Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 The Bearded Clam Mystery

   by sourdough

   ------ Synopsis: Nancy Drew believes a new acquaintance is in great
danger.  She's right.
Codes: FF non-con herm fanfic hist interr BF WF OF preg slow

   ------

   Chapter 1

   "Shopping makes me hungry," said Bess Marvin.

   "Everything makes you hungry," George Fayne replied.

   "Well, I'm hungry too," said Nancy Drew.  "There's a snack stand back by
the ticket window.  Let's go." Nancy smiled at the good-natured bickering
between her two best friends.  Bess and George were cousins but the two
girls couldn't be more different in physical appearance and personality. 
Bess was the more feminine of the two and the most likely to take fright to
the unexpected.  She was over fond of food and was a bit overweight.  In
keeping with her masculine name, George could be tomboyish and very
outspoken.  It could be safely said that Nancy Drew was a titian haired
beauty.  All three young women were 18 years old and high school graduates.

   After purchasing their snacks Nancy and her companions sat down on the
waiting room bench to wait for the train back to River Heights after their
shopping excursion to the city.  Nancy noticed they had been joined in the
waiting room by another girl around their own age.  The girl was very
pretty but the dress she wore was years out of fashion and a bit
threadbare. Nancy also noticed the girl's eyes were fixed on the snacks
they had set on the bench.

   "It's a pleasant day, isn't it," said Nancy addressing the new girl.

   "Yes, yes it is," the young woman replied.  She smiled nervously.

   "My name is Nancy Drew.  My friends are Bess Marvin and George Fayne."
Bess and George nodded and smiled.

   "I'm Brianna Colby."

   "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Colby."

   "Please call me Brianna."

   "I'm glad we're all on a first name basis now, Brianna.  We were just
having a little snack while waiting for the train.  Will you please join
us?"

   "Oh no, I couldn't.  Thank you for offering."

   "Go ahead and have some, Brianna," said George.  "You'll be doing Bess a
favor."

   "I ...  guess I am a little hungry," said Brianna, "if I'm not imposing.
Thank you very much." From what Nancy could see their new acquaintance was
very hungry.  Brianna must not have eaten in days.  She ate almost as much
as Bess.

   "What's your destination," Nancy asked.

   "I'm going to River Heights," Brianna replied.

   "That's our town," said Bess.

   "I'm going to be starting a job in the area."

   "That's wonderful," Nancy exclaimed.  "We'll be able to visit each other
after today."

   "The job is supposed to be somewhere outside of town, but yes, I'd love
that.  I feel like I've made some new friends just when I needed them."

   The train ride to River Heights was very pleasant.  The four teenaged
girls talked and Nancy was able to hear a little about Brianna's history.
Brianna Colby was 18 years old also and had grown up with her family in the
city.  With the stock market crash and subsequent factory closings,
Brianna's father had lost his job and been unable to find a new one. 
Brianna had just been able to graduate from high school before beginning a
job hunt to help out her family but the search in the city had been futile,
so far.  Recently she'd met a woman who had offered her a job but it would
mean relocating outside the city.  Since it was the only job she'd been
offered during her search, Brianna immediately accepted.  The advantage was
that room and board was to be included because the company location was in
a rural area.  She could save her wages and send money back to help the
family.

   Nancy nodded in sympathy.  She felt fortunate that the current economic
upheaval hadn't affected her family and friends but millions of families in
America weren't as lucky.  Families separated by the need to find work
wherever possible were commonplace.  Franklin Roosevelt had just been
elected president and he was proposing many new programs to help people
return to gainful employment.  Nancy hoped the country was soon back to
work.

   "What kind of work will you be doing?" said Nancy.

   "I'm not sure," Brianna replied.  "I imagine it's some kind of
secretarial work.  I took typing and shorthand in high school and got good
grades.  That's what I told the lady I was good at; secretarial.  The
company is supposed to be some kind of research institute."

   "What kind of research do they do?" said George.

   "You know, I forgot to ask." Brianna giggled self consciously.  The
train was slowing down for the River Heights train station.  The girls
began to gather up their belongings.

   "Do you need to be dropped off anywhere?  I'd be happy to give you a
ride," said Nancy.

   "Thank you for offering, but I was told someone would be here to pick me
up at the station."

   "Well, there's no one here yet.  Would you like us to sit with you while
you wait?"

   "I'd love that, Nancy," said Brianna.  "I'm kind of scared and nervous
right now.  Maybe they won't like me."

   "I'm sure you'll do fine," Nancy assured their new friend.  About ten
minutes after they sat down a black sedan pulled up.  A short
barrel-chested man stepped out.  The man's hat was pulled down low as if he
didn't want to be recognized.  He saw the girls and walked up to them.

   "Are any of you called Brianna Colby?"

   "I'm Brianna Colby," said the teenager.

   "I wasn't told to expect four of you but more the merrier, heh heh." His
smile revealed yellow tobacco-stained teeth.

   "We met while waiting for the train to River Heights," Nancy explained.
"We didn't want Brianna to wait here alone so we decided to wait with her
until her ride arrived.  We're not seeking employment."

   "That's too bad." The man had already made a bad first impression on
Nancy.  He'd failed to tip his hat like a gentleman would and the teenager
had the distinct feeling he was trying to see through her clothes.

   "What kind of research do you people do?" said George.

   "Research?  Oh uh ...  we're doing heavy research on the mating habits
of the bearded clam, heh heh."

   "Why would you be doing research on clams in this part of the country,"
Nancy asked.  "We're not near the ocean."

   "They're a type of fresh water clam."

   "I've never heard of them.  Are they rare?"

   "They're commoner than you think, heh heh."

   "Can you eat them?" Bess asked.

   "I knew that question was coming from you," said George.

   "They're very good eating, young lady," the man asserted.  "I can't eat
enough of them.  In fact, I start drooling the moment I even get near a
bearded clam, heh heh."

   "I'd like to try some," said Bess.

   "I'll make sure you all get a taste real soon; you and your friends. 
You won't be able to stop once you start, heh heh."

   "Perhaps, we can visit you, Brianna," said Nancy.  "Where is this place
exactly?"

   "No outside visits until this young lady goes through orientation. 
That's the rules.  She can call you when it's okay to come out for a visit.
Now, I can't gab here all day.  You have an appointment to meet the
director.  Are you comin' with me or not?"

   "I guess I'm coming," said Brianna with a nervous laugh and stood up. 
Nancy Drew was suddenly very afraid for their new friend.  She wanted to
beg her friend not to leave with this strange frightening man.  But could
she ask Brianna to refuse to accompany this man based on her intuition
alone?  Where was the evidence?  Nancy had a detective's instinct and had
already helped solve mysteries that had baffled the authorities.  (See the
"Secret of the Old Cock").  Her father was the well known defense lawyer
Carson Drew.

   The girls said their farewells and Brianna promised to call Nancy as
soon as her orientation was finished.  Nancy watched with sadness and
foreboding as the car drove out of sight.  She noted the car was missing
its license plate.

   "Gosh," Bess exclaimed.  "I wouldn't get in the same car with that man
even if my life depended on it."

   "Me neither," said George.  "He was kind of creepy.  I felt like he was
undressing me with his eyes."

   "I agree he was very rude," said Nancy.  "Perhaps he's harmless but he
should be reported to his superiors and be disciplined or even dismissed
from his position." Nancy still kept the feeling this man was far from
harmless.  She was very worried for her new friend.

   "I wonder if there really is such a thing as a bearded clam," said Bess.

   "I don't know," the amateur sleuth replied, "but I intend to find out
for sure."

   Nancy was at the library when they opened their doors the next morning.
From her high school biology class, the young woman knew clams were from
the phylum Mollusca.  That included snails and squid as well as clams. 
Unfortunately, Nancy found very little information on clams and absolutely
nothing on bearded clams.  That wasn't unusual since the River Heights
Public Library collection was fairly small.

   When Nancy returned home she telephoned the public aquarium in the city
and asked to speak to anyone with expertise on shellfish.  She was
connected to a gentleman who said he was always happy to share his
knowledge on shellfish.  But when she mentioned the bearded clam the line
went dead.  Thinking she had been accidentally disconnected, Nancy
telephoned again.  The shellfish expert refused to talk to her and she was
told not to call back.  Nancy thought this was very strange.  I've somehow
offended him but I don't how I could have.

   At dinner that evening Nancy related the story of meeting Brianna Colby
and also of meeting the man at the train station.  Carson Drew listened
quietly to his daughter's narration.  "So, what do you think," said Nancy.

   "I'm afraid that man at the train station was rude to you girls in more
ways than one," said Carson Drew.

   "What do you mean, Dad?"

   "A ...  bearded clam is an impolite slang term," Mr.  Drew replied in
obvious discomfort.

   "A slang term for what?"

   "It refers to a woman's sexual organ, honey." Nancy was quiet for a
moment while puzzlement turned to enlightenment.  She stood up quickly. 
The teenager was blushing furiously from embarrassment and humiliation.

   "Oh my gosh, Dad!  No wonder the man at the aquarium hung up on me.  If
I ever meet that disgusting man again I'll give him a piece of my mind. 
Brianna is in danger.  I just know it.  We have to save her."

   "All that's been established is that the man you girls met at the train
station is very rude," said Mr.  Drew.  "It doesn't necessarily follow that
your friend is in any danger."

   "I knew that man was bad news the instant he opened his mouth and I just
sat there and allowed Brianna to ride off with him.  I'll never forgive
myself if he's harmed Brianna."

