Nancy Drew | Part 5 of 10 | Mystery Sleep Story

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The place to find relaxing stories, broke at night's rest. My name's Andrew, thanks for joining me.

“Tonight I'll be reading Nancy Drew and the secret of the old clock, by Caroline Keene,”

chapters 10 to 12. In the previous chapters, after a further visit to the Hornest Sisters, Nancy found out that there were three other sets of relatives who were supposedly meant to factor in to Crowley's secret will.

After visiting the first tomb, she gained no more information than she had before.

But after a visit to Abigail Rowan, an old neglected lady, living by herself, she learned that Abigail had seen the will. Unfortunately her old age meant her memory was hazy on the details and she struggled to remember where he had put it. Until something suddenly peaked her interest in her living room clock.

Before we begin tonight's story, let's get ourselves ready for sleep. Start by taking a deep, relaxing breath. And settle your body in whatever way feels most comfortable. And now let any thoughts of the day drift away from your mind. And simply follow the sound of my voice.

So let your eyes form heavy and your breath soften. As we settle in for a peaceful night's sleep. After ten, Abigail's disclosure. When the mantle clock finished striking the hour of three, Abigail Rowan's lips began to move.

Nancy drew and leaned forward eagerly, fearful, less to single word escape her. She sensed that the striking of the clock at a psychological moment, it started a train of thought, coursing through the old woman's mind.

“And now she believed in important disclosure was about to be made.”

The clock, Abigail whispered so softly that the words were scarcely audible. That was it. The clock is I proudly hit the will in a clock, Nancy prompted her. No, Abigail shook her head and sighed again. That wasn't it, I thought I had it, and then it slipped my mind.

I seemed to recollect that he said something about a clock, but that wasn't it. Abigail continued to stare at the time piece as did Nancy, who was at the last to understand what connection it could have with the missing will. Suddenly a low cry came from the old woman. There, it came to me just like that, after all these years.

Tell me, Nancy commanded quietly, for she feared that the knowledge might slip from the old lady before she could disclose it. A note book, Abigail brought out triumphantly. It was something about a note book. Tell me more about the note book, Nancy urged gently.

she excite, miss her own.

I remembered all now, as I wrote about the will in a little note book of his. One day he said to me, "Abogale, after I'm dead, if my will doesn't come to light, you can find out all about it in this little note book of mine." What became of the note book, miss her own? I can't seem to recollect, he hid it someplace.

Again, Nancy's room was baffled. In voluntarily, her eyes traveled to the mantle clock. She studied it critically.

“What connection could the clock have with the missing will, she asked herself?”

Certainly there must be one, for otherwise its striking would not have caused Abigail

the think of the note book. Nancy had studied psychology in school, and was familiar with the power of suggestion and association. Now her keen mind jumped to the conclusion that a clock had something to do with the missing groundly will.

Could it be that the notebook had been hidden in the clock? Impulsively, Nancy got her and went to the mantle. She took down the clock and looked inside. She saw nothing but a tiny key, which was evidently used to wind the timepiece.

Disappointed, she returned to her chair.

"Where was Yuzai Crowley living at the time he told you about the note book?" she asked the old lady. He was living in his own house then, but he was just getting ready to go to the top of those, he'd been visiting around with his various kin and letting his own house stay empty. After the top of them asked him to live with them, he sold his home.

“What became of the house-homed goods, Nancy inquired?”

"Oh, the top of them's got most everything. There must have been a family clock, Nancy used, half to herself. A family clock, half a girl repeated, "Oh, yes, there was a clock. Can you describe it?" Nancy questioned. "Well, it was just an ordinary mantle clock, tall, and with a square face.

Something like that one over there. The old lady pointed to the timepiece, Nancy had just examined. Only Yuzai's was more elaborate, it had a moon or something on top. What became of the clock? "Well, I don't know, Abigail responded indifferently.

I suppose the top of them's got it. They took everything else.

“It was on the tip of Nancy's tongue to tell Abigail that Yuzai Crowley might have hidden”

his will inside the family clock. She hesitated to excite the old lady. After all, it was only a theory, and it would not be kind to encourage Abigail Roman to believe that there was a likelihood of gaining an inheritance unless it were a fact. I'll wait until I'm sure before I say anything about it to her, Nancy decided.

