Praise for Mabel Maney’s Mysteries! Featuring Nancy Clue and Cherry Aimless

“America’s two greatest girl detective as lovers? Could anything in the history of pop culture be more irreverent?”

—NEW YORK NEWSDAY

“Maney, who evidently grew up bent in a straighter-than-thou environment, has had a field day with our conventions. Wittily, subversively, she has exposed the underbelly of America: it’s softly rounded, and warm.”

—TORONTO GLOBE AND MAIL

“In a gem of a book-length parody, the author faithfully hews to the narrative and plotting style of juvenile series fiction, her remarkably straight face making the goings on all the funnier. I loved this book …”

—ELLERY QUEEN MYSTERY MAGAZINE

“You’ll laugh until your dress gets mussed … Maney knows ’50s America like she majored in Ozzie and Harriet.”

—LAMBDA BOOK REPORT

The sequel to THE CASE OF THE NOT-SO-NICE NURSE is another hoot, a lampooning of girls’ fiction of the past full of hapless, do-gooding detectives with ‘keen sleuthing abilities, up-to-the-minute fashion sense, and gracious finishing-school manners.’ With a honey like Cherry, who is always careful to keep an ample supply of freshly starched, white linen handkerchiefs in her seasonally appropriate handbag, we know Nancy can’t miss.”

—BOOKLIST

“Utter kitsch, done with class and distinction. Maney tools the pages like an expert, in the process bringing up a lot of dialogue about the role of lesbianism in the gay ’90s, albeit subtly.”

—YOUR FLESH MAGAZINE

About the Author

MABEL MANEY spent her formative years travelling the Midwest in a green wood-paneled station wagon with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Maney, and three prize-winning black-and-white cocker spaniels, Taffy, Lady and Sadie, in search of blue ribbons and shiny trophies.

After her parents were lost at sea, Mabel and her dog chums settled with their maternal grandmother, Olive Krumpke, in Clear Lake, Wisconsin. Mabel received a strict Catholic education at Our Lady of the Lake School for Girls, where she devoted herself to clean living, community service and Catholic scholarship.

Her first full-length novel, Pets of the Saints (now out-of-print), won her accolades from around the state, and her macaroni model of the last days of Joan of Arc made apparent to all her artistic bent. After an unfortunate misstep prevented her from taking the veil, Mabel moved west, eventually settling in San Francisco where she lives happily with her beloved Miss Lily Bee.

Mabel Maney is the author of The Case of the Not-So-Nice Nurse (Cleis, 1993) and The Case of the Good-For-Nothing Girlfriend (Cleis, 1994). Her installation art and handmade books, self-published under the World O’ Girls imprint, have earned her fellowships from The San Francisco Foundation and San Francisco State University, where she received her MFA in 1991. She is currently working on a musical based on the characters from A Ghost in the Closet.

“It’s the secret map we’ve been looking for!”

A Ghost in the Closet
A Hardly Boys Mystery

Mabel Maney

www.spice-books.co.uk

Contents

Cover

Praise

About the Author

Title Page

Dedication

Prologue

1 Stop, Thief!”

2 Dog Gone!

3 A Daring Rescue

4 Thwarted!

5 A Difficult Decision

6 Thwarted Again!

7 A Surefire Scheme

8 A Romantic Rendezvous

9 A Lovelorn Nurse

10 Girl Trouble!

11 The Mystery of Love

12 A Torrid Tale

13 A Knotty Affair

14 Captured!

15 A Dramatic Entrance

16 Party Games

17 Puzzling Behavior

18 Cosmic Yearnings

19 The Telltale Slippers

20 Hold It Right There!”

21 Torn Asunder!

22 Foreign Foe?

23 Chili con Carne and Baked Alaska

24 A Chase

25 A Lulu of a Revelation

26 A Daring Leap

27 The Science Lesson

28 What Luck!

29 A Dire Warning!

30 A Lucky Break

31 A Watery Grave?

32 Mission Accomplished

33 A Clever Ruse

34 The Plot Thickens

35 And Brains, Too!

36 Nelly to the Rescue

37 To the Tunnels!

38 The Strange Case of Darcy New

39 Second Thoughts?

40 A Star Is Born!

41 Frank’s Anguish

42 I Before E Except After C

43 A Sad Case

44 Boy, Oh, Boy!”

45 What Goes Up Must Come Down

46 To the Moon!

47 Frank Sees the Light

48 Prisoners!

49 It’s John Glenn!”

50 To the Rescue!

51 To Tell the Truth

52 Hurry!

53 Say Cheese!”

54 What a Shock!

55 Take Them Away!”

56 A Tearful Reunion

57 Shall We Dance?”

58 And the Winner Is …”

59 A Happy Ending

Endpages

Copyright

Dedicated to the memory of Billy Tipton

“He sang in a high voice.”

and to Herbert S. Zim,

whose delightful and informative books

have provided many hours of pleasant reading

As always

for Miss Lily Bee

and

for Miss Coco,

who will be sadly missed

Special thanks to Leasa Burton

for her keen editing skills

and

buckets of gratitude

to my sweet boy chums

for their generosity, grace and wit

Tom Metz

Donald Smith

Chuck Stallard

Prologue

“I can hardly wait to get home and show Father all the exciting new French detective techniques we learned while on our vacation!” Joe Hardly said eagerly. The dark-haired, muscular lad, one half of the crime-fighting team known far and wide as the Hardly boys, leaned against the rail of the majestic Queen Mary and gazed at the wide expanse of blue water all around them. In two days, they would arrive in New York Harbor, catch a speedy train to their beloved hometown of Feyport, Illinois, and be reunited with their parents, world-famous detective Fennel P. Hardly and his wife, Mrs. Hardly. Although Joe had had a swell time on their six-week jaunt through Europe, the tousled-haired lad was eager to get back home and resume his exciting life as a famous boy detective.

“Are you as anxious as I am to get back to work?” Joe asked his older brother Frank as he took a stick of cherry gum from the pocket of his baby blue cardigan-style overshirt in washable rayon and popped it in his mouth.

“I’m fit and rested and ready to go,” Frank replied with a smile as he ran a hand through his thick, close-cropped blond hair, then slipped a cable-knit tennis sweater over his head. His cruise-wear outfit of white cotton sunburst-print clam-digger trousers and matching top was just the ticket for a sun-drenched day aboard ship, but now that the sun was setting, the boy detective was getting mighty chilled!

“Oh, I do hope Father’s got a good mystery brewing for us. After all that sightseeing, I sure am anxious for some real action!” Frank said wistfully.

“Father’s probably embroiled in a new case this very minute,” Joe cried. “Why, I bet as soon as we get home, we’ll be pulled into an exciting adventure!”

—— CHAPTER 1 ——
“Stop, Thief!”

“I’m sorry, son, you’ll have to let me examine the contents of your pockets before I can let you in the auditorium,” a man in a trim blue uniform ordered as he kept his eyes on the crowd and grabbed hold of Midge Fontaine’s arm, preventing her from entering the Lake Merrimen Auditorium, a civic center in the heart of the bustling resort town that had been host to many an exciting event, from square dances to pie contests, but none so thrilling as the annual Dog Show.

Midge squirmed out of the man’s grasp and resolutely crossed her arms over her strong chest. “No one goes through my pockets,” she cried angrily, thinking to herself, “except for my girlfriend Velma!”

“If I don’t search you, you can’t go inside,” the officer shot back as he studied Midge’s trouser pockets suspiciously.

Girl detective Nancy Clue pushed past her chum. “Officer, what’s the problem?” she asked politely.

“Well, if it isn’t Miss Nancy Clue!” the man exclaimed as he recognized the famous girl sleuth known far and wide for her keen detective work and fashionable outfits. Today, Nancy was attired in a darling blue and white checkered raincoat and matching hat, and had navy blue rubber boots on her petite feet.

“Here on a case, eh, Miss Clue?” the man smiled knowingly.

“That’s right, officer,” Nancy played along. If truth be told, she and her chums, the newly-wed Midge Fontaine and Velma Pierce, and her own date, Cherry Aimless, Registered Nurse, were there for a frolicsome day amid canine competition and not hot on the trail of a new mystery.

“We’re going to miss the beginning of the Obedience Trials,” Midge groaned as she peeked inside and saw that, although it was still early on a rainy Saturday morning, the civic center was already teeming with dog lovers dressed in snappy sports outfits, anxious to partake of the festivities promised for that day. “If we don’t hurry there’s not going to be any place left to sit,” she pointed out. The annual canine contest was one of the most eagerly anticipated affairs in the gay resort town, coming as it did in the middle of a typically quiet Illinois summer, and no one was as pleased to see the sights as Midge Fontaine, a dog lover through and through.

A shock of recognition crossed the officer’s face as he got a closer look at Midge. She was a muscular girl with close-cropped blond hair and a strong jaw, which at that moment was set in a scowl. “Sorry, I didn’t recognize you straight off, Frank,” the man waved them through, adding, “Chief O’Malley sure will be glad to know his favorite boy detective is back in town.”

“Thanks,” Midge replied with a grin. Since she and her chums had arrived in the small Midwestern town of River Depths ten days ago to help girl detective Nancy Clue solve the baffling mystery of The Case of the Good-For-Nothing Girlfriend, the handsome girl had been mistaken over and over again for a boy. And not just any fellow, but the celebrated detective Frank Hardly, a clean-cut lad with a sensible nature and a keen eye whose daring exploits had made him as much a household name as his feminine counterpart, Nancy Clue. The two sleuths were in fact old chums who had solved many a mystery together.

On Midge’s first day in River Depths, a townswoman had taken one look at her muscular build and masculine appearance and announced to all concerned that Frank Hardly, who had been vacationing in Europe with his brother Joe, was back in town. Midge had done nothing to correct the woman’s mistaken impression, and had in fact enjoyed the little charade.

“Being Frank is fun,” Midge thought as she and her group hastily strode past the guard and lost themselves in the crowd. “Why are they searching people at the door?” Midge wondered aloud. She had never been to a dog show with so much security!

“Myra Meeks is exhibiting her prize-winning poodle today,” Nancy said with a chuckle, “and her husband, Judge Meeks, has probably called in the police to make sure her Precious isn’t stolen.”

At the mention of the town’s meanest matron, Midge made a face. Since their arrival in Illinois, the girls had had many an unpleasant encounter with the worrisome woman. “I hope we don’t run into her today,” Midge groaned. She checked her watch. “Let’s catch the end of the Obedience Trials,” she suggested.

“I know you’re in a hurry, Midge, but first I simply must powder my nose,” Cherry insisted.

While her girlish chums ducked into the ladies’ lounge, Midge waited nearby with her face buried in the dog show program.

Five minutes later Midge checked her watch and frowned. The Parade of Hounds would begin soon, followed by the Toy Dogs Procession in which miniature animals were wheeled around the center ring on specially built carts.

“Honey, we’re going to miss the best parts,” Midge pleaded through the cheery pink door of the lounge, but there was no reply. “They’re probably doing their hair,” she realized. She ran a hand through her own short, masculine hairstyle, which required little more than a quick combing and an application of hair preparation.

