The Clue Of The Tapping Heels Part 6

"I just happened to see that punch," she replied. "I feel responsible, Ned, and I'm dreadfully sorry."

Ned grinned. "Just so long as you don't have another steady date, I'll forgive you for anything."

Nancy laughed. "Thanks. Ned, why don't you go to my house and put something on that jaw? Dad can pick me up later."

"Nothing doing. I'll go find some ice water in this building and doctor myself. You go back to rehearsal. That director must be furious."

As Nancy turned to leave she noticed a key on the floor.

"Is this yours, Ned?" she asked.

"No. When I knocked that man down, the key must have fallen out of his pocket "

"It looks like a car key," Nancy said. "The key might lead to your attacker. Ned, will you call the police and ask them to come here?"

"All right."

There was a telepnone booth nearby and he headed for it while Nancy went back to the auditorium. When she returned to the stage, Mr. s.k.a.n.k had some pretty harsh words for her.

He ended by saying, "I don't relish staying here all night and you've certainly held up the works, Miss Drew."

Before Nancy had a chance to explain, one of the girls in the cast called out, "You don't know it, Mr. s.k.a.n.k, but Nancy is an amateur detective. She probably had to leave in a hurry in connection with some case."

"Is that true?" the director asked.

Nancy nodded but did not offer any other explanation. Mr. s.k.a.n.k made no further comment about the interruption. "Do your dance, Miss Drew. Music, please."

Nancy, desiring to make amends for her sudden leave-taking, performed perfectly. Grudgingly Mr. s.k.a.n.k praised her.

The rest of the rehearsal went smoothly. Nancy felt that in her final tap number she had not danced so well as she could. She mentioned this to Ned as they started for home.

"I didn't notice anything wrong," he said, "but if you weren't satisfied, I'm sure it was a combination of weariness and excitement. You've had a big day!"

Nancy had to admit that it did seem long and she was ready for a good night's sleep. When they arrived at the Drew home, Nancy's father was watching a late movie on TV.

He looked at Ned and asked, "Were you in an accident?"

"No, Mr. Drew, but I had a chance to wallop that guy who was following Nancy this afternoon."

The lawyer grinned. "Good for you. Did you put him in the hospital?"

"Wish I had," Ned responded, then explained what had happened.

Mr. Drew insisted that Ned stay overnight. The young man accepted and said he must be off very early in the morning.

"But I'll be back tomorrow night to take Nancy to the rehearsal," he added.

Hannah Gruen quickly prepared a snack and then announced that she knew just the thing to put on Ned's jaw. She went to get a soothing lotion and soaked a bandage with it.

"Keep this wet compress on all night and I guarantee that tomorrow morning you'll look like yourself again," she said.

The housekeeper's prediction came true. Breakfast was served early and Ned showed no effects of his fight with the pudgy man except one little black-and-blue mark on his cheek. Hannah was pleased and said she had used a homemade remedy of hers that never failed.

Ned smiled. "Maybe you should patent it and go into business. Quick cure! Quick money!"

"I'll think about it," Mrs. Gruen said, chuck-ling.

Ned left in a few minutes and Nancy helped Hannah with some household ch.o.r.es. Then she set off for Berryville in Ned's car. On the way she stopped at River Heights Police Headquarters to find out if the officers had traced the owner of the key she had picked up at the high school. Sergeant Rothman, who was on duty, said that it had been determined it was not a car key and he doubted that anyone would claim it.

"Would you like it back?" he asked Nancy.

"Yes, I would." She had a strong hunch that the key might lead to something important in regard to the pudgy man.

Nancy put the key in her purse and left headquarters. When she arrived at Miss Carter's, Nancy parked Ned's car in front of the garage.

Hearing voices inside the building, she called out, "Hi! I'm back!"

Bess and George greeted her as she stepped into the garage.

"How's everything?" Nancy asked.

Bess heaved a sigh. "Okay, but I'm so tired of opening cans of cat food, I never want to see another one in my whole life."

"Let me help you," Nancy said. "Suppose you girls take a rest while I serve the cats their breakfast and you tell me about your evening."

George grinned. "All we can report is a big zero. No thieves, no tappers, no prowlers, no intruders, not even a mouse. How about the rehearsal, Nancy?"

When Nancy finished telling about her eventful evening, the cousins looked at each other in amazement. George remarked, "Wouldn't you know Nancy would have all the excitement?"

"That suits me," said Bess. "I got a good night's sleep and have nothing to worry about."

Nancy went into the house to put on blue jeans, loafers, and a shirt so she could help Bess and George clean the cage. It took them until late morning and Bess declared she was absolutely starved.

"I hope Mrs. Bealing has a good lunch for us," she said, leading the way into the kitchen. "Umm!Chicken salad with fresh tomatoes. And girls, look at that big, big chocolate cake!"

"Bess Marvin," George said severely, "you leave that chocolate cake alone. Every time you take off a few pounds, you put them right back on."

Bess looked at the cake wistfully. Should she pay attention to George who, she knew, was right, or should she enjoy the luscious dessert?

To herself she said, "I won't decide now. Maybe-just maybe-I'll be satisfied with the chicken salad and a little bitsy piece of cake."

This did not prove to be the case and later when Bess cut a slice for herself it was so wide that even Miss Carter had to laugh. She eased the tension, however, by saying, "I've always felt that the place to diet is in one's own home, not in someone else's."

Bess beamed at her. "I could hug you for that, Miss Carter."

After lunch the actress was carried upstairs for her nap. The girls helped Mrs. Bealing with the luncheon dishes, then the nurse said she would like to run downtown.

"A kind neighbor across the street has offered to take me shopping. Will you girls please answer the phone and the doorbell."