001

TableofContents

TitlePageCopyrightPageCHAPTERI-AMoonlightBurglarCHAPTERII-ASuspectCHAPTERIII-StrangeSymbolsCHAPTERIV-ARewardingChaseCHAPTERV-DoubleWorriesCHAPTERVI-ADisastrousDanceCHAPTERVII-AStudioAccidentCHAPTERVIII-TheSurprisingClueCHAPTERIX-TheGoldenPavilionCHAPTERX-ADaytimeGhostCHAPTERXI-ATantalizingGiftCHAPTERXII-TheLeiMaker’sHintCHAPTERXIII-AValuableDiscoveryCHAPTERXIV-MeetingaSharkCHAPTERXV-TheSilversword’sSecretCHAPTERXVI-TheSpecterCHAPTERXVII-VolcanoBirdsCHAPTERXVIII-AnExplosionCHAPTERXIX-AKing’sTreasureCHAPTERXX-Aloha!

Copyright©1987,1959bySimon&Schuster,Inc.Allrightsreserved.PublishedbyGrosset&Dunlap,Inc.,amemberofThePumam&GrossetGroup,NewYork.PublishedsimultaneouslyinCanada.S.A.NANCYDREWMYSTERYSTORIES®isaregisteredtrademarkof

Simon&Schuster,Inc.GROSSET&DUNLAPisatrademarkofGrosset&Dunlap,Inc.eISBN:978-1-101-07737-5

2008Printing

http://us.penguingroup.com

NancyandNedtriedtoescape,butitwastoolate

CHAPTERI

AMoonlightBurglar

NANCYDREW, her lovely blue eyes sparkling with excitement, stared infascination from the cabinof aprivatehelicopter.The craftwasheaded forthe River Heights airport, a few miles beyond. Below, the rooftops of thetownstoodoutclearlyinthemoonlight.

“We’realmosthome,Togo,”Nancysaidtotheterrierbesideher.Fastenedtohiscollarwasablueribbonthathehadwonatadogshowinacitysomedistanceaway.

Leaning forward,Nancyasked thepilot, “Couldwepleasego lower? I’dlovetoseemyhousefromtheair.”

Theyoungmanshookhishead.“It’sagainstregulations.Maybethesewillhelpyou.”Hehandedherapairofbinoculars.

Nancyadjustedthemandinamomentherhomecameintofocus.“Iseeit!”she exclaimed.But a second later she suddenly gasped in alarm, “Aman’sclimbingintoadormerwindowonourthirdfloor!”

“Youmeanaburglar?”thepilotasked.

“Yes.Allourwindowsonthefirstandsecondfloorsarewiredforaburglaralarm.Thethiefmustknowthat.Oh,dear,hemayharmHannah!”

QuicklyNancyexplainedthatHannahGruenwastheDrews’housekeeperandthatMrs.Gruenhadbeenlikeamothertohersinceshewasalittlegirlandhadlostherownmother.

“Radio the airport tower, please!” Nancy urged. “Tell them what’shappening and ask them to page my father. He’s waiting for me. He cancontactthepolicetocatchthatburglar!”

Instantly the pilot made the call. Then, at Nancy’s request, he began tocircle above the Drew home. Less than five minutes later, they saw theburglar step out backward from the dormer window onto a long, slenderladder.Inhishandwasabriefcase.

“ItmustbeoneofDad’s,”Nancytoldthepilot.

The intrudermade a nimbledescent.Thenhe collapsed the ladder into asmall bundle, picked it up, and disappeared among the trees that lined theDrewdriveway.

“Pleaserelayallthistothetower,”Nancybegged.

The pilot followed her request, then said, “I’d better get to the fieldpronto.”

His landing was cleared and soon the helicopter was standing on theconcreterunway.NancytuckedTogounderonearmandherpurseundertheother,whilethepilotgrabbedherweek-endbag.Thenthetwohurriedtothegate.

At the exit stood a taxi driverwhomNancy knewwell. “Good evening,Joe,”shesaid.

“’Evening,”hereplied.“Yourfatheraskedmetodriveyouhome.Ihearyou’vebeenhavingsomeexcitementatyourhouse.Mr.Drewsaidsomethingabouthisfetchingthepoliceandnabbingaburglar.”

“Then Dad did get the message!” Nancy exclaimed. “Let’s hope theycaughtthethiefbeforehegotoffthegrounds.”

Shethankedthepilotforhisassistance,thenrantoJoe’staxiandhoppedin.HedroveasquicklyaspossibletoNancy’shome.

As the taxicame toahaltat thefrontdoorof the large,brickhouse,Mr.DrewsteppedfromthedoorwayandtookNancyinhisarms.“Sogoodtoseeyouagain,”saidthetall,distinguished-lookinglawyer.

“It’sgoodtobehere,”hisdaughterreplied.“Theburglar—Didyoucatchhim?”

“Unfortunately,no.”

Togo,who had scampered into the house,was running around in circlesand yippingwith joy at being home. In amomentHannahGruen appearedfromtherearofthehouse.

“Areyouallright,Hannah?”Nancyasked,asshehuggedthehousekeeperaffectionately.

“Oh,yes.Buttotellthetruth,I’mmightyembarrassed.Ididn’tevenhearthatburglar,”shewenton.“Idroppedoff tosleepwaitingforyouandyourfather, and neverwoke up once. By theway,what did theman take?” she

askedMr.Drew.

Thelawyersaidthatsofarashecouldfindout,theburglarhadbeenafteronlyonething—abriefcasecontainingpapersrelatingtoanewcasewhichhehadjusttaken.

“Theintrudermayhavewantedtheseforsomespecialreason,butalsohemay have been after an odd-looking object that was in the brief case.Myclientwas sending it toyou,Nancy. Itwasa copyof a rareoldPolynesianartifact—awooden figure, half human and half bird. It had littlemonetaryvalue,soI’mpuzzledaboutthataspectoftheburglary.”

“Perhaps,”saidNancy,“thethiefbelievedthepiecetobeoldandrare.”

“Possibly,”herfatheragreed.

Nancyinquiredhowtheburglarmighthave learnedabout thecontentsofthebriefcase.Mr.Drewstared intospaceamoment, thenanswered,“Ihadluncheon today with my new client, Mr. Sakamaki. He’s a Hawaiian. Hetalkedratherfreelyabouthiscase.Itwasapublicrestaurantandperhapstheburglarwasseatednearbylisteningtotheconversation.”

“DoesthecaseinvolvesomethingPolynesian?”Nancyasked.

“Well,yesandno,” the lawyer replied.“I’dprefer thatMr.Sakamaki tellyouthewholestoryhimself.YoumaypickupafewpointswhichImissed,”hecomplimentedhisdaughter.“WhenIhappenedtomentiontohimthatyoulovedtosolvemysteries,hewasinterestedatonce.”

Mr. Drew looked directly at Nancy, a slight smile playing around thecornersofhismouth.“Thereisaveryunusualmysteryinconnectionwiththecase.Mr.Sakamakiwouldlikeyoutosolveitforhim.”

Nancy’s face broke into a broad grin. “And I’d like to do it!” she saideagerly.“HowsoonmayItalktoMr.Sakamaki?”

“Tomorrowmorningatmyoffice.”

WhileHannahpreparedamidnightsnackofangelcakeandfruitjuice,Mr.Drewwent to the telephoneandcalledpoliceheadquarters.Thesergeantondutyreportedthathissquadhadnotapprehendedtheburglarasyet.Theclueof the collapsible ladder was an excellent one, he said, and his men hadstoppedandsearchedahundredcars in thegeneralareaof theDrewhome.Butnoladderhadbeenfoundinanyoftheautomobiles.

“We’llkeeponlooking,” thesergeantpromised.“Somethingmayturnupyet.”

ThenextmorningafterbreakfastNancyandherfathersetoutforhisoffice.It was not long after they arrived that Mr. Drew’s secretary announced acaller.

“Mr.KamuelaSakamakiishere.”

“Pleaseshowhimin,”Mr.Drewreplied.

Asmilingmanaboutfortyyearsoldwalkedin.Hewasofmediumheight,withlightlybronzedskinandfriendlydarkeyes.Mr.DrewpresentedhimtoNancy.

“I’mveryhappytomeetyou,”Mr.Sakamakisaid.“AndIhopethatyou,aswellasyourfather,willconsenttotakingmycase.”

As everyone sat down, the caller explained that hewas part Polynesian,partJapanese.“MyPolynesianfirstnamemeans‘Sam’andwhennecessaryIuse the English version for business. I am very proud of my Polynesianforebears.”

Mr.Sakamakiexplainedthathehadperfectedcertainmethodsforfinishinghandmade furniture —an art practiced by his Polynesian ancestors. Likethem,heusedsharkskininsteadofsandpaper.

“At present I am lecturing and demonstrating in a furniture factory here.Mrs.SakamakiandIhaverentedahouseinRiverHeightsforayear.”

He went on to say that he had recently inherited a large estate of bothmoneyandpropertyfromhisgrandfather,NikkioSakamaki,inHonolulu.TheestatewascalledKaluakua.Abruptlyheasked:

“MissDrew,wouldyou like togoout there tosolvemymystery?”Fromhispockethebroughtoutapaperonwhichtwosymbolshadbeendrawn.“Ibelievetheseareacluethatwillhelp.”

Hehanded thepaper toNancy,whostudied the strange figures. “Doyou

knowwhattheymean?”sheasked.

“No,I’mashamedtosayIdon’t,”Mr.Sakamakireplied.“Iintendedtryingtofindoutbuthaven’thadachance.”

TheHawaiiansaid that shortlybeforehisgrandfather’sdeath, theelderlyman had mailed the symbols to him without any translation. But a letteraccompanyingthestrangepieceofpaperhadsaid:

“NeversellorgiveawayKaluakuauntilyousolveitsmystery.”

CHAPTERII

ASuspect

ASNANCYstaredatthestrangesymbols,herheartbeatalittlefaster.Thiswasanewanddifferentkindofmysteryforhertosolve!

“It sounds like a fascinating case,” she commented. Nancy recalled theexcitingadventuresshehadhadsolvingTheSecretoftheOldClock,herfirstmystery, and howmany thrillingmoments she had experienced during herrecent adventure, The Haunted Showboat. But none of the mysteries hadstartedoutwithamorechallengingcluethantheonejustpresentedtoher.

Mr.Sakamaki smiled. “Youwill loveKaluakua.Theestate is right alongthewateroftheWaikikiBeachareaofHonolulu.Ithasbeautifulgardensandalovelyhouse,andisaperfectplaceforavacation.”

Nancylookedtowardherfather.Shewonderedwkathewasthinking.

Thelawyersmiledandsaid,“Mr.Sakamaki,Ishouldthinkyouwouldwanttogothereyourselfandattendtomatters.”

“I suppose I should,” the Hawaiian replied, “but it would be mostinconvenientatthistime.Manypressingbusinessmatterswillkeepmeonthemainland.” He turned to Nancy. “We Hawaiians call the people in theContinentalUnitedStates‘mainlanders.’”

Mr.Sakamaki nowamazed theDrewsby saying that actually thereweretwomysteries inconnectionwith settlinghisgrandfather’sestate.Only thatdayhehadlearnedoftwoclaimants,abrotherandasister,whohadsuddenlyappearedinHonolulu,declaringthattheyweregrandchildrenofthedeceasedman.

“Besidesthatdisturbingnews,”Mr.Sakamakiwenton,“IhavehadwordfromthecaretakerthattherehavebeenqueerhappeningsatKaluakua.”

“Whatkindofhappenings?”Nancyasked.

“For one thing,” the caller replied, “a stranger was seen lurking on theestatebeach,andwhenthecaretakerwenttoquestionhim,themantookoffhurriedly in a boat. Then, there is a Golden Pavilion on the grounds, and

someonehasbeenhackingthefloorofit.”

“AGoldenPavilion?”Nancyrepeated.

Mr.Sakamakisaidthatitwasacircularopenbuildingaboutthirtyfeetindiameter.Ithadcolumnsandaroof,allcoveredwithgoldleaf.

“It sounds very unusual,” Nancy remarked. “Is the secret of Kaluakuaconnectedwiththispavilion?”

Mr.Sakamakishrugged.“Whereverorwhateverthesecretis,Ishouldliketohaveitdiscoveredasquicklyaspossible.I intendtopresent theestate toHonolulu,withtheGoldenPaviliontobeusedasanoutdoortheater.Yousee,Ireallydon’tneedKaluakuaformyselffinancially.AndIhavealovelyhomeinHonoluluwhereIpreferliving.”

Thentheman’sfacecloudedashecontinued,“IkeepforgettingabouttheChatleys.Theyare theclaimants. If theyshouldprove theircase, I supposetheestatewouldhavetobesplitthreeways.ItisdoubtfuliftheywouldagreetodonateKaluakuatoHonolulu.Theyprobablywouldwanttosellitandtakethemoneytothemainland.”

Mr.Drewnowspokeup.“Youneverheardabouttheserelativesfromyourgrandfatheroranyoneelse?”

Mr. Sakamaki shook his head. “These people are claiming that mygrandfatherhadawifeinCaliforniasomeyearsbeforehemovedtoHonolulu.They further claim that my grandfather abandoned his wife and a babydaughter.KnowingmygrandfatherasIdid,Icannotimaginehimdoingsucha thing.Hewas somewhat eccentric, but full ofkindness.Myownparents,whoaredeceased,nevermentionedanysuchthingtakingplace.”

“WasyourgrandfatheraHawaiian?”

“No,hecamefromJapan.ButhemarriedaPolynesian.”

Mr. Sakamaki told the Drews that the claimants’ full names were RoyChatleyandhismarriedsister,JanetChatleyLee.Bothwereaboutforty-fiveyearsofage.

“As I said, I have never seen them nor heard of them before,” Mr.Sakamakicontinued.“Ihadcometoyourfather,Nancy,toaskhimtohelpmesettle theestatebefore thiscomplicationarose. I just receiveda letterabouttheChatleysfromthebankinHonoluluwhichisactingasexecutor.NowI’vecometobegyou,Mr.Drew,toinvestigatethisnewangle.”

“Justhowdidyourgrandfather’swillreadregardingbeneficiaries?”

“Itstatedsimplythateverythingwaslefttoanylivinggrandchildren,”Mr.Sakamaki replied. “I thought I was the only living blood relative until theChatleyssuddenlycameintothepicture.”

He went on to say that Mr. Drew would be handling the legal anglespertainingtothesettlingoftheestate,includingtheChatleys’claim.HehadthoughtNancywouldliketotakeoverthepartofhiscasehavingtodowiththesecretatKaluakua.

“Oh,I’dloveto,”saidNancyeagerly.“MayI,Dad?”

The lawyer smiled fondly at his daughter. “There is only one hitch,” hesaid.“Icannotleavehereimmediately.Besides,I thinkmyfirststopshouldbeLosAngeles,whereI’lllookintothebackgroundoftheseclaimantstotheestate.ValuabletimewouldbelostbeforeIcouldreachHonolulu.”

Mr. Sakamaki leaned forward in his chair. “Perhaps,” he said to Nancy,“you have some young friends who would go with you? And also yourhousekeeper?”

Nancydidnotreplyatonce.Hermindflewtohertwochums,BessMarvinand Bess’s tomboy cousin George Fayne, but she knew that the expenseinvolvedinsuchatripwouldbeprohibitive.

The Hawaiian apparently had guessed her thoughts. Smiling, he said, “Iwantthismysterysolved.Expensemeansnothingtome.I’llfinancethetripfortheentiregroup.”

Nancywasoverwhelmedbytheoffer.Feelingthatitwasuptoherfathertomakethedecision,shewaitedforhimtospeak.

Mr. Drew gazed out his office window a fewmoments before replying.Then he turned to Mr. Sakamaki. “I will consent to all of this on onecondition.Theexpenseinvolvedwillbemyfee.”

“Asyouwish,”Mr.Sakamakisaid.“IwilldoeverythingIcantomakeitamostenjoyablestayforyou.”HearoseandshookhandswiththetwoDrews.“You havemademe very happy,” he added, “and Iwill leave you now tomakeyourownplans.Iwillbeintouchwithyousoon.”

Bowingslightly,helefttheoffice.AtonceNancywentovertoherfatherandthrewherarmsabouthisneck.“Itsoundsmarvelous,doesn’tit?Almostlikeadream.Icanhardlybelieveit!”

Herfatheragreed,andsaidhehopedthatBessandGeorgewouldbeabletogowithNancy,aswellasHannahGruen.“I’llmakearrangementsforyouall

toflytoHonoluluassoonasyouletmeknowifthegirlscango.”

He suddenly noticed that his daughter’s smile had faded.Her expressionwastenseandshewasstaringoutthewindow.

“What’sthematter?”thelawyeraskedher.

Nancy pointed and her father turned to look in that direction. On therooftopofanearbyofficebuildingamanwasopeningacollapsible ladder.As the Drews watched, he placed it against a window of the adjoiningbuilding.

“Hemaybethethiefwhogotintoourhouselastnight!”Nancycriedout.“Itlookslikethesamekindofladder!”

InstantlyMr.Drewturnedtohistelephone.Heputinacalltoalawyerheknew who occupied the office where the open window was. After a fewmoments of conversation, he hung up and said to Nancy, “The man is awindowwasher,butweprobablyshouldinvestigatehim.”

“Let’sgotalktohimrightnow,”Nancyurged.

Mr. Drew agreed and theywent immediately to the office of his lawyerfriend. They learned from him that the window washer’s name was AbeAntokandthatheworkedfortheAcmeWindowCleaningCompany.

Nancyhastened to thewindowwhere themanwasworking.After a fewcasual remarks toAbeAntok, she asked, “Isn’t it unusual for ladders tobeusedforwashingofficewindows?”

“Yes,ma’am,itis,”Abereplied.“Butmybossandme,webeeninventin’this ladder.Younotice it’skindof special.Wehope toput iton themarketsomedayandmakealotofmoney.Butafewkinkshavetobeironedoutyet.Iuseitinplacesthatarehardtogetto.”

“Isee,”saidNancy.“Bytheway,howhighwillitreach?”

“Oh,veryhigh,miss,”Aberepliedproudly.

“Coulditreachtothethirdfloorofahouse?”

“Oh,sure,”Abeanswered.“I’veuseditacoupleoftimesforthat.Workedfine.”

DuringtheconversationNancyhadmadeuphermindthatAbeinnowayseemed like a house-breaker.A new thought suddenly came to her and sheasked,“Doyoueverrentoutthiskindofladder?”

“Hemaybethethief!”Nancycriedout

Abe Antok looked at Nancy in amazement. “That’s a funny question,miss,”hesaid.“Asamatteroffact,Idid,justonce.Thatwaslastnight.”

“What did the personwho rented the ladderwant to dowith it?”Nancyaskedquickly.

“To tell you the truth,miss,”Abe replied, “Mr. JimO’Keefe—that’s the

nameofthemanwhorentedtheladder—saidhewantedtotryitout.Hecametoourplace justaboutquittin’ timeandgavemybossandmeagreat salestalk.Saidhehandledstockorsomethinglikethat.Hetoldushecouldsetusupinbusinessandmakealotofmoneyforus.Wefellforitandgavehimtheladdertotryout.”

“WhereisJimO’Keefenow?”Nancyinquiredeagerly.

AbeAntok’sfacetookonasourlook.“Mybossandmesurehadthewoolpulled over our eyes.We found the ladder back of the shop this mornin’.Whenwedidn’thearnothin’fromO’Keefe,mybosscalled thehotelwherehewasstayin’.He’dskippedoutwithoutpayin’hisbill!”

“That’sveryinteresting,”saidNancy.“Whatdidthismanlooklike?”

AbedescribedJimO’Keefeasbeingofmediumheight,dark,slender,andwiththinninghair.

“Didhehaveanyoutstandingcharacteristicsbywhichyoucould identifyhim?”Nancyinquired.

Abe thought for a moment. Then he answered, “Yes, he did. O‘Keefedrummed on my boss’s desk with his fingers. Then he raised up his twoforefingers and put the tips of ’em together. Kind of a funny thing to do,wasn’tit?”

Nancyagreed.ShethankedAbeforansweringherquestions,thenhurriedover to her father who was conversing with his lawyer friend. “I have awonderfulcluetoourthief,”shesaidexcitedly,thentoldthetwomenaboutJimO’Keefe.

Mr.Drewaskedpermissiontousethephoneandcalledthepolice.CaptainMcGinnisthankedhimforthenewclueandsaidhewouldgetintouchwiththelawyerassoonashehadanynews.

Nancy and her father returned toMr.Drew’s office. For severalminutestheydiscussedthemystery—Kaluakuaanditssecret,thestrangeclaimantstotheSakamakiestate,theburglar,andtheproposedtriptoHonolulu.

Suddenly Nancy chuckled softly. “You know, Dad, there’s one thing Ihaven’ttoldyou.CertainfriendsofBess,George,andmyselfaregoingonacharteredplane trip fromEmersonCollege toHonoluluwhen theirvacationbegins.”

“YoumeanNedNickerson,Burt Eddleton, andDaveEvans?” her fatherasked.

“That’sright,Dad.We’llhaveawholefleetofmainlanddetectivestosolvetheKaluakuamystery!”

CHAPTERIII

StrangeSymbols

MR. DREW’S eyes were twinkling. “This sounds like a Hawaiian houseparty,”heremarked.“Seriously,I’mgladtheboyswillbetheretohelpsolvethemystery.Thereareafewangles to thiscase thatworryme,andI’ll feelbetterwithacrowdofyouatKaluakua.”

“I’llcallBessandGeorgerightaway,”saidNancy.“SupposeImakeitontheoutsidephone,Dad.Seeyoulater.”

Shegavehimaquickkissandleft.Fromhissecretary’sdesk,Nancycalledfirst Bess, then George. No one answered at either of their homes. Nancy,eagertosharehersecretandhopefulthatherfriendscouldmakethetrip,wasdisappointed.

“Oh,well,I’lltrylater,”shesaidtoherself.

Theyoungsleuthdecidedtostartworkonthecaseimmediately.First,shewent to the library to see if she could learn from referencebooks there themeaningof thePolynesiansymbolswhichNikkioSakamakihadsent tohisgrandson.Thereferencelibrarianwasveryhelpful,butneithershenorNancycouldfindtheanswertotheriddle.

“I’m sorry,” said Miss Taylor, who knew the young detective well. “Isuppose you’re working on another mystery. Perhaps I can help you.Somethingjustoccurredtome.IbelieveIknowtheverypersonwhomightbe able to tell you what these symbols mean. He’s Professor Wharton. Iunderstand he speaksmany languages and is an authority on hieroglyphicsandotherformsofancientwriting.”

Nancy smiled. “That’swonderful. I’d like to talk to him.Where does helive?”

“Justaminute,”MissTaylorreplied.Sheopenedadrawerofherdeskandlookedthroughastackofcards.Presentlyshepulledoneout.“Hereitis.HelivesinthenewlydevelopedsectionofRiverHeightscalledElwyndEstates.I’msorryIdon’thavethenameofthestreet.”

“I’llbeabletofindhim,”Nancysaid,eagertostart.“Thankyouverymuchforeverything,MissTaylor.”

The young sleuth hurried home to get her convertible, then drove out toElwyndEstates.Attheentrancewerelargestonepillarswithasmallofficetoone side. She inquired where Professor Wharton lived and was givendirectionstoHilltopRoad.Hopingthattheelderlymanwouldbeathome,shehurriedtohishouse,parkedthecar,andwentupthefrontwalk.

Sheliftedthehugeknockeronthefrontdoor.Afteramomentthedoorwasopened by a tall, frail-lookingman,with brilliant blue eyes and a shock ofwhitehair.

“ProfessorWharton?”Nancyinquired.

Themannodded,andaskedher tocome in.AsNancy introducedherselfandtoldwhyshewasthere,Mrs.Whartoncameforwardandwasintroduced.

“I amverymuch interested in trying to help you,” the professor said, asNancy opened her purse and handed him the piece of paper bearing thesymbols which Mr. Sakamaki had given her. “Ah, yes,” the professormurmured.

Mrs.WhartonaskedNancytobeseated,andherhusbandexcusedhimselftogotohisstudy.Hewasgoneonlyafewmoments.

“I have your answer,” he said, smiling. “These are ancient Polynesiansymbols, to be sure. The first one means water, and the second sleep ordeath.”

“Water, and sleep or death,” Nancy repeated thoughtfully. “This is awonderfulhelptome.Thankyouvery,verymuch,ProfessorWharton.”

Nancywassoexcitedbywhatshehadlearnedthatshedecidedtostopather father’s office and tell him about the meaning of the symbols. To herdelight,Mr.Sakamakiwasthere.

Mr.Drewlookedathisdaughter intently, thenbroke intoachuckle.“Mr.Sakamaki,IcantellyourightnowthatNancyhasalreadysolvedonepartofourmystery.”

“Sosoon?”theIslanderaskedunbelievingly.

Nancy told the two men how she had learned the meaning of thePolynesian symbols. “Have you any idea, Mr. Sakamaki, what yourgrandfathercouldhavemeantbywaterandsleepordeath?”sheasked.

Mr.Sakamakishookhishead.“Icanonlymakeaguess.SinceGrandfather

toldme not to sellKaluakua before I learned itsmystery, Iwould say thatperhapshemeant theGoldenPavilioncontains the secretbecause it isnearthewater.Astothesleepordeathsymbol,Ihavenoidea.”

“Is it possible,” Nancy asked, “that someone who was dear to yourgrandfathersleepsindeathbeneaththepavilion?”

Afterafewmomentsofthoughtfulsilence,Mr.Sakamakisaidthathewassuresuchwasnotthecase.Thenhechangedthesubjectofconversation.

“Icamehere to tellyourfather thatIhavejusthadanairmail letterfromthe caretaker, Kiyabu. It said that the night before, at dusk, a mysteriousnative dancing girl had appeared in the pavilion. Kiyabu claimed that shelookedlikeaghostdancingthehula.Heandhiswifesneakeduponthefigurewiththethoughtofquestioningher.Butjustbeforetheyreachedthepavilion,sheseemedtovanishintonothingness,andthatfrightenedthem.”

“Aghost!”Nancycriedoutexcitedly.

“Onecouldcometothatconclusion,”Mr.Sakamakireplied.“ButIhaveatheorythatsomepersonorpersonsmayhavecleverlyriggedupacontrivancetomakeitappearasifaghostweredancinginthepavilion.”

“Butwhyshouldanyonegotoallthattrouble?”Nancyasked.

TheHawaiiancouldgivenoexplanation.Hewonderedwhetherhemighthave some enemieswho had in someway heard ofKaluakua’s secret, andwere trying to learn what it was. They probably figured it to be a greattreasure.

“Nancy,” the man said earnestly, “you may be running into plenty ofpilikia.”

“Pilikia?”Nancyquestioned.

“Thatmeans trouble,”Mr. Sakamaki told her. “I am not taking backmyinvitation,butIdidnotrealizetheremightbesomuchpilikia.Ibelieveyoushouldthinkoverthewholemattercarefullybeforeyoudecidetogo.”

“Insteadofdiscouragingme,yourlatestnewsmakesmewanttotacklethemysteryofKaluakuaallthemore!”

TheHawaiiansmiled.“Iwashopingyouwould say that,”he toldher.Amoment later he arose to leave. “My very bestwishes to you and all yourparty,”hesaid.

