Daretoread:НэнсиДрюиБратьяХарди
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ПРИЯТНОГОЧТЕНИЯ!
CarolynKeene
TheNancyDrewNotebooks:VolumeForty-Six
TheSnowQueen'sSurprise
Copyright,2002,bySimon&Schuster,Inc
"SUGARISSWEET,SNOWISNICE.TURNTHISPESTYDOGINTOICE!"
Nancy'sfriendRebeccaRamirezwantstobeanactresswhenshegrowsup.NowthatshehasthepartoftheSnowQueeninaplay,sheclaimsthatwithawaveofhermagicwandshereallycanturnthingsintoice.
BessandGeorgebelieveher,butNancydoesn't.ThenadogthatputhismuddypawsonRebecca'swhitecoatvanishes,andinhisplaceisasnowstatuethatlooksexactlylikehim.Thenthreebrattyboysfromschooldisappear,andintheirplacearethreesnowmen—wearingtheboys'hats!CouldRebeccareallybeasnowqueenafterall?
FirstDay,WorstDay
“Winterismyfavoriteseason!”eight-year-oldNancyDrewshouted.Sheclappedhermittenstogether.Amistofsnowtickledhernose.
“Mine,too,”BessMarvinsaid.“Besidessummer,spring,andfall!”
GeorgeFaynetossedahandfulofsnowintotheair.“Andwehaveawholeweektohavefuninallthissnow,”shesaid.“Areweluckyorwhat?”
Nancyknewtheywere.ItwasMondayandthefirstdayofwinterbreak.Itwasalsothedayafterareallybigsnowfall.
Thethreefriendshadcometothepark.Itwasfilledwithkidspullingtheirsledsandracingdownhills.
“Let’sbringoursledstotheparktomorrow,”Nancysuggested.
“Cool!”Besssaid.“Butwhatshouldwedotoday?”
“Wecanmakesnowangels,”Georgesuggested.Sheadjustedherredhatoverherdarkcurls.
Bessshookherhead.“Butthatmeanslyinginthesnow.Andgettingsnowallovermynewpurpleparka,”shecomplained.
Besssmoothedthepocketsofherparka.Shewaswearingamatchinghatoverherblondhair.
Georgerolledhereyes.“Whatareparkasfor,Bess?”shejoked.“Thebeach?”
Nancygiggled.Sometimesshecouldn’tbelievethatBessandGeorgewerecousins.Besshadaclosetfullofprettyclothes.George’sclosetwasfilledwithjeansandsoccerballs.
“Wouldyouratherbuildasnowman,Bess?”Nancyasked.
“No,”Besssaid.Herblueeyessparkled.“Iwanttobuildasnow queen.”
Georgewrinkledhernose.“Whatdoesasnowqueenlooklike?”sheasked.
BesspointedoverNancy’sshoulderandgasped.“Likethat!”shesaid.
Nancyspunaround.
Walkingtowardthemwasagirlwearingawhitecoatwithafluffywhitecollar.Ononeofherhandswasafurrywhitemuff.Intheotherwasawandwithasparklysnowflakeonthetip.Ashimmeringtiaracrownedherhead.
“That’snosnowqueen,”Georgesaidasthegirlgotcloser.“That’sRebecca.”
ThegirlsknewRebeccaRamirezfromschool.ShewasalsointhethirdgradeatCarlSandburgElementarySchool,butinadifferentclass.Rebeccawantedtobeanactress.
“Iam so asnowqueen!”Rebeccadeclared.“I’mplayingoneattheTwinklingStarsDramaSchool.”
NancyknewaboutRebecca’sdramaschool.ItwasonMainStreet.Thekidsmettwiceaweekafterschool,onSaturday,andevenduringwinterbreak.
“Whyareyouwearingyourcostumeinthepark,Rebecca?”Nancywantedtoknow.“Isthesnowqueenplaytoday?”
“No,”Rebeccasaid.“WestartrehearsalsonWednesday.Butit’snevertooearlytopracticemypart.”
NancywatchedasRebeccawavedherwandandtwirledaround.
“Whatdosnowqueensdo?”Bessasked.“Besidesmakingpeopledizzy.”
Rebeccastoppedtwirling.“Foronething,”shesaid,“snowqueenscanturnanythingintoice.”
“Great!”Georgejoked.“Thenmakeussnowcones.Cherry,lemon,andlime.”
“Inwinter?”Bessgiggled. “Brrr!”
Rebeccaputherhandsonherhips.“It’strue,”shesaid.“Wecanturnanythingintoice.Andanybody!”
“Asin…people?”Bessasked.
Rebeccanodded.“Peopleand—”
“Woof!” abarkinterruptedRebecca.
Nancypushedherhatupfromherforehead.Shesawabigdogpeekingfrombehindatree.Histailwaggedasheleapedoverthesnowtowardthegirls.
“Wheredid he comefrom?”Bessasked.
Nancythoughtthedogwasbeautiful.Hisfurwasthecolorofbutterscotchpudding.Hislongearslookedverysoft.
“Look.”Georgepointed.“He’swearingaheart-shapedtag.Thatmeanshebelongstosomeone.”
Nancyknewnottopetstrangedogs,butshegavehimabigsmile.“Hi,boy!”shesaid.“Yousurelookfriendly.”
ThedoglookedatNancywithwarmbrowneyes.ThenheturnedandhoppedoverthesnowtowardRebecca.
“Whatdoeshewant?”Rebeccaasked.
Thedogjumped.HispawslandedonRebecca’sshoulders.Hebarkedplayfullyathersnowflakewand.
“Ithinkhewantstobeasnowqueen,”Besssaidwithagiggle.
“Down!”Rebeccashouted.
Thedog’searsflattenedagainsthishead.Hewhinedandbackeddown.
“Youscaredhim,”Bessscolded.
NancysawtwobrownsmudgesnearRebecca’sshoulders.Rebeccasawthem,too.
“Oh,no!”Rebeccacried.“Thatdumbdoggotdirtypawprintsallovermysnowqueencostume!”
“Yuck,”Besssaid.“I’mgladhedidn’tjumponmynewpurpleparka.”
Thedogseemedpuzzled.HetiltedhisheadandlookedatRebecca.
“Hedidn’tmeanit,Rebecca,”Nancysaid.“Hewasjustbeingadog.”
“A bad dog,”Rebeccaadded.Sheraisedherwandoverthedog’shead.
“Whatareyoudoing?”Georgeasked.
“WhatdoesitlooklikeI’mdoing?”Rebeccaasked.“I’mcastingasnowqueenspelloverMr.GrubbyPaws.”
Nancysighed.Rebeccawastakingherpartofsnowqueenalittletooseriously.
“Sugarissweet,snowisnice,”Rebeccabegantochant.“Turnthispestydogintoice!”
Rebeccapointedthewandatthedog.Heturnedandranbehindarowofbushes.
“Thatwillteachalldogsnottojumponme,”Rebeccadeclared.“Andiftheydo—Pupsicles!”
