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The place to find relaxing stories, for a good 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 Keane, chapters 13 to 15.
“In the previous chapters, Nancy continued to probe Abigail's memory for clues as to”
the whereabouts of your eyes last will. Eventually, Nancy came to learn that the location of the will was written in a notebook and she harbored a theory that it was hidden inside the family clock. Nancy understood this clock to have been taken by the top of the family and after discrete inquiry learned that they were storing it in their summer house on Moon Lake.
With this, Nancy spared to meet her friend Helen, who was camping at Moon Lake herself, determined to make her way into the top on summer house. 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.
“Now let any thoughts of the day drift away from your mind and simply follow the sound”
of my voice. So let your eyes fall heavy, and your breath soften. As we set an in, for a peaceful night's sleep. Chapter 13. An adventure Nancy drew her head made up her mind to visit the top of the cottage
the very next day. But in making her plans, she accounted without Helen corning and her friends. They were unwilling that she should be alone, even for a minute. From the moment she awoke in the morning and sniffed the fragrant odour of the pines, she was rushed from one thing to another.
After a breakfast fruit, fried eggs, crisp bacon, and hot cornbread, she was pressed into a tennis game. The afternoon was devoted to swimming and water polo. By evening, Nancy drew was so tired, she could scarcely keep her eyes open, and she was thankful for the opportunity of tumbling into bed.
Tomorrow I simply must find a way to visit the top of the cottage, she told herself just before she dropped off to sleep. Immediately after breakfast the following morning, Helen corning announced the plan for the day. The girls have decided on an all day hike into the woods Nancy.
"You'll go, won't you?" Nancy groaned. "You're wearing me to a frazzle, Helen. Please let me off this time, I'd like to stay in camp today and rest up." "Well, alright, Helen agreeing you done willingly. I'll stay with you."
"Oh no, Nancy protested vigorously. I won't let you do that. You like to hike so well. Please go on, I'll have a good time all by myself. I really will." "I don't like to leave you, Nancy, but if you insist. I do, Helen. Please don't worry about me. I'll have a good time here. And if you don't mind, I may take the lawn child while you're gone."
"If you do, you'd better not go far, Helen advised her. We girls bought it second hand for
a song, and it's my private opinion the engine isn't much good. I'll be careful, Nancy promised." She could scarcely hide her eagerness to be off, but she was forced to wait until Helen
Her friends had started on their hike.
but at last they tried to delay with their nap sacks long over their shoulders. "You'll wish you'd have gone too, Helen going back over her shoulder." "As soon as the girls were out of sight, Nancy hurried down to the lawn, which was tied to the dog, not far from the camp." She examined the engine. She had frequently handled motorboats,
“but never one of this particular make. "I believe I can manage it all right,”
for me I get the engine started, Nancy told herself." She had discovered a pin sunk into the rim of a flywheel, and after adjusting other parts, pulled it out rather timidly. She gave the wheel a vigorous turn to the ride. She tried a game, swinging it farther and snapping back hard. To her delight, the engine began to roar, cutting down the motor,
Nancy stared out into the deep water. At first she followed the shore, but as she became more familiar
with the wheel, and as the engine appeared to work perfectly, she headed out into the lake. Nancy experienced a real thrill as the little lawn responded to her hand. The lake was a smoothest glass, and there was scarcely a cloud in the sky. As the launch cut through the water, tiny spray blew in Nancy's face, but she did not mind. Far ahead she could see the opposite shore, and she headed straight for the point where she knew
the top and bungalow was located. If only the caretaker will let me in when I get there, she thought
as she drew me a her objective point. Which she was doomed never to reach the opposite shore that day.
For unexpectedly, there was a miss in the steady thought of the engine. The motor gave one long slow wheeze and died. Oh, what could have happened to it now? Nancy cried anxiously. I can't have run out of gasoline. An examination of the tank revealed that it was nearly full. Nancy studied the engine doubtfully. Like most girls, she had never interested herself in the
“mechanics of what made windows go around. Hateful thing, she murmured. I believe it stopped on purpose.”
Too late, Nancy recalled that her charm had warned her about the engine. Now, as she glance towards shore, she saw no hope of rescue. She was within sight of the top and bungalow which appeared deserted, but miles from her own camp. For nearly an hour, she worked over the engine, but her efforts were useless. A stubborn motor refused to start. I'll have to sit out here all day,
Nancy thought miserably. This means I won't get to visit the top and cottage after all. Need to ask especially tantalizing to be so close to the bungalow, and yet know that she could not reach it. Nancy was tempted to swim, but she gave up the idea almost as quickly as it occurred to her, for she realised that even if she reached to the top and bungalow, she would have no means of returning to camp. She decided that it would be better to remain on the leg and
wait for a passing boat to rescue her. Slowly, the hours dragged on, and the launch drifted
farther and farther from shore. Never had time seemed to pass so monotonously.
