Nancy Drew: 2 . The Hidden Staircase

The Historical Museum

Early the next morning, Nancy, Helen, and the twins had a quick breakfast and got on their way to the museum. Emily offered to stay behind to help Flora and Rosemary keep an eye on the house. She, like Helen, had already seen all of the Caldwell pieces and didn't think it was necessary that they needed both of them to help, plus she wanted to visit some more with her grandmother. So she stayed, and the other four went in Nancy's car.

"So, Twin Elms has been in your family for a few generations now, huh?" said Ida.

Helen nodded. "Yup, we're almost as synonymous with Twin Elms as the Caldwells were."

"Your grandmother and aunt certainly are," said Nancy. "Everyone calls them the Elms sisters because of this."

"And we now have the Lilac sisters!" said Ida.

Helen looked at Ida. "Say what?"

"Edna and Mary Turner!"

"Oh, right!"

"Oh, speaking of, can either one of you call Jane Willoughby and ask her and the Turners to keep an eye on things at Lilac Inn? If my hunch is correct, this ghost might be using the tunnel all the way back to Lilac Inn. Oh, and have them look in the attic for any personal items that used to belong to the Caldwells."

"On it!" said Ida as she whipped out her phone and began dialing.

"I don't think there is anything left that belongs to the Caldwells," said Helen, "Aunt Gloria cleaned everything out."

"Well I'd rather be absolutely sure than to find out later she might have missed something that turns out to be important," said Nancy.

Helen nodded. "Understandable." She turned in her seat, Ida was talking on the phone now with Jane Willoughby.

"Yes, Nancy wants you to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity at Lilac Inn, and if you could, see of there's anything in the attic that could be a clue to the tunnel connecting the houses. We're pretty sure the ghost is using that too. And just, be careful please, OK? We think there's two men in on it and there could be more. Plus, if they have access to both places through the tunnel, well, there's no telling where they are now and what they could do." There was a pause as Ida listened. She brightened. "Thanks Jane, you're the best! We'll probably be by at some point . . ." Ida put her hand over the mouthpiece. "When will we be going by?"

Nancy chuckled. "We'll be by tomorrow, if that's fine by her. I'm in no hurry to see Mr. Gomber so soon."

"Tell me about it," mumbled Ida. She took her hand off the mouthpiece. "Jane? Nancy's thinking tomorrow. Will that be fine? Lunch?" Ida glanced at Nancy. Nancy chuckled and nodded. "Alright, lunch it is. See you tomorrow!" She hung up. "She's going to have the Turners take a look in the attic. They were going to clean it out anyway. Jane's thinking of adding another room or two up there. Things have been pretty busy."

"That's wonderful!" exclaimed Nancy.

"Oh, and I'll talk to her tomorrow, but I need to make sure I get those rooms reserved for Katherine and her family."

Izzy nodded. "Good idea, they've been filling up fast." She grinned at Nancy. "And I think that was partially your doing."

"Mine? How did I have a hand in it?"

"Well, isn't it obvious to a fine detective like yourself?" asked Ida.

"Well, that was her first mystery," said Helen.

Ida chuckled. "True, sorry, but, since you have gotten rid of the, um, ghost, more people have been coming. That, and of course, the Turners have been a huge help to Jane."