The Haunted Showboat Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  CHAPTER I - The Stolen Car

  CHAPTER II - A Bomb Scare

  CHAPTER III - An Upsetting Delay

  CHAPTER IV - A Nerve-Tingling Ride

  CHAPTER V - The Mystery at Sunnymead

  CHAPTER VI - Pirates’ Alley

  CHAPTER VII - A Swamp Accident

  CHAPTER VIII - The Voodoo Preacher

  CHAPTER IX - The River Princess

  CHAPTER X - A Curious Alligator

  CHAPTER XI - A Puzzling Attitude

  CHAPTER XII - A Sly Getaway

  CHAPTER XIII - Mississippi Mishap

  CHAPTER XIV - Ghost on Board

  CHAPTER XV - A Weird Scene

  CHAPTER XVI - Lost in the Bayou

  CHAPTER XVII - The Towboat Captain

  CHAPTER XVIII - The Simmering Caldron

  CHAPTER XIX - A Missing Suspect

  CHAPTER XX - A Masquerader Unmasked

  Match Wits with The Hardy Boys®!

  Match Wits with Super Sleuth Nancy Drew!

  Copyright © 1981,1957 by Simon & Schuster, Inc.

  All rights reserved. Published by Grosset & Dunlap, Inc., a member of The Putnam &

  Grosset Group, New York. Published simultaneously in Canada. S.A.

  NANCY DREW MYSTERY STORIES® is a registered trademark of Simon & Schuster,

  Inc. GROSSET & DUNLAP is a trademark of Grosset & Dunlap, Inc.

  eISBN : 978-1-101-07736-8

  2008 Printing

  http://us.penguingroup.com

  ‘I think the cloaked pirate is Alex,” Nancy

  whispered to Ned

  CHAPTER I

  The Stolen Car

  “WOULD a trip to the Mardi Gras interest you, Nancy, and also a mystery to solve?” Bess Marvin asked.

  Nancy Drew’s blue eyes sparkled and her attractive face became animated. She gazed fondly at her two best friends who had just arrived and were seated in the Drew living room. Bess Marvin was blond and slightly plump. Her cousin, George Fayne, who had been given a boy’s name, was an attractive brunette.

  “Do you mean you’re inviting me to go with you?” Nancy asked.

  “That’s right,” George replied. “Our New Orleans relatives are extending an invitation not only to Bess and me, but also to the world’s best girl detective!”

  Nancy chuckled. “Thanks. What is the mystery about?”

  “I don’t know,” Bess replied. “But they indicated in their letter that it must be solved by Mardi Gras time, which is not far off. You’ll just love the Colonel and Aunt Stella.”

  “They have a daughter, haven’t they?” Nancy asked.

  Bess nodded. “Donna Mae is charming and pretty like her mother.”

  “But a bit spoiled,” George added.

  Bess explained that Donna Mae had formerly been engaged to a wonderful young man, named Charles Bartolome, who lived near the Havers outside of New Orleans. “But along came Alex Upgrove from New York and Donna Mae lost her heart to him completely. Their engagement is going to be announced the night of the big ball the Havers are giving at Mardi Gras time.”

  “It all sounds marvelous,” said Nancy. “I accept the invitation!”

  “Great!” Bess hugged her friend. “Before the ball, the Havers will put on a pageant of The Sleeping Beauty. The Havers will be king, queen, and princess. Afterward, they will greet their guests in these royal costumes.”

  “And I suppose,” said George, “Alex Upgrove will be the prince.”

  Bess, still loyal to Donna Mae’s former fiancé, said that Charles Bartolome had been invited to the ball, but had refused to attend.

  “You can’t blame him,” said George dryly. “But he’s being a good sport and not leaving a job he promised to do. Charles is in charge of restoring the showboat.”

  George explained that in a bayou on the Haver property was an old, abandoned showboat, the River Princess. “The Colonel is planning to have it brought to a dock on his estate. The ball will take place in the theater on the boat.”

  “Oh, it will be such an exciting trip,” said Nancy enthusiastically. “Shall we drive to New Orleans in my car?”