There's one thing certain, Nancy drew, told herself. If I ever get out of this launch, I'll never set foot any to gain. The camp boats seemed to be the only one on the leg, and as the day wore on, she began to wonder if she would ever be rescued. The sun beat down upon her, and with the passing hours she became hungry as well as uncomfortable. After today, I'll never have another chance to visit the top and bungalow alone, she thought.
“Helen means well, but she'll stay with me every minute. I think the best thing I can do”
is to tell her I'm starting for home tomorrow, and that is, if I'm there lucky enough to reach shore. On my way back to Riverhides, I'll stop at the top of my cottage. Helen will be disappointed but it can't be helped. For one to have other occupation, Nancy turned her attention again to
The engine.
at the turn and look in her eyes. There, she matted as she straightened up. I've certainly done
“enough to it. If it won't go now, it never will. She gave the wee yellow vicious swim,”
and to her astonishment, the engine began its steady roar as unconcerned as though it had never
stopped. If that isn't the limit, Nancy exclaimed in wonder. Hopefully, she clans towards the shore, but already shadows were beginning to lurk among the trees, and she knew that in less than an hour, it would be dark. It's too late to visit the bungalow tonight. She decided to regretfully. I'd better get back to camp before the engine changes its mind. The medium to her will, the little launch plow through the water towards camp, its engine
laboring faithfully. As she eased up to the dog, Nancy saw Helen and her friend just trudging into
the camp. They hailed her with delight. I'm nearly dead, Helen announced. You were smart to stay in
camp, Nancy. She stopped abruptly and stared at her chum. Why, you were all sunburned and you're covered with grease. What have you been doing? Taking a sun bath, Nancy laughed. By the way, Helen, you were right about that engine, but I don't think it will give you any more trouble this summer. Anyway, I've donated eight hours to the cause. Eight hours, Helen gasped. If not been out on the lake all that time. It served me right, I guess. I should have gone on the hike. But while Nancy made
light of her adventure, she was disappointed. She had wasted a day and time was precious. Which
she ever reached the top of Mangaloo? So far, she'd been thwarted at every turn.
Chapter 14. An exciting discovery.
“Nancy drew. Why are you packing that suitcase? You're not leaving camp already?”
Helen corning, entering the cabin, which she had shared with Nancy, stopped in the doorway, stared in amazement at her chum, whose folding wearing a peril carefully into her suitcase. I'm afraid I must leave this afternoon, Nancy admitted regretfully. But you've been here only three days, Helen protested. Don't you like the camp? Oh, I've had a wonderful time, Nancy cried impossibly, and the girls have been so nice to me.
I'd love to stay, but I can't. There's something important I must attend to at once. Can't it wait? I'm afraid not. I've waited too long already. But the dance, Nancy. You don't want to miss it. I don't want to, Helen. But I really must go this afternoon. I can't understand what's made you change your mind,
“so suddenly. It wasn't that horrid experience in the launch, was it?”
Nancy drew laughed and shook her head. She could not tell Helen her real reason for departing. So long as she remained at camp, she knew that Helen and her friends would not leave her alone for a minute. It would be impossible to visit the top and bungalow on the opposite side of the lake, without offering explanations. And Nancy was unwilling to disclose the purpose of her trip. In spite of Helen's teasing, she remained firm in her decision to leave camp.
Directly I have to launch, she slung her suitcase into the roadster and took leave of the girls. Gradually, they watched her go. Now, if only I can find my way to the top and bungalow, Nancy thought. The previous day, she had casually inquired from Helen, which road led to the top and bungalow, but the directions had been rather hazy. Coming to a fork, she selected the left hand,
which appeared to circle the lake. As Helen had indicated, it was winding and narrow and richly sprinkled with sharp rocks. From camp, it was comparatively easy to reach the top and bungalow by launch, but the distance around the lake was nearly eight miles.
Nancy was forced to drive slowly, and if she had met another car, it would ha...
passed. In places, the road was muddy, for overhanging trees and bushes protected the moist earth
“from the rays of the sun. The going was especially hard because of two deep rats, which apparently”
had been made by a heavy truck. I wonder what a truck was doing up this road, Nancy mused somewhat curiously. The tracks appeared to have been made today too. As she drove along, she noticed a number of summer cottages, but as the season was late, nearly all were boarded up. At last, she came with inside of a clearing, and through the trees, called a glimpse of the top and bungalow. I hope I'll find the caretaker, she thought, I'd certainly
hate to go back without seeing him. Not without a feeling of anxiety, she stopped the road
stir at the edge of the road. To her surprise, she observed that the tracks made by the truck
“did not continue further. Apparently, the truck could turn in towards the bungalow.”