   "You have no evidence of any wrong doing, Nancy."

   "I just know," Nancy replied.  "Dad, I know you know when a client or a
witness is lying to you even if you have no solid evidence of that at the
time.  I don't have any solid evidence yet, but I had the same feeling in
talking with this man that you get when you're being lied to on the witness
stand." Carson Drew nodded in agreement.  He knew his daughter had very
good instincts for this sort of thing.

   "Assuming you're right, finding your friend might be a hopeless task,"
said Mr.  Drew.  "You can't go to the police with what little information
you have and I really doubt if you'll find a research institute anywhere in
the county.  I certainly haven't heard of one.  Your friend could be in the
next state by now."

   "That's true," said Nancy, "but I think they're relatively close.  That
man wasn't dressed for long distance traveling.  Also, he was evasive about
the exact whereabouts of this so-called research institute.  Finally, his
car lacked its rear license plate.  I don't believe he'd travel far and
risk being stopped by the police for lacking a license plate."

   "Well, even if they're close by that's still an awful lot of territory
to cover with a lot of places to hide," said Mr.  Drew.  "Since you're so
intent on looking into this, I suggest you talk to the police chief first
and ask him if anyone has been cited recently for a license plate
violation."

   "That's a good idea, Dad.  I'll talk to the police chief tomorrow."

   "Tomorrow I have to go out of town for the start of a trial.  I'll be
calling home every evening so you can keep me informed.  If you think
there's any danger, I want you to promise to call the proper authorities
and let them handle it."

   "I promise I'll do that, Dad."

   "I hope this mystery is solved with just a simple telephone call to you
from Brianna Colby."

   "I hope so too," said Nancy.  The teen sleuth didn't think solving this
mystery would be that simple though.  She felt it would be a very
interesting case.  She was right.



   ------

   Chapter 2

   "If I ever meet up with that guy again, I'll kick him right where he
lives," George exclaimed.  Nancy had just finished relating the
conversation she had with her father the previous evening.  They were
discussing it over coffee at a nearby diner.

   "But you don't know where he lives," Bess objected.  "Do you?"

   "I most certainly do," George replied.

   "Well fine then," said Bess.  "We'll just go there and when he leaves
we'll follow him.  He'll lead us straight to Brianna."

   "That's not what I meant you--"

   "Let's just concentrate on finding Brianna, okay?" Nancy said.  "I have
an appointment with the police chief this morning.  Let's meet for lunch at
noon at my place.  I asked Mrs.  Gruen to set places for both of you before
I left the house." Hannah Gruen, the Drew family's housekeeper, was a
terrific cook and her friends never turned down a chance to enjoy an always
delicious meal prepared by her.

   Nancy's meeting with the River Heights police chief didn't produce much
in the way of results.  No one had been issued a ticket for a license plate
violation in a long while and the violator was known to be a local
merchant. Nancy's description of the man who met Brianna Colby didn't ring
any bells with the chief.

   "Your father's right, Nancy," the chief said.  "We don't have anything
to investigate at the moment.  You don't have this young lady's home
address so you can't contact her parents unless they're listed in the
telephone book which I doubt."

   "I've already checked that angle," said Nancy.  "You're right."

   "I'll ask the city police department to inform us if a missing persons
report is filed for Brianna Colby but it could take weeks before her
parents become worried if they don't hear from her."

   "I appreciate the effort, Chief," Nancy replied.  "I'm just afraid we
don't have the luxury of time.  I think Brianna Colby is in real danger
now." The guardian of law and order in River Heights nodded his head in
agreement.  He knew Nancy Drew wasn't the type to jump to conclusions or
panic unnecessarily.  Despite her youth, Nancy had already been of
inestimable assistance to the River Heights Police Department.  (See the
"Mystery of the Vegetarian Cannibal".)

   Nancy got home just before noon.  With her usual Prussian efficiency,
Hannah Gruen had everything under control and was ready to serve lunch. 
"Where's Bess?" said Nancy when she opened the front door to admit George.

   "She said she had a couple of errands to run," George replied.  "I'm
sure she'll be along soon.  My cousin has yet to miss a meal when it's been
prepared by Mrs.  Gruen." However Bess was indeed late and the two young
women had just about decided to eat without her when she finally arrived.

   "It's so nice of you to join us," said George.

   "I'm sorry but it couldn't be helped," Bess replied with a pleasant
smile.

   "Never mind," said Nancy.  "Let's eat."

   The girls settled down to a delicious repast prepared by the inestimable
Mrs.  Gruen and talked in generalities but as the meal neared its end the
topic of the whereabouts of Brianna Colby was once again on their minds.

   "What's our next move?" said George.

   "I honestly don't have a clue," Nancy admitted.

   "Well, I still think we should just follow him," said Bess.  "He's sure
to lead us back to Brianna eventually."

   "That's brilliant thinking, Bess," said George.  "Do you happen to know
where this fellow is right now?"

   "No, I don't," Bess replied, "but I happen to know where he'll be at
four o'clock this afternoon."

   "Where?  When?" Nancy almost shouted.  "How did you find out about
this?" Nancy and George stared in amazement at Bess who quite liked being
the center of attention.

   "He'll be at the train station at four o'clock this afternoon," said
Bess.  "I was on my way to the druggist because I had a hankering for a
candy bar.  This big car pulled up in front of the train station.  The same
guy who picked up Brianna got out of the car and opened the door for this
Oriental-looking woman.  She was Chinese or Japanese or something like that
and very elegantly dressed."

   "It wasn't the same car?" said Nancy.

   "It was a different car," Bess replied, "almost like a limousine, but it
was the same driver.  I'm sure of it.  He got back into his car and left
right away so I followed the woman inside.  She caught the train into the
city about five minutes later.

   "Anyway, I sort of flirted with the ticket clerk and--"

   "You did what," exclaimed George.  "That guy has to be a thousand years
old."

   "Hush and let her finish," said Nancy.

   "--and I commented how beautiful that Oriental woman was and he said she
takes regular trips into the city and usually returns on the four o'clock
train."

   "That's great detective work, Bess," said Nancy.

   "Thanks!"

   "I guess your sweet tooth came in pretty handy," said George. 
"Congratulations cousin!"

   "That reminds me," said Bess.  "I didn't get a chance to buy my candy
bar."

   "I guess I know where I'm going to be at four o'clock this afternoon,"
said the girl detective.

   "I'm the one who found him," said Bess.  "I'm going to be there too."

   "Well, I'm not going to sitting around twiddling my thumbs while you two
have all the fun," said George.  "I'm coming along.  Maybe I'll get a
chance to kick that guy where he lives."

   "I knew I could count on you both," said Nancy.

   "That's the car pulling up to the train station now," said Bess as she
finished her candy bar.  Nancy Drew and her two friends were sitting in
Nancy's blue roadster across the street from the train station.

   "That's him all right," said Nancy as she watched the man enter the
front door of the depot.  "It's almost four o'clock too." Not more than
five minutes after the train dropped off its passengers Nancy observed
their man accompany the Oriental woman to the car and open the door for
her. He was very deferential to the woman and she was obviously his
superior.  This was in marked contrast to the way he treated Brianna who
had to carry her own suitcase.

   Not far out of River Heights farmland and open country dominated the
landscape.  Many of the country roads had yet to be paved so it was rather
easy to stay well back and follow the trail of dust kicked up by the large
automobile.

   "They've either turned off the road or they've stopped," said Nancy.

   "How can you tell?" said Bess.

   "I don't see their dust trail any more."

   "Should we pull over?" said George.  Nancy shook her head.

   "I don't think we have any choice but to continue on." So far following
the car had been easy.  Perhaps it had been too easy.  Sure enough, Nancy
took a bend and found her car not more than two car lengths behind the one
they were pursuing.  The man and the woman were standing together and the
man waved to them.  The road was too narrow at that point to pass them and
also too difficult to turn around.

   "Is there a problem?" Nancy called.  The Oriental woman approached
Nancy's side of the car.

   "I'm not certain," the woman answered in a cultured voice.  "I would
like to know why you are following us."

   "What are you talking about," said George.  "We weren't following you.
We just happened to be going in the same direction."

   Nancy didn't see any point in prevaricating at this point and addressed
the woman.  "We met a young lady on the train to River Heights yesterday
and became acquainted with her.  Her name is Brianna Colby."

   "Miss Colby just entered my employment," said the woman.  "How does she
concern you?"

   "When your driver arrived to pick up Miss Colby we found his attitude
and demeanor coarse and unbefitting a gentleman.  That was enough to make
us uneasy.  When we also discovered his mind belonged in the gutter--"

   "I take it you and your friends wish to renew your acquaintance with
Miss Colby so that you can be assured she has come to no harm."

   "That's it exactly," Nancy replied.

   "Then by all means, let's go meet Miss Colby so that your troubled minds
will be at ease." The Oriental woman turned to glance at her driver.  "I
shall be interested in listening to his version of events on our way back
to the facility." She turned and walked back to her automobile.

   "I don't like her attitude any better than his," said George as they
followed the limousine.

   "I'm willing to reserve judgment until after we meet and talk with
Brianna," said the girl detective.  It was obvious to Nancy that she'd been
spotted following the target vehicle long before being confronted by this
mysterious Oriental woman.  They were turned around and actually driving
back toward River Heights and then for several miles upriver.  Eventually
they turned into a country lane which led to a large house which fronted on
the river.  There was something familiar about the place but Nancy was sure
she'd never been there before.  Was it a picture she'd seen in the
newspaper?  Nancy parked the car.  The girl detective and her companions
got out to meet their hostess who seemed suddenly quite angry.

