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TableofContents

TitlePageCopyrightPageCHAPTERI-Stolen!CHAPTERII-TripleCreekFarmCHAPTERIII-PlaintiveBleatingCHAPTERIV-EezyShawCHAPTERV-BirdAttackCHAPTERVI-“NoSpeakEnglish!”CHAPTERVII-AMeanRamCHAPTERVIII-TheMysteryBoy’sStoryCHAPTERIX-MidnightThiefCHAPTERX-RunningFootprintsCHAPTERXI-AToughSuspectCHAPTERXII-TelltaleGloveCHAPTERXIII-APaintDisasterCHAPTERXIV-ImportantInformationCHAPTERXV-SecretNotesCHAPTERXVI-ReinforcementsCHAPTERXVII-ADenialandaChaseCHAPTERXVIII-TheFirstConfessionCHAPTERXIX-AStrangeReunionCHAPTERXX-FoundMoney

THESTRANGEMESSAGEINTHEPARCHMENT

ASHEEPfarmerreceivesamysterioustelephonecallshortlyafterhebuysaseries of pictures painted on parchment. “Decipher the message in theparchmentandrightagreatwrong,”thevoicesays.Puzzled,theownerasksNancytohelp.

With Junie,hisdaughter,Nancy tracksdownakidnapper andagroupofextortionists. Clues weave in and out of several puzzles, two of which arelinkedwithItaly.Isthereaconnectionbetweenthemessageintheparchmentandaboyartistonanotherfarm?Andwhoisresponsiblefortheatmosphereoffearintheneighborhood?

After several harrowing experiences, Nancy begins to tighten the netaroundaruthlessvillainandcallsontheassistanceofherfriendsNed,Burt,Dave,BessandGeorgetobringhisnefariousschemestoadeadend.

TheramgotreadytotossNancyintotheair.

Copyright©1977bySimon&Schuster,Inc.Allrightsreserved.PublishedbyGrosset&Dunlap,Inc.,amemberofThePutnam&GrossetGroup,NewYork.PublishedsimultaneouslyinCanada.S.A.NANCYDREWMYSTERYSTORIES®isaregisteredtrademarkof

Simon&Schuster,Inc.GROSSET&DUNLAPisatrademarkofGrosset&Dunlap,Inc.eISBN:978-1-101-07755-9

2007Printing

http://us.penguingroup.com

CHAPTERI

Stolen!

“IT’Sperfectlybeautiful!”Nancyexclaimed.

Shewasstandinginfrontofalongmirror intheDrewhallway,admiringherselfinasheepskinjacket.Nearherstoodagirlofthesameage,eighteen.The twowere of identical height and slender, but Nancywas a strawberryblondwithblueeyes,whiletheothergirlhadbrownhairandeyes.

“Junie Flockhart, you’re a darling!” Nancy said, hugging her friend, aformer schoolmate. Junie’s family hadmovedmanymiles away, to a largesheepfarm.

Junie smiled. “You know, Nancy, you were always one of my father’sfavorites.WhenItoldhimIwascomingheretovisit,hesentyouthisgift.Bytheway,howwouldyouliketosolveamysteryforhim?”

Nancy’seyessparkled.Amystery!

Atthismomentamotherly,middle-agedwomancameintothehallwaytogreet Junie and admire the sheepskin jacket. She was Hannah Gruen, theDrews’housekeeper,whohadbeenamothertoNancysincethegirlwasthreeandherownmotherhadpassedaway.

“Didyourfathermakethejacket?”HannahaskedJunie.

“Yes,”shereplied.“AtoneendofTripleCreekFarmhehasafactorythatproduces sheepskin articles. Dad also makes parchment from the sheep’sskins.

“He has amarvelous collection of parchments from all over theworld,”Juniewenton.“Someareveryold.Afewhaveilluminatedwritingontheminforeignlanguages;othershavebeautifulpaintedpictures.”

“I’dlovetoseethem,”Nancyputin.

“Youwillifyoucomehomewithmetosolvethemystery.Myfatherhasaparchment thathas four lovely smallpaintingson it.He is intriguedby theparchmentbecauseofastrangephonecallhereceivedsoonafterheboughtit.Amanwhodidn’tgivehisnamesaidthepicturehadamessage.Anyonewhocouldfigureitoutwouldbringhappinessandcomforttoseveralpeople,andrightanoldwrong.”

“That’sstrange,”Nancyreplied.“Ifthemanknewthis,whydidn’thetellthewholestory?”

“He hung up abruptly,” Junie answered, “as if someone had approachedhimandhecouldn’tsayanymore.Everyoneinourfamilyhastriedandfailedtodecipherthemeaningofthepicture.”

“I’dliketotrytosolvethemystery,”Nancysaid.“WhendoIstart?”

“Assoonasyoucangetready.Andsay,whydon’twehaveahouseparty?Ned,Burt,Dave,Bess,George,andmydate,Dan.Iknowyou’lllikehim.”

“That’sawonderfulidea,”Nancyreplied.“Whatdoyouthink,Hannah?”

Mrs.Gruen smiled. “The instant I heard therewas amystery to solve atTripleCreekFarm,Iknewyou’dwanttogo.Ithinktheideaisgreat.Ifyourfather hasn’t any special work for his sleuthing daughter, I’m sure he’llagree.”

Nancytookoffthesheepskinjacketandlaiditonachairinthelivingroomforherfathertoseewhenhecamehome.ThenshewentupstairswithHannahand Junie to look throughher closet and select appropriate clothing for thetrip.

“Don’tbotherwithalotofdresses,”Juniesaid.“Atthefarmwejustaboutliveinjeans,shirts,andjackets.”

AllthistimeHannahGruenhadbeengrinning.“Junie,you’veneverseenNancywhenshe’stryingtosolveamystery.She’slikeahoundonascentandnevergivesupuntilshehascaughtthevillain!”

Juniewasabouttosaysomething,butjustthenNancywhispered,“Listen!Iheardthefrontdoorclosesoftly.Let’sfindoutwho’sthere.”

She and Junie hurried down the stairs. No one was in sight and whenNancycalledout, askingwhowas in thehouse, therewasnoanswer.Thenshenoticedsomethingstrange.

“Mynewjacketisgone!”Nancycried.

Thegirlsstaredattheemptychair.

“Mybeautifulsheepskinjacketmusthavebeenstolen!”Nancyexclaimed.

Sherushedtothefrontdoorandopeneditwide, just in timetoseeagirldisappearing around the end of the curved driveway. She was wearing thesheepskinjacket!

“Let’s chase her!”Nancy urged. Shewhistled for her little terrier, Togo,whohurriedfromthekitchen.“Comeon,oldboy!Wemustcatchathief.”

TogofollowedherandJunieout thedoor.Fora fewseconds thedogranalongside Nancy. As soon as they reached the street, however, and hismistresspointedtothefleeingthief,heknewwhathewassupposedtodoandbounded off. The stranger had a good head start and was running like atrainedathlete.

“We’llnevercatchher,”Juniesaid.

“Shemust be a professional thief,”Nancy added. “Shewas so quiet shedidn’tevendisturbTogo.”

“Comeon,Togo!Wemustcatchathief!”

Junie wondered how the girl had known about the coat. “Of course Icarrieditinaplasticsee-throughbag,”shesaid.“Thatgirlmayhavenoticeditandfollowedmefromthetraintoyourhouse.”

Nancynodded.“Shemayhavebeenspyingandwhenwewentupstairs,shecamein.Buthowdidshegetin?”

BynowTogohadalmostcaughtuptothestranger.Atthesamemomentallthreegirlssawapolicemaninthedistance.Thethief,realizingitwasuselesstoproceed,quicklyturnedintoadriveway.

BythetimeNancyandJuniereachedthespot,thesuspectwasoutofsight.Togowasreturning,however,topresentthemwithachunkofcloth,whichheheldinhisteeth.Nancyreacheddownandtookit.

“Thisisapiecefromthatsneakthief’sskirt!”sheexclaimed.“Whatagreatclue!Togo,you’reacleverlittledog.”

Togo barked as though he were urging Nancy to continue the search.“Maybethethiefishiding,”Nancysaid.

Thegirlsraceddownthedrivewaytotherearoftheproperty,wheretherewasahedge.Nancy’s jacket layon thegroundinfrontof it!Togopulled italongtheground,growlingallthetime.

Nancy picked it up. “Togo, you’re marvelous! You scared that girl intodiscardingthejacketwhenyoutookapieceoutofherskirt!”

“Let’sgoon!”Junieurged.“Maybewecancatchher.”

The girls parted the hedge andwent through.The thiefwas not in sight.Trying to guess which direction she had taken, they ran into the adjoiningyard.Here the twosearchers separated,onegoingalong the left sideof thehouse,theothertotheright.

Within a few seconds theymet on the front sidewalk and looked up anddownthestreet.Therewasnosignofthepersontheywanted.

Nancy heaved a sigh. “Anyway,” she said, “I’m thankful to have mybeautifuljacketback.AndTogogotagoodcluewecantaketothepolice.”

Thelittledogwasjumpingandbarking.Junielookedpuzzled.

“Togo is asking for further instructions fromme,”Nancy explained. Sheleanedoverandpattedhimoncemore.“He’seagertocontinuethecase.I—”

Nancy stopped speaking abruptlywhenTogo barked again. This time heleaped to thepavementandranalongsideacar thatwasspeedingdownthestreet.

“What’s Togo doing that for?” Junie asked. Without replying, Nancystartedrunningalso.HerfirstthoughtwastokeepTogofrombeingkilledifthedriver,eitheraccidentallyordeliberately,swervedandhithim.

“Togo,comebackl”shecriedout.

The littledogpaidnoattention.SuddenlyNancycaughtaglimpseof theyoungwomanonthepassengersideandrealizedwhy.ThedressmatchedthesampleTogohadsnatchedfromthethief’sskirt!

The car’s driver, evidently sensing the situation, put on speed. Out ofbreath,Nancy stopped.Shewas in time to catch thenumberon the licenseplate and memorize it. Togo had given up the chase, too, and returned toNancyonthesidewalk.

“Thankyou,Togo,”shesaid,hugginghim.“Nowwe’llgo.”

Junie hurried up to them and was told of Nancy’s discovery. She wasastoundedattherapiditywithwhichcluesweremounting.

“Allyouhavetodo,”shesaid,“isreportthelicensenumbertothepolice.They’lllearnwhothecar’sowneris,thenameofhispassenger,andcatchthethief.”

“Ihopeitwillbethateasy,”Nancysaid.“But—”

“Butwhat?”Junieasked.

“Thedrivermaynotbetheownerofthecar.”

“Youmean,hemighthavestolenit?”

“Right.Ifhedid,he’llprobablyabandonit.Anotherpossibilityisthatthedriverdoesnotknowhispassenger.Shecouldhavehitchhikedandnotgivenhername.”

Junie’slookofhopefaded.“AndhereIthoughtitwouldbeeasy.Well,itmaystillbe.Let’sthinkpositive,Nancy,andgotothepolicewithareport.”

CHAPTERII

TripleCreekFarm

“LET’s go back to the house first and getmy car,”Nancy suggested. “It’ssome distance to the police station. Then we’ll show Chief McGinnis theshredfromthethief’sdressandthejacket.He’sagoodfriendofmine.”

Junieasked,“Whatcanthepolicefindoutfromthejacket?”

“Sometimes they discover themost amazing facts about the personwhoworeagarment.”

“Likewhat?”

“Oh,thebloodtype,kindofskin,height,weight,maleorfemale—”

Bythis timeherfriendfromTripleCreekFarmwaslaughing.“Don’t tellmeanymore.I’mlostalready.”

When they reached the house,Nancy took Togo inside and toldHannahwheretheyweregoing.Then,takingalongthenewjacket,Nancybackedhersleekbluecaroutof thegarageanddrove toheadquarters.ChiefMcGinnisgreetedthegirlsenthusiastically.

“Nancy,Iknowyouhavecometotellmeaboutamystery.Iseeitinyoureyes.Whatisitthistime?”

Nancy grinned, then introduced Junie. She told the middle-aged, good-naturedmanshewastryingtotrackdownathief.

“Juniebroughtmethisbeautifuljacketfromherfather’ssheepfarm,butashortwhilelater,agirlsneakedintoourhouseandstoleit.”

ChiefMcGinnislookedpuzzled.“Yousaythisjacketwasstolen?”

“Itwas.Butwegotitback.”Nancytoldhimaboutthewholeincidentand

producedthepieceofmaterialfromthethief’sskirt.Hereyestwinkled.“Yousee,ChiefMcGinnis,IevenhaveTogotrainedtobeadetective.”

“He’sveryclever.MaybeyououghttoputhimintoourCanineCorps!”thechief replied.Thenhepromised toalerthismenandhave themtrackdownthethief,usingtheshredofclothshehadbroughtasaclue.Nancytoldhimthelicensenumberofthecarinwhichthegirlhadescaped.

“I’lltraceitatonce,”ChiefMcGinnissaid.

Nancyexplainedthatthethiefhadactuallywornthecoatandruninitforseveralblocks.“Thenshesawapolicemanahead,andTogowasclosetoherheels.Soshethrewthejacketontoahedge.Doyouthinkyoumightfindanycluestoherfromthis?”

“Idon’tknow.Butifyou’llleaveithere,togetherwiththecloth,I’llhaveourlabinspectthemcarefully.”

Nancythankedtheofficerandthetwogirlssaidgood-by.ThateveningMr.Drewwasamazedtohearthestory,andwonderedhowthethiefhadenteredtheirhome.Nobodycouldexplainitandforseveralsecondstherewassilenceinthelivingroom,wherethefamilyhadgatheredwiththeirguest.

Suddenly Togo, who had been lying on the floor with his ears cocked,jumpedup,stoodonhishindlegs,andwalkedaround.

Junielaughed.“Howcute!”sheremarked.“Notonlyisheadetectivedog,butatrickdog!”

Nancy explained that therewasmore to the gesture than that.WheneverTogowas trying toconveyamessage toanyone in the family,hewoulddothis. The little dog now dropped to all fours and hurried to the front door.Nancyfollowedandaskedtheotherstojoinher.

Astheywatched,Togogotupagainonhishindlegsandheldthehandleofthedoorinhisfore-paws.Nextheputhisteetharoundthehandleandpresto!thedooropened.TheDrewsandJunielookedattheanimalinastonishment.

“You littlescamp!”Nancysaid tohim.“You’re theone that left thedooropensothethiefcouldcomein!”

Togoactedverypleasedwithhimself.Hedancedaround somemoreandgaveseveralshortbarks.

“Thatwasaneattrick,”Mr.Drewremarked,“butIthinkwe’llhavetoputanextralockonthedoor.OnethatTogocan’treachandopenforburglars.”

Togoseemedtounderstand.Histaildropped,asadlookcametohiseyes,

andhelaydown.

As Nancy patted him, she told her father about the invitation to TripleCreekFarm.“BessandGeorgeandalsoNed,Dave,andBurtaretobeinvitedforahousepartyupthere.”

The lawyer’s eyes twinkled. “With amystery to solve and a house partyincluded,Idon’tseehowyoucouldrefuse.”

Nancykissedherfather,thenimmediatelywenttocallherfriendsandgivethem the exciting invitation. Nancy would go ahead with Junie; the otherguestsweretofollowlater.

Whileshewasonthephone,Mr.DrewsaidtoJuniewithboyishpride,“Ihaveafewsheepskinsofmyown.ComewithmeandI’llshowthemtoyou.”

He led her into his study. Between bookcases and pictures hung frameddiplomas.Onewasfromhighschool,anotherfromcollege,andthethirdandmostimpressivewasfromlawschool.

“I seeyougraduated fromall threeplaceswithhonors,” Junie said. “Mycongratulations!”

“Thank you,” the lawyer replied. “The other daywewere discussing thelawsgoverningtheownershipofsheepinyourstate.Ifyouhaveaflockandanyofthesheeparekilledbywildanimals,willthestatereimbursetheownerforhisloss?”

“Yes,”Juniereplied.“Andwilddogsarealsoclassedundertheheadingofwildanimals.Ithasalwaysamazedmehowdogsdiffer.Wilddogswillkillsheepandeatthem,butthosethathavebeenrearedfrompuppiesbyhumanbeings love the sheep. They guard them and take care of them. We haveseveralsheepdogsatthefarm.MyfavoriteisRover.”

TheconversationwasinterruptedbyNancy,whoreportedthatalloftheirfriendswouldbeabletovisitTripleCreekFarm.

“BessandGeorgecanmakeitnextweekend,”shesaid,“buttheboysareuncertainwhen they can come. They’ll try to visit at the same time as thegirls.”

NancywentontosaythatherfriendNedNickersonhadtoldheraboutaninteresting artistwho lived in the vicinity ofTripleCreekFarm. She askedJunieifshehadeverheardofVincenzoCaspari.

Junieshookherhead.“Ineverhave,butmyparentsmayknowhim.WhydidNedmentionhim?”

“Iwas tellingNedabout the strangephonecall regarding theparchment.Hesaidthismanmightbeabletohelpus.”

The girlswent to bed early andwere up at seven o’clock, packing theirbags.Byninetheydroveoff,withgoodwishesfromMr.DrewandHannahGruen. They took turns driving Nancy’s car, since it was a long ride.Afternoonshadowswerelengtheningasthetravelersfinallyreachedthesix-hundredacreTripleCreekFarm.

“What awonderfulplace!”Nancyexclaimed, as Junie turned into a longlanethatledtothefarmhouse.

Thoughthebuildinghadmanywingsandextensionsineverydirection,itwasattractiveandinviting.Mr.andMrs.Flockhartweretheretowelcomethegirls.

Theownerwasa large,handsomemanwithgrayinghair.Nancy thoughthisbeautifulgrayeyeslookedasiftheyhadstarsshininginthem.

Junie’smotherwassmallanddainty.Althoughherdaughterresembledher,JuniewasalreadyhalfaheadtallerthanMrs.Flockhart.

After making Nancy feel verymuch at home in the roomy, comfortablehouse, whichwas furnishedwith beautiful antique furniture, Mr. Flockharttweaked Junie’s chin. “It’s high time you got home, young lady,” he said.“Thelambsarecryingforyou.”

JunielaughedandexplainedtoNancythatsheworkedforherfather.Herjobwas to lookafter thenewbornsheep.Thesewerekept ina specialbarnwithindividualstalls,sotheywouldnotbeendangeredbyotheranimals.

Asthegroupwalkedintothelivingroom,Nancynoticedaframed,glass-coveredpicturehangingoverthefireplacemantel.Itmeasuredabout twelvebytwentyinches.

“Isthisthemysterypicture?”sheasked.

“Yes,”Mr.Flockhart replied.“Nancy, it’sallyours tosolve.We’vegivenup.”

“Butlet’snotstartnow,”Mrs.Flockhartbegged.“Dinnerisready.”

After themealwasover,Nancy lookedat theparchmentpaintingsagain.Thefirstofthefourwasofabeautifulwoman;thesecondayoungmanwithhisbacktotheviewer.Nancywasintriguedbythethirdpicture.Itportrayedagroupofangelssurroundedbyclouds.Thefigureinthecenterwasholdinganinfant.Thelastpaintingdepictedacollisionbetweenasteamerandasailing

vessel.

Junie and her father had walked up behind Nancy. “What thoughts aregoingthroughyourmind,younglady?”Mr.Flockhartasked.“I’veneverhadthe pleasure of being this close to a detective in action before. I’d beinterestedinhearingyourideas.”

“I’mafraidIhaven’tmuchtoofferatthemoment,”Nancysaid.“Myfirstreactionisthatthepicturetellsastoryaboutafamily.Therewashappinessinthebeginning,butthentragedystruck.Ithinkthereisaconnectionbetweenthesecondandlastpaintings.Perhapssomethinghappenedtothemanatthetimeoftheaccident.”

“Do you have an inkling of what the strangemessagemight be?” Juniequeried.

“I haven’t the faintest notion,” the girl detective replied, “but giveme alittletime.WhenI’monacase,thefactsareforemostinmymind.Irefertothemoffandon.Mybestthinkinghoursseemtobelateatnightorearlyinthemorning.

“By the way, Mr. Flockhart, have you met an artist named VincenzoCaspari,wholivesinthisarea?”

Theanswerwasno,andJunie’sfatheraskedwhyNancywantedtoknow.

“NedNickersonthoughthemightbeabletohelpus,”shesaid.

Mr. Flockhart went to the phone and called the artist. A woman whoansweredsaidMr.Caspariwouldbeoutoftownforafewdays.

“I’llcallagain,”Mr.Flockhartsaid.

Nancy and Junie wereweary from their long ride and retired early. Thefollowingmorning they dressed in shirts and jeans, had a quick breakfast,thenwenttothebarnwherethenewbornlambswere.Nancyfellinlovewitheachbabyasshecametoit.

Suddenlysheexclaimed,“Why,here’sapureblackonelyingdown!Isn’thedarling?”

The man in charge walked up to the girls, and Junie introduced him asFinney.

“Something happened to this poor little fellow,” he reported. “Maybe hegot steppedon.Anyway, he can’t standup. I guesswe’ll have to sendhimovertotheslaughterhouse.”

“Notyet,”saidJuniequickly.“Letmelookathim.”

Sheenteredthestall.AsNancyandFinneywatchedher,shemanipulatedthelamb’slegs,massagingthem,thenrubbingthelittleanimal’sbody.Totheonlookers’amazementthelittleblacklambstoodupandbleated“Baa!”

“Well,I’llbe—he’sgonnabeallrightl”Finneyexclaimed.

“Ithinkhewillbe,”Juniesaidjubilantly,watchingtheblacklambclosely.Then she explained to Nancy that she had had some training in animalmassage.

Nancyhadnoticedthatoutsidetherewasagreatdealofactivity,cartsandtrucks going in both directions. Most of them contained full-grown sheep.Wishing towatch thispartof theoperationmoreclosely, shewalkedoutofthebarn.Juniefollowed.

Justthenahigh-poweredcarroaredaroundthecornerofthebarn,putonspeed, and headed in the girl’s direction. The driver made no attempt toswerveoutoftheirpath.

Horrified,Nancy and Junie jumped back against thewall to avoid beinghit!

CHAPTERIII

PlaintiveBleating

THEbigcarwhizzedpastNancyandJunie,missingthembyinchesastheybracedthemselvesagainstthewallofthebarn.Onthepassengersidestoodasassylittledog,wholeanedoutthewindowandgavequickstaccatobarks.

Thedriveryelledathim,“Shutup!”Butthedogpaidnoattention.

Theman stopped abruptly and jumped out of the car. Hewas short andstocky and had a swarthy complexion. He walked back to the girls, andwithoutagreetingofanysorthesaidtoJunie,“Where’syourfather?”

Before replying, Junie asked, “What was the idea of almost running usdown?Wemighthavebeenkilled!”

Whenthemanignoredherquestion,shewenton,“Mr.Rocco, this ismyfriend Nancy Drew from River Heights. Nancy, this is a neighbor of oursfromacrossthehill.”

Roccodidnotacknowledge the introduction.HisbeadyblackeyesstaredintoNancy’sblueonesforafewseconds,thenhesaid,“I’veheardyournamesomewhere. In the papers, maybe? Have you ever been in jail or in someotherkindoftrouble?”

Nancywastakenabackbythisrudeness.Shemerelysaid,“No.”

Juniesqueezedherfriend’shandandindicatedshewastosaynomore.Sheherselfaddressedtheman.“Mr.Rocco,Ithinkmyfatherisatthefactory.Atleast,that’swhereheusuallygoesinthemorning.”

Withoutanotherword,thecrudevisitorturnedonhisheel,wenttohiscar,andjumpedin.Hedroveoffrapidly,hisdogstillyapping.

Junie said to Nancy, “Isn’t he horrid? But we have to be nice to him

becausehe’soneofmyfather’sbestclients.Bytheway,wouldyouliketogotothefactoryandseehowparchmentismade?”

“Yes, I’d like thatverymuch,”Nancy saidand the twogirlsgot into theTripleCreekjeepandwentoff.

As theyapproacheda stringofone-storybuildings, Junie said, “Someoftheseplacesareprettysmellyfromtheanimals.Thinkyoucantakeit?”

Nancyassuredhershecouldandinanycase,shewouldputupwithit inordertolearnaboutparchmentmaking.

Thefirstplacewastheshearingroom.Severalmenwerecuttingthethickwool from the sheep’s bodies. They were using electric knives, whichoperatedveryquickly.NowandthenoneofthesheepbleatedpleadinglyandNancyrealizedthataknifehadgonetoocloseandnippedtheskin.

Assoonasallthewoolhadbeentakenoff,thesheepweredrivenintothenextbuildingthroughafenced-inalleyway.Thegirls left theshearingroomandwalkedtotheslaughterhouse.

“Iseewhatyoumeanbysmelly,”Nancyremarked,holdinghernoseforamoment.“WhenBessandGeorgegethere,I’llbetBesswon’tcomenearthisplace. She not only can’t stand bad odors, but she can’t watch any livingcreaturebeingkilled.”

