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How dreadful! Nancy exclaimed






 

George, who had been driving, was unbuckling her seat belt. The safety belts and shoulder straps the cousins were wearing had saved them from being thrown against the windshield.

Bess was quivering with fright, but George was angry. That crazy driver! she said indignantly. He suddenly came whizzing across the street and smashed into us! I dont need a doctor! Just a new car!

Mr. Drew said, Im sorry about this, girls, but fortunately you seem to be all right. Nevertheless, I insist that you have your family doctor look you over. Nancy, suppose you take Bess and George inside and call Dr. Clifford.

By this time the Drews housekeeper, kindly Hannah Gruen, had come from the house to see what the commotion was.

Recognizing Bess and George, she said worriedly, My goodness! What happened?

Mr. Drew answered. George can explain later. Right now, will you notify the police to come at once? Ill go over and see if I can do anything for that man.

Hannah hurried into the house and called headquarters. Then she dialed Dr. Cliffords number. The girls had followed her. Bess, a blonde, was naturally pink-cheeked, but now she looked like a ghost. George nervously paced the floor, though she said her legs felt like rubber.

Please sit down, George, urged Nancy, and try to relax.

Just then a police car arrived. Nancy ran outside to join her father. He introduced officers Hampton and Russo.

This young man, said Mr. Drew, lost control of his car. He seems to be in bad shape.

Officer Hampton leaned over to examine the man. He straightened up and nodded. Youre right, Mr. Drew. I believe this guy is under the influence of some drug. Probably he passed out before he hit the other car.

A moment later Dr. Clifford drove up. The officers asked him to give his opinion about the victim. After a quick examination, the physician agreed with Hamptons diagnosis and declared the young man should go to the hospital at once.

Well take him there, said Russo.

Meanwhile Hampton had been making notes and snapping pictures of the two cars. He helped Russo lift the victim into the police car.

Mr. Drew, he called, will you phone a towing company to haul these cars away at once? Theyre blocking the street. If you have no luck, let me know.

Ill be glad to, the lawyer replied.

Russo said they would return as soon as possible from the hospital, and get a statement from Bess and George.

When the others entered the house, the cousins greeted Dr. Clifford with hugs. He had brought them both into the world and they were very fond of him.

The doctor chuckled. You girls dont seem very sick, he said, but let me examine you. Mr. Drew left the room. In a few minutes the physician said, No broken bones or sprains. Nevertheless, its bed for you, Bess and George, as soon as the police talk with you. Id say go now, but I suppose the law has to come first!

Shortly after he had left, the two officers returned. Officer Hampton did the questioning while his partner took notes. The session was soon over and the men left.

Bess and George went to bed, but Nancy and her father stayed up to wait for the towing company truck. It was midnight when they turned out the lights and retired.

The evenings excitement had interrupted the discussion of Mr. Drews case and the suspicious personals in the Florida newspaper. But immediately after church the next morning it was resumed.

Nancy, what was it you were going to tell me last night about the coded message? he asked.

I think Ive figured out the first one you showed me. The message in it is, Son wishes money.

It could be, her father agreed. What method were you using?

His daughter smiled. Words 1, 5, 9, and 13.

The other girls were intensely interested.

Bess had picked up the second personal and tried to make sense out of it. She wrinkled her forehead. What in the world does Natural antidote special asthma mean?

Nothing, Nancy replied, but how about using only the first letters of those words?

George exclaimed, They spell NASA!

The others looked at Nancy in astonishment, and Bess cried out, NASA? The National Aeronautics Space Administration?

Yes, the young sleuth answered. I believe it refers to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida!

Mr. Drew looked grim. Now Im convinced the personals relate to my case, he said. Explosives were shipped into the base hidden inside oranges in sacks. I must get down there at once! I was wondering if

As her father paused, a thought raced through Nancys mind. Was he debating if he should take her along?


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