TableofContents

TitlePageCopyrightPageCHAPTERI-TheHiddenMessageCHAPTERII-“ILoveHer”CHAPTERIII-BookshopClueCHAPTERIV-TogototheRescue!CHAPTERV-Burglar’sBraceletCHAPTERVI-TurkishSlippersCHAPTERVII-SlySuspectCHAPTERVIII-ShockingNewsCHAPTERIX-SilentWarningCHAPTERX-ExasperatingSearchCHAPTERXI-Ah-ee-shaCHAPTERXII-FakerRevealedCHAPTERXIII-MistakenIdentity?CHAPTERXIV-Well-KeptSecretCHAPTERXV-TravelPlansCHAPTERXVI-ImportantConfessionCHAPTERXVII-“Yok!Yok!”CHAPTERXVIII-BazaarKidnappingCHAPTERXIX-AnArrestCHAPTERXX-MissionAccomplished

THEMYSTERIOUSMANNEQUIN

THEstrangedisappearanceofayoungTurkishclientofMr.Drew’sandthegiftofanOrientalrugwithacodedmessagewovenintoitsdecorativeborderstartNancyonadifficultsearchforamissingmannequin.Whathappenedtotheattractivefigure thatFaroukTahmaspused in thedisplaywindowofhisrugshop?WhoistryingtokeepNancyfromfindingit—andwhy?

TrackingdowntheintricatetrailofcluestakesNancyandherfriendsBessandGeorge,Ned,BurtandDavetoTurkey.TheirsleuthingleadsthemtotheGrand Bazaar in the exotic city of Istanbul, where Bess mysteriouslydisappears.SuspensemountswhenNancyencountersavengefulenemyatanancientundergroundreservoir.

EventsmoveswiftlyasNancyandherfriendstrytosolvethischallengingmystery,andleadtoanexcitingclimaxthatwilldelightandthrillalladmirersofAmerica’sfavoritegirldetective.

“Don’tyoudaretakethis!”Nancyshouted

Copyright©1970bySimon&Schuster,Inc.Allrightsreserved.PublishedbyGrosset&Dunlap,Inc.,amemberofThePutnam&

GrossetGroup,NewYork.PublishedsimultaneouslyinCanada.S.A.NANCYDREWMYSTERYSTORIES®isaregisteredtrademarkofSimon&Schuster,

Inc.GROSSET&DUNLAPisatrademarkofGrosset&Dunlap,Inc.eISBN:978-1-101-07748-1

2007Printing

http://us.penguingroup.com

CHAPTERI

TheHiddenMessage

NANCYDrewopenedthedoorofherfather’sofficeandwalkedin.Hehadphonedhertopickhimupsincehiscarwasintherepairshop.

“Hi!”shesaidtoMissHanson,hissecretary.

“Hello,Nancy,” thewoman replied. “Your fatherwill be ready in a fewminutes.”Shegavealittlechuckleandpointedtoapackageonachairnearthedoor.“Thatcamealittlewhileago.Looksmysterious.”

Nancy’s interest was aroused at once. The package was about eighteeninches square and well wrapped. She glanced at the airmail stamps andpostmark.

“ThisisfromIstanbul,Turkey!”

Theattractive,teen-agedetectiveleaneddowntogetalookatthesender’snameandaddress.Therewasnone.

“That’sstrange,”shethought.

Just then Carson Drew, a tall, good-looking man in his late forties,appearedfromhisinneroffice.HekissedNancy,thenlookedatthepackage.

“What’sthis?”heasked.“Hm!FromIstanbul.Ididn’torderanythingfromthere.Nancy,haveanyofourfriendsbeentoTurkeyrecently?”

Nancythoughtforamoment.“NonethatIcanthinkof.”

“Let’sopenthepackage.Maybethesender’snameisinside.”

MissHansontookapairofshearsfromherdeskandcutthesealingtape.InsidethewrappingwasaTurkishprayerrugthreebyfivefeet.

“Howbeautiful!”Nancyexclaimed,unfoldingit.

Thecentersectionofthenew,Orientalsilkrughadapale-goldbackgroundwitha flowerdesign. Its rectangularborderwasan intricatecombinationofleaves,vines,andgeometricsymbolsinshadesofdeeprose,blue,andgold.

“It’s exquisite,” Miss Hanson remarked. “Strange that the sender didn’t

encloseacard.”

Mr. Drew continued to stare at the rug. Finally he said, “I’m going tohazardaguessaboutwhosentthis.MissHanson,doyourecallmyTurkish-AmericanclientFaroukTahmasp?”

The secretary nodded. “He owned the Turkish rug shop in town anddisappearedmysteriously.”

“He’s theone,” the lawyersaid.He turned toNancy.“Farouk’sshopwasoveronSatcherStreet,wherethere’satailornow.ItwasaveryfineshopandhesoldmanyexpensiveOrientals.Faroukwasaccusedbycustomsofficialsofhavingsmuggledinseveralvaluablerugs.Hedenieditandcametomeforadvice.

“Itookhiscase,butbeforeitcameupincourt,Farouksuddenlyvanished.Heleftanoteformesayinghecouldnotstandthedisgrace,eventhoughhewas innocent.HedidnotsaywherehewasgoingandIhaven’theardfromhim since. Too bad, because he does not know that he was acquitted.SomeoneinTurkeyhadreportedwronginformation.”

“Whatashame!”saidNancy.Hereyeslightedup.“Irememberthatshop.Didn’thehaveamannequininthewindow?”

“Yes.”

Nancysmiled.“ItwasaboutsixyearsagothatIfirstsawthemannequin.ItwasayoungTurkishlady.Sheworepale-bluepantaloonsandalongsleevedcerise blouse.What interestedmemostwas thebigwhite veil that coveredherwholeheadexcepthereyesandtheupperpartofhernose.”

“That’sright,”herfatheragreed.“WomeninTurkeywererequiredtowearthat type of costume before the country became a republic in 1923. ButnowadaysmostofthemwearWestern-styledress.”

Nancychuckled.“Onetime,whenIstoodlookingatthemannequin,Iwassureshehadwinkedatme.Ikeptgoingbacktoseeifshewoulddoitagain,butsheneverdid.”

Mr. Drew and Miss Hanson laughed. Her father said, “With yourimaginationIcanseehowyoumightthinkthat.Bytheway,FaroukTahmaspdisappearednearlytwoyearsago.”

“And you thinkmaybe he’s in Turkey and sent this rug?”Nancy asked.“Didheoweyoulegalfees?”

The lawyer shookhis head. “That’s oneof the strangeparts of the story.

Farouk sent me money before he left. He greatly overpaid me and I havealwayswantedtosendhimarefund.”

“Whathappenedtothemannequin?”Nancyqueried.

Her father saidhedidnot know. “Faroukprobably soldher to a shopormuseum.”

Mr.Drewwent on to say that according to neighbors, all the rugs in theshophadbeenloadedonavanandtakenaway.HesaidthatlaterhefoundoutadealerinNewYorkhadpaidcashforthemerchandise.

“SotherewasnowayoftracingFarouk,”Nancyremarked.

All thiswhile she had been examining the rug. “Since the sender didn’tenclosehisname,doyousuppose therecouldbeamessage foryouwoveninto the pattern? I’ve heard that years ago in Turkey secretmessageswerehiddeninrugs.”

Mr.Drewsmiled.“Nancy, Ivalueyourhunches.Let’s see ifwecan findsomething.”

They laid the rug across Miss Hanson’s desk and the three began toexamine the border carefully.No one spoke as their fingers traced flowers,vines,andgeometricsymbols.

InafewmomentsNancyspottedanobjecthiddenamongsomeleaves.“Ibelieveit’sacar,”shesaid toherself.Shemovedaforefingeralongtherugandcameuponthefiguresofamanandalittleboy.

Nancy looked at it steadily for several moments. Then she burst out,“Here’saclue!”Shepointed.“Seethatcar?Andthemanandboy?”

“Yes,”MissHansonreplied.“Doesitmeansomething?”

“I’msureitdoes,”saidNancy.“Myfather’sname!Car-son!Carson.”

“Why,that’smarvelous!”MissHansonexclaimed.“ButIcan’tunderstandwhyFaroukTahmaspdidn’twritehismessageinaletter.”

Nancysuggestedthattheanswermightbefoundintherug.

“Dad,”shesaid,“I’msurethere’sawholemessageforyouintheborderofthisrug.Oh,ifwecanonlyfigureitout!”

MissHansonsmiled.“Youwill.”

ThethreesearchersbecamesointentontheirtaskthatMr.Drewsuggestedtheylaytherugonthefloorinordertostudyitbetter.Itwasnotlongbefore

Nancyfoundanotherclue.

“Here’saFrenchword:trouvez.Itmeansfind.”

“Findwhat?”MissHansonasked.

Thethreedidnotdiscoveranythingmoreduringthenextfiveminutes.

“Nancy,”saidMr.Drew,“it’stimeforustogohome.”

Hefoldedtherug,wrappeditinthepaper,andcarriedittoNancy’scar.

When the Drews arrived home they were met at the door by thehousekeeper,Mrs.HannahGruen.Shewasasweet-looking,motherlypersonwho had helped to rearNancy sinceMrs.Drew’s deathwhen her daughterwasonlythreeyearsofage.

“Nancy,” she said, “those blue eyes of yours are sparkling. What hashappened?”

“Another mystery!” Nancy announced. “Come into the living room andwe’llshowyou.”

The housekeeperwas amazed not only because the identity of the donorwasunknown,butalsobecauseamessagewasbeginning tounfold itself intheintricateweaving.

“Hannah,”saidNancy,“tryyourhandatdiscoveringwhatwearesupposedtofind.”

Mrs.Gruenlaidtherugontheliving-roomcarpet,gotdownonherknees,andbeganasearch.Meanwhile,Mr.DrewhadgoneupstairstomakeaphonecallandNancywenttowashherhandsandgiveTogo,herterrier,hissupper.

Nancypointed.“Here’saclue!”

Whenshereturnedtothelivingroom,HannahGruenwassittingbackonherheels.“IthinkI’vefoundsomething,”shesaid.“Lookamongthesevineshere.Doyouseeaword?”

“Offhand,no,”Nancyreplied.“It’slikeavineladder,isn’tit?”

“Turnitsideways,”Hannahsuggested.

Whenshedid,Nancycriedoutinsurprise.Woveninandoutoftherungswereseveralletters.“Theyspellmannequin!”

Mr.DrewwalkedintotheroomjustintimetohearNancy’sexclamation.“Mannequin?We’retofindamannequin?ItmustbetheonethatusedtositinFarouk’sshopwindow.”

“That’s a big order!”Nancy remarked. “We haven’t the least ideawhereshewentto.”

Mr.Drewputanarmaroundhisdaughter.“Nancy,Iamassigningyouthejoboflocatingher.”

“Oh,Dad,whatachallenge!”shesaid,hugginghim.

The young detective wondered where to begin. She hoped there werefurtherdirections in therug togiveheraclue.Assoonasdinnerwasover,shesatdowninthelivingroomwiththerugonherlap.

Togo lay beside her. After a while the whole pattern in the rug borderbecame a blur. She had just decided to rest her eyes for awhile,when thefrontdoorbellrang.Nancyhastenedtothedoor.

“Hi,Ned!”shesaidasahandsome,athleticyoungmanwalkedin.HewasNedNickerson,wholivedinMapleton,atownafewmilesawayfromRiverHeights and datedNancy regularly. Hewas a student at Emerson College,whereheplayedfootball,butduringhissummervacationhewassellinglifeinsurance.

“Hi,Nancy!AnynewmysteriessinceIlastsawyou?”

“I’msureyouexpectmetosayno,”sherepliedwithabroadgrin,“butI’mgoingtofoolyou.Iranintoonethisafternoon.It’sinthelivingroom.”Sheledthewayinside.

“Amystery?Thatrug?”hequeried.

“Yes.I’ll tellyouabout iton thewayto theairport.We’dbetterhurrysowewon’tbelatepickingupBurtandDave.”

Nancy hurried off to tell her father and Hannah that she and Ned wereleaving and would bring their friends Bess and George back to the house,togetherwiththeirtwodates.

NedstoppedfirstatBessMarvin’shouse.Thepretty,slightlyplumpblondclimbedintothecar.AfewmomentslatertheypickeduphercousinGeorge

Fayne.Theslender,dark-hairedathletic-lookinggirlenjoyedherboy’sname,eventhoughmanypeopleteasedheraboutit.

“Iguessyou’llhave to stepon it,”George remarked toNed. “YouknowhowBurthatestowait.”

Ned drove directly to the far end of the row of airport buildings wherepassengersfromprivateplanescamein.TheyoungpeoplegotoutofNed’scarandwentintothewaitingroom.Noonewasaround.

“Iwonder if the boyswill be on time,”George said. “You’d think therewouldbesomenoticeonthatbulletinboardofincomingflights.”

Minuteswentby.Nedtriedtophonethetowertogetinformationbutitdidnot answer. Restless, the group went outside and paced back and forth,keepingtheireyesonthesky.Otherprivateplanescamein,butnot theonetheywerelookingfor.Presentlytheysawapilotwalkingtowardthem.NedaskedhimifheknewanythingabouttheN104TR.

Thepilotfrowned.“Ijustheardit’shavingtroublewiththelandinggear.Itwon’tletdown.Andthey’relowonfuel.”

Nancyandherfriendsgasped.Fearful,Besscriedout,“Oh,they’llcrash!”

CHAPTERII

“ILoveHer”

MOMENTS later Nancy and her friends saw a small twin-engine planecircling the airport. Sirens began to wail as a crash truck sped out. Therunway thathadbeenassigned thecrippledplanewasquicklysprayedwithfoamasaprotectionagainstfire.

“Oh,Ihopethey’llbeallright!”Besssaidprayerfully.

Ned was tense as he remarked, “I understand the owner is a very goodpilot.Allwecandoishopeforthebest.”

Thefouryoungpeoplewatchedtenselyastheplanebeganitsdescent.Bessturnedherheadawayandbitherlip.

Theplanesoaredalongatwhatseemedtobejustinchesabovetherunway.Seconds later the craft settled down lightly and sent geysers of foam in alldirectionsasitmadecontactwiththeground.

Thengraduallyyawingtotherightitslidsidewaystoastop.

“Thankgoodness!”Georgemurmured.

NancytouchedBess.“They’resafe!”

Anopentruckroareduptothesideof theplanetocollect thepassengersand the pilot.The runwaywas far toowetwith foam for them towalk on.DavewasthefirstonetoemergeandBessbegantolaughandcryallatthesametime.

“ForPete’ssake!”hercousinGeorgescoldedher.“You’ll lookamessbythetimeDavegetshere.”

George’sreprimanddidthetrick.Bessdriedhereyesandquicklygotouthercompacttopowderawayanytelltaletears.

The truck stopped at the building where Nancy and her friends werewaitingtoletBurtEddletonandDaveEvansoff.Burtwasblondandhusky;Daveblondbutwitharangybuild.

Bess was the first one to rush forward. She gave Dave such an

overwhelminggreetingthathelookedembarrassed.GeorgegreetedBurtlesseffusively,butsaid,“I’mgladyou’resafe.”

“ItoldHannahI’dcallherwhenyouarrived,”Nancysaid,“soshecangetthesnackballrolling.”

Twentyminuteslatertheywereallseatedaroundahugetableinthecozykitchen. Mr. Drew appeared and said hello to the visitors. Presently heexcusedhimselfandwentbackupstairstohisstudy.

HannahGruen had prepared one of hermidnight specials—toasted ham-and-eggsandwichesoverwhichshehadpouredacheeseand tomatosauce.BurtandDavehadneverhadthetreatbefore.Bothdeclareditwasoneofthebestsandwichestheyhadevereaten.

“I’llintroduceittothefellowsatEmerson,”Davetoldthehousekeeper.

“Nancy,”saidBurt,“youworkingonanothermysteryrightnow?”

“I’mtryingtolocateamissingmannequin,believeitornot.”

Dave laughed. “That’s certainly something different. If I recall correctly,youstartedyourdetectivecareerhuntingforTheSecretoftheOldClock,andrecentlywehelpedyousolvethemysteryofTheInvisibleIntruder.Boy,thatwasatoughcase!”

Nancyshowedherfriendsthemysteriousrugandpointedoutthemessageinitthathadbeenunraveledsofar.

“Say,that’sclever!”Davedeclared.

“DadandI,”saidNancy,“areassumingthatthemanwhosentitisaformerclientofhisnamedFaroukTahmaspandthathe’snowlivinginIstanbul.”

“Didheweavethishimself?”Georgeasked.

“Probablynot. I thinkmostof theweavers inTurkeyarewomen.ButnodoubtFaroukdesigneditandtheweaverwasn’tawareofthemessage.”

The rug was laid on the living-room floor and the six young peopledroppedto theirkneesandsearchedforfurtherclues in theborder.NoneofthemfoundanyandpresentlyBessbegantoyawn.

“It’stimetogohome,”shesaid.

Theothersagreed.Assoonasherfriendshadgone,Nancyturnedoutthelightsandclimbedthestairstoherroom.

DirectlyafterbreakfastthefollowingmorningNancyandHannahsatdown

ontheliving-roomfloortostudytherugclosely.Tracingeachleaf,stem,andgeometricsymbolwastediouswork.Inhalfanhourtheyhadexaminedonlytwofeetofthedesign.Theyhadfoundnothingandstooduptostretch.

“Do you think part of themessage could be in the flowers in the centersectionoftherug?”thehousekeepersaidfinally.

“It’spossible,”Nancyreplied,“butitwouldbemuchhardertodisguiseitthere.”Shenoticedoneplacethatlookedlikeapondwithtallstemmedwaterlilies,butfoundnolettersorwordsinthatarea.

SheandHannahworkeddiligentlyandfiveminuteslaterNancyexclaimed,“Ilove—”

Fromthedoorwayavoiceasked,“Me?That’sgreat!”

NancyandHannahlookeduptoseeNedstandingthere.AsNancyblushed,Hannahsaidtohim,“Howdidyougetintothehouse?”

Nedlaughed.“Togoletmein.Heknowshowtounlockthescreendoor.”

“Well,I’llhavetolookintothatatonce,”saidHannahasshehurriedofftoinspectboththefrontandbackdoors.

Nancy pointed out the words “I love—” in the border of the rug andsuggestedthatNedtrytolocatemoreofthemessage.

Nedlaughed.“Youknow,Nancy,Igetabigbangoutofsolvingpartofanymysterybeforeyoudo.I’mgoingtotryitnow.”Painstakinglyhestudiedtheleaves,vines,andgeometricsymbols.Allofasuddenheshouted,“Ihaveit!”

“Whatisit?”Nancyasked.

Proudly Ned said, “The whole sentence reads ‘I love her.’ I suppose hemeansthemannequin.”ThenNed’sfacetookona lookofdisgust.“Hecanhaveher.Asforme,I’lltakealiveoneanytime.”

Nancygrinned.“Justthesame,I’llbetyoucouldloveamannequin,too,ifitheldsomethingvaluable.”

“Isthatwhatyoususpect?”Nedasked.

Nancyshrugged.“Oneguessisasgoodasanother.”

Nedstoodup.“NowthatI’vesolvedpartofthemysteryforyou,let’sgo!Youhaven’tforgottenaboutourtripuptheriverbymotorboattothatunusualbookshop?”

“Noindeed,”Nancyanswered.“Infact, I’vebeen thinking thatperhapsI

couldpickupsomeinterestingbooksonTurkishrugs.”

“Oh,Ialmostforgot.Ibroughtyouasouvenirofyournewmystery,”Nedinterjected,pullingacellophane-wrappedpackagefromhispocket.

Hannah,comingbackintotheroom,exclaimed,“Smyrnafigs!”

“OnlynowthecityofSmyrnaiscalledIzmir,”Nancyputin.

The housekeeper sighed. “I wish people around the world would stopchanging thenamesofplaces. I’mgettingwornout trying to learnall thosenew ones. Istanbul was that city’s original name. Then they changed it toConstantinopleandImustsayIlikedthatbetter.Nowthey’veswitchedbacktoIstanbul.It’sconfusing.SomuchIlearnedinschoolhastobeunlearned.”

Nancy laughed as she opened the package and passed around the figs.Hannahtookherstothekitchen,sayingshewouldpackapicniclunchforthecouple.ShehadbeengonenomorethantwominuteswhenNancyandNedheardhercryout.

“I wonder what happened,” said Nancy. She dashed toward the kitchen,withNedatherheels.

They foundHannahholdingonehandover the sink.Bloodwasdrippingfromabadlycutfinger.Shewasabouttoputitunderthecoldwater.

“Stupidofme!” she said. “Iwas trying to slice roastbeefwithabutcherknife.”

Nancyofferedtotakecareofthewoundandrushedoffforafirst-aidkit.Whileshewasputtingonantisepticandbandagingthehousekeeper’sfinger,Ned cut thin slices of the roast beef.He andNancy finished preparing thepicniclunch,thensetoffinhiscarfortheriver.

“It’s early,”Nancyspokeup. “WouldyoumindgoingbywayofSatcherStreetsoIcandropintotheshopFaroukusedtohave?Maybethetailorwhoistherenowknowswhatbecameofthemannequin.”

NedstoppedinfrontofAnthony’sTailorShopandNancyhurriedinside.

“Goodmorning,”shesaid.“I’mtryingtofindamannequinthatusedtobeinthewindowhere.”

Thetailormerelyshruggedhisshouldersandshookhishead.“SpeakonlylittleEnglish,”hesaidwithanItalianaccent.“Inotunderstand.”

Justthenahighsqueakylaughcamefromadarkcorneroftheshop.Nancyturnedandforthefirsttimenoticedawizened-lookingoldmanseatedcross-

leggedonabench.

As she lookedat him,hebegan to laughuproariously, slappinghis thighandrockingbackandforth.

In a high-pitched voice he said, “You lookin’ for Farouk’s mannequin?Whodoyouthinkyou’rekiddin’?”

CHAPTERIII

BookshopClue

PUZZLED but intrigued by the strange old man in the tailor shop, Nancywalkedtowardhim.

“Whyareyoulaughing?”sheasked.“Didn’tthemannequinthatusedtobeinthewindowbelongtoFaroukTahmasp?”

Insteadof replying thewizenedmanpulleduphis legs,heldhisknees inboth hands, and rocked in this position without saying a word. But hecontinuedtohaw-haw.

Nancywas exasperatedbut triedhardnot to show it. “Youknew the rugdealerFarouk,didn’tyou?”sheinquired.

Theoldfellowdidnotanswerbutcontinuedhisuproariouslaughter.Nancyconcludedhemustbesenileandprobablyshenevercouldlearnthetruthfromhim.Andperhapshedidnotknowtheanswers.

Shewalkedbacktowardthetailorwhosatstaringinamazement,aneedleraised in his right hand. Finally he brought down his arm and went onmendingaman’scoatheheldonhislap.

Nancyaskedhimslowly,“Whoownsthisbuilding?”

Asthemanlookedatherhelplessly,shesaid,“Youpayrenttosomebodyforyourshop,don’tyou?”

This time the tailorunderstood.He smiled in a friendlywayand replied,“CurtisRealtyCompany.Aroundthecorner.”Hepointedtowardasidestreet.

Nancythankedhim.Shedecidedthatatthefirstopportunityshewouldgothere and find out if anyone at Curtis knew what had become of themannequin.

“Anyluck?”Nedaskedasshegotintothecar.

Nancy shookher head and told about the funnyoldman andhis strangeremark.SheandNedtriedtofigureoutwhathehadmeantbutwereunabletomakeanysenseoutofit.

“Ithink,”saidNed,“he’sakook.Let’sforgethim.”

The couple discussed the other aspects of themystery until they reachedthedock.TheretheyboardedasleekspeedboatwhichwasownedbyafriendofNed’s.

“Whatabeauty!”Nancyremarked.

“Yes,she’sprettycool.”

Nedgavetheenginefullpoweranditracedalongsofastthenoseliftedoutofthewater.ThewindblewNancy’shairoutstraightinbackofher.

NedsaidhehadpickedalovelypicnicspotalongtheUpperRiver.Nancytriedhardnot tomiss anyof thebeautiful sceneryalong thewayor anyofNed’sconversation.ThisrangedfromsomeofhisamusingadventurestryingtoselllifeinsurancetotheupcomingfootballscheduleofEmersonCollege.Buthermindconstantlywanderedbacktothemysteryofthemannequin.

FinallyNedrealizedthisandsaid,“Nancy,iftheFaroukcaseshouldtakeyoutoTurkey,howaboutlettingmegoalongasyourstrong-armman?”

Nancylaughedanddidnotanswerhimdirectly.Shesaid,“Wouldn’titbefascinating to visit Istanbul and see the mosques and the bazaars and thebeautifulBosporus?”

Neddidnotreplybecauseatthatmomentaboatwiththreetwelve-year-oldboys,onearecklesspilot,wasbearingstraightdownonthem.

“Crazykids!”Nedmutteredasheswervedsharplytoavoidtheothercraft.Heyelledatthem.“Lookwhereyou’regoing!”

Theboyspaidnoattention.“Howaboutadragrace?”thepilotcalledout.

“Nothanks,”Nedyelled.

“Chicken!”theboyshoutedandwenton.

