Captive Witness by Carolyn G. Keene Read Free Book Online

scenery,” Ned said aloud. “Do you suppose Herr Gutterman and Herr Burger appreciate it?”
    “Why, of course,” Nancy said, adding, “I bet that before this trip is over, you’ll find tears in their eyes.”
    Herr Gutterman, who could hear everything they said, guffawed. “Enjoy the view, little ones,” he called out. “Enjoy it while you can.”
    “Is that a threat?” Nancy asked coolly.
    “Oh, let’s say, a final warning,” Gutterman rasped.
    “A warning about what?” Nancy asked, baiting the man. “What were we doing that could ever justify our abduction?”
    “Abduction? Oh, my, my, my, what a harsh word.”
    “That’s what the police would call it,” Ned chimed in.
    “The police! The police are so stupid and slow. You and I, Nancy Drew, are much quicker than the police. Much brighter.”
    “Very flattering,” Nancy said, “but I know too many policemen who catch too many people like you, so I can’t buy that line.”
    Gutterman laughed. “Like the ones in the police car a little while ago?” He roared again. “We don’t worry about the police, but we do worry about people who have big ideas. ”
    “Big ideas about what?” Nancy persisted, trying to find out just how much Gutterman knew of her activities. What, if anything, did he know about the mission to save the orphans; and did he also know about Nancy’s personal mission to find the stolen documentary, Captive Witness? Or was it possible that he was involved in some unknown project that concerned neither the orphans nor the film?
    Whatever the answers, Herr Gutterman remained silent, refusing to be drawn out on the subject. He sat sideways, keeping his eyes riveted on them, his mouth twisted in a mysterious, sardonic grin.
    As the car climbed higher, the road became more dangerous. They began traveling along two lines cut out of the mountainside with sheer cliffs falling away into beautiful, lush, green valleys across which wandered lovely, clear streams fed by the melting glaciers and snows of the Austrian Alps.
    Traffic was sparse with no cars traveling in their direction and only an occasional car or truck coming the other way. The open road made Herr Burger feel slightly exhilarated.
    “I’m a bit bored with this slow driving,” he called back to them. “I think I’ll show you how experienced Alpine drivers take these roads.”
    “Here we go.” Ned groaned. “A Saturday night cowboy. They’ve got them all over the world, I guess.”
    “Just hang on,” Nancy said. “No matter what Herr Burger does, I’m sure he wants to stay alive just as much as we do. ”
    Within the next few minutes, the couple began to doubt whether that was true. Herr Burger speeded up until he had the beautiful car careening around turns, spraying dust, pebbles, and bits of tire rubber into the air. Then, roaring down a relatively straight stretch of road, he threw the car into a skidding loop that took them within six inches of a cliff edge where there was no guardrail. Herr Gutterman’s only response was a bemused look and a question thrown over his shoulder at his captives.
    “Do you enjoy this, Miss Drew? Your friend seems a little blue around the lips. ”
    “Sorry about that,” Ned said. “I always turn blue when I’m happy.”
    “Is this fast enough for you, Miss Drew, or would you like Herr Burger to speed up? Are you frightened, Miss Drew? We wouldn’t want to frighten you.”
    Nancy looked at Ned. “He’s unbelievable,” she said. “He’s like some childish villain out of a bad movie. ”
    “Miss Drew? You’re not frightened, are you?” The noise of the squealing brakes and the flying gravel were making it difficult for Gutterman to hear them up front where the windows were open. He was gazing back at her, smiling cruelly.
    “No, no, I’m not frightened,” Nancy said, swinging wildly and hanging on to the strap. “Mr. Nickerson and I are terribly impressed, as a matter of fact. ”
    Gutterman’s face flushed