“Pupsicles?”Bessrepeated.
Rebeccatriedrubbingoutthestainswithherhand.
“Don’tworry,Rebecca,”Nancysaid.“Thosestainswillcomeout.”
“Andiftheydon’t,”Georgesaidwithashrug,“castaspellonthem.”
“Veryfunny,”Rebeccagrumbled.Thensheturnedtoleave.
“Whereareyougoing?”Nancyasked.
“TomeetmymomattheDoubleDip,”Rebeccareplied.“Evensnowqueensneedahotchocolatebreakonceinawhile.”
Nancy’smouthwatered.TheDoubleDipmadethebesticecreaminRiverHeights,andthebesthotchocolateinwinter.
ThethreefriendswatchedRebeccawalkawayinthesnow.
“Nancy?George?”Bessaskedslowly.“WhatifRebecca’sspellworked?”
“Worked?”Nancyasked.“Rebeccawasjustplay-acting—thewayshealwaysdoes.”
“Sure,”Georgeagreed.“RememberwhenRebeccaplayedacowinthefirst-gradeplay?Sheworeabellaroundherneckforawholeweek.”
“Butwhataboutthedog?”Bessasked.“Mr.GrubbyPaws?”
Nancythoughtthenamewasfunny.ShedecidedtocallhimGrubby.
“Grubbyprobablyranbacktohisowner,”Nancysaid.“Butwecanfindhimifitwillmakeyoufeelbetter.”
“Itwould,”Besssaid.
Firstthegirlscheckedbehindthebushes.Grubbywasnowhereinsight.
Nexttheywalkeddeeperintothepark.Thereweremorekidspullingsledsandbuildingsnowmen,butnoGrubby.
“Comeout,comeout,whereveryouare!”Nancycalled.
Thegirlswalkeduntiltheycametoabigsnowyfield.Itwasemptyexceptforsomethingtallandwhite.
“Maybeit’sasnow-coveredwaterfountain,”Georgeguessed.
“Orasnowman,”Nancysaid.“Let’scheckitout.”
Butastheygotcloser…
“Hey!”Georgesaid.“That’snotasnowman.It’sasnow dog!”
NancycouldseethatGeorgewasright.Thehardsnowwasshapedtolooklikealong-eareddogwithacollar.
“Helookssoreal!”Nancygasped.
“Waitaminute,”Besssaidslowly.“Doesn’tthisdoglookjustlikeMr.GrubbyPaws?”
Nancywalkedaroundthedogtogetacloserlook.“Itdoes,”sheagreed.“Samelongears.Samesweethearttag—”
“Thenit’strue!It’strue!”Besscried.“Rebeccaturnedthatpoordogintoice.She is asnowqueen!”
SnowQueenorNoQueen
“Noway!”Nancysaid,shakingherhead.“RebeccadidnotturnGrubbyintoice.Andsheis not asnowqueen!”
“Notuntilshechangesallthreeofusintosnowcones,”Besssaid.“Cherry,lemon,andlime.”
NancysmiledatBess.Shewasusuallyscaredprettyeasily,butGeorgewasn’t.
“Therehastobeareasonforthissnowdog,”Nancysaid.“Right,George?”
Georgedidn’tanswer.Herdarkeyeswerestillgluedtothesnowdog.
“Huh?”Georgesaid.
“Isaid,therehastobeareasonforthisdog,”Nancyrepeated.“Right?”
“Don’tknow,”Georgesaid.“Butinthemeantime,I’mstayingawayfromRebeccaRamirez.”
“Me,too,”Besssaid.
“ButRebeccaisourfriend,”Nancyargued.“Shelivesnearme.”
BessandGeorgedidn’tseemtolisten.Theyspokeinserioustones.
“Weshouldtellagrown-upwhatRebeccadid,”Besssaid.“Butnotherparents.Theymighthavethesamepowers.”
“Iknow!”Georgesaid.“Let’stellRebecca’sactingcoach,StellaLogan.Sheoughttoknowthathersnowqueenisarealone.”
Nancycouldn’tstanditanymore.“Timeout,”shesaid.“Rebeccadoesnothavespecialpowers,andI’llproveit.”
“Proveit?”Bessaskedslowly.“Youmeanlikesolvingamystery?”
Theword“mystery”madeNancysmile.Shelovedsolvingmysteriesmorethananything.Sheevenhadabluedetectivenotebookwhereshewroteallofherclues.
“Yes,”Nancysaid.“ProvingthatRebeccaisn’tasnowqueenwillbelikesolvingamystery.”
“Buthowareyougoingtoproveit,Nancy?”Georgeasked.
“Hmm.”Nancytappedherchinthoughtfully.Thenhereyeslitup.“I’llstartbyfollowingRebeccaaroundandwatchingherrealclose.”
Nancyreachedintoherpocketandpulledoutherdetectivenotebook.Shecarriediteverywhereshewent.
“Then,”Nancywenton,“I’llwriteallofthereasonswhyRebecca can’t beasnowqueen.Anyquestions?”
“Justone,”Besssaid.“Doesthismeanwe’renotgoingsleddingtomorrow?”
“Bess!”Georgesighed.
Thegirlswalkedtoanearbybench.Theybrushedoffthesnowandsatdown.
Nancyopenedhernotebook.Apencilwithakitteneraserwastuckedinside.
Sheturnedtoafreshpageandwrote“Rebeccais not asnowqueen”onthetop.
“WhatifyougetcluesthatRebecca is asnowqueen?”Georgeasked.
Nancydidn’tthinkshewould,butagooddetectivewaspreparedforanything.
“I’llmaketwolists,”Nancysaid.“Thenwe’llseewhichonefillsupfirst.”
Nancywrote“Rebecca is asnowqueen”ontheoppositepage.
“You’llhavetoworkfast,Nancy,”Georgesaid.“IfRebecca is asnowqueen,shecanturnRiverHeightsintoagiantsnowglobebytomorrow.”
“Andshakeit,too!”Bessadded.
“Okay,okay,”Nancysaid.“TodayisMonday.I’llprovethatRebeccaisn’tasnowqueenby… Wednesdaymorning.”
“Andifyoudon’t?”Bessasked.
“Iwill!”Nancysaidwithconfidence.“ButifIdon’t,thenwe’llwritealettertoStellaLogan.AllaboutRebecca.”
“Then we’llgosledding,”Besssaid.
Nancysmiledassheshuthernotebook.Thegirlswalkedbacktothesnowdogtolookformoreclues.
Nancystudiedthedogfromthetopofhisheadtothetipsofhispaws.Thatwaswhenshenoticedsomethingunusual.
“Look!”Nancycried.“There’ssomethingcarvedintothedog’spaw!”
Nancy,Bess,andGeorgealmostbumpedheadsastheybentdowntolook.
Thedesignwascarvedtolooklikealeaf—aleafwithacurledstem.
“MaybeGrubbyhadaleafonhispawbeforeheturnedintosnow,”Bessguessed.
