Finally Nancy agreed to leave. The girls climbed into Dick’s car and started for Waterford.
After they had been driving about fifteen minutes, George said, “Nancy, have you figured out anything about the torn note?”
“Yes, I have one hunch. Bess, please look in the glove compartment and see if there’s a map of this area.”
As Bess was rummaging through a stack of maps, she asked, “What’s on your mind?”
Nancy said she believed the Pit in the note stood for a town. “And I have a hunch it’s one not far from here.”
“How did you arrive at that conclusion?” George asked.
“First of all, I’m sure I recognized the handwriting on that note. It is definitely Willis Basswood’s.”
“Really?” Bess said in amazement. “Then he knows about the whispering statue and where it is?”
“Exactly,” Nancy replied. “He probably sold it secretly to someone who doesn’t live far away, so it wouldn’t be seen on the road. I believe that person is in Pit something. Bess, did you find the map?”
A local map was on the bottom of the pile. Bess pulled out the folded sheet and opened it. “Pit—Pit—Pit—Oh, here’s one. Pittville. Nancy, you’re a genius!”
“Don’t praise me yet. I may be on the wrong track. Is there another town beginning with Pit?”
Bess’s forefinger was moving over the map. Presently she cried out, “Here’s a town with the name Pitman!”
“Any more Pits?” George asked. “Don’t find one that says Pitfall.”
Nancy and Bess smiled and Bess remarked, “That’s pretty corny.”
Nancy was glad that no more towns beginning P-i-t were in the vicinity. “Tomorrow we’ll go to Pittville and then to Pitman.”
“In what?” Bess asked. Then she added hopefully, “Maybe Dick will lend us his car again. He’s a great guy.”
George remarked, “If Mr. Basswood stole the statue, it probably was taken directly to Marco De Keer’s barn. After the reproduction was finished, their trucker friend delivered the original to the purchaser and brought the reproduction to the yacht club.”
Bess giggled. “The mystery is practically solved. All you have to find out is when and where and who did what and why?”
When the girls returned to their room at the yacht club the telephone was ringing. The caller was Mr. Drew. He asked Nancy how she was progressing on the case.
“I hate to brag,” Nancy replied, “but we really have some fabulous clues.” She related everything that she and her friends had learned since her last report.
Mr. Drew was elated but admitted he was worried about Nancy’s safety. “Don’t work for Mr. Basswood unless Bess and George come and check on you every so often.”
“All right, Dad. Anyway, I don’t think I’ll be there much longer. Mr. Basswood says Mr. Atkin is leaving the hospital very soon and will be back to work. By the way, Dad, where are you calling from?”
“Washington, D. C. I’m still working on my case here.” He chuckled. “You’ll probably get home before I do and solve this whole mystery yourself.”
“I hope you’re right,” Nancy said, laughing. “And I’m glad that so far no one has seen through my disguise.”
Mr. Drew said good-by and Nancy turned to talk to Bess and George. They had changed their clothes and were ready to go downstairs.
“I’ll meet you as soon as I take off these dusty clothes and put on fresh ones. Oh, I guess my wig needs a good brushing too.”
Fifteen minutes later she joined Bess and George in the lobby of the club. They were talking with Dick.
“We may borrow Dick’s car tomorrow,” Bess announced.
Dick spoke up. “I won’t need it. If I have to go to town, I’ll use the truck.”
“I certainly appreciate the offer, Dick,” said Nancy. She grinned at him. “You’re always coming to our rescue. We ought to take time out to do something for you.”
“Debbie Lynbrook, you’ve just said exactly the right thing. You can do something for me right now.”
“What’s that?” Nancy asked.
Dick explained that he had reserved one of the Ping-pong tables in the recreation room, hoping the girls would join him in a doubles match.
George beamed. “That’s a groovy way of paying a debt.”
The four young people went downstairs. After a toss of paddles, the partners turned out to be Dick and George against Nancy and Bess. At the end of two games the score stood one to one. Dick complimented all the girls on their playing.
