Read Online (#20) The Clue in the Jewel Box by Carolyn Keene - Free Book Online
Authors: Carolyn Keene
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plates of salmon pink and gold. Their decorations of enamel were so unusual that Mr. Drew commented on the fine work.
“It is indeed remarkable,” Mrs. Alexandra admitted, pleased by his interest. “At one time, only the ladies of the court had dessert served on these plates.” She smiled. “But now I am sharing this secret with you gentlemen.”
She turned to Francis Baum. “Michael dear, do tell us something of your life here in America,” she urged gently.
“Nothing to tell,” he mumbled, avoiding her gaze. “I didn’t have a chance to get much education—too busy working.”
“You shall have an opportunity to learn now, Michael. You’ll have a tutor.”
“I’ll need to find out how to handle myself in society,” the young man admitted. “You can teach me the ropes yourself, though. Right?”
Mrs. Alexandra looked slightly distressed at her grandson’s crude remarks. The next instant she smiled. Arising, she indicated that the long dinner had ended.
The guests returned to the living room, from which many art treasures had been removed. The Easter egg, too, had disappeared. Nancy was disappointed that her father would not have an opportunity to hear the nightingale’s song.
Realizing that Mrs. Alexandra no doubt wished to be alone with her grandson, the guests soon offered excuses for leaving. Francis Baum followed Nancy into the hall and whispered:
“How about you and me having a date soon?”
“Thank you, I’ll be very busy—for some time,” Nancy said.
“Oh, do it as a favor to my grandmother.”
Nancy was glad that Mrs. Alexandra’s appearance in the hall at that moment made it unnecessary for her to reply. The Drews and Katherine departed, leaving Baum in his new home.
“It’s difficult to believe that he’s related to Madame Alexandra,” Nancy said to Mr. Drew after taking Katherine to the Archer residence. “If Mrs. Alexandra hadn’t been so firmly convinced that his credentials were authentic, I’d have thought he was an impostor.”
“Training may make young Baum into a new person,” Mr. Drew declared. “Let’s hope so.”
When they reached home, Mr. Drew went directly to the garage. He and Nancy alighted. The windows in the house were dark, evidence that Mrs. Gruen had not returned.
As the Drews neared the side door, they were startled to hear an angry growl. Baum’s dog had broken away from the rope and was crouched on the top step, ready to leap on Nancy and her father.
“Let’s try the front door,” she suggested.
The annoying animal followed them. He became increasingly unfriendly, and would not let them come within several yards of the entrance.
“What’ll we do, Dad?”
“It’s too late to telephone the dog warden.”
“We can’t stay outdoors!” said Nancy.
Mr. Drew nodded grimly.
“I know what we’ll do,” he said with satisfaction. “Just follow me, Nancy.”
CHAPTER X
Amazing Revelation
MR. DREW led the way to the home of their neighbor Mr. Gleason. Grimly he told Nancy that he would call Francis Baum and ask him to come for his dog at once.
“That’s a good idea,” she agreed.
The owner of the animal was not cooperative. But when Mr. Drew remained firm, Baum reluctantly agreed to take him away.
“Who does that fellow think he is, anyway?” the lawyer demanded.
“Merely a prince.” Nancy giggled. “Since he has the title, he feels he should act the part.”
“Putting other people to a lot of trouble is anything but princely!” her father declared. “Why don’t you wait here at the Gleasons, Nancy?” he suggested. “I’ll walk back and watch for Baum.”
“I wouldn’t desert you.” She snuggled dose to him. “His Royal Highness will arrive soon.”
Minutes elapsed and Mr. Drew became more impatient. Again he tried to get into the house, but the dog became even more ferocious. After nearly an hour had gone by, he announced he would telephone the young man again. At that instant a taxi came down the
“It is indeed remarkable,” Mrs. Alexandra admitted, pleased by his interest. “At one time, only the ladies of the court had dessert served on these plates.” She smiled. “But now I am sharing this secret with you gentlemen.”
She turned to Francis Baum. “Michael dear, do tell us something of your life here in America,” she urged gently.
“Nothing to tell,” he mumbled, avoiding her gaze. “I didn’t have a chance to get much education—too busy working.”
“You shall have an opportunity to learn now, Michael. You’ll have a tutor.”
“I’ll need to find out how to handle myself in society,” the young man admitted. “You can teach me the ropes yourself, though. Right?”
Mrs. Alexandra looked slightly distressed at her grandson’s crude remarks. The next instant she smiled. Arising, she indicated that the long dinner had ended.
The guests returned to the living room, from which many art treasures had been removed. The Easter egg, too, had disappeared. Nancy was disappointed that her father would not have an opportunity to hear the nightingale’s song.
Realizing that Mrs. Alexandra no doubt wished to be alone with her grandson, the guests soon offered excuses for leaving. Francis Baum followed Nancy into the hall and whispered:
“How about you and me having a date soon?”
“Thank you, I’ll be very busy—for some time,” Nancy said.
“Oh, do it as a favor to my grandmother.”
Nancy was glad that Mrs. Alexandra’s appearance in the hall at that moment made it unnecessary for her to reply. The Drews and Katherine departed, leaving Baum in his new home.
“It’s difficult to believe that he’s related to Madame Alexandra,” Nancy said to Mr. Drew after taking Katherine to the Archer residence. “If Mrs. Alexandra hadn’t been so firmly convinced that his credentials were authentic, I’d have thought he was an impostor.”
“Training may make young Baum into a new person,” Mr. Drew declared. “Let’s hope so.”
When they reached home, Mr. Drew went directly to the garage. He and Nancy alighted. The windows in the house were dark, evidence that Mrs. Gruen had not returned.
As the Drews neared the side door, they were startled to hear an angry growl. Baum’s dog had broken away from the rope and was crouched on the top step, ready to leap on Nancy and her father.
“Let’s try the front door,” she suggested.
The annoying animal followed them. He became increasingly unfriendly, and would not let them come within several yards of the entrance.
“What’ll we do, Dad?”
“It’s too late to telephone the dog warden.”
“We can’t stay outdoors!” said Nancy.
Mr. Drew nodded grimly.
“I know what we’ll do,” he said with satisfaction. “Just follow me, Nancy.”
CHAPTER X
Amazing Revelation
MR. DREW led the way to the home of their neighbor Mr. Gleason. Grimly he told Nancy that he would call Francis Baum and ask him to come for his dog at once.
“That’s a good idea,” she agreed.
The owner of the animal was not cooperative. But when Mr. Drew remained firm, Baum reluctantly agreed to take him away.
“Who does that fellow think he is, anyway?” the lawyer demanded.
“Merely a prince.” Nancy giggled. “Since he has the title, he feels he should act the part.”
“Putting other people to a lot of trouble is anything but princely!” her father declared. “Why don’t you wait here at the Gleasons, Nancy?” he suggested. “I’ll walk back and watch for Baum.”
“I wouldn’t desert you.” She snuggled dose to him. “His Royal Highness will arrive soon.”
Minutes elapsed and Mr. Drew became more impatient. Again he tried to get into the house, but the dog became even more ferocious. After nearly an hour had gone by, he announced he would telephone the young man again. At that instant a taxi came down the
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