The Haunted Showboat Read Online Free PDF Page B

graduate of Oxford University in England! And he’s fabulously wealthy—not that that makes any difference to me. But his family is simply wonderful—socially prominent, you know.”
    A look of surprise came over George’s face, for she had never before thought Donna Mae snobbish. “Have you met them?” she asked.
    “Oh, no, but they wrote me a simply darling letter from Paris and called me their new daughter. I’ll meet them sometime soon.”
    Donna Mae explained that her father had looked up the Upgrove family. At the present time they were all in Europe.
    “You must see his college pictures,” she babbled on. “He has them with him.”
    “Donna Mae,” George asked abruptly, “what happened between you and Charles Bartolome?”
    Instantly Donna Mae sobered. “We—we—had a falling out on account of Alex. I met Alex while Charles was away on a long trip—and we became friends. But Charles didn’t approve, and I got annoyed with his possessiveness. So I broke off my engagement to him.”
    She hesitated. “To tell you the truth my conscience hurt me for a while. I shouldn’t have dated Alex but I was lonely. And Alex was so wonderful to me. He’s a more aggressive type than Charles, and he’s so in love with me. I wonder where he is now!”
    As if she could not bear to stay away from him a moment longer, Donna Mae said, “See you later! I have to talk to Alex,” and hurried out of the room.
    Bess looked at the other girls and shook her head. “I’ve never seen a bigger change in anyone. Have you, George? Donna Mae just isn’t like her old self.”
    “You’re right, Bess,” replied her cousin, “and I wouldn’t say for the better. Maybe it’s Alex’s influence.”
    After dinner that evening Colonel Haver took Nancy aside. “I’d like you to get started solving the mystery as soon as possible,” he said. “Time is running out.”
    He explained that stories of strange happenings on the showboat had caused workmen to refuse to go near it.
    “Not a single towboat captain will come here to push the River Princess out of the bayou. We must do something fast!” He smiled and added, “Are you ready to take over, Detective Drew?”

CHAPTER VI
    Pirates’ Alley
     
     
    GIVING the Colonel a big smile, Nancy said excitedly, “I’d like to start solving the mystery at once.”
    “Fine,” he replied. “And there’s one thing I want to say. You’ll have free rein. Don’t feel obligated to report to me or to anyone else. Come and go as you like.”
    Nancy was glad to hear this. The following morning she went into the garden to gaze at the bayou which lay beyond the extensive flower beds. Large water oaks, dripping with long festoons of Spanish moss, rose above the mist which covered the swamp. Eerie clumps of cypress and gum trees could be seen against the sky.
    Nancy could not restrain a little shiver. “That’s the swamp we must go through to reach the showboat,” the young detective murmured to herself.
    Her thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Donna Mae. With a charming smile, she said, “Good mornin’, honey. Hope you slept well!” Then, following Nancy’s glance, she added, “That old place is positively spooky, isn’t it? Don’t think about it! We’re going to New Orleans and have some fun.”
    “But, Donna Mae, I have some work to do for your father,” Nancy protested.
    Donna Mae made a face. “Work! Who wants to work at Mardi Gras time?” she asked gaily. “You know, you’re going to be in the play we’re having just before the ball and you must get a costume at once. Alex is going to drive all of us girls to town. We’ll show you some interesting sights in the old city.”
    The planned excursion sounded most attractive and Nancy brushed aside her serious mood. “You’re right, Donna Mae,” she said. “New Orleans is such a famous place. Of course I want to see it. I can start my sleuthing later. A few hours won’t matter, I guess.”
    “Wonderful!