“This is Ed Riggs, our team physician,” Ned said, introducing them. “Well, I guess I’d better get back on court.”

“No, that’s all for this afternoon,” the coach pronounced. “Got to keep you fresh for tonight’s game.” Lifting his whistle, he blew a short blast. “Showers, everyone! And remember, I want you back here and in uniform no later than seven-thirty p.m.”

The team drifted noisily toward the locker room. A few players walked past the sideline to get a closer look at the girls, and one—a tall, lanky, dark-haired boy—even stopped.

“What gives, Nickerson?” He grinned. “Hogging the girls for yourself?”

“Mike, this is Nancy Drew,” Ned said. “Nancy, my co-captain, Mike O’Shea.”

Nancy smiled politely as she shook hands. She had heard all about him from Ned: He was a senior, and the team’s star forward. He and Ned were also fraternity brothers and good friends.

Mike beamed. “Ned’s told me a lot about you. In fact, sometimes I think he doesn’t know how to talk about anything else. How come you don’t visit us more often?”

“Just busy, I guess,” Nancy said, blushing. It felt good to know that Ned talked about her when she wasn’t around. Maybe she was worrying over nothing.

Mike’s question bothered her, though. Had Ned complained to him that she didn’t visit enough?

A minute later the players were gone. The coach turned to Nancy and her friends. “Let’s go to my office. We can talk more comfortably there. Ed, will you join us?” he asked the doctor.

“Certainly.”

The coach’s office was along the main corridor leading from the gym. Crammed with trophies, citations, and photographs, it was an impressive testimonial to a long and successful career. Dr. Riggs brought in extra chairs, and as he did Nancy felt a tingle of excitement run through her. Finally she was going to learn what this mystery was about!