“I know. I was just wondering what you did use it for.”
“For model sculpting,” the old man said.
“Is there a problem here, Jonathan?”
It was Russell Garrison again. He stood over Nancy in the aisle.
“No, sir. I was just discussing arts and crafts with our curious Ms. Drew.”
“You mean the nosy Ms. Drew, don’t you?”
“Now, Mr. Garrison, what’s wrong with trying to pick up a little knowledge?” Nancy said. “You run a school. You should understand my curiosity.”
“I’ve always heard that a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing,” Mr. Garrison said. “Even you should know better than to badger a man like Mr. Morse.”
“She wasn’t badgering me, Russell,” the old man said.
“Well, let’s not argue,” said Mr. Garrison. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, Ms. Drew, I have some things to discuss with Jonathan.”
Nancy had no choice but to leave. When she stood up, the headmaster immediately took her seat.
Shaking her head, Nancy returned to her seat next to George and told her friend what had happened.
“I’m still not sure who’s a suspect and who isn’t,” Nancy said. “But something’s got to happen soon.”
“Come on, Nan,” said George. “We’re going to Canada to try to win a soccer championship. I hope the girls’ concern over this case doesn’t spoil their game.”
“I hope it doesn’t, either. But I can’t help feeling that the soccer team is somehow connected to the whole thing.”
“Oh, no,” George groaned. “Not again.”
“But that’s the problem with this case,” Nancy continued. “Too many feelings, and not enough facts.”
For the rest of the flight Nancy and George relaxed. The landing was a smooth one. The team was to take a bus from the airport to the Clayton-Bagdall School, several miles north of Canada’s Niagara Falls. The school had a large stadium and would host the four-team, single-elimination tournament.
When they arrived inside the air terminal, Coach Boggs gave George the big duffel bag that contained all the special equipment. George tossed the strap over her shoulder without complaining, even though the bag was very heavy.
“Try to imagine Bess lugging this thing,” she said to Nancy.
“Not in a million years.” Nancy laughed.
The team would be staying in a dormitory at the school, while the parents, faculty, and friends would be housed in a hotel half a mile away.
Nevertheless, everyone went to the school first so the team could get settled. The semifinal game was set for the following afternoon. Kate called a light practice on one of the school’s playing fields for late in the day, just to loosen the girls up.
“George, go ahead and separate the brand-new game uniforms and equipment from the practice gear,” Kate said. “You can use my room.”
“I’ll help you,” Nancy offered.
While they were busy working, Russell Garrison walked in.
“I trust the rooms are satisfactory,” he said to the coach.
“Mm-hmm. We’re all set,” Kate answered.
“I guess I should wish you luck, Ms. Boggs. I’m sure you’ll do your best for Pineview.”
Then the headmaster spotted Nancy.
“She isn’t supposed to be here,” he said. “These dorm rooms are just for the team.”
“She’s just helping us with the equipment,” Kate explained. “She has a room at the hotel, same as you.”
Garrison frowned. “Yes, fine. Well, good luck.”
“That guy doesn’t miss a trick,” George muttered as he left.
“He’s pretty thorough,” Kate said. “I’ll say that much for him.”
Nancy stayed with the team through practice. “They weren’t bad at all,” she said to George as the girls went off to shower. “In fact, they ran so hard they made me hungry. You want to go with me to the hotel for some supper?”
“The team’s eating here in the school dining hall,” George said. “I need to make sure they get enough food in their stomachs. But I can meet you later, if you want.”
“Great! We’ll have our own celebration before the games.” Nancy patted her friend on the back and left for the hotel.
As she entered the hotel lobby, Nancy thought she saw someone duck quickly into a rear elevator alcove. The person’s furtive movements made Nancy suspicious. She ran toward the alcove just in time to see the door close on an elevator.
But that didn’t stop Nancy. “The stairs,” she murmured. She ran through a heavy door and up several flights of concrete steps, checking each floor to see whether the elevator had stopped. As she puffed up to the fifth floor, she heard the elevator door open and someone hurry out. She threw open the stairway door and ran into the hallway. She caught a quick glimpse of a girl before she entered a room and slammed the door.