  “We’d love it,” the cousins said in unison.

  “When do you want to leave?” Nancy asked.

  “As soon as possible,” George replied. “The Colonel wrote that he wants to get the mystery cleared up ‘right quick.’ ”

  “I’ll do my best,” Nancy said eagerly.

  Just then, the Drews’ pleasant housekeeper came into the room. At once Nancy told her of the intriguing invitation.

  Hannah Gruen smiled at the, young detective. “So you’re off on another case, Nancy. Well, I venture to say you won’t return until you solve the mystery.”

  Middle-aged Hannah Gruen had lived with the Drews since the death of Nancy’s mother many years before. She had acted as mother and counselor to the girl. Nancy, in turn, had a deep affection for Hannah.

  “How do you plan to travel?” Mrs. Gruen asked.

  When she heard the long trip was to be made in Nancy’s blue convertible, Hannah looked dubious. “Are you going to do all the driving?”

  “Oh, Bess and I will take turns,” George spoke up.

  Hannah looked relieved. But a moment later, as she gazed out the window, her face took on a worried look. “I’m afraid there’s some snow in store,” she said. “Oh, I do hope it holds off until you girls reach your destination.”

  “Don’t worry, Hannah dear,” said Nancy reassuringly. “We’re all experienced drivers, and my faithful little car has gone through practically all kinds of weather.”

  Mrs. Gruen admitted this was true. “When will you girls be leaving?” she asked, a more cheerful expression on her face.

  “Let’s start the day after tomorrow,” George suggested. “Bess and I are almost packed now. Is that enough time for you to get ready, Nancy?”

  “Oh, yes.”

  After the cousins had left, Nancy telephoned her father, a prominent attorney in River Heights. When Mr. Drew heard about the Havers’ invitation and the mystery Nancy was to solve, he said, “Go ahead by all means. This is a good opportunity to see New Orleans and you girls should have a wonderful time at the Mardi Gras.”

  The next day, Nancy and Hannah went over the girl’s wardrobe and chose what they thought would be appropriate for the trip. Later, Nancy dashed downtown to buy a new skirt, blouse, and play suit to wear in New Orleans in case the weather should turn very warm.

  When she returned, Nancy found the housekeeper inspecting a beautiful old black lace shawl and an intricately carved ivory fan. “I found these in a trunk in the attic,” she said. “They belonged to your mother, Nancy. Wouldn’t you like to use them at the ball, dear?”

  “Oh, yes,” Nancy agreed enthusiastically. “I’ll get a costume to go with them.”

  Hannah Gruen left the room and Nancy laid the lovely old shawl on the bed. As she stood before the mirror, practicing how to use the fan, Togo, her little terrier, ran into the room.

  “Hi, fellow!” Nancy said to the dog as she turned away from the mirror. The next moment she cried out, “Togo, bring that back! Drop it!”

  The mischievous terrier had grabbed the shawl in his teeth and gone dashing up the hall with it. Nancy ran in pursuit and managed to get hold of Togo and the heirloom, but not before he had made a long tear in the lace.

  “Oh, you naughty boy!” Nancy scolded.

  The housekeeper came out of her bedroom and investigated the damage. “Don’t worry, Nancy, I think I can mend it so the tear won’t show too much,” she said soothingly.

  An hour later Hannah Gruen brought the shawl to Nancy’s room. The
girl’s eyes sparkled. “Why, I can’t even tell where the rip was!” she exclaimed, planting a kiss on the housekeeper’s cheek. “Thank you so much.”

  By evening Nancy’s suitcase was packed and she put it in the luggage compartment of her convertible. With Tcgo at her heels, she locked the car doors, but left the garage open, since her father had not yet returned with his car.

  A short time after Nancy and Hannah had gone upstairs again, Togo began to bark menacingly.

  “I think I’d better go down and see what’s bothering him,” Nancy called to the housekeeper.

  Nancy ran downstairs. As she reached the back door, she was thunderstruck to see her car being backed from the garage!

  “Someone’s stealing it!” Nancy gasped.

  She hurriedly turned on the porch light, opened the door, and ran out to the driveway.

