The Clue Of The Tapping Heels Part 4

The three girls were not prepared for the amazing a.s.sortment of objects stored in the attic. Evidently Miss Carter had collected souvenirs from various plays in which she had appeared. There were chests, a battered white wooden horse, forms with costumes on them and covered with plastic bags, and a mummy case standing upright.

"O-oh, this place gives me the creeps," Bess remarked. "I could almost imagine some of the figures coming to life."

Nancy suggested that the girls separate and each hunt for a clue to the tapper or to what he might be looking for.

It was not long before Nancy found a crossbeam in a side wall which, she thought, was not necessary to the construction of the building. She tugged at it and presently the beam came away. One part of the underside had been hollowed out into a square and the lack of dust in the empty s.p.a.ce indicated that something had recently been removed from it.

"A square box, I'm sure," Nancy told herselt.

She called Bess and George over and pointed out her discovery.

George remarked, "When Mrs. Bealing heard the tapper, he must have been hammering lightly on the beam to pull it loose. I wonder what was hidden in it."

"We must find out who lived in this house be-before Miss Carter," Nancy said. She glanced at her watch. "It's getting late. I'll have to leave in a few moments. Do you girls want to continue looking or come downstairs with me?"

Bess and George said they had had enough sleuthing for one day. Besides, they had promised to help feed the cats and give them fresh water.

When Nancy told Miss Carter about the movable beam, the actress was amazed. She had purchased the house from people named Smith who had not lived there long. A lawyer had attended to everything, and Miss Carter did not know who the previous owners were.

"But I'll try to find out," she said.

Nancy said good-by to everyone and went to her car, which was parked in the driveway. As she pulled into the street and turned in the direction of River Heights, she noticed a black sedan behind her. It followed her down the street. When Nancy reached the highway out of town, the same car was still behind her.

At first Nancy thought this was merely a coincidence, but as she rode along, it occurred to her that the man, whom she could not see very well, was deliberately following her. She went down a street in a new housing development, then turned, and came back to the main road. The other driver did the same.

"I'm sure now that he's after me," Nancy thought. "I'd better not take any shortcuts or deserted roads." She jammed on her brakes, so the trailing car came closer rather suddenly and she caught a glimpse of a pudgy, double-chinned man. He looked to be in his mid-twenties.

"I certainly don't know him," Nancy thought. "Could he be the tapper or the cat thief?"

She made a mental note of the license number of his car. "I'll find out who he is!" she determined.

As they neared River Heights, the young detective decided that somehow she must shake her pursuer. She watched for an opportunity.

CHAPTER IV.

Car Thief

INSTINCT told Nancy not to go directly home.

"No doubt that man behind me wants to find out where I live," she said to herself. "Well, I won't let him!"

She knew that anyone could find out from the license bureau who owned the car, but this would not necessarily prove that the driver was also the owner. Turning abruptly down a side street, she headed for a parking lot.

Nancy quickly found a spot, locked the convertible, and started making her way among the many parked cars. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw her pursuer looking vainly for her out of his window. She smiled that her ruse had worked, then headed for her father's office.

"I'll tell Dad what happened and get his advice about this."

To avoid detection Nancy rode in the elevator to a floor above, and walked down one flight to Mr. Drew's office.

"If that pudgy man saw me come into the building, I guess he's pretty confused by this time."

Mr. Drew's secretary, Miss Hanson, looked surprised but glad to see Nancy. "Hi!" she greeted her. "Something's on your mind-I can see it in your eyes."

Nancy laughed. "You're right. I've just shaken off a man who was following me."

Miss Hanson gasped. "How terrible! You did the right thing coming here. Your father has a client in his office but I think the man will be leaving any minute. Please sit down and tell me about your new mystery."

Nancy had just started to explain when the door of her father's office opened. Mr. Drew shook hands with his client, saying he would call him in a couple of days. Then he turned to Nancy.

"h.e.l.lo, dear. Nice to see you, but I have a feeling this isn't a social call." His eyes twinkled.

When Nancy reported what had happened to her since leaving Miss Carter's home, the lawyer frowned.

"I don't like this," he said. "As you said, the man can trace you. But we'll even things up. I'll call the license bureau right away to find out who this pudgy individual is and if he has tried to trace your license."

Mr. Drew asked Miss Hanson to put in the call and soon he was talking to a man at the motor vehicle bureau. Within a short time he had his answer.

"The name of the owner is Barton Trask," he told Nancy. "Barton is a friend of mine.... Miss Hanson, will you please phone him."

While Miss Hanson dialed the number, Mr. Drew said to Nancy, "So far, my dear, no one has tried to get information on you at the bureau. I've instructed the men there to withhold your address in that event."

The ensuing conversation between the lawyer and his friend proved to be enlightening. Mr. Trask said that his car had been stolen several weeks ago and had been sold by the thief, using a forged certificate of ownership. Apparently the thief had transferred the stolen license plate to another car.

"I'll notify the police and the license bureau about all of this," Mr. Drew said. He looked steadily at Nancy. "You've proven to me many times you know how to take care of yourself, but I can't help worrying about you. Right now I think it would be best if Miss Hanson drives you home. Later I'll bring your car and make sure no one is following me."

Nancy opened her purse and handed over the key. She smiled at her father. "Thanks a million, Dad. And don't forget, early dinner tonight. I have a rehearsal for the play."

"I'll be there."

Soon after Nancy arrived home she received a phone call from Chief McGinnis of the River Heights Police Department. He told her that his men were still looking for the thief who had taken Mr. Trask's car. He asked for a full description of the man who had followed Nancy.

"I'm afraid it can't be very full," she replied, "because I saw him only behind the wheel of his car. He appeared to be pudgy, double-chinned, and had a small nose. His hair was dark and he had a good deal of it. He was so far down in the seat I'd say he's short."

"That helps," the chief said. Then he chuckled. "I suppose he's part of the new mystery on which you're working."

"I'm not sure," Nancy replied, "but I suspect he may be."

A few minutes later, as she was about to take a shower, the telephone rang again. This time a man's high-pitched voice said, "Miss Nancy Drew?"

"Yes. Who are you?" Nancy asked.

"I'll tell you when I come," the stranger replied. "I think you know some secrets I have to have. You stay there in your house. I'll be right over to get them from you." The man hung up.

As Nancy stood lost in thought, Hannah Gruen came to her side. "Who was that?" she asked.

"I don't know, Hannah. Some man with a high squeaky voice. He sounds ominous. I wonder if he's the man who followed me from Berryville."