After Mr. Sakamaki had left, Nancy once more telephoned to Bess andGeorge.Thistimeshefoundbothofthemathomeandaskedthetwogirlsto

come to theDrewhouse immediately. “Bigadventurecomingup,” she toldthecousins,whopromisedtohurryover.

TheyarrivedattheDrewhomethesametimeNancydid.Bess,blondandslightlyplump,dimpledasshesmiled.“Isthisadventurejustforfun,orisitgoingtobefullofhair-raisingepisodesliketheothermysterieswe’veworkedontogether?”

“Whateveritis,I’mreadyforsomethingdifferent,”Georgeremarked.Shewastallandslenderandworeherdarkhairinashortcasualcut.George,incontrasttohertimidcousinBess,wasmatter-of-factandpractical.

Assoonasthegirlsenteredthehouse,NancyaskedHannahtocomeintothe living room. After the four sat down, the young sleuth told about theproposedHawaiiantrip.

“Dreamy!”exclaimedBess.“Butitdoessounddangerous.”

“Hypers, Icanhardlywait togo!”George remarked.“Ihopeourparentswillletus.”

HannahGruenworeabroad, contented smile. “Nancy,” she said, “this isonetimeIcankeepaneyeonyouwhileyou’reworkingonamystery.”

The three girls laughed. But Hannah’s face suddenly clouded. “I don’tknow, though,whether it’s safe to go out to that Pacific island. They havevolcanoesouttherethatareapttostartupanyminute.Thentheirfoodissodifferent!”

“Hannahdear,” saidNancy, “it’shigh timeyou learnedaboutourneweststateofHawaii.Itisoneofthemostup-to-dateplacesintheworldandoneofthemostbeautiful.”

“I can tell you a few facts aboutHawaii,”George spoke up. “There aresevenmainislandsonwhichpeople live.Honoluluis thecapitalandit’sonOahu.ThepopulationismadeupmainlyofpureHawaiians,partHawaiians,Caucasians, and Orientals. The most handsome people in the world livethere.”

Bessmadeawryfaceathercousin.“Well,youcertainlyhavebeenreadinguponit,”shegibed.“AndnowI’mgoingtocallhomeandgetpermissiontogo.”

Herparentsgladlyconsented, thenGeorgephonedhermotherand father.Shetoowastoldshemightmakethetrip.

AsGeorgeannouncedthistotheothers,Besssuddenlygavealittlesqueal.

“Girls,theboysaregoingouttoHawaii.Remember?”

“That’sright,”saidGeorge.

NancysaidshewouldputinacallatoncetoEmersonCollegeandtalktoNed,sincehisplanewasleavingthatnight.

When Ned heard that the girls were going to Hawaii, he gave a loudwhoop.“Nancy, this is themostwonderfulnewsoftheday!Wefellowsareleavinghereina littlewhile.We’regoingfirst toCaliforniaandthenflyonfrom there.As soonasyougirlsarrive,we’ll comeout toKaluakua. In themeantime,you’llfindourgangattheHalekulaniHotel.”

“That’sonWaikikiBeach,isn’tit?”Nancyasked.

“Yes,itis.Andgetthereasfastasyoucan!”

After a few more minutes of conversation, in which Ned promised hewouldpassalongthegoodwordtoBurtandDave,heandNancysaidgood-by.ThensheturnedtoHannahGruenandthegirls.

“Dadwillgetourreservations,”shesaid.“Hemaypickupsomethinginahurry,soyou’dbetterstartpacking.”

Bess andGeorge left at once to get started on their packing.Nancy andHannahbeganlookingovertheirownclothesforthetrip.

Duringbreakfast thenextmorningthe telephonerang.Nancyanswereditandlearnedtohersurprisethatthecallerwasthewindowwasher,AbeAntok.

“Ihaveanimportantmessageforyou,miss,”hesaid.“Idon’twanttogiveittoyouonthephone‘causesomebodyelsemaybelistenin’.I’llbewashin’windowsat37MapleStreet.Canyoucomeoverthereandtalktome?”

Nancypromisedtomeethiminashortwhile.EagertolearnwhatAbehadtotellher,shefinishedherbreakfastquicklyandstartedout.OnthewayshemetGeorge,whowasgoingdowntowntobuyanewbathingsuit.

“Please come with me first,” Nancy asked, and told her about Abe’smessage.

“Allright,”Georgeagreed.

Thetwogirlsreached37MapleStreetintenminutes.Astheyapproachedthesideofthehouse,closelyplantedwithhighbushes,theysawaladderthatextended to the second floor. Abe was at the top of it, busily washing awindow.

AsNancywas about to call to him, the ladder began to sway. The next

momentitwasyankedawayfromthehouse!

AbeAntok,meanwhile,hadgrabbedforthewindowsillandnowclungtoitdesperately,hislegshanginginmid-air.“Help!”hescreeched.

At thatmomentNancyspottedaman lurkingamong thebushes.Hewasholdingonto the ladder.Suddenlyhe let it dropanddashedoff through thebackyard!

CHAPTERIV

ARewardingChase

FOR a brief second the eyes of the two girlswere rooted to the sill of thesecond-floorwindow,fromwhichAbeAntokhung,while themanwhohadcausedthetroublewasrunningawayattopspeed.

“Nancy,goafterthatman!”Georgeordered.“I’llhelpAbe.”

Withoutamoment’shesitation,Nancystartedthroughthebackyardof37Maple Street. The window washer continued to call for help. The houseownerheardhimandopened thewindow.ShegrabbedAbe’shands, justasGeorge set up the ladder. Abe rested his feet on one of the rungs. Pantingfromexertion,hethankedGeorgeandthehouseowner,whowantedtoknowwhathadhappened.

QuicklyGeorgeexplained,adding,“IhopemyfriendNancyDrewcatchesupwiththatawfulman.Why,Abe,youmighthavebeenkilledl”

Nancy,meanwhile,waspursuingthefugitivethroughgardens,streets,anddriveways.Shemanagedtokeephiminsight,hopingallthetimeshewouldfindapolicemantohelpinthechase.Asshereachedacrossstreet,apatrolcarcamealong.Rushinguptoit,shewavedherarms.Whenthecarstopped,shegasped:

“Officer, follow me quickly, please! I’m after a man who tried to killsomebody!”

The policeman seated beside the driver lost no time in alighting andfollowingNancy.Astheyran,sheexplainedwhathadhappened.

Once they almost lost their quarry as he dashed around the corner of abuilding,butinafewmomentstheysawhimagain.Heevidentlywasstayingoff the streets asmuch as possible to avoid being captured.Nancy and theofficerranevenfasterandpresentlyclosedinonthefugitivewhowastryingtoclimbatallfence.

Thepolicemanpulledhimdown.

“Whatd‘youwantmefor?”themanasked.Hewasyoung,surly-looking,

andhada shockofblackhairwhichhungdownoverhis forehead. “I ain’tdonenothin’.”

Astheofficerheldontohisprisoner,hesaidtoNancy,“Thisfellowisoneofourtownmischief-makers.He’stheleaderofagangknownastheGreenTigers.Comealong,Jake.We’llgobacktothatplacewhereyouyankedtheladderawayfromthewindowwasher.”

Thehoodlumstaredunbelievingly.Apparentlyhehadbeensosurenoonehadseenhimthathewasstartledintoaconfession.

“Ididn’tmeannoharm.Iwasjusthavin’somefun.”

“That’snotfun,”theofficersaid.“Comealong!”

WithNancyleadingtheway,heproddedJakealonguntiltheyreached37MapleStreet.BythistimeAbewasontheground,talkingwithGeorgeandthehouseowner.Astheprisonerwasmarcheduptothegroup,Abelookedathimmalevolently.

“Soyou’retheguywhodidit!What’sthebigidea?”

“Itwasn’tmy idea,” thehoodlumsniveled. “Amancame tomeand toldmeIwastowatchyouandtrytomakethingshardforyou.”

“Youdidn’thavetotrytokillme!”Abecriedout.“Whowasthisman?”

“Idon’tknowhisname.Hesaidhewasgoin’toblowtownbutsomebodyelsewasgoin’towatchme.IfIdidn’tcarryouthisorders,he’dseethatIgotintroublewiththepolice.”

“Whatdidthismanlooklike?”Nancyasked.

“Oh,hewasmediumheight—dark, thin,andnotmuchhairon the topofhishead.”

InstantlyNancyrealizedthatthedescriptionfittedJimO’Keefe.

“Wheredidyoumeethim?”sheaskedJake.

He said themanhadcomeover tohis table in a restaurant and talked tohim.

“Didyounoticeanythingunusualabout thewayheusedhishands?” theyoungsleuthinquired.

Jake thought for a moment, then said, “Come to think of it, he did dosomethingfunnywithhisfingers.He’dkindofbeatonthetable,thenhe’dlifttwoofhisfingersandmakethemmeet.”

Nancy turned to the policeman. “I think the name of the man is JimO’Keefe,andthathe’sthethiefwhobrokeintoourhouse.”

At this announcement Jake’s eyes opened wide. “You must be NancyDrew!You’retheonethatgotAbehereintrouble.ItwasbecauseAbetalkedtoomuchtoyou.Hewasbeingshadowed.Well,thisguywantedmetomakeithardforAbe.”

“Yes, I am Nancy Drew. What else can you tell us about this JimO’Keefe?”

Before answering, the hoodlum asked the policeman if things would goeasierforhimifhetoldwhatheknew.Theofficersaiditwasnotuptohimtodecidethat,butitcertainlywouldbetohisadvantagetotellthetruth.

“Well,thisguythatyoucallO’Keefe,”Jakesaid,“braggedaboutbein’thefrontmanforaslickgang.”

Theofficerhadtakenoutanotebookandpencilandwasmakingnotes.HewaitedforJaketogoon,but thehoodlumdeclaredhehad toldallheknewaboutO’Keefe.

Theofficernowaddressedthewindowwasher.HeaskedifAbeknewJake.Theworkmanvigorouslydeniedthisandsaidhaughtily,“Iwantyoutoknow,Officer,thatI’manhonestman.Idomyworkandtakecareofmyfamily.Ineverhaveanythingtodowithhoods.”

The window washer admitted, however, that the previous night he hadreceivedamysteriousphonecall.“Ithinkthevoicewasthesameoneasthemanwhorentedtheladder.HetoldmeIwasgoin’tobepunishedfortellin’NancyDrewwhat I did. I calledMissDrew thismorning and askedher tocome over, so that I could tell her this. Iwas afraid shemight be in somedanger.”

“Icertainlyappreciateyourkindness,”saidNancywithasmile.“But,Abe,pleasebecarefulyourself.”

ThepolicemantookJakeoffinthepatrolcar.NancyandGeorgewalkedtothenextcornerwheretheyparted.

“Watch your step!” George warned her chum as she started toward theshoppingarea.

Uponreachinghome,NancyfoundHannahGruenputtingalargesuitcaseon a scales. The housekeeper heaved a great sigh. “Can’t take this much.They’ll chargeextraon theplane.”Then sheasked, “Whatdid thewindow

washerwanttotellyou?”

WhenNancyfinishedthestory,thehousekeepergasped,“Oh,Nancy,youmaybe in terrible danger.Couldn’twe just go toHonoluluwithout gettingmixedupwithalotofunderhandedpeople?”

NancygaveHannahanaffectionate squeeze. “Let’snot startworrying soearly,”shesuggested.“ButIguesswhatI’dbetterstartworryingaboutismyownpacking.”

Theyoungdetectivewent intoher bedroom,openedher closet door, andbeganselectingthedressesshewouldtake.

“Thiswhitecottonwillbegood,andacoupleoflightweightsweatersuits,”Nancysaidtoherself.

Shealsochoseayellow,apaleblue,andared-andblack-floweredsunbackcostume.Thenhermindbegantowanderfromthesubjectathand.

“I believe I’ll inviteMr. andMrs. Sakamaki to dinner this evening,” shetoldherself.“TheyprobablyknowmanyPolynesianlegends.Theymightbeabletorememberonethathastodowithwaterorsleepordeath.”

ShehurriedtothetelephoneandcalledtheHawaiians.Bothweredelightedtoaccept theinvitationandarrivedpromptlyatseveno’clock.WhenNancybroughtupthesubjectofthelegends,Mr.Sakamakisaid:

“It’s possible that the legend about Pele, the Sleeping Goddess of theVolcano,mayhelpyou.According to theIslanders,Pelenowsleepsagooddeal,andawakensonlyonceinawhiletoproduceavolcano.Butinancienttimesshewasveryactive.Sometenthousandyearsago,whiletryingtofindapermanenthomeonOahuIsland,shebuilt twomountainpeaks,KokoHeadandKokoCrater from a great crack she caused in theKoolau Range. Thelegendgoesontosaythatthegoddesswascompletelysatisfiedandwenttosleepontheisland.

“However,otherstoriesaretoldthatshesleepsinKilaueaCrateronHawaiiIsland,butawakenstoputonafierydisplayatnearbyMaunaLoa.”

Whendinnerwasoverandeveryonehadgatheredinthelivingroom,Mr.Sakamaki asked if theDrewswouldmind turningon their television to thenewscasttoheartheweatherforecastforthenextday.

Nancyturnedonthetelevisionsetandtunedittotheproperchannel.Thetelecasthadbarely startedwhen the announcer electrified theDrewswith anewsbulletinwhichhesaidhadjustbeenreceivedbythestation.

“Wordhascome,”hebegan, “ofaplane in troubleover thePacific. It isonewhichwascharteredbyagroupofstudentsfromEmersonCollege.”

“Oh,Dad!”Nancycriedoutfearfully.“That’stheplanethatNedandDaveandBurtareonl”

CHAPTERV

DoubleWorries

THE NEWS that the plane carrying the Emerson College boys over thePacificwasintroublestunnedNancy.Mr.Drew,thoughfearful,triedtocheerhisdaughterby saying thatpilotsoften accomplishedmiraculous featswiththeircraft.Butastimewentoneventhelawyerhadtoadmitthatthereportsweremostdiscouraging.

“Wemustn’tgiveuphope,though,”hesaid.

Mr. andMrs. Sakamaki left in a littlewhile. They expressed the ferventhopethatthecharteredplanewouldmakeasafelanding.

Nancy and her father, seated near Hannah Gruen, decided to turn on aradio,sotheycouldgetalmostcontinuousreports.

“DoyouthinkIshouldcallBessandGeorge?”Nancyaskedherfather.

“Perhapsyoushouldn’tworrythem,”Mr.Drewreplied.

Thewordswerehardlyoutofhismouthwhenthethreeheardfootstepsonthefrontporch,thentheringingofthedoorbell.Nancyhurriedtoanswer.

“Bess!George!”shecriedout.

“Oh,Nancy,you’veheardthenews?”Bessasked,hervoicetrembling.

Nancy nodded as the three girls walked into the living room. Bess andGeorge spoke toMr. Drew andHannahGruen, then sat down to look andlisten to the television and radio.Hour after hourwent bywith everyone’shopesdimming.AtdawnMr.Drewsuggestedthatthegirlsgotobed.

“Icouldn’tsleep,”saidNancy.

“NorI,”GeorgeandBessagreedsimultaneously.

At thatmoment a radioannouncer said, “We interrupt thisprogram for aspecial bulletin. Word has just been received that the plane carrying thestudents from Emerson College has landed at the Los Angeles airport.Everyoneissafe.”

“Hypers!”Georgecriedout.

“Oh,isn’tthatwonderful!”Nancyexclaimed.

Bess said nothing. Tears of joy stood in her eyes. But she joined in thejubilationwhichfollowed.Everyonehuggedeveryoneelse,andthenHannahhurried to thekitchenandprepareda snackconsistingofhot chocolate andtoast.

“And now for some sleep,” said Nancy, yawning, as she put down heremptycup.“Girls,you’dbetterstayhere.”

“Youwon’thavetoaskmetwice,”Georgerepliedwearily.Shetelephonedhome,andthenBesscalledherfamily.

Whilethegirlswerepreparingforbed,Besskeptstaringintospaceandhadlittletosay.FinallyNancyaskedherwhatthetroublewas.

“Maybe I’m a sissy,” her friend replied, “but afterwhat happened to theboysI’mnotsureIwanttoflytoHonolulu.”

Nancy,catchingalookofdisdaininGeorge’seyesquicklywinkedather,then said, “Afteryou’vehadagood sleep,Bess, I’m sureyou’ll feelbetteraboutthewholething.”

Nancy’s prediction proved to be true. When Bess awakened in the latemorning,shelaughedatherownfears.“Iwouldn’tmissthistripforanythingintheworld,”shedeclared.

Immediately after brunch the cousins left. Nancy decided to drivedowntownandshopforanothersmallsuitcase.Asshewasabouttoleavethehouse,thetelephonerang.PoliceCaptainMcGinniswascallingher.

“Wouldyoumindcomingdowntomyoffice?”heasked.“Ithinkyou’llbeinterestedinsomethingwe’vefoundout.”

“I’llbethereinafewminutes,”theyoungsleuthanswered.

When she reached police headquarters, Captain McGinnis told her thatdetectives had uncovered evidence which might link the thief who hadenteredherhometoaratherunusualnationwidegang.

“Wedon’tactuallyknowanyof themembers,” theofficerwenton.“Butwe’vebeentoldtheycallthemselvestheDoubleScorps.”

“Double Scorps?” Nancy said. “Is there any special significance to thatname?”

“ItstandsforScorpions,”CaptainMcGinnisreplied.“Fromwhatwehave

foundout,theyalwaysworkinpairsandthey’reabadlot.”

Heopeneda large ledger-typebookonhisdesk. “Thereare anumberofunexplained local robberies on our blotter,” he said. “One is of particularinterest.Aman’sancientChineseringofgreatvaluewastakenfromthehomeofMr.HomerMilbank.”

TheofficerlookedupandsmiledatNancy.“Ithoughtperhapsyou’dliketohelpus,”hesaid.

Nancyliftedhereyebrows.“Me?CaptainMcGinnis,youknowI’mgoingtoHonolulu.”

“That’sjustthepoint,”theofficertoldher.“Mr.MilbankboughttheringinHonolulu.There is just a possibility itmay find itsway back there. In anycase,themodusoperandipointstomembersoftheDoubleScorpsgang.”

“Isee,”saidNancy.“Whatdidtheringlooklike?”

FromhisledgerCaptainMcGinnistookaphotostatofacrudedrawingofthe ring. He saidMr.Milbank had had it made for the police. The officerhanded the paper to Nancy who studied it closely for several seconds.Suddenlysheleanedforwardexcitedly.

“Captain McGinnis,” she began, “I’m familiar with two of these foursymbols.They’renotChinesebutPolynesian.Lookatthisone.”Shepointed.“Itstandsforwater,andthisotheroneindicatessleepordeath.”

Itwastheofficer’sturntoshowamazement.“IknewIwasaskingtherightpersontohelpme,”hesaid,grinning.“AndI’dliketobetthatyoucantellmewithinafewhourswhatthoseothertwosymbolsstandfor.”

Smiling,Nancyarose.“Youmayberight,”shereplied.“I’lleventrytocutthetimeinhalf.”

LeavingCaptainMcGinnismystified,NancydroveatoncetothehomeofProfessorWhartonandshowedhimthedrawing.

Afterlookingatthephotostatamoment,hesaidthatNancywascorrectinher supposition about all the symbols on the ring being Polynesian. “ItprobablywascarvedrightintheHawaiianIslands.Theseothertwosymbolsstandforwomanandtapa.YouprobablyknowthattapaisaclothmadefromthebarkofavarietyofmulberrytreewhichgrowsontheIslands.”

Nancy returned to police headquarters and reported toCaptainMcGinniswhatshehadlearned.

“Finework,Nancy,”hesaid.

For severalminutes the two discussed the odd fact that the ringwas theonlyarticlestolenfromtheMilbankhome.

Inateasingtonehesaid,“OfcourseIexpectyoutofindtheanswertothatquestion.”

Nancystoodup,saluted,andwithachuckleanswered,“Aye,aye,Captain,Ishalltrymybest!”

Asshedrovetowardhome,asuddenthoughtcametoNancy.HerdogTogomustbecaredforwhilesheandherfatherandHannahwereaway!

“I’lltakehimtothatlovelyboardinghomefordogsoutinthecountry,”shesaidtoherself.

At homeNancy found amessage fromher father, sayinghehad securedreservations for twodays later.Since thenextdaywouldbeabusyone forher,shedecidedtotakeTogototheboardinghomeatonce.

Nancy called Togo. When he did not come, she asked the housekeeperwheretheterrierwas.

“Why,Idon’tknow,”Hannahreplied.

She and Nancy went outside. They whistled and called repeatedly. StillTogodidnotcome.

“Butheneverstraysawayfromourproperty!”Nancydeclared.

“No,never,”Hannahagreed.

Nancy and the housekeeper stared at each other, worry in their eyes.SomethingmusthavehappenedtolittleTogo!

CHAPTERVI

ADisastrousDance

“HANNAH,whendidyoulastseeTogo?”Nancyaskedthehousekeeper.

“Oh,aboutanhourago.HebarkedtogooutsideandIlethim.”

Nancy hurried into the house to call the River Heights’ dog pound. Thewardentherefrequentlycruisedaroundthestreetsinasmallcagedtruckandpickedupstraydogs.

“Something might have lured Togo into the street and perhaps the dogwardentookhimaway,”Nancysaidtoherself.

But after she gave a full description of the little terrier, the wardeninformedherthatthepetwasnotat thepound.Nancybegantoworrymorethanever.WithaheavyheartshecameoutsideagainandtoldHannahwhatshehadlearned.

“I’mgoingtoaskourneighborsifanyofthemsawTogo,”shesaid.

“Oh,Idohopeyoufindhim.Togoissuchadearandlotsofcompany.”

Nancywentfromhousetohouse.Butonepersonafteranothergaveheranegative reply. Finally, however, she got a clue from a little boywhowasridingatricycle.

“SureIsawyourdog,”theladsaid.“Hewentawayinacar.”

“Acar?”Nancyasked.“Whosecar?”

“Idon’tknow,” theboyanswered.“Itstopped in frontofyourhouse justbeforeIrodepast.AmangotoutandcalledtoTogo.Hewasonyourfrontlawn.Themanhadaboneandyourdogcametogetit.Thenthemanpickedhimupandtookhimawayinthecar.”

Nancywasstunned.Adognaper!Sheaskedthechildwhatthemanlookedlike,buthehadnotnoticedhisface.

“Don’tyouknowwhohewas?”theboyasked.

“No,Idon’t,”Nancyanswered.“Butwhoeverheis,he’sameanperson.”

“DidhestealTogo?”thelittleboyaskedexcitedly.

“I’mafraidso,”Nancyrepliedsadly.“Well,thankyoufortheinformation,Tommy.”

Whenshereachedhome,shesaidtoHannah,“IhaveaterriblefeelingthatoneoftheDoubleScorpstookTogo.Perhapshehopedbydoingthistokeepusfromgoingonthetrip—or,atleast,delayus.”

During the afternoon Nancy made further inquiries and reported theincidenttoCaptainMcGinnis.Buteveningcameandtherestillwasnocluetothewhereaboutsofherstolenpet.

For thesecondnightNancyDrewsleptbut little.SheandTogowerefastfriendsandthethoughtofperhapslosinghimforevermadeherveryunhappy.Thensuddenlyshesatupinbed.Hadsheheardawhineandashortbark,orhadsheimaginedthemboth?

“No,I’mnotdreaming!”Nancysaidtoherself,asshedetectedthesoundsagain.

Grabbinguparobeandslippersshequicklyputthemonandleapeddownthefrontstairwaytwostepsatatime.Thensheracedtothekitchendoorandopenedit.Togodashedinandsheswepthimupinherarms.

“Oh,youblessedlittlething!You’reback!”Nancycried,huggingherpet.“How I wish you could talk and tell me who took you! But never mind.You’rehomenow,andnodognaperwillevergetyouagain!”

Shenoticedthatboththeterrier’slicenseandcollarweremissing.Shegaveherpetanextrasqueeze.“Youbrokelooseandgotawayfromthatdreadfulman,didn’tyou?”sheasked.

Togoyippedandlickedherface.Shesethimdownandheranovertohistwo special dishes in a corner of the kitchen. Thirstily, Togo lapped waterfromone,asNancyfilledtheotherwithdogfood.Whenhefinishedeating,Nancypickedhimupandtookhimtoherroom.

“I’m going to watch over you personally!” she told Togo. He snuggleddowninaboudoirchairNancygotintobedandinstantlyfellasleep.

Shewas up early the followingmorning, andwhen she camedownstairswithTogo,bothher father andHannahGruen lookedather and thedog inamazement. Nancy related what had happened. Neither Mr. Drew nor thehousekeeperhadheardTogothenightbefore!

As soon asNancy finished eatingbreakfast andhadhelpedHannahwith

thedishes,shedroveoffwithherpettotheboardinghomefordogs.Onthedriveback,asshepassedthehomeofMr.andMrs.Sakamaki,shedecidedtostopandtellthemthatshewasleavingthenextdayforHawaii.

Asshewalkedtowardthefrontdoor,sheheardstrainsofaguitarcomingfromthesunroomatthesideofthehouse.Glancingthroughthewindow,shesawMr.Sakamakistrummingalargeguitar.Hewaswearingagayfloweredshirt, and an orchid lei hung about his neck. His wife, dressed in anembroidered, long, loose-fitting gown, which Nancy recognized as theHawaiianmuumuu,wasgoingthroughthegracefulmotionsofahuladance.

Nancyhesitated.Shouldshecalljustnoworcomebacklater?Asshewasdebating whether or not to ring the bell, the door suddenly opened. Mrs.SakamakistoodthereandatonceinvitedNancyinside,sayingshehadseenherfromthewindow.

“ButIdon’twanttointrudeifyouarebusy,”Nancysaidquickly.

“We are only having our morning exercise,” Mrs. Sakamaki replied.“Perhaps,”sheadded,asherhusbandcameforward,“youwouldliketojoinus—evenlearntodancethehula.”

Mr.Sakamakiheartilyapprovedhiswife’ssuggestion.HesaidhethoughtNancywouldenjoyknowingtheHawaiiandance.

“I’d love to learn the hula,” Nancy answered. “I hope I shan’t appearawkward.”

“You are very graceful, Nancy. You will learn easily,” Mrs. Sakamakiassuredher.

“Butbeforewestartthelesson,”saidherhusband,“perhapsourguesthassomenewsforme?”

Nancy replied that she and her friendswere leaving forHawaii the nextday.ThenshetoldhimaboutthedognapingepisodeandhersuspicionthatthepersonwhohadtakenTogowastryingtopreventherfromgoingonthetrip.

“It does seem toprove thathewants tokeepyouaway fromKaluakua,”Mr.Sakamakiagreed.“Youmustbeverycarefulwhileyouarethere.”

Mrs. Sakamaki now led the way into the sunroom, where her husbandpicked up the guitar. As Nancy waited for the hula lesson to begin, sheglancedaround.

ThesmallroomwasdecoratedalmostcompletelywithChinesearticles.Inthecenteroftheroomstoodalowteatableonwhichwereanexquisitesetof

china cups, saucers, and a teapot. Nearby on a teakwood standwas a finehandmademodel of a large outrigger canoewith a tapa canopy.WhenMr.SakamakinoticedNancy looking at it, he said, “That piece is veryold.Anantique.”

“It is very lovely,” Nancy remarked, thinking that she must be carefulduringthedancinglessonnottobumpintoanyoftheartpiecesintheroom.

“Shallwestart?”Mrs.Sakamakiasked.