Before the sheep were slaughtered, they showed great fright and theirbleatingcauseda terrificdin in theplace. Junie toldNancy that afterbeingkilled,theanimalswerehunguptodrain.Nancynoddedsilently,notlookingtoohappy.

“Iguessyou’vehadenoughofthis,”Juniesaidunderstandingly.“Let’sgointhenextbuilding.That’smorecivilized!”

Here the skins of the animals were skillfully removed so that the meatunderneathwouldnotbedamaged.Assoonasthecarcasseswereready,theywerecarriedtoawaitingrefrigeratedtruck.

“Fromheretheygotowholesalemeatplants,”Junieexplained.“Myfatherisnotinvolvedwiththatpartofthebusiness.”

“Nowwhathappens?”Nancyasked.

“I’llshowyouhowthehidesaretreatedbeforeitispossibletomakethemintoparchment,”herfriendreplied.

In thenextbuildingmenwerebusyshavingandscraping the toughhairsfromtheskinsofthesheep.

“Whentheseareready,”Juniesaid,“thehideswillbecoveredwith lime.Thisisdonetoabsorbexcessfat.Thenextstepistodousethehidesinapurewaterbath, thenhangthemuptodry.Youcanseesomeof themover therebeingstretchedonframes.Thisistomakethemsmooth.”

“There’salotofworkinvolved,”Nancyremarked.

“You’re right,” Junie agreed. And the farm girl made Nancy laugh byrecitinganoriginalditty:

Juniehadalittlelamb.Shekeptitinastall.

ButDaddytookthelambaway;Nowit’saparchmentonherwall.

“Junie, you’re a great poet!”Nancy said. “Let’s see if I can do aswell.Nancythoughtforafewseconds,andthensherecitedarhymeofherown:

Juniehadalittlelamb.Itreallygothergoat

WhenDaddytookthepetawayAndmadeherfriendasheepskincoat!

“Veryclever!” Juniepraised. “We’re sogoodwe shouldgo in thepoetrybusiness.”

“Not so fast, partner,”Nancy cautioned. “Firstwewill have to solve themysteryofyourfather’sparchment.”

“Righto.Well, back tomy duties as a guide.The last process inmakingparchment is again scraping the hides and then sandpapering them.By thattimetheywilllooklikeyourfather’sdiplomas.”

“Whatifasheephasrealthickskin?”Nancyasked.

“Then it’s possible to separate the outer from the inner layers.Very finevellumismadefromtheinnerlayer.That’sthemostexpensivekindofwhatwenormallycallwritingpaper,butit’sreallynotpaperatallbecauseit’snotmade from thewoodof trees.Canyou imaginegoing intoa fine stationerystoreandaskingforaboxofsheepskintouseforletters?”

Nancychuckled.“Right.Thesalesclerkwouldthinkyou’descapedfromafunny farm. By the way, can you make parchment and vellum from otheranimalhides,too?”

“Theyusethehidesofcalvesandgoats,butthey’recoarserthansheepskin,somydaddoesn’tbotherwiththem.”

Nancysaidithadbeenaveryinterestingandenlighteningtour.

“Oh,thesightseeingisn’toveryet,”Juniereplied.

“Really?Whatelseistheretovisit?”

“Iwantyoutomeetaveryinterestingcharacterwhoworksformydad.Hehas nothing to do with this factory, though. He’s an elderly shepherd wholives high on one of our hills and takes care of a large flock of sheep.HisnameisEzekielShaw,buteveryonecallshimEezy.Iwon’ttellyouanymoreabouthimnow,butyou’lllikehim.Ihaveawalkie-talkieinmycarforhim.”

Juniedrovethejeeppartwayupthehill,thenparkedit.“We’dbetterwalkfrom here. Sometimes the engine of this jeep disturbs the sheep. They’retimidandscareeasily.”

Almost immediately a beautiful sheep dog came to meet them. “Hello,Rover!”Juniesaidtohim,rufflinghisthickfur.“Rover,thisisNancyDrew,whoisvisitingme.MakeherwelcometoTripleCreekFarm.”

Roversatdownandputuphisrightpawtoshakehands.Nancyrespondedandpattedthedoglightlyonthebackofhishead.

“I’mgladtomeetyou,Rover,”shesaid.“Itakeityouguardthesheep.”

Thedogseemedeagertobeoff.JuniesaidheprobablyfeltheshouldgetbacktoEezy,hismaster.Thegirlsfollowedhimasquicklyastheycould,butcouldnotwormtheirwayamongthesheepaseasilyasthedogdid.

Nancy and Junie finally reached the top of the hill.Before them stood asmallcabinwithtreesaroundit.Theplacewasquietandwellkept.

“IsthatwhereEezylives?”Nancyasked.

“Yes.Butwhen theweather isgood,as it is today,he’susuallyoutdoors.Hemustbearoundheresomewhere.Oftenhe’sseatedonthatbigrockoverthere.Fromthatspothecanlookallaroundandseeifanyofthesheepneedattention,orifthereareanyprowlers.”

“Whatkindofprowlers?”Nancyasked.

“Oh,rustlerswhocometostealsheep,orsometimeswilddogs.”

JuniebegancallingEezy’sname.Therewasnoresponsefromtheelderlyshepherd.

“Thisisstrange,”Juniesaid.“Iwonderwhereheis.”

Suddenly Rover began to bark wildly and to zigzag quickly among the

sheep.Heheadeddowntheslopeatadifferentangle fromthedirection thegirlshadtakentocomeup.

“Let’sfindoutwhereRover’sgoing,”Juniesuggested.“Isuspecttrouble.”

She andNancy hurried down the hillside. By now all the sheep seemeddisturbed.Theybegantomovearound,andafewstartedtorun.Hadthedogcausedthis,orwastheresomeotherreason?

FardownthehillsidethegirlscouldhearbothRover’sbarkandthesheep’sloudbleats.

Junie lookedworried. “Now I’m sure there’s trouble of somekind downthere.We’dbetterfindoutwhatitis—andfast!”

CHAPTERIV

EezyShaw

NANCYfollowedherfriendasfastasshecould.Thesheepwereeverywhere.Somewere standing, otherswere lying down. In her haste to keep upwithJunie, Nancy decided to hurdle some of the animals. Once, while jumpingacross an old sheep thatwas lying down, she stepped on the tiny tail of ayoungerone.Immediatelytherewasaloudbaaaaa.

“I’msorry,”Nancycalledback,asshespedon.

When the girls neared the lower end of the hill, they noticed two menrunningasfastastheycouldtowardaroadatthefoot.

“Theymust have caused the disturbance,”Nancy called. She asked, “Doyouknowwhotheyare?”

“No,”Juniereplied.“Maybetheyweretryingtorustleoursheep.”

“That’sbad,”Nancyremarked.

Themenweretoofaraheadforthegirlstogetagoodlookatthem.Juniesaid she still didnot recognize eitheroneof them.Amoment later the twointrudersjumpedintoawaitingcarthatroaredoff.

Roverhadbeenafter themen,butcouldonlyscare themaway.Whenherealizedthegirlswerecomingdown,heturnedandtrotteduptotheirside.

“Gooddog!” theyboth said, and Juniehuggedhimaffectionately.As thethreeclimbedthehill,Nancyasked,“IwonderwhereEezyis?”

“Ido,too,”Juniereplied.“It’snotlikehimtoleavehisstation,especiallyifthere’sanytroubleandthesheeparedisturbed.”

Assoonas thegirlsreachedthe topof thehillwhereEezy’scabinstood,they began to call the shepherd’s name.When there was no answer, Junie

wentinsidethehouse.Hewasnotthere.

Puzzled,shesaid toNancy,“Ican’t imaginewhathappened.”She leaneddowntothedogandsaid,“Rover,whereisyourmaster?GofindEezy.TakeustoEezy.”

Thebeautifulanimalcockedhishead.Then,asifunderstandingwhatwaswantedofhim,hesniffedalongtheground,apparentlytryingtopickupthescent of Eezy’s footprints. Presently he disappeared into a small copse oftrees. Meanwhile, the girls looked all around the cabin and some distancebeyondit.TherewasnosignofEezy,noranyclueastowhathadbecomeofhim.

“This is really strange,” Junie remarked. “Eezy has never left this placesincehebecameashepherdhere.”

AtthismomentRoverbegantobarkwildly.NancyandJuniefollowedthesound,whichledthemtoanareainthecopseoftrees.Thefaithfuldogwasstandingbesidehismaster,wholaystretchedoutontheground,unconscious!

“Oh!”thegirlscriedoutandkneltdownnexttohim.

The shepherd was just beginning to revive. He mumbled and presentlyNancy caught thewords,“Iwill seek thatwhichwas lost, andbringagainthatwhichwasdrivenaway.”1

Nancylookedatherfriendforanexplanation.JuniesaidthatEezywasavery religious man, who often quoted the Bible to explain the philosophybehindsomesituation.“Ithinkhe’sblaminghimself,perhapsforlettingsomeofthesheepberustled.”

“ItlooksasifyouandIgotherejustintime,”Nancysaid.

Junienoddedandgavethestrickenmansomefirstaidtohelphimregainfullconsciousness.Hedidnotrespondatonce,soJuniesaid,“Nancy,youtryit.”

Nancy did and in a shortwhile the shepherd opened his eyeswide, thensmiledwanly.Finally,withtheirhelp,hegottohisfeet.

“This isnokindof receptionatall,” theslender,elderlymansaid.“And,Junie,Iseeyou’vebroughtabeautifulyoungladytomeetme.”

“Yes,thisismyfriendNancyDrew,”Junietoldhim.

“Sorry Iwas sleepin’when you came up,”Eezy said. “Next time I’ll bewideawake,Ipromise.”

The girls looked at each other, then Junie said, “Eezy, youwere not justasleep.Youwereunconscious.Whathappenedtoyou?”

Theshepherdhunghishead.“IseeIcan’tkeepanythin’ fromyou.Well,twomencameupheretoseeme.Wedidn’tquitehititoff.Theygotmadandknockedmeout.Nevergavemeachancetofightback.”

Nancy explained that she and Junie had seen twomen running very fastdownthehillwithRoverafterthem.

“But,”Junieadded,“beforewegotcloseenoughtoidentifythemandseetheirlicenseplate,theyspedawayinacar.”

“That’sjustaswell,”Eezysaid.“They’retough,badpeople.Takemywordforit.Anddon’tgetinvolvedwith’em.”

Juniebeggedtheelderlyshepherdtotellthemwhythemenhadbeenthere.Eezyshookhishead.“I’mnotgoin’tosayanythingmoreabout’em’ceptthattheywantedmetodosomethin’Idon’tapproveof.Wehadjustbetterletitgoatthat.”

BynowEezyseemedtohaverecoveredhisstrength,andhewalkedbackwith the girls to his cabin. “May I invite you lovely ladies to joinme in aglassofcoollemonade?”heasked.“ThisisthetimeofdayIliketowetmywhistle.”

NancyandJunieacceptedandfollowedtheshepherdinside.TheplacewasimmaculateandattractivelydecoratedwithfurnitureEezyhadmade.Hewaspleasedthatthegirlswereinterestedinhishandicraft.

He did not refer to the unfortunate incident, except to say that he wasmightythankfultoRoverforhavingrunthemenoffthepremises.

Nancyasked,“WherewasRoverwhenthemenwerehere?”

“Ithinkhewasoffchasin’awilddog,maybe.Iheardanotherdogbark.”

“I have something for you in the jeep,” Junie said. “My father askedmeyesterday to bring you a walkie-talkie. If you have any more unwantedvisitorshere,justcallthefarmhouseandreinforcementswillcomeatoncetohelpyou.”

“That’sverykindofyou,”Eezysaid.“IhopeIwon’thavetouseit.”

Asthegirlswalkedtothecartogettheinstrument,Juniesaid,“It’stoobadEezydidn’thavethewalkie-talkiesooner.”

“Iwonderifhewouldhavehadachancetouseit,”Nancysaid.“Obviously

hetalkedtothemenfirst,butdidn’trealizetheywouldbeathimup.”

Junie nodded. “Now that he knows, he can call if he sees them in thedistance.”

Whenthegirlsreturnedtothecabin,Junieshowedtheshepherdhowtousethewalkie-talkie.

Eezy’seyestwinkled.“Icancallyounowandaskyoutocomeupandkeepmecompany!”

“Youdothat,”Juniesaid,thenthegirlsbidhimgood-by.Onthewayhometheydiscussedtheincident.

“Have you any idea what the men could have wanted that Eezy didn’tapproveof?”Nancyasked.

“Nottheslightest,”herfriendreplied.“Ofcourse,Isuspectthattheymighthave been trying to bribe him into helping them rustle sheep. But then itmight have been something more personal that Eezy didn’t want to talkabout.”

Nancy asked if there was much sheep rustling in the rest of theneighborhood.

“No,”Juniereplied.“ThereareonlyafewsheepfarmsaroundherebesidesDad’s.Morethanlikely,sincetheyhadonlyacarwiththemandplannedtostealsheep,theywouldhavetakenonlyoneortwoforfood.”

“Thenit’smoreofapuzzlethaneverwhattheywantedEezytodothathewouldn’t,andhisrefusalmadethemsomadtheyknockedhimout.”

Junie suggested that perhaps her father might have some ideas on thesubject,soafterdinnerthateveningsheaskedhim.Hethoughtforsometimeand wrinkled his brow. “I don’t like this. There are so many miles ofunguardedfieldsinthisareathatallkindsofthingscouldhappen.Theattackon Eezy bothers me. It’s too bad you didn’t get a better glimpse of thosemen.”

Nancysaidtheywereofmediumheightandbuild.Bothworehatspulledfardown,soshecouldnotseethecoloroftheirhairortheirskin.

“Hm,”Mr.Flockhartsaid,“I’llalerttheStatePolicetokeepaneyeopen.”Hewenttothehalltelephonetocallthem.

Whilehewasgone,Nancystaredattheparchmentoverthemantel.Thenshegotupandstoodbeneathit,takingineverydetail.

WhenMr.Flockhartreturnedtotheroom,hesaid,“Iseeyouhavealreadystartedlookingforcluestosolvethemysteryofmyparchment.”

Nancyadmitted thatshehadnoticedonlyone thingsofar.Shecouldnotfindanartist’snameonit.

“That’sright,”heagreed.

“The first picture,”Nancywent on, “is of a lovelywoman but she’s notdoinganythingtoindicatewhatpartsheisplayinginthemessage.”

“That’strue,”Mr.Flockhartreplied.“Whataboutthesecondone?”

Nancystudieditforseveralseconds.“Aportraitoftheupperpartofaman,butarearview,”shesaid.“AllIcanseeisthatheseemsstockyandhasdarkhair.That’snotmuchhelp.”

“No,itisn’t.”

“Thethirdpictureisthemostintriguingofall,”Nancywenton.“Seethatgroupofangelsinflowingrobesfloatingintheheavens?Andtheoneinthecenterisholdinganinfant.Alltheothersarelookingatitadoringly.It’sjustbeautiful.Onlyaveryfineartistcouldhavepaintedthat.”

Nancynowconcentratedonthefourthpainting,thesceneofasailingshipbeingrammedbyasteamer.

“I think it’sanaccident that reallyhappened,”Juniesaid.“Nancy,what’syourguess?”

“I don’t know. Perhaps the steamer is wrecking the sailing shipintentionally.I’msurethere’samessagehere.Butwhat?”

Turning to Mr. Flockhart, she asked, “From whom did you buy thisparchment?”

“Frommyneighbor,SalRocco,”Junie’sfatherreplied.

Nancy instantly remembered the unpleasant man and became verythoughtful.“Didhetellyouwherehegotit?”

“Hesaidheboughtitatanauction,butwastiredofitandagreedtoselltheparchmentpaintingtome.”

“Doesheknowwhatitmeans?”

“No.Iaskedhimif therewasanystorytoit,andhesaidnotasfarasheknew.”

“Haveyouevertakenthisparchmentoutofitsframe?”Nancywenton.

“No,”Mr.Flockhartreplied.“Why?”

“Theremightbeamessageontheback,oratleastacluetoone.”

“Goodidea,”Mr.Flockhartsaid.“Let’stakeitoutrightnow!”

CHAPTERV

BirdAttack

THEmysterypicturewascarefullyframed,andlookedasifithadneverbeenopened.Mr.Flockhartremovedthebacking,thenslidouttheparchment.Hehelditupfortheotherstosee.

“It’sevenmorebeautifuloutoftheframe!”Junieexclaimed.

Mr.FlockharthandedthepicturetoNancy,whoturneditover.

“Here’san initial,”shenoted.“It’sanA.”Sheflipped thepictureover tolookatthefrontagain.Inamomentsheexclaimed,“TheAisdirectlyinbackofthebabywhoisbeingheldbytheangel!”

Mr.Flockhartsaid,“IwonderifithasanythingtodowithSt.Anthony.”

Theothersdoubtedthis,andJunieasked,“Isthereanothernotationontheback?”

Nancylookedclosely.“Yes,thereis,”shesaid,excited.“Inthelowerright-handcorneraretheinitialsDB,andunderitisprintedMilano.”

“Milano?” Mr. Flockhart repeated. “That must mean Milano, Italy,althoughthereisoneinTexas.”

Nancy turned tohim.“IassumeMr.Rocco is Italian.PerhapshebroughttheparchmentfromItaly.”

“That’salogicalguess,”Mr.Flockhartreplied.“Hemighthaveboughtitatanauctionoverthere.”HesmiledatNancy.“Icanseewhyyouareknownassuchagooddetective.Justbytakingtheparchmentoutoftheframeyou’vecomeupwithacoupleofcluesalready!”

“Oh,don’tcomplimentmenow,”sheansweredmodestly.“WaituntilI’vesolvedthecase.”

Junieteased,“YournextstopmaybeMilano!”

“IthinkweshouldgoandseeMr.Rocco,”Nancysaid.“Hemightbeabletotellusmore.”

Junie’sfatheragreed,butsaid,“Nottonight,please.Waituntilmorning.”

NancyaskedJunieifsheknewthewaytotheRoccofarm.Thegirlshookher head. “I’ve never been there. Dad, can you tell us how to get to Mr.Rocco’s?”

“Sure,”Mr.Flockhart saidandgave thegirlsexplicitdirections.“Asyouknow,” he added, “I don’t care for the man. Please be very careful whileyou’rethere.HemaybecomesuspiciousthatI’msendingyouovertoseehimwithsomeulteriormotiveinmind.Idon’twantthattohappen.AfterallheisagoodcustomerandI’dhatetolosehisbusiness.”

Nancy and Junie said theyunderstood andwould followhis instructions.Thentheywenttobedearlysotheywouldbewellrestedfortheirmission.

The following morning after breakfast they drove to the Rocco Farm.When they arrived, the girls noticed that the house and grounds weresurroundedbyahighfence.Thereweretwoirongatesblockingtheentrance.

Thefriendslookedateachotherindismay.“Yourfatherwasright,”Nancysaid. “This man must be suspicious of everyone in the area to barricadehimselflikethis.Whataterriblewaytolive!”

Junie tried to open the gates, but found that theywere locked. “Stymiedalready,”shesaid.

“Here’sabell,”Nancysaid,pushing thebutton. “We’renotdefeatedyet.Wherethere’sawill,there’saway!”

Thegirlswaited,butnoonecametoanswertheircall.Nancypressedthebuttonagain,holdingitfirmlyinplaceforseveralseconds.Stilltherewasnoresponseofanykind.

“Ican’timaginethatthere’snoonearound,”Junieremarked.“Surelytheremustbesomeonetocomeandletusin.”

Nancysaidthatperhapstheownerdidnotwantanyvisitors.“Ormaybethebelldoesn’twork,”sheadded.“Areyougame toclimbover the fencewithme,Junie?”

“Sure.”

Sincebothgirlswerewearingjeansandshirts,itwasnotmuchtroublefor

themtogetovertheenclosure.Infrontofthemwasalonglane,borderedonbothsidesbyastonewall.

“Notaveryinvitingplace,”Junieremarked,gazingahead.“Soonwe’llseeasignsaying,‘Bewareofthepeoplewholivehere.Theymaybite.’”

Nancy laughed, then said, “Let’s keep our eyes and ears open.We don’twant to miss anything. Look over there. Several cars are parked near thehouse.Thisprovessomebodyishome.ProbablyMr.Roccoishavingaveryprivate meeting and doesn’t want any outsiders around. That’s why hewouldn’tanswerthebell.”

Thegirlswenton.Theyhadalmostreachedthestonefarmhousewhentheybecameawareofgreatflutteringoverhead.Startled,theylookedup.Thenextsecond a huge flock of black birds descended and attacked the visitorsviciously!

“Ouch!”Juniecriedout.“Thathurts.Getawayfromme!”

SheandNancytriedhardtofightofftheirunfriendlyattackers.Thelargebirds had long claws and prominent beaks. Each girl put one arm over herfaceandwithherfreehandtriedbattingatthebirdstomakethemflyaway.Buttheireffortsseemedhopeless,andthebattlecontinued.

TheviciousbirdsattackedNancyandJunie.

Makingnoheadway,Nancyand Juniebegan to screamas loudlyas theycould.“Help!Help!Someonepleasehelpus!”

Their cries were almost drowned out by the raucous noise made by thebirds.Nooneansweredthegirls’pleas,soindesperationtheydroppedtothegroundanddoubledup,puttingtheirheadsandarmsundertheirbodies.This

seemed to anger the birds, who made more noise than ever and peckedmercilesslyatthehelplessvisitors.

OnceNancyraisedherheadandscreamedatthetopofherlungs.“Helpus!Quick!Weneedhelp!Hurry!”

Whether it was her cry that was heard by the men in the house or thefrighteningnoiseofthebirds,thegirlsdidnotknow.Severalmenrushedout,yelling.Finallythebirdsflewoff.

One man walked up to Nancy and Junie and asked in an unpleasant,demandingvoice,“Whatareyoudoinghere?Don’tyouknowthisisprivateproperty?”

JunieexplainedthatherfamilywasaneighbortoMr.Roccoandtheyhadcometoseehimonanimportantmatter.“Pleasetakeustohim.”

“Youcan’tvisithimnow,”themanreplied.“He’sinconference.Howdidyougetintothegrounds?”

Neither girl answered. They were staring at their interrogator and at theothermenwhobynowhadarrivedatthescene.Allofthemlookedtoughandunfriendly.Rocco’spals resembledunderworld characters, Junie andNancythought.

“Whoownsthosebirds?”Nancyasked.“Mr.Rocco?”

Inasurlyvoiceoneofthegroupreplied,“Whatmakesyouthinkanybodyownsthem?Inanycase,it’snoneofyourbusiness.Whatrightdoyouhavetoaskquestions?Nowgetoutofherebeforeyoucauseanymoretrouble.”

Junieaskedhim,“Willyoupleaseunlockthegate?”

The man squinted at the girls and said, “No, I won’t, and neither willanybodyelse.We’vehadenoughgufffromyousmartalecks.Yougotinhere;nowgetout.Butdon’ttryanyfunnystuff,becauseI’llbewatchingyou!”

WithnochoiceNancyandJuniehurrieddownthelane.Themanwhohadorderedthemoutfollowedatadistance.Hemadenomovetoopenthegate,sooncemorethegirlswereforcedtoclimbthefence.

Junie then drove toward Triple Creek, but took a road traversing theneighboringvillage.“Let’sstopatthegeneralstoreandgetsomeicecream,”shesaid.“All thatexercisehasmademehungry.Besides,whenIgetmadIgethot,andsomethingcoolwilltastegood.”

Thegirlswentintothestore,whichincludedafewtableswherecustomerscouldeatsandwiches,cookies,andicecream.

NancyandJuniesatdown.Presentlyawomancametowaitonthem,andafterservingheapingsaucersofvanillaicecreamtoppedwithwhippedcreamandpecans,shestoppedtotalktothem.JunieintroducedherasMrs.Potter,andsaidshemanagedthestoreforafriend.Shethentoldthewomanofthegirls’recentexperience.

“YouknowMr.Rocco,don’tyou?”Juniesaid.“Whatcanyoutellusabouthim?”

Thewomanstiffened.“Nothinggood,”shereplied.“Besides,hehassomemenworkingforhimthatIdon’tlike.Theywereinhereoneday,talkingtome.Icouldn’tagreewithathingtheysaid.IneverwanttoseethemagainandIhopefromnowonthey’llallshopinanotherstore.”

“Couldyoutelluswhyyoudon’tlikehim?”Junieasked.

“No,I’drathernot.Itwassomethingconcerningmywork,andIdon’tcaretodiscussit.Sorry.”

Thegirlsrespectedthewoman’swishesandsaidnomore.Assoonastheyhadfinishedtheiricecream,theyleftthestore.