“Maybenot,”Nancysaid.“Buthoweverthatleafgotthere,it’saclue.”
Nancywasn’tsurewhichlisttoaddtheleafto.Soshecarefullydrewtheleafonacleanpage.
“Don’tforgettowritethesnowdogclueinyournotebook,”Besssaid.“Onthe'Rebecca is asnowqueen'page.”
Nancydidn’twanttoaddacluetothatpage,butshehadtobefair.
“Okay,”Nancysaid.Shewrotetheclueinhernotebook.ShehelditupforBessandGeorgetosee.
Thensuddenly—
TWACK!
Nancygasped.Somethinghadknockedherdetectivenotebookrightoutofherhand!
FrostFright
“Hey!”Nancycriedashernotebooklandedinthesnowwithathunk.
“Thatwasasnowball!”Georgesaidthroughherteeth.“AndIthinkIknowwhothrewit.”
Nancythoughtso,too.SheturnedandsawJasonHutchings,MikeMinelli,andDavidBerger.Theywerestandingbehindabigmoundofsnow.Thesnowwassohighitcameuptotheirshoulders.
“Surrendernow!”Jasonshouted.Hewavedanothersnowballoverhishead.
“OrriskanotherattackbytheChillCommando!”Davidcalled.
“Theboys!”Nancygroaned.
MostoftheboysinNancy’sclasswerenice.ButJason,David,andMikewerealwaysmakingtrouble.
Theboyssnickeredastheyhelduphandfulsofwetsnowballs.Theywereallwearingwoolcaps.Jason’swasred,Mike’swasgreen,andDavid’swasblue.
“Shouldwefightback?”Nancywhisperedtoherfriends.“Webeattheminasnowballfightoncebefore.”
“Wedon’tstandachance,”Besssaid.“Thistimetheyhaveafort.”
“AndIhaveanawesomepitchingarm,”Georgesaid,scoopingupsnow.
Georgegruntedasshepitchedasnowball.ThegirlslaughedasitknockedJason’sredcaprightoffhishead.
“Thismeanswar,”Jasonmuttered.
NancyhelpedGeorgescoopupmoresnowballs.ButBessstoodontheside.
“Comeon,Bess,”Georgeordered.“Putsomehustleinyourmuscle!”
“YouknowIhatesnowballfights,”Besscomplained.“AndI’llgetsnowallovermybrand-newpurpleparka.”
“Herewegoagain!”Georgegroaned.
Nancydidn’tfeellikethrowingsnowballseither.Notwhenshehadanewmysterytoworkon.SowhileGeorgethrewthesnowballsshetalkedaboutherplan.
“Let’sgetsomehotchocolateinstead,”Nancysaidastheyduckedanotherflyingsnowball.“MydadgavemesomemoneybeforeIleftthismorning.”
“Great,”Besssaid.Shelookedaround.“Hilda’shotchocolatevanisprobablyparkedheresomewhere.”
ThegirlsalwaysboughthotchocolatefromHilda.ButthistimeNancyhadanotheridea.
“Let’sgototheDoubleDip,”Nancysaid.“Thenwecandrinkhotchocolate and questionRebecca.”
“Goodidea,”Georgesaidloudenoughfortheboystohear.“Andwewon’tbeanywherenearthe Chimp Commando!”
“That’s Chill Commando!”Jasoncalled,hurlinganothersnowball.
“Notwhenyou’realwaysmonkeyingaround!”Nancycalledback.
Theboyslaughed.Theyscratchedtheirheadsandmademonkeynoises.
“IwishRebeccawouldturnJason,David,andMikeintoice,”Besssaidastheywalkedoutofthepark.
“Itoldyou—Rebeccaisnotasnowqueen,”Nancysaid.“Justadramaqueen.”
TheDoubleDipwasafewblocksfromthepark.MainStreethadbeenshoveled.Butthegirlsstillhadtostompsnowofftheirbootsbeforegoinginside.
“Theresheis!”Besswhisperedwhentheywereinside.“There’sRebecca!”
NancysawRebeccasittingatatableanddrinkinghotchocolate.Mrs.Ramirezwastalkingtoawomanatanothertable.
“Hi,Rebecca!”Nancycalled.
Rebeccawavedback.Shewasstillwearingherwhitesnowqueencoat.
“Hi,”Rebeccasaid.Shepointedtohershoulders.“Look!Igotridofthatyuckydogstain.”
“Andthe dog, ”Georgewhispered.
“Shh!” Nancywarned.
Thegirlssteppeduptothecounter.Theyorderedthreehotchocolateswithextramarshmallows.VerycarefullytheycarriedtheircupstoRebecca’stable.
“It’scoldoutside,”Rebeccasaid.
“Yeah,”Georgesaid.“Mytoesfeellikepupsicles—Imean—Popsicles!”
NancysawRebecca’ssnowflakewandlyingonthetable.Shedecidedtogetrighttothepoint.“Whatelsedosnowqueensdo,Rebecca?”sheasked.“Besidesturningthingsintoice?”
Rebeccalickedoffahot-chocolatemustache.“Insteadoftears,”shesaid,“wecryicicles.”
Georgewhistled.“That’sgottohurt,”shesaid.
“Andwehaveshimmeringsleighs,”Rebeccasaid.Shewavedherhand.“Sleighsthatflyhighthroughthewintersky!”
Nancydidn’tbelieveit.ButBessandGeorgewerestaringatRebeccawithwideeyesandopenmouths.
“Whyaren’tyoudrinkingyourhotchocolate?”Rebeccafinallyasked.
“Toohot,”Georgeblurted.
“Yeah,”Besssaid.“Iblewonit,butit’sstilltoohot.”
“That’sbecauseyou’renotasnowqueen,”Rebeccasaidwithasmile.“Snowqueensbreathecloudsoficecrystals.”
“What?”Bessgasped.
Rebeccatookadeepbreath.Sheleanedoverthetableandblewonallthreehotchocolates.SheblewsohardthatamarshmallowpoppedoutofGeorge’scup.
“Hey!”Georgecomplainedasthemarsh-mallowlandedinherlap.“Iwasgoingtoeatthat!”
“Sipitnow,”Rebeccasaid.
Nancypickeduphercup.Shewasabouttosipwhensheheardloudsnortingnoises.LookingupshesawJason,David,andMikebythecounter.Theyhadsodasintheirhands—andstrawsuptheirnoses!
“Oh,gross!”Besscried.“Nowthey’repretendingtobewalruses.”
“Theyprobablyfollowedushere,”Georgegrumbled,“sotheycouldbotherussomemore.”
BessturnedtoRebecca.
“Can’tyouturnthe boys intoice,Rebecca?”sheasked.“Prettypleeease?”
“Bess!”Nancycomplained.
ButNancy’swarningcametoolate.Rebeccagrabbedhersnowflakewand.Shewaveditasshespokeinalow,deepvoice…
“Fromthetopsoftheirheadstothetipsoftheirtoes,”Rebeccachanted.“TurnDavid,Jason,andMikeintosnow!”
