"Carey, M.V. - The Three Investigators 15 - The Mystery of the Flaming Footprints" - читать интересную книгу автора (Carey M.V)

"An eagle with two heads," said Jupiter. "It could be a design The Potter made up, or it could be something more--a symbol that meant something to the men in the car."

"Like a signal?" asked Pete.

"Or a crest," decided Bob. "Europeans are big on crests, and they have all kinds of things on them, like lions and unicorns and falcons and such."

"Can you check it out?" Jupiter asked. "Do you remember what it looked like?"

Bob nodded. "There's a new book on heraldry in at the library. If I see that double-headed eagle again, I'll recognize it."

"Good." Jupiter turned to Pete. "You're friendly with Mr Holtzer?" he asked.

"The real estate man? I mow his lawn once in a while, when he doesn't feel like doing it himself. Why?"

"He has the only real estate agency in Rocky Beach," said Jupiter. "If someone has moved into Hilltop House, he will know it. He may also know who and why."

"He probably won't want his lawn mowed tomorrow," said Pete, "but he's open on Sunday. I'll drop in and see him."

"Fine," said Jupiter. "I believe that Aunt Mathilda wishes to go to the Seabreeze Inn tomorrow. She will be a one-woman welcoming committee for Mrs Dobson and her son. I will accompany her, and will also keep an eye out for an amateur fisherman in a tan Ford."

"Another newcomer?" said Bob.

Jupiter shrugged. "Perhaps. Or perhaps he only came down from Los Angeles for the day. If he is staying in Rocky Beach, and if Hilltop House has been rented, we know that we have five new people in town in one day---and one of them may have broken into The Potter's house."





5

The Flaming Footprints



"WEAR your white shirt, Jupiter," ordered Aunt Mathilda, "and your blue blazer."

"It's too hot for a blazer," said Jupe.

"Wear it anyway," said Aunt Mathilda. "I want you to look respectable when we call on Mrs Dobson."

Jupiter sighed and buttoned the starched white shirt almost to the neck. The top button was impossible. He would have choked if he'd tried it. He shrugged himself into his blue blazer.

"Are you ready?" he asked his aunt.

Aunt Mathilda smoothed down a tweed skirt which was so sturdy that it almost prickled and threw a tan cardigan around her shoulders. "How do I look?"

"Most respectable," Jupiter assured her.

"I certainly hope so," said Aunt Mathilda, and they went downstairs and out through the living room. Uncle Titus had voted himself out of the welcoming party for the Dobsons. He was taking his Sunday afternoon nap on the sofa.