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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 />
An Unexpected Adventure<br />
CHAPTER XI<br />
NANCY awoke <strong>the</strong> next morning to <strong>the</strong> fragrant odor <strong>of</strong> pines. Eager to start out for <strong>the</strong> Topham bungalow,<br />
she dressed quickly.<br />
But in her plans she had reckoned without Helen Corning and her friends. From <strong>the</strong> moment breakfast was<br />
over, Nancy was swept into ano<strong>the</strong>r whirlwind <strong>of</strong> activity by <strong>the</strong> campers <strong>of</strong> Avondale. <strong>The</strong> entire day passed<br />
without a chance for her to break away.<br />
"Oh, Helen!" Nancy groaned as she tumbled into bed that night. "Tennis matches, canoe races, swimming,<br />
water skiingit's been fun. But tomorrow I think I'll stay out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> activities."<br />
Helen laughed gaily. "You'll change your mind after a sound sleep, Nancy. Wait and see."<br />
For answer, Nancy murmured a sleepy good night. But even as she slipped into slumber, she vowed that in <strong>the</strong><br />
morning she would not be deterred again from visiting <strong>the</strong> Tophams' summer place!<br />
After breakfast <strong>the</strong> next day, Nancy stood firm in her resolve. When Helen urged her to accompany <strong>the</strong> girls on<br />
an allday hike, Nancy shook her head.<br />
"Thanks a lot, but please excuse me today, Helen."<br />
Normally Nancy would have loved going on such a hike. But she had to achieve her plan <strong>of</strong> sleuthing. Helen,<br />
though disappointed, heeded her friend's plea and trudged <strong>of</strong>f with <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r campers into <strong>the</strong> woods.<br />
As soon as <strong>the</strong>y were out <strong>of</strong> sight, Nancy leaped into action. After obtaining Aunt Martha's permission to use<br />
<strong>the</strong> launch, she hurried down to <strong>the</strong> dock. Nancy had frequently handled motorboats and was confident she could<br />
manage this one.<br />
"Now. Full speed ahead for <strong>the</strong> Tophams'!"<br />
To her delight <strong>the</strong> motor started immediately, and Nancy steered out into <strong>the</strong> lake. As <strong>the</strong> launch cut through<br />
<strong>the</strong> water, a cool spray blew into her face. <strong>The</strong> young sleuth felt a thrill <strong>of</strong> excitement as she guided <strong>the</strong> craft<br />
toward her destination which might hold a solution to <strong>the</strong> mystery.<br />
"If only <strong>the</strong> Tophams' caretaker will let me in when I get <strong>the</strong>re!" she thought.<br />
Nancy's heart beat somewhat faster as she neared her goal. But all <strong>of</strong> a sudden <strong>the</strong>re was a sputter from <strong>the</strong><br />
engine. <strong>The</strong> next instant, to Nancy's utter dismay, <strong>the</strong> motor gave one long wheeze and died.<br />
"Oh!" she cried aloud.<br />
Nancy knew that <strong>the</strong> tank held plenty <strong>of</strong> fuel, for she had checked this before departing. A moment later she<br />
recalled Helen's remark about <strong>the</strong> engine becoming balky at times.<br />
With a sigh <strong>of</strong> impatience at <strong>the</strong> unexpected delay, Nancy examined <strong>the</strong> motor. For over an hour she worked on<br />
it, trying every adjustment she could think <strong>of</strong>. But her efforts were useless. <strong>The</strong>re was not a sound <strong>of</strong> response<br />
from <strong>the</strong> motor.<br />
"What miserable luck!" she said aloud. "Of all days for <strong>the</strong> motor to conk out! This means I won't get to <strong>the</strong><br />
Topham cottage after all!"<br />
For a moment Nancy was tempted to swim ashore. To be so close to <strong>the</strong> bungalow and not be able to reach it<br />
was tantalizing. But she resisted <strong>the</strong> impulse; she could not leave <strong>the</strong> boat strandedit would drift <strong>of</strong>f and she<br />
would be responsible.<br />
"I'll just have to wait for a passing boat to rescue me," Nancy decided.<br />
But fate was against her. <strong>The</strong> hours dragged by and not ano<strong>the</strong>r craft appeared in sight. Nancy became<br />
increasingly uncomfortable as <strong>the</strong> hot sun beat down on her. Also, she was growing weak from hunger.<br />
"And worst <strong>of</strong> all," Nancy thought gloomily, "ano<strong>the</strong>r whole day is being wasted. I want to get to <strong>the</strong> bottom <strong>of</strong><br />
this mystery!"<br />
To occupy her mind, Nancy concentrated once more on <strong>the</strong> motor. Determinedly she bent over <strong>the</strong> engine. It<br />
was not until <strong>the</strong> sun sank low in. <strong>the</strong> sky that she sat up and drew a long breath.<br />
"<strong>The</strong>re!" she declared. "I've done everything. If it doesn't start now, it never will."<br />
To her relief and astonishment, it responded with a steady roar as if nothing had ever gone wrong!<br />
Nancy lost no time in heading back toward camp. She dared not attempt to visit <strong>the</strong> bungalow, since it would<br />
be dark very soon.<br />
When finally she eased up to <strong>the</strong> dock, Nancy saw Helen and her friends awaiting her. <strong>The</strong>y greeted her with<br />
delight.<br />
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