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flicked the wall switch to turn on the porch light, then opened the door a crack. The porch was dark! Nancy thought the bulb must have burned out.
    “Dad?” Nancy called quickly.
    There was no answer, but from somewhere in the shadows came the sound of heavy breathing.

CHAPTER V
    Blue Fire
    “WHO’S there?” Nancy called sharply into the darkness. She heard a stirring near the porch, but could see no one.
    “Never mind who,” came a rasping whisper from the shadows. “We warned your father to mind his own business. Now we’re telling you: forget the doctor’s story or you’ll be sorry.”
    Just then headlights swept up the driveway. Instantly a dark figure dashed across the lawn and disappeared into the night.
    Nancy recognized her father’s car. Moments later Mr. Drew parked beside the house and hurried up the porch steps.
    “Is something wrong?” he asked. “Why are you out here?”
    “A man rang the bell, Dad, but wouldn’t let me see him. He gave us another warning.”
    The lawyer’s face was grim. “Did you recognize his voice?” he asked.
    “It sounded something like Adam Thorne’s,” Nancy replied, “but I can’t be sure because he spoke in a whisper. The man was big, though, like Thorne.”
    Nancy explained why the light was not on, and turned to examine it. “The bulb’s gone!” she exclaimed. “I suppose the man took it out so I couldn’t see him. I’ll put in a new one.”
    “I’d like to wring that fellow’s neck,” her father stormed. “I’ll put the car away, then report this to Lieutenant Mulligan.”
    “Dad, before you put the car in the garage, would you drive me to the flower show? I’m just a little bit curious as to who won the prizes.”
    He grinned. “Of course I’ll take you.” He patted her shoulder. “While I phone Mulligan, go tell Hannah and Effie where we’re going and not to answer the doorbell.”
    Twenty minutes later father and daughter arrived at the greenhouse on the Blenheim estate. The display was beautiful, but the cut flowers were beginning to wilt. Nancy’s pulse quickened as she approached her own entry.
    “Dad!” she cried out. “Look!”
    Attached to her bouquet of larkspur was a dark-blue satin ribbon with the inscription FIRST PRIZE!
    “Nancy, that’s wonderful,” her father said. “Congratulations! Maybe you ought to give up solving mysteries and raise flowers.”
    “Not a chance,” she said.
    “But it’s far less dangerous,” he countered. “Take this present mystery, for instance. It might be wise for you to drop it.”
    Nancy looked shocked. “Why, Dad! Think of the poor old woman who is a prisoner.”
    “But, Nancy, my first concern is for your safety. You are more important to me than all the mysterious old ladies in the world!”
    Nancy’s face showed her disappointment. “Oh please, Dad, no.”
    Mr. Drew looked uncomfortable. “I know, I know. You’re like me. You’ll never be satisfied until you lick the problem. Go ahead.”
    “Thank you, Dad,” Nancy said happily. “I will.”
    “Hold it, Miss Drew!” said a voice nearby.
    Nancy looked up to see a news photographer pointing a camera at her. “There! Stand right next to your exhibit.”
    Before she could comply, Nancy heard another voice say, “Go get her!” At the same instant a big, vicious-looking dog sprang at her!
    “Oh!” she screamed, dodging just in time. The Great Dane crashed into the vase of prize flowers, knocking the exhibit to the ground and shattering the vase. He yelped in fright, then ran off.
    “Who owns that beast?” cried the photographer.
    No one claimed to be the owner. The Drews guessed Thorne was behind the attack, but could see him nowhere in the crowd. He—or his henchmen—had taken advantage of the excitement to escape.

    Nancy reported the incident to Mrs. Winsor, who told her to take the blue ribbon home. When she and her father reached the house, Hannah and Effie were delighted to hear that Nancy had won first prize