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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> prisoners stared in complete disbelief. <strong>The</strong>y were astounded to see Nancy Drew standing <strong>the</strong>re. When it<br />
dawned on Sid that she evidently was responsible for <strong>the</strong>ir capture, he started to say something, <strong>the</strong>n changed his<br />
mind and remained silent <strong>The</strong> prisoners were quickly identified from licenses and o<strong>the</strong>r papers as wanted<br />
criminals.<br />
One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong>ficers opened <strong>the</strong> rear <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> van and asked Nancy if she could identify <strong>the</strong> stolen furniture.<br />
"Some <strong>of</strong> it," she replied. "That desk was taken from <strong>the</strong> room in which I was locked in <strong>the</strong> closet."<br />
"Good enough," said <strong>the</strong> trooper. "<strong>The</strong>se men will get long sentences for this. <strong>The</strong>y'll be held on several<br />
charges. Are you willing to go with us and prefer charges against <strong>the</strong>m?"<br />
"Yes, if it's necessary," Nancy promised reluctantly. "But I don't live in this county and I'm eager to get home<br />
right away. Don't you have enough evidence against <strong>the</strong>m? I think <strong>the</strong>y're <strong>the</strong> same men who stole several silver<br />
heirlooms from <strong>the</strong> Turner sisters."<br />
Sid and his companions winced, but did not speak.<br />
"I see," said <strong>the</strong> trooper. "Well, I guess <strong>the</strong>re's no need for you to go to headquarters now," <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficer admitted.<br />
"I'll take your address, and if your testimony should be required, I'll get in touch with you."<br />
When Nancy showed her driver's license as identification, <strong>the</strong> policeman glanced at her with new interest.<br />
Taking her aside, he said, "So you're <strong>the</strong> daughter <strong>of</strong> Carson Drew! I see you're following in his footsteps.<br />
Starting ra<strong>the</strong>r young, aren't you?"<br />
Nancy laughed. "It was only by accident that I arrived at <strong>the</strong> Topham bungalow at <strong>the</strong> critical moment," she<br />
protested modestly.<br />
"Not many girls would have used <strong>the</strong>ir wits <strong>the</strong> way you did," <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficer observed. "Unless I'm mistaken, <strong>the</strong>se<br />
fellows are old hands at this game. <strong>The</strong>y're no doubt <strong>the</strong> men who have been stealing various things from around<br />
Moon Lake for a number <strong>of</strong> seasons. <strong>The</strong> residents will be mighty grateful for what you've done. And that Mrs.<br />
Topham you spoke <strong>of</strong>she ought to give you a liberal reward for saving her household goods."<br />
Nancy shook her head. "I don't want a reward, really I don't."<br />
"Just <strong>the</strong> same you've earned one," insisted <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficer, who said his name was Cowen. "If you'd like, I'll tell<br />
my chief <strong>the</strong> whole story and he'll take <strong>the</strong> matter up with this Mrs. Topham."<br />
"You don't know her," Nancy remarked, "and I do. She'd never <strong>of</strong>fer a reward. Even if she did, I wouldn't<br />
accept it." After a slight pause, she added, "In fact, I prefer that my name not be mentioned to her at all."<br />
Officer Cowen shook his head in disbelief. "Well, all right, <strong>the</strong>n. If you're sure you don't want any credit for<br />
capturing <strong>the</strong> thieves, I won't say anything. You're certain?"<br />
"I am," Nancy replied firmly, "for a particular reason <strong>of</strong> my own."<br />
<strong>The</strong> trooper smiled. "It must be a mighty good one."<br />
"<strong>The</strong>re is one favor you might do me," said Nancy. "Ask your chief to put in a good word for <strong>the</strong> caretaker, Jeff<br />
Tucker, to <strong>the</strong> Tophams. Perhaps <strong>the</strong>n he won't lose his job."<br />
"Be glad to," Officer Cowen promised. "And if you're really anxious not to figure in <strong>the</strong> case, I'll see if we can<br />
get along without your testimony."<br />
Nancy thanked him, <strong>the</strong>n suddenly thought <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> old clock. At <strong>the</strong> moment it was lying on <strong>the</strong> front seat <strong>of</strong> her<br />
car, less than a dozen yards away. Should she reveal this information? She decided against doing so in front <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> thieves, who,, though <strong>the</strong>y could not hear what she had been saying, could see everything plainly. "I'll wait<br />
until a more opportune time," Nancy concluded.<br />
It was agreed among <strong>the</strong> state policemen that one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m would stay to guard <strong>the</strong> van and keep a radio car<br />
standing by <strong>the</strong>re. <strong>The</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r three troopers would take <strong>the</strong> captive thieves to headquarters.<br />
<strong>The</strong> three prisoners, <strong>the</strong>ir faces sullen, were crowded into <strong>the</strong> car. One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> troopers took <strong>the</strong> wheel, while <strong>the</strong><br />
one beside him kept <strong>the</strong> handcuffed trio closely covered.<br />
Officer Cowen, a strapping, husky man, turned to Nancy. "I'll ride with you," he said. "You're going past<br />
headquarters on <strong>the</strong> main road?"<br />
"I'm on my way to River Heights," she responded.<br />
"<strong>The</strong>n <strong>the</strong> station is on your route. You can drop me <strong>of</strong>f if you will."<br />
"Whywhy, <strong>of</strong> course," Nancy stammered. "I'll be glad to."<br />
At once she had thought <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Crowley clock. What if Officer Cowen should not accept her explanation as to<br />
why she had helped herself to <strong>the</strong> heirloom and its strange contents? If this happened, her progress in solving <strong>the</strong><br />
mystery might receive a serious setback! Even as <strong>the</strong>se disturbing ideas raced through her mind, <strong>the</strong> trooper<br />
started toward <strong>the</strong> blue convertible.<br />
Nancy braced herself. "I'll just have to 'fess up," she said to herself, "and take <strong>the</strong> consequences!"<br />
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