Read (#30) The Clue of the Velvet Mask for Free Online Page B

eavesdropper!” Hannah Gruen cried. She followed as Nancy ran outside.
    A man was dashing across the lawn. He jumped into a car parked in front of the house next door.
    “There he goes!” Nancy said grimly as the automobile roared off. Sensing the housekeeper’s nervousness, she added, “Perhaps Bess and George should stay with you tonight. I’ll call them.” She phoned George and asked her to pick up Bess.
    “Be there in fifteen minutes,” George promised.
    While Hannah Gruen hurriedly pressed a suit for Nancy, the girl detective started packing her overnight suitcase.
    “I mustn’t forget to take the black mask,” she told herself.
    When Bess and George arrived, they were astonished to learn that she was leaving at once for Amstar.
    “Nancy, you’re not going alone!” Bess protested. “George and I will make the trip with you. Why, someone might try to snatch that mask away if you’re alone.”
    George snapped her fingers. “That gives me an idea. It will make your trip mugging-proof.”
    “What’s your idea?” Nancy asked eagerly.
    “I’ll masquerade as you! I can wear your clothes and carry your bag.”
    “That’s a very dangerous idea. I don’t think—”
    “I insist. After all, it’s the most foolproof way I can think of to protect River Heights’ number one detective,” George interrupted. She fluffed her hair and added, “We’ll rent a titian-haired wig for me and a dark-brown one for you.”
    Nancy was thoughtful. Although she worried about her friend’s welfare, the idea appealed to her. If the girls’ hunches were right, she might even catch the person who wanted the mask back!
    “Well, what say?” George prodded.
    “There’s one drawback,” said Nancy. “With eavesdroppers around I don’t think any of us should rent the wigs.”
    “That problem can be solved easily.” George looked over Nancy’s shoulder. “Here’s the person to do it. Hello, Mrs. Gruen.”
    “What am I getting into?” the housekeeper asked with a smile.
    While Nancy explained, George went to the phone and called Mrs. Fayne and Mrs. Marvin who gave their permission for the trip. Ten minutes later Mrs. Gruen was in a taxi on her way to the Lightner Entertainment Company.
    Meanwhile, it was decided that the mask would be carried in Bess’s bag. As soon as Mrs. Gruen returned with the wigs and the train tickets, George took Nancy’s initialed suitcase and the cousins left to return home to dress for the trip.
    “Hurry! There’s not much time!” Nancy called to them. “And, Bess, take a bag without initials. I will too.”
    “I’m glad they’re going with you,” Hannah declared. “You’ll need protection more than I will.”
    Bess and Nancy met on the station platform just as the train arrived.
    By prearrangement they took seats near the rear of the second coach. Soon George came in with her luggage. Seating herself at the front of the car, she set the case so that the initials N.D. were plainly visible to anyone passing through the aisle.
    “I hope the trick works,” Bess whispered.
    “It will,” Nancy predicted, although both girls remained silently concerned for George’s safety.
    Nancy nudged Bess to draw her attention to three passengers who had entered the car directly behind George. One was a dark-eyed, sullen-looking woman in smartly tailored clothes. She was accompanied by two men.
    They scrutinized George, who was thumbing through a magazine. Then their gaze wandered down the aisle to Nancy and Bess.
    The woman and one of the men sat down in the double seat across the aisle from George. The second man took the seat directly in front of Bess and Nancy.
    This was an unforeseen complication, for now they were unable to talk without fear of being overheard. Nevertheless, Nancy and Bess were jubilant. They were certain their ruse had worked!
    The three passengers easily might have chosen other seats. Instead, two had deliberately sat near the girl they thought was Nancy, and the