She asked a number of other questions, but it was soon apparent that Abigail had told all that she could recall about the will. Although Nancy spoke of the family clock a number of times, it's mentioned it not seemed to interest the old lady. At last, Nancy arose to depart, but before leaving, she promised Abigail she would return

in a few days to see how she was getting along. It was likewise her intention to stop at the nearest house to ask a neighbour woman to look after the old lady during her absence, but she said nothing of this, as she knew Abigail would protest. After attending to the mission, she sprang into her roadster and started for River Heights.

Nancy's room was highly-allated at the information she had gleaned, and was now more interested in the case than ever. I'll not tell the horn of girls what I've learned, Nancy advised herself, at least not until I've learned more about the family clock. If nothing comes of my theory, Aliens Grace would only be disappointed.

As Nancy drove along on the west lake road, she reviewed the facts of the Crowley case.

Unquestionably, his eye Crowley had made a second will.

According to Abigail Rowan, he had secreted it in a safe place, and had written its location in a little notebook. He had told Abigail where the notebook could be found in case of his death, and with the passing years, the knowledge had slipped away from the old lady. Since my opinion that his eye Crowley hit the notebook in the family clock, Nancy reasoned,

“otherwise, why would Abigail have said anything about it?”

Nancy was at a loss to know how to proceed. She knew that her next step in unraveling the mystery was to search the Crowley clock, but this would not be easy to accomplish. If, as Abigail had indicated, the clock could fall in into the hands of the topans, the task might be an impossible one.

Then, too, it was not at all unlikely that the topans had already discovered the notebook. In that case, they would have destroyed it, Nancy told herself, "Still, from the conversation

I overheard in the park, I feel reasonably certain the notebook has never been found.

No, if you as I Crowley had hidden it in the clock, it must still be there, and it's up to me to get hold of it." During the long ride to River Heights, Nancy drew mold over the beplexing problem. But try as she would, she could think of no way to get her hands on the old clock. She must find some means of gaining entrance to the top on residents.

I can't very well climb to a window, much as I would like to, she laughed, and if I pay a social call upon the topans, they're sure to be suspicious. We haven't been friendly for years, and since Ada and Isabelle discovered that I had taken an interest in the horner girls, they would be certain to question my motive from going to their house.

No, I must think of a good excuse. Recently, Nancy reached River Heights. She drove the roads down the bull of Ad and stopped in front of her home, as she stepped out and was preparing to go into the house, she heard her name called, "wealing about," she saw a girl running towards her.

It was one of Nancy's chums, Helen Corning.

“Hello Nancy, Helen Corning, I haven't seen you for days, where do you keep yourself?”

Nancy laughed as she greeted her chum. Oh, I've been especially busy lately, come into the house, and we'll have a chat. Oh, I can't Nancy, I wouldn't be up this way, but I'm trying to sell tickets for a charity dance. How many have you sold? I have six left, Helen's side, it's a thankless job.

I'll take two if that will help you out, Nancy offered. Will it help me? Say, if I ever get rid of these tickets, I'm going to dance a horn pipe. If I don't sell them this afternoon, it's going to fix it so I can't start for Moon Lake.

I wish I'd never promised to sell the things.

Moon Lake, Nancy asked in surprise, "Yes, I'm going to a girl's camp there, I planned to leave tonight, but unless I get rid of these tickets, I don't see how I can, I wish you were going with me to Moon Lake, Nancy." So do I, Helen. Why don't you come along, then?

“Oh, I can't, Nancy protested, I've involved in something important and I can't get away.”

I'd love to go, though, really I would. Well, if you find you can make it later, just hop into your roadstone come along, I'll be there for two weeks, that is, if I ever get rid of these charity tickets, I can't leave until I've sold them, I'd pay for them out of my allowance, but I've only just spent it already.

