(#20) The Clue in the Jewel Box (16 page)

“She wrote it when I was still a little boy. Nada wanted me to have proof of my identity in case anything happened to her,” the artist replied. “She gave me the name Francis Baum so our enemies would not find us. Later I took the name Richard Ellington.”

“I like that much better,” said his grandmother. “And I do not mind if you keep using it. I shall never call you Michael, for it will bring up memories of that awful thief.”

“He’s a kidnapper, too,” said Nancy. She explained that he had confessed kidnapping Richard Ellington to keep Nancy and her friends busy searching for him. “With us out of the way he hoped we wouldn’t have time to investigate the robbery when it was revealed.”

The true prince spoke up. “After I lost my art portfolio on the train, I often wondered what became of my toy lamb. Nada warned me to keep it as extra proof of my identity. I was embarrassed to let anyone see it in my room, so I kept it in my portfolio.”

“It is waiting for you at your new home.” Mrs. Alexandra smiled gaily. “That is, if you will live with me until your marriage.”

After the thrilling reunion, still another surprise awaited the guests. Nancy arose, kissed her father, and said, “Happy Birthday, Dad! For a special reason I am asking Mr. Faber to present my gift.”

The antique dealer stood up. In a ceremonious speech he declared that it gave him great pleasure to present the gentleman’s box.

“It will now be in the home of the finest, most unselfish people I have ever met—Mr. Drew and his lovely, clever daughter!”

There was much handclapping as Nancy and her father acknowledged the compliment. Everyone crowded close as the package was unwrapped. Mr. Drew lifted out a handsome leather and silver box, its lid embossed with a scene of hunters on horseback. It bore the mark of the skilled silver-smith who had created it—Mr. Faber’s father.

“This is very fine and most unique,” Mr. Drew declared, his fingers exploring the intricate work.

Suddenly he gasped in astonishment. Somehow the lawyer had pressed a tiny, hidden spring along the side of the gentleman’s box. A false bottom was revealed, and in it was a slip of paper.

“Now what can this be?” Mr. Drew asked as he scanned the strange figures on the sheet.

“Until this moment I did not know that the box had a secret opening,” put in Mr. Faber.

“Hm! A formula of some sort,” Mr. Drew said.

“Perhaps the long-missing process of enamel making!” exclaimed Mr. Faber. “At one time my father had it in his possession.”

Mr. Drew offered the paper to the man, saying, “Then this belongs to you.”

Mr. Faber retreated a step. “No! No! It is yours too. I can take back nothing.”

Mr. Drew turned to his daughter. “What do you think, dear? After all, you are the one who solved this whole mystery.”

Nancy locked arms with her father. “I think you should remain a lawyer and I an amateur detective. The formula is Mr. Faber’s.”

Everyone applauded this idea. Now that the mystery had come to a close, Nancy began to wonder when and where her next adventure would take place. It proved to be an exciting one, called
The Secret in the Old Attic.

Mr. Faber had started to speak. “Any profit I make I want to share with all of you. My gift will include a large donation to the Boys Club and a wedding present to the prince and his bride.”

Mrs. Alexandra smiled at everyone. “I sincerely hope for continued friendship among us all, and I give especially warm thanks for my great happiness and good fortune to our darling Nancy Drew.”