The Drews went into the house together and Nancy told him about the boat, the Fenimore problems, and the mystery of Juliana's disappearance.

            "Dad, tell me all you can about Ira Heath and his son Walter," she said. "Did you know them?"

            "Only by reputation. For years they operated a very successful pearl button factory. Then the business went to pieces."

            "I already know that part," Nancy said. "What about Heath Castle? After Walter Heath died, who took charge of the place?"

            "Daniel Hector is the executor, I believe."

            Nancy's mind flew to the unpleasant customer in the curio dealer's shop.

            "The lawyer?" she asked.

            "Yes," Mr. Drew replied. "But I must say his sharp practice of law never appealed to me."

            "Do you think Mr. Hector did everything possible to find Juliana?" Nancy asked thoughtfully.

            "I believe so."

            "Did you know her?"

            "I saw her perform many times, and admired her dancing very much," Mr. Drew replied. "Why she disappeared at the height of her career has always puzzled me."

            "Apparently she left no clues behind."

            "The case was a strange one," her father said. "I guess her fiancé was pretty broken up over her disappearance. I've always wondered if he might have had something to do with it." After a pause he added, "Heath Castle might provide a key to the mystery."

            "I was thinking the same thing!" Nancy exclaimed with a mysterious twinkle in her eyes. "Tomorrow I'll go there and take a look around that castle and those old walls!"

CHAPTER IVThe Haunted Walk

            Shortly after breakfast the following morning, Nancy, Bess, and George drove to Heath Castle.