001 The Secret of the Old Clock by Manoj

Author:Manoj [Manoj]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

of the road in spite of her efforts to keep it in the middle. With foreboding, Nancy stopped

and got out to make an inspection. As she had suspected, a rear tire was flat.

"Oh dear!" she murmured in disgust. "Such luck!"

Though Nancy was able to change a tire, she never relished the task. Quickly she took out

the spare tire from the rear compartment, found the jack and lug wrench, and went to

work. By the time her job was completed, she was hot and a little breathless.

"Whew!" she exclaimed, as she started on her way again. "I'll be ready for a nice, cool

swim in Moon Lake!"

It was after twelve o'clock when she came in sight of Camp Avondale, run by Helen's aunt.

Through the tall trees Nancy caught a glimpse of cabins and tents. Beyond, the blue lake

sparkled and glimmered in the sunlight.

As Nancy drove into the camp, a group of girls gathered about her car. Helen came running

out of a cabin to greet her chum.

"Girls, it's Nancy Drew!" she exclaimed joyfully and made introductions. Nancy did not

know any of the campers, but in no time they made her feel warmly welcome.

"Nancy," said Helen, "park your car back of the dining hall, then come have lunch."

"That sounds wonderful." Nancy laughed. "I'm nearly starved!"

First, she was escorted to the main building where she met Aunt Martha, the camp

director, and registered.

"May she stay with me?" Helen asked.

"Certainly, dear. And I hope you have a splendid time, Nancy."

"I'm sure I shall, Aunt Martha."

As the two girls walked off Nancy told Helen about selling the charity-dance tickets and

gave her the money paid by Mr. Topham.

"He surely was generous!" Helen commented in surprise. Then she smiled wryly. "I have a

feeling he did it more for social prestige than sympathy for the cause."

Nancy scarcely had time to deposit her suitcase under her cot and freshen up after the

long ride when lunch was announced by the ringing of a bell. Campers hurried from all

directions to the dining hall. The food was plain but appetizing and Nancy ate with zest.

The meal over, she was rushed from one activity to another. The girls insisted that she join

them in a hike. Then came a cooling dip in the lake. Nancy enjoyed herself immensely, but

the Crowley mystery was never far from her mind.

"I must find out where the Tophams' cottage is located," she reminded herself. "And next,

manage to go there alone."

Nancy's opportunity to accomplish the first part of her quest came when Helen suggested

about five o'clock, "How about going for a ride around the lake in the camp launch? There's

just time before supper."

"Wonderful!" Nancy accepted readily. "By the way, can you see many of the summer

cottages from the water?"

43

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