The worker who had jostled Bess off balance apologized profusely, and asked if there was anything he could do.

The forlorn girl shook her head. "No, thanks."

The man in charge of the mill now ordered everyone out of the place. Coming over to the girls, he said, "I'm mighty sorry this happened. Thank goodness you weren't hurt."

The three friends left hurriedly and headed at once for Nancy's car. John O'Brien, who only a moment ago had realized that Bess was the victim of the accident, caught up to the girls and offered to do whatever he could.

"I'll be all right," Bess a.s.sured him.

Nancy said that she had a raincoat in the back of the car which Bess could put on during the drive back to Camp Merriweather.

"Outside of the little accident, we really had a wonderful time here," Nancy told John O'Brien. "Thank you for suggesting we come."

The trucker saluted and went off to his job. The girls were soon back at the lodge.

"I'll pull into an inconspicuous spot in the parking yard," Nancy told Bess. "Then we can go up the back stairway and n.o.body will question you."

"Thanks," said Bess. "I suppose you mean the Monteiths."

Unfortunately, the three girls had no sooner stepped from the convertible than they were confronted by Ross and Audrey who appeared like apparitions out of the bushes that surrounded the parking area.

"Why, Bess Marvin!" Audrey Monteith cried out. "Whatever have you been doing to yourself?"

"I had a little swim," Bess returned tersely.

As if disbelieving Bess's words, Audrey pulled aside the raincoat the girl was wearing. Seeing the soggy clothing beneath, she remarked, "But not a swim you intended to take."

Bess offered no further explanation. Nancy and George did not say a word as the three walked up a path toward the rear of the lodge. Audrey and Ross followed close behind.

"Mrs. Strook is a delightful old lady, isn't she?" Ross queried.

"Yes, she is," Nancy answered.

"Have you known her a long time?" Ross prodded.

"Long enough to feel that I know her rather well."

"So you won't talk?" Audrey remarked. "Nancy, you don't have to be so tight with your information. Tell us, why did you and Bess and George go to see Mrs. Strook?"

Nancy and her friends were annoyed, but resolved not to lose their tempers. George, however, could not resist a remark. "Like you and your husband, we had a cool drink there-only ours was iced tea."

The Monteiths looked at each other as if to say, "We're not going to find out anything now," and hurried down a side path.

Bess fumed, "Nancy, first thing you know those two horrible creatures will be taking the mystery right out of your hands and trying to solve it themselves!"

Nancy was silent for a few seconds, then she set her jaw firmly. "Let them try it!" she said.

When the girls reached their rooms, Nancy suggested that they put on bathing suits and go for a real swim. Bess grinned. "My second today. And anyway, we promised Rick and the others we'd join them later."

For the next few hours the three girls thoroughly enjoyed themselves. There was no mention of the mystery until they were preparing for bed. Then George asked Nancy how she planned to continue searching for the clue in the old stagecoach.

"I'm going to ask Mrs. Strook's permission to tell part of her secret to Mrs. Pauling, the woman who owns the stagecoach. Maybe she'll let me make a more thorough search."

"That sounds like a good idea," Bess remarked. "When do you plan on going?"

"Monday morning."

Bess and George said they would have to be counted out as they had promised to play in a tennis match at that time.

"I'm sorry," said Nancy.

Next day, Sunday, the girls went to church in town. Later Nancy phoned Mrs. Strook's home and gave her the latest news.

"Do you think there's a good possibility that coach was Great-uncle Abner's?" the elderly woman asked eagerly.

"Yes," Nancy answered. "It certainly looks a lot like the picture. I thought perhaps Mrs. Pauling might let us investigate a little deeper. Do you know her?"

"Not personally," Mrs. Strook answered, "but I understand she's a fine woman and is very civic-minded. I believe she would keep my secret and at least tell us anything she may know. Yes, Nancy, go ahead and talk with her."

Directly after breakfast on Monday, Nancy drove to Mrs. Pauling's home. It was a large house built at the top of a knoll and reached by a winding driveway. In front of the house was a wooded area, screening the residence from the highway. Nancy could see barns and other buildings to the rear as she drove up and parked.

At the same instant she heard yelping dogs approaching, and within seconds she was surrounded by a pack of hunting hounds.

Nancy smiled. "They're cute-and harmless."

She was about to pick up her purse and get out of the car when from around the comer of the house bounded two very large police dogs. They began to bark noisily and instantly the hunting hounds slunk away.

The police dogs took up stations on either side of Nancy's convertible and from their ferocious expressions and unfriendly barks she knew that they would not allow her to alight from the car.

"This is a fine mess," Nancy told herself. "Now what am I going to do?"

As if in answer to her question, the front door opened. A woman of about sixty, wearing attractive sports clothes, hurried toward Nancy. "Rex, be quiet!" she commanded. "Brutus! That will do for now!"

There was instant obedience. Together the dogs trotted off around the side of the house.

"I'm sorry about such a reception," the woman said. "The dogs are having their morning run." She smiled engagingly. "You see, I am well protected."

Nancy laughed as she stepped from the car. "They were certainly on the job. I'm Nancy Drew from River Heights. I'm staying at Camp Merriweather. Are you Mrs. Pauling?"

"Yes."

"I'd like to talk to you a few moments if I may," Nancy said.

Mrs. Pauling's face broke into a broad smile. "You may talk, but don't try to sell me anything," she warned. Before Nancy could a.s.sure her that this was not her intention, the woman inquired, "Are you by any chance Carson Drew's daughter?"

"Why, yes, I am."

"Then you are most welcome here," said Mrs. Pauling. "Your distinguished father took care of a case for my late husband and did a very fine job. Mr. Pauling praised him many times for the work."