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would go directly after luncheon. Back at the cottage, the girls were delighted to find that bottled gas had been delivered.
    “Oh boy, hot water!” Bess exclaimed. “Me for a relaxing bath.”
    “Not now,” George said. “Sleuthing comes first.”
    The girls had a quick lunch and directly afterward put on hiking clothes and shoes and started up the lake path to Pudding Stone Lodge. From boundary markers they discovered that the property was very large. Their search went on all afternoon, both in the vicinity of the stone house itself and over the grounds. There was no sign of an iron bird.
    Finally Bess suggested they give up. “I’m so tired I could break into pieces,” she said. “Let’s go back to the cottage.”
    Though disappointed, the others agreed. They luxuriated in hot baths, rested for a little while, and then had supper. Afterward, Cecily proposed that they go to town. “I’d like to try telephoning Niko and the Waynes again.”
    At seven o’clock they set off for the village. All the stores were closed with the exception of Eddie’s Soda Shop.
    As Cecily went into a phone booth, the other girls engaged Eddie in conversation. They learned he was a newcomer in town but was doing very well.
    “People around here must like ice cream,” Bess remarked.
    “They sure do. In fact, people come from miles away to get my ice cream. It’s good as homemade.”
    “In that case, I can’t resist a double helping,” Bess said with a giggle.
    “What kind?”
    “Vanilla,” Bess replied with a twinkle. “With hot fudge sauce.”
    “Coming right up,” said Eddie.
    Nancy and George said they would take the same. As they were being served, Cecily came from the booth and sat down at the table.
    Eddie stared at her. “I’m glad you came in,” he said. “The record you ordered is here.” He grinned. “You owe me a dollar.”
    Cecily in turn stared at him in amazement. “I’ve never been in your shop before,” she said. “This is the second time I’ve been mistaken for another girl. I’d certainly like to meet her!”
    Eddie looked bewildered. “Well, if you say so, it must be true.” He shook his head. “But you two girls sure look alike.”
    “Where does the girl live?” Nancy asked.
    Eddie shrugged. “She didn’t say. Just told me she’d be back. Say, the record’s nifty—Niko Van Dyke’s latest.”
    His listeners were astounded. Cecily cried out, “Niko’s record! Why, he—I—” She did not finish the sentence.
    The girls did not explain to Eddie, but Nancy asked if he would mind playing the record. “And if you have another, I’ll buy it.”
    “I have plenty now. They sell like hot cakes. I can’t keep ’em on hand long.” He went into a back room.
    Cecily was blinking furiously, on the verge of tears. She explained to the girls that she had failed again to reach the Waynes or Niko. “I’m so worried,” she said. “He may be really angry. I wish I could see him!”
    Nancy said soothingly, “I am sure you will soon.”
    Eddie came back with a record and played it for them. The girls listened intently to the Flying Dutchmen’s number and at the end voted it an excellent piece.
    “It’s Niko’s best,” said Eddie. “He must be making a pile of money!”
    A pained expression came over Cecily’s face and George quickly suggested she have some ice cream. “Thanks, but I’m—I’m not hungry,” said the red-haired girl.
    When the others had finished eating, Nancy picked up the record and they left. George, who was ahead of the others, stopped to look in a shop next door. It was called the Gift Emporium. She called her friends’ attention to the display window. In it, hanging as a wall plaque, was an ornamental iron bird.
    “This gives me an idea,” said George. “Let’s ask if there’s an ironmonger around here. He might still have some information in old files of an iron bird having been made long ago for Pudding Stone Lodge.”
    Cecily brightened at once.