The Case of the Artful Crime by Carolyn Keene

Author:Carolyn Keene
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aladdin

8

Murky Water

“Who are you, and how did you get in here?” Felice demanded of the man.

“I am Auguste Spaziente,” replied the rotund gentleman, stepping into the room.

“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Wainwright,” said the butler, rushing into the room. “This—this person pushed right past me.”

“I will not be dictated to by hired help,” the stranger declared as he advanced toward the painting on the wall. “My nephew, Joseph, has informed me that his latest work is hanging in your home, Mrs. Wainwright. I lost not a moment in coming to see it since it does, in fact, belong to me.”

Nancy studied the man. Something about him struck her as odd. For someone of his age, who was so heavy, he moved with a jaunty spring in his step. And his hair was so snowy white. Nancy wondered if it was a wig.

He’s probably just a spry old bald man who wears a wig, Nancy decided finally.

“Shall I call the police?” the butler asked.

“No, Conrad. It’s all right,” Felice replied as Auguste planted a kiss on her hand. “How did you know I was Felice Wainwright?” she asked.

“Joseph has described your regal beauty to me many times,” he replied.

“Why doesn’t he lay it on a little thicker?” Bess whispered to Nancy.

Spaziente looked at Bess sharply. Then his face softened. “Ah,” he murmured, “I’m a lucky man to find three beauties clustered in one room.”

“This is Bess Marvin and Nancy Drew,” Felice said. “Now, how may I help you?”

“It seems I came here just in time,” Spaziente said. “You were about to sell something that rightfully belongs to me.”

“To you?” Nancy questioned.

“Indeed. My nephew told me that he left a painting for me with Mrs. Wainwright. He said I should come here to collect it. I own a gallery back in New York, you see. I am in the perfect position to give Joseph the showing his art so richly deserves.”

“There must be some mistake,” Felice insisted. “Joseph gave this to me as a gift. I was only willing to part with it so that Joseph could have as wide an audience as possible.”

“All the more reason to give me the painting,” Auguste said. “Though the rest of the Spaziente family has abandoned Joseph—they feel disgraced by his brush with the law—I am standing by him. I believe in his genius, and I am just the person to give him a new start.”

Felice sighed. “I was about to tell Nancy, and now I’ll tell you both. I’m not parting with the painting until after this weekend. You may have heard about the auction I’m holding on Saturday. Collectors from all over the world will be here in this room. I want them to see Joseph’s work. Seven of his paintings are hanging at the Arizona House, where I’ll be holding a preauction dinner party. Then, when everyone comes back here, they’ll see this one, Joseph’s finest. It’s just the kind of exposure he needs. I can’t take this painting out of the collection now.

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