“You’re champs,” he said.
Bess called to him, “You’re terrific yourself, but Debbie and I are going to win this game.”
There were long volleys and some breath-taking net shots. But in the end Nancy and Bess won the game.
“We told you so!” Bess gloated.
But the next game went to Dick and George. After half an hour of hard, fast playing the score stood even, but in the final game Dick and George scored the twenty-first point and were declared the victors.
Bess flopped into a chair. “I’m absolutely pooped,” she said.
Dick looked at her. “Would a sundae with fudge sauce revive you? I hear that’s one of your favorite dishes.”
“It sure would,” Bess replied. “It’s a beautiful idea. Let’s go!”
The four went into the club’s snack shop. Over the loudspeaker came the announcement, “Miss Debbie Lynbrook is wanted on the phone.”
Nancy excused herself and went to a telephone on the wall of the shop.
“This is Mr. Basswood,” the caller said. “Miss Lynbrook, I want you here at nine o’clock tomorrow morning.”
Nancy hesitated. If she worked all day, she would not be able to drive to Pittville and Pitman to continue her sleuthing. And she was determined not to give that up!
“Did you hear me?” Mr. Basswood asked impatiently.
“Yes,” Nancy replied. “I’ll be there at nine, but I’ll have to leave at two-thirty.”
Mr. Basswood’s voice was icy as he said, “All right, but I’ll expect you to forgo your lunch hour. Good-by.”
As Nancy returned to her friends, she frowned a little and said to herself, “What an old grouch he is!”
A little later Dick said he must leave. The girls continued to talk. Nancy told the cousins about her phone call from Mr. Basswood. “But I’ll be able to leave at two-thirty. Suppose we drive directly to Pittville then.”
“It’s only about twenty miles from here,” Bess said.
When the girls were ready to go upstairs, Nancy said, “You don’t mind if I stay down here a little while? I’d like to stroll outside and do some thinking.”
“We don’t mind,” Bess assured her. “But don’t be late. Mr. Basswood would not like it if his star salesman came to work hollow-eyed and weary.”
As Nancy walked toward the bay side of the club, she found herself heading toward the statue. A stiff breeze was blowing and she was forced to hold onto her wig. As she neared the marble figure, Nancy suddenly stopped.
“The statue is whispering!” she told herself.
No one was around. Deep, garbled words seemed to be issuing from the statue’s mouth.
“There must be a reasonable explanation for this,” Nancy thought. “But it’s weird and eerie just the same.”
She moved back a little distance to gaze at the marble lady. At the same instant two dark shadows crossed that of the statue.
A man’s harsh voice whispered, “Her friends are here, but where’s Nancy Drew?”
Another hard voice replied, “She must be around here. We’ll find her!”
Nancy’s heart was thumping. She was well hidden in the shadow of the yacht club. Should she stay there or run into the clubhouse?
“That might be a giveaway,” she decided, and stayed where she was.
Just then the first voice said, “Here comes somebody! We’d better scram!”
The shadowy figures disappeared and Nancy could h
ear running footsteps. Although she had not been able to identify the men, the young sleuth knew from their voices that they were two of the thugs who had tried to kidnap her and Bess and George at the deserted mansion on the beach. She wondered if her enemies had discovered she was wearing a disguise.
Relieved that the men had not seen her, Nancy walked quickly back to the clubhouse. She went to her room at once and told George and Bess what had happened.
“Thank goodness you’re safe,” said Bess. “From now on we’re never going to leave you alone. And you say the statue whispered? It’s uncanny.”
“What did it say?” George asked.
“The lady only mumbled,” Nancy replied. “I couldn’t figure out anything.”
The following morning the three girls went to the art shop together. It had been cleaned and set in order. While Nancy waited on customers, Bess and George roamed through the large display room. Once the owner came from his office and glared at them, but said nothing.
Just before twelve o’clock Nancy made a big sale. She carried the painting to Mr. Basswood’s office and knocked.
