The Bungalow Mystery Read Online Free

fun let’s go out to the bungalow now.”
    A quarter of a mile farther on Nancy made a right-hand turn which brought them out on the lake drive. Below them, the girls could see the bungalow they had visited.
    Suddenly a black foreign car pulled out of the lane that led down to the bungalow. Gaining speed, the automobile came toward Nancy’s convertible.
    “Watch out!” Helen yelled, jerking to attention as the vehicle passed and nearly sideswiped them.
    Nancy slowed down and stopped. She looked back at the car which was almost out of sight. “Some drivers don’t deserve a license,” she said. “Do you suppose that was Mr. Marshall?”
    Helen shrugged. “He wore a straw hat pulled low over his forehead. All I could see was the sleeve of his tan-and-white jacket.”
    “That’s quite a bit,” Nancy teased, “in so short a time.”
    Helen laughed. “Close association with you is making me more observant,” she said.
    When the girls reached the Pinecrest Motel, Helen exclaimed, “There’s Aunt June!” While Nancy parked, the dark-haired girl slipped from the convertible and hurried to the porch outside the room they occupied.
    “Hello, Helen dear.” The slim, stylishly dressed woman, with softly waved black hair, smiled at her niece.
    Helen returned the greeting and gave her father’s younger sister a kiss. “When did you arrive?” she asked. “Have you been waiting long?”
    “No. I got here half an hour ago.”
    The attractive-looking woman was a buyer for a River Heights department store. She told Helen of a retailing problem which had prevented her departure with the girls, then turned to greet Nancy with enthusiasm.
    “Isn’t this a lovely spot?” Nancy remarked, and Aunt June Corning agreed that the view of the lake was superb.
    After learning that Aunt June had not had lunch, the three went into the tearoom. When they had given their order, Miss Corning said, “I have some slightly bad news for you, Nancy.”
    “What’s happened?”
    “Well, just before I left River Heights, I phoned your housekeeper to see if she had any messages for you. To my surprise Dr. Darby answered. He said that Mrs. Gruen had sprained her ankle early this morning, and she must not walk for a couple of days.”
    “I’ll call Dad right away and talk to him,” said Nancy with concern.
    “Wait!” Aunt June said. “Dr. Darby mentioned that your father left on a business trip today before the accident occurred.”
    “That means Hannah is all alone,” Nancy said, rising. “I’ll have to go home at once. Will you both excuse me for a minute, please?”
    She went to a telephone booth and dialed the Drews’ next-door neighbor, Mrs. Gleason. Nancy was relieved to hear that the woman’s sister was taking care of Hannah for the afternoon. The housekeeper was in no pain and resting comfortably.
    The young sleuth did some rapid thinking. If she left for River Heights late that afternoon she could still fulfill her promise to Laura to meet her guardian and arrive home in time to cook Hannah’s supper.
    “Will you please tell Mrs. Gruen I’ll see her at six o’clock,” Nancy requested, and Mrs. Gleason agreed to do this.
    When Nancy returned to the others, Helen was telling her aunt of the adventure on the lake and Laura Pendleton’s story.
    “How dreadful for the girl!” exlaimed Miss Corning. “I feel very sorry for her.”
    Nancy now told of her plans to return home, and although Helen and her aunt were disappointed, they agreed that it was the right thing to do.
    “But before I leave,” said Nancy, “I want to meet Mr. and Mrs. Aborn.”
    After lunch Nancy packed her suitcase, put it in the car, and paid her motel bill. Soon it was time for her and Helen to leave for the Montewago Hotel.
    “Are you sure you won’t accompany us, Aunt June?” asked Helen.
    Miss Corning shook her head. “I’m a little tired,” she said, “and besides, I must unpack.”
    A short while later the two girls entered the