The Hidden Staircase - Carolyn Keene [4]
“That’s the story. Personally, I think it’s a sharp deal on Gomber’s part. The more people he can get money for, the higher his commission,” Mr. Drew stated.
“What a mess!” Nancy exclaimed. “And what can be done?”
“To tell the truth, there is little anyone can do until Willie Wharton is found. Gomber knows this, of course, and has probably advised Wharton to stay in hiding until the railroad agrees to give everybody more money.”
Nancy had been watching her father intently. Now she saw an expression of eagerness come over his face. He leaned forward in his chair and said, “But I think I’m about to outwit Mr. Nathan Gomber. I’ve had a tip that Willie Wharton is in Chicago and I’m leaving Monday morning to find out.”
Mr. Drew went on, “I believe that Wharton will say he did sign the contract of sale which the railroad company has and will readily consent to having the certificate of acknowledgment notarized. Then, of course, the railroad won’t pay him or any of the other property owners another cent.”
“But, Dad, you still haven’t convinced me you’re not in danger,” Nancy reminded him.
“Nancy dear,” her father replied, “I feel that I am not in danger. Gomber is nothing but a blow-hard. I doubt that he or Willie Wharton or any of the other property owners would resort to violence to keep me from working on this case. He’s just trying to scare me into persuading the railroad to accede to his demands.”
Nancy looked skeptical. “But don’t forget that you’re about to go to Chicago and produce the very man Gomber and those property owners don’t want around here just now.”
“I know.” Mr. Drew nodded. “But I still doubt if anyone would use force to keep me from going.” Laughingly the lawyer added, “So I won’t need you as a bodyguard, Nancy.”
His daughter gave a sigh of resignation. “All right, Dad, you know best.” She then proceeded to tell her father about the Twin Elms mystery, which she had been asked to solve. “If you approve,” Nancy said in conclusion, “I’d like to go over there with Helen.”
Mr. Drew had listened with great interest. Now, after a few moments of thought, he smiled. “Go by all means, Nancy. I realize you’ve been itching to work on a new case—and this sounds like a real challenge. But please be careful.”
“Oh, I will, Dad!” Nancy promised, her face lighting up. “Thanks a million.” She jumped from her chair, gave her father a kiss, then went to phone Helen the good news. It was arranged that the girls would go to Twin Elms on Monday morning.
Nancy returned to the living room, eager to discuss the mystery further. Her father, however, glanced at his wrist watch. “Say, young lady, you’d better go dress for that date of yours.” He winked. “I happen to know that Dirk doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”
“Especially by any of my mysteries.” She laughed and hurried upstairs to change into a dance dress.
Half an hour later Dirk Jackson arrived. Nancy and the red-haired, former high-school tennis champion drove off to pick up another couple and attend an amateur play and dance given by the local Little Theater group.
Nancy thoroughly enjoyed herself and was sorry when the affair ended. With the promise of another date as soon as she returned from Twin Elms, Nancy said good night and waved from her doorway to the departing boy. As she prepared for bed, she thought of the play, the excellent orchestra, how lucky she was to have Dirk for a date, and what fun it had all been. But then her thoughts turned to Helen Corning and her relatives in the haunted house, Twin Elms.
“I can hardly wait for Monday to come,” she murmured to herself as she fell asleep.
The following morning she and her father attended church together. Hannah said she was going to a special service that afternoon and therefore would stay at home during the morning.
“I’ll have a good dinner waiting for you,” she announced, as the Drews left.
After the service was over, Mr. Drew said he would like to drive down to the waterfront and see what