Notagain,Nancythought.
“Rebecca,”Mrs.Ramirezcalled.“It’sgettinglate.We’dbetterfly.”
“Fly?”Besssqueaked.
“Coming,Mom,”Rebeccacalledback.ShesmiledatNancy,Bess,andGeorge.“Ihavetogonow.Bye.”
ThegirlswatchedasRebeccaandhermotherlefttheDoubleDip.
“Didyouhearthat?”Besswhispered.“They’regoingto fly! Probablyintheirfly-ingsleighs.”
“ThisI’vegottosee,”Georgesaid.
Nancy,Bess,andGeorgejumpedupandscrambledforthedoor.Theypressedtheirnosesagainsttheglassandlookedout.
NancycouldseeRebeccaandhermomclimbingintoabeigeminivan.
“There!”Nancysaidasthevandroveoff.“Rebeccaandhermomdidnotfly.”
BessandGeorgelookedabitdisappointed.
Thegirlswalkedbacktotheirtable.Jason,David,andMikeweretwotablesaway,noisilyslurpingtheirsodas.
“Andtheboysweren’tturnedintosnoweither,”Nancypointedout.
“Ifonly!”Bessgroaned.
Georgetookasipofherhotchocolate.Herdarkeyespoppedwideopenovertherimofthecup.
“Isitstilltoohot?”Nancyasked.
“No,”Georgegulped.
SheputdownhercupandstaredatNancyandBess.“It’stoocold. Ice cold!”
ABarkinthePark
“Cold?”Nancyrepeated.Howcouldthatbe?Theyhadlefttheircupsforjustaminuteortwo.
Bessquicklytookasip.“Myhotchocolateisicycold,too!”shecried.
“Tryyours,Nancy,”Georgesaid.
Nancypickeduphercup.Thensheslowlytookasip.
“Well?”Bessasked.
Nancydidn’twanttoadmitit.But…
“It’scold,”shesaid.
“MaybeRebeccawastellingthetruth,”Georgesaid,hervoiceshaking.“Maybeshe does haveiciclebreath!”
Nancystaredathercup.Thecoldhotchocolatewasweird.ButsherefusedtobelievethatRebeccahadcastaspell.
“IthadtobeRebecca,”Bessshivered.“Whoelsecouldhavedoneit?”
Nancythoughtoftheboys.
Theyweregoodathurlingspitballsandsnowballs.Anddoinggrossthingsintheschoollunchroom.Buthowcouldtheyturnhotchocolatecold?Howcouldanyone?
“Idon’tknowhowithappened,”Nancyadmitted.“It’samystery.”
“Thenyouhavetowritethisclueinyournotebook,”Bessinstructedher.“Onyour'Rebecca is asnowqueen'page.”
Nancysighed.Acluewasaclue,whethershelikedtheclueornot.
Shepulledoutherbluedetectivenotebook.Onthelineunderthesnowdogshewrotethewords“Coldhotchocolates.”
NowthereweretwocluesthatRebeccawasasnowqueen.ButNancyrefusedtogiveup.
“Let’smeetintheparktomorrowmorning,”Nancysaid.“Atteno’clock.”
“Togosledding?”Bessaskedwithalittlejump.
“No,”Nancysaid.“TolookforMr.GrubbyPaws.The real Mr.GrubbyPaws!”
•••
“Daddy,doyoubelieveinmagic?”Nancyaskedlaterthatevening.
NancyandMr.Drewwereeatingdinneratthekitchentable.TheyhadjustfinishedbowlsofHannah’sspecialvegetablebarleysoup.
HannahGruenhadbeentheDrews’housekeeperforfiveyears.ShehadtakencareofNancysinceNancy’smotherhaddied.
“Magic?”Mr.Drewasked.Hehadatwinkleinhiseyes.“Youmeanlikethis?”
Mr.DrewshowedNancyhisemptypalm.Thenwiththesamehand,hereachedoutandpulledaquarteroutofNancy’sear.
“Abracadabra!”Mr.Drewsaid.
Hannahputherhandsonherhips.“Howdidyoudothat?”sheasked.
Nancywassurprised,too.Herfatherwasalawyer,notamagician.
“It’smagic,”Mr.Drewsaid.HegavethequartertoNancyandsmiled.
“Thanks,Daddy!”Nancysaid.
ButdeepinsideNancywasworried.
Ifherfathercouldperformmagic,thenwhynotRebeccaRamirez?
AfterdinnerNancyplayedavideogamewithherdad.Thenbeforegoingtosleep,shefoundastoryaboutasnowqueeninherbigbookoffairytales.
Rebeccawasright,Nancythoughtasshereadinbed.Snowqueensdorideinflyingsleighs—andturnpeopleintoice.
“Butit’safairytale!”Nancyinsistedoutloud.Sheshutthebookandwenttosleep.
•••
ThenextmorningNancy,Bess,andGeorgemetinthepark.Thesnowwasjustashighasitwasthedaybefore.
“Here,boy!”Nancycalled.Shecuppedhermittensaroundhermouth.Thenshecalledforthedogagain.
“Here,Grubby!”Besscalled.
“That’snothowyoucalladog,”Georgesaid.“Watchthis!”
NancyandBesscoveredtheirearsasGeorgeletoutashriekingwhistle.
“George!”Besscomplained.“Thisisn’tasoccergame—”
“Woof!” adogbarked.
“Grubby?”Nancygasped.Shespunaroundexcitedly—untilshesawatinybrownpoodlerunningover.
“Falsealarm,”Georgemutteredasthedogranbacktoitsowner.
“Let’sgotowherewesawGrubbyyesterday,”Nancysuggested.“Maybethat’swherehelikestoplay.”
Thegirls’bootsmadedeepfootprintsinthesnowastheywalked.Whentheywerehalfwaythroughthepark,Georgestopped.
“Checkitout,”Georgewhispered.“Theboys’fortisstillthere.”
Nancyfrownedwhenshesawthehillofsnow.Stickingupfrombehinditwerethreewoolhats—red,green,andblue.
“Oh,great,”Nancywhispered.“They’regettingreadytostrikeagain.”
“Notunlesswebeatthemtoit,”Georgewhispered.“Let’ssneakaroundthefortwithourownsnowballs.”
“Asurpriseattack!”Besssquealed.“Goodygumdrops!”
“Ithoughtyoudidn’tlikesnowballfights,Bess,”Nancysaid.
“Idon’t,”Besssaid.“ButIdon’tlikeJason,David,andMikeevenmore.”
Withhandfulsofsnowballs,thegirlswalkedquietlyaroundthefort.Nancywonderedwhytheboysweresoquiet.ButwhenNancylookedbehindthefortshesawwhy.Insteadoftheboystherewerethreesnowmen!
“Idon’tgetit,”Georgesaid.“They’rewearingtheboys’hats.”
“Andtheyhavestrawsuptheirnoses,”Nancysaidslowly.
“Hey,”Bessgulped.“AreyouthinkingwhatI’mthinking?”
