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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 />
Where was Jeff Tucker, <strong>the</strong> caretaker? Why wasn't he on hand to keep an eye on <strong>the</strong> moving activities? An air<br />
<strong>of</strong> complete desertion hung over <strong>the</strong> place.<br />
"<strong>The</strong>re's something very strange about this," she thought.<br />
Curious and puzzled, Nancy entered <strong>the</strong> living room. Again her eyes met a scene <strong>of</strong> disorder. Except for a few<br />
small pieces, <strong>the</strong> room was bare <strong>of</strong> furniture. Even <strong>the</strong> draperies had been pulled from <strong>the</strong>ir rods and all floor<br />
coverings were gone.<br />
"Hm! Most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> furnishings have been taken out," Nancy thought. "I suppose <strong>the</strong> movers will be back for <strong>the</strong><br />
o<strong>the</strong>r odds and ends."<br />
She made a careful tour <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> first floor. All but one room had been virtually emptied. This was a small study.<br />
As Nancy entered it, she noticed that <strong>the</strong> rug lay rolled up and tied, and some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> furniture had evidently been<br />
shifted in readiness for moving.<br />
"Funny I didn't hear anything about <strong>the</strong> Tophams deciding to give up <strong>the</strong>ir cottage," she murmured. "And I<br />
must say those moving men were awfully careless"<br />
A vague suspicion that had been forming in <strong>the</strong> back <strong>of</strong> Nancy's mind now came into startling focus. "Those<br />
men may not be movers!" she burst out "<strong>The</strong>y may be thieves!"<br />
At once Nancy thought <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> darkgray van which had stopped at <strong>the</strong> Turners. "Those men may be <strong>the</strong> same<br />
ones who robbed <strong>the</strong>m!"<br />
That would explain, Nancy thought fearfully, <strong>the</strong> evidences <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> truck's hasty departure. "Probably <strong>the</strong><br />
thieves were scared away when I sounded my horn!"<br />
Nancy glanced about uneasily. What if <strong>the</strong> men were still nearby, watching for a chance to return and pick up<br />
<strong>the</strong> remaining valuables? <strong>The</strong> realization that she was alone, some distance from <strong>the</strong> nearest house, swept over<br />
her. A tingling sensation crept up Nancy's spine.<br />
But resolutely she shook <strong>of</strong>f her nervousness. "At least I must see if <strong>the</strong> Crowley clock is still here," Nancy<br />
reminded herself, and <strong>the</strong>n went through <strong>the</strong> bungalow again.<br />
She found no trace <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> timepiece, however. "I guess <strong>the</strong> thieves took that too," Nancy concluded. "I'd better<br />
report this robbery to <strong>the</strong> police right now." She looked about for a phone but <strong>the</strong>re was none. "I'll have to drive<br />
to <strong>the</strong> nearest State Police headquarters."<br />
Nancy started toward <strong>the</strong> front door. Passing a window, she glanced out, <strong>the</strong>n paused in sheer fright. A man,<br />
wearing a cap pulled low over his eyes, was stalking up <strong>the</strong> driveway toward <strong>the</strong> cottage. He was not tall and<br />
slender like <strong>the</strong> caretaker. This stranger was ra<strong>the</strong>r short and heavyset.<br />
"This man fits <strong>the</strong> Turners' description! He must be one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> thieves who stole <strong>the</strong> silver heirlooms!" Nancy<br />
thought wildly.<br />
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