(#20) The Clue in the Jewel Box (12 page)

“I’m glad you told the chief,” he replied. “And hereafter, let them track down the pickpocket. You’ll only be inviting danger if you continue to trail him. Next time I might not be around to save you!” he added affectionately, and took her hand as he led her back to their home.

“I’ve been hoping,” Nancy said, “to recover the money for the Boys Club and your stolen papers.”

“The thief probably has spent the money by this time,” Mr. Drew replied. “Don’t worry any more about my wallet. Buy me another for my birthday!”

As they sat at dinner a little later, she observed that her father looked worried.

“Nancy,” he said quietly, “I wish you would stop taking so much interest in Mrs. Alexandra.”

“Why, Dad”—Nancy stared at her father in dismay—“I can’t abandon the dear lady to Michael’s clutches! Only today I learned that he has been robbing her of rather large sums of money. Wait until you see this paper!” she added, getting the slip from her purse.

Mr. Drew inspected the sales notations obtained through Anna and Mr. Faber.

“You don’t expect Mrs. Alexandra to believe that her grandson is a thief?” he asked.

“No, and I don’t intend to tell her until I have more proof.”

“Don’t do anything until I’ve had time to consider the legal angle,” her father advised.

“I’ll wait,” Nancy promised. “Telling the poor woman the truth will probably end our friendship, anyway.”

As she spoke, the telephone rang. Mrs. Gruen answered it, and then reported that the call was for Nancy.

“I think it’s Helen Archer,” the housekeeper said.

Fearing that there might be some new difficulty regarding the torn gown, Nancy ran to talk to her friend.

“For once I haven’t a scrap of bad news to report,” Helen assured her. “Mr. Ellington phoned and wants us to organize a hayride. Of course he’ll be Katherine’s partner.”

“Tonight?”

“No, tomorrow after the evening performance. He suggests we go to the Red Lion Inn for supper and dancing.”

“A hayride would be fun!” Nancy exclaimed. “Tell me more about it.”

“Mr. Ellington is sure Katherine is going to win the grand prize at the fashion show, so he wants to give a party for her. Unfortunately he can’t join us until we reach the inn,” Helen explained. “He has a business appointment in Harbortown.”

For some time the two girls discussed plans for the hayride, working out every detail. A window not far from where Nancy sat was open, and the curtains fluttered in the breeze, just enough for anyone outside to look in. A man was crouching below, listening to the telephone conversation. Nancy had her back turned, and did not notice.

“We’ll have a grand time tomorrow night,” she declared before hanging up. “Especially if Katherine wins the big prize And I’m sure she will!”

Since Nancy wanted to appear fresh for the next day’s fashion show, she went to bed early. For a long while she tossed on her pillow, thinking of the puzzles which confronted her. Of them all, she was still particularly intrigued by the little nightingale’s words, “clue in jewel box.”

“The jewel box must be the Footman,” she thought over and over. “The queen mother’s family and trusted servants knew it was the one holding her most valuable pieces.”

Nancy felt that the revelation of the secret might in some way make up to Mrs. Alexandra for the disgraceful behavior of the prince.

“That little Footman must have another opening,” she reflected.

Try as she would, Nancy could think of no way to open it. Morning did not bring any solution to the vexing problem. It continued to plague Nancy throughout the day, even as she went through her afternoon routine at the fashion show. Then, just as she left the building, an idea flashed into her mind.

“That may be it!” Nancy thought excitedly. “I must go to Mrs. Alexandra’s home at once. I only hope I won’t find Michael there!”

CHAPTER XVI

The Prize Winner

CURTAINS were closed at the Alexandra home, But Anna opened the front door almost as soon as Nancy rang the belL “Madame is very low in spirit,” the woman whispered and sighed. “It is Michael! This morning he asked her to give him a very valuable bracelet to sell.”

“She didn’t do it?”

“Not yet, but she is considering it very seriously. Oh, can you not do something to save what remains of my good lady’s fortune?”

“I hope to, Anna. I have proof that Michael kept most of the money he received from dealers.”

“She will never believe it.”

“Probably not,” Nancy said. “And anyway, there’s a legal angle. Being related, he could say she gave it to him. My father is going to see about that. But I came here for another reason. Michael isn’t at home, is he?”