The door swung open. Mr. Basswood did not take the painting as he usually did. Instead, he yanked Nancy inside and shoved her into a chair. He locked the door.
Angrily he said, “Stay there, young lady! Now tell me, what were you doing at Mr. De Keer’s studio and why did you run off?”
CHAPTER XVII
Captured
STARTLED by Mr. Basswood’s question that she tell him why she had gone to Mr. De Keer’s, Nancy did not reply at once.
“I want an answer!” the shop owner demanded.
Nancy was trying to look unconcerned. She smiled at her employer.
“Someone in New York gave me his name,” she said. “I thought I might save you some trouble and see if he had any pieces you could sell. He’s very talented.”
Mr. Basswood looked up at the ceiling, then at the floor as if trying to make up his mind whether or not she was telling the truth.
“Is that all there is to it?” he asked. “I also want to know why you left his studio in such a hurry.”
Again Nancy smiled. “I saw a customer drive up, so my friends and I went next door to have dinner. We walked back to the barn later but the place was locked.”
The art dealer stared at her but she gave no evidence of nervousness or concern.
The conversation was interrupted by loud banging on the office door. Nancy got up and went to open it. Bess was standing there.
“Debbie,” she said, “your customer is becoming impatient waiting for her package.
Nancy looked at Mr. Basswood. His expression indicated anger and frustration. After a long pause, he said:
“Okay, I’ll bring the package and the change myself. Debbie, you go back to the big room. And hereafter, I want you to mind your own business!”
Bess winked at Nancy and the two girls walked through the hall into the main room of the shop.
In a low voice Bess said, “George and I are getting tired of hanging around here and dodging behind objects to avoid Mr. Basswood.”
“I’m sorry,” Nancy replied. “Try to hang on a little longer. Okay?”
A few moments later Mr. Basswood came into the room with the painting wrapped carefully and the change for the customer.
Nancy was thinking, “Maybe Mr. Basswood will go off to have lunch. Then I can do some more sleuthing around here.”
After the customer had left, Nancy reminded Mr. Basswood of the arrangement he had agreed to. The man’s face turned red with anger and he shouted, “You can’t leave early! I need you here!”
“But you promised—”
“In business,” the shop owner said, “you have to put your personal affairs aside if you expect to be successful.”
Nancy did not comment. She turned toward the girls and asked, “Would one of you go and buy a sandwich and bring it back to me?”
Apparently Mr. Basswood did not approve. But he must have felt that Nancy was miffed over his scolding because he gave her a half-hearted apology.
“I suppose you must eat,” he said. “But I don’t want any food brought in here. Run across the street to the sandwich shop. The reason I need you here this afternoon is because I planned to go shopping for more merchandise. Please stay.”
George turned her back so the man could not see the broad grin that spread over her face. Mr. Basswood was actually playing right into Nancy’s hands!
“I won’t be returning after lunch,” he told his young employee. He pulled a key from a pocket and handed it to Nancy, saying, “This is for the front door. You’ll need it to let yourself in when you come back. And when you go at four, put the key on the hall table.”
“Very well,” Nancy replied. “And I hope I’ll make a lot of sales this afternoon. Where will I wrap the things and how do I make change for the customers?”
Mr. Basswood mulled over this question a few moments, then replied, “You’ll find wrapping paper and tape in the back room. It’s in a couple of the drawers in a highboy back there. I’ll put some money for change in a cashbox in the top drawer.”
The three girls said good-by to him and went to the sandwich shop. As soon as they sat down, Nancy said, “Will you girls please do a little sleuthing for me this afternoon.”
“What do you have in mind?” Bess asked.
“I want you to follow Mr. Basswood.”
“Just the two of us?” Bess asked a bit fearfully. “Who knows what that man may be up to? I don’t relish being kidnapped!”