Nancy hurried up the path. As she emerged from among the trees, she stopped short and stared ahead in amazement. The entire camp was in disorder. The front door of the bungalow had been flung wide open, and the side doors were likewise a char. An overturned chair had been dropped carelessly on the porch, and a trail of knitmax stretched from the house to the path. The grass had been trampled, and there were peculiar marks in soft dirt.
There's something strange about this, Nancy murmured. Quickly, she bent down to examine the marks which were clearly visible. At a glance, she saw that the footprints had been caused by heavy boots, and there were long lines evidently
“caused by dragging boxes and furniture across the lawn. I think I'm beginning to see the light,”
Nancy told herself, "Now I know what that truck was doing on this road." Unquestionably, it was a moving van, and it came here. Again, she examined the imprint in the soft dirt. These marks couldn't have been made more than an hour ago at the latest she decided. As she hurried up on the path, it appeared to Nancy that the camp was deserted. There was no sign of Jeff Tucker, the caretaker in whose care the bungalow had been entrusted. Reaching the vrande,
Nancy knocked loudly on the door. When there was no response, she bombedly entered. What can this mean? She asked herself in dismay, as she stared at the sight before her. The living room was in confusion, save for a few pieces, it was bare of furniture. Even the draperies and curtains had been ripped from the rods. The rugs were missing, as was everything else of value. To Nancy's astonishment, she found that with the exception of one
room, the entire house had been ransacked. Only one bedroom had been left practically untouched, and as she stepped into it, she noticed that the rug had been rolled up and securely tied as though in preparation for moving. As Nancy gazed at the disorder about her, she searched her mind for an explanation. What could it mean? It looks like a case of ordinary robbery to me, she reasoned. Nancy had frequently read of cases where the summer homes of wealthy persons had been stripped
to furniture and rugs by unscrupulous robbers who sold the valuables to second hand dealers and fences.
In recent years, there had been a number of thefts in the vicinity of Moon Lake, and as a protective measure, many of the cottage owners employed caretakers the year round. What had become of Jeff Tucker, the man who had been left in charge of the top and bungalow, the place seemed deserted. Nancy realized that the top and bungalow, which had been expensively furnished, would offer a rich price for thieves. Now, as she viewed the evidence, the suspicion
which lurked in her mind developed into firm conviction. She was certain that robbers had ransacked
The place carrying off nearly everything of value.
Nancy told herself with a sinking heart. If they have, I'll never set eyes on it.
“A feeling of desperation came over the girl as she realised that again she had been thwarted.”
It seemed almost as though a cruel fate had all damed that the mystery of the missing Crowley will, should forever remain unresolved. It's barely possible the robbers overlooked the clock, Nancy thought, hopefully. She began to look about in nooks and corners of the bungalow. She opened closets and poked about in drawers, but her search was in vain. She found no clock. As Nancy returned to the bedroom, she regarded it meditatively.
Why had the robbers left this one room particularly untouched? Certainly the furniture
was as valuable as that which they had taken? Unquestionably, the thieves had intended to strip
“the room for they had wronged up the rug. I wonder if they heard me coming and were frightened”
away, Nancy asked herself. I didn't see a sign of their truck, and yet I'm sure they couldn't have left here many minutes before I arrived. As the thought occurred to her, she glance down easily over her shoulder. She realised that she was buried in a wilderness, some miles from the nearest house, and the knowledge that the unscrupulous men were in the vicinity was anything but reassuring.
If those robbers should still be around here, flash through her mind. As Nancy drew
listen to densely, the very silence of the empty house was startling. A strange feeling came over her. She could almost sense that someone was watching her every movement.
“Chapter 15, a desperate situation. How silly of me to be afraid, Nancy drew laughed nervously.”
Probably there isn't a person within miles of here. As she glance to about the bungalow, it was with relief that she assured herself the place was deserted. Yet, for some reason, she was unable to free herself entirely from the feeling that an uneasy danger lurked in weight for her. The very walls seemed too smirk and grimace at her, and there was an ominous something in the air. Now that Nancy felt certain that the Crowley clock could be stolen, she was anxious to get away
from the top and bungalow as quickly as possible. I'll drive to the nearest town, and report the robbery to the police she decided. Those men weren't able to travel very fast with a heavy moving van. There's a chance that they may be caught yet. Having made the decision, Nancy moved towards the front door. Passing a window, she chanced to glance out, and what she saw caused her to pause in sheer fright.
A heavy set man, with a cap pulled low over his eyes, was coming up the path towards the house. For a moment, Nancy'd room was held in paralysis of fear. She was positive that the man who was coming towards her was one of the members of the robber band, and leaning instant did the girl hesitated. Then she turned, ran back into the bedroom. Too late, she saw that she had trapped herself, for this room had no outside door.