You are in difficulties, Nancy laughed, she reached in her purse, how much of the tickets Helen, $2 each, how many were you take, oh, give me two, as Helen extended the tickets,

Helen, I'll sell all of your tickets for you, how that suit, you're not joking, never

“was more serious in my life, then the tickets are yours, but let me warn you, it won't”

be easy to sell them, I'll enjoy trying it, well I must say you have a strange idea of fun, Helen commented, dryly, but I'll not argue with you, this will be fine for me, now I'll be able to start for camp this afternoon, here are the tickets, she handed them over with evident pleasure, good luck to you, Nancy, you'll need it, after Helen

calling had gone on down the street, Nancy drew and walked slowly towards the house, she regarded

the charity tickets meditatively, and chuckled softly to herself, that's once when I killed two birds with one stone, these tickets will serve as my passport to the impregnable top

“and fortress, Chapter 11, Visiting the Topms, it was nearly three o'clock of the following”

afternoon, when Nancy paused in front of the top and residents some highland boulevard, she surveyed the structure with distaste, the house was a large, pretentious affair, of a non-descript type, it was set back from the street and seemed to look down rather a loofly upon the surrounding homes, even a casual glance at the lawn revealed it had been landscape with a vengeance, in an effort to do it in proper style, Mrs. Topham had crowned

with the yard with sundiles, benches, birdhouses and statues, such lack of taste, Nancy thought as she walked up the path to the house, she lifted the knocker of the front door, Nancy drew realize that the interview was apt to be an unpleasant one and she braised herself for the old deal, "I must be diplomatic, she advised herself, or I'll not learn a thing about that clock, if they suspect what I am about, they may bounce me on my ear."

At that moment, a uniformed butler opened the door and condescendingly waited for Nancy to stay termissioned. "Tell Mrs. Topham that Ms. Drew is calling, she directed, I am selling

“tickets for the charity dance, it's one of the most important social functions of the”

year, I am sure Mrs. Topham will wish to attend." Nancy was forced to wait until the back of the return with permission for her to enter, as she was finally uttered into the living room, she could not help but smile at the elaborate

formality. For in spite of Mrs. Topham's lofty ambitions, the woman had never achieved

the commanding position in society that she strove for. The room in which Nancy found herself, even more bizarre than she had anticipated, expensive oriental rugs, clashed with window draperies of a different hue. The walls were heavy with paintings which were entirely out of place in such a small room, and period furniture which had been added indiscriminately. But Nancy Drew was not interested in Mrs. Topham's

lack of taste. As soon as the partner had left her alone, she hastily glanced about. Almost at once, her eye farsened upon a mantle clock, which westered above the fireplace. I wonder if that could be the Crowley clock, Nancy thought. She rather doubted it, for the clock was too modern in appearance. She would have crossed the room to examine it, but a sound in the hall goes to her to hesitate. As she heard someone coming, she sank down on

an uncomfortable ladder back chair and assumed an expression of composure. Mrs. Topham sailed grandly into the room, and after surveying her for a minute,

I'm selling tickets for the, I don't want them, Mrs. Topham broken rudely.

“I can't be handing out my money to every pedal that comes along.”

Mrs. Topham, I'm not a pedal. Nancy said, cuttingly, as the colour mounted to her cheeks. With difficulty, she kept her tempering check. Perhaps you didn't understand my name. I am Nancy Drew. Oh, a slight change came over Mrs. Topham's face, for she was fully aware that Carson

drew and his daughter were cordially welcomed in river Heights Holmes, which merely tolerated

the Topham's, or in a few cases, barred them. I didn't catch the name, Mr. Drew. What is it you are selling? Tickets for the charity dance. Well, I hardly know what to say. Mrs. Topham hedged. It was apparent that she was afraid to offend Nancy, and yet she was unwilling to part with the money. Although the Topham's were well-to-do, it was common knowledge that Mrs. Topham was

decidedly stingy when other persons were concerned. How much are the tickets? Two dollars each.

“Why that's positively exorbitant, Mrs. Topham protested?”