InalittlewhileNedpulledtowardtheshoreanddockedtheboatatasmallpier.He picked up the picnic box and helpedNancy out of the boat. Theywalked along the shore to a small grove of trees and sat down.Bothwerehungry and enjoyed the delicious lunch of roast beef sandwiches, peaches,andangelcake.Astheyfinishedeating,Nedsaid:

“Tellme,Nancy,whatFarouk’smannequinlookedlike.”

“Perhaps I can show you better by making a sketch of her,” Nancysuggested.

Fromherpurseshetookasheetofpaperandthreecoloredpencilswhichshealwayscarriedwithher.Sheworkedindustriouslyforafewminutes,thenheldupthesketch.

Nedgrinned.“Groovypicture,buthowdoyouexpectmetoknowwhatthemannequinlookedlikewiththatveilwoundaroundherheadandacrossmostofherface?”

“You’re right,”Nancy replied, laughing, “but all I cando is guess at therestofherface.”

Sheturnedthesheetoverandmadeacompletelynewsketch.WhenNancyfinished,thefaceonthepaperthatstaredupatherlookedalmostalive.Shewasabeautifulgirlwithanovalfaceframedbylongblackhair.

“Wow!”Nedexclaimedwhensheshowed it tohim.“Arealdoll! Imeanmannequin!”

Thecouplewondered ifbyanychance themannequincouldhave lookedlikethefaceinthesketch.Ifso,andshewasaroundRiverHeights,therewasagoodchanceoffindingher.

“I’m sure nobody would have destroyed such an attractive mannequin,”Nancyremarked.“Well,I’llhavetoworkonthatangleofthemysteryanotherday.”

SheandNedclimbedbackintothespeedboatandwentonuptheriveruntilthey came to the bookshop. Itwas a quaint structurewith its own dockingfacilities,where customers tiedup their craft andwent inside tomake theirpurchases.

AsNancyentered, she said, “Whatanamazingplace! I’venever seen somanybooksinsuchasmallarea.”

Nedsmiled.“Theownerbragsthathehasacopyofalmosteverycurrentbookandalsosomethatareoutofprintorrare.Iwanttopickuptwoorthreevolumesinconnectionwithmycoursesnextfall.SupposeImeetyouhereatthefrontdoorinalittlewhile?”

Nancynoddedandhewentoff.Shebeganlookingaroundattherowsandrowsofbooks,finallycomingtoasectiononforeigncountries.

In a few seconds she located a whole shelf of books on Turkey. Afterchoosingoneonrugs,shepickedupavolumeonthehistoryof thecountryandlookedatthetableofcontents.

FamousPasaswasthetitleofonechapter.Nancyturnedtothatpartofthe

bookandsoonbecameabsorbedinreadingpassagesaboutTurkishhistoryinwhich various pasas, men of high government rank, had been involved.Turning a page, she blinked in disbelief.One of the famousmen had beennamedTahmasp.

“Iwonder if Farouk is a descendant of his?” she asked herself. “MaybeDadcouldcontactalivingmemberofhisfamilyandfindhimthatway.”

Nancypurchased thebook and also another on Istanbul.Shewent to thefrontdoor,butNedwasnotthereyet.Seeingapaytelephoneinthecorneroftheshop,Nancycalledherfatherandtoldhimwhatshehadread.Thelawyersaid hewould cable the police chief of Istanbul immediately to find out ifFaroukTahmasporanymemberofhisfamilylivedthere.

“I’ll tell thechief Ihavegoodnews forFarouk.Then, ifFaroukgets themessagesecondhand,hewon’tfeelthathehastohideanylonger.”

BythetimeNancyreachedthefrontdooragain,Nedwasthereandshetoldhimofherpossibleclue.Hechuckled.

“IwassurethatifIbroughtyouhere,you’dlearnsomethinguseful.”

ThetripbacktoRiverHeightswaswithoutincident.Nedremarked,“I’mglad those crazy kids got off the river. I’d hate to see this borrowed boatwrecked.”

The craft was secured and Nancy and Ned returned to the Drew house.TheyfoundBessandGeorgetherewithHannahGruen.

AtonceBessrusheduptothecouple.“Waituntilyouhearthecoolsurprisewehaveforyou!”

CHAPTERIV

TogototheRescue!

“A COOL surprise?” Nancy questioned. “Is it in connection with themystery?”

Bess, George, and Hannah Gruen nodded affirmatively. George said,“We’vefoundanotherwordintheborderoftherug.”

Nancysmiled.“Don’tmakemeguesswhatitis.Tellmequick.”

“It’sinEnglish,”Bessspokeup.“Thewordis‘carry.’See,hereitis.”

Nedrepeatedthewholemessagesofar:“‘Carson,findmannequin.Iloveher.Carry—’”

Hannah,Ned,andthegirlslookedatoneanother,puzzled.WhatwasMr.Drewsupposedtocarryandwhere?Noonehadareadyanswer,andBessandGeorgeexpressedregretatneverhavingseen themannequin in thewindowofTahmasp’srugshop.

Bessglancedatherwristwatch.“Ireallymustgohome,”shesaid.“Nancy,ifyoulearnwhattherestofthesentenceis,letmeknow.”

Georgesaidshemustrunalongtoo,butNancyandNedcontinuedtostudythe rug.Nancy, recalling thatHannahhada sore finger,decided she shouldhelpwiththepreparationsfordinner.Sheexcusedherselftogotothekitchen.

HalfanhourlaterMr.Drewcameinandsoonafterwarddinnerwasserved.Conversationturnedtothediscoveryoftheword“carry,”butliketheothers,thelawyerhadnoideawhattherestofthesentencewas.

“It’sinterestingthatFaroukusedbothFrenchandEnglishinhismessage,”he remarked. “You may find words in other languages, even Greek orTurkish.”

Nedlaughed.“I’dbesuretomissthem.Tomethecharacterslooklikepartofadesignratherthanaword.”

“I hope Farouk didn’t use any Greek or Turkish letters of the alphabet.We’dneverrecognizethem.”

DirectlyafterdinnerNedsaidhewouldhavetoleave.“I’llbeintouch,”hetold Nancy. “And wish me luck selling a big fat insurance policy to myclient.”

“Isuredo,”Nancysaid.

NancysatdowninthelivingroomtoreadthevolumeonTurkeywhichshehadboughtat theriverbookshop.Shebecameengrossedin thedescriptionsof various interesting places. The Topkapi Palace, she read, had been thehomeofseveralgenerationsofsultansbutwasnowamuseum.Onexhibitinone of the palace’s many buildings were the extravagantly ornamentedgarments,headpieces,andvariousobjectsthathadbelongedtothesultansandtheirfamilies.

“Ohmygoodness!”Nancysaid toherselfassheread that thepalacehadthree hundred and twenty rooms and that three thousand people had oncelivedunderitsroof.Manyoftheseofcoursewereservants.

“KemalAtaturkchangedallthisandmadeTurkeyarepublic,”Nancyread.“HeisconsideredtheGeorgeWashingtonofpresent-dayTurkey.”

Thebookcontainedmanycolorphotographs.Oneshowedaserviceofgoldcoffeecups,eachoneinlaidwithtwohundredandfortydiamonds.Therewasanebonybenchinlaidwithivory.Ahugeturquoisehadbeenembeddedinthecenter.

“Howexquisite!”Nancysaidtoherselfasshegazeduponacradleofgoldinlaidwith jewels.She laughed softly. “Iwonder if thebaby in it slept anybetterthanthoseinplainoldwoodencradles!”

Sheputdownthebookandstaredintospace,visualizinglifeattheTopkapiPalacelongago.Laughter,music,dancinggirlsincostume,themagnificentlyattiredsultans.

Nancysuddenlysatupstraightandcamebacktoreality.Shewasremindedofthemannequinwhomighthavelookedlikeoneofthesultans’wives.

“I haven’t tried to track her down in the River Heights shops that sellwomen’sdresses,”Nancythought,“andIhaven’tcheckedthemuseum!”

Thegrandfatherclockinthehallwasjustchimingeight.

“Thestoresandthemuseumwillbeopenuntilnine,”Nancytoldherself,gettingup.

Shehurriedtothehallandconsultedtheclassifiedtelephonedirectory.Oneafteranothershecalledeachdepartmentstoreanddressshopintown.None

ofthemhadpurchasedamannequinfromtherugdealer.

Nancysighedandcalledthemuseum.Anassistanttothecuratoranswered.

“Byanychance,”Nancyasked,“doyouhaveamannequinthatcamefromFaroukTahmasp’srugshopacoupleofyearsago?”

“Wehaveone,but Idon’tknowwhereshecamefrom,” themanreplied.“She’saTurkishladywearingawhiteveil.”

Nancy’sspirits soared.Hadshe foundFarouk’smannequin?“I’llbe rightdowntoseeit,”shetoldhim.

Nancy quickly explained to her father andHannahwhere shewas goingandrushedoutsidetogethercar.

“Holdon!”herfathercalled.“I’mcomingalong!”

Itwasalreadyeight-thirty soNancydroveat the speed limit.SheparkedquicklyandtheDrewsrushedintothemuseum.

“Where’s theTurkishmannequin, please?”Nancy asked the guard in theentrancehall.

“Downstairs.”

Nancyandherfatherrandownthesteps.Aheadofthemwasanexhibitoffigures in costume frommany countries of theworld. They hunted for theTurkish figure and finally foundheron the far sideof the room.HeroutfitwasdifferentfromtheoneNancyrecalledinFarouk’swindow.Couldshebethemannequintheysought?

ThecustodianoftheexhibithadfollowedtheDrews.Inarathertiredvoicehesaid,“It’snearlynineo’clock,folks.That’sclosingtime.”

“I know,” said Nancy. “Tell me, where did the museum get thismannequin?”

“Somewealthywomangaveittous.”

“Whenwasthat?”

“Oh,aboutfiveyearsago—maybelonger.”

TheDrewslookedateachotherindisappointment.Atlastthelawyersaid,“Mydaughterand Iare looking foracertainTurkishmannequin.This isn’ttherightone.”

Nancy and her father said good night to the custodian and went up thestairs. Neither spoke until they were in the car. ThenMr. Drew patted his

daughter’sshoulder.

“Itwasagoodtry,Nancy.Betterlucknexttime.”

Mrs.Gruenwassorryto learnof theirdashedhopes.“Somethinggoodisboundtopopup,”sheprophesied.

NancynoddedandwentbacktothebigupholsteredwingchairinthelivingroomtocontinuereadingthebookonTurkey.Togosnuggledbesideher.

FirstMr.Drew,thenHannahstoppedtosaygoodnighttoher,suggestingthatshenotstayuptoolate.

The young detective smiled. “One more hour,” she said. “This book isabsolutely fascinating.”Nancy sighed. “It certainlymakesmewant to visitTurkey.”

“Iwas there once at the time ofRamadan,” her father said. “That is themost holymonth of the year for theMoslems.During that period they eatnothing each day between dawn and sunset. At the end of the month, theyoung people follow a very lovely custom. It is called the Sugar Holiday.Theybuybonbonsandgivethemtotheoldpeople.”

Hannahhadpickeduptheprayerrugfromtheflooranddrapeditcarefullyover a chair in the hall. Nearly an hourwent by,whenNancy thought sheheard someone fumbling at the kitchen door. Apparently it did not botherTogobecauseheneitherbarkednorgotup.

ButwhenNancyroseandwalked toward thekitchen,Togofollowedher.Shewent through thedarkenedroomandpeeredoutside.Therewasnoonearound.

“Perhaps I’d better turn on the porch light,” she thought, and flicked theswitch.

TheoutsidelampilluminatedtheentireDrewyard.Noonewasinsight.

“Imusthaveheardaprowlinganimal,”Nancythought.

She turned off the light and went back to the living room. She becameinterested in reading that the name of theMoslems’ sacred scripture is theKoran.

“Today’s students are finding it extremely difficult to read the bookbecauseitisnotprintedintheLatinizedalphabetbeingusedintheschools.”

Theauthorwentontosaythata translationwasinprogress.“Parentsareglad it isbeingdonebecause theyareproud tohave theirchildrennotonly

readbutmemorizetheKoranfromcovertocover.”

Nancywasabouttoputthebookdownwhensheidlyturnedtoasectionofcolorphotographsshowing robesanduniformsofolden timeswhensultansandtheirassistantslivedsolavishly.

“Imagine!”shethought.“Thisuniformhastwohundredandsixdiamondssewedintoit!”

Nancyfinishedlookingatthefabulouscostumes,thenturnedoffthelightand sat thinking about the mystery. Presently she was startled again by asoundfromtherearof thehouse.Wassomeone tiptoeingon thefirst floor?ShedidnotmoveandTogodidnotwakeup.

Afewsecondslatertheyoungdetectivebecameawareoftheshadowofamanmovingforwardfromtherearofthehall.Shestoodupwithoutmakingasound. The intruder sneaked toward the front door, his back to her. HegrabbedtheTurkishprayerrugfromthechairinonehand.Withhisotherheturnedthefrontdoorknob.

“Stop!”Nancycriedout,leapingacrosstheliving-roomfloortothehall.

Thethiefturned,startled.Nancyreachedfortherugandwasabletograboneendofitwithbothhands.Themangaveitayankbutshewouldnotletgo.

“Don’t youdare take this!” she shouted at him, and called loudly, “Dad!Dad!”

Bythis timethemanhadthefrontdoorpartlyopen.NancybegantofeelshewaswagingalosingbattleuntilTogojoinedher.

Seeingthetugofwar,theterriergrowled.Thenheleapedupandgrabbedtheman’sshirtcuff.

CHAPTERV

Burglar’sBracelet

THE tug of war went on. Nancy was fearful that the precious prayer rugwould be torn apart or damaged and the rest of the message in its borderruined.

Thethiefheldontotherug,despitethefactthatTogowasclingingtotheman’s rippedshirt sleeveandNancywaspullingat the rug.Hemanaged togetoutdoors,yankingitwithhim.Oncethere,however,hegaveupandspeddownthedriveway.

By this time Mr. Drew and Hannah, awakened by the commotion andNancy’scries,hadrundowntothefirstfloor.Togowaschasingthemanandbarkingwildly.Whentheyreachedthestreet,thelittledoggaveupthechase.But he continued to yap at the disappearing figure until Nancy called himback.

“Gooddog!”shesaid“Yousavedtherug.”

“Whatdoyoumean?”Mr.Drewasked.

Nancytoldwhathadhappened.WhileHannahexaminedtherug,Mr.Drewhurriedtothetelephoneandreportedtheburglartothepolice.

Two officers arrived in a short time. The one named Wolf asked for adescriptionoftheintruder.

“Heisinhisearlytwenties,ofmediumheight,andhasblueeyes,”Nancyreported.“Hishair’sblackandhewearsabeardandmustache.HecouldbeofTurkishdescent.”

Theofficersknewofnosuchperson,butsaidtheywouldtrytolocatehim.Wolf reported to headquarters over his short-wave radio, while the otherpolicemanwentwiththeDrewsandHannahGruentotherearofthehouse,hopingtodiscoverhowtheintruderhadentered.Thekitchendoorandallthewindowswerelocked.

“Thatburglarisaslickone,”Mrs.Gruenremarked.“Hemusthavehadamasterkey.”

Theofficeropenedthedoorandexaminedthelock.“I’dsaythefellowhasa special kind ofmaster key. No ordinary keywould open this.”Hemadeseveralnotesinhisreportbook,thenheandhispartnerleft.

Soon afterward, everyonewent upstairs.Nancy took the prayer rugwithherandhiditinherbedroomcloset.Justbeforegoingtosleepanideacametotheyoungdetective.ShewouldgetholdofBessandGeorgethefollowingmorning for a tour of locksmith shops in River Heights and surroundingtownstofindapossiblecluetotheburglar.

HertwofriendswereamazedtohearwhathadhappenedattheDrewhomeandexcitedtohelpNancytrackdowntheintruder.ThethreegirlsdroveoffinNancy’scarsoonafternineo’clock.

ThelocksmithsinRiverHeightscouldnothelpNancy.Noneofthemhadever seen a man fitting the description of the Drews’ burglar. In severalnearbytownsthegirlshadnobetterluck.

Finally they reached the town of Everest and looked in the classifiedsectionof the telephonedirectory to locate locksmiths.TherewasonlyoneandNancydrovedirectlytotheshop.Inthewindowwasasign:

R.S.SMITHIGUARANTEETOOPENANYUNUSUALLOCK

Nancy, Bess, andGeorge grinned. George remarked. “That’s almost likeadvertisingyou’reasuper-duperburglar.”

Besssaidinawhisper,“Nancy,maybeheisthemanyou’relookingfor.”

R.S.Smithwasatall,blond,good-naturedmanwhoinnowayresembledtheDrews’intruder.

“Goodmorning,young ladies,”he said. “What can I do foryou? I’ll betyou’velockedyourkeyinyourcar!”

ThegirlssmiledandNancysaid,“No,andI’mafraidwehavenobusinessforyou.We’dlikesomehelp,though.”

“Shoot!”saidtheman,leaningacrossthecounter.

Nancy quickly told her story and Mr. Smith frowned. “Sounds bad. Ibelieve I can help you at that.A fellow answering your descriptionwas inhereaboutaweekago.Hesaidhereadmysigninthewindowandwouldliketochallengeme.

“Hebragged thathecouldopensomething I couldn’t. I tookhimupandbroughtoutalockwhichIadmitI’veneverbeenabletoopen.Doyouknow

thatwithin fiveminutes thatguyhad itunlocked?Heusedamasterkeyhecarriedinapocket.”

“Fabulous,”saidBess.

George added, “I’ll bet he’s the personwe’re looking for.Have you anyideawhereheis?”

Mr.Smithshookhishead.“Iaskedhimifhehadabusinesscardwithhim.Hesaidno.Thenhe turnedonhisheelsandwalkedoutofhere. Ican’t tellyoumuchelse,exceptIthinkhe’saforeigner—speakswithaslightaccent.”

“You’vebeenagreathelp,”Nancysaid.“Thankyou.”

She was glad to have obtained that much information, althoughdisappointednot tohavetheman’snameoraddress.Sheleftherownnameandtelephonenumberincasethesuspectshouldcomeback.

Just as the girls were about to leave,Mr. Smith said, “I just thought ofsomething thatmight help you.While that guywasworking on the speciallock,oneofhissleevespulledup.Inoticedheworearealfancybracelet.”

“Whatdiditlooklike?”Nancyasked.

Mr. Smith described it as being verywide andmade of gold filigree. “Itwasstuddedwithturquoise,”headded,thenlaughed.“Youwouldn’tcatchmewearinganythinglikethat!”

Georgemadeaface.“Idon’tblameyou.”

Bessdisagreed.“Whyshouldn’tamanwearabraceletifhewantsto?”

NancythankedMr.Smithforhishelpandledthewaybacktohercar.

“It’slunchtime,”Bessremindedtheothers.“Icouldgoforanicebigsalad.IsawasignafewmilesbackadvertisingtheWaterWheelRestaurantashortdistancebeyondhere.Itsoundsgood.Let’stryit.”

“Okay,”saidNancy,andheadedthecarinthatdirection.

Theplacewaspicturesque,withtablessetinanattractivegardenalongthewater. The riverwas a rushingmillstreamwith a hugewaterwheel in fulloperation.

“Howcharming!”Bessmurmured,gettingoutofthecar.“Let’strytogetatablerightbythewater.”

The headwaitress compliedwith her request and led the three girls to atableverynearthebankoftherushingstream.Bess’sdesireforahugefruit

saladwasgratifiedwhileNancyandGeorgeeachtookshrimpsalad.

“Do you girls want dessert?” George asked half an hour later. “I’mstuffed.”

Beforeanyonecouldanswer,Nancy’sattentionwascaughtbyalittleboywhowasrunningamongthetables.Playfullyoneoftheguestsmadeagrabforhim.Indodgingoutoftheway,thechildcamesoclosetotheedgeofthebankthathelosthisbalanceandtoppledintothewater!

“Oh!”criedNancy.

Shewasoutofherchairlikeashot,kickedoffhershoes,anddivedin.Sheknew the little boy would be swiftly carried toward the water wheel andscoopedup.Hissmallbodywouldbebattered.Hemightevenbekilled!

Withquickstrokesshereachedthechild’ssideandheldontohim.BythistimeBessandGeorgeandotherguestshadcometotheedgeofthebankandwerelookingdowninhorror.

“Hypers!”criedGeorge.“I’dbettergoinandhelp!”

Thecombinedstrengthofthetwogirlskeptthemandtheboyfrombeingswept closer to thewater wheel. They staggered to the side of the stream,whereNancy handed up the child to Bess. Then she andGeorge, graspingvinesandjuttingrocks,managedtopullthemselvestothetop.

Nancyreachedthechildandheldontohim

There were cries of relief and praise from the crowd. The little boy’smotherandfatherhadrunoutfromtheinsidediningroomoftherestaurant.Theytriedtoquietthehystericalchild.

“HowcanIeverthankyou?”thewomanhalf-sobbed.

Thefathershookhandswitheachofthedrippinggirlsandsaid,“Youareverybrave.Godblessyouboth.”

Bythistimetheowneroftherestauranthadbeensummoned.Sheatonceasked Nancy and George to follow her inside and took them upstairs to abedroom.Thewomangavethemrobesandsaidshewouldputtheirclothesinherelectricdryer.

A little later she appeared with the girls’ clothes, shoes, and purses. Awaitress carried a tray of hot tea. They thanked her and Nancy said shewantedtopayfortheirlunchchecks.

“Iguesswe’velostourappetitefordessert.”

Thewomansmiled.“Thelittleboy’sparentsweresogratefultheypaidforyourlunches,”shesaid.“Bothofthemfelttheyshouldleaveandgettheirsonhomeassoonaspossible.”

Georgechuckled.“Kindofariskywaytoearnafreelunch!”sheremarked.

“Yes,”thewomansaid.“Ihopenothinglikethiseverhappenshereagain.”

Besswaswaiting for thegirlswhen theycamedownstairs.Evenshehadnotbeentemptedtoorderdessert.“Myheart’sbeenpoundingfromthescareforthepasthalfhour.”

She and the others headed forRiverHeights. Bess andGeorge expectedNancytotakethemtotheirhomes,butinsteadsheturneddownanunfamiliarsidestreetandpresentlystopped.

“Whereareweheadednow?”Georgeasked.

“TheCurtisRealtyCompany.Itcollectstherentfromtheshopthatusedtobe Farouk Tahmasp’s. I want to ask if they know what became of themannequin.”

Bess and George decided to wait in the car. Nancy entered the realtycompanyoffice.Theonlyoneondutywasasmart-aleckyyoungman.

“Lookingforanapartment?”heaskedwithasmirk.

“No,”Nancy repliedanddidnot smileback.“The tailor shoponSatcherStreetwhichyouareleasingusedtoberentedbyarugdealerandI—”

“Oh, I remember that guy,” the young man interrupted. “Funny fellow.Neverlaughed.”

Nancy thought, “Farouk probably didn’t like this wise guy’s brand ofhumoranddidn’tlaughatit.”

“You may recall that he had a mannequin in his window,” Nancycontinued.“I’mtryingtofindoutwhereitis.”

“Alex,”theyoungmansaid, thumpinghimselfonthechest,“AlexwouldsayFaroukburiedherinthecemetery.”

“Thecemetery!”Nancyexclaimed.

Alexgaveawide, sadisticgrin.“Whatwouldyoudowithadummythatyou couldn’t takewith youwhen you ran away? Suppose you thought toomuchofhertogiveherawayorsellher?You’dburyher!”

Nancywasstunnedbysuchathought.Shewasabouttoturnandleave,butstoppedandsaid,“Pleasegivemeastraightanswer.Haveyouanyideawherethemannequinis?”

“No.”

WhenNancyreachedthestreet,shesawthelittletailorrunningtowardher.Helookedveryexcited.

Wavingahandbacktowardhisshop,hesaid,“Comewithme.Ihelpyou!”

CHAPTERVI

TurkishSlippers

NANCYbeckoned toBessandGeorge togetoutof thecarandcomewithher.Shetoldthemwhatthetailorhadsaid.Curious,thethreegirlsfollowedhimdownthestreet.

“What’stheman’sname?”Bessasked.

“Mr.Anthony.”

Whentheyreachedtheshop,heturnedandsaid,“Todayfind.”

HeledthewayintothebackroomwhereawornandfadedTurkishruglayon thefloor.Mr.Anthonyscamperedover towardonesideof theroomandturnedupacorneroftherug,revealingawoodenfloor.

“Seesomethinghere,”themansaidandpointed.

Thelightwasratherdim,butthegirls’sharpeyesfinallydetectedthebareoutlineofalargesquare.

“Isitatrapdoor?”Nancyasked.

“NounderstandEnglishtrapdoor,”Mr.Anthonyreplied.

He got down on his knees and made an outline of the square with hisfingers.Then fromhispockethe tookapairof tailor’s shearsandbegan topry up the section of flooring. The girls squatted down and helped him.Presentlythesquarepiecewasremoved.

Below was a shallow area, apparently for storage. Inside lay a pair ofwomen’sTurkishslippers.Nancyreacheddownandeagerlyliftedthemout.

“Howattractive!”saidBess.

TheslippersweremadeoffloweredsatininapatternsomethinglikethatintherugMr.DrewhadreceivedfromIstanbul.Thetoescurledupdaintily.

“These look new,” Nancy remarked. “Do you suppose they could havebeenwornbythemannequin?”

“I’ll bet they were,” George answered. “I wonder where the rest of her

costumeisandwhyherslipperswerehiddenhere.”