Nancy was looking out the window. The next second she jumped from her chair and rushed out the door. Bess and George looked at each other, puzzled. Then they realized why Nancy had left them so abruptly. Through a window they could see Dick walking along the street!
The young detective ran up to him and said, “You’re just the person I was hoping to see! We need some help!”
“What’s up?” he asked.
Quickly Nancy told him that Mr. Basswood had left the shop for a while. “I asked George and Bess to follow him when he drives off in his car. But Bess is nervous about it.”
Before Nancy could ask if he knew of a man who could join them, Dick said, “I’ll be glad to go along. A friend of mine is holding down my job this afternoon.”
Nancy smiled. “Great! I have a pretty good idea where Mr. Basswood’s going. If I’m right, you’ll be back before dinnertime.”
Dick asked where his car was. Nancy told him and took the keys from her purse.
As she handed them over, he said, “I’ll get the car and leave it here in front of the restaurant. From inside we can see Mr. Basswood leave and take off after him.”
Dick went for the car and Nancy returned to the restaurant. She told the two girls about the arrangement and Bess said she was relieved. A few minutes later Dick joined the girls. He had not eaten lunch and ordered a roast-beef sandwich.
Although the four young people ate quickly to be ready to go at any moment, Mr. Basswood did not come out of the driveway alongside the shop for nearly an hour.
“I’ll pay the check,” Nancy directed. “You three scoot!”
Dick and the two girls hurried outside, jumped into Dick’s car, and were soon out of sight. Nancy was eager to get back to the bookshop to do some sleuthing. She would have nearly an hour before she opened the store to customers.
Nancy paid the check and went across the street. As she was unlocking the door, a familiar voice called out, “Hi, Debbie!”
“Ned!”
The young man stepped into the shop with her, saying, “I thought we might go sailing.”
“Sounds great,” said Nancy, “but you forget I’m a working girl!”
“Can’t you get Basswood to let you take a little time off? After all, I’ve come a long way to see you.”
“Sorry,” Nancy replied. “Mr. Basswood has just gone off for the afternoon to buy merchandise. Bess and George went with Dick to trail him in his car.”
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Ned’s eyes lighted up. “I’d say Debbie Lynbrook has arranged a perfect setup. And I’d like to bet you intend to make a thorough search of this shop before you open the door to customers.”
“You’re absolutely right.” Nancy laughed. “And how about helping me?”
“Anything you say.”
Nancy suggested that first they go to the basement where she had seen piles of Mrs. Merriam’s books through the window. The door to the cellar stairway was unlocked. She snapped on the light and started down the steps.
The next moment Nancy gasped. “There’s nothing here!”
“You mean Mr. Basswood moved everything out?”
Nancy said she was sure no one else had. “I wonder why he did that. Ned, let’s search the room upstairs where the picture frames are.”
The highboy in the rear room had been pushed back into place but Ned moved it aside. Nancy opened the door and the couple gazed inside.
“Everything is gone from here too!” Ned exclaimed.
Nancy did not comment for several seconds, then she said, “Ned, this looks very suspicious. I think Mr. Basswood is probably planning to disappear.” She glanced at her watch. It was nearly two o’clock. “I must open the shop soon,” she told him. “How about your doing some more investigating in here and see if you can pick up a clue?”
“Okay.”
Nancy went through the rear room toward the hall. When she reached it she stood still and stared. In the big room a burly man was scooping up objects as fast as he could and putting them into a lined, compartmented carton. Apparently he had let himself in with a key.
The man turned and she got a good look at his face. He was the one who had entered the front door of the Drew home and escaped from the art shop yesterday!
“Stop that!” Nancy yelled at him.
The intruder sprang toward her. Nancy started to run to the rear room, crying out, “Help! Ned! Help!”
The burly man grabbed hold of Nancy, pinned the girl’s arms back, and began to stuff the gag into her mouth. At that instant Ned raced into the hall.
The intruder saw him and let go of Nancy. He made a dash for the front door, but Ned leaped for the man’s legs and brought him down in a smashing tackle.