The Secret of Red Gate Farm

The Secret of Red Gate Farm by Carolyn Keene, 1961 Grosset & Dunlap

     Nancy Drew and her friends find it strange when an exotic saleswoman refuses to sell Bess a particular fragrance while shopping. On their way home Nancy, Bess, and George encounter a young woman looking to find work in the city. The girls become friends and decide to help Joanne in whatever way they may. When Nancy joins Joanne on a job interview she finds what appears to be a mysterious code.
     Nancy sets aside the code until, when visiting Joanne's grandmother for a working vacation, she and her friends discover a mysterious secret society on Red Gate Farm. The "Black Snake Colony" is a nature cult residing on the outlying edges of the farm.
     All is not as it seems, when Nancy is accused of counterfeiting money. She presents the code she discovered and the strange cult to the authorities. The four girls are asked to go undercover in aid of the federal agents on the case.
     Nancy and her friends find adventure in seemingly simple situations. Readers become more acquainted with Bess and George through the book, with mystery and adventure around the corner.