But we are selling the tickets for charity, Nancy explained. I assure you the cause is an excellent one. Before Mrs. Topham could reply, the front door opened and Isabelle and Ada entered the house. unaware of the visitor, they paused in the hall and carried on a disgruntled conversation. Evidently, they'd been making social calls and were angry because some woman had refused to see them. Her maid said she wasn't at home, but I know she was. Nancy heard Ada complain.

The two sisters entered the living room, and when they saw Nancy, stopped short and stared rudely at her. They did not speak a word of greeting. Mr. Drew is selling tickets to a dance, Mrs. Topham informed her daughters. Don't buy them, Ada advised herously. She had not forgotten the scene in the department store, longed to avenge herself upon Nancy, whom she considered responsible or her humiliation.

But Ada, Mrs. Topham protested feebly. I thought it might help our social standing to take a few tickets. Don't be silly, mother. Ada snapped. You'll only waste your money. We don't want to go anyway. All right, I won't buy the tickets. Good afternoon, Mr. Drew. Reluctantly, Nancy arose. She was somewhat taken aback at the unceremonious dismissal, for she had not accomplished the renal purpose of her visit. As she turned,

Nancy saw that Richard Topham blocked the door. He had entered so quietly that his arrival had been

“unobserved. Just a minute, Ms. Drew, he said. How many tickets have you there?”

Four, Nancy gasped in surprise. I'll take them all. With a grand gesture, Richard Topham opened his pocket book to carelessly pull out a $20 bill. Keep the change, you ordered, with assumed indifference. Give it to charity. Richard, his wife gazed at him with disapproval. "Have you lost your mind? A $20 bill?" she whispered. "It's you who can't see beyond your nose," Mr. Topham retorted, but in a low voice.

You're always trying to get into society, and then you pass up on a real opportunity.

This donation will give our names into the paper. His lumped into the nearest chair, and opening the afternoon paper buried himself in the stock page. This is Topham knew that the matter was closed. She scarcely dared to speak to her husband when he was absorbed in the market reports.

"I really must be going," she said quickly. "What time is it, anyway?"

“"There is a cock in front of you, is a bell-toned pointedly."”

"Why?" so there is. Nancy returned pleasantly.

She glanced at the timepiece, so she had never seen it before.

"Oh, surely that can't be the old Crowley clock, and so interested in heirlooms." "I should say not, that is a far more expensive clock than the one whose eye Crowley left us, this is Topham informed her caller come descendingly." Indeed, but I suppose you still have the family clock stored away in your attic. It's so hard to part with heirlooms. Glovely, Nancy led Mrs. Topham to further disclosures.

"It wasn't hard to part with that old fashioned thing," Mrs. Topham returned. "We didn't want it cluttering up the attic," is a bell-added. Crowley left so much all of junk.

"We considered the clock entirely out of place in our modern home," Mrs. Topham continued.

"So we sent it up to our bungalow on Moonleg." And, wittingly, Mrs. Topham had given Nancy the information which she sought. "The purpose of her visit accomplished, the girl politely thanked the Tophams for the purchase of the charity tickets, and quickly took her leave." As she walked down the path to the street, she chuckled softly to herself.

The Topham's made the old schemers, but this time, it weren't so clever. Unless I am mistaken, those tickets will prove the most expensive ones they ever bought. Before they get through, it may cost them the Crowley fortune. Chapter 12, following a clue. Although highly elated at what she had learned from the Tophams,

Nancy drew us at the last to know how to proceed. And, out of the, the old Crowley clock was set up in the bungalow at Moonleg, but to get there was another matter. Nancy was determined to profit by the information, but was confronted with a number of series problems. Moonleg was located among the hills 40 miles away, the rooms were not of the best,

and she did not know the exact location of the Topham cottage. Then, too, she needed an excuse for making the long trip. If the Tophams learn I have gone to Moonleg, they may become suspicious, she counseled herself. I must think of some excuse to broadcast as a smoke screen. But, tries she could, and she could think of nothing.

She took a certain amount of pride in her detective work, now that she felt she had struck a valuable clue, she did not wish to ask advice from her father. She preferred to solve the mystery herself, and then surprise him with the solution. That dinner that night, Nancy was unusually silent, and Carson drew, commented on her preoccupation.

