078 The Phantom Of Venice by Carolyn Keene Read Free Book Online

reached a peak of perfection in the sixteenth century, with the clearest crystal glass ever blown. But their know-how eventually leaked out to other countries of Europe, despite the best efforts of the Venetian secret police.
    “You mean there was cloak-and-dagger espionage in the glass business, just like James Bond and the CIA have to fight off atomic or microelectronics spies nowadays?”
    “There sure was. If a Venetian glassmaker defected to some other country, they’d either try to coax himback with bribes, or hire assassins to track him down and kill him.”
    Nancy shivered and wondered if any similar motives might be involved in Pietro’s kidnaping.
    Don’s manner continued to seem rather gruff and unfriendly. Yet he helped her chat with the workmen in an offhand way, so that she would appear more like an inquisitive, young tourist than a snoopy private investigator.
    One interesting fact Nancy noted was that Don Madison seemed to have been friendlier with the missing maestro than anyone else in the plant. Judging by remarks by both Don and the workmen, Pietro Rinaldi had evidently taken the young American under his wing, and the two had become close friends.
    “Did Pietro seem worried over anything before the kidnaping occurred?” she inquired.
    Don shook his head curtly. “Not at all.”
    “Did he have any particular friends outside the plant, or a girl friend, perhaps?”
    “Not here in Italy. He’s engaged to an American girl back in New Jersey. From the way he talked, I guessed he’s been saving money so he can bring her over here in style next spring.”
    This reminded Nancy that she had no idea of what the kidnap victim looked like. “Was he ever photographed?” she asked Don.
    “Not in a studio, if that’s what you mean, but there’s a colored snapshot of him and his girl.”
    “Where?”
    “At his flat.”
    Nancy waited to see if Don might volunteer any further information, but none was forthcoming. The afternoon was almost over, and Nancy felt it was time to go before she outstayed her welcome. Before leaving, however, she asked if the Vetreria del Falcone had any glassware for sale.
    “Tons of it. What would you like?”
    “My aunt collects glass paperweights. She asked me to pick one out for her.”
    Don Madison led her to a storeroom, where a whole shelf filled with paperweights was on display. Their beauty was breathtaking. Seeing her interest, he relaxed enough to explain some of the patterns and technical terms, such as millefiori, garlands, swirls, crowns and mushrooms. A number of the weights contained lovely artificial flowers and butterflies. How the glassmaker had embedded them inside his work of art almost defied the imagination.
    In the end, Nancy chose one that was simpler yet more subtle and unique—an oval paperweight filled with a swirling rainbow of colors. It was placed well back on the shelf, almost out of sight.
    Don gave her a startled look of respect. “Not bad. You picked the best one of all. That was blown by Pietro himself.”
    Despite his protest, Nancy insisted on paying for it. Then her eyes fell on an enchanting display of glass animals. Don explained that they represented the mythological beasts of Venice.
    “They’re gorgeous!” Nancy murmured. “Did Pietro design these, too?”
    “No, they were designed by an outside artist the firm hired, an American named Rolf Egan.”

6
Unseen Eyes
    Rolf Egan! Nancy caught her breath.
    A man had drowned or been shot to death under mysterious circumstances—and now his name had turned up in an entirely different context!
    Was it just a coincidence?
    Well, maybe, but Nancy had learned early on in her mystery-solving career to mistrust coincidences.
    She came out of her thoughtful trance with a start as she realized Don Madison was observing her keenly.
    “Did I say something wrong?” he inquired.
    “Far from it,” Nancy murmured. “Sorry if I seemed to be spinning my wheels. Actually, you just gave me