"Three weeks!" Nancy repeated. "That means I haven't a moment to lose!"

            The lieutenant's grave face broke into a smile.

            "Then you'll take the case?" she said. "I'm so glad!" She glanced at her watch and rose quickly. "I must go now. The rain has stopped. I was on a call in this neighborhood and decided to drop by on the chance you were at home. Could you meet me at headquarters about three o'clock this afternoon?"

            "Certainly," Nancy replied.

            "Fine! I'll tell you all about it then, and we'll go see Joan and her mother. By the way," she added when they reached the door, "do you know Heath Castle, a big estate some miles outside of town?"

            "Yes, I do," Nancy said. "I've seen it from the river. It's that spooky-looking place with those stone towers and the high walls around it."

            "Find out all you can about the place," Lieutenant Masters said. "It's Juliana's inheritance. And thank you. Nancy. Little Joan really needs your help!"

            After the policewoman had left. Nancy went to the kitchen and told Hannah about the mystery.

            "Now you're happy!" the kindly, middle-aged woman said fondly. "You have a new easel I just hope it won't be dangerous."

            Mrs. Gruen had been with the family since the death of Mrs. Drew when Nancy was three years old. The warmhearted housekeeper had always been like a mother to the girl.

            "What do you know about Heath Castle?" Nancy asked her.

            "Not much. It was built-"

            "Hannah!" Nancy exclaimed. She was facing the window. "Look-in the yard!"

            "What is it?" the housekeeper asked, peering through the glass. "Oh, what a shame!" she cried out. "All the hollyhocks are snapped off in the middle and the daisies are flattened into the mud from the rain!"