   "It seems I owe the three of you an abject apology.  Lester told me what
transpired yesterday and he was quite out of line.  I've decided to dismiss
from my service unless the three of you can find it in your hearts to
forgive him." Nancy observed a stricken man.  He stood in front of them
with his hat in hand.  His eyes were downcast and the man was trembling
with fear.

   "Have you learned your lesson, Lester?" said Nancy.

   "I-I certainly have Miss," said Lester.  "The Doctor here has been
trying to keep me on the straight and narrow but I strayed this time and I
know it reflected badly on her.  I certainly didn't mean any harm, Miss. 
I'm apologizing to all of you, of course, and I promise I'll take this
lesson with me to the grave and be a better man for it if you can see your
way to forgiving me." Nancy saw George and Bess both nod their heads.

   "I don't see why we should stand in your way if you're truly sincere in
your effort to reform yourself, Lester," said Nancy.  "Of course we forgive
you."

   "Thanks a lot, ladies," Lester replied.  "I suppose I'd better get back
to work." He quickly left in the direction of some out-buildings.

   "I'm glad that incident has been resolved satisfactorily," said their
hostess.  "My name is Madame Chang.  Who do I have the honor of
addressing?"

   "My name is Nancy Drew.  These ladies are my two best friends; George
Fayne and Bess Marvin."

   "Shall we step inside?" They were met at the door by a Negro maid and
led to a spacious parlor.  "Tea for five, Beulah.  Please ask Miss Colby to
join us."

   "Yes, Madame," said Beulah.

   "Are you any relation to Carson Drew of legal fame?"

   "He's my father," said Nancy.  "Lester referred to you as doctor, Madame
Chang."

   "I'm a clinical psychologist specializing in behavior modification."

   "That's a mouthful," said George.  "What does it mean?"

   "It's indeed a mouthful, Miss Fayne," said Madame Chang.  "I deal with
young women who have been in minor scrapes with the law and who are at risk
of getting into more serious trouble which could lead to prison.  My goal
is to prevent that and lead them back into more productive lives."

   "That's very admirable," said Nancy.  "May I ask?  Do you know the
history of this estate?  I seem to recall seeing a picture in the newspaper
which is remarkably similar to what I've seen."

   "Until last year, this house was a speakeasy and brothel.  It was raided
and closed by the federal authorities.  I purchased the property from the
bank after the previous owner could no longer pay his bills."

   "Holy smokes," exclaimed Bess.  Her voice became a whisper.  "Do you
mean prostitution?"

   Madame Chang pointed upstairs.  "That's where the women lived and
performed their duties.  I'm converting the upstairs to dorm-like rooms for
my clients.  They will be arriving beginning next month.  Right there's
just Lester, Beulah, Brianna and myself."

   "I feel so naughty being here," said Bess.

   "Relax," said George.  "None of that is going on now."

   "Well, here's our tea and here's Brianna."

   "Hi!  I certainly didn't expect to see you three so soon," said Brianna.

   "We became worried after you left the train station yesterday," said
Nancy.

   "This is about Lester, right?  He kind of gave me the creeps too but I
think he's harmless."

   "That's good to know," said Nancy.  "This is delicious tea, Madame
Chang."

   "It's my own blend," the woman said.  "Brianna, you haven't touched
yours." She looked at her watch.  "We were already behind schedule before
this unfortunate incident and it has put us even further behind.  Perhaps
we can schedule something for the near future; luncheon perhaps?" She stood
up and the young visitors realized the interview was over.  They stood up
also.

   "Yes, of course," said Nancy.  "It's been a pleasure meeting you.  Could
you walk us out to the car, Brianna?"

   "I'm afraid she can't," said Madame Chang.  "I need her to dictate some
urgent messages.  Beulah will see you out.  Good-bye."

   "I hope I'll see you all soon," said Brianna and gave them a little
wave. She followed Madame Chang out of the room.

   "That was the strangest visit," said George on their drive back to River
Heights.  "It seemed like Madame Chang wanted to get rid of us just as soon
as we saw Brianna."

   "Those are my thoughts exactly," said Nancy.  "Also, did you notice
Beulah didn't move more than three steps away from Brianna as long as we
were there."

   "I didn't think anything of it at the time but now that you mention it,
it did seem strange," George replied.

   "Lester winked at me before walking away," said Bess.

   "Are you serious?" said George.

   "I swear it's true."

   "It doesn't seem Lester was very sincere after all," said Nancy.  The
girl detective realized she wasn't assured at all about Brianna's safety
after that visit.  There was something else that was bothering her but the
girl detective's mind seemed in a muddle.  This case warranted further
investigation.



   ------

   Chapter 3

   After dropping off Bess and George, Nancy returned home in time to enjoy
a light supper prepared by Mrs.  Gruen and then take her father's evening
phone call.  They exchanged pleasantries and then Nancy proceeded to tell
her father about locating Brianna Colby and the strange meeting with Madame
Chang.

   "It sounds like you're still not satisfied after your meeting with
Brianna."

   "You're absolutely right, Dad," replied Nancy.  "Something isn't right
at that house and I intend to find out what it is."

   "You still don't have any evidence of wrongdoing, honey," said Carson
Drew.  "Madame Chang certainly doesn't have any obligation to divulge
private information to you."

   "Do you think I'm reading too much into Madame Chang's actions?"

   "Perhaps you are, Nancy," said her father.  "Maybe you can call the
county and check if Madame Chang has applied for the needed permits and
licenses to open such a facility."

   "That's a good idea," said the girl detective.  "I'll do that."

   "I can check to see if this woman is properly licensed with the state
and what if any professional associations she belongs to."

   "Thanks, Dad," said Nancy.

   The next day Nancy Drew was on the telephone to the county. 
Unfortunately she was told the types of requests she was making had to be
done in person or in writing.  Nothing could be done over the telephone. 
Nancy thanked the clerk and decided a trip to the county seat was in order.
She had learned how to do legal research from her father and the
information she wanted to know was too detailed to be put in a letter. 
However the trip would have to wait until the following Monday since her
Friday was pretty much planned.  Nancy wished she could talk to Brianna
privately.  That would certainly confirm or allay the girl detective's
concerns.

   It was as if by magic Nancy's wish was answered.  She had just returned
from a late lunch with Bess and George when the telephone rang.  It was
none other than Brianna Colby on the line.  "It's so nice to hear from you,
Brianna."

   "Thanks, Nancy," said Brianna.  "Madame Chang feels bad about being so
short with you yesterday and wants to make it up to you by inviting Bess,
George and you to luncheon tomorrow.  She promised we could spend the whole
day together.  She also promised we wouldn't have Beulah stalking me," she
added in a whisper.

   "I'd love to come," said Nancy.  "I'm sure Bess and George would love to
come too."

   "Be sure you guys bring an overnight bag," said Brianna.  "I have Madame
Chang half convinced to let you stay the entire weekend.  There are scads
of room and Beulah is a decent cook.  We can spend the night upstairs and
pretend we're fallen women waiting for our clients."

   "Oh my goodness," Nancy exclaimed with a laugh.  "That sounds like an
adventure."

   Bess and George readily agreed to the luncheon plans and the contingency
plan of staying overnight.  She likened it to a slumber party where the
girls would snack and talk all night before all fell into exhausted sleep.

   Nancy and her friends arrived at Madame Chang's estate at 11 o'clock
Saturday morning and were met at the door by Beulah.  "Madame Chang and
Miss Colby are in the parlor," said the Negro maid and led the way to their
hostesses.

   "Welcome back," said Brianna with a wide smile.  "I hope you three are
prepared to stay for the weekend."

   "We are," said Nancy, "and thank you for the invitation, Madame Chang."

   "You're very welcome," the Oriental woman replied.  "I'm afraid I didn't
make a very good impression the other day.  I hope this weekend will be
much more relaxing for all concerned."

   "We'd all like to make a better impression," said Nancy.

   "I'm told we might get to sleep upstairs," said Bess.  "That's sounds
exciting."

   "I have two rooms prepared with two beds each not unlike a college
dormitory," said Madame Chang.  "I'm afraid the others are still not in
livable conditions so I've kept the doors locked."

   "I'd still like to see one of them," said Bess.

   "You would," said George.

   "Beulah has the keys," Madame Chang replied.  "By the way, she was a
maid for the previous tenant also so she knows this place inside out."

   "I bet you could tell us some interesting stories, Beulah," said Nancy.

   "I could do that, Miss" the Negro maid replied.  "I wouldn't name any
names but I could relate some interesting stories, especially Saturday
nights.  A lot of the rest of the time was pure boredom for the girls what
with waiting for a paying client to show up."

   "You may serve luncheon now, Beulah," said Madame Chang.

   The five women sat down for a pleasant luncheon.  Beulah was indeed a
good cook although she couldn't come close to the cuisine Mrs.  Gruen
served.  They engaged in pleasant chitchat but Nancy was interested in
learning more about Madame Chang's operation.

   "What methods do you use in treatment," Nancy asked.

   "I will be administering a small questionnaire that will help me
determine the type of help a particular girl needs," said Madame Chang. 
"With this questionnaire and further testing I will be able to determine
where her interests and talents lie and also her weaknesses.  I had Brianna
fill out the questionnaire and from it I could tell she had the
determination to succeed and help her family.  I knew her assistance would
be of enormous help to me."

   "Thank you, Madame Chang," said Brianna.  She blushed prettily.

