Read Online Cherry Ames 24 Companion Nurse by Helen Wells - Free Book Online
Authors: Helen Wells
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decided at breakfast to make the most of the day. Returning to Martha Logan’s room for coats, they turned on the radio for a weather report. A news broadcast came on:
“—robbery at the Selsam Gallery last night,” the announcer was saying. “The thieves stole thirty-fi ve contemporary paintings valued at three hundred and fi fty thousand pounds.”
That was more than a million dollars. Mrs. Logan dropped her umbrella. She and Cherry stood motionless, listening.
“Police believe the thieves scaled the fl at roofs of the area, bypassing the street and alley where a night
AN EVENTFUL WEEK
59
watchman was on duty. The thieves forced open a rear door of the gallery, a fi re-escape door, apparently using a small crowbar. They cut the paintings out of their frames, and left the empty frames on walls and fl oor.
“The robbery was discovered at seven o’clock this morning by the gallery caretaker, who comes in early to clean.
“The caretaker immediately called the police, and Scotland Yard is throwing out a massive dragnet for the thieves. Detectives are making an intensive search in the Mayfair area for clues. Ports and airports are being closely watched for the paintings, which, gallery owner Pierre Selsam believes, the thieves may try to smuggle immediately out of England to Russia or South America, to sell there. Interpol has been notifi ed—”
“Poor Pierre!” Martha exclaimed.
The radio announcer went on. “The theft is one of the biggest and most daring ever staged in Britain.
Mr. Selsam, interviewed within the hour, said the paintings were insured, but stressed that works of art are unique and irreplaceable. Mr. Selsam, profoundly shocked, pointed out that the theft was apparently masterminded by someone with a keen knowledge of art, who had selected only the fi nest works. Among the paintings stolen were—”
Martha Logan turned the radio off. “I don’t want to hear any more,” she said, and sat down, looking mis-erable. “My poor friend!” In a moment she remarked,
“Well, I’m at least going to call Pierre.” 60 CHERRY
AMES,
COMPANION
NURSE
She telephoned and told the gallery owner how shocked and sorry she was. After a short conversation she hung up.
“Pierre Selsam says,” she told Cherry, “that the police do not suspect anyone in particular, so far. You know, hundreds of persons freely walk into an art gallery—the thieves could be anyone.”
“No clues at all?” Cherry asked.
“None,” Martha replied. “Can you imagine how shocked Mr. Hazard must be at this news? He greatly admired those Renoirs. . . . That reminds me, I promised to call him up once more before we left. Would you mind putting the call through for me?”
“Not at all,” Cherry said. She telephoned the Ritz, only to learn Archibald Hazard had checked out an hour ago. “Aren’t you a little surprised he didn’t phone you to say goodbye?” Cherry asked Mrs. Logan.
“No, the last time we saw him, Mr. Hazard told me he was rather busy,” Martha replied. “It would have been a nice courtesy if he had phoned, but not necessary. We’re just casual acquaintances.” The Selsam robbery left them feeling glum, but they went ahead with a morning of leisurely sightseeing. When they returned to their hotel, Cherry found she had again missed a telephone call from Peter Holt.
This time he had left a message:
“Positively will see you in Stratford-upon-Avon next week!”
c h a p t e r v
Cherry Meets Peter Again
cherry felt encouraged. her patient seemed much better on Saturday. She did not tire during the morning bus ride from London through rolling country to Oxford.
In fact, she struck up lively conversations among the other American tourists who fi lled the bus. They said goodbye to their new acquaintances on reaching the ancient university town. Martha Logan had an appointment that afternoon with a scholar of English history, and research to do in the incomparable libraries.
Cherry escorted
“—robbery at the Selsam Gallery last night,” the announcer was saying. “The thieves stole thirty-fi ve contemporary paintings valued at three hundred and fi fty thousand pounds.”
That was more than a million dollars. Mrs. Logan dropped her umbrella. She and Cherry stood motionless, listening.
“Police believe the thieves scaled the fl at roofs of the area, bypassing the street and alley where a night
AN EVENTFUL WEEK
59
watchman was on duty. The thieves forced open a rear door of the gallery, a fi re-escape door, apparently using a small crowbar. They cut the paintings out of their frames, and left the empty frames on walls and fl oor.
“The robbery was discovered at seven o’clock this morning by the gallery caretaker, who comes in early to clean.
“The caretaker immediately called the police, and Scotland Yard is throwing out a massive dragnet for the thieves. Detectives are making an intensive search in the Mayfair area for clues. Ports and airports are being closely watched for the paintings, which, gallery owner Pierre Selsam believes, the thieves may try to smuggle immediately out of England to Russia or South America, to sell there. Interpol has been notifi ed—”
“Poor Pierre!” Martha exclaimed.
The radio announcer went on. “The theft is one of the biggest and most daring ever staged in Britain.
Mr. Selsam, interviewed within the hour, said the paintings were insured, but stressed that works of art are unique and irreplaceable. Mr. Selsam, profoundly shocked, pointed out that the theft was apparently masterminded by someone with a keen knowledge of art, who had selected only the fi nest works. Among the paintings stolen were—”
Martha Logan turned the radio off. “I don’t want to hear any more,” she said, and sat down, looking mis-erable. “My poor friend!” In a moment she remarked,
“Well, I’m at least going to call Pierre.” 60 CHERRY
AMES,
COMPANION
NURSE
She telephoned and told the gallery owner how shocked and sorry she was. After a short conversation she hung up.
“Pierre Selsam says,” she told Cherry, “that the police do not suspect anyone in particular, so far. You know, hundreds of persons freely walk into an art gallery—the thieves could be anyone.”
“No clues at all?” Cherry asked.
“None,” Martha replied. “Can you imagine how shocked Mr. Hazard must be at this news? He greatly admired those Renoirs. . . . That reminds me, I promised to call him up once more before we left. Would you mind putting the call through for me?”
“Not at all,” Cherry said. She telephoned the Ritz, only to learn Archibald Hazard had checked out an hour ago. “Aren’t you a little surprised he didn’t phone you to say goodbye?” Cherry asked Mrs. Logan.
“No, the last time we saw him, Mr. Hazard told me he was rather busy,” Martha replied. “It would have been a nice courtesy if he had phoned, but not necessary. We’re just casual acquaintances.” The Selsam robbery left them feeling glum, but they went ahead with a morning of leisurely sightseeing. When they returned to their hotel, Cherry found she had again missed a telephone call from Peter Holt.
This time he had left a message:
“Positively will see you in Stratford-upon-Avon next week!”
c h a p t e r v
Cherry Meets Peter Again
cherry felt encouraged. her patient seemed much better on Saturday. She did not tire during the morning bus ride from London through rolling country to Oxford.
In fact, she struck up lively conversations among the other American tourists who fi lled the bus. They said goodbye to their new acquaintances on reaching the ancient university town. Martha Logan had an appointment that afternoon with a scholar of English history, and research to do in the incomparable libraries.
Cherry escorted
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