Free The Scarlet Slipper Mystery by Carolyn Keene Page A

examined the two answers and reassured her friends. One letter offered a painting that obviously was not one of the group Henri had painted. But the other note, which had been telephoned in, looked. like a lead.
    It was from the Elite Dancing School in Stanford, and described an oil painting the school was willing to sell. It depicted a ballet dancer in pink-and-white tulle, with an indistinct background of trees.
    “That’s just the way Henri described the background to me,” said Nancy excitedly.
    “Let’s go right over to Stanford and look at it!” George urged.
    “But we can’t do that,” Bess broke in. “Nancy and I have classes at the dancing school.”
    “Bess is right,” said Nancy. “We’ll go tomorrow morning.”
    When the girls arrived at the school, George left the others, arranging to meet them at nine the next day.
    Bess had the first group of young ballerinas, Nancy the second. Both girls carried on with their usual enthusiasm but were surprised at the small attendance in the classes. More than half the pupils were absent.
    “This is very strange,” Nancy thought. “I wonder what the trouble is.”
    She made a list of the absentees and began telephoning their parents. Nancy explained to those she reached that she was sure the Fontaines would return soon to resume teaching.
    In her conversations with the various mothers, Nancy noticed a reluctance to discuss the subject. Finally she talked to Mrs. Muller, a neighbor, and asked, “Has anyone been in touch with you regarding the Fontaines?”
    “How did you know?” the woman said in surprise.
    “Maybe it’s my instinct,” Nancy replied with a chuckle. “Just what have you heard?”
    Mrs. Muller told her that several mothers, including her, had received anonymous letters informing them that the Fontaines had disappeared because they were wanted by the police. The letters indicated that the dancers were involved in a serious scandal, which would reflect on the children if they continued at the school.
    “How wicked!” Nancy exclaimed. “Mrs. Muller, there isn’t one word of truth in that story!”
    “How can you be sure?” the woman asked.
    “Because my father is handling the affairs of the Fontaines and knows all about their dealings. I’m sure you realize that I wouldn’t be involved with them if anything dishonest were going on. My friends and I have worked hard to keep the school running, and naturally our success depends upon the cooperation of the parents. Won’t you please allow your little girl to continue her lessons?”
    Mrs. Muller finally agreed to send her child back. She suggested that Nancy call the other mothers and reassure them there was no truth to the letters. Nancy got busy on the telephone at once, explaining the situation to the women. They promised to allow their children to continue dancing lessons.
    “Well, that’s cleared up,” Nancy said to Bess with a sigh of relief as she finished talking to the last person on the list. “They’ll go along with the present arrangement.”
    “Thank goodness!” Bess said. But in a whisper she added, “Nancy, do you think there might be any basis for the idea that the Fontaines are wanted by the authorities?”
    “I can’t believe it,” Nancy insisted. “And besides, I wouldn’t take the word of anyone who is afraid to sign his name to a letter.”
    “Nor I,” said Bess stoutly.
    The next morning, she and George arrived at Nancy’s house, and the three girls set off in the convertible. They reached Stanford a little after eleven o’clock and had no difficulty finding the Elite Dancing School.
    Nancy went in alone and identified herself as the advertiser in the Gazette. The owner, Mr. Harlan, brought out the painting of the ballet dancer.
    It was indeed a portrait of Helene and she was wearing the scarlet slippers!
    “I bought this picture about six months ago,” Mr. Harlan told Nancy. “It’s very pleasing, but I’m remodeling and will have no room for