   "I'd like to take that questionnaire," said Bess.  "I think it would be
fun."

   "You're all welcome to," said the Oriental woman.

   "Only if it wouldn't be an imposition," said Nancy.

   "It's no imposition at all."

   "What do you do with the information from the questionnaire?"

   "We'll go over them during individual therapy.  There will also be group
therapy sessions.  In some cases we'll be using drug therapy and
hypnotherapy."

   "Hypnotherapy?  Do you mean hypnosis?"

   "That's exactly what I mean."

   "I'd like to see if I can be hypnotized," said Bess.

   "Yeah, she could make you think you were a dog or a chicken," said
George.

   "Some of these girls have gone through deep mental and physical trauma
and hypnosis helps me discover the root causes of this trauma.  I can then
deal with it more effectively.  I would never use it as a parlor trick
although if Miss Marvin will allow me, perhaps I can demonstrate the
technique after I take a look at her questionnaire."

   "I can hardly wait," said Bess.

   "What happens after they finish here?"

   "They're sent back home.  The hope is they'll be better prepared to deal
with their home environment and get a decent job.  Although with the
unemployment situation as it is, I'm afraid there's going to be a certain
amount of recidivism."

   "What's that?" said George.

   "Under stress they'll lapse back into previous behaviors which got them
into trouble in the first place."

   "That sounds like a lot of work," said Nancy.  "Do you have any help
coming?"

   "I'll have additional staff by the time the first group of young women
arrives." Nancy Drew was certainly impressed with Madame Chang's goals and
began to greatly admire her.  Perhaps, the girl detective thought, she'd
been wrong in her suspicions.

   After everyone had finished eating they retired to the parlor.  Brianna
left the room and returned with a questionnaire for each of her guests.  It
didn't take long for Nancy and her friends to fill out.  Madame took the
questionnaires and studied them for a few minutes each.

   "I'll give you my first impressions," said Madame Chang, "but they will
be by no means comprehensive.  In fact, you might all denounce me as a
fortune teller from a traveling carnival."

   "We'd never do that, Madame Chang," said Nancy.  Bess and George both
nodded their heads in agreement.

   "Very well," said the Oriental woman.  "Miss Drew, you are very logical
and analytical.  You could very easily follow in your father's footsteps in
the legal profession.  However I don't see you as the type to study dry
legal texts."

   "I like to solve mysteries," said Nancy.

   "Perhaps a career in investigative journalism might suit you." Nancy
liked the sound of that: Nancy Drew, Investigative Journalist.  Uncovering
and reporting crime and corruption is her life's goal; exposing wrongdoers
and helping to bring them to justice.

   "Miss Fayne, you seek to be taken as seriously as a man.  I see you as a
fighter for women's rights." George smiled and nodded her head.  She was
obviously pleased.

   "Miss Marvin, you are a romantic.  In fact, I think you're at this very
moment in love."

   "Who's the lucky guy, Bess," George teased.  "Is he someone we know?"

   Bess blushed and said, "None of your business."

   "Of course, if you were my clients, we would go into greater detail but
those are just my initial impressions.  There are no guarantees that I'm
correct in any of this."

   "Well, you certainly impressed me, Madame Chang," said Nancy.

   "Can you hypnotize me now?" said Bess.

   "If you wish," Madame Chang replied.

   "She can't be made to do something against her will while in a trance,
can she?" said Nancy.

   "That's a complete myth popularized by pulp magazines and the moving
pictures," the older woman replied.  "The subject must have the desire to
accomplish change before change can occur."

   "I'm a little nervous right now," said Bess.  "Maybe I could be
hypnotized later."

   "But it's too late, my dear," Madame Chang replied.  "You're already in
a trance."

   "I am?" Bess looked as amazed at the Oriental woman's statement as Nancy
and the other onlookers.

   "Yes, and all that I have to do is touch your hand and you will fall
into a relaxed and restful sleep hearing and responding to my voice only.
Do you understand what I've told you, Bess?" Bess nodded her head.  Nancy
flinched when Madame Chang suddenly grabbed her friend's handed and said
"Sleep!" Bess closed her eyes and slumped in her chair.

   "Miss Marvin is very suggestible," said Madame Chang.

   "Boy, I'll say!" George exclaimed.  "I thought you had to say 'you're
getting sleepy' and like that."

   "That is the best known technique for trance induction but far from the
only one.  The one I use saves a lot of time.  In her questionnaire Miss
Marvin indicated a desire to lose weight.  Does she have a particular
weakness?"

   "Food is her weakness," said George.  Nancy couldn't suppress a giggle
at her friend's statement.

   "I can't order the poor girl to starve herself," said Madame Chang.

   "She loves chocolate," said Nancy.  "She has a least one candy bar a
day." The Chinese woman nodded.

   "Can you hear me, Bess?"

   "Yes, Madame Chang."

   "You love chocolate bars.  Is that right?"

   "Yes, Madame Chang."

   "But too many chocolate bars can cause weight problems."

   "Yes, Madame Chang."

   "From now on you will limit yourself to one chocolate bar per week as a
reward for good behavior.  At any other time the chocolate bar will taste
bad to you.  If you have a desire for a chocolate bar at any other time you
will instead snack on a piece of fresh fruit or vegetable.  Do you
understand what I've told you?"

   "Yes, Madame Chang."

   "I'm going to bring you out of your trance now, Bess.  When I clap my
hands you will awaken feeling rested, relaxed and fully alert." The older
woman clapped her hands and Bess opened her eyes and looked around.

   "Was I hypnotized?"

   "You sure were," said George, "unless you were playing a game with us.
How do you feel?"

   "I feel fine."

   The rest of the afternoon and evening was spent touring the house and
grounds.  The girls got to see one of the infamous rooms where a prostitute
plied her trade.  It wasn't much different from one of the converted dorm
rooms except the bed was larger and the decorations were fancier.

   "I haven't seen Lester today," said Nancy.

   "Madame Chang sent Lester on several errands today to keep him out of
the way," Brianna explained.  "I'm afraid he's on probation right now."

   "Does he live on the grounds?"

   "Everyone lives on the grounds.  Madame Chang has a suite on the ground
floor.  I stay in a former maid quarters as does Beulah.  Lester has an
apartment above the garage.  The garage was a former stable and the loft
was closed off and converted.  The largest out building is being converted
to apartments for staff."

   "That must cost quite a bit of money," said Nancy.  "Is Madame Chang
rich?"

   "She told me she has a wealthy benefactor who desires anonymity."

   The girls retired to their rooms fairly early.  They were all exhausted
because of the active day.  Nancy and Brianna stayed in one room with Bess
and George in the other.  Later that night Nancy got up to use the
facilities and was surprised to see Bess going downstairs.  She thought
about calling after her friend but didn't want to wake the others.  Still,
curiosity got the better of her and she decided to follow Bess.

   Bess Marvin seemed to know where she was going.  She bypassed the parlor
and walked down a rear hallway.  She entered a door without knocking. 
There was a light in the room and she could hear voices but Nancy couldn't
hear what was being said.  She thought about knocking at the door but
instead the amateur detective bent down and peeked through the keyhole. 
Bess was sitting next to Madame Chang.  The Chinese woman was speaking in a
low tone and Bess was listening.  She wished she could hear what was she
was telling Bess.  Nancy intuition told her nothing good was being said.

   "What do you think you're doing there?" whispered a voice behind her. 
Nancy gasped and straightened up.  Beulah was standing right next to her.

   "N-nothing," Nancy stammered.

   "You were spying on Madame Chang."

   "My friend Bess is in there with her," Nancy replied as if that
justified her.

   "So you like to eavesdrop on friends?  I don't think that makes you a
very good friend.  Let's find out what they think of that."

   "Please don't tell them." Nancy felt mortified being caught spying.  The
Negro maid smiled.

   "I might be persuaded to keep my mouth shut."

   "I'll give you money."

   "I'm not interested in any money."

   "What then?"

   "You can start off by giving me a kiss."

   "What?"

   "You hear me."

   "I-I'm not that way." Nancy couldn't believe it.  Beulah was a Lesbian!

   "I don't much care if you are or not." Nancy tried to dodge around
Beulah but the Negro maid but Beulah was quick.  She grabbed Nancy around
the waist and held her.  The Negro maid wasn't bigger than Nancy but she
was muscular and as strong as a man.

   "Let go of me this instant or I'll scream," the outraged girl detective
hissed.

   "Go ahead and scream," Beulah replied.  She knew Nancy was bluffing. 
Beulah went to kiss the girl detective but Nancy moved her head just in
time.  The Negro maid just smiled.  It was then that Nancy realized her
robe had come open and Beulah was groping her hips.  The teenage
detective's pelvis was jammed up Beulah's pelvis and she was protected only
by her thin nightgown.

   "Please let go of me," Nancy begged.

   "The longer you resist the longer this will take, little one," Beulah
replied.  Nancy knew she had no choice but to obey.  She presented her lips
to the maid who took possession of them immediately.  She forced open
Nancy's mouth with her tongue.  Nancy skin crawled with disgust.  It was
worse than she first feared.  Beulah's hands weren't idle either.  Nancy's
hips and bosom were victim to the maid's roaming hands.  Nancy Drew had
never before experienced anything like this.  She had a boyfriend Ned
Nickerson who was a complete gentleman and Nancy wouldn't have tolerated
anything less from him.  She allowed him to hold her hand on walks or at
the moving pictures.  Nancy always rewarded Ned with a chaste kiss at the
end of the evening but that was all.  Now she was being sexually assaulted
by Madame Chang's Negro maid.  Now Beulah was licking and kissing her neck.

