The Bungalow Mystery Read Online Free Page A

Montewago lobby. Nancy made her way directly to the desk and after a brief wait was informed that Miss Pendleton would receive the girls in her suite. An elevator took them to the third floor.
    Scarcely had they knocked on the door when Laura opened it. “Oh, I’m so glad you came,” she cried out, smiling with relief.
    Laura led the girls into a well-appointed living room with a bedroom on either side. As Nancy stepped inside, she saw a man and a woman seated in chairs near a picture window. In a glance Nancy realized that she and Helen had been right about Mrs. Aborn being the woman they had met the night before. Right now she looked more friendly.
    Jacob Aborn arose and smiled graciously. He was a well-built, somewhat stocky man in his early fifties. His face was square, and his small brown eyes were shifty.
    When Laura introduced the girls, Mrs. Aborn rushed toward them. “Darlings!” she said, giving Helen and Nancy a butterfly peck on their cheeks. “You’ve been so good to poor Laura.”
    “Perfect bricks!” Mr. Aborn said gruffly. He extended a hand first to Nancy, then to Helen. “The reason I’m late in getting Laura is that I want everything to be perfect for her arrival at our Melrose Lake house.”
    Nancy was sure Mrs. Aborn recognized the callers and was embarrassed to admit it. They said nothing. There was an awkward silence until Laura said, “Well, let’s all sit down.”
    For a few minutes everyone chatted generally, then Helen asked, “When are you leaving, Mr. Aborn?”
    “In half an hour,” was the reply. “Laura is tired and I want to get her settled before suppertime.”
    Mrs. Aborn broke in, “Yes, the poor child needs a lot of rest and good care.”
    Laura Pendleton seemed annoyed to be treated as a child and an invalid. “I’m fine,” she stated defiantly. Turning to Nancy, she said quietly, “I’m afraid that we can’t attend the hotel tea dance.”
    “That’s all right,” Nancy replied. She told of Hannah’s accident and the fact that she must soon head for home.
    “Are you all packed, Laura?” Mr. Aborn asked.
    “Yes, except to get Mother’s jewelry from the hotel safe.”
    “I’ll do that for you, dear,” Mrs. Aborn volunteered, rising. She smoothed her skirt restlessly.
    Laura said, “Thank you, but I must present the receipt in person.” She excused herself, saying she would be right back.
    As Laura left the suite, Mr. Aborn turned to the two guests. “I wish Marie Pendleton had been a little more cautious with her inheritance from her husband,” he confided.
    “What do you mean?” Nancy asked.
    “Laura is practically penniless,” her guardian explained. “Mrs. Pendleton’s illness and the way she lived took almost all her funds.”
    Nancy and Helen were surprised and dismayed to hear this.
    “It doesn’t matter, though,” Mrs. Aborn said. “We have ample means to provide for Laura. She’ll have everything she needs.”
    Nancy was confused by the woman’s seemingly dual personality. She could be crude as on the evening before, or sweet as she appeared now. Perhaps, at heart, she meant well. Nancy hoped so for Laura’s sake, but a strange feeling of distrust persisted.
    When Laura returned, Helen and Nancy said they must be on their way. The friends shook hands.
    “We never can thank you enough, Laura, for coming to our rescue yesterday,” Helen said gratefully.
    “That’s right,” Nancy agreed. “If you hadn’t come along at that moment we’d probably be at the bottom of the lake!”
    Laura shuddered. “Oh, I’m sure you would have reached shore some way! But I am glad I could help and it’s been such fun knowing you. I hope you’ll come to see me while I’m at Melrose Lake.”
    “We will,” Nancy promised. “What is your address there?”
    “Anyone can direct you to my house,” Mr. Aborn said heartily. “It’s well known in that section.”
    His wife tapped her foot on the floor. “Jacob, it’s getting late,” she