The girls laughed, then asked to be excused to change their clothes. Mrs. Cosgrove led them to two bedrooms. "Who wants to share the big one?" she asked.

Bess and George said they would, so Nancy took the smaller room.

During dinner Nancy explained more about the mystery, but asked the Cosgroves to keep it a secret. "We decided to use fake names to avoid detection by any suspects," Nancy said. "But now I'm not so sure it's worth it."

Mrs. Cosgrove spoke. "I'd try it if I were you. Even if part of this group you're about to investigate knows who you are, not everyone connected with the Crocodile Ecology Company has seen you. By using fictitious names, you can probably fool them."

"What are your new names?" Danny asked.

"I'm Anne," said Nancy.

"And I'm Elizabeth," Bess replied.

George grinned. "I'm Jackie."

Nancy's first bit of detective work was to call the police early next morning. She inquired about the house where they had been imprisoned and was told that the owners were away on vacation.

The girls' kidnappers had broken in and "borrowed" the premises for their scheme. The police managed to track down Steven, who told them the couple had approached him in a supermarket and asked him if he would like to earn some money. They needed someone to pick up three visitors from the airport and bring them to their house.

"Steven agreed and assured as he knew nothing about a kidnapping," the officer concluded. "We're inclined to believe his story, but we'll keep an eye on him."

After Nancy had put down the phone, Mr. Cosgrove asked the girls if they would like Danny to take them to Crocodile Island in the family's motorized skiff.

"It's high tide now and a good time to go," he said. "I wish you luck in your sleuthing," he added, smiling.

"Thank you very much," Nancy said. "Do you think we'll have a chance to go on the island?"

"Sometimes they do allow visitors," Mr. Cosgrove explained. "On certain days of the week, but I don't know about today. You'll have to see."