“It seems to me you've been looking troubled lately, he observed. Do you feel well?”

Never better in my life, Nancy laughed.

Just the same, I believe you need a vacation. I realise that it isn't easy for a girl of your age to look after a big house like this, after a time, the responsibility gets to be wearing. How stupid of me, Nancy exclaimed. In her excitement, she permitted a fork to fall from her hand and clatter against the plate.

Carson drew, who did not comprehend what was passing through his daughter's mind, looked to turn in surprise. Stupid, he inquired. Oh, I mean, it was strange I didn't think of Helen calling before this, Nancy said hastily. Helen is going to a girl's camp on Moon Lake,

“and dying to go to Moon Lake. May I start the first thing in the morning?”

I know I can get him. They have room for half a dozen more girls, Helen said. I think it would be an excellent idea, Nancy. A nice rest will do wonders for you.

Nancy drew whilst delighted that she had stumbled upon an excuse which would make it a

“peer natural for her to go to Moon Lake.”

Early the next morning, after packing a suitcase, she started off in the roadster. As it was not out of her way to go by the river road, she decided to stop, but the horners, and gave grace the dress goods she had promised her. As she drove in at the gate, one glance told Nancy that something was wrong. She saw a number of dead chickens in the barnyard, and as the horn girls came towards her

from the direction of the henhouse, it was evident to the valley and been crying.

Why? What is the matter? Nancy asked quickly.

Oh, it's my chickens, Nancy. They're all dying. I can't stand it. This morning when I went to feed them, I found ten dead. I'm so discouraged.

“And yesterday, a fox took two grace added. I guess fate is against us.”

I'm afraid I'll lose all of my chickens before I get through, Ali declared unhappily. I don't know what is killing them. They seem to have a strange disease. Ali is awoken up, grace said quietly. She's worked so hard with her chickens, most of them are pets, and then we need the money so badly. Now that dress making has fallen off,

the chicken money is our only means of support.

Please, won't you let me help? Nancy begged, reaching for her pocketbook, except a little loan to tie to over. Grace shook her head firmly. Thank you for your kindness, Nancy. But we can't take your money. Well managed somehow. If only young Corniers' eye had provided for us,

“Ali sighed. You haven't learned anything more about the second wheel, Nancy.”

I haven't done anything definite to report, Nancy replied, evading the question. She did not wish to raise false hope, and she thought it best not to tell of her discovery. But I'm still hoping we'll be able to trace the wheel. I touted. Grace commented pessimistically. I'm on my way to moon late now, Nancy told the girls, "I stopped here to deliver the dress goods. She handed a package to Grace

- the pattern is inside, and I'm easy to fit, so you'll have no trouble." Grace's face brightened as she accepted the bundle. "Oh, Nancy, I can't thank you. It is I who should thank you, Nancy laughed, and now let me pay for the dress in advance." Again, Grace stubbornly shook her head. Not until the work is finished. That isn't good business. Nancy saw that Grace and Ali were too proud to accept help.

Drogretfully abandoned the idea of trying to give them money. I'll come back in a few days for a fitting, she promised, she prepared to drive away. Nancy's talk with the whole girls had left her rather depressed, but she realized that in spite of her pride, Ali and Grace would soon be forced to accept charity. Oh, if only she could help them. And poor old Abigail, Nancy thought,

"If your Ziya Crowley had used a grain of sense, things wouldn't be in such a muddle." Nancy soon branched off from the river road, and headed south towards Moon Lake. By way, it was little traveled, and it was necessary for her to devote all her attention to driving. The road had not been dragged after a recent rain, and the routes were deep. Jagged rocks and stones were scattered in the path, and it seemed to Nancy that the hills went straight

up and straight down. Presently, she noticed that the roadster had taken a strange notion to turn to the left of the road, and spite of her efforts to keep it in the middle. Not without foreboding of trouble, she stopped the car and got out to make a tour of inspection. As she had suspected, a rear tyre was flat.

A puncture, Nancy murmured in disgust. If that just isn't my luck, oh, well, I suppose I must fix it, because there won't be another car

It was not the first time Nancy drew a change to tyre, but she never relished the task.

