The Quest of the Missing Map Read Online Free PDF Page B

father, then discovered she had no stamp.
    “I’ll mail it at the post office. I may be followed, but I must take the risk.”
    Nancy hoped that she had not been observed entering the store, but when she emerged from the building, the woman and the man were waiting. As she walked hurriedly along the street they followed in their car.
    “They’re afraid to approach me now,” she reasoned, “but if I’m alone for a minute I’ll have trouble. I wonder if they’re in league with Spike Doty.”
    Nancy entered the post office, bought a stamp, and mailed the map. She remained in the building for a few minutes, allowing herself exactly enough time to reach the bus station before Ned was due to arrive.
    Her watch proved to be accurate, for as she came within view of the station she saw three buses coming down the street. With a sigh of relief she quickened her step and joined the crowd of passengers waiting to get on.
    The farthest bus finally came to a standstill. Nancy caught a glimpse of Ned alighting from the last bus and waved to him.
    As the passengers pushed toward the first bus, someone brushed against her. Nancy felt a slight tug on her arm. Startled, she whirled around in time to see a man running down the street.
    “My purse!” she cried out. “My purse has been stolen!”

CHAPTER VI
    Sudden Danger
    AT Nancy’s cry of distress a number of people turned around, but no one tried to stop the fleeing thief. He was soon out of sight. A policeman appeared on the scene and questioned Nancy about the purse snatcher.
    “His car’s over there!” she exclaimed, pointing. “And the woman with him—” Nancy stopped speaking abruptly. “Why—it’s gone!” She felt sick over the turn of events.
    “Suppose you tell me the whole story,” the policeman said kindly.
    Nancy did not wish to disclose the details of her recent adventure and its connection with the current mystery. She stated simply, “A woman and a man followed me here in a gray sedan. I believe he was the same one who snatched my purse. He’s about six feet tall, sandy-haired, and very thin.
    “The woman is about thirty-five, average height, and rather heavy. She has light-brown hair and hazel eyes.”
    Nancy paused, then added, “I’d say the man is older than she is. They both wore navy-blue suits.”
    “Did you have much money with you?”
    “Practically none. There were a few personal articles, though, that I hate to lose.”
    As Nancy was talking to the policeman, Ned Nickerson, a handsome, athletic young man, came through the group.
    “Hello, Nancy,” he greeted her anxiously. “What happened?”
    “I’ll tell you all about it in a minute,” she promised.
    Nancy thanked the officer for his help, then she and Ned went to a quiet corner of the waiting room where they could talk.
    “Now tell me everything,” he insisted.
    When Nancy finished relating her afternoon adventures, Ned asked, “Do you have any idea what they are after?”
    “This.” From her dress pocket she removed a copy of Tomlin Smith’s map and showed it to him. “When I was in the store’s telephone booth, I transferred my money and this paper from my handbag to my pocket.”
    Ned studied the crude drawing. “It looks like a lesson in geography. Half a lesson at that.”
    “That’s just what it is—half a map showing where a treasure is buried.”
    “Belonging to Captain Kidd?”
    “I know it may sound fantastic, but this is a clue to an inheritance buried on some Atlantic island,” Nancy declared.
    Next, she told him the entire story of Rocky Edge, its eccentric owners, and the vanishing man in the music studio.
    Ned grinned. “Guess I won’t be seeing much of you for a while with two mysteries to solve—especially when you’re off to some lonely island.” Then, with a wide grin, he added, “Unless we go sailing for gold together!”
    The two laughed and Ned glanced at his watch. If they were to reach Emerson College before dinnertime, they must