The Quest Of The Missing Map Part 4

As Nancy started upstairs to shower and dress for the dance, someone called out, "Telephone for Nancy Drew!"

"For me?" she asked in surprise, retracing her steps. "Maybe it's Dad."

The caller proved to be Ellen Smith, who spoke in an agitated voice.

"Nancy, I'm sorry to bother you," she apologized. "It's about Mrs. Chatham. She came to see me at college today and absolutely insists that I give her my decision about the position in three days. What shall I tell her?"

"I'll talk to Mrs. Chatham tomorrow," Nancy promised. "Don't do anything until I see you."

"I really can't afford to turn down the job."

"I understand," Nancy a.s.sured her. "Don't worry about it, Ellen. If it seems unwise for you to take the position, I'll try to find another one for you."

"Oh, I knew you'd think of something," the other girl said gratefully. "You're a darling."

After Ellen had hung up, Nancy decided to phone her home and tell her father what had happened. Hannah Gruen answered and said Mr. Drew was not there.

"I'm so glad you called," the housekeeper said, her voice unsteady.

"What's wrong? You sound upset."

"About half an hour ago a man phoned. He didn't give his name, but he had the most unpleasant voice!"

"What did he say?"

"'Layoff the Tomlin matter or you'll be sorry.' Those were his exact words. Oh, Nancy, that warning was meant for you. And to think that I suggested you take an interest in the Smiths' problems!"

After a somewhat lengthy conversation Nancy convinced the housekeeper that there was no immediate cause for alarm. She did not mention the incident at the Hamilton bus station, knowing it would only add to Mrs. Gruen's uneasiness.

Later, as Nancy was dressing, she speculated as to who the strange caller might have been. Spike Doty or the purse s.n.a.t.c.her? Finally she decided to forget both for the evening.

When Nancy descended the stairs in her striking white dress, she saw Ned's face light up with admiration. "Wow!" he exclaimed with a smile. "May I have the honor?"

"You may," Nancy replied.

The couple linked arms and strolled into the main dining room which was attractively decorated in the college's colors of purple and orange. Several of Ned's cla.s.smates gave Nancy an admiring glance and an exaggerated nod of approval to her escort.

After dinner there was an inter-fraternity dance in the gymnasium. Nancy thoroughly enjoyed herself. During an intermission Nancy noticed one of Ned's fraternity brothers walking toward them.

"I don't know him very well," Ned whispered. "He came to Emerson just this year. His name is Bill Tomlin."

"Tomlin?" Nancy asked.

"Why, yes, do you know him?"

"I didn't tell you, Ned, but the old sea captain had that same last name. They're probably not even distantly related but I must check every possible clue."

Bill Tomlin, pleasant and humorous, asked to dance with her. As they moved across the floor, she casually inquired if any member of his family had followed the sea.

"My grandfather's brother was a sea captain," he replied. "He had twin sons and I understand one of them was a sea captain. I don't know what became of the other brother."

Nancy tried not to show her mounting excitement. She asked, "Do you know if the captain is still living and where he might be found?"

Before her dance partner could reply, the music stopped abruptly. The ba.s.s drum thumped loudly and the chairman of the dance committee, Jeff Garwin, rose to speak.

"Your attention, please!" he said over the microphone. "I have an important announcement to make. The next event on our program is the presentation of a pantomime produced by members of the Emerson College Dramatic Club.

"As you all know, it is our custom each year to select an attractive young lady to preside over the event. She will wear the Festival Robe and Crown. After careful consideration by a committee of faculty and students, a choice has been made."

A hush fell over the audience as the announcer paused a long moment.

"Will Miss Nancy Drew please come to the stage," he said, smiling down at the girl.

The students clapped and whistled. Though startled, Nancy responded with poise and mounted the improvised stage. She donned a white robe, a golden paper crown, and accepted the seat of honor.

Lights were dimmed and the presentation of the pantomime began. It was impossible to tell who the players were, because they all wore black masks. Nancy thought she could identify Ned as a Black Demon, but before she could be sure, all the lights were suddenly extinguished.

"Hey, what's the big idea?" masculine voices called. "Is this part of the show?"

After several minutes of confusion the lights were turned on.

"I'm sorry for the interruption," the emcee said in apology. "Someone thought he'd play a practical joke, I guess."

"And steal the queen?" Bill Tomlin added, gazing toward the stage.

The draped chair which Nancy had occupied was vacant.

"Where is she?" Ned demanded, stepping forward in alarm and removing his mask.

The announcer's voice was unsteady as he spoke. "No doubt Nancy Drew has stepped outside for a breath of air."

The explanation seemed to satisfy the audience, but Bill and Ned realized that Jeff did not believe this himself. The three hurried outside and began a search for the missing girl.

But by now Nancy was several miles away, a captive in a gray car which raced over the country-side. When the lights had been extinguished during the pantomime, a masked man, whom Nancy a.s.sumed to be one of the players, had glided to her side.

"Come with me!" he had commanded.

Thinking that it was part of the show, Nancy had obeyed. No sooner had she reached the hall than a woman appeared from behind a screen of palms. The pair were the same couple who had trailed her to Hamilton and s.n.a.t.c.hed her handbag! They gagged Nancy and hustled her into the rear of a waiting car. The man jumped into the driver's seat.

