Mystery at Moorsea Manor Page 12

  case. Then Nancy told Hugh, Annabel, and George

  that the Singhs had nothing to do with Gloria's plot.

  “There's one thing I don't get,” George said. “If

  Gloria approached them this morning for help, why

  were they acting so weird when we questioned them

  yesterday about the sabotage? It was almost as if they

  knew something about it.”

  “I thought so, too, at the time,” Nancy replied. “But

  I think they reacted that way because they were happy

  to hear about the pranks. They probably thought it was

  great news that someone was trying to force a sale, but,

  of course, they didn't want to let us know they felt that

  way.”

  “The Singhs weren't totally innocent, though,”

  George said. “Since Gloria had told them about her

  scheme this morning, they should have warned Hugh

  and Annabel about it. But they didn't because they

  realized they'd benefit if it did work out.”

  Maisie trotted over to Annabel with a piece of

  driftwood in her jaws. Shaking her head around

  playfully, she let Annabel remove the stick and then

  throw it down the beach for her.

  “Maisie sure is an awesome swimmer,” Nancy

  commented, watching the dog retrieve the stick.

  “Well, she's used to these waters,” Annabel

  explained. “She plays in the channel all the time and

  knows where the currents are and how to get out of

  them. She may be a puppy at heart, but she's basically

  full-grown—a big dog now. She could pull someone

  your size to safety, Nancy, as long as you weren't too

  far from shore.”

  “Well, if it hadn't been for Maisie running ahead of

  you guys,” Nancy said, patting the bouncing dog on the

  top of her shaggy head, “I'd be out to sea by now.”

  Annabel shot Nancy a grateful smile as she tossed

  the stick again. “And if it hadn't been for you, Nancy

  Drew, I'd be out of business. Thank you so much for

  solving this case.”

  “Now Moorsea Manor can continue as before,”

  George said, smiling. “Successful beyond your wildest

  dreams, Annabel.”

  Hugh smiled. “Let's forget the boat party for today,

  everyone. The sea is way too rough.”

  “We'll have a celebration up at the house instead,”

  Annabel suggested happily. “An indoor treasure hunt

  this time—and tea.”

  “So what's the prize if we win?” Nancy asked.

  “A mystery-free holiday,” Annabel said, and grinned.