(#20) The Clue in the Jewel Box by Carolyn Keene Read Free Book Online Page B

alighted and picked it up for her.
    “Don’t you remember me?” he asked as he returned the bag. “Why, I’m an old friend!”
    “You’re Mr. Dorrance,” Nancy said.
    “That’s right and I didn’t even have to wave a handkerchief, did I?”
    “Not this time. That pickpocket wouldn’t be likely to speak to me.”
    “How about a lift home?” the man inquired.
    Nancy politely declined the invitation. “No, thank you. I prefer to walk.” She never accepted rides from persons she did not know well.
    “Suit yourself.” The man shrugged. He jumped into his car and quickly drove off.
    “I hope my car will be fixed soon,” Nancy thought and walked home without further incident. She went to the kitchen and told Hannah Gruen about borrowing the diamond-and-ruby headdress from Mrs. Alexandra.
    “It’s beautiful,” she declared, opening the bag. “Why, it’s not here!”
    Dumbfounded, Nancy pulled out a dirt-covered stone.
    “The ornament was stolen!” she cried, collapsing into a chair. “I’ve been tricked!”
    “How dreadful!” said the housekeeper.
    The loss made Nancy feel ill. She knew that the piece had been inside the bag when she had left Mrs. Alexandra’s home. A daring thief either had substituted another bag, or else slipped the stone inside this one in place of the jewel case.
    “It was either David Dorrance or that man who brushed against me!” she thought angrily.
    Nancy believed that the act had been committed by the stranger who no doubt knew what she was carrying. She felt sure now that he was the man from the shop and that he had followed her. She recalled how he had shielded his face from her.
    “I dread telling Mrs. Alexandra,” Nancy groaned, adding, “At least I can notify the police!”
    She immediately called headquarters. The lieutenant on duty assured her they would do what they could. But without a good description of the thief’s face it would be more difficult to apprehend him.
    “Now the next thing you must do is report the loss to Mrs. Alexandra,” Hannah urged.
    “I just hate to!”
    “You should do it at once, Nancy.”
    “I know,” she answered. “But it’s the most disagreeable task I’ve ever had in my life.”
    Leaden feet carried her once more to the home of Mrs. Alexandra. The woman listened in amazement to Nancy’s story.
    “The piece did have great value,” the owner acknowledged. “A thief must have seen Anna put it into the bag. No doubt he was watching her through a window.”
    Nancy’s spirits dropped lower, for she was afraid she might never be able to repay the great loss. At that moment Anna came into the room. Her mistress told her what had happened.
    “Madame Marie,” she said quickly, “the stolen ornament was not the genuine one.”
    “You wrapped up the imitation headdress?” the woman cried in relief. “The one Mr. Faber sold to me before he found the original family piece?”
    “Yes, Madame, by mistake.”
    “Anna, you are the brightest of all my jewels!” the gracious lady exclaimed.
    Nancy felt so grateful that she could have hugged Anna.
    “I am happy the real ornament is safe,” Mrs. Alexandra declared. “Since I meant you to have the genuine one, Nancy, you may take it now.”
    “And risk another theft? Oh no!”
    “Then Anna and I will keep the headdress for you until Thursday, if you prefer.”
    Nancy rose to leave. “And when I come for it, I may bring a bodyguard!” Her eyes twinkled as she added, “As for your dinner party tomorrow evening, my father and I will bring only your grandson!”
    Dinner was ready by the time Nancy reached home. Mrs. Gruen had prepared an excellent meal, but for some reason Carson Drew ate little.
    “What’s wrong, Dad?” Nancy inquired, glancing up. “Aren’t you feeling well?”
    “Oh, I’m all right.”
    “Then you’re worried. Is it about that wallet you lost?”
    “Well, I had hoped it would be returned,” the lawyer admitted. “At least the papers in