the house. When the child saw the woman in
uniform, she stopped short and then turned as
if to run off.
“Don’t be afraid,” the lieutenant said gently.
“Did you come to take me away?” Joan asked.
“Indeed we didn’t. But we will have to send
you to a special school unless you decide to be
good.”
“I am good,” Joan said, tossing her tangled
blond curls. “Just ask my mother!”
“In many ways you are very good. I know you
work hard to take care of your mother. But why
do you dig up shrubs and plants that don’t belong
to you?”
Joan’s gaze roved to the telltale rosebushes.
She hung her head and didn’t answer.
“I’m sure you don’t really mean to be naughty,”
the policewoman continued. “Why do you take
flowers?”
“Because they’re pretty,” Joan said. “We can
never buy anything nice.”
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 ex-
pression 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 re-
plied. “Perhaps it would be better if I came back
some other time.”
“No, no.”
“I wish you’d tell Nancy Drew about your sis-
ter,” Lieutenant Masters urged. “Nancy’s a detec-
tive 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 her-
self 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 disap-
peared 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 her-