Aftertheywereinthecarandonthewayhome,NancyaskedJunieifMrs.Potterwasalwayssoabrupt.

“Oh,no,”Juniereplied.“She’saverynicepersonandusuallyfulloffun.Ican’tunderstandwhysheactedthewayshedid.”

Nancywassilentforafewminutes,thensaid,“It’smyguessshehasbeenintimidated,perhapsbythesamemenandinthesamewaythatEezywas!”

CHAPTERVI

“NoSpeakEnglish!”

LATER,whenNancythoughtMr.Roccowouldbefree,shecalledhishome.Another man answered and said he would get the owner. Several minutespassedbutnoonereturnedtothephone.

“MaybehehadtogoalongwaytofindMr.Rocco,”Nancyreasoned.

A fewminutes later, she thought, “Itwouldn’t surpriseme ifMr. Roccodidn’twanttotalktomeafterIclimbedhisfence!”Shecouldnotunderstand,however,whyhercallhadnotbeendisconnected.Overandovershesaidintothephone,“Hello?Hello?Hello!”

Finally sheheardMr.Rocco,whowasnotverycordial.He said, “Ifyouwanttoseeme,I’mgladyoucalledupforanappointment.Idon’tlikepeoplewhoclimbovermyfenceuninvited!”

Nancy apologized for having done this but added in a pleading voice,“JunieFlockhartandIwereeagertoseeyou.Whenwethoughtthebelldidn’twork,wetookachance.Pleaseforgiveus.”

“What do you want?” Rocco asked abruptly without acknowledging theapology.

“IhavecomeacrosssomeveryinterestinginformationthatIwouldliketodiscusswithyou—butnotoverthephone.”

After amoment of silence on the other end of the line,Mr. Rocco said,“YouknowIamaverybusyman.”

“Oh,yes,”Nancyreplied,“butwewon’ttakeupverymuchofyourtime.Please.We’dliketotalktoyouassoonaspossible.”

“Howaboutnextweeksometime?”themanasked.

Nancy’s heart sank.Nextweek! She could notwait that long. “Wewerehopingthatperhapswecouldseeyoutomorrow,”shesaid.

Therewasanotherlongpause,thenMr.Roccosaid,“What’sthehurry?”

“I’ll be able to tell you that when we get together,” Nancy answered.“Couldn’tyouspareafewminutestomorrowmorning,sayatnineo’clock?”

“Nineo’clock!Imakemyworkersgetupatsix!”themansaid.

“Anytimeyousaywillbeallrightwithus,”Nancytoldhim.

Mr.Roccoreluctantlyagreedtoeighto’clockandadded,“Don’tbelate.Ican’tstandtardiness.”

Nancythankedhimandcradledthephone.Shewent to tellJunieof theirearlyappointment.

“Oh,Mr. Rocco is impossible, just asmy father said!” Junie exclaimed.“Butwe’llbethere.Infact,Isuggestwearriveathishomebyquartertoeightsohewon’tgetmad.Bytheway,congratulationsforpersuadinghim.”

Nancysmiled.“Itwasabitofaproblem,butitworked.”

The two agreed to go to bed early in order to awaken in time for theirconference.

The following morning they arrived promptly at quarter to eight. Inresponsetothebellthegateswungfree.Amanopenedthedoortothehouseand said hewould see ifMr. Rocco had finished his breakfast.Nancy andJunielookedateachotherbutsaidnothing.WhataboutMr.Rocco’sbraggingthathemadehisworkersgetupatsixo’clock?

Nancythought,“He’sabitofaslavedriver.”

In a fewminutes the farmowner appeared.He neither smiled nor shookhands.Insteadhegrowledatthem,“ItoldyounottobelatebutIdidn’twantyoutocomesofaraheadofourappointment,either!”

Juniesaidthatthegirlswouldwaituntilhewasready.BothsheandNancyfeltthatthisunpleasantmantriedtointimidateanyonewithwhomhecameincontact.WhenRoccorealized thathismethoddidnotworkon thegirls,hescowledandpausedforseveralsecondsbeforereplyingtohiscallers.

“Youdon’thavetowait.Butbequickaboutwhatyouwant.Ihaven’tmuchtime,youknow.”

Without hesitationNancy said, “We are very interested in the parchmentyousoldtoMr.Flockhart.DidyoubringitfromItaly?”

“Yes,”Roccoreplied.“Iboughtitatanauctionthere.”

“Canyoutellusanythingaboutit?”Nancywenton.

“Idon’tknowanythingaboutit.AtfirstIlikedthefigurespaintedontheparchment,butawhileagoIgottiredoflookingatthem,soIdecidedtosellthepicture.It’sveryfineworkandbroughtaniceprice.IguessMr.Flockhartrecognizedagoodthingwhenhesawit.”

“Theparchment’slovely,”Nancyagreed.ThensheaskedMr.Roccoifhehadevertakentheparchmentoutofitsframetolookforanythingofinterestthatmighthavebeenwrittenontheback.

Themanstaredathisvisitorsintently.“No,”hesaid.“Itneveroccurredtome.Didyoufindsomething?”

The two girls glanced at each other. They thought it best not to tell himwhattheyhaddiscovered.

“Oh,westudiedit,buttherewasn’tmuchontheback,”Nancysaidlightly.

Rocco did not inquire just what they had discovered, and the girls wereglad.Suddenlythemanbombardedthemwithquestions.

“Whythisgreatinterestintheparchment?Doyoufeelthereissomethingwrongwithit?Isyourfathersorryheboughtthepainting?Doesheexpectmetobuyitback?”

Mr.Roccopaused,butonly longenough tocatchhisbreath.“Youyoungwhippersnapperscomebargingintomyhomeandhammermewithquestions.What’sgoingon?IthinkIhavearighttoknow.”

By this time themanwas very excited, and for a short timeNancy feltguilty about upsetting him. Then she thought of several things that hadhappenedandherattitudechanged.Shesaidshewassorry if sheandJuniehadharassedthefarmowner.Theymeantnoharm.Theirmaininterestwastolearnthebackgroundoftheparchment.ThisseemedtosatisfyMr.Roccoforthetimebeing.

JuniechangedthesubjectandaskedRocco,“Wereyouevermarried?”

“No!” Rocco said quickly, and did not volunteer any more information.Instead, he stood up as if he were afraid Nancy or Junie might ask morequestionshedidnotwanttoanswer.Heindicatedthatthevisitwasover.

Thegirlswalked to thefrontdoor,withRoccofollowingthemstiffly.Onthe way home in the car, Junie said, “I wonder why Mr. Rocco was sounwilling to give us anything but the barest information about either the

parchmentorhimself.”

Nancysaidshethoughthewasamanwithmanysecrets,whichhehadnointentionofdivulging.

Junieremarked,“Ijustthinkhe’sanoldgrouch.HowarewegoingtofindoutanythingaboutthepicturehebroughtfromItalyifhewon’ttalk?”

Nancy thought for a few seconds, then replied. “Let’s try to get theinformationinspiteofhim!We’ll leavethecarontheroadandhikeacrossthe fieldsuntilwemeetoneofhisworkmen.Maybehe’ll talk, andwecanlearnmoreaboutRocco.”

“HisfirstnameisSalvatore,bytheway,”Juniesaid.

Itwas severalminutes before they sawamanhandhoeing in oneof thevegetablefields.Thegirlswentuptohimandsmiled.

“Goodmorning,”Nancysaid.

Themanremainedsilent,thoughhesmiledather.Shewonderedifheweredeaf,sothistimesheshoutedher“goodmorning.”Stilltherewasnoresponseandthefarmerwentonworking.

Juniewalkedclosetothemanandshoutedathim,“DoyoulivehereandworkforMr.Rocco?”

Themanshrugged.“NospeakEnglish,”hefinallysaid.

NancyandJunielookedateachotherandwalkedon.Acrossthefieldtheysawanotherworkerandheadedinhisdirection.Theyputthesamequestiontohimandreceivedthesameanswer,“NospeakEnglish!”

Junie sighed. “No one around here seems to speak our language.We’regettingnowherefast.”

AsthegirlswalkedonNancysuddenlyspottedsomethingandpointed.“Iseeaboyoverthere.Maybewe’llhavebetterluckwithhim.”

Theywalked toward the lad,whoappeared tobeabout tenyearsold.Hewashandsomewithlargebrowneyesandblackcurlyhair.

Theboywasseatedonthegroundintheshadeofalargebranch,andwasholdingasketchingpadandcoloredpencils.Hewasdrawingapictureofthelandscapespreadbeforehim.Againstatreenearbystoodahoe.

“That’s very good, sonny,” Junie told him, looking closely at the sketch.“Whatisyourname?”

Thelittleboysmiledbutsaidnothing.

“DoyouspeakEnglish?”Nancyasked.

Theboyshookhishead.“NoEnglish.Italian.”

Suddenlytheyoungartistjumpedup.Hehidhissketchingpadandpencilsunderasweaterandgrabbedthehoe.Hemovedoffalittledistanceandbegantoworkfuriously.NancyandJunielookedathiminsurprise.Sincetheymadenoattempttomove,hepointedinthedistance.Theyfollowedthedirectionofhisfinger.Mr.Roccowascomingtowardthematafastpace!

“We’dbetterscoot,”Juniewarned.“IdoubtthatMr.Roccowouldlikeourbeinghere.”

Nancy nodded and the girls hurried off in the opposite direction.On theway home, Nancy said, “I believe if young Tony could speak English hemightgiveussomeclues.”

“Howdoyouknowtheboy’snameisTony?”Junieasked.

Nancygrinned.“Isawitonhissweater!”

“Goodobservation!”Juniepraised.“Ididn’tevennoticehissweater.”

As soon as the girls reached the farmhouse, Nancy called her father’soffice.Hewasthereandaskedhowshewasprogressingwiththemystery.

“Notverywell,”shereplied.“Ineedyourhelp.”

“Surething.WhatcanIdoforyou?”

“Will you please find out from the ImmigrationDepartment all you canaboutSalvatoreRocco,whocame to theUnitedStates fromItalyabout tenyearsago?”Shetoldherfatherallshehadlearnedsofar.

“Iseeyou’vebeenbusy,”hesaid.“I’llcheckwithImmigrationandletyouknowtheanswer.”

After the call, the girls went to look at themysterious parchment again.TheypuzzledoveritforsometimebeforeJunieaskedNancyifshehadcomeupwithanynewtheories.

Nancy’seyessparkled.“Ihaveawildguess!”shesaid.

CHAPTERVII

AMeanRam

“ITHINKwecanassume,”Nancysaid toJunie,“thatMr.SalvatoreRoccoknowsmoreabouttheparchmentthanheistelling.TheinitialAonitcouldstandforAnthony,andacommonnicknameforAnthonyisTony.”

Junieknitherbrows.“AreyoutryingtosaythatTony,thelittleboywemetonMr.Rocco’sfarm,mightbethebabyinthisparchmentpicture?”

Nancynodded.“Itoldyouitwasawildguess.”

“Itsureis,”Junieagreed,“butIrespectyourhunches.”

Mr.FlockhartwalkedintotheroomandwastoldNancy’slatesttheory.Hechuckled,but saidhewas impressedwith the idea.“Nancy,pleasecontinuewith your suppositions. It sounds like an intriguing story, and the firsthypothesisthathasbeenmadesofarinthemysteryoftheparchment.”

Junieremarkedthatthemanpicturedontheparchment,whohadhisbacktotheviewer,couldbetheboy’sfather.“Butwhywouldn’thebefacingtheviewer?Wastheartistashamedofhim?”

“That’sapossibleanswer,”her fatheragreed.“On theotherhand,maybetheartist justdidn’t like thepersonandturnedhimaroundsonobodycouldrecognizehim.”HesaidtoNancy,“Haveyouanymoreguesses?”

“Notyet,”shereplied,“butImayhaveafterIlearnmoreaboutlittleTonyandMr.SalvatoreRocco.”

Mr. Flockhart reminded the girls that it was generally believed in thecommunity thatMr.Roccowas the child’s uncle and that theboy’s parentshaddied.

“Thatgivesmean idea,”Nancysaid. “The lastpictureon theparchment

portrays the collision of a sailing ship and a steamer. Maybe,” she added,“Tony’sparentswerekilledintheaccident.”

“Veryreasonableassumption,”Mr.Flockhartsaid.“IwonderifMr.Roccolegallyadoptedhisnephew.”

“Iguess,”saidJunie,“thatwe’dhavetogotoItalytofindout.”Sheteased,“NancyDrew,detective,Milanoisgettingcloserandcloser.”

Nancy grinned. “Maybe, but I have a hunch I’ll solve themystery righthereatTripleCreekFarm.”

Junie andher father lookedat theirguest, then Junie said, “NancyDrew,you’reholdingbackoneofyourhunches,ortheories,orwildguesses.Comeon,whatisit?”

Nancynodded.“You’reright.Inthefirstplace,I’mnotconvincedthatMr.Rocco’s story to Mr. Flockhart and to us about buying the painting at anauctionistrue.I’vebeenthinkingofpoorTony.Hehassomuchtalentasanartist, and so does the personwhomade these paintings,whose initials areDB.ThatpersoncouldbeacloserelativeofTony’s.Bytheway,what’shislastname?”

“I don’t know,” Junie’s father replied. “I have always supposed it wasRocco.”

Mr.FlockhartsaidhethoughtthegirlsshouldtrytofindoutwhatDBstoodfor. “Itmightbe the initials of the artist, or an art school, or amuseum,orevenadealer’sinitials.”

“Onethingissure,”Nancysaid,“MilanoisMilano,Italy,sothat’sasgoodaplacetostartasany,butIguesswecan’tgothere.”

Junie’s father said, “Leaving themystery for amoment,Nancy, I have alittlefavortoaskofyou.Inyoursparemoments,tryyourhandatcreatinganattractivesymbolforTripleCreekFarm.Idon’tliketheoneI’vebeenusing.”

“I’llbegladtotry,”Nancyreplied.

Assoonashelefttheroom,shewenttothehalltable,wherethetelephonewas, and picked up several sheets of paper and a pencil. Junie watchedintently as Nancy made sketch after sketch. The girls laughed at some ofthem.

“Thisonelookslikeathree-leggedmonkey,”Junieremarked.“Nooffensemeant.”

“And this one like a broken harp with all the strings missing,” Nancy

added.“Junie,let’sdosomethingelse.Bythetimewecomeback,maybemyimaginationwill return.Right now I’ve runout of ideas for aTripleCreeksymbol.”

“Whatwouldyouliketodo?”Junieasked.

The girl detective thought they should call on Eezy as soon as Juniefinished her chores, with Nancy’s help. “Maybe he’ll be willing to tell usmore about those twomenwho knocked himout, and alsowhat he knowsaboutMr.Rocco.”

Junie agreed.After twohours ofworkwith the newborn sheep, the girlschangedclothesandwerereadytosetofffortheshepherd’scabin.

Asbefore,theydrovepartoftheway,thenclimbedupthehillsideamongthe sheep.Eezywas there, sitting on a log in front of his little cottage andcastinganeyeoverthehundredsofhealthy-lookingsheepinhisflock.

“Howdy,girls!”hegreetedthem.“Ihadafeelin’maybeyou’drunupheretoday.Gladtoseeyou.”

WhenNancysaid,“Ihopewe’renotinterruptingyourwork,”theshepherdchuckledandimmediatelyanswered.“AsitsaysinthebookofHebrews,‘Benotforgetfultoentertainstrangers:fortherebysomehaveentertainedangelsunawares.’”2

Thetwogirlssmiledatthecompliment,thenJuniesaid,“I’mnotanangel,butIdoliketohelppeople.Nancydoestoo.That’swhywe’rehere.”

“Eezy,”Nancysaid,“didthetwomenwhoattackedyoueverreturn?”

“No.”

She asked him if he was still unwilling to talk about what his attackerswantedhimtodoforthem.

“I’m afraid I am,” the shepherd replied. “Sorry, but it might get someinnocentpeopleintotrouble.”

Nancy now asked Eezy to tell them all he knew aboutMr. Rocco. Theherdsman repeated the story Mr. Flockhart had told, then added, “I don’tknow anythin’ else about the Italian, because he’s a man without a civiltongue.

“Not one of his workers can speak English, and somebody told me hepushes them very, very hard in the fields. He overworks his men on theproducefarm.Besides,heisoftencruel.Iunderstandthatsometimeshebeats

that little boy who lives with him. Rocco says he’s his uncle, but I don’tbelievehim.Hesuredoesn’tlookliketheboyorhavehisdisposition.”

“Mr. Rocco beats the boy?How dreadful!”Nancy remarked. “Don’t theauthoritiesgetafterhim?”

“Guess not,” Eezy replied. “But there’s a proverb in theBible that says,‘Themercifulmandoethgoodtohisownsoul:buthethatiscrueltroublethhisownbody.”’3

Thegirlsthoughtaboutthisanddecidedtheproverbwasindeedtrue.Theywondered what punishment might come to Rocco for his cruel andunwarrantedactionstoothers.

At thismoment a cute and friendly little lamb came up to the girls andstood patiently waiting for their affection. Both of them leaned down andhuggedtheyounganimal.

“You’reacutieallright,”saidJunie.“I’mgoingtocallyou‘Cheerio.’”

“Oh,Ihopeitwon’thavetobeslaughtered,”Nancysaid,worried.

Eezy smiled. “I won’t recommend it, ’cause the little sheep is a realcomforttome.Youknowitgetsmightylonelyuponthishilltop.Thislittlecrittercomesandsitsbymysideandlistenstoallmywoes.”

“That’ssomethingthatshouldn’tbechanged,”Nancysaid.“IsuggestyouputasignaroundCheerio’snecksaying,‘PrivateProperty.IbelongtoEezy.’”

Theshepherdsmiledandsaidhewouldlikethat.

Ina fewminutes thevisitors leftandstarteddown thehillside.TheyhadnotgonefarwhenJuniecalledNancy’sattentiontoalargeramstandingcloseby,silhouettedagainstthecloudlessskyline.

“Sometimeshe’smean,”Juniesaid.“We’llavoidhim.”

Thegirlskeptwalkingbuttheireyeswereontheram.Helookedatthembalefully,tossedhisheadintotheair,thenloweredhishorns.

“He’s going to attack you!” Junie cried out. “Run! Nancy, run! Followme!”

Bothgirlsspedofflikeacoupleofdeer,buttheramwasalsoquick.NancyandJuniemanagedtostayaheadofhimuntil,withoutwarning,astrangedogbeganbarkingnearby.

“Maybethatwillfrightentheramaway,”Nancysuggested.

Juniesaidtherewasnotachanceofthathappening.“Thisramisnotafraidofdogs,”sheexplained.“OnedayIsawhimtossabigblackonehighintotheair.Healmostkilledit!”

Nancywasthinking,“Thismustn’thappentome!”andranfaster.

Shewasfinallyoutdistancingtheramwhenalargesheep,frightenedbythestrangedog,randirectlyinfrontofNancy.Shetriedtoleapoverthebroad-backed,woollyanimal,butcouldnotmakeit.Thenextmomentshefellflat!

By now the ram had caught up to her. The nextmomentNancy felt hiscurvedhornsreachspeedilyunderherbody.

Wildthoughtswentthroughthetrappedgirl’smind.Wouldtheramtossherintotheairashehadthedog?

CHAPTERVIII

TheMysteryBoy’sStory

AstheramgotreadytotossNancyintotheair,adesperatethoughtcametoher on how she might save herself. She reached out to grasp the animal’scurvedhorns,caughtonewitheachhand,andhungon.

The animal, angered, tried again and again to throw the girl off, but shekepthergriponthehorns,andbracedherselfagainsthisbody.Nancyswungcrazilyfromsidetosidebutdidnotloseherhold,astheanimalendeavoreddesperatelytoshakeheroff.

Afteronemoretry,theramstoodstill.Washeexhaustedordefeated?Nomatterwhat the answerwas,Nancy regainedherbalance and stoodup, butkeptawaryeyeontheunfriendlyanimal.

Juniecamerunningup.“Whatadreadfulexperience!”sheexclaimed.“Oh,Nancy,I’msosorry.”

Theram,thoughmean,knewJunieandmadenoattempttoattackher.Shegavehimaresoundingslapandsenthimgallopingoff.

The girls had counted on their luck too soon. The ram had not gone farwhen he suddenly turned around and made a beeline for the girls, hornslowered.Atthesamemomentaloudcommandingvoicecametotheirears.

“Eezyisusinghisgiantmegaphone!”Juniesaid.“He’schastisingtheram.”

The command lasted for a few seconds, then the insistent animal startedmovingforwardagain.Atoncethestrainsofbeautifulmusiccouldbeheard.NancylookedatJunie,puzzled.

“EezyplaysanIrishharptocalmthesheep,”herfriendexplained.“Ithasneverfailedyettohaltfights.”

Thistimewasnoexception.Theramstoppedshort,sniffedtheair,thenlaydown.Alltheothersheeponthehillsidethatwerenotalreadyrestingslowlydroppedtothegrass.

“That’s remarkable!” Nancy exclaimed. “I’d like to go back and thankEezy.Inawayhesavedmylife.”

“All right,” Junieagreed. “I’msurewe’llhavenomore troublewith thatram.NodoubtbythistimeheknowsthatyouandIandEezyarefriends.”

When the girls reached the shepherd’s cabin, they found him seatedoutdoors, strumming his harp. As soon as he finished the number, Nancycomplimentedhimonhisplaying.“You’relikeDavidintheBible,”shesaid.

Theelderlyman smiled. “Thankyou,”he said. “Youknow it says in thebook of Amos, ‘Chant to the sound of the harp, and invent to themselvesinstrumentsofmusic,likeDavid.’”4

ThegirlsnoddedandNancysaid,“YoursmallIrishharpisagoodtunefulsubstituteforDavid’slyre.”

“That’swhatIdecided,”Eezyreplied.“Andtotellthetruth,IthinkIcangetalotmoremusicoutofitthanDaviddidoutofhislyre!”Hechuckled.

Nancy thankedhim forhelpingherwardoff a secondattackby the ram.Shebeggedforanencoreofhisharpplaying.Theshepherdobliged,thenputdownhisinstrument.

Hepickeduphismegaphoneandcalledout,“Restperiodisover,boysandgirls.Standupandget towork!”Hewinkedat thegirls.“Thesheep’sonlyworkistoeatgrass!”

Nancy unexpectedly askedEezy if he had a pad and pencil in the cabin.Theshepherdwenttogetthem,andatonceNancystartedsketching.Inafewminutesshedrewthreestreamswithawoollysheepsuperimposedoverthem.UnderthesketchNancyprintedTRIPLECREEKFARM.

“Howdoyoulikethatasatrademark?”sheasked.

“It’sgreat,”Juniereplied.

“Mightygoodwork,”Eezyadded.“Andit’srealpicturesque.”

NancysaidshehopedMr.Flockhartwouldlikeit.Shefoldedthepaperandput it intoherpocket.ThensheandJuniesaidgood-byto theshepherdandwalkeddownthehilltowardthecar.

AsitcarriedthemtowardTripleCreek,Nancyasked,“Junie,doyouknow

anyonearoundherewhospeaksItalian?”

Junie said she knew no one in the immediate vicinity, but that herboyfriend,DanWhite,wasstudyingItalianatanearbyuniversity.“Whydoyouask?”

Nancy replied, “Wouldhebewilling to comehere and secretly talkwithsomeofMr.Rocco’sfarmworkers?”

Junie laughed.“Theregoes thatdetectivemindofyoursagain,” shesaid.“I’msureDanwouldlovetheassignment.I’lltrytogethimonthephoneassoonaswereachhome.”

Fortunately Dan was in his room, studying. When Junie gave him themessage,heexpressedsurprise.“Ifyou thinkIcanspeak the languagewellenough,I’llbeover.I’dcertainlyliketotryactingasinterpreter.”

Itwasarrangedthathewouldarrivethenextmorningaroundteno’clock,since he had no classes at that time.Nancy liked him. The tall, red-hairedyoungmanwas intelligent lookingandhadagreat senseofhumor.HewasintriguedtohearthatNancywasagirldetective.

“Juniedidn’tmentionthistome,”hesaid.“I’llneverbeabletomatchyouintrackingdownclues.”

Nancygrinned.“Youwon’tfindthathard.”

Dan asked for instructions on the part hewas to play. Nancy started bytellinghimtheywerebecomingmoresuspiciouseachdayofMr.Rocco,whoseemed tobecarryingout somewicked scheme in theareaandmistreatingthelittleboyhesaidwashisnephew.“Besides,we’resurethattheparchmenthangingoverthemantel,whichMr.FlockhartboughtfromMr.Rocco,holdssomespecialsignificance.Ifwecoulddiscover themeaningof it,wemightsolveacoupleofmysteries.”

Danasked,“WhatmakesyoususpiciousofMr.Rocco?”

