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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 />
An Unpleasant Meeting<br />
CHAPTER III<br />
"WHAT are your plans for this morning, Nancy?" her fa<strong>the</strong>r asked at <strong>the</strong> breakfast table.<br />
"I thought I'd do a little shopping," she replied. Her eyes twinkled. "<strong>The</strong>re's a dance coming up at <strong>the</strong> country<br />
club and I'd like to get a new dress."<br />
"<strong>The</strong>n will you phone me about lunch? Or better still, how about eating with me, whe<strong>the</strong>r Mr. Rolsted comes<br />
or not?"<br />
"I'll be <strong>the</strong>re!" Nancy declared gaily.<br />
"All right. Drop in at my <strong>of</strong>fice about twelvethirty. If Mr. Rolsted does accept my invitation, we'll try to find<br />
out something about Josiah Crowley's wills." Mr. Drew pushed back his chair. "I must hurry now or I'll be late<br />
getting downtown."<br />
After her fa<strong>the</strong>r had left, Nancy finished her breakfast, <strong>the</strong>n went to <strong>the</strong> kitchen to help Hannah Gruen, who<br />
had already left <strong>the</strong> table.<br />
"Any errands for me?" Nancy asked.<br />
"Yes, dear. Here's a list," <strong>the</strong> housekeeper replied. "And good luck with your detective work."<br />
Hannah Gruen gazed at <strong>the</strong> girl affectionately and several thoughts raced through her mind. In school Nancy<br />
had been very popular and had made many friends. But through no fault <strong>of</strong> her own, she had made two enemies,<br />
Ada and Isabel Topham. This worried Hannah. <strong>The</strong> sisters, intensely jealous <strong>of</strong> Nancy, had tried to discredit her<br />
in positions she had held in school. But loyal friends had always sprung to Nancy's defense. As a result, Ada and<br />
Isabel had become more unpleasant than ever to Nancy.<br />
"Thanks for your encouragement," she said to Hannah a little later, giving her a hug.<br />
"Whatever you do, Nancy, beware <strong>of</strong> those Topham sisters. <strong>The</strong>y'd be only too happy to make things difficult<br />
for you."<br />
"I promise to be on my guard."<br />
Before leaving <strong>the</strong> house, Nancy phoned <strong>the</strong> Turners. She was glad to hear that Judy had suffered no ill effects<br />
from her fall. But she was disappointed that <strong>the</strong> police had found no clue to <strong>the</strong> thieves who had stolen <strong>the</strong><br />
silverware.<br />
"Please let me know if you learn anything," Nancy said, and Edna promised to do so.<br />
Becomingly dressed in a tan cotton suit, Nancy set <strong>of</strong>f in her convertible for <strong>the</strong> shopping district. She drove<br />
down <strong>the</strong> boulevard, and upon reaching <strong>the</strong> more congested streets, made her way skillfully through heavy<br />
traffic, <strong>the</strong>n pulled into a parking lot.<br />
"I think I'll try Taylor's Department Store first for a dress," she decided.<br />
Taylor's was one <strong>of</strong> River Heights' finest stores. Nancy purchased several items for Hannah on <strong>the</strong> main floor,<br />
<strong>the</strong>n went directly to <strong>the</strong> misses' wearing apparel section on <strong>the</strong> second floor.<br />
Usually Nancy had no trouble finding a salesclerk. But this particular morning seemed to be an especially<br />
busy one in <strong>the</strong> department, and an extra rush <strong>of</strong> customers had temporarily overwhelmed <strong>the</strong> sales force.<br />
Nancy sat down in a convenient chair to await her turn. Her thoughts wandered to <strong>the</strong> Turner sisters and little<br />
Judy. Would she be able to help <strong>the</strong>m? She was suddenly brought out <strong>of</strong> her reverie by loudvoiced complaints.<br />
"We've been standing here nearly ten minutes!" a shrill voice declared. "Send a saleswoman to us<br />
immediately!"<br />
Nancy turned to see Ada and Isabel Topham speaking to <strong>the</strong> floor manager.<br />
"I'm afraid I can't," <strong>the</strong> man replied regretfully. "<strong>The</strong>re are a number <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rs ahead <strong>of</strong> you. All our<br />
salespeople are"<br />
"Perhaps you don't know who we are!" Ada interrupted rudely.<br />
"Indeed I do," <strong>the</strong> floor manager told her wearily. "I will have a saleswoman here in a few moments. If you<br />
will only wait"<br />
"We're not accustomed to waiting," Isabel Topham told him icily.<br />
"Such service!" Ada chimed in. "Do you realize that my fa<strong>the</strong>r owns considerable stock in Taylor's? If we<br />
report your conduct to him, he could have you discharged."<br />
"I'm sorry," <strong>the</strong> harassed man apologized. "But it is a rule <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> store. You must await your turn."<br />
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