The Bluebeard Room

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Authors: Carolyn Keene
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legends.”
    Nancy was silent a while, thinking of elf-darts and witches and the twin Golden Mab. “Is Cornwall really so ancient?” she asked presently.
    “Oldest corner of Britain, my dear. There were Stone Age miners digging tin and copper hereabouts long before Athens and Rome were built. Phoenician traders came here and carried the ore tothe Mediterranean. Some say that’s why you’ll still see a good many dark-haired, hook-nosed Cornishmen.”
    Nancy glimpsed rocky headlands and blue sea and picturesque fishing villages. At one point she did a startled double take. “Were those palm trees I just saw?”
    Her companion smiled. “You’re on the Cornish Riviera now, my dear. Warming influence of the Gulf Stream. It’s another reason tourists flock here, not to mention artists and writers and other such layabouts.”
    By the time she descended from the train at Penzance, Nancy was eager to see more of Cornwall. Lisa was waiting to greet her, and the two girls fell into each other’s arms.
    “Oh, Nancy! You’re looking just beautiful!”
    “So are you, Lisa.” But Nancy secretly crossed her fingers, unhappy at having to fib.
    “No, I’m not. You needn’t worry about hurting my feelings, Nancy. I see myself in the mirror every morning. To tell the truth, I haven’t been feeling well these last few months, but now that you’re here, I’m sure I’ll perk up.”
    “Oh, I hope so, Lisa dear!”
    In the station parking lot they came to a huge, lemon-colored British roadster of 1920’s or 1930’s vintage, with a hood that looked about a mile long to Nancy.
    “Good night! Is this your royal carriage?”
    Lisa giggled. “It belonged to Hugh’s uncle, the old Lord Penvellyn from whom he inherited the castle. Uncle Nick was quite a lively old dog. I’m told he bought this dinosaur in his youth, before the Battle of Britain, and loved it so much he kept it in tip-top shape. Hugh considers it the best part of his inheritance!”
    Lisa had the porter load Nancy’s luggage into the car, and moments later the two girls drove off. Nancy was thrilled as they whizzed along smoothly.
    “Your husband’s right, Lisa. This car’s a gem! I wish Ned could see it!”
    “Speaking of whom, how are things between you two, Nancy?”
    “We’ve decided to date other people for a while.”
    “Ah, so things are at that stage, are they? And do I gather you’ve already met someone new and interesting? or even fascinating?”
    “Well . . .” Nancy smiled somewhat noncommittally. “Interesting, yes. And I guess most girls would call him fascinating, too, but I’m not sure I’m ready to talk about him just yet.”
    Lisa threw her an understanding smile. “All right, we’ll save all that for a cozy chat later.”
    “What about yourself—you and Hugh, I mean? Are you enjoying the state of holy matrimony?”
    Nancy was shocked at the shadow that seemed to fall across her friend’s face.
    “I love Hugh more than ever, Nancy,” Lisa replied in a voice that sounded slightly unsteady,“but I’ll admit things haven’t been perfect since we settled in at Penvellyn Castle.”
    “Can I help?” Nancy asked after a pause.
    Lisa looked at her. “That’s why you’re here, isn’t it?”
    “Yes.” Nancy flushed, but decided the truth was preferable to deceit. “That’s not the only reason I’ve come, though. I did want to see you. But your mother was very worried and . . . well, all that seemed a good enough reason.”
    “I thought so, and I’m glad you’ve come, Nancy . . . but I’m not sure what you or anyone can do.”
    “Is there anything you’d care to tell me?”
    Her friend shrugged unhappily. “It’s all so vague and . . . depressing, I hardly know how to answer that, Nancy. Hardly anyone in Polpenny will even speak to me. It’s as if they resent my coming to Penvellyn Castle. And Hugh seems terribly glum and weighed down, as though he’s carrying some dreadful secret. And I’ve been

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