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at Ivy Hall, an estate she had recently purchased. Nancy recalled it as the overgrown place she had seen not far from Bradshaw’s.
    Now, reaching Nancy and Paul, Sheila said dramatically, “Nancy, darling, I’ve just learned that you’re simply marvelous at solving mysteries. I have a devastating one for you.”
    Nancy’s eyes widened. “What is it, Sheila?”
    Of medium height and slender build, Sheila had coal-black hair with a dramatic white streak in the front. Her face was youthful, with winged eyebrows that gave her an inquisitive look.
    “It’s about Ivy Hall,” the actress replied. “I adored the place at first, but now it has become horribly spooky. My daughter Annette and I hear ghostly footsteps at night and a peacock has appeared on our lawn several times.”
    “A peacock!” Paul laughed, but Nancy tensed.
    Sheila stopped speaking and shuddered. She leaned close to Nancy and in a strange, tremulous voice said, “Nancy, do you know what bad luck a peacock can bring a person?”

CHAPTER XI
    Cowboy Luke
     
     
     
    STRANGE noises ... ghostly footsteps ... peacocks! At once Nancy was intrigued by Ivy Hall.
    Recalling that Sheila Patterson had just asked her a question, Nancy answered, “All I’ve ever heard is that it is unlucky to wear a peacock feather.”
    “Let me tell you!” Sheila cried out dramatically. “They bring bad luck—disaster!” The woman buried her face in her hands. “That peacock on my lawn! I know what it means. I’ll never get another part in a play!”
    Although she believed the woman was exaggerating her fear, Nancy felt genuinely sorry for her. She had often met persons who had let superstitions affect their lives, but Nancy was astounded that a person of Sheila’s talent and intelligence could believe such an absurd thing. Taking the actress’s hand, Nancy asked her to sit down and talk it over.
    Paul Staunton had been standing all this time. Now he said, “Perhaps you two would like to be alone. I’ll be back later, Nancy.”
    The young sleuth flashed an appreciative smile, then turned to Sheila. “Please try not to be upset about the mystery at your home. You know, most people believe peacocks bring good luck, not bad luck.”
    “No, I never heard that,” Sheila answered absently, calming down a bit. But she started to twist a lace handkerchief nervously. Looking pleadingly into Nancy’s eyes, she said, “It would give me a lot of hope and confidence if you’d come to Ivy Hall for a few days. Maybe I’m foolish, but until I find out there’s nothing supernatural going on, I must believe that there’s only bad luck in store for me.”
    “I’d like to come,” said Nancy thoughtfully, “but—”
    “Yes?”
    Nancy said she had come south with her friends Bess and George. If she went to Ivy Hall, she would want them to accompany her. Also, since they were Susan’s guests, she must first speak to her cousin.
    “Oh, I intended to ask your two friends to come,” Sheila said warmly, “and I know Susan won’t mind.” She hugged Nancy and gave her a light kiss on the cheek. “You’re a darling—a perfect darling! Come tomorrow. I can’t stand it much longer with just Annette and me there. I’d move out, but I’ve put all my money into the place. The whole thing is dreadful! My nerves are nearly shattered!”
    At that moment Sheila’s daughter, Annette, came up and put her arm around her mother’s shoulders. The girl appeared to be about eighteen years old, had beautiful curly auburn hair, and a turned-up nose. Small-boned, she walked and moved in a quick, elfinlike manner.
    After speaking to Nancy, she said, “Mother, dear, perhaps we’d better go. You’re becoming too excited.”
    “Oh, I’m all right now,” Sheila said, looking at her daughter affectionately. “And what do you think, my love? Nancy Drew and her friends are coming to stay with us and solve our mystery!”
    “We’ll try, anyway,” Nancy said, smiling.
    Annette Patterson