“Iam,”Georgesaid,nodding.“Rebeccadiditagain.ShecastaspellonJason,David,andMike—anditworked!”
ChillOut
“Noway!”Nancysaid,shakingherhead.“TheboyswereattheDoubleDipwhenRebeccacastthatspell.”
“Somespellsmaytakelongertowork,”Georgesaid.“Theboyscouldhavegottentotheparkand— poof! —pestsonice!”
“It’sallmyfault!”Besscried.“ItoldRebeccatofreezeJason,David,andMike.Andshedidit.”
“Butanyonecouldhavebuiltthesesnowmen,”Nancysaid.“Theboyscouldhavebuiltthemthemselves.”
“Andleavetheirhatsinthepark?”Georgeasked.
“Maybe,”Nancysaid.“Whydon’twegototheirhousesandlookforthem?”
“No!”Georgesaid.
“Whynot?”Nancyasked.
“Becausewhatifit’satrick?”Georgeasked.Shenarrowedhereyes.“Whatifthey’rewaitinginJason’sfrontyard—withsnowballs?”
“Oooh,no!”Besssaid.
“Thenwe’llgotomyhouseandcallthem,”Nancysaid.
Georgenodded.“Let’sdoit.”
“Wait,”Besssaid.“Nancyhastowritethisclueinhernotebook.”
Nancy’sheartsank.Anotherclueonthe“Rebecca is asnowqueen”page!
Butinsteadofwriting,Nancydoodledthreetinysnowmeninhernotebook.Itmadethemallgiggle.
Astheywalkedoutoftheparktheypassedthesnowdog.Itwasstillfrozen.
“Brrr. Idon’tknowifI’mshiveringfromthecold,”Besssaid,“orbecauseI’msoscared.”
“Iknow,”Nancysaid.“Let’stellsomejokes.Thenwewon’tbesoscared.”
“Iknowagoodone,”Georgesaidwithagrin.“WhatdidthepolicemanshoutashechasedthePopsiclebandit?”
“What?”Nancyasked.
“Freeze!”Georgesaid.
“Freeze?”Besswailed.“GeorgeFayne—that’snotfunny!”
“Sorry.”Georgesighed.
WhenthegirlsreachedNancy’shouse,Hannahgreetedthematthedoor.
“Don’ttakeoffyourbootsyet,girls,”Hannahsaid.“Oneofyourfriendsiswaitingforyouinthebackyard.”
“Who?”Nancysaid.“KatieZaleski?MollyAngelo?”
“It’sRebeccaRamirez,”Hannahsaid.“LastIlookedshewasplayingwithChip.”
Nancygulped.“Rebecca… iswithChip?”sheasked.
“Uh-oh,”Bessgroaned.
Thegirlsracedaroundthehousetothebackyard.Rebeccawasstandingunderatree.Shewaswearinghersnowqueencoatandcarryinghersnowflakewand.
“Hi!”RebeccacalledasChipretrievedatwig.“Nancy,yourdogissocool!”
“Cool?”Nancycried.“Asin cold?”
NancyrantoChip.Shepulledoffherglovesandbeganfeelingherfur.
“Asinneat,”Rebeccasaid,wrinklinghernose.“Issomethingwrong?”
Nancyshookherhead.Shestraightenedupandforcedasmile.“Didyoucomeovertoplay?”sheaskedRebecca.
“No,”Rebeccasaid.Shetwirledhersnowflakewandbetweenherfingers.“I’mheretodoyouallabig,bigfavor.”
“Afavor?”Nancy,Bess,andGeorgerepeatedatthesametime.
“I’vedecidedtomakeeverydayasnowday,”Rebeccasaid.“Thatmeansnoschoolandlotsofsnowtoplayinforawholeyear.”
“ButI like summer!”Besspouted.
“You’llgetoverit,”Rebeccasaid.Sheraisedherwandintheair.“Now,getready,becauseI’mabouttoperformthedanceofthenever-endingsnowflakes.”
ThegirlssteppedbackasRebeccabegantotwirlaroundandaround.Whenshestoppedshetappedeachelbowwithherwand.Thenshetappedeachfoot.
ChipbarkedasRebeccausedherwandtoformabigcircleintheair.
“Northwindsgust,northwindsblow,”Rebeccacalled.“Icommandtomakeitsnow!Andsnow!Andsnow!Andsnow!”
Rebeccafelldramaticallyonthecleansnow.Sheclosedhereyesanddidn’tmove.
“It’snotsnowing,”Besswhispered.
ChipbegantolickRebecca’sface.
“Yuck!”Rebeccacried.Shejumpedupanddustedherselfoff.“I’dbettergo.”
“Why?”Nancyasked.ShewantedtowatchRebeccaasmuchasshecould.
“Ihavetoreadmysnowqueenscript,”Rebeccasaid.“Tomorrowisthefirstdayofrehearsals.”
Rebeccagavealittlewave.Thenshewalkedaroundthehouse.
“Nancy?”Besssaid.“YougotscaredwhenRebeccawaswithChip,didn’tyou?”
“Sortof,”Nancyadmitted.
WhenitcametoChip,shewantedtoprotectherfromeverything:cars,candy,evenpossiblesnowqueens!
“Doesthatmeanyou’restartingtobelieveRebecca,too?”Georgeasked.
“I’mnotsurewhatIbelieveanymore.”Nancysighed.“AllIknowisthis…”
“What?”Bessasked.
“It’sstillnotsnowing,”Nancysaid.
Thegirlslookedupatthesky.Itwasgraybutnoflakeswereinsight.
“Girls!”Hannahcalledoutthewindow.“Comeinforsometomatosoup!”
“Yummy!”Besscried.
ThegirlsenteredtheDrews’housethroughthebackdoor.Theytookofftheirbootsandhunguptheirjackets.Thentheyallwashedtheirhandsandsatdowninthewarmkitchen.
“There’snothinglikehotsouponacolddaylikethis,”Hannahsaidasshepouredthickredsoupintothreebowls.
“Thanks,Hannah!”Nancysaid.
SheopenedtheboxofsaltycrackersonthetableandhandedsometoBessandGeorge.Thegirlscrushedcrackersovertheirsoup.
“Bytheway,Nancy,”Hannahsaidasshewasheddishesinthesink.“WhatwasRebeccadoingoutthere?”
“Somedance,”Nancysaid,giggling.“Tomakeitsnow.”
“Well,itseemstohaveworked,”Hannahsaid.“Lookoutside.”
Thegigglingstopped.Nancy,Bess,andGeorgestaredatoneanother.Thentheyjumpedupandrantothewindow.
“Noway!”Nancygaspedasbigwhiteflakesfellfromthesky.
“It’ssnowing!”Georgecried.
“Rebeccadiditagain!”Besswailed.
Nancystaredatthesnowcomingdown.Howwouldsheeverexplainthis?
