The Clue in the Old Diary

The Clue in the Old Diary by Carolyn Keene, 1962 Grosset & Dunlap

     Nancy and the girls, Bess and George, are headed home from a carnival with Mrs. Swenson and her daughter when an elaborate estate beside the road bursts into flames. The young women hurry to confirm no one is trapped in the burning building and Nancy finds a diary on the ground.
     While emergency services arrive the girls see someone fleeing the estate and an attractive young man moves Nancy's car. At first Nancy is suspicious of Ned Nickerson, but after he helps her out of a jam Nancy and Ned form a regular acquaintance and sometimes relationship.
     Mrs. Swenson notes that her husband is missing, as is the owner of the estate. Nancy and her friends, along with the police investigators search out the answers to the mystery of the fire and the diary. Nancy's penchant for helping people in need leads her to another new friend in the seventh installment of the Nancy Drew Mystery Stories.