Read Online The Secret of the Golden Pavillion by Carolyn G. Keene - Free Book Online Page A

inquired.
    Kiyabu shook his head. “I never saw him again.”
    Nancy asked Kiyabu if he had any suggestions as to where she might start in trying to solve the mystery. He smiled. “I understand you are a famous girl detective. I am afraid poor Kiyabu could offer no help.”
    During the balance of the afternoon, Nancy walked round and round the Golden Pavilion, trying to figure out what its secret might be. There was no visible opening under the platform. Behind the latticework was concrete, studded with pieces of lava rock. Finally she gave up and went into the house. She made a tour of the mansion but nothing came to light which gave her any clue to the strange happenings.
    “This mystery is going to be a real challenge,” she told Ned, as they strolled outdoors after dinner.
    Dusk had fallen and Nancy said she would like to watch the Golden Pavilion for a while to see if the dancing ghost Kiyabu had seen might appear. But though they watched the building from a vantage point among the trees for two hours, nothing happened.
    In the morning, as Nancy was pondering over what new approach she could take in solving the mystery, Dave said, “Some of the other Emerson fellows have challenged us to an outrigger race. Are you all game?”
    Bess was the first to answer. “I don’t think our mixed group would stand a chance of winning. But if the rest of you want to try it, okay. Leave me out. You can have a crew of only five, anyway.”
    “You’re both right and wrong,” Dave told her. “We should have only five in the canoe, that’s true, but we’re going to win!”
    Bess, Hannah, Emma, and Kiyabu said they would come down to the beach to watch the race and root for their friends. At ten o’clock the Emerson group of paddlers appeared offshore. Nancy and George climbed into the Kaluakua’s outrigger canoe. Ned, Dave, and Burt followed, and each of them picked up a paddle. Ned sat in the stern to act as steersman.
    The outrigger skimmed over the waves and soon was alongside the other canoe. Nancy and George knew four of the boys and were introduced to the fifth, who was the steersman. “Ready? Gol” he cried out.
    The race was to be for half a mile along the beach to a buoy and back again. For a few minutes the two outriggers stayed side by side, then the one with the all-male crew began to pull ahead.
    George scowled. “They mustn’t beat usl” she called out. “Let’s put on some steam!”
    Everyone paddled harder, but they could not seem to catch up to their rivals. Finally Ned said, “I think our timing’s off. We need better rhythm. When I call out, ‘Dip—dip,’ all pull together!”
    As soon as he did, the paddling became smoother. The first canoe made the turn and started back. Soon Ned’s group reached the half-mile mark and made a close turn, losing no time. Gradually the distance between the outriggers began to close.
    Little by little, Ned urged his paddlers to dip faster. As the two canoes neared the finish line, George cried out that they must go even faster. With arms working so quickly that thev were a blur to the watchers on shore, the mixed group of paddlers finally nosed alongside the other canoe. The race ended in a photo finish!
    The hot, panting contestants lay their paddles across the canoes and caught their breaths. In a few moments, however, they were calling back and forth to one another.
    “Didn’t think you could do it!” said the steersman of the all-boy crew. “Congrats!”
    The others laughed and Burt said, “All you need are girls who paddle like boys, and you’re set!” Then he praised Nancy and George for their work.
    The five Emerson boys waved good-by and started back for the Halekulani. Nancy and her friends picked up their paddles and turned toward shore. They had not gone far when Nancy, gazing at the Golden Pavilion, gave a start.
    “Look!” she exclaimed. “A woman wearing a long white muumuu just crawled from underneath the pavilion!”
    All eyes turned in