The Hidden Window Mystery by Carolyn Keene Page B

know,” Mrs. Paget continued, “and my, what a busy-body she was! Things got so bad she came near being sued.”
    “Oh, really?” Bess asked. “What did she do?”
    “She accused people of things they never did.”
    “Like what?” George asked.
    “Well,” Mrs. Paget replied, “It seems that Mrs. Dondo was expecting a letter with some money in it. When it didn’t arrive, she spoke to the postman. He said it might have got mixed in with other people’s mail. So Mrs. Dondo up and goes around asking everybody. Then she accused a woman she didn’t like of keeping the money.”
    Nancy and her friends were amazed. It was the same trick Mrs. Dondo tried in River Heights.
    “I understand,” said Nancy nonchalantly, “that Mr. Rugby has a lot of money and is very generous in helping his sister.”
    Mrs. Paget began to laugh. “Money! Neither one of them has got any money to speak of, but they both go around putting on airs.”
    The girls smiled. They were getting more information than they had hoped for!
    “Alonzo’s not so bad,” Mrs. Paget added. “The only thing I got against him is his bragging. He thinks he’s a great artist.”
    Mrs. Paget stopped to take a breath, and then went on, “What makes you think Alonzo sends his sister any money? If you ask me, he never gave her a nickel in his life!” Suddenly Mrs. Paget sniffed. “Oh, my goodness!” she cried. “My dinner must be burned to a crisp!”
    With that, she dashed toward the house. Nancy called after her, “I’m afraid we must leave now, Mrs. Paget, but we enjoyed meeting you.”
    “Thank you—call again!” the woman yelled back from inside the kitchen.
    Nancy remarked that she could hardly wait to get to a telephone and relay the recent conversation to her father. She suggested that they stop at Susan’s home, which they would pass. “I’d like to say hello, anyway.”
    The girls were disappointed not to find either Susan or Cliff at home. But Anna warmly welcomed them back. Hearing that they were not staying, she threw up her hands and exclaimed, “Why don’t you all remain here now that you’re back safe?”
    Nancy smiled. “Don’t worry, we’ll be home again in no time.”
    Anna sighed and shook her head in disappointment. Nancy phoned Mr. Drew, and Bess followed the housekeeper to the kitchen. “Anna,” she said as she took a seat, “the worst thing about our mystery solving at Ivy Hall is not being able to enjoy your delicious cooking. No one can match your recipes!”
    Anna burst into laughter. “I can spot a hint from a hungry girl a mile away,” she said. She cut Bess a large slice of coconut cake.
    “Thank you,” Bess exclaimed happily and started eating with gusto.
    As she finished the last bite, a car stopped in the driveway. Susan stepped from it, waved good-by, and came into the kitchen.
    “Bess!” she cried in delight. “I’m so glad to see you! But where are George and Nancy?”
    Bess told her, then Susan said, “I was just thinking of you girls and the Pattersons.” She turned to Anna. “I’d like to have the girls take a basket of food with them. With all the excitement at Ivy Hall, it would help if Sheila didn’t have to cook dinners for a couple of days.”
    “A good idea, Miss Susan,” Anna said and went to pack a picnic hamper.
    “And now, tell me what has happened since you left there,” Susan said to Bess, linking arms and leading her into the living room.
    Nancy and George joined them and the four sat down. Susan listened intently as the others related their story. At the end Susan remarked, “It all seems unbelievable. I think the mystery is becoming more dangerous each day.”
    “And nearer a solution,” Nancy declared. She rose. “We must get back to our sleuthing.”
    As the girls drove off, Susan said, “Don’t forget we’re going on a tour of the gardens tomorrow. Pick me up early.”
    Nancy said she would and waved good-by. At Ivy Hall the girls found Sheila and Annette in a