JunietoldhimabouttheinsolentmenwhohadtalkedtoMrs.Potteratthestore; how Eezy was attacked by two strangers who, they suspected, werehenchmen of Rocco’s; of his reported cruelty to little Tony; and about hisunwillingnesstopermitvisitorsontohisgroundsorintohishome.

“Soundscomplicated tome,”Dansaid.“But if Icandoanything tohelpunravelthemystery,I’llbeatyourservice.ShallwegototheRoccofarmatonce?”

“Ohyes,”Nancyreplied.“Allrightwithyou,Junie?”

“Youbet.”

Thethreesetoff.Junietookaroutethatledthemthroughthesmallnearbyvillage.Shepointedoutthegeneralstoreandsaid,“That’soneofourclues!”

Nancy toldDan that she thought clue number twowas about fourmilesaway.Whentheyreachedthearea,Junieturneddownasideroad.

“I think itbest ifwearenot seennear thegateor theRoccohouse,”shesaid.“I’llparkdownhere,undersometrees,andwe’llwalkacrossthefieldsuntilwelocatetheworkmen.”

As they started off, hoping to find the Italian laborers,Dan and the girlsfoundmost of the terrain hilly. Itwas a long trek before they saw the firstworkman.Thethreedetectiveswalkeduptohim.Dansmiledandsaidgoodmorning inEnglish, but theman did not reply, nor even smile.Were theseRocco’sorders?

“TryitinItalian,”JunieurgedDan.

He did so, but the man shook his head. Puzzled, Dan said a few morethingstohim.FinallythelaboreransweredbuthopelesslyDanthrewuphishands. “This man speaks one of the dialects used in Italy, but he doesn’tunderstandmycollegeItalian,andIdon’tunderstandhisregionalItalian.”

The three visitors said good-by, although they knew the listener did notunderstandthem,andwenton.

Nancysaid,“Iseeanothermanwayoverattheendofthisfield.”

The three trekkers headed in that direction.After a longwalk in the hotsun,theyreachedthefarmer’sside.OncemoreDantriedhiscollegeItalian.Allhereceivedinreplywasablankstare.

“Thisismaddening,”Junieburstout.

Theworkmanwentonwithhishoeing. Ina lastdesperateattempt togetsomeinformation,DansaidseveralthingstohimintheItalianheknew.Thelaborermerelyshookhishead.

“Iguesswe’llhavetogiveup,”Dansaid.“I’mterriblysorry.”

“Let’smakeonemoretry,”Nancysuggested.“It’spossiblethesemenareunderordersfromRocconottotalk.”

“There’snooneelseinsight,”JunieFlockhartpointedout.

“That’strue,”Nancyreplied,“buthowaboutlittleTony?”

BothDanandJuniefelttheyhadnothingtolosebytrying,sothethreesetoffacross thefield. Itwasa longwalk towhere the littleboywasatwork.This timehewasbusywithahoe.Hisdrawingpadandpencilswerenot insight.

Asthevisitorsarrived,Tonypolitelystoppedworkingandbowed.AtonceDansaidtohiminhiscollegeItalian,“Goodmorning!”

Tony replied, a great smile breaking over his face. Then, as he andDantalked, Junie’s friend translated. “Tony says he is an orphan and that Mr.Rocco ishisuncle,but thathehas toworkveryhardandhasnochance toplay.

“Tonytellsmehelovestodrawbuthastodothisonthesly.Afteryougirlswereheretheotherday,hisunclecaughthimandtoreupadrawingpadoneofthemenhadgivenhimsecretly.Roccoevenburnedthepencils.”

Nancywasfurious.Therewasnodoubtthattheboyhadgreattalent.Itwasshamefulthatthetoolsforhisartshouldhavebeendestroyed!

Dan translated further.“AfterTony’sparentsdied,hewasbrought to thiscountry as a baby. He has been reared by Italians from Rome and neverallowed tomingle with anyone else. He has had good schooling, but onlyfromanItaliancollegetutorwhocomesintheevening.PoorTonysaysheisso tiredsometimesfromworkinghardallday that theprintblursbeforehiseyes.”

DanwentontoexplainthatTonyhadneverbeenawayfromthefarmsincethedayhewasbroughtthere.“Hisunclesaysthatsomeday,when theygetrich,thetwoofthemwillreturntoItaly.”

Further conversation was interrupted when Tony cried out and spokeexcitedlyinItalian.Dantranslated,“Runfast!Myuncle iscoming!Hewillbeveryangry!Hedoesn’t like trespassersandmayharmyou.Butcome toseemeagain.Oh,pleasecometoseemeagain!”

CHAPTERIX

MidnightThief

Tony started working furiously with his hoe and the visitors left quickly,runningtowardanearbydownhillslopesotheywouldnotbeseen.

But itwas too late. Fromnot far away came a loud shout.AngrywordswerehurledattheminEnglish,andatTonyinItalian.

“Getoutofhere!Itoldyoutostayawayfromthisfarm!”

Everyone turned to look.Rocco kept yelling. “You girls got no businesshere!Don’tcomebackoryou’llgethurt!”

SoRoccohadrecognizedNancyandJunie.

Withoutwaiting to be caught byMr. Rocco,Nancy and her friends fleddownthehillside.Theyreachedthecar,jumpedin,andspedoff.

Itwasnotuntilthenthatanyonespoke.Danasked,“Whatareyougoingtodonow?”

Nancythoughtforafewmomentswhileshecaughtherbreath,andfinallysaid,“IbelieveIshouldgetintouchwithMr.VincenzoCaspari.Heshouldbehomebynow.”

“Whoishe?”Danasked.

“AnacquaintanceofmyfriendNedNickerson,”theyoungsleuthreplied.“Nedgavemehisaddressoverthephoneandthoughtperhapshecouldhelpus.He’sawell-knownpainter.”

Junie andDan thought thiswouldbe agood idea.Nancywenton to tellthemthatthemanhadbeenborninAmericabuthisparentshadcomefromItaly.“NodoubtMr.Caspari speaks Italian. Iunderstandhestudied in Italyforseveralyears.”

Dan grinned. “He probably speaks better Italian than I do! Perhaps heshouldtalktolittleTony.”

“I think,” saidNancy, “that youdidverywell andgot a lot of importantinformationforus.”

“I’lltellthattomyItalianprofessor,”Danreplied.“Maybehe’llgivemeabettergrade!”

Theuniversitystudentsaidhemustleaveinordertoattendaclasslaterthatday.Hepromisedtoreturnsoon.“Callmeifyouneedme,”headded.

As soon as he had gone, Nancywent to the phone and calledVincenzoCaspari. She introduced herself and saidNedNickerson had suggested thatperhapstheartistcouldhelphersolveamysteryposedbyapuzzlinggroupofpictures on a parchment. “They’re supposed to contain a great secret,” sheconcluded.

“Thatsoundsmostintriguing,”theartistreplied.“Nedhastoldmethatyoulike to solve mysteries. I presume there is more to this story than you’retellingme.”

“Oh,yes,”Nancyreplied.

But before she could go on, theman interjected, “I can’t imagine how Imight be able to help you.When I look at a picture, that is all I see—thecomposition,thecolor.Idonotlookforanythingbeyondthat.Itisuptotheartistwhopaintedittorevealwhateverhiddenmeaningsheintended.”

“Please, Mr. Caspari,” Nancy said, “don’t say no until you’ve seen theparchment.Ihavenorealproofmyguessesarecorrect,butperhapsafteryousee the pictures, you can give me some clues that will help solve themystery.”

“Youflatterme,”VincenzoCasparisaid.“Afterall,Iamonlyanartist,notadetective.”

Nancysaidquickly,“Youmayfindyourselfbecomingasleuthbeforeyouknowit!”

Theyexchangedafewmorewordsbeforetheartistconsentedtomeetwiththeyoungdetective.Nancyinquiredifitwouldbepossibleforhimtocomeoversometimesoon.

Hereplied,“Icanmakeittomorrowmorning.Isthatsoonenough?”

“Itwouldbewonderful,”Nancytoldhim.“Whattimeshallwesay?”

Ten o’clock was decided upon. The conversation ceased, and the artisthungup.Nancydidtoo,butshestoodthere,deepinthought.FinallyshewasinterruptedbyJunie,whowasgoingoutsidetodosomework.

“IwanttoseeifthatlittlefellowwhoselegsImassagedisgettingalongallright,”shesaid.“Howaboutcomingwithme?”

Nancywas glad to. She had beenwondering about the little black lambherself.Thegirlshurriedouttothebarnwherehewaskept.

“I see several new lambs have been brought in since yesterday,” Junieremarked.“Oh,andherearetwins.”

Two snow-white bundles of fur lay sound asleep together. Their motherstoodnearby.Theewelookedatthegirlswithawarningeye.

Junie laughed. “I’m not going to hurt your babies. I just want tocongratulateyou.”Theeweseemedtounderstandandgavealoudbaa.

“They are darling!”Nancy remarked. “Don’t tellme they’re likely to betakenawayandtheirskinsmadeintoparchmentorvellum.”

JunieputahandonNancy’sarm.“That’sformyfathertodecide.Afterall,thisishislivelihood,andbusinessisbusiness.”

Nancy realized how necessary the slaughtering of domesticated sheep,cows,goats,andhogswas.Otherwisethecountrysidewouldbeoverrunwithanimals.Shealsothought,“Aslongaspeoplewanttoeatmeat,thispracticewillgoon.”

Inafewmomentstheyreachedthepenwheretheinjuredblacklambwas.BothNancyandJunieweredelightedtoseethathewaswalkingaroundquitenormally.Theypluckedsomefreshlycuthayfromanearbycartandheld itforhimtomunch.Hetookitgratefully,thenlookedatthegirlswithhisbrighteyesasifaskingformore.

Junielaughed.“Youdidn’tknowthatIwastryinganexperimentonyou,”shesaid.“Ijustwantedtoseeifyouhadagoodappetiteandcouldswallowall right.” She turned to Nancy, “I think I’ll have to report that this littlefellowisreadytobeputoutinafield.”Shewenttoabookfastenedwithacordtoasmalldeskandwrotedownherreport.

AfterlunchJuniegotthejeepandthegirlsrodeallaroundthefarm.ThistimeNancyhadachance toseeother large fieldsofsheep.Eachonehadashepherd.

“Eezyismyfavoriteofthemall,”Junietoldherfriend.

The daywore on andNancy could not help thinking howquickly it hadgoneby,whenJunieremindedheritwastimetogotobed.Allthelightswereextinguished and everyonewent upstairs. In a short time the housebecameveryquiet.

Junie fell asleep at once, but Nancy lay awake, going over the wholemysteryinhermind.EachtimeherthoughtswouldleadtoTony.ShebecameincensedatMr.Roccoand thought, “Hemight causeapermanent injury tothatboy!Tonyshouldbetakenawayfromhim!”

Presently Nancy became fidgety. Not only was she wide awake, butquestionsweregoingroundandroundinherhead.

“It’s no use staying here,” the girl detective told herself finally. “I’ll godownstairsandstudytheparchmentforawhile.”

Nancyputonher robeand slippers,pickedupher flashlight, and tiptoedfromtheroom.Sheclosedthedoorandwalkedsoftlyalongthehallwaytothestairs,descendingnoiselesslysoasnot toawakenanyone.Thenshecrossedthebighall.

Nancywasabouttoturnonalightswitch,whenshewasstartledbyathinshaftoflightmovingacrossthelivingroom.Shesawnoone,butrealizedthatitwasimpossibleforthelighttomovebyitself.

Shestrainedhereyesandfinallydiscernedthedimfigureofamanholdingaflashlight.Presently thelightstoppedmovingandwasbeameddirectlyontheparchmenthangingoverthemantel.

Nancy’sheartwasbeatingveryfast.Wassomememberof thehouseholdholding the flash? Suddenly she realized hewas an intruder. Themanwaswearingastockingmask!

Thegirlsleuthstoodperfectlystill,hardlydaringtobreathe.Suddenlythemaskedfigurereachedupandtookdownthepicture.

Nancydecideditwastimetoact.“Leavethatalone!”shecommanded.

In response the man turned around and threw the picture at Nancy. Itmissedherbyafractionofaninchandcrashedagainstthedoorjamb.Itfelltothefloor,theglassbrokentobits.

Nancy tried to reach the light switch, but before she could do so, herassailantshonehisbrilliantlightdirectlyinherface.Shecouldseenothing!

Thethiefleapedacrosstheroomandgrabbedtheparchmentandframe.Hedashedtothefrontdoor.

“Stop!Stop!”Nancycriedatthetopofhervoice.

Astheintruderstartedtoopenthefrontdoor,Nancyreachedhim.Hetriedtowardheroffwithhisfreehand,butshemanagedtogetholdofitandripofftheglovehewaswearing.

Thegirl’smovementhadbeenquick,butitgavethethiefachancetofendheroff.Withagreatshovehesentherreelingacrossthehallway.Asshewasregainingherbalance,themanopenedthedoorandrushedout,carryingthepreciousparchmentwithhim!

“Leavethatalone!”Nancycommanded.

Just asNancy recoveredherwits, thehousewas floodedwith lights.Mr.andMrs.FlockhartandJuniehurrieddownthestairs,eachaskingwhathadhappened. Nancy quickly explained. At once Junie’s father set off anearsplitting alarm. He explained that it would awaken the workers in theircottagessotheywouldbeonthelookoutfortheburglar.

Mrs.Flockhartsaid,“Shouldn’twealertthepolice,also?”

Herhusbandagreed,soJuniehurriedtothephoneandcalled.Meanwhile,Mrs.FlockharttookNancyintothelivingroomandmadehersitdownonthecouch.

“Thiswas a dreadful experience for you,” she said. “Now Iwant you totakeiteasy.”

Thegirldetectivewasmuchtooexcitedtotakeiteasy.Besides,shefeltallrightandtriedtoreassureJunie’smother.

“I’mfuriousatmyselfforlettingthethiefgetaway!”shesaid.“Thatwasbadenough,buttothinkhetooktheparchmentwithhim!”

Nancywasonthevergeoftears.ApparentlyMrs.Flockhartrealizedthis.Giving the girl a hug, she said, “I think we should be thankful that youweren’thurt!”

Nancy appreciated the concern and tried to smile, but she said, “I camehere at Junie’s invitation to solve the mystery of the paintings on thatparchment. Ididn’tdo it andnow theparchment isgone! Imayaswellgohome,”shefinishedwithasigh.

“Oh, no, no!” Junie’s mother said, holding Nancy tighter. “I’m sure myhusband and daughter wouldn’t hear of such a thing. As a matter of fact,Nancy, now you have a double mystery to solve. You must first find theparchmentandthentellusitsmeaning.”

CHAPTERX

RunningFootprints

FORawhileNancyandMrs.Flockhartwonderedwho theparchment thiefmighthavebeen.

“Haveyouanyideasatall?”thewomanaskedthegirldetectivewhentheycametonoconclusion.

“No,notreally,”shereplied.“OfcourseIthinkourfirstideawouldbeMr.Rocco,butthemanwhowasherewastootall.”

“Anyway,”saidMrs.Flockhart,“whyshouldMr.Roccofeelhehadtostealtheparchment?All hehad todowas comeandaskMr.Flockhart to sell itbacktohim.”

“That’strue,”Nancyagreed.“ButIthinkMr.RoccobecameworriedafterIquizzedhimaboutthepictures.Buyingbacktheparchmentmightmakeittooobviousthathewantedit,sohehadsomeonetakeit.”

“That’sgoodreasoning,”Mrs.Flockhartsaid.“Ontheotherhand,apersonwhoknows the true storyof theparchmentmayhave stolen it, andwill dosomeblackmailing.”

AtthismomentMr.FlockhartandJuniewalkedinwithaStatePoliceman.Theyallsatdowntogetherinthelivingroom.

“Anyluck?”Mrs.Flockhartaskedherhusband.

Heshookhishead,thenintroducedtheStatePoliceman,OfficerBrowning.Mr.FlockhartsaidthathischaseandthatofthepoliceandthemanyworkersonTripleCreekFarmhadyieldednosignofthefugitive.

“Itisunfortunate,”theofficersaid.“We’llhavetohuntforclues.”

Nancyproducedthegloveshehadtornfromthethief’shandandgaveitto

theofficer.“Igrabbedthisfromtheburglar’slefthand,”sheexplained.

“Thisisanexcellentclue,”Browningsaid.WhenhewastoldbyJuniethatNancywasanamateurdetective,heaskedher,“Whatisyourguessastothekindofgloveitis?”

Theyoung sleuthwas flattered andnot abit dismayed.She replied, “It’snot a workman’s glove. Therefore, I doubt that it belongs either to asheepherderortoafarmerofanykind.”

OfficerBrowningnodded.“You’reright.Thiscouldmeanthatthethiefisaprofessionalburglarwhoisnotnativetotheseparts.Hemayevenbefromthecity.”

Junie spoke. “Then itmaybeverydifficult to findhim,” she said. “Likelookingforaraindropinapond.”

“Notnecessarily,”theofficertoldher.“Themancouldhavebeenhiredtodothisjobandmaystillbeintheneighborhood,deliveringit.”

Hetoldtheothersthathewouldtaketheglovetothepolicelaboratoryandhaveitthoroughlyexamined.

Nancyasked,“Canyoufindclearfingerprintsinsidetheglove?”

The officer shook his head. “No, because the material is textured andporous.Butwemaygetsomecluefromtheglove.”

Heaskedifanyonehadtouchedthefrontdoorsincetheburglarhadhadhisbarehandonit.Noonehad,soBrowningsaidhewouldgetafingerprintkitfromhiscarandtrytotakeimpressionsofthenewestsetoffingerprints.

AlthoughNancyhadwatchedfingerprintworkbypolicemanytimes,shenever tiredof lookingat theprocess.Butpresentlyshewalkedoutside.Hereyespickedupaclearimprintofhalfashoe.Nancyhurriedovertolookatit,croucheddown,andstudiedtheprintintently.Thenshegotupandlookedforanother.Usingherflashlight,shediscoveredaseriesofsimilaronesfor leftandrightfeetinturn.Theyledacrossafieldtoaroad.Heretheprintsended,andNancyassumedfromtracksinthepavementdustthatthethiefhadgoneoffinacar.

Nancyquicklyreturnedtothehouse.Bythistimetheofficerhadfinishedhisfingerprintwork.Sheaskedhimtocomeoverandlookattheshoemarks.Nancytoldhimshebelievedtheybelongedtotheburglar.

“Since they are only of the front half of each foot, they were made bysomeonerunning.”

OfficerBrowningnodded.“You’reabsolutely right,MissDetective.Nowtellme,whatkindofshoeswasthemanwearing?”

“Sneakers,”Nancyrespondedpromptly.

TheStatePolicemanshookhishead.“Yousureknowyourstuff.”hesaid,“Iwon’tteaseyouanymore.I’lljustcontinuetoaskyourhelp.”

Junie,whohadbeen indoors,heard the last fewremarksandatonce toldthe officer that Nancy Drew had a fine reputation for solving the mostdifficultmysteriesimaginable.

“Oh, stop bragging about me,” Nancy pleaded with her friend. Sheexplainedtotheofficer,“Icameheretofindthemeaningoffourpaintingsontheparchmentthatwasstolen,andnowit’sgone.I’vebotchedthecase.”

Juniesaid,“OfficerBrowning,Nancysaysshemightgohomebecauseshehasn’tsolvedthemystery.Can’tyoudosomethingtomakeherstay?”

Thehusky-lookingmansmiled.“Itellyouwhat,Nancy.SupposeIfindtheparchment foryou; thenyoucankeep the jobofsolving themysteryof thepaintings.”

AtonceNancy’soldeagernesstowinthecasereturned.Shesaid,“Iwishyouthebestofluckandtrytomakeitsoon.Ican’tstayheremuchlonger;Iwillwearoutmywelcome!”

The officer got a camera and took pictures of the footprints. Finally hesteppedintohiscaranddroveoff.

JunieturnedtoNancy.“Maybe,justmaybe,”shesaid,asshelockedarmswithherfriendandwentintothehouse,“maybeyou’llsolvebothpartsofthismysteryyourselfbeforethepolicedo!”

Beforethegirldetectivecouldreply,Mr.Flockhartorderedeveryonebacktobed.Heputoutthelightsandfollowedtheothersupstairs.

Nancywasupearlythenextday,huntingforfurthercluestotheintruder.Firstshesearchedthelivingroom,diningroom,andkitchenthoroughly.Shecouldfindnothing to indicatehowtheburglarhadgainedadmittance to thehouse.Shefelthemustbeaprofessionalwithamasterkey.

Next Nancy went outdoors and again looked at the running footsteps.Satisfiedthat thiswastheonlyclueoutsidethehouse,shereturnedindoors.TheFlockhartswerethereandtheyallsatdowntobreakfast.

Nancyhadnearlyfinishedeating,whensuddenlyshesaid,“Oh!”

“What’sthematter,dear?”Mrs.Flockhartasked.

Nancy said she had just remembered that Mr. Vincenzo Caspari wascomingtolookattheparchment.“Andtheparchmentisnothere!”

Junie suggested that Nancy go at once to call theman so he would notmake the trip in vain. Nancy hurried to the phone and dialed the artist’snumber.Awoman answered.WhenNancy asked forMr. Caspari, shewastold that he had already left. The young detective, worried, came back toreportthistotheothersatthetable.

“That’stoobad,”Mrs.Flockhartsaid.“Whatwillyoudo?”

Nancy thought a moment, then said, “I’ll try to make a sketch of thepaintingsontheparchmentasnearlyasIrememberthem.Youcanhelp.I’llrecitewhatIknowandyouaddtoit.”

Shedescribedthefirstpictureofabeautifulwoman.“IhopeIcanmakeherlookasmuchliketheoriginalaspossible.”

Juniespokeup,sayingthewomanhadshinycoal-blackhair, largebrowneyes with long lashes, a rosebud-shaped mouth, and a lovely olivecomplexion.

“That’sabsolutelyright,”Nancyagreed.“Besides,shehadasadsmile.”

Theothersnoddedandshewentontomentionthemanwithhisbacktotheviewer, the cluster of angels with one of them holding a baby, and thecollisionofasailboatandasteamer.

Mr. Flockhart laughed. “You don’t need our help,” he said. “Now scootupstairsanddrawthepicturesbeforeyourguestcomes.”

“ButwhatifIdon’tfinishthemintime?”Nancyreplied,worried.

“Don’t get so uptight. Just relax,” Junie said. “If he arriveswhile you’reupstairs,DadandIwilltalktohim.”

Nancydartedtothestairs,thenstopped.“Idon’thaveanypaperorcoloredpencilswithme.”

Without saying aword, her friend left briefly and returnedwith a large,unlinedpadandaboxofcrayons.“SorryIcan’tsupplypencils.”

“Thanks,”Nancysaid,thenhastenedtoherroom.Shetookadeepsighasshe stared at the blank sheet before her. Then, as if the images on theparchmenthadsuddenlyfloodedhermemory,shebegantodrawthem.

In about twenty minutes she had finished rough sketches of the four

paintings.Then,onthebackoftheonewiththebabyinit,sheprintedanA.InthelowerlefthandcornerofthesheetsheputintheinitialsDBandunderitthewordMilano.

Nancyhadjustfinishedwhensheheardacardrivein.ShelookedoutthewindowtobesurethatthepersonarrivingwasMr.Caspari.

Themanwhoalightedwasinhisfortiesandwasalone.WashethegreatVincenzoCaspari?

BeforeNancycoulddecide,shenoticedsomethingthathorrifiedher.Theman’scarhadbeguntorollslowly.Ifitkeptgoingitwouldcrashintoatree!

CHAPTERXI

AToughSuspect

TAKING two steps at a time, Nancy leaped down the stairway of theFlockhartfarmhouseandracedoutthefrontdoor.Couldshestoptherollingcarbeforeitcrashedintothetree?

The owner, who seemed to be unaware of what was happening, waswalkingtowardthehouse.Nancypassedhiminaflash.Heturnedtofindoutwhyshewasinsuchahurry,thengaspedatwhathesaw.

Fortunately, his big car was rolling slowly. It had not yet gatheredmomentum.Nancywasabletoyankthefrontdooropen,jumpin,andjamonthebrake.Theautomobilestoppedwithinaninchofthetree.

“Ohthankyou,thankyou!”themanexclaimed,catchinguptothecar.“Iam so sorry to have caused you all this trouble.”He spokewith an Italianaccent.

“I’mgladIsawthecarmoving,”Nancysaid.“Byanychance,areyouMr.Caspari?”

“Si,si,”themiddle-agedmanreplied,bowingslightly.“AndyouareMissNancyDrew?”

“Yes,Iam,”sheanswered,steppingfromthecar,withhisassistance.Thetwowalkedtowardtheopenfrontdoorofthefarmhouse.

Theartistwasacharmingperson,butbyhisownadmission,abitforgetful.“Ishouldhaverememberedtoputonthebrake,”hesaid.

Nancymerely smiledandmadenocomment.She ledhervisitor into thelivingroomandtheysatdown.

