Table of Contents
Both girls froze in their tracks
CHAPTER I
The Haunted House
NANCY DREW began peeling off her garden gloves as she ran up the porch steps and into the hall to answer the ringing telephone. She picked it up and said, Hellol
Hi, Nancy! This is Helen. Although Helen Corning was nearly three years older than Nancy, the two girls were close friends.
Are you tied up on a case? Helen asked.
No. Whats up? A mystery?
Yesa haunted house.
Nancy sat down on the chair by the telephone. Tell me more! the eighteen-year-old detective begged excitedly.
Youve heard me speak of my Aunt Rosemary, Helen began. Since becoming a widow, she has lived with her mother at Twin Elms, the old family mansion out in Cliffwood. Well, I went to see them yesterday. They said that many strange, mysterious things have been happening there recently. I told them how good you are at solving mysteries, and theyd like you to come out to Twin Elms and help them. Helen paused, out of breath.
It certainly sounds intriguing, Nancy replied, her eyes dancing.
If youre not busy, Aunt Rosemary and I would like to come over in about an hour and talk to you about the ghost.
I cant wait.
After Nancy had put down the phone, she sat lost in thought for several minutes. Since solving The Secret of the Old Clock, she had longed for another case. Here was her chancel
Attractive, blond-haired Nancy was brought out of her daydreaming by the sound of the doorbell. At the same moment the Drews housekeeper, Hannah Gruen, came down the front stairs,
Ill answer it, she offered.
Mrs. Gruen had lived with the Drews since Nancy was three years old. At that time Mrs. Drew had passed away and Hannah had become like a second mother to Nancy. There was a deep affection between the two, and Nancy confided all her secrets to the understanding housekeeper.
Mrs. Gruen opened the door and instantly a man stepped into the hall. He was short, thin, and rather stooped. Nancy guessed his age to be about forty.
Is Mr. Drew at home? he asked brusquely. My name is GomberNathan Gomber.
No, hes not here just now, the housekeeper replied.
The caller looked over Hannah Gruens shoulder and stared at Nancy. Are you Nancy Drew?
Yes, I am. Is there anything I can do for you?
The mans shifty gaze moved from Nancy to Hannah. Ive come out of the goodness of my heart to warn you and your father, he said pompously.
Warn us? About what? Nancy asked quickly.
Nathan Gomber straightened up importantly and said, Your father is in great danger, Miss Drew!
Both Nancy and Hannah Gruen gasped. You mean this very minute? the housekeeper questioned.
All the time, was the startling answer. I understand youre a pretty bright girl, Miss Drew that you even solve mysteries. Well, right now I advise you to stick close to your father. Dont leave him for a minute.
Hannah Gruen looked as if she were ready to collapse and suggested that they all go into the living room, sit down, and talk the matter over. When they were seated, Nancy asked Nathan Gomber to explain further.
The story in a nutshell is this, he began. You know that your father was brought in to do legal work for the railroad when it was buying property for the new bridge here.
As Nancy nodded, he continued, Well, a lot of the folks who sold their property think they were gypped.
Nancys face reddened. I understood from my father that everyone was well paid.
Thats not true, said Gomber. Besides, the railroad is in a real mess now. One of the property owners, whose deed and signature they claim to have, says that he never signed the contract of sale.
Whats his name? Nancy asked.
Willie Wharton.
Nancy had not heard her father mention this name. She asked Gomber to go on with his story.
Im acting as agent for Willie Wharton and several of the land owners who were his neighbors, he said, and they can make it pretty tough for the railroad. Willie Whartons signature was never witnessed and the attached certificate of acknowledgment was not notarized. Thats good proof the signature was a forgery. Well, if the railroad thinks theyre going to get away with this, theyre not!
Nancy frowned. Such a procedure on the part of the property owners meant trouble for her father! She said evenly, But all Willie Wharton has to do is swear before a notary that he did sign the contract of sale.
Gomber chuckled. Its not that easy, Miss Drew. Willie Wharton is not available. Some of us have a good idea where he is and well produce him at the right time. But that time wont be until the railroad promises to give the sellers more money. Then hell sign. You see, Willie is a real kind man and he wants to help his friends out whenever he can. Now hes got a chance.
Nancy had taken an instant dislike to Gomber and now it was quadrupled. She judged him to be the kind of person who stays within the boundaries of the law but whose ethics are questionable. This was indeed a tough problem for Mr. Drew!
Who are the people who are apt to harm my father? she asked.
Im not saying who they are, Nathan Gomber retorted. You dont seem very appreciative of my coming here to warn you. Fine kind of a daughter you are. You dont care what happens to your father!
Annoyed by the mans insolence, both Nancy and Mrs. Gruen angrily stood up. The housekeeper, pointing toward the front door, said, Good day, Mr. Gomber!
The caller shrugged as he too arose. Have it your own way, but dont say I didnt warn you!
He walked to the front door, opened it, and as he went outside, closed it with a tremendous bang.
Well, of all the insulting people! Hannah snorted.
Nancy nodded. But thats not the worst of it, Hannah darling. I think theres more to Gombers warning than he is telling. It seems to me to imply a threat. And he almost has me convinced. Maybe I should stay close to Dad until he and the other lawyers have straightened out this railroad tangle.
She said this would mean giving up a case she had been asked to take. Hastily Nancy gave Hannah the highlights of her conversation with Helen about the haunted mansion. Helen and her aunt will be here in a little while to tell us the whole story.
Oh, maybe things arent so serious for your father as that horrible man made out, Hannah said encouragingly. If I were you Id listen to the details about the haunted house and then decide what you want to do about the mystery.
In a short time a sports car pulled into the winding, tree-shaded driveway of the Drew home. The large brick house was set some distance back from the street.
Helen was at the wheel and stopped just beyond the front entrance. She helped her aunt from the car and they came up the steps together. Mrs. Rosemary Hayes was tall and slender and had graying hair. Her face had a gentle expression but she looked tired.
Helen introduced her aunt to Nancy and to Hannah, and the group went into the living room to sit down. Hannah offered to prepare tea and left the room.