“Velma, let’s go,” she cried. Golly, they were missing the opening remarks from experts in the field. As a devoted dog lover, Midge knew there were one hundred and twenty breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club, and the stories of these dogs were filled with heroism and humor, delightful anecdotes and high adventure—and she didn’t want to miss one little bit!

Midge felt a sudden tug at her elbow. “Pardon me, young man,” a soft voice said politely. Midge whirled around to find a slender elderly woman dressed in an impeccably tailored lightweight navy blue suit with a prim lace collar and starched white cuffs standing behind her. Tucked under each arm was a miniature teacup poodle the exact color of her nicely coifed gray hair. The woman peered at Midge through horn-rimmed glasses, with a puzzled expression on her face.

“Er—I’m just waiting for my wife,” Midge explained weakly. “She and her friends went in to fix their hair.” Midge was telling the truth, for just last week in a touching ceremony sure to be remembered by all, she and her longtime love Velma had been united in marriage.

The woman smiled sympathetically, then nodded at the program in Midge’s hand and said, “Would you be a dear and tell me where the petite poodles are being housed? I have a program in my purse,” she went on, indicating the worn yet still good black clutch under one arm, “but my hands are too full to retrieve it. I do so want to win this year,” she confided as Midge leafed through her program detailing the 1959 Lake Merrimen Dog Show. “If I can only keep Pierre and Patsy calm until show time, one of them is sure to win Best of Show in their breed!” The woman’s friendly brown eyes lit up in delight as she dreamt of the shiny trophy awaiting the top pet poodle.

Midge thought that the handsome pets were sure to impress the judges, and told her so. The woman flushed with excitement at the kind words. “I’m Miss Penelope Parsnips, but everyone calls me Miss Pansy,” she offered. “It’s an old family nickname,” she explained. “I’m the local librarian, and while you could say books are my business, poodles are my passion!”

“I’m—” Midge began, but the excited woman cut her off. “Oh, everyone knows who you are,” Miss Pansy cried in delight. “I’ve heard about you and your brother and your expert detective work on many occasions, Frank Hardly. Your father, the world-famous detective Fennel P. Hardly, must be awfully proud that his sons are following in his footsteps to such great acclaim!”

Midge had to grin. These Hardly boys sure had a reputation!

After ascertaining the location of the event, Miss Pansy bade Midge a fond farewell. “I hope your wife comes out soon before you miss any more of today’s excitement,” she cried. “Be sure to come see us perform in the Pageant of Poodles.”

Midge took the pencil she had tucked behind her ear and made a bold check next to the one o’clock show. In the margin, she wrote the names Pierre and Patsy. Midge’s keen eye told her Miss Pansy’s pet poodles were top notch.

“One sees more poodles in dog acts than all other breeds combined,” Midge was fascinated to read as she browsed through her catalog. A feminine giggle interrupted her. It was her girlfriend, the vivacious Velma Pierce, and she had brushed her short, dark curly locks until they shone. Right behind her was Nancy, who had shed her raincoat to reveal a crisp shirtwaist cinched with a slender belt, in the prettiest blue that set off her shiny titian locks to their best advantage, and her date Cherry, similarly attired in a smart shirtwaist of the palest yellow and carrying a white patent-leather clutch purse.

Midge sighed with relief and jammed her program into the back pocket of her rumpled men’s trousers. She did her best to look annoyed.

“I’m sorry we took so long,” Velma exclaimed as she gave her patient girlfriend a kiss. Midge’s frown immediately turned into a big grin.

“I’m afraid it’s all my fault,” Cherry admitted. “While I was powdering my nose I noticed a girl wearing the cute cornflower blue uniform of a Veterinarian Nurse, and I just had to ask her a few pertinent questions about her exciting profession.” If truth be told, the conversation had done Cherry a world of good. Although she was greatly enjoying her stay in this lovely Midwestern town, she had to admit she was a little lonesome for the hustle and bustle of the big city hospital that had, until three weeks ago, been her whole world.

Until her recent adventure brought her to Illinois, Nurse Cherry Aimless had been a happily overworked Ward Nurse specializing in women with nervous disorders at Seattle General Hospital. During a visit to San Francisco to see her Aunt Gertrude, she had been caught up in the exciting Case of the Not-So-Nice Nurse, where she had met her longtime idol, detective Nancy Clue, and Midge and Velma, too! That simple vacation had turned into the adventure of a lifetime, for not only had Cherry helped rescue a convent of kidnapped nuns, she had also fallen deeply and truly in love with her favorite girl detective!

Only days later, the chums had been swept up in their most recent mystery, the dramatic Case of the Good-For-Nothing Girlfriend, which had proven to be their scariest adventure ever! Helpful housekeeper Hannah Gruel, who had been like a mother to Nancy Clue since the death of her real mother many years ago, had been charged with killing Nancy’s father, famous attorney Carson Clue!

“Thank goodness that’s all over,” Cherry sighed in relief. “Has it just been a week since Nancy faced a certain jail sentence by bravely admitting that it was she who had murdered her father, only to be exonerated at the very last minute when Carson Clue’s true nature was finally revealed?” Cherry wondered to herself. Why, if public sentiment hadn’t been behind her, Nancy could very well be in prison this minute, Cherry realized with alarm as she clutched her chum’s slender, white cotton-gloved hand.

Who would have guessed that just days before, the charmingly outfitted girl at Cherry’s side had been locked in a damp, drab jail cell? Luckily, once the truth about her father had been revealed and people could see that Nancy had had no choice but to shoot him, the good citizens of River Depths had demanded she be let go and that all charges be dropped.

Nancy smiled and gave Cherry’s hand a little squeeze. “Lucky for us, everything’s back to normal,” that confident squeeze said.

Cherry felt a sudden stab of guilt. All week she had been trying to get her feelings straight about Nancy. When they first met in San Francisco, they fell instantly and truly in love. But after two glorious weeks, their romance had soured, and Cherry had been forced to take a good long look at her idol. Not liking all she saw, the gentle nurse had since demurred whenever the subject of love came up. Cherry knew that since Nancy’s release from prison, she had done all she could to rekindle their earlier love, but there was just one thing standing in the way.

“A great, big good-looking girl with bulging biceps and the warmest smile I’ve ever seen,” Cherry thought dreamily. San Francisco Detective Jackie Jones, a calm, capable girl with rich brown skin and large black eyes, had shown up at Nancy’s door to help her chums solve their last case, and had stolen Cherry’s heart in the process. “Maybe I was never really in love with Nancy to begin with,” Cherry thought. “Could it be that I’m really, truly in love with Jackie, and my feelings for Nancy were merely a girl’s first crush?” Still, Cherry felt a little tingle when she gazed at her attractive titian-haired chum, who had stooped to pet a frisky Scottish terrier, a plucky little breed whose independent spirit and reckless courage had long held it in good stead with the dog-loving public.

“Nancy has been awfully sweet to me since she was released from prison. And who could blame her for acting a little short-tempered during her murder trial?” Cherry asked herself. “After all, she was under an awful strain.” The more Cherry pondered this, the more sense it made. Could it be her feelings for Jackie, a top notch detective with a steady gaze and a confident manner, were merely the admiration of one dedicated professional for another?

Cherry blushed. She always blushed when she thought of the strong, cocksure detective who had an uncanny habit of showing up just when Cherry needed her most. “Time will tell. Just be patient, and you’ll see who’s the right girl for you,” Velma’s sensible words rang in Cherry’s ears. Since meeting the older, more sophisticated Velma Pierce, Cherry had, again and again, turned to her for guidance on matters of the heart, as well as for fashion and hairstyle tips.

“After ten years with Midge, Velma must know everything there is to know about romance,” Cherry realized. She snuck a peek at her favorite couple, who were standing arm in arm whilst poring over the fascinating program. She was thrilled to see them happy and smiling again. Midge and Velma were true and devoted lovers, but a silly misunderstanding last week had almost pulled them asunder! Luckily, love had prevailed, and the two were wed in a lovely ceremony in Nancy’s living room, attended by all of River Depth society.

Cherry puzzled her pretty brow. There was one thing she still didn’t understand. If Midge was masquerading as Frank Hardly, and had married Velma while in disguise, was Velma Mrs. Midge Fontaine, or really Mrs. Frank Hardly? “Maybe now isn’t the best time to bring that up,” Cherry decided. “Since everyone’s having such a swell time.”

The chums had kept a low profile for days, waiting for the news to blow over that it had been Nancy who had murdered her father. “Not that it’s been a dull period in the least,” Cherry murmured to herself. Why, the house had been a whirlwind of activity!

Shortly after Nancy’s release from jail, the president of the River Depths Bank had arrived with a briefcase stuffed with stocks and bonds and insurance policies for Nancy to peruse. There were numerous financial decisions for River Depth’s newest heiress to mull over, for besides inheriting the comfortable three-story brick house and her father’s considerable bank account, Nancy had come into a large trust left to her by her late mother, Rebecca Clue. Why, the interest alone would keep Nancy in fashionable frocks and necessary accessories for the rest of her days!

When Nancy had begged Cherry to be her date for the show, Jackie had suddenly announced that she had official work to do, strapped on her gun and left the house. Cherry was frankly relieved that she didn’t have to choose between two escorts for that day!

“Although Jackie is missing all the fun,” Cherry thought woefully as she followed the others through the crowd to the center arena where the Parade of Hounds was underway. Soon Cherry forgot all about her troubled romances as many delightful dogs, led by a handsome bloodhound, paraded about in a large circle.

“These can’t all be hounds,” Cherry exclaimed to Midge. “They look nothing alike.” As she said this, she noticed a burly man clad in a tight-fitting shiny black suit prick up his ears and tilt his head so as to hear Midge’s response. Cherry was glad she wasn’t the only uninformed one in the crowd!

Midge quickly explained that all sorts of contrary-appearing dogs, from the merry beagle to the regal Afghan, were hounds. “There are two classifications of hounds: coursing hounds, which use their eyesight for tracking, and tracking hounds, which rely on their acute sense of smell,” Midge explained earnestly, adding, “Dogs have a sense of smell three hundred times that of humans.”

“Bloodhounds are often used by the police to solve crimes,” Nancy interjected. “I had one with me when I cracked The Case of the Fetid Footwear.”

“Goodness!” Cherry exclaimed. Before she could hear any more about Nancy’s exciting case, a roar went up from the crowd. It was the Cavalcade of Collies! The crowd applauded in approval as the majestic looking, thick-coated herding dogs rounded up sheep, jumped over barriers, and saved a small boy from a simulated swimming accident. Cherry was not at all surprised to learn that the plucky dogs had long been used to aid mankind during times of national emergency.

“Aren’t they the cleverest dogs you’ve ever seen?” Cherry cried to Nancy as she jumped to her feet and smoothed out the wrinkles in her skirt in preparation for a trip to the cafeteria.

“And so loyal, too,” Nancy exclaimed. “Why, they’re practically famous for their dutiful obedience to their masters!” Nancy put one arm on Cherry’s shoulder and looked her straight in the eye. “Loyalty has always been one of my favorite characteristics in a girlfriend,” she confided. “Don’t you think it’s one of the most important virtues ever?”

