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10/7/2016 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Secret</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Clock</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> Angry Dog<br />
CHAPTER VII<br />
WITH <strong>the</strong> instinct <strong>of</strong> a detective who dared not miss a clue, Nancy deliberately moved closer to <strong>the</strong> bench on<br />
which <strong>the</strong> Topham girls were seated.<br />
"If <strong>the</strong>re should be ano<strong>the</strong>r will, I'm afraid we'd be out <strong>of</strong> luck." <strong>The</strong> words, in Ados nasal voice, came<br />
clearly to Nancy.<br />
Isabel's reply was in so low a tone that <strong>the</strong> young sleuth could just manage to catch <strong>the</strong> words, "Well, I, for one,<br />
don't believe Josiah Crowley ever made a later will." She gave a low laugh. "Mo<strong>the</strong>r watched him like a hawk."<br />
"Or thought she did," Isabel retorted. "<strong>The</strong> old man got out <strong>of</strong> her clutches several times, don't forget."<br />
"Yes, and what's worse, I'm sure Nancy Drew thinks he made a later will. That's why she's taking such an<br />
interest in those Hoover girls. I actually saw <strong>the</strong>m go into Mr. Drew's <strong>of</strong>fice yesterday and it wasn't to deliver<br />
eggs! If Nancy gets her fa<strong>the</strong>r interested, he might dig up ano<strong>the</strong>r will. Oh, how I hate that interfering girl!"<br />
At this Nancy could barely refrain from laughing. So <strong>the</strong> Tophams were concerned about <strong>the</strong> existence <strong>of</strong> a<br />
second will. With bated breath she listened fur<strong>the</strong>r.<br />
"You're such a worry wart, Ada. You can trust Dad and Mo<strong>the</strong>r to take care <strong>of</strong> things, no matter what happens,"<br />
Isabel commented dryly. "<strong>The</strong>y won't let that pile <strong>of</strong> money get away from us. It's ours by right, anyhow."<br />
"You've got something <strong>the</strong>re," Ada conceded. "We should have old Josiah's money after supporting and putting<br />
up with him for three years. That was pretty clever <strong>of</strong> Mo<strong>the</strong>r, never accepting any board money from Josiah<br />
Crowley!"<br />
<strong>The</strong> conversation ended as Isabel and Ada arose from <strong>the</strong> bench and walked away. Nancy waited until <strong>the</strong>y<br />
were out <strong>of</strong> sight, <strong>the</strong>n emerged from her hiding place. Seating herself on <strong>the</strong> bench vacated by <strong>the</strong> Topham<br />
sisters, Nancy mulled over <strong>the</strong> remarks she had just overheard.<br />
"<strong>The</strong>re's no doubt in my mind now that if <strong>the</strong>re is a later will, <strong>the</strong> Tophams haven't destroyed it. How thrilling!<br />
But where can it be?"<br />
Nancy realized that to find it was a real challenge. "And I'd better hurry up before <strong>the</strong> Tophams stumble on it!"<br />
For ano<strong>the</strong>r ten minutes Nancy sat lost in thought, sifting all <strong>the</strong> facts she had gleaned so far.<br />
"<strong>The</strong>re must be some clue I've overlooked," she told herself. Suddenly, with a cry <strong>of</strong> delight, she sprang to her<br />
feet. "Why didn't I think <strong>of</strong> that before? <strong>The</strong> Hoover girls and <strong>the</strong> Turners aren't <strong>the</strong> only ones who should have<br />
figured in this will. <strong>The</strong>re are o<strong>the</strong>r relatives <strong>of</strong> Mr. Crowley who have filed a claim. I wonder who <strong>the</strong>y are. If I<br />
could only talk with <strong>the</strong>m, I might pick up a due!"<br />
Immediately Nancy set <strong>of</strong>f for her fa<strong>the</strong>r's <strong>of</strong>fice. He was engaged in an important conference when she<br />
arrived, and she had to wait ten minutes before being admitted to <strong>the</strong> inner <strong>of</strong>fice.<br />
"Now what?" Mr. Drew asked, smiling, as she burst in upon him. "Have you solved <strong>the</strong> mystery or is your<br />
purse in need <strong>of</strong> a little change?"<br />
Nancy's cheeks were flushed and her eyes danced with excitement. "Don't tease me," she protested. "I need<br />
some information!"<br />
"At your service, Nancy."<br />
<strong>The</strong> young sleuth poured out <strong>the</strong> story <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Topham sisters' conversation in <strong>the</strong> park, and told him <strong>of</strong> her own<br />
conclusions. Mr. Drew listened with interest until she had finished.<br />
"Excellent deducting," he praised his daughter. "I'm afraid, though, I can't help you obtain <strong>the</strong> relatives' names.<br />
I don't know any <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m."<br />
Nancy looked disappointed. "Oh dear!" she sighed. "And I'm so anxious to find out right away. If I delay even<br />
a single day <strong>the</strong> Tophams may locate that o<strong>the</strong>r willand destroy it."<br />
<strong>The</strong> next instant her face brightened. "I know! I'll drive out and see <strong>the</strong> Turner sisters. <strong>The</strong>y might be able to<br />
tell me who <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r relatives are." Nancy arose and headed for <strong>the</strong> door.<br />
"Just a minute," said <strong>the</strong> lawyer. "I wonder if you realize just what you are getting into, Nancy?"<br />
"What do you mean?"<br />
"Only this. Detective work isn't always <strong>the</strong> safest occupation in which to engage. I happen to know that<br />
Richard Topham is an unpleasant man when crossed. If you do find out anything which may frustrate him, <strong>the</strong><br />
entire Topham family could make things extremely difficult for you."<br />
"I'm not afraid <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m, Dad."<br />
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