Free Nancy's Mysterious Letter by Carolyn G. Keene Page A

added, “I’m glad there is no news. Tomorrow you and Bess and George go to Emerson, don’t you?”
    “Yes, Dad. I expect it will be an exciting weekend.”
    “Well, I want you to enjoy it and not have the mystery on your mind. There is something in the evening paper that I think will interest you,” Mr. Drew added as they all rose from the table.
    He went to get the newspaper and turned to the sports section. He pointed out a headline, which made Nancy’s heart skip a beat. It said:
    EMERSON COUNTS ON NICKERSON TOE
    The article went on to tell of Ned’s prowess at punting and kicking field goals. Nancy felt very proud to be his guest.
    “It ought to be a great game,” Mr. Drew remarked. “Wish I could be there, but you’ll have to tell me all about it Monday.”
    The lawyer went for his coat and said he was going out to bowl with some friends. After he had gone, Nancy started to help Hannah tidy the dining room and kitchen, but the housekeeper urged her to go upstairs and pack.
    “There’s not much to do here,” she told Nancy. “You’ll have to get up early if you’re going to stop at the post office, and then pick up George and Bess. It’s a long drive to Emerson and you’ll want time to change your clothes before the play. It’s tomorrow night, isn’t it?”
    “Yes, and I hope to meet Nancy Smith Drew face to face. You know, Hannah, it is just possible that Edgar Nixon may have gone to Emerson with her. Oh, I only hope that they won’t be married before they get there and I can try to prevent the wedding.”
    Nancy had just started her packing when she heard the doorbell ring. In a few seconds she became aware that the housekeeper was arguing with someone. Then Hannah Gruen climbed the stairs and poked her head into the doorway of Nancy’s room.
    “It’s that pest again,” she said with a sigh. “I told her to go away, because you were very busy, but she’s insistent and won’t budge until she has seen you.”
    Nancy smiled. “You mean Mrs. Skeets?”
    “Yes. What will I tell her?”
    “I guess I’d better talk to her,” Nancy said. “You may never get rid of her if I don’t find out what she wants.”
    Nancy walked down to the front hall where Mrs. Skeets was standing. The woman was well bundled up, but her stringy hair showed below her hat.
    “I knew you’d see me,” she crowed as Nancy appeared.
    “What can I do for you?” Nancy queried.
    “As I told you once before, I don’t want nothin’ except what’s mine,” Mrs. Skeets said.
    Nancy suspected the woman was going to ask for additional money and said quickly, “Don’t expect anything more from me.”
    “Now, young lady,” Mrs. Skeets retorted, shaking a finger at Nancy, “don’t get uppity with me or you may regret it. I came here on an errand of good will, I want you to know. But if you don’t show proper respect for your elders—and what young folks do these days, I ask you—I’ll go away and you’ll never learn why I came.”
    Nancy was amused by this tirade, but also curious to know what the errand of good will was.
    “I’m listening.”
    “Well, that’s good. Most o’ the girls today won’t listen to their elders. Nope, I’d say the chicks seem to think they can teach the old birds to fly.” Mrs. Skeets laughed loudly at her own joke. “As I’ve said more than once to Mrs. Brant next door, who has eight young uns, ‘Mrs. Brant, I said—’ ”
    Nancy interrupted. “Please tell me why you really came here. I am very busy upstairs.”
    Mrs. Skeets frowned in an annoyed way, then said, “Well, I came to tell you all the missin’ letters was mailed back to their owners.”
    Nancy was so surprised she stepped backward. The idea of such a thing happening after all this time left her speechless for the moment.
    “Ah-ha, I thought that would knock you overt” Mrs. Skeets exclaimed. “Now maybe you’ll listen to me.”
    Nancy realized that the letters stolen from the Drews had not been returned.