Therewasnothingelse in thesecretcompartment,so thewoodensectionwasreplaced.

Mr.Anthonyspokeup.AddressingNancy,hesaid,“Ihearyouadetective.Youtake.”Hepointedtotheslippers.

“Allright,”Nancyagreedwithouthesitation.“ButI’llsignareceiptthatIhave the slippers.”After doing this, she added, “By theway,Mr.Anthony,howdidyouknowIwasattherealtyoffice?”

“Inotknow.Igotopaystorerent.”

“Aluckycoincidenceforme,”Nancysaid.

Mr.Anthonywrapped the slippers.As thegirlswere about togoout thefront door, the strange, wizened man who had been there before came in.RecognizingNancy,hebegan to laughnoisily inahigh-pitchedvoice.BessandGeorgelookedateachother,thenatNancywhoremainedcalm.

“Youfoundthatmannequinyet?”theoldmanasked.

Withoutwaitingforananswer,hewentovertohisusualseat,hoppedup,crossed his legs and began rocking back and forth, all the while laughinguproariously.

“Youwantmannequin?”hesaid.“Ha-ha-ha!”

Thegirlswaitedtoseeifhewouldsayanythingmore.Whenhemadenofurtherstatement,theylefttheshop.

Outonthesidewalk,Georgeremarked,“Hesureisanut!”

“Iguessso,”Bessagreed,“butyouknowtheoldfellowjustmightknowsomething.Heactslikesomebodywhohasasecretandisenjoyingkeepingitfromeveryoneelse.”

Nancywas thoughtful.“Ifyou’reright,Bess, Icertainlymust talk tohimagain.”

Georgegrinned.“Iwishyouluck.Hedoesn’tstrikemeasapersonwho’sgoingtoanswerasinglequestionyouaskhim.”

AfterNancyhaddroppedthecousinsattheirhouses,shethoughtabouttheday’s findings. It had been a pretty profitable day andNancy could hardlywaittotellherfatherandHannahGruenwhatshehadlearned.

NeitherofthemwashomeandNancydecidedtowashherhairandtakea

bathwhilewaitingforthem.Onherwayupstairs,thetelephonerang.

“ThisisMr.Simpson,”thecallersaid.“I’mthefatherofthelittleboywhomighthavedrownedtodayifithadn’tbeenforyourquickaction.”

“I’msohappyIgottohimintime,”Nancysaid.“Howisyourson?”

Mr. Simpson assured her that he was all right and inquired about howNancyandGeorgewere.

“We’re fine,”Nancy reported. “And thankyouverymuch for paying forourlunches.Itcertainlywasverykind.”

“That’s the leastIcoulddo,”Mr.Simpsonremarked.“IfIcaneverbeofanyhelptoyou,don’thesitatetocallonme.”

He said he owned a travel bureau inCompton, andwas calling fromhisoffice.

InstantlyanideacametoNancy.“It’s justpossibleyoucanhelpmerightnow.Byanychance,didyoueversellatickettoaMr.FaroukTahmasp?”

“The name sounds familiar,” Mr. Simpson replied. “Hold the wire aminute.I’lllookinmyrecords.”

When the travel agent returned to the phone, he said, “Yes, I did sell aticket toamanby thatname twoyearsago.Theaddresswasa rugshop inyourtown.HewentfromheretoCanada.”

“Canada!”Nancyrepeated.“Haveyouanyideaifhemightbelivingtherenow?”

“Oh,Ithinknot,”Mr.Simpsonsaid.“HisticketwentontoParis.”

“Butyouhavenoideaifhewentfarther?”Nancyqueried.

“No,I’msorry.Igatheryou’retryingtofindthisFaroukTahmasp.IfIeverhearfromhimagain,I’llletyouknow.”

Nancy toldhim that shesuspected themanwasnow inTurkey,probablyIstanbul.

Therewasa longpause, thenMr.Simpsonsaid,“Ifyoususpect that,andyou really want to find him, you might be interested in a trip which myagency isplanning toTurkey. Itwill leave ina fewdays.Myassistant,Mr.Randolph,willguideit.”

ThesuggestionexcitedNancy.

“I’d love togo if itseemsfeasible,”shesaidslowly.“I’llhave to letyou

know.HowmuchtimedoIhave?”

“SupposeImailyouacopyofouritinerary.Itpromisestobeafascinatingtrip,”repliedMr.Simpson.“Butthetourfliesoutfourdaysfromnowsoyoudon’thavemuchtimetodecide.”

Theman’svoiceseemedfarawayasNancyrecalledthethrillingtalesshehadreadoftheexoticcountry.Here,unbelievably,wasnotonlyherchancetovisititbutalsototracethemysterioussenderoftheprayerrug!

“Miss Drew, are you there?”Mr. Simpson said after a few moments ofsilence.

“Ohyes,”Nancyanswered.“I’msorry.Mymindis,I’mafraid,alreadyinIstanbul.”

“Thenyoushouldmakethetrip,”wasthegood-naturedreply.

Nancylaughedandsaidshewouldfirsthavetodiscussitwithherfather.Shewrotedowntheaddressandtelephonenumberofthetravelagency,thenhungup.

Assheshoweredandwashedherhair,Nancy’simaginationtookhertotheMiddleEastandbackseveraltimes.Suddenlyshelaughed,realizingshehadbeensobusythinkingshehadactuallygivenherselfthreeshampoos!Finally,however,theyoungdetectivefinishedhershowerandgotdressed.

“Ialmostforgotthatthefirstthingtodoistofindthemannequin,”Nancythought.“Faroukdidn’taskDadtocometoTurkeytoseehim.Heaskedhimtobringthefigurethatusedtositinhiswindow.”

As she pondered the situation,Nancywent to the kitchen to start dinnerpreparations.Mrs.Gruen,amethodicalperson,alwayswrotedownwhatthedinnermenuwouldbe.

Nancylookedonthepadandmurmured,“Creamofmushroomsoup,lambchops, french fries, peas, chocolate pie.”At the bottom of the sheetwas anotation:tomatosaladandspecialdressing.

“IguessI’llbeginonthesalad,”Nancythought.

Shefoundthreeplumpripetomatoesintherefrigerator,whichsheskinnedandsliced.Justasshewasarrangingthemonbedsoflettuce,HannahGruenarrived.

“Hello,Nancy,”shesaid.“I’mgladyou’reheretohelp.It’sdifficultformewiththissorefingertocutthings.”

A fewminutes laterMr. Drew let himself in through the front door andcamedirectlytothekitchen.

“Oh.Dad,IhavesomuchtotellyouandHannah,”Nancysaid.

“Canyoupleasewaituntil Ihave something to eat?”heasked,grinning.“I’msostarvedIcouldn’tstandanyshock.”

WithintwentyminutesthefamilywasseatedatthetableandNancybeganher story. Hannah and Mr. Drew were intrigued, especially by the travelagency’striptoTurkey.Assoonasdesserthadbeenserved,Nancyexcusedherselffromthetable.

“Ihavesomethingtoshowyouboth,”shesaidmysteriouslyandwentuptoherroom.

“Ohno!”shegasped,steppinginside.“Togo,howonearth—?”

The littledog,perkinguphisears, lookedathismistress.Dangling fromhismouthwasacurled-toedslipper!Thepaperinwhichthepairofslippershadbeenwrappedwasinshredsandstrewnacrossthefloor.

“Younaughtydog!”shescoldedandhedroppedtheslipper.

Quickly Nancy picked up the mate and gathered the scraps of paper.NeitherslipperhadbeendamagedandwithasighofreliefNancyreturnedtothedinnertablecarryingthem,

“BessandGeorgeandIaresurethesewerewornbythemannequin,”shesaid.

Mr.Drewlookedattheslippersclosely,turnedthemover,thenwentoffforamagnifyingglass.

“Theseshoeshavebeenwalkedin,”hedeclared.“Notmuch,though.”

HannahGruenspokeup.“MaybethemannequinwastooheavyforFarouktocarryandheshovedheralongthefloor.”

“Ifhedid that,” saidMr.Drew,“itmeans thathemusthave takenher inandoutofthewindow.Butwhy?”

Thehousekeeperhadapracticalanswer.“Perhapstochangethecostumeortocleantheoneshewore.”

Thelawyernodded.“That’saverygoodguess.You’reprobablyright.”

TheideaofthemannequinbeingmovedinandoutofthewindowintriguedNancy. She decided that the following day shewould ask shopkeepers and

residentsofSatcherStreetwhattheyknewaboutit.

CHAPTERVII

SlySuspect

AFTERdinnerMr.Drewcalledthepolicedepartmenttoinquireiftheyhadlearnedanythingabouttheburglarwhohadtriedtostealtheprayerrug.Aftera somewhat lengthy conversation, he put the phone down and relayed adisappointingmessagetoNancy.

“No leads at all on thatmanwho tried to steal the rug,” he said. “ChiefMcGinnisthinksthefellowhasprobablylefttown.”

“That’s too bad,” said Nancy. “I keep wondering if he’ll make anotherattempt to get into this house. Dad, I notice you had special burglarprooflocksputonboththefrontandbackdoors.”

“Yes,”herfatherreplied.“I’llgiveyouandHannahkeys.Butanybodyascleverasthatfellowcanprobablyfigureoutawaytounlockthem.”

TheDrewsagreedthattherewasnouseworryingaboutit.Theywouldnotliveinfear.

Nancy’sfatherasked,“Haveyoufoundanymorecluesintheborderoftherug?”

“No,butIthinkI’llworkonitalittlerightnow.”

Shewentupstairstoherroom,broughttherugtothelivingroom,andlaiditonthefloor.Nancymovedalampclose,showingupthedesignclearly.Forsometimetherewassilenceintheroomastheyoungdetectiveandherfather,sittingonthefloor,endeavoredtofindanotherclue.

“Thisisfrustrating,”Mr.Drewremarkedhalfanhourlater.Hegrinned.“Iadmit I’mgetting abit stiff sitting in this position. I think I’llwalk aroundoutdoorsalittle.Wanttocomealong,Nancy?”

“Youbet,”shesaideagerly.

FromearliestchildhoodNancyhadbeen thrilledwheneverher fatherhadsaid, “Let’s take awalk.” She had learned a good deal about trees, shrubs,flowersandbirdsfromhim.

Astheywalkedalongthedarkenedstreet,Nancysaid,“Ihearanowl.”

“That’sright,”herfatheragreed.Hechuckled.“Hearwhatthewiseoldoneissaying?”

Nancylistened,thenshegiggled.“Itsoundsasifheweresaying,‘Youwill,youwill!’”

“Exactly,”Mr.Drewsaid.“I’llbetwhenwegetback to thehouseyou’lldiscoveranotherpartofFarouk’smessage.”

Nancy squeezedher father’s arm. “Areyou tiredofwalking?” she askedwithagrin.“Icanhardlywaittosearchtherugformoreclues.”

Father and daughter laughed and circled several adjoining side streets.Finally they returned to the house. Nancy sped into the living room anddroppedtothefloor.Sheagainscrutinizedtheborderoftherug.ToNancy’sdelightherfather’spredictioncametrue.Shefoundtwomorewords:“herto.”

“Oh,Dad,youwereright!”shecalledout.

Thelawyerwalkedinandlooked.“Nowtheinstructionsare‘Carson,findmannequin.Iloveher.Carryherto—’Butwhere?”

Nancy continued her search until she became sleepy, but found nothing.Shefoldeduptherugandtookittoherbedroom.

Early the next morning she telephoned George, then Bess. George wasalreadyupbutBesssoundedverysleepy.

“Wanttohelpmewithsomesleuthing?”Nancyasked.Bothgirlssaidyes,butBessbeggedforafullhourtogetready.

“Nohurry,”saidNancy.“We’rejustgoingdowntowninthevicinityofthetailorshopandfindout frompeoplewho liveorwork therewhat theymayknowaboutthemannequin.”

Nancyoncemore tookout the rugandbegan to study it.ShehadbarelybegunwhenthefrontdoorbellrangandHannahadmittedGeorge.

“IdecidedtowalkoverandsaveNancythetriptomyhouse,”shesaid.

“Nancy’supstairs,”saidthehousekeeper.“Gorightup.”

George joinedNancy in the search for furtherwords or symbols. A fewminuteslatershesaid,“IthinkI’vefoundsomething!Itlookslike‘nst.’”

NancystaredatthesectiontowhichGeorgewaspointing.Shesmiled.

“You’re absolutely right. I wonder if it’s part of a word. And also, is itFrenchorEnglishorsomethingelse?”

The twogirlscontinued thesearch. ItwasseveralminutesbeforeGeorgefoundtwomorelettersle.

Nancy sat back on her heels, trying to figure out if there was anyconnectionbetween the twogroups.Shecould thinkofnothing.FinallyshetookpaperandpencilsfromherdeskforherselfandGeorge.

“Let’strytodecipherthisthing,”shesaid.

NancysatatherdeskandGeorgeatthedressingtable.Usingthelettersnstandletheytriedtomakeaword.Everyfewminutestheywouldheavesighsofdisappointment.ButsuddenlyNancygaveashout.

“Ihaveit!”shesaid.

“Whatisit?”Georgeasked.

“Constantinople!”

George stared at the youngdetective in admiration. “That used to be thenameofIstanbul!”

“Exactly.” Nancy began dancing around the room in exuberance. “ThemannequinistobetakentoIstanbul!”

The news was too good to keep. As George hurried downstairs to tellHannahGruen,Nancytelephonedherfather.

“That’sgreat!”hesaid,thenchuckled.“Nancy,itbeginstolookasifyoumighthavetogotoIstanbul.”

“Andyoutoo,”shesaid.

“We’llseeaboutthat,”hereplied.“Faroukiscertainlyguardinghissecretwell. Itwascleverofhim touse letters from theoldnameof Istanbul as adisguise.”

Bythistimeanhourhadpassed.NancyandGeorgegotintotheconvertibleandwenttopickBessup.

“Hi, sleepyhead!” George greeted her cousin. “You missed all theexcitement.”

“Tellmeaboutit,”Bessbegged.

UponhearingofthemessagetobringthemannequintoIstanbul,hereyespoppedwideopen.“Areyougoing?”sheaskedNancy.

“HowcanI?Idon’thavethemannequinandIhavenoideawheresheis.By the way, the father of the boy we saved runs a travel agency and has

arrangedatriptoTurkey.”

Georgegrinned.“Whendowestart?”

There was no more conversation until the girls reached Satcher Street.Then Nancy suggested that they separate to make inquiries about themannequin.Shewouldtakethecentersection,whilethegirlsinquiredatthetwoends.

NancyspoketotheshopkeepersoneithersideofMr.Anthony’sshop.BothsaidtheyhadmovedthereafterFaroukhadleft,andknewnothingabouthisbusiness.

Theyoungdetectivewentacrossthestreettointerviewshopkeepersthere,buthadnobetterluckuntilshewentintoabakery.Theownersaidhecouldnothelpher,buthewassure thatMrs.Beimer,whooccupiedanapartmentabovehisshop,wouldbeabletogivehersomeinformation.

“She’slivedinthisneighborhoodformanyyears.”

Nancy rang the bell of Mrs. Beimer’s apartment and a pleasant-lookingwomancametothedoor.ThegirlsmiledandsaidshewastryingtofindthemannequinthatusedtobeinFaroukTahmasp’swindow.“Haveyouanyideawhereshewastaken?”

Mrs.Beimershookherhead.“Pleasecomein,”shesaidandledthewaytoherlivingroom.ShemotionedNancytoachairnearafrontwindow.

In the conversation that followed,Nancy learned that themannequinhadneverbeenleftinthewindowovernightandattimesitdidnotevenappearinthedaytime.Hercostumewasoftenchanged.

“IthoughtthismightbesomekindofMoslemcustom,”Mrs.Beimersaid.

“Haveyouanyidea,”Nancyasked,“whereFaroukTahmaspwent?”

“No. The whole thing happened so suddenly everyone around here waspuzzled.Weassumedthattherugdealerhadtakenthemannequinwithhim.No one knew why he had left. Although he seemed to have no particularfriends,hewasaniceperson.Iunderstandhedidn’toweanyoneacentwhenheleft.”

Thewomansighed.“Isometimesthinkhegothomesickandwentbacktohisnativeland.”

SinceMrs.BeimercouldnotprovideanyfurtherinformationaboutFarouk,Nancychangedthesubject.“Doyouknowwhothehumorousoldmaniswhospendsalotoftimeinthetailorshop?Theonewholaughsalot?”

Mrs.Beimergrinned.“Oh,Iknowwhoyoumean.He’shalfcracked,butsometimeshehitsthetruthinwhathesays.”

“What’shisname?”Nancyasked.

“HislastnameisHydeandhisnicknameisHaw-Haw.Helikestobecalledthat.”

Mrs.BeimerwarnedNancytobecarefuloftellingHaw-Hawanythingshedidnotwantpassedalong.“He’sagreatgossip.”

Nancystoodup.“Mrs.Beimer,Iappreciateallthisinformation.”

Shehappenedtoglanceoutthewindowandgasped.AyoungmanlounginginadoorwayacrossthestreetwastheDrews’burglar!

Nancyhurriedlysaidgood-bytoMrs.Beimerandrandownto thestreet.Knowing that it would be unwise to confront him alone, the young sleuthwentintothebakeryandaskedtheownertotelephonethepolice.

“InthemeantimeI’lltrailthesuspectifheleaves.”

The baker was very glad to cooperate. Nancywatched from inside. Themaninthedoorwaysuddenlystartedupthestreetatabriskpace.

Nancy turned to the baker. “Please ask the police to follow me up thestreet.”

Nancy dashed to the sidewalk and hurried after the young man. Shewonderedifhewaswearingagoldfiligreebraceletstuddedwithturquoise.

Hebeganwalkingsofastthatitwasalmostarun.Nancywasstillnearlyablockbehind.Betweenmillingpedestriansandheavystreettrafficshehadadifficulttimekeepinghiminsight.Fortunatelyhedidnotturnanycorners.

“Oh,Ihopethepolicewillhurry!”shesaidtoherself.

Atthatmomentthesuspectstoppedabruptly.Ayoungwomancomingupasidestreetalsostopped.Nancynoticedthatshewasveryprettyandhadlongblackhair.

Themanwhippedaletterfromapocketandhandedittoher.Sheopeneditquicklyandreadthemessage,whichapparentlywasshortbutdisturbing.Sheburstintotears.

“Itreallymustbebadnews,”Nancythought.

Shecontinuedtomovecloser,butataslowerpaceinordertoseemoreofthedrama.Theyoungmanputanarmaboutthegirlanddrewhertohim.She

pushedhimawayandshookherheadviolently.Hetriedagain.Thistimesheusedherfistagainsthischesttoshovehimaway.

Nancywassointentonthescenethatshehadnotnoticedacarcomingupalongsideher.Nowsheturnedtolookatit.Thepolice!AndBessandGeorgewereintherearseat.

“What’sup?”Georgecalledour.

At that instant theDrews’ burglar spottedNancy and the police.He saidsomething to thegirlwithhim.They turned in opposite directions and fledalongthesidestreet.

“BessandGeorge,followthatgirl!”Nancysaid.“ThepoliceandIwillgoaftertheburglar!”

CHAPTERVIII

ShockingNews

BESSandGeorgejumpedfromthepolicecarandspeddownthestreetafterthefleeinggirl.NancysteppedintotherearseatandthedrivertookoffaftertheDrews’burglar.Ablockfartheronhedodgedintoanofficebuilding.

OneoftheofficersturnedtoNancy.“Youstayinthecarandblowthehornifyouseetheman.We’llgointothebuildingandinvestigate,okay?”

Nancy nodded, though disappointed she could not continue the chaseherself.

ThepolicemendisappearedinsidewhileNancykeptanalertlookonallthebuildings.Itoccurredtoherthatthesuspectmightgototheroof,jumptothenextbuilding,andmakehiswaytothestreetagainunseen.

“Thatfellowwouldn’tdareshowhimselfherenow,”Nancydecided.“I’llgetoutofthecarsoIcanseebetter.”

Shesteppedtothesidewalkandstaredupward.Severalpassers-bypausedtolookalso.

“Somebodyupthere?”amanaskedNancy.

“I don’t know, but the police are looking for a man who ran into thatbuilding.”

Morepeople stoppeduntil agood-sizedcrowdhad focused their eyesonthe rooftops. Nancy was sure that if the suspect were up there, someonewouldspothim.Shedecidedtowatchthejewelryandclothesshopsoneithersideoftheofficebuildingincaseheshouldrunoutofoneofthem.

The crowd of onlookers attracted the attention ofBess andGeorge,whohadsearchedinvainfortheburglar’sacquaintance.Astheyrusheduptoseewhat had happened, Nancy caught a glimpse of the suspect. He was justemergingfromadrugstorealittlefartherdownthestreet.

InstantlyNancysaid,“Bess,blowthecarhornandkeepblowingituntilthepolicecomeback.Thenfollowme.George,comealong!”

Takingdeepbreaths, thegirls startedafter theman.Within seconds there

wasadinonthestreet.Theshrillsirenofthepolicecarkeptwailing.Peopleshouted and pointed toward Nancy and George who were running at topspeeddownthestreet.Theburglarlookedback.Seeingthegirlsracingafterhim,hedoubledhispace.

Nancy and George ran faster, but the distance between them and thefugitiveremainedthesame.

“Look!”Georgepanted.

Thesuspectwaspullingawalletfromarearpantspocket.Hebroughtbothhandsinfrontofhimandevidentlytooksomethingfromthewallet.Thenhereturnedittothepocket.Withinsecondsthewalletpoppedoutanddroppedtothesidewalk.Thesuspectapparentlydidnotknowhehadlostitbecausehedidnotwaittoretrievethewallet.

NancyandGeorgeranevenfaster.Nancyscoopedupthewalletandyelledattheman.“Stop!Youlostyourwallet!”

Shewassurehehadheardherbuthepaidnoattentionandspedon.

“Nancy, it’s no use,” George called to her friend, who was a few pacesahead.

“Don’tgiveupnow!”Nancyreplied.

George,loyaltoNancy,ranfaster.Thegirlstriedtheirbesttoovertaketheman. He suddenly cut across a parking lot filled with cars. Presently hedodged behind a small truck and they could not see where he went.Unfortunatelytherewasnofencearoundtheplace,merelyabarrieraboutafoothigh.

“I’mafraidhe’sgone,”Nancysaid.

Nevertheless,thetwogirlsscurriedinandoutamongthecarsandlookedbeyondthebarrier,butcouldnotseetheirquarryanywhere.Finallytheygaveupthechaseandreturnedtothestreet.

AtthesametimeBessarrivedwiththepolice.Nancytoldherstoryandoneofthemensaid,“Thatfellowsureactsasifhe’sguiltyofsomecrime.”

NancyhandedthewallettotheofficerwhosaidhisnamewasParker.

“Hm!Allidentificationhasbeenremoved.”Nancywassorrytohearthis.Shehadbeenhopefuloffindingoutwhothesuspectwas.

“There’s nothing in here but a letter without an envelope,” Parkerremarked.

Heunfoldedthesheetandstaredatthewriting.Nancylookedtoo.

“IsthatinGreek?”sheasked.

“Isit?”Parkeraskedhiscompanion.Whenhesaidyes,ParkerintroducedhimasOfficerParasofGreekdescent.

“Willyoutranslatethisforus?”

Parasreaditthroughsilently,thensaid,“ThehandwritingisratherpoorbutI thinkitsays,‘ImadeaninvestigationhereinIstanbul.FaroukTahmaspisdead.’ItissignedSeli.”

“Dead!”Bessshrieked.

ThetwoofficerslookedatherinamazementandParkerasked,“YouknowthisFarouk?”

“No,notpersonally,”Bessanswered.“NancyDrewherewilltellyouaboutit.”

Without revealing all the angles of the mystery, Nancy said, “He was aclientofmyfather’sbeforehedisappeared.Wehavebeentryingtofindoutsomethingabouthim.”

OfficerParassaid,“Iguessthisnoteanswersyourquestion.”

Nancydidnotcontradicthimbutasuddensuspicionhadenteredtheyoungdetective’smind.“MayIseethenote,please?”

Theofficerhandedittoher.Shescrutinizedthepapercarefully,thenhelditup to the bright sunlight. She was not surprised to find that it had beenmanufacturedintheUnitedStates.

“Seesomething?”Georgeaskedher.

Nancyrevealedwhatshehaddiscovered,andadded,“Ibelievethisletterisafake.ItwaswrittentomakethegirlhewastalkingtothinkthatFaroukisdead.”

Georgeinterposed,“ButwhywouldthisguywritetheletterinGreekofallthings?”

“Maybehe’sGreek,”Besssaidsimply.

Nancydidnotenterintothecousins’conversation.Insteadshegaveamoredetailedaccountofthewholeepisodetothepoliceofficers,includingthefactthatthegirl,afterreadingtheletter,hadburstintotears.

“Theman seemed to be trying to soothe her but she kept repulsing him.

Thenwhenhesawme,hetoldhertorunandnotbecaught.Hewentintheotherdirection.”

“Thewholethingdoeslookfishy,”Parkeradmitted.

Bessburstout,“Whataterribletricktoplayonanyone!”

“Doyousuppose,”saidGeorge,“thatthegirltheburglarmetisarelativeofhisorpossiblyofFaroukTahmasp?”