Cherry gulped. “Goodness, I’m starved!” she cried. “Is anyone else hungry?”

As they consumed a yummy luncheon of ham salad sandwiches, cabbage slaw and fruit compote, Midge happily read aloud more interesting things about the delightful dogs. She had taken copious notes in her program during the trials and declared herself quite taken with the handsome beasts. Next the girls browsed at a nearby booth offering good bargains on necessary items. Nancy purchased a cute tartan collar for her terrier, Gogo, and Midge picked up a handsome braided red leather collar and leash set for her own dog, Eleanor, a black and white cocker spaniel left at home in Warm Springs, Oregon with close chums.

“Attention ladies and gentlemen!” a voice blared out over the loudspeaker. “The Wiener Dog Races will begin in four minutes’ time in Exhibition Hall C, followed shortly thereafter by the Pageant of Poodles in Exhibition Hall D!”

“I met two poodles who are going to compete,” Midge told her chums. “I promised their owner we’d be there to cheer them on.”

Cherry had to smile. Tough, sarcastic Midge always became a puddle when it came to pooches! The happy group was eagerly making its way down the long corridor connecting the exhibition halls when suddenly a tall, thin man in a dark-colored trenchcoat with an upturned collar stepped right in their path.

“Hey!” Midge cried as the man took an umbrella from under his arm and thoughtlessly shook it out, spraying the hapless girls with rain water before disappearing into the sea of dog lovers. “What the—!” she added as she felt someone jostle her from behind. Midge turned around to find a burly man in a shiny, tight-fitting black sharkskin suit behind her.

“Sorry, sonny,” he grumbled as he slipped something into his jacket pocket and walked briskly away. Midge checked her pocket and was relieved to find her wallet still there.

“How discourteous that trenchcoat-clad man is!” Cherry exclaimed, realizing that he had gotten water on her new ballerina flats. Not only that, he had left a puddle that could prove dangerous on the slick, tile flooring! Cherry opened her purse and whipped out a clean handkerchief so she could mop up the mess, but stopped when she spied the look of astonishment on Midge’s face. By now, Midge had had time to check all her pockets, and had discovered a queer thing.

“That man in the black suit stole my program!” Midge gasped angrily.

—— CHAPTER 2 ——
Dog Gone!

“At first I thought he had taken my money,” Midge explained. “I’ve got my wallet, all right, but my program’s missing. Why would he steal a five-cent program?” she cried, more bewildered than angry.

“I’ll bet you just dropped it, Midge,” Cherry piped up. “What possible reason could someone have for stealing your program?”

“You’re right, Cherry, I probably left it in the cafeteria,” Midge sighed after a quick look around. “And it’s got all my notes about my favorite dogs in it!” Midge looked decidedly downcast.

“I’ll get you another,” Cherry cried as she fished a nickel from her coin purse, walked over to a vendor and purchased a crisp new program.

“Thanks, Cherry,” Midge grinned. Then an expression of alarm crossed her face. She checked her watch. “We’ve got just seconds to go before the Pageant of Poodles starts, and I promised Miss Pansy we’d be there!” Quick as a wink, the girls took off for Exhibition Hall D, but as they got close to the room they heard a terrible cry, one that sent a chill through the gay little group.

“Help! Help!” someone cried. “Someone’s—kidnapped—the—miniature—poodles!”

They raced to the Petite Poodle Room, which proved a pandemonious place indeed. People were milling about, talking excitedly. “That’s the third dognapping this summer in Central Illinois!” they overheard one man exclaim.

“So that’s why the police are here,” Midge realized.

“They must have suspected something like this might happen,” Nancy surmised.

Meanwhile, Cherry had begun fussing over Miss Pansy, who was lying flat on her back on the cold tile floor. Cherry noted with approval that the Veterinarian Nurse she had met earlier in the ladies’ lounge had loosened the woman’s garments and had made a pillow for her out of a pile of small woolen dog sweaters. The color was coming back in the elderly woman’s face and soon she was able to sit up and tell the girls the dreadful details of the tragic event.

“It’s the most awful thing,” Miss Pansy said in a shaky voice. Tears welled in her soft brown eyes. “I left Pierre and Patsy alone in their stalls for just a moment so I could purchase a cucumber sandwich and a cup of coffee. In the excitement of the day, I had forgotten to have any breakfast,” she explained weakly.

Cherry kept a cheery expression on her face, but inwardly she frowned. Of all people, a librarian should know that breakfast provides the fuel that powers the human engine! Cherry sent a bystander off for a cup of tea and some dry toast. As soon as Miss Pansy had had some nourishment and regained her strength, Cherry would set her straight about the most important meal of the day!

Miss Pansy continued her story. “When I came through these doors and looked over and saw this, why, I must have fainted,” she said in a tremulous tone. She gestured limply toward a row of tiny stalls, each outfitted with a plush pillow, rubber toy, colorful ribbons, and a gay sign bearing the occupant’s name.

But Tiny, Stella, Precious, Bubbles, Patsy and Pierre were gone!

Tears welled in Cherry’s eyes. She had never seen a sadder sight than those six, small empty beds.

“Oh, Frank, you’ve simply got to do something,” Miss Pansy begged Midge. “Oh, and Nancy Clue, you’re here, too,” the woman sighed in relief as she spotted the well-known girl detective.

Setting aside her own desire to frolic on this gay day, Nancy got right on the case. “Miss Pansy, was there anyone in here when you came through the door? Did you see anyone suspicious milling around earlier?”

But Miss Pansy was too perturbed to pay attention. “Pierre and Patsy have never spent the night away from me,” she cried. “Why, they’ll be petrified!”

“Maybe they’ll escape and find their way home,” Cherry said brightly. “Why just today at the Cavalcade of Collies I overheard a heartwarming story about a dog named—”

Nancy stepped in. “I must question Miss Pansy before she forgets important details that might crack this case,” Nancy told Cherry. Cherry nodded. She made a mental note to tell Miss Pansy the rest of the inspirational story later, for surely she would find comfort in it!

“Miss Pansy, did you see or hear anything suspicious earlier today?”

Miss Pansy shook her head. “Nothing happened that indicated a crime of this nature was about to be committed here!” Miss Pansy shuttered. Lake Merrimen was a gay little town where people were friendly and nothing bad had ever happened. Until today!

“There must be some—” but before Nancy could continue, a familiar person interrupted her. It was Mrs. Milton Meeks, well-known society matron, president of the River Depths Women’s Club, and a Wiener Race judge. She was clad in a stylish navy blue linen suit accessorized with an ornate diamond and sapphire starburst brooch and matching earrings, and reeked of the most odorous rose perfume. By the looks of it, Mrs. Meeks wasn’t at all pleased to have been called away from her post.

“What’s going on in here?” she huffed. “The Pageant of Poodles was scheduled to begin five minutes ago. We’re all going to fall dangerously behind,” she cried as she checked the small, diamond-encrusted watch on her wrist.

“At-ch-oo!” Miss Pansy gave a little sneeze. Quick as wink, Cherry handed her patient a fresh handkerchief. Could Miss Pansy be malnourished and catching a cold? In that case, she would need medical care—and quick!

Miss Pansy sneezed three more dainty little sneezes, then explained. “It’s your perfume, Myra. I’m terribly allergic to roses.”

Mrs. Meeks rudely ignored her. She just stood there in her blue and white spectator pumps and looked annoyed.

“Mrs. Meeks, all the poodles are missing!” Cherry cried. She stood by with her portable first-aid kit in hand in case Mrs. Meeks fainted from shock, for she knew from a recent feature in The River Depths Defender that Mrs. Meeks owned an apricot poodle the exact color of her new sectional sofa.

“My Precious is gone?” Mrs. Meeks gasped. “It can’t be,” she cried. She turned pale as a ghost. “Who’s the fool who left these valuable dogs alone? Where’s the Poodle Room Monitor? Why, I’ll make sure that particular individual never darkens the door of the Dog Show again!”

Cherry put a comforting hand on her elbow. “There, there,” she said. She knew Mrs. Meeks’ angry words were just a cover-up for jangled nerves. “Surely your Precious will turn up, and in good health, besides,” she said in a calm tone.

“You don’t understand,” Mrs. Meeks said in a huffy tone as she shook off Cherry’s effort. “It’s not only that someone’s stolen my prize poodle, worth over one hundred dollars, but he was wearing a white leather collar my jeweler made special just for today, using diamonds from one of my tiaras! It’s worth thousands, I tell you, thousands!” she moaned. “My husband, Judge Milton Meeks, has the authority to close down this show if my diamonds are not found,” she declared angrily. “He’ll do it, too,” she promised. She then took a crisp bill from her handbag. “I’ll give fifty dollars to whoever returns it to me,” she declared.

As people raced out of the room in search of the kidnapped canines, Midge grew red with anger. Somewhere out there, six small, frightened dogs were being held against their will, and all Mrs. Meeks cared about were her diamonds!

“Mrs. Meeks, did you happen to mention to anyone else that your Precious was wearing real diamonds in his collar?” Nancy inquired.

Mrs. Meeks flushed angrily. “Surely you don’t think I’m as naïve as that!” she snapped. “Why, no one but myself and that nice gentleman who helped me carry in Precious’ stall knows his collar is studded with genuine diamonds.”

“Mrs. Meeks, what did this man look like?” Nancy asked eagerly.

Mrs. Meeks sighed and rolled her eyes. “I don’t see how it could make any difference, but he was wearing a dark trenchcoat and carrying an umbrella.”

The girls gasped. Why, it sounded like the same rude fellow who had splashed them not ten minutes ago!

Nancy’s bright blue eyes glittered in excitement. Her keen mind was racing a mile a minute. Mrs. Meeks had given them a fine start to solving this dognapping!

A sly smile came over Nancy’s face. “Mrs. Meeks, I do so adore your lovely perfume,” she said in an admiring tone. “Would you be a dear and let me sample some?” The older woman, flattered by Nancy’s interest, sprayed her arm liberally with the heavy floral scent. “And the other arm, too,” Nancy urged. Mrs. Meeks complied, until Nancy smelled like a rose bush in bloom.

How odd, Cherry thought, for just that morning, Nancy had declared that she thought obvious fragrance on a girl gauche. Cherry had agreed, knowing that the clean smell of well-scrubbed skin was all the scent a young lady needed, unless it was a special dress-up occasion, of course.

Nancy gathered the girls around her. “Be on the lookout for the fellow in the trenchcoat,” she said in an urgent tone whilst she waved her arms about until the perfume was dry. “It’s our only lead. Let’s go!” After leaving Miss Pansy in the capable hands of the Veterinarian Nurse, they raced out of the room and fanned out through the civic center, searching for the suspect.

“Be careful,” Nancy warned them. “Dognappers are a particularly ruthless breed,” she said, her eyes narrowing in anger. “They care little that the stolen goods they’re transporting are living creatures. We must find those dogs soon, before any harm befalls them!”

—— CHAPTER 3 ——
A Daring Rescue!

A quick search of the four main exhibition halls proved fruitless. “Have you seen a man in a dark trenchcoat carrying six poodles and an umbrella?” they queried everyone they met, but to their utter dismay, no one remembered any such fellow.

