Mystery of the Ivory Charm by Carolyn Keene Read Free Book Online Page A

at least ten trips to India and collects all sorts of native art. Professor Stackpole speaks several languages, including various Indian languages.”
    “Wouldn’t he want more than we could afford to pay, Ned?”
    “I don’t know. But I think if Rishi interested him he wouldn’t expect a very high fee. Would you like me to talk with him?”
    “Yes, I would, Ned.”
    “I’ll call Professor Stackpole tonight, and if the project appeals to him, I can introduce you to him tomorrow afternoon. How will that be?”
    “Fine,” Nancy agreed, immediately abandoning her plans to visit Jasper Batt.
    Early the next morning Ned phoned to say he had arranged an appointment with the noted professor.
    “He and I will come to your house at three o’clock,” he promised. “Professor Stackpole wants to talk with Rishi before he decides whether he’ll tutor him.”
    Nancy was excited over the approaching interview and hastened to tell Rishi the news. The Indian boy expressed appreciation for her interest, promising that he would study faithfully.
    “As long as you keep ivory charm, Nancy, I do whatever you wish.” He smiled.
    “And if I should lose the charm?”
    “Then bad luck follow you and me.”
    Promptly at three o’clock, Ned and the professor called at the Drew residence. Dr. Stackpole was a white-haired gentleman with a kind face. He carried himself well and his gait was that of a much younger man.
    His bright-blue eyes glinted with interest as he shook Nancy’s hand. She noticed that his gaze rested for a long moment on the ivory charm she wore around her neck. But he did not mention the carved elephant immediately.
    At first the conversation was general, pertaining for the most part to Professor Stackpole’s adventures in India.
    “It is the most fascinating country in the world,” he told Nancy. “You would love the temples and the great bazaars where native wares are bartered.”
    “I wish I might go there some day,” Nancy said wistfully.
    “You might find that many customs and practices would horrify you,” Dr. Stackpole continued. “The old caste system has led to many social abuses. Then, too, in certain parts of the country the natives have no idea of sanitation. In the name of religion they bathe together in sacred rivers; some of the people are suffering from skin diseases.”
    “I’m glad I live in the United States,” Ned interposed. “I understand that in India several different languages are spoken, among them Hindi, Marathi, Urdu, and Gujarati. Many communities have their own local dialect.”
    “That could make communication between regions difficult, couldn’t it?” Nancy interjected.
    The professor nodded, then said, “Some religions believe in reincarnation—that they are to be born many times. In some places children still marry at an early age. A girl unmarried at sixteen would be considered a disgrace to her family.”
    “I suppose certain natives place great faith in charms and omens,” Nancy commented.
    “Indeed they do. You might say that many of them are very superstitious. They believe in all sorts of miracles and sacrifices. One religious group, the Hindus, hold the cow to be sacred, another, the Parsis, worship fire. Many wear amulets and charms to ward off disease, preferring such protection to the services of a doctor. And there are natives who claim to have skill in black magic.”
    “I’m particularly interested in the beliefs held in connection with elephants,” Nancy interposed.
    Again Professor Stackpole’s eyes wandered to the charm worn around the girl’s neck.
    He explained, “The cult of the white elephant, practiced by the kings of Siam, probably had its origin in India and was based on the Hindu worship of Airavat, the sacred elephant of India. Even today one finds many charms made in the form of the elephant. Some are carved from pure ivory.”
    “Then ivory charms are somewhat common,” Nancy observed.
    “It depends entirely upon the