Carolyn Keene - The Clue in the Jewel Box

“I didn’t know about that,” the officer replied. “Brandette may do some more talking. If he does, I’ll let you know.”

As soon as Nancy left headquarters, she telephoned Ellington’s apartment again, only to learn that no word had come from him. Later, as Nancy, Bess, and George were putting the Alexandra home in order, they discussed ways of locating the real Prince Michael, but Nancy said little.

“He must be somewhere in River Heights,” Bess declared, holding a tapestry for George to tack into place on a wall.

“Nancy, you’re so quiet,” George commented.

“I’m worried about Richard,” said Nancy. “As soon as we finish here, I propose that if he hasn’t returned, we get Ned and some of the other boys and start a search for him.”

“Good idea,” Bess agreed.

“But shouldn’t there be a police guard here when we leave?” George asked. “That thief Cordova hasn’t been caught and he may come back here.”

Nancy called headquarters and found out that the chief could not send a man until five o’clock, but he would stay overnight as watchman.

“That’s a relief,” Bess commented.

About four-thirty Katherine Kovna came to the Alexandra residence. She praised the girls’ work, then asked if anyone had news of Richard Ellington. Upon receiving a negative answer and learning of another fruitless telephone call to the artist’s apartment, she became excited.

“Oh, he must be in trouble!” she cried.

“A search is to be started in half an hour,” said Nancy. “The boys are going to help. Of course you’ll join us?”

“Yes, yes. Where do we go?”

“To the Red Lion Inn.”

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

“That’s my hope. Mr. Ellington disappeared somewhere between Harbortown and the restaurant.”

By the time the policeman arrived, the girls had the entire house in order, with all the returned articles in their proper places.

Katherine sighed. “If only we could find the true Prince Michael, his lovely grandmother’s homecoming would be a happy one.”

Immediately after a quick supper at the Red Lion Inn, the girls with Ned, Burt, Dave, and three other boys started out to hunt for Richard Ellington. Upon learning that there were two roads between Harbortown and the Red Lion Inn, they formed two searching parties. Nancy, Ned, Katherine, and Bob Dutton decided to follow the river route, while the others tried the higher road.

“It’s getting dark,” Ned remarked after they had walked a mile.

“I hope it doesn’t rain,” Nancy said as she tested her flashlight.

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

They scrambled through the underbrush to examine the automobile.

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

“There’s been a struggle!” Nancy observed, beaming her light over the ground. “The grass has been trampled, and a body has been dragged along!”

Katherine murmured, “I hope no one throw Richard in river!”

The trail of trampled grass led down a steep slope to the riverbank. A short distance away stood an abandoned boathouse whose weakened posts threatened to give way beneath it. As Nancy flashed her light over it, she thought she heard a faint cry.

“Listen!” she whispered tensely.

“Help! Help!” came a weak call.

“Let’s go!” Ned cried, starting forward. “Ellington may be locked in there!”

He and the girls headed for the door, but Bob took a path which led around the far side of the structure. Before they reached the water’s edge, a voice boomed at them from the darkness.

“Come no closer or take the consequences!”

As the trio halted, they again heard the feeble call for help.

“What shall we do?” Katherine whispered. She was trembling.

As the weak cry for help was repeated, Ned switched on his flashlight, pointing the bright beam at the old boathouse. A man was standing on a narrow platform facing them.

“Ned! That’s Cordova-the pickpocket!” Nancy whispered tensely. “Dorrance’s double!”

“I’m going after him,” muttered Ned, putting out his flashlight and handing it to Nancy. “When I shout, train this right in his eyes!”

“Be careful,” Katherine warned anxiously.

Crouching low behind some bushes, Ned moved a little down shore. In the darkness the man on the platform could see only Nancy’s light, which she was playing over the trees.

Suddenly a board creaked, there was a shout, and a flashlight was turned full on his face. The pickpocket whirled, but Ned leaped on him, and the two went down together.

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

Nancy said, “You hold him while I look inside the boathouse.”

Followed by Katherine, she opened the creaking door to the old building.

“Mr. Ellington?” she called softly.

Cautiously the girls moved forward, flashing their lights over the half-rotted flooring. The water was lapping against the posts of the building.

Giant, eerie shadows leaped at them as they flashed their lights into every comer. The beam from Nancy’s came to rest on an old overturned rowboat against the wall. From its stern protruded a pair of bare feet, bound with rope.

“We find someone!” Katherine cried in horror.

Nancy ran to the boat and turned it over. A glance told her that the limp figure lying on the floor was Richard Ellington. His hands were bound. A gag in his mouth had slipped a bit.

“We’ll have you out of here in a second,” she assured him, and worked at the knotted ropes.

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

“Two masked men stopped my car,” the artist said hoarsely, “and brought me here.”

“Can you tell us more about them?” Nancy asked.

“Yes,” the man replied. “One was tall and had bushy hair. He called the other man Michael.” Nancy and Katherine exchanged knowing looks.

“Why did they kidnap you,” Nancy asked the artist.

“I don’t know,” he said, puzzled.

As Nancy untied the rope that bound his ankles, she stared at Mr. Ellington’s bare feet.

“Mr. Ellington! Your left foot!” she exclaimed. “It has a peculiar mark on the sole!”

“Oh, that. It was put on when I was a child. It was made by a doctor as a means of identifying me,” Mr. Ellington said. “What happened in my early life is so fantastic that I never speak of it.”

“Don’t move,” Nancy said. “I’ll take this rope to my friends, so they can tie up the prisoner.”

The captive was bound, then Richard Ellington was helped to his automobile. It was decided that the girls would drive him to the Red Lion Inn while the boys turned Cordova over to the police.

When they reached the inn, Nancy suggested that Katherine get a cup of hot soup for Richard Ellington. While she was gone, Nancy hurriedly asked him a few questions and was satisfied with his replies.

“Please do not tell Katherine yet,” Nancy begged.

“I promise.” Then he smiled and added mysteriously, “I have something special to ask her before I tell her this.”

All the next day Nancy went around with a happy smile on her face and humming snatches of songs. She was planning a birthday party for her father the following evening.

“Oh, I’m glad Mrs. Alexandra will be well enough to come,” she mused.

The doctor had said it would be all right for the former queen to come to the Drew home directly from the hospital. Anna would have to remain a little longer for treatment.