The Mystery of the 99 Steps by Carolyn G. Keene Page A

Nancy became more and more convinced that some intruder had been able to enter the house. On a hunch that the dog might have been hidden, she began a systematic search of all closets but did not find Fifi. Finally the only place left was the attic tower of the house. There was a door at the foot of a stairway leading up to it. Nancy opened the door and ascended. At the top she looked about at the small square room lighted by a tiny window on each side.
    “Oh!” she cried.
    In the center of the floor on a faded rug lay Fifi!
    Since the dog did not move at Nancy’s approach, she was fearful the pet might not be alive. In a moment she realized Fifi was breathing, but unconscious. There was a strong medicinal smell about the animal, and she guessed the dog had been drugged to keep it from barking the alarm.
    Nancy was angry. Who would do such a mean thing? But there was no time to think about this at the moment.
    Taking the steps two at a time, Nancy hurried to the second floor and called out loudly, “Come quickly! I’ve found Fifi in the tower!”
    Madame Bardot rushed from a bedroom. “Is she all right?” the woman asked worriedly.
    “I think so,” said Nancy, “but a veterinarian should see her as soon as possible. She’s unconscious.”
    By this time Monsieur Bardot had appeared in the hallway. He offered to phone the doctor and the police while the others hurried to the attic. Bess and George were indignant also at the mistreatment of the poodle.
    In a short while the veterinarian arrived. He examined Fifi and declared that the intruder had injected a drug that produced sleep for a long time. “She will be all right, however,” he assured Madame Bardot. “And I do not think she needs medication. Just let her sleep off the effects.”
    As the veterinarian was leaving, two police officers drove up. They talked briefly with the doctor, then began to quiz the Bardots.
    “We have little to tell,” Monsieur Bardot replied. “My wife and I heard no unusual noises last night.” He introduced the American girls, singling out Nancy. “Mademoiselle Drew is here trying to solve a mystery. Perhaps she can be of some help to you.”
    Both policemen frowned, and Nancy felt sure that the suggestion was not a welcome one! Quickly she said to the officers, “I’m sure you won’t miss any clues the intruder may have left. But if you don’t mind, I’d like to do a little looking myself.”
    The policemen nodded stiffly, then said they wanted to see where the dog had been found. The Bardots led them to the tower.
    After they had gone, George whispered, “Nancy, I dare you to solve the mystery before those policemen do! Bess and I will help you find some clues before they get back downstairs!”
    Nancy grinned. “All right. Let’s start!”
    While the girls were searching the first floor, Bess remarked, “Nancy, do you realize that several houses—or buildings—you’ve been in lately have been entered by an intruder?”
    “That’s right,” said Nancy. “But in this case, I hardly think the person was out to find me or take anything valuable of mine.”
    “If he was,” said George, “he certainly got fooled, because we were away and had our passports and money and jewelry with us!”
    Nancy examined the outside kitchen door. It had a Yale lock, but when she tried the key, she discovered that it was hard to turn.
    “This must be how the prowler got in,” she concluded. “He tried various keys before he found the right one, and almost jammed the tumblers.”
    “He’s just a common burglar then,” George declared. “He probably stole things from the house.”
    By this time the police and the Bardots had reached the first floor.
    George blurted out, “Nancy discovered how the intruder got in!” She explained about the lock, then added, “The intruder put Fifi to sleep so she wouldn’t bark and awaken anyone. Then, to keep the Bardots from notifying the police right away if they found the dog