(#24) The Clue in the Old Album Read Online Free PDF Page A

explained, “and our girls marry very young. But we have complied with all the laws of this state. Our leader, Zorus, will now unite Melchor and Luisa in a Romany wedding ceremony.”
    The musicians began to play a livelier air, but this did not help to calm the bride as she stepped nervously from her tent. Nancy’s heart went out to the beautiful young girl, who looked very frightened and could not have been more than fourteen years old. She was dressed in an embroidered white silk gown, which had become yellowed with age.
    The ceremony was performed by Zorus in the space of a few minutes. Nancy studied his cruel face. “I wouldn’t trust him,” she thought.
    A loaf of bread, salt, and a bottle of wine were brought out as symbols of plenty. Zorus broke the bread and sprinkled salt on each half. The bride and groom exchanged halves, each taking a bite and a sip of wine.
    Zorus now motioned to the announcer, who said, “It has been a custom for hundreds of years, at weddings of our tribe, to present the child bride with a doll. Today our bride is not exactly a child, but we shall follow that custom.”
    Nancy watched intently as an elderly gypsy woman walked forward with a basket. Possibly Rose’s father at the time of his marriage had given his bride a gypsy doll. It might have been a duplicate of the one about to be presented!
    “If it was and that’s the one I’m to look for, I may be a long way toward solving Mrs. Struthers’ mystery,” she concluded.
    When the gift was held up, Nancy’s hopes fell. It was only an inexpensive factory-made doll, and so new it could have no significance for her.
    In a few moments the violinists began to play dance music, and the crowd milled around. Ned found Nancy and asked if she had enjoyed the ceremony.
    “Oh, yes,” she replied. “For just a second I thought I had found a good clue, but nothing came of it. Let’s watch the performance a few minutes longer and then go home.”
    Though the tribal dances were interesting to watch, Nancy found her gaze wandering toward a middle-aged gypsy couple who stood off to one side.
    “That man and woman look familiar to me,” the girl thought. “And yet I don’t know any gypsies.”
    She noticed that they were staring at her, but when she faced them directly they looked away and edged toward the exit.
    “Why did they do that?” Nancy wondered.
    Suddenly she believed she knew who they were. The man had a scar on his forehead. The woman had carrot-red hair. They fitted Rose’s description of the couple who had stolen Mrs. Struthers’ fan doll!

CHAPTER V
    Foiled
    NANCY grabbed Ned’s arm and hurried after the suspects. An old woman stopped the gypsy couple and addressed the man as Anton and the woman as Nitaka.
    “I think they might be the thieves who came to Mrs. Struthers’ in a black sedan!” Nancy whispered to Ned. “If so, their car must be parked on the grounds and there might be some evidence in it. Want to see if you can find it?”
    “Sure thing. What’s the license number?”
    “I don’t know, Ned. But look for a new black sedan. I’ll wait here for you. I want to watch Anton and Nitaka.”
    Ned slipped away quietly and Nancy followed the gypsy couple. Presently they stopped and she sauntered up to them and asked a question about the wedding ceremony. Anton gazed at her with hostile eyes and made a brief reply.
    Nancy then brought up the subject of dolls. Instead of talking to her, Anton said something to Nitaka in the Romany language. The couple turned their backs and walked away.
    A few minutes later Nancy spotted them talking confidentially to Zorus. As they left him, she caught the word “Drew.” They must be talking about her!
    Ned returned to report he had found not one but three black sedans that would answer Nancy’s description. He also handed her a scrap of soiled paper.
    “Found this on the ground near one of the cars,” he explained. “It’s a receipt that may interest you.”
    The paper