HerhusbandbegantoplayalovelyHawaiianmelody.NancywatchedMrs.Sakamaki’s feetcarefullyandsoonwas imitating theside-to-sidestep.Nextcametheswayingof thebody,andfinally,Mrs.Sakamakidemonstrated thegracefulraisingandloweringofthearmsandhead.

“With our hands and fingers we express certain ideas,” Mrs. Sakamakiexplainedtoherpupil.“Forinstance,moveyourhandsforwardtogetherasifextendingagift.Butdoitwithaslightrollingmotion.”

The lessonwent on for some time.BothMr. andMrs. Sakamaki praisedNancy’s progress highly. They said that with a little practice and a propercostume,shecouldeasilyjoinaHawaiiangroup.

Nancy felt pleased. In her enthusiasm to indicate various ideas with herarmsandhands,sheforgotaboutthesmallnessoftheroomanditsmanyartobjects.Suddenlyonearmswepttheantiqueoutriggercanoefromitsstand!

Nancymade awild dive to keep it from falling on the china teapot andcups.Althoughshemanagedtodeflectthecanoe,sothatitmissedthedishes,shewasunabletopreventitfromcrashingtothefloor.

“Oh,dear!”sheexclaimed,andbenttopickupthemodel.

Toherhorror,itwasratherbadlydamaged.Theoutriggerhadbrokenoff,aswellastheuprightswhichheldthetapa.“I’mdreadfullysorry!”

Mr.Sakamakimadelightofthematter.BothheandhiswifesaidtheyweregladNancyherselfwasallright.Thecanoecouldbemended.

ThecouplepersuadedNancytopracticethehulaforanotherhalfhour.Bythistimeshehadbeguntofeelateaseintheswaying,relaxingrhythmoftheHawaiiandance.Before sayinggood-by, shementioned thedamaged canoeoncemore,offeringtopayfortherepairwork.

“I shall probably repair it myself,” Mr. Sakamaki said. “Please do notworryanymoreaboutit.”

Nancyheavedasigh.Smiling,shesaid,“Butbecauseofit,Ishallworkall

thehardertosolvethemysteryatKaluakua.”

Thevaluableantiquetoppledfromthestand

ShewasabouttoleavethehousewhenMr.Sakamakiansweredtheringingtelephone. Upon learning who the caller was, he asked Nancy to wait. Hewrotedownamessage,thenhungupandturnedtoNancy.

“Thatwasananswertomytelegramtofriends,Mr.andMrs.Armstrong,inHonolulu.TheywillmeetyouattheairportanddriveyoutoKaluakua.”

“Thatwasmostkindofyou,”saidNancy.

The Hawaiian gave a broad smile. “Mrs. Sakamaki and I thought youshouldknowpeopleinHonoluluonwhomyoucouldcallincaseoftrouble.TheArmstrongsareourclosestfriends.”

“Youthinkofeverything,”Nancysaidgratefully.“ItwillbesonicehavingtheArmstrongsmeetus.”

Aftersayinggood-byagain,shedrovedirectlyhome.AsshepulledintothedrivewayNancywassurprisedtoseetheDrews’housekeeperstandingtherewaitingforher.ShelookedverypaleandNancysuspectedthatsomethinghadhappened.

“Oh,Hannah,youhavebadnews?”sheasked.

“I’mafraidso,”thehousekeeperreplied.

CHAPTERVII

AStudioAccident

WORRIED,Nancystoodtensely,waitingforthehousekeepertocontinue.

“It’saboutyourfather,”HannahGruenbegan.

“Oh,hashebeenhurt?”Nancycriedoutfearfully.

Sympathetically thewomanputanarmaround thegirl’s shoulders. “Yes,dear.ButMr.Drew is very fortunate,”Hannahwent on, “not to have beeninjured more severely. He was attacked in his office by an unknownassailant.”

“Howdreadful!”Nancycriedout.“Tellmewhathappened,”sheurgedasHannahpausedamoment.

“Yourfatherwasseatedathisdesk.Heheardthedooropenandthoughtitwashissecretary,whowaslate.Instead,amaskedmanwithahatpulledlowover his forehead rushed in and attacked your father. He fought back, butsuddenlyhisassailantgavehimahardblowwhichknockedhimout.Hewasunconsciouswhenhissecretaryfoundhim.”

“Howhorrible!”Nancyexclaimed.“WhereisDadnow?”

Hannahsaidhewasinthehospital.Thedoctorwhohadbeencalledinhadinsistedhebetakenthereandremainquietforawhile.

“ImustgotoDadatonce!”Nancysaid.“Whichhospital,Hannah?”

“RiverHeightsGeneral.”

Nancyhurriedtothehospital.Uponinquiry,shelearnedthatherfatherwasinRoom782.Herheartpounding,Nancywentupintheelevatorandwalkedswiftlydownthehall.

ThedoortoRoom782wasopen.Mr.Drewwasinbed,proppedupwithpillows.

“Oh,Dad!”Nancymurmured,kissinghimlightly.

“Nowdon’tworry,honey.”Herfathersmiledwanly.“I’mreallyall right.

Thatdoctorjustwantstomakeacheckup.”

“Well,I’mgladyou’reallright,”saidNancy.Buthereyestraveledtotheseveralbruisesonherfather’scheeksandforehead,andshethoughthiseyesseemedtoglistenmorethanusual.Heprobablywasfeverish,shedecided.

“I’mgladyoucame,honey,”thelawyersaid.“OfcoursethislittlescrapIgotintomeansI’llhavetopostponemytriptoHonolulu.”

“Nevermind,”Nancyconsoledhim.“Iwon’tleaveyet,either.ThemysteryofKaluakuacanwait.”

“I’mafraiditcan’t,”Mr.Drewreplied.“MyattackersaidsomethingwhichIbelievemakesitimperativeforyouandtheotherstogoaheadwithoutmeandstartsolvingthemystery.”

The lawyerexplained that justbeforehehad lost consciousness from theknockoutblow,hisassailanthadremarkedacidly,“Maybethiswillkeepyouonthemainland!”

Nancy’sjawset.“ItseemstoprovethatyourassailantisoneoftheDoubleScorps.”

Herfathernodded.“I’msorrythatIdidn’tgetalookathisface.Infact,itwaswhenItriedto,thathegavemethefinalblow.AllIcantellyouis,heworeagraytweedsuit.

“Nancy,Iwishyouwouldgotomyofficeandseeifyoucanpickupanyclues.Thepolicewerenotifiedandtheyareprobablythere.”Mr.Drewsmiledfondlyathisdaughter.“Maybeyoucangivethemalittlehelp.”

Nancyagreedtogoatonceandreturntothehospitallater.Shehurriedtothelawyer’sofficeandfoundhissecretary,MissRobertson,onthevergeofhysterics.

“Oh,Nancy,howishe?”theyoungwomancriedout.

“Dad’s really feeling pretty well,” Nancy replied. “Please tell me yourstory.”

MissRobertsonsaidthatshehadbeenlategettinginthatmorning.Whenshearrived,thedoortoMr.Drew’sprivateofficewasajar.“Isortedthemailandstartedtocarryitintoyourfather’sdesk,”shesaid.“Andthere—therehewas,lyingonthefloor!”

“Soyoudidn’tseehisattacker?”Nancyasked.

“No.He’dgonebeforeIgothere.”

Nancy walked into her father’s office. She was greeted by two policedetectiveswhomsheknew.OnewasbusytakingfingerprintsbutsaidhefeltsureMr.Drew’sassailanthadnottouchedanyofthefurniture.Theothermanwasexamining the carpetwith amagnifyingglass, trying todistinguish thestranger’sfootprintsfromthoseofotherpersons.

“I’mafraid this isn’tgoing tobeofmuchhelp,”he said finally, standingup.

Nancy,meanwhile,hadbeenwalkingaroundtheedgeoftheroom,hereyesalert for any clue that the stranger unwittinglymight have left. Finally sheasked,“Isitallrightformetowalkinthecenteroftheroomnow?”

Whenthedetectivenodded,shebeganasearchofchairs,table,bookcase,windowsills,anddesk.Betweentwopapersonherfather’sdesk,shefoundasmallpieceoftweedcloth.

“Imayhaveaclue!”shetoldthemenexcitedly.

NancycalledMissRobertsonintotheroomandaskedherifanypapershadbeenscatteredonthefloorwhenshefoundMr.Drewthere.

“Oh, yes,” the secretary replied. “Theywere all over the place. I pickedthemupandputthemonyourfather’sdesk.”

Nancy turned to the detectives. “I believe this piece of tweedmay havebeentornfromthecoatofthemanwhoattackedmyfather,”shesaid.

Oneofthemputthescrapofclothinanenvelopeanddroppedit intohispocket.“Iguessyourfatherpulleditfromthefellow’scoat.Itmaybeabighelptous.”

Nancylefttheofficeandreturnedtothehospital.Afterreportingthelatestfinding to her father, she asked him when he would be able to make theHawaiiantrip.

“Oh,I’llfollowyouinafewdays,”hesaidcheerily.

“Butyou’llbehomealone,”Nancyprotested.

Mr. Drew, realizing how worried his daughter was that he might beattackedagain,promisedherhewouldnotstayalone.“I’llmovedowntotheclubforafewnights,”hesaid.

Nancy made two more trips to the hospital that day, but there was nofurthernewsaboutMr.Drew’sattacker.

EarlythenextmorningMr.MarvindroveBess,George,andtheirsuitcases

inthefamilystationwagontotheDrewhome.NancyandHannahclimbedinandthetravelerssetofffortheairport.

Itwasaperfectday for flyingandwithinanhourNancyandher friendswerewingingtheirwayacrosstheUnitedStatestowardCalifornia.

“We’reactuallyabovetheclouds,”remarkedBess,whowasseatednexttothewindow.“Ican’tseeanylandbelowus.”

“Atthisaltitudeyouwouldn’tseemuch,anyway,”spokeupGeorge,seatedbesidehercousin.“We’reflyingprettyhigh.”

Nancy’sseatmatewasabeautifulyoungwomanwhohadsleptmostofthetime.Sheawokeasluncheonwasservedontraysfastenedintothearmrests.Afterlunchshechattedwiththegirls.LearningthattheywereontheirwaytoHonolulu,sheasked:

“AreyoustoppingoveratLosAngeles?”

“Yes,weare,”repliedNancy.“Forseveralhoursinfact.We’retakingthenightplaneacrossthePacific.”

“Ifyouhavenoplans,”saidtheyoungwoman,whohadintroducedherselfasSueRossiter,“Ihaveasuggestionofsomethinginterestingyoumightdo—watchamoviebeingfilmed.First,IshouldtellyouthatI’manactress.TheBramleystudio,whereIwork,isabouttostartfilmingapicture.It’safantasy.Iplaythelead,amermaidoffWaikikiBeach.”

“Whataninterestingpart!”remarkedNancy,smiling.

SueRossiterwentontosaythattheinteriorscenesforthepicturewouldbemadeinthestudio.“Buttheoutdoorscenes,”sheadded,“areactuallygoingtobeshotatWaikiki.”

ToNancy’sdisappointment,shelearnedthatthemoviecompanywouldnotmake the Hawaiian trip for some time. By then the visitors from RiverHeightsprobablywouldhavelefttheIslands.

Buttheactresssaid,“Whydon’tyoucometothestudio?I’llseethatyouhavepasses.”

“We’d love to,” said Nancy. She glanced intently at her seatmate for amoment,thenadded,“Isn’tyourstagenameFranJohnson?”

The young woman laughed and nodded. “I’ll be expecting you at thestudio.”

WhentheplanereachedLosAngeles,theactresswasmetbyayoungman

anddrivenoffatonce.AfterHannahGruenandthethreegirlshadcheckedtheirbaggageontheHonoluluplane,NancywiredNedtoinformhimwhichflighttheyweretaking.ThenthefourtookataxitotheBramleystudio.Theyhadnotgonefaron theboulevardwhenBess, lookingout therearwindow,insistedthattheywerebeingfollowed.

“Howcanyou tell in this heavy traffic?”George chidedher cousin fromthefrontseat.

Nancyhadalreadyglancedbacktoo.“Besscouldberight,”shesaid,andleaned forward to tell the driver their suspicions. “Would it be possible foryoutothrowthecarbehindusoffourtrail?”sheasked.

“Whysure,miss,”thedriverreplied.Withabroadgrin,headded,“We’vegottoprotectourvisitors.”

Thetaximanhadnotroubleeludingthecar.Hetookacircuitousroute,butfinallypulledupinfrontoftheBramleystudio.FranJohnsonwaswaitingforthem at the door. “Hurry!” she urged. “The author of the script is going toexplainalegendinittoagroupofcompanyexecutives.Ithinkyou’llfinditinteresting.”

She led theway intoa small auditorium,motioned thegirls to seats, andthenleftthem.Ayoungman,standingbeforeaseatedgroup,wassaying:

“Howmuchisfactandhowmuchislegendwedonotknow.Butit’ssaidthatthefirstinhabitantsoftheHawaiianIslandswerePolynesianswhocamefrom other Pacific islands, particularly Tahiti. They landed from enormousoutrigger canoes. Their favorite landing spot was Waikiki Beach. Theypreferred to come inon the surf in their shallowcanoes rather than land incalmerwaters.Thatiswhywehavechosenthisbeachforourstory.Ittakesplace about a thousandyears ago.Andnow, ladies andgentlemen, supposeweproceeddirectlywiththerehearsal.”

Nancyandherfriendsfollowedtheothers throughthebuilding toa largesoundstage.Warningsignsforabsolutesilencewerepostedinseveralplaces.Great ceiling lights, manipulated by men on high platforms, flooded thescene. Cameramen seated on small trucks carrying their equipment dolliedbackandforthforpropershots.

Nancy, Bess, George, andHannah took seats in a row behind the chairswhere the director, the author, and two executives had sat down. The firstscenetobeshotwaslaid justoutsideanancient thatch-roofedhut.AyoungPolynesianactorsteppedfromthedoorwayandlistenedintently.

“Thatstrangesoundonthewateragain,”hesaidsoftly.

At that moment the great light focused directly on him went out andsomeonecalled,“Cut!”

While waiting for the light to be repaired, the young actor walked overtoward the director. Fran Johnson approachedNancy andwas just about tospeak to her when their attention was diverted to a great boom carrying aworkman. Apparently he was an electrician. The boom swung toward thelightwhichhadgoneout.Aseveryone lookedupward, theheavy steel armsuddenlyhitanotherhugelight.

Therewas a resounding crash and a shower of glass came down towardthosebelow!

CHAPTERVIII

TheSurprisingClue

THEstudiovisitorsmadeamadscrambleforsafety.Chairswereoverturnedand electric cords tripped over as Nancy and the others scurried in everydirection.Theywerenotasecondtoosoon.Piecesofglassandmetalcrashedtothefloorandsprayedoutforseveralfeet.

“O-o-oh!”Besscried,catchingherbreath.“Let’sgobeforesomethingelsehappens.”

“Oh, don’t be a sissy,” George spoke up. “I want to see some morefilming.”

ButGeorge’s desirewasnot to be fulfilled.The actors and actresses hadhadsuchafrightthatallofthemdeclaredtheycouldnotworkanymorethatday.Thedirectoraccededtotheirwishes,andpostponedtherehearsaltothenextday.

FranJohnsoncametosaygood-bytothegirls.“I’mdreadfullysorryaboutwhat happened, but you’ll soon seeWaikikiBeach for real and you’ll findplentyofthatch-roofedhutsontheIslands.”

Nancysmiled.“Andwhenthepictureisreleased,we’llcertainlygotoseeit.”

TheythankedFranforinvitingthemtothestudio,then,withHannah,tooka taxi to theairport.Uponarriving there,Nancyglancedatherwatch. “Wehavelotsoftime.IthinkI’llcallDadandfindoutouthowheis.”

Whiletheotherswaited,shewenttoatelephoneboothandputinaperson-to-personcall toMr.Drewat theRiverHeightsGeneralHospital.Presentlyshewas told by the operator thatMr.Drewwas not there, so she gave thenumberofhisclub.Afewmomentslaterherfatheranswered.

“Goodtohearfromyou,Nancy,”hesaidcheerfully.“Iknowyou’regoingto ask me why I’m not in the hospital. Well, the truth is, the doctor hasdischargedme.I’mfeelingfine.Hewon’tletmestartthetripforacoupleofdays,though.Ipromisedtostayrighthereandrest.”

Nancylaughed.“Iknowyou,Dad.You’llrestbystayingonthetelephonetalkingtoclientsorwritingbriefs.”

“Well,youwouldn’twantme todieof lonesomenesswithoutyou,wouldyou?”Mr.Drewteased.Thenhebecameserious.“Nancy,Ihavesomegoodnewsforyou.Thatscrapoftweedclothyoufoundinmyofficeprovedtobeavaluableclue.Thepolicehavenabbedthehoodlumwhoattackedme.”

“Oh,howwonderfull”Nancyexclaimed.“Whowashe?”

“Theman belongs to the same gang of hoodlums as the ladder snatcher,whoisunderarrest.ThisfellowwasalsohiredbyO’Keefetocausetrouble.”

NancyaskedherfatheriftherewasanyreportonO‘Keefehimself.“Yes.Themanwhoknockedmeoutcorroboratedtheotherfellow’sstory.O’Keefehasskippedtown.ThissecondprisonersayshehaslefttheU.S.mainland.”

“FortheHawaiianIslands?”Nancyasked.

“No one knows.He did not divulge his destination,” the lawyer replied.“The hoodlum said that O‘Keefe was a collector of old jewelry and othersmallantiquepieces.Apparentlyhe‘collects’themwithoutpayingforthem.”Mr.Drew laughed softly. “O’Keefe told the hoodlum that he had a specialmarketforthepieces,buthedidn’tsaywhatitwas.”

Fatheranddaughterchattedafewminuteslonger.BothfeltsureO‘Keefehad stolen Mr. Milbank’s ring. Then, with an affectionate “See you soon,Dad,”Nancyhungup.SherejoinedherfriendswhowereamazedtohearthelatestnewsaboutO’Keefe.

Hannah Gruen frowned. “I have a dreadful feeling that man is going tomakemoretroubleforallofus,”shesaid.“Idon’tknowthatasachaperonIcancopewiththesituationproperly.”

Nancy patted the housekeeper on the shoulder. “Please don’t worry,Hannah,”shebegged.“Youknowallofushavebeenintightspotsbefore.Wecanhandlethisone!”shestatedconfidently.

Ashorttimelaterthetravelersboardedtheoverseasplane.Theirseatswereonoppositesidesoftheaislebutdirectlyacrossfromoneanother.SoonthefascinatingLosAngelesskylinewasrecedinginthedistance.Whendarknesscame,Hannahandthegirlsstretchedoutforanight’ssleep.

Theyawakenedtoagorgeoussunrisewhichfollowedthemforalongtime.Finally theHawaiian Islands came into view.Up above them floated rose-tinted clouds and here and there the travelers could see a mountain peak.

Below,palmtreeswavedinthegentlemorningbreeze.

Thegreatplane landedsmoothly.Nancyandher friendssteppedout,andbeganlookingaroundforMr.andMrs.Armstrong.Howcouldtheyeverfindthem,theywondered,inthemassofpeopleawaitingthevisitors?Thearmsofmenandwomenwereladenwithcolorfulflowerleis.

Asthegirlswent throughthegate,asmilingcouplewalkeduptoNancy.“AreyouNancyDrew?”thewomanaskedpleasantly.

“Yes,Iam.AndyoumustbeMrs.Armstrong.”

ThewomannoddedasMr.Armstrongintroducedhimself.AtthesametimethecouplebeganslippingleisovertheshouldersoftheRiverHeightsgroup.ForNancytherewasoneofwhitegardenias,afavoriteflowerofhers.

“Thankyousoverymuch,”shesaid.“Thisisawonderfulgreeting!”

Therewasnochanceforanyfurtherconversation,foratthatmomentthreeyoungmenrusheduptothegirls.

“Ned!”criedNancy,ashertall,dark-hairedhandsomefriendcametowardher.

“Burt!”Georgecalledtotheblond,huskyyouth.

“Dave!”exclaimedBessindelight, lookingupat therangily-built,green-eyedyoungman.

The Emerson boys’ arms also held leis which they dropped around thegirls’neckswithquickkisses.Nancy’s leiwasmadeofpale-pinkplumiera,George’sofbabyanthuriums,andBess’soforchidsandcarnations.

WarmgreetingswereexchangedandNancyintroducedtheArmstrongs.Asthe group walked into the airport building to claim the travelers’ luggage,Bessinsistedthattheywerebeingfollowed.

“Notagain!”Georgewailed.

Besswas adamant. “I just know those twomen I saw looking at us aremembers of the Double Scorps,” she whispered to Nancy. “They’ve gonenow.”

NedoverheardtheremarkandwantedtoknowwhatshemeantbyDoubleScorps.Nancyexplainedquickly,addingthatBessmightberight.

“Thenwe’re going to throw those snoopers off the trail!”Ned declared.“Supposewe all go to theHalekulaniwherewe fellows are staying.We’llhaveaswimandmaybeasail.ThoseScorpswillthinkyou’vechangedyour

plans.Lateronwe’lldriveouttoKaluakua.”

Mr.andMrs.Armstrongwereagreeable to thisplanandthewholegrouppiledintotheirbigsedan.AsthetravelersrodethroughthecityofHonolulu,theywere intriguedwith the hustle and bustle of themodern capital of theIslands. Streams of people poured into tall office buildings and departmentstores. Here and there, palm trees, waving in the soft breeze, shaded thesidewalksfromthetropicalsun.

Presently,Mr.Armstrongstopped thecarandpointed to thedark-coloredstatue of a man atop a high, square pedestal. “That is a likeness of KingKamehameha,firstkingofalltheHawaiianIslands.Beforethat,eachislandhaditsownking.”

Mr. Armstrong led the group to Iolani Palace nearby. Smiling, he said,“Youknow,thisistheonlypalaceintheUnitedStates.”

Astheywentinsidethecool,stately,highceilingedbuilding,heexplainedthat parts of the palace were now used by the legislative branch of thegovernment.

“Butthethroneroomlooksexactlyasitdidmanyyearsago,althoughthethroneandthechairsoneithersideofitarereplicas.TheoriginalsareintheBishopMuseum.”

Thevisitorsgazedatthebeautifulpaintingsanddraperies,conjuringupintheirmindsthegrandeurofabygonedaywhenKingKamehamehahadbeenseatedonthethroneinagorgeousfeatherrobeandheadgear.

“AndnowIthinkwehadbettergo,”saidMr.Armstrong,andledthewaybacktohiscar.

A littlewhile later theycame to theWaikikiBeachareaofHonoluluandturnedintothedrivewayofanattractivegardenwhichformedthegroundsoftheHalekulaniHotel.

Theyparked infrontof themainbuildingandNedran in to theoffice toaskforanotherroomfortheboystousethatday.Theyhadinsistedthatthegirlsusetheirprivateapartmentinoneofthecottageswithitslovelylanai.

SmallsuitcasesbelongingtoNancy,Bess,andGeorgewerecarriedtothefirst-floorapartmentontheshady,flower-shrubbedgrounds.

“We’ll meet you girls on the beach in fifteenminutes,” Ned said as theboysleftthem.

Thegirlschangedtobathingsuits,thenwenttothefrontofthehotelwhich

facedtheocean.Mr.andMrs.ArmstrongandHannahGruenwereseatedonthe tree-shaded terrace. Three feet below them stretched the white, sandybeach.

“Howabsolutelyheavenly!”Bessexclaimed.

Mrs. Armstrong warned the girls that the tropi cal sunshine was veryintense. She handed Nancy a bottle of suntan lotion and advised, “Bettercoveryourselveswiththis.”

NancyandherfriendshadjustfinishedsprayingthemselveswiththelotionwhenNed,Burt,andDaveappeared.Astheywalkeddownto thewater thevisitorswerefascinatedbythesurf-boardridersalittledistanceawayandbythetwin-hulledsailboatswiththeirgay-coloredsails.

“Iwantyougirlstogooutinoneofthosecatamarans,”saidNed.“Butlet’sswimfirst.”

The six young people thoroughly enjoyed diving through the waves,swimming out a distance, and riding back in on the combers. Presently acatamaranwitharedmainsailandayellowjibpulledintothebeach.

Ned spoke to the man at the tiller and the group climbed aboard. Theysailed about half amile out, then turned towardDiamondHead. From thisvantagepoint,themainlanderscouldgetafineviewofWaikikiBeach,withitssky-scraperhotels,beautifulgardens,andfinehomes.

When they turnedback toward thebeach,George suggested that they allswim ashore. Nancy andNed, the last to leave the catamaran, thanked theboat’sownerforafinesail, thenheadedfor thebeach.Reachingit, thepairsatdowntodryofandtalk.

“Tellmeindetailaboutyourtrip,”Nancyrequested.“Justwhatdidhappentotheplane?”

“Actually,I’mnotsure,”Nedanswered,“butIhadafeelingwewereneverin any great danger. The radio went dead, so of course we had nocommunicationwithanyairports.Firstoneofourenginesconkedout, thenanother.At thispoint thepilotdecidedthat thebest thingtodowouldbetoturnback.

“WhilewewerewaitingattheLosAngelesairportforthemotorstobeputinshapeagain, something ratherunusualhappened,Nancy.Amancameupandaskedifhemightjoinourgroup.”

Nedwentontosaythatthemanexplainedhehadmissedthecommercial

flight to Honolulu and it was imperative he get to the Islands as soon aspossible.“Hispapersandidentificationwereinorder,sotherewasnoreasonto refuse him. But, somehow, I didn’t like him. Nancy, he had a habit ofdrummingonwindowsills,chairarms,andtableswithhisfingertips.Itmadeusnervous.”

Hearing this, Nancy sat up very straight. Looking at Ned intently, sheasked,“Anddidthismanraisehisforefingersandtouchthemtogether?”

ItwasNed’s turn to looksurprised.“Yes,hedid,Nancy.ForPete’ssake,howdidyouknowthat?”

CHAPTERIX

TheGoldenPavilion

QUICKLYNancy gaveNed full details regarding the thiefwho had stolenMr.Drew’sbriefcase.NedinturnfurnishedadescriptionofthemanwhohadbeggedarideontheEmersonplane.

“I’msurehe’sJimO’Keefe,”Nancystated.

“Butheused thenameofTimO’Malley,”Ned toldher. “All his papers,tickets,andidentificationsweremadeoutinthatname.”

“I wonder if O’Malley is his real name or an alias,” Nancy mused.“Anyway, we know he’s in the islands of Hawaii. Let’s hope we can traphim.”

“Fromallyoutellme,”Nedsaid,“thisfellowsoundsdangerous.I’mgladI’llbearoundtohelpyounabhim.”

Nancy decided that as soon as she was dressed she would put in atelephonecalltoRiverHeights.ShetoldNedthatshewantedtotellherfatheraboutthislatestdevelopmentandaskhisadvice.

“Butlet’shaveashortsailandanotherswimfirst,”Nedsuggested.

Theywalked across the beach to the others,whowere eager for anothersail.

Georgesaidwithachuckle,“OncethemysterystartsbreakingatKaluakua,we’llbekepthopping,withnotimeforwatersports.”

“I’msureitwon’tbethatbad,”Nancysaid,smiling.“I’llgiveyousleuthsafewhoursadayforfun.”

“Oh,thankssomuch,”Davesaidwithanexaggeratedbow.

Thesixyoungpeopleswamouttoacatamaranandclimbedaboard.SoontheywerewhippingalongoncemoretowardDiamondHead.

