Hidden Meanings by Carolyn Keene

Someone must have sneaked in and set the fire after you left.”
    â€œLooks to me like someone wants to harass Gina but not necessarily hurt her,” Ned said. “Burning up her clothes is one definite way to disturb her.”
    â€œSally, maybe you and Gina should check to see that nothing else is ruined,” Nancy suggested. Nodding, Sally moved slowly into the room.
    â€œMy best things!” Gina wailed, standing in front of the closet. “My shoes, my handbags. I’d just spent two days at the best boutiques in Rome. My whole wardrobe is gone!”
    â€œHas anybody seen my camera?” Sally piped up uneasily. “I had a black canvas bag with a camera, all my lenses, several rolls of film, and a matching portfolio, too, full of developed negatives. It’s all my photography stuff.”
    Ned, Nancy, and Gina began to hunt with Sally. “You had it with you at the café, I know,” Gina said, peering behind the curtains. “She never goes anywhere without her camera,” she added, looking at Nancy and Ned. Then Gina turned toward Sally. “I saw you bring it back up, Sal.”
    â€œI left it on the floor by the desk,” Sally said. “It’s definitely gone!”
    Gina ran over to hug Sally. “Oh, I feel so horrible!” she said. “I can always buy more clothes, but your pictures can never be replaced.” For once, Gina seemed more concerned with someone else’s problem than with her own, Nancy realized.
    â€œMaybe they’ll turn up,” Nancy said, trying to console Sally. “Right now, why don’t I go get some clothes to lend you two? That way, you’ll have something to wear tomorrow, at least.”
    â€œGee, thanks, Nancy,” Sally said gratefully.
    â€œThat’d be great,” Gina chimed in. “And I’ll take you shopping tomorrow, Sally. I’ll buy you a new camera, and lots of new clothes.”
    â€œYou don’t need to, Gina,” Sally protested.
    â€œBut it’s all my fault!” Gina said. “Besides, I’ve always wanted to help you spruce up your wardrobe. I’ve got my credit cards. Daddy will never notice if I run up a little bill.”
    As Gina chattered on, Nancy saw that she was successfully cheering up Sally. Gina may be a flirt, Nancy thought, but at least she’s a loyal friend. And that was one trait Nancy admired in people.
    Nancy quietly left and went down the hall to her room to fetch some clothes. Bess and George were both there and listened intently to Nancy’s news of the fire. “Oh, let me help find clothes for Gina,” Bess said with a sly grin.
    Fifteen minutes later Nancy returned to room 707 with an armload of clothing. Ned was sitting on his chair outside room 709, next door. “I let them move into my room,” he told Nancy. “I don’t mind sleeping next to a burned closet, but Gina shouldn’t have to. You were right, by the way. It was more important to guard the room than to guard Gina. I should have listened to you.”
    Nancy softened. “How could we guess what this maniac is up to?” she said. “I still don’t understand him. Anyway, here are the clothes.”
    Ned rose and took the pile. Tossing it on his chair, he began to sort through it. There were a couple of George’s sweatsuits, Bess’s baggiest cotton shorts, and some T-shirts from the gift shop. Ned unfolded the one with the octopus on it. “ ‘Kiss Me, I’m Available,’ ” he read out loud. “Let me guess.” He turned to Nancy with a grin. “Is this one for Gina, by any chance?”
    Nancy feigned innocence. “Think it’ll fit her?”
    Ned laughed and drew Nancy into his arms. As they melted into a long kiss, Nancy forgot to wonder whether anyone was watching.
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    Nancy and Bess were eating breakfast in the employee cafeteria the next morning, when