The Hidden Window Mystery (16 page)

After the prisoners were driven away, Nancy telephoned Seven Oaks. Susan, overjoyed to hear the good news, declared, “I’ll tell the Bradshaws right away!”

A little later Nancy received a call from Mark Bradshaw himself. The artist apologized profusely for his recent unfriendly attitude and thanked her for discovering the truth about Rugby.

When Nancy rejoined the group in the Ivy Hall library, everyone was staring at the exquisite stained-glass window in silent admiration.

Presently Sir Richard said dreamily, “The knight and the peacock have traveled many miles across the ocean and will have to recross it before being restored to their original home.”

At that moment the telephone rang, and Sheila went to answer it. When she came back, her eyes were shining happily. She stood in the center of the floor and said dramatically, “Never again will I say that peacocks bring me bad luck. My agent just called—I’m to have a wonderful starring part in a new Broadway play! And, Annette, you can go to college as you’ve been hoping!”

“Oh, I’m so happy for us,” said Annette, hug ging her mother. “And we’ll spend vacations at Ivy Hall!”

Nancy and Bess expressed their delight at the turn in the Pattersons’ fortune. George said it was great news. Then, grinning, she looked at the girl detective who had been responsible for a large part of it.

“Well, Nancy,” she said, “besides solving this whole mystery and exonerating innocent people, you’ve even proved that peacocks are above suspicion!”