Nancy started back towards the living room, but before she had taken half a dozen steps, she realized that her escape had been cut off from that direction. The man had reached the veranda steps. Frantically, she glanced about for a hiding place. The bedroom closet offered the only possible refuge, and with scarcely an instance hesitation, she stepped into it, and closed the door behind her.
Nancy was not a minute too soon. Scareously had she shut the door, when she heard the heavy trade of a man's hob nails shoes on the floor, peeping cautiously out through a tiny crack in the door. She saw a rough looking man coming to the bedroom. His face was cold and cruel.
As he turned towards the closet where she huddled, Nancy'd room held her breath,
scarcely daring to breathe naturally, less to her presence be detected.
“Apparently, the man noticed nothing amiss, for his eyes rested only casually on the closet floor.”
Nancy's hiding place was anything but comfortable. It was dark and nasty, and old clothing hung from nails. As dust as sale of her nostrils, she held a handkerchief to her face, less she sneezed. If I sneeze, they'll be sure to find me she told herself. They'll know well enough it isn't an animal, even a cat. She felt around and once came close to catching her hand on a sharp nail.
Then she felt something soft on a shelf, and imagined it was a sleeping cat. She drew back and felt more cautiously. Only an old fur cap she told herself in disgust and probably full of moths. Gracious, now I feel like sneezing worse than ever. She held her hand over her mouth hard and awaited in agony.
But presently, the desire to sneeze past and Nancy breathed more freely.
When she dared to pee-pout through the crack a second time, she saw that two other men had
come into the room. From their appearance, she knew that they must be members of the robber gang. The first man seemed to be their leader, for he proceeded to issue orders. Get a move on, he crowned. We haven't got all day, unless we want to be called. Take that dress around of here first. The two men lifted the heavy pieces of furniture and started with it to the door, but they did not move swiftly enough to satisfy the leader,
and he berated them savagely. If you were in such a hurry, why didn't you back the van
“up to the door instead of leaving it hidden in the bushes, one of the men retorted angrily?”
Yes, and have someone see us from the road, sneered the leader.
Well, carry this out yourself if you think it's so light. From her hiding place, Nancy drew and watched the men as they deliberately stripped the room of everything valuable. Peace by peace, they carried out the furniture. But the girl was given no opportunity to escape, for the leader of the gang, remained in the room while others made the trip to the van.
Well, I guess we have everything now, the leader muttered at last. It turned to follow his companions, who already had gone to the truck, but in the doorway, paused for a last careful survey of the room. At that fateful moment, there came a muffled sneeze from the closet. The robber wheeled about, walking directly to the closet, he flung open the door and exposed poor Nancy,
who was crouching in the far corner, angrily hijacked her out. Spying on her, say, he snile. Nancy drew, eyed the man, defiantly.
“I wasn't spying. Then what were you doing in that closet?”
I came to see the caretaker. Looking for him in a funny place, sent you, sneered the man. Nancy realized that she was in a desperate situation that looked on the robber's face, frightened her. I heard someone coming, and I was afraid she explained lately. Well, it was unhealthy business that brought you here, the man told her sharply. What did you hear in that closet? Without giving her an opportunity to answer the question,
he added to with a scale. I warn you, this will be the last time you ever stick your nose in business that doesn't concern you. As Nancy saw the expression on the man's face, there was no mistaking the ugly threat. One glance assured her that she could expect no mercy. The hopelessness of her situation gave her the courage to defy him. I didn't hear much, but I saw plenty, she cried. You're nothing but a common thief,
and if I get the chance, I'll turn you and your gang over to the police.
If you get the chance, that's good.
I'll do with you as I did the caretaker. The caretaker, Nancy gasped in horror.
“What have you done to him? You'll find out all in good time.”
The man who'll Nancy's wrist in a vise-like grip. Her efforts to free herself were of no avail.
It won't do any good to try to get away, a captor informed her.
Nancy was desperate. Suddenly, utilizing every ounce of her strength, she gave her prisoners' wrist
“to quick up with jerk. As the action tore her hand free, she darted for the front door.”
With a cry of rage, the robber was after. Almost in one long leap, he over took her,
caught her raffly by the arm, and forced her against the wall. Not much you don't, he snarled. Nancy drew and struggled, they swaying that. She twisted and squirmed. She kicked and clawed, but she was powerless in the grip of the man. Little wild cat. You won't do any more scratching when I get through with you.
Let me go, Nancy cried, struggling harder. The man half carried, half dragged her across the room, opening the closet door, if flung her raffly inside.
“Nancy heard a key turn in the lock, the sliding of a bolt into place followed.”
Now you can starve from all I care, the man laughed harshly. Then the steady tramp of his heavy boots across the floor told Nancy that he'd left at the house. [BLANK_AUDIO] [BLANK_AUDIO] [BLANK_AUDIO]
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