“Rommaging under the seat, she pulled out the tools and quickly jacked up the rear axle.”

She loosened the legs, which held the tyre in place, and tugged it. Again, and again, she pulled. The huge balloon tyre could not be burged. Then, as she gave one mighty tug, it came off, Nancy drew fell backwards into a sitting posture in the road. Well, it's off anyway, she told herself with satisfaction, as she brushed the dirt from her clothing. It required for a few minutes to put on the spare tyre and fasten the old one to the rear of the car.

Then, in relief, Nancy started on her way, but the accident had delayed her nearly an hour. It was after 12 o'clock, when at last she came inside of camp havin' day, where Helen Corning was staying. Through the tall trees she caught a glimpse of a long row of shacks and saw the smoke rising

“from the cook house, beyond the blue lake sparkle and glimmered in the sunlight.”

As Nancy drove into the camp, a group of girls gathered about the roadster. Helen Corning came running out of the cabin to greet her. Girls, it's Nancy drew, she exclaimed enthusiastically. Now the fun will start, park your car over there at the back of the cook's house, Nancy. Am I too late for dinner? Nancy demanded. I nearly starved.

You're just in time, Helen is short her. I'm Nancy, I'm so glad you came. So am I. How long can you stay? Oh, I don't know until you get tired of me probably.

“Then you'll stay for the rest of the summer, Helen laughed.”

Nancy was escorted to the main building of the camp, where she met the lady in charge and registered. She is to stay with me, said Helen, and so it was arranged. When the girls walked off, Nancy told Helen about selling the charity dance tickets and gave her the money paid by Mr. Topm. He surely whilst generous said Helen in surprise. He did it just to show off, declared Nancy, unpositive of it.

Nancy scarcely had time to deposit her suitcase under her cart and freshen up a bit after her long ride when dinner was called. The food was plain but substantial. Already she discovered that she had developed an enormous appetite. Dinner over, she was rushed from one thing to another. The girls insisted that Nancy joined them in a hike. She returned to camp with a desire for a good rest but Helen calling at other plans.

We're all going for a ride in the launch before supper she declared. Don't you ever rest here, Nancy groaned?

Oh yes, at night. This is your first day here. You'll be used to it in a day or so.

Either that or I'll be a wreck. But you don't want to miss the launch ride, Nancy. You'll have a splendid opportunity to see all the summer cottages on moon lake. Summer cottages? Nancy asked quickly. Instantly she thought of the top and bungalow and wondered where it was located. Undoubtedly, the launch ride would give her the opportunity to find out.

You'll go, won't you? Helen begged. You can rest after supper. Yes, I'll go, Nancy promised. You couldn't keep me here. Although she was tired, she was really enjoying herself immensely. Six girls loaded themselves into the launch and someone started the motor.

It's always a relief when the engine starts, Helen explained.

Every so often, it walks. As the little launch turned out into the lake, it seemed to Nancy that she had never seen a more beautiful sight. The sun, which appeared to be sinking down into the water, was her more the great ball of fire. Yet, she did not forget the real purpose of the trip. The top of them have a bungalow up here, haven't they? She questioned.

The top of them aren't there now.

“Oh no, the cottage is closed. There's a caretaker who looks after it. They call him Jeff Taka.”

Is it hard to get to the place? Oh, not if you go by launch, but it's a long way if you take

the road around the lake. I didn't know you were particularly interested in the top of

“Nancy. Well, there are no friends of mine. Nancy returned hastily. I was merely curious.”

After a time, as the launch chugged along close to the shore, Helen waved her hand towards a bungalow,

which was set back some distance from the water. The top of them zone that one, she informed her

“chum. Eagly, Nancy turned her head and looked. She told herself that she would remember the location.”

We're going to have a wonderful time together here. Helen chatted happily on. Next week, there's going to be a big dance too. Oh, there's so much of interest at Moon Lake, Nancy. Your stay won't you? Involentarily, Nancy's eyes swept the shore and came to rest on the top of the bungalow. Your right, Helen, she agreed heartily. There are a number of interesting things here. Yes, if you want me to, I'll stay.

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