Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
10/7/2016 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Secret</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Clock</strong><br />
"That old Greek scientist, Archimedes, didn't know what he was talking about when he said <strong>the</strong> world could be<br />
moved with a lever," Nancy murmured. "I'd like to see him move this door!"<br />
As she applied steady pressure to <strong>the</strong> rod a second time, she saw that <strong>the</strong> hinges were beginning to give.<br />
Encouraged, Nancy again pushed full force on <strong>the</strong> "lever."<br />
"It's coming!" she cried.<br />
Once more she threw her weight against <strong>the</strong> rod. A hinge tore from <strong>the</strong> casing and <strong>the</strong> door sagged. It was now<br />
easy to insert <strong>the</strong> wedge, and Nancy joyously realized that success would soon be hers. With renewed strength<br />
she continued her efforts.<br />
<strong>The</strong>n, just as ano<strong>the</strong>r hinge gave way, she was startled to hear footsteps. Someone came running into <strong>the</strong> study,<br />
and a heavy body hurled itself against <strong>the</strong> door <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> closet.<br />
For a moment Nancy was stunned. Could this be one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> thieves who had heard <strong>the</strong> noise she had made and<br />
had returned to make sure that she did not escape? She discarded <strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>ory quickly. Surely <strong>the</strong> three men would<br />
want to get far away as quickly as possible. But who was this newcomer? One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Tophams?<br />
"So, one o' you ornery robbers got yourself locked up, did you?" came an indignant male voice. "That'll teach<br />
you to try puttin' one over on old Jeff Tucker. You won't be doin' any more pilferin'. I got you surrounded."<br />
<strong>The</strong> caretaker! Nancy heaved a sigh <strong>of</strong> fervent relief. "Let me out!" she pleaded. "I'm not one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> thieves! If<br />
you'll only let me out <strong>of</strong> here, I'll explain every thing!"<br />
<strong>The</strong>re was silence for a moment. <strong>The</strong>n <strong>the</strong> voice on <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r side <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> door said dubiously, "Say, you aimin'<br />
to throw me <strong>of</strong>f, imitatin' a lady's voice? Well, it won't do you any good! No, sir. <strong>Old</strong> Jeff Tucker's not gettin'<br />
fooled again!"<br />
Nancy decided to convince <strong>the</strong> man beyond doubt. She gave a long, loud feminine scream.<br />
"All right, all right, ma'am. I believe you! No man could make that racket. This way out, lady!"<br />
Expectantly Nancy waited. But <strong>the</strong> door did not open. <strong>The</strong>n she heard to her dismay:<br />
"If that ain't <strong>the</strong> limit. <strong>The</strong> key's gone and I've left my ring <strong>of</strong> extra keys somewhere. It's not in my pockets."<br />
Nancy groaned. "Oh, Mr. Tucker, you must find it. Have you looked in every one <strong>of</strong> your pockets? Please<br />
hurry and get me out."<br />
"Hold on, ma'am," <strong>the</strong> caretaker said soothingly. "I'll just check again."<br />
Nancy was beginning to think she would still have to break down <strong>the</strong> door, when she heard Jeff Tucker<br />
exclaim, "Found it! You were right, ma'am. Key was in my back pocket all <strong>the</strong> time. It"<br />
"Please open <strong>the</strong> door!" Nancy broke in desperately.<br />
A key turned in <strong>the</strong> lock and <strong>the</strong> bolt clicked. Joyfully Nancy pushed <strong>the</strong> door open and stepped out. For a<br />
moment <strong>the</strong> bright sunlight in <strong>the</strong> room almost blinded her. When her vision adjusted, she saw a very tall, thin,<br />
elderly man in blue shirt and overalls. He stared at her with concern and amazement.<br />
"Mr. Tucker," she explained quickly, "I'm Nancy Drew. I was here looking for you when those awful thieves<br />
came and locked me in <strong>the</strong> closet." She paused and gazed at <strong>the</strong> caretaker. "I'm glad to see that you're all right.<br />
<strong>The</strong>ir leader told me <strong>the</strong>y'd locked you up too." She <strong>the</strong>n asked <strong>the</strong> elderly man to tell his story.<br />
Jeff Tucker seemed embarrassed as he began to speak. "I was plain hornswoggled by those critters, Miss Drew.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y pulled up here in a movin' van, and told me I'd better get after some trespassers <strong>the</strong>y'd seen nearby. So,"<br />
<strong>the</strong> elderly man went on with a sigh, "I believed 'em. One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> men went with me down to <strong>the</strong> lake and locked<br />
me in a shed. I just got out." He shook his head sadly. "And all this time <strong>the</strong>y was robbin' <strong>the</strong> place. Guess I'll be<br />
fired."<br />
<strong>Secret</strong>ly Nancy was inclined to agree, knowing <strong>the</strong> Tophams. But aloud she said reassuringly:<br />
"Don't worry, Mr. Tucker. We'll report this robbery to <strong>the</strong> State Police immediately. Perhaps <strong>the</strong> troopers can<br />
catch <strong>the</strong> thieves before <strong>the</strong>y get rid <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> stolen furniture."<br />
<strong>The</strong> caretaker looked somewhat relieved. "And I can sure give a good description o' those crooks. I'd never<br />
forget <strong>the</strong>ir ugly faces!"<br />
"Fine," said Nancy. A sudden thought struck her. "Oh, before we go, Mr. Tucker, tell me, was <strong>the</strong>re an old<br />
clock in this house? A tall, squarefaced mantel clock?"<br />
Jeff Tucker's bright blue eyes squinted. "Mantel clock? Hm. Why, sure enough!" He pointed to <strong>the</strong> mantel over<br />
<strong>the</strong> livingroom fireplace. "Sat right up <strong>the</strong>re. Got so used to seein' it, I couldn't remember for a minute. Don't<br />
know how come <strong>the</strong>y took that too. Never thought it was worth much. <strong>The</strong> Tophams never bo<strong>the</strong>red windin' <strong>the</strong><br />
thing."<br />
Nancy's pulse quickened. Knowing that <strong>the</strong> clock had been stolen, she was more eager than ever to have <strong>the</strong><br />
thieves apprehended. She urged Jeff Tucker to hurry out to her car.<br />
http://www.goanwap.com/ebookdownloadndms1.html 37/58