“He is with his grandmother now.”

“Then I will leave and come another time.”

“No, wait,” the woman urged. “Hide in this closet. I will send Michael out.”

Nancy secreted herself in the hall closet as instructed. Soon she heard the young man arguing loudly with Anna.

“You always want me to go on errands for you!” he complained. “I’m a prince and you’re supposed to wait on me.”

An outside door slammed and Nancy knew that Michael had gone. A few moments later Anna opened the closet door.

“I have announced to Madame that you are here,” she told Nancy. “She will see you now.”

Knowing that Michael would not be gone long, Nancy did not waste words as she explained to Mrs. Alexandra that she would like to try once more to find another opening in the Footman jewel box.

“I have an idea that I think may work,” she added earnestly.

Mrs. Alexandra smiled and asked Anna to bring the precious statue. As Nancy took it, she said:

“When I was a little girl my grandmother gave me a very old music box that had belonged to her. It had a secret drawer in it, which opened in a peculiar fashion.”

Her fingers explored the figurine. “If only it will work—”

With increasing interest the two women watched Nancy skillfully manipulate the jewel box. Suddenly Mrs. Alexandra gave a cry of delight.

“My Footman’s boot! It is coming off!”

Nancy nodded. Her hunch had been correct!

“But there is nothing in the foot,” Mrs. Alexandra added, disappointed.

Nancy peered into the tiny boot. Thrusting her little finger into it, she loosened a folded piece of paper.

“This must be the clue that the nightingale tried to tell us!” she exclaimed.

Nancy longed to look at the paper, but instead politely handed it to the former queen. Mrs. Alexandra pondered a long time over the words scrawled on the paper. Nancy began to doubt that the woman would ever reveal the contents. Finally she spoke.

“Anna,” she requested, “please leave us alone for a few minutes.”

After Anna had left, Madame Alexandra gave Nancy the paper. The young detective was unable to read the words. They were in a foreign language. The woman, her voice vibrant with excitement, translated them in a whisper.

“This information is amazing!” Nancy exclaimed.

“Sh!” the woman warned. “Do not speak aloud of the great secret. No one must know of it yet—not even Anna.”

“But neither you nor I can carry out the instructions on this paper,” said Nancy.

“You must ask some fine young man to help you,” Madame Alexandra advised.

“My friend Ned is very capable, and he’s just the person to help me,”

From the window Nancy saw Michael coming back with a package.

“I must go now,” she said hurriedly.

Anna had met the young man on the front walk, and engaged him in conversation until Nancy could leave by the rear door. He was talking loudly.

“I’m too busy to be running to the store for you,” he said crossly. “And you don’t need all this stuff, anyway. I won’t be here to dinner tonight, and maybe not all night, either!”

Without lingering to hear more, Nancy headed home in a state of thoughtfulness. When Hannah Gruen tried to learn the reason for her faraway expression, Nancy merely smiled and said, “Tomorrow I expect to solve a great mystery.”

Later, at the Woman’s Club, Nancy’s dreamy mood persisted. It lent a warm glow to her skin. Helen Archer complimented her friend. “I’ve never seen you look prettier.”

“I feel as if I were walking in a dream,” Nancy murmured. “Am I really in this fashion show?”

“There is your cue now!” Helen replied.

Nancy glided gracefully down the carpeted stairway, treading as lightly as if on air. She pivoted, displaying the Renaissance gown to the best advantage. The lovely tiara-like headdress sparkled under the lights, adding the final touch to the exquisite costume, When Nancy returned to the wings, thunderous applause followed.

“You were terrific!” Helen exclaimed.

Katherine praised Nancy, too, but she did not feel confident that the Renaissance gown would win the grand prize. Other costumes had received much attention. She was certain that a white satin evening dress, created by a professional designer, Wilbur de Wolf, might be named by the judges.

Soon it was time for the all-important decisions to be announced. An expectant hush fell over the audience. Nancy joined the other models crowding into the wings.

One of the judges made a little speech, praising all who had helped with the show. “And now, ladies and gentlemen,” he said in conclusion, “I take great pleasure in awarding the prizes.”

Quickly he presented trophies for the sport and daytime dresses.