“What’s that peculiar odor?” Cherry heard people cry when they smelled the aromatic sleuth. But Nancy didn’t seem at all concerned by the commotion she was causing as she pushed through the crowd, craning her neck in search of their suspect and waving her arms about.

“Nancy’s so brave,” Cherry thought, her bosom swelling with pride at the sight of the flailing detective.

A shrill yip suddenly caught their attention. “Was that a poodle, Midge?” Nancy asked her chum.

Midge shook her head and pointed toward a small cage being wheeled by an elderly gentleman. Inside was a tan and white chihuahua perched on a purple velvet pillow fringed by gay green pom-poms. “A poodle’s yap is higher and shriller,” Midge explained.

Just then a coon hound threw back his head and started to howl. Soon all the dogs in the room were barking and howling, whining and whoofing. Nancy led her chums back to the hallway, and once there, explained her scheme.

“I deliberately sprayed myself with Mrs. Meeks’ potent perfume hoping to gain the attention of her poodle Precious. Midge, didn’t you say earlier that a dog’s sense of smell is three hundred times stronger than that of a human’s? I was so hoping that Precious would recognize this odor and bark.”

Cherry gasped. Nancy’s keen logic never ceased to amaze her!

“But in that din, we’ll never recognize Precious’ bark,” Nancy continued. “I’m going back to the Poodle Room to search for clues. Midge, you search the Police Dog Room, Cherry, you check out the Saint Bernard Rescue Trials and Velma, search over there by the dancing terriers,” she directed.

But before the girls could split up, Midge spied a tall, thin man wearing a dark trenchcoat, not ten feet from her. He was pulling a large black trunk with one hand and had an umbrella tucked under the other arm.

“There he is!” Midge cried to her friends. “Hey, you! Stop!” she yelled, taking off after him. At the sight of the girl, the man’s face blanched in fright, and he took off down the long corridor; the heavy trunk rocked to and fro as he rudely pushed past people, striking some of them in the legs.

Cherry was thankful that she had had the foresight to include in her first-aid kit sterile bandages and germicidal ointment for the scraped shins of surprised spectators.

Midge leapt over an enormous Irish wolfhound in an effort to catch the suspect, who, despite his heavy burden, was slipping away. He would have disappeared around the next corner had he not become entangled in the leash of a miniature smooth-coated dachshund who had unwittingly blocked his path.

“Curses!” the man cried, dropping the black trunk as he struggled to free himself. Just as Midge was closing in on him, he glared at her with a fierce mocking gaze, opened his umbrella over his head and—poof! In the wink of an eye, the man disappeared in a cloud of pink smoke!

Cherry gaped at the spot where the man, just moments before, had stood. “Why, he’s gone!” she shrieked. “The trunk is moving!” Cherry then cried. The trunk was indeed bumping about on the slick tile floor, seemingly of its own volition!

Midge, her wits still intact, raced over to the trunk but found it locked. Using Velma’s nail file, she was soon able to break the lock and fling open the lid. Midge grinned with glee when six nervous poodles in various stages of disarray hopped out and covered her face with little wet kisses. The crowd gave a happy sigh of relief when they saw the missing pups. True, two poodles’ topknots had been tangled beyond ready repair, and Mrs. Meeks’ Precious would surely benefit from a good bath—and quick—but on the whole, the six missing dogs seemed to be in fine fettle.

“Frank Hardly’s saved the dogs!” the crowd cried. “Hip, hip hooray!”

—— CHAPTER 4 ——
Thwarted!

“Despite our queer encounter with that devious dognapper, all in all I’d say it’s been a lovely day,” Cherry exclaimed as she slipped off her ballerina flats and stretched out on the wide back seat of Nancy’s snappy canary-yellow convertible. It was a soft summer night and the little group was as happy as could be. Nancy and Cherry were contentedly curled up in the back seat while Midge was behind the wheel, expertly steering the automobile down the country lane leading to River Depths. She had one arm around Velma, who was humming a gay tune.

The girls had made quite a day of it; first the Dog Show and the exciting rescue of the purloined poodles, then a leisurely supper at a quaint restaurant overlooking the lake, and to top it off, a romantic movie at the Royale followed by scrumptious chocolate sodas at an inexpensive but clean corner drugstore.

Midge grinned. She had a crisp new fifty-dollar bill in her wallet—her reward for returning Mrs. Meeks’ diamond dog collar—and her girl by her side.

“It’s been a great night, hasn’t it?” Velma sighed contentedly as she snuggled closer to Midge.

“Sure has,” Midge replied. That evening had been fun, but their earlier experience at the Dog Show had left her feeling uneasy. Who could relax knowing innocent dogs all over town were in danger of being snatched? “If only we could have caught that fellow,” Midge thought to herself. “Nancy, do you think—” but she stopped when she realized no one in the back seat was listening. Cherry and Nancy appeared to be lost in their own world, one of summer evenings spent round a windswept lake.

“Lake Merrimen is certainly one of the loveliest bodies of water I’ve ever seen,” Cherry chirped happily, recalling the sight of the large, limpid lake ringed by giant paper birches, the best-loved tree in America. As dusk fell, the inky black water reflected the starry skies and the creamy white bark of the tall, elegant trees shimmered in the moonlight. Cherry made a mental note to write a letter that very night to her nurse chums back in Seattle describing the high white clouds, deep blue water, boats and passengers in bright summer clothing that dotted the calm surface of the crystal-clear lake.

Cherry, an Idaho girl, secretly wondered what it would be like to be a Lake Resort Nurse and spend her summers cautioning vacationers about the dangers of sunstroke, or to be a Prairie Nurse in a nifty tan uniform warning people about the hazards of grass allergies. Either job, Cherry knew, would be a challenge!

“Why, I could be happy being an Illinois Nurse,” she suddenly realized. She snuck a peek at Nancy, who was leaning on the door of the car, her titian-haired mane blowing in the warm breeze. Her eyes were shut, but Cherry could tell by the contented expression on her face that she was having the very same thought!

“Golly,” Cherry gulped. All day long, she had wished Jackie was with them, but now she couldn’t get over how lovely Nancy looked in the warm glow of the midsummer moon. Suddenly the tender feelings she had once had for Nancy came flooding back.

Just then Nancy opened her eyes and gave Cherry a winsome smile. “Lake Merrimen is everything I said it would be, isn’t it?” Nancy asked softly.

“It certainly is,” Cherry enthused. “Imagine seeing for myself a Midwestern lake whose water is purported to cure chicken pox and halitosis,” she cried.

“Next visit, we’ll use my boat, the Swift Sleuth, and I’ll take you to the spire of rock that juts up from the middle of the lake. It’s called Treasure Island,” Nancy promised with a twinkle in her eye.

“Now I know firsthand why they call this part of the country America’s Playland,” Cherry chirped. “Why, a girl could spend years exploring all its natural wonders!”

Nancy gave Cherry’s hand a warm squeeze. “I was so hoping you’d say that,” she sighed happily.

Golly, was Nancy asking her to stay in Illinois? To spend her life bringing comfort to sick Midwesterners? Cherry quickly fumbled about for a topic that would steer the conversation away from a future of which she was still so unsure.

“Although you explained it earlier, I still don’t understand how that man managed to vanish in a puff of smoke,” she began. “It simply isn’t possible. Why, it defies all known laws of gravity and science!”

All he had left behind was the large black trunk now safely stowed in the trunk of Nancy’s convertible, and a small pile of pink powder which Nancy had scooped up in her handkerchief and stowed in her purse for later analysis.

“While his disappearing act was certainly a clever trick, it’s one any professional magician could replicate,” Nancy reasoned, switching in a flash from a starry-eyed romantic to the level-headed detective known and loved by all. She added, “Why, when I was working on The Case of the Ill-Timed Illusion, I went to Professor Casmire Cardini, the world-famous magician, for help. He taught me one important lesson: things are seldom what they seem.”

“But he disappeared in a cloud of smoke,” Cherry insisted. “He opened his umbrella, smoke appeared and he was gone. I saw it with my own eyes!”

At this, Nancy chuckled. “That’s what makes it seem like magic,” she said. “He most likely used the smoking powder as a diversion so he could slip away, change his outfit and walk out of the arena disguised as your average dog lover. It’s an old illusionist’s trick. In fact, I’ve seen stage shows where master magicians have made elephants, lions and even whole houses seemingly disappear!

“Why, Professor Cardini once demonstrated an illusion in which a woman was transformed into a man!”

“Goodness,” Cherry cried. As a trained nurse, that was something she’d certainly like to see!

“Many is the time I’ve found a mystery to be nothing but an illusion hiding the truth. This is frequently true of cases involving ghostly hauntings,” Nancy told Cherry in a modest tone.

Cherry shivered. She was by nature logical and clear-thinking, but still, the thought of ghosts sent a little shiver down her spine. She pulled her thin summer cardigan around her shoulders. Nancy, seeing her distress, put her arms around her chum and held her close. She began stroking Cherry’s neck with a slow, gentle motion that made Cherry quiver in the queerest way.

Just then Midge swerved into the circular drive in front of the stately Clue residence. Cherry flew right out of Nancy’s arms.

“Sorry,” Midge grinned. “I almost missed the driveway. Oh, look, Jackie’s home,” she cried enthusiastically upon spying a light from Jackie’s second-floor bedroom in the charming three-story brick house. “Hey, Jack, we’re back,” she hollered.

“Honey, you’ll wake the neighbors,” Velma cautioned.

Midge nipped her girlfriend gently on the ear. “I’ll wake the neighbors? Who’s the noisy one in this family?” she teased. Even in the moonlight, Cherry could see Velma turn bright red. The flushed girl hopped out of the car and headed inside the house, Midge hot on her heels.

“I simply must get out of this dusty dress,” Nancy murmured in Cherry’s ear. “Shall we go to my room and find something cool to slip into? I’ve got two pairs of shantung silk lounging pajamas—one creamy white, and the other, the palest of pink. They would be divine on a warm night like tonight.”

Cherry had to admit she was feeling decidedly wrinkled. “I’ll take the ice cream to the freezer first,” she volunteered. Housekeeper Hannah Gruel, who was tucked in bed recovering from the heart attack she had suffered while in prison falsely accused of the murder of Nancy’s father, would turn seventy-two in just two days, and the girls were planning a quiet celebration to honor the woman who had been like a mother to Nancy since the death of her real mother twenty-two years ago.

“Swell,” Nancy breathed excitedly. “I’ll meet you in my room.”

While Nancy raced upstairs, Cherry deposited the fresh-churned frozen concoction in the deep freeze of the cheerful modernized yellow and white kitchen. “This is the very room in which Carson Clue was shot,” she shivered, staring at the linoleum in front of the Frigidaire where the well-known attorney had lain. She had to admit she was still a little shaken up by all the talk of ghosts. Just then Cherry felt something brush her calf. “Eek!” she cried, spinning around to find, much to her relief, that it was only Nancy’s little terrier, Gogo, playfully nipping at her ankles.

