The figure flitted here and there apparently with no destination in mind. Nancy decided it was time for her to appear. She came from behind a bush where she was hiding. Imitating the other ghost, she danced gracefully toward the center of the lawn. Then she stopped suddenly, stretched her arms in front of her, and moaned loudly.
The other ghost turned. Seeing Nancy, she gave a cry and darted into the house. Bess and George rushed into the hall and blocked the stairway.
“Good evening, Mrs. Hendricks,” George said.
And Bess added, “You dance very well.”
A look of surprise and fear crossed the woman’s face. “You—you know me?” she asked.
At this moment Nancy floated in through the front door. “Your game is up, Mrs. Hendricks,” she said. “You and your husband almost got away with stealing the La Forge secret formula and selling it. Your ghost act was just to scare people off while you worked on figuring out the remaining portion of the formula … the formula you stole!”
“That’s not true,” the woman said, “Mr. La Forge gave it to us just before he died.”
“I’m afraid you’ll have to prove that in court,” the girl detective said. Mrs. Hendricks paled.
They were suddenly interrupted by Kiki who rushed in. He stared in amazement at the two ghosts, but finally recognized Nancy.
He grabbed her hand excitedly. “I figured it out. Come and see!”
She followed him to the greenhouse where he pointed proudly to a beautiful dark blue orchid.
“How wonderful!” Nancy exclaimed. “How did you do it?” she asked.
“I can barely remember the combination of liquids I used,” he replied excitedly. “But here. I wrote them down as I went along just in case I got the last part right!”
“You should be very proud of yourself.” Nancy smiled warmly. “I’m sure the next owners of this place would be honored to keep you on!”
Kiki smiled. “I’d be honored too—on one condition—no more lawn parties and no more ghosts!”
Carolyn Keene, The Ghost of Blackwood Hall
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