001

TableofContentsTitlePage

Acknowledgements

CopyrightPage

CHAPTERI-AStolenWallet

CHAPTERII-AfteraSuspect

CHAPTERIII-ALostFormula

CHAPTERIV-RoyalTreasures

CHAPTERV-Pickpocket’sDouble

CHAPTERVI-TrueCredentials?

CHAPTERVII-MistakenIdentity

CHAPTERVIII-NancyIsRobbed

CHAPTERIX-FerociousDog

CHAPTERX-AmazingRevelation

CHAPTERXI-TheIslandTrick

CHAPTERXII-APuzzlingSecret

CHAPTERXIII-Wanted—AClue

CHAPTERXIV-AQuestionofHonesty

CHAPTERXV-AThreat

CHAPTERXVI-ThePrizeWinner

CHAPTERXVII-TelephoneTip

CHAPTERXVIII-CorneringaThief

CHAPTERXIX-Prisoners

CHAPTERXX-TwoMysteriesSolved

THECLUEINTHEJEWELBOXAnantiquedealer’srevelationaboutaformerqueen’spricelessheirloomstartsNancyonatrailofexcitingadventures.

Madame Alexandra, now living incognito in River Heights, asks Nancy to find hermissinggrandson.Withonlyonecluetogoon—afadedphotographoftheprinceattheageoffour—theyoungdetectivebeginshersearch,whichrapidlyinvolvesherinaseriesof dangerous and harrowing adventures. When Nancy needs help, she calls on Bess,George,Burt,Dave,andherspecialfriend,Ned.HowNancy’sdiscoveryoftheheirloom’ssecret unmasks a slick imposter and reunites the long-separated family climaxes thissuspense-filledmysterystory.

“Ned,there’sapickpocket!”Nancyexclaimed

AcknowledgementismadetoMildredWirtBenson,whounderthepennameCarolynKeene,wrotetheoriginalNANCYDREWbooks

Copyright©1972,1943bySimon&Schuster,Inc.Allrightsreserved.

PublishedbyGrosset&Dunlap,Inc.,amemberofThePutnam&GrossetGroup,NewYork.PublishedsimultaneouslyinCanada.S.A.

NANCYDREWMYSTERYSTORIES®isaregisteredtrademarkofSimon&Schuster,Inc.GROSSET&DUNLAPisatrademarkofGrosset&Dunlap,Inc.

eISBN:978-1-101-07721-4

2007Printing

http://us.penguingroup.com

CHAPTERI

AStolenWallet“No, a silver pen isn’t exactly what I’m looking for,” Nancy Drew explained to thejewelrysalesmaninthedepartmentstore.

Theslim,attractivegirlwithlovelyreddish-blondhairwaitedwhilehereachedbeneaththecountertogetanotheritem.

“Here’ssomethingperfect,”hedeclared.“Thishandsomejewelryboxisverynew.It’sacleverreproductionofoneownedbyarulerinEuropetwocenturiesago.”

Nancy was disappointed to learn that it was a reproduction. She had hoped to findsomethingoriginalandunusualforherfather’sbirthday.

“It’slovely,”shesaid,“but—”

“Theoriginalboxhasa strangehistory,” the salesmanwenton.KnowingofNancy’sreputationasanamateurdetective,hehopedtocaptureherinterestwithhintsofmystery.“Itsfirstownerwasakingdislikedbyhissubjects.Onenighthewasspiritedaway,and—”

Beforehecouldfinishtheromantictale,hewasinterruptedbyawomancustomerwhowastappingontheglasscounterforattention.

“I’dbetternotmakeahastydecision,”Nancysaidpolitelytotheman.“Thankyouverymuch.”

Shewalkedoffandtookanelevatorthatwouldtakehertotherestaurantfloor.Nancythought, “That jewelry box certainly looked genuine.MaybeDadwould like it for hisbirthdayafterall.”

She was going to have luncheon with Bess Marvin and George Fayne, who werecousinsandNancy’sclosestfriends.Thegirlshadnotarrived,soNancysatdownintheloungetowaitforthem.

“Ohdear!”murmuredavoicenearby.

Turningherhead,Nancysaw that thechairbesideherwasoccupiedbyanattractive,elderlywomaninadark-bluedress.Thepallorofhercreamyskinheldthegirl’sattention.Obviouslythewomanwasill.

“CanIhelpyou?”Nancyaskedquickly.

Thewomanfumbledinapurse,thenshakilyhandedheracard,ItborethenameMarieAlexandra,andanaddress,14DowneyStreet.

“Pleasetakemetomyhome,”shewhisperedwithaslightforeignaccent.

BeforeNancy could reply,Bess andGeorge entered the lounge.When she told themaboutthewoman’srequest,bothdeclaredthattheywouldpostponetheirluncheon.

“CanIhelpyou?”Nancyasked

“We’llgowithyoutoMrs.Alexandra’s,”Besssaid.

“Doyouhaveyourcar,Nancy?”Georgeasked.

“No,it’sattheservicestation.We’llhavetotakeataxi.”

Nancy assisted thewoman to her feet very gently, andwas rewardedwith a gratefulsmile.

Thethreegirlsmadeslowprogresstothestreet.TheysummonedataxiandhelpedMrs.Alexandrastepintoit.NancygavetheDowneyStreetaddresstothedriver.

“Thankyou—thankyou,”thepantingwomanmurmured,andslumpedbackinafaint.

ThegirlschafedMrs.Alexandra’shandsandfannedher.Herpocketbookhadfallentothefloorandseveralarticleshadtumbledout.Oneofthesewasajeweled,monogrammedbottleofsmellingsalts,whichBessopenedandheldunderthewoman’snostrils.

“She’scomingtonow,”Besssaidamomentlaterasthewoman’seyelidsfluttered.

Relieved, Nancy reached down to pick up the handbag and its scattered contents.Almostatherfeetlayagold-framedminiaturephotographofalittleboyinasailorsuit.Hewasaboutfouryearsold.Shestaredatthequaintpicture,thenturneditover.Thebackof the case was glass. Underneath were several locks of hair, secured with tiny rubyclasps.

“Thisisveryunusual,”Nancythought.

ShehadnoopportunitytoshowtheminiaturetoBessorGeorge.Asthetaxidrewupinfrontofamedium-sizedhouse,shereplacedallthearticlesinthehandbagandturnedtoassistMrs.Alexandra.

“Canyouwalkifwehelpyou?”sheinquired.

“Yes,Ithinkso,”thewomanansweredsoftly.

Bess andGeorge supported her on either side,whileNancy paid the taxi driver anddarted ahead to ring the doorbell. The doorwas opened by amaid in a spotlesswhiteuniform.

“Oh!” the woman cried when she saw her mistress being half-carried. “MadameMarie!”

Sheopenedthedoorwideandpointedtoabrocade-coveredcouchinthelivingroom.Thegirlsledthewomantoit.

“Shallwecalladoctor?”Georgeinquired.

“No, thatwill not be necessary. These spells do not last very long,”Mrs.Alexandraanswered.“Annawilltakecareofme.”

Themaid seemedunusuallycapable inattendinghermistress.With lovinghands shemadethewomancomfortableandgaveherhotteawhichquicklyrevivedher.

All this timeNancyhadbeensilentlyadmiringtheluxuriousfurnishingsof theroom.Onthewallshungeleganttapestries.Beautifulpiecesoffurniturewereupholsteredwithhand-embroideredsilks.Rareobjectsofglassandporcelainstoodonatableandadesk.

OnepieceinacuriocabinetcapturedNancy’sinterest.ItwasapinkenamelEastereggpoisedonatinygoldpedestal.Itsroundedtopwasencrustedwithdelicategoldwork.

“I’veneverseenanythinglikeit,”Besswhisperedinawe.

Hearingthecomment,Mrs.Alexandraraisedherselftoasittingposition.SheremarkedthattheEasteregghadbeenbroughtfromabroad.

Turningtohermaid,shesaid,“Anna,Imusttalktothesegirlswhohavebeensokind.”

Thewords,quietlyspoken,wereregardedby themaidasanorder to leave theroom.

GraciouslyMrs.Alexandra thankedNancyandher friends for theirhelp, thencarefullywrotetheirnamesinanattractivelittleaddressbook.

Observingtheirinterestintheartobjects,shepointedoutseveralwhichwereinsideacurio cabinet.Among thesewas a silver box that lookedverymuch like the one at thejewelrycounterinthedepartmentstore.Nancywonderedifthismightbetheoriginal.Shespokeofhersearchforadistinctivebirthdaygiftforherfather.

“OfcourseInevercouldaffordanythingsorareastheselovelypieces.”Shesighed.

“Youmightbesurprised.”Mrs.Alexandrasmiledrathermysteriously.“WhynotgotoMr.Faber,who isanantiquedealer?Mention that I sentyou. I thinkhewillbeable tohelpyou.”

ShesummonedAnnaandaskedforoneoftheantiquedealer’sbusinesscards.OnitshewroteamessageinaforeignlanguageunfamiliartoNancy.RealizingthatMrs.Alexandrawasbecomingtired,thegirlsnowsaidgood-by.

“Wasn’t it exciting?”Bess askedwhen they reached the street. “And didn’t you justloveMrs.Alexandra?She’ssocharming.”

“And her treasures are exquisite,” Nancy said. “I was especially impressed with theEasteregg.”

“Right now I’ll take my eggs in omelet form without gold trimmings,” said Bess,giggling.

“Oh,thatappetiteofyours!”Nancyteased.

ThegirlswalkedbacktothecenterofRiverHeights’businesssection,thenturnedintoWaterStreet.

Theywerehalfwaydowntheblockwhenawirybuiltmandartedfromanalleywayandbrushedpastthegirls.Heglancedbackanxiously,thenquicklyenteredashabby-lookingapartmenthouse.

“Thatfellowactsasifhewererunningawayfromsomeone,”Nancyremarked,turningaround.“Look!Acrowdhasgatheredatthecorner!”

Retracingtheirsteps,thegirlsjoinedtheexcitedgroup.Inthecenterofthecirclestoodayoungman,angrilyaccusingasecondyoungmanofhavingpickedhispocket.

Theotherdefendedhimself.“Iwaswalkingalongthestreet,mindingmyownbusiness,whenyougrabbedme!Ineversawyourwallet!”

Theargumentwaxedwarmer,andapoliceofficerarrived.Nancyedgedcloser.

“Excuseme,”shesaid.“Isawayoungmanwholookslikethisbrown-hairedone.Hewasrunningupthestreetandhadonthesamecolorsuit.”

“There!”criedtheallegedculprittriumphantly.“I’vebeenmistakenfortherealthief!”

“Whichwaydidthefellowgo?”theofficerasked.

She directed him to the four-story apartment building, and he hurried off. Everyone

followed.

Scarcely had the policeman entered the building when a figure appeared on a fireescapeaboveanalley.Lightasacat,themanleapedtothegroundandfled.

“That’stheone!”criedNancy.

The heavy-set officer came back and ran after the thief, commanding him to halt.Instead,theyoungmansqueezedthroughagapbetweentwobuildingsandvanished.

“Look!”Nancycried.“Hedroppedthewallet!”

Hadhedeliberatelythrownitaway?theyoungdetectivewondered.Amomentlaterthepolicemanreturned.

“SorryIcouldn’tovertakethatguy,”hesaid,handingthewallettoitsowner.“I’llmakeareporttoheadquarters.Name,please?”

“FrancisBaum,”theotherreplied,checkingthecontents.“Nevermindthereport.I’msatisfiedtogetmystuffback.”

Heexaminedthecontentscarefully.Nancy,whostoodclosebesidehim,sawpartofabusinesscard.Herphotographicmindnoted:

thsonterSt.

“Mymoneyisallhere,”theownerassuredthepoliceman.“Thanksforyourtrouble.”

FrancisBaumandthemanhehadaccusedwalkedoff,andthecrowddispersed.BessandGeorgewouldhavegoneonalso,butNancyheldthemback.

“Justaminute,”shesaid.“Iwanttosearchthegroundbetweenthosetwobuildings.”

“Surelyyoudon’tthinkthethiefisstillthere!”Georgeprotested,followingreluctantly.

“No,butIthoughtIsawsomethingfallfromthewalletwhenitwasdropped.”

“Thepolicemanwouldhavefoundit,”Bessargued.“Ifwe’reevertoeat—”

“Hereissomethingagainstthewall!”Nancyinterruptedexcitedlyandstoopedtopickitup.Shehelduptheslightlysoiledphotographofasmallboywearingasailorsuit.

“This is thesamechildwhosepicturewas inMrs.Alexandra’sminiature!” shecried.“Doyousupposeshe’srelatedtoFrancisBaum?”

“Haven’ttheslightestidea,”Bessreplied,shrugginghershoulders.“Andlook!There’sahamburger stand.George and I have an appointment at threeo’clock, soweought toeat.”

“Pleasedo,”Nancysaid.“IwanttogotoFaber’sfirst.”

Theyoungdetectivewentonalonetotheantiqueshop.Itwasaninconspicuousplaceonabusystreet.Abelljingledassheentered.

Apleasant-facedman emerged froma rearworkroom.Nancy explained that shewas

tryingtofindagiftforherfather,andhandedhimthebusinesscardwithMrs.Alexandra’smessageonit.

“Oh,Madamesentyouherself.”Theshopownerbeamed,speakingwithanoticeableaccent.“Ahyes,Iamhonoredtoserveyou.”

Thelittlemanmovedbrisklyabouttheclutteredroom,scanningvariousobjects.

“No,Ihavenothingsuitablenow,”hefinallysaid.“Youmustgivemeafewdays.”

Beforeleavingtheshop,Nancydecidedtoshowhimthephotographshehadfound.Sheinquiredifheknewwhotheboymightbe.

WithtremblinghandsMr.Fabertookthepictureofthechildinthesailorsuit.

“Wheredidyougetthis?”heaskedtensely.“Tellme!Tellmeatonce!”

CHAPTERII

AfteraSuspectASTONISHEDbythetoneofMr.Faber’svoiceandhisinterestinthephotograph,Nancyreadilytoldhowithadcomeintoherpossession.

“Unbelievable!”theantiquedealermurmured.“YousaythispicturebelongstoayoungmannamedFrancisBaum?”

“I’mprettysureitfellfromhiswallet,”Nancyreplied.

“Please describe him,” the shop owner pleaded. “Did Francis Baum bear anyresemblancetothisboyinthephotograph?”

“Why,no.Mr.Baumistallandhasadarkcomplexion.Theboyisveryfair.”

“TheageofFrancisBaum?”heaskedquickly.

“Well, it’s difficult to say. He might be in his late twenties—or possibly a littleyounger,”Nancyreplied.

Nancy’scuriosityhadgrownsteadilyasMr.Faberqueriedher.Shelongedtoaskafewquestionsofherown,butwiselywaited.

“You wonder perhaps why I ask you so much,” he said. “The answers concern thehappinessofMadameAlexandra,aroyalladyindeed.Yousee,theboyinthisphotographisherlong-lostgrandson!”

“Pleasetellmemore,”Nancyurged.

“Years ago, when revolution came to their country, the little boy was taken awaysecretly by his nurse. His mother, father, sisters, the entire family—except thegrandmother—perishedatthehandsoftheenemy.”

“Howdreadful!”Nancymurmured.

“Thosewereterrifyingyears,”theantiquedealerwentonsadly.“MadameAlexandra,throughtheaidofloyalfriends,escaped.Sincethenshehasdevotedherselftoasearchforhergrandson.”

“Thenursehasneverbeentraced?”

“It isbelieved that shecame toAmerica,buthere the trail ends. If thegrandson stilllives,hemustbe thirtyyearsold.Youunderstandnowhow important it is thatwe findFrancisBaum?”

“IndeedIdo,”Nancyreplied.“I’llgladlyhelpyoutracehim.”

Nancyhadinheritedherloveofmystery.ShewasthedaughterofCarsonDrew,awell-known lawyer, who often handled criminal cases. Her mother had died when she wasthree,andsincethentheDrews’homeinRiverHeightshadbeenmanagedforherandherfatherbycapableHannahGruen.

Nancy’sfirstcasewasTheSecretoftheOldClock,andherrecentone,TheQuestoftheMissingMap.

“WillFrancisBaumbedifficulttofind?”themanquestionedheranxiously.

“Heshouldn’tbe,”Nancyassuredhim.“Nodoubthe’slistedinthephonebook.”

Actinguponthesuggestion,Mr.Fabercalledtoanassistantinthebackroom.Heaskedthatthebookbebroughttohimatonce.Ivan,ayoungmanwithapleasantgrin,appearedwiththedirectory.UnfortunatelyBaum’snamewasnotlistedinit.

“I’lltracehimsomehow,”Nancyassuredthedealer.“Thepolicemanwhorecoveredthestolenwalletmusthavehisaddress.”

“IfyoufindFrancisBaum,IwillrewardyourichlyforthesakeofmyfriendMadameAlexandra,”theshopkeeperdeclared.

“Oh,Idon’twantareward,”Nancyprotestedwitha laugh.“I’ll findhimjustfor thefunofit,andtohelpMrs.Alexandra.”

“ButIwillrepayyouinsomeway,”themaninsisted.“Maybebyobtainingahandsomegiftforyourfather.Agentleman’sboxperhaps?”

“I’msurehewouldlikeone.”

“Thatkindofboxissomethingveryspecial,”saidIvan,grinningatNancy.“InEuropemyboss’sfatherandgrandfatherwerefamousjewelerswhomademanypiecesforroyalfamilies.

“Mr. Faber’s father once constructed a little train for a prince,” Ivan went on. “Thelocomotivewasofplatinum,andthecarsweregold.Itran,too.”

“WasMrs.Alexandra’sEastereggmadebyyourfather?”Nancyasked.

“Ah,soyouhaveseenit!”hecommented.

“Onlytheoutside.”

“MadameAlexandra’sEastereggwas indeedmadebymy famous father,”Mr.Faberdeclared.“Itcontainsamostunusualobject.Youmustaskhertodisclosethesecret.”

“Ireallydon’tknowherwellenoughtodothat,”Nancyreplied.

“Ifyoufindhergrandson,nofavorwillbetoogreattoask.”Theshopownersmiled.“Yes,youmustseethewonderfulcontentsofherEasteregg.Thegiftwaspresentedtoherbyherson,theking.”

“Aking?”Nancyrepeatedinbewilderment.“ThenMrs.Alexandra—”

Mr.Faberlookedabitdismayed.“Youdidnotknow?”

“Ihadnoidea.”

“Madame Alexandra prefers that no special deference be shown her,” Mr. Faberexplained.“Shedoesnotmindifafewdiscreetpeopleknowwhoshe is,but ifher trueidentitybecameknowntoeveryone,shewouldbesubjectedtothekindofpublicityshe

wishestoavoid.”

“Iunderstand.I’lldoeverythingIcantohelpher,”Nancypromised.

Afewminuteslatershelefttheshop,stillexcitedbytheamazingstoryMr.Faberhadtoldher.Shewentdirectlytopoliceheadquarters.

Toherdisappointment,norecordhadbeenmadeofFrancisBaum’saddressbecausehehad got his wallet back immediately after it had been stolen. ChiefMcGinnis said hewouldinstructtheofficerwhohadseenBaumtobeonwatchforhim.

Throughout the afternoon she searcheddiligently for themysterious stranger,makingmanyinquiries.Atlength,wearinessandhungerforcedherintoasnackshopnotfarfromtheriverdocks.

“FindingFrancisBaumisn’tgoingtobeaseasyasIthought,”shereflected,bitingintoatoastedcheesesandwich.

ThroughawindowNancyabsentlywatchedaferryboattieupatthedock.Passengersalighted,andothersboardedthevessel.

Suddenlyhergazewasdrawntoayoungmanwholookedfamiliar.ThethiefwhohadsnatchedFrancisBaum’swallet!

Nancy quickly paid her check and left the shop. As she gazed down the street, theyoungdetectivesawthemanboardtheferry.

“There he goes!” she thought excitedly, then reflected, “Or is he the man who wasmistakenforthethief?”

BeforeNancycoulddecidewhetherornottofollowhim,theboat’swhistlewarnedherthat the ferrywas about to leave. Therewas no time to think further—themanwouldescapeifshedidnotactinstantly.

Runningasfastasshecould,Nancyreachedthedockamomentbeforethegateclosed.Shehurriedlyboughtaticket,thendashedaboardthecrowdeddeck.Theropeswerecastoffandthevesseledgedaway.

Theyoungdetectivegazedaboutinsearchofherquarry.Toherannoyancehewasnotinsight.

“Buthe’saboard,”Nancysaidtoherself.

She looked at the indoor lunch counter, but there was no sign of the pickpocket.Disappointed,shereturnedtothedeck.

During the past few minutes there had been a sudden change in the weather. NowNancywasnearlyblownoffherfeetbyastronggustofwind.

Astheboatchurnedthroughthechoppywaves,Nancyscannedtheclouds.Theywereblack.Shebegantoshiverinherthinsleevelessdress.

Afewmoments later,however, theyoungdetectivecompletelyforgotherdiscomfort.Shehadcaughtaglimpseofthesuspectneartheportrailing!

Before she could reach theman, a hugewave struck the ferryboat. Passengers werethrownoffbalance.Severalwomenscreamed.

The next instant therewas a blinding flash of lightning, followed by a heavy roll ofthunder.Raincamedowninatorrent,blottingoutallviewoftheriver.

Gasping,Nancy tried to findshelter in thecabin,butothersaheadofher jammedthepassageway.Inthemillingthrongshecouldnolongerseethemanshewasfollowing.

Suddenly,fromoff theportbow,camethedeepthroatedwhistleofanoncomingboat.Theferryswervedsharplytoavoidacollision,butnotintime.

Therewas a terrific impact as the two craft crashed into eachother.Flung sideways,Nancywentrollingdownthetilteddeck.

CHAPTERIII

ALostFormulaSTRUGGLINGtoherfeet,Nancygraspedtherailingforsupport.Childrenwerecrying.Menandwomenwereyellingaspassengerstrappedinthecabinfoughttoescape.

“Keep cool!” shouted a deck hand, trying to avert a panic. “We’ll reach the docksafely.”

Nancyrepeatedhismessagetothoseabouther.Shehelpedpeopletotheirfeet,andtriedtocomfortthechildren.

When itwas evident that the vessel hadnot beendamagedbelow thewater line, thepassengers calmed down. But they jammed the decks while the crippled boat glidedslowlytowardRiverHeights.

Recallingwhyshehadcomeaboard,Nancygazedabout,searchingoncemoreforthesuspected thief.Shedecided itwashopeless to locatehim in thecrowd.But just as theferryboatgratedagainstthedock,shesawhim.

Hewasstandingclose toamanwhoseright leghadbeen injured.Toherdisgust, thesuspect stealthily reached his hand into the other’s coat pocket and removed a billfold.NowshewasconvincedhewasthemanwhohadstolenFrancisBaum’swallet.

“Stopthief!”Nancyshouted,butamidthecommotionherwarningwentunheeded.

She tried to forceherwayforward,but thecrowdkepther frommovingmore thanafewfeet.Bynow theboatwas ready todischargepassengers.The thiefwas the first todisembark.

Bythetimeshereachedthedock,hehadvanished.Nancywasdismayed.“ButatleastIcansupplythepolicewithanaccuratedescriptionofthepickpocket,”shethought.“He’saboutthirty,mediumheight,hasbrownhair,andwalkswithshort,quicksteps.”

Shesawanofficerandtoldhimaboutthepickpocket.Hewroteeverythinginhisreportbookandthankedher.

Itwasstillraining,soNancytookataxihome.Sherangthebellatthesidedoor.Mrs.Gruen,middle-agedandkindly,openedthedoorandgaspedatthegirl’sappearance.

“Nancy,wherehaveyoubeen?”sheasked.“Willyouneverlearntocarryanumbrella?”

“Never.”Theyoungdetectivelaughed,kickingoffherwater-soakedshoesonthecellarstairwaylanding.

“Didyouhaveagoodlunch?”thehousekeeperasked.

“No, just a sandwich,”Nancy replied. “Butpleasedon’tworryabout that. Itmustbenearlydinnertime.”

“Itis,”Mrs.Gruensaid.“AndifIamnotmistaken,there’syourfathernow.”

A car had turned into the driveway. Nancy hurried to her room, changed into dryclothes,andrandownthestairstogreethim.

“Why,Dad!”sheexclaimed.“What’swrong?Youlookmadenoughtoeatsomeone.”

“I’ve lost an extrawallet Iwas carrying,”Mr.Drew said shortly. “I’m afraid it wasstolen.”

“Stolen!Howdidithappen?”Nancyasked.

“I’mnotabsolutelycertain.Ididn’tmissituntilanhourago.”

“Youdidn’tlosemuchmoney,Ihope.”

“Agoodbit—nottomentionseveralimportantnotations.Themoneywasn’tmine,”Mr.Drewexplained.“ItwasadonationtotheRiverHeightsBoysClub.”

“That’s a shame. Perhaps you dropped the wallet, and it will be returned,” Nancysuggested.

“I’msureitwasstolen.Infact,Irecallthatatnoon,whenIstoodinlineatacafeteria,amandirectlybehindkeptbrushingagainstme.”

“Whatdidhelooklike,Dad?”

“Ididn’ttakeparticularnotice.Afellowofmediumheightwithbrownhair.”

“Didhewalkwithshort,quicksteps?”

“Yes,”Mr.Drewreplied.“Hegotoutoflineandhurriedoff.Whyallthesequestions?”

His daughter related her experiences of the day.Mr. Drew agreed that probably thepickpocketwasthesamemanwhohadtakenhisextrawallet.

“Dad,I’llrecognizethatthiefifeverIseehimagain,”Nancyconcluded.“Wouldyoulikemetocapturehimforyou?”

“IndeedIwould,”herfatherrepliedgrimly.“Butlet’sthinkaboutsomethingnicer—thepicnic,forinstance.”

“Whatpicnic?”Nancyinquiredinsurprise.

“Didn’t I tell you? Some ofmy associates have arranged a father-daughter outing atWaldenPark.We’re a little bit late. I phonedHannah.She’ll have everything ready forus.”

InthekitchenNancyfoundthehousekeepertuckingaThermosintoawell-filledfoodhamper.

“Ican’twaittodigintothis,”Nancysaidassheglancedoverthecontents.

Fortunately the late-afternoon sun was drying the ground quickly. Mr. Drew’s goodhumorreturnedashewalkedwithNancytothepark.Uponarriving,theyfoundagroupofRiverHeightslawyersandtheirdaughters.

TheDrewsweregivenanenthusiasticwelcomebutteasedaboutbeinglate.Whenthe

menheardthestoryofthestolenwallet,theybecameconcerned.

“Duringthepasttwoweeks,”declaredoneofthem,“RiverHeightshashadanalarmingincreaseinpettythievery.It’stimesomethingwasdone.”

“You’re right,” Mr. Drew agreed. “Well, my daughter says she’s going to catch thepickpocketwhotookmywallet.”

