The Flying Saucer Mystery

Table of Contents

 

 

 

WHEN Nancy and her friends ride deep into the Shawniegunk Forest in search of a flying saucer, they find themselves in the middle of more than one mystery.

Wildcats, runaway horses, deadly snakes, a disappearing Indian, and a loveable old naturalist in search of treasure hidden by his father years before, keep the sleuths tangled in danger and suspense.

Finally, during a frightening windstorm, the spacecraft arrives. Nancy and Ned experience an unforgettable journey before they return to solve not one but
two
spectacular mysteries.

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Copyright © 1980 by Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved. Published in 2005 by Grosset & Dunlap, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group, 345 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014. NANCY DREW MYSTERY STORIES® is a registered trademark of Simon & Schuster, Inc. GROSSET & DUNLAP is a trademark of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. S.A.

 

eISBN : 978-1-101-07759-7

“Good-bye! Good luck! And be careful, Nancy. This new mystery you want to solve sounds dangerous!”

The words of farewell were spoken by Mrs. Hannah Gruen, the Drews’ housekeeper. She kissed the eighteen-year-old, titian-blond girl and hugged her affectionately.

“I’ll be
very
careful,” Nancy promised, adding lightly, “Has anyone got the best of your favorite detective yet?”

“No, but there’s always a first time!” Hannah replied as Nancy jumped into her father’s car.

Without further discussion, Carson Drew, a distinguished lawyer, headed for the River Heights airport. As they pulled up to the terminal, two girls stepped out of a sedan.

“Bess and George!” Nancy exclaimed.

Bess Marvin and George Fayne were cousins and were Nancy’s closest friends. The three girls, who were going on a camping trip in the Shawniegunk Forest, now set their large backpacks and sleeping bags on the sidewalk in front of the terminal entrance. Mr. Drew and Mrs. Fayne said they would park their cars and come back to see the girls off.

“I had to leave so much at home!” complained Bess. She was Nancy’s age and pretty—but slightly plump.

“Well, I brought lots of rain gear and not much else.” George giggled. She was an attractive slim brunette. “If it doesn’t rain, I’ll be out of luck!”

“If it does”—Bess frowned—“I’ll be wetter than a guppy.”

“You mean a whale!” George laughed.

“Thanks a lot, George!” her cousin replied, narrowing her eyes.

That was Nancy’s signal to lead the way to the ticket counter where the girls’ camping equipment was weighed and checked in. They each picked up a ticket and seat assignment, and walked to the departure gate.

Mrs. Fayne and Mr. Drew arrived just a few minutes before takeoff. As the boarding announcement was made, Mr. Drew kissed Nancy. “I hope you solve the mystery, honey,” he said as a twinkle came into his eyes. “But be on the lookout for strange creatures in the forest!”

Bess shuddered. “What do you mean, Mr. Drew?”

Nancy’s father refused to explain further. “You’d better hurry, or you’ll miss your plane.”

The girls scooted quickly through the check-in area and soon were seated side by side in the plane.

“I had no idea this trip would be dangerous,” Bess said. “I thought it was going to be fun.”

“It should be,” Nancy replied. “After all, I did promise you a mystery, and isn’t solving mysteries fun? I’ll tell you more about this one when we join the boys.”

The trip had been arranged by Mr. Drew. At his suggestion, the girls had asked their boyfriends to meet them in a little town at the foot of the wooded Shawniegunk Mountain where the small plane would land. Jan and Hal Drake, their guides, were to be there also.

During the two-hour flight, the three teenagers hardly spoke to one another. Each was wondering what lay ahead. Bess and George knew there was bound to be danger—as well as a thrilling adventure—on a trip with Nancy.

By the time the plane landed, the boys were already there. Tall, athletic Ned Nickerson was Nancy’s boyfriend. Burt Eddleton, a short, husky blond, was George’s friend, and Bess’s special companion was blond, green-eyed Dave Evans.

The boys introduced the Drakes, an attractive couple who had lived in the area since their marriage a few years before.

“I’m sure all of you are going to have as much fun here as we do,” said Jan, a vivacious blond with streaks of gray in her hair. “We love to camp out and ride through this magnificent forest.”

“Sounds wonderful,” Nancy replied. “Is everything set for go?”

Hal smiled. “At your service. Follow me.”

The young people picked up their backpacks and sleeping bags and followed Jan and Hal to a long shed where several horses were tied up.

“Here’s your means of transportation,” said Hal. He was a tall, slender man with a ruddy complexion and a firm jaw. His mouth turned up at the comers in an engaging grin.

“Oh, how marvelous!” George exclaimed, dropping her things in a heap and admiring the line of horses. She patted and spoke to each one while Hal and the others conferred over which animals they ought to use.

“What’s the name of my horse?” Nancy asked, as she mounted easily.

“Susan B,” Hal told her as she leaned forward to hug the beautiful, young bay mare.

“You and I are going to solve a big mystery!” she whispered to Susan B.

Ned mounted his horse and rode alongside Nancy, saying, “This is Goalpost. Appropriate?”

“Appropriate, but I don’t believe it.” Nancy smiled. “Somebody must’ve known the captain of Emerson College’s football team was coming. Even so, I’m sure you’re not going to find any goalposts in the forest.”

“But I can run for a touchdown!” Ned quipped. “The solution to the mystery may be right there.”

Within minutes the string of riders and horses started off. It was not long before they came to the forest and followed Jan up a steep trail.

They had ridden about an hour when the stony path led them to a pleasant spot by a mountain brook.

“Oh, doesn’t it smell wonderful here?” Bess said, breathing in the pine scent. “And look at all the wild flowers.”

Sweet-smelling woodbine was entwined around stately trees and white flowers peeked through ground shrubbery.

Jan signaled for the procession to halt. The riders dismounted, allowing the horses to rest while Jan unloaded a sack of picnic food from one of the two packhorses.

Before letting the horses graze, Hal and the boys led them to the brook for a refreshing drink. After tethering two of the horses, everyone sat down on the ground to enjoy a variety of sandwiches, as well as tomato juice and nutcake.

“Now, Nancy, let’s hear about the mystery we’re going to solve,” Ned suggested, after tasting a ham sandwich.

Nancy leaned forward and spoke softly. “Dad received word—secretly of course—that several people in the vicinity of Shawniegunk Mountain had seen a UFO come down and disappear. Some of them even hunted for it.”

“Was it from outer space?” Bess quivered.

“Everyone thought so,” Nancy said, causing her friend’s look of alarm to change to fright.

“Didn’t they notify the authorities?” Burt asked.

Nancy shook her head. “Apparently not. They were afraid of being laughed at. Anyway, they failed to find the UFO. Nevertheless, they were sure it had landed. There was a similar rumor about ten years ago, but nothing came of it.”

“And we’re supposed to find this flying saucer?” George inquired.