   "I think I'll keep you," whispered Beulah.  "Would you like that, little
one?" Nancy knew better to contradict this mad woman.

   "Yes, I'd like that," said Nancy.  Beulah kissed once more and finally
let go of her.  Nancy climbed the stairs as if in a daze.  She still had to
use the facilities.  When she finished she looked in the mirror.  There was
an angry red mark on her neck.  Nancy Drew felt like crying for the first
time since her mother died.



   ------

   Chapter 4

   Nancy thought about getting dressed and returning to River Heights and
the safety of home but that would have meant waking up everyone and
explaining what happened.  The girl detective felt too humiliated.  It
would just have to wait until morning.  Nancy finally drifted off into a
restless sleep.  When she awoke the sun was up and Brianna wasn't in her
bed.

   In her compact mirror Nancy could see the angry red mark left by Beulah
was still there.  If anything, it looked worse.  How could she cover it up
so that no one would notice?  The door opened and Beulah walked in.  "I see
you're finally awake, sleepyhead," she said.

   "How dare you enter my room uninvited," Nancy exclaimed.  "Get out this
instant!"

   "Well, you're a little cranky this morning," the Negro maid replied with
a broad smile.  She ignored Nancy's demand that she leave.  "Didn't you
sleep well?"

   "If you're not out of here in five seconds, I shall inform Madame Chang
of your insubordination and demand she dismiss you from her service. 
Furthermore, I shall swear out a warrant for your arrest when I return to
River Heights if you so much as lay one hand on me again.  Do you
understand?" Beulah's hand snaked out and slapped Nancy hard on the cheek.
Before she could cry out, one hand covered Nancy's mouth and another had
her hair in a painful grip.

   "I don't like being threatened.  Do you understand that?" Nancy Drew was
literally nose to nose with Beulah.  The girl detective had been in
perilous situations before but she didn't know how to deal with this crazy
woman.  She felt thoroughly intimidated.  Nancy nodded her head as best she
could without adding more pain to her scalp.

   "I'm glad we understand each other," the Negro maid replied.  She
uncovered Nancy's mouth and then recovered it again with her own mouth. 
This was a repeat of the previous night and once again, Nancy had no choice
but to submit to Beulah's kisses and caresses.  The girl detective swore
vengeance though.  Someday soon, Beulah would be paying dearly for her
misdeeds.  Nancy felt something slip around her neck and heard a click.

   "What did you do?"

   "I just put a little choker around your neck to hide that ugly red mark,
little one," Beulah replied.  "But I like to think of it as your slave
collar."

   "What?  No!  Take it off!" Nancy tugged at the choker but it refused to
budge.

   "It's locked on and I have the only key, little one," said Beulah, "and
I'll be very unhappy if you try to remove it from around your pretty neck.
Now get dressed."

   "Go to blazes!" Nancy tried to push Beulah away but her adversary was
much too strong.  Beulah shoved Nancy's face into a pillow and bent her
over at the waist.  Nancy struggled all the more but her scream was muffled
by the pillow.  The poor girl was confused by Beulah's intentions when she
felt her nightgown pulled to her waist but then her rear end exploded in
pain.  Beulah was spanking her.  Nancy Drew had never been spanked before
in her entire life and now she was being hand spanked by the Negro maid as
if she were a naughty child.  The spanking lasted less than ten seconds but
it seemed like an eternity to Nancy.

   "Are you going to continue disobeying me, little one?" said Beulah.

   "No!"

   "Are you going to tell Madame Chang or anyone else about this?"

   "No!"

   "I hope you're telling the truth because I won't be so gentle next
time." Nancy gasped and flinched when she felt Beulah's hand caressing her
sex but she was too intimidated to protest.  "Have any men or little boys
been touching you down here?"

   "N-never!"

   "How about girls?  One of your girlfriends downstairs?"

   "No!  I'm not that way.  Please let go of me," Nancy begged.  "If you do
I swear I'll keep silent.  I'll leave here and you'll never see or hear
from me again."

   "But I don't want you to disappear from my life, little one," Beulah
replied.  "Our relationship is just getting started and I want it to last a
long time.  Also, Madame Chang has invited you girls to stay another night.
Your girlfriends are for it if it's all right with you.  I expect you to
accept."

   "I'll do anything if you just stop touching me," Nancy promised.  The
Negro maid was causing Nancy to have the strangest feeling in her belly
that weren't altogether unpleasant despite her plight.  The girl detective
would rather die than surrender to her tormentor.

   "I'll guess we'll have to stop or someone else will wonder what we're up
to.  You don't want anyone else to catch us playing girl games, do you?"

   "No," Nancy murmured.  She sighed with relief when Beulah released the
girl detective from her undignified position.  Nancy Drew dressed quickly
after the Negro maid left.  She had no intention of keeping her promise to
remain another night in this horrid place.  Nancy would usher Bess and
George out to her blue roadster and they'd be on their way to River
Heights. How could Beulah stop her in front of witnesses?  She regretted
abandoning Brianna since she still believed her new friend was in danger
but she still couldn't prove wrongdoing by Madame Chang; at least not yet.
Nancy Drew crept down the stairs in her stocking feet.  She didn't want to
attract attention that might alert Beulah.  Nancy almost retreated when she
heard voices.  One of them belonged to Madame Chang and the other belonged
to the Negro maid.

   "You should have informed me when you caught her trying to spy on me,"
snapped the Oriental woman.  "I would have had the advantage."

   "Relax," Beulah replied.  "I've got little Miss Busybody under my thumb
now.  She won't cause any more problems."

   "Don't be too sure.  Her father is a prominent attorney and could cause
problems for me."

   "She won't want to complain to her daddy about anything after I get
through with her."

   "I'll hold you personally responsible for the consequences if you fail,"
said Madame Chang.  "I've already laid out plenty of money for this venture
and I want to start earning back on my investment very soon." They
continued talking but it sounded like they were moving away.  Nancy heard a
door open and then close.  The girl detective peeked around the corner and
then made her way to the parlor when she saw the way was clear.

   "Good morning all," Nancy said in as pleasant a voice as she could
muster.

   "You look like something the cat dragged in," George commented.

   "George is right," said Bess.  "Are you not feeling well, Nancy?  Should
we return to River Heights this morning?"

   "Oh, I hope not," Brianna said.  "Madame Chang has invited you all to
spend another night here, but if you're not feeling well-

   "I feel fine.  I'd like to stay another night," Nancy replied.  "I just
had a restless night last night but I think I'll be okay."

   "I have sleeping powder if you think that might help," Brianna replied.

   The girl detective's plan to leave immediately had changed completely
after overhearing the conversation between Madame Chang and the maid.  It
was obvious the Oriental woman was aware of Beulah's actions.  It was also
obvious Madame Chang was also involved in some nefarious activity that the
police should know about.  Nancy was as determined as ever to get to the
bottom of this mystery which she was positive would end in both Madame
Chang and Beulah being sent to prison for a very long time.  Somehow Nancy
had to gain access to Madame Chang's office.  There had to be answers to
what this woman was up to in there.

   "Is that choker new, Nancy," George asked.  "I've never seen that on you
before."

   "Y-yes," Nancy replied.

   "It looks pretty on you."

   Beulah chose that moment to return to the parlor.  Nancy noted the smirk
on the Negro maid's face and swore vengeance once again.  "Would you like
coffee this morning, Miss?"

   "Yes, please," said Nancy.  She didn't want to be polite to this awful
woman but what choice did she have?  The girl detective decided it would
pay to pretend that Beulah had the upper hand until she had the chance to
sneak into Madame Chang's office.

   "I thought I saw you going downstairs late last night, Bess," said
Nancy. "What was that all about?"

   "You must have been dreaming," Bess replied.  "I slept soundly all
night." Bess looked and sounded completely sincere.  She actually didn't
recall going downstairs and walking straight into Madame Chang's suite.  It
must have been because of that hypnotic trance the evil Chinese woman put
Bess under the day before.  Madame Chang seemed more sinister than ever to
Nancy.  The mysterious Oriental walked in and announced she had to leave
for an urgent appointment.

   "Do you need a ride Madame Chang?" said Nancy.

   "That won't be necessary, Miss Drew," the Chinese woman replied.  "Thank
you for offering.  Lester has returned and will be able to drive me. 
Brianna will be your hostess in my absence.  Beulah, of course, remains
here to attend to your needs." Nancy realized this might be her opportunity
to snoop around and gather evidence against her hostess but only if she
could get Beulah out of the way.  A plan began to form in the girl
detective's mind.  She would ask Brianna later if she could have a dose of
the sleeping powder she offered.

   Nancy decided against telling Bess and George about her plan.  Madame
Chang had some sort of control of Bess through the hypnotic trance.  She
might unknowingly betray a confidence under such a trance.  Was George
somehow compromised also?  The girl detective didn't think so but she was
unwilling to take a chance.  Nancy felt bad about being so paranoid but
what choice did she have?

   Through subtle but careful questioning in the guise of idle curiosity,
Nancy was able to learn that Madame Chang had the only key to the office
and that Brianna was never alone in the office.  She also told Nancy that
Beulah never left the premises if Madame Chang wasn't there.  Nancy's
course of questioning took place out of Beulah's presence and after Madame
Chang had left on her errand with Lester.

