Stop the Clock (Nancy Drew (All New) Girl Detective Book 12) by Carolyn Keene Page B

he had some information for me about the library clock that was stolen.”
    I could tell by the look on the man’s face that he didn’t know what I was talking about.
    “Well, I’m sorry, Miss Drew, but I honestly don’t think . . .”
    Just then I looked over the man’s shoulder and saw Henry Mead talking to a couple who looked as though they were about to leave.
    “Mr. Mead!” I called to him.
    The butler looked aghast. “Miss Drew, please ! This isn’t the time to—”
    “Is that Nancy Drew?” Mr. Mead called. He motioned to the couple that he’d be right back, then he headed toward the front door. “Well, this is a very pleasant surprise,” he said when he reached me.
    The butler, realizing now that I wasn’t some party crasher, did an expert disappearing act.
    “I’m sorry to interrupt your party,” I said, “but your call sounded so urgent.”
    “My call?” Mr. Mead said.
    I told him the message Hannah had relayed to me.
    “But, Nancy, I never made that telephone call,” Mr. Mead said.
    “You didn’t?” I said.
    “No. In fact, I have to tell you that I honestly didn’t know about the disappearance of the library clock,” Mr. Mead said. “I just returned from the Caribbean last night. Some of my law firm partners planned this surprise celebration for me.” He leaned over so he could whisper. “I landed a really big account.” He grinned. “Their incomes just tripled! They’re having a good time thanking me for it.”
    “Congratulations,” I said.
    He sighed. “Actually, I envy your father. Criminal law is much more exciting,” he said. “Sometimes, I wish that I had—oh, I don’t want to bore you, Nancy. I’m sorry. In any case, I can’t imagine who would call you and say that it was me. It’s a mystery—but then, that’s your specialty, isn’t it?” He winked.
    “Yes, I guess it is!” I said. “I’d better go. My friend Ned’s waiting for me. It was good to see you—and congratulations again.”
    “Give my best to your father,” Mr. Mead said. “Ineed to call him soon. We don’t see enough of each other.”
    “He’d like that, I’m sure,” I said.
    The butler magically reappeared at the front door and let me out.
    “Well?” Ned said when I got inside his car. “Did you learn anything important?”
    I nodded. “Somebody has played another dirty trick on me,” I said. “That’s what I learned.”
    “What do you mean?” Ned asked as he turned around and headed back down the driveway.
    I told him everything that Mr. Mead had said.
    Ned shook his head. “Who would want to send you on a wild-goose chase like this?” he said.
    I thought for a moment.
    “Maybe they didn’t,” I said. “It could be a clue.”
    Ned looked at me. “What do you mean?” he asked.
    “Henry Mead’s specialty is wills and trusts,” I told him. “The mystery of the library clock is all about wills and trusts. Ned, maybe somebody is trying to tell me something.”
    All the way back to River Heights, I tried to figure out just where the telephone call fit as far as the mystery was concerned. I didn’t have much luck. As usual, Ned drove and left me alone with my thoughts.
    When he finally pulled up in front of my house, Isaw that Bess had returned my car—and I was so glad, because I was too tired to go get it. “I’m sorry I wasted your time, Ned,” I said. “I hope you still have time to get some work done at the library.”
    “I’m fine, Nancy,” Ned said. “You’re the one I’m concerned about.”
    “It’s okay, Ned. I know it’ll all come together,” I said.
    “I’ll call you later, okay?” Ned said.
    “Okay.”
    That night after dinner I had another talk with Dad. He thought the phone call from the Henry Mead imposter was odd too, and he didn’t have an explanation for it. He agreed with me, though, that there had to be some connection here to the disappearance of the library clock.
    “I think that either Mr. Franklin or Mr. Mullins, or both of