The Hidden Staircase Read Online Free PDF

it?”
    “Yes.”
    Instantly Nancy was on the alert. Because of the nature of the railroad deal in which Nathan Gomber was involved, she was distrustful of his motives in wanting to buy Twin Elms. It flashed through her mind that perhaps he was trying to buy it at a very low price and planned to sell it off in building lots at a huge profit.
    “Suppose I go tell him you don’t want to sell,” Nancy suggested in a low voice.
    But her caution was futile. Hearing footsteps behind her, she turned to see Gomber standing in the doorway.
    “Howdy, everybody!” he said.
    Miss Flora, Aunt Rosemary, and Helen showed annoyance. It was plain that all of them thought the man completely lacking in good manners.
    Aunt Rosemary’s jaw was set in a grim line, but she said politely, “Helen, this is Mr. Gomber. Mr. Gomber, my niece, Miss Corning.”
    “Pleased to meet you,” said their caller, extending a hand to shake Helen’s.
    “Nancy, I guess you’ve met Mr. Gomber,” Aunt Rosemary went on.
    “Oh, sure!” Nathan Gomber said with a somewhat raucous laugh. “Nancy and me, we’ve met!”
    “Only once,” Nancy said pointedly.
    Ignoring her rebuff, he went on, “Nancy Drew is a very strange young lady. Her father’s in great danger and I tried to warn her to stick close to him. Instead of that, she’s out here visiting you folks.”
    “Her father’s in danger?” Miss Flora said worriedly.
    “Dad says he’s not,” Nancy replied. “And besides, I’m sure my father would know how to take care of any enemies.” She looked straight at Nathan Gomber, as if to let him know that the Drews were not easily frightened.
    “Well,” the caller said, “let’s get down to business.” He pulled an envelope full of papers from his pocket. “Everything’s here—all ready for you to sign, Mrs. Turnbull.”
    “I don’t wish to sell at such a low figure,” Miss Flora told him firmly. “In fact, I don’t know that I want to sell at all.”
    Nathan Gomber tossed his head. “You’ll sell all right,” he prophesied. “I’ve been talking to some of the folks downtown. Everybody knows this old place is haunted and nobody would give you five cents for it—that is, nobody but me.”
    As he waited for his words to sink in, Nancy spoke up, “If the house is haunted, why do you want it?”
    “Well,” Gomber answered, “I guess I’m a gambler at heart. I’d be willing to put some money into this place, even if there is a ghost parading around.” He laughed loudly, then went on, “I declare it might be a real pleasure to meet a ghost and get the better of it!”
    Nancy thought with disgust, “Nathan Gomber, you’re about the most conceited, obnoxious person I’ve met in a long time.”
    Suddenly the expression of cunning on the man’s face changed completely. An almost wistful look came into his eyes. He sat down on one of the dining-room chairs and rested his chin in his hand.
    “I guess you think I’m just a hardheaded business man with no feelings,” he said. “The truth is I’m a real softy. I’ll tell you why I want this old house so bad. I’ve always dreamed of owning a Colonial mansion, and having a kinship with early America. You see, my family were poor folks in Europe. Now that I’ve made a little money, I’d like to have a home like this to roam around in and enjoy its traditions.”
    Miss Flora seemed to be touched by Gomber’s story. “I had no idea you wanted the place so much,” she said kindly. “Maybe I ought to give it up. It’s really too big for us.”
    As Aunt Rosemary saw her mother weakening, she said quickly, “You don’t have to sell this house, Mother. You know you love it. So far as the ghost is concerned, I’m sure that mystery is going to be cleared up. Then you’d be sorry you had parted with Twin Elms. Please don’t say yes!”
    As Gomber gave Mrs. Hayes a dark look, Nancy asked him, “Why don’t you buy Riverview Manor? It’s a duplicate of this place and is for