Carolyn Keene - The Clue in the Jewel Box

Breathlessly Nancy told him how his timely arrival had saved her from further threats. She and her father quickly ran in the direction the men had taken and searched in the neighbor’s garden, but the strangers had disappeared.

“Did you recognize either of them, Nancy? How were they dreased?”

“They wore stocking masks. The build of one of the men resembled that of David Dorrance and his double.”

“The thief is afraid you’re getting too hot on his trail,” Mr. Drew said thoughtfully.

Nancy told of her suspicions and of her report to the police.

“I’m glad you told the chief,” he replied. “And hereafter, let them track down the pickpocket. You’ll only be inviting danger if you continue to trail him. Next time I might not be around to save you!” he added affectionately, and took her hand as he led her back to their home.

“I’ve been hoping,” Nancy said, “to recover the money for the Boys Club and your stolen papers.”

“The thief probably has spent the money by this time,” Mr. Drew replied. “Don’t worry any more about my wallet. Buy me another for my birthday!”

As they sat at dinner a little later, she observed that her father looked worried.

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

“Why, Dad”-Nancy stared at her father in dismay-“I can’t abandon the dear lady to Michael’s clutches! Only today I learned that he has been robbing her of rather large sums of money. Wait until you see this paper!” she added, getting the slip from her purse.

Mr. Drew inspected the sales notations obtained through Anna and Mr. Faber.

“You don’t expect Mrs. Alexandra to believe that her grandson is a thief?” he asked.

“No, and I don’t intend to tell her until I have more proof.”

“Don’t do anything until I’ve had time to consider the legal angle,” her father advised.

“I’ll wait,” Nancy promised. “Telling the poor woman the truth will probably end our friendship, anyway.”

As she spoke, the telephone rang. Mrs. Gruen answered it, and then reported that the call was for Nancy.

“I think it’s Helen Archer,” the housekeeper said.

Fearing that there might be some new difficulty regarding the torn gown, Nancy ran to talk to her friend.

“For once I haven’t a scrap of bad news to report,” Helen assured her. “Mr. Ellington phoned and wants us to organize a hayride. Of course he’ll be Katherine’s partner.”

“Tonight?”

“No, tomorrow after the evening performance. He suggests we go to the Red Lion Inn for supper and dancing.”

“A hayride would be fun!” Nancy exclaimed. “Tell me more about it.”

“Mr. Ellington is sure Katherine is going to win the grand prize at the fashion show, so he wants to give a party for her. Unfortunately he can’t join us until we reach the inn,” Helen explained. “He has a business appointment in Harbortown.”

For some time the two girls discussed plans for the hayride, working out every detail. A window not far from where Nancy sat was open, and the curtains fluttered in the breeze, just enough for anyone outside to look in. A man was crouching below, listening to the telephone conversation. Nancy had her back turned, and did not notice.

“We’ll have a grand time tomorrow night,” she declared before hanging up. “Especially if Katherine wins the big prize And I’m sure she will!”

Since Nancy wanted to appear fresh for the next day’s fashion show, she went to bed early. For a long while she tossed on her pillow, thinking of the puzzles which confronted her. Of them all, she was still particularly intrigued by the little nightingale’s words, “clue in jewel box.”

“The jewel box must be the Footman,” she thought over and over. “The queen mother’s family and trusted servants knew it was the one holding her most valuable pieces.”

Nancy felt that the revelation of the secret might in some way make up to Mrs. Alexandra for the disgraceful behavior of the prince.

“That little Footman must have another opening,” she reflected.

Try as she would, Nancy could think of no way to open it. Morning did not bring any solution to the vexing problem. It continued to plague Nancy throughout the day, even as she went through her afternoon routine at the fashion show. Then, just as she left the building, an idea flashed into her mind.

“That may be it!” Nancy thought excitedly. “I must go to Mrs. Alexandra’s home at once. I only hope I won’t find Michael there!”

CURTAINS were closed at the Alexandra home, But Anna opened the front door almost as soon as Nancy rang the belL “Madame is very low in spirit,” the woman whispered and sighed. “It is Michael! This morning he asked her to give him a very valuable bracelet to sell.”

“She didn’t do it?”

“Not yet, but she is considering it very seriously. Oh, can you not do something to save what remains of my good lady’s fortune?”

“I hope to, Anna. I have proof that Michael kept most of the money he received from dealers.”

“She will never believe it.”

“Probably not,” Nancy said. “And anyway, there’s a legal angle. Being related, he could say she gave it to him. My father is going to see about that. But I came here for another reason. Michael isn’t at home, is he?”

“He is with his grandmother now.”

“Then I will leave and come another time.”

“No, wait,” the woman urged. “Hide in this closet. I will send Michael out.”

Nancy secreted herself in the hall closet as instructed. Soon she heard the young man arguing loudly with Anna.

“You always want me to go on errands for you!” he complained. “I’m a prince and you’re supposed to wait on me.”

An outside door slammed and Nancy knew that Michael had gone. A few moments later Anna opened the closet door.

“I have announced to Madame that you are here,” she told Nancy. “She will see you now.”

Knowing that Michael would not be gone long, Nancy did not waste words as she explained to Mrs. Alexandra that she would like to try once more to find another opening in the Footman jewel box.

“I have an idea that I think may work,” she added earnestly.

Mrs. Alexandra smiled and asked Anna to bring the precious statue. As Nancy took it, she said:

“When I was a little girl my grandmother gave me a very old music box that had belonged to her. It had a secret drawer in it, which opened in a peculiar fashion.”

Her fingers explored the figurine. “If only it will work-”

With increasing interest the two women watched Nancy skillfully manipulate the jewel box. Suddenly Mrs. Alexandra gave a cry of delight.

“My Footman’s boot! It is coming off!”

Nancy nodded. Her hunch had been correct!

“But there is nothing in the foot,” Mrs. Alexandra added, disappointed.

Nancy peered into the tiny boot. Thrusting her little finger into it, she loosened a folded piece of paper.

“This must be the clue that the nightingale tried to tell us!” she exclaimed.

Nancy longed to look at the paper, but instead politely handed it to the former queen. Mrs. Alexandra pondered a long time over the words scrawled on the paper. Nancy began to doubt that the woman would ever reveal the contents. Finally she spoke.

“Anna,” she requested, “please leave us alone for a few minutes.”

After Anna had left, Madame Alexandra gave Nancy the paper. The young detective was unable to read the words. They were in a foreign language. The woman, her voice vibrant with excitement, translated them in a whisper.

“This information is amazing!” Nancy exclaimed.