“Iwishwe had some of this breeze inRiverHeights,”George spoke uppresently.“ItseemstomethateverytimeIgosailingontheMuskokaRiver

athomethewinddiesdownandleavesmestranded.”

“Oh,well, there’s one thingwe canbrag about,”Bess said loyally. “Youcan’tbeattheiceskatingonourriver.”

When the sailboat returned to the area in front of the Halekulani, Daveasked,“Anybodywanttodiveinandracetoshore?”

“Not in this balmy surf,” Bess answered. “I’ll race you in colder watersometime.”

Thewhole group swam leisurely to the beach and joinedHannahGruenandtheArmstrongs.Nancytoldofherdecisiontotelephoneherfather.

“Suppose we all meet in half an hour for luncheon,” Mr. Armstrongsuggested.

Nancyplacedthecallassoonasshereachedtheapartmentthegirlswereusing.Then,whilewaitingforthecalltocomethrough,shedressed.Twentyminuteslaterthetelephonerang.

“Dad!”Nancyexclaimedjoyfully“Oh, it’sgoodtohearyourvoice.Howareyou?”

Mr. Drew assured her that hewas almost completely recovered. “I’ll beable to startouton the trip soon,”he said.“But some thingshavecomeupwhichwillkeepmeinCalifornialongerthanIplanned,soIshan’tbeabletojoinyouasquicklyasIhadhoped.”

Nancy told him of the presence of JimO‘Keefe, alias TimO’Malley, inHonolulu. The lawyer said he would pass along the information to PoliceCaptainMcGinnisandtoMr.Sakamaki.

“Anddobecareful,”Mr.Drewbeggedhisdaughter.“Thepoliceherehavepicked up a fewmore reports on the Double Scorps. They’re a dangerousgang.”

“Ipromise,”saidNancy.“Butpleasedon’tworry.Mr.andMrs.Armstrongarereadytohelp,andofcoursethethreeboyswillbearoundallthetime.”

“I’mgladof that,” repliedMr.Drew.“Mr.Sakamakigavemeamessageforyou.Hesaidthatwhilehewouldlikethemysterysolved,mostimportantofall,hehopesyouandtheotherswillhaveagoodtimeatKaluakua.”

“I’msureweshall,”saidNancy.“Bestofluckonyourjourney,Dad.I’llbelookingforyou.”

She said good-by, then relayed the messages to Bess and George. Bess

looked a little frightened. “I don’t like thisDoubleScorpsbusiness.MaybeweoughttostayhereatthehotelandjustgoouttoKaluakuainthedaytimetoworkonthemystery.”

Nancyshookherhead.“Notme.Ifyouwanttoremainhere,Bess,allright,but I’m going right out there and be on the spotwhen things happen.Anddon’tforget,theremaybealotofsleuthingtodo—evenatnight.”

“And,”addedGeorge,winkingatNancyoverBess’shead,“ghostsneverwalkinthedaytimeandwewanttofindtheonewhodancesatnight.”

Bess looked startled for a moment, then realized that her cousin wasteasing.“Oh,I’llgoofcourse,”shesaid.

Thethreegirlsjoinedtherestofthepartyintheopen-airrestaurant.Fromtheirtabletheyhadalovelyviewofthewater,thebeautifulflowergardens,andtheenormoushautreewhichstoodtooneside.

Thevisitorsenjoyedafirstcourseofripe,slicedpineapple,then,foramaindish,haddeliciousmahimahi,anativefish.Duringthemeal,NedsuggestedthattheboysrentacarwhichtheycoulduseoutatKaluakua.

“Youmeanwemayhavetomakeaquickgetaway?”Georgeaskedwithatwinkle.

“Younevercantell,”Nedreplied.“Andalso,we’llneedittorunintotownonerrands.”

TheothersthoughtNed’sideaofrentingacaragoodone,sothethreeboyswent off with Mr. Armstrong to make arrangements. An hour later theyreturnedwithasalmon-coloredconvertible.

“Oh, it’syummy!”Besscalledout from thehotelporchwhere thegroupwaswaiting.“Ned,you’llwanttotakeithomewithyou.”

“I’mafraidIwill,”saidtheyoungman,whowasgrinningfromeartoear.“Climbin,girls.”

The six friends stepped into the convertible. Hannah rode with theArmstrongs.NedfollowedMr.Armstrongthroughtheattractive,tree-shadedstreets, and then along a shore drive. Half an hour later he turned into adrivewaylinedwithhibiscusbushesinfullbloom.

In thedistance theycouldseea two-storywhiteconcretemansionwithalarge columned front porch. In front of the housewere croton busheswithvaricoloredleavesandnearthedrivewaystoodtworoyalpoincianatreeswithflamingredflowers.

“This is justheavenly,”declaredBess,asNedstopped thecar in frontofthehouseandshesteppedout.

Fromacrossagreenlawncameamiddle-agedmanandawoman.Hewasshortanddark,sheblondandtall.Theycameuptothevisitorsandbowed.

“IamKiyabuandatyourservice,”themansaid.“WelcometoKaluakua.Ihope your stay herewill be very pleasant.”Hemotioned for thewoman tocomeforward.“Thisismywife,Emma.”

Emma, who said she was a New Englander, shook hands with thenewcomers and told them everything was ready for their stay. She wouldshowthevisitorstotheirroomswhileKiyabutookcareofthebaggage.

Hannah and the girls followed the woman inside the spacious house,exquisitelyfurnishedwithOrientalpiecesanddraperies.Emmaexplainedthatsheandherhusbandlivedinasmallcottageonthegroundsnotfarfromthemainhouse.

“Thereistelephoneservice,andpleasecalluswheneverwecanhelpyou,”sheadded.

In answer to a question fromBess, she told themainlanders thatKiyabuwas half Polynesian and half Japanese. “He is very proud of Kaluakua.Wheneveryouwouldlikeatourofthegrounds,hewillbegladtotakeyou.”Shesmiled.“I’msureyouareeagertoseetheGoldenPavilion.”

“Indeedweare,”saidNancy.

“In the meantime,” Emma went on, “I shall start preparing dinner.Hawaiiansusuallyeatratherlate,butmaybeyouwouldliketosetyourowndinnerhour.”

“I think that while we are here,” Hannah Gruen spoke up, “we shouldfollowthecustomsoftheHawaiians.”

Soonthebagswerebroughtupstairs,andafterunpacking,theyoungpeoplejoined Kiyabu for a stroll around the sprawling grounds of Kaluakua. Theestateincludedatenniscourtandafinestretchofbathingbeachonwhichlayan outrigger canoe. Screened from the house and set in a beautiful privategarden,notfarfromthewater,wastheGoldenPavilion.Thevisitorsgazedatitinawe.

“I have never seen amore beautiful pavilion,” saidNancy, entranced, astheycameclosetoit.

The black-and-gold tile platform, hacked in a few places down to its

concretesubfloor,wasaboutthreefeetfromtheground.Latticeworkofwoodover concrete painted white circled the building below the floor. It had adiameterofsometwentyfeet.Shortflightsofstepsleduptotheplatformontwosides.

Thegoldencolumnswhichsupportedtheroofwereroundandglistenedinthesunlight.Theroofitself,completelyofgold,waspatternedinthegracefulshapeofaplumieraflower.

“ItlookslikeanOrientaltemple,”Georgeremarked.

“And so artistic,” Bess spoke up admiringly. Recalling that Nancy hadsuggesteditmighthavebeenerectedoveragraveandwaslovelyenoughtobeamemorial,shesaid,“Somebodymustbeburiedbeneathit.”

Kiyabusmiled.“Butnotanyonehuman,”hesaid.“However,itmightbeagraveofoneofthehelpersoftheQueenofSharks.”

Startled by this remark, the others looked at Kiyabu for a furtherexplanation. “You have never heard the story of ancient PearlHarbor?” heasked.Whentheyrepliedno,hewenton:

“TheHawaiiannameforPearlHarbor isPuuloa,and theoldPolynesianshadalegendthatitwasthehomeoftheQueenoftheSharks.HernamewasKaahupahau. She was a very kindly shark and lived in a place built in acavernontheHonolulusideofPearlHarbor.

“She loved the human race and ordered her shark people never to attackthem.Partoftheirworkwastokeepman-eatingsharksawayfromthiswholearea.Thepeoplewholivedaroundwereveryfriendlytothesesharksanditisevensaidtheysometimesrodeontheirbacks.”

Bessgavealittleshudder.“It’salovelystory,butjustthesameIwouldn’twanttomeetasharkoutinthesewaters.”

Kiyabu was about to reply to this when he turned quickly and lookedtoward the beach. No one was on it, but a worried look came over theHawaiian’sface.

“Issomethingwrong?”Nancyaskedhimquickly.

Kiyabu shrugged, but as thegroup startedwalkingback to thehouse, hefell behind to talk to Nancy and Ned. “I heard strange whistling,” heexplained.

“Yes,Iheardittoo,”saidNancy.

“Idonotlikeit,”saidKiyabu.“Itmaymeantrouble.TheotherdayEmma

and I heard the same whistling on the beach.We went to investigate, butcouldfindnoone.Whenwereturnedtoourcottage,ithadbeenransacked.”

“Youwererobbed?”saidNancy.“Howunfortunate!”

“That’sthefunnypartofit.”Kiyabufrowned.“Nothingwastaken,buttheintrudercertainlywaslookingforsomething.Ourhousewasashambles.”

“Haveyouanyideawhathewaslookingfor?”Nedaskedhim.

The caretaker said no, but he was sure it had something to do with themysteryofKaluakua.NancyaskedKiyabu ifhe thoughtperhaps the recentclaimants to theestatemighthavebeen therehunting forsomething tohelpthemprovetheircase.

“Whoknows?”Kiyabusaidnoncommittally.“But there issomethingelsewhich I think you should know.Not long beforeMr. Sakamaki Sr. died, anumber of small valuable articles disappeared from the house—statuettes,someof themcopiesofoldPolynesianpieces,andothers thatweregenuineantiquesfromtheOrient.

“Emma and Iwere greatly disturbedwhenwe discovered that theyweremissing,”Kiyabuwent on. “I askedMr. Sakamaki about them, but he justsmiledatme. ‘Theyare safe,Kiyabu,’hesaid.”But theexecutorshavenotbeenabletofindanyofthem.”

“Itcertainlysoundsasiftheyhadbeenstolen,”Neddeclared.

Kiyabudidnotagree.“Mr.Sakamakiwasveryill,buthemanagedtokeepgoodaccountofeverything. I’msurehe toldme the truthwhenhesaid theitems were safe. But where are they? The old gentleman was not strongenoughtocarrythemoutsidethehouseandburythem.”

Nancy was quiet for a few moments, then suggested, “Perhaps Mr.Sakamakihadavisitorandgavethepiecestohim.”

“Either that,or theperson stole themandwarned theoldmannot to sayanything,”Nedremarked.

SuddenlyKiyabu’seyesnarrowedandhisjawsset.“Maybeitwasthemanwhobroughttheoddfish,”hedeclared.

CHAPTERX

ADaytimeGhost

“TELLusaboutthismanandthestrangefish,”NancyurgedKiyabu.

The Hawaiian described the fish as being only a few inches long, withrough, scaleless skin. Because of its color and mottled markings the fishblendswiththeseaweedwhereitlives,anditspairedfinsenablethecreaturetoclimbabout.

“This frogfish,” Kiyabu went on, “has a great mouth, and on the snoutaboveitisaslender‘rod’withaflapatthetip.Thefrogfishusesthisasbaittoluretheshrimpheeats.”

KiyabusaidthatthemanwhohadbroughtthefishinacoveredbucketwasMr. Ralph Emler. “Mr. Sakamaki asked him to stay to lunch and I servedthem,” the caretaker continued. “Later I was sent into Honolulu to find aproperaquariumforthefish.WhenIreturned,Mr.Emlerhadgone.Thefishlivedonlya fewhours.And itwasnotuntil thenextdaywhenEmmawasdustingthatshemissedthestatuettes.”

“PleasedescribeMr.Emler,”Nancyrequested.

Thecaretakertoldherthathewastall,withreddish-blondhair,andhadadeepvoice.

“DoyouknowwhereMr.Emlerisstaying?”Nancyquestioned.

“Maybe,”Kiyabu replied. “Soon after his visit,Mr. Sakamaki grewveryweak.Hewrote two long letters.Onewas to youngMr. Sakamaki and theother toMr.Emler.Heaskedmetomail themandIsawtheaddresses.Mr.RalphEmlerwasvisitingfriendsonKapiolaniBoulevard.”

“DidthismancometoMr.Sakamaki’sfuneral?”theyoungsleuthinquired.

Kiyabushookhishead.“Ineversawhimagain.”

NancyaskedKiyabuifhehadanysuggestionsastowhereshemightstartintryingtosolvethemystery.Hesmiled.“Iunderstandyouareafamousgirldetective.IamafraidpoorKiyabucouldoffernohelp.”

During the balance of the afternoon,Nancywalked round and round theGoldenPavilion,tryingtofigureoutwhatitssecretmightbe.Therewasnovisible opening under the platform. Behind the latticework was concrete,studdedwithpiecesoflavarock.Finallyshegaveupandwentintothehouse.Shemadeatourofthemansionbutnothingcametolightwhichgaveheranycluetothestrangehappenings.

“This mystery is going to be a real challenge,” she told Ned, as theystrolledoutdoorsafterdinner.

Dusk had fallen and Nancy said she would like to watch the GoldenPavilionforawhiletoseeifthedancingghostKiyabuhadseenmightappear.But thoughtheywatchedthebuildingfromavantagepointamongthetreesfortwohours,nothinghappened.

Inthemorning,asNancywasponderingoverwhatnewapproachshecouldtakeinsolvingthemystery,Davesaid,“SomeoftheotherEmersonfellowshavechallengedustoanoutriggerrace.Areyouallgame?”

Besswasthefirsttoanswer.“Idon’tthinkourmixedgroupwouldstandachanceofwinning.Butiftherestofyouwanttotryit,okay.Leavemeout.Youcanhaveacrewofonlyfive,anyway.”

“You’rebothrightandwrong,”Davetoldher.“Weshouldhaveonlyfiveinthecanoe,that’strue,butwe’regoingtowin!”

Bess,Hannah,Emma,andKiyabusaidtheywouldcomedowntothebeachtowatchtheraceandrootfortheirfriends.Atteno’clocktheEmersongroupof paddlers appeared offshore. Nancy and George climbed into theKaluakua’soutriggercanoe.Ned,Dave,andBurtfollowed,andeachofthempickedupapaddle.Nedsatinthesterntoactassteersman.

Theoutrigger skimmedover thewavesandsoonwasalongside theothercanoe.NancyandGeorgeknewfouroftheboysandwereintroducedtothefifth,whowasthesteersman.“Ready?Gol”hecriedout.

The racewas to be for half amile along the beach to a buoy and backagain.Forafewminutesthetwooutriggersstayedsidebyside,thentheonewiththeall-malecrewbegantopullahead.

Georgescowled.“Theymustn’tbeatusl”shecalledout.“Let’sputonsomesteam!”

Everyone paddled harder, but they could not seem to catch up to theirrivals. Finally Ned said, “I think our timing’s off.We need better rhythm.WhenIcallout,‘Dip—dip,’allpulltogether!”

Assoonashedid,thepaddlingbecamesmoother.Thefirstcanoemadetheturnandstartedback.SoonNed’sgroupreachedthehalf-milemarkandmadea close turn, losing no time.Gradually the distance between the outriggersbegantoclose.

Little by little, Ned urged his paddlers to dip faster. As the two canoesneared the finish line,George criedout that theymustgoeven faster.Witharmsworkingsoquicklythat thevwereablur to thewatchersonshore, themixed group of paddlers finally nosed alongside the other canoe. The raceendedinaphotofinish!

Thehot,pantingcontestantslaytheirpaddlesacrossthecanoesandcaughttheirbreaths.Inafewmoments,however,theywerecallingbackandforthtooneanother.

“Didn’t think you could do it!” said the steersman of the all-boy crew.“Congrats!”

TheotherslaughedandBurtsaid,“Allyouneedaregirlswhopaddlelikeboys,andyou’reset!”ThenhepraisedNancyandGeorgefortheirwork.

ThefiveEmersonboyswavedgood-byandstartedbackfortheHalekulani.Nancyandherfriendspickeduptheirpaddlesandturnedtowardshore.TheyhadnotgonefarwhenNancy,gazingattheGoldenPavilion,gaveastart.

“Look!” she exclaimed. “A woman wearing a long white muumuu justcrawledfromunderneaththepavilion!”

Alleyesturnedin thedirectionof thebuilding.Thewomanwasstandingstillandthewatcherswonderedifsheweregoingtodance.

“Butshecouldn’thavecrawledfrombeneaththepavilion,”Georgespokeup.“Kiyabutoldmeithasnoopening.”

Nancynodded.“AndIdidn’tfindany.Itmustbewellhidden.”

Suddenlythewomanstartedrunningtowardthehouse.Amomentlatershedisappearedamongsomeshrubbery.

“Oh,she’llprobablygoinside!”Nancycriedoutworriedly.“I’msurethehouse is unlocked, and Bess and Hannah and Kiyabu and Emma aren’tlookingthatway!”

She and George tried to signal the group on shore about what washappening, but none of them seemed to understand and stood awaiting thecanoeists.

“Iwonderifshe’sthe‘ghost’Kiyabusaw,”Nancymused,“andwhyshe’s

aroundinthedaytime.”

“Theghostlyhuladancer!”Nancyexclaimed

Thecanoeistsworkedthepaddlesfuriouslyastheycamenearerandnearerthe shore. FinallyDave andBurt jumped out and pulled the out- rigger upontothebeach.Withaquickexplanationtothoseonshore,theothersstartedrunningtowardthehouse.

Thewomaninthelongwhitemuumuuwasnotinsight,butNancyfeltsurethismeant shehadalreadyentered thehouse.“We’ll surround theplace, sothatshecan’tescape!”theyoungsleuthsuggested.

Theothersspreadout,planningtoencirclethebuildingcompletely.NancyandNed dashed up the front porch and burst through the entrance into thehall.

Atthatmoment, fromsomewhere inside thehouse,cameabloodcurdlingscream!

CHAPTERXI

ATantalizingGift

ASTHEsoundsofthescreamfaded,thewatchersoutsidethehousedashedin,somethroughthekitchendoor,othersthroughasidedoortothesunroom.Allrantothefronthall.

“Whowasit?”Besscriedout.“Andwhereisshe?”

“Wedon’tknow,buteverybodylookforher!”Nancyordered.

Partof thegroupboundedupthefrontstairwaywhileKiyabuandEmmatook therearone.Nancy,Ned,George,andBurtsearched theroomson thefirst floor. They looked in closets, behind curtains and screens, and evenunderneath pieces of furniture, but therewas no sign of thewoman in thewhitemuumuu.Disappointed,thewholegroupofsearchersmetoncemoreinthefronthall.

“How could that woman have escaped from the house?” Bess asked,puzzled.“Wewerewatchingeverywindowanddoor.”

“Uptoapoint,wewere,”Nancyreplied.“Butwhenthewomanscreamed,everyonewhowas outside came running in. It’smy guess she grasped theopportunitytogooutawindowatthattime.”

“Youmean,”George spokeup, “that she screamedonpurpose to lureusinsidesoshecouldgetaway?”

“Possibly,” Nancy answered. “But also she may have been injured orfrightened. I’mgoing to getmymagnifyingglass and see if I can find anyclues.”

She hurried upstairs and from one of her suitcases took the magnifyingglasswhichherfatherhadgivenherforChristmas.ItwasaveryfineoneandNancycalledither“PrideandJoy.”

WhenNancy came downstairs again,Kiyabu followed her fromplace toplace, his eyes lightingupwith amazement as shemade such amusing, butaccurate remarks as: “Kiyabu, you really should ask Bess not to lean herelbowsonthepiano.Itmakesmarks.And,Dave,whenyoudance,betternot

wearthattansweater.Itsheds.”

Nancy’s friends laughed and explained to Kiyabu that the young sleuthprobablycouldhavededucedthis in thepitchdark.Thecaretakershookhisheadinastonishmentandremainedsilent.ButhecontinuedtofollowNancyaround.

InthesunroomshestoppedinfrontofastatueofaJapanesewarrior.Thefigurewasholding a samurai swordpoised for action.Nancy examined theweaponcarefullywithhermagnifyingglass.Thenshesmiled.

“Ibelieve the lady in thewhitemuumuuscreamedbecausesherakedherheadorarmonthissword.”

“Youmeanthere’sbloodonit?”Bessasked,horrified.

“No,buttherearetinybitsofhumanfleshandhair.”

Bess shivered as Ned stepped to the window near the statue. “And sheprobablywentouthere.”Hesurveyedtheflat,lavarockbelow.

Nancynodded.Thelow,openwindowwaswellhiddenbybushes,andthesearcherswerenowconvinced that thewomanhadescaped from thehousethis way. Since there were no fingerprints on the window sill, Nancyconcludedthatthewomanhadsatonit,whirled,andjumpeddown.

Nancy climbed out thewindow andNed followed.With hermagnifyingglass, she examined the rocks carefully but could find no footprints. In thesoftearthbetweenarowofbushes,however,weresmall,lightfootprints.

“Thewomandoesn’tweighmuch,”saidNed.“Right?”

“Right,”Nancyagreed.“Andsherunsgracefully.She’sprobablyadancer.Butallthisdoesn’thelptoidentifyher.IsshethewifeofoneoftheDoubleScorps? Or is she some other intruder mixed up with the mystery ofKaluakua?”

Directlyafterluncheon,KiyabuannouncedtwocallersfromHonolulu.Onewas a police detective, SergeantHawk, and the other an executor from thebankwhichwashandlingoldMr.Sakamaki’sestate.HeintroducedhimselfasHenryDutton.ThemenaddressedmostoftheirremarkstoNancy.

Sergeant Hawk spoke first. “Police Captain McGinnis of River HeightsphonedHonolulu headquarters.He said your father had been in touchwithhimandsuggestedthatsomeonefromourdepartmentcometoseeyou,MissDrew. I understand that you have up-to-the-minute information on Mr.Sakamaki’scase,andthatcertainsuspiciousthingshavehappenedsinceyou

becameinterestedinKaluakua.”

Nancygaveafullaccountofallsheknewinconnectionwiththemystery,including the episode of the strange woman in the white muumuu. Thedetective,meanwhile,wasbusymakingnotesinasmallbook.Fromtimetotimeheaskedquestions.FinallyheputawayhispencilandsmiledatNancy.

“This is a very fine, full report. The Honolulu police will start at oncetryingtolocatethemanwhousesthenamesJimO‘KeefeandTimO’Malley.From your description, we should have no trouble locating him. Also, weshalltrytofindRalphEmler.

“Asto thewomanwearingthewhitemuumuu, it’smydeductionthatshedoes notwear this except on occasions such as thismorning. So itwill bemoredifficulttolocateher.NowIwouldliketoexaminethestatueonwhichshescratchedherselfandalsothefootprintsoutside.”

Nedofferedtotakethedetectivetothetwospots,sothatNancymighttalkfurtherwithMr.Dutton.

“Would you mind telling me something about the claimants to theSakamakiestate?”Nancyaskedthebanker.

“I’llbeveryhappyto,”Mr.Duttonreplied.“Infact,afterIwasinformedbythepoliceaboutyourprowessasadetective,MissDrew,Idecidedtotellyoueverythingandaskyourassistance.”

Nancyblushedalittle.“Oh,Ifailsometimes,”shesaidmodestly.“ButI’lldoeverythingIcantobeofhelp.”

Mr. Dutton told her that the two mysterious claimants to the Sakamakifortunewereveryreticent.RoyChatleyandhissisterJanetLeehadhadlittletosay,apparentlyrelyingonthevariouspaperstheyhadwiththemtoprovetheircase.

“Dotheyhavealawyer?”Nancyasked.

“Notyet,”theexecutorreplied.“Buttodaytheythreatenedtoobtainoneifwedon’taccepttheircredentialsprettysoon.”

“There’sdoubtinyourmind,then,aboutthem?”inquiredNancy.

“Naturally. I knew elderly Mr. Sakamaki well. It seems strange that henevermentionedtheCaliforniarelatives.”

Mr.Duttonpausedamoment,thensaid,“Sincetheestateissolarge,it iscertainlyworthfightingfor.SofarthecredentialsoftheseCaliforniapeopleseemtobeinorder,butIunderstandyourfather,MissDrew,isgoingtostop

inCaliforniaonhiswayhereandcheckeverything.”

NancyaskediftherewereanylettersfromoldMr.SakamakitoJanetandRoyortheirmotherorgrandmotheramongthepapersofproof.

“No,”Mr.Duttonanswered.“Thebrotherandsisterclaim tohave readanewsaccountofthewillinaCaliforniapaper.”

“Wherearetheystaying?”Nancyinquired.TheexecutorrepliedthattheywerevisitingfriendsnamedPondinHonolulu.“Ican’tremembertheaddressexactly.I’llsendittoyou,”hepromised.

Bythistimethepolicedetectivehadfinishedhiswork.HereturnedtothehouseandashortwhilelaterthetwomenweresayingalohatoNancyandherfriends.BothinsistedthatNancygetintouchwiththematonceifanytroubledevelopedatKaluakua.

Justbeforealatedinnerthatevening,Kiyabucameintothesunroomwheretheguestswereseated.HepresentedNancywithalongboxwhichevidentlycontainedflowers.Thecaretakerwaitedassheopenedit. Insidewasadeeppurple,almostblack,sweet-smellinglei.

“How very unusual!” Nancy remarked, as she picked up the florist’senvelope containing a card. Pulling it out, she read aloud, “From theArmstrongs.”

“Why,isn’tthissweetofthem!”sheexclaimed.

Nancy lifted the black lei from the box and started to put it around herneck.Seeingthis,Kiyabusnatcheditfromherhands.

“Oh,please!No,no!Donotwear the lei!”hebegged.“This is—this isafuneraloffering!”

Nancy was mystified. Certainly the Armstrongs were familiar with thecustomsoftheIslands.Whywouldtheysendhersuchalei?Risingfromherchair,shewentatoncetothetelephoneandcalledMrs.Armstrong.

“A lei?” thewoman repeated afterNancy. “Mr.Armstrong and I did notsendittoyou.”

Nancy’sheart skippedabeatandshestood lost in thought.Was the leiathreatfromsomeunknownperson?

CHAPTERXII

TheLeiMaker’sHint

BEFORE rejoining thegroup in the living room,Nancydecided to call thefloristwheretheleiapparentlyhadbeenpurchased.

Fortunately,theshopwasstillopen.Butuponlookingattheirrecords,theproprietordeclaredthathehadnotfilledsuchanorder.

“Isittruethataleimadeofdeeppurpleflowersisusedasafuneralpiece?”Nancyinquired.

Thefloristsaidthatthiswasacustomamongsomepeople.Hehimselfdidnotmakesuchpieces,andhedoubtedthatanyfloristwouldsuggestone.

Nancythankedthemanfortheinformationandputdownthephone.Moreperplexedthanever,shereturnedtothegroupinthesunroom.“Theleididn’tcome from that florist,” she told her friends. “It must have been madeprivately.”Thensheexplainedwhatshehadlearned.

George,curioustoknowmoreabouttheflowers,hadpickeduptheleiandwasexaminingit.“Thisisodd,”shesaidsuddenly.“Scatteredhereandthereamongtheflowersaresharp-pointed,brownish-coloredtacks.”