“Phew,” Cherry breathed with relief. She reached for the box of crunchy dog biscuits at the back of the counter and accidentally knocked a tea cake off the platter piled high with treats that Velma had baked especially for Hannah’s birthday party. Gogo immediately pounced on the sweet, and quick as a bunny, pushed open the screen door and fled. Cherry raced after her.

“I hope she doesn’t make herself sick,” Cherry thought worriedly as she searched the fragrant garden for the small dog. She had stomach-ache potion in her first-aid kit, but she had no clue how much to give a terrier. It didn’t matter—Gogo was long gone.

Cherry sighed. From where she stood, she could see Nancy’s bedroom window, her light ablaze. “I’d better get upstairs before Nancy starts to fret about me,” Cherry thought. But she couldn’t bring herself to go inside just yet. Somehow, she just didn’t feel ready to face Nancy—or those shantung silk lounging pajamas!

—— CHAPTER 5 ——
A Difficult Decision

“I’ll sit for a moment first and enjoy these lovely flowers,” she told herself, plopping down on the wrought-iron bench overlooking Hannah’s award-winning begonias.

“Just last week, I sat on this bench with Jackie,” Cherry remembered. “She held my hand and looked into my eyes and—” She blushed when she recalled the day Jackie had asked her to return with her to San Francisco. Detective Jackie Jones had already spent a week in River Depths, and her vacation time was running out fast. Cherry knew she was waiting around for an answer—but what answer would she give her? Would Cherry travel west with the dashing police detective or would she choose to stay in this Midwestern fairyland in an attempt to recapture her lost love?

“Oh, Cherry Aimless, Registered Nurse, you’re such a silly goose,” Cherry cried aloud, as she was wont to do when faced with a particularly puzzling predicament. As a nurse, Cherry had made many a tough decision and always reacted with lightning-quick action and a cool head, earning her the respect of nurses everywhere. But in matters of the heart, never before had she been so unsure of her feelings.

“Well, just that once, when I had a mad crush on Miss Peebles, the School Nurse, and mother explained to me that when a girl likes an older girl, it’s not a crush in the romantic sense, but rather it’s that she admires the way the older girl carries herself: her poise, charm and attractive, modern way of dress,” she mused.

Cherry chastised herself loudly. “You’re acting like a lovesick schoolgirl!” She shook her head and resolutely jumped up off the bench. “A cool bath and a fresh outfit might be just what I need,” she reasoned. She headed for the house, but as she mounted the back stairs she got a sudden surprise. Jackie was lounging on the wide porch swing, gazing at the sparkling night sky.

Cherry turned bright red. “Oh, hi,” she smiled weakly, wondering if Jackie had been witness to her tortured murmuring. She turned redder still, after she got a good look at Jackie, who had recently stepped out of a refreshing bath. Her jet-black hair was slicked close to her head, and she was clad in a pair of old, soft-looking dungaree trousers and a snug white tee-shirt that showed off her bulging biceps to their best advantage.

Jackie returned her stare, then smiled warmly. “I’ve been sitting here enjoying the meteor showers,” she explained. “They say when you wish on a falling star, your wish comes true,” she continued in a soft tone. “Know what I wished for?”

Cherry turned scarlet. “I got you something at the dog show,” she cried, fishing around in her patent-leather clutch for the brown paper bag that contained Jackie’s souvenir.

Jackie gave a bemused grin when she opened the bag and held up a handsome braided red leather collar and matching leash.

Cherry blushed. “Oh, that’s Midge’s,” she cried. “This is yours,” Cherry said, handing Jackie a small brown bag. Inside, wrapped in layers of protective tissue, was a handsome porcelain figurine of a collie, its head cocked to one side. “The eyes and the ears were painted by hand,” Cherry explained. The figure had cost a pretty penny, but the look of delight in Jackie’s eyes told Cherry that it was six dollars and fifty-nine cents well spent.

“It looks just like the dog I had as a kid,” Jackie grinned with pleasure.

Cherry’s heart started to pound uncontrollably. “I got my mother cute plastic coasters in the shape of Scotty dogs,” Cherry babbled nervously. “And I got Lauren a book about dogs who have rescued people from peril.”

Jackie smiled at the mention of the youngest member of their little gang, sixteen-year-old Lauren Rooney. The troublesome teen had accompanied the gang east from San Francisco, and although she was often underfoot and was too fond of unhealthy snacks, she had proven herself an invaluable aid in times of danger.

“I hope Lauren’s having some good clean fun at camp,” Cherry continued. “Wasn’t it nice of Bess and George to secure her a scholarship so she could spend a week out-of-doors learning necessary craft skills?” Nancy’s oldest chums, Bess Marvel, a giggly girl with a pleasingly plump figure and a sunny disposition, and George Fey, a girl with a boy’s name, had left a few days before for their annual stint as counselors at nearby Camp Hathaway, an exclusive girls’ camp situated on nearby Clear Lake.

“The house sure is quiet without her,” Jackie admitted.

“Even Midge seems a little lonely since she’s been gone,” Cherry marvelled. “I had no idea she could be so maternal.”

Jackie laughed heartily at this notion. “Speaking of maternal, I believe that letter is for you,” she said, pointing to a small cream-colored envelope lying on a nearby wrought-iron glass-topped circular table.

Cherry gasped in delight when she spied the familiar neat handwriting. It was a letter from her mother, Mrs. Doris Aimless of Pleasantville, Idaho! Cherry eagerly ripped open the envelope. Ever since she had spoken with her twin brother Charley, a successful interior decorator in New York City, and received the shocking news that both their parents had had complete and utter nervous breakdowns, Cherry had been on pins and needles awaiting word of their progress. Perhaps this would be it! She eagerly read the missive aloud.

27 July 1959

Dear Cherry,

You’ll never believe it, but your father and I have gone and done the most unexpected thing! We’ve checked into the lovely Tamarack Lodge, “Where Friendly People Go To Frolic!,” a delightful resort with comfortable accommodations, inspiring scenery and the best cuisine.

We’ve met the most congenial people, and we are participating in all sorts of fun activities. Don’t be surprised if you get a darling set of pot-holders for your birthday!

I hope you are having a relaxing holiday as well. Your brother Charley says you’re visiting a new girlfriend in Illinois. That’s nice, dear. My friend Mavis Minot once visited her cousin Marjorie in Ohio for the Snow Carnival. Are you anywhere near there?

How long can you be away from the hospital? Remember, August comes sooner than you think. Shouldn’t you be getting your fall wardrobe together? I heard Kloppman’s is having a sale on woolen nurses’ capes, and if I remember correctly, you’re due for a new one.

Well, I could go on and on about the fun we’re having, but it’s time for luncheon. Today it’s oxtail soup, boiled fish, jellied vegetable ring and orange sherbet. Your father says to say hello.

Love,

Mother

P.S. If you’re wondering whether to stop in Pleasantville on your way back to Seattle, you needn’t bother. Mrs. Henry next door is watering my zinnias and Miss Lily Bee from the bridge club is watching Snowpuff.

Cherry looked mighty puzzled. “Charley told me Mother and Father had been taken to a nearby, thoroughly modern sanitarium staffed by the finest doctors using the most up-to-date equipment available to treat nervous disorders, and here they are, already returned to normal and on vacation,” she cried out. She knitted her pretty brow. “Perhaps I’m not as up-to-date on nervous disorders as I imagined. I had no idea they were so curable!”

This was a worrisome thought, indeed.

Jackie checked the return address on the envelope Cherry had dropped on the ground. “This envelope’s been stamped Pleasantville Sanitarium,” she pointed out.

Cherry gasped. “I know Mother is suffering from a case of hysteria, or in layman’s terms, an unconscious attempt to escape from some unpleasant reality. Could it be she’s suffering from delusions, too? Oh, no,” she cried, throwing up her arms up in alarm. “I must get in touch with Doctor Joe and let him know!”

Jackie tried to comfort the nervous nurse. “I’ll bet your mother’s just pretending to be on vacation so she doesn’t spoil yours,” she guessed.

Cherry considered this. Jackie had a point. “It would be just like Mother to keep a stiff upper lip,” Cherry agreed. She paused a moment in quiet contemplation. The words from her nursing school manual came back to her: Faith is a real remedy, good cheer is a powerful medicine, and confidence is part of the cure for every nervous patient who gets well.

“So if Mother chooses to pretend she’s at a resort, perhaps it’s a good thing after all,” Cherry decided aloud. Suddenly she had a grand thought. “I’ll write back to Mother pretending I believe her little ruse. I’ll ask her to describe the colorful people she has met and the nature hikes and other entertainments. That way, she’ll write me cheery, therapeutic letters which will speed up her recovery. Then she’ll regain her confidence and, in no time at all, be back to her normal contented self.”

“What about what your mother mentioned at the end of her letter?” Jackie blurted out. Would Cherry decide to go back to Seattle and resume her place on the Women’s Psychiatric Ward, or worse, would she choose to settle in River Depths and play nurse to Nancy’s detective? Jackie’s heart was pounding with anticipation. What would Cherry do?

“Oh, I think my woolen nurse’s cape can stand another season’s wear,” Cherry assured her.

“No, I mean about going back to Seattle,” Jackie blushingly stammered.

“When I arrived in River Depths, I wrote the hospital asking for a short leave of absence, at no pay of course,” Cherry informed her. “I’ve got plenty of time.”

“But I don’t,” Jackie was tempted to cry out, forgetting for a moment Midge’s helpful advice. Let Cherry come to you. She’s stuck on you for sure, but she needs to get over Nancy first. Just give it time.

“My vacation’s up soon, and I’ll have to return to San Francisco,” Jackie explained in a calm voice that masked her thudding heart. If she left Cherry behind, she’d surely lose her to Nancy!

Cherry looked at the downcast expression on Jackie’s handsome face and suddenly realized the longer the good-looking detective stayed in Illinois, the longer she was kept away from her vitally important police work. Cherry knew only too well that crime, like illness, accidents and disease, never took a holiday!

“If only I could make up my mind,” Cherry chided herself silently. “I know I have feelings for Jackie that lead me to suspect I’m in love with her, but what about Nancy and the night of passion we shared? I can’t just turn my back on that without first thinking things through long and hard. Plus, Nancy really needs me now. Why, she’s got so much to do, what with inheriting this house and selecting her fall wardrobe!”

Cherry had realized just how much work it was to be Nancy when two days earlier, a dressmaker had wheeled in racks of the latest fall fashions. Nancy had spent the entire day running about the house in various stages of undress while she selected the outfits she would need for the coming year: pretty daytime frocks, sleek going-to-town suits, modest bathing costumes, vibrant ski togs, sophisticated evening sheaths and fancy off-the-shoulder gowns just right for a country club dance. The next day, Velma, Cherry and an exhausted Nancy had lain about the living room sipping refreshing iced tea and pouring over fashion magazines, selecting shoes and handbags, scarves and gloves to round out Nancy’s new wardrobe.

“I could be a real help to her here,” Cherry told herself. “After all, I did take a vow to go wherever I’m needed most!”

