Into Thin Air Read Online Free PDF Page A

been emptied out we can tell Mark. That’ll put a stop to this harebrained idea.”
    â€œBess,” Nancy said, glancing back at her friend with a smile, “you’re brilliant.”
    â€œOf course I am,” Bess said with a laugh. “But I learned everything from my best friends. Come on. We can call from my house.”
    â€œIt’s already nine-fifteen,” George pointed out. “Are real estate agencies open this late?”
    â€œSometimes,” Bess said. “Most people work during the day, so evening is when a lot of agents take clients around to look at houses.”
    â€œIt’s worth a try,” said Nancy. She drove to the Marvins’ house, where the three girls hurried inside.
    â€œI’ll call directory assistance in Brewster to get the phone number of a real estate agent,” Bess said, stepping up to the telephone table in the living room. “Someone should be able to point us in the right direction.”
    Nancy and George flopped down on the sofa to wait. A few minutes later Bess hung up.
    â€œHere’s the number of an agency,” she said, holding out a slip of paper.
    â€œThis should save Mark a lot of trouble,” George observed.
    â€œHopefully, it’ll save us all a lot of trouble,” Nancy said, dialing the number. “I’d like to speak to an agent about a property that may be for sale in Brewster.”
    A friendly male voice answered. “I’m Rufus O’Malley. Perhaps I can help you.”
    Nancy made an okay sign with her hand to Bess and George. “I’m inquiring about a house owned by Christopher Johnson.”
    â€œYou mean the late Christopher Johnson,” corrected the agent. “What about it?”
    â€œI’m wondering if it’s for sale—I had heard that Mr. Johnson passed away.”
    â€œYou’re in luck, ma’am. It’s just been listed,” O’Malley told her. Nancy felt a flutter of excitement, and she beamed at George and Bess, who were listening intently.
    O’Malley continued, “It is a beautiful property with a view of the river. Would you like to arrange a showing?”
    â€œI’m not sure,” Nancy said. “Can you tell me if the furniture is still in the house? I, uh—I heard Mr. Johnson had some nice antiques,” Nancy improvised. She hoped Johnson’s house wasn’t one of those ultramodern places. “I was wondering if they might be sold with the house.”
    â€œUnfortunately, no. The furniture wasremoved before the house was turned over to us. Yes, Mr. Johnson had some nice pieces, didn’t he? Lots of valuable antique chinoiserie, I’m told, with the enamel and inlay and so on. You can see it all at the auction.”
    Nancy caught her breath. “Auction? Of course, that’s right. The contents of the house are to be auctioned off. Do you know when and where it is?” She was barely able to conceal the excitement in her voice.
    â€œIt’s tomorrow night at seven, at the Brewster Auction House,” O’Malley said. “Now when would you like to view the house?”
    â€œEr—thank you,” Nancy said. “You’ve been very helpful, but on second thought, I don’t believe that house is for me.”
    â€œI have two other houses that you might—”
    â€œI’ll call for an appointment,” Nancy said quickly, and hung up.
    â€œTell us!” Bess exclaimed. She and George could barely contain their eagerness.
    â€œGuess what?” Nancy said, a broad smile spreading across her face. “Mark won’t have to break into the house at all. There’s an auction house in Brewster that’s selling off all of Johnson’s furniture tomorrow!” Nancy suspected it would be easy to persuade Mark to go to the auction instead.
    When she called his number, however, there was no answer. “Maybe he went out for a late dinner,” she said,