“I tried to reach you on the phone this morning, but was told you had

already leftyourhouse,” she said. “Ihaveahorribleconfession tomake toyou.”

“Confession?”Mr.Casparirepeated.“Youdonotseemlikethekindofgirlwhowouldhavetomakeconfessions.”

Nancymadenoresponsetothis.“I’llgetrighttothepoint,”shesaid.“TheparchmentthatIaskedyoutocomeandlookatwasstolenlastnight!”

“Stolen?”herepeated.“Fromthishouse?”

“Fromrightabovethatfireplacemantel,”Nancyexplained.

She told him the whole story, then said that she had attempted to drawsomethingthatlookedliketheoriginal.“I’llshowittoyou.Perhapsyoucangiveusacluetothepainteroftheoriginal.”

Sheexcusedherselfandwentupstairs toget thedrawing.Aftershecamedownandhandedittotheartist,hestudiedthefrontofthepaperforalongtime.Heeventurneditupsidedown,butquicklyputitbackintoposition.

Finally he looked up and said to Nancy, “Did you draw this frommemory?” When she said yes, he went on, “It is an excellent drawing,especiallythepictureoftheangelswiththebaby.”

Nancythankedhimandsaid,“Maybethat’sbecauseIthinkitmaybethemost significant picture in the group. I’ll show you why I think so.” Sheturned the paper over and pointed out that the printedA on itwas directlybehindthepictureoftheangels.“Thisisjustthewayitwasontheoriginal.”

Theartist rubbedhischin.“Andnoneof theotherpictureshad initials inbackofthem?”

“No.”

Mr.CasparitoldNancy,“Ithinkyouareveryobserving,asanartistshouldbe.Nowpleasetellmewhatyourtheoryis.”

“MyguessisthattheAstandsforAnthony.Wemetaboywhoisanartist.HeisthenephewofthemanwhosoldtheparchmenttoMr.Flockhart,”sheexplained.“Itmaybea longandwildguess,but I amwondering ifbyanychancethatboycouldbethisbaby.HisnicknameisTony.”

TheartistwantedtoknowifNancyhadeverquestionedtheformerowneraboutthepicture.Shenodded.“Itriedto,butdidn’tgetveryfar.Heisverysecretive and uncooperative. By the way, do you know him—SalvatoreRocco?”

“No.Ineverheardofhim.Tellmemoreabouttheboy.”

Nancy explained the situation, and ended by saying thatMr. Rocco hadsaidheknewnothingabouttheoriginoftheparchment.Hehadpurchaseditatanauction.

“It is an interesting story,”Mr. Caspari remarked. “There’s a chance, ofcourse,thathisstoryisn’ttrue.”

Just then he spotted the initials DB in the corner with the wordMilanounderthem.

“Haveyouanyideasaboutwhattheseinitialsstandfor?”heaskedNancy.

“No,Ihaven’t.”

Mr. Caspari said that on this point he might be able to help her out. IbroughtwithmeadirectoryofEuropean artists.”He took it fromapocketandbeganturningthepages.”I’ll lookunderthesectionforItalyandseeifwecanfindaDBinMilano.”

Nancysatwatchingquietlyasthemanflippedpageafterpage.

Finally he said, “Noonewith those initials is listed inMilano, but I seethreeinRome.Theiraddressesarehere.Doyouwantthem?”

“Yes. I would like to have them, but does it say anything about thepeople?”

Theartisttoldherthattwoofthemweremenandoneawoman.Nancywasthoughtfulforseveralseconds, thenremarked,“Anotheroneofmyhunches—Ihaveafeeling,becauseofthestyleofthepaintingoftheangelsandthebaby,thattheartistmaybeawoman.”

“That’sagooddeduction,”hercallersaid.

“Mr.Caspari,”Nancycontinued,“doyouthinkthatthisMissorMrs.DBcould have studied inMilano and painted on the parchmentwhen shewasthere?”

“That’sverylikely,”heagreed.

Reading from his directory, the artist said that the woman’s name wasDiana Bolardo. Suddenly he snapped his fingers. “I have the perfectsolution!”heexclaimed.“MygrandparentsliveinRome.”

VincenzoCaspariofferedtogetintouchwiththematonce.“I’llphoneandaskthemtotrytofindDianaBolardo.”

Nancywasthrilled.HowshewishedshemightgotoRomeandinvestigateherself! She realized, however, that this would be expensive and the cluemightleadtoadeadend.

“Iappreciatethisgreatfavor,”Nancytoldtheartist,“andIcanhardlywaittoheartheanswer.”

Themansmiled.“Totellyouthetruth,I’mexcitedtobepartoftheteamtryingtosolvethismystery.”

AfterMr.Caspari had left, Junie came in to catchupon thenews.Aftertellingher,Nancysaid,“Junie,wouldyoudrivedowntownwithme?”

“Ofcourse.Butwhy?”

Nancy toldher she thought thepersonwhohad smashed theglass in theframe of the parchment picturemight have brought the frame to a shop tohavetheglassreplaced.“Orelse,hemightjusthavetakenthemeasurementsandwillputtheglassinhimself.Let’sgofirsttoahardwareshop.”

Juniesaidtherewerethreeintown.Theywouldgodirectlytothebestone.

Nancy tried toexplain toa salesmanwhat shewas trying to findout.Hesaidnoonehadbroughtabrokenpictureinforhimtofix,orboughtatwelvebytwentyinchpieceofglass.

Not discouraged, the girls went outside and Junie drove to the nexthardwarestore.Astheywalkedin,Nancythoughtthiswasalikelyplaceforthe thief to have brought the parchment picture. One half of the storewasdevotedtohardware,theotherhalftopicturesandpictureframing.

Apleasantwoman listened toNancy’s story,but shookherhead.Noonehadbroughtinanypicturesthatmorningtohavenewglassputin,andnoonehadboughtapieceofglasstousehimself.

“Thankyouverymuch,”Nancysaid,andthegirlswalkedout.

“There isoneplace left,”Juniesaid.“It’snotveryattractiveand it’s inashabbypartoftown,butIbelieveit’sjustthekindofplacethatathiefmightgoto.”

Shedroveafewblocksuntilshecametoanoldersectionoftown.Finallysheparked in frontofwhathadoncebeenahouseandwasnowastore.Agaudy sign in the window read: IF YOU CAN’T FIND IT HERE, YOUCAN’TFINDITANYWHERE.Thetwoshopperssmiled.

Nancyremarked,“That’saprettybroadclaim. Iwonder if theownercanliveuptoit!”

Juniegiggled.“Ifhecan,yourquestisover.”

Theinterioroftheshopwasuntidyandbadlyinneedofdusting.Amiddle-agedmancamefromtherearroom,slidbehindthecounter,andaskedwhatthegirlswanted.

Nancy noted that he eyed them up and down, as if he were asking thequestion,“Whataregirlslikeyoudoinginthispartoftown?”

Nancymadeherrequest.Atfirsttheproprietorshookhishead,sayingnoonehadbrought inapicture thatmorning.Thensuddenlyheadded,“Oh, Iforgot.Ayoungfellowfromtownwasintobuysomeglass.”

“Whatsizewasit?”Nancyaskedquickly.

Themanlookedatapieceofwrappingpaperlyingonthecounternotfarfromhis telephone.Onitwasscribbled12X20inches.Herepeatedthis tothegirls.

“That’sjustthesizewe’reinterestedin!”Nancysaid.“Whowasthisyoungman?”

Theproprietorsaidhedidnotknow,andNancywonderedwhetherhewastellingthetruthorcoveringupforthethief.Actingasifshebelievedhim,sheasked,“Whatdidhelooklike?”

“Oh,hewasofmediumheightandkindoftoughlooking.Ididnoticeonethingabouthim,though.Hisrighthandhadbeenbandagedasifhe’dcutit.Iaskedhimaboutit.Hetoldmehehadinjuredhishandonsomebrokenglassthathewantedtoreplace.”

Nancyand Juniewere exuberant.Theywere sure theyhad trackeddownthethief!Butthequestionwas,wherewashe?

“Yousayyoudon’tknowhim?”Nancyaskedtheowneragain.

Themanshookhishead.“I’veseenhimhangingaroundtownwithsomeothertoughguys,butIdon’tknowwhoheis.Infact,Idon’twanttoknowwhoheis.”

Thegirlsfeltthattheleasttheycoulddoforallthisinformationwastobuya fewarticles from the shop. Junie selected a small hammer, an awl, and apackage of assorted nails. Nancy found a new type of lawn sprinkler andpurchased it to take home to her father. As soon as the articles had beenwrappedandpaidfor,sheandJunieleftthestore.

Astheygotintothecar,JunieteasedNancy.“NowIsupposeyouwillaskmetodrivearoundtowherethetoughguyshangout!”

Nancysmiledandsaid,“You’rewrongthistime.Takemetoadrugstoreinthisneighborhood.”

Sheexplained that shewanted to findoutwhere theyoungmanwith thecuthandboughtthebandagehewaswearing.

“It’salongchance,Iknow,”sheadded,“but,Junie,agooddetectivetracksdowneverypossiblelittleclue.”

Juniesaidshewasbeginningtoseethat.“Itamazesmehowmuchtroubleyouhavetogotoforoneitsy-bitsyclue.”

Thegirlswent into thedrugstoreandapproached thecounterwherefirst-aid accessorieswere sold.Apleasantwomanwaitedon them.Nancyaskedherifayoungmanhadbeeninthatmorningtopurchaseafreshbandageforacuthand.

Shewas elatedwhen thewoman said, “Yes, therewas.Hewas in early.Saidhehadbeeninacaraccidentbutdidn’thavetogotoadoctor.Hecouldbandagehisownhand.”

“Doyouknowwhoheis?”Nancyaskedhopefully.

“Of course I do. He comes in here a lot. His name is Sid Zikes. I’msurprised that girls like youwould be interested in trying to find out abouthim.”

Nancythoughtitbestnottoexplainherreason.Shemerelyaskedwherehelived.Thistimeshereceivedan“Idon’tknow”forananswer.

“But I understand he doesn’t have a very good reputation,” the womansaid. “If you aren’t aware of that, I think it’smy duty towarn you to stayawayfromhim.”

“Thankyoufortheadvice,”Nancysaid,smiling.“Whydoeshehaveabadreputation?”

Thewomansaidshehadbeentoldthatuponseveraloccasionswhentherehadbeenatheftintown,youngSidZikeshadsuddenlydisappeared.“Butthefunnythingisthatafterawhilehecomesbackandnothingeverhappenstohim.Iguesshehasbeensuspectedmanytimesbutneverarrested.”

NancyaskedthewomanifSidZikeseverworegloves.Shesaidshedidnotknow.“Butitwouldn’tsurpriseme.Sid,inhisownflashyway,canbequiteadude.”

Both girls thanked the woman for her helpful information. Then theybought some powder and perfume. Nancy decided that hers would go to

HannahGruen.

Afewminuteslater,astheyoungdetectivesweredrivingoff,Nancysaid,“Junie, I think we should report our suspicions to Officer Browning. Let’sstopatStatePoliceheadquartersandtellhimoratleastleaveamessageforhim.”Hewasnotthere,soNancywroteanotetotheabsentofficer.

WhensheandJuniefinallyreachedhome,Mrs.Flockhartmetthem.Aftershehadkissedthetwogirls,shesaid,“Nancy,youaretocallhomeatonce.Yourfatherphonedandsaidhehassomeveryspecialnewsforyou!”

CHAPTERXII

TelltaleGlove

WHENMr.Drewanswered thephone, he askedhowNancywas, andhowshewasprogressingwiththemystery.Hearingthatshewasveryenthusiasticaboutherwork,headded,“HannahGruenandIarebothverybusyandwekeepwell,butImustsaywemissyouverymuch.”

He now began to tell her about his interview with the United StatesImmigrationDepartment.Hesaidtheyhadmadeathoroughsearchandcouldnot findaSalvatoreRoccowhohadcome into theUnitedStates fromItalyabouttenyearsbefore,withorwithoutthebabyheclaimedwashisnephew.Thelawyersaidhewassorryhedidnothavebetternewsforhisdaughter.

“Oh,I’mnotdiscouraged,”Nancyassuredhimquickly.“IassumethatMr.Roccoeithersneakedinto thecountrywith thebaby,orcamehereunderanassumedname.”

“No doubt you’re right,” her father agreed, “and it would be almosthopelesstotrackdownthismanundersuchcircumstances.ButletmeknowifyougetanymorecluesIcanhelpwith,”headded.

Nancy now brought him up-to-date on themystery and ended by tellinghimaboutDianaBolardo.“Doyouthinkitwouldbeagoodideatofindoutifanyonebythatnameenteredthiscountryeithertostayortovisitduringthepasttenyears?”

Thelawyerthoughtitwasagoodidea.“However,ifthewomanislivinginRome,itwon’tbenecessary.”

NancysaidshewouldletherfatherknowtheinstantMr.Casparitoldherwhathisgrandparentshadfoundout.

“Andnow,”Mr.Drewsaid,“Ihaveasurpriseforyou.Thepolicecaught

thegirlwhostoleyourjacket.”

“Really?Howwonderful!Whatdidshesay?”

The lawyer reported that thegirlhadnoticed Juniecarrying thecoat inasee-through bag and felt she had to have it. She followed Junie from thestation, found theDrews’ door open and tiptoed in. “Her case comes up intwo weeks. I guess you’ll have to testify against her. Incidentally, she’s aknown petty thief and hitchhiker. She wasn’t acquainted with the man inwhosecaryousawher.”

“Toobad,”Nancysaidwithasigh.

Bythetimeshehadfinishedhercall,Juniehadgoneoutdoorstovisitthebarnwhere thenewborn lambswerekept.AsNancy sat thinking about thecaseandwhattodonext,Mr.Flockhartcamein.

“Whysopensive?”heteased.“Didthephonecallupsetyou?”

Nancy told him about the conversation, and then changed the subject. “Iwas thinkingabout somethingelse.Would itbepossible forme toobtainapieceofparchmentthesizeoftheonethatwasstolen?I’dliketotrypaintingonittoseehowcloseIcancometoimitatingthefouroriginalpaintings.”

TheownerofTripleCreekFarmsaidhewouldbegladtoletNancyhaveapieceofhis finest parchment.With a twinkle inhis eyeshe added, “If youmake a really good duplicate of the stolen picture, I’ll have it framed andhangitup!”

Nancygrinned.“Idon’texpecttodoanythingsowonderfulastheoriginalartist did, but I’d like to try. It’s just possible it might help us solve themystery.”

Mr. Flockhart said he would take her to the factory at once and chooseexactlytherightpiece.Heescortedheroutsidetohiscarandtheydroveoff.SinceNancyhadnevertriedpaintingonparchment,shedidnotknowwhattochoose,butMr.Flockhartshowedherthedifferentgradesofparchmentandtoldherwhichwasthebestvarietyforwhatshewantedtodo.

Nancy thanked him and said she could hardlywait to get started on thepainting.Shehadexpectedtoreturnhomeatonce,butMr.FlockhartwantedtospeaktoEezy,sotheyrodebacktothehousethelongerway.

Heparked thecarwhere JuniehadonpreviousoccasionsandwalkedupthehillsidewithNancy.Eezygreetedthemwithabiggrin.Theshepherddidnotwaittohearanymessagethatmightbebroughttohim.

Atoncehesaid,“Howdy,boss!Howdy,NancyDrew!”ThenashepickeduphisIrishharp,hequotedfromtheBible,“‘NowIcanmakeajoyfulnoiseuntotheLord.”’5

Atoncehebegantoaccompanyhimselfinasongtellingaboutalambthathadwanderedfarfromhome.Finallythough,thelittlesheephadbecomesolonesomehecouldnotstanditandturnedaroundandwentback.Eventuallyhe rejoined his flock and the ditty ended with a series of baas in variouspitches.

NancyandMr.Flockhart laughedandclappedappreciatively.Nancynowwenttopatherfavoritelamb,whonudgedheraffectionately.Shenoticedthathewasgrowingstrongerdaily.Shehadtobraceherselftoavoidbeingshovedover.

In a few minutes Mr. Flockhart finished talking with his herdsman andcalledtoNancythathewasreadytoleave.

“What’s the rush?” Eezy asked. “I got somethin’ in the cabin I want toshowNancy.”

Hedisappearedinsidehisshackbutsoonreturned,holdingupaglove.Thegirldetectivewasamazed.Theglovelookedexactlyliketheoneshehadtornfromthehandofthethiefwhohadstolentheparchmentpainting.

Excited,sheaskedEezy,“Wheredidyougetthis?”

Astheshepherdslippedthegloveontoonehand,hesaid,“Youknow,thisfitsperfectly.Roverbroughtittome.You’reagooddetective,Nancy.Doyouthinkyoucouldfindmethematetothis?”Hebegantosingloudly.

Before the callers could answer the question, one of the nearby sheep,apparently unused to his singing, gave a loud baa, which made everyonelaugh.

ItwasNancy’sturntosurprisetheshepherd.“IthinkmaybeIknowwherethematetothisgloveis.IfI’mright,I’lltellyou.”

Eezywaggedhisheadfromside toside.“You’re themostamazinggirl Ievermet!Youtakethisgloveandseeifitmatchestheoneyouknowabout.”

Nancynowchanged the subjectandaskedEezy if the twomenwhohadattackedhimhadeverreturned.“Iwasafraidtheymightattempttoattackyouagain.”

“Oh,no,nothing like that,” the shepherdsaidemphatically. “I’mkeepingthatmeanrampennedupbehindmycabin.Ifthereisanydisturbancearound

here,I’lljustturntheoldfellowlooseonanybodywhobothersme!”

“That’sagoodidea,”Mr.Flockhartsaid.

Nancywasthinkingofthewalkie-talkiethatsheandJuniehadbroughttothe shepherd.Apparently he thought the ramwould be a quicker andmoreeffectivemeansofwardingoffanattack!

“Andafterwhathappenedtome,”shethought,“Iguesshe’sright!”

In themeantimeEezyhadpickeduphisharpandbeganplayingaprettylittletuneonit.Hefinishedinafewminutes,thenNancyandMr.Flockhartsaidgood-byandtrudgeddownthehill.Whentheygotintothecar,hedroveat once to State Police headquarters and turned over the glove Rover hadbroughttoEezy.

OfficerBrowningwasthereandwasthunder-strucktoseeNancyholdingthematchingglove.

“There isnoquestionbut that this is themate,”he said. “Wheredidyoufindit?”

NancytoldhimhowRoverhadpickeditupontheTripleCreekpropertyandbroughttheglovetohismaster,Eezy.

“Ihaveastrongfeeling,”Nancysaid,“thatthethiefwantedtogetridofthemateofthetelltaleglove.HedeliberatelyplanteditonMr.Flockhart’sfarmtothrowsuspiciononEezyorsomeoftheothershepherdsorhelpers.Whatdoyouthink,OfficerBrowning?”

“Thatyouhavemadeareasonablededuction,”hesaid.“Ofcourseitwouldbe hard to prove, but we may get some other evidence to support yourtheory.”

Mr.Flockhartspoke.“Itdidn’tdothatthiefabitofgoodtotrymakinganyof my men look guilty. I trust every one of them, and I am sure all areinnocentofanywrongdoing.”

The officer nodded. “Iwould certainly take yourword against any otherperson’s,”hesaid.“Thepoliceareconvincedthattheintruderinyourhomewas a stranger, and the theft of the parchment picture was an outside job.Don’tworry,therewillneverbeanychargeagainstyourmen,I’msure.”

Aftera littlemoreconversationabout themystery, thephonerang,so thevisitorsstooduptoleave.

“Don’tgoyet,”Browningsaid.“I’vebeenexpectingacall.Ithinkitmaybeofgreatinteresttoyou.”

NancyandMr.Flockhartstoodstillwhiletheofficeransweredthephone.He said, “Very good.Bringhim in here. I have twovisitorswhowould begladtoseehim.”

The officer put down his phone, but gave no explanation of theconversation.NancyandMr.Flockhartlookedateachother,puzzled.

A fullminutewent by, then the door opened. Two policemenwalked inwith a handcuffed prisoner. A sullen-looking youth glanced at the visitors,thenhiseyesdropped.

OfficerBrowning said, “Mr.Flockhart,MissNancyDrew, Iwant you tomeetSidZikes!”

CHAPTERXIII

APaintDisaster

SmZikes!Theyoungmantheyhadbeentryingtofind!Hisrighthandwasstillbandaged.

OfficerBrowningsaid,“Sidisbeingchargedwithpettylarcenyandwillbebookedonthatcount.”

SidZikesspokeup.“Igotarighttobail!”

Hewastoldthatthiswasajudge’sdecisionandhewouldhavetoremainbehindbarsuntiltheamountwasdecidedupon.

Theprisoner’seyesroamedfromonepersontoanotherintheroom.FinallytheyrestedonNancy.Thegirldetectivefeltuncomfortable.Washeblamingherforhisarrest?

Officer Browning asked Nancy andMr. Flockhart if they would like toquestion theprisoner.The sheep-farmowner saidhewoulddefer toNancy.“SheknowsbetterthanIdowhattoask.”

Addressing Sid Zikes, the girl detective began. “Why did you steal theparchmentpicturefromMr.Flockhart’shome?”

Sidlookedatthefloorandreplied,“Ididn’t.”

Nancy told him that she knew he had purchased a new piece of glassexactlytherightsizetoreplacetheonethathadbeensmashedwhenhehadthrown the picture. The young man made no comment, and looked out awindow.

Nancy decided to change her line of questioning. She said, “Did youthreatentheshepherdEezyandknockhimout?”

Theprisonershouted,“No!”

“Whenyouwentupthehillsidetohiscabin,whowasthepersonwithyou?Abuddyorastranger?”

SidZikes saiddefinitely, “I don’t knowwhat you’re talking about, and Idon’thavetolistentothiskindofquestioning.Officer,takemeaway.ButIwarneveryoneofyou,Iwon’tbeinjaillong!I’llprovemyinnocence!”

AsMr.FlockhartandNancyleftStatePoliceheadquarters,hesaidtoher,“DoyouthinkSidZikesisguilty?”

Nancy replied that she was sure he was the burglar who had taken theparchmentpicture.“HewasaboutthesizeandbuildofthepersonIcaughtaglimpseofinyourhouse.ButIthinkitmaybetruethathehadnothingtodowiththeattackonEezy.”

Mr.Flockhartwasinclinedtoagree.“ButIdoubtthatSidZikeswantedthepictureforhimself.Ibelievehewaspaidbysomebodytosneakinandgetit.”

NancyaskedtheTripleCreekownerifhehadanyguessesaboutwhothatpersonmightbe.Mr.Flockhartshookhishead.“UnfortunatelyIunderstandthereisagangintownthatwilldosuchjobsforpeoplewhowouldnotthinkof committing the act themselves. So far the police haven’t been able toapprehendthem.”

Nancy remarked, “The person who puts any one up to stealing to gainsomethingforhimselfisevenworsethanthethief,don’tyouthink?”

“Iagree,”Mr.Flockhartsaid.

HeandNancywent tohis car anddroveoff.Sheaskedhim ifhewouldmind going into town so she could purchase some fine colored pencils tomakesketchesontheparchment.

“I’llbegladto,”hesaid,“butdon’taskmyadviceonthebestcolors.Thetruthis,I’mcolor-blind.”

“That’stoobad,”Nancysaid.

The farmer laughed. “It doesn’t botherme.So far allmycustomerswhoplantopaintonparchmentseemtoknoweverythingaboutcolors.”

After thepurchaseshadbeenmade,NancyandMr.Flockhartrodehome.Hedroppedheratthefrontdoorofthehouse,thendroveofftohisfactory.

JunieandhermotherwerethereandwereamazedtohearthestoryofSidZikes’scaptureandimprisonment.

“I’dsaythepoliceareveryefficient,”Mrs.Flockhartremarked.

Juniespokeup.“ButNancyhadsomeexcellentinformationtogivethem.”

Nancybrushedasidethecomplimentandaskedwhereshemightworkontheparchment.“I’meagertogetstarted,”shesaid.

Junie’smother said sheknew theperfect spot. “At the rearof thegardenbehind the farmhouse there’sa lovely summerhouse. It’s anattractive littleplace. I think you’ll like the nice, shady spot. It’s quiet and nobody willdisturbyou.”

Junieofferedtogetaneaselfromtheatticandbringitdownstairs.Thetwogirlswalkedouttothesummerhouseandsetuptheeasel.Nancygotouthercoloredpencils.Nextshestretchedtheparchmentacrossaframeandpinnedittightly.Thenshesetitontheeaselandsaid,“IguessI’mreadytostart.”

Juniewatchedasherfriendmeticulouslybeganherwork.

The girl artist thought, “I’ll do the hardest thing first. That will be thesketchofthebeautifulyoungwoman.”

She closed her eyes for several seconds, so that she might recall theoriginalpictureexactly.Finallysheopenedthemandbegantopaint.

