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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 />
When <strong>the</strong>y finished, Mr. Jensen said, "What a mystery!"<br />
Mr. Warren pulled from his pocket <strong>the</strong> file card which <strong>the</strong> owner <strong>of</strong> Box 148 had filled out in <strong>the</strong> name <strong>of</strong><br />
Josiah Johnston. <strong>The</strong> two samples <strong>of</strong> cramped handwritings were compared.<br />
"I would say," Mr. Drew spoke up, "that <strong>the</strong>re is no doubt but that Crowley and Johnston were <strong>the</strong> same<br />
person."<br />
"I agree," asserted Mr. Jensen, and his trust <strong>of</strong>ficer nodded.<br />
"<strong>The</strong>n <strong>the</strong>re's no reason why we shouldn't open <strong>the</strong> box?" Mr. Drew asked.<br />
"None," Mr. Warren replied. "Of course nothing may be removed, you understand."<br />
"All I want to see," Nancy spoke up, "is whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong>re is a will in <strong>the</strong> box, <strong>the</strong> date on it, who <strong>the</strong> executor is,<br />
and who <strong>the</strong> heirs are."<br />
<strong>The</strong> bankers smiled and Mr. Jensen said, "You're hoping to solve four mysteries all at once! Well, let's get<br />
started."<br />
With Mr. Warren in <strong>the</strong> lead, <strong>the</strong> four walked toward <strong>the</strong> rear <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bank to <strong>the</strong> vault <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> trust department. A<br />
guard opened <strong>the</strong> door and <strong>the</strong>y went through. Mr. Jensen took <strong>the</strong> key from Mr. Crowley's notebook, while Mr.<br />
Warren opened <strong>the</strong> first part o <strong>the</strong> double safety lock with <strong>the</strong> bank key. <strong>The</strong>n he inserted <strong>the</strong> key from <strong>the</strong><br />
notebook. It fitted!<br />
In a moment he lifted out Deposit Box Number 148. It was a small one and not heavy, he said.<br />
"We'll take this into a private room," Mr. Jensen stated. He, Nancy, and Mr. Drew followed <strong>the</strong> trust <strong>of</strong>ficer<br />
down a corridor <strong>of</strong> cubbyhole rooms until <strong>the</strong>y reached one not in use.<br />
"Now," said Mr. Jensen, when <strong>the</strong> door was closed behind <strong>the</strong>m, "we shall see how manyif any<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
mysteries are solved."<br />
Nancy held her breath as he raised <strong>the</strong> lid <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> box. All peered inside. <strong>The</strong> box was empty, except for one<br />
bulky document in <strong>the</strong> bottom.<br />
"Oh, it must be <strong>the</strong> will!" Nancy exclaimed.<br />
"It is a will," Mr. Jensen announced, after a hasty glance at <strong>the</strong> first page. "Josiah Crowley's last will and<br />
testament."<br />
"When was it written?" Nancy asked quickly.<br />
"In March <strong>of</strong> this year," Mr. Jensen told her.<br />
"Oh, Dad," Nancy cried, "this was later than <strong>the</strong> will <strong>the</strong> Tophams submitted for probate!"<br />
"That's right."<br />
"Let's read it right away," Nancy begged.<br />
Mr. Jensen handed <strong>the</strong> sheets to Mr. Drew. "Maybe you can decipher this. <strong>The</strong> handwriting is too much for<br />
me."<br />
<strong>The</strong> lawyer took <strong>the</strong> will. <strong>The</strong>n, as Nancy looked over his shoulder, he haltingly read aloud, giving an<br />
interpretation ra<strong>the</strong>r than a word by word account.<br />
"Mr. JensenMr. Warren, your bank has been named as executor," he said.<br />
"Very good." <strong>The</strong> president smiled. "But I expect Mr. Topham won't be happy to hear this."<br />
Mr. Drew had turned to <strong>the</strong> last page. "<strong>The</strong> signature <strong>of</strong> Josiah is in order," he remarked, "and <strong>the</strong>re are two<br />
witnessesDr. Nesbitt and Thomas Wackley. No wonder this will didn't come to light. Both those men died in<br />
April."<br />
As Nancy tried to decipher <strong>the</strong> handwriting, she noticed to her delight that <strong>the</strong> Hoover girls and Abby Rowen<br />
were mentioned.<br />
At this moment <strong>the</strong> president said, "Mr. Drew, <strong>the</strong> bank's regular lawyer had just left for Europe on an extended<br />
vacation. Since you and your daughter have solved <strong>the</strong> mystery and are so vitally interested in it, would you<br />
handle this case for us?"<br />
Nancy's eyes sparkled and Mr. Drew smiled. "I'd certainly be very glad to," he said.<br />
"What instructions have you for us?" Mr. Warren asked.<br />
Mr. Drew thought a moment, <strong>the</strong>n said, "Because <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> unusual aspects <strong>of</strong> this case, I believe that first <strong>of</strong> all<br />
I'd like you to have photostats <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> will made, so I can study <strong>the</strong> contents carefully."<br />
"We'll be happy to do that," Mr. Jensen replied. "And <strong>the</strong>n?"<br />
"After I'm sure everything is legal," Mr. Drew went on, "I'll deliver <strong>the</strong> original will for probate and notify <strong>the</strong><br />
people who will benefit from Mr. Crowley's estate."<br />
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