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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 />
A Missing Will<br />
CHAPTER II<br />
THE BLUE convertible sped along <strong>the</strong> country road. Nancy smiled grimly.<br />
"I'm afraid I'm exceeding <strong>the</strong> speed limit," she thought. "But I almost wish a trooper would stop me. <strong>The</strong>n I<br />
could tell him what happened to <strong>the</strong> poor Turner sisters."<br />
Nancy watched <strong>the</strong> tire marks which <strong>the</strong> van driven by <strong>the</strong> thieves had evidently made in <strong>the</strong> dirt road. But a<br />
few miles far<strong>the</strong>r on a feeling <strong>of</strong> dismay came over her. She had reached a Vshaped intersection <strong>of</strong> two<br />
highways. Both roads were paved, and since no tire impressions could be seen, Nancy did not know which<br />
highway <strong>the</strong> thieves had taken.<br />
"Oh dear!" she sighed. "Now what shall I do?"<br />
Nancy concluded that her wisest move would be to take <strong>the</strong> road which led to River Heights. <strong>The</strong>re was a State<br />
Police barracks just a few miles ahead.<br />
"I'll stop <strong>the</strong>re and report <strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>ft."<br />
She kept looking for <strong>the</strong> van, which she recalled as charcoal gray. "I wish I'd seen <strong>the</strong> license number or <strong>the</strong><br />
name <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> firm that owns <strong>the</strong> van," Nancy said to herself ruefully.<br />
When she reached State Police headquarters Nancy introduced herself to Captain Runcie and told about <strong>the</strong><br />
robbery, giving what meager information she could about <strong>the</strong> suspects. <strong>The</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficer promised to send out an<br />
alarm immediately for <strong>the</strong> thieves and <strong>the</strong>ir charcoalgray moving van.<br />
Nancy continued her journey home, thinking <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Turners and <strong>the</strong>ir problems.<br />
"I wonder why Mr. Josiah Crowley left all his money to <strong>the</strong> Tophams and none to his o<strong>the</strong>r relatives. Why did<br />
he change his mind? Those Tophams are well to do and don't need money as much as <strong>the</strong> Turners."<br />
Nancy did not know Richard Topham, but she was acquainted with his wife, as well as his daughters. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
were arrogant and unreasonable, and disliked by many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> shopkeepers in town. Ada and Isabel had been<br />
unpopular in high school. <strong>The</strong>y had talked incessantly <strong>of</strong> money and social position, making <strong>the</strong>mselves very<br />
obnoxious to <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r students.<br />
"I wonder," Nancy thought, "if a way can't be found so <strong>the</strong> Turners could get a share <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Crowley money. I'll<br />
ask Dad."<br />
Five minutes later Nancy pulled into <strong>the</strong> double garage and hurried across <strong>the</strong> lawn to <strong>the</strong> kitchen door <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Drews' large redbrick house. <strong>The</strong> building stood well back from <strong>the</strong> street, and was surrounded by tall,"<br />
beautiful trees.<br />
"Hello, Nancy," greeted <strong>the</strong> pleasant, slightly plump woman who opened <strong>the</strong> door. She was Hannah Gruen,<br />
housekeeper for <strong>the</strong> Drews, who had helped rear Nancy since <strong>the</strong> death <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> girl's own mo<strong>the</strong>r many years<br />
before.<br />
Nancy gave her a hug, <strong>the</strong>n asked, "Dad home? I see his car is in <strong>the</strong> garage."<br />
"Your fa<strong>the</strong>r's in <strong>the</strong> living room and dinner will be ready in a few minutes."<br />
Nancy went to say hello to her tall, handsome fa<strong>the</strong>r, <strong>the</strong>n hurried to wash her hands and comb her hair before<br />
<strong>the</strong> three who formed <strong>the</strong> Drew household sat down to dinner. During <strong>the</strong> meal Nancy related her adventure <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> afternoon.<br />
"What tricky thieves!" Hannah Gruen burst out. "Oh, I hope <strong>the</strong> police capture <strong>the</strong>m!"<br />
"<strong>The</strong>y certainly took advantage <strong>of</strong> those Turner sisters," Mr. Drew commented.<br />
"Mary and Edna are in financial difficulties," Nancy commented. "Isn't it a shame that Josiah Crowley didn't<br />
bequeath some <strong>of</strong> his estate to <strong>the</strong> Turners and o<strong>the</strong>r relatives who need <strong>the</strong> money?"<br />
Carson Drew smiled affectionately at his only child, <strong>the</strong>n said, "Yes, it is, Nancy. But unless a will written later<br />
turns up, that's <strong>the</strong> way it has to be."<br />
"<strong>The</strong> Turners think <strong>the</strong>re is ano<strong>the</strong>r will," Nancy told him. "Wouldn't it be wonderful if it can be found?"<br />
"I agree," spoke up Hannah. "It's well known in town that Mrs. Topham and her daughters were unkind to<br />
Josiah Crowley for some time before he died. <strong>The</strong>ir excuse was that Josiah's eccentricities were extremely<br />
trying."<br />
"<strong>The</strong> Tophams have never been noted for any charitable inclinations," Mr. Drew observed with a smile.<br />
"However, <strong>the</strong>y did give Josiah a home."<br />
"Only because <strong>the</strong>y knew he was going to leave all his money to <strong>the</strong>m," said Hannah. "If I'd been Josiah I<br />
wouldn't have stayed <strong>the</strong>re." <strong>The</strong> housekeeper sighed. "But when people get old, <strong>the</strong>y don't like change. And<br />
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