“Andsheprobablywill,”saidIdaTrevor,whogreatlyadmiredtheyoungdetective.

Nancy smiled, then said, “At any rate, I’d like to get back themoney for the BoysClub.”

Followingthepicnicsupper,thereweregamesofcompetitionforthefathersandtheirdaughters.VictorycrownedtheeffortsoftheDrewsinseveralcontests.

Theylostashortrace,however,toJudgeandMarianHowells.AstheHowellscrossedthefinishline,acompactthatthejudgewaskeepingforhisdaughterfellfromhispocket.Theenamelcoverbrokeinhalf.

“There, I’ve done it!” the man exclaimed. “Why can’t our girls have pockets largeenoughfortheirbeautygadgets?”

“Whatweneedisanenamelwhichisnoncrackable,”saidMr.Drew.

Thejudgereplied,“Manyyearsagosuchanenamelwasdeveloped.Butunfortunatelytheprocessisnotknowntoday.”

Launchingintothehistoryofvariousenamelprocesses,hetoldofitsearlyusebytheEgyptians,Babylonians,andRomans.

“Therewas a revival of the art in the nineteenth century, and beautiful, unbreakablepiecesweremade.Butthatmethodhasbeenlost,too.”

“Doyousupposeitwilleverberecovered?”Nancyasked.

“Oh,itmayturnupsometime,”thejudgesaid,“andbringitsfindergreatriches.”

Nancyenjoyedthepicnicandwassorrywhenitended.Buttheadventuresofthedayhad given her much to mull over before she fell asleep. After church services thefollowingday,herthoughtsoncemoreturnedtothelostprinceandthesecretintheEasteregg.

AtbreakfastMondaymorning,whileNancywassippingorangejuice,themailarrived.One letter was addressed toNancy.Mrs. Alexandra’s namewas in the upper left-handcomer.WithmountinginterestNancyopenedit.

“Oh,Hannah,whatanunexpectedsurprise!I’minvitedtoteaatfourthisafternoonatMrs.Alexandra’s!”shecried.“BessandGeorgetoo!”

“That’snice,”thehousekeepersaidabsently.

“It will be exciting, I’m sure! Mrs. Alexandra may show us the contents of herwonderfulEasteregg!”

EnthusiasticallyNancyrantotelephoneGeorgeandBess.Alengthydiscussionofwhattowearfollowedandhowtoactinthepresenceofroyalty.

“I suggest,” Mrs. Gruen advised, overhearing the conversation, “that you just actnaturally.”

Exactly at four o’clock the invited guests presented themselves at Mrs. Alexandra’shome.Becausetheynowknewoftheirhostess’sintriguingbackground,BessandGeorgefeltlessateasethanontheirfirstmeeting.ButtheysoonrelaxedbecauseMrs.Alexandrawasmostgracious.

“IamgladthatyouwenttoseeMr.Faber,Nancy,”shesaid,smiling.“Hetoldmeonthetelephoneyouhadbeenthere.

“Mr.Faberalsosaidthatunwittinglyhehadrevealedmyidentitytoyou,”thewomanwenton.“Ibegofyougirlsnottomentionthistoanyone.Icametoyourlovelytowntoavoidpublicity.”

“IsthatwhynooneaddressesyouasYourMajesty,Mrs.Alexandra?”askedBess.“It’scustomary,isn’tit?”

“Inmycountry,yes,”theformerqueenreplied.“WhenIcametoyourshores,Idecidedtoadoptthecustomshere.SonowIamMrs.Alexandra.ButAnnacannotacceptthis.Wecompromised.”Linesofamusementshowedaroundthecornersoftheroyallady’smouth.“NowAnnaaddressesmeasMadameMarie.”

Withthearrivaloftea,NancyandherfriendstriednottostareatthehandsomesilverservicewhichAnnaplacedbeforehermistress.Engravedononesideoftheteapotwasapheasant,whileontheotherwasamonogram,combinedwithagoldenroyalcrown.

Totheamazementofthegirls,Annawashedeachcupandsaucerinasilverbasin,thencarefully dried the lovely china pieces with a dainty lace-bordered linen towel beforehandingthemtohermistress.

“An OldWorld custom,”Mrs. Alexandra explained, her eyes twinkling. “The towelAnnauseswashand-loomedby adear friend.You see it hasmy initialswith the royalinsigniaaboveit.”

Asthegirlssippedteaandatedeliciouslittlecakes,theirhostesschattedaboutherarttreasures.She seemedparticularly fondof a beautiful gold-and-blue tapestry showing agayballetscene.

“This piecewaswoven especially formewhen I resided in the palace,” she told thegirls.“IvalueitalmostashighlyastheEasteregg.”

Nancy’sgazewentswiftlytothecabinetwheretheexquisitelittleornamentstoodonitsgoldpedestal.Shelongedtolearnitssecret,yethesitatedtomaketherequest.

“Anna,pleasebringtheEastereggtome,”Mrs.Alexandrarequested,almostasifshehadreadNancy’sthoughts.

The servant removed the object from the curio cabinet, then carefully placed it on a

mahoganytableinfrontofhermistress.

“NowIshallshowyouatrulyremarkabletreasure,”Mrs.Alexandrasaidsoftly.

CHAPTERIV

RoyalTreasuresAs Nancy, Bess, and George waited expectantly, Mrs. Alexandra raised the lid of theenamel Easter egg. Rising from a nest of velvet was a tiny tree made of emeralds. Adelicatelyfashionedgoldennightingalewasperchedonabranch.

“Howlovely!”Bessexclaimedinawe.

Mrs.Alexandrapressedaconcealedspringandthenightingalebegantosing.Thesongwasbriefandsomewhatartificial,butneverthelessamazing.Nancythoughtshedetectedwordsand repeated them toherself.ThenshedecidedshemustbemistakensinceMrs.Alexandradidnotmentionthem.Theformerqueensaid,“Itreasurethisbirdnotonlyforitself, but because it was given to me bymy son. It was only a short time before hisuntimelydeath,”sheadded.“ItismyhopethatsomedayIwillfindmygrandsonandpassitontohim.Michaelwouldbenearlythirtyyearsoldnow.”

NancyhadnotintendedtotellthestoryofFrancisBaum,fearingthatitmightprovetobe another disappointment to the former queen. Shortly, however, Mrs. AlexandrarevealedthatMichael’snursehadhadaphotographoftheboyidenticaltotheminiatureshepossessed.ExcitedlyNancy toldaboutmeetingwith theyoungmanand thepictureshehadfound.

“Perhapsheismygrandson!”thewomandeclaredinanagitatedvoice.“Tellme,didheresembletheboyinthephotograph?”

Nancywascompelledtoreplythatshehadnoticednosimilarity.

“Please find him!”Mrs.Alexandra urged. “Even if he is notMichael, hemay knowwhathasbecomeofhim.”Nancypromisedtodoeverythingpossibletotracethemissingprince.

After the girls had left the house,Bess remarked, “I feel as if I had been dreaming.WhatdidyouthinkoftheEasteregg,Nancy?”

“It’s beautiful,” she replied. “But to tell the truth, I was a bit disappointed. Thenightingaledidn’tsingasitshouldhave.”

“Inoticedthesamething!”Georgeagreed.“Itdidn’tevensoundlikeabird.”

Nancyreturnedthoughtfully,“Oh,well,theworkwasperfectotherwise.Whoarewetocriticizeroyaltreasure?”Shelaughed.“MyjobistofindFrancisBaum.”

Upon reachinghomeNancywrotedown the incompletenameandaddresswhichshehadglimpsedonthecardintheyoungman’swallet.Curiouslyshestaredattheletters:

thsonterSt.

“IfIcanonlyfilltheseout,ImaybeabletocontactsomeonewhoknowsMr.Baum.”

Nancy pored over the telephone directory, eliminating name after name. Finally shecametoonethatseemedtobeagoodpossibility—J.J.Smithson,25OsterStreet.

“Thatmightbeworthinvestigating.”

Thenext afternoon shewalkedwithBess andGeorge toOsterStreet in the businesssection.

J. J. Smithson proved to be the owner of a small leather-goods shop. He readilyansweredNancy’s questions. Francis Baum hadworked for him only a few days. “Hedidn’tlikethiskindofwork,”themansaid.“Ihaven’tseenBaumsincethedayhequit,butIbelievehestilllivesatMrs.Kent’sguesthousenearby.”

Nancy obtained the address, and the girls continued on. Mrs. Kent, the landlady,repeatedFrancisBaum’sname,thenshookherhead.

“Hewashere,”shesaid,“butmovedout.”

“Didheleaveaforwardingaddress?”Nancyasked.

“No,hedidn’t.I’lltellyouhowyoumighttracehim,though.HesendshislaundrytotheEagleHomeService.”

“Isn’tthatacrosstheriver?”Nancyinquired.

“Yes,itis—alongdistancefromhere.”

ThegirlsthankedMrs.Kentfortheinformation,thendiscussedwhattheyshoulddo.

“Let’sgobyferryboattomorrow,”Besssuggested,andtheothersagreed.

On the way home Nancy chose a route past the old apartment building where thepickpockethadnearlybeencaught.

“Youdon’texpecthimtobehere!”Bessgasped.

“Itwon’thurttolook,”Nancyreplied.

Windowsonthelowerfloorwerewideopen.Asthegirlsslowlypassedoneofthem,theyheardangryvoicescomingfrominside.

“Youcan’thidehere!”amanshouted.

“Soundslikeanargument,”saidGeorge.

“You know the policemay be watching this place!” theman cried out. “You’re notgoingtogetmeintotrouble!Clearout!”

“Ihaveahunchthepickpocketishidinginthere,”Nancywhispered.

Theargumentgrewhotter,butsuddenlythewindowwasslammeddownandthegirlscouldhearnomore.

AtonceNancy turned toher friends.“George,youandBessgetapoliceman! I’llgointotheapartmenthouseandseewhatIcanfindout.”

“Pleasebecareful,”Besswarnedherfriend.

The instant the girls had gone, Nancy entered the building. The outer lobby wasdeserted.Findingtheinnerdoorunlocked,shewentintothehallway.

“Iwonderwhichapartmentthemenarein,”shemused,tiptoeingdownthehallway.

Suddenlyadooralittledistanceawayfromheropened.Amanrushedout,slammingitbehindhim.

Heresembledthepickpocket!

Nancy wanted a closer look at him and gazed about for a place to observe himunnoticed.Nearherwasatelephonebooth.Shedartedinside.

“Ifheisthepickpocket,I’llfollowhim!”shedecided.

UnfortunatelythemanspottedNancyandrecognizedher.Angrilyherantowardher.

“This is the pickpocket,” she concluded. “He sawme and knows I heard what wassaid!”

Fearfulthatthemanmeanttoharmher,Nancyslammedshuttheglass-paneleddoorofthebooth.Toherconsternationhe tookapieceofwoodfromhispocketandwedged itunderthecrack.

“There!Howdoyoulike that?” thepickpocketsneered.Hedashedbackto theroom,openedthedoor,andshoutedawarningtosomeoneinside.Thenheranfromthebuilding.

Meanwhile,Nancypushedwithallherstrengthagainstthedoor,butitwouldnotmove.Thewedgeheldfast.Shewastrapped!

Instinctivelyshesearchedherpurseforacointodepositinthetelephoneandgethelp,but had none. Thoroughly alarmed, Nancy pounded on the door, but her cries wentunheard.

“Ohdear!ThatpickpocketwillbeblocksawaybeforeIgetoutofhere!”shethought.

Thewedgebeneaththedoorcouldnotbemoved,evenwhenshepriedatitwithanailfile.Thebitofsteelbrokeinherhand.

Nancy’s frustrationchanged todesperation. “I’ll smash theglasswith theheelofmyshoe!”

FortunatelyatthatmomentBessandGeorgearrivedwithapoliceman.Nancy’sshoutsdrewtheirattention.

“Thethiefescaped!”shegaspedastheofficerjerkedopenthedoor.“Helockedmeinhere,andthenranoutthefrontdoor.”

“Frontdoor?Why,whenwewereup the street,” saidGeorge, “we sawamanclimbthroughoneofthewindows.OfficerKellychasedhim,buthehadtoobigastart.”

“Thatmust have been the pickpocket’s pal in the apartment,”Nancy replied, adding,“When the thief warned him about me, he escaped through the window so I couldn’tidentifyhimlater.”

“Whichdoordidthefellowyousawcomeoutof?”OfficerKellyasked.

Nancypointed.“Ithinkitwasthethirdone.”

The officer rapped sharply on it. For several seconds therewas no answer. Then thedoor opened a crack. Awoman peered into the halL “What do youwant?” she asked,frightened.Thepolicemanwalkedintotheuntidyroom.“There’snoonehereexceptme,”thewomanwhined.“Whoareyouafter?”

“Apickpocketwhohidinthisbuilding.”

“Notinmyrooms,”thewomanmaintained.

“Didn’tsomeonejumpfromawindowhere?”

“No!”

“Doyoulivealone?”theofficerinquired.

“Well,no,Igotahusband,”thewomananswered.“Hehasacousinwhosticksaroundheresometimeswhenhe’sintrouble.”

“Trouble?”

“Cordovahasawayofgettin’mixedupinthings,”thewomanansweredwithashrug.“ButIain’tsayin’it’sdishonest.”

“ThismanCordova—”Nancyput in, “he’s about thirty, isn’t he,mediumheight andwalkswithshort,quicksteps?”

“Yeah,thatsoundslikehim,”thewomanmuttered.

OfficerKellyaskedafewadditionalquestionsbeforeleaving,buthecouldnotgetanadmission fromher that either thehusbandor the cousinhadbeen there a fewminutesbefore.

“I’ll checkuponher,” thepolicemanpromisedashe saidgood-by toNancyandherfriends.“We’llwatchthisbuildingandtrytocatchthatpickpocket.”

Shortlyafterward,NancyleftBessandGeorgeatthelibrary,thendecidedtostopatMr.Faber’sshop.Shewasnearlytherewhenshemetherfather.

“Fancymeetingyouhere!”shesaid,grinning.

“I’vebeeninterviewingaclientinthisneighborhood,”Mr.Drewtoldher.

“Haveyouafreemoment,Dad?”Nancyasked.

“Suredo.I’mbetweenappointments.”Hesmiledaffectionately.

“Then I have an idea!” Nancy cried, her gaze roving to the creaking business signwhichboreFaber’sname.“Youmustseethisshop.”Toherselfsheadded,“MaybeIcanfindoutwhatDadwouldlikeforabirthdaypresent.”

“I’mnotgoingtobuyanything!”insistedthelawyer.

GivingMr.Drewnoopportunitytoprotestfurther,hisdaughtersteeredhiminside.Mr.

Faber seemed genuinely pleased to meet the lawyer, and at a wink from Nancyimmediatelyaskedabouthislikesanddislikesinartobjects.

“Oh, anything goes with me,” Mr. Drew replied pleasantly. “But I’d like to lookaround.”

Thelittlemanbeamed.AsMr.Drewmovedofftoviewthecollectionintheclutteredshop,Mr.FaberwhisperedtoNancy,“Agentleman’sboxwouldbeexactlyrightforyourdistinguished-lookingfather.

“In ancient times a gentleman was known by the personal chest he carried whentraveling,”thedealerwenton,warmingtohissubject.“Aladywasjudgedbyher jewelbox. Jewels always have been a convenient kind of wealth to carry—far easier thanmoney.Rulersforcedtofleefromtheircountriesintimeofwarusuallysavedpartoftheirfortunesthatway.”

“Andsoldthemtogetmoney?”Nancyasked.

“Exactly.”

“Speakingofjewels,”saidNancy,“howcouldMrs.Alexandrabringsomanyvaluableswithherwhenshefledfromhercountry?”

“Madameisaverycleverwoman,”theshopownerreplied.“Shecarriedasmallfortunesecreted in a jewel box. It was so unique that it deceived everyone. Her only otherpossessionwasthehandsomeEastereggcase.”

“ButIsawsomanylovelythingsinherhome,”Nancydeclaredasherfatherrejoinedthem.

“AllthosetreasureswererecoveredafterMrs.AlexandrareachedAmerica.ForyearsIwasbusylocatingherfamilypossessionsaroundtheworld.Shewantedthemsobadlythatshesoldmanyofherjewelstoobtainthem.”

“HowwassheabletoleaveEurope?”Nancyinquired.“Didshewearadisguisewhenshecrossedtheborderfromhercountry?”

“Shedressedas apeasantwoman,”Mr.Faber explained. “Thatwaswhy the soldierswerenot suspiciouswhen theyexamined theEastereggand the jewelbox.Theydidn’topenthem.Themenassumedthatbothobjectswerecopiesofrealpieces.”

“You say Mrs. Alexandra was able to save a fortune?” Mr. Drew’s curiosity wasaroused.

“Asmallone.Shehadmany jewels, andbyselling themoneata time, shehasbeenabletolivecomfortably.”

Mr. Drew nodded and glanced at his wrist watch. “I must leave now for anappointment,”hesaid,andlefttheshop.

Nancy lingered. “Mr. Faber, I hope that somedayMrs. Alexandra will showme herjewel case,” she said wistfully. “I did see the inside of the Easter egg. The singingnightingaleisunique.”

“Singingnightingale?”Mr.Faberechoed.“Butthelittlebirddoesnotsing.”

“Itsangforus.Myfriendsheardthesongtoo.However,weallthoughtitdidnotsoundjustright.”

“Thatisverystrange,”murmuredtheshopowner.“Whenmyfathermadetheenameledeggyearsagothenightingaledidnotsing.IshallaskMadameAlexandraabout—”

Atthatmomenttherewasaterrificcrashagainstthefrontdoor.Thecabofatruckburstintotheshop,scatteringwoodandplaster.NancyandMr.Faberleapedtosafety!

CHAPTERV

Pickpocket’sDoubleALOUDgroancamefromthestreetasthetruckdriverstoppedinthedoorway.Hadhehitsomeone?

InstantlyNancyhurriedtohisside.“Youhurt?”Nancyaskedhim.

“Iguessnot,”themananswered,“butwhatamessI’vemade!Mysteeringwheelwentoutofcontrol.”

Nancy did notwait to hear anymore. She climbed over the debris to the street andglanced around to see if anyone had been injured.Awoman stood looking at a ruinedshoppingcartofmeatsandgroceries.

“WhatIdo?”shewailedinbrokenEnglish.“Nomoremoneyforfood!”

Nancyputanarmaroundher.“Begladyouweren’tkilled,”shesaidkindly.“AndI’msure the truckdriverwill giveyou themoney tobuymore food and a cart.Comewithme.”

Whenthetwoclimbedintotheshop,thetruckdriverwasaskingMr.Faberifhemightusethetelephone.QuicklyNancyexplainedthewoman’splight.

“I’msorry,”thedriversaid.“I’llpayforthefoodandcart.”Hetookouthiswalletandgavehermoneyforthetotalloss.Thewomanwentoffsmiling.

Nancyfeltshecouldbeofnofurtheruseregardingtheaccident,andtoldMr.Fabershewould return another time. When she reached home, her thoughts reverted to Mrs.Alexandraandthesingingnightingale.Shedecidedtocallonherthatevening.

AfterreportingthatshehadmadealittleprogressinsearchingforFrancisBaum,Nancytactfullybroughtupthesubjectofthebird.

“Oh, I think the little nightingale always has sung,”Mrs. Alexandra answered. “Formany years I did not realize this. Then one day I accidentally touched the spring thatcontrolsthemechanism.”

“Mr.Faberthinksthathisfatherdidnotintendthebirdtosing.”

“Ifearthatheismistaken.”

“Then there’s no mystery connected with it?” Nancy’s voice showed herdisappointment.

“Nottomyknowledge,”Mrs.Alexandrareplied.“Inmylifethereisonlyonemystery.Themysteryofwhatbecameofmybelovedgrandson.Findhimformeandmygratitudewillbeboundless.”

Mrs. Alexandra’s plea stirred Nancy to greater effort in her search for the missingFrancisBaum.ShesetoffearlythenextmorningwithGeorgeandBesstothetownwhere

theEagleHomeService laundrywas located.There sheobtained theyoungman’snewaddress.

“Ihopehe’llbethere,”Georgesaidexcitedly.

Afewminuteslaterthegirlsarrivedat35CornellAvenue,aguesthousecoveredwithvines.Inresponsetotheirknock,astoutwoman,whosehandswereredandpuffyfromwork,cametothedoor.

“Youwanttorentrooms?”sheaskedabruptly.

“No, we are trying to trace a young man by the name of Francis Baum,” Nancyexplained.“Iunderstandheliveshere.”

“Yes,herentsaroomupstairs,”thelandladysaid.“Buthe’snotherenow.Hehadtogoawayforafewdaysonbusiness.”

Nancywasdisappointed.“IbelieveI’ll leaveamessage,”shesaid.“WhenMr.BaumreturnstellhimthatIhaveapictureforhim—onewhichIthinkhelostfromhiswallet.MynameisNancyDrew.

“PleaseaskhimtocallmeatonceinRiverHeightsorcomeforthephotograph.”Nancywroteherphonenumberandaddressonaslipofpaperandhandedittothewoman.

“I’lltellhim,butwhetherornothe’lldoitIcouldn’tsay,”thelandladyreplied.

Nancylookedquestioninglyather.

“Oh, he keeps somuch to himself,” thewoman said. “It seems funny tome that healways locks his suitcase and takes the key. You can bet that man has something toconceal.”

“DoesMr.Baumhavemanycallers?”

“Amanonceinawhile—neveranygirlfriends,”thelandladyrepliedpointedly.

BehindNancy’sback,BessandGeorgegiggled.ItamusedthemthatthelandladyhadassumedtheirfriendwasromanticallyinterestedinFrancisBaum.

“JustgiveMr.Baummymessage,please,”Nancyrequested.

Blushing,sheturnedaway,walkingaheadofBessandGeorge,whogrinnedbroadly.

“Now,noneofyoursmartremarks!”Nancysaid,tryingtoforestallanyneedlingbythegirls.

“Why, Nancy,” George said in mock reproach, “we didn’t know you were trying totrackdownahusbandofroyalblood!”

“Haveyourfun,”Nancysaidcheerfully.

After a leisurely lunch in an attractive restaurant on the riverbank, the girls took theferryboat back to theopposite shore and returned to their homes.WhenNancy reachedhers,shefoundtwogirlsseatedinthelivingroom.

“Helen Corning Archer!” Nancy greeted her old friend. “When did you and your

husbandgetback?”

“Only yesterday,” Helen answered, giving Nancy an affectionate hug and kiss, thenintroducedhercompanionasKatherineKovna.“Whatanexciting trip Jimand Ihad inEurope!”

“I’dsayyouvisitedsomeofthebestdressshops!”Nancysaid.“That’safantasticsuityou’rewearing!”

“Katherinedesignedandmadeitforme,”Helensaidproudly.“WemetinEurope,andItalkedherintocomingtothiscountryandstayingwithJimandmeforawhile.”

NancylearnedthatHelen’sguesthopedtoopenafashionshopintown.

“Each time I go any place I’llwear a dress designed especially forme,”Helen said.“EveryonewillaskwhereIboughtit,andI’ll tell themofKatherine’swork.Theordersshouldrollin!”

“YouAmericans!”TheEuropeangirlsmiled.“Yousweepmeoffthefeet!”Theotherslaughed.

“Icoulduseanewdress,”saidNancy,grinning.“Wouldyoumakeoneforme?”

“Katherine canmeasure you now,”Helen said at once. “As her businessmanager, Iaccepttheorder.We’llgiveyouaspecialdiscount.”

Nancy went to get a tape measure from the sewing basket. Katherine made variousnotationsonaslipofpaper,andsketchedafewideas.AsNancytriedtodecidewhichoneshe liked best, she casually hummed a few bars of the nightingale’s song. The youngdesignerlistenedattentively.

“Thatmelody!”shemurmured.“Whatisitsname?”

“SofarasIknow,ithasnone,”Nancyanswered.“I’lltrytosingthewords,butIdon’tknowwhattheymean.”Shesangafewsyllables.

“Theysoundlikewordsinmynativelanguage,”Katherineannounced.“Buttheymakenomeaningtome.”

Nancy gazed at the girl with startled eyes. Did the nightingale’s song contain amessage?

“Katherine,you’vegivenmeawonderful idea!”sheexclaimed.“Youmaybeable tohelpmesolveamystery!”

“Igladlydoanything.”

“You’readear,”Nancysaid,squeezingtheother’shand.“ThereissomeoneIwantyoutomeet—Mrs.MarieAlexandra.I’llaskherifImaytakeyoutoseehertomorrow.”

After the two girls had left,Nancy lost no time in telephoningMrs.Alexandra. ThewomangraciouslyassuredNancythatshemightbringherfriendstoteaanyafternoonshechose,butaskedthatherrealidentitynotberevealed.

“Ishouldliketocometomorrow,”Nancyrepliedandsaidgood-by.Asshestoodnear

thephonewonderingaboutthemeeting,Mrs.Gruencalled:

“Nancy,ifyoucandescendtoearthforamoment,Iwishyou’dgotothesodashopforsomeicecream.”

“Gladto,”Nancyreplied.

Shefoundsomanycustomersinthestoretherewasalongdelaybeforeitwasherturntobewaitedon.

“IguessDadwillbehomebythetimeIgetback,”Nancythoughtasshereachedthehouse.

Shewasright.Hiscarstoodinthedriveway.AsNancywalkedtowardthekitchendoor,she noticed her father in his study. She was just about to call “Hi” through the openwindowwhenshesawafrighteningsight.

AmanseatedinachairoppositeMr.Drewwaspointingarevolverathim!

“You’llbesorryifyoudon’tpaymyprice!”themanwassayingtoMr.Drew.

Nancydidnotwaitasecond.Droppingherpackage,sheseizedarockfrombeneaththewindowandthrewitatthegun.Theweaponwentspinningfromtheman’shand.

InaflashNancyscrambledthroughthewindow,snatchedupthegun,andhandedittoherfather.

“Why,Nancy,”saidMr.Drew,“you—!”

“ThismanisthepickpocketwhostoleFrancisBaum’swallet!”shetoldherfather.

Nancythrewarockatthegun

“No,I’mnot,”themansaidquickly.“Thatgunisn’tloaded,andImeantnoharm.”

Nancywasunconvinced,evenwhenherfatheropenedtheweapontoshowitcontainednobullets.

“Iguessmylifewasn’tindanger,”Mr.Drewsaid,tryingtorelievethesituation,“butIdoappreciateyourtryingtosaveme,dear.”

“It’sallamistake,”thecallerinsisted.“Icameheretomeetyou,MissDrew.”

Nancywasbewildered.“ButIdidseeyoupointingtherevolverdirectlyatmyfather!”

“Iwasmerelytryingtoselltheguntohim.It’sarareone.”

“That’strue,”saidMr.Drew.“Henoticedmycollectionofantiquefirearmsonthewall,andthoughtImightliketoaddthisonetoit.”

“He’swantedbythepolice,”Nancyinsisted.“Orisitpossible,”shesaid,turningtothecaller,“thatyou’rethemanwholookssomuchlikethepickpocket?”

