The child sank down on the porch steps and began to cry. Lieutenant Masters comforted her. Soon she gained an admission from the little girl that an older boy, Teddy Hooper, who lived next door, had suggested that Joan help herself to some pretty plants.
"I don't know why I did it." Joan began to sob. "I wish my Aunt Juliana would come home. I'm sure she'd buy us some nice things."
In an undertone Lieutenant Masters explained to Nancy that Joan knew about her aunt only from her mother.
"Mrs. Fenimore wasn't married when her sister disappeared. Come inside and let her tell you the story."
Nancy received a distinct shock as Joan led the way into the living room. Lying on a well-worn couch was a slender woman with deep lines in her pallid face. Nancy was sure Mrs. Fenimore was not more than thirty years old, but she looked fifty.
Upon seeing the policewoman, a concerned expression appeared on Mrs. Fenimore's face. "Has Joan done something wrong again?"
At her mother's question, the child turned her head away. Neither Lieutenant Masters nor Nancy spoke immediately. After a brief pause, the police officer introduced the new visitor.
"I'm glad to meet you," Mrs. Fenimore said softly.
"I'm sorry you're not feeling well," Nancy replied. "Perhaps it would be better if I came back some other time."
"No, no."
"I wish you'd tell Nancy Drew about your sister," Lieutenant Masters urged. "Nancy's a detective and will try to find out what happened to Juliana."
"You really will?" Mrs. Fenimore looked at the girl hopefully. "You see, Julie went away by herself for a month's rest and never was heard of again."
"Have you any idea at all where she may have gone?" Nancy asked. "Do you think she disappeared deliberately?"
"No. I can't believe that, and I keep telling Joan I'm sure her aunt will come home someday." Mrs. Fenimore explained that the dancer had been engaged to a wealthy manufacturer named Walter Heath.
"Five years after her mysterious disappearance, he died and left Heath Castle to Juliana. He tried to trace her before his death but was unsuccessful. There's a provision in his will which stipulates that it Juliana does not claim his estate within five years, it is to be sold and the money given to charities he specified. The time is almost up."
After a pause Mrs. Fenimore went on, "The grounds of Heath Castle were beautiful once, with walled gardens and sunken pools. Now I'm told it looks like an overgrown jungle, full of weeds. Nevertheless, I am hoping Julie will be found and can come to claim the castle."
The story deeply interested Nancy. She could hardly wait to begin the search for the missing dancer. She was also eager to visit Heath Castle! She mentioned this to Mrs. Fenimore.
The woman smiled. "I'll lend you a key to the front door that Walter left with me to give to Julie. Joan dear, bring my jewel case here."
The little girl hurried off to get it. In a few moments she returned with the box. Her mother took the key from inside and handed it to Nancy.
"I wish you luck," Mrs. Fenimore said.
Before Nancy and Lieutenant Masters left the house, they helped Joan prepare supper for herself and her mother. Wishing to spare Mrs. Fenimore any further worry, they refrained from discussing the child's thieving instincts in depth.
As they drove away. Nancy remarked, "It's possible Juliana met with foul play."
"Yes," said Lieutenant Masters. "If that's true, you may find yourself up against a dangerous adversary."
When the two young women walked into headquarters a little later, the desk sergeant said, "You're in luck. Miss Drew!" He held up her stolen purse. "A patrolman found it in a trash can. Nothing but the money and the pearl was taken."
Nancy was thrilled. "I'm especially glad to have my driver's license and car registration back," she said, "and the credit cards. Please thank the patrolman for me."
The following day Nancy related Mrs. Fenimore's story to her closest friends, Bess Marvin and George Fayne, who had dropped in. The two girls were cousins and helped Nancy when she was working on a mystery. Bess was blond and slightly plump. She was less inclined toward adventure than her spunky cousin, an attractive brunette, who liked athletics and was proud of having a boy's name.
Bess said soberly, "It's a shame about Joan and Teddy. I'll help you all I can with them."
George was eager to pursue work on the mystery. "What are we waiting for?" she asked. "Why not go now and explore the castle?"
Cautiously Bess asked, "Will it be safe?"
"It won't be easy," Nancy warned her friends. "I was told the undergrowth is like a jungle. Maybe the best way to get there is by motorboat up the Muskoka River."
Twenty minutes later the three girls rented a small motorboat at Campbell's Landing. The craft was old and the engine clattered and threw oil, but it was the only boat available.
"Lucky we all know how to swim," Bess said with some misgiving as they pulled away from the dock. "I have a feeling this old tub leaks and may sink before we go very far."
"We'll be all right if George keeps busy with the bailer!" Nancy laughed, heading the craft upstream.
The river was wide near town, but the upper reaches were narrow and twisted and turned at such sharp angles that fast travel was out of the question. At the wheel. Nancy kept an alert watch for shoals. Water was slowly seeping in at the bow.
"It's really pretty out here, but so wild." Bess commented, her gaze wandering along the solid line of trees fringing the shores.
"Better forget the scenery for a while," Nancy advised, "and give George a hand with the bailing. If you don't, our shoes will be soaked."
The water was coming in faster now. Both Bess and George worked vigorously, dipping the water and throwing it over the side.
"Listen!" Nancy said presently. "What's that?"
Bess and George stopped bailing to look around. They had heard no unusual sound.
"Another boat!" Nancy exclaimed as the noise of an engine grew louder. "But where is it?"
Just then a small blue-and-white craft shot into view from Harper's Inlet, one of the river's many small hidden bays.
"Look out!" Bess cried in alarm.
The pilot in the oncoming boat seemed to be unaware of the girls in their little craft. At high speed he raced straight toward it. Desperately Nancy spun the wheel. There was not enough space to clear.
With a splintering crash the two boats collided!
CHAPTER IIIA Runaway Boat
The speeding boat which had struck the girls' craft now veered sharply away and raced down- stream.
Meanwhile, the impact had caused Bess to lose her balance. She hit her head on the side of the boat and toppled into the water.
Instantly Nancy turned off the motor. If Bess were unconscious, there was no time to lose! George had already dived over the side. When she located her cousin, she grasped the inert form with her left arm and struck out with the other for the boat. Nancy leaned over and helped pull the unconscious Bess aboard.