The girls entered the giant airliner in a happy mood, and sat down side by side. During the flight they teased one another, using their assumed names. They passed part of the time reading magazines and eating a delicious lunch.

In the middle of the afternoon they arrived in Miami and went to the baggage-claim area. As they retrieved their suitcases, a young man walked up to them.

"Pardon me," he said, "but are you the girls who are visiting the Cosgroves?"

"That's right," George said. "And you?"

"My name is Steven, They sent me to drive you to their house. We'll get a porter and have him bring your bags."

Steven led them to a beautiful gold-colored car.

"Does this belong to the Cosgroves?" Nancy asked.

"No, it's mine," he said and opened the doors for them.

"It's yummy," Bess remarked and plopped into the cream-colored, velvety back seat. George climbed in next to her, while Nancy rode in front with Steven.

On the way the girls admired the sprawling, large homes and the glistening bay. Steven, who was not very talkative, answered their questions merely with a yes or no, so after a while they gave up including him in their conversation.

He drove over the causeway and through Key Biscayne. At last they came to an area of beautiful homes that occupied large pieces of property. Steven turned into a long driveway and approached an elegant mansion. He stopped at the front door and offered to carry the bags up to the girls' rooms.

Nancy rang the bell. The door was opened by a middle-aged couple.

"You must be Nancy Drew," the woman said. She was cordial but did not smile. "And these are your friends, Bess and George."

Nancy nodded and asked, "And you are Mr. and Mrs. Cosgrove?"

"Yes," the man replied. He did not smile either, and the girls felt uncomfortable at the cool welcome.

The couple silently escorted them to the second floor and showed each visitor to a large and expensively furnished bedroom. Steven followed with their luggage.