Thestrangercrossedtheroomandshenotedthathewalkedwithalongstrideandnotshort,quicksteps.

“Yes,Iam.MynameisDorrance—DavidDorrance.Yousavedmefromarrest.Iaskedthepolicemanforyournameandaddressandcameheretothankyou.”

“Nancy, I think you oweMr.Dorrance an apology,”Mr.Drew said. “I’m afraid thistimeyou’vemadeamistakeinyoursleuthing.”

“Itrulyamsorry,”shereplied.

“Oh, I can’t blameyou for acting asyoudid,” the caller said, accepting the revolverwhichMr.Drewhandedhim.“I’vebeenmistakenforthatotherfellowseveraltimes.”

“He resembles you closely,” Nancy remarked. She tried to memorize Dorrance’sfeaturestoavoidanyfuturemisunderstanding.

“It’s hard on me having the police and young lady detectives always after me,”Dorranceresumed.“Why,yourfriendschasedmeablock,nodoubtmistakingmeforthepickpocket.”

“WasthatwhenyouleftanapartmenthouseonOsterStreetyesterday?”

“Oh,no,Ihaven’tbeenneartheresincethedaymywalletwasstolen.Thechasewasaboutanhourago.”

“Whydidyourun?”Nancyasked.

“Ididn’t.ItwasonlyafterI’dboardedabusthatIrealizedtheywereafterme.”

Nancy decided that she had been unduly suspicious of him, especially after heexplained that he bought and sold antique weapons as a hobby. The revolver she hadknocked from his hand had been purchased only a short time before, he said. NancyrecalledhavingseenasimilaroneatMr.Faber’sshop.

“Idon’tseehowImadesuchamistake,”shesaidinapology.“Isthereawaytoavoidthathappeningagain?”

“Whynotarrangeasetofsignals?”Dorrancesuggested,grinning.

“IfIevermistakeyouagainforthethief,waveahandkerchief,”Nancysaid.“ThenI’llknowwhoyouare.”Theyoungmanagreed.

Amomentlaterheleft.Nancywentatoncetoretrievetheicecreamandplaceditinthefreezer,thenreturnedtoherfather.

“WhatdoyouthinkofDavidDorrance?”sheasked.

“Iwasn’timpressed,”thelawyerreplied.“However,Imustsayhetookyouraccusation

inarathersportingway.”

Nancyperchedherselfonanarmofher father’schair. “Idislikehim,” she said. “I’llalwaysrememberthatmanpointingagunatyou!”

“I’masgratefulasifyou’dactuallysavedmylife,Nancy,”Mr.Drewtoldher.“Well,here’sHannah,sodinnerisready.Let’sforgetthisunpleasantepisode,”headded,tuckingNancy’sarmunderhisownandwalkingtothediningroomwithher.

ThefollowingafternoonNancytookHelenArcherandherhouseguest,Katherine, tocallonMrs.Alexandra.ToNancy’sdelight,thegirlsmadeafavorableimpression.Morethan that, Katherine soon realized who the womanwas, and an animated conversationbetweenthetwobeganatonceinaforeigntongue.

“Mrs.Alexandra and I—weare from the same country,”Katherine announced to thegirls.“Pleaseexcuse—wehavemuchtotalkabout.”

Theothertwodidnotmindbeingexcluded.TheywerepleasedbecauseKatherinewasso happy. Nancy pointed out the various art objects in the room to Helen, who wasfascinated.

Beforetheyleft,Anna,whohadservedtea,tookthegold-encrustedEastereggfromthecuriocabinetandpressedthetinyspring.Thenightingalesangitsstrangelittlesong.

Katherine listened attentively, but offered no comment other than polite admiration.When the three girlswere on the street,Nancy eagerly askedKatherine if the bird hadsunganywordsinherlanguage.

“Heusewordsofmynativetongue,buttheyarenotclear,”thegirlanswered,frowning.

Katherinepausedamoment,thenshesmiled.“Itsoundsilly,maybe,butthelittlebirdseemtosay,‘clueinjewelbox!’”

CHAPTERVI

TrueCredentials?“YES,thenightingalesay,‘clueinjewelbox!’”KatherineKovnarepeatedinherhaltingEnglish.“Butthatmeannothing.”

“Itmaymeansomethingveryimportant!”Nancycorrectedherexcitedly.

“Ofcoursethepeopleofmynativeland—theyhavemanysecrets.”Katherinesmiled.

TheremarkbroughtbacktoNancy’smindwhatMr.Faberhadtoldherabouttheroyallady’sescapefromrevolutionistswithonlytheenameledEastereggandajewelbox.

“Theremaybe a connectionbetween the two!” she said to herself. “Thequestion is,doesMrs.Alexandraknow thatornot? Is theclueapolitical secret thewomancannotreveal?”

Theyoungdetectivesilentlyconsideredtheunexplainedbitsofthestrangetrailshewasfollowing.Apickpocketwithadoublehadaccidentallygivenheracluetoalostprince.The missing man’s grandmother, in turn, knowingly or unknowingly held a carefullyguardedsecret,judgingfromthetroublesomeonehadtakentomakethenightingalesing.

NancywonderedwhyshehadnotheardfromFrancisBaum.Ifshecouldtalkwithhim,some of the pieces of the puzzlemight fall into place. Had Baum’s landlady failed todeliverhermessage?

“Nancy,” said Helen, breaking in on her friend’s thoughts, “how would you like tomodelanewgownatanartandfashionshowattheWoman’sClub?

“Katherinehasagreedtohelpwiththefashionpartoftheexhibit.Aspecialprizeistobeawardedtothedesignerofthemostoriginalandattractivedress.”

“OfcourseI’lldoit,”Nancypromised.

“It startsnextThursday.Therewillbe threeafternoonshowingsandoneonSaturdaynight.”

“Canyoudesignandmakeadresssosoon,Katherine?”Nancyasked.

“Icantry,”theotherreplied.

“ThefashionshowwillbeagreatwaytohaveKatherine’stalentsrecognized,”wentonHelen.“Sheoughttowinfirstprize.”

“I’mthinkingofadesignnow—amodemone,butithavethetouchoftheRenaissanceperiod,”Katherine said dreamily. “An evening dress with a short train.” She paused amoment.“EverydetailIwantcorrect.”

ThefollowingafternoonNancywenttotheArcherhomeforthefirstfitting.Thedresswasbarelystarted,butshecouldtellthatitwouldbebeautiful.

“Theblueofthefloweredsilkexactlymatchyoureyes,”Katherinesaid.“Itakeatuck

here,andIshortenthetrain.Thentomorrowitisfinished.”

“And your reputation will be made!” Helen cried gaily. “With Nancy modeling thedress,you’recertaintogetmanyclients.”

Nancylaughed.“I’lldomybest.”

She knew thatKatherine’s successmeant everything to her. In themeantime,NancyintendedtodevoteeverymomentpossibletofindingFrancisBaum.

“Whysoquiet,Nancy?”Mr.Drewinquiredatbreakfastthenextday.

Hisdaughterhadnochancetoreply.Fromoutsidecameashrillscream,unmistakablythevoiceofHannahGruen.

Thoroughly alarmed, the Drews ran to the front door. A ferocious-looking Germanshepherddogwasjumpingaroundandwouldnotletthehousekeeperapproachthedoor.

“Don’tcomeout!”thewomanwarnedNancyandherfather.“Thedogmayattackyou.”

At thatmoment the animal turned of his own accord andwent off.At onceHannahGruengainedthesafetyofthehall.

“Iwaslookingforthenewspaperwhenthedogcameupbehindmeandgrowled,”sheexplained.“I’msorryIscreamed,buttheanimalfrightenedme.”

“Iwonderwherehecamefrom,”saidNancy.

The question was answered by the arrival of a young man, who obviously was hismaster.

“HopeRudydidn’t frightenyou,” thedog’sownerapologized. “Hebrokeaway fromme.”

ThevoicestruckNancyasoddlyfamiliar.Thenherheartbegan tobeata little faster.SherecognizedhimasFrancisBaum.

“Oh,goodmorning!Aren’tyouMr.Baum?”

“Iam,”headmittedpromptly.“AndyouareMissDrew,wholeftamessageforme?”

WithdifficultyNancy controlledher excitement, and tried to speak in a calm, casualvoice.“IhaveapicturewhichIthinkbelongstoyou.”

“Ofaboyinasailorsuit?”

“Yes,apparentlyitfellfromyourwalletwhenitwasstolen.”

“I’mcertainlygladyoufoundthepicture.It’simportant,”Baumreplied.

“Important?”askedNancy,tryingnottoshowhoweagershewastohearhisanswer.

“Itmaygetmesomerelativesandafortunesomeday,”themanboasted.

‘“We’dbettergoinside,”saidMr.Drew.“Haveyouhadbreakfast?”heinquired.

NancyhadtoldherfatherofherbeliefthatFrancisBaumwasthelong-missingprince.

Thecalleracceptedquickly,hisdogtrailinghiminside.Mrs.Gruensetanextraplaceatthetable,allthewhileeyingRudywithsuspicion.

Mr.Drewreopenedtheconversationbyaskingwheretheirguesthadbeenborn.NancywasnotsurprisedtohearthatitwasinMrs.Alexandra’snativeland.

“Whendidyoucometothiscountry,Mr.Baum?”herfatherinquired.

“Don’trememberexactly.IwasjustalittlekidwhenIwasbroughttoAmerica.”

Nancy tried not to notice that Mr. Baum was cramming toast into his mouth andclatteringthesilverwarenoisilyasheate.Surelythenurseofaprincewouldhavetaughthimbettertablemanners!

Withoutanyprodding,Baumadded,“Iwouldn’tmindlocatingsomeofmyrealfolks,butIdon’tknowhowtodoit.”

ThiswasNancy’s cue to say that shemight be able to help him.But shewas ratherdismayedtohearherselfsayinatonenotveryfriendly:

“Mr. Baum, if you have proper credentials—if you actually can prove you are thepersoninthephotograph—Icanleadyoutoyourgrandmother.”

“Honestly?Whereisshe?”hedemanded.

“Ican’ttellyouthatuntilyouproduceproofofyouridentity.”

“Idon’tgetit,”FrancisBaumsaid.“IfyouthinkI’mafake—”

“Oh,Ididn’tmeantosuggestthatIdoubtyou,”Nancycorrectedhurriedly.

“Bringyourcredentialstoussoon,Mr.Baum,”saidCarsonDrew,histoneendingtheinterview.“Andthankyouforcalling.”

Assoonastheyoungmanhadgone,Hannahvoicedhercandidopinionofhim.

“Ifhe’salostprince,thenI’maqueen!Didyouseethewayhegobbledhisfood?”

Mr.Drewfrowned.“Iguesshewasveryhungry.”

Mrs.Gruencontinued,“Hedidn’tshowanyrefinementatall!”

“Hetalkedratherwellatfirst,”Nancyremarked.“Buttowardtheendhealmostseemedlikeadifferentperson.”

“Youforgottogivehimthelostphotograph,”Mr.Drewremindedher.

“Ididn’tforget,Dad.IdecidedtokeepituntilI’msureofhisclaims.”

“ThenyoudistrustBaum?”

“Notexactly.I’lladmitIdon’tlikehim.Hedoesn’tbeartheslightestresemblancetotheboyinthephotograph.”

“Mark my words,” Hannah announced flatly, “he’ll never show up with anycredentials.”

The housekeeper’s prediction proved to bewrong. FrancisBaum returned, bearing a

packagewhichcontainedaletterwrittenbyhisformernurse,andasmalltoylambwithajeweledcollar.Muchasshedisliked todoso,Nancyfeltcompelled to invite theyoungmantostaytolunch.

“When can I see my grandmother?” Francis Baum asked Nancy as he again ateravenously.

“Soon,Ihope,”shereplied.“Iwilltalkwithhertoday,andshowhertheletterandthetoy.”

“Whycan’tIseehermyself?”heaskedsullenly.

“I havemy reasons,”Nancy replied. “If you expectme to help, you’ll have towait.Yourcredentialsseemsatisfactory,butonlyyourgrandmothercandeterminewhetherornotthey’regenuine.”

“She’llrecognizethesethingsallright,”herepliedconfidently.

Threeo’clockfoundNancyseatedinMrs.Alexandra’shomewiththeletterspreadoutonatablebetweenthem.Alumpcameintoherthroatasshewatchedthewomancaressthetoylamb.

“Mydarlinggrandsonplayedwiththisinhisnursery,”theformerqueensaid,smiling.“Igaveittohimmyselfonhisthirdbirthday.”

‘Andtheletter?Canyouidentifythat,too?”

Mrs.Alexandrascannedthewornsheetofpaper.

“Yes,thisisthehandwritingofmygrandson’sfaithfulnurse,Nada.TheyoungmanismylostMichael!Havehimpackhisbelongingsatonceandcomeheretolive.”

CHAPTERVII

MistakenIdentity“OH,MadameMarie!”Annaprotested.“WehavenoroompreparedforPrinceMichael.”

“Thatistrue,”agreedMrs.Alexandra.“Whenmygrandsoncomes,wemustshowhimeveryconsideration.Wewillhaveadinnerinhishonor.”

“Woulditnotbebettertowaitadayortwoatleast?”pleadedAnna.

“Verywell,”Mrs.Alexandraconsented.“Butprepareformygrandson’sarrivalquickly.Ishallwritehimaletterofwelcome.”

Nancy ventured to suggest that itmight be advisable to put away some of themostvaluedantiques.Annanoddedapprovingly,butMrs.Alexandraseemeddispleasedbytheidea.

“Iamsuremygrandsonistobetrusted,”shesaidcoldly.

“Yourgrandson—yes,”Nancyreplied.“Asfor thisFrancisBaum,youarenotcertainyetthatheisthemissingprince.Hiscredentialsseemauthentic,buttheymightnotbe.”

“Ishallreflectuponyoursuggestion,”Mrs.Alexandrasaid,hergoodhumorrestored.

Nancywasfearfulthatthewomanwouldnothavethetreasuresremoved.Shetriedtobring up the subject of the singing nightingale and its strange message, but Mrs.Alexandra showed nowillingness to discuss thematter.All her thoughtswere centereduponhergrandson.

“I will do what I can withMadame,” Anna whispered to Nancy as the girl left thehouse.“Butsheisverydeterminedonceshemakesuphermind.”

The day was unusually sultry. Nancy walked slowly down the elm-shaded street.Reaching the business section, she paused to look in the window of a small shop.Suddenlytheexcitedcriesofawomancamefromthenextcorner.

“Mypocketbook!”shewailed.“Thatmansnatchedit!Stophim,someone!”

Pedestriansturnedtoseeayoungmaninabrownsuitrunningdownthestreet,butnooneactedquicklyenoughtostophim.Nancysawthethiefenteradepartmentstore.

“He looks like the onewho stole Francis Baum’swallet—and probablyDad’s!” shethought.“Thisismychancetocatchhim!”

Confident she could have the pickpocket arrested, Nancy followed him into thedepartmentstore.Althoughtheyoungmanmingledwiththecrowd,shewasabletospotthethiefandkeephiminsight.Then,tohersurprise,heturnedandlookedather.

“Good afternoon, Miss Drew,” he murmured. He waved a white handkerchief andsmiled.

Nancy was so chagrined that she went on without a word other than a perfunctory

greeting.AgainshehadmistakenDavidDorranceforthepickpocket!Shewonderedifshewouldeverbeabletomakeapositiveidentificationofthethief.

ThechimingofaclockremindedherthatshehadanappointmentwithKatherinetotryonthebluegown.ShehurriedtotheArcherhome.

“This is the last timeyou’ll comehere for a fitting,”Helen toldNancy. “Katherine’srentedashopinthearcadeoftheHotelClaymore.”

“Itworryme,”Katherinedeclaredas shebroughtout theeveningdress forNancy toslipon.“Theshop—HelenandJimpaytherent.”

“Now don’t start all that over again,” Helen said teasingly. “As soon as you’reestablishedyouwillbeabletorepayus.”

The fitting proceeded. Katherine worked nimbly and seemed pleased with theRenaissancegown.

“Itisperfectforyou,”sheannounced,sittingbackonherheelstogetabetterviewofNancy.“Butforyourhairyouneedsometouch—alovelyjeweledornament.”

“Idon’townone,”Nancyreplied.

“Butthedressrequiresit,”Helensaid.

“Imeanasimpleornament,whichfitacrosshair—so!”Katherineexplained,holdingapairofscissorsacrossNancy’sheadtoillustrate.

“Wherecanwegetone?”Nancyasked.

“Inmycountryitwouldhavebeensoeasy,”declaredKatherine.“HereIdonotknow.”

“Iunderstandwhatyouwant,”Nancysaid.“It’spossibleMr.Faberhasone.”

After leaving theArcherhouse, shewent toMr.Faber’s shop.Beforeexplaining thatshewantedtopurchaseaheaddress,shetoldhimthatMrs.Alexandra’sgrandsonhadbeenfound.

“Ah, this is thehappiestdayofmy life.”Themanbeamed.“Askany favor,and it isyours.”

Nancy told of her need for a special hair ornament. Immediately the antique dealersearchedtheshelvesofhislittleshop.

“Oh,don’tputyourselftosomuchtrouble,”Nancyprotestedatlast.

Mr.Faberponderedamoment.“Youwait!”hesaid,movingtohisdesk.“IwillwriteanoteforyoutotaketoMadameAlexandra.Shehasjustthepieceyouwant,andwilllendittoyou.”

Nancyprotestedthatshecouldnotasksuchafavor,buttheshopkeeperpaidnoheed.

“Deliver this toMadameAlexandra,” he urged. “Shewill gladly let you borrow theheaddress.Didyounotfindherlostgrandson?”

AsNancy turned to leave, shewas startled to seea tall,bushy-hairedmanwearinga

dark jacketstanding inashadowycornerof theshop.Hewasquietlyexamininganoldprint.“Iwonderhowlonghe’sbeenthere,”shethought.

ThefollowingafternoonNancydeliveredMr.Faber’smessagetotheformerqueen.Shereadit,smiled,andthenspokerapidlytoAnnainhernativetongue.Theservantvanished,toreappearwithasparklingornamentonapurplevelvetcushion.

Nancycaughtherbreath.Shehadnotexpectedanythingsobeautiful.The rubiesanddiamondstwinkledbrilliantly.

“Itisyourstokeep,”saidMrs.Alexandra,smiling.

Nancy protested that she could not accept such a valuable gift. It was not until sherealized that her refusal was offending the woman that she agreed to wear the hairornamentinthefashionshow.

“ButimmediatelyafterthefinalshowingonSaturdaynightIshallreturnit.”

“Then I must find some other way to express my appreciation,” Mrs. Alexandrainsisted.

WhileAnnawrappedthejeweledhairornament,Mrs.Alexandraeagerlytalkedofhergrandson.Whatwastheyoungmanlike?

Nancywasfartookindtogivehertrueimpressionofhim.ThatmorningFrancisBaumhad phoned her to ask some questions about his grandmother. He had seemed moreinterestedinMrs.Alexandra’swealththaninanythingelse.

“Yourgrandsonshouldbeveryhappyhere,”shesaidfinally.

“Everythingisnearlyreadynowforhisarrival.AnnaandIwillwelcomehimtomorrownightwithagranddinnertocelebrate.Iamgladthatyouandyourfatherarecoming.”

Nancygazedabout thelivingroomwithtroubledeyes.Afewoftheart treasureshadbeen put away, but many remained. Fragile glass stood on small antique tables. Theslightestpushagainstthemwouldcausedisaster.

“Ican’thelpwonderingwhatMr.Baum’sGermanshepherddogwilldotothisroom,”sheremarked.

“Mygrandsonhasadog?”Mrs.Alexandraasked.

“Yes,hehas.Anditisn’tverywelltrained.”

“Ohdear!I’mafraidoflargedogs.WhatshallIdoaboutit?”

“I’llhandlethematterforyou,ifImay,”Nancyoffered.“IamcertainIcaninduceyourgrandsontogiveuphisdog.”

“Oh,thankyousomuch,”thewomansaid.

Relieved by Nancy’s reassuring answer, the woman now spoke of Mr. Faber. Sheexplainedthathisgrandfatherhadbeenadistinguishedpersonageinhercountry.

“Notonlywasheagreatjeweler,butheperfectedaformulafornoncrackableenamel.”

“ButIthoughtnosuchmethodexiststodayl”Nancyexclaimed,astonished.

“Unfortunatelyitwaslost.YoumustaskMr.Fabertotellyouallaboutit.”

Mrs.Alexandra suddenly seemedweary.Nancyhad intended to speakof the singingnightingaleandhisstrangesong,butdecidedtodosoanothertime.

AssoonasAnnaappearedwiththejeweledhairornamentinapaperbag,Nancyrosefromherchairandsaidgood-by.

As she left the house, the young sleuth thought, “I’m afraidMrs.Alexandrawill bedisappointedwhenshemeetshergrandson.”

Nancywassobusythinkingabouthimthatshefailedtoobserveatallshadowyfigurewatchingherfromaroundthecornerofthebuilding.Henoddedinsatisfactionatsightofthepaperbaginherhand.

Waiting until she had gone a short distance down the street, he stealthily followedNancy.

CHAPTERVIII

NancyIsRobbedUNAWAREthatshewasbeingfollowed,Nancywalkedon,deepinthought.Presentlysheapproacheda lonelysectionof thestreet,where therewasanoldcemeterywithahigh,vine-coveredwall.No onewas in sight, except the loneman and the unsuspecting girltowardwhomhedrewcloser.

Suddenlythetiresofaspeedingautomobilescreechedontheroadway.Startled,Nancyturnedherhead toseewhy thedriverhadstoppedsoabruptly.Asshestaredatagreensedan which had pulled up at the curb, the man behind her brushed past. He jostledNancy’sarm,knockingthepaperbagfromherhand.

“Excuseme,”hemuttered.Hestoopedandfumbledforamomentwiththebag.

“I’ll get it,” said Nancy quickly. Though the man kept his head down and his faceturnedaway,shecouldseehehadbushyhair.Likethecustomerintheshop,hewastallandworeadarkjacket.Coulditbethesameman?

Nancyfearedthathemeanttostealthepreciouspackage,buthedroppeditatonceandhurriedaway.Thedriverofthegreencaralightedandpickeditupforher.

“Don’tyourememberme?”heaskedashereturnedthebag.“Why,I’manoldfriend!”

“You’reMr.Dorrance,”Nancysaid.

“That’srightandIdidn’tevenhavetowaveahandkerchief,didI?”

“Notthistime.Thatpickpocketwouldn’tbelikelytospeaktome.”

“Howaboutalifthome?”themaninquired.

Nancy politely declined the invitation. “No, thank you. I prefer towalk.” She neveracceptedridesfrompersonsshedidnotknowwell.

“Suityourself.”Themanshrugged.Hejumpedintohiscarandquicklydroveoff.

“Ihopemycarwillbe fixedsoon,”Nancy thoughtandwalkedhomewithout furtherincident.Shewent to thekitchenandtoldHannahGruenaboutborrowingthediamond-and-rubyheaddressfromMrs.Alexandra.

“It’sbeautiful,”shedeclared,openingthebag.“Why,it’snothere!”

Dumbfounded,Nancypulledoutadirt-coveredstone.

“Theornamentwasstolen!”shecried,collapsingintoachair.“I’vebeentricked!”

“Howdreadful!”saidthehousekeeper.

ThelossmadeNancyfeelill.SheknewthatthepiecehadbeeninsidethebagwhenshehadleftMrs.Alexandra’shome.Adaringthiefeitherhadsubstitutedanotherbag,orelseslippedthestoneinsidethisoneinplaceofthejewelcase.

“It was either David Dorrance or that man who brushed against me!” she thoughtangrily.

Nancybelieved that the act hadbeen committedby the strangerwhonodoubt knewwhatshewascarrying.Shefeltsurenowthathewasthemanfromtheshopandthathehadfollowedher.Sherecalledhowhehadshieldedhisfacefromher.

“I dread tellingMrs. Alexandra,” Nancy groaned, adding, “At least I can notify thepolice!”

Sheimmediatelycalledheadquarters.Thelieutenantondutyassuredhertheywoulddowhat they could. But without a good description of the thief’s face it would be moredifficulttoapprehendhim.

“NowthenextthingyoumustdoisreportthelosstoMrs.Alexandra,”Hannahurged.

“Ijusthateto!”

“Youshoulddoitatonce,Nancy.”

“Iknow,”sheanswered.“Butit’sthemostdisagreeabletaskI’veeverhadinmylife.”

LeadenfeetcarriedheroncemoretothehomeofMrs.Alexandra.ThewomanlistenedinamazementtoNancy’sstory.

“Thepiece did havegreat value,” the owner acknowledged. “A thiefmust have seenAnnaputitintothebag.Nodoubthewaswatchingherthroughawindow.”

Nancy’sspiritsdroppedlower,forshewasafraidshemightneverbeabletorepaythegreat loss. At that moment Anna came into the room. Her mistress told her what hadhappened.

“MadameMarie,”shesaidquickly,“thestolenornamentwasnotthegenuineone.”

“Youwrapped up the imitation headdress?” thewoman cried in relief. “The oneMr.Fabersoldtomebeforehefoundtheoriginalfamilypiece?”

“Yes,Madame,bymistake.”

“Anna,youarethebrightestofallmyjewels!”thegraciousladyexclaimed.

NancyfeltsogratefulthatshecouldhavehuggedAnna.

“Iamhappytherealornamentissafe,”Mrs.Alexandradeclared.“SinceImeantyoutohavethegenuineone,Nancy,youmaytakeitnow.”

“Andriskanothertheft?Ohno!”

“ThenAnnaandIwillkeeptheheaddressforyouuntilThursday,ifyouprefer.”

Nancy rose to leave. “Andwhen I come for it, Imay bring a bodyguard!”Her eyestwinkledassheadded,“Asforyourdinnerpartytomorrowevening,myfatherandIwillbringonlyyourgrandson!”

Dinner was ready by the time Nancy reached home. Mrs. Gruen had prepared anexcellentmeal,butforsomereasonCarsonDrewatelittle.

“What’swrong,Dad?”Nancyinquired,glancingup.“Aren’tyoufeelingwell?”

“Oh,I’mallright.”

“Thenyou’reworried.Isitaboutthatwalletyoulost?”

“Well,Ihadhopeditwouldbereturned,”thelawyeradmitted.“Atleastthepapersinit.”

“Yourananadinthenewspaper,didn’tyou?”

“Yes,Iofferedarewardandnoquestionsasked.Nothingcameofit.”

“I’vehadnoluckintracingthepickpocketeither,”Nancysaid,sighing.

At thatmoment thediscussionwas interruptedby the ringingof thedoorbell.Nancywent to answer it.At the door stood a good-looking youngman, broad-shouldered anddeeplytanned.

“Ned!”Nancycriedjubilantly.“It’sgreattoseeyou!”