JuniewatchedNancyforseveralminutes,fascinated,thensaidshemustdoherownchores.“I’llbebackassoonaspossible,”shetoldNancy.

The young sleuth worked diligently for some time. Secretly she waspleasedwiththeresultofherwork.“Itreallydoeslookliketheoriginal,”shethought.

Nancyhadtoldnoone,butwhatshehadinmindwasmakingaparchmentpicture resembling the original so closely thatMr. Flockhart would indeedwanttohangitoverthefireplaceinthelivingroom.

Shesmiledtoherself.“MaybeIhavenerveeventotrytodothis,butI’llattemptitanyway.”

BythetimeJuniereturned,Nancyhadalmostcompletedtheentiregroupof pictures. She was working on the sketch of the collision between thesailingshipandthesteamer.

Juniewasastounded.“Nancy,that’ssimplymarvelous!”sheexclaimed.

Thewordswerehardlyoutofhermouthwhenthegirlsbecameawareofsomething sailing through the air behind them.Thenext instant their headsandtheparchmentwerecoveredwithpaint!

Nancy and Junie had turned quickly. They were just in time to see two

shadowy figures throw down cans of paint and run away. All thought oftrying to followthe twomenvanishedfromthegirls’minds.Thepaintwasrunningdownfromtheirhair,andtheydidnotdareletitgetintotheireyes.

Bothofthempickeduppiecesofcloth,whichNancyhadhandytouseforherwork. Theywiped off their spattered faces as best they could and thentriedtoremovethepaintfromtheirhair.Insecondstheyhadusedupalltheavailableclothsanddecidedtheyhadbetterhurryintothehousetofinishthejob.

Nancypausedamoment,however,tolookattheparchment.Itwasruined!Shewas on the verge of tears as she picked up the parchment and coloredpencils,andfollowedJunietothehouse.

Mrs.Flockhartwasnearthedoorwhenthegirlsrushedin.Shecriedout,“Whatintheworldhappenedtoyou?”

Junieexplainedandtogethertheyopenedakitchendrawerandtookoutaroll of cheesecloth.Mrs. Flockhart quickly cut it into sections and handedpiecestothegirls.Whiletheyworkedontheirhair,shemoppedthepaintofftheirclothing.

“We’dbettershampoorightaway,”Junieadvised.

“Thatwon’tgetoffallthepaint,”hermothersaid.“Ithasanoilbase.Whatyou shoulduse is paint thinner.Wait herewhile I runout to thegarage forsome.Iknowthere’salargecanofitthere.”

Shewasgoneonlyacoupleofminutes.Whenshereturned,Mrs.Flockharttold the twogirls to lean their foreheadsagainst the rimof the sinkand lettheir hair fall inside. Then she poured out the paint thinner, and in a littlewhilethecombinationoftheredandbluesplotcheshadvanished.

Thegirls’headswerecoveredwithpaint!

“Nowgoupstairsandtakehotshowersandshampoos,”shesaid.

Thegirlswenttothesecondfloorandreappearedanhourlater,lookingasif nothing had happened to them. Meanwhile Mrs. Flockhart had tried toremovethepaintfromtheparchment,buthadfoundit impossible.TheblueandredliquidshadmingledwithNancy’ssketchestosuchanextentthatthere

wasnochanceofseparatingthem.

“I’mdreadfullysorrythishappened,”thedistressedwomansaid.“Didyougirlsseewhothrewthepaint?”

Nancyrepliedthat theyhadhadaglimpseof twofigures,butdidnotseetheintrudersclearlyenoughtoidentifythem.

Suddenlyshehadanidea.“Junie,doyourecallthatthosementhrewdowntheircansofpaint?”

“No,allIrememberiswantingtogetawayfromthemasfastaspossible.”

“Well, it seems tome they did leave those containers behind.Maybewecan find someclue towhere theycame from—abrandnameor someotherkindofidentification.Let’slook!”

OverhearingNancy’scomments,Mrs.Flockhartspokebeforeherdaughtercould. “Those men could still be on our property. They could be lurkingbehindthesummerhouse.”

“Oh,Mother,”Juniesaid,laughing.“Theyranoff.”

“Iknowyousaidthat.ButifNancyisrightaboutthepaintcans,perhapstheyreturnedforthem.”Shepausedamoment.“No,Iwouldpreferthatyouremainhere.”

Thegirldetective,however,wasnotwillingtoletsuchavaluableclueslippasthersoeasily.“Mrs.Flockhart,wouldyougowithus?I’msurethattwomenwouldnotwanttotacklethreewomen.”

Reluctantlythewomanagreed.“Allright,butlet’sbequickaboutit.”

Nancy and Junie hurried outdoors withMrs. Flockhart behind them andheadedforthesummerhouse.Notfarfromitlaythetwoemptycans.

“ThesearetheAcmebrand,”Juniesaid.“Maybethatwillbeaclue.”

“Ithinkit’sagoodone,”Nancyreplied.

SheandJuniepickedupthetwocansandthethreewentbacktothehouse.AtNancy’ssuggestion,Junietelephonedeachstoreintownwherepaintwassold.Thefirstonedidnotcarrythisbrand.

Nancywaitedexpectantly,butassomeoneineachshopsaidhedidnotselltheAcmebrand,shebecamemoreandmorediscouraged.Herbeautifulcluewascomingtonothing!

When Junie finished telephoning, she turned toNancy. “What’s the next

move?I’mdeterminedtofindoutwhothrewthatpaintatusandruinedyourpicture!”

“I’m just as determined,” Nancy told her. “As you know, Junie, I havenever trustedMr.Roccofromthebeginning,andI trusthimlessnowthat Iknowheenteredthiscountryunderanassumednameorsneakedin.Isuggestthatwegotohisplaceandlookaroundhisbarnswhileavoidinghim.MaybewecanfindsomeAcmepaintcans.”

Junie looked at her friend in astonishment. “That’s the last thing in theworldIthoughtyouwouldsay,butIagreeit’sagoodidea.I’llgetthecar.”

InashorttimeJunieparkedfarfromtheentrancetoRocco’sfarmandthetwogirlswalkedacross the fields toward thebarns,whichwereoutside thefenced-in area. They entered one building, which was empty. There weremanytoolshangingupandshelvesonwhichstoodcansofvariousproducts,includingpaint.Thegirlstiptoedforwardtoexaminethem.

“Acme paint!”Nancywhispered. “And, Junie, look!Here is one of blueandoneofredinexactlythesameshadesthatwerethrownatus.”

“So two of Mr. Rocco’s workers are guilty!” Junie said in a low tone.“Maybewe’dbetterhurryawayandreporttheincidentbeforewegetcaught.”

Thegirlswereabouttowalkoutsidewhentheyheardvoicescloseby.TwomenwerespeakinginItalian,andtheyseemedtobearguing.

Thiswentonforafewminutes,thensuddenlyoneofthemspokeEnglish.Thegirlsdidnotrecognizethevoicethatcriedoutinasnarl,“Iftheywon’tjoin,theywon’t!Anddon’taskmetopullanyroughstufftomakethemdoit!”

CHAPTERXIV

ImportantInformation

ASTOUNDEDatwhattheyhadjustheard,NancyandJuniestoodstock-still,staringateachother.Theyhadnotrecognizedthevoiceofeitherman.

Insteadoftiptoingawayatonce,thegirlswaitedtohearmoreconversationbythetwounseenmen.Therewasnone,however,andtheirfootstepsfadedaway.

NancyatoncethoughtofEezyandMrs.Potter,theshopkeeper.Weretheybeing coerced to join some association they wanted to have nothing to dowith?NancysignaledJunie,andthegirlswalkedquicklyoutofthebarnandreturnedtothecar.

Astheydroveaway,NancytoldJuniehersuspicionsandsaid,“Let’sstopatthegeneralstoreandseewhatwecanfindoutfromMrs.Potter.”

When theyarrived, severalpeopleweregoing in andout of the store, soNancysuggested that theywait.“I’drather talk toMrs.Potterwhennooneelseisaround,”shetoldJunie.

Ten minutes later there seemed to be fewer customers, so the two girlswalkedintothecountrystore.Mrs.Pottergreetedthemcordiallyandasked,“WhatcanIdoforyou?”

Nancydidnothesitate to tellher thewhole story.Sheasked ifherguesshadbeenrightaboutwhatthetwomenwantedhertodo.

The woman suddenly blushed. “How did you ever figure that out? Thewholematterwassupposedtobekeptsecret,otherwisewe’dbeharmed.”

Thegirl detective smiled. “Junie and I heard it fromoneofMr.Rocco’smen.Pleasetellusmore.”

Mrs.Potterheavedagreatsighandthentoldthegirlsthattheirguesswashalfright.“There’salotmoretoit.ThosemenwhoIsuspectaretoolsofMr.Rocco,foundoutthatIknewtheschemewasphony,andthreatenedmeifItoldanyone.”

“Whatisthescheme?”Nancyasked.

“Theyaresecretlytryingtoorganizefarmworkersandemployeesinsmallbusinesses to form a vast association. They are going to fight for higherwagesandfringebenefitsandallsortsofadvantagesfortheworkers.”

Junielookedamazed.“Doesitincludemyfather’sworkers?”

“Idon’tknowbutIthinknot.Whatmademesuspiciouswasthatthemendemandedmoneyinadvance.Isuspecttheyhavecollectedagoodbitalready.Thispart Icouldn’tagree to.But Idon’tmind tellingyou thatat times I’mafraidthosemenorsomeoftheirpalswillcomeinhereandinjureme.”

Nancy and Junie looked at each other, their thoughts on the attack ofFlockhart’s shepherd Eezy. As two customers walked into the shop at thismoment, thegirls quicklypurchased some sugarless chewinggumand saidgood-bytoMrs.Potter.

“Letmehearfromyouifyoufindoutanything,”shecalled,astheystartedforthedoor.

“Wewill!”Juniereplied.AftersheandNancyhadclimbedintothecar,sheadded,“NextstopEezy’scabin.”

Asusualtheyfoundtheelderlyshepherdseatedinfrontofhislittlecabin.HewasnotplayinghisIrishharp,butgazingintentlyoverthelargeflockofsheephewastending.NearhimwasthelittlelambNancylikedsomuch.

Eezysawthegirlstrudgingupthehillsideandwavedtothem.Hespoketothe lamb and apparently it understoodwhat he had said. The animal lopeddown the slope tomeet the girls. They stopped to pet and hug it, then thelambtrottedalongsideastheywentuptherestofthewaytospeaktoEezy.

“Cheerio,yougetcutereveryday,”Nancytoldthelamb.

When they reached the topof thehillside,Eezyhada treat for them.Hehad brought out some crackers and glasses of iced lemonade. His visitorsthankedhimanddeclareditwouldtastegoodaftertheirlonghike.AssoonasNancy had finished hers, she got to the subject she had come to quiz himabout.

The shepherd listened intently, then suddenly slapped his thigh. “It beats

mehowyoufoundout,buteverywordyousayistrue.Idon’tgoalongwiththepropositionandIdon’tthinkanybodyelseshould.ItoosuspectthosemenareworkingforRocco.Idon’ttrusthimandIdon’tliketheideaofcollectingmoneyinadvance—bah!”

Nancyaskedhimifhehadanyideahowfarthepropositionhadsucceeded.Eezysaidhedidnotknow,buthethoughtmanypeoplehadpaidandsigneduptojoinhisorganization.

“Butnobody’s supposed to talk about it, and Iguess that’swhynonewsgetsaround.ThethingthatbothersmemostisthatIthinkthosemenmaybemakingprogresswithsomeofMr.Flockhart’sworkers.Hepaysusallwell,andwe’rehappyatwhatwe’redoing.Whyshouldsomebodycome inhereandupsetthings?

“Besides,”hewenton,“youknowitsaysintheGoodBook,‘Keeptheefarfromafalsematter:forIwillnotjustifythewicked.”’6

JuniewasalarmedbyEezy’stheorythatmanyofMr.Flockhart’sworkershadbeenapproachedandhadalreadysecretlyjoinedtheorganization,givingthemanadvancepayment.Shesuggested that thegirls returnatonce to thehouse to talkwith her father.Thegirl detective agreed and the twohurrieddownthehillside.

Junie’s father had just come in. Together the girls told him the startlingnews.

Theman’sfacebecamegrave.“Wecan’tletthisgoon!”hedeclared.“ButImustadmit thatat themomentIdon’tknowexactlyhowtocopewith thesituation. I wish I had more data on the subject. Then I’d know how toapproachmymen.”

Nancyhadbeenthinkinghard.Nowshesaidtohim,“Ihaveasuggestion,Mr.Flockhart.Youknowmyfriendsarecomingheresoonforavisit.Nooneinthisneighborhoodknowsthem.HowwoulditbeifNed,Burt,andDaveactasundercovermenandfindoutwhattheycanforyou?”

Mr.Flockhart smiled. “That sounds like anexcellent idea,”he agreed. “Iwillwelcomeyourfriendsandaskthemtodothisdetectivework,butononecondition.”

“Whatisthat?”Nancyasked.

Thebigmanlookedintentlyatherandsaid,“IwillpermititaslongastheworkisunderthedirectionofDetectiveNancyDrew!”

Nancylaughed.“It’sabargain,”shesaid,andhewentoff.

A fewminutes lateracardroveup to thehouse.DanWhite jumpedout.Junierushedoutsidetogreethim,butinafewminutescalledtoNancytojointhem.

“Dannyhasasurpriseforus,”Juniesaid.“Dan,youtellher.”

ThecollegestudentwhowasmajoringinItaliansaidthatsinceseeingthegirlshehaddelvedintoastudyofthedialectsusedinvariouspartsofItaly.“Iparticularlyworkedonthosespokenbymanypeasantsoverforty-fiveyearsold,livingindifferentareasofthecountry.IfinallyfoundonethatIthinkMr.Rocco’sworkersuse.IthoughtmaybewecouldrunoverthereandI’lltalktosomeofthemen.”

Nancywasthrilledwiththeidea,sothethreesetoffinDan’scar.

“Let’sgotoseeTonyfirst,”Nancysuggested.“I’dliketoknowhowhe’smakingoutwithhisuncle.”

Danparked the car.He and thegirlswalked across the fields to the spotwhereTonyhadbeenhoeinganddrawingpictures.Hewasnot there.Theylookedallover,butdidnotseehim.

“Iwonderwhereheis,”Dansaid.

“Hisunclemusthavemovedhimtoanotherfield,”Juniesuggested.

Dansaidhecouldseeoneof theworkmen in thedistanceandsuggestedthattheywalkoversohecouldtalktohim.Itwasalongtrekbutfinallytheyreachedtheman.This timeDandidnotsaygoodday inhiscollegeItalian,butinsteadspokeinthedialectheassumedthefarmhandmightuse.

The laborer turned quickly and looked in amazement at the youngman.Thenhebegantospeakinatorrentofwords.NancyandJuniewonderedhowmuchofitDanunderstood.Totheirdelight,heseemedtounderstandagoodbitandansweredthemanintermittently.

PresentlyDanturnedtothegirls.“Whatquestionsdoyouwantmetoaskhim?”

Nancysaid,“AskhimfirstifheknowswhereTonyis.”

Dan did so and as he listened his brow furrowed. Nancy and Juniewonderedwhathewasbeing told.FinallyDanturnedandtranslatedfor thegirls.

“Thismantellsmesomeveryunfortunatenews.Tonyhasrunaway!”

“Runaway!”thegirlsexclaimed.

Dan said Mr. Rocco had discovered the boy early that morning with adrawingpadandpencil,makingsketchesinsteadofhoeingrowsofcorn.

“Hisunclebecameenraged.HetorethepadtobitsandthengaveTonyaterriblebeating.”

“Howawful!”Juniesaid.“Idon’tblamethepoorboyforrunningaway!”

NancyaskedDantoinquireofthemanifheknewwhereTonyhadgone.In response the laborer lifted his arm and pointed toward the Flockhartproperty.

“Wemustgoafterhim!”Nancydeclaredatonce.“I’llwalkinthedirectionthismanpointedout.”

Juniesaid,“Notalone!Afterwhathashappeneditwouldbetoodangerous!Dan,howaboutyourgoingwithNancy? I’ll return toyourcaranddrive ithome.MayIhavethekeys?”

Danagreed.HeandNancysetoffatafastpace.TheybegantoruninthedirectionwhereTonywassupposedtohavegone.PresentlythetwosearcherscrossedtheboundarybetweentheRoccofarmandTripleCreek.

It seemed toNancy that therewere sheep everywhere but no sign of theboyTony.Oncetheystoppedtoaskashepherd,butthemandeclaredhehadnotseenthechild.

Thecouplewalkedonandpresentlycametoasmallravinewithastreamofwateratthebase.Therewerenoanimalsinthearea,andNancyassumedthattheshepherdstriedtokeeptheirflocksawayfromthedangerousspot.

Suddenlyshestoppedshort.Danlookedatherandsaid,“Issomethingthematter?”

“Listen!”sheurged.“Iheardsomething.”

TheybothlistenedandDansaid,“Itcouldbealambcrying.”

Nancyreplied,“Yes, itcouldbe.Butitsoundsmorelikeachildsobbing.Let’sheadinthatdirection!”

Bylisteningcarefully,thecoupledecidedthatitwasahumancrycomingfromnear thewater at the foot of the ravine.Carefully they descended thesteepembankment.InafewminutestheyfoundTonyhuddledinaheapandsobbingbesidealargerock.

“Tony!Tonyl”Nancyexclaimedassherantowardtheboy.

He liftedhis tear-stained face andblinked as if he couldnot believe thatNancyDrewhadfoundhishidingplace.HesmiledwanlyfirstatherandthenatDan.Thenpolitelyhegotupandshookhandswitheachofthem.

Dan spoke to him in Italian, repeating what he had heard from theworkmanontheRoccofarm.TonyrepliedandDantranslatedforNancy.

“Thestoryistrue.Tonysayshecannotstandanymoreofhisuncle’scrueltreatment.HewantstogotoItalytofindhisownfamily.”

NancysuggestedthatDanaskhimifheknewwhotheywereandifanyofthemwere living. Dan did so and the reply was, “Somebodymust be andwouldn’tbesomeantome!”

Nancywas touched.What should shedo?TakeTonyhomewithher?Orperhaps she should deliver the boy to State Police headquarters. But theymightreturnhimtohisuncle!

ThenNancy’seyesglistenedasshethoughtofsomething.“Dan,IhaveanideaaboutwhatweshoulddoaboutTony!”

CHAPTERXV

SecretNotes

“WHATisyourgreatideaabouthelpingTony?”DanaskedNancy.

Excited,shetoldhimofaplanshehadsuddenlydevised.“HowwoulditbeifwetakehimtoEezyfortonight?”

Danagreedthatthiswouldbebetterthanleavingtheboyoutintheopen.“Thenwhat?”heasked.

“We’llgetTonytowriteanotetohisuncle.HecanassureMr.Roccothathe’ssafeandhappy.”

DanurgedNancytocontinue.Sofarhelikedherplan.

“IthinkthenoteshouldalsosaythatTonywillreturnhomeifhisunclewillpromisetotellhimwheretherestoftheboy’sfamilyisandsendhimbacktoItaly.”

Dan remarked that this sounded fair enough, but would Rocco keep hisword?Thenheadded,“WhataboutTony’sdesiretodraw?Isn’titwrongforMr.Roccotokeephimfromdoingthis?”

Nancyagreed,butsaid,“I think thatsolutioncancomelater.We’dbetternotoverdotherequestatthistime.”

Danfeltherdecisionwasawiseone.Headded,however,“Ican’thelpbutfeelthatwe’relettingMr.Roccoofftooeasy.IthinkTony’snoteshouldalsowarnhisunclethatifhedoesn’tagreetothearrangement,theboywillgoatoncetothepoliceandreporthim.”

Nancysmiled.“Thatshouldthrowascareintothecruelman!”

DanaskedifNancyintendedtotakethenotetoMr.Roccoherself.

“Oh,no,”shereplied.“Thisshouldbedonesecretly.Heshouldn’tknowIhaveanythingtodowiththecase.WhenIwasatthegeneralstore,Inoticedan old oak tree across the road. It had a deep hollow in the trunk. A notewouldfitinthereperfectly.”

Danwaggedhisheadandgrinned.“It’sveryrefreshingandinterestingtoseeareallivedetectiveatwork!”

Nancyaskedhim if hewould speak toTony in Italian and tell himwhattheyhadbeen talkingabout.BeforeDan translated theboy’sanswers, therewasagoodbitofconversationbetweenthetwo.AttimesTonywouldshakehishead,atothershewouldlookupatDanandsmilebroadly.

FinallyDanwas ready to translate. “Tony has agreed to everything,” hereported. “He likes the idea of staying with Eezy and knows he will becomfortableandsafethere.Theonlythinghewasnotsurehewantedtodowasthreatenhisuncleaboutgoingtothepolice.Butfinallyhehasagreedtodoit.Shallwegetstarted?”

Nancynodded.Thethreerosefromthegroundandwalkedupthecanyonwall.Thiswasdifficult.Treacherous,loosestonesskiddedundertheirfeet.

DankeptatightgriponNancy’sarmsothatshewouldnotfall.HetriedtotakeTony’sarmwithhisotherhand,buttheboyscooteduptheprecipicewiththeagilityandspeedofamountaingoat.

TheyfinallyreachedthetopandwalkedquicklyacrossthefieldstoEezy’scabin.Theelderlyshepherdwasstandingup,shadinghiseyeswithonehand,and looking all around. The young people wondered if some of his sheepmighthavestrayedaway.

As they drew closer, Eezy’s eyes grew large. When they were still ahundredyardsaway,heshoutedatthem,“Well,howdy!HowdylAndwhoisthisboywithyou?”

Nancyshoutedback,“Don’tyourecognizehim?Lookclosely.”

The shepherd shook his head. As Nancy walked closer, she introducedTonyRocco,thenDanWhite.

The shepherd laughed. “Oh,Dan and I are old friends.Miss Junie oftenbrings him up here to seeme.” Then, looking straight atNancy, he added,“I’llbetyouhavesomethinginterestingtotellme.Whatisit?”

The girl detective asked him, “Howwould you like a temporary guest?”Theelderlymanlookedpuzzled.ThenNancyexplainedtheplansheandDan

hadworkedout.

WhenshetoldEezyhowMr.Roccobeatthechild,theherdsmanscowled.“FitsrightinwithwhatI’veheardallalongaboutthatman.YouknowIdon’tlikehim.Iwouldn’ttrusthimaquarterofanacreaway.”

AllthistimeTonyhadstoodby,silentandmotionless.NowheaskedDanaquestioninItalian.

Insteadofreplying,DanaskedEezywhathisanswerwas.“WhyofcourseI’lltakethisboyin.Idon’tgetmuchcompanyuphereanditwillbefunforme.”Heasked,“Doesn’tTonyspeakEnglish?”

“No,”Danreplied.

Eezy snappedhis fingers. “Then I’mgoing to start right in teaching himsome.AnyboywholivesintheseUnitedStatesshouldspeakourlanguage!”

Eezyproducedpencilandpaper,andDanhelpedTonycomposeanotetohisuncle.

While hewasdoing thisEezy talked toNancy. “So theboywasborn inItaly and has been here ten years, but has never been allowed to speakanythingbutItalian.”

Theshepherd lookedoff into theclouds, thensaid,“Youknow,Nancy, itsaysintheGoodBook,‘Itisanancientnation,whoselanguagethouknowestnot,neitherunderstandethwhattheysay.’”7

Nancymadenocommentbutsheagreedentirely.ItwouldbeinterestingtoseehowfastEezycouldteachTonysomeEnglish.“HeseemsverybrightandI’msurehe’llcatchonquickly,”thegirldetectivethought.

She reminded Eezy that Tony apparently had great talent as an artist.“Whilehe’shere,whydon’tyougivehimsomepaperandpencilsandlethimsketch?I’msurethatwillmaketheboyveryhappy.”

“I’llstartassoonasyoufolksleave,”theshepherdpromised.

BythistimeTonyhadfinishedthenote.Danfoldeditandputthemessageintohispocket.AsheandNancystartedoff, shecalledback,“We’ll returntomorrow.”DanrepeatedthemessageinItalianandTonysmiled.

When the two hikers reached the Flockhart farmhouse, they found JuniewaitingtherewithDan’scar.“Tellmewhathappened!”sheurged.

NancyandDantoldherthewholestory.ThentheywentontosaythattheyhadnotdiscussedMr.Rocco’spossibleunderhandeddealswithEezybecause

ofTony’spresence.

“WhenareyougoingtogetintouchwithMr.Rocco?”sheaskedDan.

“Rightnow.Ihopehewillbeathome.”

SomeoneelseansweredDan’scall.HeaskedforMr.RoccoinItalianandwonderedwhatthemanontheotherendofthelinewasthinking.“I’msurehe’spuzzled,”Dandecided,smilingatthesituation.

