Free The Quest of the Missing Map by Carolyn G. Keene Page A

of the man on the ladder at the Smith home. The cruel, beady eyes and bearded face were those above the brass-button “apparition” which had haunted the Ship Cottage at Rocky Edge.
    “Why, that’s a clue!” she thought suddenly. “Why didn’t I think of asking Trixie before?”
    Leaping from bed, Nancy ran to her desk and switched on a light. She seized a crayon and sketched the leering face she had seen in her dream.
    “Now I have two pictures to show,” she thought, “the photo to Mrs. Chatham and this sketch to her daughter. Trixie’s identification would be double proof that Spike Doty is the ghost of Ship Cottage.”
    Nancy’s opportunity came the next morning. The widow phoned that she and Trixie would call on Carson Drew at his office. Nancy said she would be there too.
    She at once showed the faded photograph to Mrs. Chatham, who quickly recognized the captain as her first husband. “Yes, thatt’s John. Of course he looks younger than the way I knew him.”
    Nancy said she would show the photograph to Tomlin Smith on her next visit. She then offered to take care of Trixie while Mrs. Chatham and Mr. Drew talked. Nancy led the child to an anteroom and took the crayon sketch from her handbag.
    “I have a picture to show you,” Nancy said. “This is a drawing I made last night.”
    The child gave a muffled shriek!
    “It’s that same ghost!” she cried. “Take it away, please! Even the picture scares me!”
    Nancy hugged the little girl and spoke soothingly to her. In a moment Trixie’s fears were gone. Soon Mrs. Chatham and Mr. Drew came out of his private office.
    “Everything is arranged,” the widow declared happily as she turned to Nancy. “Your father prepared the papers I’ll need in New Kirk and made an appointment with the bank’s president. Nancy, you’re to go with me.”
    “Wonderfull” Nancy exclaimed, flashing her father a grateful glance. “When do we leave?”
    “In two hours, if you can be ready.”
    “I can be ready in fifteen minutes.” Nancy laughed. “How about plane reservations?”
    “I made them by phone,” Mr. Drew put in.
    “Did you hire guards to watch your home?” Nancy asked Mrs. Chatham.
    “Yes, two men are there.”
    Nancy looked at Trixie, then drew the woman aside. “Perhaps Ellen Smith could come to your house and take care of Trixie while we’re away.”
    Mrs. Chatham was pleased at the suggestion. Fortunately Nancy was able to reach Ellen by phone. She said she would gladly stay with Trixie. Ellen could barely contain her excitement when told of Mrs. Chatham’s generous invitation to go on a cruise in search of the treasure island.
    Then she said, “About Trixie, I’ll have to leave tomorrow afternoon.”
    “We’ll be back by that time,” Nancy replied, then hung up. “Mrs. Chatham, it’s all arranged.”
    The grateful woman relayed the news to Trixie, who was delighted.
    After the Chathams had gone, Mr. Drew turned to his daughter. “Besides Ellen, have you told anyone else about going to New Kirk?” he asked.
    “I discussed it with Hannah. That’s all.”
    Mr. Drew nodded approval. “I’ve advised Mrs. Chatham to keep the reason for her trip a secret.”
    “You think someone may follow us?”
    “I doubt that, but it’s better to be cautious,” her father said. “The Browns have demonstrated their intense interest in the map, Nancy. That’s why I want you to be careful.”
    “I will, Dad. And now I have something for you.”
    She handed him the crayon sketch of the Ship Cottage “ghost” and told him of Trixie’s positive identification.
    “I’ll tell the police,” he offered, studying the face. “I hope Trixie was sure and not just frightened by the sinister-looking face.”
    “She is very bright,” Nancy replied. “I believe we can depend on her. Well, I must hurry to catch the plane!”
    Aided by Mrs. Gruen, Nancy quickly packed an overnight bag and changed into traveling clothes. A short time later she and Mrs.