“Shecouldbe,”Parkeranswered.

HeaskedNancyforadescriptionandsaid thepolicewould lookforher.“Perhapsifshelearnsthenoteisafake,she’llrevealtheidentityofthemanwhoshowedittoher.”

Parasadded,“Ifwefindoutanythingatall,we’llbeintouchwithyou.”

The two men drove off. Nancy, Bess, and George returned to theconvertible.

“It’scertainlybeenanexcitingmorning,”Bess remarked.“Whenwesawyourunoutof thatbakery,werushed.Thepolicearrived.Wetold themwewereworkingwithyouandtheytookusalong.”

Georgeobserved,“Well,wegotonenewclueinthemystery.ThatsuspectisconnectedinsomewaywithFarouk.HemustknowFarouksenttherug.IwonderiftheburglarisaTurkoraGreek.”

“HecouldbeaGreekwholivedinTurkey,”Nancyreplied.“WhenIfirstsawhiminourhouse,IthoughthemightbeTurkish.”

A large clock in a jeweler’swindow told the girls that itwas lunchtime.Besssuggestedthattheyallgotoherhouse.

“I’llmakeoneofthosefluffycheesesoufflés,”shesaid.

Nancy smiled. “It sounds good, but an idea just came tome of howwemightdoalittlemoresleuthing.”

Bessgroaned.“Ivoteforitifitincludesfood.”

George looked at her cousin in disgust. “You and your appetite ! Howaboutourgoingtoadietrestaurant?”

Nancylaughed.“Nottoday.IknowofawonderfulrestaurantinthesectionoftownwheremostofthepeoplespeakGreek.”

GeorgesaidsheknewtheoneNancymeant.“Ithasanoddname,AkurzalLokanta.It’sbeentherealongtimeandthefood’sdelicious.”

“Lokanta is theGreekword for restaurant,”Nancyadded.“Akurzalmustbetheowner’sname.Ithoughtwemighthavelunchthereandpossiblypickupsomeinformation.”

BesswasdelightedwiththeideauntilNancybroughtupanewsubject.Asthey were driving toward the restaurant, she said, “It’s just possible thatburglardroppedthewalletonpurposetomisleadus.”

“Iagree,”Georgesaid.“Firstheremovedallthecontentsexcepttheletter,sohecouldn’tbeidentified.”

AworriedexpressioncameoverBess’sface.“Nancy,”shesaid,“ifhe’ddothat,maybeeventhatlittledramaofthegirlcryingwaspartoftheact.”

“You’reprobablyright,”hercousinsaid.

Bess looked frightened. “Nancy, Idon’t thinkweshouldgo to theGreekrestaurant.Suppose that awfulburglardecides tohave lunch there too?Oh,Nancy,Ihaveafeelingyou’llbeinrealdangerifyougothere!”

CHAPTERIX

SilentWarning

GEORGElookedatBessandsaid,“YouknowperfectlywellNancywouldn’tgiveupthecase.She’snotascaredy-cat.”

Bessdefendedherself.“It’snotamatterofbeingscared.IthinkNancy’sindanger.”

AsoftenhappenedNancyhadtoplaythepartofpeacemakerbetweenthecousins.Nowshesaid,“Probablyyou’rebothright.ButI’msurenothingisgoing to happen to any of us while eating in that Greek restaurant. It’s aperfectly respectable part of town, even though it is old and some of thebuildingsareabitshabby.”

“Andbesides,”Georgeputin,“Ibetthere’smorethanoneGreekrestaurantintown.Theburglarhasachoice.”

“Oh,allright,”Bessconceded.“Nextyou’llbetellingmetherearezillionsofTurkishrestaurantsthere.”

As the girls rode along, conversation turned to the subject of themannequin.

“Doyoureallythink,”GeorgeaskedNancy,“thatFaroukhidsomethinginherandthat’sthereasonhewantsherbroughttoIstanbul?”

“Yourguessisasgoodasmine,”sheanswered.“IadmitI’mpuzzled.”

“Ifhedid,”Georgewenton,“whydidn’tFarouktakewhateveritwaswithhim?”

“Yes,” Nancy replied, “and why would he ask my father to bring themannequintoIstanbul?Whynothaveitsent?Andwhydidheaskmyfather?Whynotarelativeoraclosefriend?”

Georgehad an answer. “You saidFarouk left becausehe thought hewasgoingtobeindictedforsmugglingandcouldn’tstandthedisgrace.Hewouldhavetraveledaslightlyaspossible,nottakinganybaggageatallfromhere.He probably planned to purchase new clothing in Canada before flying toParis.”

Nancysmiled.George’sreasoningmadesense.Sheanswered,“IcanonlyguessthathedidnottrustanyoneexceptmyDad.”

Besshadbeenlisteningwithoutcomment.Nowshesaid,“Ihaveonegreatbigwhy.WhydidFaroukmakeeverythingsocomplicated?Hesuremustbescaredofsomethingorsomebody.”

BythistimetheyhadenteredthenarrowstreetwheretheAkurzalLokantawaslocated.Nancyhadtodrivesomedistanceuptheblockbeforeshefoundaparkingspace.

On the walk to the restaurant the girls were intrigued by the foreign-lookingshopsalongtheway.Tall,narrow-neckedcoffeepotswereamongthemany attractive objects made of brass. Bess especially liked the leatherhassocksandlargesilkpillowstobeusedforsittingonthefloor.

She gave a little giggle. “Don’t letme loose here. I’ll be spendingmoremoneythanIcanafford.Aren’tthethingsyummy?”

Georgecouldnotresistthetemptationtoteasehercousin.“Butthinkofalltheworkkeepingthatbrasspolished!”

Thegirlsentered therestaurantandwereassigneda table.Theplacewaswell filled andwaiterswere bustling around.When one came to take theirorder,allthreegirlssaidtheywouldhavegrapeleavesstuffedwithmeat,andbaklavafordessert.

WhileNancywaswaiting, she looked around at thediners,wondering ifany of them might be able to answer her questions about Farouk or theDrews’ burglar. Presently a short, stout man came from the kitchen andpausedathertable.

Smiling,hesaid,“Pardon,miss.ButIthinkIhaveseenyourpictureinthenewspapers.AreyounotMissNancyDrewthedetective?”

“Yes,Iam,”Nancyrepliedmodestly.

She had noticed that people at nearby tables apparently had heard thequestion and were looking in her direction. She requested the man to sitdown,sayingshewouldliketoaskhimafewquestions.

“ThesearemyfriendsBessMarvinandGeorgeFayne.”

ThemanbowedandrepliedhewasMr.Akurzal,owneroftherestaurant.HesaidtoNancy,“HowcanIhelpyou?”

Shetoldhimtheywerelookingfortwopeoplewho,theythought,mightbeeitherGreek orTurkish. “One is a young lady. She’s beautiful and has big

darkeyesandlongblackhair.”

Therestaurantownersmiled.“MostGreekandTurkishgirlsarebeautiful.”

“Theotherperson,”Nancywenton,“isayoungmaninhisearlytwenties.Hehasblueeyes,blackhair,andamustacheandbeard.”

BeforeMr.Akurzal could reply, aman at a nearby table jumped up andcame toward the table. Hewas about forty years of age, swarthy, and hadnarrowedeyelids.HebeganwavingafistatNancy.

“Whyareyouaskingallthesequestions?”hedemanded.

Bess looked frightenedandGeorgesat ready to takeNancy’spart shouldtherebeanytrouble.

Nancyherselfremainedcalm.“Supposeyouintroduceyourself,”shesaidcoldly.

“Whyareyouaskingallthesequestions?”thestrangerdemanded

Thebelligerentmanstoppedwavinghisfistandturnedtotheowner.

“Ifyoutellthesegirlsanything,youhavemetoreckonwith!”heshouted.

Mr.Akurzal, lookingveryembarrassedanduncomfortable,arose.“Imustattendtosomethinginthekitchen,”hesaidhurriedlyandlefttheroom.

Theswarthymanglaredat thegirlsbut saidnomore.He returned tohistableanddidnotlookintheirdirectionagain.

Georgewhispered,“Whatwasallthatabout?”

Nancyshrugged.Shesurmisedthattheobnoxiousmanwassomekindofaneighborhoodboss.HavingoverheardthatNancywasadetective,hefiguredshemightbesnoopingtofindoutsomethingwhichhedidnotwantknown.Didheknowtheburglar?ShewouldreporttheincidenttoChiefMcGinnis.

Besssaidinalowvoice,“Let’sgetoutofhere!”

“I’m surewe’re perfectly safe,”Nancy reassured her. “Besides,we havealreadygivenspecialfoodorders.Itwouldn’tbefairtoMr.Akurzaltowalkout.”

A fewminutes later the swinging doors to the kitchen opened and theirwaiterreturnedcarryingatrayladenwithchunksofGreekbreadandbowlsofyogurt.

Besswasabouttosayshehadnotorderedthis,whenthewaitersaid,“Theyogurtiscomplimentsofthehouse.Makeitspecialhere.”

As themanwent off, a smile crossedBess’s face. “I guess the owner istryingtomakeupforwhathappened.”

Shedippedherspoonintotheyogurtanddeclareditwasdelicious.Assoonasthegirlsfinishedeatingit,thewaiterbroughtintheplatesofstuffedgrapeleaves. As he set Nancy’s portion down in front of her, he unobtrusivelydroppedanoteintoherlap.

Shegavenosignthatshehadnoticedit,butinstantlyspreadthepaperoutonherlapandreadit.

“Therearemanyyoungpeoplewhoansweryourdescriptionbutyoumightlook for twomen,CemalAgaandTunayArik, andgirls,AlimeGurselandAishaHatun.”

Nancywasthrilledbytheseclues.Mr.Akurzalhadundoubtedlywrittenthenoteandtoldthewaitertopassittoherwithoutanyonenoticing.Sheslippedthemessageintoherpurseandbeganeating.Themaindishwasdeliciousaswellasthedessertwhichfollowed.

Besshadneverhadbaklavabeforeandwasintriguedbythelayersofflakycrustbakedwithhoneyandfilledwithchoppednuts.“Absolutelydivine,”shesaid.

Mr. Akurzal did not reappear in the dining room, no doubt because the

unpleasantdinerwasstillthere.Thegirlspaidtheirchecksandrosetoleave.As they passed the table where the man sat, he glowered at them. Nancywonderedifthiswasasilentwarningtohertostayoutofthearea.

“ButI’llcomeifIwantto!”shetoldherself.

Nevertheless, Nancy decided to consult her father before hunting up thepeoplenamedinthenote.Afterthegirlswereinthecar,shetoldthemaboutherlatestclues.

“That’sgreat,” saidBess, “but Ihopeyou’renotgoing to start rightnowlookingforthem.Haven’tweallhadenoughsleuthingforoneday?”

Her cousin agreed. “Nancy, I have a suggestion. You’ll put your thinkmachineoutofbusiness ifyoukeepup this intensework.What saywegetholdofHelenArcherandhaveagoodgameoftennis?”

Nancy had to admit that she had been pushing on the case since earlymorning and told the girls she thought it best to talk to her father anywaybeforecontinuinghersearch.

“Some sets of doubles sound cool. Let’s stop at a street phone and callHelen.”

She drove to the next corner and George hopped out to make the call.HelenCorninghadbeenmarriedonlyashorttimeagotoJimArcher.ShehadhelpedNancysolveafewmysteries.

Georgecamebacktoreport thatHelenwouldmeet themat theclub.Thegirls went home to pick up their tennis gear andwithin half an hour werebattingpracticeballsbackandforthoverthenet.Presentlytheywereplayinginearnest.

Afterfoursets,withBessandGeorgewinningtwoofthemandNancyandHelentheothertwo,thefourgirlssatdowntorest.Thepretty,brunettebrideinquiredwhatmysteryNancywasworkingon.

Whensheheardaboutthemannequinshesaid,“Oh,Irememberherwell.Mother used to takeme into Farouk Tahmasp’s shop once in awhile. ShelovedTurkishrugs.Weallwonderedwhatbecameofhim.”

Shesmiledbroadly,thenwenton,“Soyou’retryingtofindthemannequinnow and take her to Istanbul. How exciting!” Suddenly Helen exclaimed,“Nancy,IbelieveIknowwherethemannequinis!”

CHAPTERX

ExasperatingSearch

HELEN Archer’s announcement startled Nancy, Bess, and George. In onebreaththeyasked,“Where?Whereisthemannequin?”

“Over in the town of Croston. As soon as we shower and change ourclothesI’lltakeyouthere.”

Halfanhourlaterthefourwereontheirwaytotheriverresorttown.Helenpulledoffthemainhighwayandtookasideroadupasteep,woodedhill.Atthe top she parked in front of the beautiful Hotel Beauregarde whichoverlookedthewater.Sheledthegirlsthroughtheelegantlyfurnishedlobbyanddownacarpetedhallwaytoanattractiveshop.

“Theresheis!”Helensaid.

In a corner of the shopwindow stood a Turkishwomanmannequin. ShewasdressedinacostumesimilartotheonethathadbeeninFarouk’splace.

“Howexciting!”Bessburstout.“Nancy,Ibelieveyoursearchhascometoanend.”

NancywashopefulbutnotaspositiveasBess.

The glint in the eyes of this mannequin was strangely different fromFarouk’s.Shewouldsoonknowthetruth.

Thefourgirlswalkedinsideandweregreetedbyayoungboy.

“MayIhelpyou?”heasked.

Helenanswered,“I’mMrs.Archer.We’dliketotalktotheowner.”

The boy went off and presently a stylishly dressed, gray-haired womancamefromanoffice.

“Howdoyoudo,Mrs.Archer?”shesaid.“It’sgoodtoseeyouagain.”

Helen introducedher friends to thewoman,whomsheaddressedasMissLucille.She said, “Nancy is trying to locateacertainmannequin. I thoughttheoneinyourwindowmightbeit.”

Nancyaskedwherethewomanhadpurchasedhermodel.

Sheansweredpromptly,“Oh,Ididn’tbuyher.Allthefiguresthatwereforsaledidn’tpleaseme,soIhadthisonemadetoorder.”

Helenlaughed.“Well,Nancy,”shesaid,“Ididmybest.”

“You certainly did and I appreciate it.”Nancy turned to the shop owner.“I’mtryingtolocateamannequinwhichusedtobeondisplayinthewindowofaTurkishrugdealerinRiverHeights.Byanychance,doyouknowtheoneI’mtalkingabout?”

“Ohyes,”repliedMissLucille.“YouarereferringtoMr.Tahmasp’sstore?”

NancynoddedandMissLucillecontinued,“Thatwasavery fineshop. IusedtobuyrugsfromMr.Tahmaspandsellthemhere.”

“Have you any idea what happened to him or his mannequin?” Nancyinquired.

The woman shook her head. “As I recall, the man disappeared rathersuddenly.Too bad.He certainly had beautiful things to sell.” She paused amoment,thenadded,“AsfarasthemannequinisconcernedI’mafraidIcan’thelpyou.Perhapsyoushouldcheckwiththemuseumsorotherstores.”

Nancysaidshehadinvestigatednearlyeverypossibilitywithoutsuccess.

Miss Lucille pointed to a pile ofOriental andAmericanmagazines on atable.“Thereisanarticleinoneofthosethatmightbeofsomehelptoyou,”shesaid.

Atthatmomentthetelephonerangandsheexcusedherself.Bessofferedtolocatetherightmagazine.Inturningquickly,herarmbrushedagainstasmallporcelainbowlonatable.Itsailedthroughtheair.Bess,unabletorescueit,closedhereyesasthebowlsmashedtobitsagainstthecounter.

“Oh!”shewailed.“I’llpayforit,ofcourse,butI’llbetit’llcostmeamintofmoney!”

NancyandGeorgethoughtsotoo.Helenwentoverandpickedupafewofthepieces.Shelookedatthenameofthemakerpaintedonthebottom.

“You’relucky,Bess,”shesaid.“Fortunatelythisisn’tanexpensivepiece.”Shecontinued to lookandfinallyfoundafragmentwith theprice tagon it.“It’sonlyfivedollars.”

“Thankgoodness,”saidBess.Sheopenedherpurseandtookoutabill.

Nancyhadgoneover to thepileofmagazines.Shecameuponpartofan

old one. It contained an article about dealers of fine Turkish rugs in theUnited States. She quickly opened the magazine. Staring at her was aphotographofFarouk’sshopwindowwiththelovelymannequinseatedinthecorner.

“Just as I remember her,” Nancy told herself. “The eyes are the way Isketchedthem.Girls,takealook.”

BythistimetheyhadpickedupthepiecesofthebrokenbowlandBesshadpaidtheclerkthefivedollars.

TheyallstaredatthephotographwhileNancythumbedthroughthearticleto find the section about Farouk. Unfortunately she did not learn anythingnew about him, and the names of the magazine, the author, and thephotographerhadbeentornoff.

AllthegirlsexceptBessmadeafewpurchases,thensaidgood-bytoMissLucilleandleftforRiverHeights.

As Nancy, Bess, and George were transferring to Nancy’s car, Helenlaughed. “BessandGeorge,wedidn’t succeed,despiteour tennismatch, ingettingNancy’smindoffthemystery!”

“ButIenjoyedthegameimmensely,”Nancyinsisted.

“Well, lots of luck in finding themannequin,” Helen said as she wavedgood-by.

WhenNancyarrivedhomeshefoundNed there, lyingonaporchchaise.“LifeatsummercampwhenIwasacounselorwasneverlikethisinsurancework,” he said, getting up. He explained that he had been trying to sell apolicytoacoupleinRiverHeights.“TheywerehardtogetbutIsold’em!”Hegrinned.

“Goodforyou,”saidNancy.

Ned told her he had dropped in to learn if there were any newdevelopmentsinthemystery.HannahGrueninvitedhimtostaytodinnerandhe had accepted. Mr. Drew drove in right after Nancy and she broughteveryoneuptodateonthelatesthappenings.

“Afterdinner,willyoumengowithmetocallonthepeoplewhosenamestherestaurantownergaveme?”

Bothsaidtheywouldliketogo,thenMr.Drewadded,“Ihavesomenewsofmyown.TodayIreceivedacablegramfromthechiefofpoliceinIstanbul.HehadnoleadsonFaroukTahmasp.”

“Justthesamehemustbethereorintheoutskirtsofthecity,”Nancysaid.

Atdinnersheaskediftheothersagreedaboutthenoteinthewalletbeingahoax.HannahsuggestedthatAmericanmanufacturedpapermightbesoldinIstanbulandNedsaidtheDrews’burglarcouldhavesentagiftofletterpapertohisfriendSeli.

“Possibly,” said Mr. Drew, “but I’m inclined to agree with Nancy. Anddon’tforgetthis.Thenotemaynothavebeentheoneheshowedthegirl.Butif itwas,ourburglarmusthavehadagood reason forwantingher to thinkFaroukisdeadorissupposedtobe.”

Mrs.Gruensighed.“It’scertainlyconfusing.”

Nedhadbeenstaringintospace.Nowhesaid,“Noneofthisexplainswhythegirlranintheoppositedirectiontotheonethemantooknorwhatallthishastodowiththemannequin.”

As soon as they finished dinner, the housekeeper insisted that the othersstarttheirsearchatonce.“I’lltakecareofthefoodanddishes.Myfingerisallrightnow.”

Nancywent toget the telephonebookand lookedfor thenameAga.Shejotteddowntheaddress.NancyalsofoundGursel,butneitherAriknorAishaHatunwaslisted.

Mr.Drew suggested that since itwas such a hot night they take his air-conditionedcarandhewoulddrive.

“Soundsgood,”saidNed.

All three got into the front seat and started off. PresentlyNancy said, “Idon’t think we should tell these people that Mr. Akurzal gave me theirnames.”Themenagreed.

CemalAga’sapartmentwaseasytofind.Asthecallerswentupthestairstoittheywonderedifhewouldprovetobetheburglar.

Mr.Drewrangthebellandthedoorwasopenedbyaclean-shaven,dark-eyedyoungman.Helookedsurprisedbutsmiledinafriendlyway.

Hedefinitelywasnottheburglar!

“Youwishtoseeme?”Agaasked.Hespokewithaforeignaccent.

Mr.Drewrepliedtheywishedtoaskhimafewquestions.“AreyoufromTurkey?”hequeried.

“Yes,Istanbul.Ileftthereayearago.”

“DidyouknowaFaroukTahmaspthere?”

Agashookhishead.ThenhesaidthathehadmetpeoplebythenameofTahmaspataseasideresortinTurkeyandpossiblytheywererelatives.

“Doyouhavetheiraddress?”Nancyspokeup.

Oncemoretheyoungmanshookhishead.Hewassorry.

Mr.DrewinquiredifAgaknewthethreeotherpeopletheyweretryingtofindandgavetheirnames.

He replied, “I know few people here. It is unfortunate but I cannot helpyou.”

ThecallersthankedAgaandleft.

AlimeGursellivedafewblocksaway.Nancysuggestedthattheygotherenext.

NedwhisperedtoNancyandherfather,“Ithinkwe’rebeingfollowed,buteverytimeIturnaroundthepersonwalksintheotherdirection.MaybeI’mmistaken.”

ThethreewentonandonceNancylookedbacksuddenlytoseeifanyoneweredirectlybehind them.Therewere somanypeopleon the street itwashardtodecidewhetheranyonemightbefollowingthem.Finallysheandtheothersreachedthecarandclimbedin.

Mr.Drew started off, the carwindows tightly closed because of the air-conditioning.

“It’sarelieftogetbackinhere,”Nedremarked.“Hot,trèshotisthewordforoutside.”

Thewordswerehardlyoutofhismouthwhensomethingcamewhizzingthrough the air and smashed against the window alongsideMr. Drew. Theglassshattered!

CHAPTERXI

Ah-ee-sha

THErockcrashedthroughthesplinteredcarwindowalongsideMr.Drew.Itmissedthelawyer’sheadbyinchesandfellatNancy’sfeet.

Mr.Drew stopped the car at once and jumpedout, followedbyNed andNancy.Theylookedallaroundforthestonethrowerbuttherewasnooneintheimmediatevicinity.

The noise soon brought a number of neighbors who demanded to knowwhathadhappened.

“Someonethrewastoneatmycar,”Mr.Drewexplained.“Hemighthaveinjuredmeormydaughterorthisyoungmanhere.Ifanyofyoucanhelpfindoutwhoheis,I’dappreciateit.”

Themen,women,andchildrenwhohadgatheredlookedatoneanotherbutsaid nothing.Were they covering up for the guilty person? Or hadn’t theyseenthestonethrower?

“Willsomeone,please,callthepolice?”Nancy’sfatherasked.

A man hurried off to a nearby street telephone while curious onlookerspeeredinsidethecartolookattherock.

Finally one young man remarked, “That stone is big enough to kill aperson.I’dsayyou’reluckynothinghappenedtoyou.”

Aboy said, “Goodyouhad shatterproof glass and thewindowwas shut.Guessyouhaveair-conditioning,sir?”

Mr.Drewnodded.

Withinminutesapatrolcarroaredupwithtwoofficersinit.Theyquicklyexaminedtheholeinthewindowandtherockonthefloor.

Finallyoneofthemsaid,“Doyouhaveanyenemies?”

“No,”Mr.Drew,Nancy, andNed replied in unison.They thought of theburglarbutdidnotbelievehewoulddeliberatelytrytoharmthem.

Theother officer said, “This could havebeen justmaliciousmischief. In

anycase,we’lltrytofindoutwhodidit.”

He locked the police car and the two officers, carrying flashlights, wentdown a driveway between two shops. They returned in a little while andreportedthatnoonehadbeenhidingintheareaattherear.

“It’sgoingtobeprettyhardfindingtheguiltyperson,”oneoftheofficersadmitted.“Butmaybesomeoneintheneighborhoodwilltalk.”

“HopeyouhavebetterluckthanIdid,”Mr.Drewsaid.Heexplainedthatnoneofthecuriousonlookersadmittedwitnessingtheattack.

OneoftheofficerssaidtoMr.Drew,“Untilwetrackdowntheculprit,it’llbe dangerous for you folks to stick around this place.Don’t you think yououghttogohome?”

ReluctantlyNancyagreed,butonthewaysheaskedNed,“Couldyoustayatourhousetonightandcomebackherewithmetomorrowmorning?”

“IguessIcanworkitout,”Nedreplied.“SomepeopleIwastryingtosellinsurancetotoldmetocomebacktomorrowafternoon.”

“Iwishyouluck,”saidNancy.“MoreluckthanIseemtohavesolvingthismystery.”

Mr.Drewpattedhershoulder.“Mysteriesareusuallysolvedmorebyhardworkthangoodluck.”

Ned laughed. “In that caseNancy shouldhave thismysterywoundup inshortorder.”

Atteno’clockthenextmorningMr.Drewtookhiscartotherepairshoptohavethebrokenwindowreplaced.AtthesametimeNedandNancydroveoffinhisconvertibletotheareaofRiverHeightswherethepeopleofGreekandTurkishdescentlived.

“Wehaveonlyoneotheraddress,”Nancyremarked.“AlimeGursel.”

Theyfoundherapartmenteasily.Shewasayoungmarriedwomanwithababygirlaboutsixmonthsoldinherarms.

“She’s not the girl who ran away from the burglar,” Nancy told herself.Aloud she said, “Good morning,” and smiled. “We’re not trying to sellanything. We’re hoping to find a couple of people but don’t have theiraddresses. They probably live around here and I wondered if perhaps youmightknowthem.”

