Read Online Mystery of Crocodile Island by Carolyn G. Keene - Free Book Online Page B

thoughtfully.
    “I wanted to leave the job,” Colombo went on, “but they would never let me. A few times I tried to sneak up to the visitors and ask for a ride. But one of the workmen who lived with the bosses always chased me away.”
    “Did Sacco and Gimler ever have anything delivered to the island, or did they do the shopping themselves?” Nancy asked.
    Colombo said that as far as he knew all supplies were brought in by The Whisper, and whenever any of the men left, they used that boat.
    “You mean,” Nancy asked, “that they do not use any other means of transportation?”
    “Not as far as I know. But then, I wasn’t around to see everything. I just worked and ate and slept.”
    The young people felt sorry for the man, and his story made them more suspicious than ever of the partners in the Crocodile Ecology Company. By now they had reached Key Biscayne. Danny pulled into a public dock to let Colombo off, and asked him if they could be of any further help.
    Colombo shook his head. “You’ve all been mighty kind, and I’ll never forget it. If I can ever do you a favor, just let me know.”
    Nancy asked him where he would stay.
    “At the YMCA,” he said. “I have relatives here, but Mr. Gimler knows about them. If I go there, he’ll track me down and try to force me to return to Crocodile Island by threats, and make up some story.”
    “That’s true,” Nancy said. “Well, I hope your legs will heal properly. Perhaps you should see a doctor.”
    Colombo smiled. “I think you ladies did a fine job. I’ll be well in no time.” He stepped onto the dock with Danny’s help, then turned around. “I don’t even know your names,” he said.
    Nancy hesitated, but Danny spoke up quickly. “I’m Danny Cosgrove, and these are the Boonton girls, Anne, Elizabeth, and Jackie.”
    “Thank you,” Colombo said. “I really appreciate your help.”
    Danny pushed off, “I hope you girls don’t mind what I told him,” he said. “But he can find out from anyone around here who owns the Pirate.”
    “That was perfectly all right,” Nancy said. “Besides, I think we can trust him.”
    On the way home the young people discussed what the phrase “they want five hundred” could have meant.
    “If not crocodiles, what else?” George asked.
    “The thing that bothers me most,” Bess said, “is that Mr. Gimler might have known Colombo was on the skiff. If so, he may make trouble. We’d better not go back to Crocodile Island.”
    “We’ve got to, Bess,” said Nancy. “We’re just beginning to get some good clues!”
    When they reached the Cosgrove home, Danny’s mother was waiting for them. After greeting each one, she said, “I have a message for you, Nancy.”
    “Yes? What is it?”
    “Mr. Gonzales called. He has some valuable information to give you.”
    “Did he give any hint as to what it was?” Nancy asked.
    Mrs. Cosgrove shook her head. “He said that you would receive a letter in the morning.”
    Nancy wanted to phone Mr. Gonzales at once, but realized that she should not let her curiosity get the better of her and possibly embarrass him.
    Later in the evening, the group settled down to watch television, but the young detective had trouble concentrating on the show. Instead, her thoughts focused on what Colombo had told them about Crocodile Island.
    Presently the phone rang. Mrs. Cosgrove answered, then handed the receiver to Nancy. “It’s for you.”
    “Hello?” Nancy said.
    “You’re not Anne Boonton!” a man said gruffly. “You’re Nancy Drew. We know all about you. If you and your friends don’t leave Florida at once, you’ll never get home again!”

CHAPTER XI
    An Identification
     
     
     
    “WHO are you?” Nancy asked the man on the phone.
    There was no reply, only a click in her ear.
    Nancy’s friends looked at her questioningly. “Who was it?” George asked.
    “One of our enemies, I’m afraid. He told us to leave Florida, or we might never see our homes