rooms. A watchman unlocked it.
The group enthusiastically praised Niko for his fine performance. He thanked them, but added wearily, “It was a terrific session, but getting out of here is a real problem.”
“Quick, Nancy! Crouch down!” the bandleader advised
Everyone waited, hoping most of the audience would have left the sidewalk near the alley. But they were not to be cheated out of a close view of their favorite performer!
br /> “I’ll just have to chance it,” Niko said finally. “Tonight two cars are waiting. Some of us will go in the first, and the rest in the second. We’ll go to your motel first, girls, then decide what to do for the rest of the evening.”
As the guard opened the stage door, the uproar began again. Cecily shrank back. Inadvertently, Nancy was the first one to leave the building, with Niko directly behind her. He grabbed her arm and guided her through the mob toward the first car parked in the alley.
The driver hopped out and quickly opened the rear door for Nancy and Niko. As soon as they were seated, Niko locked the doors and said to the driver, “Get us out of here!”
The car started slowly forward. “Quick, Nancy! Crouch down!” the bandleader advised, to keep the crowd from spotting them and stopping the car. The plan succeeded and they finally reached the street. The driver turned right, and when they had gone a block, Niko and Nancy sat up. The musician said, “Take us to the Stratford Motel.”
At the next corner Nancy expected the driver to turn left. Instead, he went straight ahead. After three more crossings, she realized he was going far out of the way to the motel. She whispered this to Niko, who queried the driver. But the man merely said, “I know where I’m going!”
Suddenly panic seized Nancy. She whispered to Niko, “Is he your regular driver?”
“No,” he answered. “Never gave it a thought. Why?”
The young sleuth spoke directly into Niko’s ear. “I’m afraid we’re being kidnapped!”
CHAPTER XV
Intensive Search
NIKO turned quickly and looked at Nancy, a stunned expression on his face. “Kidnapped!” he whispered back. “You mean it?”
Nancy nodded, murmuring, “I’ll explain later. We’d better hop out at the next red light. If we get separated, let’s meet at the motel.”
Niko agreed and they watched for their chance, It came in about two minutes. As they reached a busy intersection, the light showed red and the driver stopped. Quick as a wink, Nancy and Niko were out of the car. They did not even take time to close the doors, but dashed left and right through the maze of stopped automobiles and ran in opposite directions down the cross street. Nancy found a cab and told the driver her destination. She hoped Niko had had as good luck as she had. When her taxi pulled up in front of the motel she was relieved to see that he had just arrived.
Cecily, with the others, came to greet them in the lobby. She smiled but pretended to be hurt. “I thought you two had run off together!”
Niko did not smile. “Wait until you hear what happened!”
When he and Nancy finished the story, their friends sobered instantly. “Kidnapped!” cried Bess fearfully, while Cecily grew pale.
“Do you think those record pirates are behind this, Nancy?” George asked. “They may have found out you were investigating them and want you out of the way!”
“Yes,” Nancy declared. “And furthermore, I think I was the one those men intended to hit with the rock at the cottage. Because the lights were dim they mistook Cecily for me.”
Ned spoke up. “I don’t like this whole thing. Nancy, you’ve risked enough danger.”
“Those crooks probably trailed Nancy from Misty Lake,” Dave declared.
“Dave!” Nancy cried out. “You’ve just given me an idea—about those mysterious Driscolls.”
The others clamored to hear it. “I did have a hunch the brothers were doing some kind of secret work on a machine,” Nancy went on. “Well, I now am very suspicious that they’re mixed up in this record pirating. We girls heard cricket-like noises on the fraudulent record. That one, and many others, could have been made right near Misty Lake where the crickets are plentiful.”
“Namely at Pudding Stone Lodge!” Ned guessed.
“Yes.”
The others were astounded by Nancy’s theory. She went on, “As soon as we get back to Misty Lake, I’m going directly to Neal Raskin’s office again and see what I can find out.”
“Right now, how about some ice cream?” Burt suggested.
The group went into the Stratford’s soda shop. They selected a table in a far corner and Niko kept his back to other guests, hoping he would not be recognized.
“I’m sorry we’ve had such a hectic evening,” he apologized.
Nancy chuckled. “I’m to blame too, Niko. So don’t worry. We loved your show, anyway.”
A short while later the young singer asked to be excused. “I admit I’m absolutely beat,” he said.
The other boys insisted upon driving Niko to his hotel to be sure there were no more incidents. The girls waited in the lobby until Ned, Burt, and Dave returned.
Nancy and the cousins were delighted when the boys decided to accompany them to Misty Lake.