“Andyou.”Helaughed,seizingherhand.“IjusthappenedtobedoinganerrandnearhereandthoughtI’ddropover.”

NedNickersonandNancywerefriendsoflongstanding.Theyenjoyedthesamethingsand frequently went together to parties. Though she had many other admirers, NancyadmittedtoherselfthatNedwasherfavorite.

“Areyoufreeforadatetonight?”heasked.

“I have one,” Nancy said with genuine regret. “Why didn’t you warnme you werecoming?”

“Howabouttomorrownight?”

“Mrs.Alexandra,anewacquaintance,hasinvitedDadandmetoaspecialdinnerparty.Wearetotakehergrandson,FrancisBaum,toseeherforthefirsttime.It’sthrilling,Ned!He’ssupposedtobeamissingprince—”

“Wishhe’dstaymissing,”Nedmuttered.“Well,howabouttomorrowafternoon?”

“Fine,ifyou’llgetmehomeintimetodressforthedinnerparty.”

“Allright,we’lltakeinthecarnival,”Nedsaid.“Everythingfromfortune-tellingtotherollercoaster.”

Thefollowingafternoonthetwoarrivedatthecarnivalgrounds.Theymingledwiththecrowd,enjoyingthevariousamusements.

FinallyNedbought tickets for the rollercoaster.As thecardashedmadlydowneachincline, Nancy held her breath and clung to Ned. He enjoyed this so much that hesuggestedasecondride.

“No,let’strysomethingelse,”Nancypleaded.“HowabouttheFerriswheel?”

“Tootame.”

“AfterthatwildrideIcravesomethingmild.”

“Thenupwego,”Nedgaveinreluctantly.

Heboughttickets,andtheysatdowninoneofthecars.Soonthegiantwheelbegantoturn.Itmovedveryslowly.Themotorwhichrotateditmadealoud,rackingnoise.

“Terrible!”Nedcomplained.“Soundsasifit’sgoingtofallapart!”

“It’spokey,too,”Nancyadmitted.“Oh,well,thetorturewon’tlastlong.”

Just then theFerriswheel came to agrindinghalt.The car inwhichNancy andNedwereseatedremainedstationaryat theverytop.Minuteselapsed,butstill thewheeldidnotstart.

“What’sthematterwiththisthing?”Neddemanded,peeringovertheside.

Below,he could see twomenworkingover themachinery.Persons in the lower carsclosetothegroundwerebeinghelpedout.

“We’restuckuphere!”Nedexclaimed.

CHAPTERIX

FerociousDog“THEY’LLfixitsoon,”Nancysaid.“Inthemeantime,let’senjoytheview.”

“Thesun’shotandI’mthirsty.”

“Wemightaskoneofthementopassusupsomecooldrinks,”Nancysuggested.

“Nowthat’sacoolidea,”Nedsaid,grinning.

Hecalledtothemenbelow,askingthemtosendupbothfoodanddrinkbymeansoflongpoles,whichcouldbehandedfromcartocar.Othertrappedpassengerstookupthecry.

Atfirsttherequestwaslookeduponasajoke,butastimeworeonandthewheeldidnot move, Ned asked a second time. Others added their pleas, and finally they wereanswered.

Afteranotherhourhadelapsed,NedteasedNancy,“Stillenjoyingtheview?”

“It’s getting monotonous,” she said, shifting into a more comfortable position. Sheglancedatherwatchworriedly.“IfIdon’tgethomesoon,I’llbelateforMrs.Alexandra’sdinner.”

Nedrepliedsoberly,“WishIcoulddosomething.”

“I asked Francis Baum to come to our house at six-thirty,” Nancy put in restlessly.“KatherineKovnahasbeeninvited,too,”sheadded,andtoldNedaboutthedesigner.

“Iguesstheworkmenexpecttogetthemachineryfixedanyminutenow,”Nedsaidalittlelatertoencourageher.“Cheerup!”

Nancysettledbackintoherseatagain,forcingherselftoremaincalm.Hergazerovedto the curious crowdwhichhadgathered somedistanceaway to stare at themotionlessFerriswheel.Assheidlywatched,awirybuiltman,whowalkedwithshort,quicksteps,edged close to another man. Deftly he removed a wallet from the hip pocket of theunsuspectingvictimandturnedtoslipawayinthecrowd.

“Ned!”Nancy exclaimed, clutching his hand. “I just saw a pickpocket take aman’swallet!Wemustdosomething!”

“Whatcanwedo?”

Together they shouted, trying to attract the attention of someone on the ground. Butothertrappedpassengersweremakingsomuchnoisethatnoonepaidanyattention.

“It’s no use now,” Nancy said. “The pickpocket’s gone, and we’ll probably be hereforever!Oh—”

SuddenlytheFerriswheelbegantomove.Thecarsjerkedviolently.

“Herewego!”Nedexclaimedjubilantly.

Thenextinstantthecarsraceddownwardatabreath-takingspeed.Themachinerywascompletelyoutofcontrol!

TheFerriswheelmadeacompleterevolution,stoppingwithaterrificjerk.OncemorethecarinwhichNedandNancywereimprisonedstoppedatthetop.

“Thatwashorrible!”Nancyexclaimed.

Inthecarbeneaththemtwolittlegirlsbegantowhimperwithfear.Theyoungerchildstoodupandstartedtounfastenthesafetybar.

“Iwon’tstayonthisthinganotherminute!”shescreamedhysterically.

Nancy, thoroughly alarmed, leaned far over. She spoke to the frightened childrensoothingly.

“Justlook!”Nancysaidcheerfully.“Aphotographerhascometotakeyourpicture.”

The prospect of having their pictures taken on the Ferris wheel took the children’smindsofftheirpredicament.Theysatdownagainandevensmiledastheshutterclicked.

A moment later the Ferris wheel started to revolve. Everyone sat tense, fearful ofanotherwildride.Butthistimethecarsmovedslowlyandonebyonecametoastop.Thepassengersalighted.

“Atlast!”breathedNancyassheandNedwerereleased.“Ifwehurry,Icanstillreachhomeintimetochangefordinner.”

“Justaminute!”interposedthephotographer.

BeforeNancycouldduckherhead,hehadsnappedthepicture.

“Thenerveofthatguy!”Nedexclaimed.

Nancylaughedtocoverherirritation.“Ireallymustgethome!”

ThecouplesoonreachedtheDrewhouse.

“Iwishyouhadbeeninvitedtothedinner,Ned,”Nancysaidregretfully.

“All Iask is thatyoudon’tpay toomuchattention to thatprince.”Hechuckled.“I’llpickyouupforHelen’spicnic.‘Bye.”

Ashedroveaway,ataxidrewupnearby.KatherineKovna,dressedinawhiteeveninggownwithmatching coat and beaded bag, alighted at the curb. Shewas alone becauseHelenandJimArcher,althoughinvited,hadbeenunabletoaccept.

“AmIearly?”Katherineinquired.

“You’reexactlyontime,”Nancyreplied.“I’mtheoffender.Butitwon’ttakemelongtochange.”

Afterexplainingbrieflywhathadoccurred,sheledKatherineintothehouse.Mr.Drewwas just coming down the stairway, very handsome in his navy-blue dinner jacket andbowtie.

“Nancy,whatdelayedyou?”heasked.

AgainNancyofferedherexcuses.Mrs.Gruen,enteringtheroom,urgedhertohurry.

“Isn’tFrancisBaumhere?”Nancyaskedasshetookthestairstwostepsatatime.

“Notyet,”herfatheranswered.

Nancywasreadyinrecordtime.Asshesurveyedherselfinalongmirror,shedecidedthatthepaletangerinegownwasattractiveandappropriate.

“Baum still hasn’t arrived,”Mr.Drew saidwhenNancy appeared. “Are you sure heunderstoodhewastocometoourhouse?”

“Oh,yes,Dad.Icalledhimthismorning.”

Mrs.Gruen,whostoodatthefrontdoor,said,“Someone’scomingdownthestreet.He’sdressedinsportsshirtandslacks,though.”

“Thenitcouldn’tbeMr.Baum,”Nancyreplied.“He’dbewearingdinnerclothes.”

“Allthesame,itlookslikehim.HehasasuitcaseandaGermanshepherddog!”

“Adog!”Nancy’sfacedarkened.“Ican’tbelievehebroughtthatanimal!Itoldhimthathisgrandmotherisafraidoflargedogs.”

Darting to thewindow, she saw that the youngman approachingwas indeedFrancisBaum.

“GuessI’malittlelate,”heremarked,steppingintothehall.

“Whydidyoubringthedog?”Nancyasked.

“Can’tItakehimalong?”

“Idon’tthinkyourgrandmotherwouldwantRudyatherdinnerparty.”

“Well,thenI’llhavetoleavehimhere.”

“Here?”HannahGruenaskedsharply.

“Justovernight.He’sharmless.”

“I won’t be here to look after him,” the housekeeper said coldly. “I’m going to amovie.”

“Oh,hecanstayoutside,”FrancisBaumsaidcarelessly.“I’lltiehimbythegarage.”

Heseemedunawarethathehadcausedtheslightestinconvenience.

“Isupposeyou’reeagertoseeyourgrandmother,”Mr.Drewremarked.

“Oh,sure,”hereplied,buthistonelackedwarmth.“What’sshelike?”

“Decidedlyformal,”Nancywarnedhim.

“Maybeshewon’tletmeeatwithyouintheseclothes.”Hegrinned.“Butshe’llsoonlikeme.”

NancyavoidedlookingatherfatherandKatherine.Theyallfeltsickatheart,knowingthatMrs.Alexandracouldnotfailtobedisappointeduponmeetinghergrandson.

Mr. Drew parked in front of the house, which glowedwith lights, and followed theotherstothedoor.ItwasopenedbyAnna.

Upon entering,Mr.Drew’s gazewandered to an unusual card tray on the hall table.Constructedofcopper, itwasdecoratedwithcoloredbitsofenamelinaflower-and-leafdesign.

“That’sasampleofwonderfuloldenamelwork,”hesaidtoNancy.

“You’llseemanyothertreasures,unlesstheyhavebeenputaway,”shesaid.

In the living roomMrs.Alexandra, gowned in richmaroonvelvet trimmedwith reallace,greetedherguests.HereyesweremoistasshekissedFrancisBaumoneithercheek.Ifhisappearancestartledher,shedidnotshowit.

“Michael,” she said tenderly, leading him to a sofa, “I have prayed we would bereunited.”

“I’mgladtoknowyou,”hereplied.“ButIthoughtmynamewasFrancis.GuessMomwasafraidtocallmeMichael.”

Nancythoughtshedetectedaslightstartonthepartofherhostess.Itseemedstrangethathisnursewouldhavehadaroyalchildcallher“Mom.”

“MichaelAlexandra is your true name,” the former queen explained. “Do you recallanythingoflifeatthepalace?”

Francissquirmeduncomfortably.“Irememberseeingsomeparades.That’sall.”

Anawkwardpausefollowed.ItwasbrokenbyAnnaannouncingdinner.Asthedoubledoors of the dining roomwere opened,Nancy drew in her breath at the beautiful tablesetting.Orchidsformedthecenterpiece,theclothwasmadeofrarelace,andateachplacewasanamecard.

FrancisBaumfoundhischairatonceandsatdownwithoutwaitingfortheothers.Tocover hismistake,Mrs.Alexandra quickly seated herself. Itwas evident to all that shemeanttosparehergrandsonembarrassment.

Thefirstcoursewasacompoteofrarefruitsservedinfragilehand-blownglasscups.The service plates were of rich dark blue and gold, with hand-painted bouquets. Thehandlesoftheknivesandforkswereinlaidwithmother-of-pearl.

NancyandKatherineweresoimpressedbyallthesplendorthattheyfeltasiftheyweredining in fairyland.Aglance atFrancisBaum,however, brought them to earthquickly.The young man made one mistake after another, both in his table manners and in hisattemptsatconversation.

“Hecertainlyhasforgotteneverythingheeverwastaught,”thoughtNancy.

Dessert was served on dainty plates of salmon pink and gold. Their decorations of

enamelweresounusualthatMr.Drewcommentedonthefinework.

“It is indeed remarkable,”Mrs.Alexandra admitted, pleased by his interest. “At onetime, only the ladies of the court haddessert servedon these plates.”She smiled. “ButnowIamsharingthissecretwithyougentlemen.”

She turned toFrancisBaum.“Michaeldear,do tellus somethingofyour lifehere inAmerica,”sheurgedgently.

“Nothingtotell,”hemumbled,avoidinghergaze.“Ididn’thaveachancetogetmucheducation—toobusyworking.”

“Youshallhaveanopportunitytolearnnow,Michael.You’llhaveatutor.”

“I’llneedtofindouthowtohandlemyselfinsociety,”theyoungmanadmitted.“Youcanteachmetheropesyourself,though.Right?”

Mrs.Alexandra looked slightly distressed at her grandson’s crude remarks. The nextinstantshesmiled.Arising,sheindicatedthatthelongdinnerhadended.

The guests returned to the living room, from which many art treasures had beenremoved.TheEaster egg, too, haddisappeared.Nancywasdisappointed that her fatherwouldnothaveanopportunitytohearthenightingale’ssong.

Realizing that Mrs. Alexandra no doubt wished to be alone with her grandson, theguestssoonofferedexcusesfor leaving.FrancisBaumfollowedNancyintothehallandwhispered:

“Howaboutyouandmehavingadatesoon?”

“Thankyou,I’llbeverybusy—forsometime,”Nancysaid.

“Oh,doitasafavortomygrandmother.”

Nancywasglad thatMrs.Alexandra’sappearance in thehall at thatmomentmade itunnecessaryforhertoreply.TheDrewsandKatherinedeparted,leavingBauminhisnewhome.

“It’s difficult to believe that he’s related toMadameAlexandra,” Nancy said toMr.Drewafter takingKatherine to theArcher residence.“IfMrs.Alexandrahadn’tbeensofirmly convinced that his credentials were authentic, I’d have thought he was animpostor.”

“TrainingmaymakeyoungBaumintoanewperson,”Mr.Drewdeclared.“Let’shopeso.”

When they reached home, Mr. Drew went directly to the garage. He and Nancyalighted.Thewindowsinthehouseweredark,evidencethatMrs.Gruenhadnotreturned.

AstheDrewsnearedthesidedoor,theywerestartledtohearanangrygrowl.Baum’sdoghadbrokenawayfromtheropeandwascrouchedonthe topstep,readyto leaponNancyandherfather.

“Let’strythefrontdoor,”shesuggested.

Theannoyinganimalfollowedthem.Hebecameincreasinglyunfriendly,andwouldnotletthemcomewithinseveralyardsoftheentrance.

“What’llwedo,Dad?”

“It’stoolatetotelephonethedogwarden.”

“Wecan’tstayoutdoors!”saidNancy.

Mr.Drewnoddedgrimly.

“Iknowwhatwe’lldo,”hesaidwithsatisfaction.“Justfollowme,Nancy.”

CHAPTERX

AmazingRevelationMR.DREWledthewaytothehomeoftheirneighborMr.Gleason.GrimlyhetoldNancythathewouldcallFrancisBaumandaskhimtocomeforhisdogatonce.

“That’sagoodidea,”sheagreed.

The owner of the animal was not cooperative. But when Mr. Drew remained firm,Baumreluctantlyagreedtotakehimaway.

“Whodoesthatfellowthinkheis,anyway?”thelawyerdemanded.

“Merely a prince.”Nancygiggled. “Since he has the title, he feels he should act thepart.”

“Puttingotherpeopletoalotoftroubleisanythingbutprincely!”herfatherdeclared.“Why don’t youwait here at theGleasons,Nancy?” he suggested. “I’llwalk back andwatchforBaum.”

“Iwouldn’t desert you.” She snuggled dose to him. “HisRoyalHighnesswill arrivesoon.”

MinuteselapsedandMr.Drewbecamemore impatient.Againhe tried toget into thehouse, but the dog became evenmore ferocious.After nearly an hour had gone by, heannouncedhewouldtelephonetheyoungmanagain.Atthatinstantataxicamedownthestreetandstopped.

“Thereheisnow!”thelawyermuttered.

“Iwasjustreadytogotobedwhenyoucalled,”BaumcomplainedashereachedtheDrews.“Couldn’tyouhandleRudywithoutbotheringme?”

“Icouldhaveturnedhimovertothepolice,”thelawyerretortedtestily.

Francis Baum called the dog, who responded readily to his master. He loaded theanimalintothetaxiandleftwithoutawordofapology.

“Dad,I’mafraidyouweren’tverypolitetotheprince,”Nancysaidteasingly.

“I’vehadenoughofthatyoungman,”Mr.Drewreplied.“Infact,ifInevermeethimagain,Iwillbepleased.”

Mr.Drewyawneduponenteringthehouse.“ThinkI’llturninimmediately.I’vehadabigday.”

“Metoo,”Nancyaddedwearily.“ThosehoursontheFerriswheelworemeout.”

Goingatonce toher room,Nancyundressedand tumbled intobed.Shedidnotevenhear Mrs. Gruen, who arrived home only a few minutes later. Nancy slept until nineo’clockthenextmorning,whenthehousekeeperenteredthebedroom.

“Goodmorning,Nancy.Ididn’texpecttoseeyourpictureintoday’spaper.”

“What!”Nancyasked,sittingboltupright.

“Justlookatthefrontpage.”Hannahhandedherthenewspaper.

TheRiverHeightsGazettecarriedathree-columnpictureofNancyandNed,theirheadslowered,astheyobviouslyfledfromphotographers.Aheadlineproclaimed:

NANCYDREWSAVESCHILDFROMFALL

“Howhorrible!”Nancy exclaimed. “With the fashion show startingThursday, peoplewillthinkI’mlookingforpublicity.”

“Notthosewhoknowyou,”Mrs.Gruensaidkindly.

With the show almost at hand,Nancy had no time to thinkmore about the incident.ImmediatelyafterbreakfastsheattendedarehearsalattheWoman’sClubwithKatherine,Helen, Bess, and George. Beautiful paintings hung on the walls and many gorgeousensembleswereondisplay.

“Butthere’snotanentrytocomparewiththeKovna-Drewcombination,”HelenArcherassuredthegirlsconfidently.

“Ihopeyou’reright,”Nancyreplied.“Thecompetitionwillbekeen.”

AlthoughKatherinehaddeclaredthegownfinished,shekeptaddingtouches.

“I thinkImakeloopsof thedressmaterial toswinggracefullyfromthebackofyourhead,”sheexplained.

“I’llfeellikeayoungqueen!”Nancysaid,laughing.

To complete the elaborate headdress, Katherine needed the ornament that Mrs.Alexandrahadpromisedtolend.BessandGeorgeofferedtoaccompanyNancytogetit.

“We’llmakesurethatnothiefoutwitsyouthistime!”Georgepromised.

On theway toMrs. Alexandra’s home, the girls stopped atMr. Faber’s shop to sayhello.Hesaidthatonthepreviousdayhehadbeentoldbythepolicehowtheimitationruby-and-diamond headpiece had been snatched from Nancy and decided to do someinvestigating.Thegirlswerestartledwhenheplacedtheornamentontheshowcounter.

“Why,Mr.Faber,wheredidyougetthis?”Nancyaskedinastonishment.

“Fromapawnbrokerjustalittlewhileago.”

“Thenthemanwhosnatcheditfrommemusthavepawnedit!”

“Yes.Thepolicearetryingtotrackhimdown.”

Smiling,Mr.FaberplacedthehairornamentinapaddedcaseandgaveittoNancy.

Withtheimitationornamentoncemoreinherpossession,Nancyremarkedthatitwouldnotbenecessaryforhertoborrowtheoriginal.

“Youmakeamistakeifyoudonotwearthegenuinepiece,”Mr.Faberadvised.“Thisonedoesnotsparkleasmuchastheoriginal.”

Thegirls left the shopandcontinued toMrs.Alexandra’shouse.Nancygaveher theheaddressandtoldhowithadbeenrecovered.

“Iamgladforyou,”theformerqueensaidwithasmile.“Nowyouwillnotbeworriedaboutit.”

Thegirlshadhoped to talkwithheralone, so theyweredisappointed to findFrancisBaumthere.Heexplainedthathenowhadmuchleisuretime.

“It’snotfittingforaprincetowork,”hedeclaredloftily.

“Michaelwillneedtimeforhisstudies,”Mrs.Alexandrasaid.“Ihopetoengageatutorforhimwithinafewdays.”

“No hurry about it,” the young man interposed. “I want to have a good time for awhile.”

Bess and George noticed that many art treasures had been removed from the livingroom.NancyhadforgottentotellthemthatAnnahadputawaytheobjectsuntilthetwowomenbecamebetteracquaintedwiththenewcomer.

“WhereistheEasteregg?”Bessasked.

FrancisBaumbecameimmediatelyalert.“Easteregg?”hedemanded.“What’sthat?”

“MerelyoneofthethingsIbroughtwithmewhenIcametothiscountry.”

“Let’sseewhatit’slike.”

Mrs.AlexandraorderedAnnatobringthelittletreasure.Sheobeyedreluctantly.

FrancisBaum’seyesbrightenedat thesightof theEastereggwith thegold-encrustedlid.He raised the lid.Beholding thenightingale, he astonished everyoneby asking if itcouldsing.

“Thenyoutooknowthesecret!”Mrs.Alexandraexclaimed.

She took thebeautifulornament fromhim.At the touchofher finger thenightingalesangitssong.Theyoungmangavenohintthatheunderstoodthewords.

Mrs.Alexandratoldthestoryofherescapefromhercountry,muchthesameasNancyhadhearditfromMr.Faber.

“Michaeldear,whatdidyournursetellyouaboutthenightingale?”sheasked.

“Justaboutwhatyou’vetoldme.Whydoyoukeepaskingme?”

Asiftoescapefurtherquestioning,theyoungmanaroseandhurriedlylefttheroom.

Nancy quickly toldMrs. Alexandra that Katherine thought the nightingale might besayinginhernativetongue,“clueinjewelbox.”

Theformerqueentouchedthesecretspringseveraltimes.Finallysheadmittedthatthelittlebirdmightbetryingtoconveysuchamessage.

“Doyouknowwhatitmeans?”Nancyasked.

BeforeMrs.Alexandracouldreply,theywerestartledbyaloudcrash.FromthekitchenAnna’svoicewasraisedinfrightandanger.

“Oh,Michael!”theyheardherwail.“Whathaveyoudonenow?”

Mrs.Alexandraandthethreegirls,alarmedbyAnna’scries,hastenedtothekitchen.Onthefloorlayaporcelainbowlwhichhadbrokenintoadozenpieces.

“MadameMarie,itwasnotmyfault!”Annasaid,hereyesfastenedonMichael.

“No,blameme!”heretortedsharply.“SureIdidit.Sotheoldbowlcracked.”

“Old?Cracked?”Anna’svoiceroseinanger.“Thatlovelyporcelaincannotbereplaced.ThekinggaveittoMadame.She—”

“There,Anna, please saynomore,”Mrs.Alexandra interrupted. “Itwas an accident.After all, my grandson is far more precious to me than the most valuable piece ofporcelain.”

“That’sthewaytotalk,Grandmother!”Michaelnodded.“I’llgetyouanotherbowl.”

ItwaseasytoseethatMrs.Alexandrafeltdeeplydistressed.Nevertheless,shepassedthematteroffwithregalcomposure.Nancydecideditwasnottherighttimetobringupthesubjectagainofthenightingale’smysteriousreferencetoajewelbox.

I’mafraidtoborrowit,”Nancysaid

“Wemust leavenow,”shesaidconsiderately.“May I take thehairornament thatMr.Faberrecovered?”

Toherdismay,Mrs.AlexandraaskedAnnatobringinthegenuineheaddressandplaceitonNancy’shead.

“Itsuitsyouperfectly.Youmustwearitinthefashionshow,”sheinsisted.

Nancy did not want to offend the woman a second time, yet she was fearful thatsomethingwouldhappentothetiara-likepiece.

“I’mreallyafraidtoborrowit,”shedeclareddubiously.

“Dotakeittopleaseme,”Mrs.Alexandraurged.“Iassumeallresponsibility.Annawill

wrapitforyou.”

Nancythankedthewoman,andleftthehousewithBessandGeorge.TheycarriedthepreciouspackageatoncetoKatherine.

“Ah,itwillsetofftheRenaissancecostume!”thedesignerapprovedindelight.“IaskJimtoputtheornamentinhissafe!”

“Fine.Seeyouatthepicnicthisafternoon.”

“ItissweetofHelentogiveitforme,”Katherinesaidwithasmile.

After pickingupher car at the service station, shedroppedBess andGeorge at theirhomes, then stopped at police headquarters to find out if there was any news of thepickpocket.ChiefMcGinnissaidthatasuspecthadjustbeenbroughtinforquestioning.

“MayIseehim?”Nancyrequested.

“Certainly,”theofficerreplied.

WellacquaintedwithbothNancyandherfather,hefrequentlyreceivedusefulcluesandtipsfromthem.Infact,NancyhadsolvedsomanycasesthatthechiefjokinglydeclaredNancytobeanunofficialmemberofhisstaff!

Themanwhohadbeen capturedwas placed in a line-upwith other suspects.Nancystudied each person as he stood on a platform under a powerful light. The wiry builtpickpocketshehadhopedtoidentifywasnotinthegroup.

“Sorry,”shesaidregretfully.“I’veneverseenanyofthesepeoplebefore.”

AsNancywasabouttoleavethebuilding,aniratemanburstin.

“Youpolicemen!”hefairlyshouted.“I’vebeenpayingtaxesherefortwelveyears,andwhatdoIgetinreturn?Nothing!WhenIneedapoliceman,Ican’tfindone!AndwhenIfinallygetone,hearreststhewrongman!”

CHAPTERXI

TheIslandTrick“Ifyouhaveacomplainttomake,thelieutenantwilltakeit—overatthatdesk,”asergeanttoldthecomplainingman.

Hecalmeddownabitanddirectedhisremarkstothechief.Inabittervoiceherevealedthathiswallethadbeensnatchedwhilehewasstandinginfrontofastore.

He had shouted for a policeman. The officer had arrested a man, who immediatelyestablishedhisinnocence.Shortlyafterwardthewallet,empty,hadbeenfoundinanalley.

“You can bet the thief had an accomplice,” the angry victim declared. “When thepolicemancameontherun,Iheardsomeoneinthecrowdwhistleasifinwarning.”

“Youdidnotseethepersonwhowhistled?”

“No,Ididn’t.”

Thelieutenantpromisedhewoulddowhathecould,andmadearoutinereport.Aftertheindignantmanhadleftheadquarters,theofficergazedratherapologeticallyatNancy.

“Whatcanwedo?”heaskedwithashrug.“Moneycan’tbetraced,unlessthebillsweremarkedortheserialnumbersrecorded.”

ChiefMcGinnis said, “Nancy, Ibelieveyou’llhave to turnyour talents to thiscase.”Therewasatwinkleintheeyesofthegood-naturedofficer.

“Toobusytoday,”shejokedinreturn.