This was confirmed when Mr. Rocco answered. He inquired who thespeakerwasandwherehewasfrom.

Dan did not reply. Instead he said, “Go to the big oak tree opposite thegeneralstoreforanotetoyoufromTony.”Hehungup.

WhenDanreturnedtothegirls,Junieaskedhim,“Howsoondoyouthinkweshouldgolookforananswer?”

“Notuntiltomorrowmorning,”hesaid.“Whatdoyouthink,Nancy?”

The girl detective nodded. “For one thing there might be trouble whensomeone picks up the answer to Tony’s message. If so, it would be muchbettertohaveithappeninthedaylight.”

DanstayedattheFlockharts’overnight.HeandthegirlswereupearlytodrivetotownforapossibleanswertoTony’snote.Theyhaddecidedtousehis car and topark it somedistance from theoak tree, yet close enough sothoseremaininginsidecouldhaveaclearviewofwhatwashappening.

Whentheyreachedthespot,Dangotoutandwalkedquicklyuptheroadtothetree.Thegirls,whowerewatchingcarefullyforanyattackonhim,merelysawhimtakeanenvelopefromthehollowinthetree,wrinklehisforehead,andthenstartbacktothecar.

Hejumpedin,thensaid,“Whatdoyoumakeofthis?”

Theenvelopehehadpickeduphadprintedwordsonit,whichsaid,“TothekidnappersofTonyRocco.”

“Kidnappers!”Juniecriedout.“We’renotkidnappers!We’reonlytryingtohelpthemistreatedboy!”

Nancydidnotcomment,butwasthinkinghard.“Thisisanewangle.IfMr.Roccohassomespiesaround,theymaytrackusrighttoTripleCreekFarmanddemandthereturnoftheboyorgotothepoliceandchargetheFlockhartsandDanandmewithkidnapping!”

Thiswas a twistNancyhadnot counted on.By this time Junie had torn

opentheenvelopeandremovedaslipofpaperinside.AgainitwasaddressedtoTony’skidnappers,andread:

Ifyouare lookingforaransom,forget it. Ihavenothingtofearfromthepolice,butyoucertainlyhave.

SalRocco.

WhileJuniereadthenotealoud,Nancylookedinalldirectionstoseeifshecould find any spies. Her eyes became riveted on some heavy bushes adistance in backof the oak tree.Was shemistaken, or did she detect somemovementbehindit?Asshecontinuedtostare,shewaspositivethattwomenstoodthere,peeringthroughthebushesanduptheroadtowardthecar.

“Mr.Roccodidhavespies!”shedecided.

Nancy relayed her thoughts to the others and suggested that Dan take acircuitous route toTripleCreekFarm to throwoffpursuitby theirenemies.JuniedirectedDantodrivedownoneroadandupanotherandfinallyalltheway through a farm, which had a long lane that exited onto another mainroad.Fromheretheywenthome.

As the triowalked into thehouse, thephone rang. Junie answered it andcalledNancy.“It’sforyou,”shesaid.

To the young sleuth’s delightNedNickersonwas calling.After a cheerygreeting,hesaid,“Iftheinvitationisstillgood,Burt,Dave,andIwillcomeupverysoonwithBessandGeorge.Ihopeyouhavesomedetectiveworkforustodo.”

“IndeedIhave,”Nancyreplied.“Abigimportantjobiswaitingforyou!”

CHAPTERXVI

Reinforcements

ALL that day therewas a flurry of excitement in the Flockhart farmhouse.Roomswerepreparedfortheguestsandtherefrigeratorswerefilledfromthewell-stockedcold-storagerooms.

The task was almost completed when the telephone rang. Nancy wasclosest to the instrument, so she answered the call. It was from VincenzoCaspari.

“Isthatyou,Nancy?”heasked.Whenshetoldhimitwas,hesaid,“I’msogladIfoundyouathome.Ihavesomeveryimportantandexcitingnewstotellyou!”

“Good!Whatisit?”Nancyaskedeagerly.

TheartistsaidhehadbeenintouchwithhisgrandparentsinRome.TheyinturnhadtrackeddownDianaBolardo!

“Marvelous!”Nancyexclaimed.

Shewastemptedtoaskhimalotofquestions,butshelistenedsilentlyasMr.Casparigavehertherestofhismessage.

“Theyoungwoman is indeed the personwhopainted the parchmentMr.Flockhartpurchased.Incidentally,Ididnottellthemithadbeenstolen.TheywouldhavewantedtoknowallthedetailsandIwouldnothavebeenabletoexplain.”Nancythoughtthiswasprobablywise.

“MygrandparentsreportedthatSignoraBolardoadmittedshehadpaintedtheparchmentpicture,butotherwisehadbeenverysecretive.Onethingshementionedwillsurpriseand, Iamsure,delightyou.DianaBolardoplans toleaveatoncefortheUnitedStates.She’llflyover,sosheshouldarrivesoon.”

Nancywasamazedanddelightedtohearthis.“WherewillshestayintheUnitedStates?”

ThegirldetectivecouldhearMr.Caspari chuckleat theother endof thephone.“Thiswillbeareallybigsurprisetoyou,”hereplied.“SheiscomingdirectlytomyhomeandthengoingtotheFlockhartfarmhouse!”

Nancycouldhardlybelieveherears.Shewasactuallygoingtoseeandtalkto the woman who had made the parchment picture! Again the thoughtflashedthroughhermindthatthebabyinSignoraBolardo’spicturemightbeTony!

SinceVincenzoCasparihadnomoretoreport,shethankedhimfordoingthisvaluablebitofsleuthing,thentheysaidgood-by.SherushedofftoinformMrs.FlockhartandJunieofthelatestdevelopment.

Bothofthemlookedatherunbelievingly.ThenasuddenthoughtoccurredtoMrs.Flockhart.Shethrewupherhands.“Onemoreguest!”sheexclaimed.“Andshe’llwantherown room, I’msure!Thishouse is largebutdoesnothaverubbersides!It’sgoingtotakesomefiguringtodecidewheretoputsomanypeople!”

AtthismomentMr.Flockhartwalkedin.Hewastoldthelatestnews.FirstNancyrevealedthatBessandGeorgewerecomingwithNed,Burt,andDave,then surprised himwith the announcement that SignoraDianaBolardowasalsoarriving.

The bigman stood in the center of the floor with his feet far apart. Hechuckled.“I’dsaywe’regoingtohaveahouseful.Howwoulditbeifweputtheboysoutinavacanttenanthouse?”

Junie spoke up. “Oh, Nancy, they are darling houses. I wouldn’t mindlivinginoneofthemmyself.”

“Thatsoundsgreat,”Nancysaid.“I’msuretheboyswillbehappythere.”

Thehousecleaningcontinuedformorethananhour,thenNancyandJuniewenttooneofthetenanthouses.

“Thisplacelooksspicandspantome,”Nancyremarked,walkingin.

Junie smiled. “My father is very strict about that.When tenant familiesmove,theyarerequiredtoleaveitcleanandtidy.”

Therewasnothing for thegirls todobuta littledusting.Assoonas thiswasfinished they left.NancyhelpedJuniewithher farmchores,butall thetime she kept thinking about themystery and the turn it would take when

SignoraBolardoarrived.Itwouldbeexciting,shewassure.

The following morning Ned, Burt, and Dave drove in with Bess andGeorge.AsNancy introduced them to theFlockharts andDan, she realizedhowproudshewasofherfriends.

Nedwastallandgood-looking.BurtandDavewerealittleshorter.Allofthemwere athletic. Bess andGeorgewere cousins but quite different fromeachother.Besswasaslightlyplumpblondwithdimples.Georgeworeherhairshortandwasabrunette.Shelikedplainclothes,whereasBesstendedtoadmirefrills.

“Whatawonderfulplacethisis!”Bessexclaimedenthusiastically.“Land,land,asfarasyoucansee.”

Davesaid,“Howwouldyouliketomowsixhundredacresofit?”

Juniereplied,“Weletthesheepdoit.”

Nedasked,“Withatractor?”

“Sure,” said Junie, her eyes twinkling, “We train all our sheep to ridemowers,rakeandbailhay,andstoreit—!”

“Enough!”criedNed.

After a hearty second breakfast, Dan took the boys to their own house.Theychangedintofarmclothes,thenjoinedthegirls,whoalsowereinshirtsandjeans.

The boys were eager to be off on their mission. Mr. Flockhart hadexplainedthesituationtothemandaskedthattheytrytohaveafullreportforhimatleastbythefollowingevening.Danjoinedthemandthefourdroveoff,withthegirlswishingthemluck.

JunieaskedBessandGeorge,“Howwouldyouliketohaveatourofmyfather’sbarnsandhisfactory?”

“Great!”theyanswered.

Everythingwentwellandthevisitorswereextremelyinterestedintheworkuntil theycame to the slaughterhouse.ThenBess rebelled.Shecoveredherears with her hands and said, “I can’t stand that bleating! Oh those poorthings!Why,ohwhydotheyhavetobekilled?”

Junie,usedtothissincechildhood,smiled.Shereplied,“They’rekilledsoyouandotherswillhavelambtoeat,Bess.Don’tyoulikeit?”

Besssaid,“Oh,yes, I love it.Butdon’taskme towatch theslaughter in

thisbarn.”

She walked off and returned to the barn where the baby lambs were.Meanwhile the other three girls went into the slaughterhouse, but afterwatchingtheoperationafewminutescameoutandjoinedBess.

“Let’s go to the place where your father sells articles made fromsheepskins,”BesssuggestedtoJunie.

Nancysaid,“Imustwarnyou,Bess.You’regoingtoloseyourhearttoalotofthingsyouseeinthisshop.Watchyourpocketbook!”

Georgewas just as intrigued by the sheepskin articles as Besswas. Thecousins bought gloves for their parents and treated themselves to after-skibooties.

Thetourcontinuedforsometime,thenthegirlsdroveupthehillsidetoseeEezy.Thoughtheshepherdwasinfrontofhiscabin,Tonywasnowheretobeseen.Nancyaskedthesheepherderwherehewas.

After being introduced to Bess and George, Eezy said, “In hisschoolroom.”

Nancylookedpuzzled.“Whereisthat?”

Eezytookhisvisitorstoawellcamouflagedbowerbeyondtherearofhiscabin.Theywalked inside.Tonywas seatedon theground,writingEnglishwords.

Theboy jumpedupandwhenhewas introducedmadea lowbow to thenewcomers.TotheamazementofNancyandJuniehesaidinperfectEnglish,“Goodmorning.Iamverygladtoseeyou.”

“Howwonderful!”Nancysaid.“Youlearnveryfast.”

Tonywaspleased.“Mr.Eezygoodteacher,”hetoldthegirls.

BesswhisperedtoGeorge,“Isn’thedarling?”

ShylyTony opened his notebook and showed the girls a sketch ofEezy,which he had made. Nancy and Junie exclaimed in amazement. “It’s amarvelous likeness!” Junie remarked, smiling at Tony. “You have a lot oftalent.”

At thismoment Rover came bounding up. He stood still, looking at thegroupandbarkingfuriously.

“Thismeans,”saidJunie,“thatthereisadisturbancesomewhereamongthesheep.Perhapssomestrangersarearriving.”

Tonylookedfrightened.Quicklyhegathereduphisbooksandpapersanddisappearedbehindascreenoftrees,bushes,andvines.

By this timeEezy had started to followRover among the sheep.Georgepuckeredhermouthandquipped,“HeoughttobecalledUneasy!”

Nancy and Junie had already started running after the shepherd, soBessandGeorgefollowed.Soontheycouldseetwomentrudgingupthehill.Theirclothesindicatedtheywerelawofficers.Bothworebadges.

WhenEezyandhisgroupmetthetwomen,theshepherdasked,“Whatdoyouwant?”

Without answering him, one of the men asked, “Which of you girls isNancyDrew?”

Whentheyoungsleuthanswered,“Iam,”thesameofficersaid,“ThenyouareaccusedofkidnappingTonyRocco!”

CHAPTERXVII

ADenialandaChase

THEaccusationagainstNancyastoundedeveryone.George, incensed,criedout,“NancyDrewisnotakidnapper!That’scrazy!You’dbetterleave!”

Nancy,herself,havingrecoveredfromtheshock,said,“Whereareyoumenfrom?Showmeyourcredentials.”

The spokesman for the two said, “We’re from the County WelfareAssociationandwehave thepower tomakeachargeagainstyouandhaveyouarrested!”

All this time Rover was growling at the men. He made a sudden jumptowardoneofthem.Theofficerkickedhimviciously,liftingthedogintotheair.Rovercamedownwithathudandwhimpered,butamomentlaterhewasback,readytoattack.

Eezy, who had grabbed his shepherd’s crook when they left the cabin,brandisheditintheair.Thenhesaid,“NancyDrewisnotakidnapper,andIthinkyou twohadbettergetoutofherequickbeforemydogRoverchewsyouup!”

Themanwhohadnotspokennowurgedhiscompanion to leave,but theotheronestoodhisground.“We’re taking theguiltygirlalongwithus!”heshouted.

Nancyspokeup.“IamnotakidnapperandIamnotgoingwithyou!”shedeclared.

“Oh yes you are!” one of the men snarled and grabbed Nancy’s arm.“You’recomingwithuswhetheryouwanttoornot!”

His strong fingers dug into Nancy’s skin as she tried to wrench herself

away.“Letgoofme!”shecried,astheman’spartnertookherotherarm.

“Stop it!Stop it!”Georgeshoutedat thepair,pullinghardon thesecondman’swrist.

Hereleasedhisholdbrieflyandswunghisfistatthegirl,whoducked.Asshedodgedhisattack,she-gotacloserviewofhisbadge.

“C’mon,” he said to his companion, “let’s get out of here before I reallylosemytemper.”

“Justaminute!”Georgecried.“Ithinkyourbadgeisphony!”

“Aw,nowwho’scrazy!”herattackerexclaimed.

His partner quickly loosened his grip on Nancy, allowing her to retreattowardEezy.Theothergirlssteppedforwardtolookatthebadges.

“Theycertainlylooklikeplaybadgesandnotrealones,”Junie remarked,scrutinizingthemclosely.

Themenglancednervouslyateachotherandtriedtosidestepher.“I’vegotbetter things to do than play games with a bunch of teenagers!” one mansnapped.

RoverwasstillgrowlingandtryingtogetoutofEezy’sgrasptoattackthetwo strangers. Eezy straightened himself to his full height, brandished hisshepherd’scrookandbellowed,“Getoutofhere!Anddon’tevershowyourfaceshereagain!”

Theintruders,apparentlybewilderedatthispoint,suddenlyturnedandrandownthehillside.Rovertriedtogetloosefromhismasterandfollowthem,butEezykeptatightholdonhiscollar.

Suddenlyoneof themen turnedandcriedout,“NancyDrew,don’t thinkyou’refree!We’llgetyouyet!”

Nancywasgladtoseethemengo,butwouldhavelikedtofindoutmoreaboutthem.ShefeltsuretheywereworkingforMr.Rocco.

“Let’s follow thosemen!” sheurged theothers. “Eezy, please let us takeRover.IpromiseIwon’tlethimhurtthem.ButI’dliketoseewheretheygo.”

The shepherd agreed and said hewould go back to the cabin.The chasestartedandthegirlsmanagedtogetwithinshoutingdistanceofthemen.

Suddenlyoneofthemturnedaround.Hecuppedhishandstohislipsandshouted,“YougiveusbackTonyandwe’lldropthecharge!”

Nancy did not answer.With another thought inmind, she shouted back,“You tell me where the stolen parchment is hidden, and maybe we canmanagesomekindofadeal!”

There was no answer, although the two men looked at each other as ifwonderingwhattosay.Theykeptquiet,however,andsoonreachedthefootof the hillside. At the road a car with a driver was waiting for them. Themotorwasrunning,andassoonas themenjumpedinto thevehicle, it tookoffinahurry.

Nancymemorizedthelettersandnumbersofthelicenseplate.“It’sanout-of-statecar!Thiscomplicatesmatters,”shethought.“Ifthosemenwerefromsomelocalwelfareassociation,I’msuretheywouldn’tbedrivinganout-of-statecar.”Thenshearguedwithherself,“Butmaybetheydiditonpurposetoavoididentification.”

Nancy,Junie,andGeorgehadreachedtheroadandstoodlookingafterthefleeing car. Bess had followed at a slower pace. She had seen somethingglistening on the ground and stooped to pick it up.When she reached thegirls,sheshowedthemtheshinyobject.

“It’soneofthephonybadges!”Juniecriedout.“Whataclue!”

Nancyexamineditandremarkedthat therewasnoidentificationonit.“Ithinkwe should take the badge to the police and tell themwhat happenedhere.

Onemanshouted,“NancyDreur,we’llgetyouyet!”

“Besides,” she added, as they started to climb thehillsidewithRover, “Inoticedthat themanwhodid the talkinghada lotoffresh-lookingscarsonhis hand.” She paused. “Here’s another one of my wild hunches: Do yousupposehecouldhavehandledtheparchmentpicturewiththebrokenglassinit?HemaybeafriendofSidZikes.”

Juniedeclareditwasworthinvestigating.Whentheyreachedthetopofthehill,NancyshowedthebadgetoEezy.

Hebecameangryandsaid,“Thosemenarenothin’butacoupleo’crooks!I’ve been thinkin’ about what they said. I never heard o’ any welfarecommitteearoundhere.Theyweren’ttalkin’sense.”

Nancysaid,“Atleastweknowthey’reacoupleoffakers.Myguessisthatthesearerealbadgesandthemenstolethem.”

At thispointBessheavedasigh.“Doyourealize thatGeorgeandIhavebeenherelessthantwenty-fourhours,andalreadywe’reinthemidstofoneofNancyDrew’smysteries?Andwhatamix-up!Weweresupposedtohelpfigureoutsomepaintingsonaparchment.Insteadwearelearningthesecretofarunawayboy:waitingforthewomanwhopaintedtheparchmenttocomefromItaly,andlookingonasNancyisaccusedofbeingakidnapper!”

Theother girls laughed andGeorge said therewas a lot of truth inwhatBesshadsaid.

Nancyadded,“Andnowmoreexcitement.I’mgoingtointroduceyoutoarealthief!OurnextstopwillbethejailtointerviewoneSidZikes!”

CHAPTERXVIII

TheFirstConfession

ALTHOUGHGeorgewasintriguedbytheideaofmeetingarealthieffacetoface,Bessdemurred.“There’sno tellingwhathemightdo tous,” she said.“Besides,he’sprobablyahorriblepersonwithalongrecordandIdon’tevenwanttomeethim.”

George looked disgusted. “Don’t be such a sissy, Bess. The man can’tpossiblyhurtyouifhe’sinjail.”

Bess said no more, but when they reached headquarters and wereintroduced to Officer Browning, she at once changed the subject. Handinghim the badge, she asked if it was real or a fake. The officer examined itcarefullyandevengotamagnifyingglass.

“This was a police badge,” he said, “until someone got hold of it andobliteratedalltheidentification.Wheredidyoufindit?”

Nancy told him she had been threatenedwith “arrest” for kidnapping bytwoapparentlyphonycountyagents.Theofficerlookedgrave.

Bess asked, “Why would they tamper with the badges if they werepretendingtohaveauthoritytotakeNancyaway?”

OfficerBrowningsaidhethoughtthemenweretryingtofoolthegirls,notthepolice.“Butfortunatelyitdidn’twork.”

George asked, “Thenwe can assume this badge and the other one werestolenfromsomepolicemen?”

“It’s a goodguess,” theofficer said. “Supposeyou leave thebadgehere.We’ll give it an acid bath and see if we can determine anything about theownerorthephonywhowaswearingit.”

NancynowaskedpermissiontotalkwithSidZikes.Browningsaidhehadbeentransferredtothecountyjailuntilthedateofhistrial.

“ButI’llbegladtogiveyoualettertothewardenthere,andhe’llletyouin.”Helookedatthefourgirls.“Onlytwovisitorsareallowedatatime,”heremarked.

“You can count me out,” Bess said quickly, and George added politely,“AndI’llbegladtostayawaytoo,”althoughshewasdisappointed.

Assoonas thenotewas ready, the fourgirls rodeoff.On theway to thecounty jail, thegroupbecamequiet, eachgirl thinkingabout someangleofthe mystery. Bess’s mind was still on the badge, George was intrigued byEezyandhisinfluenceovertheintruders,whileJuniekeptthinkingofyoungTony.“Howwonderfulitwouldbe,”shetoldherself,“ifMrs.Bolardoshouldturnouttobehismother!ButImustn’tgetmyhopesuptoohigh.”

NancywasalarmedbyMr.Rocco’spowerandhisunderhandedmethodofusingotherpeopletoextractmoneyfromfarmworkersandswearingthemtosecrecy.

“He’sasly,untrustworthyperson!”shedecided.“Thesoonerwecanprovesomething against him and have him arrested, the better it will be for thewholecommunity.”

Inalittlewhilethegirlsreachedthecountyjailandwentinside.AlmostatonceBesssaidtheatmospherewastoodepressingandshewouldwaitoutsideinthecar.ShegotupandGeorgefollowed.

“Don’trunoffwiththecarandleaveushere,”Nancyteased.

“It’sonlyaten-milewalkback,”Georgeretorted.

WhenNancyandJuniewereadmittedtoSidZikes’cell,helookedatthembut said nothing. They tried to talk to him but he acted very childish. Theyoungmanpoutedanddeclaredhehaddonenothingwrong.“Iwouldn’tbehereifithadn’tbeenforyou,NancyDrew!”hetoldherbitterly.

The young detective had decided to talk to the prisoner in a completelydifferentwaythanshehadbefore.Inagentvoiceshesaid,“Sid,Iwanttotellyouthatincascyoudon’tknowit,there’sabigfraudgoingoninthisarea.Itwon’tbelongbeforethewholethingwillbeknown.

“Itwouldbebestforyoutoadmitanyconnectionyouhavewithitandactright now rather than wait. We already know of some thefts you havecommitted.That’sbadenough,but tobe involved ina reallybigscheme to

defraudissomethingelseagain.”

Sid lookedat the twogirlsas ifheweregoing tocry.Amoment laterhebegan to shake violently. He grabbed a blanket from his cot andwound itaroundhisbody.

Finallyhesaid,“I’mnotill.I’mnotreallycold.I’mshakingfromfear.Ifyou’llpromisenot to tellanyonesomethingIknow,whichmightbepartofthefraudyouweretalkingabout,I’lltellyouasecret.”

NancyandJuniesaidnothingandapparentlySidZikesinterpretedthisasanassenttohisrequest.Hewenton,“Mr.Roccohasseveralmenworkingforhim—I don’t know their names. Two of them came to me and said theywantedtheparchmentpicturethathungoverthefireplaceinMr.Flockhart’slivingroom.

“AtfirstIsaidIwasn’tathiefandwouldn’tgoforanyburglarizing.Theyjustlaughedandtoldmetheyalreadyknewmyrecord.IfIdidn’tdothisforthem,theywouldharmme.IguessI’mchicken,butIdon’tliketobehurt.”

Sidwentontosaythathehadfinallyagreedtothearrangement.Hewastogetthepictureandtakeittothetwomenatadesignatedplaceontheedgeofthe Rocco farm. He had done this and been paid well for his part in thescheme.

Nancy asked, “Did you deliver it before or after you ordered the newglass?”

“After.Icouldn’tdeliverthepicturewiththeglassbroken.”

Junieaskedhim,“Haveyouanyideawheretheparchmentisnow?”

Sidshookhishead.“Itmeansnothingtome.ThewholepointintakingitwasthatMr.Flockhartdidn’tneedthepicture,butsomebodyelsedid.Ican’tseewhat’swrongaboutthat.”

It flashed through Nancy’s mind that here was a person who firmlybelievedrobbingtherichandgivingtothepoorwasperfectlyallright.Laws,conscience,andpossibleharmtoaninnocentpartymeantnothingtohim!

Nancy lookedSid straight in theeye.He loweredhisheadbut sheaskedhimpleaseto lift itandlookather.Shesaid,“Diditeveroccur toyouthatthere’salwayssomebodypoorerthanyourself?”

Theprisonersaidno.Nancywenton,“Whatyouhavejusttoldmeprovesthatyouthinkitisallrighttotakesomethingfromapersonwhohasalittlemorethanyouhaveyourself.”Shestaredathisrighthand.“Iseeyouhaveon

averygood-lookingring.”

“Thepoliceletmekeepit.It’sspecial.”

“Howwouldyoufeelifsomereallypoorboyweretostealitfromyou?”Nancyaskedhim.

Sidsatuponthecouch.“I’dfeelawful.Mygirlfriendgavethistome.”

Suddenly the young man looked at Nancy with a totally differentexpressiononhislong,leanface.“Hey,Iseewhatyoumean.Youknow,MissDrew,you’vegivenmeanidea.IthinkmaybeI’llgostraightfromnowon.”