“Docomein,”theyoungwomansaid.“Isn’tmybabygirlsweet?”

“She’sdarling,”Nancyreplied.

“Yes,she’sanicebaby,”Nedagreed.

Mrs.Gurselmotionedforherguests to followher to the livingroomandthey all seated themselves. Nancy was about to question her, when Mrs.GurselgotupandcametowardNed.

“You know her daddy is away a great deal. He travels. My poor babydoesn’t have a father to cuddle her. Would you mind holding her a fewminutesandgivingheralittlefatherlylove?”

At the look of fright on Ned’s face Nancy almost went into gales oflaughter.BeforeNedcouldrefuse,Mrs.Gursellaidthebabyinhisarms.Heheldherawkwardly,apparentlyfearfulhewoulddropher.Finallyhesetthebabyonhiskneewithbotharmsaroundher.

“Oh, she likes you!” Alime Gursel exclaimed. “Do put her over yourshoulderandhugher.”

BythistimeNancywassmilingbroadly.Nedlookedatherpatheticallyasiftosay,“Pleasetakethiscreatureaway.”

ObedientlytheEmersonCollegefootballstarcarefullyliftedthebaby,putherheadinhisneck,andsuddenlyhisexpressionchanged.

“Sheisnice,”hesaid.

Nancy,managing to keep a straight face, asked the child’smother if sheknewTunayArikorAishaHatun.

Mrs.Gurselrepeatedthenames,thenslowlyshookherhead.“I’msorry,”shesaid,“Inotonlydonotknowthem,but Ihaveneverheardofeitherofthem.Probablytheydonotliveinthisneighborhood.”

Nedstoodup.“Probablynot.Nancy,we’dbettergo,”hesaid,andquicklyhandedthebabybacktohermother.

Nancy toldMrs.Gursel she had enjoyed their little visit, and the coupleleft.Whentheyreachedthestreet,Nancycouldcontainherselfnolongerandbegantolaugh.

“Oh,Ned, Iwish I could have taken a picture of youwhenMrs.Gurselhandedoverherbaby.”

Nedfrowned.“It’sagoodthingyoudidn’t.Iwouldhavetornitup.”

Quicklyhechangedthesubject.“Nowwhatdoyouintendtodo?Youdon’thaveasingleleadonthosetwootherpeople.”

“No, I don’t,” Nancy said ruefully. “But I’m sure they live in this areabecauseofwhatMr.Akurzalsaidinhisnote.Let’saskinvariousshops.AtsometimeorotherTunayArikandAishaHatunmusthavetobuyfood.”

She andNed visited a supermarket, a laundromat, and a stationery storewithoutlearninganything.

“Maybe,” Ned remarked, “they grow their own food, have washingmachines,andmaketheirownpaperandpencils.”

“Very funny,” said Nancy. “Ned, will you be serious!” But she couldn’tkeepastraightface.

“Well,whereelse?”heasked.

“I can think of only one other kind of place,” Nancy answered. “Asweetshop.”

“Isawonedownonthenextcorner,”Nedtoldher.

Thecouplewalkedtoitandwentin.NedboughtaboxofchocolatesandhandedittoNancy.

“Oh, thank you,” she said, then asked the clerk, “Do you have anycustomersnamedArikandHatun?”

Astheclerksaidno,NancyandNedbecameawareofgigglingatthesideoftheshop.Theyturnedtoseetwolittlegirlssuckinglollipops.OnahunchNancyaskediftheykneweitherofthepeople.

“Sue,youtellher,”saidtheothergirlshyly.

“Okay,Kathy,”herplaymatesaid.ShetoldNancythatafamilywholivednextdoortoherhadaboardernamedArik.“Hehasafunnyfirstname.WecallhimTunafish.”

Thetwolittlegirlsburstintogigglesagain.

Nancysmiledandsaid,“SueandKathy,isitTunay?”

“Guessso,”Kathyanswered.“WelikeTunafish.”

Nancyasked,“Willyoutakeusthere?”

“Whynot?”saidSue.

The two littlegirls ran from theshopwithNancyandNedat theirheels.Theywentaroundacorneranduptoarowofhouses.

PresentlytheystoppedandKathypointed.“Helivesinthere.”

Nancy andNed climbed the steps and rang the bell.Awoman answeredandthistimeNedmadetheinquiry.“DoesTunayAriklivehere?”

“Yes,hedoes,”thewomanreplied.“Buthe’satworknow.Won’tbehometillfiveo’clock.Whydidyouwanthim?”

“We have amessage for amanwe think is named TunayArik,” Nancyspokeup.“Whatdoesyourboarderlooklike?”

Whenthewomangaveadescription,Nancymerelysaid,“Hesoundsliketherightman.We’llbebacktoseehimlater.”

AssheandNedturnedtogodownthesteps,Nancywhisperedtohim,“Hefitsthedescriptionoftheburglarallright!”

Whentheyreachedthefootof thesteps,SueandKathywerewaitingforthem.Gigglingagain,theybegantosinginakindofnurseryrhythm.

“Tunafishisinlu-uv,Tunafishisinlu-uv.

ButAishawon’tdatehim.No,she’llneverdatehim.”

Nancywasintrigued.Sheclappedandaskedthelittlegirlstosingthesongagain.Theyobligedandendeduplaughingsohardtearscametotheireyes.

Nancy asked, “Do youmean Aisha Hatun?” The girls said they did notknowher last name,but a coupleof times theyhadheardTunafish singingsoftlyinsomeforeignlanguage.Thesongalwaysbegan,“Ah-ee-sha,Ah-ee-sha.”

“Whatelsedidhedo?”Nancyinquired.

Sue and Kathy, who said they were sisters, admitted sneaking into thehousenextdoornowandthentolistentotheboarders.

“Sometimes,”saidKathy,“Tunafishwouldgo to the telephoneanddialanumber.Hewould say ‘Aisha, Imustmeet you.’Thenhe’d talk in anotherlanguage.We’dgettiredoflisteningandgohome.”

Nedgrinned.“Soyouneverfoundoutwherethegirllives?”

“No,”Kathysaid.“Andhewassosad.Iguessshewouldn’tdatehim.”

Thegirls said theymustbegoingnowand ranup thesteps into thenexthouse.

“Wepickedupaclue,”Nancyremarked,“butwestillhavetolocateAishaHatun.Ihaveahunch.Let’strythelibrary.Inoticedonenotfarfromhere.”

TheywalkedtoitandNancyfoundthatthewomanatthedeskwasamusicteacherwhomsheknew.

“Hello,Nancy,”shesaid.“Iguessyou’resurprisedtoseemehere.Mostofmypupilsgoaway in the summerand I take thispart-time job.Howcomeyou’reinthisneighborhood?Sleuthing?”

NancyadmittedthatshewasandintroducedNedtoMrs.Armstrong.ShetoldofhersearchforAishaHatun.

Mrs.ArmstrongpulledouthercardfileandthumbedthroughtotheH’s.

“Here it is,”shesaid.“MissAishaHatun takesoutbooksquiteregularly.She must be a great reader. Oh, oh. She has two overdue books.” After amoment’spause,Mrs.Armstrongcontinued,“Shelivesat26DawsonStreet.”

Nancywas thrilled to have the address.At last she seemed to be gettingsomewhereonthemystery.

Mrs.Armstrongwenton,“SheliveswithacouplenamedKosay.”

Nancythankedthelibrarian,saidshewasgladtoseeheragain,andwentoff.Itwasonlyafewminutes’walkto26DawsonStreet.

TheKosayhousewassmallwithattractivebushesandawildprofusionofgay-coloredflowers.

“Prettygarden,”Nancyremarked.

AssheandNedwalkeduptothehouse,hesaid,“Ifthisisthegirlyou’relookingfor,howwillIknowit?”

Nancyansweredquickly,“Ifshe’stheonewhoopensthedoor,I’llgentlysteponyourfoot.IfsomeoneelsecomesandwehavetogoinsideandyouandIareseparatedwhenshecomesintotheroom,I’llsmoothmyhairback.”

Nancy’spulsequickenedassherangthebell.Halfaminutelaterthedoorwasopenedby avery attractiveyoungwomanwith longblackhair.NancysteppedonNed’sfoot.

CHAPTERXII

FakerRevealed

THE girl standing in the doorwaywas the same one who had torn herselfawayfromtheburglar!

Nancy triednot to showherexcitementandasked, “AreyouMissAishaHatun?”

“Yes.Youarelookingforme?”

Atcloserangetheyoungwomanwasevenprettierthanatadistance.Butshehadaverysadlook.SheapparentlydidnotrecognizeNancyandsetherbigeyesonNedadmiringly.

ForthefirsttimeNancydidnotknowhowtobeginaconversation.Aishacertainlydidnotlooklikeapersonwhowouldbeafriendofaburglar!

NedsavedNancythetroubleoflaunchingintothesubject.“YouareGreek,orperhapsTurkish?”heasked.

Aisha looked bewildered at her questioners but answered, “I came fromIstanbul,butIhavelivedherewithmyauntanduncleforseveralyears.”

“You have a very pretty accent,”Ned complimented her. “Do you speakotherlanguagesbesidesTurkishandEnglish?”

ForthefirsttimeAishasmiledalittle.“IdospeakFrenchandGreek,”sheanswered,thenadded,“Pleasetellmewhoyouareandwhatyouwant.”

Ned introduced himself and explained that Nancy was an amateurdetective.

“Detective?”Aisharepeated,hereyeswideninginfear.

There was a slight pause and finally Nancy said, “We’re trying to findsomethingandthoughtyoumighthelpus.Butfirst,tellmeaboutafriendofyours.Twolittlegirlswholivenextdoortolduswherehelives.HisnameisTunayArik.”

Aisha’sexpressionchanged.Sheno longer looked sadnordid she smile.Withafrownshesaidscornfully,“Heisnotafriend.”Thensheadded,“Will

youcomeinside,please?Iwouldliketotalkwithyou.”

NancyandNedfollowedthegirlintothelivingroom.ItoccurredtoNancythatthiswaslikebeingtransportedsuddenlyintoanothercountry.Theentiredecor was Turkish. There was a beautiful hand-wovenOriental rug on thefloor, carved furniture, and several brass filigree lampswithmatching ovalshades.

AfterAishaandhercallershadsatdown,shesaidtoNancy,“Irecognizeyounow.YouarethegirlwhowascomingaftermewiththepoliceandAriktoldmetorun.Butwhy?”

Nancy hedged. She said, “No reason at all,” and smiled. “I don’t lookdangerous,doI?”

“Ohno”

Nancyasked,“Didn’tAriktellyouwhyhewantedyoutorunaway?”

“No.”

Ned spokeup, sayinghe thought thiswas rather strange. “Andhehasn’tphonedyousince?”

Aishasaidheraunthad takenacall fromhimwhile thegirlwasout,butshehadnotreturnedit.

Shesuddenlysetherjawandsaid,“Idon’tlikeTunayArik.Ineverhavelikedhimbuthekeepsbotheringmetodatehim.Ineverwill.”

“Butyoudidmeethimonthestreet,”Nancyremindedher.

“Yes, I admit it. He phoned that he had received a very important letterfromIstanbulwhich Imust readatonce.He said that since Iwouldnot lethimcomehere,wouldIpleasemeethimonthatcornerwhereyousawus.”TearscameintoAisha’seyes.

NancyandNedlookedateachother,wonderingjusthowtoproceedwiththeinterview.Neddecidedtobestraightforwardaboutit.

Heasked,“DidthelettersaythatFaroukTahmaspwasdead?”

AtthequestionAishaburst intotears,raisingonearmtoherfacetohideheremotionsfromthevisitors.Shegotup,turnedherback,andcontinuedtosob.

Butfinallyshespoke,lookingstraightatNancyandNed.“Buthowdoyouknowthis?”

Nancydidnotanswerthequestiondirect.Shewalkedovertothedistraughtgirl, “Aisha, my father is a lawyer. He and I suspect that the letter Arikshowedyouisaforgery!”

“Idonotunderstand,”Aishasaid.“Aforgery?”

Nancynodded.“WethinkArikwrotethatletterhimselfrighthereinRiverHeights.ThepaperwasmadeintheUnitedStatesandit’smostunlikelythatkindissoldinTurkey.”

Aisha,whohadpulledahandkerchieffromapocket,driedhereyes.“Tellmemoreofwhatyouthink.TunaysaidaGreekfriendnamedSelisentit.”

Nancywalked back to her chair and sat down. “Aisha,” she said slowly,“wethinkthere’sagoodpossibilitythatFaroukTahmaspisstillalive!”

The Turkish girl looked into space for a moment, then cried out, “Howwonderful!Oh,youthinkthisistrue?”

Nedanswered.“Wealldo.”

Aisha’s whole attitude changed. Color came back into her face and shesmiledhappily.

“WhereisFarouknow?”

“Wethink,”saidNancy,“thathe’sinIstanbul.”

“Istanbul!”Aishaexclaimed.“Sothat’swherehewent.”

Shestaredoutthewindow.Whenhergazereturnedtothecallers,thesadlookhadcomebackintoherface.

“Iwill tell you thewhole story,” she said, and sat down. “Farouk and Iwereinloveandveryhappy.Thensuddenlyhegotintosomekindoftroubleabout smuggling.Heneverexplained it tomebut insistedhewas innocent.Finallyheranaway.IhadaletterfromhimmailedinParisexplainingthathehaddecidedtomoveoutonenight.AfterthatIneverheardfromhimagain.”

“Whenwasthat?”Nedasked.

“About twoyearsago.FormonthsIwaitedforanother letterbutnothingcame.Ididn’ttrytotracehimbecauseIthoughthehadfoundsomeoneelse.”

On a hunch Nancy said, “Was it at that time Arik began trying to befriendlywithyou?”

Aishanoddedandsaidhewasverypersistent.“HesentmemanygiftsandwouldhidenearbysothatwhenIcamefromthehousehewouldcatchupand

walkalongthestreetwithme.ButIwouldnevergoanywherewithhim.”

Thegirlpausedforseveralsecondsbeforegoingon.Takingadeepbreath,she said, “I may as well tell youmore. That day you sawme reading theletter,Tunaysaid,‘NowthatFaroukisdead,thereisnoreasonforyounottomarryme.’”

AtonceNancyrecalledthatshewaslookingforArikbecausehewastheonewhotriedtoburglarizetheDrewhome!

She said, “Aisha, I think there’s a very good reason why you shouldn’tmarry Arik. For one thing, your friend Farouk was proved innocent. Myfather,whohandledhiscase,wouldlikeverymuchtofindhimandtellhimso.”

Aishasuddenlyclappedherhands.“Thatisthrilling!Oh,hejusthastobealive!”

NancyandNedassuredherthattheyandMr.Drewwoulddoalltheycouldtoprovethis.

“Hereismynameandaddress,”Nancysaid,takingacardfromherpurse.“Nowpleasedothefollowing.Don’ttalktoArik.Inthemeantimewe’lltrytofindoutifthatletterheshowedyouwasdefinitelyafake.”

Aishatookthecardandglancedatit.“I’llcallyouifIhearanything,”shepromised.

ShelookedsowearythatNancydecidedtheyhadbetternottalkanymore.Afterall,theTurkishgirlhadbeenunderagreatemotionalstrain.

Nancy rose and said theymustgo.Sheput anarmaroundAishaas theywalkedtothedoor.ImpulsivelytheTurkishgirlkissedher.

“Youareawonderfulperson,”Aishasaid.CastingherbigeyesonNed,sheadded,“Andyoutoo.Nancyisluckytohaveyouforafriend.”

Nedgrinned.“Ithinkso.”

Nancygavehimasidewayslookandlaughedsoftly.Heopenedthefrontdoorandwaitedforhertostepoutside.Thenhefollowed.

Before theyhada chance to saygood-by toAisha, she said, “Oh,wait aminute! I forgot. When you first came you said you were hunting forsomethingandthoughtImightbeabletohelpyou.”

“That’s right,” Nancy replied. “It’s about the mannequin in Farouk’swindow.Doyouknowwheresheis?”

TothesurpriseofNancyandNedalookofutterfrightcameoverAisha’sface.Insteadofanswering,shequicklysaidgood-byandshutthedoor.

CHAPTERXIII

MistakenIdentity?

NEDbegantolaugh.“Idon’toftenhavedoorsshutinmyface,”hesaid.

Nancy was puzzled. Why had Aisha looked frightened? Apparently sheknewsomethingaboutthemannequinwhichshedidnotdarereveal.

Had George’s guess been right that something valuable—and perhapsillegal—hadbeenhiddeninsidethefigure?SheremindedNedofthis.

Hedidnot thinkthat theincidentofAishashuttingthedooronthemhadany important significance.“Maybeshedecidedweweregetting toonosy,”hesaid.“Or—andhere’sawholenewideaforyou,MissDetective—ifAishaknowsFarouklovesthemannequin,maybeshe’sjealous!”

ThisremarkmadeNancylaugh.“Well,IsupposeournextmoveistofindoutfromArikifthatnotewasafake.”

“Wheredoyouplantostart?”Nedqueried.

NancysaidshethoughttheyshouldgobacktoTunay’sroominghouseandasktheownerwhereheworked.ShegrinnedatNed.“Supposeyoutalktothesuspect.Hemayrecognizemeandrunoffagain.”

“Okay,”heagreed.

They set off for Arik’s street, wondering if the two little girls would bearoundandmightgivethemanyfurtherinformationabouthim.Buttheywerenot in sight.Nancy rang the bell of the rooming house. The same pleasantwomancame to thedoor andwithouthesitation told thecouple theywouldfindArikattheBedfordCarpetFactory.

“Idon’tknowthestreetname,butit’ssomewherealongtheriver.”

“Iknowwhere it is,”saidNancy.“Ithasnicegroundsandit’soppositeapark.”

“That’sright,”thewomansaid.“IalwaysfixalunchforArik.Hesaysheeatsitinthepark.”

Nancythankedherandthecouplewentoff.Theyweredelightedwiththis

latestinformation.NowitwouldbefairlyeasytospotArik!

Since it was nearing lunchtime, Ned drove directly to the factory. For alongareainfrontofittherewere“noparking”signssohehadtodrivetothenextsidestreettoleavethecar.HeandNancywalkedbackalongahighironpicketfencetothemainentrance.

SuddenlyNancygrabbedNed’s arm. “Look!” she exclaimed. “Upby theofficedoor!”

Nedglancedinthatdirectionjustintimetoseeamanwhohadrunoutofthe office whip a black kerchief from his face. In his other hand he wascarryingabulgingmoneysack.

“I’ll bet he robbed the place!” Nancy cried out. Nearby was a streettelephonebooth.“Ned,I’llcallthepolice.”

“AndI’lltrytostopthatman!”hesaid.

NancyhadjustclosedherselfinsidetheglassboothwhenNednoticedacarcomingataswiftpaceupthestreet.Itwasprobablyagetawaycar!

By this time the robber was almost at the entrance to the grounds. Nedturned quickly onto the path. The next second he grabbed the man in acrunchingfootballtackle.

The fellowwentdownand themoneysack flewfromhishand. InstantlyNed dashed to pick up the sack and threw it as far and hard as he couldtowardtheofficedoor.

Inthatsplitsecondthemanrushedtothesidewalkandjumpedintothecarwhich had stopped. Ned was tempted to follow, but realized that both therobber and the drivermight be armed.He didmanage, however, to get thelicensenumber.

Beforethecarwasoutofsight,fourpolicemenroaredupinasedan.Nancydashedovertothemandtoldwhathadhappened,whileNedgavethelicensenumber.Inaflashtwooftheofficerstookoffaftertherobbers’car.Theothertwostartedupthewalktowardthefactory.

Nedlookedathiscompanion.“Thisisonetimethepolicemusttakeover.”

NancyandNed followed them,however.Nedpointed to themoney sackandoneoftheofficerspickeditup.Theyallwalkedinside.

“Oh!”Nancygasped.

On the floor near a desk lay agirl notmucholder thanherself.Shewas

unconsciousbutbeginning to stir.Oneof theofficerspulleda smallvialofammoniasaltsfromhispocketandwaveditunderthegirl’snostrils.

Ashereyelidsflutteredopen,adoorattherearoftheofficeopenedandaheavy-setbaldingmanentered.Helookedinastonishmentatthescenebeforehim.

“What’sgoingon?”heasked.

Theofficerholdingthebagofmoneyraisedit.“Isthisyours?”heasked.

“My payroll!” the man shouted. “What happened? Where did you getthis?”

Theofficerresponded,“ThiscoupleherecangiveyoumoredetailsthanIcan.”

As theyoungwomanon the floorwashelped toher feet and seated inachair, Nancy andNed told of coming along just in time to see the robber.Theywere reluctant to givedetails of their ownpart in the recoveryof thepayroll,but thepolicemeninsisteduponafullreport.ThebaldingmanwhosaidhewasMr.Bedford,thefactoryowner,thankedthemprofusely.

“I’llbetherobbedtheplace!”Nancycriedout

By this time his secretary was able to tell her part of the story. Thebookkeeperhadalreadygoneouttolunchandshewasintheofficealone.

“Amancameinwearingablackkerchiefacrosshisface.Hepointedagunatmeandtoldmetoliedownonthefloorandnottomakeasound.Iwasso

scaredIfainted.”

“Whatdidthefellowlooklike?”thepolicemanasked.

The girl said he had blond hair but that’s all she could tell about him.Nancy and Ned gave a description. He was of medium height and clean-shaven.

Outofthecornerofhereye,Nancynoticedtheworkerscomingfromasidedoor.IfsheandNedweretofindArik,theyshouldleaveatonce.

“Ithinkwe’vegivenyoualltheinformationwecan,”Nancysaid.“Nowifyou’llpleaseexcuseus—”

“I will be in touch with you,” said Mr. Bedford. “You have saved methousandsofdollars.”

NancyandNedsaidgood-byandwentoutthedoor.Theyhurrieddownthewalkandcrossedovertothepark.Nancyhalfhidbehindatreeandwatchedtheoncomingworkers.AfewminuteslatershesawTunayArik.

“Thereheis!”shewhisperedtoNed.

Theyoungmanwalkedonpastotherworkersandchoseanemptybenchatthefarsideofthepark.Asheopenedhislunchboxandtookoutasandwich,Nedsidledonto thebenchbesidehim.Nancy,partlycoveringher facewithonehand,satdownnexttoNed.Sheleanedbackslightly,halfhidingherself.

PresentlyNedsaid,“Excuseme,butaren’tyouTunayArik?”

Theyoungmangaveastartandrosefromthebench.Nedpulledhimback.“Don’t try to run away again. Iwant answers to three questions. First, thatletteryoushowedAishawasaforgery,wasn’tit?”

Ariklookedfrightenedanddidnotanswer.

Nedwenton,“FaroukTahmaspisalive,isn’the?”

FinallyArik, like someone trapped, said, “Why—why yes, but that is apersonalmatter.Imeantnoharmbyhavingsomeonewritethatletterforme.”

NedlookedatArikindisgust.Henowsaid,“WhydidyoutrytostealtheTurkishrugfromtheDrewhome?”

Arikturnedashwhite.Nowhetriedoncemoretogetup.Nedyankedhimback.

“Answerme!”hesaidseverely.

“I’mnotbad!I’mnotaburglar!”Ariksaid inahoarsewhisper.“Ididn’t

trytostealanything.Say,whoareyou,anyway?Acop?”

“No,I’mnotapoliceman,”Nedreplied.

Arikhadeatennothing.Nowheclosedhislunchboxandinsistedhemustgetbacktowork.“Ihaven’tdoneanythingwrong,”heinsisted.

Nancy spoke up. She was not convinced that he was telling the truth.Tryingtotakehimbysurprise,shesaid,“Wheredidyougetthesuper-dupermasterkeythatopenedthekitchendoortoourhouse?”

Arik looked totally blank. “I don’t knowwhat you’re talking about,” hereplied.

Thegirldetectivewenton,“Iseeyoudon’twearyourfancygoldfiligreebracelettowork.”

Arikstoodup,hiseyesflashingangrily.“Idon’townabraceletandIthinkyoutwoarecrazy.Nowdon’ttrytostopmeagainoryouwillbeintrouble.”

Nancylookedthemanstraightintheeyes.“Ifitwasn’tyouwhocametomyhouse,thenyouhaveadouble.Doyouknowwhoheis?”

“No.”Arikstrodeacrosstheparkandwentstraightbacktothefactory.

Afterhehadgone,NancyandNedbegantodiscusswhetherornothewasguilty.

“Hecertainlyactedinnocentenough,”Nedremarked.

Nancysaidshewasbeginningtodoubtherself.“Afterall, thefirst timeIsawhim,whenhewastryingtostealtherug,itwasonlybylamplight.Icouldbemistaken.”

“Anything’spossible,”Nedsaid,“butonsecondthoughtthatguyadmittedknowingFarouk.”Hefrowned,adding,“Nothingmakessense.”

Nancydidnotreply.Shehadanotherhunchanddecidedtotelephoneherfather at once and tell himwhat had happened. She crossed the street andoncemoreclosedherself in the telephoneboothandgavehima full report.Mr.Drewsaidhewasgladshehadcalledhim.HewouldhaveatailputonArikatonce.

“AndI’llkeepmyeyesopenforadouble,”Nancytoldhim.

WhensherejoinedNed,hedeclaredhewasstarving.“WanttogobacktothatGreekrestaurant?”heteased.

