Her father promised to do so. "I'm glad you told me."

The next day Nancy and her friends climbed into a plane bound for New York, where they would change for a nonstop flight to Miami. After they landed in New York, the girls hurried into the huge airport building and up to a counter to arrange for seats on their jet to Florida.

The clerk smiled at Nancy and said, "You are Miss Nancy Drew?"

"Yes, I am."

"We received a message that you are to get in touch with your father at once. It's possible your trip will be canceled."

Puzzled, Nancy hurried to a phone and was soon talking to Mr. Drew. "Is something wrong, Dad?" she asked, worried.

The lawyer replied that his friend Roger Gonzales had called him to say that his suspicions about the Crocodile Ecology Company had been unfounded. "He told me there is no need for legal or protective action," Mr. Drew explained, "and he has canceled your motel reservations."

Nancy was stunned by the news, but before she could express her dismay, Mr. Drew went on, "I'm afraid that Roger was forced to make that call, and needs help. That's why you should go ahead with your trip. But don't get in touch with him until you hear from me.

"I have arranged for you to stay at the home of friends of mine, named Mr. and Mrs. Henry Cosgrove in Key Biscayne. They have a sixteen-year-old son, Danny, who's an excellent sailor and familiar with the keys. He can take you around in their motorboat. I'm sure he'll be of great help to you in your sleuthing."

"Oh, good," Nancy said. "I'm glad we don't have to give up the trip."

Mr. Drew urged his daughter and her friends to be very careful.

"We will," Nancy promised, then asked, "Have you had a chance to speak to Mr. Reareck?"

"Yes. He saw an ad in the paper about the Crocodile Ecology Farm and wrote to them, ordering the pet. He doesn't know the partners or anything about them. Well, good-by, dear, and have a great time."