   Nancy excused herself from her companions and casually wandered toward
the office.  She wanted to inspect the door lock.  The girl detective was
experienced in lock picking.  Her father had won the acquittal of a client
accused of burglary.  In gratitude, the client gave Carson Drew's daughter
a set of burglary tools and the practical knowledge of how to use them. 
She always carried a small set of lock picks in her purse now.  That was
one secret she would always keep from her father.  The door lock didn't
look like a problem to Nancy.

   "What do you think you're doing there?" said a voice behind her.

   "N-nothing," the startled detective blurted.  She whirled around and
found herself in Beulah's arms once more.

   "You're more likely to walk through that wall before you walk through
that door without me knowing about it.  If I find you hanging around this
door without Madame Chang's invitation I'm going to take you over my knee
again and I don't care who finds out.  Do you understand?"

   "I understand," said Nancy.  She struggled slightly but knew it was a
lost cause.  The young woman closed her eyes in anticipation of being
kissed or groped but when nothing happened she opened her eyes and saw
Beulah just smiling.  "Someone may see us," Nancy warned.

   "Then you'd better get busy." Nancy gasped when she realized Beulah
wanted her to be the aggressor this time.  It was bad enough having to be
the unwilling recipient of the Negro maid's Lesbian lust.  What Nancy
really wanted to do was to spit in the woman's eye, but hadn't she already
decided to pretend to cooperate?  The young lady swallowed hard, puckered
up her lips and kissed Beulah lightly on the lips.

   "You're going to have to do better than that before I let go of you. 
Your maiden aunt can probably kiss better than you." Nancy didn't have a
maiden aunt but she understood the insult.

   "I don't know how," Nancy whispered.  She really didn't.  The young
woman knew she was attractive but there seemed to be more than that. 
Romantic fantasies had never figured into Nancy's dreams.  More likely, her
dreams had been filled with solving mysteries that completely baffled the
police.  She was a female Sherlock Holmes with Bess and George acting as
her loyal Watsons.

   "I'm going to teach you how," said Beulah.  "When I get through with
you, you'll make any woman in or out of the business seem like a cold fish
in comparison." Nancy shuddered when she understood what kind of business
Beulah was referring to but she didn't resist when Beulah kissed her once
again and even found she was returning the kiss.  They only separated when
they heard footsteps coming from the parlor.

   "We're going to explore the grounds," said George.  "Do you want to come
along?"

   "I'll be right with you," Nancy replied.



   ------

   Chapter 5

   Nancy's original plan to get into Madame Chang's office was to gain
Beulah's confidence and somehow drug her with the sleeping powder she
obtained from Brianna.  That didn't seem possible now given the Negro
maid's suspicious nature.  Also, being alone with Beulah was just an open
invitation to another lesbian assault.  There had to be another way.  From
the outside the girl detective noted the barred windows on the ground floor
of the infamous house.  The building seemed fortified.

   "I saw Beulah and you kissing in the hall a little while ago," said
George casually.  Nancy could feel herself blushing furiously.  Bess and
Brianna were walking ahead of them.  They were engaged in conversation and
not paying any attention to them so Nancy signaled George to follow her
behind an ivy-covered wall that hid an overgrown garden.  "I didn't mean to
spy but you two didn't hear me the first time I walked in."

   "It's not what you think," Nancy said.  "Beulah was forcing me."

   "It didn't look like you were being forced." Nancy knew she would have
to scrap yet another plan which was to not confide in anyone.  She would
have to explain to George what happened, but before she could reply she
found herself in George's embrace and being kissed.  The girl detective was
so startled she didn't resist.  Her friend stepped back and looked ashamed.
"I can't believe I did that," George said.  "I never even had the desire to
do such a thing until I saw you with that maid.  I'm sorry."

   "Don't be sorry," Nancy replied.  "This place is evil and it's affecting
all of us." She felt so confused.  George's kiss was gentle, unlike
Beulah's, and Nancy wanted to respond in kind.

   "Then let's get the heck out of here before it's too late." Nancy
thought George's advice made sense but she wasn't willing to admit defeat.

   "Go ahead and take my blue roadster," Nancy replied.  "Take Bess with
you.  I have to find out what Madame Chang is up to.  I'll make excuses for
you."

   "There's no way we're going to leave you here alone no matter what
happens," George said.  "So tell me what you think is going on here."

   "I have no idea yet," Nancy admitted.  "That's why I want to get into
Madame Chang's office to take a look around." She related the events that
occurred during the night and that morning.  Nancy also told of overhearing
Madame Chang's conversation with her maid.

   "I'm usually a very light sleeper," said George.  "I don't remember Bess
getting up at all."

   "Well, I know it wasn't my imagination and I wasn't dreaming it.  Bess
really did meet with Madame Chang late last night but she doesn't remember
that at all.  I'm sure it has something to do with that hypnotic trance
that evil woman put her under.  What's the matter?" George's face suddenly
became pale and it looked like she was about to faint.

   "I had a bad dream last night and I'm just now recalling it."

   "What was the dream?"

   "I was having sex with a man."

   "That's not so unusual, is it?" Every single girl had those fantasies,
didn't they?

   "The man I was having sex with was Lester."

   "That wasn't just a bad dream, George," said Nancy.  "That was a total
nightmare."

   "It's even scarier than that, Nancy," George replied, her voice cracking
with emotion.  "I woke up sore down there this morning.  I thought it was
cramps, but now that I think about it, it's the wrong time of the month."
The girl detective gasped in horror at just the possibility of what her
friend was implying.  What she went through with Beulah was nothing
compared to being sexually assaulted by Lester.

   "Surely nothing could have happened without you waking up at some
point."

   "I'm not sure of anything anymore," her friend replied.  "Bess was
downstairs with Madame Chang and she doesn't remember a thing.  What if
that Chinese woman somehow hypnotized me or put some kind of drug in my
food or drink?  I'm just plain scared now."

   "I don't blame you," Nancy replied.  "I've got to get inside that office
and find out what they're hiding.  And it has to be today while Madame
Chang is away."

   "With Beulah guarding that door I don't see how it's possible.  Like she
said, you'd have to be able to walk through that office wall." Maybe I can
the girl detective thought excitedly.  Maybe I can.  Nancy's thoughts were
interrupted by Bess and Brianna's appearance.

   "Hey, you two," Bess called.  "We turn our backs for a minute and you
guys disappear."

   "I thought we were playing hide and seek," said George.  "It's our turn
to be it.  You two can go hide now."

   Nancy finally recalled a detail from the newspaper article describing
the raid on the house.  The ringleaders were able to evade arrest by the
authorities by escaping through a hidden door leading out of the office and
through a tunnel that ended near the riverbank.  Madame Chang and Beulah
were likely aware of the tunnel.  Would they have taken precautions and
blocked the tunnel knowing that the escape route was now public knowledge?
Had they even read the article?  The girl detective decided to take the
chance that they had been careless.  She would look for the riverbank
entrance to the tunnel and work her way back to Madame Chang's office.

   Nancy steered her friends toward the riverbank so she could look for
clues to the tunnel entrance.  It was surprisingly easy to find for the
trained eye.  A slightly worn path that even the winter snow or the spring
rain could not entirely obliterate began at the river's edge and led to a
stand of trees before disappearing.  She was sure the tunnel entrance was
hidden there.

   "I need to do some exploring," Nancy said, "but if I disappear Beulah
will be sure to notice."

   "I'll cover for you," George replied.

   "Thanks.  I'm just not sure how we'll do it yet.  Beulah comes looking
for us about every five minutes and I'm sure it's to keep an eye on me."

   "I'll distract her."

   "With what?"

   "Listen," said George, "you may be pretty, but I'm not exactly chopped
liver."

   "I couldn't let you do that." The girl detective was appalled at her
friend's suggestion.  "It's too dangerous."

   "You seem to have survived the ordeal.  Besides, you haven't come up
with a better idea." Nancy remained silent and George said, "Who knows?  I
may like it."

   "I don't like this a bit," said Nancy.  "When shall we do it?"

   "I'm hungry," said Bess.

   "We didn't eat that long ago," Brianna teased.

   "Hey, don't discourage a growing girl," said George.  "Now is as good a
time as any," she told Nancy.

   "Now is a good time as any for what," Bess asked.

   "Now is a good time as any to have a snack, dear cousin," George
replied.

   "I'm not actually that hungry," Bess stage whispered.  "I'm sort of sore
in an unmentionable place." Nancy and George exchanged looks and they
started walking back to the mansion.

   Nancy couldn't quite believe what she was seeing even though she
expected it.  George was subtly flirting with Beulah while the Negro maid
was serving snacks.  Her friend "accidentally" brushed Beulah's hand at one
point and gave her a coy smile.  It seemed to be working.  Beulah was more
attentive to George even though Bess and Brianna didn't seem to notice. 
The colored lesbian did her own share of "accidentally" brushing up against
George.  Finally George made an excuse and left the parlor.  From where the
girl detective was sitting, she could see George sit down at the foot of
the staircase and lift her skirt above her stocking tops.  She pretended to
fiddle with a garter strap making sure Beulah was getting a nice view.

   Beulah was taking the bait.  She stood stock still while George
displayed her charms and then a beckoning smile.  Beulah left the remaining
group without another word.  Nancy saw George and Beulah speak briefly and
then climb the stairs together.  As soon as they disappeared Nancy sprung
into action.  "I have to get something from the automobile," she said to no
one in particular.

