Read Online The Sign of the Twisted Candles by Carolyn Keene - Free Book Online Page A

the bedding and towels. I’ll join you after I make a few phone calls.”
    The caretaker’s eyelids narrowed to a look of hatred but he kept silent.
    “I—I’ll be all right,” Carol said, rising.
    Nancy put an arm about her and they went upstairs together. A quiver ran through the younger girl’s body as they entered the tower, but this lasted only a moment. The Jemitts arrived almost immediately. Instead of confining their work to the bed and bathroom, they began mop-ping and dusting. It was soon evident that they were doing more snooping than cleaning.
    Fearful that the Jemitts would find the hidden bracelet, Nancy finally spoke up. “My father did not ask you to do this,” she said.
    “Humph!” the woman exclaimed. “And what does he know about cleaning?” She went on with her work.
    “Stop!” Nancy ordered. “Carol, run down and tell my father to come right up here.”
    As Carol started from the room, Jemitt said, “Oh, all right. Emma, take the linen and blanket off the bed.” As she did, Nancy saw him lift a corner of the mattress and peer underneath.
    Realizing his action had been detected, Jemitt quickly straightened up and went to get the towels from an adjacent bathroom. By this time Mr. Drew had arrived and instantly Jemitt and his wife vanished down the stairway.
    But the Drews heard Jemitt shout back, “Carol, don’t you dare take any more orders from Nancy Drew or her father! We’re your foster parents and you’ll do as we say! Right now get to work on our bedrooms.”
    Nancy sighed. “Dad, isn’t it frightful?”
    He nodded. “I see more trouble ahead, but two things we must do: protect Carol and take care of this old mansion. Nancy, do you think Hannah would be willing to come here and stay with you?”
    “Oh, Dad, I’m sure she would, and I’m glad that you want me to stay.”
    The lawyer smiled. “I think Carol needs you.” A few minutes later several relatives arrived, saying Jemitt had phoned them. Nancy was glad Bess and George were not among them, because she did not feel equal to coping with that unhappy situation at this time. Mrs. Fayne and Mrs. Marvin came with Peter Boonton. They spoke coolly to Nancy. Jacob Sidney was accompanied by a man he introduced as his legal adviser. All of them went to the third floor.
    Interest centered upon Mr. Drew. He had taken his stand like a sentry at the door to the tower room and allowed no one to enter.
    The two nephews pleaded for a chance to go into Asa Sidney’s room “just to pick up a small keepsake,” but were denied. When an opportunity came to speak to the lawyer privately, Jacob Sidney tried to learn what was in his great-uncle’s will.
    “I am not free to say at this time,” Mr. Drew answered.
    Midmorning a deputy from the sheriff’s office arrived in response to the attorney’s summons. He affixed a seal to the door of the tower room, where Asa Sidney had told Mr. Drew he kept valuable papers.
    Mr. Drew’s only response to all questions was, “I must comply with the law and the ethics of my profession.”
    He did, however, have a longer conversation with the Jemitts. “You are responsible for that room,” he told them. “If the seal is broken you will be arrested. The windows are also locked and sealed so there is an additional responsibility to see that no one climbs in through them.” Awe-struck, the caretaker and his wife agreed to follow his orders.
    At last Mr. Drew called the relatives together in the living room and told them of the funeral plans. “We’ll meet here in two days to read the will,” he added. “At two in the afternoon.”
    “If that’s the earliest, all right,” Peter Boonton assented with a grumble and the relatives left.
    A little while later Mr. Drew took his daughter’s car and drove off. Nancy went to talk to Carol, who was in her room. The girl was heart-broken.
    “I feel so lonely,” she confessed. “I hope Mr. Sidney left this house to the Jemitts. It’s the only home