The Clue of the Whistling Bagpipes (16 page)

Petrie nodded. He said the words “without stamp” meant that his wife’s arm did not bear a certain identifying stamp which the thieves used to identify one another. The forgery scheme was a private deal between Petrie and Dewar.

Nancy and the other girls were praised by the police officer for having solved the mystery. Then Nancy said, “There’s someone else who helped us. He’s the one who uncovered Paul Petrie’s identity in River Heights.”

Bess chuckled. “His name is Ned Nickerson.”

“Congratulate him for me,” said the officer. Turning to Nancy, he asked, “Have you any more questions you would like to ask these prisoners?”

“Yes. I believe Mr. Petrie and perhaps some of his partners know the whereabouts of a valuable brooch which disappeared from my great-grandmother’s home.”

After considerable prodding, Dewar answered the question. “Lady Douglas’ maid, Morag, told a friend that her mistress was going to give the topaz-and-diamond brooch to Miss Drew. I heard the story from this friend and decided it would be a profitable sideline for Petrie and me to steal the pin and divide the money we got for it.”

“Where is the brooch now?” Nancy persisted.

“At the bottom of the pond on Lady Douglas’ estate!” was the startling reply.

Dewar admitted that he had gone to the house to try to steal the brooch. A dog had barked and almost bitten him. “I had my knockout spray gun with me,” he continued. “I gave the dog too much and he died.”

Dewar went on to say that just at this point Lady Douglas had come out for a stroll and he had seen the pin on her dress. As he was trying to decide how to get it, the pin had dropped off.

“I waited until she entered the house, and then picked up the brooch. I heard a man’s voice and started to run. Suddenly I stumbled and fell. The brooch flew from my hand into the water. I went back one night to try to get the pin from the pond, but two servants were strolling around and I had to give up the idea. Petrie and I decided to try again as soon as you girls left Scotland.”

The news electrified all the girls. They could hardly wait to leave headquarters and return to Douglas House. As they rushed in, their cheeks rosy and their eyes shining, Nancy’s great-grandmother asked what had happened. Upon hearing the latest information, she too became excited, and as soon as the girls had changed into swim suits, followed them outside, and across to the pond. Morag and Tweedie went along.

The four girls made dive after dive, swimming underwater and searching the leaf-strewn bottom of the pond. On Nancy’s sixth time down, she saw something shiny and quickly pushed aside the underwater debris from the object.

She triumphantly swam to the surface and waved the pin in her hand.

“You have found it!” Lady Douglas cried out ecstatically. “Oh, Nancy, you have really earned this heirloom—and in a very hard way!”

“But, Great-Grandmother dear, this pin is so gorgeous, it’s worth all the effort.”

Nancy had decided to refrain from mentioning that Morag had told the story of the brooch to a friend. There seemed no point in upsetting anyone during these happy moments.

Lady Douglas, walking with Nancy back to the house, suddenly chuckled. “In all the excitement I forgot to tell you some very good news. Your father will be here in time for tea.”

“Oh, wonderful!” said Nancy. “He can join in our celebration.”

That afternoon the girls decided to dress for the festivities. When Nancy was ready, she made an overseas call to Ned. As soon as he answered, she said excitedly, “The mystery is solved!” She gave a brief account and ended with, “Now I’ll have to go and give that little boy, Johnny Barto, an autograph.”

“Sure thing,” said Ned. “And listen! Don’t you dare find another mystery until the June fraternity dance is over!”

“I promise.”

After Nancy had hung up, she told Fiona she was going into Bess and George’s room. The cousins were not ready, so Nancy sat down in a chair to wait for them.

For a few minutes Nancy was silent, wondering what mystery might come her way next. She was to find out soon, when challenged by
The Phantom of Pine Hill.

Presently she looked at Bess and said, “I have a confession to make. When I first learned that you had put my photograph in the contest and won, I admit I was worried because of the publicity. But now I want to tell you that your idea turned out to be a very good one.”

“Really?” said Bess.

“Yes,” Nancy replied, smiling. “Your surprise was a wonderful help to me in finding the clue of the whistling bagpipes!”