Asshepointedthemout,Bessexclaimed,“Andwhereverthetacksare,theflowersarewilting!”

Nancygazedatthemysteriouslei.“Putitbackinthebox,George.Ithinkthosetackshavebeendippedinpoison.”

“What!”Nedcriedout,springingforward.

Nancyexplainedthatshethoughtthesenderhadhopedshewouldwearthelei,bepricked,andpoisoned.

“Oh, how horrible!” Bess exclaimed. “This mystery is getting to bedreadful.”

Everyonewasdisturbedbytheincident,andNedremarkedthatthesendermust indeed be desperate to resort to such measures. “But what I can’tunderstandiswhyshouldheorshewanttoharmyoupersonally?”

GeorgeansweredforNancy.“Togetyouawayfromhere.”

AtthismomentHannahGruenwalkedintotheroom.Shehadheardnoneof the conversation and everyonedecidednot toworryher.Georgequicklywhiskedtheboxofflowersbehindherchair.TheDrews’housekeeperdidnotnotice her action. She announced that dinner was ready and requested thattheycometothediningroom.

Ned tarriedbehindandhid thebox in thehall closet.Hewouldbury thepoisonousleilater,orgiveittothepoliceiftheywantedit.

A delicious dinner was served by Kiyabu. It had been cooked by bothEmmaandHannahwhohadbecomegreatculinaryfriends.Tonightthemealwasstrictlymainland—roastbeef,withlemonmeringuepiefordessert.

“If it’s all right with you girls,” Burt spoke up, “we fellows are goingfishingintheoutriggercanoetomorrowmorning.”

“Iwishyouluck,”Georgereplied.“Butyou’dbetterbringinabigonetomakeamendsfordesertingus,”sheteased.

“Wow!”saidBurt.“HowcanIfail?”

Nancy asked Ned if she might borrow the car to do some errands inHonolulu.Shedidnot saywhat theywere tobe. In fact, shedidnot revealwhathermainerrandwasuntil the followingmorningwhenshe,Bess, andGeorgewererollingalongthehighway.

“I’mdeterminedtofindoutifpossiblewhosentthatfloralpiece,”Nancysaid.“Doyourememberthesectionofroadwepassedonourwayfromtheairportwhereagroupofwomenweremakingandsellingleis?Ihaveahunchthesenderofmygifthadaspecialistmakemineanditcouldbeoneofthosewomen.Anyway,itwon’thurttoaskthem.”

Whenshereachedthearea, theyoungsleuthparked thecarand the threegirlsbeganaskingwomanafterwomanifshehadmadealeithedaybeforeofdeeppurple flowers.Oneafter anotheransweredno,untilNancycame toaverywrinkled old ladywhowas fashioning a beautiful lei of babyorchids.WhenNancyputherquestiontotheflowervendor,shelookedup,startled.

“Why,yes,Ididmakesuchaleiyesterdayafternoon.Whydoyouask?”

Nancy searched the woman’s face for any sign of dishonesty, but thewrinkledvisageshowedonlygenuineastonishment.

Nevertheless,Nancy decided that itwaswiser not to tell thewoman thewhole truth. Pretending to giggle, she said that some unknown person had

senthertheleiandshewastryingtofindoutwhohemightbe.

“Anunknownadmirer,eh?”thewomanasked.Thenshefrowned.“Totellyouthetruth,Ithoughtitwasafuneralpiece.”

Shewentontosaythatthemanwhohadaskedhertomakeithadbroughttheflowershimself.Shedescribedhimasbeingtall,withreddish-blondhair.“Idonotknowhisname,”sheadded,“butIbelieveheisamainlander.”

“Didheaskyoutoputanythingelseinwiththeflowers?”Bessspokeup.

“No,”thewomananswered.

Nancy thanked her for the information, and the girls went back to theconvertible.

“Reddish-blond hair!” said George. “That sounds like Ralph Emler, thesamemanwebelievetrickedGrandfatherSakamaki.”

“Yes, it does,” Nancy agreed. “And I think our next stop will be policeheadquarters.IhopeSergeantHawkwillbethere.Iwanttotellhimaboutthelei.”

Fortunately, theofficerwas in.When theyoungsleuth toldher story, thepolicedetectivelookedconcerned.

“I don’t like this at all,” he said. “Miss Drew, you must use extremecaution. So farwe haven’t been able to locate this Ralph Emler.We don’tknowwhetherhehasleftthecity,isusinganassumedname,orisstayinginaprivate home. Emler left the place where he was staying, directly afterreceivingoldMr.Sakamaki’sletter.”

Thegirlstalkedforsometimewiththedetective.Nancyaskedhimaboutthe possibility of the California claimants to the Sakamaki estate beingimpostors.“It’spossible,ofcourse,”thedetectivereplied,“butsofarwehavefoundnothingsuspiciousaboutthemortheircredentials.”

“I think I’ll try to call on them,” said Nancy. “May I use your phone,SergeantHawk?”

“Certainly.”Thedetectivepushed the instrument towardNancy andgaveherthenumberofthePonds’residence.Aratherpetulant,flatvoiceansweredthering.

“Hel-lo.”

“ThisisNancyDrewcalling.IshouldlikeverymuchtoseeMrs.LeeandMr.Chatley.Willyoupleasefindoutifitwouldbeallrightformetocometo

thehouse.”

“Well, I dunno,” the woman on the phone answered. “They don’t seevisitorsmuch,butI’llask’em.”

After a long wait, another woman’s voice said hello. “This is Mrs. Leespeaking.Youwishtoseeme?”sheasked.

Nancy repeated her request. Therewas a long pause as if JanetLeewasconsultingsomeoneelse.Thenshesaid,“Why,certainly.I’dlovetohaveyou.Whendoyouwanttocome?”

“Rightaway,”Nancyreplied.“AndI’dliketobringtwofriendswhoareintownwithme.”

“Comeahead,”JanetLeeinvited.“I’llbewaitingforyou.”

OnthewaytothePonds’residence,Bessdeclaredthatshewasnotgoinginside the house. She even begged Nancy to hold the conference in theirgarden.“Afterthatblackleiepisode,Itrusthardlyanybodyaroundhere,”shedeclared.

Nancylaughed.“Allright.IonlyhopethePondshaveagarden.”

Bess’swishwasgratified.Thehousewassetsomedistancefromthestreetandwassurroundedbyahighhedge.Adrivewayledtothefrontdoorthroughamostattractivegarden.

BessandGeorgeseated themselves in lawnchairs,whileNancy rang thefrontdoorbell.Itwasopenedbyamiddle-agedwomanwearingalong,dark-bluemuumuu.Herblondhairwasratherfrizzyandunkempt.

“Mrs.Lee?”Nancyasked.

“Oh my, no. I’mMrs. Pond. Janet’ll be here in a minute. She’s gettin’prettiedupforyoufolks.”

NancytookaninstantdisliketoMrs.Pond.Whenthewomaninvitedherinside, she said, “Oh, it’s so lovely out in the garden, I’d prefer stayingoutside.”

Mrs.Pondshrugged.“Haveityourownway.”

At that moment Janet Lee and Roy Chatley appeared. The brother andsisterdidnotlookatallalike.Hewastallerthansheandhadlighthairandapalecomplexion.Hissisterwassmallandslightwithdarkhairandasallowcomplexion. At Nancy’s suggestion they joined Bess and George in thegarden.

“Whyhaveyoucomehere?”Janetaskedabruptly.

Nancywas slightly takenaback,but shekepthercomposureandsaid, “IamafriendofMr.SakamakiinRiverHeights.Infact,myfatherishislawyer.Iunderstandyouaredistantlyrelatedtohim.”

“Yes,”Royrepliedinasofttone,“Wehadthesamegrandfather,althoughIunderstandtheMr.Sakamakiyouknowwasnever toldthis.”SuddenlyRoysaid in a loud, unpleasant voice, “It was prettymean the wayGrandfathertreated his first wife. Oh, well, we can forgive a lot if we just get theinheritance.Boy,whatIcouldn’tdowiththatmoney!”

NancyandherfriendsweredisgustedwithRoy’sapproachtothesubject.Theylearnedlittlethattheydidnotalreadyknow,andpresentlysaidgood-by.

“They’rejusthorrid,”BessremarkedasNancydroveoff.

Soonafterreachingthehighway,Nancystopped,pulledtothesideoftheroad, and said, “I think my next bit of sleuthing will be talks with theneighborsof thePonds,and findingoutwhat Icanabout thatcouple.Theyjustdon’tseemlike thekindofpeopleonewouldexpect to live in thisfineresidentialarea.”

CHAPTERXIII

AValuableDiscovery

THE GIRLS found most of the Ponds’ neighbors in their gardens. Nancy,Bess, and George discreetly inquired of one after another if they wereacquaintedwiththecouple.Ineachcasetheanswerwasthesame.ThePondshadrentedthehouseveryrecentlyandnooneknewthem.Theyappearedtobeunsociableandwereawayfromthehouseagreatdeal.

“AretheyHawaiians?”Nancyaskedanelderlyman.

“Oh,Ithinknot.I’msurethattheyarefromthemainland,”hereplied.

When the girls returned to the car, one of thewomen towhom she hadspoken earlier was waiting for them. Nancy wondered if she had furtherinformation,butthewomanmerelysmiledandaskedifthegirlsweregoingintoHonolulu.Uponlearningthattheywere,sheaskedforalift,explainingthatherhusbandwasusingtheircarthatdayforabusinesstrip.

“We’dbehappytotakeyou,”Nancysaid,andtheyallgotin.

On the way, the passenger, whose name was Mrs. Ayers, pointed out athickly branched treewith dense foliage. “That is amonkeypod,” she said.“ManyofthemgrowontheislandofKauai,andthewoodisbroughtheretobemade into attractive pieces. I’m going to a shop now that specializes inthesepiecestobuyaweddinggift.”

“Thetreecertainlylookstopheavy,”Bessremarked.“Itslonglimbsseemtobewayoutofproportionwiththesizeofthetrunk.”

“Isthewoodhard?”Georgeasked.

“Yes,”Mrs.Ayersanswered.“It’sverydurable,andwon’twarporcrack.”

“I’d like to look at some of the wooden pieces,” Nancy remarked. “Wewanttotakehomesomegiftsandthisisagoodchancetopurchasethem.”

When they reached the Waikiki Beach section, Mrs. Ayers told Nancywheretoparkandthefourwalkedtotheshop.Afterlookingoverthemanyattractivearticlesondisplay,Georgeselectedasnackserver,Bessatray,and

Nancyasaladbowlwithwoodenforkandspoon.

“Notfarfromhere,”Mrs.Ayerstoldthegirls,“isanextremelyinterestingjewelryshop.Itspecializesinivorypieces.Ifyouhavetime,I’dsuggestyoudropinthere.”

Shewenttothedoorwiththegirlsandpointedouttheshop.Witha“thankyou somuch”andan“aloha” toMrs.Ayers, the threehurriedup the streetandenteredthejewelrystore.

The display case intrigued the girls. Ivory pins, earrings, necklaces, andbraceletsweredelicatelycarvedinpatternsofvariousHawaiianflowers.

“IseejusttherightgiftforAuntEloise,”saidNancy,andaskedtheclerkthepriceofapinandearringsetcarvedinthegingerflowerdesign.

“WillyoumailthisdirectlytoNewYork?”Nancyinquired.

“I’dbeverygladto,”theclerkreplied.

Afterthesalewascompleted,thegirlsreturnedtotheconvertible,andthistime headed straight for Kaluakua. As they parked in the driveway, Nedgreetedthemwithafriendlygibe.

“ForPete’ssake,wherehaveyoubeen?Hereweboysspearedthebiggestfishoftheseasonandwe’vewaitedandwaitedhoursforyoutocomehomeandadmireit.”

Thegirlslaughed.“Whatisitandwhereisit?”Georgeasked.

“It’sanulua,”saidNed,“andwhatatimewehadcapturingtheoldboy.Hewasarealfighterandtowedouroutriggeralongasifitwereafeather.”

Only Bess was impressed. Nancy and George were sure the story wasgrosslyexaggerated.Grinning,Nancysaid,“Comeon,Ned,tellusthetruth.Howbigisthisfish?”

“Followme,”Nedsuggested,andtheyalltroopedtothekitchen.

Theulua,minusitshead,tail,andfins,layonthekitchentableandthegirlshadtoadmitthatitwasagood-sizedfish.

“Wemayaswell tell you the truth,”Dave spokeup. “HeroNed spearedthis fish all by himself under water. But I guess it wasn’t too much of abattle.”

Ned grinningly admitted that it had not been too hard to spear the fish.“We’re going to have it for lunch,” he stated. “Sowe’d all better go for aswimandworkupanappetite.”

HannahGruen smiled. “But not too big an appetite,” she said. “Mr. andMrs.Armstrongtelephonedandthey’regoingtoserveanativefeast tonight—aluau.”

“Howexciting!”spokeupBess,whowasalwaysreadytoeat.

TheDrews’ housekeeperwent on to say that theArmstrongs had invitedthemainlanders to come to their home for the feast. But Hannah had toldthem thatNancy and the others probablywould notwant to be away fromKaluakuaforsomanyhoursbecauseofthemystery.

“So the Armstrongs offered to come here and prepare the feast,” sheannounced.“Kiyabusaysthereisapitinthegardenwherepigswereroastedforluausyearsago.”He’sgoingtofixitupandheatthelavarockwhichisputintothepit.Thepighastobesteamed.”

“Mm-m! I can’t wait,” Bess remarked, and began to lick her lips inanticipationofthefeast.

AsNancyglancedtowardNed,shedetectedaslightlyhurtexpressiononhisface.

“Itwon’ttasteanybetterthanthisfish,”shesaidquickly.

Theyoungmanbeamedather,thensaid,“Nancy,theundersealifeoffshorehereisfascinating.Idareyoutogoskindivingwithmetoseeit.”

“I’lldoit!”Nancyagreed.“Tomorrow!”

“It’sadate.”

Everyoneenjoyed theuluaat lunch.Directly afterward,Nancy suggestedthat the whole group go on an exhaustive search of the premises to trylearningwhatGrandfatherSakamaki’ssecretmightbe.Wallsweretappedforhollow spaces. Floors and ceilings were inspected for trap doors. Nothingcametolight.

Finally Bess, heaving a great sigh, remarked, “I’m afraid that GrandpaSakamakiwas justspoofing.He justdidn’twant thisestate togooutof thehandsofthefamily,sohemadeupthewholething.”

The groupwas in the living room.George had crawled beneath a heavyteakwoodtableandwastappingtheunderside.Suddenlytheothersheardhergiveasquealofamazement.

“I’vefoundahiddendrawer!”sheexclaimed.

At once the other young people were down on hands and knees and

crowdingclosetoherunderthetable.

“There’sapanelthatslides.Itmustbeasecretdrawer.Yes,hereitisandtherearesomethingsinit!”Georgecriedoutgleefully.

Burthelpedherliftoutthehiddendrawerwhichwasfilledwithsmall,darkwoodenstatuettes.Onebyonetheobjectsweresetonthetable.

“What a find!” said Ned enthusiastically. “I’ll bet these are ancient andvaluable.”

When Kiyabu was summoned he gazed in awe and amazement at thefigurines.Hehadneverseenthembefore.He,too,thoughttheywereoldandthatMr.SakamakiSr.wouldneverhavetakenthetroubletohidethemunlesstheywerevaluable.

“IknowMr.Uniatthemuseum,”hesaid.“Maybehewouldcomeupheretolookatthem.”

NancythoughtthisagoodideaandaskedKiyabutoputinthecalltoMr.Uni. In a little while the Polynesian expert arrived. The small, bright-eyedcuratorexaminedeachpiececarefully.Finally,hedeclaredthatthestatuetteswereveryoldandauthenticbutnotancient.

“Themuseumwouldlikeverymuchtohavethese,”Mr.Unisaid.“Perhapsthe estatewould sell or donate them to us later. In themeantime, I believetheywouldbemuchsafer lockedupdown there than theywouldbehere. IunderstandtherehavebeensomestrangehappeningsatKaluakua.”

“Yes,”Kiyabuanswered.“Onecanneverseemtotellwhentheremaybepryingeyes.Nowthat thesepieceshavebeenfound, I think theyshouldbetakenawayandputintoasafe.”

NancyofferedtocallMr.Duttonandaskhisadviceinthematter.Whentheexecutor learnedof thediscovery,heagreed that themuseumwas theplaceforthestatuettes.

“Miss Drew, will you please write out a receipt with full description ofeachpieceandaskMr.Unitosignit,”herequested.“AlsoI’dappreciateitifyou’dsendsomeonetothebankwithit.”

“I’llbeveryhappyto,”Nancyreplied.“I’llasktheboystoaccompanyMr.Unitothemuseum,thendeliverthereceipttoyou.”

“Verygood,”saidMr.Dutton.

Kiyabusuppliedpaperandpen,andNancywrotedownadetailedaccountof each object. Most of the statuettes represented ancient gods of the

Polynesians,butotherswereofformerHawaiiankings.

After the boys had left with Mr. Uni, Kiyabu went back to the gardenwherehehadbeencleaningouttheoldfirepitinwhichthepigforthefeastwouldberoasted.Nearit,hehadbuiltaragingbonfireinadepressionofthegarden.

On the ground stood a bucket of water. Every once in a while Kiyabuwouldliftasamplerockfromthefireinahugepairoftongsanddropitintothewater,apparentlytotesttheintensityoftheheat.

Hannahsaidthatshewasgoingouttothegardentositintheshadenearthepicnic spot and rest. She invited the girls to join her when they finishedsearching.

“Ithinkweshouldquitworknow,”Bessstated.“Ifwedon’t,we’llallbewornoutforthepartytonight.”

Nancywasreluctanttoleaveherjobunfinished.Butsherealizedthatsincearriving at Kaluakua she had not spent much time with Hannah, so shedecided tofollowher to thegarden.Thegroupoffourseated themselves incomfortablechairs,theirbackstotheareawherethefirewasburning.

Kiyabulefthistaskandwalkedtothehouse.Reachingtheporchheturnedtolookbackandstoodtransfixedwithhorror.

Afurtivefigurehadappearedfromthebushes.Quickasa flash, themanhad grabbed up the huge fire tongs lying on the ground and was about toheavethemtowardNancy!

CHAPTERXIV

MeetingaShark

“Auwe!Wikiwiki!”Kiyabuscreamedfromtheporchofthehouse.Nancyandtheothersdidnotknowwhathemeant, but instinctively they turned in thedirectionhewasfacing.

Nancywasnotamomenttoosoon.Theheavytongswerecomingstraightather.Likeaflash,sheleapedasidejustasthetongsburiedthemselvesinanearbybush.

“Mercy!”Bessexclaimed,clutchingherheart.

George,whohad seen themannear the fire, called out, “There goes thefellowwhothrewthem!”

Inan instantshewasdashingacross thegrassafterhim.NancyandBessfollowed.ThefleeingmandodgedinandoutamongthetreesandshrubberyuntilhereachedtheentrancetoKaluakua.Bythetimethegirlsarrivedatthespot,hewasagooddistancedowntheroad.Asmallblackcarwhichhadbeenparkedinthebushespickedhimupandspedoff.

Theangrygirlsstoodstill,staringafterit.Theautomobilewastoofarawayforthemtoreadthelicenseplate.

“One of the Scorps, I’ll bet,”George found her voice. “Thank goodnessKiyabusawhimandwarnedyou,Nancy.”

“Yes,” Bess added. “Why, Nancy, you might have been killed by thoseheavytongs.”

Nancywassilent.Shewasabitshakenbytheexperience,andwaspuzzledastowhothemanmightbe.Hewasofmediumheightandhadthinning,darkhair.

“Iwonderifhe’sJimO‘Keefe,aliasTimO’Malley,”shemused.

ThegirlsreturnedtothepicnicspottofindHannahandKiyabuextremelyupset.Nancytriedtosoothethem,whileGeorgeaskedwhatthecaretakerhadcalledout.

“‘Auwe’means ‘alas!’Woe ismetAnd ‘wikiwiki,’ youwere to ‘hurry.’Oh,Iamsogladyoudid.”

“Thank you for the warning, Kiyabu,” Nancy said solemnly, then addedthatshewasgoingtoreportthemattertothepoliceatonce.

SergeantHawkwasgreatly concernedupon learningwhathadhappened.Hedidnotmentionsendinganyonetoguardtheplace,however,andNancydidnotbringupthesubject.Thedetectiveseemedtobeinahurrytoreportthematterandtrytohavethegetawaycarapprehended.

SoonafterNancyreturnedto thegarden, thethreeboysarrived.AllwerewearingverygayAlohashirtswhichtheysaidtheyhadpurchasedinthecityafterdeliveringthereceipttoMr.Dutton.

“Theseshirtsareinhonoroftheluau,”Daveannounced.

“I suppose we should be wearing muumuus or hula costumes,” Nancyreflectedaloud.

Hannahsmiled.“Ihaveasurpriseforyougirls,”shesaid.“Comeupstairs.”

Nancyandherchums followedHannahGruen to the second floor.Thereshehandedeachof thegirlsamuumuu—awhiteone forNancy,ablue forBess,andapalegreenforGeorge.

“Howlovely!”saidNancy.“Wheredidthesecomefrom?”

“Emmasentthemover,”thehousekeeperrevealed.“Shethoughtyoumightwanttowearthemtonight.”

“Howverysweetofher!”saidBess.

ThegirlsputonthemuumuusandwenttothankEmma.Thentheyjoinedtheboysandtoldthemaboutthevicioustongsthrower.

“I’m going to stick around after this, so I can take care of you!” Neddeclared,andNancysmiledappreciatively.

A short time later Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong and their Polynesian maidarrivedwiththefoodfortheHawaiianfeastandleisforthemainlanders.

“Maywehelpwiththeluau?”Nancyasked.

“Yes,”shesaid.“Ithinkyougirlswouldenjoysettingthetable.”

“Butfirst,”Mr.Armstrongspokeup,“IthinkourguestsshouldwatchthepreparationofthePig.”

Kiyabu produced a huge piece of chicken wire which was then covered

withbananaleaves.Thepigwaslaidonthem.Next,hepickeduponeofthehot lava stoneswith the tongs and placed it inside the animal. Then sweetpotatoesandpiecesoffishwhichhadbeenwrappedintileaveswereplacedaroundthepig.

Slowlythewiretray,withitslusciousload,wasloweredintothepitlinedwith thehot lava rocks.Morebanana leaveswerespreadover it, then largewetsacks.Finally,dirtwasheapedonthetop.

“This is called the imu, or oven,” Mrs. Armstrong explained. “The pigcooked in the imu is called puaa kalua and will be left for four hours tosteam.”

Whilewaiting for the food to cook, the young people toldMr. andMrs.Armstrongabouttherecentmysterioushappenings.Next,theytookthemonatourofthehouseandshowedthemthetablewherethevaluableoldstatuetteshadbeenfound.Theyalldidsomefurthersearching,butnothingcameofit.

“Let’sgatherflowersfortheluaunow,”Mrs.Armstrongsuggested.

She and the girls walked around the extensive grounds, gathering red,orange,pink,yellow,andpurplehibiscusflowers.Next,longtapamatswerebrought fromtheArmstrongcarandspreadon theground,not far fromtheroastingpig.

Theirhostesshadalsobroughtabasketoftileavesandshenowsprinkledthemonthemats.Amongthese,thegirlsdroppedthehibiscusblossoms.

Presently Emma appeared with luscious-looking pineapples and bananaswhich were interspersed with the flowers. “I never saw a prettier tabledecoration,”Bessmurmured.

At each place the Armstrongs set a coconut shell filled with poi. Bessgazedatthesticky,pastelikeporridge,whichshewastoldwasmadefromtherootofthetaroplant,andwonderedifshedaredtoeatit.

Mr. Armstrong was amused. “Poi is rather flavorless, but you should atleasttasteit,”heurged.

Meanwhile, the Armstrongs’ maid was busy in the kitchen, grindingcoconutandpoundingsquid.Thisfishwouldberoastedbrownwithseasaltand servedwith crushedkukui nuts.Emmawas filling coconut shell disheswith salmon and onion and tomatoes. Dessert, she said, would be whitesquaresofdeliciouscoconutpudding.

Bythetimethepigwasreadytoeat,duskhadfallen.Mr.Armstrongstuck

several kukui-nut torches into the ground and lighted them. As the youngpeople gathered around the table with the others, Mrs. Armstrong smiledbroadly.

“YoureallylooklikeHawaiians,”shesaid.“Now,everyonefindhisplace,please.”

Herguestsdiscoveredthatplacecardshadbeensetamongtheflowersandleaves.

“Why,ournamesareinHawaiian!”Bessexclaimed.“Oh,dear,howcanIeverfindmine?”

Nancywas the first todiscoverhers.Shedeclared itwasnot toohard tofigureout.“AneisalittlelikemyAmericanname,”shesaid,smiling.

Hannah was next to find her name. It was Ana Palani. “I presume thatstandsforHannahFrances,”shesaid,turningtoMrs.Armstrong.“Iwonderedwhyyouaskedmeearlierwhatmymiddlenamewas.”

The other young people found it impossible to figure out their cards.Finally their hostess led them one by one to their places. Bess’s Hawaiianname was Elikapeka. George’s was Keoki. “Yours, Ned,” said Mrs.Armstrong,“isEluwene.”

Eluwenewas glad to be seated next to Nancy. Burt, called Topaka, wasnexttoGeorge,andKawiki,meaning,‘Dave,’wasplacednexttoBess.

“Oh, this is such fun!” Nancy exclaimed. To herself she added, “And Ihopenothinghappenstonighttomarthisbeautifulparty!”

EveryoneseatedhimselfonthegroundattheluautableandMr.Armstrongproudly carried the crisply brown steamed pig to the table on a woodenplatter.

“Kiyabuwasgoingtodothis,”hesaid,“buthehaselectedhimselfaguardofthegroundstonight.”

The feastwaspronouncedbyeveryone tobemostdelicious—andfilling.Whilethegroupwaseatingdessert,theysuddenlyheardthesoftstrainsofaguitar. Looking up, they saw a man in a gay yellow-and-brown satin suitwalkingtowardthem.Fourhuladancersfollowedhim.

“Alittlesurpriseweplannedforyou,”Mrs.Armstrongtoldherguests.

“Howabsolutelydivine!”Bessburstout.

The guitarist bowed and smiled, then began to sing. The four dancers

startedtoswayintimetothemusic,movingafewstepstoleftandright,andgracefullyraisingtheirarms.

“This isadancewelcomingyou to the Islands,”Mrs.Armstrong told themainlanders.

Alltoosoonthepartyendedwiththemainlandersdeclaringthattheyhadneverhadamorefestivemealnoramoreenjoyableevening.

“Andsoromantic!”Bessdeclareddreamily.“Oh,Ijustlovethisplace!”

Nancywashappy thatherchumapparentlyhad forgottenher fearsaboutdangeroushappeningsatKaluakua.Beforegoingtobed,sheandNedtookastrollaroundthegroundsandspoketoKiyabu.Thecaretakerinsistedthathewasgoingtostayupallnighttopatroltheestate.

“Howaboutmespellingyou?”Nedoffered,butKiyaburefused.

Atbreakfastthenextmorningthecaretakerreportedthattherehadbeennodisturbance during the night, and he hoped that all intruders had nowbeendiscouraged.

“Ane,areyoureadytodosomeskindiving?”Nedaskedanhourlater,hiseyestwinkling.“Eluweneawaitsyou.”

