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code may not want us here and encouraged Scarlett to go away. What we must do is find out that reason.”
    Hannah Gruen reminded the girls that their dinner was ready. “The meal will be spoiled if you don’t eat it now.”
    Nancy, Bess, and George washed their hands and combed their hair, then sat down at the table with Hannah. All had good appetites and thoroughly enjoyed the delicious roast beef. They were tidying up the kitchen when Bess remarked, “The Resardos missed a good dinner, but we certainly didn’t miss them.”
    “Maybe they’re not coming back at all!” George said with a grin. “It would please me if I never saw that couple again.”
    “I agree with you,” said Mrs. Gruen.
    That evening the phone was kept busy. First Nancy called her father and told him all she had learned that day.
    After hearing the whole story, he observed, “It’s evident that someone or a group is keeping an eye on us. The situation could become dangerous.”
    “But you’re not going to let them scare us away, are you?” Nancy asked.
    She was sure her father was going to say no and he did not disappoint her. He warned Nancy, however, to keep alert for trouble.
    “I’ll get back there as quickly as I can,” he added.
    Nancy had just put down the phone when it rang. The voice at the other end said, “Well, I’m glad I got you at last. I’ve been trying for hours to get hold of you.”
    “Hi, Ned!” Nancy said. “We can hardly wait for the house party to start, but we haven’t been idle. There’ll be lots to tell when you boys arrive.”
    “No doubt,” Ned said. “I’ve never known a time when you weren’t doing as much as three people. I have just one favor to ask—that you have this mystery solved before Burt and Dave and I arrive. We want to have fun.”
    “Why, Ned,” said Nancy, a teasing tone in her voice, “I thought you adored solving mysteries and tracking down villains.”
    Ned laughed. “You’re right. Okay, Nancy,” he added, “I’ll help bring this mystery to a quick termination!”
    “Actually there are two mysteries,” said Nancy. “The explosive oranges and the spooky-looking grounds of an estate on this island. When I get a chance I’m going to investigate the place.”
    “I’ll take the spooky one,” Ned answered.
    Nancy laughed. “I hope to have at least one of them solved before you arrive.”
    Ned chuckled, then became serious. “Watch your step. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
    After he and Nancy had said good night, she joined the other girls. Within seconds there was another call.
    “Maybe it’s Burt,” George spoke up.
    “And maybe you’re both wrong,” Hannah remarked. “The call might be for me—from Herb. He said he’d phone and make a date to call on us. I think he was very much impressed with you three girls.”
    As Hannah had predicted, the caller was Herb, who told her he had been put on special assignment. “I won’t be able to come over to the Billington house until after the lift-off.”
    “By that time we’ll probably be gone,” Hannah said, “but give us a ring anyway.”
    The girls were giggling when Hannah returned. Bess teased her. “Did Herb want to make a date to take you up in a rocket?”
    The housekeeper flushed slightly but joined in the banter. “Don’t think I didn’t catch on. He wanted to see you girls!”
    Just then the phone rang again. Burt and Dave were calling. Both boys were eagerly looking forward to the house party at the Nickersons’ and sent their best wishes to Hannah and Nancy.
    By bedtime the Resardos still had not returned and everyone wondered if the couple would put in an appearance.
    As the group was about to go upstairs the telephone rang again. Nancy, nearest the instrument, answered.
    “Is this Nancy Drew?” a man asked.
    “Yes.”
    “This is Patrick Croft. I’ve been trying to call you but your line has been busy. A man phoned me around eight o’clock. He sounded like the driver I let