  “Stop!” she called to the man at the wheel. “Stop!”

  The driver, instead of slowing down, put on a burst of speed, swerving the rear of the car directly toward Nancy! The left fender grazed her, knocking her down! Then the driver straightened the wheels and the car roared off!

  “Stop!” Nancy called to the man at the wheel

  CHAPTER II

  A Bomb Scare

  HANNAH GRUEN had hurried downstairs. From the kitchen doorway she saw Nancy fall. With a cry of alarm she rushed from the house.

  “Are you hurt?” the woman asked.

  “It—The car just knocked the wind out of me for the moment,” Nancy replied.

  As Hannah helped Nancy to her feet, the girl looked mournfully down the street as the convertible disappeared around the corner.

  “I’ll call the police!” Hannah declared.

  She and Nancy went into the house. The housekeeper urged Nancy to lie down for a few minutes, but the young detective insisted upon going to the phone herself.

  “I can give the police a description of the car thief,” she said. “He was dark and slender, with small, piercing black eyes. He had a very low forehead, and his hair looked coarse and stiff.”

  “That’s an excellent description, Nancy,” said the housekeeper. “I certainly hope the police catch him soon.”

  Before going to the phone, Nancy looked up the serial number of her car. Then she got in touch with Captain McGinnis of the River Heights police department.

  After giving the thief’s description, along with the car’s serial and license plate numbers, Nancy recalled that her packed suitcase was in the car. She told the captain about this, then hung up.

  “Oh, dear,” she said to the housekeeper, “all my things are gone! I can get new clothes for myself, but I’d certainly hate to lose Mother’s shawl and fan.”

  “I don’t blame you, honey,” said Mrs. Gruen. “But tell me this. How in the world could that man have taken the car? You locked it, didn’t you?”

  “Yes, I did. It means the man who stole it must be an experienced car thief.”

  Just then, they heard Mr. Drew’s coupé come into the driveway. Nancy hurried to the kitchen door to meet her father, a tall, distinguished-looking man.

  “What happened, Nancy?” Mr. Drew cried out, noting his daughter’s disheveled appearance.

  Quickly Nancy explained and Mr. Drew looked stern. “It’s the work of an expert, all right. It wouldn’t surprise me if the thief has a police record.”

  “That should make it easier to find him,” said Nancy. She went back to the phone and called first Bess, then George at their homes. Both girls were aghast at the news and said they hoped the convertible, as well as Nancy’s suitcase, would soon be recovered.

  “I suppose we’ll have to postpone the trip until we can make other arrangements,” said Nancy. “I’ll have Dad see if he can get us plane reservations in the morning.”

  “Oh, another day won’t make any difference,” said George. “Maybe by that time you’ll have your car back.”

  But a phone call to the police department the next day was discouraging. Nancy’s blue convertible had not been sighted on any road leading out of River Heights.

  “We’ve made inquiries around town,” said Captain McGinnis, “but so far my men haven’t turned up a single lead.”

  During the morning Nancy shopped for new clothes to take on the trip. About five o’clock that afternoon Mr. Drew phoned his daughter to say that travel to New Orleans in Mardi Gras season was very heavy and it had been impossible for him to get plane tickets.

  “But you’re going just the same,” he said. “Call Bess and George and tell them to be ready tomorrow morning.”

  “But how are we traveling?” Nancy asked. There was no reply. Her father had hung up.

  Nancy phoned her friends and gave them her father’s message. “Dad has something up his sleeve,” she said. “Maybe you’d better come over here and find out what’s going on.”

  The cousins arrived in a short time and waited for Mr. Drew to come home. Presently a stunning new yellow convertible entered the Drews’ driveway. Nancy’s father, at the wheel, honked the horn loudly.

  Nancy sprinted outside. Bess and George followed, bumping into each other to get to the car.

  Mr. Drew wore a broad grin. “Like it, Nancy?” he asked.

  “It’s a beauty! Is it your new car and are you going to lend it to me, Dad?”

  Mr. Drew stepped outside, made a low bow, and announced, “I’m going to do better than that. This car is yours!”