Nancy laughed.“Iguesswe’dbetternot.Howaboutaniceunmysterious

luncheonette?”

Assoonastheyfinishedeating,Nedglancedathiswatchtoseehowmuchtimehehadleftbeforehisappointment.

“Icanspendexactlyonemorehourwithyou,”hesaid.“Wherewouldyouliketogo?”

“Home,”Nancyrepliedpromptly.“Ihaven’tworkedontheTurkishrugforsome time. Let’s see ifwe can findmorewords in the border. I still thinktherearefurtherdirectionsinit.”

“Okay,”saidNed.

When they reached the Drew house, Hannah Gruen was not there andNancywassurprisedtofindtheTurkishrugrolleduponthefloorofthefronthall. Why was it there? Surely Mrs. Gruen would not have brought itdownstairssinceshefeltsostronglythatitshouldbekepthiddeninNancy’scloset.

AsNedclosedthefrontdoorandturnedtowardher,Nancypickeduptherug and began to unroll it quickly. The nextmoment a small scimitar flewfromtheinsideandheadedstraightforNed!

CHAPTERXIV

Well-KeptSecret

QUICKasaflashNedsidesteppedtheflyingscimitarwhichmissedhimbyaninch.Itembeddeditselfinthewallnearthefrontdoor.

“Wow!”hecriedout.“What’sgoingonhere?Somewelcome!”

“Thank goodness you’re all right,” said Nancy. “I wish I knew what’sgoingon.”

Atthatmomenttheyheardakeyturninthefront-doorlockandtheybothstiffened.Wastheburglarreturning?

NedgotreadytojumphimandNancymovedaway.Totheirreliefthedoorwas opened by Hannah Gruen. She looked in surprise at the positions ofNancyandNed.Thenshespottedthescimitarprotrudingfromthewall.

“Ohmygoodness!”shesaid.“Wheredidthatthingcomefrom?”

“Itwasrolledupintherug,”Nancyreplied.

“Hannah,didyoubyanychancebringtherugdownhere?”

“No,Ididn’t.Ithoughtwehadagreedtohideitinyourcloset.”

“Wedid,”Nancysaid,“soapparentlytheburglarbroughtitdown.Buthowdidheknowwherewehadhiddentherug?”

Hannahinterposed,“Andassumingitwasthesameintruder,whydidn’thetaketherugwhenhehadthechance?”

“Can’tanswereitherofyourquestions,”Nedreplied.“Butonething’ssure—”

“Arikisn’tourman,”NancyfinishedNed’ssentence.

BrieflytheyexplainedtoHannahthatArikwasatworkwhentheintrudercametotheDrewhouse.

AsHannahstartedtotakethescimitarfromthewall,Nancysuggestedthattheynottouchit.“Itmayhavefingerprintsusefultothepolice,”shesaid.

Nedchuckled.“Yousurehavebeencontactingthepolicelately,”heteased,

and told how he and Nancy had captured the robber down at the BedfordCarpetFactory.

Hannah was astounded but shook her head resignedly. “Ned,” she said,“you should have learned by this time that adventure comes Nancy’s wayevenwhenshe’snotlookingforit.”

“That’sonereasonit’ssointerestingtobewithher,”hereplied.

NancyandHannahmadeasearchofthehousebutfoundnothingmissing.TheyoungdetectiveheadedforthephonetocallherfriendChiefMcGinnis.Thetwodiscussedthewholecaseforsometime.Hesaidtoleavethescimitarwhereitwasuntilacoupleofhismencouldpickitup.

“They are pretty busy right now,” he said. “It will probably be nearsuppertimebeforeanyonecomes.”

MeanwhileNedandHannahhadstartedtoexaminetherugtoseeifithadbeendamaged.Fortunatelyithadnotbeen.

WhenNancy joined them,he said, “Maybe it’s anoldTurkishcustom toleaveascimitarasawarning.”

Mrs.Gruenlookedworriedandremarked,“Itgivesmethecreepstothinkthatsomebodycangetintothishousedespiteallourexcellentlocks.”

The three went all around the place, checking windows and doors andfinally concluded that probably the burglar on his second trip had come inthroughthefrontdoor.

SuddenlyNancylookedaroundandsaid,“Hannah,where’sTogo?”

“ItookhimtotheDogBeautyParlor,”thehousekeepersaid.Sheglancedatherwatchandadded,“It’sabouttimetopickupourlittledog.”

“I’ddoit,”Nedsaid,“butImustleavenowtokeepmyappointment.”

“Thanks,Ned,forcomingalongtoday,”Nancysaid.

“YouknowIdon’tmind,”hereplied.“I’llletyouknowifImakemysale.”

Nancywishedhim luck, thendrovedowntown toget thedog.He friskedabout, not only glad to see her, but acting as if hewere proud of his newappearance.Hehadbeenpedicured,shampooed,andhiscoatbrusheduntilitshone.

“You’rebeautiful!”Nancysaid,scoopingTogoupinherarms.

Shecarriedhimtothecaranddrovehome.NosoonerhadTogobounded

into the livingroomthanhespied thescimitar in thewall.Hegrowledat itloudly,thenjumpedupandknockeditdown.

“Oh!”Nancycriedout.“Getaway!You’llcutyourself!”

She picked up the scimitar and laid it on top of the piano. ThenNancyrealized what she had done. Her own fingerprints, might have blotted outthosetheburglarmayhaveleft!

“Oh, Togo, sometimes you’re good and sometimes you cause a lot oftrouble!”

TheterriermerelylookedatNancyandwaggedhistail.

“You’rehopeless!”shetoldthedog.

The phone rang and Nancy went into the hall to answer it. To heramazementanddelightAishawascalling.

“Nancy,willyoueverforgiveme?”thegirlsaid.“Iwassorudetoyouthismorning.Iamextremelysorry.”

“Ofcourse,”Nancyreplied.“Ifiguredyouknewsomesecretinconnectionwiththemannequinthatyoudidn’twanttotellme.”

“That is true,”saidAisha.“But Idowant to talk toyou. Iamalone.Myauntandunclejustwentoutandwillbegoneforawhile.Couldyouandyourfriendcome?”

NancysaidthatNedhadalreadyleftbutshewouldbegladtodriveover.ShetoldHannahwhereshewasgoingandwentoutthedoor,hermindinawhirl.

WhatwastheTurkishgirlgoingtotellher?Didsheknowthewhereaboutsof the mannequin? Would she reveal more about Farouk? Nancy finallyreachedAisha’s street, parkedher convertible, andwent up thewalk to theporchsteps.

The Turkish girl opened the door before Nancy had a chance to ring.Impulsively she put an arm around Nancy as they walked into the livingroom.

ThegirlssatdownandAishabeganherstory.“AsItoldyou,IknowwhereFarouk’smannequinis.Butyou’llneverfindherunlessFaroukhimselftellsyouwheresheis.”

“Whynot?”Nancy asked, bewildered. ShewonderedwhyFaroukwouldhaveaskedherfathertobringthemannequintoTurkeyifhewouldnotreveal

whereshewas.

Aishasaidthathehadmadeherpromiseshewouldnotrevealthesecret.

“I can’t understandwhy,”Nancy told her quite frankly. “Bykeeping it asecret,itsoundsasiftherewassomethingdishonestaboutthewholething.”

Aishalookedalittlefrightenedtohearthis.“Iassureyoutherewasnothingdishonest about the mannequin or about Farouk wanting to keep herwhereabouts a secret.” She changed the subject. “Nancy, tell me why youwanttofindthemannequin.”

“I suppose I’ve been as mysterious about this whole thing as you,” theyoungdetectivereplied,laughing.

Nancy divulged the story of the rug, all the time watching Aisha’s faceclosely.Thegirl’sexpressionkeptchangingfromoneofhappinesstooneofpuzzlement.ShemadenocommentevenwhenNancyfinished.

“Wouldyouliketoseetherug?”theyoungdetectiveaskedher.

“Verymuch.”

“Then let’s go over to my house. Perhaps you can find more words orsymbolsinitthatwillrevealtheentiremessage.”

As soon as they reached the house Nancy introduced Aisha to Hannah.Thenthetwogirlssatdowntostudytherug.AishawasintriguedbyallthatNancyandherfriendshadfoundsofar.

Industriouslytheycontinuedtoexaminetheborder.Minuteswentby,thentheTurkishgirlexclaimedthatshehadfoundsomething.ShepointeditouttoNancy.

“Lookthereamongtheleaves!”Aishaexclaimed.

Woveninamongthemwasafancyandunusual-lookingobject.

“It’sashoeshinestand,”Aishaexplained.

“I’veneverseenonelikeit,”Nancyremarked.

“TheyarefairlycommoninIstanbul,”theTurkishgirlwenton.“IcannotfigureoutwhyFaroukaddedthistotheborder.Nancy,canyouguess?”

“Not right now. Surely a rug dealer wouldn’t be shining shoes!” shedeclared.“Butthere’sanotherangleImustinvestigate.”

InreplytoAisha’spuzzledfrown,NancyaddedthatwhenitwaspossibleshewouldtrytotraceFaroukthroughrugshopsinIstanbul.

“Oh,you’remarvelous!”herfriendexclaimed.

“Maybethere’sanothersymbolthatwillbemoreofaclue,”Nancysaid.

Thetwogirlssearcheddiligentlybutfoundnothingmore.Theydecidedtorestandhaveacooldrink.Whilesippingcherrysoda,Nancytoldhervisitorabouttheburglar’sintrusionsandthescimitarandshowedittoher.

TheTurkishgirlshiveredalittle.“Thatishorrible!”shecriedout.

“One thing is certain,”Nancy said. “Arik didn’t leave it, and if themanwhodidis theonewhowasherebefore, thenArikis innocent.IwassureIhadidentifiedhimas theburglar—Ididn’twant to tellyouthisbefore—butduring the time someone sneaked inhere todayhewasatworkand talkingwithNedandme.

“Theburglar thatwesuspect,”Nancywenton,“isamanwholooksverymuchlikeArik,isasuper-duperlocksmith,andwearsagoldfiligreebraceletwithturquoiseinit.”

Aishasaidsheknewnoonelikethatandnowshemustleave.“I’lltakethebushome,”shesaid.“Iwanttostopoffanddoalittleshopping.Nancy,Iamso glad to be friendswith you and truly Iwish I could tell youwhere themannequinis,butIcannotbreakapromiseuntilIreceivepermission.”

“Iunderstand,”saidNancy.

Aisha had been gone only a few minutes when two policemen arrived.Nancyshowedthemthescimitarandsaidtheywouldfindherfingerprintsonitaswellasthoseoftheintruder.

Oneoftheofficersremarked,“Thisisacheap,handmadescimitar.Butthatmightmakeiteasiertofindthepersonwholeftitthanifitwereanimportedexpensiveone.”

Hetookaclothbagfromhispocketandslippedthescimitarintoit.Thenheandhiscompanionwentoff.

Nancy, hermind full ofmany things, began to open hermailwhich hadbeendeliveredearlierintheday.ToherdelightthetravelbrochurewhichMr.Simpson had promised to send was among her letters. She glanced at theitineraryexcitedly, thencurledup ina living-roomchair toopen the restofthemail.Therewasnothinginterestingandshefelltodaydreamingaboutthemystery.

The frontdoorbell rang twicebutNancydidnot seem tohear it.Hannahansweredandacceptedtwopackagesfromdeliverymen.Thebellrangathird

timeandoncemoreMrs.Gruencameintothefronthall.SheglancedintothelivingroomandlookedatNancy,thinkingshehadperhapsfallenasleep.Buttheyoungdetectivewasstaringupattheceilingandcountingonherfingers.Hannahshookherheadandwenton.

She opened the front door and Bess and George came in. Seeing theirfriendinthelivingroom,theywalkedin.Nancycameoutofherreverie.

“Hi!” she said, uncurling herself. “Oh, girls, I’ve been working andworkingonthemysteryandnowIthinkI’vesolvedpartofit!”

“Youhave!”thecousinssaid.

Nancysmiledandlookeddirectlyatthetwoofthem.“Yes,butI’llhavetogotoIstanbultoproveit.Couldyoutwogowithme?”

CHAPTERXV

TravelPlans

NANCY’S announcement about the trip to Turkey came as a completesurprise.BessandGeorgestaredather,speechless.

Nancygrinnedatthem.“Imeanit.AnditwouldbegreatifNedandBurtandDavecouldgotoo.AndalsoAisha.Ihavetheitinerary.”

Georgewas the first to recover fromher surprise.Sheexclaimed, “Don’ttellmeyou’vefoundthemannequin!”

“No, but I did learn this. There’s a big secret connected with themannequin.Aishaknowswheresheis.ButshesaysFaroukmadeherpromisenottotellit.”

Bess frowned.“I’mallmixedupover thiswhole thing.Pleasesomebodystraightenmeout.Please!”

“Ifigured,”saidNancy,“thatsincewe’resureFarouksenttherugandhe’sinIstanbulandhehasbeendeclaredinnocentofthesmugglingcharge,andheandAishawereinlove,whatwehavetodonowistohelpthetwoofthemgettogether.”

“Butafterweallget toIstanbul,howarewegoing tofindFarouk?It’sabigcity.Justwalkthestreetsuntilheshowsup?”Georgeremarked.

Nancy revealed the latest clue in the border of the rug. “It’s a special,highlydecorated shoeshine stand. IbelieveFaroukexpectsDad to showupnearoneofthem.”

“Icanimaginehowmanytheremustbe.”Besssighed,thenasked,“Doyousuppose Farouk will be awfully disappointed if you don’t bring themannequinalong?”

NancyshruggedandGeorgeremarked,“Ifhe’snotplanningtocomebacktoAmerica,andwantsthemannequinbadlyenough,hecantelluswhereitisandwe’llshipittohim.”

Bess and George were enthusiastic over the idea of going to Turkey.“Where’stheitineraryyoumentioned?”

Nancypickeditupfromthetablenearthewingchair,andhandedittothecousins.

“Hypers!” George exclaimed as she gazed at the colorful pictures ofmosquesandcaiques.

Besssaid,“George,let’sphoneourparentsrightnowforpermission!”

“Wait!”NancycriedasBessstartedtowardthephone.

She had heard her father’s car pulling into the driveway.As soon as thelawyerhadgreetedeveryone,sheputherproposaltohim.

Helookedstartled,butafterthinkingoverthematter,remarked,“Itsoundslike agood idea.Butwhat about the expense?Wherewouldall youyoungpeoplefindtravelmoney?”

NancyremindedherfatheraboutMr.Simpson,thetravelagent.“YourecallhehadarrangedaninexpensivetripforagrouptoTurkey.Perhapswecouldtakeadvantageofthelowplanefarewithoutgoingontherestofhistour.”

As she spoke, Nancy indicated the round-trip fare at the bottom of thebrochure.“WecouldstayinIstanbulandsearchforFarouk.”

“Well,” said Mr. Drew, “phone Mr. Simpson and see if he has eightreservationsleft.Butdon’tgetyourhopestoohigh.”

NancyinvitedBessandGeorgetostaytodinner,thenhurriedofftomakethe call. The travel agency’s line was busy. She sat waiting, tapping herfingersonthetelephonetable.Shetriedagain.Stillnoluck.

“Somebodymustbearrangingatriparoundtheworld,”shethought.

Thistimeshewaitedalittlelongerandwassuccessfulinreachinghim.

“Nancy Drew, how are you?” he asked. “All the Simpsons are fine,includinglittleTommy.Hecallsyouhiswaterwheellady.”

Nancychuckled.“I’mgladhehasn’tforgottenme.Mr.Simpson,thankyoufor the itinerary of your tour toTurkey.By any chance, do you have eightplacesleft?Ifso,couldmydadandIandsixfriendsjustmakethetriptoandfromIstanbulwithouttakingthewholetourofTurkey?”

“Letmetakealook,”Mr.Simpsonreplied.

Heleftthephonetoconsulthischart,butsoonreturned.“Ihavegoodnewsfor you, Nancy,” he said. “Two people have just canceled and that makesexactlyeightseatsavailable.Youknow,ofcourse,weleaveintwodays.Doyouallhavepassportsandvaccinations?”

“Yes,” Nancy replied. “I haven’t asked all my friends yet, but I’m surethey’llbeabletomakeit.MayIletyouknowtomorrow?”

“Thatwillbefine.”

WhenNancycamebackintothelivingroomwiththegoodnews,BessandGeorgeeachgavea“yea”andBesshurriedtocallherparents.Shereturnedinamoment,sayingshehadtheirconsenttomakethetrip.ThenGeorgephonedtheFaynehouseandreceivedherparents’permission.

At that moment Hannah Gruen came into the living room and was toldabouttheexcitingplan.“I’mglad,”shesaid.“NowNancyandMr.Drewcangetawayfrompeoplewhobreak intohousesand leavescimitarsand throwrocksatcars.”

“Anddon’tworry,Hannah,”putinMr.Drew,“I’llseethatChiefMcGinnissendsapatrolcarouthere regularly tomakesureeverythingstayspeacefulwhilewe’regone.”

“Nowthat’snotnecessary,”shesaid,thenwenton,“Icametotellyouthatdinnerisready.Andsincewe’rehavingsteak,you’dbettercometothetableatonce.”

Mr.Drew chuckled. “I’ll bewith you in a jiffy.”He hurried off butwasbackinthreeminutes.Thentheyallwenttothediningroom.

Assoonasdinnerwasover,Nancywenttothetelephone.ThefirstoneshecalledwasAisha.WhenNancymentioned the trip, the Turkish girl gave alittlecryofhappiness.Thenshesaidshewasnotquitesure.

“I’mthrilled,butIamalittlefearfulofmeetingFarouk.”

“Once you see each other, I’m sure everything will be wonderful,” saidNancy.“Aisha,couldyougoforadrivewithmetomorrowmorning?Thereare several things I’d like to discuss with you. One of them concernsarrangementsforustostayinplacesthatwouldnotbeexpensive.”

“I’msuremyparentscanfindsomething,”Aishareplied.“AndI’llbeveryhappytomeetyoutomorrowmorning.Whattime?”

“Teno’lock.BythenIshouldknowhowmanyofuscango.”

SurethatNedwouldsayyes,sheputinacall tohishome.Shehopedhehadmadetheinsurancesalethatafternoon.Itwouldhelppayforthetrip!

Nedanswered.“Hello.”

“Hi!”saidNancy.“Ned,doyoustillwanttobemybodyguard?”

“Nancy.YoumeaninIstanbul?”

“Yes.Couldyougointwodays?”

“Wow!Letmegetmybreath.Youmeanit?”Uponhearingitwasabonafidetrip,helaughed.“YoubetI’llgo.Wouldn’tmissitforanything.Isoldabigenoughpolicytodaytopayallmyexpenses.”

“Goodforyou,”saidNancy.

BesswasthenextonetocometothephoneandtriedseveralplacestofindDave.ShefinallyleftwordathishomeforhimtocallheratNancy’s.

George had no better luck locating Burt. It was not until the followingmorningthatbothboysphonedNancy’shouseandheardoftheexcitingtrip.Shortly before ten o’lock they called back to say they would be able toaccompanythegroup.

“Soundscool,”saidDave.“IthinkI’llpretendtobeasultanandyougirlsaresomeofmyslaves!”

Nancylaughedandreplied,“YoujusttryitandI’llcoveryourwholeheadwithmyTurkishveil!”

QuicklyNancydialedMr.Simpson’stravelagencytoconfirmthenumberofplanereservations,thenshehurriedoffinhercartomeetAisha.Thetwogirlsspentaverypleasanthourtogether,andAishasaidshewouldarrangeforthewholegrouptohavegoodaccommodationsinIstanbul.“IwillcablemyparentsassoonasIgethome.”AstheTurkishgirlwasabouttostepoutoftheconvertiblesheimpulsivelygaveNancyatightsqueeze.“You’rethemostwonderfuldetectiveintheworld,”shesaid.Nancysmiledandkissedhernewfriend,thenshedroveoff.

“IthinkI’llstopatMr.Anthony’stailorshopandseeifHaw-Hawisthere.Maybe I can get him to answer a few questions. I’m sure that funny oldfellowknowsmorethanhe’stelling!”

Fortunatelyhewasthere,perchedasusualonabenchinthecorneroftheshop.As soon as he sawNancy,Haw-Haw began to laugh on a crescendonotethatresembledashriek.Itsentchillsupanddownthegirl’sspine.

Finallyhestoppedlaughingandsaid,“Youkeepcomingbackhere,miss.Youthinkthatmannequin’sa-hidin’somewherearoundthisplace?”

“Maybe. If you see her, let me know,” Nancy replied. Then she walkedover to theman and looked straight at him.On a sudden hunch she asked,“WhatIwanttoknowis,whoisthemanyou’regivinginformationtoabout

me?”

ForonceHaw-Hawdidnot laugh.Hiseyesshiftednervously.Theyoungdetectivewassurethatshehadhituponthetruth!

Finallyhesaid,“How’dyoufindout?Ididn’tthinkitwouldhurt.”

Nancywasthrilledthathehadfallenintohertrap!Stilllookingstern,shesaid,“Itmattersagreatdeal.Nowtellme,whoishe?”

Thewizenedoldmanwilted.Helookedallaround,thenwhispered,“He’sacousinofTunayArik.Prettynearhisdouble,I’dsay.He’sfromIstybull.”

Haw-Haw’s lighter side returned. He gave a low chuckle. “All this timeyouthoughtTunayArikwastheburglarwhenreallyitwashiscousin.”

“They’vegotaninterestinggrapevine,”Nancysaidtoherself.“Tunaytoldhiscousinaboutourencounterat thecarpet factory.Thecousin in turn toldHaw-Haw.”

Realizing the old man knew even more than she had suspected, NancyaskedhimwhyArik’scousinwantedtherug.

“HefoundoutFarouksenttherugtoyourfatherandthoughtthatvaluablejewelsweresewnintoit.Hewentrightovertoyourhouseandtriedtostealit.”

Nancywaselatedwiththeinformation.Shesaid,“Whentheburglarfoundout there weren’t any jewels in the rug, he became furious. He left me ascimitarasasouvenir.Doyouknowwhy?”

Haw-Haw’sjawsaggedandhiseyesbulged.Hewastheverypictureofaterrifiedman.Finallyhespoke,“I’llshowyousomething,”hesaid.

He put one hand inside his coat. Suddenly it occurred to Nancy that hemightbereachingforaweapon!

CHAPTERXVI

ImportantConfession

HAW-HAWpulled a scimitar fromhis inside coat pocket.Before hemighthaveachancetouseit,Nancygrabbedhisarmandyankeditupward.

“Ga-ga-ga—”themangurgled.

Thescimitarfelltothefloor.Then,toNancy’shorror,Haw-Hawcollapsed.

“Whatyoudo?”thetailorcried,gettingupfromhischairandrushingover.

NancytriedtoexplainthatshewasafraidHaw-Hawwasgoingtostabher,butMr.Anthony did not seem to understand. By this timeNancy had laidHaw-Hawflatonhisback.

Nancytriedtoresuscitatehimbutrealizedthatthevictimprobablyneededoxygen.

“Doyouhaveaphone?”sheaskedthetailor.

“No.”

“I’llbeback,”Nancysaid.“Donotmovehim.”

Alarmed, she raced to a street telephone booth and called for the policeambulance.Itarrivedquickly.Adoctorandanofficerhurriedintothetailorshop. Nancy recognized the latter as one of the two policemen who weregoingtohuntdownthepersonthathadthrownthestoneatherfather’scar.

Afteraquickexaminationthedoctorcalledforapulmotor.Astheofficeradministeredoxygen,thephysiciangavetheoldmanaheartmassage.

While the men were working, Nancy picked up the scimitar. It was aduplicateoftheonewhichhadnearlyinjuredNed!

Allthiswhilethelittletailorhadbeenpacingbackandforth,wringinghishandsandevidentlypraying.Hestoppedwhenhe sawNancygazingat thescimitar.Helookedatittoo.

“His?”heasked,pointingtowardHaw-Haw.

“Ithinknot,”Nancyreplied.“Thereisanameonhere.ItisAslanapa.”

Thetailorshookhishead.“Inotknowhim.”

Nancydecidedthatwhoeverhadplantedthescimitarintheprayerrughadmadesuretherewasnomarkofidentificationontheweapon.ShewonderedifAslanapawasthenameofthemakerorpossiblyoftheburglar.ShewouldjusthavetowaituntilHaw-Hawrevivedandaskhim.

Whenhedidregainconsciousness,theoldmanwastooweaktotalk.Thephysicianordered thathebe taken to thehospitalatonce, soNancyhadnochancetoquestionhim.

WhileHaw-Hawwasbeingplacedintheambulance,theofficerturnedtoNancy.“MissDrew,wemeetagain.I’msorryIhaven’tanynewsforyou.Wedidn’tfindanywitnessestotherockincident,muchlesssuspects.”

Nancy had assumed as much. She showed the officer the scimitar andpointed out the name on it. She then explained it had been inMr. Hyde’spossession.

“It’s a duplicate of the onewhichwas left atmy house by an unknownintruder,”shesaid.

“ChiefMcGinnis has everymanon the alert.We’ll get him!” the officerassuredher.

Hemadesomenotes inhis reportbook, then theambulancewentoff, itssiren shrieking. Nancy went home, thinking this certainly had been aneventfulday.ShehopedHaw-Hawwouldbeallright.

