The Clue Of The Whistling Bagpipes Part 4

Nancy continued to reflect. "Anyway, I did get a good look at the man who bought my autograph. He was of medium height, thin, had a shock of black hair, and red cheeks."

Ideas about the man came to her quickly. Could he have planted the bomb? Had he caused the crash that had wrecked her car? Since she had had no success learning about any strange Scotsman, Nancy decided to change her tactics.

"I'll concentrate on trying to learn the ident.i.ty of that man who bought my autograph!"

Her quest was unsuccessful until she came to a drugstore. It was owned by a Mr. Gregg, and the Drews frequently bought supplies there.

As Nancy walked up to the counter, Mr. Gregg, a stout, jolly person, said, "h.e.l.lo, Nancy.Another mystery giving you a big headache? You'd like some aspirin?"

Nancy chuckled. "I have a mystery, but I don't need aspirin. I came for some information."

"Well, since you're a customer of long standing, I can give you information free," said the druggist with a grin.

Nancy described the man who had purchased her autograph, saying she would like to find out who he was. To her delight, Mr. Gregg said, "I guess I can help you a little."

The pharmacist told her that a man answering her description often came into the store to use the telephone. "I once heard somebody call him Pete, but I don't know his last name. Today he rushed in and made a beeline for the booth. Didn't close the door all the way. I happened to walk by just in time to hear him say 'Everything's jake. I got that girl's autograph.' "

Nancy was so pleased over the clue she felt like cheering. But she merely expressed her appreciation and hurried from the drugstore.

The young detective went directly to police headquarters and told Chief McGinnis what had happened to her during the past hour and her suspicions regarding the man called Pete.

The chief listened attentively. "I'm glad you came, Nancy. I'll a.s.sign some of my men right away to the job of trying to locate this Pete. I don't promise anything, though, before you leave for Scotland."

Nancy smiled. "The main thing is to catch him!" she said. "I'm convinced he's mixed up with these mysterious events. If you do find him, or get any leads, be sure to let me know!"

She wrote down the names of the hotels in Glasgow and Edinburgh where she would be staying, and finally Lady Douglas' address.

When Nancy reached home, Hannah told her that Ned had phoned. He wanted to come and say good-by to Nancy but would be busy all afternoon writing a report of his South American trip.

The housekeeper continued, "I took the liberty of inviting Ned to dinner. I thought you wouldn't mind," she added, winking.

Nancy gave the housekeeper a hug and went up to her own room to finish packing. There would be no chance that evening!

Ned arrived at six o'clock. "I hope you don't mind my coming early, Nance," he said. "I brought something to show you. I just couldn't wait any longer for your reaction."

He handed her the Evening Graphic. It was a sensational newspaper which normally would not have been purchased by Ned Nickerson or the Drews.

Nancy unfolded the paper and held it up. She gave a cry of utter astonishment. On the front page, in bold type, was the caption:Autograph s.n.a.t.c.her Enrages

Girl Detective!

Below was a large and not flattering candid snapshot of Nancy chasing the mysterious man!

CHAPTER IV.

"Scots, WhaHae"

As NANCY stared in dismay at the newspaper, Ned remarked, "I thought you were keeping your sleuthing trip to Scotland a secret."

"I was trying to!"

Ned pointed to the article. "This story tells everything-that you and your father are going to Scotland to solve the mystery of a lost heirloom which your great-grandmother planned to give you."

"But how in the world did the Graphic get the story?" Nancy asked, puzzled.

"What about Bess and George?" Ned suggested.

Nancy was sure that the cousins had had nothing to do with revealing her secret. But she telephoned each one nevertheless to find out. Both stoutly denied having told anyone the girls' plans except their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Marvin and Mr. and Mrs. Fayne also declared they had not mentioned the trip to any outsider.

Frowning, Nancy returned to Ned and read for herself the article in the newspaper. "Oh, my goodness!" she exclaimed suddenly. "It even says the heirloom has been reported lost or misplaced by Lady Douglas."

"I'll bet," said Ned, "that the story came from Scotland to somebody over here. And that somebody is the enemy who has been bothering you."

Ned looked at Nancy intently for several seconds. Then he said, "Nancy, do you want to go to Scotland very much?"

"Of course I do. Why do you ask?"

To her astonishment, the young man revealed that just before leaving his home in Mapleton to come to River Heights, he had received an anonymous telephone call.

"A man, evidently disguising his voice, said to me, 'If you expect to keep your girl friend alive, don't let her go to Scotland!' "

It was Nancy's turn to stare. She realized the gravity and danger of the situation, and though she a.s.sured Ned the threat would not keep her home, she admitted it made her very uneasy.

"I'm going to phone the Graphic office," Nancy declared. "They must know who's responsible for this story, and the source of it."

The answer was quite unsatisfactory. The young woman who took Nancy's call said that practically everybody in the news office had gone home and she was not at liberty to give out any information. In a bored tone she added, "Phone in the morning." Then she hung up.

During dinner the newspaper article and the sinister warning to Ned were discussed at length.

"Did you notice the article didn't say a theft is suspected?" Nancy remarked.

"That's right," Mr. Drew agreed. "It seems strange that it didn't mention such an idea."

His daughter suggested that it was possible the person who had given out the story knew the heirloom had been stolen. If everyone was led to believe the jewelry had been lost or misplaced, then neither the police nor anyone else would think of looking for a thief.

"Good reasoning," said Mr. Drew.

Nancy turned to Ned. "Since we're leaving early in the morning, I won't be able to find out anything from the Graphic before we go. How about your taking on that job?"

Ned laughed. "Wouldn't you be surprised if I solved the mystery on this side of the ocean?"

Nancy giggled. "I dare you! But anyway, I'm sure you will play a big part in doing just that!"

"Thanks for your confidence, Detective Drew," Ned replied. "Any further a.s.signments?"