BellsandSpells
“‘Hutchings,’”Nancyreadaloud.Sheheldthetelephonebookinherlapasshepushedthenumbers.“Four-five-six…”
Itwaslateafternoon.Nancywasintheden,callingtheboys.Shehadtoprovethattheywerehomeandthattheyweren’tsnowmen.
Becauseitwassnowing,BessandGeorgehadleftrightafterfinishingtheirsoup.ButthefriendshadallplannedtomeetatthepizzaparloronMainStreetatnoonthenextday.
“Pleasebehome,Jason,”Nancywhispered.ShewaitedfortheHutchingses’phonetoring,butitneverdid.Insteadtherewastotalsilence.
“That’sweird,”Nancytoldherself.ShehungupandfoundtheMinellis’numberinthephonebook.Butwhenshetriedit,thesamethinghappened.Silence.
“ Too weird,”Nancysaid.
ShetriedtheBergers’phone.Itdidn’tringeither!
Oh,no,Nancythought.WhatifRebeccareallydidturntheboysinto—
Nancyshutthephonebookandshookherhead.“WhatwasIthinking?”sheaskedherself.“Rebeccais not asnowqueen!”
ButwhenNancyopenedherdetectivenotebookshefrowned.IfRebeccawasn’tasnowqueen,whyweren’tthereanycluesonher“Rebeccais not asnowqueen”page?
“Workingonanewmystery,Nancy?”Mr.Drewaskedashecameintotheden.
Nancytookadeepbreath.ThenshetoldherfatherallaboutRebecca.
“Rebeccaevenmadeitsnow,Daddy,”Nancysaid.“Isthatweirdorwhat?”
“Letmeshowyousomething,”Mr.Drewsaid.Hepickedupanewspaper.“Checkouttheheadlineonthismorning’spaper.”
Nancyreadthefrontpageoutloud:“‘Moresnowtoday.’”
“ThesnowwascominglongbeforeRebeccacastthatspell,”Mr.Drewsaid.
“MaybeRebeccasawtheheadline,too,”Nancysaid.“Anddecidedtotrickus.”
Mr.Drewsmiled.“Speakingoftricks,”hesaid.“LetmeshowyouhowIpulledthatquarteroutofyourear.”
Nancywatchedherfathertuckaquarteruphissleeve.Whenhereachedoutthequarterslippeddownintohishand.
“Sothat’showyoudidit.”Nancysighed.“Youhadmeworried,Daddy.”
Nancyfeltbetter.Notonlywasshetwenty-fivecentsricher,shehadherfirstcluethatRebeccawasn’tasnowqueen.
“Fakesnowdance,”Nancysaidaloudasshewrotethewordsinhernotebook.
Mr.DrewlookedoverNancy’sshoulder.HepointedtoNancy’sdrawingoftheleaf.“What’sthis?”heasked.
“Ifoundaleafdesigncarvedonthesnowdog’spaw,”Nancysaid.“ButIhavenoideawhatitmeans.”
“Hmm,”Mr.Drewsaid.“Thisleafcouldbeyourmostimportantclue,Nancy.”
Nancygotexcited.ButthensherememberedthatthenextdaywasWednesday.Herheartsank.Wednesdaymeanthertimeforsolvingthecasewouldbeup!
ThatnightNancyfellasleeptryingtothinkofmoreclues.ButwhenshewokeupWednesdaymorningshehadtofacethetruth—shehadnotsolvedthecase.
MaybeI’mnotsuchagooddetectiveafterall,Nancythoughtsadly.
ShespentthemorningcleaningherroomandplayingwithChip.WhenitwasclosetonoonshegotpermissiontomeetBessandGeorgeonMainStreet.
“Youmeanyoucouldn’treach any oftheboyslastnight?”Georgeaskedinthepizzaparlor.“Theirphonesdidn’tring?”
“No,”Nancysaid.Shenibbledherpizza,butshewasn’tveryhungry.
“MaybeRebeccaturnedtheirwholefamiliesintosnow,”Besssaid,tuggingastringofcheesefromherslice.
“Well,it’sWednesday,”Georgepointedout.“Thatmeansit’stimetowritetoStellaLogan.”
Thegirlsfinishedtheirpizzaslices.Georgepulledsomestationeryfromherjacketpocket.SheborrowedNancy’spenandbegantowrite.
“‘DearMs.Logan,’”Georgereadoutloud.“‘There’ssomethingaboutRebeccaRamirezwethinkyoushouldknow.’”
Nancydidn’twanttowritetheletter.Shewantedtowritemorecluesinhernotebookandsolvethecase.Butitwastoolate.
“Done!”GeorgesaidaftershelistedallofRebecca’sspells.
Thegirlsdecidednottosigntheirnames.Georgefoldedtheletterandsealeditinsidetheenvelope.
“Let’sgostraighttothedramaschool,”Georgesaid,“andslipthisletterunderthedoor.”
“Thenlet’sgetoursledsandgotothepark,”Besssaidexcitedly.Thegirlsleftthepizzaparlor.TheywalkeddownMainStreetuntiltheyreachedtheTwinklingStarsDramaSchool.
“Who’sgoingtoslipitunderthedoor?”Nancyasked.
“Besswill,”Georgesaid.
“Whyme?”Besscried.
“Becauseyou’retheshortest,”Georgesaid.“Andtheclosesttotheground.”
“Whatever.”Besssighed.Shetooktheenvelopeandbegantokneel.
“Yoo-hoo!”avoicepipedin.
Nancyandherfriendswhirledaround.Rebeccawaswalkingtowardthem!
“Somesnowlastnight,huh?”Rebeccasaidproudly.“Whatareyoudoinghere?”
“Um,”Besssaid.Shestoodupandshovedtheletterbehindherback.
“Wewantedtowishyouluck,”Nancysaidquickly.
“Forrehearsals?”Rebeccaasked.
Anothervoicebrokein.“Hi,guys!”
ThistimeNancysawtheirfriendKatieZaleski.Shewaswalkingoutofthepetstore.Shewasholdingacagewithherparrot,Lester,inside.
“Lesterjustpickedoutanewtoy,”Katiesaid.“Itissoneat!”
Rebeccaleanedovertothecageandsmiled.“Pollywannacracker?”shecooed.
LesterblinkedatRebecca.Thenheopenedhisbeakandsquawked,“Ding-a-ling!Ding-a-ling!Ding-a-ling!”
Rebecca’seyesflewopen.“Didhejustcallmeading-a-ling?”shedemanded.
“No,silly,”Katiesaid.“Lesterwastalkingabouthisnewtoybell.”
RebeccaglaredatLesterandraisedherwandintheair.“Birdsofafeatherflocktogether!”sheshouted.“Theyturntoiceinfrostyweather!”
“Oh,no!”Besscried.“Notanothersnowqueenspell!”
“Heaskedforit,”Rebeccasaidwithasmile.SheopenedthedoortoTwinklingStarsandwalkedinside.
“Whatwasthatallabout?”Katieasked,confused.
“Rebeccathinksshe’sasnowqueen,”Nancysaid.“Andthatshecanturnanythingintoice.”