   "We'll still be here," said Bess as she munched on her second cupcake.
Nancy hurried to her blue roadster and grabbed a flashlight out of her tool
box and an extra lock pick.  It was too dangerous to go upstairs to
retrieve her purse.  Beulah might hear her.  She wished she'd brought her
revolver but she left it home.  She originally thought this was going to be
a social occasion.

   Nancy raced to where she believed the riverside tunnel entrance began.
It wasn't hidden that well; behind some dead plant debris.  She felt the
cool air emanating from the tunnel.  The girl detective's flashlight lifted
the gloomy darkness a few feet in front of her.  The tunnel appeared
well-built with stone walls and floor.  The ceiling was reinforced with
heavy timbers.  Two people could easily walk abreast and not have to
crouch. It was a straight shot to the mansion with just a few side tunnels
with piles of broken glass which were once bottles filled with illicit
liquor.  Nancy didn't linger.  She was on a mission and had very little
time to spare.

   The passage widened a bit when Nancy reached some stairs, really not
much more than a ladder.  She figured to be underneath the house now and
started climbing until it ended at a small platform and a blank wall.  The
girl detective hoped this wasn't a wild goose chase and led where she hoped
it led.  Her love of mystery stories told her that if she pressed a certain
brick a hidden door would slide open and allow her to pass through.  Voila!
It happened just she suspected.  A catch released and a narrow door opened
slightly.  Nancy slipped through to a small closet which opened to reveal a
part of the house Nancy hadn't been in yet, the private study of Madame
Chang.

   The room was luxuriously appointed with Persian carpets and a Tiffany
lamp atop a teak wood roll-top desk.  There were Oriental antiques
throughout, but Nancy didn't have time to admire the décor.  She had to
discover the mysterious Chinese woman's secret plan and gather evidence
which she could take to the authorities.  And do it quickly.  Nancy hoped
George was all right.  She was sure George couldn't realize what she was in
for by allowing the Negro maid to seduce her.  She'd never forgive herself
if George came to harm at the hands of the colored lesbian.

   The unlocked drawers held nothing of interest to Nancy.  However there
was a locked file drawer and the girl detective set about the task of
unlocking it with her pick.  It took longer than Nancy would have liked. 
She could feel beads of sweat forming on her brow, but the young woman
finally heard a satisfying click.  The drawer pulled open and Nancy began
to skim the files.

   "Holy mackerel!" Nancy gasped after a few minutes.  This stuff would be
sending Madame Chang to prison for a very long time if not the rest of her
life.  Nancy heard a slight noise and looked up.  Madame Chang was standing
in the doorway looking very upset.  She was holding a gun and it was
pointed right at Nancy.



   ------

   Chapter 6

   "Put your hands up and move away from the desk," Madame Chang ordered
the girl detective.  Nancy obeyed.  This is no time to berate myself for
carelessness thought Nancy.  She had to figure a way out of this mess and
get her friends out of danger too.

   "How did you get in here?"

   "I guess I just sort of wandered in," Nancy replied.  "I think the door
must have been left unlocked."

   "I doubt that.  Where's Beulah?"

   "I'm not sure.  I don't keep track of your domestic staff.  Good help is
so hard to find these days, don't you agree?  By the way, I don't think
that's going to be one of your main worries since you'll most probably be
spending the next 20 years of your life in prison.  Perhaps Beulah and you
can share a jail cell."

   "I seem to have underestimated you, Miss Drew," said Madame Chang.  The
Chinese woman smiled.  "To me you just seemed an over curious teenager and
could be easily dismissed."

   "Others have made that mistake," said Nancy.

   "Yes," the older woman agreed.  "Then my informants told me you were
making inquiries about my activities here.  That's when I decided to have
Brianna invite you and your friends over for a weekend visit.  My original
goal was to compromise and corrupt you and your friends so you'd be obliged
to stay out of my way.  Then I found out you were abusing my hospitality by
spying on me.  Now there is this additional outrage: burglarizing my
private quarters.  I cannot forgive this."

   "You're right, Madame Chang.  I suggest you call the authorities and
have me arrested."

   "You won't think this is so amusing when you find out what I have
planned for you, young lady," the Chinese woman replied.

   "There are plenty of people who know where we are," Nancy said.  "If
anything happens to us you'll be in even deeper trouble than you already
are now."

   "I already have contingency plans prepared, Miss Drew.  I won't allow
anyone to interfere with my efforts to help these girls."

   "And how are sending unfortunate women to work in a brothel actually
helping them?"

   "I see you've even had time to read my confidential files." The girl
detective noted with some satisfaction that Madame Chang looked unsettled
that her secret had been exposed.  "I only use the girls who show the right
aptitude for that profession; hence, the testing.  Of course, the ideal
candidate is also comely and charming.  After proper training and
indoctrination they're employed at a good wage and I make a profit.  Quite
a few of them send money home to their families."

   "That's not helping them," Nancy retorted.  "That's exploiting them. 
What you're doing is illegal and immoral.  You're just taking advantage of
their helplessness."

   "That's fine talk from someone who has never missed a meal in her entire
life.  Many of these girls were already selling their bodies on the streets
for little more than crusts of bread.  Often they were cheated of even that
because they had no one to care for them or defend them."

   "Your lawyer can try using that line of defense in front of a judge and
jury at your trial but I don't think it'll work."

   "You seem to forget who is holding the gun," the Oriental woman replied.
There was a knock on the door and Lester entered the office.

   "Hey, that chubby bitch ate all the cupcakes," Lester complained. 
"Oops!" he added when he saw the girl detective.

   "Never mind that," said Madame Chang.  "We have a problem.  Go find
Beulah then bring Brianna and our other two guests with you."

   "Right away," Lester replied.  He leered and winked at Nancy before
leaving.  Nancy could feel her skin crawl.  Would Madame Chang allow that
hoodlum to rape her too?  For the first time the girl detective could feel
her bravado falter.  She was frightened for herself as well as her friends.

   "I'll make a deal with you," said Nancy.

   "I believe you're not in any position to make a deal," Madame Chang
replied, "however, I will listen to what you have to offer with great
interest."

   "You let us all go and I promise not to report you to the authorities
until 24 hours have elapsed.  That will give you and your henchmen time
enough to clear out."

   The Chinese woman chuckled.  "Is that what you have to offer, Miss Drew?
It doesn't very sound good to me so no thanks.  For the trouble you've
caused me I've decided to turn you and your friends into little whores and
put you all to work for me."

   "That will never happen.  We'll never submit to you."

   "Don't be so certain of that," the evil woman said.  "I possess a rare
drug for especially hard cases which makes the recipient quite tractable."
Nancy shivered at the prospect of being drugged and made helpless.  At that
moment George and Beulah walked in followed by Lester.  Each woman had a
sheet wrapped around her body in an attempt to protect her modesty.

   "You should have seen what these two were doing," said Lester.  "I was
completely disgusted.  It was a shame to interrupt them.  Heh heh!" Beulah
stared down at the floor ashamed and perhaps afraid to meet her mistress'
angry gaze.

   "Well, why didn't you join us Lester," George said with a sexy smile.

   "I should have," Lester replied with a lascivious grin of his own.

   "Silence!" Madame Chang ordered.  George was defiant though.  She
stepped over to Lester and put her arms around the middle aged man.

   "There's something I've always wanted to do with you ever since we met,
Lester honey," George cooed.

   "What's that, sweetie?" George responded by kneeing the unfortunate man
in his genitals.  Nancy wasn't sure what happened when Lester fell to the
floor and started writhing in obvious pain.  The next thing she knew George
had turned and tackled Beulah shoving the maid into her employer.  Madame
Chang lost her balance and fell to the floor but she still retained control
of the weapon.

   "Run, Nancy!  Get help!" George screamed as she struggled with the
colored maid.  Nancy's first impulse was to attack Madame Chang, but the
angry Chink was still keeping a wary eye on Nancy even as she tried to
disengage herself from the two squirming adversaries.  George was right. 
It was time to run for help.  Nancy darted for the door.  The girl
detective heard angry screams from the three women and then a shot rang
out. Nancy prayed that George was all right, but she kept running.

   "Run!" Nancy shouted as she ran past Bess and Brianna.  They looked
alarmed and confused but Nancy didn't have time to explain.  As she ran out
the front door Nancy looked back and could see Beulah already in pursuit
and moving fast.  The ebony woman was completely naked.  Her black beauty
briefly startled Nancy then she started running again.  There was a spare
ignition key hidden in the blue roadster but with no time to retrieve it,
the girl detective would have to make her escape on foot.  But to where?

   Nancy made for the river.  It wasn't especially deep; too shallow for
commercial traffic.  It was mainly used by recreational fishermen and
pleasure boaters.  The girl detective was a strong swimmer and could easily
make it across even with her clothes still on.  The young woman barely had
time to remove her shoes before Beulah caught up with and made a grab for
Nancy ...  and missed.  Nancy leaped into the water.

   "Come back here," Beulah screamed in rage.  Nancy ignored her and began
to swim for the opposite shore.  There was a farmhouse a mile or so
downstream.  She would make her way there and ask for assistance.  Nancy
heard a splash and noticed Beulah had jumped into the icy cold water.  She
was swimming after Nancy ...  or at least trying to.  Beulah was no swimmer
and Nancy could tell she was in trouble even before she started screaming
for help.

   Nancy Drew's natural human compassion caused her to reverse course and
swim to Beulah's rescue.  The Negro maid might have committed criminal acts
but Nancy couldn't let the poor woman drown.  She hoped the prison system
would reform both Beulah and Madame Chang so they could eventually lead
lives of law-abiding citizens.  Even Lester could be reformed given the
proper guidance and a thousand years in jail for raping her friends.