Jackie clutched her porcelain figure in her large, strong hands. She felt she couldn’t wait one more minute to find out if Cherry shared her feelings! “Cherry, I’ve got to know. Will you—” Just then Nancy swept onto the porch carrying a tray loaded with all sorts of goodies, and wearing a black felt poodle skirt with white and pink appliqués that showed off her trim waistline. Her pert bosom was covered with a snug white topper and on her petite feet were black patent leather slip-ons.

“You look charming!” Cherry cried as Nancy set down the tray and spun about to unfurl the circumference of the fetching skirt. Nancy stopped twirling, however, when she got a look at the dog statue in Jackie’s hands. A peevish look crossed her pretty face.

“It’s a swell gift, isn’t it?” Jackie boasted, fingering the hand-painted figurine proudly. It would look fine sitting on the mantle in her small but cozy apartment. “Our apartment,” she thought dreamily as she gazed at Cherry.

Nancy gulped. She had assumed Cherry was purchasing the statue for a nurse chum. Her wide blue eyes narrowed in anger. “There’s another skirt just like this one in cherry red lying on someone’s bed,” Nancy cried out in a forced cheery tone. She was talking to Cherry but glaring at Jackie.

“A poodle skirt for me?” Cherry flushed excitedly. “Oh, Nancy, you shouldn’t have! Why, they’re so expensive!” She kicked up her heels and raced upstairs, secretly relieved that her conversation with Jackie had come to an end, at least for now. Cherry had the feeling that Jackie was about to ask her a very important question, the kind of question a girl dreamt of, only Cherry wasn’t sure what her answer would be!

“When will you be sure?” she leaned in close to the mirror and asked the girl in the darling new outfit peering back at her. All Cherry knew was that each time Jackie looked at her, she lost her ability to think clearly. “But is it true love?” Cherry wondered, “or merely a hormonal surge coursing through my body, and impairing my ability to think straight? And when, oh, when will I know for sure?”

—— CHAPTER 6 ——
Thwarted Again!

“You’re looking mighty chipper this morning!” Cherry announced as Nancy came into the kitchen clad in a darling sports outfit consisting of lightweight cotton plaid pedal pushers and a crisp white blouse with a Peter Pan collar. Her trademark titian hair had been brushed until it shone and the charms on her gold bracelet, one for each mystery she had solved, jangled cheerfully on her wrist. In one hand was a picnic hamper and in the other a soft blanket. “Are you going on a picnic?” Cherry wondered.

“We’re going on a picnic,” Nancy grinned. “We’re going back to Lake Merrimen!”

Cherry smiled. Only moments before, she had been sitting alone and confused at the kitchen table. Why, a trip to the lake and a yummy outdoor meal was exactly what she needed! “I’ll make sure everyone’s up and dressed in casual clothes in no time at all,” she promised. Before she could see the enraged look on Nancy’s face, Cherry had raced out of the kitchen and up the stairs.

“Darn and double darn!” Nancy cried as she hurled her picnic hamper across the linoleum floor. She slammed out the door, saw the morning edition of The River Depths Defender on the porch and gave it a good kick. She flopped on the porch swing, and only then did she notice that the front page was carrying a familiar story.

“Hmmn,” Nancy thought as she bent to pick up the paper.

POODLES SAVED FROM PERIL!

River Depths, Illinois—A fiendish dognapper struck yesterday at the Lake Merrimen Dog Show, but was thwarted when well-known detectives and Illinois residents Frank Hardly and Nancy Clue moved quickly and saved the day. The culprit, however, escaped and may continue to plague the Central Illinois area as he has for the past two months.

Nancy gave a little start, then remembered her own Gogo was upstairs asleep on the foot of her bed.

“It’s a horrible crime,” Nancy sighed as she threw the paper down next to her. Normally, the inquisitive girl would have jumped on the case, but at the moment, she had little patience for sleuthing; the police would have to tackle this one without her. She had her own precarious predicament to resolve.

Meanwhile, clad in crisp summer lightweight frocks, Velma and Cherry were in the kitchen, preparing delicious food meant to be eaten out-of-doors and chatting happily about the fun day ahead. “Twenty sandwiches should be enough for the five of us, don’t you think?” Cherry asked as she placed the last cold meat sandwich in the hamper next to the celery sticks, deviled eggs and molasses cookies.

“I think four is Midge’s limit,” Velma grinned. “Speaking of my husband, where is she?”

“I imagine she and Jackie snuck out for a smoke,” Cherry tattled, surveying their fare. “Now all we need is fruit and we’ve got a well-rounded meal.”

“I’ll get some cling peaches from the pantry,” Velma offered. When she opened the door to the walk-in closet at the far end of the kitchen, she was surprised to find Midge and Jackie inside with their heads together.

“What are you two scheming about?” Velma teased.

The girls jumped apart. “We’re talking about the poodle-napping incident that happened yesterday,” Midge said innocently.

“Sure,” Velma twitched her lips. “More likely, you’re talking about the poodle skirt incident of yesterday,” she countered.

Midge gave Jackie a little wink; Jackie grinned and left the pantry.

“Midge, do you remember what you promised me?” Velma warned in a low tone as she searched the shelves for peaches.

“To love, honor and obey?” Midge answered slyly.

Velma frowned. She put her hands on her curvy hips and mustered her best glare. “You promised not to interfere with other people’s love lives,” she reminded her.

Midge arched one brow and leaned against a shelf. “Don’t get that tone of voice with me, Miss Velma Pierce,” she grumbled. They had all been up late socializing, and Midge was in no mood for a fight, let alone a picnic! All Midge was doing was helping out a buddy, and if Velma didn’t see how truly made for each other Jackie and Cherry were, well—

“Exactly what tone is that?” Velma demanded to know, her green eyes ablaze with anger.

“That I’m-right-and-you-know-it tone!” Midge snapped back.

Velma stood on tiptoe, put her arms around Midge’s neck and pulled her close. “Let’s not fight, honey,” she whispered as she planted little kisses on her girlfriend’s neck. Midge moaned and snuggled close.

“You spend entirely too much time thinking about Cherry and Nancy and Jackie,” Velma chided her, adding, with a smile, “when you could be thinking about me.”

“I’m glad we’re an old married couple,” Midge smiled. She gave Velma a soft, slow kiss and ran her hands up and down her curvy figure.

Midge unzipped Velma’s summer frock and caressed her smooth back. Velma blushed as Midge pulled down the top of her dress to reveal her soft shoulders and bountiful bosom. “What if someone comes in here?” Velma moaned as she let her frock slide to the floor, standing unclothed except for a nylon half slip and a cream-colored lacy bra.

Midge kicked the door shut. The latch clicked into place. She dropped to her knees, pushed up Velma’s slip and began mouthing the soft flesh of Velma’s inner thighs. “I think of you all the time, Velma,” she sighed. “Some days it’s all I can do to walk and talk in your presence,” she laughed ruefully as she slowly pulled down Velma’s panties. A minute later Velma forgot all about their angry exchange.

There was a timid knock at the door.

“Velma, Midge, are you in there? We’re ready to leave.” It was Cherry and she was sounding frankly frazzled.

“Woyhl ae hrfg ix a mutnim,” Midge cried, her voice all muffled.

“What?” Cherry cried. “Midge, I can’t understand a thing you’re saying.”

“We’ll be out in a minute,” Midge repeated. She waited for the sound of receding footsteps, but none came.

“Why don’t you go ahead and we’ll catch up,” Velma suggested.

“But you don’t know where we’re going,” Cherry was quick to point out.

“Leave us a map!” Midge moaned.

“Oh, if you only knew what was going on out here!” Cherry cried, sounding on the edge of hysteria. “George’s jalopy won’t start and Jackie says she’s not riding in Nancy’s car with just the three of us, so if you don’t go, Jackie won’t go, and I’m not sure I really want to be alone with Nancy, and if you don’t go and Jackie doesn’t go and I don’t go, Nancy will have to go alone and she’ll be awfully disappointed and besides, we’ve got a whole hamper of food that will spoil! I know you two are busy smooching in there but could you please come out right now!” she pleaded with all her might.

Midge groaned. “The next time I stick my nose in other people’s romances will you please remind me of this moment?” she begged her girlfriend as she wiped her mouth on her sleeve and got to her feet.

Velma slipped into her panties. There was nothing she needed to say. This time, Midge had learned her lesson for sure!

—— CHAPTER 7 ——
A Surefire Scheme

Big rain drops splashed down on the girls as they motored ahead in Nancy’s shiny craft, the Swift Sleuth, through the white-capped waters of Lake Merrimen toward the rocky spire jutting out of the middle of the deep lake. The small island was only twenty feet in diameter, but afforded visitors a clear panorama of the full splendor of the lake. Nancy was eager to show Cherry every bit of the lovely landscape, knowing how the girl adored nature and all its breathtaking views.

“Drat!” Nancy cried aloud. “I can’t believe we’ve hit bad weather. Just an hour ago, the sky was clear and the clouds were big and white and puffy. Why, there wasn’t a nimbostratus for miles!” They had missed their chance to boat in calm waters all because they couldn’t agree on the seating arrangement in the car!

“How disappointing,” Nancy wailed. “This day is not turning out at all the way I had planned!”

Cherry covered her hairdo with a portable rain bonnet, and Midge constructed a hasty umbrella for Velma from that day’s newspaper. “Shouldn’t we turn back?” Jackie wondered when she realized Cherry was beginning to shiver.

“We’re almost there,” Nancy insisted as she tied her chiffon scarf tighter around her hair, and put on some speed. She handed her binoculars to Cherry and said, “Take a look. Isn’t it a charming little island?”

Cherry peered at the rocky mound. “Nancy, now that we’re closer, I can see that those buoys surrounding Treasure Island are covered with signs,” Cherry noticed. “Keep Out By Order of Judge Meeks,” she read. Just then, the boat was hit with a rush of cold air—a sure sign that a thunderstorm was not far off!

“We really should go back,” Cherry urged. “Storms are the most dangerous of all weather phenomena, and a small boat in choppy water is no place for five girls in lightweight summer clothes!”

After a flash of lightning to the west, Nancy began counting. “One-thousand-and-one, one-thousand-and-two, one-thousand-and—” but before she could go any further, they heard a clap of thunder. “Light travels at about one hundred eighty-six thousand miles per second and sound at about one thousand one hundred feet per second,” Nancy figured aloud. “So if I’m calculating correctly, this storm is less than a mile away!” She quickly turned the craft around and sped for shore.

Nancy kept the boat on an even keel and they made it to the dock just as mighty bolts of lightning began striking down on the lake.

“To the car,” Cherry cried, knowing that the metal body would shield them from danger. They hopped inside Nancy’s convertible and put up the top just as it began to rain in earnest.

“I can’t believe this is happening,” Nancy grumbled as she used her hankie to dry her new cotton navy dotted-swiss culottes, which showed off her blue eyes to their best advantage. In her white straw purse was her yellow polished cotton swimsuit with its built-in panty and bra, but it would see no wear today. “Another chance for romance ruined; another outfit mussed beyond repair!” she thought in distress.

Nancy had to blink fast to keep hot tears from spilling down her cheeks. Luckily she was wearing her new smart Caribbean-style sunglasses with dark green lenses that hid her teary eyes.