Katierolledhereyes.“That’sthesilliestthingIever—”
“Raaak!” Lestersquawked.Hekickedthedoortohiscageopenandflewout.
“Oh,no!”KatiecriedasLesterflewdownthestreet.“Lesterhasescaped!”
ThefourgirlschasedLesterasheflewdownMainStreet.HemadeasharpturnintotheRiverHeightsArtGallery.
“Followhim!”Nancyordered.
Nancy,Bess,George,andKatieranintotheartgallery.Afancypartywasbeingheld.Therewerelongtablesfilledwithfoodandpunch.Grown-upsstoodnearthepaintings,talkingsoftly.
NancywasabouttolookforLesterwhenKatieletoutabigshriek.
Nancy,Bess,andGeorgeranovertoKatie.Herhandtrembledasshepointedtoatable.Onitwasabirdmadeofice!
“Lester!”Katiewailed.“Whathasshedonetoyou?”
Nancysteppedbackslowly.HadRebeccareallyturnedLesterintoice?
ANewLeaf
“Lesterwillneverplaywithhisnewtoynow,”Katiewailed.“Never!”
Thepartygueststurnedtostare.Amaninablacksuithurriedover.
“Careful,children,”hesaid.“Don’ttouchthebirdofparadiseicesculpture.”
“Sculpture?”Nancyrepeated.“Youmeansomeone made this?”
“Yes,”themansaid.Hismustachetwitchedashegrinned.“ThisbirdwasmadebyaverytalentedartistinRiverHeights.Shesculptslotsofanimals.”
“Thenit’snotLester.”Katiesighedwithrelief.
“Lester?”themanasked.“Who’sLester?”
ButNancywaswonderingabouttheanimals.Couldthesculptorhavemadethesnowdoginthepark,too?
“What’sthesculptor’sname?”Nancyaskedtheman.
“Hername?”themanasked.“It’s—”
“Arrrk!”
Everyonespunaround.Lesterwasonanearbytablemunchingfromaplatterofsalmon-spreadcrackers.
“Lesterwannacracker!”Lestersquawked. “Rraaak!”
“Lester!”Katiecriedhappily.
Themanintheblacksuitwasn’tsohappy.Hepointedtothedoorandinaloudvoicesaid,“Getthatbirdoutofhere!”
WhileKatieswoopedupLester,Nancyglancedattheicebird.Shesawsomethingcarvedintothebird’swing.Itwasthesameleafthatwasontheicedog.
NancyfeltGeorgetugherarm.Thenthefriendsranoutoftheartgallery.
“I’mtakingLesterstraighthome,”Katiesaid,liftinghiscage.“He’shadenoughexcitementforoneday.”
“Andenoughcrackers,”Georgesaid.
“Oooohboy!”Lesterscreeched.
NancywatchedKatiewalkaway.ThensheturnedexcitedlytoBessandGeorge.
“Aleafwascarvedonthebird’swing,”Nancysaid.“Thesameleafthatwasonthesnowdog.Isn’tthatagreatclue?”
“Sure,Nancy,”Georgesaid.“Butit’salreadyWednesday.”
Nancywantedtoscream.WhydidshepromisetosolvethecasebyWednesday?WhynotThursday?OrevenFriday?
“Look,”Besssaid.Sheheldupacrackerandgiggled.“Igrabbedthisonthewayout.Tunafishsaladonanonioncracker.”
“Woof!”
Nancyjumpedasabigdogboundedover.Withoutstopping,hesnatchedthecrackerfromBess’shandwithhisteeth!
“Hey!”Bessshoutedasthedogchargedaway.“Thatdogtookmycracker!”
Nancystaredatthedog.Itwasbutterscotchcoloredwithlong,floppyears—justlikeGrubby.
“Ithinkthat’sthedogfromthepark!”Nancycried.“Let’sfollowhim!”
ThegirlschasedthedogdownMainStreet.Thesidewalkswereslushyandslipperysotheyhadtobecareful.
“Stop,crackerthief!”Bessshouted.
Thedogmadeaturnatthenextcorner.Thegirlsturnedthecorner,too.
Nancysawthedogracetowardayellowhousewithgreenshutters.
“Woof!” thedogbarkedasheranaroundthesideofthehouse.
“Nowhe’sinthebackyard,”Georgegroaned.“Wecan’tfollowhimthere.”
“Iwonderwhothatdogbelongsto,”Besssaid,outofbreath.
Nancyglancedaround.Infrontofthehousewasasnow-coveredmailbox.
“There’sonewaytofindout,”Nancysaid.Shedustedpowderysnowoffthecream-coloredmailbox.Onthesideanamewaspaintedingreen.
“‘B.Greenleaf,’”Nancyreadoutloud.Shebrushedoffmoresnow.Thenhereyesopenedwide.Paintednexttothenamewasaleaf.Averyfamiliarleaf!
“Thereitis!”Nancysaidexcitedly.Shetappedherhandonthepaintedleaf.“It’sthatleafagain!”
“So?” Bess asked.
“So the person who lives in this house might have made the ice bird,” Nancy said. “And the snow dog in the park.”
“Are you sure the dog we just chased was Mr. Grubby Paws?” Bess asked.
“No,” Nancy admitted. She waved her hand in the direction of the house. “But I’m going to find out.”
The girls’ boots made crunching noises as they walked around the house.
When they reached the backyard they stood perfectly still. The yard was filled with the most beautiful statues made of snow.
“Animals! A castle! Gnomes!” Bess cried. “It’s like a fairy tale!”
The girls walked around the snow statues. They were like nothing Nancy had ever seen before.
“And look!” Nancy said. “They all have the leaf design carved into them.”
Nancy was about to point to a polar bear statue when the butterscotch-colored dog jumped out from behind it.
“Oh!” Nancy gasped. The dog nuzzled his nose in Nancy’s mitten. He was Grubby all right.
“There you are, Bingo!” a woman’s voice boomed.
Nancy saw a woman walking into the backyard. She was wearing a blue parka, gray pants, and dark blue rubber boots. Her green eyes sparkled under her striped wool hat.
“Your dog’s name is Bingo?” Nancy asked. It was a lot nicer than Mr. Grubby Paws.
“Yes,” the woman answered. “And I’m Betty Greenleaf. Did you come to see my snow sculptures?”
“Sort of,” Nancy said. “Did you also make the ice bird at the art gallery?”
“You bet! “Betty said.
Nancy couldn’t wait to ask her next question. “And what about the snow dog in the park?” she asked.
Betty nodded. “I made that sculpture of Bingo on Monday morning,” she said.
“Yes!” Nancy chéered under her breath. Her father was right. The leaf was the most important clue of all!
“Except Bingo wasn’t a very good model,” Betty went on. “He kept running off somewhere.”
“We know.” Bess giggled.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to see if my phone works,” Betty said. “Some telephone lines in town were damaged from the snow last night.”
Nancy thought back to the boys’ phones. No wonder they didn’t ring!
The girls thanked Betty Greenleaf. After petting Bingo, they left the yard.