Homewardbound,Nancybegantowonderwhetherthislatestthefthadbeencommittedbythesamemanwhohadstolenherfather’swallet,andwhowasalsoresponsibleforthepursesnatchingsinRiverHeights.

“SomehowImustrecoverthemoneyfortheBoysClub,andthevaluablepapersDadlost!” she thought resolutely. “This afternoon, I’ll be at Helen’s picnic for Katherine.Maybetomorrowanewcluewillcomemyway!”

TheyoungpeopleweretogobymotorboatfaruptherivertoStarIsland.Theoutingpromisedtobeanespeciallyenjoyableone.

NedNickersoncameforNancy inhiscar.Upon reaching thedock, thecouple foundthat the other picnickers had arrived ahead of them. Ned’s college friend Bob DuttonescortedKatherine.GeorgeFayneandanathleticyoungman,BurtEddleton,hadcometogether,andBesshadbroughtherfavoritedate,DaveEvans.

“Everyoneishere,”Helendeclared,countingallofherguests,whonumberedtwelve.

Twomotorboats,tobeoperatedbyJimArcherandNed,hadbeenrentedfortheouting.Thepassengersweredividedbetweenthecrafts,andJimstartedoff.TheropesofNed’scraftwereabouttobecastoffwhenashoutcamefromshore.

“Hey,waitaminute!”FrancisBaumrantothedock,followedbyhisdog.Thinkingthathemighthaveamessageforherfromhisgrandmother,NancyaskedNedtowait.InalowvoiceshetoldhimthatthenewcomerwasMrs.Alexandra’sgrandson.

“What’sup?Aboattrip?”theprincedemandedashereachedthegroup.

“Youguessedit,”Nedansweredshortly.

“Howabouttakingmealong?”

“Theboatsarefillednow.Otherwise—”Davestartedtosay.

“Oh,youcanmakeroomforme,”Michaelinsisted,jumpingaboardandsqueezinginbetweenNancyandBess.

Thedogalsoleapedintothecraft.Beforehecouldbemadetoliedown,hehadputhisdirtypawsonBess’sbeigeslacks,soilingthembadly.

“Oh!”shecriedout.

“Hey,pitchthatbeastoutonthedock!”Nedordered.“We’renotgoingtotakehim.”

NancywasconcernedthatMrs.Alexandramightbehurtiftheprincetoldherabouttheboys’attitude.ShenudgedNed,andhebecamesilent.ShenowpresentedMichaeltothegroup,beingcarefulnottorevealtheidentityofMrs.Alexandra.

“Why don’t you tell your friends I’m really Prince Michael?” he urged. “It’s noteverybodywhohasaqueenforagrandmother.”

Those in the groupwho did not know the story looked at him in amusement. Theythoughthewasjoking,andNancymadenocomment.

“Howdidyouknowaboutourpicnic?”sheaskedquietly.

“I didn’t,” he said with a grin. “I just happened to be walking my dog down here.Lucky,wasn’tit?”Noonereplied.

As theyedgedaway from thedock, a sleek speedboat cruisedpast.Beside itsdriver,whowasasad-facedyoungman,satalittleboy.Michaelduckedlow.

“Isheafraidofbeingseenbythatotherman?”Nancyaskedherself.

Asthetripproceeded,Bess,Ned,andtheirfriendspaidlittleattentiontoMichael.Theyhad started singing. Nancy, crowded by the dog, presently climbed over the seat, andperchedherselfontheafterdeckoftheboat.

“Lotsofroombackhere!”sheshouted.

Theotherscontinuedtosinganddidnotjoinher.Shebecameinterestedinwatchingthespeedboat,whichwasabouttopassthemagain.

ItwasnotuntilthechannelbuoyhadbeenroundedthatBessglancedoverhershoulder.Thenshescreamed.

“Stoptheboat,Ned!Quickly!Nancy’sgone!Shemusthavefallenoverboard!

Nedswungthemotorboatinawidearc,whiletheworriedyoungpeoplelookedacrossthewater.Theysawafigureswimmingsomedistanceaway.

“It’sNancy!”criedBess,pointing.“She’sholdingupalittleboy!”

Anotherboatalsowasspeedingtowardthescene.Ned,however,wasthefirsttoreachNancy.Manyhandspulledherandthelittleboyaboard.Immediatelyhebegantocry.

“You’reall right,”Nancysaid,puttingherarmsaroundhimandhugginghimdose toher.

Betweensobstheboysaid,“Mr.Ellington’sgoingtoscoldmeforfallingoffhisboat.”

BothNancy andNed hastened to console the boy. “Oh no!He knows itwas just anaccidentthatcouldhappentoanybody.”

“Look,hereisyourboatnow,”Nancysaidasitdrewalongside.

“That’sMr.Ellington,”theboysaid,pointingtothehandsomemanatthewheeL

Themanlookedfrightenedasherealizedbywhatanarrowmarginatragedyhadbeenaverted.

“You had him before I knew he was overboard,” he said shakily. “If anything hadhappenedtoBuddyFarrell,Icouldn’thavefacedhisparents,”hedeclared.“He’sthesonofthesuperintendentoftheapartmenthousewhereIlive.”

BuddywashandedovertoMr.Ellington.Asthetwoboatsseparated,Nancyremarkedthatthesad-facedyoungmanseemedverynice.

“Toostifftosuitme,”cutinMichaeL

“Mr. Ellington is a talented commercial artist,” said Katherine. “I see some of hisdrawingsat anexhibit.He sell them, I think, tomagazines.Helen sayhewillbeat thefashionshow,andImustmakeimpressiononhim!”

“Whatishisfirstname?”Nancyasked.

“Idonotknow.HesignallhisdrawingsR.H.Ellington.”

Star Islandsooncameintoview,and theboatwas tied toadocknearasandybeach.HelenandJim’sgroupalreadyhadarrived.AlltheyoungmenexceptMichaelofferedtocarrythepicnichamperstoaspotamongthetrees.

NancyintroducedMichaeltotheothers,thensaid,“Let’sgoforaswim!”

“Theprincewillhaveachancetoshowushisskill,”Nedadded.

Michaelsmiledinasuperiorway.“Sorry,Ididn’tbringswimtrunks.”

“I’llletyouhavemine,”Jimoffered.“We’reaboutthesamesize.”

“No,thankyou,”theyoungmandeclined.“Ineverwearanybodyelse’sclothing.”

The others felt certain that hewas giving these lame excuses because hewas a poorswimmer.Whiletheydivedandracedinashelteredcove,heamusedhimselfbythrowing

sticksintothewaterforhisdogtoretrieve.

“Can’tyouplaythatlittlegamesomewhereelse?”Neddemandedcrossly.

“Sosorry,”Michaelreplied,buthekeptonthrowingsticksintheswimmingarea.

“I’vehadmyfillofthatguy!”Nedmuttered.

“SohaveI,”addedBobDutton.

Out of earshot of Nancy they formed a plan to be put into effect ifMichael shouldannoythemanymore.Theyoungpeopledecidedtodress.Nancy’sclothinghaddried.

The girls were ready first and began to set out the lunch. Michael took severalsandwichesforhisdogwithoutaskingpermission.

“Iwishthoseboyswouldhurry,”Helensaidafterfifteenminuteshadgoneby.

Presentlytheyouthsturnedup,broadgrinsontheirfaces.Nancysuspectedtheywereuptosometrick.

As the foodwas passed, it became evident that the prince had not learned anythingaboutgoodmannersfromhisassociationwithhisgrandmother.Hewasasgreedyasever.

“Michael,”saidNed,addressinghimabruptly,“willyoudousafavor?”

“Whatisit?”Michaelaskedsuspiciously.

“Katherinelefthercoatinthemotorboat.Dashdownandgetitforher,”Nedreplied,givingthegirlawink.

Theyoungmanconsideredamoment,andthensmiledatKatherine.“I’lldoitforyou.ButwhenIgetback,I’llexpectareward.”

“You’llgetit,”Nedpromised.

AsMichaelstartedtowardthebeachwithhisdog,NancyglancedquestioninglyatNed.Instantlytheboysaroseandhurriedlystuffedtheremainingfoodintothehampers.

“We pulled the motorboats to another dock,” he explained. “Here’s where we leavePrince Charming! Come on!” Ned urged. “A ferryboat touches Star Island every twohours.Hishighnesscangethomeonthat.”

Nancyfeltthattheyshouldnotdeserttheyoungman,butwasoverruled.Keepingoutofsight,theyoungpeopleslippeddowntothedockandboardedthetwoboats.TheroarofthemotorsbroughtMichaelsprintingmadlyalongthebeach.

“Hey,waitforme!”heshouted.

“Can’thearyou,”Bobcalledthroughcuppedhands.“Louder!”

Michaelshoutedagainandagain.Finally,astheboatsspedaway,heslumpeddownonthebeach.

“Itwasameantrick—”Nancybegan,butNedinterruptedher.

“He deserved it. Don’t waste any of your sympathy on him. Save it for Mrs.

Alexandra.”

WhentheyoungpeoplereachedRiverHeights,theyallwenttoamovie.

ThenextmorningNancydroppedintoseeMr.Faberaboutherfather’sbirthdaygift.The antique dealer said, “I think I have found just the right gentleman’s box for Mr.Drew.”

Heshowedherahandsomebrownleatherchesttrimmedwithsilver.

“It’sbeautiful!” she saidand lifted the lid. “And inwonderful condition,” sheadded,gazingatthevelvet-linedtraysforjewelry.

“Ihopeyourfatherlikesit,”hesaidanxiously.“MadameAlexandraaskedmetomakeaspecialefforttopleasehim.”

“Howniceofher!”Nancyexclaimed.“Haveyouseenherrecently?”

“No,butMichaelwashereearlythismorning.”

“Michael?”

“Yes,hebroughtmea ring to sell forMadameAlexandra.”Mr.Faber’s facebecametroubled. “I gave her the best price I could, but it worries me that she must sell hertreasures.”

“MaybePrinceMichaelisanexpensivegrandsontohave,”Nancyremarked.

“Ah,yes!”Mr.Fabersaidwithconcern.“ItisapityMadamecandenyhimnothing.”

WhenNancyreachedhome,Mrs.GruengaveheranurgentmessagefromAnna.

“Shecalledtwice,”thehousekeepersaid.“Mrs.Alexandraisverytroubled.Annawantsyoutocomeatonce.”

“Ofcourse I’llgo,”Nancyagreed.“Iwonder ifMichaelhadanything todowithhercondition.”

AfewminuteslatershearrivedattheDowneyStreethomeandaskedAnnaifhehadbeenthecauseofMrs.Alexandra’sagitation.

“I don’t see howMichael can be responsible,” themaid replied. “He has been awaymostofthemorning.”

“Hewas atMr. Faber’s,”Nancy said. “I thoughtmaybe his selling the ring forMrs.Alexandramighthaveupsether.”

“MichaelsoldaringforMadameMarie?”Anna’seyesopenedwideatthisbitofnews.

“Didn’tyouknowaboutit?”Nancyasked.

“Icertainlydidnot!”Annareturnedwithdispleasure.“IfIhadknown—Butnowit istoolate.MadameMariehasspentmoneymostlavishlythepastcoupleofdays.”

“IsMichaelherenow?”Nancyasked.

“Hecameinabout tenminutesago,” thewomanreplied.“Hetiedup thatdogofhis,

andwentoffsomewhere.Hewasinadreadfulmood.”

“Didhetellyouwhathaddisturbedhim?”

“Only that some acquaintances of his had left him stranded on an island yesterday,”Annacontinued.“Afishermantookhimoffinasmallboat.Hehadtorowpartofthewaytoshore,andblisteredhishands.

“Iamgladithappened,”Annadeclared,herblackeyesflashing.“Michaelwillrequiremanylessonstomakeagentlemanofhim.”

“MayIseeMrs.Alexandranow?”Nancyasked.

As the two started upstairs, the dog began to bark.The disturbancewas so loud thatNancyandAnnahastenedtoawindowtoseewhatwaswrong.Totheirdismay,thehugeanimalhadbrokentheropeandwasattackingthemailman.

“Oh!Oh!”moanedAnna,coveringhereyes.

Nancyranout thefrontdoor,determined tohelp theman.Hereyefellon thegardenhosereadyforuseonthelawn.Unabletoreachthefaucettoturnonthewater,sheseizedthehoseandtriedtolashatthedog.

“Run!”sheshouted.

Themailmanscrambledintothevestibule,hisuniformrippedfromthekneesdown.

Nancywhirledandfacedtheanimaldefiantly.Withasnarlhemadealeapforherface.

CHAPTERXII

APuzzlingSecretNANCYmight have been bitten by the vicious dog if the letter carrier had not actedquickly.As she dodged the animal, theman leaped from the vestibule, seized the hosefromherhandandbeatoffthedog.

Nancyran toward thecellardoorandyanked itopen.When theanimal followedher,shegotbehindthedoor.AsheshotdownthecellarstairsNancyslammedthedoorshut.Hewastrapped!

Inthemeantime,thelettercarrierexaminedhistorntrouserlegs.“Areyoutheowner?”heaskedNancy.

“HebelongstoMrs.Alexandra’sgrandson.”

“Thedogmustbeturnedovertotheauthorities.”

“Iagreewithyou,”Nancysaid.“Ifhe’sallowedtostayhere,someonemaybebitten.I’llcallthedogwardenatonce.”

Anna,whohadwitnessedthescenefromindoors,offerednoobjectiontothedecision.

“ThedoghasgreatlyupsetMadameMarie.Itshouldgo,”Annasaidquietly.

Nancy telephoned the city pound, and presently a man arrived to take away thedangerousanimal.Rudyresistedcapture,buteventuallywassubdued.

“Itisagreatrelief,”Annasighedasshepreparedatrayoffoodforhermistress.

Abellinthekitchenjingled.Annaexplained,“ItisMadameMarie.Comeandseeher.”

Nancy followed Anna upstairs to a large room. The walls were draped with silkhangings, the floor coveredwith abeautifulOriental rug.Acanopyofbluevelvetwithgoldfringehungabovealargefour-posterbedthathadgracefulfiguresofswanscarvedontheheadboard.

“This is a queen’s room indeed,” thought Nancy as she and the woman exchangedgreetings.

Mrs.Alexandra,herfacepale,tossedrestlesslyonalace-coveredpillow.

“Anna,whywereyousolongincoming?”

“IcameasquicklyasIcould,Madame.Therewasaslightdisturbance—”

“Thedog?”

“Yes,buthewillannoyyounomore.”

“Iamsoglad.Hisconstantbarkingmakesmyheadache.”Shewenton,“Anna,bringmyclothing.Icannotremainanylongerinbed.”

“But,Madame,youmustrest.Iwillbringyourluncheontray.”

“Ihavenoappetite.”

“I’llsitbesideyouwhileyoueat,”Nancyoffered,“andyoucantellmeoflifeatcourt.”

Sheknewthatthewomanfrequentlyforgotherpresenttroubleswhiletalkingofhappypastevents.

“Iwilltastethefood,”Mrs.Alexandramurmuredpolitely.

NancyandAnnaraisedthewomanupinbed,bracingherwithcushions.Themaidthenbroughtwater inasilverbasin.Afterwashinghermistress’shands,shedriedthemonatoweloffinelinen.Thewoman’sinitialsandaroyalcrownwereembroideredonit.

AtfirstMrs.Alexandraatesparingly.ButasNancyencouragedhertotalkaboutlifeatthepalacebeforethestartoftheRevolution,sheseemedtoforgetherunhappiness.Soonshehadfinishedtheentiremeal.

“MadameMarie, would you not enjoy showingMiss Nancy a few of your things?”Annasaid,delightedthathermistress’sspiritswerelifting.“Theorchidsilksachetbagsweusetoscentyourclothing,forinstance?”

“Ishouldlovetoseethem—everything!”Nancysaid.

AtanodfromMrs.Alexandra,AnnabroughtoneoftheperfumedlittlebagsandlaiditinNancy’shand.Itwasdecoratedwithahand-embroideredmonogram.

“And here is one ofMadameMarie’s handkerchiefs,”Anna said. Shewas holding adainty square ofwhite batiste, embroidered in brown,with a lace border. “The skillfulmendingsweremadebyMadameherself,”themaidexplained.

“Evenqueens inmycountryare taught tobe thrifty.”Mrs.Alexandrasmiled.“Anna,bringouttheporcelainbowls.”

“But,Madame—”

“Nancyisourfriend,Anna,”shesaidirritably.“Yourcautionannoysmeattimes.Youkeepeverythinghiddenbecauseyouareafraidweshallberobbed.Why,youevendistrustmygrandson!”

Themaid bit her lip butmade no reply. Shewent over to a carvedmahogany chest,unlocked itwithahugebrasskey, thenremovedporcelainbowls,enamel figurines,andothertreasures.

“Donotforget theFootman!”Mrs.Alexandraordered.“PerhapsNancycanguesshissecret.”

Annatookoutarotund,lifelikefigurineofporcelain.Itstoodabouteightincheshighandwasunusual,butnotasattractiveassomeofMrs.Alexandra’sothertreasures.

“ThisandmyEastereggaremymostprizedpossessions,”thewomandeclaredgaily.“Thelittlestatuelookslikemyownprivatefootmanatthepalace.Butalso,heisspecial.Nancy,canyouguesswhy?”

Thegirlshookherhead,waitingexpectantly.

“Thefigurinerepresentsoneofthemostcourageousofthecourtservants.MyfootmanhelpedmeescapeduringtheRevolution.WhenIfled,Itookthislittleobjectwithme.”

“Isityourjewelbox,Mrs.Alexandra?”

“Yes.Isitnotclever?Ishallnowrevealtoyouhowitopens.”

Thewomanreachedfor thesmall statue,butbeforeshecouldshowNancy its secret,footstepswereheardonthestaircase.

“Quick,Madame!”exclaimedAnna.

Withamazingspeedshe snatched theFootman fromMrs.Alexandraand locked it inthechest,alongwiththeotherarttreasures,thenquicklyhidthekeyundertherug.

“ItisonlyMichael,”Mrs.Alexandrasaid,recognizinghergrandson’sstep.

“Neverthelessitiswellthatthetreasuresbekeptoutofsight,”Annainsistedsoberly.

Michaeldidnotenter,butwentontohisownroom.Nancy,notwantingtomeethim,thankedMrs.Alexandraandsaidgood-by.ButshedeterminedtocomeagainsoontofindoutiftheFootmanwerethejewelboxmentionedinthenightingale’ssong.

Asshewaswalkingawayfromthehouse,Michaelhurriedafterher.Withflashingeyes,heconfrontedher.

“Iheardyoutalkingtomygrandmother,”hestormed.“What’stheideaofcominghere?FirstyouleftmestrandedonStarIsland—”

“That was none of my doing,” Nancy replied coldly. “I will say, though, that youdeservedit.”

“Andthenyoudeliberatelygotridofmydog!Oneoftheneighborstoldme!”

“Yourdogattackedthelettercarrier.Rudy’sbeensentawayfortendays’observation.”

“IfRudybitanyone,youprobablymadehimdoit!”

“Howridiculous!”

“I’ve caught on to the fact that you’re trying to turn everyone againstme,”Michaelwenton,“especiallyGrandmother.”

“Thatisn’ttrue.”

Theunpleasantmanedgedcloser toNancy.“Ifyoucomehereagain,you’llgetmorethanyoubargainedfor!”

BeforeNancycouldvoiceanobjectiontohisthreat,hereenteredthehouse,slammingthedoorbehindhim.

“I’ll comehere as frequently as Iwish!”Nancy thought angrily. “At least as long asMrs.Alexandrawantsme!He is the onewho should be kept from the house.He isn’tbringinghisgrandmotheranyhappiness,andI’mafraidshealreadyhasgivenhimmoremoneythanshecanafford.”

ForthefirsttimeinherlifeNancyregrettedhavingsolvedamystery.ByfindingPrinceMichael and restoringhim tohisgrandmother,Nancy feared shehadonly added to theunhappinessofthegraciousformerqueen.

Inreturninghome,shechosethefamiliarway,whichledpastMr.Faber’sshop.Whilestillsomedistancefromit,shenoticedamanwalkingtowardherwithshort,quicksteps.HeresembledDavidDorrance.Thoughthemanglancedather,hepassedwithnosignofrecognition.

“ThatmustbeDorrance’sdouble—thepickpocket!”Nancythoughtexcitedly.

Shedecidedtofollowhim.ThemandidnotpauseuntilhereachedtherevolvingdoorsoftheMonroeofficebuilding.

Nancyquickenedherpace.Suddenlythesuspecthalted.Half turning,butkeepinghisfaceslightlyaverted,hewavedawhitehandkerchief.

“Wrongagain!”Nancythoughtindisgust,comingtoastop.

She recovered quickly from the unpleasant surprise and calledMr.Dorrance’s name.Insteadofreplying,themanwentinside.

Disappointed,Nancy retraced herway down the street. She had gone only fifty feetwhenshesawMr.Faberrunninginherdirection.

“I’vebeenrobbed!Thethiefwentthisway!”

CHAPTERXIII

Wanted—AClueTHEantiquedealerpausedasherecognizedNancy.Hewassoexciteditwasdifficulttounderstand what he was saying. She gathered, however, that a few minutes earlier avaluablegold-and-enamelpenknifehaddisappearedfromhisshowcounter.

Mr.Fabercried,“NevercanIreplaceit!”

“Howwasittaken?”Nancyaskedquickly.

“Severalcustomerswere inmyshop.Afellowasked tosee thepenknife.He tooksolongtodecideIwaitedontheothers.”

SuddenlyMr.Faberpointedtoamanwhowascomingoutofastoreacrossthestreet.“Thereheisnow!”

ThesuspectresembledDavidDorrance.ThistimeNancyhadnodoubtbutthathewasthelong-soughtpickpocket.DorrancewassomedistanceawayintheMonroeBuilding.

“Mr.Faber,youmusttelephonethepolice!”Nancyadvised.“I’lltrailthethief!”

Shetriedtocrossthestreet,butthetrafficwasheavy.Nancyfoundherselfstrandedinacenter safety zone.Theman identifiedbyFaberwas still in sight, butbefore she couldreachhim,heleapedintoataxi.

“Wait!”Nancyshoutedtothedriver.

Hedidnothearher,butthepassengerturnedhishead.UponseeingNancy,hetookahandkerchieffromhispocketandwavedit!Thenthetaxispedon.

Nancywas completely bewildered. “Dorrance could not have spentmore than a fewseconds in theofficebuilding,” she said toherself. “Whywouldheduck in andout soquickly?Itdoesn’tmakesense.”

ManythoughtsracedthroughhermindassherecrossedthestreettoMr.Faber’sshop.ShewasconvincedthatDorrancehadnotgonefromoneplacetotheother.

“Theyweretwodifferentmen!”shesaid.“Buttheybothwavedhandkerchiefsandtheylookalikeandwearthesamekindofclothes.”

Had the thief learned the method of identification that Dorrance used when seeingNancy?

“Thatfirstmandidn’tgivemethesignalrightaway,”shereflected.“SothesecondonemusthavebeenDorrance.”

ApolicecarrusheduptoMr.Faber’sshop.TheelderlymanwassoupsethewasgladtohaveNancytellthestory.ShestarteditbyaskingthetwoofficerstogowithheratoncetotheMonroeBuilding.

“Wemaynotbetoolatetonabthethief,ifahunchofmineiscorrect,”shesaid.

Theysearchedthebuildingbutwithoutsuccess.Discouraged,thethreereturnedtotheantiqueshop,whereFaberdescribedthestolenpenknife.

“Itwassetwithpearls,”heconcluded.

“We’lldowhatwecantolocateit,”oneofthepolicemenpromised.“Thatpickpocketisslippery.We’vehadthatapartmenthouseonWaterStreetwatchedconstantly,butnooneresemblingthethiefhasturnedupyet.”

ThefollowingmorningNancyattendedafinalrehearsalof thefashionshow.EarlyintheafternoonshearrivedattheWoman’sClubforthefirstperformance.Katherine,paleandnervous,cameinafewminuteslater,accompaniedbyHelenArcher.

“Didyoubringthehairornament?”Nancyasked.

“Safeandsound.”Helenlaughed,producingtheruby-and-diamondpiece.

WithcareNancyputon theblue-floweredgown.Theskirtwith its short trainswunggracefullytothefloor.

“HowdoIlook?”Nancyasked.

“Liketheprettiestpictureinafashionbook!”Helencomplimentedher.

Soonthedressingroomwascrowdedwithexcited,chatteringmodels.EveryonepraisedNancy’scostume.Afewminutesbeforetheshowwasscheduledtostart,BessandGeorgecamebackstage.

“Nearlyeveryoneof importance inRiverHeights ishere,”George toldNancy.“EventheMayor!”

“Mrs.AlexandracametoowithAnna,”Bessadded.

“ShemadetheeffortforKatherine’ssake,”Nancysaid.

“Mrs.Alexandralikeyouverymuchtoo,Nancy,”Katherineputin.

The orchestra had begun to play, and themodelswere told to take their places.Oneafteranothertheysteppedoutfromthewings.

“Now!”Katherinewhispered,hervoicetense.

Themoment had arrived for hermodel towalk out upon the stage!Nancymade aneffectiveentrance,carryingherselfwell.Eachmodelhadbeengreetedwithapoliterippleofapplause.Nowthehandclappingwasloudandspontaneous.

GracefullyNancyapproachedthecarpetedstepswhichwouldcarryhertotheleveloftheaudience.ShesawMrs.Alexandra’sbeamingface,andbelowherinthefrontrow,Mr.Ellington,theartist.Henoddedapprovingly.

“Helikesthegown!”shethoughtjoyously.

Keeping perfect time to the music, Nancy moved down the first two steps. As shereachedthethird,therewasasuddensidewaysmovementoftheboardbeneaththecarpet.Nancytriedtokeepherbalance.Insteadsheplungedheadlongtowardthefloor!

AsNancypitchedforward,Mr.Ellingtonjumpedup.Nancyfelldirectlyintotheyoungman’soutstretchedarms.

“Oh!”shecried,embarrassed.

Therehadbeenanaudiblegaspfromtheaudience,andthemusichadceasedabruptly.Manyfearedthemodelhadbeeninjured.

“Areyouhurt?”Mr.EllingtonaskedashehelpedNancyregainherbalance.

Nancyshookherhead,tryingtorecoverherpoise.Shefeltsickatheart,notsomuchforherselfasforKatherine.Anychanceoftheyoungdesignerwinningaprizewasgone,shefeltsure.

“Don’tletthisdisturbyou,”Mr.Ellingtonwhisperedkindly.“Itwasn’tyourfault!”

Thusencouraged,Nancysmiledbravely.Theorchestrabegantoplayagain.Sheglideddownthecenteraisleandback.Duringtheintermissioncarpentersrepairedthefaultystep.

“Oh Katherine, I knew I would ruin your chances!” Nancy cried when she met thedesigner.“WhydidIhavetostumble?”

“Itwasn’tyourfault,”Heleninterjected.