“And now, will Mr. Wilbur de Wolf please come forward. His design, modeled by—”

Nancy heard no more. Katherine had grabbed her hand, and a little sob of disappointment had escaped from the girl. She started to walk away, but was hemmed in by the crowd of people in the wings.

When the applause died down, the voice of the judge boomed out again. “The grand prize—and may I say the vote of the committee was unanimous—goes to Miss Katherine Kovna, designer of the Renaissance gown modeled by Miss Nancy Drew.”

Further words were drowned by the loud applause. Katherine, blinded by tears, hesitated. Quickly she dried her eyes and then appeared on the stage with Nancy. Katherine was so overcome with happiness she could only say, “Thank you.”

Nancy graciously acknowledged the honor paid to the young designer and her creation. Flash-bulbs went off as photographers snapped pictures, and reporters pressed for statements.

“I never was so happy in my life!” Katherine declared when at last the excitement was over.

Nancy quickly changed into a sports outfit, which could be worn on the hayride.

“I hope Richard meet us at the inn on time,” Katherine remarked wistfully. “I do want him to know at once who won the big prize.”

After Nancy and Ned had returned the precious headdress to Madame Alexandra, the group of young people going to the supper and dance met at the ferry and crossed the river. A hayrack pulled by two large gray horses awaited them on the opposite shore. Amid shouts of laughter the group scrambled onto it.

Jim Archer relieved the farmer of the reins, and the horses started off. Bess began to sing a familiar song. The others joined in.

“Why so quiet, Nancy?” Ned asked when he noticed she was not singing.

“Oh, just thinking,” she replied. “Ned, will you do me a favor?”

“Just name it, and it’s done.”

“I’ll tell you about it later.”

An hour later Jim brought the hayrack safely into the parking lot of the Red Lion Inn. One by one the young people climbed out, brushing wisps of hay from their clothing.

“We’re sights, but it’s worth it!” George laughed as she straightened her short, wind-blown hair. “And I’m hungry!”

“Look who’s here!” said Bess, nudging Nancy.

Michael and a tall young man whose face they could not see quickly crossed the parking lot and entered the restaurant. Nancy’s heart began to beat excitedly. Michael’s companion had bushy hair and wore a dark jacket!

“He’s the man who stole the jeweled ornament from me!” she thought. “I’m sure of itl”

Quietly she told the others. “Seeing them together makes me think that Michael was behind the theft,” she said.

“Are you going to call the police?” Bess asked.

“Not now,” Nancy replied. “We may learn something by watching the two of them.”

The young people trooped into the old inn. It was a long, brick building with a stone chimney at each end. The candle-lighted interior had been restored with its Colonial furnishings.

“What a delightful place for a party!” said Katherine. “Now we find Richard.”

Ned learned from the headwaiter that the artist had not arrived yet.

“That’s odd,” said Nancy. “We’re late too.”

“Maybe he changed his plans at the last minute,” Helen suggested a while later.

Katherine was quiet, and the others realized that she was very much embarrassed. Twice Michael had come to the table and asked her to dance. She not only had refused, but changed seats to be near Nancy.

“I worry about Richard,” she said.

“If I only knew his address, I could telephone,” Nancy said thoughtfully.

Katherine volunteered the information that Mr. Ellington lived at an apartment house known as the Warrington Arms. She and Nancy left the room and looked for a booth in the hall. A friend who lived with him answered.

“No, Mr. Ellington is not here,” he told Nancy. “About an hour ago he called from Harbortown, saying he planned to go directly to the Red Lion Inn.”

Thanking the man for the information, Nancy hung up and turned to face her friend.

“He should have been here long ago,” she said, growing more alarmed, “Harbortown is only a mile from here.”

“What happened to him?” cried Katherine. “Maybe his car go off road—an accident!”

“I was thinking the same thing,” Nancy replied quietly. “It seems to me that we should call the police.”

CHAPTER XVII

Telephone Tip

NANCY immediately telephoned the police department. No accidents had been reported within the past hour, and no one of Richard Ellington’s description had been reported in trouble.

“I guess we worried unnecessarily,” Nancy thought in relief. “But it’s strange that he should be delayed so long.”