Those who lived at a distance, however, remained at Pinewood. So Nancy
was not alone over the short vacation as she wont to be at Higbee
School.

Jennie lived not far from Cincinnati, and she couldn't remain away from
home at Christmas.

"I wish you were going with me, you dear old thing!" she said to Nancy,
hugging her. "You wait till I tell mother about you! You shall go home
with me at Easter--if that Old Gordon will let you; and if you like it
at my home we'll have you part of the long vacation, too.

"And I'm going to get my big brother, John, to take me into the city
while I'm home, and I'm going to see Scorch. Just think! Maybe we can
find out all about what Mr. Gordon is hiding from you."

"If he is hiding anything, Jennie," said Nancy, shaking her head.

And yet, after all the wonderful things that had happened to her of
late, Nancy could almost believe that even the mystery of her identity
might in time be solved.

CHAPTER XXI

SENATOR MONTGOMERY

But Jennie Bruce came back to Pinewood Hall after the holidays with no
news of importance for her roommate and chum.

"I saw that red-headed boy," she said. "My goodness me, Nance! what a
freak he is," and Jennie burst into laughter at the remembrance of
Scorch O'Brien. "John and I took him to luncheon and John couldn't eat
for laughing at him."

"_I_ think Scorch is real nice," said Nancy, smiling reflectively.

"Oh, he's strong for _you_, all right," admitted Jennie, nodding. "He
thinks you are about the only girl who ever came into his sweet young
life----"

"What nonsense!" said Nancy, blushing, but smiling, too.

"All right. He's willing to go to desperate lengths to help you, just
the same," and Jennie smiled in remembrance of the red-haired youth's
enthusiasm.

"I guess it's mostly talk. Scorch dearly loves to talk," said Nancy.

"He wanted John to help him rob 'Old Gordon's' private safe," laughed
Jennie. "He says he believes there are papers in that safe that would
explain all about you. He wanted John to stay over that night and stand
watch while he, Scorch, opened the safe with something he called a
jimmy!"

"The ridiculous boy!" said Nancy.

"But I tell you!" exclaimed Jennie, "John works for a man who knows your
Mr. Gordon. John is going to get Mr. Pennywell to find out--if he
can--from Mr. Gordon if he really knows more about your folks than he is
willing to tell you. Mr. Pennywell is a client--and a good client--of
your