Chuckling,Nancywentupstairs,putonherbathingsuit, then joinedNedon thebeach.Afterhehadadjusteda transparenthelmetoverherheadandstrappedanoxygentankonherback,Nancyslippedherfeetintoflippers.

ThenNeddonnedhis equipment and the twowalked into the surf.Uponreachingdeeperwater,theybothswamdownward.

“Howfascinatingthisis!”Nancysaidtoherself,asmyriadsofsmallfishofvariouscolorsswampasther.

Thecouplepresentlycametoacaveandpausedtowatchasmalloctopus-typecreaturewavingitstentaclesabouttheopening.Nancywassointentonitsmaneuvers tocollect foodbyreachingoutatpassingsmallprey thatshedidnotnoticeaverylargefishswimmingtowardher.

As she turned to swimoff shewas struckwithhorror.Thehuge fish, itsjawswideopen,wasonlyafewfeetaway.Aman-eatingshark,shethought!

Ned,whohadbecomeawareofthesharkatalmostthesamemoment,gaveNancy a tremendouspushupwards.Thenhe followedher.The two twistedandturnedtogetoutofdanger,divingandrisinguntiltheyeludedthesharkand came to the surface.They raced toward shore, constantly looking backovertheirshoulderstoseeiftheywerebeingfollowed.

Exhaustedandtheirheartspounding,thetwofinallyreachedthebeach.Astheydroppeddown,panting,andtellingeachotherwhatanarrowescapetheyhad had, Kiyabu came walking toward them. A short distance behind himwere Burt, George, Bess, and Dave. When they had all gathered around,NancyandNedtoldthemabouttheirharrowingexperience.

Kiyabuallthewhilewaslookingoffoverthewater.Atlasthesaid,“Idonotwish to takeawayanything fromyourbravery,but in thewatersof theHawaiianIslandstherearenoman-eatingsharks.Theyareallharmless.”

Thesharkwasonlyafewfeetaway

“Boy,doIfeelsilly!”Nedexclaimed.“Well,liveandlearn!”

Kiyabu said with a twinkle in his eyes, “Don’t you remember?Kaahupahau,theQueenoftheSharks,keepstheman-eatersaway?”

Georgenow spokeup. “Theremaynot be anyman-eating sharks aroundhere,buttherearesomehumansharks.”

SherelatedthatamanwhomKiyabuandEmmahadneverseenbeforehadcometotheestaterightafterNancyleft.HehadsaidthatMr.Duttonhadsenthimbecausehewasadealerinantiquesandwaswillingtobuysomeofthevaluableobjects.

“But the sums he offered for them were perfectly ridiculous,” Georgereported.

Burtdeclaredthathewassurethemanwasnotadealeratall.“Ithinkhewasjustasnooper,probablyoneoftheDoubleScorps.”

Nancywasdisturbedby the information. Jumpingup, shedeclared,“I’vebeenplayinglongenough.Imustgetbacktoworkonthemysteryatonce!”

Bess’s facebroke into a broadgrin. “Nancy,while youweregone,DaveandIdidsomesleuthing,”sheannouncedproudly.“Waituntilyouhearwhatwefoundout!”

CHAPTERXV

TheSilversword’sSecret

AFTERNancy had showered and put on a sports dress, the young peoplegatheredinthegardenandBessbeganherstory.

“We decided to try surprising you,” she said. “Dave and I kept thinkingaboutthatwomanwhoseemedtocomefromunderneaththepavilion.Sowedecidedtolookforasecretopening.”

“Andwefoundone!”Davetoldtheyoungsleuth.“IfeelnowasthoughIreallybelongonyourdetectiveteam,Nancy!”

“There’s a cunningly concealed door in the foundation,”Bess continued.“Itswingsinwardonahinge.Thedoorwasleftslightlyajar.”

Nancywasthrilled.“Didyoufindanythingunderneaththepavilion?”

“Yes, we did,” Dave replied. “There’s a three-foot space between theground and the floor of thepavilion. I begandigging in thedirt and this iswhatIcameupwith.”

The young man reached behind a nearby bush and brought out a smallmetalchest.Heopenedthelidandtookoutapieceofpaperonwhichwereadrawingand two identical symbols that lookeda little likemen.Theywerejoinedatthebase.

Nancy stared at them. “Why, this a sketch of a silversword plant!” sheexclaimed. “The only place in the world that it grows is in the Haleakala

CrateroverontheislandofMaui.”

“You’repracticallyright,”Burtspokeup.“TherealsoaresomesilverswordplantsindesolatesectionsoftheislandofHawaii.”

“Anyway,it’samarvelousclue,I’msure,”saidNancy.“Didyoufindoutwhatthesesymbolsmean?”sheaskedexcitedly.

Georgegrinned.“Thetranslationismycontributiontothisclue,”shesaid.“Thesymbolisnakanataandthat’sPolynesianformen.IaskedKiyabuandhefoundanoldbookwithancientsymbolsofthePacificislands.”

Nancywasdelightedwith theadditional find.“This is simplywonderful.Thanksamillion!”

WhenBessaskedwhat thenextmovewouldbe,Nancysaid,“I thinkweshouldgotoHaleakalaCraterandtrytofindoutifthiscluewasGrandfatherSakamaki’smethodofgivingdirectionstowhatevertreasurehesecreted.”

“Youmean,” George spoke up,“Kupunakane Sakamaki.” She chuckled.“ThatisGrandfatherinHawaiian.”

Nancy laughed. “George, you’ve certainly been busy. All right, this is aclue,I’msure,toKupunakaneSakamaki’ssecret.”

“Youmean,it’sasummonstothecrater?”BessaskedandNancynodded.

Nedhadsaidlittleuptothistime.NowhevoicedtheopinionthatpossiblythewomaninthewhitemuumuuwhohadcrawledfrombeneaththeGoldenPavilionhadburiedthechestanditwasnotconnectedwiththesecretatall.

“Butwhywouldshedosuchathing?”Bessasked.

“TodrawNancyDrewawayfromKaluakua,”Nedreplied.

“If thatwasher reason,”Georgespokeup,“surelyshewouldn’tput it insuchanobscureplace.”

“Remember,sheleftthedoorajar,”Nancysaid.

The young people talked at length about the two ideas regarding thesilversword plant and the symbols under it whichmeantmen. Finally theyappealedtoKiyabuforanopinion.

“I am sureMr. Sakamaki Sr. put the chest there himself,” the Hawaiianreplied.“Hewasamanwhowasverylearnedandalsofulloffun.Ibelievehe enjoyed scattering the pieces of the puzzle for his grandson to puttogether.”

“That convinces me,” Nancy declared. “I’m going to Haleakala Crater.Whowantstocomealong?”

Everyone wanted to make the trip, including Hannah Gruen. Kiyabuofferedtomakethehotelandplanereservations,andtelephonetoMauiforaguidewithacartotakethemtothecrater.

“Thisguideknows themountainsand thehistoryof thevolcanoeswell,”Kiyabusaid.“Ifanyoneon the islandcanhelpyousolve themystery, Iamsurehecan.HisnameisMokiKuano,butjustcallhimMoki.”

A little later the caretaker informed the group that he had securedreservations for the following day on the afternoon plane. Thismeant theywouldbeabletoseethegorgeoussunsetoverthecrater.

Luncheonwasservedinthegarden.Nancyandherfriendshadjustfinishedeating, whenKiyabu brought her amessage. “The telegraph office phonedthatyourfatherwillarrivebyplanetomorrowmorning.Wouldyoulikemetomeethim?”

“Thankyouverymuch,”Nancyreplied,“butI’dlovetomeetDadmyself.”

Ned offered to go with Nancy to the airport. They left Kaluakua beforebreakfastthenextmorning,decidingtogetasnackatthefieldwhilewaitingforMr.Drew.

Thegreatplanewasontime,andthecouplewatchedasitcircledthefieldand landed smoothly. Nancy had purchased a lei of bright red plumierablossomsandstoodatthefenceeagerlyawaitingherfather.

Thepassengersbegantodisembark.Aseachoneappearedinthedoorwayof the plane, Nancy looked hopefully for Mr. Drew. Finally the pilot, thecopilot,steward,andstewardessalighted.Itwasevidentthattherewasnooneelseaboard.

“Dad didn’t come!” Nancy exclaimed to Ned. “Oh, I hope nothing hashappenedtohim!”

Nedwasworriedtoo,butsaidcheerfully,“Perhapsthereisamessageattheairlinesoffice,orpossiblyyourfathersentanothertelegram.”

HeandNancyhurriedinsidethebuildingandmadeinquiries,buttherewasnowordfromMr.Drew.NancytelephonedtoKaluakuaandaskedifanyonetherehadheardfromherfather.Theanswerwasno.

Goingtotheairlines’reservationdesk,Nancyasked,“Couldyoufindoutifmyfather,Mr.Drew,madethereservationandthencanceledit?”

The clerk made two telephone calls, then said that the lawyer had firstcanceled, then reinstated his reservation. “ButMr.Drew never claimed theticket,”headded,“soitwassoldtosomeoneelseatthelastminute.”

“That’snotlikeDad,”NancysaidworriedlytoNedastheywalkedaway.“I’mgoingtotelephoneMr.SakamakiinRiverHeightsandseeifheknowswhyDadwasn’tontheplane.”

She put in the long-distance call from the airport, and fortunately Mr.Sakamakihimselfanswered.WhenheheardNancy’sstory,hewasastounded.“Ihaven’theardofanychangeinyourfather’splans,”hesaid.“ButIbelieveIcanhelpyoufindoutwhathappened.I’llphoneaprivatedetectiveIknowinLosAngelesandaskhimtoworkonthecase.AssoonasIlearnanything,I’llletyouknow.”

“Oh,pleasedo,”Nancybegged.“I’mgoingdirectlytoKaluakuanowandI’llwaitthereuntilIhearfromyou.”

She and Ned hurried back to the estate. The first person they met wasHannah,who became greatly alarmed upon hearing thatMr.Drew had notarrivedinHonolulu.“He’sprobablybeingdetainedbysomeofthoseDoubleScorps,”shefretted.

Sheandtheotherswererelievedtoknowthatadetectivewasgoingtostartwork immediately to findoutwhathadhappened.Despite this, a feelingofgloomsettledoverKaluakuaandallthemainlanderssataroundtalkinginlowtones.

“Do you think we should cancel our reservations to Maui?” Ned askedNancy,asnoonapproached.

“Let’swaituntiloneo’clock,”shesuggested.

Atthatmomentthetelephonerangandshequicklypickedupthereceiver.Theothershadrisenfromtheirchairsand,withworriedexpressions,tiptoedforward.Theywerethunder-strucktohearNancycryout,“Dad!”

There was a long, one-sided conversation. Finally the young sleuth saidgood-bytoherfatherandturnedtotheothers.

“ThatLosAngelesdetectiveisawhiz,”sheremarked.“HefoundDadveryquickly, although he hadmoved to another hotel. And he also learned thattherewasanimpostor,oneof theDoubleScorps,usingthenameofCarsonDrew. This man passed himself off as Dad and canceled the cable to mesaying my father’s trip had been delayed. He also reinstated the planereservation,whichDadhadcanceled.OfcourseDadnevershoweduptopay

forit,sothefellowboughtitatthelastmomentattheairporttousehimself.”

“Well, thank goodnessMr. Drew is all right,” Hannah spoke up. “Is heremaininginLosAngeles?”

“Hesaidhe’dseeusafterwegetbackfromthevolcanocountry,”Nancyanswered.

Asshefinishedspeaking,sheheardacarcomingupthedriveway.Curiousabout the new-comer, everyone trooped to the front porch to seewhowascoming.

“Why,it’sJanetLeeandRoyChatleyl”Besssaidinalowtone.

“Iwonderwhattheywant,”Georgemused,frowning.

Thebrother and sister jumped from the car.Theygave fleeting smiles tothe mainlanders, then opened the luggage compartment of the automobile.Fromit,Roybegantakingoutseveralsuitcases.Presently,hepickeduptwoofthebagsandcarriedthemtotheporch.TurningtoNed,hesaid:

“Givemeahandwiththerestoftheluggage,willyou?”

Nancy had stepped forward. “We—we’re glad to see you, but why theluggage?”

Bythis timeJanetwaswalkingup thefrontsteps.“We’vecometostay,”sheannounced.

LooksofastonishmentcameoverthefacesofNancyandherfriends.Theyoungdetectivemanagedtosay,“You’restaying?Mr.Sakamakihasinvitedyoutocomehere?”

“Ofcoursenot,” JanetLeeanswered.“Butas toan invitation,Royand Idon’t need one.We have far more right to be here than you people have.We’restaying!”

“Furthermore,”herbrotheraddedpompously,“thesooneryoufolksmoveout,thebetterwe’lllikeit!”

CHAPTERXVI

TheSpecter

COMPLETELYstunnedbytheannouncementofRoyChatleyandJanetLee,Nancy’sgroupstoodasifrootedtothespot.Theycouldnotbelievewhattheyhadjustheard.Thebrotherandsisterweremovinginandaskingtheotherstomoveout!

“Well,aren’tyoufellowsgoingtohelpmewiththebag?”Royaskedinanirritablevoice.

AsNancy foundhervoiceand introducedMrs.Gruenand theboys,Nedstepped forwardand said, “As soonas I’m told it’s all right, I’ll beglad tohelpyouwithyourluggage.”

Janettossedherhead.“Well,ofallthenerve!Herewe’rethegrandchildrenofthemanwhoownedthisplaceandyou’retellinguswhattodo.”

By nowNancy had decidedwhat to do. She hurried into the house anddashedupstairstoGrandfatherSakamaki’sbedroom.Adjoiningitwasasmallstudywithatelephone.Sheclosedthedoorandput inacall toMr.Dutton,theexecutor.

WhenNancyrelatedwhathadhappened, the trustofficerwasstunnedbythe news. “This makes a complicated situation indeed,” he said. “But Isupposewe have no right to keepMrs. Lee and her brother out. They areentitledtovisittheestateaswellasyourfriendMr.Sakamakioranyfriendshesendsthere.”

“Isupposeso,”Nancyagreed.“Ionlyhopethey’llbepleasant.”

Mr.Dutton sighed. “Iwish I could help you, but at themoment nothingoccurstome.JustthismorningIwasgoingoverthecredentialsofMrs.LeeandMr.Chatley.Theycertainlyseemtobeallright.

“AmongthethingsisaphotographofthegraveofoldMr.Sakamaki’sfirstwife,theirgrandmother.Thentheyhadotherpaperstoprovethatshehadjustonechild,adaughter.Thephotographofthiswomanprovedthatshelookedverymuchlikehermother.

“ThentherewereotheroldphotographsofMr.Sakamaki’sfirstwifewithher grandchildren. They certainly resemble Janet and Roy. Also, theyproduced newspaper clippings of the death notice and funeral of theirmother.”

Nancywasimpressed.“Itallsoundsauthentic,”shesaid.

“Yes,itdoes,”Mr.Duttonagreed.“Anotherthing,Mr.Chatleybroughtanoldletterofhisgrandmother’stoafriendtellinghowherhusbandhadleftherwhentheirdaughterwasababyandthathehadgonetoHonolulu.”

“Itsoundsveryplausible,”Nancyhadtoadmit.“Mr.Dutton,asyouknow,myfatherisinLosAngelestryingtocheckthesamestory.Italkedwithhimon the phone thismorning and he said something had come upwhich hadmadehimdecidetostayoveranddosomefurtherinvestigating.Maybehe’lluncoveradditionalfactsthatwilldisproveRoy’sclaim.”

NancythentoldoftheproposedtriptoMauiandtheHaleakalaCrater.Sheexplained about the little metal chest and the pictures on the paper foundinside.

“Howinteresting!”theexecutorremarked.

“Itmayormaynotmeananything,”saidNancy,“butIsuspectit’sagoodcluetothemysteryofKaluakua.”I’dplannedtoflytodaytotheareawherethe silversword plants are, but I hate to go and leaveRoyChatley and hissisterhere.”

“I see,” said Mr. Dutton. “Well, go ahead. I’ll have a private detective,namedJohnJerral,comeouttothehouseandstaywhileyou’reaway.”

Nancywasrelieved.“That’sfine,Mr.Dutton.”Withachuckle,sheadded,“Idon’tthinkweshouldtellJanetandRoywhathisprofessionis.”

“Right,” the executor agreed. “Mr. Jerral is of medium height and a bitoverweight. ”I’ll ask him towear a green necktie, so that you’ll recognizehim.Good-by,MissDrew,andsuccessonyoursearch.”

Crossing the study, Nancy opened the door, walked through Mr.Sakamaki’s bedroom, and into the hall. There she met Janet Lee and herbrother. The youngwoman held two small suitcases, her brother two largeones.Atthisinstanttheyplunkedthemdownonthefloor.

“Roy,”saidJanet,“I’mgoingtolookoveralltherooms,thendecidewhichonesyouandIwilloccupy.”

“Mostofthemaretaken,”Nancyspokeup.“SupposeIshowyoutwothat

areempty.”

“Thank you, but I’ll make my own decision,” retorted Janet haughtily.“Sincethishousebelongspartlytome,IthinkIhavearighttosleepwhereIwantto.”

Nancydidnotarguewiththewoman.Sheandherfriendswouldbeleavingthatafternoonandnot returningforawhile.Perhapsby the time theycamebacktoKaluakua,Mr.Drewwouldbethereandshecouldgethisadviceinthematter.

Casually,NancysaidthatsheandherfriendsandMrs.GruenweremakingatriptoMauitoseethefamouscrater.Whentheyreturned,thegroupcoulddiscuss thematterofwho should stay at the estate. Janet’s andRoy’s faceslightedup,buttheirsmilesfadedwhenNancysaid:

“Kaluakua is tohave anotherguest for a short time.Hewill arrive soon.Hisname isMr. John Jerral.He’saverypleasantman, and I’msureyou’llenjoyhiscompany.”

“Whatdoeshedo?”RoyChatleyaskedsuspiciously.

“Oh,he’sinterestedinmanythings,”Nancyrepliednoncommittally.“He’sreallyaverywell-informedperson.”He’llbeabletotellyoualotabouttheHawaiianIslandsandtheirlegendsandhistory.”

LeavingittoMr.JerraltosatisfyRoy’scuriosity,Nancyrusheddownstairs.Shequicklytoldtheothersofherconversationwiththeexecutorandthefactthat Mr. Jerral was coming. “But I didn’t tell Janet and Roy what hisprofessionis.”

Besslaughed.“Andweshan’tgiveitaway.I’llgotellKiyabuandEmmaaboutit.”Shehurriedaway.

George said in a gigglingwhisper that she had better go and rescue herpurse from the bedroom before Roy decided it belonged to the estate!Everyonewentupstairsandwatchedthenewcomerschoosetheirbedrooms.

First Ned’s suitcase and clothes were rudely removed from his room byRoy.Nancywasdismayedbecausethiswasoneofthemostspaciousroomson the second floor and she had planned thatMr.Drewwould sleep in theroomwithNed.

“I think I’ll take this room,” Janet announced in grandiose style, as shestoppedinthedoorwayoftheroomwhichNancywassharingwithHannah.“I’dappreciateitifwhoeverisinherewouldremovetheseclothes.”

Nancyconcealedherannoyanceandsaidnothing.BessandGeorgehelpedhercarrytheclothestoasmallroomattheendofthehall.

AsGeorge hung up the last dress, she saidwith flashing eyes, “Do yougirls realize that those two have picked rooms fromwhich they canwatcheverythingthatgoeson?”

“Yes,andeverybody!”addedBess.“Itwouldn’tsurprisemeifbythetimewegetbackherealltheclotheswe’velefthavebeenstolen!”

“Oh,Idon’tthinkweneedworryaboutthat,”saidNancy.Sheglancedatherwatch.“We’dbettergrabsomelunchandbeonourwayorwe’llmissourplane.”

Soonsheandherfriendswerereadytoleave.Suitcaseswerepiledintotheconvertible’s luggage compartment and its passengers began to climb in.Nancywasworried.Mr.Jerralhadnotarrivedandshehadgreatmisgivingsabout leaving Janet Lee and Roy Chatley at Kaluakua without moreprofessionalguardsthanKiyabuandEmma.

Butamomentlaterherfearswereallayed.Acarturnedintothedriveway,andaslightlystoutmanofmediumbuildandwearingagreennecktieparkedandsteppedout.Nancyrushedforwardandtoldhiminalowvoicewhathadhappened, including the fact that Janet Lee andRoyChatley did not knowthathewasadetective.

“Good!”hesaid inawhisper.Aloudhecalled,“You’ll love the islandofMaui.Haveafinetime!”

Anhour later thegroupwere in the air.Nancy andNed sat together andsoonwerediscussingthevariousaspectsofthemystery.

“Tellmeyourideaofwhatthenakanatasymbolmaymean,Ned,”Nancysaid.

“Myguessisstatuettes,”hereplied.“Perhapsthereare twoveryvaluablestatuettesburiednearsomesilverswordplant.”

Nancygazedout thewindowat thegreenish-bluewaterbelowherasshethought about this.Then she reflected that a silverswordplant bloomsonlyonce, thendies.Itwasdoubtful ifGrandfatherSakamakiwouldhaveburiedanythingsovaluablenearsomethingthatwasnotpermanent.

“You probably have it all figured out,” Ned remarked. “What’s theanswer?”

Nancysmiled.“I’mguessingthattheidenticalsymbolsmeanbrothersand

maybeeventwins.”

“Okay.Wheredoesthatgetyou?”Nedasked.

Nancyhadtoadmitthatatthispointhertheorizinghadreachedadeadend.“Maui isnota largeplace,”shemused,“buton theotherhand the island isnotsmall,either.It’sgoingtobearealchallengetofindthetwomenifthat’swhatthepaperindicated.”

Forty minutes later the pilot set his plane down at the Hana airport. AsmilingPolynesianmetthemandintroducedhimselfasMokiKuano.

“Do you wish to stop at your hotel first or shall we go directly to thecrater?”heasked.

“Wedon’twanttomissanything,”Bessspokeup.“Whatdoyouadvise?”

TheHawaiianguidesmiled.“Perhapsweshouldgotothecraterfirst.Itisalongdrive,butweshouldget therebysunset,andifwearelucky,youmayseetheSpecterofBrocken.”

“What’sthat?”Burtinquired.

Theguideexplainedthatitwasaphenomenonviewedfromtherimofthecraterwhenitwasfilledwithclouds.“You’llseeyourreflectioninarainbowwhichcirclestheclouds.”

“Soundsspookyandwonderful!”Bessremarked.

Mokisuggestedthatthetravelerschecktheirbagsattheairport.Hewouldcomebackforthemlater.Thegroupagreed,sincewitheightinthecartherewasnoroomforluggage.

“Iunderstandthatthecrateristenthousandfeetabovesealevel,”saidNed.“Willthiscarbeabletotakeallofusuptoit?”

TherewasachucklefromMoki.“Youjustsqueezein.Thecarwilldotherest.”

Thetravelersmanagedtosettlethemselvescomfortablythoughcrowdedinthe tourist car. All of themwere charmed with the old tree-shaded city ofHana,aculturalcenterofancientHawaii.NancylearnedthatseveralretiredprofessorsandotherstudentsofvolcanologyandPolynesianlorelivedthere.Instantly she thought of the symbols beneath the picture of the silverswordplant.

“Maybe twomen liveherewhocanhelpmewith themystery!” she toldherselfexcitedly.

Nancy’sattentionwasdivertedbyMokipointingoutagorgeouswaterfallandshesuddenlyrealizedhowlongshehadbeendaydreaming.Theywerefaroutoftown!

Onthewayupthemountain,theypassedfieldsofsugarcaneandsomeofpineapple,butinthemainthiswasranchcountrywithcattlegrazingonlushgrass.Abouttwo-thirdsofthewaytothetop,Mokisuddenlystoppedthecar.

“Iwillshowyouasilverswordplant,”hesaid.

Everyonealightedandfollowedhimdowna little inclineoveragravelly,rockysection.Beforethemwasthemostamazingplantthevisitorshadeverseen.Itstoodsometenfeetintheair.Fromthelowerpartofthestalkgrewashowerofleaveswhichlookedlikehairysilverswords.Mokiexplainedthathairson the leaveskeptout the sun’s raysandpreventedmoistureescapingfromtheplant.

Theuppersixfeetoftheplantwasthefloweritself.Fromthecenterstalkgrewgreenfoliageandhundredsofpurpleandyellowflowers.

“Exquisite!” Hannah Gruen exclaimed. “This is certainly worth comingmilesandmilestosee.”

Mokisaidthatthemainlanderswerefortunate.Thiswasnotaspotwherethe plants usually grew. Smiling, he added that he thought this one haddeliberatelyplanteditselfawayfromthecraterpropertoshowoffitsbeautytothepassers-byontheroad.

Afterthegrouphadgazedatitinaweawhile,walkingaroundtheunusualplantseveraltimes,Mokisaidtheymustbeontheirway.Thecarclimbedupthe mountainside. When it finally reached the top, Nancy and her friendswalked to the rim, and stood breathless at themagnificent spectacle beforethem. Holding onto an iron railing, they gazed down into an enormousdepression.Partof itwasgrassywithplantsgrowingon the lava floor.Butmostamazingweretheseriesofcindercones,someashighaseighthundredfeet,whichMokisaidweretheresultofvolcaniceruptions.Thewholescenewasbathedintheglowofabrilliantredsunset.

For a long time, the group stood speechless asMoki explained that thecraterwassevenmileslongandtwomileswide.Sointerestedwerethesight-seersthattheyhardlynoticedthecloudsgatheringoverthecrater.Inashorttime the area was filled with them and suddenly a complete rainbowsurroundedtheclouds.

“Andlook!”Besscriedout,pointing.“There’smyreflectioninthecenter

ofthem!”

“Andyoudolooklikeaspook,”Georgeremarked.

Everyoneofthevisitorswasclearlyreflectedamongtheclouds.

Nancy and George were particularly intrigued. Trying to see more fromanother vantage point, they walked a distance out on the cliff beyond therailing.

Georgewenta fewstepsaheadofNancy.Gazing into thecloudsandnotwatchingwhereshewasgoing,shesuddenlylostherbalance.

Nancy,seeingthis,madeawildgrabforherandcaughtholdofGeorge’sblouse.But theweight ofGeorge’s bodydragged the twoof themover thesideofthecliff!

CHAPTERXVII

VolcanoBirds

THE INSTANT the two girls started tumbling down the cliffside, the threeboysjumpedtotherescue.TheywerebesideNancyandGeorgeinamoment,bracing themselves against the steep slope, and asking if thegirls hadbeeninjured.

“Onlymypride,”Georgereplied.“Whatadumbthingtodo!”

SincebothsheandNancyfeltshakenupandhadsufferedafewbruises,itwas decided that the groupwould leave at once and go to the ranchmoteloutsideofHanawhere theyhad reservations. Itwasnearlyduskwhen theyarrivedattheattractivemountainsideinnwithitslow,rusticbuildings.

Besswasgladthatdinnerwasready.“I’mstarving,”shesaid,astheyallsatdownatalongtable.

Thetablewasveryattractivewithacenterpieceofgardeniasfloatinginabowl of monkeypod wood. At each setting was a large slice of papaya,covered with chunks of pineapple, banana, andmango, and sprinkled withshreddedcoconut.

“I’msuregoingtomissthesetropicalfruitswhenIgetbacktoEmerson,”Burt said with a laugh. “Fellows, can you imagine our dinners at collegestartingwithacourselikethis?”