Nancy started the car and headed for home. That afternoon had been a disaster, romantically speaking, but the day wasn’t over! She schemed as she steered the car over the damp streets, occasionally glancing in the rear view mirror, which gave her an excellent view of the back seat. Somehow, in their mad scramble to get to safety, Jackie and Cherry had ended up alone in the back seat! Nancy almost ran off the road when she saw Jackie lean over and whisper something in Cherry’s ear.

“Oops!” Nancy cried as she hurriedly straightened the wheel. “I must have hit a wet patch,” she explained. She gripped the wheel and made herself concentrate on the road ahead. “As soon as I get Cherry alone, I’ll ask her to spend the evening with me. I just know if I can get her away from Jackie long enough, I can make her fall for me again!”

—— CHAPTER 8 ——
A Romantic Rendezvous

“—then we’ll be served the most delicious meal consisting of pioneer stew, soup, green salad with special dressing, homemade hot rolls and boysenberry jam, sherbet appetizer, green vegetable and coffee, baked or French fried potatoes,” Nancy told Cherry excitedly. “And after supper, we’ll gather round the camp fire and sing old pioneer songs with Bud and his guitar or sit in covered wagons and listen to tales of long ago as told by old-timers!” Nancy’s eyes sparkled in excitement as she described the delightful evening ahead. She knew, too, exactly what she would wear—a bewitching new rayon crepe paisley print pouf skirt paired with an off-the-shoulder blouse and sophisticated flats. A velvet ribbon in her pert ponytail would complete the picture.

“It sounds like a magical evening,” Cherry admitted, then added ruefully, “but I’m afraid I’m all booked up for tonight.”

Nancy was stunned, but before she could say anything the doorbell rang. “Flowers for a Miss Cherry Aimless,” the lad said as Nancy flung open the front door.

“I’m a Miss Cherry Aimless; they must be for me!” Cherry exclaimed. “Golly, no one’s ever sent me flowers before,” she cried as she raced to the door to accept the square white box. She was so excited she almost forgot to tip the delivery fellow!

Cherry put the box on the coffee table and, with shaky hands, opened the lid. Inside was one perfect white gardenia and a little card.

To the greatest girl ever. See you at seven. J.

“This is my first corsage!” Cherry cried aloud, but she was talking to herself for Nancy had fled the room. Cherry was too starry-eyed to notice. Why, when Jackie had asked her to accompany her out this evening, Cherry had assumed she would merely throw a sweater over her day frock and stroll to a nearby diner for a hamburger and a thick shake, perhaps to be followed by a picture show. Now she knew why Jackie had spent the supper hour tinkering with George’s old jalopy—they were going on a car date!

Cherry took the delicate bloom from the box and held it to her bosom. “I’ll need something nicer than this rumpled cotton dress to pin this lovely corsage to!” she realized. “And I’ll have to bathe and fix my hair and polish my nails and find fresh stockings to don and—oh!” she cried when she checked her sturdy nurse’s watch. “It’s already after six!”

Cherry ran to the kitchen and put her corsage on the second shelf of the Frigidaire, next to a yummy-looking gelatin mold, then raced upstairs. “Velma will advise me, and maybe even let me borrow her sophisticated black chiffon siren sheath, too,” Cherry hoped. If she was to be ready in time—and be the kind of girl deserving of that gardenia—she’d need an expert’s help!

She took the stairs two at a time, raced down the hall and burst into Midge and Velma’s room, forgetting in her haste that unannounced entrances into other’s bedchambers can be startling affairs indeed! Midge was so surprised she flung herself off Velma and went crashing to the floor.

“You’re not hurt, are you Midge?” Cherry asked.

“I’m fine,” Midge gasped.

“Good,” Cherry said. This was no time to have an accident! “Velma, I need your help, and quick! I’m going on a real date tonight, and I haven’t a thing to wear that Jackie hasn’t already seen me in! May I borrow your best frock?” she begged. “I promise I won’t get anything on it!” Cherry plopped down on the bed, threw up her arms in alarm and confessed, “I don’t know how to act or what to expect. I’ve never been alone with Jackie before—what if I can’t think of anything to say? Oh, why didn’t I listen when my mother gave me her fifty-three tips for successful dating?”

Velma smiled and smoothed her skirt down over her thighs. “I can help you in the outfit department and do something a little more dramatic with your hair if you like,” she promised. “As for advice, mine is just to be yourself. Jackie is already crazy about you; anything you do will be the right thing.” She turned to her mate lying on the floor. “Midge, do you have any dating tips for Cherry?”

Midge got up off the floor, smoothed her hair and took a cigarette from the pack on the night stand. “Always remember to lock the door,” she grumbled.

—— CHAPTER 9 ——
A Lovelorn Nurse

“The rain makes a pleasant sound on the convertible roof,” Cherry thought as she stared out the car window at the festive lights of downtown Lake Merrimen. Ever since Jackie had opened the passenger door of George’s jalopy and Cherry had hopped in, taking care not to let her snug sheath ride up over her thighs, she had been unable to think of even one clever, lighthearted comment to get the conversation rolling.

“Say something,” Cherry scolded herself. She knew it was Jackie’s duty to provide transportation and make recreational decisions, and hers to keep the conversation light and playful. Trouble was, every time she did think of something clever or amusing to say, one look at the big handsome girl sitting beside her and all thoughts flew out of her head.

“The … er … rain is … uh … nice,” Cherry remarked shyly.

“Yes, it is,” Jackie said.

Cherry dropped her gaze and became absorbed in admiring the gardenia on her bosom.

“It looks nice with your dress,” Jackie said.

“What? Oh!” Cherry colored. “Yes. My dress. It’s Velma’s you know.” She smoothed out the wrinkles in her lap. While the dress was indeed a sophisticated number, its plunging neckline worried Cherry. “I hope I don’t catch a chest cold!” she murmured.

“What was that?” Jackie wondered.

Cherry jumped. “I—I—didn’t say anything,” she stammered.

“Oh, I thought you did,” Jackie explained. She checked her rugged detective’s watch. They had reservations at a fancy supper club somewhere on this block and Jackie was having trouble finding the place. If truth be told, she was having a hard time keeping her mind on anything at that moment—anything, that is, but the gorgeous girl in the clingy dress sitting on the edge of her seat.

Cherry clutched her small beaded bag, just big enough to hold hankie, lipstick, compact and emergency thermometer, to her breast. It was on loan from Velma, along with the impossibly high heels on her feet, the jangling bracelets over her black elbow-length gloves, glamorous make-up, luscious perfume, and even her black lacy push-up bra. Midge had been sad to see that item go out the door!

“Well, it looks nice on you,” Jackie told her.

Cherry turned pink. Did Jackie mean her brassiere? Cherry peered down her dress and was relieved to see her undergarments were safely out of sight. Good thing, because droopy slip straps were a sure-fire recipe for fashion disaster!

“Your dress. It looks nice on you,” Jackie repeated.

“I don’t normally wear outfits this snug,” Cherry admitted. “I’m much more accustomed to wearing a blousy uniform gathered at the waist with a simple belt, sensible, low-heeled rubber-soled shoes, my crisp cap and in the winter, my cunning midnight blue cape.” The minute the words were out of her mouth she could have kicked herself. Some date she was turning out to be! She had broken the second of her mother’s fifty-three rules for successful dating. “Never talk about yourself!”

“That dress certainly suits you,” Jackie said as she pulled the car into a spot outside the gay-looking supper club. “But then again, I’ve never seen you in anything that didn’t,” she admitted as she cut the engine, slid her arm behind Cherry and flicked up the lock on the door.

A funny feeling stirred in Cherry as she breathed in deeply, reveling in Jackie’s scent, a combination of soap and Aqua Velva. Cherry had never seen Jackie so handsome as she was tonight in her dapper dark lightweight wool suit with its boxy jacket that draped her strong frame beautifully, and its pleated, cuffed trousers pressed to perfection. “I could cut my finger on that sharp crease of her trousers,” Cherry thought. She blushed when she realized she was staring at Jackie’s thigh.

“Are you ready?” Jackie murmured softly. She gave Cherry’s gloved hand a little squeeze. Cherry couldn’t help but blush again as she felt Jackie’s eyes sweep over her curvy figure, starting with her creamy white shoulders and working down to her womanly hips.

“Ready for what?” Cherry cried in alarm.

Jackie grinned. “Dinner,” she said.

Although Cherry had doubted she could consume even one morsel while wearing that snug dress, twenty minutes later she had managed to drink two glasses of sparkling champagne and nibble on some scrumptious canapés. While Jackie ordered a delectable meal, Cherry looked with wide-eyed wonder around the Macambo Room, exclaiming over the soft sapphire blue walls, blue and white draperies and white marble dance floor. “This place is heaven!” she exclaimed as she watched happy couples glide across the room to the gay tunes of the Phil Bolero Orchestra. “And I love these white leather settees; they’re so neighborly!” she cried as she boldly scooted closer to Jackie, who smiled and ordered another bottle of champagne.

“Oh, two’s my limit!” Cherry protested when the bottle was brought to the table. “Well, maybe three,” she giggled. She patted her ruby red lips with her napkin before taking a sip of her champagne to prevent an unaesthetic smudge on the fine glassware. She paused when she realized Jackie was staring at her every move.

“You’re such a girl,” Jackie admired her happily.

Cherry blushed. “I have my mother to thank for that,” she acknowledged.

“I’ll send her a thank-you note in the morning,” Jackie grinned as she refilled their glasses. Cherry smiled. Not only was Jackie the handsomest girl she had ever seen, she was so mannerly! Cherry began to relax, and soon the girls were talking and laughing like old friends.

Their scrumptious supper was served, but neither girl had much of an appetite. Cherry forced herself to taste the yummy food, but found it difficult to swallow. Her mouth was dry, there were butterflies in her stomach, and her knees were shaking so badly it took all her concentration to walk to the ladies’ lounge when she felt the urge to powder her nose. It was the most wonderful feeling in the world!

“I could stay here forever,” Cherry sighed when she rejoined her date. As she slipped into the settee, she slid even closer. Before she knew it, Jackie had put her arm around her, and Cherry let it stay there.

“Let’s come here every night,” Cherry said in a gay tone, knowing all too well that their days together might be numbered. Would Jackie run out of vacation time before Cherry made up her mind?

“I’ll reserve this very table,” Jackie played along.

“And we’ll have champagne with every meal,” Cherry cried as she downed her drink. It was her fifth glass of champagne, but she didn’t care. For tonight, she was more than simply level-headed Cherry Aimless, Registered Nurse. She was Cherry Aimless, Registered Nurse, headed for love!

—— CHAPTER 10 ——
Girl Trouble!

“Ninety-eight, ninety-nine, one hundred.” Nancy had brushed her trademark titian mane until it shone, but it did no good. She threw the silver-backed brush across her dressing table, knocking over some expensive perfume in the process, but Nancy didn’t care. The only thing she did care about—an attractive dark-haired nurse with a bubbly nature and a ready smile—had been gone now for five hours, and might never be coming back!

“I musn’t dwell on those two,” Nancy told herself as she slipped into her luscious pale pink shantung silk pajamas and tied a pert bow around her hair. “It’s already midnight, and I’ve simply got to get some sleep so I will look my best tomorrow.” She knew she’d have to act fast to regain the advantage in the contest for Cherry’s hand.

