#1 The Secret of the Old Clock

10/7/2016 The Secret of the Old Clock
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: the police were concerned in the theft of the furniture, so she would
hand over the clock. But they were not involved in locating Mr. Crowley's missing will. For this reason the
young sleuth felt justified in keeping the notebook. She would turn it over to her father, and let him decide what
disposition should be made of it.
"After all," Nancy told herself, "Dad is handling the Crowley case for the Hoovers, and even the Turners and
Mrs. Rowen, in a way."
By this time she and the 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 the door for her. "I have some stolen property here."
"What!"
Quickly Nancy explained that she had taken the responsibility of trying to learn whether or not the van held the
stolen furniture. "I recognized a few of the pieces, and possibly this clock which the Tophams had told me about.
I took that out to examine it. Then I never had a chance to get it back without being caught. I'm sure the
Tophams will identify the old clock as their property."
Nancy's explanation seemed to satisfy the officer. "I'll take it to headquarters," he said. "Let's go!"
He laid the clock on the rear seat, then slid behind the wheel and drove off.
It was nearly midnight when Nancy, tired and worn from her long ride, reached the Drew home in River
Heights. As she drove into the double garage, she noticed that her father's car was gone. A glance at the house
disclosed that the windows were dark, with the exception of a light in the 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 the garage door, she went to the kitchen entrance and let herself in.
Her eyes lighted on the 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 the refrigerator door, she heard steps on the stairs and Hannah Gruen, wearing a sleepy
look, appeared in robe and slippers.
"Nancy!" cried the housekeeper, instantly wide awake.
"Surprise, Hannah darling!" Nancy gave the housekeeper an affectionate hug and kiss. "I'm simply starved.
Haven't had a bite since lunch­time."
"Why, you poor dear!" the housekeeper exclaimed in concern. "What happened? I'll fix you something right
away."
As the two prepared a chicken sandwich, some cocoa, and Hannah cut a large slice of cinnamon cake over
which she poured hot applesauce, Nancy told of her adventures.
The housekeeper's eyes widened. "Nancy, you might have been killed by those awful men. Well, I'm certainly
glad they've been captured."
"So am I!" declared Nancy fervently as she finished the last crumb of cake. "And I hope the Turners get back
their silver heirlooms."
"How about the Tophams?" Hannah Gruen questioned teasingly.
"Somehow," said Nancy with a wink, "that doesn't seem to worry me." Then she asked, "Where's Dad?"
"Working at his office," Hannah Gruen replied. "He phoned earlier that something unexpected had come up in
connection with one of his cases."
"Then I'll wait for him," said Nancy. "You go back to bed. And thanks a million." The sleepy housekeeper did
not demur.
Left alone, Nancy tidied the kitchen, then went to the living room.
"Now to find out what became of Josiah Crowley's last will," she thought excitedly, as she curled up in a
comfortable chair near a reading lamp.
Carefully she thumbed the yellowed pages, for she was afraid they might tear. Evidently Josiah Crowley had
used the same notebook for many years.
"He certainly knew how to save money," she mused.
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