NedandDavegrinned.“Beansoupisusuallywhattheystartwith,”Davetoldtheothers.

Therewasagreatdealofbanterandteasingduringthemeal.Butdirectlyafterward, Nancy became serious. She told her friends that she had beendoingsomethinkingaboutthedrawingfoundinthechest.Ithadoccurredtoher that possibly therewere twomen—perhaps twins—inHana,whowereinterestedinsomespecificwayinsilverswordplants.

Excusingherself,shelefttheothersandaskedthehotelclerkatthedeskifhe knewof anyonewhowas particularly interested in the plant.He repliedthat he did not, but that perhaps themanager,Mr. Blake, might know. He

usheredNancyintoaninnerofficeandintroducedhertothemanager.

Nancy again asked her question. Mr. Blake did not hesitate a moment.“Yes, there are two suchmen here in town. They’re twins, and professors.TheAndersonbrothershavemadeaspecialstudyofthesilverswordplant.”

A surge of excitement swept over Nancy. Her clue was about to bringresults!

“TheAndersonbrothersretiredfromteachingsometimeago,”Mr.Blakewent on. “Since studying our silversword plant and finding that it growsnowhereelseintheworld,theyhavecomeupwithaveryinterestingtheory.”

Mr.Blakesaidtheprofessorsbelievedthattheoriginalseedshadbeenshotfromspacewhen theplanet earthwasbeing formed, and that theyhad laindormantinthislocaleuntiltheHawaiianIslandgroupwaserupted.

Nancy was astounded at this theory, and eager to talk to the professorsaboutit.

“AretheAndersonswillingtohavevisitors?”sheaskedMr.Blake.

“Oh,yes,indeed,”themanageranswered.

“Iftheyhaveaphone,”saidNancy,“perhapsIcouldcallthemandmakeanappointment.”

Thehotelmanagerreachedforacopyofthetelephonedirectory,foundthenumber,andput in thecall forNancy.Adeepvoiceat theotherendof thewiresaid,“NilsAndersonspeaking.”

“ThisisMr.Blakeatthemotel,”themanagertoldhim.“Wehaveaguesthere,MissNancyDrew,whowouldliketospeaktoyou.”

HehandedthephonetoNancy,whosaid,“Hello.ThisisNancyDrewfromRiverHeights on themainland.”Then she asked, “ProfessorAnderson, didyou know a man in Honolulu named Nikkio Sakamaki who lived atKaluakua?”

“MybrotherandIknewhimwell,”camethereply.

“Then may I please come to see you?” the young sleuth inquired. “Myfather is attorney for Mr. Sakamaki’s grandson. A mystery has arisen inconnectionwithhisgrandfather’sestateandperhapsyoucanhelpinsolvingit.”

ProfessorAndersonchuckled.“IlovemysteriesandIshouldbeveryhappytoseeyou.Canyoucomehereaboutnine-thirtytomorrowmorning?”

NancysaidshecouldandlateraskedNedtogowithher.TheyarrivedattheAndersoncottagepromptlyandwereadmittedbythebrothers,whowereidenticaltwins.Thewhite-hairedmenwereaboutseventyyearsold,tallandstraight,withruddycomplexionsandtwinklingblueeyes.

NancyandNed introduced themselves,andNedrevealed thatNancywasdoing some detectivework for her father in connectionwith the Sakamakicase.”

“That’sveryinteresting,”oneofthemensaid.

Theprofessorsthenintroducedthemselves.Nilswasabotanist,Stephenazoologist.“WecamefromCaliforniaoriginally,”saidStephen,“butwelivedinHonoluluformanyyearsandlecturedoccasionallyattheUniversity.”

Histwintookupthestory.“WebecameacquaintedwithMr.SakamakiofKaluakua because of his interest in science. He was a very well-informedman,especiallyonthesubjectofbotany.WethreebecamegreatfriendsandsawagooddealofoneanotheruntilStephenandandIdecided tocome toHanaandmakeastudyofthesilverswordplant.”

“Mr.Blake told us about your theory as to theway the seeds got to thisearth,”Nancyspokeup.

Nilsnodded.“Itseemsliketheonlylogicalexplanation,”hesaid,“butwehave a great deal more studying to do and it is possible we’ll change ourminds.”

Nancy now told the professors further details of her father’s connectionwiththeSakamakicase,andalsoaboutherowninterestinthepuzzle.

“We’vebeentryinghardtoclearupthemystery,”shesaid,“andjustcameupon a new clue.” She explained about the discovery of the chestwith thedrawingofthesilverswordplantandthesymbolsmeaningmen.“Areyouthemenindicated?”sheasked,smiling.

Neitherof the twinsrepliedatonce. Instead, theygazedateachotherforseveralmomentsasiftryingtodecidehowtoanswer.ButfinallyNilsspokeup.

“OldNikkioSakamakiwasfulloffunandincidentallyfullofsageOrientalsayings. He took great pleasure in thinking up clues to the solution of theKaluakuamystery.Healwayssaidhewantedhisheirtoworktounfathomit.”

Astheelderlymanstoppedspeaking,Nancyaskedagain,“Anddidoneofthecluesleadtoyoupeoplebecauseyoucantellussomething?”

Stephen smiled. “You have guessed correctly,MissDrew.Mr. Sakamakisaidifanyoneshouldeveraskquestionssimilartotheoneswhichyouhaveputthatweweretoanswer,‘WatchtheangelbirdsoverMaunaLoa.’”

“ ‘Watch theangelbirdsoverMaunaLoa,’ ”Nancy repeated. “Does thatmeanthevolcanoMaunaLoa?”

The professors grinned delightedly. Then Nils answered, “We wereinstructedtosaynomore.”

Itwasclear toNancy that theyhadno intentionofbreakinganypromisetheyhadgivenoldMr.Sakamaki.TactfullyshechangedthesubjectandaskedtheAndersons if they knewwhetherNikkio Sakamaki had evermentionedhavingawifeandchildinCalifornia.

“No, he never did,”Nils replied. “In fact, I believe hewas inCaliforniaonlyafewdaysbeforecomingtoHonolulu.”

Nancywassoexcitedtohearthisthatshealmostjumpedoutofherchair.“Thisisveryimportantnews,”shesaid.“AbrotherandsisterfromCaliforniahavearrivedinHonolulutoclaimtwo-thirdsoftheestate.TheysaytheyaregrandchildrenofGrandfatherSakamaki.”

Oncemore thebrothers looked at eachother for severalmoments beforespeaking.ThenNilssaid,“Iamamazedtohearthisanddoubtthestoryverymuch. I believe I may be able to help you prove that these people areimpostors.”

“Oh,ifyouonlycould!”Nancycriedout.

NilsAndersonwentontosaythatoldMr.Sakamakihadgivenhimseveralletters containing data about rare Japanese flowers. These letters had beenwrittentoMr.SakamakiwhilehewasstillinJapan.

“Hehadno furtheruse for them,” theprofessor explained, “and sinceheknewIwouldliketostudythelettersandcouldreadJapanese,hegavethemtome. Ifmymemory servesme correctly, the dates on those lettersmightprovethatMr.SakamakiwasinJapanatthetimethesepeopleclaimhewasmarriedandlivinginCalifornia.”

Nancywasalmostbesideherselfwithelation.“Doyouhave these lettershere?”shesaideagerly.

“NotinHana,”NilsAndersonreplied.“Whenwemovedhere,Iputthemin the bank vault inHonolulu.” Seeing the excitement onNancy’s face, hesmiled and added, “I’ll be very happy to fly to Honolulu and look at the

letters. If I am right in my assumption, I’ll turn the letters over to theexecutorsofMr.Sakamaki’sestate.”

“That’sverykind,andcertainlywonderfulnews,”saidNancy.

ProfessorAndersonsmiled.“Beforegettingintouchwiththeexecutor,I’llcallyouonthephone.WillyoubeatKaluakua?”

For an instant Nancy toyed with the idea of returning immediately toHonolulu and awaiting his call. But she decided to postpone the trip backuntilshehadgonetotheislandofHawaiiandwatchedtheangelbirdsflyingoverMaunaLoa.ShemustfigureoutthenextcluetothesecretofKaluakua!She told her plan to the professor, who said hewould put off his flight toHonoluluaday.

ThefollowingmorningNancydecidedtotelephoneKiyabuandtellhimofthetriptoHawaiiandalsofindoutwhathadbeengoingonattheestate.Thecaretaker told her that no messages had come from anyone, includingMr.Drew.

“Wearehavingbadluckhere,”Kiyabureported.“Mr.Jerralwastakenillsoonafterdinnerthedayyouleft.Hehasbeenconfinedtohisbedeversince.Mr.Chatleyhadadoctorforhim.”

“ThenthatmeanshehasnotbeenabletokeepwatchonRoyChatleyandhissister,”Nancyremarked.

“Iamafraidnot,”Kiyabureplied,“butIhavebeenguardingtheplacethebestIcould.Emmahasbeenhelpingme,too.”

“Areyourguestsenjoyingthemselves?”Nancyasked.

An exclamationof disgust came fromKiyabu. “MissDrew, thosepeopleareimpossible.Alwaystheyareorderingmetogoonerrands.Iamsuretheywantmetoleavetheestateforgood.ThentheyhaveharshwordsforEmmaandmeandtheyhavethreatenedusseveraltimes.”

“Howdreadful!”Nancyexclaimed.

“Butthatpart isnotsobadastherest,”thecaretakerwenton.“Mrs.LeeandMr.Chatleyhavehadcompanyhereallthetime.Thepeoplewhocomeareveryrough.Theyhavebrokenmuchfurniture.EmmaandIhaveputawayallthesmallpieceswecould.”

Nancytriedtoexpresshersympathyandsaythatsheandherfriendswouldreturnimmediately,butshehadnochance.Kiyabutalkedfastandloudinhisexcitement.

“Themenmakejokesallthetime.Theysaytheywantdoubleofeggsand.double of coffee. One of them even ordered double cakes of soap for hisbathroom.And every timeoneof them says this, the rest of them laugh soloudithurtsmyears.”

Thedistraughtcaretakerwentonwithhistaleofwoe,sayinghowsickpoorMr.JerralwasandwhatwereheandEmmagoingtodo?ButNancydidnotanswer. A sudden thought had come to her which made her instinctivelyclutchatherthroat.

Were JanetLee andRoyChatleyknowingly entertainingmembersof theDoubleScorpsatKaluakua?

CHAPTERXVIII

AnExplosion

KIYABUcontinuedtocomplainbitterlyoftheunseemlydoingsatKaluakua.“Thosevisitorsplayedsomecrazygameinthegardenandruinedsomeofmyrareplants!”hecriedoutindespair.“AndMr.Sakamakiwassoproudofhisflowers!”

Nancy was indignant. Her thoughts traveled to Mr. Jerral. Why had hepermitted this? Was he too ill to object? Why had he not sent for areplacement?

ItoccurredtoherthatpossiblyMr.Jerralwasnotsoillasheseemedtobe—that he was using this method to allay any suspicion on the part of the“guests” at Kaluakua, and actually was watching them very intently.Nevertheless,sheofferedtoreturntotheestateatonce.

“Thatwillnotbenecessary,MissNancy,”Kiyabusaid.“Wewillmanagesomehow.”

“Do you think,” Nancy questioned, “that Roy Chatley’s guests aresearchingforsomething?”

“No,Idonot,”Kiyabureplied.“I just thinktheyareheretohaveagoodtime.Buttheyhaveverybadmanners.”

“Inanycase,we’llbehomelatetomorrow,”Nancypromised.“Ifthingsgettoobad,Isuggestyoucallthepolice.”

Aftertheyoungsleuthhungup,shekeptwonderingwhetherornotshehadmade the right decision in not going directly home.When she discussed itwiththeothersinhergroup,theyurgedNancytogototheislandofHawaiitoseetheangelbirds.Mokiandafriendofhisdrovethemtotheairportintwocars.

“IhaveafriendinHawaiiwhoisafineguideaswellastaxidriver,”Mokitoldthem.“WhenyouarriveattheairportinHilo,askforKeaka.”

“We’lldothat,”saidNed.“Thanks,Moki.”

Upon theirarrivalatHilo three-quartersofanhour later,NancyandNedquestioned the taxi drivers until they found Keaka. He was a small, dark,pleasantmanaboutfortyyearsofage.

“Yes,Ican takeyoufora tripatonceandgiveyouasmuchtimeasyoulike,”hesaid.“IamgratefultomyfriendMokiforsendingyoutome.”

Learningthattheywouldbeabletostayonlyuntilthefollowingafternoon,hesuggestedageneralsight-seeingtouratonce.TheycouldstayovernightattheVolcanoHouse,andtakealookatMaunaLoathenextmorning.

Keaka’scarwasastationwagon,sotherewasplentyofroomforeveryone.Partoftheluggagewasstrappedtotheroof.Theneveryonegotin.

“HaveyoueverheardofourFernForest?”Keakaasked.

Nedsaidthathehadreadthatthefernswerereallyashighastrees.

Keakalaughed.“Youshalljudgeforyourself,”heanswered,anddroveoff.

ThecityofHiloitselfwasabusyplace,withafineharborwheresteamersunloaded all types of freight. One of the most interesting sections of thewaterfrontwasthebulk-sugarstorageplant.

Keaka suggested that they look around inside. He led the way into thebuildingandupatwistingflightofironsteps.Atthetopwasacatwalkfromwhichonecouldlookdownintothehugesugarstoragevats.

“Thisplacecanreceivemorethanthreehundredtonsofsugaranhourandcan load freightersat the rateofsixhundred tonsanhour,” theirguide toldthem.

“Astounding!”remarkedHannahGruen.

TwoofthebinswerefilledwithbrownrawsugarwhichKeakasaidwouldberefinedinCalifornia.Theotherbinswereempty.

“YoucouldpracticallysettheEmpireStateBuildingfromNewYorkCityinoneofthese,”Georgeremarked.

“Yousurecould,”Burtagreed.Then,grinning,hesaid,“I’dsaythisisthesweetestplaceonearth.”

Theotherssmiled,andBesscommented,“Alsooneofthehottest.Let’sgolI’dpreferthecoolFernForest.”

Keakadrovethemthroughattractiveresidentialsections,andfinallyoutoftown.Soon thecarbegan toclimb,andaftera timereacheda road runningdirectlythroughaforestareamadeupalmostexclusivelyofgiantferns.

“Theyreallyareastallastrees!”Besscriedoutexcitedly.“Oh,let’sgetoutandtakesomepictures.”

“Watchoutforsnakes,”Mrs.Gruenwarned.

“Thatwon’t be necessary,” the guide spoke up. “There are no poisonouslandsnakesontheseislands.”

Hannahsighed in reliefand thesight-seersalighted.Theywalkeda shortdistanceintotheforest.ThegiantfernsweresurprisinglysturdyandGeorgewithachucklesaid,“Hypers,whatafanoneofthesewouldmake!”

Thegroupsnappedsomeinterestingpicturesofthegiantferns,thenKeakasuggestedtheygoon.Attimestheypassedthroughforestsoftreesandfernsandatother times throughopencountry.Finallyaftera long,gradualclimbtheroadbroughtthemtoalargegreenplateau.

“WeareintheKilaueaCraternow,”theguideannounced.

Presentlyhestoppedthecaratthesideoftheroadandsuggestedthatthepassengers follow him. He headed for a spot where they could see steamissuingfromtheground.

“I’llshowyousomeburningwater,”hesaidmysteriously.

“Burningwater?”Bessrepeated.Keakasmiledbutdidnotexplainfurther.

Soon the group reached a circular pit in the ground about six feet indiameter.Throughthedriftingsteam,thetouristscouldseewaterseveralfeetbelow.

“O-oh,thissmellshorrid,”saidBess.

“Suredoes,”Daveagreed.

Keakasmiledbutmadenocomment.Fromhispockethe tookabookofmatchesandlightedone.

“Heregoes!”hecalled,stillgrinning.“Lookout,everybody!”

Hethrewthematchdownintothewater.Insteadofbeingextinguished,theflame instantly caused a small explosion.The group fell back in dismay asyellow-and-red flames shot up a distance of some six inches above theground.

“Why,that’sdangerous!”Hannahcriedout.

Nancy laid an affectionate arm around thewoman’s shoulders. “I’m sureKeakawouldn’tdoitifitweredangerous.”Turningtotheguide,shesawthat

he was lighting another match. He threw this too down toward the water.Oncemoretherewasanexplosionandflamesshotup!

“Whatcausessuchareaction?”Nedaskedhim.

Keakaexplainedthathydrogensulfidegaswasbeingformedcontinuouslybelowtheearth’ssurfaceandfounditsescapewiththesteam.Itignitedwhenfirecameincontactwiththefumes.

“Isgaspartofwhatstartsaneruption?”Nedinquired.

“Yes. Gases are contained in the seething, boiling molten rockunderground.Afterawhile, if theycannotfindanyrelease,pressureisbuiltup.When thisbecomes toogreat,aneruptionoccurs—whichhappensnowandthenoveronMaunaLoa.Butaroundheretherearesomanyventsinthegroundthatthegashasnotroublegettingout.”

Bess looked a little puzzled. “You mean that the pressure of the gasesforces the molten rock to burst out of the earth and that’s how volcanoeserupt?”

“Exactly,”theguidereplied.“Ifyou’relucky,youmayseeaneruptiononMaunaLoawhileyou’rehere.”

“Oh, I hope not,” said Bess fearfully. “We might be buried under thatscorchinglava!”

Keaka laughedand shookhishead. “Wehave someof theworld’s finestgeologistshere,”hesaid.“Theyhavemanywaysoftellingwhentherewillbeaneruptionandnobodygetstooclose.”

Despitehisreassuringwords,Besscontinuedtoworrythatavolcanomightexpode right before her eyes. It was not until they reached the delightfulVolcanoHouse,andshehadeatenadeliciousmeal,thatsheforgotherfear.

Theflameinstantlycausedasmallexplosion

Aftersupperthevisitorsfromthemainlandwalkedaroundtheattractivelyplantedgrounds,marvelingat the steamcomingoutof theground inmanyspots.

“This is the most exciting place I’ve ever visited,” George remarked toNancy. “I’m gladBess is over her fright about volcanoes. I feel a little bitmyself as if some trickmight be played on the people around here by that

goddessPele.”

Ned,overhearingtheremark,saidhehadbeentalkingwithavolcanologistfrom the Hawaiian National Park Service. The man had stated there wasabsolutelynodanger.

“Bytheway,heinvitedustocomeovertoheadquarterstomorrowmorningandseecoloredmotionpicturesofthemostrecenteruptionatMaunaLoa.”

“Let’sgo!”Nancyurged.

When Keaka appeared with the station wagon the next morning, Nancytold himof the invitation.The guide said by allmeans theymust view themovieanddrovethemtotheheadquartersbuilding.

Forhalfanhourtheywerecaptivatedbyoneofthemostfantasticmotionpicturestheyhadeverseen.Fountainsofred-and-yellowlavawereshothighintotheair,thencamedowntorunasaburningriverallthewaytothesea.Upon reaching water, lava and ocean met in a hissing roar, sending upvolumesofsteamtenthousandfeetintotheair.

“No lives were lost during this eruption,” the narrator explained, “but acoupleofdozenbuildingswere,andmorethanamileofhighwaywasburied.It isestimatedthatabilliontonsof lavaflowedfrombeneaththesurfaceoftheearth.”

Nancy and her friends left the headquarters building awestruck by thethought of what Mother Nature can do. Keaka drove them to the scenedepicted in themovie.Howdifferent itseemednow!Thesitewasgrayandharmless looking. As they drove along, the guide pointed out where thestreams of lava had run down to the sea. Directing their attention to thevariousscooped-out,cone-shapedhills,hesaid:

“Thosebowllikedepressionsarecalledcaldera.”

FinallytheycametothemaincraterofMaunaLoa.Standingontheedge,thegrouplookeddownintoablackish-graydepth,seamedwithfissures,somenarrow,somewide.

“Andtherearetheangelbirds!”Nancycriedout.

Swoopinglowonemomentanddisappearingthenextwerethelittlewhitebirds.Nancygazedatthemintently.WhatwastheirsecretwhichGrandfatherSakamakiwastryingtoindicatetohisgrandsontohelphimsolvethemysteryofKaluakua?

“Thosebirds,”Keakaspokeup,“areman’sfriends.Itseemsasiftheyhave

beenputhereforarealpurpose.It’ssaidtheycandetectwhenthereisgoingtobeaneruptionandflyfaraway.”

Nancy studied their motions for a long time. She was particularlyfascinated by theway they fluttered, almost like butterflies, over one area,thenswoopedorrose,andflutteredagainoveranotherarea.

Suddenly the young sleuth snapped her fingers. “I think I know whatGrandfatherSakamakimeant!”shedeclared.

CHAPTERXIX

AKing’sTreasure

“YOU’VEguessedthemystery?”Bessasked,astounded.

“Oh,no,”Nancyanswered,“butIthinkIknowwhattheclueoftheangelbirdsmeans. Ibelieve thatNikkioSakamakiwas tellinghisgrandson to flyovertheestate.”

AsKeakastrolledoff towardthestationwagon,Nancyquicklyexplainedtoherfriends,“IfweswoopdownlowovertheGoldenPavilion,I’msurethatwewillfindeitheranotherclueorperhapstheanswertotheriddle.”

“Itsoundsreasonable,”Bessremarked.“Butwhatareyougoingtoswoopdownin?”

Georgeanswered.“Aplane,ofcourse,silly.”

Nancywasthoughtfulforseveralmoments,thensuggestedaplan.“IthinkIshouldreturninsecrettoKaluakua,perhapswithNed,andseewhatwecanfind out. Suppose one of you phone there and say that the group haspostponedtheirreturnuntiltomorrowmorning.TheChatleysandtheirfriendswillassume that this includesNedandme. In themeantime,we’lldosomequietsleuthing.”

Ned was enthusiastic about the idea. He was eager to start at once, butNancy reminded him that it would be far better to cruise slowly over theGoldenPavilioninahelicopterthantoflyoveritinaplane.Theywouldhavetomakearrangementstocharterone.

“DoyouthinkKeakacouldbetrustedtohelpus?”NedaskedNancy.“Heprobablyknowssomehelicopterpilots.”

Nancythoughtthiswasagoodsuggestion.ButbeforetakingupthematterwithKeakashewentontotelltheothersmoreofherplan.“AfterwegettoHonolulu,Ned and Iwill staywith theArmstrongs. If anything comes up,phonemethere.AndI’llcallyouattheVolcanoHouse.”

Hannah was concerned about Nancy’s undertaking this bit of detectivework, and made Nancy and Ned promise that they would be extremely

careful.At thatmomentKeakawalked back to the group andNancy askedabouthelicopterservicetoOahu.

TheHawaiiansmiled.“Iknowjust theman to takeyou,”hesaid.“We’lldrivebacktoParkHeadquartersandIwillphonehimforyou.”

Whentheyreachedthebuilding,Keakawentinsideandwasgonesolongthat Nancy began to feel discouraged about the project. But presently theguideappeared,abroadgrinonhisface.

“Everythingisarranged,”heannounced.“KenBrownwillbewaitingwithhishelicopteratfouro’clockattheHiloairport.”

“Thankyouverymuch,”saidNancy,thensuggestedthattheyallreturntotheVolcanoHousefor luncheonandtomakearrangementsfor theothers tospendthenightthere.

Atthreeo’clockNancyandNeddroveoffwithKeaka.Whentheyreachedthe Hilo airport, he introduced them to Ken Brown. The pilot was a tall,slendermainlanderwithablondcrewcutandflashingblueeyes.

“Asecretmission,eh?”heasked,grinning.“Soundsgood.Climbin.”

Nancy and Ned shook hands with Keaka, thanked him again for all hishelp,andwishedhimwell.Thentheyclimbedaboard.Thegreatrotorsbegantowhirlandinashorttimethehelicopterwasair-borne.AstheynearedthetipofOahu,NedtoldthepilotexactlywhereKaluakuawaslocated.

“Supposewegopastitfirstandthendecidefromwhichangletoapproachthepavilion,”Kensuggested.

“Goodidea,”Nedreplied.“Wecanseeifanyoneisoutinthegardens.”

“Yes,” Nancy agreed. “We’d prefer that nobody realize we’re purposelyflyingovertheestate.”

Ken kept to the shore line. As they came opposite the Golden Pavilion,Nancycriedout,“Ned,look!Inevernoticedthattheflowerbeddownthereisintheshapeofaplumierablossom!Also,onepetalisalittlelongerthantheothers.Itpointsdirectlytothesecretdoorwayunderthepavilion.”

NoonewasvisibleonthegroundsandinamomentNancyaskedthepilottoturnaroundandthistimeflyaslowaspossibleovertheGoldenPavilion.Hedidso,andashecameback,NancyandNedwatchedintently.Fromtheair,thegoldenroof,intheformofaplumieraflower,shonebrilliantlyinthesunlight.

“Ididn’tseeanythingunusual,didyou?”Nedasked,asKenspedon.

“No,Ididn’t,”Nancyreplied.“Ken,couldyouflyalittlelowerandalittleslower?”

Theyoungpilotgrinned.“Anythingtoplease,”hecalledback.

ThistimewhenKenwentovertheGoldenPavilionitseemedasifhewasonlyafewfeetfromit,andwentsoslowlythatNancyandNedwereabletogivetheflowerroofaclosescrutiny.

“Ned!”Nancycriedexcitedly.“Iseeitl”

“Seewhat?”heasked,puzzled.

“Thatsymbolrightinthecenteroftheflowerl”Nancyexplainedexcitedly.“Oh,Ken,pleaseflyoveritoncemore.”

Asthehelicoptermadeawidesweepandcamebackover theroofof theGoldenPavilion,NancyandNedgazedintentlyat thesymbolwhichNancyhad spotted. Quickly she sketched the symbol in her note pad, then beganrifflingthepagesofthebook.

“Haveyouseenenough?”Kencalledback.“Ijustsawsomebodycomeoutofthehouse.Thefolksintheremaybecomesuspicious.”

“I’ve seen enough,” Nancy replied. “Please take us to the airport.” Shecontinuedtolookthroughthenotebookuntilshecametoacertainpage.Onitwere a number of Polynesian symbols and their translations. “I’ve beencollectingthese,”shetoldNed.

“Frombooks?”heinquired.

Nancysaid that shehadcopied themfromvariousplaces—objects in themuseum, pieces of furniture, and advertisements. “Oh,Ned!” she suddenlyexclaimedexcitedly.“Hereitis!”

Shepointedtooneofthesymbols,comparingitwiththedrawingshehadjustmade.“Itmatches!Anditmeansking!”

“Goodsleuthing,”Nedcommented.“Butwheredowegofromhere?”

“Ibelieve,”saidNancy,hereyessparkling,“thatsome treasurebelongingtoanancientHawaiiankingishiddenatthecenterofthegoldenplumiera.”

“If you’re right,” said Ned, “you’re about to solve one of the mostintriguingmysteriesinyourcareer.”

Nancy admitted that she could hardlywait to investigate the roof of thepavilion.By the time theyhad landed and taken a taxi to theArmstrongs’home,shehadformulatedaplanofaction.“TonightyouandIwillgosecretly

to the Golden Pavilion with a ladder, Ned. You’re to have the honor ofuncovering the treasure. I’ll protect you by being a dancing ghost in themoonlight.”

Ned’sbrowwrinkled.“Idon’tgetit.”

