10/7/2016 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Secret</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Clock</strong> http://www.goanwap.com/ebookdownloadndms1.html 46/58
10/7/2016 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Secret</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Clock</strong> Strange Instructions CHAPTER XVII FOR THE next few seconds Nancy's mind worked like lightning as she rehearsed what she would say to Officer Cowen. One idea stood out clearly: <strong>the</strong> police were concerned in <strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>ft <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> furniture, so she would hand over <strong>the</strong> clock. But <strong>the</strong>y were not involved in locating Mr. Crowley's missing will. For this reason <strong>the</strong> young sleuth felt justified in keeping <strong>the</strong> notebook. She would turn it over to her fa<strong>the</strong>r, and let him decide what disposition should be made <strong>of</strong> it. "After all," Nancy told herself, "Dad is handling <strong>the</strong> Crowley case for <strong>the</strong> Hoovers, and even <strong>the</strong> Turners and Mrs. Rowen, in a way." By this time she and <strong>the</strong> trooper had reached her car. "Would you like me to drive?" he asked. "Whyeryes, if you wish," Nancy replied. "But first I want to show you something," she added, as he opened <strong>the</strong> door for her. "I have some stolen property here." "What!" Quickly Nancy explained that she had taken <strong>the</strong> responsibility <strong>of</strong> trying to learn whe<strong>the</strong>r or not <strong>the</strong> van held <strong>the</strong> stolen furniture. "I recognized a few <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> pieces, and possibly this clock which <strong>the</strong> Tophams had told me about. I took that out to examine it. <strong>The</strong>n I never had a chance to get it back without being caught. I'm sure <strong>the</strong> Tophams will identify <strong>the</strong> old clock as <strong>the</strong>ir property." Nancy's explanation seemed to satisfy <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficer. "I'll take it to headquarters," he said. "Let's go!" He laid <strong>the</strong> clock on <strong>the</strong> rear seat, <strong>the</strong>n slid behind <strong>the</strong> wheel and drove <strong>of</strong>f. It was nearly midnight when Nancy, tired and worn from her long ride, reached <strong>the</strong> Drew home in River Heights. As she drove into <strong>the</strong> double garage, she noticed that her fa<strong>the</strong>r's car was gone. A glance at <strong>the</strong> house disclosed that <strong>the</strong> windows were dark, with <strong>the</strong> exception <strong>of</strong> a light in <strong>the</strong> hall. Hannah Gruen must be in bed. "Of course she's not expecting me," Nancy reasoned. "I wonder where Dad can be? Oh, I hope he'll get home soon. I want to tell him about my discovery right away." After locking <strong>the</strong> garage door, she went to <strong>the</strong> kitchen entrance and let herself in. Her eyes lighted on <strong>the</strong> refrigerator and suddenly Nancy realized she was very hungry. Many hours had passed since she had eaten. "Urn, food!" she thought. Just as Nancy opened <strong>the</strong> refrigerator door, she heard steps on <strong>the</strong> stairs and Hannah Gruen, wearing a sleepy look, appeared in robe and slippers. "Nancy!" cried <strong>the</strong> housekeeper, instantly wide awake. "Surprise, Hannah darling!" Nancy gave <strong>the</strong> housekeeper an affectionate hug and kiss. "I'm simply starved. Haven't had a bite since lunchtime." "Why, you poor dear!" <strong>the</strong> housekeeper exclaimed in concern. "What happened? I'll fix you something right away." As <strong>the</strong> two prepared a chicken sandwich, some cocoa, and Hannah cut a large slice <strong>of</strong> cinnamon cake over which she poured hot applesauce, Nancy told <strong>of</strong> her adventures. <strong>The</strong> housekeeper's eyes widened. "Nancy, you might have been killed by those awful men. Well, I'm certainly glad <strong>the</strong>y've been captured." "So am I!" declared Nancy fervently as she finished <strong>the</strong> last crumb <strong>of</strong> cake. "And I hope <strong>the</strong> Turners get back <strong>the</strong>ir silver heirlooms." "How about <strong>the</strong> Tophams?" Hannah Gruen questioned teasingly. "Somehow," said Nancy with a wink, "that doesn't seem to worry me." <strong>The</strong>n she asked, "Where's Dad?" "Working at his <strong>of</strong>fice," Hannah Gruen replied. "He phoned earlier that something unexpected had come up in connection with one <strong>of</strong> his cases." "<strong>The</strong>n I'll wait for him," said Nancy. "You go back to bed. And thanks a million." <strong>The</strong> sleepy housekeeper did not demur. Left alone, Nancy tidied <strong>the</strong> kitchen, <strong>the</strong>n went to <strong>the</strong> living room. "Now to find out what became <strong>of</strong> Josiah Crowley's last will," she thought excitedly, as she curled up in a comfortable chair near a reading lamp. Carefully she thumbed <strong>the</strong> yellowed pages, for she was afraid <strong>the</strong>y might tear. Evidently Josiah Crowley had used <strong>the</strong> same notebook for many years. "He certainly knew how to save money," she mused. http://www.goanwap.com/ebookdownloadndms1.html 47/58