   "Relax," said Nancy as she reached her struggling adversary.  Fear and
panic was written over her face.  "I won't let you drown; just relax."
Instead Beulah grabbed Nancy and pinned her arms.  Now Nancy was just as
helpless as Beulah and both women were in trouble.  The girl detective's
head was already under water clasped tight against Beulah's bosom and she
was beginning to panic.  Her strength ebbed.  Nancy's first and last
thought was now personal survival.  Out of desperation she bit down hard on
Beulah's left breast.  She tasted blood.  Beulah screamed in pain and
pushed Nancy away.  Nancy was now able to surface and take a life
preserving breath of air.

   Nancy Drew watched Beulah struggle and cry as the current carried the
colored maid downstream.  The girl detective hoped Beulah would make it to
shore but she wouldn't be making any more rescue attempts on her behalf. 
She swam to the opposite side of the river and hid in some bushes just as
Lester came out.  He was holding a gun.  He looked around and shouted for
Beulah.  After a few minutes Lester walked to Nancy's blue roadster and
lifted the hood.  Nancy figured he disabled her vehicle.  Well, she wasn't
planning to use it to escape anyway.  Now she had to worry about saving her
companions.  When Lester walked out of sight Nancy crept from behind the
bushes and began to make her way downstream.

   It was slow going in her wet clothing and stocking feet, but Nancy
finally came upon an occupied farmhouse.  Unfortunately the residents
didn't have a telephone so she could call the authorities but they lent her
some dry clothes and gave her ride to the River Heights Police Department.
Police and sheriff's deputies raided the mansion a little over two hours
after Nancy escaped.  Nancy was close behind the authorities as they burst
through the front door.

   "Hey, what took you so long," said George.  "Those guys took off a long
while ago." George, Bess and Brianna were on the parlor floor bound in
ropes.  George's cheeks were bruised and she had a swollen lip but she
still had her spirit.  That much was obvious.

   "I'm hungry," said Bess.  She seemed fine too.

   "Will someone explain to me what's going on," said Brianna.  "Does this
mean I'm out of a job?"

   "Thank heaven, you're all okay," said Nancy.

   Epilog

   Spoiling Madame Chang's plan to ensnare young women and forcing them to
become prostitutes should have been personally satisfying to Nancy Drew. 
It wasn't because Madame Chang and her henchman Lester had eluded arrest
and were still fugitives from justice.  Also, Beulah's body was found
several miles down river and that made Nancy feel strangely sad.  At
Nancy's request her father paid for Beulah's burial and the girl detective
made a point of placing flowers at the Negro maid's gravesite at least once
a month.

   To top it all, Bess Marvin and George Fayne discovered they were
pregnant.  Their parents shipped them off to out-of-state relatives to have
their babies.  They also discouraged the two cousins from continuing their
friendship with Nancy.  The only positive development as far as Nancy was
concerned was that Carson Drew used his contacts to find a secretarial job
for Brianna at a large law firm.  The job was in the city and she could be
with her family.

   It had been lonely for Nancy since her two best friends were gone.  She
had plenty of other friends and acquaintances but none she felt as close to
as Bess and George.  Nancy had even broken up with Ned Nickerson.  She
shrugged her shoulders as she opened the front door to her River Heights
home.

   "Bess!  George!" Nancy cried.  Sitting down in the front parlor were the
two best friends she was just thinking about.  There was a coffee service
on the table in front of them.  "I thought I'd never see you two again."

   "You don't think we'd let that happen, do you," Bess asked.  The three
young women were soon exchanging embraces.  Nancy had to curb her
enthusiasm some because the two cousins were already displaying prominent
baby bumps.

   "I'm so glad your parents allowed you to return," said Nancy after she
calmed down from the pleasant shock.  "I've missed you both so terribly."

   "We've missed you too," George replied, "but we're not exactly here by
parental permission.  We're here incognito."

   "They won't hear anything out of me," said the girl detective.  "Where's
Mrs.  Gruen?  This calls for a celebration."

   "Mrs.  Gruen has already thought of that," said George.  "She fixed us
some coffee and left for the market to get some goodies.  Sit down, relax
and catch us up on the River Heights gossip.  What have people been saying
about us?"

   The three friends drank coffee and had a pleasant conversation.  Nancy
was so happy she could feel the tension flow out of her that must have been
building up inside her for months.

   "Are you feeling all right, Nancy," Bess asked after a while.

   "I feel fine," Nancy replied, "but I do feel a little like I've been
drugged."

   "You have been drugged."

   "What are you talking about, Bess?"

   "I believe she's ready, Mistress."

   "I'm so glad to hear that," said a familiar voice from the direction of
the kitchen doorway.  Nancy turned and saw the face that went with the
voice.

   "M-madame Chang?" Nancy tried to rise but a wave of dizziness overcame
her.  "I don't understand." She looked disbelieving at the two cousins. 
They seemed perfectly calm.  Why did Bess call that awful woman, Mistress?

   "I'd be happy to explain," said the evil Oriental.  She walked over and
sat on the arm of the easy chair Nancy was sitting on.  She was wearing an
elaborate silk robe with Oriental themes.  The girl detective cringed but
she was still too dizzy to move.  "You caused me a lot of trouble, time and
expense because of your escape and I swore I'd get my revenge.  So, before
we left, I injected Bess and George with that rare drug I told you about.
When you've been injected, you'll become as compliant as your two friends,
dear Nancy."

   "You're going to have Lester rape me just like he did Bess and George."
Nancy had no doubt of Madame Chang's intention.  Madame Chang smiled.

   "It's not Lester's seed growing in your friends' bellies."

   "But I thought--"

   "You thought what I wanted you to think.  As it happens, Lester is no
longer in the country.  Things got a bit too hot for him here and he's
currently trying to learn the Spanish language somewhere south of the
border.  I suppose you're now wondering just who put your friends in the
family way.  Would you like to tell her, George?"

   "You're the father of our children, Mistress."

   "That's impossible," Nancy declared.

   "Is it?" Madame pulled apart her robe and exposed a formidable-looking
penis.  Even in Nancy's drugged state she quailed in horror and yet, she
was fascinated at the same time.  She shook her head in disbelief.

   "You're not a woman.  You're a--"

   The proper term is hermaphrodite," said Madame Chang, "although I'm sure
you had the term 'freak' at the tip of your tongue.  I assure you I'm a
woman.  I just happened to be born with an extra set of genitalia ...  male
genitalia." She began to caress her phallus until it was coaxed into a huge
erection dripping precum from its uncircumcised tip.  "I assure you I'm
quite virile.  Your friends can attest to that.  Well, we're going to see
if you're fertile today.  If so, I'm going to start a baby growing inside
your belly.  If not today, there will be plenty of other opportunities. 
Get her ready."

   "No," Nancy cried.  "I won't let you.  Leave me alone." Bess and George
were by Nancy's side as soon as Madame Chang stepped out of the way and
began to disrobe the girl detective even as she struggled to defend
herself. But the drugged coffee had done its job.

   "Please don't, George," Nancy pleaded.  Tears began to fill her eyes. 
"Fight her." George smiled sadly and continued her task.

   "It's no use to beg, my dear," said Madame Chang.  "Your friends would
rather die than disobey me.  You'll soon feel the same way." Nancy only
shook her head.

   "I had no idea our departed Beulah had such a profound impact on you,"
the evil Chinese continued.  "You're still wearing the slave collar she
locked around your neck.  I'm going to give you a different souvenir to
remind you of our new relationship." Nancy didn't answer Madame Chang
because the colored maid did indeed have a profound impact on her.  Nancy
might have put it to guilt over Beulah's drowning but ...  had she fallen
in love with the beautiful Negress?  In a very few minutes, Nancy Drew was
stripped and taken back to her own bedroom where she lay naked.

   "May I taste her, Mistress?"

   "Taste her, Bess?"

   "Yes, Mistress," Bess replied.  "Nancy has such a beautiful bearded clam
and I long to taste it."

   "No," Nancy cried and renewed her struggle.

   "That's a good idea, Bess" said Madame Chang, "but I weary of hearing my
dear bride resisting." A latex strap was fastened around Nancy's arm and an
exotic drug was injected into her vein.  The drug began to sap Nancy's will
quickly as it coursed through her bloodstream.  And the drug also had a
secondary effect; it enhanced the young woman's sensitivity to external
stimulation.  Nancy felt Bess' gentle tongue caressing her nether lips and
the girl detective whole body convulsed with pleasure.

   "Yes," Nancy cried.  She knew she was lost and didn't care.  Madame
Chang smiled evilly and pulled Bess from between Nancy's legs after a few
minutes of watching her victim writhe in ecstasy.  She was anxious to break
Nancy's hymen and did so brutally, but the teen detective barely felt the
pain of her defilement as the pleasure seemed to act as an anesthetic.

   "You're mine now, my beauty," Madame Chang hissed.

   "Yes, Mistress," Nancy Drew replied and meant it.  She wrapped her legs
around her lover's waist in the age-old position of mating couples.  Nancy
vaguely wondered if this strange mating would result in a birth of a child.
As if in answer to her question Nancy saw a vision of herself with a
bloated belly and then another vision of a half breed infant suckling her
breast.  Were these visions an accurate picture of the future?  Nancy Drew
sincerely hoped so.  (Be sure to watch for our new release "The Pregnant
Private Eye" in bookstores soon).
   ------ The End ------