Missing at Marshlands / Arden Blake Mystery Series #3

That

tiful!" exclaimed A

an Czar. It is of great value. A fortune almost."

nd turned the box upside down. Then they saw that the under side was as elaborately designed as the top. Daintily painted miniature woodland scene

a tiny bird, not much over a half inch in height, sprang up, turned his little head from side to side, and moved his wee feathered wings up and down magically. As they waited, awe-struck, the tinkle of a song was heard, and it seemed

so lovely it almost makes me feel like crying,"

see this little watch in the side and

ke it!" exclaimed Mrs. Landry.

entence. Again he wound the spring, and once more the remarkable performance was repeated. The artist let them each examine the treasure, an

t with me instead of in some deep bank vault, but it belonged to my moth

sured him that it was the natural thing to do and hop

pe, and I need not tell you

d display of his treasure that even the girls, who had joked and

Mrs. Landry spoke for the group, but even

knew he could tru

ou try some tea,

m aside and served them quite as though he were accustomed to hav

tri, as a concession to their American tastes, offered them cream

bright pleasant place, and the little party chatted lik

she said lightly, "and perhaps you will come

d be pleased to,"

ng, happy foursome, and started away in t

surely a girl's step, and a few seconds later they saw Me

sly, for they had all seen her. "No need

e she doesn't know what to do with herself all day," Ter

Terry? Is it near

the bay; two or three miles

creature! She doesn't lead a very happy life.

d then in another mood she asked, "Wasn't that a knoc

cause it's so beautiful," Arden announced. "There's

, don't you, Arden?" T

y! You like him, too,

n't you?" Sim wanted to know, jo

her smiled

ust the same," Arden said almo

box?" Sim

t picture covered," Arden answered. "And a lot of things not really-w

k her riding and gave her money?" Terry asked, a

e way she always pops up," Arden

went on. "He's the meanest man I ever s

hing about him. He's just not like the city peop

f he punished Melissa for staying away the ot

time I see her. I wonder where she went just now? I don't see h

. "Hope we don't catch any of this queer business," she

ubled bay. "I don't like that Olga, nor George Clayton, either, and I

He's probably just an ordinary crabber and fisherman with a difficult daughter to lo

alking. "Buckingham Palace" stood out with reassuring friendliness against the

drifted up to their little dock. "But there's something going on, I'm su

as to say "nay" to