NancyfoundHannahgettingMr.Drew’sclothesreadyforthetrip.Shetoldherwhathadhappened.

The housekeeper looked concerned, but then smiled. “I presume you’llkeeponhavingadventuresuptillthemomentyougetontheplane.Isuggestthatyoustartthinkingaboutyourownwardrobe.Areyougoingtopacktherugtoo?”

Nancyshookherhead.“No.Itwilltakeuptoomuchroom.”

Nancy was just entering her bedroom when the telephone rang. Sheanswereditinherfather’sstudy.ThehospitalwascallingandhadamessageforherfromMr.Hyde.

“He’smuchbetter,”thenursereported,“andthedoctorsaidhemighthavevisitors.Mr.Hyde insists hemust see you at once.He has something veryimportanttotellyou.”

“I’llberightdown,”Nancyreplied.

The hospital had putMr.Hyde in a roomwith three othermen.The oldmanmotionedhertocomeclosetohisside.

“WhatIgottosaytoyouisprivate,”hewhispered.“Iwantedyoutoknowyouweren’ttoblameforwhathappenedtome.Ioftengettheseheartspells.”

“I’msorryaboutthat,”Nancymurmured.

Haw-Hawwenton,“MostlyIwantedyoutoknowIwasn’tgoingtohurtyou.Whenyoumentioned thescimitar I justwanted toshowyou theone Ihad.”

“Wheredidyougetit?”Nancyasked.

Mr.HydesaiditbelongedtoamannamedAslanapa.“IcallhimNappyforshort.Heleftitwithmetosell.”

“Whoishe?”Nancyaskedquickly.

“NappyisthecousintoArikI toldyouabout,butArikdon’tpayhimnomind.Hedon’tlikehimortrusthim.”

“Why?”Nancy’smindteemedwithquestions.IfitwastruethatTunayandhiscousindidnotgetalong,thenwhyhadn’tArikadmittedhehadadouble?Whyhadn’thetoldherabouthisevilcousin?WasArikafraidofhiscousin,orperhapsinvolvedintheschemeafterall?

Haw-Haw said he did not know why Arik distrusted his cousin. Nappyseemed all right to him. “Hemakesmaster keys and scimitars. Paysme agoodcommissionforsellingthem.”

Haw-Hawheavedagreatsigh.“Iguessitain’trightat thatandIwanttotellyouIain’tgoin’todoitnomore.”

“If it’s not legitimate, I’mglad to hear you’re giving it up,” saidNancy.“Tellme,wheredoesAslanapalive?”

“Idon’tknow,andthat’shonest,”saidthewizenedMr.Hyde.

“Then,”Nancytoldhim,“hecarriedonhisbusinesswithyouawayfromhishouse?”

“That’s right.Wemade all the exchanges in the tailor shop. FortunatelyTonydon’tunderstandEnglishmuchsowecouldsayanythingwewantedtoandheneversuspectedanything.”

Nancy asked him how he got the names of people who wanted to buymasterkeys.Haw-Hawtookalongtimebeforeanswering.

“Igotquiteafewfriendsintheunderworld,”hefinallyanswered.“Iexpectthey’llbemightyupsetwhentheyfindoutI’mnotgoin’todealinthosefancykeysnomore.”

Nancy thought, “And a lot of other people, including the police,will begladtoknowit.”

Haw-HawwentontosaythatNancywasprobablywonderingwhyhewastellingherallthis.Thereasonwasthathehadhadagoodscareawhileagoandithadtaughthimalesson.

“Icould’vedied,”hesaid,“andI’dhatetohavewhatI’vebeentellingyouonmymind.Imighteventellthepolice,”hefinished.

Nancycouldseethattheoldmanwasgettingtired,butbeforeshehadtoleavehim,shewantedtofindouttheanswertoonemorequestion.

“Mr. Hyde, once when I asked you about the mannequin in FaroukTahmasp’swindowyoulaughedatme.”

“Yep, I did,but Iwasn’t laughin’ at you. Iwas recollectin’ aboutFaroukandthatwaxfigure—orwhateveritwas—ofagirlhehadinhiswindow.Theway he used to treat her! I could almost believe he was in love with thatdummy!”

“Whatmadeyouthinkso?”Nancyasked,surprised.

Haw-Hawgrinned.“Why,youknow,sometimeswhenhethoughtnobodyon the street was lookin’ he’d reach in the window and pat that thing andstrokeherhead.OnceIevensawhimkisshercheek.”

Nancyburstintolaughter.Thenshebecameseriousagain.“HaveyouanyideawhereFaroukputthemannequinwhenheleft?”

Haw-Hawlookedsurprised.“You thinkhe leftherbehind?Nosirree.HethoughttoomuchofthatTurkishmannequin.I’msurehetookheralong.”

Just thenanursecameinandsaid that thevisitingperiodwasup.Nancysaidgood-bytotheoldmanandwishedhimaspeedyrecovery.

HernextstopwasRiverHeightsPoliceHead.quarters.

“Why,Nancy,whatapleasantsurprise!”ChiefMcGinnisgreetedher.

BrieflysherelatedwhatHaw-HawHydehadtoldherregardingtheburglarandscimitarincidentatherhouse.

“I’m afraid I was a bit hasty thinking Mr. Hyde would harm me,” sheadded.

“Can’tbetoocarefulinyourkindofwork,”thechiefreplied.

Whenshe reachedhomeNancywentatonce toherbedroomtodosomepacking.Hannahwasalreadythere.“IthoughtI’dgiveyousomehelp,”shesaid.

The housekeeper listened in amazement to the story of Haw-Haw’sconfession.All the timeNancywas talking shewas pulling articles for thetripfromherbureaudrawers.SuddenlyTogobegantobarkwildlyinthefronthall.

“Somebodymustbeontheporch,”saidHannah,“butIdidn’thearthebellring.”

“Maybethebell isoutoforder,”Nancysuggested.“I’llgodownandseewhoitis.”

Asshereachedthefootofthesteps,Togowasjumpingupagainstthedoor,whiningandbarkingfrantically.

Nancyopenedthefrontdoor.AtonceTogodashedoutsideandsprangatahugeBelgianshepherddog!

“Oh,Togowillbetorntobits!”Nancythoughtfranticallyandrushedout.

To her utter astonishment the big dog snarled at Togo but did not attackhim. Instead he glared balefully at Nancy, then jumped on the girl andknocked her down. She tried to get up but he bowled her over again. Thistimeshelandedfacedown.Heplantedhishugefrontpawsonherbackandwithallhisweightheldherthere.

InvainNancytriedtorisebutthemuscularanimalwastoostrongforher.Nowhebegantogrowl.Anymomenthemightsinkhisteethintoher!

“Help!”Nancycriedout.

CHAPTERXVII

“Yok!Yok!”

HANNAH Gruen looked out the window. She was horrified by the sightbelowher.

“OhNancy!”shewailed.

Thehousekeeperhurrieddownthefrontstairwayasfastasshecouldandracedoutthefrontdoor.AssheapproachedtheBelgianshepherdhegrowledmenacingly,whilestillpinningNancytotheground.

SuddenlycouragereturnedtoHannahGruen.Sherushedaroundthecornerof the house towhere a hosewas coiled around a hook in the foundation.Afterquicklyunwindingit,sheturnedonthewaterfullforce,thenhurriedtothefront.

“Sorry togetyouwet,Nancy,”shecalled.“ButIhope thiswilldrive thebeastaway.”

Thedogdidnot like thewaterandkept twistinghishead toavoid it.AsHannahapproachedhimand the streambecamemore forceful, he suddenlyshiftedhisposition.HispawsslippedfromNancy’sback.Shewasfree!

KeepingherbacktoHannah,Nancysteppedoutofthedog’swayuntilshehadreachedthehousekeeper’sside.Theanimal,almostblindedbythehardstreamofwater,graduallyturnedaway,whimperingandgrowlingalternately.Finallyhegaveupanddrippingwetslunkdownthestreet.

Togo had escaped long before this and had hidden behind a largerhododendronbush.Nowhereappeared,rantowardthesidewalk,andbarkedimportantly as if he had been responsible for outwitting the big Belgianshepherd.

HannahlookedatNancy.“You’recertainlyasight.Howdoyoufeel?”

Nancyreplied,“Ifeellikefollowingthatdogtohishouse.ButIdon’thaveto.Iknowwhomhebelongs to. Isawthenameonhiscollar justbeforeheknockedmedown.”

“Whoownssuchafiercebeast?”

“Aslanapa.”

Hannahlookedalarmed.“Themanwiththescimitars?”

The young detective nodded. “Hannah, it seems as if we are calling thepolicemorning,noon,andnight.Butwouldyoumindreportingthatdogandthenameonhiscollar?”

The housekeeper did thiswhileNancywent to take a shower.When shecamedownstairs,Mrs.Gruentoldherthatthepolicehadalreadycapturedthedog.

“Theythinkhewassetonyouonpurpose,”shereported.“Theytracedthedog through its license tagandpickedhimupat thehousewhereAslanapahadbeenliving.Thepolicelearnedthathehadtoldtheboarding-houseownerhewasleaving,butdidnotsaywherehewasgoing.Aslanapahadpackedhisclothes,takenthedogalong,andsaidgood-by.

“The police said this was not unusual, because roomers come and gofrequently.”

Nancy’s brow furrowed in anger. “That man is a heartless crook!” shecried.“Heapparentlyabandonedthedog.”

“It’sagoodthing,”Hannahreplied.“Thepolicesaidthatthedogisakiller—thathehadbeenarmy-trained.Itwasfortunatehedidn’tbiteyou.PerhapshesmelledTogo’sscentonyouand figuredyouweren’tunfriendly.He’satthepoundinsolitaryconfinement.”

Nancy realized how lucky she had been. The dogmight have killed her.She put the frightening incident out of her mind and said, “I wonder ifAslanapa,whenherealizedtherugdidnotcontainvaluablejewels,decidedtogobacktoTurkey.”

TheDrewsreportedthispossibilitytothepolicewhosaidtheywouldstoptheman ifhe tried to leave thecountry.Theywere sure thathe intended tosneakout,probablyunderanassumedname.

Nancy finished her packing, then checked with her friends and with thetravelbureau.Everythingseemedtoberunningsmoothly.Mr.Drewandthefour girls from River Heights were to meet the boys in New York thefollowingafternoon.FromtheretheywouldflytoBrussels,Belgium,thengodirectlytoIstanbul.

ThateveningNancygotintouchwithChiefMcGinnis,buthehadnoleadsonthevanishedAslanapa.ThenextdaywhenNancytoldthefullstorytothe

groupattheNewYorkairport,allofthemweresureherpathandAslanapa’swouldcrossinIstanbul.

“Ihopehewon’tsetanotherferociousdogonyou!”Besssaid.

ThewaitinBrusselswasshortandthetravelersreachedtheIstanbulairportafewhourslater.SundayhadliterallyflownbyandaccordingtoTurkishtimeitwasnearnoononMonday.

Ned spoke up, “Our group is so large, I guess we’ll have to go in twodolmus.”Hegrinnedattheothers.“Thatmeanstaxi.”

Thetourleader,Mr.Randolph,wishedthemallapleasantstayinIstanbul.“Nowyou’reonyourown.”

AllthistimeAishahadbeenlookingaroundforherparents.Suddenlyshesawthem.Theotherssmiledasthecoupleclaspedherintheirarms.ThensheintroducedMr.andMrs.Hatun.Aishalookedjustlikeherprettymother.

The family lived in western Turkey but had arranged for rooms at thehomes of two friends with large houses. The girls would stay at one, Mr.Drewandtheboysattheother.

“Myparentswillspendashorttimehere,”Aishasaid.“Whenyouleave,Iwillgoandmakethemalongvisit.”

After their luggage was assembled, two dolmus were summoned. Mrs.Hatun invited the girls to ridewith her and her daughter. Since themotherspokelittleEnglish,Aishabecametheirguide.

Mr.DrewandtheboysjoinedMr.Hatunintheothertaxi.Theirdriver,whospoke fluent English, introduced himself as a student at the University ofIstanbul. Once theywere on their way, he did not have to be prompted toidentifythefamouslandmarks.

Theairportwasoutof town,butas theyapproachedthecity,bothguidespointedoutamammothcircularwall.“Thatencompassedtheoldcity,”Aishatoldthegirls.

Soon theycame to abridgewhichwasnamed forAtaturk,Turkey’s firstpresident,andcrossedthenarrowstretchofwatercalledtheGoldenHornthatconnectedwiththeBosporusStrait.

ThereweresomanythingstoseeNancycranedherneckthiswayandthatsoasnottomissanything.Sinceitwasnoonhour,thestreetswerecrowdedwithbusinessmen,shoppers,andforeignvisitors.

“I notice there is a preponderance ofmen,”Nancy remarked. “Also that

some of the peasant women wear traditional long black skirts and headscarvesdrawnovertheirfaces.”

Aisha said that while Turkey is now western in its thinking, and hasadopted theclothes,andbusinessandbankingmethodsofEurope,manyoftheoldcustomsremain.

“Oneoftheseisthatmarriedwomenstayintheirhomesagreatpartofthetime. Later on you will probably see some of them in the mosques. Theyusuallycomeingroups.”

Aishadirected theirdriver to twoestateson theoutskirtsof thecity.Thetaxicarryingtheircompanionspulledupbehind.Mr.HatungotoutandwentinsidewithMr.Drewandtheboys.Hereturnedinafewminutesandhistaxifollowedtheother.

Presently theyenteredagatewaywhichwaspart of ahighlyornamentediron fence. They went past lovely gardens with a profusion of roses andfinallycametoalargehouse.ThearchitecturewaslikethatofoldGreece—anoblongbuildingofsmoothstonefrontedwithmanycolumns.

Thegroupgotout.Aishaandhermotherledthewaytothemassivefrontdoor. They used the knocker once and the door was opened by a servantwearingatraditionalTurkishuniform.Hebowedlow.

As the man walked off to announce the new-comers to his master andmistress,BessgrabbedNancy’shandandwhispered,“Oh, isn’t it romantic!I’msogladwedidn’thavetogotoahotel!”

Inafewminutestheirhostandhiswifecamein.TheywerewearingsimpleWestern-style daytime clothes. Aisha introduced them as Mr. and Mrs.Hrozny,oldfriends.

ThecoupleshookhandsandapologizedfornotspeakingEnglishverywell.Mr.Hroznysaid,“Wearehappytohaveyoucome.Wehopeyouwillenjoyyourvisit.”Hiseyestwinkled.“Whichistheyoungladywiththemystery?”

AishapresentedNancy.TheninturnsheintroducedBessandGeorge.

After thevisitorshad freshenedup, theyenjoyedadelicious luncheon. Itconsistedof rice sprinkledwithbitsof lambandservedwithacurrysauce.Thiswasfollowedbysmallbowlsoffruitwithgrapes,figs,anddates.Apinkcustardsaucehadbeenpouredoverthefruit.

Ashorttimelater,Mr.andMrs.Hatunsaidtheymuststartforhome.Whentheyhaddrivenoff,Aishasaid,“Mr.andMrs.Hroznyhaveengagedasmall

bustotakeallofussightseeing.Assoonasyougirlsareready,wewillpickuptheboysandstartourtour.”

Shesmiled.“IsupposethebiggestcluetofindingFaroukistheshoeshinestand. I do not know exactly where any are but we’ll look around thebazaars.”

Thebusdriverwasyoungandveryhandsome.BesswhisperedtoGeorgeandNancy,“Thisplaceissofullofgood-lookingmen,it’sfortunateIhaveadateofmyownor I’dbe tempted toacceptan invitation fromoneof theseTurkishboys.”

“BetternotletDavehearyousaythat,”Georgeadvised.“Unlessyoupickoutaman-nequin.”Theothersgiggled.

They picked up the boys at theKokten home and started their tour.Mr.Drewwentoff tocallona lawschoolacquaintance.The sightseerscrossedtheAtaturkBridgeoncemoreandwentdirectlytooneofthemosques.

“This is called the Suleymaniye Mosque,” Aisha said. “We will not goinside,butIbroughtyouheretoshowyousomethingI’msureyouhaveneverseeninyourcountry.TheKoranstatesthatanyoneenteringthemosquemusthave clean feet. There are several places outside the building for footbathing.”

Therewasaparklikeareaatone sideof thebuilding. In it stooda smallcircular sectiondepressedbelow theground.Therewasa ledgeall thewayaroundformentositon.Belowtheledgewerefaucetsofwater.Fartheron,huggingthesideof themosquewasarowoffaucetswithbenchestositonandbatheone’sfeet.Nearlyallofthemwerefilled.

“Now all these men will go inside and pray,” Aisha said. “You knowMoslemsprayfivetimesaday.”

The visitors left the park and the bus took them to the outskirts of theGrand Bazaar. Aisha ex plained that the shops in it paid rent to the BlueMosque.Excitedlythegroupwalkedtowardthehugeconglomerateofshopsunderonevastroof.Justbeforeenteringit,NancygrabbedNed’sarm.

“Ashoeshinestand!”

In front of a building stood the ornate object with colorful tile insetsdepicting old-time scenes. Apparently they had been taken from Turkishlegend and were framed in a rectangle of gold. On either side of it weregoldenwinglikeprojectionsthatglistenedinthesun.

Theshoeshinemansatbehinditcross-legged.Hesmiledatthegroup.Onimpulse Nancy decided to ask him if he spoke English. If so, she wouldinquireifheknewMr.FaroukTahmasp.

Assheapproachedtheshoeshineman,hestoodup,wavedhisarmswildly,andcriedout,“Yok!Yok!”’

Nancywas puzzled. She askedAishawhatYokmeant andwas told, “anemphaticno.”TheTurkishgirlspoketotheman,thentranslated.“Hethinksyou want to have your shoes shined, but says he never shines a woman’sshoesonherfeet.”

Theshoeshinemanwavedhisarmswildlyandcriedout,“YoklYok!”

TheyoungpeoplesmiledatthemisunderstandingandNancysaid,“Idon’twantmyshoesshined.IwasmerelygoingtoaskifheknowsFarouk.”

TheshoeshinemansaidhehadneverservednorheardofFaroukTahmasp.Whiletheyweretalking,Georgenoticedayoungmanrunningtowardthem.

SheturnedtotheTurkishgirlandasked,“Aisha,isthisFaroukcoming?”

Thegirl looked.Forafewsecondsshedidnotreply.Theotherswatchedtensely. Finally theman drew closer andAisha shook her head. A look ofdisappointmentcrossedherface.

Bess put an arm over the girl’s shoulders. “Cheer up, Aisha,” she said.“We’llfindhimyet.”

TheTurkishgirlsaidnothingandledthewayintothebazaar.Thedinwasdeafening! Bells jangled. Hawkers called out their wares, ranging fromcoppercookingutensilstoleatherluggage.Crowdsofpeople,mostlyTurkishmenandtourists,milledalongthenarrowstreets.Dogsroamedatwill.Thewholeareawaswell-lightedbyunshadedelectricbulbsinmanyoftheopen-frontshops,particularlywheremenwereurgingpassers-bytopurchasetheirjewelry.Thereweremarketswithcutsoflambanddriedfishhangingup,andbakerieswithbaklavaandotherpastries.

The travelers rambled on. They decided to keep close together, becausethereweresomanypeoplecomingandgoing thatonecouldeasilybecomeseparatedfromthegroup.Buteverynowandthenoneofthemwouldpauseto lookat thevarious articles for sale andwouldhave to catchupwith theothers.

Aishabecameconcernedandrequestedthatallofthemstaywiththegroup.Afterwalkingseveralblocks,shecametoahalt.

“Yousayinyourcountryyoucountnoses,”shesaid,smiling.“Iwillnowcountyournoses.”

Besswasnotwiththem.

“Didanyoneseeher?”Daveasked,worried.

“Notlately,”theyalladmitted.

Davesaidnervously,“Shewasrightalongsidemebacktherealittleways.I’llgoandlookforher.”

“Wewillallgo,”saidAisha.

Theypeered intoeveryshopas they retraced their steps.Besswasnot inanyofthemnorwassheonthestreet.Herfriendsbecamegenuinelyalarmed.

CHAPTERXVIII

BazaarKidnapping

ABOUTfifteenminutesbeforethesearchforBesshadbegun,shehadbeenintriguedbyaperfumeshoponastreetcornerinthebazaar.

Theownerpeeredfromthedoorwayather.“Comein,lady,”heinvited.“Igiveyoufreesample.”

Asamixtureofdelightfulscentsdriftedoutside,Besssaidtoherself,“Theplacesmellsheavenly.Ifhisperfumesarethisgood,Ireallyshouldbuysometotakehome.”

She stepped inside. Therewere shelves on three sides of the room filledwithlargebottles.Onacounterstooddozensofsmallglassflaconsencasedingoldfiligree.

“Youpick,”themansaidtoBess.“Iputperfumeinbottle.”

HetookdownseveralofthelargejarsandwithalongglassrodbegantodaubvariousscentsonBess’sarms.

“Whichyoulike?”theshopkeeperasked.

Manyofthescentssmelledlikespicesmixedwithflowers.Besslikedthemallandcouldnotmakeuphermindwhichonetobuy.

“They’realllovely,”shesaid,sniffingatonebottle,thenanother.

Meanwhile themanreachedunder thecounterandbroughtoutamidget-sizedbottleofperfume.HehandedittoBess.“MycomplimentstoladyfromtheUnitedStates,”hesaid,bowing.“Youwilllike.”

Bessgiggledasshe thankedhim.“AndI thinkIwillbuy thisscent,”shesaid,pointingtoanareaononearmjustbelowherelbow.

“Verygoodtaste,”theperfumedealerremarked.“Verygoodindeed.”

Forthefirst timeBessbecameawareoftheman’slooks.Hewastallandslenderandhadverywhite skin.Heworea tinymustacheandhishairwasdarkandwavy.

“YouareTurkish?”sheasked.

Theshopkeepersmiled.“IamhalfTurkish,halfFrench.Myfather—heisperfumemakerinFrance.Ilearnedfromhim.”

“Doyoumakeallthesekindsyourself?”Bessinquired.

“Yes.”

HepouredoutthescentBesshadchosenintoagoldfiligreebottle.Beforehe finished, a boy of about seventeen came into the shop. He addressedhimselftoBess.

“Pardon,mademoiselle.Iwassenttotellyouyourpartyiswaiting.”

“Oh,thankyou,”saidBess.Shetoldtheperfumedealershewouldbebacktobuymoreperfume,paidforherpurchase,andstartedfromtheshop.

“Ishowyouwhereyourpartyis,”theboysaid.

ForthefirsttimeBessrealizedshehadbeenintheperfumestoreforsometime.Presentlyherescortpointedupasidestreet.“Yourpartyinshopthere.Come!”

Bess hurried along after him. It seemed like a longway up the coveredstreet of the bazaar. Finally he stopped before a display of Turkish rugsbehindanirongrillwork.

SuddenlyBessbecamesuspicious.Shedidnotseeherfriendsanywhere.

Theboymusthaveguessedherthoughtsbecausehesaid,“Yourpartylookatpicturesinbackroomandtalktoman.”

BesscranedherneckandthoughtshesawGeorge’sback.ItoccurredtoherthatNancyhadinvestigatedtherugshopandperhapshadfoundFarouk!Asshe stepped into the outer room of the shop, her escort slammed the irongratingdoorwayshutandlockedit.Grabbingthekey,hecalledtosomeoneintherearroominTurkish.

Besswas terrified.Shewanted to screambutnota soundcame fromherthroat.Shehadbeendeliberatelytrapped.Butwhy?Andwhowasinbackofit?

Amoment latershefoundout.Ayoungmancameto theouterroom.HelookedatBess,gavealowsardonicchuckle,thensaid,“YouareherebecauseyouarefriendofNancyDrew.YouwillbeprisonerofmyfamilyuntilIgettreasurehiddeninsidethemannequinbelongingtoFaroukTahmasp.”

Besswasshakinglikealeafbutshemanagedtostutter,“I—Idon’tknowanything about a treasure andwe didn’t find themannequin.What do you

wantwithme?”

ThemanstaredatBessalongtimeasifhedidnotknowwhethertobelieveherornot.Finallyheshrugged.“Itdoesnotmatter.YouwillstayhereuntilIgetit!”

Besswasinapanic.Shemustescape.Buthow?

Justthenawomanappearedandescortedherintotherearroom.Theonlyotherpersontherewasalittlegirlofaboutten,whoevidentlywasherchild.Onatableinonecornerstoodatelephone.Theoldermanpointedtoit.

“TelephoneNancyDrewand tell her tomeet you at thebighotel on thehill.”

Bess’sheartleapedwithjoy.Shefiguredthatthemanhadhadachangeofheart and soon would let her go free since she did not know where themannequinorthetreasurewas.

“SaynothingmorethanwhatItoldyou,”themandirected.

He handed Bess a telephone book and after a struggle she found thenumberof theHroznyhouse.Shepointed it out to themanwhoput in thecall.Assoonassomeoneanswered,hemotionedtoBesstoreply.

ToherdelightDavewasontheotherend.Ifonlyshecouldtellhimwhathadhappened!Butshedidnotdare.Shegavehimthemessageexactlyasshehadbeentold.

“Where are you?What happened?” Dave replied in bewilderment. “I’vebeenworriedaboutyou.”

Bessglancedathercaptorandrepeatedthemessage,thenheputdownthephone.

