Part 22 (1/2)

Forty-five minutes later she and Ned entered the Yorktown Hotel. While Nancy phoned the Chantrey house, Ned checked with the clerk. Monsieur Pappier had not registered there that night, nor had anyone remotely answering his description, either with or without his disguise, been seen there. Ned also drew a blank on Tyrox and Mr. James.

”Let's try the motels,” Nancy urged.

”Okay,” Ned agreed.

They made the rounds, but learned nothing. Nancy had known the trip might end in failure, but even so, she was bitterly disappointed.

As she and Ned were walking away from the last motel, Nancy stopped at the adjoining restaurant where there was dancing. She went inside and spoke to the hatcheck girl. When she joined Ned her eyes were sparkling.

”Ned, I just learned something interesting! A Senora Sanchez who sells cosmetics has been in here tonight! She hasn't registered, but said she was coming back.”

”We're not trailing a Spanish woman, Nancy, but a French lady.”

”We may be now! Oh, I'll bet Madame and Monsieur change names and nationality whenever the police get warm on their trail.”

”The police!” Ned exclaimed. ”Let's give this information to them, and start for home.”

Nancy agreed, so a stop was made at the Yorktown Police Headquarters. The desk sergeant a.s.sured the couple a close watch would be kept for both Tyrox, alias Monsieur Pappier and Mr. James, and the senora selling cosmetics.

When they reached Mrs. Chantrey's, lights blazed in the house, indicating to Nancy that her friends had waited up. They greeted them with eager questions. Nancy and Ned related what had occurred in Candleton and at Yorktown.

”I'm sorry not to have a better report,” Nancy said.

”But you learned a lot,” Mrs. Chantrey a.s.sured her.

A few minutes later Ned said good night, and everyone wearily went off for a much-needed sleep.

It was early the next morning when Nancy was awakened by George who told her Mr. Drew had arrived from New York. Nancy dressed quickly, then ran downstairs to greet him with an affectionate kiss.

”Did you find out anything about those swindlers?” she asked eagerly.

”No,” he reported in disgust. ”Our leads were worthless. Not only Harry Tyrox, but all the rest of his gang have disappeared completely. I hate to give Mrs. Chantrey this bad news.”

”Why not wait a few days?” Nancy suggested.

She told her father about her sleuthing activities since he had left, including the two times she had seen Tyrox; her suspicion that he was in Yorktown; Mother Mathilda's story which might lead to the arrest of the perfume seller, and what she had learned from the people in Candleton and Branford who had bought Mon Coeur stock.

Although Mr. Drew was shocked to hear about the number of investors in the area, he was delighted at his daughter's progress with the case. The lawyer decided to drive to Yorktown and learn what luck the police were having in tracing the phony senora. He set off in a rented car.

Left to themselves, Nancy, Bess and George decided to go for a swim. They rented a motorboat and went to Whistling Oyster Cove. After a delightful hour in the water, the three friends lay on their backs in the soft, warm sand. Suddenly Nancy sat bolt upright.

”Why didn't I think of that before!” she exclaimed, springing to her feet. ”It may explain everything!”

”You might try doing a little explaining yourself,” drawled George, tossing a pebble into the water. ”What's cooking now in that clever brain of yours?”

”The best idea I've had in a week! Girls, you must go to Bald Head Cave at once!”

”Not inside,” Bess objected. ”As a matter of fact, I don't even want to go close to the entrance.”