“But what shall I do, Gogo?” she asked the little terrier who was curled up in her usual place. Nancy felt a stab of pity as she remembered the terrified expressions on the faces of the kidnapped poodles when they popped out of the trunk. “I should really call Chief O’Malley at the Lake Merrimen Police Department and offer my services, seeing as how I’m so good at solving cases like these,” Nancy thought guiltily. “But going off on a case will mean leaving Cherry and Jackie alone, and I can’t afford to do that!” she quickly reminded herself.

Nancy sighed as she threw back her snowy white chenille bedspread, slipped under the covers and turned off the small bedside lamp. Midge and Velma had gone to bed the second supper was over, so Nancy had spent the evening helping Hannah sew side darts in some new cotton blouses. As the hours dragged by, Nancy knew Cherry and Jackie’s dinner date must have turned into something more!

Tortured by the thought of those two together, she tossed and turned, finally falling into a uneasy sleep. She awoke to the unmistakable sound of George’s old jalopy pulling into the drive. Nancy slipped out of bed and raced over to the window. Golly, Jackie and Cherry had finally returned!

She watched with bated breath as Jackie helped Cherry from the car and escorted her to the front porch. She could hear hushed giggles as the two girls crept in the house. Nancy waited for the sound of footsteps on the landing, and when none came she threw on her quilted housecoat and fuzzy slippers and snuck down the stairs. “Where could they be?” she wondered as she peeked over the banister into the empty living room. She pulled her robe tight and crept into the kitchen.

The squeak of the porch swing and more laugher reached her ears. Nancy checked the kitchen clock and was surprised to find it was three in the morning! “Why, it’s positively indecent to stay up this late,” she thought as she blinked back tears. She crept closer to the back door, taking care to keep in the shadows. Although she couldn’t make out what they were saying, the way Cherry was sitting, practically in Jackie’s lap with her face turned up in rapt adoration, told Nancy that she’d better do something fast!

Nancy raced to the study and shut the door, then picked up the telephone and spoke urgently into the receiver. “Operator, please connect me with the Hardly estate in nearby Feyport—and fast!”

Her chums Joe and Frank Hardly had just returned from their European vacation. “I was going to give them a few days to shake the wrinkles from their travel clothes and get their land legs back, but this is a genuine emergency!” Nancy thought.

She tapped her fingers nervously on the mahogany desk while she waited for her connection to be put through. “I’ll ask Frank and Joe to luncheon tomorrow to meet the gang,” she schemed. “I’ll serve Joe’s favorite cheese-and-egg pie and wilted leaf lettuce salad, then I’ll ask Frank to step outside to the garden, and once there, ask him what to do about this romantic dilemma. I’ll wear my new sunflower yellow pique sunsheath—Frank’s sure to appreciate the careful detailing, especially the embroidered collar—”

“Hello?” a sleepy lad’s voice queried at the other end of the line. Nancy took a deep breath and tried to steady her voice, but once she heard the masculine tone of her close chum Frank, her words came tumbling out all willy-nilly. “Oh, Frank,” she sobbed. “I need your help. I’ve got trouble—girl trouble—of the most terrible kind!”

—— CHAPTER 11 ——
The Mystery of Love

“Get the paper, Gogo,” Midge commanded cheerfully. The perky terrier, who had taken up her post at Midge’s feet, hoping to catch a stray toast crumb, raced out the dog door and returned seconds later with The River Depths Defender in her mouth and laid it at Midge’s slipper-clad feet. “See how much she’s learned since we’ve been here?” Midge grinned at Jackie as she unfurled the paper and glanced at the front page. “Next I’m teaching her how to make the beds,” she joked, but her expression turned serious when she saw the news item at the bottom of the page. “Someone tried to snatch a teacup poodle from an elderly woman in nearby Battle Creek,” she gasped.

But Jackie was too busy moping to notice. Too busy, really, thinking about Cherry and last night.

Midge tried to push the distressing news out of her mind. She put down the paper and got her chum a hot cup of coffee.

“Ugh!” Jackie cried after she took a gulp of the strong brew.

“Good, huh?” Midge asked as she poured herself another cup and popped a piece of bread in the toaster.

“Like rocket fuel,” Jackie grimaced. “Where’s Velma?” she wondered. “She makes great coffee.”

“Out with Cherry,” Midge told her. “Cherry was desperate for some girl talk so they went downtown to window shop,” Midge paused and added dramatically, “The big news is that the latest fall fashions are in!”

“Goodness,” Jackie replied. “And you didn’t wake me? I simply must order my fall tee-shirts!” she grinned. Then she groaned. She wasn’t in the mood to clown around this morning, not after two bottles of champagne and three hours’ sleep—alone! “Did Cherry mention what she needed to talk about so urgently?” Jackie pumped her chum.

Midge shook her head. “I don’t know anything that goes on around here,” she admitted. “But I do know someone stayed up pretty late last night,” she teased, adding hastily, “not that I was eavesdropping or anything. It’s just that when I got up in the middle of the night to get Velma a glass of water I heard voices coming from the porch. Frankly, it sounded like an astronomy lecture out there—” Midge stopped kidding when she saw the glum expression on her friend’s face. “Didn’t the date go well?” Midge asked.

“It was the best time I’ve ever had!” Jackie exclaimed, adding, “That is, until we got home. I don’t know what happened! We dined and danced and talked for hours—long enough to make me certain that Cherry’s the girl for me! When I brought her back here, we sat on the swing for an eternity, but each time I got up the nerve to kiss her, she’d start pointing out constellations,” Jackie lamented, adding, “Although last night wasn’t a total waste. I did learn everything a girl could ever want to know about the Big Dipper.”

She put her head in her hands and groaned. “Now I want her more than ever,” Jackie admitted. She was beginning to think she would never get to Cherry, at least not while they were under Nancy’s roof.

“You mean you two were together practically the whole night and you still haven’t even kissed her?” Midge cried in alarm.

Jackie nodded gloomily. “Pathetic, isn’t it? How long were you alone with Velma before—you know—”

“Ten minutes,” Midge grinned.

Jackie’s jaw dropped open. “You kissed Velma after just ten minutes?” she cried.

“She kissed me,” Midge set the record straight.

“And you let her?” Jackie gasped.

Midge coolly lit a cigarette. Then a big grin lit up her face. “I could tell the minute I met Velma that she wasn’t just any girl. As far as I was concerned, she could do whatever she wanted.”

“Cherry’s not just any girl, either,” Jackie cried. “Why, you could safely say, when it comes to Cherry, there’s no one else like her!”

—— CHAPTER 12 ——
A Torrid Tale

That very moment at the Hardly estate, a distraught girl clad in fetching but rumpled pajamas was echoing those very same words. “There’s no one like Cherry, I tell you! She’s the girl for me! And I’ve lost her—forever!” Nancy’s torrent of tears spilled into her cup of cocoa.

Frank Hardly, a fair-haired fellow with a thoughtful demeanor and a lean yet muscular build, shot his younger-by-one-year brother Joe, a handsome fellow with basset-hound brown eyes and a friendly face that was now etched with concern for his fretful friend, a worried look. “Get more handkerchiefs,” he mouthed. Joe raced to the little laundry room off the kitchen, and was relieved to find a stack of clean, starched hankies on the ironing table. Quick as a wink, he snatched some up and raced back to the kitchen just as Nancy was threatening to use the sleeve of her shantung silk pajamas to mop her face.

“Good thing!” Frank whistled in relief. Shantung silk was almost impossible to get clean—lipstick especially stained it so!

“Now take a deep breath and start from the beginning,” he urged. He had never seen his friend in such distress! When Frank had opened the door in the middle of the night to his pajama-clad chum, Nancy had gasped out an astonishing story about having murdered her father, traveled to faraway San Francisco and brought home “the nicest nurse you’ll ever want to meet” before flinging off her trenchcoat, collapsing in a heap on the davenport and falling into a fretful sleep. Now it was early morning and the boys were sitting in the sunny, modern Hardly kitchen, wearing lightweight plaid cotton robes thrown over striped pajamas and consuming fresh biscuits and warm beverages while trying to make sense of the dramatic events that had befallen Nancy while they were abroad.

“It all started one day last month when I shot Father to death in the kitchen,” Nancy began.

Joe gasped in alarm and dropped his buttered biscuit, which tumbled under the table. He dove to get it, bumping his head in the process. He grimaced and rubbed the sore spot. “You shot your father?” he yelped. “Golly!”

Frank gave his younger brother a glare which cautioned him against further exciting their already perturbed chum.

Nancy told them of the horrific circumstances that had compelled her to take up arms against her father, sparing no details. “When I was a child—he forced me to do things—in my bedroom—late at night,” she explained in a whisper.

“And when I finally told Hannah of his terrible misdeeds, she threatened to hand Father over to the proper authorities. That’s when he attacked her! So I ran to the den, picked up his rifle, raced back to the kitchen and shot him.”

“Oh,” Joe gulped. He reached for a fresh hankie. “That’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard. You and Hannah were trying to protect each other!”

Nancy nodded and wiped a tear from her eye. “It was at Hannah’s insistence that I threw some outfits in a bag and fled to San Francisco, leaving her behind to confess to the murder. I tried to start a new life—oh, I met some new chums and fell in love and we saved a convent of kidnapped nuns from the clutches of an evil priest—” She took a big breath, and continued, “—but try as I might, I couldn’t forget about Hannah languishing in her jail cell, so my friends and I came back here and I confessed to the killing. Lucky for me, when I revealed in court the heretofore unknown diabolical aspects of Father’s personality, I was exonerated of all charges in his death.”

“Phew!” Joe gasped in relief.

“But not before we accidentally ran over Police Chief Chumley, who turned out not to be my friend at all! Why, he not only stole my letters proving Father’s true nature, he tried to frame Hannah with false evidence!”

“Golly!” Joe cried.

“What a horrible shock it must be when someone you admire and trust turns out to a be totally different person,” Frank cried.

“People aren’t always what you think,” Nancy sighed. “I have to admit, it’s been a rather frightful month. But now everything’s back to normal. Hannah’s out of jail, I’ve inherited the Clue estate and have had a chance to start selecting my fall wardrobe before the season begins. But there’s still one thing—” she struggled to continue as tears welled up in her eyes.

“I’ve lost my one and only true love,” she sobbed, “which has never happened to me before!”

Joe sniffed loudly. Could things get any worse for their plucky pal?

“You mean that nice nurse you mentioned last night, don’t you?” Frank said softly.

“Yes,” Nancy sobbed. “Nurse Cherry Aimless, the sweetest, kindest, prettiest girl in uniform I’ve ever met. And she was all mine, until I made a series of stupid blunders that broke her heart.

“But I was under an awful strain, what with the murder trial and being in jail and all that,” she added quickly. “If I could have just one more chance with her, I know I could prove I can be the best girlfriend ever—” she broke into heartfelt sobs. With trembling hands, she reached inside her pocketbook and took out a packet of thin, yellowed envelopes. She drew a letter from one of them and recited:

Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

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