The Swami's Ring Read Free Page B

“It just isn’t true, but I can’t seem to convince anyone, including the mayor of River Heights!”
    “But he’s your friend, Dad.”
    “He is, but he’s also in an awkward situation with Castleton, since both communities have been working together on some environmental issues.”
    Nancy took a deep breath. “I’ll help you,” she said.
    “No, Nancy, I think it’s better if you don’t. A number of unexplained things have happened to the Jansen troupe, and I’m afraid something could happen to you.”
    “You know I can take care of myself,” Nancy pleaded.
    “I would feel better if you just contented yourself with the amnesia patient.”
    The firmness in his voice told Nancy she ought not to push him on the subject.
    It’s the first time Dad has ever told me to quit on something before I even started, Nancy said to herself.
    Worse than that, her own father needed her help, but would not accept it!

4
    Suspect?
    “Nancy, I don’t want you to worry about me or the festival,” Mr. Drew said.
    “But Dad—”
    He raised his hand as if he didn’t want to hear another word.
    “I have two complimentary tickets to the festival tomorrow evening. Perhaps you’d like to take Ned.”
    Nancy’s face lit up into a smile immediately.
    “Promise me, though, you’ll just enjoy the performance. No investigating, okay?”
    “Whatever you say, Dad.”
    She leaped out of her chair to call her friend, Ned Nickerson, who was home on vacation from Emerson College. At first Nancy was tempted to mention her father’s predicament, but she refrained as Mr. Drew strode past her.
    Instead, she conveyed the invitation, adding in a whisper, “I have a lot to tell you, too.”
    “In that case,” Ned said, “how can I resist?”
    It was decided that he would stop by for Nancy at seven-thirty the next evening. In the meantime, she had several things to discuss with Bess and George.
    “Hello. Is George there?” Nancy said, after dialing the number of the Fayne household.
    To her surprise, the girl was not home.
    Maybe she went to see Bess, Nancy surmised. She was about to call the Marvin number when the doorbell rang.
    “I’ll get it,” Nancy announced, dropping the receiver.
    It was the two cousins.
    “When we didn’t hear from you, we figured something must’ve happened,” Bess said.
    “Right?” George asked.
    “Right,” Nancy said. “Come on in.”
    While she cut pieces of Hannah’s peach pie for each girl, she told them everything that had occurred after they left Rosemont Hospital.
    “Fortunately, I still have Cliffs ring,” Nancy concluded, excusing herself to get it.
    When she returned to the kitchen, she was also holding her magnifying glass. The trio took turns examining the ring. On close inspection, they saw that the intricate design consisted of finely intertwined water lilies. Inside the band was a well-worn initial, together with an indistinct figure standing on a flower. To the untrained eye, they could pass for mere scratches.
    “I can’t figure out what the letter is,” Bess said. “Can you?”
    “I’m not sure, but it looks like ‘P,’ ” Nancy said. “Lisa said Mr. Jhaveri was about to show her a book when the businessman took the ring.”
    “Maybe we should go to the store tomorrow,” George suggested.
    “I was just thinking the same thing,” Nancy said.
    That night, Nancy slept uneasily as the ring tossed through her dreams. Someone on the stage of the River Heights Theater was throwing it toward her, but she couldn’t catch it because of an imaginary rope that held her arms back.
     
    “Nancy ... Nancy,” a voice was calling.

    The girl mumbled back into her pillow as the shade on her window snapped open and sunlight poured across the room.
    “Nancy, dear, it’s after nine.”
    The young detective pulled the bedsheet over her head while Hannah tickled her foot.
    “Time to rise and shine. Bess and George are waiting for you downstairs.”
    “Oh, my goodness,” Nancy