Part 23 (1/2)
Mr. Drew smiled. ”You work fast, Nancy. I'd like very much to meet him.” After hearing his daughter's full story, including the rained-out golf match, he said, ”Bring Professor Wardell up to my room where we can talk privately.”
Nancy hurried downstairs to get the professor. He and Mr. Drew immediately liked each other. Nancy listened tensely when her father broached the topic of his search for Miss Judson.
”I appreciate your opinion, sir,” Professor Wardell said respectfully after he had listened to a summary of the evidence against the young woman. ”But I cannot believe that Margaret knows anything about the jewel thefts. She was always so honorable and comes from a fine family. She couldn't possibly have any connection with a gang of thieves and smugglers.”
”Nevertheless,” said Mr. Drew, ”there are a few clues which seem to connect her with the affair. For instance, one of the stolen items is a jeweled compact. We know that Miss Judson had one.”
”That is not proof of her guilt,” said the professor.
”Of course not,” agreed Mr. Drew. ”It could easily be coincidence.”
Nancy spoke up. ”Did you ever hear Miss Judson speak of Martin Bartescue?”
”Why yes. I believe she met him in Europe.”
Nancy and her father exchanged quick glances.
”Is Bartescue under suspicion?” Wardell asked.
”Yes,” Carson Drew answered gravely, ”but so far the evidence against him is purely circ.u.mstantial. If only we could find Miss Judson, she might be able to clear up the mystery surrounding both of them.”
”I have no idea where Margaret is,” the professor replied. ”She might be staying with a cousin in Rock City.”
”You've never inquired?” Nancy asked in surprise.
”No,” Wardell answered in a low tone. ”I didn't want to force my attentions on Margaret. I don't feel I should seek her out deliberately without some indication on her part that she wants to see me again. I still believe, however, that if I could talk with her, everything might be explained and cleared up.”
Professor Wardell arose to leave, saying he was already late for an important meeting.
”I'll be waiting eagerly to hear from you, Mr. Drew. Your daughter has my address at Andover. When I'm not there I usually can be reached at my office in the science building.”
After he had gone, Nancy and her father discussed the case for a few minutes.
”In spite of all the evidence against Margaret Judson,” said Nancy, ”I have a hunch she is not involved with the jewel thieves. That's Mr. Wardell's opinion and it's also yours, Dad, isn't it?”
”I hope that she will be cleared of suspicion.” The lawyer smiled.
Presently Mr. Drew and his daughter gave up trying to figure out the puzzle. They turned their attention to another pressing matter. During Nancy's brief stay at Mr. Haley's cabin she had noticed that the food supply was low, and many articles were needed to make the patient and the boys more comfortable.
She suggested to her father that she, Bess, and George buy the necessary supplies and cook dinner for Ned and the others at the cabin.
”That's very thoughtful, Nancy. It will cheer them up a little. The boys haven't had much fun since they arrived.”
Bess and George were still not in their room. Nancy searched the lobby and other places in and around the hotel where the cousins might be but could not find them.
She returned to Mr. Drew's room and told him that she could not locate Bess and George. ”Would you like to go shopping with me?” she asked.
”Be glad to,” the lawyer agreed. ”I'll give you two minutes to change your clothes.”
Ned was alone with Mr. Haley when she and her father reached the cabin. He explained that Burt and Dave were down at the ravine working on the footbridge. A short time later they returned, tired and hungry, but pleased to report that they had finished the repairs.