(#20) The Clue in the Jewel Box (15 page)

“According to his story,” said the lieutenant, “he met the pickpockets, Dorrance and Cordova, about two weeks ago when Cordova stole his wallet. Being a small-time thief himself, he caught on at once to the way the pickpockets’ scheme worked, and told Dorrance so. Whenever Cordova was being chased after having picked someone’s pocket, Dorrance would whistle in a certain way. This was a warning to drop the stolen wallet. Most pursuers would give up the chase and the thief would get away.”

“The day Brandette’s wallet was stolen was the first time I saw the three of them,” said Nancy.

“Brandette professed admiration for the pickpockets’ work, with the result that the three men became pals. Brandette had already found the prince’s portfolio on the train and was planning how to rob Mrs. Alexandra.”

“So the impostor wasn’t keeping all the money from the sale of the jewels,” said Nancy.

“No, the pickpockets were helping him dispose of the articles and taking most of the money received for themselves. Brandette and Dorrance threatened you outside your home one night because they wanted to keep you from spoiling their scheme. Seeing that wasn’t possible, they decided to loot the Alexandra home.”

“Is the stolen property here?”

“Yes,” replied the officer, after consulting a memorandum. “It was brought in last night. We’ll have to hold everything here until Mrs. Alexandra can identify the objects.”

“She may be in the hospital for several days. I was wondering—couldn’t I do it for Mrs. Alexandra ? Then the things could be taken to her home and put back in place.”

“I think it can be arranged,” the lieutenant agreed. “Can you identify the pieces?”

“A good many of them.”

As Nancy went to inspect the loot she asked the officer if Brandette had volunteered any information about the real Prince Michael.

“I don’t think he knows anything,” the lieutenant replied. “According to Brandette’s confession, he found an art portfolio left on a train seat.”

“An art portfolio?” Nancy repeated meditatively.

“Yes. Discovering that the photograph and letter which it contained might lead to a fortune, Brandette decided to keep the portfolio. From the letter he knew that the name Francis Baum had been given the prince by his nurse. Evidently the woman had been afraid that if Michael Alexandra used his real name, enemies might harm him.”

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

“No, he refuses to give any further information.”

Nancy’s mind was racing. “The impostor certainly acted as if he didn’t want Richard Ellington to see him that day out on the river,” she thought. “Katherine did say he was from her country. Could it be possible that it was Richard’s portfolio Brandette had picked up? The artist might be the lost prince!”

Nancy was brought out of her reverie by a surprising remark from the police officer.

“Brandette made an admission in regard to you. He was eavesdropping at your house and heard you discussing plans for a party at the Red Lion Inn. He made sure you saw him there so that he’d have an alibi if he was questioned about the Alexandra robbery.”

“I guessed that last night. But I believe he had a second reason for appearing at the inn,” Nancy said slowly. “Did he say why his companion trailed a friend of mine and me along the road?”

“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.

CHAPTER XX

Two Mysteries Solved

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.

“I’m so happy that Mr. Faber found just the right gift for Dad!” Nancy said to Hannah Gruen.

“I am too.” The housekeeper grinned. “And I’m sure your father will enjoy the party. He hasn’t had a celebration in a long time.”

By eight o’clock the next night all the invited guests had arrived at the Drew home. Nancy’s young friends came in a group, and Mr. Ellington escorted Katherine. She proudly showed Nancy an engagement ring.

“Oh, that’s wonderful!” Nancy congratulated the couple.

Mrs. Alexandra and Mr. Faber were among the last to come, the latter bearing a gift-wrapped package. Introductions were made, and Mr. Ellington’s fine manners greatly impressed the former queen.

Then came the surprise of the evening. Nancy revealed that Richard Ellington was none other than the real Michael Alexandra.

She turned to Mrs. Alexandra. “He has the identifying mark on his foot.”

Everyone murmured in surprise. Katherine turned white. Mrs. Alexandra gave a start, but made no sign of being pleased.

“She wants further proof,” Nancy thought.

She explained that when rescuing the young man from the boathouse she had observed an A-shaped mark on his left foot.

“The incision was made by a doctor when I was a child,” Mr. Ellington disclosed. “I still remember that bushy-whiskered man who made the cut.”

“What else do you recall?” Mrs. Alexandra asked, still distant in her manner.

“I recall a long hallway with mirrors,” Mr. Ellington said with a chuckle. “How that place frightened me!”

“It is true,” whispered Mr. Faber. “He describes the Hall of Mirrors in the palace.”

“Come here,” Mrs. Alexandra bade the young man. “You resemble my son, but why then do you not address me in our native tongue?”

Richard Ellington laughed. Then, to the amazement of the guests, he began to speak to Mrs. Alexandra in words they could not understand. Presently she began to weep and clasped him in her arms.

Katherine, who interpreted for the group, assured them that the young man had convinced his grandmother he was the true prince. Everyone seemed to be talking at once, and Nancy was asked to explain many things.

The young detective said she had learned of the A-shaped incision from a note found in the Footman jewel box. The message had been written by Michael’s nurse.

“It said that she was taking the prince to America,” Nancy continued. “The faithful woman had left clues in various places, hoping his grandmother would find them upon her return to the palace.

“Only the other day Mrs. Alexandra and I discovered one of them by learning the secret of the little nightingale. The bird was made to sing the words ‘clue in jewel box’ by a creator of music boxes.”

“That man was Conrad Nicholas, brother-in-law of my nurse, Nada,” explained Mr. Elling ton. Turning to his newly-found grandmother, he added, “Nada was very, very good to me. She died only six months ago, and I have been very sad since then. Not until I met Katherine did I feel happy again, but now that I have a grandmother and a fiancée, I am doubly happy.”

“When did Nada write that letter which the impostor used?” George asked.