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suddenly she burst out, “Wait a minute! Those were Luke’s skis!”
    â€œLuke’s skis,” Liz repeated. “And he gave them to Ned.” She paled. “Do you think he’s to blame for Ned’s accident?”
    â€œAn awful lot of accidents seem to happen around Luke,” Nancy said thoughtfully. “These skis. The tow rope. It’s just that . . .”
    â€œWhat?” Liz demanded.
    â€œSomeone else could have seen Luke’s skis and not realized that Ned would be using them. Same thing with the rope tow. The traps could have been set for Luke, not by him!” Frustrated, Nancy paced around the room. “I need a good motive, or even better, some useful evidence.”
    â€œThis is really turning into a nightmare,” Liz said, shuddering dramatically.
    â€œJust stay calm,” Nancy cautioned. “And let’s keep this conversation between the two of us, okay?” She gave Liz’s hand a squeeze and then hurried back out to Ned.
    Nancy hadn’t planned on a quiet afternoon with Ned, but she decided that the idea suited her just fine. However, they didn’t spend it by the fire. With the aid of a pair of crutches that Liz kept on hand for such emergencies, Ned was able to limp out to the small lake beside the lodge. It was cleared for skating, and that’s just what Nancy did. Ned sat and watched from a wooden bench, his leg propped up on a log.
    Nancy was an excellent skater, and she found the rhythm of the sport soothing. She was glad to have a chance to mull over what had been happening. Writing didn’t just appear in the snow, and bindings on skis didn’t just wear down! As Luke well knows, Nancy told herself. Somebody had deliberately sabotaged those skis!
    The problem was, who? And why? And whowas the intended victim? Liz had jumped to the conclusion that Luke had done it. Maybe he had, maybe not. Even if he hadn’t, he apparently knew or suspected the answers to those questions. What exactly was he trying to cover up?
    Much as Nancy loved solving mysteries, this one was causing some trouble.
    She felt—lonely. The case had already come between her and George. And she could see it creating problems between her and Ned. Who’s next? she wondered. Will Bess get angry at me? She skated over to sit with Ned for a while.
    They returned to the lodge as the shadows started falling. Keeping his leg up all afternoon had done Ned’s ankle good. The swelling had gone down a bit. As the aromas of chili and baking apples wafted into the lounge from the kitchen, the other guests began straggling in from the slopes.
    Bess and Gunther appeared first. “We heard about your ankle, Ned. How are you feeling?” Bess said. “You missed some great skiing!” she called as she headed toward the dorm.
    â€œYou say that like a confirmed athlete!” Ned called back, grinning. Bess stuck her tongue out at him before disappearing. A group of college students appeared next and then, last of all, Luke and George.
    Luke went directly upstairs without speaking to Nancy or Ned, but George came over to them right away. “How’s the ankle?” she asked. Nancy noted that George’s voice sounded strained.
    â€œHanging in there,” Ned said lightly.
    Nancy smiled at George. “How was the skiing?”
    For a moment, George’s eyes were radiant. “Oh, I had a great time!” she replied. Then her smile stiffened, and the light faded from her eyes. “Well, I’d better get ready for dinner.” As she left the lounge, Nancy watched her thoughtfully.
    Luke joined the guests for dinner that night, but he took a seat at the far end of the table near Liz. Ned hobbled over to the closer end, on his crutches, and Nancy, Bess, and Gunther joined him.
    Soon, George returned. She had changed into dark red stretch pants and a Norwegian sweater, adding small gold earrings. She looked, Nancy thought,