Carolyn Keene_Nancy Drew Mysteries 030 by The Clue of the Velvet Mask

Author:The Clue of the Velvet Mask
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Women Detectives, Detective and Mystery Stories, Girls & Women, Adventure and Adventurers, Thieves, Mystery and Detectvie Stories, Juvenile Fiction, Mystery & Detective, Mysteries & Detective Stories, Fiction, Outlaws, Kidnapping, General, Mystery Fiction, Women Sleuths, Nancy (Fictitious Character), Drew, Masquerades, Mystery and Detective Stories
ISBN: 9780448095301
Publisher: Penguin
Published: 1973-01-02T06:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER XI

Loot for Sale

NANCY felt it would be cruel to leave the man who lay unconscious on the ground. Yet she wanted to return to the suddenly darkened house. She was sure another robbery was in progress!

As Nancy leaned over the stranger, she noticed a peculiar sweet-smelling odor on his clothing. Instantly she thought of George’s experience on the train.

“This man has been drugged just as she was!” Nancy decided. “And by the same people! They must be in the house!”

Repeatedly she called for help but no one came. Probably the people in the house could not hear her. Minutes later the lights went on again.

“If only someone would come here so I could leave!” Nancy thought unhappily. “The thieves are probably making a getaway this very minute.”

She hoped that members of the Velvet Gang would try to escape through the parking area, giving her a chance to intercept them. But time passed and no one came that way.

Nancy chafed the stranger’s wrists and presently he groaned. “Help!” he cried out feebly. Then he noticed Nancy and stared blankly into her face. “Where am I?” he mumbled.

“You’re in the parking area at the Claytons’,” Nancy told him. “Can you sit up?”

“I think so,” he said weakly. Carefully she helped him to a sitting position.

“That’s better,” he muttered. “I’ll be all right.”

“Can you recall what happened to you?” Nancy asked.

“It’s coming back now,” he said, brushing a hand across his eyes. “As I got out of the car I was grabbed from behind. A handkerchief with a peculiar odor was pressed to my face.”

“Your wallet. Do you still have it?”

The guest fumbled in his pocket. “Gone,” he admitted ruefully. “I’ve been robbed.”

“Did it contain anything besides money?” Nancy asked.

“Yes—several cards, including the lecture invitation.”

The stranger identified himself as Albert G. Brunner and said he had come alone. Nancy introduced herself and told him of her suspicions. She offered to help Mr. Brunner into the house, saying a doctor should be summoned.

Nancy managed to assist the man the short distance to the house. There she was relieved of his care by two solicitous servants.

Instantly Nancy sought Mr. Lightner. But even he believed the darkness had been a temporary power shutoff.

An investigation was started at once. It revealed that valuable silver pieces and figurines were missing from the first floor and jewelry from the second.

“This will ruin me!” Mr. Lightner confided to Nancy.

“Surely it isn’t that bad,” Nancy said soothingly. “By the way, where is Mr. Tombar?”

“I haven’t seen him. I suppose he’s out looking for those thieves.”

Nancy decided to find out for herself. Checking room after room, she finally located him in the kitchen, giving instructions to the caterers. Nancy watched Tombar until he was free, then casually started talking to him about the theft.

“I was outdoors and didn’t see a thing,” she said chattily. “How about you?”

“Say, what is this, a third degree?” Tombar snapped at her, and stalked off.

There was nothing more she could do. The police had arrived and taken charge.

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