The Hidden Staircase - Carolyn Keene [37]
The very thought frightened Nancy. Leaping up, she decided to ask the police to have Nathan Gomber shadowed.
“I’ll go down to headquarters and talk to Captain Rossland,” she decided. “And I’ll ask Helen to go along. The cleaning woman is here, so she can help Aunt Rosemary in case of an emergency.”
Without explaining her real purpose in wanting to go downtown, Nancy merely asked Helen to accompany her there for some necessary marketing. The two girls drove off, and on the way to town Nancy gave Helen full details of her latest theories about Nathan Gomber.
Helen was amazed. “And here he was acting so worried about your father’s safety!”
When the girls reached police headquarters, they had to wait a few minutes to see Captain Rossland. Nancy fidgeted under the delay. Evcry moment seemed doubly precious now. But finally the girls were ushered inside and the officer greeted them warmly.
“Another clue, Miss Drew?” he asked with a smile.
Nancy told her story quickly.
“I think you’re on the right track,” the officer stated. “I’ll be very glad to get in touch with your Captain McGinnis in River Heights and relay your message. And I’ll notify all the men on my force to be on the lookout for this Nathan Gomber.”
“Thank you,” said Nancy gratefully. “Every hour that goes by I become more and more worried about my father.”
“A break should come soon,” the officer told her kindly. “The minute I hear anything I’ll let you know.”
Nancy thanked him and the girls went on their way. It took every bit of Nancy’s stamina not to show her inmost feelings. She rolled the cart through the supermarket almost automatically, picking out needed food items. Her mind would say, “We need more canned peas because the ghost took what we had,” and at the meat counter she reflected, “Dad loves thick, juicy steaks.”
Finally the marketing was finished and the packages stowed in the rear of the convertible. On the way home, Helen asked Nancy what plans she had for pursuing the mystery.
“To tell the truth, I’ve been thinking about it continuously, but so far I haven’t come up with any new ideas,” Nancy answered. “I’m sure, though, that something will pop up.”
When the girls were a little distance from the entrance to the Twin Elms estate, they saw a car suddenly pull out of the driveway and make a right turn. The driver leaned out his window and looked back. He wore a smug grin.
“Why, it’s Nathan Gomber!” Nancy cried out.
“And did you see that smirk on his face?” Helen asked. “Oh, Nancy, maybe that means he’s finally persuaded Miss Flora to sell the property to him!”
“Yes,” Nancy replied grimly. “And also, here I’ve just asked the police to shadow him and I’m the first person to see him!”
With that Nancy put on speed and shot ahead. As she passed the driveway to the estate, Helen asked, “Where are you going?”
“I’m following Nathan Gomber until I catch him!”
CHAPTER XVI
Sold!
“OH, NANCY, I hope we meet a police officer!” said Helen Corning. “If Gomber is a kidnaper, he may try to harm us if we do catch up to him!”
“We’ll have to be cautious,” Nancy admitted. “But I’m afraid we’re not going to meet any policeman. I haven’t seen one on these roads in all the time I’ve been here.”
Both girls watched the car ahead of them intently. It was near enough for Nancy to be able to read the license number. She wondered if the car was registered under Gomber’s name or someone else’s. If it belonged to a friend of his, this fact might lead the police to another suspect.
“Where do you think Gomber’s going?” Helen asked presently. “To meet somebody?”
“Perhaps. And he may be on his way back to River Heights.”
“Not yet,” Helen said, for at that moment Gomber had reached a crossroads and turned sharp right. “That road leads away from River Heights.”
“But it does lead past Riverview Manor,” Nancy replied tensely as she neared the crossroads.
Turning right, the girls saw Gomber ahead, tearing along at a terrific