  Nancy threw her arms around her father. “Oh, you’re simply wonderful!” she exclaimed. “But what’s going to happen if the police find my blue convertible?”

  The lawyer said that he had arranged with the automobile dealer to take the blue car in trade if it should be recovered.

  “I was thinking of turning it in, anyway,” said Mr. Drew. “I was going to wait until your birthday and surprise you, but you sort of put one over on me by letting that thief take it!” he teased. Sobering, he went on, “That car had a lot of mileage on it and was showing wear.”

  “That’s right,” George spoke up. “And there was that big stain on the back of the rear seat where we upset an ink bottle and also a tear in the carpet.”

  Nancy chuckled. “Maybe that thief did me a favor,” she remarked, then added wistfully, “But I certainly wish I could get my suitcase back.”

  As Bess and George said good-by, assuring Nancy that they would be ready early the following morning to start the trip to New Orleans, Mr. Drew turned to Nancy.

  “How about taking the girls home in your new car?” he suggested. “After you drop them off, stop at police headquarters. Captain McGinnis wants you to look over the pictures in their rogues’ gallery and see if you can identify the thief.”

  “Hop in, girls!” Nancy invited.

  The three girls were thrilled with the smooth-riding quality of the yellow convertible and Nancy declared that driving it was no effort at all. After dropping the two girls at their homes, she continued on to headquarters. Here she looked at photograph after photograph of known car thieves.

  “Not one of these,” the young detective said finally, “looks like the man who stole my car.”

  “He may never have been apprehended,” said Captain McGinnis. “Well, we’ll keep up our search.”

  Nancy thanked him and went home. In order to keep her new car from being stolen, Mr. Drew had purchased a special padlock for one of the rear wheels. This was put on and the garage door locked.

  The night passed uneventfully. In the morning, after breakfast, Mr. Drew carried Nancy’s suitcase to the convertible. Then he and Hannah wished her a happy time on the trip and kissed her good-by.

  “Thanks again, Dad,” Nancy said as she waved and drove off.

  A few minutes later she stopped at Bess’s home, then at George’s. All three girls wore smart wool dresses and warm car coats. The trio chatted gaily as they drove out of town, discussing the recent trip they had taken to Virginia, where Nancy and her friends had had many exciting adventures solving The Hidden Wi
ndow Mystery.

  “Speaking of mysteries,” said George, “has there been any news of the car thief?”

  “Not a clue,” Nancy replied. “It’s such a beautiful day I think I’ll take the back road through the country, instead of the highway, as far as Tartanville.”

  The road led through rolling farm land, where the houses were quite a distance apart. Nancy was driving just under the speed limit when the girls suddenly noticed a ticking sound coming from the dashboard.

  “What’s that?” Bess asked. “The electric clock? In a new car it shouldn’t make that much noise.”

  Instantly Nancy pulled to the side of the road and turned off the ignition. She leaned down and looked up under the dashboard. Her face turned white with fear.

  “There’s an alarm clock taped on here!” she cried. “It may be the timer for a bomb! Girls, run as fast as you can! Stop anyone coming along!”

  Bess and George dashed out the right-hand door, while Nancy reached down and shut off the alarm switch, hoping that would prevent the bomb from exploding. Then, for safety’s sake, she got out and raced away from the car. Nancy ran in the opposite direction to the girls, in order to warn any oncoming motorist of possible danger.

  Ten minutes passed. No one drove up and there was no explosion from Nancy’s car. Finally George, making a megaphone of her hands, yelled to Nancy:

  “What’s next?”

  Nancy called back that she was going to ask the driver of the first car which appeared to go back to the next town and have someone sent out from the police force to remove the bomb.

  Bess called, “How could anyone get into the car to plant a bomb with your garage locked?”

  “The man probably jimmied open the garage window, and the car doors weren’t locked.”

  As she finished speaking, Nancy became aware of a delivery truck approaching in her direction. She signaled the driver to stop, and told him her story.

  “Golly!” The young man whistled. “Sure, I’ll notify headquarters in a jiffy.”

  He turned and sped off. Twenty minutes later the girls were relieved to see a police car approaching.