“You see?” Nancy asked. “Rebecca never turned a dog into ice. She is not and never will be a snow queen!”
“High five!” George exclaimed.
The three friends slapped their gloves and mittens together. Then they walked away from Betty’s house.
“It’s a good thing we never gave Stella Logan that letter,” George said.
“That’s for sure,” Nancy said.
Bess stopped walking. Her face became pale.
“Bess?” Nancy asked. “What’s wrong?”
“The letter,” Bess gulped. “I slipped it under the Twinkling Stars door.”
“You what?” George cried. “When?”
“Right before we ran after Lester!” Bess cried. “We were going to, anyway!”
Nancy hit her own forehead with the back of her hand. “Oh, noooo!” she cried.
RebeccaTakesaBow
“I’m sorry!” Bess said. “But we weren’t supposed to solve the case today!”
Nancy took a deep breath. “It’s okay, Bess,” she said. “Let’s just get that letter before Ms. Logan reads it!”
The girls walked quickly to Main Street. When they reached the drama school they went inside. The front hall was decorated with posters and pictures of past plays.
Nancy didn’t see Rebecca, but she could hear her voice.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Rebecca was saying.
Nancy, Bess, and George followed the sound of Rebecca’s voice to a small auditorium.
“There she is!” George whispered.
Rebecca was standing on the stage. She was surrounded by six kids wearing costumes and headpieces.
“We found this by the door,” a boy wearing reindeer antlers said. He waved George’s envelope in the air.
“So?” Rebecca asked.
“So what’s this about you being a real snow queen?” the reindeer boy asked.
“Come clean, Rebecca,” a girl dressed as a chicken said. “Did you really turn a dog into snow?”
“And turn hot chocolate cold?” another girl wearing a snowflake garland asked. “No wonder the marshmallows in my cocoa wouldn’t melt!”
A tall woman with bright red hair marched in. She clutched a flowered shawl over her black pants and sweater.
Nancy guessed she was Stella Logan.
“Children, children!” she cried. “What is going on here? You know we have to rehearse the dance of the woodchucks.”
“Excuse me, Ms. Logan,” Nancy blurted. “I can explain everything.”
All eyes turned to Nancy.
“You see, Ms. Logan,” Nancy began, “Rebecca pretended to have special snow queen powers. And we believed her.”
“We even wrote a note telling on her,” George said. “We didn’t want her to cast any more spells.”
“But now we know it’s not true,” Nancy added. “Rebecca isn’t a real snow queen. Just a real girl.”
Nancy expected Ms. Logan to be angry. But instead she smiled.
“Bravo, Rebecca! Bravo!” Ms. Logan said, clapping her hands.
“Huh?” Nancy asked.
“Rebecca may not be a snow queen,” Ms. Logan explained. “But look how many people believed her. That is acting!”
Ms. Logan applauded again. The other students began applauding, too. Rebecca smiled and took a deep bow.
“Wait a minute,” George piped up. “Rebecca scared a lot of people with her make-believe spells.”
“Even me,” Bess said.
Rebecca straightened up. Nancy could see she was blushing.
“Is that true, Rebecca?” Ms. Logan asked. “You know I want all my twinkling stars to shine.”
“It’s true.” Rebecca sighed.
Ms. Logan walked up to Rebecca. She put her arm around her shoulder.
“Rebecca, a good actor knows the difference between real and make-believe,” Ms. Logan said. “She saves her magic for the stage.”
“Yes, Ms. Logan,” Rebecca said. She turned to Nancy, Bess, and George. “I’m sorry I scared you. I guess I got carried away.”
“I guess,” Nancy said, smiling.
“Who wants to be a real snow queen anyway?” Rebecca said, waving her hand. “I like summer camp too much. And the beach. And lemonade slushies!”
Nancy was glad Rebecca had apologized. Now they could all be friends again.
“One more thing,” Ms. Logan said. She turned to Nancy, Bess, and George. “Now that you’ve met the cast, why don’t you come to see our play in two weeks?”
“TheSnowQueen?” Nancyasked.
“Yes,” Ms. Logan said. “I’ll give Rebecca three extra tickets just for you.”
Nancy, Bess, and George thanked Ms. Logan. They waved goodbye to the cast and left the drama school.
“We did it!” Nancy cried on Main Street. “We proved that Rebecca was not a snow queen!”
“But what about all the other weird things that happened?” George asked.
“Yeah,” Bess said. “Like cold hot chocolate. And Jason, David, and Mike —”
“Did someone say our names?” a voice sneered.
Nancy gasped. A shower of wet snowballs fell over her and her friends.
Nancy wiped snow from her eyes and stared at the boys. They were not wearing their wool hats.
“The Chill Commando strikes again!” Jason cheered.
Bess put her hands on her hips. “We thought you were turned into snowmen,” she said.
Jason, David, and Mike gave one another high-fives.
“They fell for it!” Jason laughed. “I knew those snow dudes looked like us.”
“Especially with those straws up their noses!” David said. He scrunched his nose and gave a walrus snort.
“You made those snowmen?” Nancy asked. “The ones behind the fort?”
Jason nodded. “Weren’t they way cool?” he asked.
“You also fell for our hot chocolate trick at the Double Dip,” Mike said.
“Yeah!” Jason snickered. “When you ran to the door we slipped ice cubes from our sodas into your cups.”
Ice cubes! Nancy thought. So that explains it!
“You should have seen your faces.” David guffawed. “You were so surprised!”
Nancy saw George scoop up snow.
“You mean like this?” George asked the boys. She reached back her arm and hurled a snowball at Jason.
Nancy and Bess joined in the action. They threw snowballs as fast as they could make them.
“Hey!” Jason complained.
“No fair!” Mike exclaimed.
“We’re not wearing hats!” David cried. He covered his red ears with his hands. “Those things are cold!”
“Surrender, Chill Commando!” Nancy shouted to the boys. “Or risk another attack—by the Snowflake Sisters!”
George threw another snowball. It landed on Mike’s head.
“Um,” Mike gulped. A chunk of snow fell on his nose. “Let’s get some pizza.”
“Good idea,” David said.
The girls cheered as the boys escaped into the pizza parlor.
“Victory!” George shouted.
“I think I like snowball fights now!” Bess giggled.
Nancy was so happy she wanted to shout. She had solved a case and won a snowball fight. All in one day!
“Let’s celebrate with some hot chocolate,” Nancy suggested. “Some hot hot chocolate.”
“And then go sledding,” Bess said, her blue eyes shining. “Once and for all!”
The girls made their way to the Double Dip. They ordered three hot chocolates with extra marshmallows.
This time while Nancy waited for her cup to cool she took out her notebook. She began to write.
Good news! Not only did I prove that Rebecca isn’t a real snow queen, I proved she’s a great actress, too.
I also learned that I do believe in magic. No, not the magic of snow queens. The magic of a sculptor right here in River Heights. And she didn’t even use a wand—just her own two hands.
Now, that is magic!
Caseclosed.
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