Read Online Password to Larkspur Lane by Carolyn Keene - Free Book Online Page A

smile.
    The canoe grated ashore and the three athletic-looking boys jumped out. All wore dark-blue Bermuda shorts with white shirts bearing the name Camp Hiawatha.
    “Here we are!” husky, blond Burt Eddleton exclaimed with a grin. “The world’s greatest camp counselors!” He was George’s special friend.
    Dave Evans was a rangy boy with fair hair and green eyes.
    Ned Nickerson, who was tall and handsome, grinned. “Now with us at the lake you girls can have some excitement!”
    George and Bess burst into laughter and even Nancy had to chuckle.
    “Nancy’s way ahead of you today,” said George.
    “She usually is,” Ned remarked. “Tell us about it. More mystery?”
    “Two of them,” said George. “And a rescue!”
    Walking up the hill to the Comings’ house, Nancy told the boys all that had happened, passing lightly over the speedboat episode.
    Ned gave a low whistle. “You’re on two dangerous cases, I’m afraid, Nancy.”
    “Don’t forget you can count on us,” Burt said as they entered the utility room.
    Through an open door straight ahead they saw Mrs. Corning in the kitchen. She was happy to meet the boys and at once invited the three couples to the yacht club dance across the lake the next night. “My husband and I belong and would love to have you go as our guests.”
    “I’m sure we can get time off from our camp duties,” said Ned. “We’ll accept. Thank you.”
    Presently the boys said good-by. “We have to get back to our young charges,” Dave remarked. “See you tomorrow.”
    The girls dressed quickly and helped their hostess prepare a dinner of steak, potatoes, green beans, and watermelon. Afterward, they insisted upon tidying the kitchen without her assistance.
    It was twilight by the time they finished. Nancy excused herself and slipped out the front door. Carrying a flashlight, she headed for the spot in the woods where she and Helen had seen the blue fire. After examining the singed leaves, Nancy concentrated on the ground beneath them. There were some bits of scorched brown wrapping paper. Picking them up, she wondered if they might help to explain the fire display. Nancy then hurried to her room and put the pieces away in an envelope.
    “Maybe Ned can analyze them,” she said to herself. “I’ll check with him tomorrow night.”
    Though the group watched intently, the blue fire did not appear that evening. Before going to bed, Nancy told the Comings that she was afraid Morgan might have been kidnapped. “Perhaps you ought to inform the police.”
    Mr. Corning shook his head. “Morgan asked us not to,” he said. “I’ll give him another thirty-six hours.”
    Next day there was still no sign of the missing houseman and Nancy asked for permission to search his room.
    “Go right ahead,” said Mrs. Corning.
    It was an attractive room with a large window overlooking the lake. Quickly and efficiently Nancy searched, but could find no clue to the man’s whereabouts. She observed that the servant could leave the house by going through the utility room and out the side door without anyone seeing him.
    “Has he a key to the doors?” Nancy asked Mrs. Corning.
    “Oh, yes. He usually came and went by the side door so he wouldn’t bother us.”
    “Did he have many friends?” Nancy inquired.
    “None that we know of. He was a quiet man and liked to stay by himself.”
    Nancy looked thoughtful. “The friendship card Morgan received makes me feel that an old acquaintance is after him for some reason. There may be a clue to this person in his references. If you still have them, may I examine the letters?”
    Mrs. Corning was not sure where the papers were. “I’ll look for them tomorrow.”
    After lunch Nancy, Bess, and George drove to the eastern outskirts of River Heights to search for the larkspur house. They were riding along a shady country road. Nancy stopped in front of a small home where a woman was trimming the hedge. Under a nearby tree sat an old lady, shelling