Nancyfelldirectlyintotheyoungman’sarms

“No,indeed,”echoedKatherine.“Tomorrowyoumakeagrandentrance!”

Althougheveryonedeclaredthattheaccidenthadbeenunavoidable,thethreegirlsdidnot feel very cheerful. They brightened, however, when Mr. Ellington sought outKatherine to tell her that he considered her design themost original one entered in theshow.

“IfIwereoneofthejudges,I’dvotetogiveyoufirstprize,”hedeclaredwarmly.

Katherineblushedandbecameflustered.Hetalkedforalongwhile.ItwasobvioustoNancythathisinterestwasmorethanaprofessionalone.

“Whatagrandcoupletheywouldmake!”sheremarkedtoHelen.

“Mr.Ellingtonisverycharming,”Helenagreed.“Isn’titapityMichaelcouldn’t—”

“Sh!”Nancywarnedsuddenly.

Mrs.Alexandrawasapproaching,followedbyAnna.“Youwerecharming,Nancy,”theformerqueensaid.“Willyouhave luncheonwithmeatoneo’clock tomorrow?AsyousayinAmerica,wehavesomeunfinishedbusiness.”

“Thank you, but I’m afraid I can’t. I am due here before three for the afternoonshowing.”

“Ishallseethatyouarenotlate.”

Nancywasstillhesitantaboutacceptingtheinvitation.HerlastmeetingwithMichaelhadbeenunpleasant,andshefearedhemightcreateasceneshouldhefindheraguestinhishome.

“Michaelwillnotbethere,”Annawhispered.

“I’llbedelightedtocome,Mrs.Alexandra,”Nancyacceptedatonce.

After the former queen and Anna had gone, Michael again became the topic ofconversation. Katherine, who had rejoined the girls, admitted that the young man hadcalledherseveraltimes.

“HeannoymewithattentionsIdonotlike!Hesendmeflowers!Heaskmefordates!AlwaysIsayNo,butitdoesnogood.”

“I’dgiveanythingifIneverhadtracedhimforMrs.Alexandra,”Nancysaidsoberly.

When she appeared at the woman’s home the next day, the topic of Michael wasstudiouslyavoided.Adeliciousluncheonwasservedduringwhichbiscuitswerepassedinaquaintwoodenbasketwitharoyalcrownonthehandle.

AtthecloseofthemealMrs.AlexandraaskedAnnatobringtheFootmanjewelboxtoher.Tenderlytheformerqueenheldthequaintporcelainandenamelfigure.

“Ishallnowopenitforyou,”shesaidtoNancy.“Canyouguesshowitisdone?”

“Byasecretspring?”

“Yes.FirstIpressthelittlefellowhere.”

Mrs.AlexandratouchedtheFootman’slefthand.ToNancy’samazement,theblackcoatofthefigureloosened,enablingthewomantoremoveit.Shepressedanotherspringandapanelslidopen.Insidewerearubyring,anunsetemerald,anecklaceofmatchedpearls,andtwodiamondbracelets.

“Allthatremainofmyjewels,”Mrs.Alexandrasaid.“PiecebypieceIsoldtheothers.”

“These are exquisite,” Nancy replied. “Did the box ever contain anything exceptjewelry?”

“No,ithasalwaysbeenusedforthatpurpose.Youaredisappointed,perhaps?”

“I’mnotdisappointed,Mrs.Alexandra. I’ll admit, though, that the littlenightingale’s

wordsledmetobelievethisboxmightcontainsomethingelseofimportance.

“Katherinehastoldmethepeopleofyourcountryhavemanysecrets,”Nancywenton.“One of them is a process formaking noncrackable enamel. I admit Iwondered if theFootmanmightbehidingthelostformula.”

Mrs.Alexandratriedtosuppressasmile.“Mydear,”shesaidkindly,“Iwonderifthesongofthenightingalehasnotbeenmisinterpreted.Thewordsaresoindistinct.”

“Perhaps,butweknowthesongwasaddedlongaftertheEastereggwasmade,”Nancyremarked.

“UntilMr.Faber toldyoudifferently, Iassumed that thenightingalewasexactlyas ithadbeencreatedforme.”

“Youhavenoideawhentheadditionwasmade?”

“ItmusthavebeenduringtheearlydaysoftheRevolution.Iwasawayfromthepalacewhenthetroublestarted.TherewassuchturmoilthatIcouldnotgetbackforsometime.”

“Then the song may have been added while you were away,” Nancy suggested.“Perhapssomeonetriedtoprovideyouwithanimportantclue—acluemeantfornootherperson.WhobesidesyourselfhadaccesstotheEasteregg,Mrs.Alexandra?”

“Onlyafewtrustedservantsinthepalace.”

“Whoinyourcountrywasskillfulatmakingmusicboxes?”Nancyaskedeagerly.

“ConradNicholas,”Mrs.Alexandrasaid,“thehusbandofNada’ssister.NadawasthenurseofmygrandsonMichael.”

“CouldshehaveborrowedtheEasteregg?”

“Yes.”

“Why, it all fits in beautifully!” Nancy exclaimed. “Mrs. Alexandra, I’m convincedsomejewelboxcontainsavitalclue,anditmustbethisFootman.Maybeitholdsasecretgreaterthanallyourjewels!Theboxmayhaveanotheropening,perhapsinthelegsoftheFootman.”

“ButIhavealreadyexaminedthelittlestatuefromhisheadtothetopofhisboots!Thesecret,ifthereisone,hasbeencleverlyhidden.”

“Mrs.Alexandra,doyoumindifItry?”

Smiling, the former queen placed the jewel box in Nancy’s hands. With tremblingfingerstheyoungdetectivebegantoexploretheporcelainandenamelfigureinchbyinch.

CHAPTERXIV

AQuestionofHonestyALTHOUGHNancy carefully ran her fingers over the Footman figurine, pressing hereandthere,shedidnotdiscoveraspringorreleasemechanism.Theonlyopeningappearedtobetheoneundertheblackcoat.

“Ican’t find it.”Sighing,Nancy returned the figurine toherhostess. “Someday,withyourpermission,Iwouldliketotryagain.”

“Byallmeans.”

Aclockchimedthehouroftwo-thirty.Remindedthatsheshouldleaveatonceforthefashionshow,Nancyhurriedaway.

A fewminutes later, upon reaching theWoman’s Club, she was surprised to see anexcitedcrowdnearthemainentrance.Apolicemanhadplacedsomeoneunderarrest.

Approachingcloser,Nancyobservedthatthesuspect,whowasarguingwiththeofficer,closelyresembledDavidDorrance.Atoncethemanturnedandrecognizedher.

“MissDrew,tellthispolicemanhe’smadeamistake!”hepleaded.

“I’mnotsure-”shebegan.

“Sure,yourecognizemetSee!”

He gave the familiar white handkerchief signal. Nancy had but a moment to spare,because she was late now. She did not know what to say. As she hesitated, Dorranceadded:

“Icameheretoseetheshow.”

Nancywasconvincedthathewasthemanwhohadcometoherhome.ThepolicemanknewNancyandaskedherforadefiniteidentification.Shehesitatedtoanswer,becauseshehadnotforgottenthedoublehandkerchiefepisodeonMainStreet.FinallyshetoldtheofficershecouldnotidentifyDorranceasthewantedpickpocket.

“I don’t believe this is the man you want. At least, he’s not the one who stoleMr.Baum’swallet.”

“Goonin,then,”hetoldtheman.“Sorry.”

DorrancewouldhavelingeredtochatwithNancy,butshehadnotime.ShehastenedtothedressingroomanddonnedtheRenaissancegownjustastheorchestrabegantoplay.

“I’ll try to do better than yesterday,” she said toKatherinewhen it was her turn onstage.

Withperfectcomposureandthegraceofaprofessionalmodel,Nancywentthroughhersimpleroutine.Shereturnedtothewingsamidthunderousapplause.

“Youwereasensation!”Helenexclaimed.“Youandthatgorgeousgownarethetalkof

theshow!”

Duringabrief intermissionNancywanderedout into theaudience.Beforeshegotallthewaydownthecenteraisle,awomanclosebyutteredapiercingwail.

“Mypocketbook!It’sbeenstolen!”

Immediately the entire roomwas thrown into confusion. In the resulting excitement,NancyspiedDavidDorranceslippingouttheexit.

Forgettingherpartintheshow,Nancyspedafterthefleeingman.Whenshereachedthedoor,hewashurryingtowardanalley.

“Wait!”shecalled.

The man turned, but did not pause. Nancy spied two little boys directly ahead andshouted:

“Stopthatman!Don’tlethimgetaway!”

Theboysattemptedtoblockhispath,butheshovedthemawayangrily.Nancyranafterhimasfastasshecould.Thelongeveninggownimpededherprogress.

Nevertheless, she began to gain on the thief.At the end of the alley, themandartedaround a corner.He saw a long coil of barbedwire lying on the ground. Seizing it, hethrewitinsuchawaythatNancycouldnotfailtorunagainstthesharpbarbs.

Unsuspecting,sheranstraightintothewire.Hergowncaughtinadozenplaces,tearingbadly.Aghast,shehalted.

“Oh,thisbeautifulgown!”shethought,seeingthatithadbeentornbeyondrepair.“I’veruinedKatherine’schancescompletely!”

Out of breath and disheveled, Nancy returned to the clubhouse. It was time for thesecondhalfofthefashionshowtobegin.

SuddenlyinthethrongNancysawDavidDorrance!

“Why,MissDrew,whathashappenedtoyou?”heasked,walkingovertoher.

Themanwasperfectlycomposed.Therewasno indication,either inhisbreathingorthecolorofhisface,thathehadbeenrunning.

“Imistookhimagainforthepickpocket!”Nancythought,chagrined.

“Justalittleaccident,”shereplied,anddashedtothedressingroom.Asuddenthoughtcametoher.

“It’suncannythatDorranceandthethiefaresoofteninthesameplace!I’mgoingtotalktothepoliceaboutit!”

Nancy foundKatherine andHelenwaiting for her.When they saw the ruined gown,theyweredismayed.

“Oh,Nancy,howdidithappen?”Helenmanagedtosayatlast.

Nancy told aboutpursuing thepickpocket. “I ought to stick to sleuthing andgive uptryingtomodelinfashionshows,”sheconcludedgrimly.“Thetwocertainlydon’tmix.”

“Whatarewetodo?”Helenasked,sinkingintoachair.“Thedresscan’tbemended.”

“Idon’tappearintheshowagainuntiltomorrowafternoon.Thatgivesustwenty-fourhours.Couldn’t youduplicate thedress,Katherine?Youhad a goodbit ofmaterial leftover.”

“Insoshorttime!No,no.”

“Maybepartofitcouldbesaved,”Nancyadded.“Thesleevesareinperfectcondition.”

“And so is all the back except the train,” Helen encouraged her. “Couldn’t you justmakeanewfrontandreplacethetrain,Katherine?”

“Icouldsewallnight,ifnecessary,”Nancyoffered.

Thedesignermadeahastyexaminationofthegown.Aminutelaterhereyeslightedup.“Icandoit!”

Thegirlshastened toKatherine’sshop.For twohours theysewedsteadily.By then itwasevidentthattheworkcouldbefinishedintime.

“Wegohomenowandrest,”Katherineurged.“Ifinishthedresstomorrow.”

Theyoungdesignerlockedtheshop,andthethreegirlswalkeddownthestreet.Atthecomer Nancy left the others to go to police headquarters. There she reported hersuspicionsregardingDorranceandhisdouble.

“Itseemsstrangetomethatthosetwomenshouldalwaysbeinthesameplaceatthesametime,”shesaidtoChiefMcGinnis.

Theofficergaveherafriendlysmile.“Doyouthinktheyarebrothers—twinsmaybe?”heasked.

“Theylookenoughalike,”Nancyreplied.“AtfirstIthoughtonlyonewasathief,butnowI’mwonderingwhetherDorranceisreallyinnocent.”

“I’mgladyou’ve toldme this,” said the chief. “Asyouknow,mymenhaven’t beenabletocatchthatpickpocket,orsolvethemysteryoftherashoftheftsgoingoninRiverHeights.You’vegivenusanewclue.”

WhenNancyarrivedhomeshefoundanurgent telephonemessageawaitingher fromAnna.ItrequestedhertocometotheAlexandrahouseassoonaspossible.

“OfcourseI’llgo,”NancysaidtoHannahGruen,“butIhatetomeetMichael.”

Nancythoughtitbesttogototherearentranceandparkedonabackstreet.Annametheratthedoor,andtheyconversedinthekitchen.

“IsMrs.Alexandraill?”Nancyinquiredanxiously.“Yournote—”

“Sheissickhere.”Annaindicatedtheregionofherheart.“SickbecauseofMichael.”

“Whathashedonenow,Anna?”

“I learned something dreadful only yesterday. Madame Marie has given him manyvaluablestosell.”

“IknewMrs.AlexandrahadsenthimoncetoMr.Faber.”

“Notonce,butmanytimes.Andhehasgonetoothershops.Thepricespaidhavenotbeenhigh.Muchtoolowfortheirvalue.”

“Howdreadful!”saidNancy.

“Somethingiswrong,”Annadeclared.“IsayitistimetoaskquestionsofMichael.ButMadameMariewillnotdoit!”

“Doesn’thebringbacksignedreceipts?”

“Hegiveshernothing,exceptafewdollars.”

Nancy’s mind was working fast. “Anna, can you give me a list of the pieces Mrs.AlexandrahassoldthroughMichael?Alsotheamountshegaveher?”

“Ihaveitallhere,”thewomandeclared.

“ThenI’llchecktheitemsatoncewiththeshopkeepers,”Nancypromised.

AtthatmomentadoorslammedandMichael’swhistlewasheardinthehall.

“Imustgoquicklybeforeheseesme,”Nancywhispered,openingthescreendoor.

She slipped through the garden to the back street, and drove at once toMr. Faber’sshop.Theantiquedealerwaslookingoutthefrontdoor.

“Oh,Mr.Faber,”shegreetedhim,runningup,“mayItalkwithyouamoment?”

“Certainly,”hereplied,notingheragitation.“Issomethingwrong?”

“Idon’tknow,”Nancyreplied.“AreyouwillingtotellmehowmuchyoupaidMichaelfortheringhesoldtoyou?”

“Threehundreddollars.Itwouldhaveboughtmoreifhehadbeenwillingtowaitformetofindabuyer.HeinsistedMadameAlexandrahadtohavecashatonce.”

Nancyinspectedthesaleslistshehadbroughtwithher.AccordingtoAnna’snotation,Michaelhadgivenhisgrandmotheronlyonehundreddollarsforthering.Apparentlyhehadkepttheremainingmoney.

“Mr.Faber,I’msorrytosaythis,butIthinkMichaelisdishonest.Pleaseexaminethislist.”

The antique dealer frowned as he read the amounts paid by various shopkeepers forothertreasures.

“TheseobjectsareworthfarmorethanMadameAlexandrareceived,”hesaid.“ComeintotheshopwhileItelephone.”

Hisangeraroused,Mr.Fabercalledoneofthefirmslisted.Helearnedthatajadeandenamel vase had been sold for a large amount, butMichael had given his grandmother

onlyasmallpercentageof themoneyreceived.Anotherdealerreportedhehadpaidtheyoungmanfivehundreddollarsforanantiquetapestry.Yetonlyone-fifthofthishadbeenturnedovertoMrs.Alexandra!

“Michaelhascheatedhisgrandmother!”Mr.Faberexclaimed.

“It’sjustpossibleMrs.AlexandraintendedMichaeltohavetherestasspendingmoney,butdidnotwishtotellAnna,”Nancysuggested.

“ItwillkillMadameAlexandraifshefindsoutthathergrandsonisacommonthief,”Mr.Faberdeclared.

“Wemustdonothinguntilwearesure,”saidNancywithdetermination.

ItwasdarkwhenNancyfinally left theantiqueshop.ShereachedherownstreetandturnedintotheDrewdriveway.Thewindowsofthehouseweredark.

“Hannahmustbe in thebasement and forgot to turnon the first-floor lights,”Nancythoughtassheparkedandwalkedtowardthesidedoor.

Suddenly,frombehindsometallbushes,twomenarose.Stockingmaskshidtheirfaces.

“Allright!”mutteredoneofthem.

Nancystartedtoscream,butahandwasclappedoverhermouth,andshewasheldinagripofsteeL

CHAPTERXV

AThreatAs Nancy struggled vainly to free herself, one of the men spoke. His voice soundeddisguised.

“NancyDrew,I’mwarningyouthatifyoudon’tdoaswetellyou,you’llbesorry,andyourfathersorrier.You’vegottomindyourownbusiness!”

Nancy squirmed sideways, trying to see her captors. The men’s masks made itimpossibletodistinguishtheirfeatures.

Thetallerofthetwogaveheraroughshake.“Willyoupromise?”

“Promisewhat?”Nancymumbledasthehandonhermouthwasliftedslightly.

“Stoptryingtobeadetective!”

“AreyouafraidI’llhaveyouarrested?”Nancycountered.

Anautomobilewascomingdownthestreet,itsheadlightscuttingapathalongthedarkpavement.Theenginehadafamiliarsound.Herfather’scar!Nancytookheart.Shemustkeeponsparringfortimeuntilheturnedin.

Shestruggledtobreakfree.“Takeyourhandsoffme!”shemumbledbutthemenpaidnoattention.Theyheldontighterandoncemoremadetheirdemand.

The car,which had been approaching slowly, turned into theDrew driveway.Nancygaveaquickjerk,freeinghermouthforasecond.

“Help!Help!”sheshouted.

Themanwhoheldhergavethegirlasuddenpushwhichsentherreelingintothestepsofthesideporch.

“Comeon!”hesnappedtohiscompanion.“We’dbettergetoutofhere!”

Crouchinglow,theyranalongthehedge,anddisappearedintotheprotectingshadowsofthegardennextdoor.

CarsonDrew leaped fromhiscarandhurried toNancy’s side.She fell intohisarms,exhaustedbytheencounter.

“Whydidyouscream?”hedemandedanxiously.

“Twomen—”Shepointed towhere theyhadgone. “Oh,Dad, if youhadn’t come, Idon’tknowwhatwouldhavehappened.”

BreathlesslyNancytoldhimhowhistimelyarrivalhadsavedherfromfurtherthreats.She and her father quickly ran in the direction themen had taken and searched in theneighbor’sgarden,butthestrangershaddisappeared.

“Didyourecognizeeitherofthem,Nancy?Howweretheydreased?”

“They wore stocking masks. The build of one of the men resembled that of DavidDorranceandhisdouble.”

“Thethiefisafraidyou’regettingtoohotonhistrail,”Mr.Drewsaidthoughtfully.

Nancytoldofhersuspicionsandofherreporttothepolice.

“I’m glad you told the chief,” he replied. “And hereafter, let them track down thepickpocket.You’llonlybeinvitingdangerifyoucontinuetotrailhim.NexttimeImightnotbearoundtosaveyou!”headdedaffectionately,andtookherhandasheledherbacktotheirhome.

“I’ve been hoping,”Nancy said, “to recover themoney for theBoysClub and yourstolenpapers.”

“Thethiefprobablyhasspentthemoneybythistime,”Mr.Drewreplied.“Don’tworryanymoreaboutmywallet.Buymeanotherformybirthday!”

Astheysatatdinneralittlelater,sheobservedthatherfatherlookedworried.

“Nancy,” he said quietly, “I wish you would stop taking so much interest in Mrs.Alexandra.”

“Why,Dad”—Nancystaredatherfatherindismay—“Ican’tabandonthedearladytoMichael’sclutches!OnlytodayIlearnedthathehasbeenrobbingherofratherlargesumsofmoney.Waituntilyouseethispaper!”sheadded,gettingtheslipfromherpurse.

Mr.DrewinspectedthesalesnotationsobtainedthroughAnnaandMr.Faber.

“Youdon’texpectMrs.Alexandratobelievethathergrandsonisathief?”heasked.

“No,andIdon’tintendtotellheruntilIhavemoreproof.”

“Don’tdoanythinguntilI’vehadtimetoconsiderthelegalangle,”herfatheradvised.

“I’llwait,”Nancypromised.“Tellingthepoorwomanthetruthwillprobablyendourfriendship,anyway.”

Asshespoke, the telephone rang.Mrs.Gruenanswered it, and then reported that thecallwasforNancy.

“Ithinkit’sHelenArcher,”thehousekeepersaid.

Fearingthattheremightbesomenewdifficultyregardingthetorngown,Nancyrantotalktoherfriend.

“ForonceIhaven’tascrapofbadnewstoreport,”Helenassuredher.“Mr.Ellingtonphonedandwantsustoorganizeahayride.Ofcoursehe’llbeKatherine’spartner.”

“Tonight?”

“No,tomorrowaftertheeveningperformance.HesuggestswegototheRedLionInnforsupperanddancing.”

“Ahayridewouldbefun!”Nancyexclaimed.“Tellmemoreaboutit.”

“Mr.EllingtonissureKatherineisgoingtowinthegrandprizeatthefashionshow,sohewants togiveaparty forher.Unfortunatelyhecan’t joinusuntilwe reach the inn,”Helenexplained.“HehasabusinessappointmentinHarbortown.”

Forsometimethetwogirlsdiscussedplansforthehayride,workingouteverydetail.AwindownotfarfromwhereNancysatwasopen,andthecurtainsflutteredinthebreeze,justenough foranyoneoutside to look in.Amanwascrouchingbelow, listening to thetelephoneconversation.Nancyhadherbackturned,anddidnotnotice.

“We’llhaveagrandtimetomorrownight,”shedeclaredbeforehangingup.“EspeciallyifKatherinewinsthebigprizeAndI’msureshewill!”

SinceNancywanted toappearfreshfor thenextday’sfashionshow,shewent tobedearly.Foralongwhileshetossedonherpillow,thinkingofthepuzzleswhichconfrontedher.Ofthemall,shewasstillparticularlyintriguedbythelittlenightingale’swords,“clueinjewelbox.”

“ThejewelboxmustbetheFootman,”shethoughtoverandover.“Thequeenmother’sfamilyandtrustedservantsknewitwastheoneholdinghermostvaluablepieces.”

Nancy felt that the revelation of the secret might in some way make up to Mrs.Alexandraforthedisgracefulbehavioroftheprince.

“ThatlittleFootmanmusthaveanotheropening,”shereflected.

Tryasshewould,Nancycouldthinkofnowaytoopenit.Morningdidnotbringanysolutiontothevexingproblem.ItcontinuedtoplagueNancythroughouttheday,evenasshe went through her afternoon routine at the fashion show. Then, just as she left thebuilding,anideaflashedintohermind.

“Thatmay be it!”Nancy thought excitedly. “Imust go toMrs.Alexandra’s home atonce.IonlyhopeIwon’tfindMichaelthere!”

CHAPTERXVI

ThePrizeWinnerCURTAINSwereclosedattheAlexandrahome,ButAnnaopenedthefrontdooralmostassoonasNancyrangthebelL“Madameisverylowinspirit,”thewomanwhisperedandsighed.“ItisMichael!Thismorningheaskedhertogivehimaveryvaluablebracelettosell.”

“Shedidn’tdoit?”

“Notyet,butsheisconsideringitveryseriously.Oh,canyounotdosomethingtosavewhatremainsofmygoodlady’sfortune?”

“Ihopeto,Anna.IhaveproofthatMichaelkeptmostofthemoneyhereceivedfromdealers.”

“Shewillneverbelieveit.”

“Probablynot,”Nancysaid.“Andanyway,there’salegalangle.Beingrelated,hecouldsayshegaveittohim.Myfatherisgoingtoseeaboutthat.ButIcamehereforanotherreason.Michaelisn’tathome,ishe?”

“Heiswithhisgrandmothernow.”

“ThenIwillleaveandcomeanothertime.”

“No,wait,”thewomanurged.“Hideinthiscloset.IwillsendMichaelout.”

Nancysecretedherself in thehallclosetas instructed.SoonsheheardtheyoungmanarguingloudlywithAnna.

“You alwayswantme to go on errands for you!” he complained. “I’m a prince andyou’resupposedtowaitonme.”

AnoutsidedoorslammedandNancyknewthatMichaelhadgone.AfewmomentslaterAnnaopenedtheclosetdoor.

“Ihaveannounced toMadame thatyouarehere,” she toldNancy. “Shewill seeyounow.”

Knowing that Michael would not be gone long, Nancy did not waste words as sheexplainedtoMrs.AlexandrathatshewouldliketotryoncemoretofindanotheropeningintheFootmanjewelbox.

“IhaveanideathatIthinkmaywork,”sheaddedearnestly.

Mrs.AlexandrasmiledandaskedAnnatobringthepreciousstatue.AsNancytookit,shesaid:

“When I was a little girl my grandmother gave me a very old music box that hadbelongedtoher.Ithadasecretdrawerinit,whichopenedinapeculiarfashion.”

Herfingersexploredthefigurine.“Ifonlyitwillwork—”

WithincreasinginterestthetwowomenwatchedNancyskillfullymanipulatethejewelbox.SuddenlyMrs.Alexandragaveacryofdelight.

“MyFootman’sboot!Itiscomingoff!”

Nancynodded.Herhunchhadbeencorrect!

“Butthereisnothinginthefoot,”Mrs.Alexandraadded,disappointed.

Nancypeeredintothetinyboot.Thrustingherlittlefingerintoit,sheloosenedafoldedpieceofpaper.

“Thismustbethecluethatthenightingaletriedtotellus!”sheexclaimed.

Nancylongedtolookat thepaper,but insteadpolitelyhandedit to theformerqueen.Mrs.Alexandraponderedalongtimeoverthewordsscrawledonthepaper.Nancybegantodoubtthatthewomanwouldeverrevealthecontents.Finallyshespoke.

“Anna,”sherequested,“pleaseleaveusaloneforafewminutes.”

AfterAnnahad left,MadameAlexandra gaveNancy the paper.The youngdetectivewasunable to read thewords.Theywere in a foreign language.Thewoman,hervoicevibrantwithexcitement,translatedtheminawhisper.

“Thisinformationisamazing!”Nancyexclaimed.

“Sh!”thewomanwarned.“Donotspeakaloudofthegreatsecret.Noonemustknowofityet—notevenAnna.”

“ButneitheryounorIcancarryouttheinstructionsonthispaper,”saidNancy.

“Youmustasksomefineyoungmantohelpyou,”MadameAlexandraadvised.

“MyfriendNedisverycapable,andhe’sjustthepersontohelpme,”

FromthewindowNancysawMichaelcomingbackwithapackage.

“Imustgonow,”shesaidhurriedly.

Annahadmettheyoungmanonthefrontwalk,andengagedhiminconversationuntilNancycouldleavebythereardoor.Hewastalkingloudly.

“I’mtoobusytoberunningtothestoreforyou,”hesaidcrossly.“Andyoudon’tneedallthisstuff,anyway.Iwon’tbeheretodinnertonight,andmaybenotallnight,either!”

Withoutlingeringtohearmore,Nancyheadedhomeinastateofthoughtfulness.WhenHannahGruentriedtolearnthereasonforherfarawayexpression,Nancymerelysmiledandsaid,“TomorrowIexpecttosolveagreatmystery.”

