(#20) The Clue in the Jewel Box Read Online Free PDF

on business.”
    Nancy was disappointed. “I believe I’ll leave a message,” she said. “When Mr. Baum returns tell him that I have a picture for him—one which I think he lost from his wallet. My name is Nancy Drew.
    “Please ask him to call me at once in River Heights or come for the photograph.” Nancy wrote her phone number and address on a slip of paper and handed it to the woman.
    “I’ll tell him, but whether or not he’ll do it I couldn’t say,” the landlady replied.
    Nancy looked questioningly at her.
    “Oh, he keeps so much to himself,” the woman said. “It seems funny to me that he always locks his suitcase and takes the key. You can bet that man has something to conceal.”
    “Does Mr. Baum have many callers?”
    “A man once in a while—never any girl friends,” the landlady replied pointedly.
    Behind Nancy’s back, Bess and George giggled. It amused them that the landlady had assumed their friend was romantically interested in Francis Baum.
    “Just give Mr. Baum my message, please,” Nancy requested.
    Blushing, she turned away, walking ahead of Bess and George, who grinned broadly.
    “Now, none of your smart remarks!” Nancy said, trying to forestall any needling by the girls.
    “Why, Nancy,” George said in mock reproach, “we didn’t know you were trying to track down a husband of royal blood!”
    “Have your fun,” Nancy said cheerfully.
    After a leisurely lunch in an attractive restaurant on the riverbank, the girls took the ferryboat back to the opposite shore and returned to their homes. When Nancy reached hers, she found two girls seated in the living room.
    “Helen Corning Archer!” Nancy greeted her old friend. “When did you and your husband get back?”
    “Only yesterday,” Helen answered, giving Nancy an affectionate hug and kiss, then introduced her companion as Katherine Kovna. “What an exciting trip Jim and I had in Europe!”
    “I’d say you visited some of the best dress shops!” Nancy said. “That’s a fantastic suit you’re wearing!”
    “Katherine designed and made it for me,” Helen said proudly. “We met in Europe, and I talked her into coming to this country and staying with Jim and me for a while.”
    Nancy learned that Helen’s guest hoped to open a fashion shop in town.
    “Each time I go any place I’ll wear a dress designed especially for me,” Helen said. “Everyone will ask where I bought it, and I’ll tell them of Katherine’s work. The orders should roll in!”
    “You Americans!” The European girl smiled. “You sweep me off the feet!” The others laughed.
    “I could use a new dress,” said Nancy, grinning. “Would you make one for me?”
    “Katherine can measure you now,” Helen said at once. “As her business manager, I accept the order. We’ll give you a special discount.”
    Nancy went to get a tape measure from the sewing basket. Katherine made various notations on a slip of paper, and sketched a few ideas. As Nancy tried to decide which one she liked best, she casually hummed a few bars of the nightingale’s song. The young designer listened attentively.
    “That melody!” she murmured. “What is its name?”
    “So far as I know, it has none,” Nancy answered. “I’ll try to sing the words, but I don’t know what they mean.” She sang a few syllables.
    “They sound like words in my native language,” Katherine announced. “But they make no meaning to me.”
    Nancy gazed at the girl with startled eyes. Did the nightingale’s song contain a message?
    “Katherine, you’ve given me a wonderful idea!” she exclaimed. “You may be able to help me solve a mystery!”
    “I gladly do anything.”
    “You’re a dear,” Nancy said, squeezing the other’s hand. “There is someone I want you to meet—Mrs. Marie Alexandra. I’ll ask her if I may take you to see her tomorrow.”
    After the two girls had left, Nancy lost no time in telephoning Mrs. Alexandra. The woman graciously assured Nancy that she