Deeplyworriedabouthisdate’swhereabouts,Davewaitedimpatientlyforoneoftheothersinthegrouptocall.IthadbeenarrangedthathewouldhurrytotheHroznyhouseonachancethatBess,havingbecomeseparatedfromtherestofthegroup,mighthavereturnedthere.

Nancy was to telephone later to find out. In the meantime they wouldcontinuethesearchinthebazaar.Bess’sfriendsqueriedvariousshopkeepersandsomeAmerican tourists,butnoneof themhadseenagirl fittingBess’sdescription.Herfriendsbecamemoreandmorealarmed.

Aishahadgoneofftomakesomeinquiriesinhernativetongue,hopingforsomecluetoBess’swhereabouts.Shereturnedtoreportavainsearchalso.

“It’s about time to callDave,” saidNancy. “Aisha,wherewillwe find aphone?”

TheTurkishgirlledherintoashopthatsoldallkindsofleathergoods—saddles, riding boots, purses and luggage.Aishamade the call.Nancywasrelievedwhenshesawasmilebreakoverthegirl’sface.

“Bessishome?”sheaskedasAishaputdownthephone.

“No, but she wants to meet you at the big hotel overlooking the city. Isupposeshedidn’tknowthenameofit.”Suddenlyalookofconcerncrossedthegirl’sface.“DavesaidBessgavenoexplanationforherdisappearance—justrepeatedthemessage.”

“That’snotlikeBess,”saidNancy.

“Whatifshe’sintrouble!”Georgeremarkedfearfully.

“Iknowthebazaariscrowdedandit’seasytobecomeseparated,”Nancyputin,“butweweren’twalkingveryfastandIdon’tseewhyBesscouldn’thavecaughtuptouseasily.I’mterriblyworriedabouther.”

Burtfrowned.“DoyouthinkthephonecallDavetookcouldhavebeenahoax?”

“Not necessarily,”Nancy replied. “But someonemay have forced her tomakeit.Ihaven’tanyideawhowouldwanttokidnapBessorwhy.IfBessisreallyatthehotelI’llbethemostrelievedpersonintheworld.”

Itwasapretty sombergroup thatmade itswayby taxis through thecityandupthehilltotheattractivehotelthatoverlookedthecityanditsbeautifulharbor.Nancyandher friendsquicklyalightedfromthe taxisandwent intothespaciouslobby.BessMarvinwasnotinsight.

“JustasIsuspected,”Nancythought.

Davearrivedinafewminutes.“Isshehere?”heaskedquickly.

“No.”

Thedistraughtboybeganpacingthefloornervously.“Whereisshe?”Hecaught the worried expressions on the faces of the others. “Has somethinghappenedthatIdon’tknowabout?Tellme.”

Nancy said, “It’s only a hunch—and I hope I’m wrong—but I’m afraidBessisbeingheldprisonersomewhereandwon’tcome.”

“Thenwhydidsheaskyoutomeetherhere?”Davewantedtoknow.

“Wemaygetanothermessage,”Nancyanswered.“I think thatas longasweall stay together, there isnotmuch likelihoodofamessengercoming tome. I suggest that you all scatter and hide in advantageous places. If astranger does come to talk to me or deliver a note, you boys follow him.Please.”

The young people sauntered off and disappeared fromview, some insidethebuilding,therestoutside.

Fifteenminuteswentby.Nancy,seatedinachairfacingtheentrancetothehotel,had justbegun towonder ifher theorywaswrongwhenaboyaboutseventeenyearsoldapproachedher.Hebowedpolitely.

“Pardon,mademoiselle. Ihaveseenpicturesofyou.YouareMissNancyDrewfromRiverHeightsofUSA?”

“Yes.”

“Someoneadmiresyouverymuch.Heaskedmetobringamessage.”

Fromhisshabbypockethepulledasmallletter.WithanotherlittlebowhehandedittoNancy,thenwithoutsayinggood-byhurriedoff.

Nancyjumpedup,hersuspicionsthoroughlyaroused.Shedidnotwait toreadtheletter.InsteadshespottedNednearapillarandquicklygavehimthehighsigntofollowtheboy.Sheherselfhurriedout thedoor.Georgewasatherheels.

“Whoishe?”sheaskedNancy.

Theyoungdetectivedidnotreply.ShehadseenamanemergefromataxiandgoaftertheTurkishboy.Sherecognizedhim.

“George!”criedNancy.“That’sAslanapa!I’llbethesawus.He’sgoingtowarn that messenger he’ll be followed and not to reveal where Bess ishidden!”

CHAPTERXIX

AnArrest

ASLANAPAwasfleet-footed,butbeforehecouldovertakethemessenger,heapparentlyrealizedthatNed,Burt,andDavewereaftertheboy.Thebearded,mustachedsuspectsuddenlyturnedandwentdownthesidestreet.

Atrafficpolicemanstoodonthecorner.Aishaspoketohim,brieflytellinghim that one of their partymight have been kidnapped. “We think that themanwewerechasingmaybe theguiltyperson.”Atonce theofficerbeganrunningwiththegirls.

“Therehegoes!”Georgecriedout.“Intothatgarden!”

Thepursuersrushedinafterhimandtheofficerfoundtheman,croucheddown,hidingbehindsomelow-growingevergreens.

“He’stheoneallright!”Nancysaid,seeingagoldfiligreebraceletstuddedwithturquoiseononearm.“HisnameisAslanapa.”

Thesuspect,realizinghewascornered,wassilent.

Nancywenton,“Officer,IaccusethismanofhavingenteredmyhomeintheUnitedStatesandof trying to steala special rugmadehere in Istanbul.Laterhecamebackandleftascimitartofrightenme.”

George spoke up. “He was making scimitars and master keys to sellwithoutalicenseandwaswantedbythepoliceintheUnitedStates.”

Nancyadded,“Oneofthegirlsinourgrouphasdisappeared.Wethinkheisholdinghersomewhere,probablyforransom.”

Rememberingthenoteinherpocket,shereaditquicklyandsaid,“Hereisa message ordering me to give information about a treasure secreted in amannequin.Otherwisemykidnappedfriendwillnotbereleased.”

Aslanapapanickedandtriedtoclimboveragardenwallnearhim.Buttheofficerdraggedhimbackandheldontightly.

“Iwillrequestmysuperiortosendapolicecar,”theofficersaid.“Pleasetowatchtheprisoner.”

NancyandGeorgemovedclosertoAslanapawhilethepolicemanusedhisshort-waveradiotocallheadquarters.

Aslanapa’sfacewaslivid.HiseyesboredintoNancy’sashesaid,“Youcanprovenothingagainstme!”

Just then they saw a police car coming up the street. The policemanmarchedAslanapa out of the garden and the others followed. At the sametimeataxipulledup.InitwereBess,Ned,Burt,andDave!

“Bess!”Georgeshrieked.

TheyoungpeoplegotoutofthetaxiandNedpaidthedriver.

“You’reallright?”Georgeaskedhercousin.

“Iamnow,”Bess replied.Thenshecaught sightof theprisoner.QuicklyNancytoldherwhohewas.

“Aslanapa!”Besscriedout.Pointingherfingerathim,sheadded,“You’retheonewhoengineeredmykidnapping!”

“Tellusaboutit,”Nancybegged.

Thetrafficofficersaidhemustreturntohispost.Thetwowhohadcomeinthepolicecarwouldtakecareoftheprisoner.

Atherfriends’urging,Bess toldof thekidnapping.“TheboywholiedtomeaboutwhereyouallhadgoneandlockedmeinisAslanapa’sbrother.Hecamebacktotheplaceafterdeliveringthelettertoyou,Nancy.

“ItoldthepeopleattherugshopIhadneverheardofsuchatreasureandthatwehadn’tfoundthemannequin,”Besswenton,“buttheydidn’tbelieveme.IwonderedhowlongIwouldhavetostay.”

Besslookedgratefullyatthethreeboys.“JustwhenIwasfeelingaboutaslowasIcould,”shesaid,“Aslanapa’sbrotherreturned.Whenheunlockedthedoorandlethimselfin,Dave,BurtandNedjumpedhim.Davegrabbedmyhandandsaid,‘Comeon!’andweallranlikemadoutofthatbazaar.”

ThetwoofficerswrotedownthenamesofBessandNancyandrequestedthattheycometopoliceheadquartersatonce.

“Wherearewegoingtofindyourdad?”Nedasked.“I’dsayweneedtheservicesofalawyer.”

Aisha offered to telephone theKokten home. FortunatelyMr. Drewwasthereandamazedatwhathadtakenplace.

“I’llcomedirectlytopoliceheadqurters.”

Theothershadtowaitashortwhileforhim.Whenhecame,Aishasmiledat Mr. Drew. “There are many legal problems when a foreign tourist isinvolved,”shesaid.“Iamsogladthatyouareanattorney.”

The Turkish authorities expressed embarrassment that one of theircountrymen had abducted an American citizen and acted so badly in theUnitedStates.Aslanapaandhisfamilyhadbeenarrested.TheofficershurriedwiththenecessaryproceduressoBessandtheDrewscouldleave.Bythetimethey were over, everyone in the group, including Mr. Drew, said he wasstarving.

“Let’sgobacktothatlovelyhotelandhavelunch,”Nancyproposed.

Theywalkedtoitandateheartilywhilediscussingthelatesteventsinthemystery. After the serious subjects had been discussed, Bess came in forplenty of teasing including a gibe from Burt that of all the pretty girls inIstanbul,Aslanapahadtopickhertotakeintohisfamily!ShemadeafaceatBurt.

Georgegrinned.“Youhadyourwish.YoumetahandsomeTurkishman!”

During the exchange of banterNancy noticed thatwhileAisha smiled atthejokes,shehadasortofsweet-sadexpression.

“HermindisonFarouk,”Nancythought.“Imusthelpher!”

PresentlyshecalledtoAisha,“Areyoureadyforsomemoresightseeing?We’lllookforshoeshinestandsandrugshopstoseeifwecanlocateFarouk.”

“Thatwould bewonderful,” theTurkish girl replied. “But first Iwant totakeyoutotheBlueMosque.”

Aisha managed to locate the private bus in which they had started themorning’ssightseeingtrip.Whenitarrived,theyallboardeditandthedriverwentdirectlytotheBlueMosque.

“Seethesevendomesframedbythosetallspires?”Aishasaid.“Thesultanwho built them kept adding one after another so that he would always beaheadofanyothersultan.Nooneevermatchedthenumberseven.”

Atthemaindoorthevisitorsremovedtheirshoes.Itwasdimintheinteriorbut presently their eyes became accustomed to it. At the far end of themosque, men were on their knees, their foreheads close to the floor. Theywerepraying.

Some distance behind themwas a group of Turkishwomen in the same

position. Theywore long black dresseswith full sleeves that covered theirarmscompletelyandtheirlargeblackveilsentirelyhidtheirhairandfaces.

“Thewomen are not allowed to go up front until themen leave,”Aishaexplained.

Thevisitorsstoodstill,lookingupattheexquisitearchedceiling,withitsmosaic pattern, much of it in gold. The boys were awed by the electriccandleswhichwereseventy-sevenfeethigh.

Nancy was intrigued by the gorgeous prayer rugs that lay on the flooraround her. Therewas enough light from the doorway for her to study thepatterninoneofthem.Amomentlatershesawsomethingthatexcitedher.

ShewhisperedtoAisha,“Inthatrug,partofthepatternlookslikemarblecolumnsrisingoutofwater.”

As Aisha nodded, Nancy said, “In the rug that Farouk sent there wassomethinglikethat.Iadmit,Ididn’tthinkithadanysignificance,butmaybeitdoes.”

“Oh,Ibelieveitdoes,”Aishasaid.“ItcouldindicatetheGreatCistern.”

“Where’sthat?”Nancyasked.

AishasaiditwasinIstanbul.Theywouldgothereatonce.“ItmightmeantheplacewhereFaroukwasgoingtomeetus!”

Shemotionedtotheotherstoleavethemosque.Whentheywereinthebusoncemore, shedirected thedriver to take them to theGreatCistern.AishaexplainedthatitwasanenormousundergroundreservoirandhadbeenbuiltinthefourthcenturybyConstantinetheGreat.

“Atthattimetherewasmuchjealousyamongthesultansandnationsandwars were going on. The sultan in Istanbul was afraid the city might bebesieged, and though the people could hold out for a long time behind thegreatwall,iftheydidnothavewatertodrink,theywoulddie.Watercominginto it underground could not be cut off by the enemy. The cistern wasenlargedinthesixthcenturybytheEmperorJustinian.”

Despite Aisha’s interesting story, the others were not prepared for thetremendous sight they found at the foot of a stone stairway.The placewaslike a gigantic swimming poolwith columns rising from the bottom to thefloorofthebuildingaboveit.

“Wow!”Burt exclaimed. “There’s enoughwater in here to keep awholearmyfromgettingthirsty!”

Aisha smiled. “I understand that inoldendays thewaterwasdeeper. It’srathershallownow.Youmightbeinterestedinthedimensionsofthisplace.It’sfourhundredandtwentybytwohundredfeetandithasthreehundredandthirty-sixcolumns.”

“Isitstillused?”Nancyasked,goingtotheedgeandlookingdownintotheclearwater.

“No,notanymore.ButinanemergencyIsupposeitcouldbe.”

Ned remarked about the ceiling which was fluted and arched betweencolumns.Theotherslookedup.

Everyone was so intent on the exquisite architecture that they failed tonotice a figure slinking toward them. Quick as a flash he came up behindNancyandgaveherahardpush.

Shetumbledintothecisternandhitthesideofherheadonthebottom!

CHAPTERXX

MissionAccomplished

THEREwerecriesofdismayasNancy’sfriendsrealizedshehadhitherhead.Like a flash Ned was in the water to rescue her.When he finally broughtNancyout,sheappeareddazed.

“Oh,”wailedBess,“we’dbettertakehertoahospitalatonce!”

MeanwhileBurt andDavehad run after the boywhohadpushedNancyintotheGreatCistern.Theycaughthimatthetopofthestairwayanddraggedhim back to the group. He struggled violently, threatening them in bothTurkishandEnglish.

InthedimlighttheAmericanshadnotrecognizedtheboy,buttheinstantBesssawhimshecriedout,“Aslanapa’sbrotherMustafa!Theonewholuredmetotheshop!”

Mustafaglaredatthegroup.“NancyDrewdeservedwhatshegot.Shehadnorighttoputmybrotherinjail!”

BythistimeNancywassittinguponthefloor.Shedeclaredtherewasnoneedforhertogotoahospitaloreventoseeadoctor.

“Iguessthewaterbrokethefullimpactofmyfall,”shesaid.“IdidhitmyheadandI’llhavesomeblack-and-bluemarks,butI’msureI’llbeallright.”

Sherubbedthesideofherheadvigorouslytopepupthecirculation.

Presentlyshelookedupattheboyprisoner.“YouknowaswellasIdothatyourbrotherhadno right tokidnapmyfriend.Youarewhatwecall inourcountryanaccessoryafterthefact,butIdon’tknowwhatthelawhereisinsuchcases.”Shelookedupatherfather.“Doyou,Dad?”

“No,Idon’t,”headmitted.“RightnowI’mmoreconcernedaboutyouthantheselawbreakers.Thepolicewillhavetodealwiththem.IsuggestthatBurtandDaveandAishatakethisboydirectlytoheadquarters.Therestofuswilldrivebacktowherewe’restaying.Bythattime,Nancy,youwillknowhowyoufeel.You’llwanttoshowerandputonfreshclothes.Nedtoo.”

Nancystoodupandtheywalkedtowardthestairway.Comingdownwasa

handsomeyoungman.Seeingthem,herushedforward.

ThenextmomentAishacriedout,“Farouk!”

She leaped forward tomeet him and the two embraced. The others heldbacktogiveAishaandFaroukachancetotalkprivately.

Besswasinecstasy.“Theyfoundeachother!”shesaidhappily.“Oh,whatawonderfulendingtothemystery!”

Georgeremindedherthatoneangleofthemysteryhadnotyetbeensolved—thatofthemysteriousmannequin.

“Butitwillbesoon,”Bessinsisted.

“I’ve been wondering,” said Nancy, “how Farouk knew we were downhere.”

AtthatmomentAishabroughtherfiancéovertointroducehim.Hebowedandsaid,“Myhopeshavebeenrealized.EverydayIhavebeenpassing theshoeshinestandsinthisvicinityandcomingdownheresinceImailedtherugto Mr. Drew! I knew that one day Aisha and I would find each other. Iunderstand I have every one of you to thank for this reunion.Mr. Drew, Iwanttoapologizeforrunningaway.IwasfrightenedofbeingsenttooneofyourAmericanprisons,eventhoughIwasinnocent.Ishouldhavehadmorefaithinthejusticeofyourcourts.”

Aishaspokeup.“IhavetoldFaroukthathewasprovedinnocent.”

“That’sright,”Mr.Drewagreed.“ThetroubleaboutthesmugglingchargestartedoverhereinTurkey.Itwasacaseofmistakenidentity.”

Farouk looked gratefully at the lawyer, then put an arm around Aisha.“Nowwecanmarry,”hesaid.

Aishasmiledhappilyandsaid,“WouldyouallmindifFaroukandIspendalittletimetogetherandmeetyoulater?”

Mr.Drewnodded.“Wewouldn’thaveitanyotherway.Ishallreserveabigtablefordinnerintheroofrestaurantofthehotelthatyouliked.Thenwecanexchangestories.Shallwesayeighto’clock?”

Everyoneacceptedtheinvitation,buttoherselfBesswassaying,“Inevercan last until eight o’clock to eat. But maybe I can find something at theHroznys’house.”

Herhungerproblemwassolvedbytheirhostesswhensheinvitedthemalltoassembleinthegardenforafive-o’clockteahour.

AfterNancyhadbathedandrestedforawhile,sheinsistedthatshefeltfineandherunexpecteddipintheGreatCisternhadnotreallyharmedher.

While theywere eatingMrs.Hrozny’s pastries,most of them sweetenedwithhoneyandfilledwithnutsanddates,anddrinkingthedeliciousteafromtheBlackSeaarea,thegirlsbroughtheruptodateonthemystery.

“Isn’titromanticthewayAishafoundFarouk,orshallIsayFaroukfoundAisha!”Bessexclaimed.

TheTurkishwomansmiled.“IamhappyforAisha.Sheisabravegirl.ItwasveryhardforhertobepartedfromFarouk.”

Georgementioned thedinnerplans for the evening.Mrs.Hrozny smiled.“Mr.Drewhasalreadytelephonedandextendedaninvitationtomyhusbandandme.HehasalsoinvitedourfriendstheKoktens.”

“I’mglad,”saidNancy.“Youhavehadapartinthismysterytoo.”

Mr.Drewhadengagedaprivatediningroom.Alongtablehadbeensetup.A beautiful bouquet of roses stood in the center with trailing vines of ivyreachingallthewaydowntoeachend.

Aisha and Farouk were the last to arrive. Both appeared in colorfulcostume. He wore satin knee-breeches, long socks, and fancy shoes withcurled-uptoes.Onhisheadwasanornamentedturbansuchassultansusedtowear.

Aisha had on pale-blue pantaloons, slippers with curled-up toes, and aceriseblouse.Woundaroundherheadandacrossherfacewithonlyhereyesshowingwasawhitescarf,whichsheremovedbeforesittingdown.

Everyone clapped and there were compliments of “You look beautiful!”“Youlookhandsome!”

The happy couple smiled and Aisha said, “We thought these costumesmightbeappropriatefortheoccasion.Wewantedtoshowyouhowgratefulwearethatthemysteryissolved.”

Mr.Drewhadarrangedplacecards,puttinghimselfatoneendwithMrs.Hroznyathis rightandonhis leftMrs.Kokten.Nancywasassigned to theotherendof the tablewithMr.Hroznyonher rightandMr.Koktenonherleft.Therestoftheguestswereseatedinbetween,withthebride-andgroom-to-befacingthecenterofthetableononeside.

During dinner therewas lively chatter among the guests, but as soon asdesserthadbeenfinished,Faroukstoodup.

“Iwanttotakethisopportunityofthankingeveryoneagain.Throughyouourprayerswere answered.”He turned and lookeddirectly atNancy. “YouweretheprimemoverinbringingAishahere.AfterIfled,IrealizedIwouldneverbehappyuntilshewaswithme.ButIsawnochanceofthis.Ididnotdarecommunicatewithher.Iamdescendedfromalonglineofproudpeople,theTahmasps.However,IwantedtotellwhereIwashidingandthoughtuptheideaoftherug.”

Hesmiled.“Mr.Drewseemed like the logicalperson towhomtosend itandhecould tellmehowmycasecameout.He isaverygood lawyerandthenIhadheardhisdaughterisanexcellentamateurdetective.IthoughtshecouldfigureoutthroughthewordsandsymbolsintherugwhereIcouldbefound.”

Atthattherewerecheersandclappingforhalfaminute.

Farouk sat down.When the applause had died down,George called out,“Onepartofthemysteryhasnotbeensolved.Willyoupleasetelluswherethemannequinisandifthereisatreasurehiddeninher.”

FaroukandAishaexchangedglances,thenAishastoodup.Hereyesweretwinklingasshesaid,“I’mgoingtoaskNancytotellyou.Shefigureditoutsometimeagoandspoketomeaboutitonedaywhenwewentforadrive.Iadmitted she was right and asked that she keep the secret until we hadFarouk’spermissiontorevealit.”

AsAishasatdown,Nancygotup.SheglancedatherTurkishfriend,whogaveherawink.“Aishawasthemannequin!”

Nancy’sfriendslookedattheyoungdetectiveinutterastonishment.FinallyNedsaid,“Howintheworlddidyoufigurethatout?”

Nancy said that her suspicions had been aroused by her recollection thataboutsixyearsagoshewassurethatthemannequinhadwinkedather.

“Even though I went back to the shopwindow and stared at her severaltimesandsheneverblinked,Icouldnotgetitoutofmymind.ThenIlearnedfromneighborsthatthemannequinwasneverinthewindowforlongperiods.ThisseemedalittlestrangetomeandIbegantowonderifitwasbecauseshemightbearealpersonandthereforeunabletoposeforlongatatime.

“You recall the slippers thatwere under the trap door in the back of theshop?They definitely indicated someone hadwalked in thembut not far. Ifigured that perhaps themannequinwalked through the shop. Then Faroukwould liftheruponto thebenchandcoverher lapwitha rug.By theway,

Aisha hid her costume under the trap door.When Farouk took it away heforgottheslippers.”

Nancysmiled.“IwaspuzzledastowhyFaroukcouldloveamannequinsomuchthathewouldwantherbroughtfromAmericatoTurkey.Ofcourseitmighthavebeenbecausehehadhiddenjewelsorsomethingelseinher.Buttakingher abroadwouldnot be feasible.Customofficialswouldbe sure tofindanythingsecreted.”

Nancy’s listeners were dumbfounded. Finally Ned spoke up, “One daywhenwewereonatripuptheriveryousketchedanimaginarypictureofthemannequin’sface.Ididn’tpaymuchattentiontoitexcepttonoticeshewasverybeautiful.DidyouthinkshelookedlikeAisha?”

Nancylaughed.“Onlytheeyes.”

“Youareamazing,”Mr.Hroznysaid.

Everyoneclappedandcalledoutcompliments toNancyas she sat down.Whenitwasquietagain,GeorgeturnedtoFarouk,“Pleasedon’tkeepmeinsuspenseanylonger.Wasthereorwastherenotatreasureinvolved?”

Once again Farouk got up. “In a way, there was. Aisha became mymannequintohelpprotectit.”

TheyoungTurkishrugdealerwentontosaythatmanypeoplecametohisshopandbroughtcash.Oftenitamountedtoathousanddollars.Hislistenersgasped.

“Nodoubt Iwas foolish,”Farouk said, “not toput themoney in abank.Several times I had been robbed of small amounts of money. One of thethieveswasAslanapa. Iknowhesuspected Ihad largesumsaround. ItwasthenthatIarrangedforAishatokeepthemoneyinherclotheswhileshewasposingasamannequin.Fortunatelynooneeversuspectedoursecret.WhenIfeltIhadtofleetheUnitedStates,Isewedallthemoneyinmyownclothingandbroughtitwithme.”

AtthatpointMr.Drewtookanenvelopefromhispocket,lefthischair,andcameovertoFarouk’sside.

“Youleftmoneywithmetopayformyservices,”hesaid.“Itwasfartoomuch.Iamgladnowtodeliverittoyou.”Hesmiled.“Maybeyouwillwanttouseitforamementotoputinyournewhome.”

Faroukinsisteditshouldbeusedtopayforthelawyer’striptoIstanbul,butMr.Drewwouldnothearofthis.“Youkeepit.”

Aishaspokeup.“Themostwonderfulmementowecouldhavewouldbeafinepaintingofallyoupeoplewhohelpedtosolvethemystery.”

ThemerementionofthewordmysteryquickenedNancy’spulse,andfilledhermindwithquestions.Whatwouldhernextadventurebe?Would it takeherfarfromhome?Herquestionswereansweredafewdayslaterwhenshewasaskedtoinvestigateanotherpuzzlingcase,TheCrookedBanister.

ItwasonlyFarouk’snextremarkthatjoltedtheprettydetectivebacktothepresent.“InthispaintingIwantNancyDrewtohavetheplaceofhonorinthemiddleforhavingbroughtmymannequintome.”