The Clue Of The Velvet Mask Part 6

"Our business has fallen off a lot lately since the robberies have received so much publicity. There's the Becker wedding, though, Tuesday night, at their home."

"The Beckers are prominent socially," Nancy mused. "There will be a room full of expensive wedding presents. Just the sort of setup to tempt a thief."

"Don't suggest such a thing," Linda replied with a shiver. "One more robbery and our company may be ruined."

"Then why not take special precautions?"

"Oh, we have! Mr. Tombar has arranged for plainclothesmen to watch the guests. As an added safety measure, Mr. Lightner suggested that a reliable servant be a.s.signed to guard the silver. Mr. Tombar thought that entirely unnecessary, but he was overruled."

"Even so, there could be a slip-up," Nancy insisted. "Those thieves are clever."

"How well I know! I wish you were going to be there! You caught a glimpse of the thieves at Gloria's party and might recognize them if they dare to appear again."

Nancy agreed, quickly seizing upon the suggestion. "Can you get me an invitation?"

"No, but Mr. Lightner could," said Linda, "and I'm sure he'd be glad to do it. He's very eager to have the thieves caught. I'll call him about it tonight."

"Thanks a lot," said Nancy. "Will you try to arrange it so that I can arrive early? I want to look over the house before any guests come."

"That shouldn't be hard," Linda replied. "Oh, Nancy, if you can prevent a robbery, Lightner's will be so gratefull" Suddenly she frowned. "I'm afraid Mr. Tombar won't like your being there. He hates to have anyone change his plans. But don't worry," she added quickly. "I feel sure Mr. Lightner will approve."

Linda kept her promise and the next day Nancy received a note from Mrs. Becker. Tuesday evening Nancy dressed and drove to the luxurious Becker home. She was met at the door by a pleasant butler.

"Your invitation, please, miss," he requested. Nancy showed him the note.

"Miss Seeley told us we might expect you," the butler said. "Come in, please."

The Becker home had been beautifully decorated with palms and flowers screening every corner of the s.p.a.cious house. Nancy reflected that they would offer perfect protection for any uninvited guest!

Wandering around the first floor, she noticed that men had been stationed at all outside doors. She was brought up short as she came face to face with Detective Ambrose.

"You here as a guest or to help us?" he asked brusquely.

Nancy laughed. "Perhaps both."

"Well, you may be sorry you showed up. I'm afraid there'll be trouble."

"You mean the party thieves might be here?"

The detective straightened himself up confidently and replied, "I happen to know we should be on the lookout for a crook who'll try to pa.s.s himself off as a highbrow Englishman."

Nancy wondered from whom Detective Ambrose had received the tip. She did not wish to encourage his seeming arrogance, however, and said a.s.suredly, "I'll keep an eye out for him."

Nancy moved away. Continuing her tour of the ground floor, she noted the location of various treasures.

"But I doubt that a thief would try to steal anything from the first floor," she reasoned. "It's too well guarded."

Learning from Linda Seeley, whom she met in the hall, that the wedding presents were displayed on the second floor, Nancy went upstairs. The gifts had been attractively arranged on long tables in a narrow room lined with mirrors.

Although Nancy had attended many fine weddings, this array of silver and crystal took her breath away. "They're magnificent!" she thought.

The only guard in evidence was an elderly servant. Beside him was a house telephone.

"Are you alone here?" Nancy asked.

"Yes, miss," he responded. "Mrs. Becker instructed me not to leave this room until the reception is over and the last guest gone."

Nancy supposed that the old man was a trusted and faithful servant. Nevertheless, it seemed to her that it would have been far wiser to have a.s.signed a policeman to the upper floor.

She decided to ask Detective Ambrose about it. Nancy could not find him, for the bridal party had just returned from the church. Photographers flocked about them taking pictures and guests were arriving in large numbers.

Hearing a slight commotion at the front entrance, Nancy turned in that direction. Detective Ambrose was questioning a tall, white-mustached man. As she came closer, Nancy heard him speak with a p.r.o.nounced English accent!

"But I mislaid the invitation," he said crisply.

Nancy guessed what had occurred. Since the man had appeared without an invitation, the butler had summoned Detective Ambrose.

The newcomer, indignant at being denied entrance, tapped his cane impatiently. "Dashed if I can understand all this fuss about an invitation. I have explained to the butler that I was detained at my hotel by Lord Atchfield. Hence the invitation was forgotten. Let me pa.s.s."

"Don't be in such a rush," Detective Ambrose advised him sharply. "Your getup and your speech don't fool me."

"My getup? I say, your words mystify me. Mrs. Becker certainly shall hear of this affront!"

"You bet she will!" Detective Ambrose replied firmly. "Come along. If a member of the family can identify you, fine. Otherwise, you're going with me to headquarters."

"Police headquarters! I say, old chap, you're making a frightful mistake."

Despite the Englishman's protests, the detec.tive ushered him inside. He asked the butler to bring Mr. Becker to the hall. In a moment the worried father of the bride stepped out of the receiving line.

"This man's trying to get in without an invitation," the detective informed him. "Says his name is Earl Contrey."

"The Earl of Contrey, Suss.e.x," the guest corrected, bowing slightly. "Sorry to have caused all this trouble, but-"

"I never saw this man before," broke in Mr. Becker.

"Ha!" chortled Detective Ambrose. He gripped the Englishman's arm. "Just as I thought! I figured that brush of yours was a fake!" he added.

"I say!" the guest sputtered. "My mustache and I are quite real. I demand that you notify Mrs. Becker of my presence immediately."

The bride's father had already turned away.

"Okay, pal," Ambrose said. "Let's just say you've been grooming your act for a long time. Come along peaceful-like or I'll put handcuffs on you."

Nancy vaguely recalled having read in the newspaper a few days previously of the arrival in New York of the Earl of Contrey. Suppose this man were he and not the thief in disguise!

Determined to check the matter herself, she quickly approached the receiving line and whispered to the bride's mother.

"Do you know the Earl of Contrey?"