Later,attheWoman’sClub,Nancy’sdreamymoodpersisted.Itlentawarmglowtoherskin.HelenArchercomplimentedherfriend.“I’veneverseenyoulookprettier.”

“IfeelasifIwerewalkinginadream,”Nancymurmured.“AmIreallyinthisfashionshow?”

“Thereisyourcuenow!”Helenreplied.

Nancyglidedgracefullydownthecarpetedstairway,treadingaslightlyasifonair.Shepivoted, displaying the Renaissance gown to the best advantage. The lovely tiara-likeheaddresssparkledunderthelights,addingthefinaltouchtotheexquisitecostume,WhenNancyreturnedtothewings,thunderousapplausefollowed.

“Youwereterrific!”Helenexclaimed.

KatherinepraisedNancy,too,butshedidnotfeelconfidentthattheRenaissancegownwouldwinthegrandprize.Othercostumeshadreceivedmuchattention.Shewascertainthatawhitesatineveningdress,createdbyaprofessionaldesigner,WilburdeWolf,mightbenamedbythejudges.

Soonitwastimefortheall-importantdecisionstobeannounced.Anexpectanthushfellovertheaudience.Nancyjoinedtheothermodelscrowdingintothewings.

Oneofthejudgesmadealittlespeech,praisingallwhohadhelpedwiththeshow.“Andnow,ladiesandgentlemen,”hesaidinconclusion,“Itakegreatpleasureinawardingtheprizes.”

Quicklyhepresentedtrophiesforthesportanddaytimedresses.

“Andnow,willMr.WilburdeWolfpleasecomeforward.Hisdesign,modeledby—”

Nancy heard no more. Katherine had grabbed her hand, and a little sob ofdisappointmenthadescapedfromthegirl.Shestartedtowalkaway,butwashemmedinbythecrowdofpeopleinthewings.

When the applausedieddown, thevoiceof the judgeboomedout again. “Thegrandprize—andmayIsaythevoteofthecommitteewasunanimous—goestoMissKatherineKovna,designeroftheRenaissancegownmodeledbyMissNancyDrew.”

Further words were drowned by the loud applause. Katherine, blinded by tears,hesitated. Quickly she dried her eyes and then appeared on the stage with Nancy.Katherinewassoovercomewithhappinessshecouldonlysay,“Thankyou.”

Nancygraciouslyacknowledgedthehonorpaidtotheyoungdesignerandhercreation.Flash-bulbs went off as photographers snapped pictures, and reporters pressed forstatements.

“Ineverwassohappyinmylife!”Katherinedeclaredwhenatlasttheexcitementwasover.

Nancyquicklychangedintoasportsoutfit,whichcouldbewornonthehayride.

“IhopeRichardmeetusattheinnontime,”Katherineremarkedwistfully.“Idowanthimtoknowatoncewhowonthebigprize.”

AfterNancyandNedhadreturned thepreciousheaddress toMadameAlexandra, thegroupof young people going to the supper and dancemet at the ferry and crossed theriver. A hayrack pulled by two large gray horses awaited them on the opposite shore.Amidshoutsoflaughterthegroupscrambledontoit.

JimArcher relieved the farmerof the reins, and thehorses startedoff.Bessbegan to

singafamiliarsong.Theothersjoinedin.

“Whysoquiet,Nancy?”Nedaskedwhenhenoticedshewasnotsinging.

“Oh,justthinking,”shereplied.“Ned,willyoudomeafavor?”

“Justnameit,andit’sdone.”

“I’lltellyouaboutitlater.”

AnhourlaterJimbroughtthehayracksafelyintotheparkinglotoftheRedLionInn.Onebyonetheyoungpeopleclimbedout,brushingwispsofhayfromtheirclothing.

“We’re sights,but it’sworth it!”George laughedas she straightenedher short,wind-blownhair.“AndI’mhungry!”

“Lookwho’shere!”saidBess,nudgingNancy.

Michael and a tall young man whose face they could not see quickly crossed theparking lot and entered the restaurant.Nancy’s heart began to beat excitedly.Michael’scompanionhadbushyhairandworeadarkjacket!

“He’sthemanwhostolethejeweledornamentfromme!”shethought.“I’msureofitl”

Quietly she told the others. “Seeing them togethermakesme think thatMichaelwasbehindthetheft,”shesaid.

“Areyougoingtocallthepolice?”Bessasked.

“Notnow,”Nancyreplied.“Wemaylearnsomethingbywatchingthetwoofthem.”

Theyoungpeople trooped into theold inn. Itwasa long,brickbuildingwithastonechimney at each end. The candle-lighted interior had been restored with its Colonialfurnishings.

“Whatadelightfulplaceforaparty!”saidKatherine.“NowwefindRichard.”

Nedlearnedfromtheheadwaiterthattheartisthadnotarrivedyet.

“That’sodd,”saidNancy.“We’relatetoo.”

“Maybehechangedhisplansatthelastminute,”Helensuggestedawhilelater.

Katherinewasquiet,andtheothersrealizedthatshewasverymuchembarrassed.TwiceMichael had come to the table and asked her to dance. She not only had refused, butchangedseatstobenearNancy.

“IworryaboutRichard,”shesaid.

“IfIonlyknewhisaddress,Icouldtelephone,”Nancysaidthoughtfully.

Katherinevolunteered the information thatMr.Ellington lived at an apartment houseknownastheWarringtonArms.SheandNancylefttheroomandlookedforaboothinthehall.Afriendwholivedwithhimanswered.

“No,Mr. Ellington is not here,” he told Nancy. “About an hour ago he called fromHarbortown,sayingheplannedtogodirectlytotheRedLionInn.”

Thankingthemanfortheinformation,Nancyhungupandturnedtofaceherfriend.

“Heshouldhavebeenherelongago,”shesaid,growingmorealarmed,“Harbortownisonlyamilefromhere.”

“Whathappenedtohim?”criedKatherine.“Maybehiscargooffroad—anaccident!”

“Iwasthinkingthesamething,”Nancyrepliedquietly.“Itseemstomethatweshouldcallthepolice.”

CHAPTERXVII

TelephoneTipNANCYimmediatelytelephonedthepolicedepartment.Noaccidentshadbeenreportedwithinthepasthour,andnooneofRichardEllington’sdescriptionhadbeenreportedintrouble.

“Iguessweworriedunnecessarily,”Nancy thought in relief. “But it’s strange thatheshouldbedelayedsolong.”

Assheopened thedoorof thebooth,Nancywassurprised to find thatKatherinehadgone.Instantlysheknewwhy.MichaelwaswalkinginNancy’sdirection.Shewouldhavepassedhimwithonlyacoldnodifhehadnotblockedherpath.

“MissDrew,mayIsaysomethingtoyou?”heaskedinawheedlingtone.

Nancywas surprisedat theyoungman’s changeof attitude towardher.Whatdidhissuddenfriendlyoverturemean?

“IwanttoapologizeforthewayI’veacted,”hewenton.“IsaidsomethingsIdidn’tmean.”

“I’llacceptyourapology,”Nancyreplied.

“Weoughttobegoodfriends.Grandmotherwantsitthatway.”

“Yes,Iguessshedoes,”Nancysaid.Afterapausesheadded,“SupposeIcometothehousetomorrowtotea.Willyoubethere?”

“Tomorrow?Uh—no—yes.Ihadsomebusinesstoattendto,butI’llputitoff.”

Nancyfeltsurethemanhadsomeulteriormotiveforbeingsopoliteandfriendly.

“GrandmotherthinksI’mtopsnow,”Michaelwenton.“She’llkeeponthinkingthatifAnnawilljustmindherownbusiness.Theoldbusy-bodykeepstellingGrandmothernottogivememoney.IhavetobabyAnnaalongallthetime.Whydon’tyouputinagoodwordforme?”

Nancysmiled,realizingnowwhythemanhadadoptedsuchacordialattitude.

“SoyouthinkIhaveinfluencewithAnna?”sheasked.

“Sure.Whateveryousaygoeswithher.Howaboutit?”

“We’ll see,”Nancyreplied.“Besure tobeathome tomorrowafternoon.By theway,whowasthemanwithyou?”

Michaelshowedsurpriseatthequestionbutanswered,“Idon’tknow.Ipickedhimupalittlewayfromhere.”

BeforeMichaelcouldqueryNancyaboutherinterestinthestranger,shemovedontorejoinherfriends.

KatherineKovnaandeveryoneelsewasrelievedtohearthatMr.Ellingtonhadnotbeeninanaccident.

Theyoungdressdesigner’sevening,however,wasspoiled.Theotherswereverykindtoher, and theboys saw to it that shedancedagreatdeal.WhileNancyandNedweredancing together, he asked what she thought of Richard Ellington not making anappearance.

“I’mreallyworriedthatsomethinghashappenedtohim,”shereplied.“He’stoomuchofagentlemannottohavesentword.”

“Well,ifhewasn’tinanaccident,whatelsewouldhavedelayedhim?”Nedpersisted.

“Lotsofthings.Thievescouldhavewaylaidhim,knockedhimout,andstolenhiscar.”

“Thenlet’sgetoutofhereandgolookforhim,”Nedsuggested.

HewasgladofanexcusetowalkinthemoonlightwithNancy.Astheyfollowedtheroadthatwoundinandoutalongtheriver,Nedfeltonlytheromanceoftheevening.

ButNancy’sthoughtskeptrevertingtothemystery.Itwasaneerienight.Nowandthencloudswouldobscurethemoon,causinggrotesqueshadowstoflickeracrosstheirpath.

“Ned,whatwas that?”Nancystoppedshort,grippinghis arm.“I sawa figurehidingbehindthatgiantpinetree,”shewhispered.“We’rebeingfollowed.”

“Why should anyone follow us? Come on,” he urged. “You want to find Ellington,don’tyou?”

Somewhatdubiously,Nancyallowedherselftobeledondowntheroad.Shekepthergazefastenedonthelineoftrees.Suddenlythemovingshadowappearedagain.

“Ned,I’msurewe’rebeingspiedupon!”

Theboystartedtowardthetrees,butNancypulledhimback.

“We’re in danger,” she cautioned. “I can’t explain more now, but we must go rightback.”

Quicklysheturnedandbegantorun,Nedatherheels.Notuntilshewaswithintheraysoflightfromtheinndidsheslowdowntoawalk.

“Nowtellmewhat’sgoingon,”Nedpanted.

“Somethingoftremendousimportanceisatstake.Idon’ttrustMichael,andIfeelhisbeing here tonight is to establish an alibi. I have a plan that I was going to carry outtomorrow,butIthinkIshoulddosotonight.”

“Theoneyouwantedmetohelpyouwith?”

“Yes.GetJimandwaithereforme.I’lllocateourvictim!”sherepliedtensely.

ScarcelyhadNedvanishedintotheinnwhenNancysawatallmancominghurriedlyalongtheroad.HewasMichael’scompanion.Quicklysheduckedbehindabush.

“HemustbetheonewhofollowedNedandme,”shethought.

Themanpassedclosetowhereshecrouched.Withoutnoticingher,heenteredtheinn.

“I’lltrailhim!”Nancydetermined.

Assheenteredthehallwayoftheinn,shesawhimgointothediningroom.Nancywasabouttofollowwhenfromahalf-closedtelephoneboothsherecognizedafamiliarvoice.

“Everything’sgoingasplanned,”Michaelsaidinamockingtone.“Yes,I’mwithNancyDrewnow.How’smydeargrandma?Ha!Ha!”

Nancymovedcloser,butsheheardnomore.Michaelloweredhisvoice,andamomentlatercamefromthebooth.

“Now what was the significance of that conversation?” the bewildered girl askedherself.“Michaelcouldn’thavebeentalkingtoAnna.He’suptosomething!”

Withnosuspicion thathewasbeingobserved,Michaelstarted toreturn to thediningroom.QuicklyNancywalkeduptohim.

“Wouldn’tyouliketojoinsomeofusinthegarden?”sheaskedsweetly.

Theyoungmanlookedsurprisedbutacceptedtheinvitation.Nancysuggestedhewaitforherbyalittlepool.HewentoutsidejustasNedreturnedwithHelenandJim.

“Howwouldyouliketoexposeanimpostor?”Nancywhispered.

“What!”saidthethreeinunison.

“Anythingyousay,”Jimagreed.

“I’m convinced that the man known as Michael Alexandra is not a prince,” Nancywhisperedtensely.

“Whatdoyouwantustodo?”askedJim.

“Howareyouatkidnapping?”

“Expert.”Nedgrinned.

“Itmust be a neat, noiseless job.We’ll allwalk down to the pool,whereMichael iswaiting.WhenIgivethesignal,overpowerhimandI’lltellyouwhattodo.”

“Leaveittous!”Nedreplied.

Theyoungpeoplewanderedintothegarden.Theypausedatthepool,formingacircleabout the unsuspectingMichael. Then, at a signal fromNancy, Jim andNed closed infromtherear.

Beforethecaptivecouldmakeasound,theyhadcoveredhismouth.Liftinghimbodilytheycarriedhimbehindsomebushesandputhimdown.Noonewouldbeapt tonoticetheminthatspot,buttherewasenoughlightfromanearbylampforthemtosee.Nancyspokeupquickly.

“Ifyoudon’tyellforhelp,we’llallowyoutotalk,”shetoldhim.

Nedremovedhishandfromtheyoungman’smouth.

“What’stheidea?”Michaeldemanded.“Youcan’ttreatmelikethis!I’maprince—”

“Howcanyouproveit?”Nancydemanded.“Withtheletterandphotograph.YoutookthemtoGrandmotheryourself!”

“Igavehercertainproofs—yes.ButhowdoIknowwhereyouobtained them?Theymayhavebelongedtoanotherperson.”

“That’salie,”Michaelmumbled,strugglinghardtobreakawayfromNedandJim.

Nancyresumedcoolly,“IknowthatyouhavebeenrobbingMrs.Alexandra.”

“Youcan’tprovea thing!You’rebluffing!Grandmother issatisfied that Iamthe lostprince.”

“Ifyou’rethemissingMichael,youcanproveyouridentityrightnow,”Nancyretorted.

“Idon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout,”heprotestedsavagely.

“Youwillinamoment.”NancysmiledassheturnedtoNedandJim.“Boys,”shesaid,“pleaseremovethisman’sshoesandsocks.”

“What’sthebigidea?”Michaelprotestedfuriously.“Youcan’ttakeoffmyshoes!”

“Oh,can’twe?”mockedJim.“Justwatchus!”Whiletheircaptivestruggledandfought,heandNedstrippedofftheshoesandsocks.

“Iwishwehadaflashlight,”Nancycommented.

“Here’soneintheprince’spocket,”Nedsaidsarcastically.Hehandedittoher.

To the surprise of the young peopleNancy flashed the light directly on the soles ofMichael’sbarefeet.

“Youareanimpostor!”Nancyexclaimed

“JustasIthought!”sheexclaimed.“YouarenotMrs.Alexandra’slong-lostgrandson!Youareanimpostor!”

“That’snottrue,”theyoungmanwhined.“Whyareyoulookingatmyfeet?”

“IfyouactuallywereMichaelAlexandra,youwouldknowtheanswerwithoutasking!”

“You’rejusttryingtocheatmeoutofmyinheritance.”

Nancywassternasshefacedthecaptive.“You’llneverobtainanotherpennyfromMrs.Alexandra!Yourlittlegamehasended.”

Michaelstaredsullenlyatthegroup.

“Okay,I’lladmitI’mnotMichaelAlexandra.”

“Wheredidyouobtainyourso-calledcredentials?”Nancyaskedsharply.“Imeantheletterandpictureandtoy?”

“Found’emonatrainseatcomingintoRiverHeights.”

“Then the realPrinceMichaelmaybe somewherenearhere!”Nancyexclaimed.Sheaskedtheimpostor,“Whereishe?”

CHAPTERXVIII

CorneringaThief“IDON’Tknowwhotheguyis,orwherehewent,”themaninsistedsullenly.

“Didyouseehim?”Nancypersisted.“Whatdidhelooklike?”

Michaelshrugged.“Don’tremember.”

“What’syourrealname?”Nancyasked.

Michaeldidnotreply.Suspectingthatthepolicewouldbesummoned,hesatdownontheground,waitingforachancetoescape.

Nancywentintotheinnandtelephonedheadquarters.Thenshespoketotheothersatthetable,askingtwoof theyoungmentolocateMichael’scompanion.Hecouldnotbefoundanywhere, andNancyassumedhehad learnedaboutwhatwasgoingonandhadleft.Apolicecarsoonarrivedandtookawaytheprisoner.

“Let’sgoinside,”Helensaid.“Thenyoucantellus,Nancy,howyoufoundoutaboutthemarkthatwillidentifythelostprince.”

“I’lltellyouaboutitlater,”theyoungdetectivereplied.“Inthispublicplacesomeonemightoverhearme.”

Nancyfollowedtheotherstowardtheinn.Aftergoingashortdistanceshepaused.

“Somethingelsewrong?”Nedinquired.

“Ican’thelpbeingworriedaboutMrs.AlexandraandAnna,”sheconfessed,frowning.

“Withtheimpostorinthehandsofthepolice,”Nedanswered,“theyshouldbesafe.”

“That’sthepoint,Ned.Theprisonerisacleverthief,andhemayhaveaccomplices.”

“Buthispalswouldn’tbelikelytomaketroubleforMrs.Alexandrawithoutago-aheadfromhim.”

“I’mnotsosureofthat.He’stheoneweknowsohe’dhavetoestablishanalibi.Ned,Iheardhimtalkingonthephoneawhileago.”

“Whatdidhesay?”

“‘Everything’sfine.I’mwithNancyDrewnow.How’smydeargrandma?’Heaskedthatmockingly,almostasifheknewshemightbeintrouble.”

“DoyouthinkanyofhispalsareattheAlexandrahousetonight?”

“That’sjustwhatI’mafraidof,Ned.WhenIlearnedwhattheclueinthejewelboxwas,IadvisedMrs.AlexandranottogiveMichaelanymorejewelsorartobjectstosell.Ifsheactedonmysuggestion,thenheprobablyrealizedhislittlegamewasnearinganend.”

“Andfiguredhehadtocleanupfast,”Nedstated.

Nancynoddedinreply.“Hemayhavearrangedforhispalstorobthehousetonight.IoverheardMichaeltellAnnaheprobablywouldn’tbehome.WhenIaskedhimifhe’dbetheretomorrow,heseemeduncertainatfirst.”

“Iseewhatyoumeanaboutestablishinganalibi!”Nedexclaimed.“Say,hispalsmayberobbingMrs.Alexandraatthisveryminute!”

“Let’sgotoherhouse!”

“I’llaskJimtocomewithus,”Nedsaid.

Jimwasmorethanwillingtoaccompanythecouple,andKatherineinsistedupongoingalong.Theyfoundanemptytaxiparkedneartheinn.

“Takeustotheferryrightaway!”Nedurgedthedriver.

“Ifwemiss thenextboat, therewon’tbeanotheralongforhalfanhour,”Jimadded,glancingathiswatch.

Tenminuteslaterthetaxiarrivedatthedock.Aninstantbeforethegateswerelowered,thecabwasdrivenaboard.Therideacross theriver tookitsusual time,but toNancyitseemedhoursbeforetheboatdocked.

“Nowto47DowneyStreet!”sheurgedthedriverasthetaxirolledofftheramp.

Thecarspedthroughthestreets,drawingupatlastbeforethedarkenedhouse.

Jimpaidthedriver,andtheyoungpeoplewentupthewalk.Nedrangthedoorbellbutnoresponsecamefromwithinthehouse.Againhepressedthebutton,holdinghisfingeronitalongwhile.

“That’senoughtowakeanybody,”hedeclared.

“I’mgoinginside,”saidNancy.“Iwonderifallthedoorsarelocked.”

“Thisoneis,”Jimreported,testingtheknob.

Theyoungpeoplecircledthehouseandtriedthereardoor.Ittoowaslocked,butNedscrambled up a trellis to a window. The sash raised without difficulty. Ned crawledthroughandunlockedthebackdoor.

“Thehouseiscertainlyquiet,”hereportedinawhisper.“Iftheneighborsseeus,theymayreportusasburglars.”

“We can explainwhywe’re here,”Nancy replied, switching on lights as shewalkedthroughtothelivingroom.

When theyoungpeople reached it, theywereappalledby the sightbefore them.Theexpensive tapestrieshadbeen stripped from thewalls.Manyof the silk chair coveringshadbeenslashed.Alltheartobjectsweremissing.

“Thehousehasbeenransacked!”Nancycried.

“WhathasbecomeofMrs.AlexandraandAnna?”Katherinecried,pickingupa tornwhiteapron.

“I’lllookupstairs,”saidNancy.

Shestartedupthedarkstairway,callingthenamesofthewomen.Therewasnoanswer.

JimandNedfollowedclosebehindher,gropingforanelectricswitch.

“Theremust be one here somewhere,”Nancymurmured, inching herway along theupperhall.

Thenextinstantshestumbledoverabodylyingonthecarpet.

“Ned!Jim!”shecalled,bendingovertheform.

Just asNancy shouted that shehad found someone lyingon the floor,Ned’sgropingfingerslocatedtheelectricswitchatthetopofthestairs.Hepressedthebutton.

Recognizing the motionless figure, Nancy gasped, “It’s Anna! She’s bound andgagged!”

Katherine raced up the stairs.With a penknife Ned severed the cords, while Nancyremovedthehandkerchieffromthewoman’smouth.Butsheshowednosignofregainingconsciousness.

LeavingtheotherstolookafterAnna,shehurriedintoMrs.Alexandra’sbedroom.Herworstfearswereconfirmed.Thewomanlayhelplessonthebed.Herhandsandfeetweretightlybound,andaclothhadbeenstuffedintohermouth.Nancyremovedthegag.

“Mrs.Alexandra,speaktome!”shepleaded.

The woman’s eyelids fluttered open and then dosed again. She lapsed intounconsciousness.

“We’dbettercalladoctor,”NancysaidasNedquicklycutthelegandarmcords.

Jimappearedinthedoorway,carryingAnna.Carefullyhelaidheronthebedbesidehermistress.

Nancy ran downstairs. Fortunately the telephonewire had not been cut, and shewasable to summon a doctor. He arrived ten minutes later. The physician examined AnnabrieflybutspentamuchlongertimewithMrs.Alexandra.

“She’s in serious condition,” he said soberly. “I advise hospital care. Iwillmake thenecessaryarrangementsnow.”

Whilethephysicianmadeatelephonecall,NancyaskedJimtosummonthepolice.SheandKatherine remainedwithMrs.Alexandra andAnna,whileNed looked through thehouse.Nancyquicklysearched thebedroomfor thechestcontaining theFootman jewelcase.Itwasgone!Presentlythedoctorcamebackupstairs.“Theambulancewillbeheresoon,”hereported,pullingachairtothebedside.

Nancylefttheroomandwenttoinspectthehouse.Almosteverythingofvalueexceptheavypiecesoffurniturehadbeenstolen.TheEasteregg,apairofgoldcandlesticks,thesilverware—allarticlesthatMrs.Alexandratreasured.

“Shewillneversurvivethisblow,”NancysaidtoNed.“Howcanwetellherthetruth?”

“Maybethepolicecangetsomeofthethingsback,”herepliedhopefully.

Within a few minutes a car arrived from headquarters. Nancy was able to give theofficers a detailed description of nearly every object which had been stolen from thehouse.

“Anyideawhocommittedthecrime?”oneofthepolicemenaskedher.

“Yes,Ihave!”sheanswered.“Thetheftprobablywasengineeredbythemanwhowasarrestedtonightontheothersideoftheriver.Idon’tknowhisrealname—hewouldn’ttellme.Hehasbeenlivinghere,posingasarelativeandrobbingMrs.Alexandra.”

“Thentheactualrobberymusthavebeendonebyoneormoreofhispals,”theofficerdeclared.“Mrs.Alexandrahasn’ttalked?”

“No,neithershenorhermaidhasbeenabletosayaword.”

“Wemaygetsomethingoutofthemaftertheyrecoverfromshock,”thepolicemansaid.“In the meantime, we’ll talk to the prisoner. Maybe he’ll reveal the identity of hisaccomplices.”

Soon after the police had completed their inspection of the house, the ambulancearrived. Nancy and Katherine rode to the hospital with the patients. Nancy was givenpermissiontoremaininMrs.Alexandra’sroom.

“Iwanttobeherewhensherecoversconsciousness,”Nancyhadexplainedtothenurse.“Shemayrevealsomethingthatwillhelpthepolicemakeanarrest.”

Katherine,meanwhile,hadtakenupherpostinanotherroombesideAnna’sbed.NowandthensheandNancywouldmeetinthehalltoholdwhisperedconsultations.

“Anna—shespokealittlewhileago,”Katherinereportedatoneofthesessions.

“Whatdidshesay?”Nancyaskedeagerly.

“Shekeepmumblingaboutastolenjewelbox.”

“Thenshemustknowwhathappened.Katherine,atthenextopportunitytrytogethertodescribethemanwhoboundher.”

“IlearnwhatIcan,”thegirlpromised.

NancyreturnedtoMrs.Alexandra’sbedside.Amomentlaterthenurseexcusedherselftogetsomemedicationfromanotherpartof thehospital.Thesoundof theclosingdoorseemedtoarousethepatientfromherlongstupor.Sheopenedhereyes,staringatNancywithoutrecognition.

“Donotstrikeme!Iwilltellyouwheremymoneyishidden!”

“Mrs.Alexandra,you’resafenow,”Nancysaidsoothingly.“Don’tyouknowme?IamNancyDrew.”

Mrs.Alexandrarelaxedslightly.Shereachedforthegirl’shandandclungtightlytoit.

“Myjewels—”shewhispered.

“Nowdon’tworryaboutanything,”Nancycomfortedthewoman.

Withadeepsightheformerqueenclosedhereyesagain.

“Mrs.Alexandra,”Nancysaid, fearing that thevictimwould lapse intoa stuporoncemore,“didyouseethemanwhotiedyouup?”

“Iwasupstairsalonewhenhecameintotheroom,”Mrs.Alexandrareplied,speakingwithgreatdifficulty.“Themanwasthin,ofmediumheight,andworeablackmask.That’sallIremember.”

Before Nancy could ask another question, Katherine appeared in the doorway. Shemotionedtotheyoungdetectivetocomeoutintothehall.

“Annahastalkedtome!”shesaidasNancyjoinedher.“Shetellmethatshewasinthelibrarywhenshehearanoise.Asshegointothelivingroomtoinvestigate,amaskedmanleap at her. They struggled, she break away and run upstairs towardMrs. Alexandra’sroom.Justthenanothermanstepoutandgrabher.”

“Thentheremusthavebeenatleasttwomeninthehouse,”Nancycommentedgravely.“WasAnnaabletodescribeeitherofthem?”

“Shesaybothmenwearblackmasks.Ohyes.Shecalltheoneupstairswiry,ofmediumheight.”