“We’ll get a room at that Mrs. Hosking’s place.” Ned grinned. “Nancy, you know we couldn’t leave you with such a complicated and dangerous mystery to solve.”
Soon afterward, the girls bade their friends good night. “See you in the morning,” said Bess.
Nancy urged that they get an early start for the lake. “It’s Sunday morning and there won’t be too many cars on the road, so we can make good time. On the way, we can stop and go to church.”
The others agreed, and after breakfast the boys and girls set off in the two cars. After attending church services, they stopped at a roadside restaurant for noontime dinner.
During the meal, the mystery and its various aspects became the sole subject of conversation. Ned chuckled. “Nancy, you certainly can get yourself involved in the most baffling cases. I’d like to bet that police chief at Misty Lake hasn’t found out as much as you have!”
Nancy laughed. “What have I found out? Not much. I have only suspicions, I’m afraid!”
Nevertheless, when they reached Misty Lake village, Nancy discovered that Ned was right. Chief Stovall, who happened to be on duty at headquarters, admitted that he had learned nothing about the lake mysteries.
“I think I know who may have been bothering you at the cottage, though,” he said. “A report reached my desk that a man had escaped from a mental institution and was hiding out in this area. But he’s been recaptured.”
Chief Stovall went on to say that he and his men had searched around the entire lake for clues to the phantom ship but had found nothing that warranted further investigation. “Are you positive, Miss Drew, that you really saw this—thing?”
For answer, Nancy said, “Mr. Henry Winch and some summer residents saw it before we did. I’m sure you have found him a very truthful citizen.”
The police chief scratched his head. “Yes, we have.”
Nancy smiled and changed the subject. “Do you know where Mr. Neal Raskin lives?”
“Yes. But if you’re planning on seeing him, you can’t do it before tomorrow. I happen to know he’s out of town until then.”
Nancy left headquarters and reported the chief’s conversation to her companions. Ned said, “Well, Nancy, it looks as if you’ll have to solve this mystery without the chief’s help.”
They stopped at Mrs. Hosking’s to pick up Satin, the cat, and reserve a room for the boys. Then they all went down to the cottage. They ate supper in front of a roaring fire, and soon afterward the boys said good night.
“We’ll meet you in the village tomorrow morning,” Nancy told them. “I’ll need your help in a sleuthing project.”
Ned saluted. “We’ll be ready and waiting.”
When the young people met the following day, Nancy explained what she had in mind. She suggested that Ned call on the jobber.
“You might pretend you’re interested in doing outside saleswork next summer, and get him talking about records in general and then Niko’s latest one in particular.”
Ned said he would be glad to do this and drove out to Raskin’s office on the highway. When Ned returned somewhat later, he was flushed with excitement. “I picked up a great clue!” he said. “I’m sure I’m not mistaken. Raskin was the driv
er of the car that went off with Nancy and Niko!”
“What!” the others cried in unison.
Ned went on, “That’s not all. He got a phone call while I was there. The person on the other end of the line talked so loud I could hear him. He said he was Webby. Isn’t that the name of one of the men who was on the dock, Nancy, when you were hiding under it?”
“It certainly is,” she replied. “Oh, Ned, your sleuthing has been marvelous. Do you know what this means? Raskin, Webby, and the Driscolls are partners in some scheme and I am sure it’s pirating records!”
“Are you going to tell the police?” Bess asked.
“Not right now. I want more evidence before I talk to Chief Stovall or Detective Morton again,” she said. “I think we should all go and make a thorough search of the Pudding Stone Lodge grounds for clues. But let’s try to do it without being seen.”
“That’s going to be pretty hard,” said George, “if they have spies around.”
Nevertheless, everyone agreed to the idea and they went back to Misty Lake. The boys and.girls watched intently as they walked through the woods to the cottage, but saw nobody.
The girls put on hiking shoes and the group set off. The plan was to circle the estate. The boys were to stay among the trees near the lane which led from the road to the lodge, go around the house, and make their way to the beach. Meanwhile, the girls would take the woods trail that led to the foot of the bluff below the stone house.
They separated. When the girls reached the area where they had heard the humming noise, they began an intensive search along the base of the incline for a hidden door that might lead underground to the lodge. The place was tangled with weeds and at this point sharply rocky.
“We’ll have to tear these vines apart,” George declared.
Suddenly the group was startled by children’s shrieks from above. At once the girls raced up the path to the bluff. As they paused behind some bushes in an overgrown garden near the house, they saw Vince Driscoll and the twins. He was tossing each youngster in turn high into the air and pretending that he wasn’t going to catch them. The little boy and girl looked terrified.