The Mystery of the 99 Steps by Carolyn G. Keene

business or grave consequences will come to you!
    The Red King’”
    “The Red King?” the second officer repeated. “Mais— but who is he—this Red King?”
    “That’s a new name to us,” Nancy answered the question. “Other warning notes have been signed Monsieur Neuf and the Green Lion.”
    She explained sketchily about Mrs. Blair’s mystery which had brought Nancy to France. The officers said that they had never heard any of the names.
    “Earlier today we noticed that on the 99th step of the stairway from L’Orangerie someone put M9 in black chalk,” Nancy went on, and told the whole story of what had happened.
    The officers and guard were impressed. All said that these pretty American girl detectives were brave indeed to undertake such risks.
    Nancy inquired, “You are sure that none of you knows a man named Louis Aubert?”
    The three shook their heads. One of the policemen asked, “Does he live around here?”
    Nancy said she did not know his address. “We saw him in Paris twice—once he was dressed as an Arab. I suspect he’s involved in this mystery, and that he’s the man in a guard’s uniform we saw running away from here a while ago.”
    “We will make an investigation,” the officers assured the girls. One of them reached for the note. “And examine this for fingerprints. You will come to headquarters if necessary?”
    Nancy smiled. “Of course.” She told where they were staying.
    “Très bien. Very good!”
    George insisted that she felt much better. “Let’s get back to Bess. She’s probably frantic.”
    The two girls hurried to rejoin their friend. Bess was relieved and delighted to see her cousin safe, but horrified to hear what had happened.
    When the girls reached home, the Bardots were very much worried by the girls’ adventure. “It is quite evident this Monsieur Neuf knows you three are on his trail. He is getting desperate,” said Monsieur Bardot. “From now on you girls must take every precaution.” They promised they would.
    That night after dinner Nancy asked the Bardots where Josette Blair had lived as a child.
    “Only a few miles from here,” Madame Bardot replied. “Would you like to see the place? I’ll take you there tomorrow morning after church.”
    “Oh, wonderfull” Nancy exclaimed.
    The journey took them through rolling, verdant country. There was acre upon acre of green pasture and farmland filled with a profusion of growing vegetables and flowers in bloom. It was late morning when they reached another attractive, old-time chateau surrounded by gardens.
    In the front a man and a woman were busy snipping off full-grown roses. Madame Bardot turned into the drive and asked the couple if they were the present owners.
    The woman replied pleasantly, “Yes, our name is Dupont. May we help you?”
    The visitors alighted. After making introductions, Nancy explained that Mrs. Blair, a very good friend of hers, had lived there as a little girl. At mention of the strange dream, the Duponts were greatly interested.
    “Ah, oui,” said Madame Dupont. “I do recall that Mrs. Blair lived here when she was little, but we cannot explain the dream.”
    Nancy asked, “By any chance do you know her governess, who was Mademoiselle Manon?”
    “We do not exactly know her,” Monsieur Dupont answered, “but a woman did stop here about five years ago. She told us she had once lived here as governess to a little girl but had lost track of her.”
    “This is very exciting!” Bess spoke up. “Can you tell us where Mademoiselle Manon lives? Mrs. Blair would like to know.”
    “I’m sorry, but we cannot help you,” said Madame Dupont. “At the time of her call she wanted to get in touch with Mrs. Blair but had no idea where she was. We could tell her only that Mrs. Blair had gone to the United States.”
    Nancy wondered if the couple could give any kind of clue leading to Mademoiselle Manon’s present address.
    “Did she happen to mention where she was going?”