Into Thin Air Read Online Free PDF

dropping the receiver backin the cradle. “George, would you try him later? I’m kind of tired and I’d like to get home to bed. It’s been a long day.”
    â€œOkay,” George said. “Bess will give me a ride home later.”
    Bess nodded. “Of course I will.”
    â€œTalk to you tomorrow, then,” Nancy said, getting up to leave.
    When Nancy got home her father was reading in his study. She said both hello and good night and went up to her room. Just as she settled into bed, with thoughts of the day’s events tumbling through her head, the phone on her bedside table rang.
    â€œHello?” Nancy said, picking it up and glancing at the clock. It was almost eleven. Who would be calling so late?
    â€œHi, Nan,” came a familiar male voice on the other end of the line.
    â€œNed!” She smiled and sat up, switching on the light next to her bed.
    Ned Nickerson was Nancy’s steady boyfriend. Since Ned had gone off to Emerson College, though, they didn’t see nearly enough of each other to suit Nancy.
    â€œDid I call too late?” he asked.
    â€œIt’s never too late to hear from you,” Nancy told him. The sound of his voice banished all thoughts of Mark Rubin, Anderson Industries, Johnson, and the missing money.
    â€œI called a couple of hours ago, and Hannah told me you were out. We had a nice chat, though.”
    â€œI was with Bess and George and this guy Mark who moved in next to George—into the Bradford house,” Nancy explained. “Actually, I’ve gotten involved in a nonmystery.”
    â€œA nonmystery?” Ned laughed. “That doesn’t sound like the Nancy Drew I know!”
    She filled Ned in on Mark and the case he was working on. She concluded, “So if we can just prove to Mark that his client and the embezzled money all burned up, maybe he’ll drop the case and choose a new career. Then he can get on with his life.”
    â€œSounds like you’re safe and sound, anyway,” Ned teased. “That’s comforting. Hey, is there any chance you can come here this weekend? We’re having an impromptu party, and I’d love you to be my date.”
    â€œOh, Ned,” Nancy said mournfully. “I wish I could. I really miss you.”
    â€œYeah?” he said. “I miss you, too.”
    For a moment Nancy found herself resenting the promise she’d made to help Mark. She reminded herself once again, though, that she always kept her commitments. “Ned, maybe I can wrap everything up in the next few days.I’d love to come. Can I let you know in a day or two?”
    â€œSure you can,” Ned replied agreeably. “I’ll die if you don’t make it, but I don’t want that to influence you.”
    â€œOh, Ned,” Nancy murmured.
    His laugh interrupted her. “Look, do what you have to do,” he said warmly. “I’ll be here, alive and waiting for you.”
    Nancy decided for the thousandth time that there wasn’t a better boyfriend in the world than Ned. “I’ll do what I can to get there. In the meantime, don’t forget I’m crazy about you.”
    After they said goodbye, Nancy switched off the light and fell asleep with a smile on her lips. If she wasn’t the luckiest girl in the world, she knew she came close.
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    With a start, Nancy opened her eyes—the telephone was ringing.
    She glanced at her alarm clock. The glowing red numbers told her the time was 4:13 A.M.
    She grabbed the phone and put it to her ear. “Hello?” she said sleepily. “Ned, is that you?”
    â€œNancy? It’s me.” The voice was tense and clipped. “Mark.”
    Nancy tried to think through the cobwebs in her brain. “Mark?”
    â€œMark Rubin, Nancy! Sorry to wake you. But it’s an emergency. I’m in Brewster.”
    â€œBrewster?” Suddenly Nancy was wide-awake. “Mark,