Тайна загадочной лестницы [with w_cat] | страница 56

[824] Nancy agreed and took a chair in a corner of the Captain's office. Presently he called to her.

"I have your answer, Miss Drew."

[825] She jumped up and went over to his desk, The officer told her that Captain McGinnis in River Heights had been most co-operative. He had sent two men at once to Aken's used-car lot. They had just returned with a report.

"Day before yesterday an athletic-looking man with a crinkly ear came there and purchased a car. He showed a driver's license stating that he was Samuel Greenman from Huntsville."

[826] Nancy was excited over the information. "Then it will be easy to pick him up, won't it?" she asked.

[827] "I'm afraid not," Captain Rossland replied. "McGinnis learned from the Huntsville police that although Greenman is supposed to live at the address he gave, he is reported to have been out of town for some time."

[828] "Then no one knows where he is?"

[829] "Not any of his neighbors."

The officer also reported that Samuel Greenman was a person of questionable character. He was wanted on a couple of robbery charges, and police in several states had been alerted to be on the lookout for him.

[830] "Well, if the man I saw at my car is Samuel Greenman, then maybe he's hiding in this area."

[831] Captain Rossland smiled. "Are you going to suggest next that he is the ghost at Twin Elms?"

[832] "Who knows?" Nancy countered.

[833] "In any case," Captain Rossland said, "your idea that he may be hiding out around here is a good one."

[834] Nancy was about to ask the officer another question when his phone rang. A moment later he said, "It's for you, Miss Drew."

[835] The girl detective picked up the receiver and said, "Hello." The caller was Helen Corning and her voice sounded frantic.

[836] "Oh, Nancy, something dreadful has happened here! You must come home at once!"

[837] "What is it?" Nancy cried out, but Helen had already put down the instrument at her end.

[838] Nancy told Captain Rossland of the urgent request and said she must leave at once.

[839] "Let me know if you need the police," the officer called after her.

[840] "Thank you, I will."

[841] Nancy drove to Twin Elms as fast as the law allowed. As she pulled up in front of the house, she was startled to see a doctor's car there. Someone had been taken ill!

[842] Helen met her friend at the front door. "Nancy," she said in a whisper, "Miss Flora may have had a heart attack!"

[843] "How terrible!" Nancy said, shocked. "Tell me all about it."