"Don't make a move or try to escape," he rasped as the woman removed the gag. "Just hand over the map and you won't be harmed."

Nancy squirmed sideways on the car seat, peering at the woman who gripped her arm.

"So it was you who switched off the lights," Nancy remarked.

"Just hand over that map or I'll take it from you," the woman said.

"I have no map." "Don't try to pull anything on us. You thought you were so clever removing it from your handbag this afternoon. Where is it?"

"I'm not in the habit of carrying maps in party dresses!" Nancy countered.

"All right, don't tell us!" the woman snapped. "But understand this. You're going to be our prisoner until we get it."

The threat filled Nancy with despair. She did not doubt the couple's intentions. If they should contact her father, he would turn over his copy of the map to insure her release.

Nancy set her jaw grimly. She must think of some way out of this situation!

CHAPTER VII.

Ghosts THE automobile was approaching a traffic light. Nancy decided that if the signal turned red she would make a desperate attempt to escape. First she must distract the woman's attention.

"It would be very foolish of you to hold me prisoner," she said in a firm tone of voice. "Especially since the original map has been stolen."

"We know all about that," the man answered.

"Perhaps you engineered the theft," Nancy said coldly.

"Not on your life! I overheard Tomlin Smith tell about the map and the duplicate you made of it. You've got it!"

The woman added, "You sneaked it out of your purse this afternoon!"

"Are you sure I was the one who removed it? Maybe your friend can explain what happened to it. Why don't you ask him?" Nancy suggested.

The man slammed on the brakes to keep from pa.s.sing through the red traffic light. Angrily he glared over his shoulder at Nancy.

"What are you trying to do? Stir up trouble?" he demanded. "I don't know what you're talking about. I never took that map from your pocketbook."

"Your conscience seems to be bothering you," Nancy said.

"Fred, if you think you can double-cross me-" the woman shouted. "If you have-"

"Oh, shut up, Irene!" the man bellowed. "You make me tired!"

"You're working with Doty and leaving me out!" she accused him, her voice rising to a shrill pitch. "You want to get all the money for yourself and cut me out!"

With the two absorbed in their quarrel, Nancy knew this was her opportunity to escape. It was a long light and in a moment the traffic signal would flash green.

Nancy tore herself from the woman's viselike grasp and jerked open the car door. She tumbled out onto the ground, tripping over her white robe, but picked herself up and began to run.

"Stop her, Fred!" Nancy heard the woman shout. "Don't let her get away!"

Nancy was frantic. On either side of the highway were deep ditches and high fences separating her from open fields. She kept running but knew that if her agile captor took after her on foot, she would be caught. A second later a car's headlights flashed behind her.

"The kidnappers won't dare bother me with witnesses in the vicinity," she thought. "And maybe I can get a ride!"

Nancy knew that normally it was unwise to signal strangers for a ride, but in this emergency she must try to stop the approaching automobile! She held up her arms and waved them crossways. There was a squeal of brakes. The car drew up a few yards away.

"Don't stop, Henry!" cried the woman beside the driver. "Go on! You know you shouldn't pick up hitchhikers. Besides, this one's dressed up like a ghost!"

Nancy had forgotten about her costume. Fearful that the couple would not help her, she called out: "Wait! I'm not a ghost! Please wait!"

To her great relief the driver obeyed. Nancy ran to the car. Without waiting for an invitation she climbed into the rear seat.

"Oh, thank you," she said, gasping for breath. "The people in that car back there tried to kidnap me. Drive on quickly, please!"

"What!" the pair exclaimed in astonishment, and the woman added, "Why are you dressed up like that?"

Nancy explained quickly, and noted with relief that the kidnappers were making no attempt to pursue her.

"You don't say!" the driver remarked. "I suppose the kidnapping was like an initiation or something?"

Nancy was about to explain but decided she did not want to cause the couple further alarm. Instead she said, "I'm just so glad you came by. Would it be out of your way to take me to the Emerson gymnasium?"

"I'd be glad to drop you there," the man replied.

Twenty minutes later Nancy was running up the walk toward the college building.

As she did, someone called from behind a clump of bushes. "Nancy, is it you?"

She recognized Ned's voice and said, laughing, "Yes. Did you miss me?"

"Don't be funny. We were worried sick," said Bill Tomlin, who was with Ned. "What happened to you?"

"I was kidnapped. Ned, it was the same couple who followed me this afternoon. But we must keep the whole thing quiet."

"You mean you're not going to notify the police?" Ned demanded disapprovingly.

"No, not until I've talked to Dad. For now we must pa.s.s off my disappearance as a joke."

The boys frowned at each other, then Ned spoke. "Jeff Garwin went inside a minute ago to call police headquarters. I suppose you want me to try to stop him."

"Please do, Ned," Nancy replied. "I don't want any publicity."

While Ned hurried into the building, she and Bill Tomlin walked at a more leisurely pace. Nancy related the highlights of her harrowing experience. Then she told Bill of her search for the missing Captain John Abner Tomlin. "Can you give me any clues?"

"Captain Tomlin died when I was very young. I really don't know much about him or his twin brother. My father could tell you a lot more."

"I suppose your parents live some distance from here," Nancy commented thoughtfully.

"No," Bill said. "In Kirkland."

"Why, I'll be pa.s.sing through there on my way to River Heights!"