Nancysaidthatwhatshehopedtodowasscareawayanyoneinthehouseoronthegroundswhomightseethe“ghost,”andsoleaveNedfreetocarryonhiswork.

“Thepersonmaynotrunaway,ofcourse,butIhopeatleasthewon’tcomenear.”

Nedlaughedsoftly.“Lightbegins todawn.You’regoingtopretendtobethat ghostlike hula dancer? The one who was supposed to frighten peopleaway?”

“Exactly, Ned.Of course, Imay run into trouble if she, too, happens tocome around, or if she’s staying at Kaluakua. But we’ll have to take thatchance. Whatever happens, I’ll try to give you plenty of time to find thetreasure.”

Ned remarked that it would not be safe to leave the ladder against thebuilding, oncehewason the roof.Anyone approaching thepavilionwouldknowatoncethatsomeonewasupthere.

“I’llhidetheladderwhileyou’reworking,”Nancypromised.

Ned grinned. “You’d better not let anything go wrong and leave mestrandeduponthatroof!”hewarned.

BythistimethetaxihadreachedtheArm.strongs’home.Mrs.Armstrongopenedthedoor.

“Oh,I’msogladtoseeyou!”shecriedout.“HannahGruentelephonedthatyouwerecom.ing.WhenIheardsomethingofyourplan,Ibe.gantoworry,butnowthatyou’reheresafe,Iguesseverythingisallright.”

She showedNancy andNed to roomswhich theywould occupy for thenight, then suggested that they all meet in the garden for cool drinks oflemonade.

“Wouldyoumind,”Nancyasked,“ifwestayindoors?Idon’twantanyonetoknowwe’rehere.”

“Why certainly, dear,” Mrs. Armstrong said. “We’ll talk in the livingroom.”

Mr.Armstronghadbeenout,buthadreturnedbythetimeNancyandNedhad freshenedup.Theolder couple listened intently asNancyunfoldedherplan.

“Andnow,”sheaskedattheconclusion,“doyouknowwhereIcanfindalightweightfoldingladderthatcouldbeputinsideyourcar,Mr.Armstrong?”

Theman thought for amoment, then saidhe remembered their carpenterhadone.Hewouldphoneandfindoutiftheymightborrowit.Whilehewasgone, Nancy inquired if Mrs. Armstrong had a white muumuu and somewhiteveilswhichshemightborrow.

“Come upstairs with me,” her hostess said. “I think we can locatesomething.”

Mrs. Armstrong rummaged through a bureau drawer, pulling outeverythingthatwaswhite.Amongthearticlesweretwowhitescarfs.

“And here is awhitemuumuu!” she said delightedly. “We’ll press thesethingsinajiffyandyou’llbeallsetforyourpartasahulaghostdancer.”

When she and Nancy returned to the first floor,Mr. Armstrong said, “Ihavepermissionforyoutoborrowtheladder.I’llrunoverandgetitnow.”

“That’swonderful!”saidNancy,“andIhavemycostume.”

She insisted upon pressing the muumuu and scarfs herself while Mrs.Armstrongsatbyinthelaundryroomandchattedwithher.Ned,meanwhile,hadfoundarecordplayerandwasenjoyingavarietyofHawaiiantunes.

Dinnerwas served indoors, so that noprying eyeswould seeNancy andNed.Conversationwasbothjollyandserious.AsthetimenearedforNancyandNed to leave, theyouth filledhis two jacketpocketswithseveral smalltools to help pry up the center of the golden flower roof. Mr. Armstrongbroughtthecartothedoor,andthecoupleslippedintoit.

“Goodluck!”saidMr.andMrs.Armstronginalowtone.

On the way to Kaluakua, Nancy and Ned discussed the possibility ofenteringthegroundssecretly.

“That’seasy,”saidNed.“I’llparkdownbeyondthegardensinagroveoftreesI’veseen.There’sahiddenpaththroughittothebeach.Wecancomeupalongsidethebushesfromthebeach,andthenturnintowardthepavilion.”

“Good!” Nancy approved. After Ned had parked the car, she said, “I’llfollowyou.”

Ned carried the ladder.OverNancy’s arm hung themuumuu and scarfs.Ned’s directions proved to be correct, and after a considerable walk, theyarrivedinawoodsygardenneartheGoldenPavilion.

The ladderwassetagainst thesideof thebuildingwhichwas inshadow,and Ned scrambled nimbly up.When he reached the roof, he lay flat andcrawledtothecenter.

Inthemeantime,Nancyhadfoldedtheladderanddraggedittoaplaceofhiding among the bushes. She looked around and listened. There was nosound,butfardownthebeachshecouldseeamovinglight.

“I’d better get into this costume,” she told herself. “Someone may becominghere.”

Hurriedlysheslippedthemuumuuoverherhead,removedhershoesandstockings, then draped the two scarfs gracefully around her head andshouldersinsuchawaythatshecouldcoverherfaceifnecessary.Steppingoutfromtheshadows,shenoticedthatthemovinglightwasalittlecloser.

Herheartpounding,shebegan tohumaHawaiianmelodyanddance thehula.Assheswayedandraisedherarmsfromsidetoside,theyoungsleuthkeptwondering howNedwasmaking out. In playing her part of the ghostdancer,shedarednotlookupnorwanderfarawayfromthepavilion.

Suddenlythemovinglightonthebeachwentout.Hadthepersoncarryingitspottedher?Hadhebeenfrightenedbytheapparition,orwashestealthilymovingtowardher?ForamomentNancyfelt likerunning,buthercouragereturned.

“Imustn’tdesertNed,”shecommandedherself.

She continued to dance over the grass, up the steps of the pavilion, andacross the floor. She glided down the steps on the other side. Still no onecametodisturbher.

“SurelyNedwillbereadyinaminute,”Nancythought.

Asecondlatershewasstartledbyavoicewhichseemedtohissatherfromonlyashortdistanceaway.AtfirstshethoughtitwasNed,thenshedetectedthefigureofamanemergingfromamongthebushes.Nancy’sheartmissedabeatbutshecontinuedheracting,holdingoneofthescarfsacrossherface.

“KeepondancingwhileItalk,”thestrangerordered,“andfortenminutesafterIleave.Kiyabuisafraidofyouandhewon’tcomewhileyou’rehere.”

Nancywaselated.Herrusewasworking!

Themansatdownonthegroundandbeganstrumminghisfingersontheedgeofthepavilionsteps.Suddenlyheraisedhistwoforefingersandtouchedthemtogether.

Nancyalmostcriedaloud.Butshekeptondancingasshesaidtoherself,“ThismanmustbeJimO’Keefe!”

Inafewmomentshebegantospeakagain.“It’sagoodthingyoushoweduptonight,Milly,”themansaid.“Ifyou’ddecidedtowelshonus,yourlifeandthatofyourdouble-crossin’husbandwouldn’thavelastedlong.”

Nancypretendedtoshiverandthemangavealow,sardoniclaugh.“Nowlisten.Tomorrownightyou’retorepeatthisdance.NancyDrewandtherestofhergangputoffreturnin’until tomorrow.They’llcomeout towatchyouandthenwe’llnab’emall.”

O’KeefewentontosaythatNancy’sgroupwouldbetakentoamountaincabin, tied up, and left to starve. “Sakamakiwill comenext,” theman saidharshly.“Inthemeantime,we’llallclearoutbutthegrandchildren.”Heguffawedsardonically.“We’llleavethemtogetcontroloftheestateforus!”

Nancy,asMilly,madenoreply.Shecontinuedtodance.O’Keefegotup,laughedsoftly,andwentofftowardthehouse.

“Iguesswegotherejustintime,”Nancytoldherself.

Whenthetenminuteswereup,Nedcametotheedgeoftheroof.

“I heard everything. Let’s get out of here as fast as possible!” Then headdedjubilantly,“Ihavetheking’streasure!”

Nancyrushedofftogettheladder,setitinplace,andNedhurrieddowntherungs.Overhisarmhewascarryingalong,varicoloredcapemadeofbirds’feathers.

“Why, this is one of those ceremonial capes made from the extinct o-obird!”Nancyexclaimedsoftly.“Amuseumpiece!”

“It surewaswell protected,” Ned commented. “I had to pry up a lot ofinsulation. That’s what took me so long!” He threw the cape over hisshouldersandstruttedaround.

“It’ssimplygorgeous!”Nancywhispered.

At this instant the couple heard footsteps.Nancy andNed began to run.Nancy had no time to put on her shoes and stockings, and Ned found itimpossibletocarrytheladder.Hedroppeditamongsomebushesandthetwospedoff.

Buttheyweretoolate.Thenextinstanttheyweresurroundedbyfourmen.

Nedmanagedtoknockoutoneofthemen,buttheoddswereagainstthecouple.

TheancientcapewastakenawayfromNed,andheandNancywereboundandgagged.Twoof the captors dragged their prisoners back to theGoldenPavilion,openedthesecretpanelinthefoundation,androughlypushedtheminside.Thedoorwasslammedshut!

CHAPTERXX

Aloha!

UNABLE to speak and hardly able to move, Nancy and Ned could notexpresstheirangeraloud.Butbothwereextremelyannoyedatthemselvesforhavingbeencaptured.

“Weuncoveredthesecretonlytohaveitsnatchedoutofourhandsatthelastmoment!”Nancywailedsilently.

NedberatedhimselffornothavingprotectedNancybetter.

Bothprisonerswriggledandrolledonthegroundunderthepavilionflooruntiltheymanagedtoremovetheirgags.

“Ned,whereareyou?”Nancyasked.“Ifyoucananswer,saysomething.”

Asecondlatertheyouthreplied,“I’moverhere.”Apparentlyhewasontheopposite side of their prison beneath the pavilion. “I think I can get theseropesoffinaminute,”Nedadded.

ButNancydidnotwaitforhimtoaccomplishitalone.Sherolledoverandoverinthedirectionfromwhichthesoundofhisvoicehadcome.Reachinghisside,shehelpedhimuntietheknotsintheropewhichpinionedhiswristsbehindhisback.He, in turn,unfastenedhers, then the twoworked inpitchblacknesstoloosentheropeswhichboundtheirankles.

“Thisisafinemesstobein!”saidNed.“Oh,Nancy,Ishouldneverhaveletyougetintheclutchesoftheseawfulpeople.”

Nancybeggedhimtostopworryingandsuggestedthattheybothtrytofindthesecretopening.Theywentinoppositedirections,feelingalongthethree-footwall,untiltheymetagainhalfwayaround.

“Ididn’tfindanything,”Nedreported.“Howaboutyou?”

“Noluck,”Nancyanswered.“ThistimeIguesswe’dbettermakeaslowercircuitandgoovereveryinchwithourhands.”

Thetwostartedoffoncemore.Theywerealmostatthehalfwaymarkagainwhen Nancy felt what seemed like a tiny crack. Hopefully she began

followingitwithherfingertips.

“Ned,”shesaidexcitedly,“IthinkI’vefoundtheopening!”

Hehurriedtowardher,anduponrunninghisfingersoverthecrack,decidedthat this indeedwas thesecretdoor.TogetherheandNancypulled,pushed,andhammeredonit.Butthedoordidnotbudge.

“I’lltrythrowingmyweightagainstit,”Nedsaid.

Nancycrouchednearby,waitinghopefully.Ned,downononekneelikeafootballlinemanabouttochargehisopponents,lunged.Hisshoulderthuddedagainstthemasonry.

“Oh,Ned,”Nancywhispered,“you’llbreakabone!”

Nedgrimacedandtrieditagain.Thump!Thistimeatinylineofmoonlightshonethrough.

“You’vedoneit!”Nancyexclaimedwithrelief.

Ned made several more assaults on the stubborn piece of masonry, andfinallythesecretdoorgavewayandswungoutward.

“We’dbettergetawayfromhereasfastaspossible,”Nedwhispered.

“Oh,no!”Nancyobjected.“Sinceourcaptorsdidn’treturn,theymustthinkwe’restillneatlytiedup.Thisisourchancetodoalittlesleuthing.Ibelievewemayevenbeable to findoutwhere thecape is andperhaps learn someothersecrets.Infact,O’Keefemaybeinthehouse.”

Reluctantly,NedagreedtodosomemoredetectiveworkwithNancy.Firstofall,shehuntedforhershoesandstockings.Findingthem,sheputthemonquickly,thenthecouplestartedoff.

Keepingintheshadowsasmuchaspossible,theycrepttowardthehouse.Severalroomswerelighted.

“Youkeepguard,”NancysuggestedtoNed.“I’lltiptoeupthebackporchandlookintothekitchen.”

Henoddedand sheascended the steps.As shepeered inside thekitchen,Nancygaveagaspofhorror.KiyabuandEmma,gaggedandbound,weretiedtochairs!

Nancycamequicklydown the steps andwhispered toNedwhat shehadseen.“Let’slookinsomeoftheotherwindows,”sheurged.

In the living room theysawsignsofgreatactivity.Seated inchairswere

O’Keefe,thePonds,JanetLee,RoyChatley,areddish-blondmanNancywassuremustbeRalphEmler,astrangeman,andthreeotherwomen,onewithabandageonherarm.

“Well, Milly,” Janet was saying to the woman with the bandage,“somebodyoughttopinamedalonyou.”

“Howaboutme?”thestrangemanspokeup.“Icamealongwithher,didn’tI?She’smywife.Ideserveasmuchcreditasshedoes.”

MoretalkrevealedtoNancyandNedthatMilly,thedancer,hadbeenlateinherappointment thatevening. Insteadofgoing to theGoldenPavilion toperform,sheandherhusbandhaddrivendirectlytothehouse.ThatwashowNancy’ssubterfugehadbeendiscovered!itwasthenthatMillytoldtheothersaboutthesecretdoorthatshehadfound.

“Oh,cutoutthistalkaboutmedals,”O’Keefeordered.“Wegottolayourplansfortomorrowmorning.”

In themeantime,Milly’shusbandhadarisenandputon the feathercape.Hebegantoparadearoundtheroom,speakinginnonsensicalgibberish,asifimitatinganancientHawaiianking.

“Take that off!” Roy Chatley ordered. “If anybody’s going to wear it,O’Brien’stheone.He’sthekingofusDoubleScorps.”

ThemanknownasO‘KeefeandO’Malleynowgotupfromhischairandtookthecape.“Yes,”hesaidhaughtily,“MikeO’Brienisheadofthisoutfitanddon’tanybodyforgetit!”

Nancy’s pulse was racing. Many questions relating to the mystery werebeinganswered.Butoneangleof it stillpuzzledher.HowdidRoyChatleyandhissisterfit into thepicture?If theyweregoingto inherit two-thirdsoftheestate,whyweretheDoubleScorpsgoingtogetpartofit?

“The only answer,” the young sleuth told herself, “is that Janet andRoyreallyareimpostors.MaybeDadandProfessorNilsAndersonwillprovethis.But we can’t wait for them to get here. We must have this gangapprehended!”

Nancy wondered whereMr. Jerral was. As if in answer to her thought,MikeO’Brienaskedamanwhohadjustenteredtheroom:

“Well,Dr.Scribner,how’syourpatient?”

The physician laughed scornfully. “Oh, I just gave him another dose ofmedicine. It’ll keep him on the sick list a while, then I’ll give him some

morel”

NancyandNed lookedateachother inconcern.SoJohnJerralhadbeendeliberatelymadeillbytheDoubleScorps!ThecoupledoubtedthatthemantheycalledDr.Scribnerwasalicensedphysicianatall.He,too,mustbeoneofthegang!

SilentlyNancyandNedmovedaway from thewindow,drawingoff to alittledistance.Theybegantowhisperandmakeplansfor thecaptureof theDoubleScorps.

“Let’sgotoKiyabu’scottageandphoneforthepolice,”Nancyurged.

WhenNedcalledheadquarters,theastoundedofficerondutysaidhewouldsendasquadofmenoutatonce.Whilewaiting for them,Nancycalled theArmstrongsandquicklyrelatedthenight’sadventure.

TheyinturnhadsomenewsforNancywhichdelightedher.Mr.Drew,Mr.Sakamaki, and Professor Nils Anderson had just arrived at the Armstronghouse.Theywouldalldriveoutimmediately.

Nancy relayed the information toNed.“Soonwe’llknowall theanswersregardingthemysteryofKaluakua,”sheadded.

SuddenlyaworriedexpressioncrossedNed’sface.Hequicklyputahandintohisshirtpocket.Ashepulledoutapieceofpaper,helookedrelieved.

“Iwasafraid Ihad lost this,”Nedexplained.“I found itwith the feathercape.Icouldn’treadverywellinthemoonlight,butIthinkit’simportantandmusthavesomethingtodowiththesecret.”

He opened it and together he and Nancy read the contents. It had beenwritten by Grandfather Sakamaki and explained that the garment was aduplicateofaking’sfeathercapewhichhadbeengiventooneofhiswife’sancestorsasaspecialmarkof favor.Sinceaking’scapewasalwaysburiedwithhim,thisduplicatewasveryvaluableandhadbeenhiddenbythefamily,sothatneitherthievesnorconquerorsfromforeignlandswouldtakeit.

“Mywifemademepromise,”NikkioSakamakihadwritten,“thatIwouldneverpartwiththecape.Itbecameincreasinglydifficulttofindahidingplaceforit.FinallyIthoughtoftheideaofputtingitunderthecenterofthegoldenplumierawhichwouldformtheroofofapavilionIwasbuilding.”

The letterwent on to say that hehaddecided tomake it difficult for hisgrandson to find the precious article, so he would always remember hisPolynesianbackground,andthelegendsandsymbolsofancientHawaii.First,

he had given the symbols of water and death to indicate that the GoldenPavilion near the water was the place to find the treasure. The symbol ofdeathhadindicatedthatthecapebelongedtosomeonewhohaddied.

The flower bed in the shape of a plumiera blossom,with one extra-longpetalpointing to thesecretdoorunder thepavilion,wasanotherclue. Ifhisgrandsonmanaged to locate it, he would find the next clue, which in turnwould leadhim to theAndersonbrothers,whoknew the secret, then to theangelbirds.

“But you, Nancy,” said Ned proudly, “solved the mystery, not NikkioSakamaki’sgrandson.”

Nancylaughedsoftly,thenexclaimed,“Listen!”

There were sounds of footsteps outside. For a few brief moments, thecouple feared that someof theDoubleScorpswere coming.But amomentlater Nancy was in her father’s arms, and Ned was shaking hands withProfessor Nils Anderson, as Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong looked on, smilingbroadly.

“The police are already here,” Mr. Drew announced. “They weresurrounding the house aswe arrived, and I dare say that by this time theyhavecapturedthewholegang.Let’sgoandheartheconfessions.”

On theway to thebighouse, the lawyergave aquick explanationofhisworkinLosAngeles.

“ThereweretwoNikkioSakamakis,”hesaid.“BothcamefromJapan.TheonewiththeSanFranciscowifeanddaughter,whointurnhadtwochildren,JanetandRoy,wasnotourMr.Sakamaki.Thesechildren,Ilearned,arenotliving, although this is not recorded inSanFrancisco.However, the couplewho call themselves Janet and Roy had found out about this family andprocuredcredentialstoposeasgrandchildrenofMr.SakamakiofKaluakua.Theyarenotbrotherandsister,bytheway,buthusbandandwife.”

“Prettyslickteam,”Nedremarked.

“ItwasaplotofthewholeDoubleScorpgang,”thelawyersaid,andaddedthathemighthavehadadifficulttimeprovinghiscase,ifithadnotbeenforProfessorNilsAnderson.Theletterswhichhehadtakenfromhissafe-depositbox inHonoluluproved thatMr.Sakamaki ofKaluakua lived in Japan andwasasinglemanatthetimetheimpostorsclaimedhewasinSanFranciscoandmarried.

When the group entered the house, members of the Double Scorps,

surroundedbypolice,wereallprotestingtheirinnocence.ThecaptivesstaredinstupefactionanddisbeliefatNancyandNed.

“Yes,weescaped,”saidNancyicily.

The sightof the couple and the fact that hehadbeenoutwittedby agirlunnervedMikeO’Brien completely.He readily confessed to his part in theschemetogetpartorallofoldMr.Sakamaki’sfortune.

He had shadowed the youngerMr. Sakamaki.Upon learning that he hadengagedMr.Drew,O’Brienhadfollowedthelawyerandoverheardthelongluncheon conversation at which matters concerning the estate had beendiscussed.

“WhenIheardthatallbutthethird-floorwindowsoftheDrewhomehadburglaralarms, Idecided togetholdofa ladder Icouldcarryeasyandonenobodywouldnotice.ByaccidentIsawawindowwasherusingjustthekindIwanted,soIrentedit.”

ThekingoftheDoubleScorpsconfessedtakingtheunusualjaderingfromHomerMilbank.Whilehewouldnotdivulgethenameandaddressofafriendwhoboughtrareorold jewelry,headmitted that itwas throughhimthathedisposedofstolenpieces.Therewastimetotakeonlythejadering.Hewasastoundedtolearn,however,thatthesymbolsonitwerePolynesian.

“I’llbetthatjewelry-buyerpalofyoursistheonewhocameheretheotherday trying to get things cheap,” Ned spoke up. “And Emler sold him thestatuetteshestolefromGrandpaSakamaki.”

O’Briengavesuchastart that theothersweresureNedhadhitupon thetruth.Hedidnotadmitthis,however.InsteadhewentontosaythatafterhelearnedNancyhadenteredthecaseandwasgoingtoHonolulu,hehaddoneeverythingtokeepherfrommakingthetrip.HehadstolenTogo,butthelittledoghadmanagedtogetaway.

“IhadyoufollowedfromtheLosAngelesairport,”theScorpsaid,“butthedumbguyIhiredtoldmeyoushookhim.AndyoudidthesamethingcomingfromtheHonoluluairport.”

Nancy asked O’Brien why he had bothered to follow the girls, but hewould not answer. The young sleuth guessed that he probably intended tocause an accident to injure them and in this way keep her from reachingKaluakua.

AnotherpointwhichcameupwhenthepolicegaveNancy,Ned,andtheircompanionsachancetoquestiontheprisonerswasthatEmleroftenwhistled

toattractKiyabuandEmmatothebeach.Whiletheywereawayfromeitherthe house or cottage, another member of the Double Scorps would start asearch.

The gang had learned that therewas some secret in connectionwith theestateandassumedittobeatreasure.Althoughtheydoubtedthatitwouldbeat Kiyabu’s cottage, they had thought theymight find a letter or a clue ofsomekindtoguidethemtoit.

“Didyoufindthesecretentranceunderthepavilion?”NancyaskedMilly,thedancer.

“Yes,Idid,”sheanswered.“Quitebychance,butIwasn’tgoingtotelltheothers about it. I crawledunder there hunting for the treasure. I didn’t findanything,soIgaveupsearching.”ShegavethekingoftheDoubleScorpsascorching look.“You’vesurebeenmean tome,holdingoutonmyshareofmoneythatwasdueme.IfI’dfoundanyfortune,Iwasgoingtorunoffwithit.”

“Okay,okay,” interruptedoneof thepolicemen.“Anymorequestionsfortheprisoners?”heasked.

Nancy said that she had some. “Who sent me the black lei with thepoisonedtacksinit?”

O‘Brien confessed that thishadbeenhis idea, althoughhehadgiven thejobtoRalphEmler.ItwasO’Brienhimselfwhohadthrownthefiretongs,inadesperatemaneuvertokeepNancyfrominterferingfurtherinthecase.

AllthistimeKiyabuandEmma,whohadbeenreleased,hadbeenstandinginadoorway,staringinamazementattheprisonersandlisteningtothestory.NowthecaretakercameforwardtoidentifyMilly’shusbandasthemanwhohadcometohimbeforeNancy’sarrivaltobuysomeofthevaluablepiecesatKaluakua.

“But,Mr.Policeman,”saidKiyabu,“Iwouldnotevenshowthem.Ihadnorighttosellthem.”HelookeddisgustedlyattheScorp.“WhenIwouldn’t,hetriedtobribeme.”

NedwhisperedtoNancy,“It’snothardtobelievethat.”

She nodded asKiyabuwent on angrily, “Iwant to knowwhyyou brokedownflowersandbushesandruinedpartofthelawn.”

O’Brien answered for the group. “We thought this might be a way ofgetting ridof you.Yourbosswould thinkyouwere aprettypoor caretaker

anddischargeyou.”

Mr.SakamakifromRiverHeightsgavetheleaderoftheDoubleScorpsawithering look. “O’Brien, you guessed wrong on every count. And thatincludesKiyabuandEmma.Theyarethemostloyalandfaithfulpeoplewhocouldeverworkforanyone.Youmighthavelearnedmanylessonsofhonestyandgoodmannersfromthem.”

Theofficerinchargeofthepolicesquadsaidthatiftherewerenofurtherquestionstheprisonerswouldbetakentojail.Atthatmomentanotherofficercamedownthefrontstairs.Hewasintroducedasapolicesurgeon.

“Mr.Jerralwillsuffernopermanentillhealthfromthedrugshewasgivenby thegang,” the surgeon reported. “He’ll beupandaround in a coupleofdays.”

“Thankgoodnessforthat,”Nancysaidquietly.

BythistimethepolicehadhustledtheDoubleScorpsoutofthehouseandherdedthemintoseveralcars.Nancyandtheotherswalkedouttotheporchto watch them drive off. As they were about to return inside, they heardvoices coming from one side of the house. A moment later Bess, George,Burt,Dave,andHannahGruenhurriedupthesteps.

“We heard everything!” Bess exclaimed, hug ging Nancy. “Oh, youwonderful,wonderfulcreaturetosolvethismystery!”

“That goes for all of you,”Nancydeclared.George, payingno attention,criedout,“ThreecheersforNancyDrew!”

Theyoungpeoplegavethreerousingcheers,thenNancyproposedthreeforNed.“Waituntilyouhearallhedid!”shesaidgenerously.

HannahwasalittlemoresedateinherkissandhugforNancy,butitwasjustassincere.“NowatlastIcanstopworrying,”shesaid.“Thatis,untilthenextmysterycomesalong.”

Nancyherselfknewthistobetrue.ShewouldhaveadventuresandHannahwouldworry.Soonerthaneitherofthemexpected,theyoungsleuthwouldbematchingwitswith thewiliest adversariesofherexperience inTheClue intheOldStagecoach.

The newcomers shook hands with Mr. Drew and were introduced toProfessorNilsAnderson andMr. Sakamaki. Bess then explainedwhy theyhadcomebackearlyfromHawaii.“IhadahunchtherewouldbeexcitementatKaluakuaandthatweshouldreturntotakepartinit.”

She explained that they had caught a late plane and then called theArmstrongs.Getting no answer there, they had come directly to the estate.When they found the police in charge, they had decided to listen to theproceedingsratherthaninterrupt.

KiyabuhadthrownthefeathercapearoundMr.Sakamakiwhowasloudinhis praise of theDrews and their friends for recovering it and trapping theDouble Scorps. “Youwentway beyond the line of duty—even risked yourlives—tosolvethesecretoftheGoldenPavilion.

“And my thanks to all of you also”—he beamed at the group—“thatKaluakuacanbegiventoHonoluluasanoutdoortheater.Tomorrowweshallcelebrate with a great luau,” the Hawaiian went on. “Perhaps we shouldarrangeforsomeentertainment.”

At once George spoke up. “Let’s have our own entertainment,” shesuggested.“AneDrewwilldancethehulaforusandEluweneNickersonwillbecrownedkingandwearthefeathercape!”

NancyandNedlaughedandagreed.