“ThattallieswithMrs.Alexandra’sdescription,”Nancysaidthoughtfully.“Iwonderifhemaybeoneofthepickpocketsthepoliceareafter.”

Convincedthatthecluewasavitalone,Nancywaiteduntilthenursereturnedtotakecharge,thenshewenttoapublictelephoneandcalledpoliceheadquarters.Shereportedthe information received from the two patients. To her satisfaction, the desk sergeantpromisedthataspecialeffortwouldbemadetoroundupthelong-soughtpickpocketsatonce.

Thehourwaslate,andNancyknewthatHannahandherfatherwouldbeworriedabouther.Shedecidedtophonethem,andwasjustabouttocallwhenNedthrusthisheadintothebooth.

“Keep yourmoney if you’re calling home,” he advised cheerfully. “I talked to yourfatherawhileago.Hesaysforyoutostayhereaslongasyou’reneeded.”

“Thanksforcalling,”Nancysaid.“ButImayaswellgohome.There’snothingmoreIcandohere.”

“Let’sgetKatherineandJimandgosomewheretoeat,”Nedproposed.

“Iamhungry,”Nancyadmitted.“Wecheatedourselvesoutofmostofthesupperattheinn.Butwhataboutthepartythere?Shouldn’tJimgobackandgetHelen?”

“Hephonedsoonafterwegothere,andthepartywasbreakingupthen.BessandDaveweregoingtotakeHelenhome.”

WhenKatherineheard this, sheconsented togoalong, and theyoungpeople left the

hospital.

“Whereto?”Nedasked.

“Notmanyplacesopenat this timeofnight,” Jim replied,glancingupanddown thedesertedstreet.“Iknowadinerthathasgoodfood.”

“Leadon!”Nedcommanded.“Allweaskisfoodandplentyofit!”

Jimescortedthepartytoaplacethatwasopenallnight.Itsonlycustomerwasatruckdriverseatedatthecounter.

“IbelieveImayaswellorderbreakfast,”Nancydeclared,scanningthemenu.“Orangejuice—”

Shebrokeoffas thedooropened.Aman,whowasbreathinghard,camehurryingin.Almostathisheelswasapoliceman.

“Holdonthere!”theofficerexclaimed,grabbingthefellow’sarm.“I’vegotyounow!”

“You’vemadeamistake,”themanrepliedinahaughtyvoice.“FrequentlyIamtakenforapickpocketwhocloselyresemblesme.”

“Well,we’relookingforhim,too.”

“ButmynameisDorrance.”

“Doesn’tmeanathingtome.”

Dorrance’s gaze roved about the diner and came to rest upon Nancy. His eyesbrightened.

“Here’sayoungladywhoknowsmewell,andknowsI’mhonest,”hetoldtheofficer.

SmilingatNancy,hetookahandkerchieffromhispocketandwavedit.

“Canyouidentifythisman?”thepolicemanaskedher.

“IndeedIcan.”

NancyaroseandfacedDavidDorrance.“Officer,arrestthisman!”shesaid,herwordsdroppinglikechipsofsteel.“Heisoneofthetwopickpocketsthepolicearelookingfor!”

CHAPTERXIX

PrisonersDAVIDDorrancestaredatNancyasifunabletobelievehisears.Hehadfeltcertainshewouldexoneratehim,andinsteadshehadaccusedhimofbeingwantedbythepolice.

“JustbecauseIlooklikeanothermanisnoreasonforarrestingmeasathief.”

“Ifyou’reinnocent,youwon’tmindbeingsearched,”shetoldhim.

Atthisremarkthecolordrainedfromtheman’sface.Theofficerexaminedhispocketsandfoundalargesumofmoney.Severalbillsweremarkedoneswhichhadbeengiventoapolicedecoytotrapthepickpockets.

“You’reoneofthemenwe’relookingfor,allright,”theofficerstated.

“You win,” Dorrance said angrily. “Miss Detective, just how did you figure all thisout?”

“Idecided thatyouandyourdoublework together.Oneofyoupicks thepocketofavictim,andeithermakesaquickgetaway,orpasses the loot to theotherman throughawindoworadoor.Thenthethiefplaysinnocent,andofcoursethepocketbookorwalletisneverfoundonhim.

“Thathandkerchiefsignalprovedyourundoing.Youwaveditoncetoooften.YourpalstoleaknifefromMr.Faber.Inescaping,henearlyforgottowavehishandkerchiefatme.Thenmoments lateryoutried thesamestunt.Obviouslyyoucouldn’thavemovedfromtheofficebuildingtothestorethatfast.”

“Ididn’tthinkyou’dfigureitout!”saidthethiefashewasledaway.

Forgettingtheirhunger,theyoungpeopledecidedtofollowtheofficerandhisprisonerto police headquarters. There Nancy repeated everything she knew about the twopickpockets.

Dorrance waived his constitutional rights to consult a lawyer before answeringquestions.Hisdouble,hesaid,hadstolenMr.Drew’swallet.Headmittedthatbothwereprofessionalpickpockets.Theyhadmetaccidentally,andlaterworkedoutthepartnership.Whenhewouldnottellthenameofhisaccomplice,Nancyspokeup.

“Isn’titCordova?”

Theprisoner nodded. “I suppose thatwoman in the apartment houseonWaterStreettalked,”hesaid.“Cordova’srelatedtoherhusband.”

Nancy had a sudden hunch. “The husband’s tall and has bushy hair, hasn’t he?” sheasked.“Andheworkswithyou.”

Dorrancelookedsurprised.“That’sright.Hedidn’twanttoatfirst,butCordovatalkedhimintoit.”

“Whereishenow?AttheapartmentonWaterStreet?”Nancyasked.

“Youfindout!”Dorranceretorted.

“We’llroundhimup,”thepolicelieutenantsaidquietly.“HisnameisCarlPeters.”

In addition to themoney inDorrance’s pockets, a little notebook had been found. Itcontainedtwoaddresses;thatofahouseonClaytonAvenueandtheAlexandraresidence.

“TheClaytonAvenueplacemaybeCordova’shideout,”saidtheofficer.“We’llsearchthereatonce,andalsotheWaterStreetapartment.WhataboutthisAlexandraaddress?”

“ThemanarrestedattheRedLionInntonightlivedthere,”Nancyexplained.“Ithinkhe’s associated with Dorrance, Cordova, and Peters. The four probably planned therobberyatMrs.Alexandra’s.”

ItwassolatethatNancyandherfriendsdidnotremainlongeratpoliceheadquarters.However,thenextdaytheyoungdetectivelearnedbytelephonethatasuccessfulraidhadbeenstagedattheClaytonAvenuehouseandPetershadbeencaptured.AlthoughCordovaescaped,allofMrs.Alexandra’s jewelsandantiqueshadbeenrecovered,aswellasMr.Drew’spapers.

Onthewaytochurch,shetoldthestorytoherfatherandHannahGruen.“And,Dad,you’llgetbackmostofthemoneythatwasstolenfromyou!”

“That’sgoodnews.”Mr.Drewsighed.“Nancy,I’mproudofthewayyouhandledthismystery.”

Later,when the familywas finishingdinner,Nancysaid,“As to theclue in the jewelbox—well,I’mrightbackwhereIstarted.PrinceMichaelstillhasnotbeenfound.ButIdohaveagoodleadtoworkon,”sheadded.“Ifheisalive,then—”

Suddenlyavoiceboomedthroughanopenwindow.“Carson,whereareyou?”

Thelawyerglancedathiswatch.“Mygoodness,Nancy,that’sMr.Field.Ipromisedtomeethimtwentyminutesago.Imustbeoff.”

He kissed her affectionately, said good-by to Hannah, and left the house. Nancyimmediatelytelephonedthehospital.ShewasgladtohearthatMrs.AlexandraandAnnahadimproved.

NextshecalledKatherineandlearnedthatRichardEllingtonhadnotcontactedher.

“Oh,Nancy,Iworry,”theyoungwomansaid.“RichardandIarecloseperhapsbecauseweare fromsamecountry.He issokind, Idonotseehowhecould—whatyousay?—breakourdate.Heneverdosobefore.”

“I’llcallhisapartment,”Nancyoffered.

ThesamemanwhohadansweredtheeveningbeforesaidthatEllingtonhadnotcomehome,andhadsentnoword.

Deep in thought, Nancy put down the telephone. “What could have happened toRichard?”

Shedrove topoliceheadquarters toobtainmore informationabout the twoprisoners.Nancywastoldthattheimpostorprince’srealnamewasStanleyBrandette.

“According to his story,” said the lieutenant, “hemet the pickpockets,Dorrance andCordova,about twoweeksagowhenCordovastolehiswallet.Beinga small-time thiefhimself, he caught on at once to the way the pickpockets’ scheme worked, and toldDorranceso.WheneverCordovawasbeingchasedafterhavingpickedsomeone’spocket,Dorrancewouldwhistle inacertainway.Thiswasawarning todrop the stolenwallet.Mostpursuerswouldgiveupthechaseandthethiefwouldgetaway.”

“ThedayBrandette’swalletwasstolenwasthefirsttimeIsawthethreeofthem,”saidNancy.

“Brandetteprofessedadmirationforthepickpockets’work,withtheresultthatthethreemenbecamepals.Brandettehadalreadyfoundtheprince’sportfolioonthetrainandwasplanninghowtorobMrs.Alexandra.”

“Sotheimpostorwasn’tkeepingallthemoneyfromthesaleofthejewels,”saidNancy.

“No, thepickpocketswerehelpinghimdisposeof thearticlesand takingmostof themoney received for themselves. Brandette and Dorrance threatened you outside yourhomeonenightbecausetheywantedtokeepyoufromspoilingtheirscheme.Seeingthatwasn’tpossible,theydecidedtoloottheAlexandrahome.”

“Isthestolenpropertyhere?”

“Yes,”repliedtheofficer,afterconsultingamemorandum.“Itwasbroughtinlastnight.We’llhavetoholdeverythinghereuntilMrs.Alexandracanidentifytheobjects.”

“Shemaybeinthehospitalforseveraldays.Iwaswondering—couldn’tIdoitforMrs.Alexandra?Thenthethingscouldbetakentoherhomeandputbackinplace.”

“Ithinkitcanbearranged,”thelieutenantagreed.“Canyouidentifythepieces?”

“Agoodmanyofthem.”

AsNancywent to inspect the loot sheasked theofficer ifBrandettehadvolunteeredanyinformationabouttherealPrinceMichael.

“I don’t think he knows anything,” the lieutenant replied. “According to Brandette’sconfession,hefoundanartportfolioleftonatrainseat.”

“Anartportfolio?”Nancyrepeatedmeditatively.

“Yes. Discovering that the photograph and letter which it containedmight lead to afortune,Brandettedecided tokeep theportfolio.From the letterheknew that thenameFrancis Baum had been given the prince by his nurse. Evidently the woman had beenafraidthatifMichaelAlexandrausedhisrealname,enemiesmightharmhim.”

“Did Brandette describe the man who owned the portfolio?” Nancy asked after amoment.

“No,herefusestogiveanyfurtherinformation.”

Nancy’smindwas racing.“The impostorcertainlyactedas ifhedidn’twantRichardEllington to seehim thatdayouton the river,” she thought. “Katherinedid sayhewasfromhercountry.CoulditbepossiblethatitwasRichard’sportfolioBrandettehadpickedup?Theartistmightbethelostprince!”

Nancywasbroughtoutofherreveriebyasurprisingremarkfromthepoliceofficer.

“Brandettemadeanadmission in regard toyou.HewaseavesdroppingatyourhouseandheardyoudiscussingplansforapartyattheRedLionInn.Hemadesureyousawhimtheresothathe’dhaveanalibiifhewasquestionedabouttheAlexandrarobbery.”

“Iguessedthatlastnight.ButIbelievehehadasecondreasonforappearingattheinn,”Nancysaidslowly.“Didhesaywhyhiscompaniontrailedafriendofmineandmealongtheroad?”

“Ididn’tknowaboutthat,”theofficerreplied.“Brandettemaydosomemoretalking.Ifhedoes,I’llletyouknow.”

AssoonasNancyleftheadquarters,shetelephonedEllington’sapartmentagain,onlytolearn thatnowordhadcomefromhim.Later,asNancy,Bess,andGeorgewereputtingtheAlexandrahomeinorder,theydiscussedwaysoflocatingtherealPrinceMichael,butNancysaidlittle.

“He must be somewhere in River Heights,” Bess declared, holding a tapestry forGeorgetotackintoplaceonawall.

“Nancy,you’resoquiet,”Georgecommented.

“I’mworriedaboutRichard,”saidNancy.“Assoonaswefinishhere,Iproposethatifhehasn’treturned,wegetNedandsomeoftheotherboysandstartasearchforhim.”

“Goodidea,”Bessagreed.

“Butshouldn’ttherebeapoliceguardherewhenweleave?”Georgeasked.“ThatthiefCordovahasn’tbeencaughtandhemaycomebackhere.”

Nancycalledheadquartersandfoundoutthatthechiefcouldnotsendamanuntilfiveo’clock,buthewouldstayovernightaswatchman.

“That’sarelief,”Besscommented.

About four-thirtyKatherineKovna came to theAlexandra residence. She praised thegirls’ work, then asked if anyone had news of Richard Ellington. Upon receiving anegativeanswerandlearningofanotherfruitless telephonecall to theartist’sapartment,shebecameexcited.

“Oh,hemustbeintrouble!”shecried.

“Asearchistobestartedinhalfanhour,”saidNancy.“Theboysaregoingtohelp.Ofcourseyou’lljoinus?”

“Yes,yes.Wheredowego?”

“TotheRedLionInn.”

“You think we may find a what-you-call ‘clue’ there?” Katherine asked, her facebrightening.

“That’smyhope.Mr.EllingtondisappearedsomewherebetweenHarbortownand therestaurant.”

Bythetimethepolicemanarrived,thegirlshadtheentirehouseinorder,withall thereturnedarticlesintheirproperplaces.

Katherine sighed. “If only we could find the true Prince Michael, his lovelygrandmother’shomecomingwouldbeahappyone.”

ImmediatelyafteraquicksupperattheRedLionInn,thegirlswithNed,Burt,Dave,and threeotherboys startedout tohunt forRichardEllington.Upon learning that therewere two roadsbetweenHarbortownand theRedLion Inn, they formed two searchingparties.Nancy,Ned,Katherine,andBobDuttondecided tofollowtheriverroute,whiletheotherstriedthehigherroad.

“It’sgettingdark,”Nedremarkedaftertheyhadwalkedamile.

“Ihopeitdoesn’train,”Nancysaidasshetestedherflashlight.

“Say, what’s that over in those bushes?” Ned suddenly asked. “Looks like a parkedcar!”

Theyscrambledthroughtheunderbrushtoexaminetheautomobile.

“This is Richard’s!” Katherine exclaimed, beside herself with worry. “What hashappened?”

“There’sbeen a struggle!”Nancyobserved, beamingher light over theground. “Thegrasshasbeentrampled,andabodyhasbeendraggedalong!”

Katherinemurmured,“IhopenoonethrowRichardinriver!”

The trail of trampledgrass led down a steep slope to the riverbank.A short distanceaway stood an abandoned boathouse whose weakened posts threatened to give waybeneathit.AsNancyflashedherlightoverit,shethoughtsheheardafaintcry.

“Listen!”shewhisperedtensely.

“Help!Help!”cameaweakcall.

“Let’sgo!”Nedcried,startingforward.“Ellingtonmaybelockedinthere!”

Heandthegirlsheadedforthedoor,butBobtookapathwhichledaroundthefarsideofthestructure.Beforetheyreachedthewater’sedge,avoiceboomedatthemfromthedarkness.

“Comenocloserortaketheconsequences!”

Asthetriohalted,theyagainheardthefeeblecallforhelp.

“Whatshallwedo?”Katherinewhispered.Shewastrembling.

CHAPTERXX

TwoMysteriesSolvedAstheweakcryforhelpwasrepeated,Nedswitchedonhisflashlight,pointingthebrightbeamattheoldboathouse.Amanwasstandingonanarrowplatformfacingthem.

“Ned! That’s Cordova—the pickpocket!” Nancy whispered tensely. “Dorrance’sdouble!”

“I’mgoingafterhim,”mutteredNed,puttingouthisflashlightandhandingittoNancy.“WhenIshout,trainthisrightinhiseyes!”

“Becareful,”Katherinewarnedanxiously.

Crouchinglowbehindsomebushes,Nedmovedalittledownshore.InthedarknessthemanontheplatformcouldseeonlyNancy’slight,whichshewasplayingoverthetrees.

Suddenly a board creaked, therewas a shout, and a flashlightwas turned full on hisface.Thepickpocketwhirled,butNedleapedonhim,andthetwowentdowntogether.

Bob ran to assist. The pickpocket put up a violent struggle, but the boys quicklysubduedhim.

Nancysaid,“YouholdhimwhileIlookinsidetheboathouse.”

FollowedbyKatherine,sheopenedthecreakingdoortotheoldbuilding.

“Mr.Ellington?”shecalledsoftly.

Cautiously thegirlsmovedforward, flashing their lightsover thehalf-rotted flooring.Thewaterwaslappingagainstthepostsofthebuilding.

Giant,eerieshadowsleapedatthemastheyflashedtheirlightsintoeverycomer.ThebeamfromNancy’scametorestonanoldoverturnedrowboatagainstthewall.Fromitssternprotrudedapairofbarefeet,boundwithrope.

“Wefindsomeone!”Katherinecriedinhorror.

Nancyrantotheboatandturneditover.AglancetoldherthatthelimpfigurelyingonthefloorwasRichardEllington.Hishandswerebound.Agaginhismouthhadslippedabit.

“We’llhaveyououtofhereinasecond,”sheassuredhim,andworkedattheknottedropes.

Katherine already had removed the gag. “Oh, what have they done to you?” sheexclaimed.

“Twomaskedmenstoppedmycar,”theartistsaidhoarsely,“andbroughtmehere.”

“Canyoutellusmoreaboutthem?”Nancyasked.

“Yes,” theman replied. “One was tall and had bushy hair. He called the other man

Michael.”NancyandKatherineexchangedknowinglooks.

“Whydidtheykidnapyou,”Nancyaskedtheartist.

“Idon’tknow,”hesaid,puzzled.

AsNancyuntiedtheropethatboundhisankles,shestaredatMr.Ellington’sbarefeet.

“Mr.Ellington!Yourleftfoot!”sheexclaimed.“Ithasapeculiarmarkonthesole!”

“Oh, that. Itwasput onwhen Iwas a child. Itwasmadeby a doctor as ameansofidentifyingme,”Mr.Ellingtonsaid.“WhathappenedinmyearlylifeissofantasticthatIneverspeakofit.”

“Don’tmove,”Nancy said. “I’ll take this rope tomy friends, so they can tie up theprisoner.”

The captivewas bound, thenRichardEllingtonwashelped to his automobile. ItwasdecidedthatthegirlswoulddrivehimtotheRedLionInnwhiletheboysturnedCordovaovertothepolice.

Whentheyreachedtheinn,NancysuggestedthatKatherinegetacupofhotsoupforRichardEllington.Whileshewasgone,Nancyhurriedlyaskedhimafewquestionsandwassatisfiedwithhisreplies.

“PleasedonottellKatherineyet,”Nancybegged.

“Ipromise.”Thenhesmiledandaddedmysteriously,“IhavesomethingspecialtoaskherbeforeItellherthis.”

All the next day Nancy went around with a happy smile on her face and hummingsnatchesofsongs.Shewasplanningabirthdaypartyforherfatherthefollowingevening.

“Oh,I’mgladMrs.Alexandrawillbewellenoughtocome,”shemused.

The doctor had said itwould be all right for the former queen to come to theDrewhomedirectlyfromthehospital.Annawouldhavetoremainalittlelongerfortreatment.

“I’msohappythatMr.FaberfoundjusttherightgiftforDad!”NancysaidtoHannahGruen.

“Iamtoo.”Thehousekeepergrinned.“AndI’msureyourfatherwillenjoy theparty.Hehasn’thadacelebrationinalongtime.”

By eight o’clock the next night all the invited guests had arrived at theDrewhome.Nancy’s young friends came in a group, and Mr. Ellington escorted Katherine. SheproudlyshowedNancyanengagementring.

“Oh,that’swonderful!”Nancycongratulatedthecouple.

Mrs.AlexandraandMr.Faberwereamong the last tocome, the latterbearingagift-wrapped package. Introductions were made, and Mr. Ellington’s fine manners greatlyimpressedtheformerqueen.

Thencamethesurpriseoftheevening.NancyrevealedthatRichardEllingtonwasnone

otherthantherealMichaelAlexandra.

SheturnedtoMrs.Alexandra.“Hehastheidentifyingmarkonhisfoot.”

Everyonemurmured insurprise.Katherine turnedwhite.Mrs.Alexandragaveastart,butmadenosignofbeingpleased.

“Shewantsfurtherproof,”Nancythought.

SheexplainedthatwhenrescuingtheyoungmanfromtheboathouseshehadobservedanA-shapedmarkonhisleftfoot.

“The incisionwasmadebyadoctorwhen Iwasachild,”Mr.Ellingtondisclosed.“Istillrememberthatbushy-whiskeredmanwhomadethecut.”

“Whatelsedoyourecall?”Mrs.Alexandraasked,stilldistantinhermanner.

“I recall a longhallwaywithmirrors,”Mr.Ellington saidwith a chuckle. “How thatplacefrightenedme!”

“Itistrue,”whisperedMr.Faber.“HedescribestheHallofMirrorsinthepalace.”

“Comehere,”Mrs.Alexandra bade the youngman. “You resemblemy son, butwhythendoyounotaddressmeinournativetongue?”

RichardEllingtonlaughed.Then,totheamazementoftheguests,hebegantospeaktoMrs. Alexandra in words they could not understand. Presently she began to weep andclaspedhiminherarms.

Katherine, who interpreted for the group, assured them that the young man hadconvincedhisgrandmotherhewasthetrueprince.Everyoneseemedtobetalkingatonce,andNancywasaskedtoexplainmanythings.

TheyoungdetectivesaidshehadlearnedoftheA-shapedincisionfromanotefoundintheFootmanjewelbox.ThemessagehadbeenwrittenbyMichael’snurse.

“It said that she was taking the prince to America,” Nancy continued. “The faithfulwomanhadleftcluesinvariousplaces,hopinghisgrandmotherwouldfindthemuponherreturntothepalace.

“OnlytheotherdayMrs.AlexandraandIdiscoveredoneofthembylearningthesecretof the little nightingale. The birdwasmade to sing thewords ‘clue in jewel box’ by acreatorofmusicboxes.”

“That man was Conrad Nicholas, brother-in-law of my nurse, Nada,” explainedMr.Ellington.Turningtohisnewly-foundgrandmother,headded,“Nadawasvery,verygoodtome.Shediedonlysixmonthsago,andIhavebeenverysadsincethen.NotuntilImetKatherinedidIfeelhappyagain,butnowthatIhaveagrandmotherandafiancée,Iamdoublyhappy.”

“WhendidNadawritethatletterwhichtheimpostorused?”Georgeasked.

“ShewroteitwhenIwasstillalittleboy.Nadawantedmetohaveproofofmyidentityincaseanythinghappenedtoher,”theartistreplied.“ShegavemethenameFrancisBaum

soourenemieswouldnotfindus.LaterItookthenameRichardEllington.”

“Ilikethatmuchbetter,”saidhisgrandmother.“AndIdonotmindifyoukeepusingit.IshallnevercallyouMichael,foritwillbringupmemoriesofthatawfulthief.”

“He’sakidnapper, too,” saidNancy.Sheexplained thathehadconfessedkidnappingRichardEllingtontokeepNancyandherfriendsbusysearchingforhim.“Withusoutofthewayhehopedwewouldn’thavetimetoinvestigatetherobberywhenitwasrevealed.”

Thetrueprincespokeup.“AfterIlostmyartportfolioonthetrain,Ioftenwonderedwhatbecameofmytoylamb.Nadawarnedmetokeepitasextraproofofmyidentity.Iwasembarrassedtoletanyoneseeitinmyroom,soIkeptitinmyportfolio.”

“Itiswaitingforyouatyournewhome.”Mrs.Alexandrasmiledgaily.“Thatis,ifyouwilllivewithmeuntilyourmarriage.”

Afterthethrillingreunion,stillanothersurpriseawaitedtheguests.Nancyarose,kissedherfather,andsaid,“HappyBirthday,Dad!ForaspecialreasonIamaskingMr.Fabertopresentmygift.”

Theantiquedealerstoodup.Inaceremoniousspeechhedeclaredthatitgavehimgreatpleasuretopresentthegentleman’sbox.

“Itwillnowbeinthehomeofthefinest,mostunselfishpeopleIhaveevermet—Mr.Drewandhislovely,cleverdaughter!”

TherewasmuchhandclappingasNancyandherfatheracknowledgedthecompliment.Everyonecrowdedcloseasthepackagewasunwrapped.Mr.Drewliftedoutahandsomeleatherandsilverbox,itslidembossedwithasceneofhuntersonhorseback.Itborethemarkoftheskilledsilver-smithwhohadcreatedit—Mr.Faber’sfather.

“This is very fine and most unique,” Mr. Drew declared, his fingers exploring theintricatework.

Suddenlyhegasped inastonishment.Somehowthe lawyerhadpresseda tiny,hiddenspringalongthesideofthegentleman’sbox.Afalsebottomwasrevealed,andinitwasaslipofpaper.

“Nowwhatcanthisbe?”Mr.Drewaskedashescannedthestrangefiguresonthesheet.

“UntilthismomentIdidnotknowthattheboxhadasecretopening,”putinMr.Faber.

“Hm!Aformulaofsomesort,”Mr.Drewsaid.

“Perhaps the long-missingprocessofenamelmaking!”exclaimedMr.Faber.“Atonetimemyfatherhaditinhispossession.”

Mr.Drewofferedthepapertotheman,saying,“Thenthisbelongstoyou.”

Mr.Faberretreatedastep.“No!No!Itisyourstoo.Icantakebacknothing.”

Mr.Drewturnedtohisdaughter.“Whatdoyouthink,dear?Afterall,youaretheonewhosolvedthiswholemystery.”

Nancy locked arms with her father. “I think you should remain a lawyer and I an

amateurdetective.TheformulaisMr.Faber’s.”

Everyoneapplaudedthisidea.Nowthatthemysteryhadcometoaclose,Nancybeganto wonder when and where her next adventure would take place. It proved to be anexcitingone,calledTheSecretintheOldAttic.

Mr.Faberhadstartedtospeak.“AnyprofitImakeIwanttosharewithallofyou.MygiftwillincludealargedonationtotheBoysClubandaweddingpresenttotheprinceandhisbride.”

Mrs.Alexandrasmiledateveryone.“Isincerelyhopeforcontinuedfriendshipamongusall,andIgiveespeciallywarmthanksformygreathappinessandgoodfortunetoourdarlingNancyDrew.”