Nancy and Junie could have leaped for joy. Therewas something in thetoneofSid’svoicethatmadethemthinkhereallymeant this.Bothof themwalkedoverandshookhandswithhimandsaidhowgladtheywerethathehadcometothisdecision.

Theprisoneractuallysmiled.“Hey,thanksanawfullot,”hesaid.“Maybestayinginjailforashorttimewon’tbesobadafterall.”

Atthismomentthejailercameandtoldthegirlstheirvisitingtimewasup.Heletthemoutofthecell.ThetwowavedtoSid,thenwalkedoff.

As soon as they reached the street, Junie congratulated Nancy. “It wasabsolutelymarvelousthewayyouhandledSid.”

The girl detective smiled. “Making a prisoner turn over a new leaf issomething I’ve never done before,” she admitted. “I feel good about itmyself.”

Whentheyreachedthecarandjumpedin,JunieimmediatelytoldBessandGeorgewhatNancyhadaccomplished.

“That’ssuper!”Bessremarked.

“Agrandjob,Nancy,”Georgecommented.

Just beforedinnertime atTripleCreekFarm, the fourboys arrived.Theylookedwearybutwereexuberantovertheday’sachievements.

Nedsaid,“Mr.Flockhartgaveusuntiltomorroweveningtodoourjob,butwe accomplished so much today, I’m sure it won’t be necessary to taketomorrowtoo.”

Fromapockethepulledoutasheetofpaper.“HereisalistofpeoplewhosecretlygaveMr.Roccomoneytostarthisagriculturalsociety.Sofarwe’vebeen toldof cashpayments forRoccoof fifty to threehundreddollars.Weeven saw some receipts.Whenwe examined them though,we realized the

farmersandafewemployeesinsmallbusinessesnevercouldproveanythingfromthem.”

Dan added, “Across the top of the sheet was printed Brotherhood ofAgriculturists.Itlistedtheamountscorrectly,butthesignatureatthebottomwas a scrawl that nobody could decipher.” Nancy wanted to know if thesignaturewassupposedtobeMr.Rocco’s.

“Thevictimsallthoughtitwasthatofhistopman,”Nedreplied.

Burt spokeup.“ThismanRocco isquiteanorganizer, I’dsay.Whenwetotaleduptheamount,itprovedtobethousandsofdollars.”

Daveremarked,“IfMr.Flockhartwantsustogoahead,westillhavealonglistofpeopletosee.”

Nancy thought theirworkwasastoundingandsaidso.“Buthowdidyougetthepeopletotalk?”

All the boys grinned and Ned said, “Oh, it was easy.” He turned to hisfellowworkersandsaid,“Shallwetelloursecret?”

CHAPTERXIX

AStrangeReunion

AsNedand theotherboysdelayed telling thestoryofobtainingstatementsfrompeoplewhohadgivenSalRocco’shenchmenmoney,Nancyurgedthemtobegin.

“Allright,”Nedsaid.“TheboysandIpretendedwithoutsayingsothatweare already members of the association.” He grinned. “We must be prettyconvincingbecausenobodyquestionedus.”

Burttookupthestory.“WesaidwewerebecomingverysuspiciousofMr.Roccobecausewehadheardnothingfromhim.Welearnedthatnobodyelsehad,either.”

“Infact,”Daveputin,“bythetimewehadtalkedtoeachoneforawhile,wefeltconvincedthatmostofthepeoplewerereadytoprotest.EachpersonwasreluctanttobetheonetoorganizeamarchonRocco’smen.”

DansaidthatafewpeoplehadtelephonedtheRoccohomeandhadtriedtogetsomeinformation.“Theownereitherwasnotthereorrefusedtocometothephone.”

Nancyasked,“Sotheydidn’tlearnanything?”

Nedshookhishead.“ThefarmerswhodidtalktooneofRocco’smenwereassured that everything was fine and that they would hear about anorganizationmeetingsoon.”

Dan added, “Each of those callers got a lecture on helping unfortunatepeople,whichwasthesameonetheyhadreceivedwhenbeingaskedtojointheassociation.”

Burtremarked,“It’squitealingothatRoccohasworkedup.AtfirstIwas

inclinedtobelieveitmyself!”

Georgeasked,“WhatI’d like toknowis,whereisMr.Roccokeepingallthemoneyhehadhismencollect?”

“Good question,” Dan replied. “I know the president of the local bank.HowaboutmyphoninghimtoseeifMr.Roccomadealotofdepositsthere?”

The others thought this was a good idea, so Dan called. The answer,however,wasdisappointing.Mr.Roccokeptanaccounttherefromwhichhedrew checks to pay bills and get small amounts of cash, but he had neverdepositedlargeamounts.Mostoftheincomewasfromproductssoldfromhisfarm.

Junieheavedasigh.“Anotherdead-endclue!”

Theotherslaughed,thenBessaskedNancy,“HaveyouanyhunchesaboutwhatMr.Roccomighthavedonewiththemoney?”

“I’vebeenthinkingaboutit,”theyoungsleuthreplied.“It’spossiblethathehashiddenthecashrightonhisownfarm.”

“Onhisownfarm?”Bessrepeated.

“Sure, there are a million places he could hide his money—in an oldsuitcase,atoptheloftinabarn—”

“Hecould’veplanteditinthecornfield!”theplumpgirlquipped.

“Orinthebottomofawell!”hercousinadded.

“Stop teasing Nancy,” Ned said, circling his arm around her shoulder.“She’stryingtosolveamysteryand—”

Nancysmiledwarmlyather friend.“Icanalwayscountonyouforhelp,though,”shesaid,causingtheboy’sfacetoredden.

“Maybe we ought to leave the lovebirds alone, Bess, to figure out thiscase,”Georgeputin.

“Now,now,”Nancyreplied.“Ineedeverybody’sideas.”

Further conversation was interrupted by the ring of the telephone. Juniewent to answer it.During her absence the others began asking one anotherquestionsonanglesofthemystery.

“What Ican’tunderstand,”saidBess,“iswhyMr.Rocco is someanandcrueltohisyoungnephew.”

They all decided that thiswas an important part of themystery and they

hopeditwouldsoonbeclearedup.

Dansaid,“I’msuretheauthoritieswilltakethisboyawayandputhiminaschoolorahomewherehewillbegivenkindness.”

AtthismomentJunierushedbackintotheroom.“Guesswhat?”shesaid.“Mrs.Bolardohasarrivedinthiscountry.RightnowsheisatMr.Caspari’shouse.Shewantstocomeoverhereatoncesoshecanseeherson.”

“Herson!”theothersintheroomcriedout.

Juniesaid theartisthad toldher that the full storyhad towaituntilMrs.BolardoarrivedattheFlockhartfarm.“He’sgoingtobringherrightover,butit’safairlylongdrive.”

Thegirl’sannouncementhadcomelikearealbombshelltothelisteners.SoTony’srealnamewasTonyBolardo!WhilewaitingforMr.Casparitodrivein,thegroupofyoungpeopletriedtowork,butfoundthemselvesgatheringtodiscussthemystery.

Bessremarked,“It’sgettingmoreexcitingbytheminute!”

FinallyMr.CaspariarrivedwiththewomanartistfromItaly.Sheprovedtobe beautiful and charming.BothMr. andMrs. Flockhart had come tomeether,andshereturnedtheirwelcomeinperfectEnglish.Afterthepleasantrieswereover,herexpressionchanged.

“Myson!Whereishe?Iwanttoseehimatonce!Hewasstolenfrommet”shecriedout.

Mrs.Flockhartsatdownonthesofabesideherandtookthewoman’shandinhers.“Pleasetellusthewholestoryfrombeginningtoend,”sherequested.

IfshehadhopedtocalmMrs.Bolardo,shefailed.Witheachsentencetheartist uttered, she became more emotional. “What does my son Tony looklike?”sheasked.

Nancy toldher thathewasahandsomechild.“He looks likeyouandheshowsgreatpromiseasanartist.”

“Oh,Iamsoglad,Iamsoglad!”Mrs.Bolardosaid.“Buttellmewhereheis.Iwanttoseehim!”

JunietoldherthattheyhadTonyhiddenawayandwouldgotoseehiminalittlewhile.

“Wetookhimawayfromhisunclebecausethemanwasmeanandcrueltohim.”

“Thatdreadfulman!”Mrs.Bolardoexclaimed.“Iwill tellyou thewholestory.MyhusbandandIwereveryhappilymarriedandexcitedbeyondwordswhenlittleTonywasborn.Myhusbandhadsomebusinesstotakecareof,sohewentoffonasteamer.Unfortunately itwas inanaccidentwithasailingvessel,andhewaskilled.”

“That’sterrible!”Bessmurmured.

Mrs.Bolardowentontosaythatherhusband’sbrotherSalvatorewastheexecutorofherhusband’sestate.

“Sal wantedme tomarry him but I refused. In revenge Sal took all themoney thatwas left tome,stolemypreciousbaby,anddisappeared. Ihavesearchedandsearchedforthem,butuntilnow,neverhadalead.”

Tears began to trickle down Bess’s cheeks. She wiped her eyes with ahandkerchiefandremarked,“Fortenyearsyouneverheardaboutthem?”

Mrs.Bolardoshookherhead.

GeorgementionedthatTony’snamewasnotreallyTonyRocco,butTonyBolardo. His mother said that actually his full name was Antonio RoccoBolardo.ThenameRoccowashispaternalgrandmother’sbeforeshemarried.

Thewomanartistcontinued,“Rightaftermyhusband’sdeathIpaintedfourpicturesonparchmenttotellthestory.LittleTony’sabductoralsotookthat.”

“So you are the woman in one painting!” Junie exclaimed, and Mrs.Bolardonodded.

Nancysaidshewassorryshecouldnotshowtheparchmenttothewomanbecauseithadbeenstolen.“Imadesomeroughsketchesinimitationof it,”she said. “But the real clues to findingyouwere the initialson thebackofyourpicture.”

Mrs.Bolardosuddenlystoodup.“Pleasetakemetomyboy!”shepleaded.“Whereishe?”

Everyone felt convinced that the woman was not an impostor. It wasdecidedthatsheandNancywouldgoalonetoEezy’scabin.

Mr.Flockhartadded,“I thinkitbest ifweformourselves intoagroupofguards.Wecanstationourselvesaroundthehillsideamongthesheep,sothatifanyofMr.Rocco’smenfollowMrs.BolardoandNancy,wecanheadthemoff.”

Nancysaid,“Wouldn’titbeagoodideaalsotoinformthepoliceofwhathashappenedandtosendmenouttokeeptrackofMr.Rocco?”

Thefarmownerthoughtthiswasaverygoodsuggestionandwentatonceto phone the police.He talked toOfficer Browning,who promised to takecareofallthedetails.

Juniespokeup.“Dad,wouldn’titbeagoodideatotrygettingMr.Roccointo his own house and to be there when we all come with Tony and hismother?”

“I’llmentionthattoOfficerBrowning,”herfatheragreed.

Severalcarsweretobeusedintheoperation.NancyandMrs.Bolardorodeinone,inthecenteroftheline.Eachcarparkedatadifferentplace,andthegroupwalkedupthehillsideintwosandthrees.

“This is lovelycountry,”Mrs.Bolardoremarked toNancywhen theygotout. “I guess it has been a good healthy place to bring up Tony. But it isdreadfulthathehasneverbeentoaschoolormadeanyfriends.”

Mostofthesheepwerelyingdown,andthetwoclimberswalkingamongthem did not seem to disturb the animals. It was so quiet that Nancymentionedittohercompanion.

“Idon’tseetheshepherdeither,”Nancysaidasshegazedaround,realizingthemanwasnotathisusualstationinfrontofthecabin.Theywalkedupandcalledouthisname,buttherewasnoanswer.

Nancypeeredinsidethecabin.Noonewasthere!Thegirlthoughtthiswasvery strange, and suddenlybegan toworry that somethinghadhappened totheelderlyman.AndwhataboutTony?

Withoutshowingtheagitationshefelt,thegirldetectivetoldMrs.Bolardothat Tony worked and studied in a well-hidden bower behind the cabin.Carefully they proceeded, parting branches of trees and shrubbery as theywent.

Finally theyreached thearborand looked in.Mrs.BolardoscreamedandNancycaughtherbreath.EezyandTonyhadbeentrussedup,andwerelyinginertontheground!

“Oh,howdreadful!”Mrs.Bolardocriedout. “Myson!Mybelovedboy!Whathavetheydonetoyou?”

Nancy jumped forward to remove thegagsand ropes thatbound the twotightly. Before she could reach them, strong arms came around her andyankedthegirlbackward.Mrs.Bolardoreceivedthesametreatment.

“Letmego!”Nancycriedout,strugglingtopullfreeofhercaptor.

“Be quiet or you’ll get somethingworse!” her unknown assailant hissedintoherear.

NancyglancedatMrs.Bolardo.Amanwasholdingonehandtightlyoverthewoman’schestandwasstuffingagagintohermouth!

CHAPTERXX

FoundMoney

THEmenwhohadcapturedNancyandMrs.Bolardoweremaskedandworedarkcoveralls.Shecouldnotidentifyherassailants.

TheytrussedupNancyandtheItalianwomanastheyhadEezyandTony.Nodoubttheyhadjustfinishedtheirworkontheshepherdandtheboywhenthey heard voices and spotted the girl and her companion coming up thehillside.

Nancycouldhardlywaitforthetwomentoleave.Surelytheboyswouldcapture the attackers somewhere among the sheep as they hurried away.Besides, she wanted to try untying some of the knots that bound Eezy’swrists.

Therewas amoment of panic for the prisonerswhen one of the captorsliftedTonyandswungtheboyoverhisshoulder.Hewasgoing to takehimaway!Theothercaptorwhisperedsomethinginhisear,however,andthemanlaiddownhisvictim.“We’llcomebackforyouafterdark,”hetoldTony.

“Evidentlythey’reafraidtogoanyfartheratthistime,”Nancythought.

Finallythedark-clothedfiguresleft.AtonceNancywiggledovertoEezy’sside. He understood what she wanted to do, and rolled over. It took herseveralminutestofreehishands.Inturn,heuntiedtheknotsoftheropesthatboundherwrists.After that it didnot take long to removeall thegagsanduntietheirankles.

Mrs. Bolardo had been so frightened she seemed speechless, but Nancysaid,“Tony,Ihaveawonderfulsurpriseforyou.Thisisyourmother!”

Theboystared,unbelieving,butMrs.Bolardo rushed tohimandhuggedherchild.“Tonio!Tonio!”sheexclaimed,andthenwenton,speakingrapidly

inItalian.

AtfirstTonycouldnotbelievewhathehadheard,butashismothertalkedandtoldhimabouthisownkidnappingandhisthievinguncle,hebelievedherstoryandputhisarmsaroundher.

AllthistimeEezyhadstoodby,speechless.Heswunghisheadfromsidetoside,andkeptmumbling,“Ican’tbelieveit!”

Mrs.Bolardoheardhim.She letgoofTonyandaddressedherself to theshepherd.“Itistrue!AndthemainpartofthecreditgoestowonderfulNancyDrew!”

Tony now surprised them all by saying in per-feet English, “Thank you.Thankyouverymuch.Thisisaveryhappydayformeandmymother.”

NancyaskedifshemightuseEezy’swalkie-talkie.“I’dliketotellthegoodnewstoeveryonedownatTripleCreek.”

ThelittlegroupwalkedbacktothecabinandNancycalled.Mrs.Flockhartansweredandwasthrilledtohearthatmotherandsonweretogetherafteralltheseyears.Shewasnothappy,however, to learn that thefourof themhadbeenattackedbymenwhoapparentlywereinMr.Rocco’semploy.

“I’llnotifythepoliceatonceaboutwhathashappened,”shesaid.

Nancyhadjustfinishedtheconversation,whenshesawBess,George,Ned,Burt,Dave,Dan,andJuniecomingupthehillside.TheywavedgailyandNedcalledout,“Wecapturedyourattackers!They’veconfessed!”

When the group drew close, Ned explained that the young people werehidingatvariouspostsbehindthesheepandtrees,andsawthetwocoveralledmen racingdown thehillside.Theywere speaking in ItalianbutDancouldunderstandthem.

“Werealizedfromtheirconversationwhathadhappeneduphere,soweranafterthem,”hesaid.“Rightnowthey’reinthehandsofthepolice.”

“That’sgreat!”Nancyexclaimed,thenproperlyintroducedthosepresent.

Mrs.BolardoandTonystoodtogether,arminarm,lookingdelightedattheturn of events. Then a walkie-talkie message came from Mr. Flockhart,advising that everyone except Eezy was to proceed at once to the Roccohome.Hedidnot explainwhy, but everyone assumed thatRoccohadbeenarrested.

Tony, excited, said in Italian, “I know a shortcut.”He bidEezy good-byandthankedhimforhisgoodcareandfinemeals.Thentheboyledtheothers

downadifferentsectionofthehillside.

Itwas not long before theRocco farmhousewas in sight.Ned,whohadbeenwalkingwithNancy,hadbeenveryquiet,butnowhesaid,“Seeallthosepeopledownthere?Burt,Dave,andIgotholdofthefarmersandotherswhohadjoinedtheassociation.WesuggestedtheycometoRocco’splace.”

Now the farmers and other residents of the area were milling around,talking.AsNancyandhercompanionscamecloser,shenoticedthatsomeofthecrowd lookedangryanda fewwere trying toget into thehouse.Policeguarded the door and kept them out. By the time Nancy and her friendsreachedit,Mr.Flockhartwasthereandtoldtheguardtoadmitthem.

TheyfoundMr.Roccoseatedonhisliving-roomcouch,beingquizzedbyapoliceofficer.Hehaddeniedeveryaccusation.

Suddenly he looked up and blinked as he sawTony andDianaBolardo,arminarm,standingbeforehim.

Withoutspeakingtothem,themanjumpedfromthecouchanddashedforthe door. Hewas caught by a policeman and escorted back into the livingroom.

Finallyhemanagedtosay,“Diana!Diana!Howdidyougethere?Howdidyoufindme?Imeantnoharmtakingyourbaby.Ifeltthatyouwouldnotbeabletotakecareofhim.”

“That was because you stole all my money!” the woman cried out.“Salvatore,youareawickedman.HowgladIamthatthesegoodpeopleherewereabletobringTonyandmetogetheragainsoyoucan’tdohimanymoreharm!”

Roccolookeddefiant.“Ididnotharmhim,andhavebroughthimupright.IhopeyouwillfinditinyourhearttoforgivemefortakingTony.”

Hissister-in-lawmadenoresponse.Atthismomenttherewasagreatshoutfromoutside,andvoicescalling,“WewantRocco!WewantRocco!”

“I’mnotgoingoutthere!”themandeclared.

“Ohyesyouare,”oneofthepoliceguardssaid.

HetookRoccobythearmandwalkedhimontotheporchsothathecouldfacehisaccusers.Roccostilldeniedanywrongdoing,buttheyinsisteduponhisreturningtheirmoney.

Rocco,livid,shouted,“Allright!Youcanhaveyourmoneybackifyoucanfindit!”Heturnedandwentbackintothelivingroom.

Nedwhispered toNancy,“It’smyguess that themoney ishiddenon thepremises.Howwould it be if theotherboys and Ihelp these farmworkersfindit?”

“Goodidea,”Nancysaid,andthegreatsearchstarted.

Shewentinside,whereRoccowasagainseatedonthecouch,withpoliceguardsoneithersideofhim.Helookedsullenandangry.Hisblackeyeskeptdartingtowardhissister-in-lawasifhecouldnotbelieveshewasreallythere.

Nancynoticedthatbetweenglances, theman’seyeskeptrovingtowardatablewithalargedrawerinit.Thegirldetectivewonderediftheremightbesomethinginitthathedidnotwantanybodytosee.

Shecalledoneofthepolicemenasideandaskedhimtoinvestigate.Asthetwowalkedtowardthetable,Roccosuddenlygotupandtriedtoescape.Hewassoonstoppedandbroughtback.Thesecondguard rejoinedNancy,andtheyopenedthelongdrawerinthetable.

Insidelaythestolenparchmentpicture!

“Oh!”Nancy exclaimed. She turned to Rocco. “You had Sid Zikes stealthispicture,hopingthesecretitcontainswouldn’tbefoundout!”

Rocco shouted, “I never should have sold the picture! I should havedestroyeditlongago!Ineversawtheinitialsontheback,butwhenIheardNancyDrewwasworkingonthecase,Idecidedtostealit!”

Atthismomentoneofthemenwholivedinthehousecameintotheroom.HewentoverandaddressedRocco.

“Youfooledalotofpeople,Sal,butyoudidn’tfoolme,althoughIadmityour threats frightenedme into being your puppet. I haven’t forgotten howyoucheatedmeandmyfamilyyearsago,andIwasdeterminedtogetevenatsometime.YouknewthesecretlockedintheparchmentpictureandIknewittoo!ButIdidn’tknowwhereTony’smotherwasandwhethershewasaliveornot.When you sold the picture I saw a good chance for somebody else tofigureoutthesecretandbringyoutojustice.

“After you sold the picture toMr. Flockhart, I telephoned him that if hecoulddecipherthemeaningofthepaintings,hewouldlearnagreatsecretandrightanoldwrong.”

NooneintheroomwasmoresurprisedatthisrevelationthanNancyDrew.Now.allthequestionsconcerningthestrangemysteryhadbeensolved.

Nancylookedattheinformerquizzically.“Howmuchdidyouhavetodo

withgettingmoneyfromfarmerstojoinanassociation?”

“Nothing,”hereplied.“MynameisHapgood.IhavebeentellingSalthathe ought to get the association started or give back the money. But hewouldn’tpayanyattentiontome.”

SuddenlyRoccoscreamedathim,“Hapgood,getoutofhereandneverletmeseeyouagainlYouareacheatandadouble-crosser!”

Hapgood did not move. He turned to the police guard and said, “I aminnocentandIhopetogetsomecreditforhelpingtostraightenoutmattersatthisplaceandrestoreTonytohisrightfulmother.Mostofthefieldworkers,aswellasSal,sneakedintothiscountryillegally.”

One of the policemen said, “That’s not for me to decide. You will bequestionedwithalltheothermenwhoworkhere.”

Just then therewas a great shout from outdoors. Everyone rushed to theporchexceptRoccoandhisguards.NedNickersonranuptoNancy.

“Allthestolenmoneyandthenamesofthepeoplehavebeendiscovered!”

“Where?”Nancyasked.

Ned toldher that someof ithadbeen found inanabandonedwell,othercashinthehayloft,underthecarseatofRocco’sautomobile,andtheaccountbookinoneofthebarns.

Farmers and others involved had appointed Mrs. Potter their chairman.Nowshewasbusygivingout theproper amountsofmoney toeachpersonwhohadcontributedtothefakeassociation.

Burt andDave came up and said they had located a cage ofmechanicalbirds,which had attackedNancy and Junie on their first visit to theRoccofarm.

“We understand from the man who worked the mechanism by remotecontrol thatMr.Roccobelieved the lifelikebirdswoulddriveoff intruders.Hewouldnotbeblamed,however,becausethevictimswouldthinkthebirdswerealive.”

Finally the crowd outdoors dispersed, happy at the outcome.Mrs. Potterspoke for them all and thanked Nancy for her part in keeping them fromlosingsomuchmoney.

Nancy was thoughtful for a moment as she realized this mystery wassolved. Little did she know that she would soon become involved in theexcitingMysteryofCrocodileIsland.

Inthemeantime,morepolicearrived.EveryworkerontheRoccofarmwasrounded up and word came that other henchmen of Rocco’s were beingsought.

After everyone had gone,Mr. Flockhart came into the house and talkedwithMrs.Bolardoaboutherplans.

“Oh, as soon aswe cangetAntonio’s clothespacked andbuyhim somenewones,we’llsetoffforItaly.”

Mr.Flockhartinsistedthattheystayathishomeuntil thewomanandherson were ready to fly to New York and then to Rome. She accepted theinvitation,thenlookedathersonlovingly.

“ItalyiswhereToniobelongs,”shetoldthegroup,“butIpromiseyouallthathisEnglishwillnotbeneglected.Iplantosendhimtoaspecialschoolwhere children learn many languages and talented young artists get finetrainingfromthemasters.”

“That’sgreat,”Nancysaid.“Tony,I’mcountingonyou.SomedayIhopetoseemanybeautifulpaintingsbyAntonioRoccoBolardo.”

HetriedtospeakEnglish,butgaveup,andfinishedinItalian.Hismothertranslated,thentoldNancytheboy’ssmilinganswer.

“Iwon’t disappoint you, I promise.But in themeantime, pleasekeepupyour own interest in art, Nancy. It helped you solve the mystery of theparchmentandgavemebackmylovelymotherl”

1

Ezekiel34:16

2

Hebrews13:2

3

Proverbs11:17

4

Amos6:5

5

Psalm98:4

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Exodus23:7

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Jeremiah5:15