Nancy dashed after the prowler

She leaped from the canoe and made a wild dash after the man. But he began running too. There was enough light from the cottage and the rising moon to help Nancy keep track of the fleeing man. But he had too much of a head start and soon she lost sight of him completely.

"He certainly acted guilty," Nancy told herself.

Cecily had beached the canoe and was carrying the paddles to the cottage. Nancy met her. "What in the world made you dash off?" Cecily asked.

When Nancy explained, Cecily's eyelids flickered worriedly. She was silent as the two girls went inside. Nancy told Bess and George of her fruitless chase. Cecily kept clasping and unclasping her hands nervously. Nancy was about to try reassuring her when suddenly Satin aroused from a half-sleeping posture, arched his back, and stared into the next room, which was dark.

"What does he see?" Bess whispered.

Without warning, the cat shot into the room. There was a slight squeak and in a few seconds Satin emerged triumphantly, a mouse in his mouth! He placed it at Bess's feet.

"Oh, how horrible!" Bess cried out. "Take that thing away!"

Satin, as if he understood, carried the mouse back into the dark room. Unexpectedly Cecily smiled. "He's having himself a feast, I suppose."

George said, "I wish Satin had pounced on that vandal and sunk his teeth into the fellow!"

The girls laughed, then Cecily lapsed into her unhappy mood. A few minutes later she arose. "I just can't stand not seeing or talking to Niko any longer! If you'll drive me to town, I'll catch the late bus for Baltimore, and maybe see the last part of his performance."

She consulted her watch and discovered that it would be nip and tuck as to whether she could make the bus in time. Nancy agreed to try. As Cecily tossed a few things into her suitcase, Bess and George declared that Nancy should not go alone.

"Your father wouldn't like it one bit," said George.

"We're going with you," Bess insisted, "vandal or no vandal."

Nancy hugged the cousins. "I'm sure it isn't necessary, but I love you both for it."

Cecily just managed to make the bus and everyone heaved a sigh of relief. Next, Nancy drove to the local police headquarters and went inside. Chief Stovall, a friendly, husky man, was on duty. She introduced herself and gave a quick report on the cottage entry. The chief listened attentively.

"We have a very limited force here, Miss Drew," he said. "But we'll do our best to nab the prowler. Offhand, I can't think of anyone I'd suspect among our villagers."

Nancy's thoughts flashed to the Driscolls-but she had no proof of her suspicions about them, and said nothing. She mentioned having seen the phantom launch.

Chief Stovall grinned. "I've heard those reports, and I certainly don't disbelieve you, Miss Drew. I've been out to the lake several evenings, for that purpose. But until I see it for myself, there is nothing I can do."

"I understand." Nancy smiled, and said good night. She, Bess, and George returned to the cottage, wondering in what kind of condition they would find it. Fortunately, no one had broken in, and the three friends settled down to read and write letters.

Satin, too, had curled up by the fire, which was now burning brightly. But suddenly he stood up and stared at the outside door.

George grinned. "Bess, maybe he's going to get you another mouse."

But her grin faded as the silence outside was broken. The girls heard the porch step creak.

CHAPTER X.

An Exciting Find

LIKE a flash Nancy was at the front door of the cottage. She flung it open. A handsome, blond young man stood there, his hand lifted as if to knock.

"Niko Van Dyke!" she cried out involuntarily.

He smiled broadly. "You recognize me?"

Nancy, smiling, said, "I not only recognize you, but I'm terribly relieved to see you. Please come in."

"You mean you thought I was a burglar?" Niko asked as they all took seats.

"Well, we had a prowler here today who did a lot of damage and I was afraid he might be returning."

To Nancy's surprise, the young musician said, "I saw him, but I didn't know that he had already broken into the cottage. He was carrying an ax. When he spotted me, he ran off toward the misty end of the lake."

"You saw him!" Bess exclaimed, coming forward. "What did he look like?"

When Niko described the man, Nancy looked at the other two girls significantly. He must be Vince Driscoll!

"What time did you see him?" Nancy asked.

When Niko told her, Nancy realized that Vince had rushed over to the cottage while she was locked on the roof-and before Bess's return-and damaged its contents. This must mean that the Driscolls were trying to frighten the girls away from the area.

Suddenly Nancy realized that Niko no doubt was looking for Cecily. Quickly she introduced herself and the others, then explained how they happened to be staying there.

"Cecily isn't here now?" Nikoasked, a look of disappointment on his face.

"She's on her way to Baltimore," Nancy replied.

"Baltimore! But why?"

"To see you," Nancy replied. "It's a shame-you just missed her. We put her on the bus not long ago."

"Is she coming back here?" Niko asked.

Nancy nodded. "She has been trying day and night to get you on the phone."

"I've been pretty much tied up," Niko explained. "I wanted to come here as soon as I got Cecily's message, but this is the first chance I've had. The Flying Dutchmen are taking a night off. I've been very upset. Cecily may have told you that we had a disagreement and I felt pretty bad about it."

Somewhat embarrassed, Niko admitted that upon arriving at the village that afternoon he had walked for hours along the lake trying to think of a way to persuade Cecily to marry him right away. It was during that time he had seen the suspected vandal.

"If only I'd come directly here! But I hesitated, not knowing just how Cecily felt," Niko added dejectedly.

Nancy smiled sympathetically. "Cecily is very eager to get things straightened out too. That's one reason why I'm relieved to see you. Now I have a chance to tell you this."

Niko's sad expression vanished. Suddenly he looked happy and boyish. "I'm crazy about Cecily and want to marry her soon."

"She told us that too," said Bess. "We three hope she'll change her mind and not put off the wedding too long. Of course you know about the iron bird. We've all been helping her look for it, but haven't had any luck so far. There seems to be a mystery connected with the house and grounds where we think the bird is."