The Whispering Statue by Carolyn Keene

blinked at this. According to Mrs. Merriam’s statement, Mr. Basswood had told her she would get ten dollars apiece. She should receive twenty-one for each!
    Nancy was afraid that Ned would say the price was too high and not order the books. She wanted Mrs. Merriam to examine them to see if they had come from her collection. Ned must buy them! Quickly the young detective sidled over to Mr. Basswood.
    Ned was saying, “Well, I don’t know. That’s a lot of money for me to shell out.”
    Very gently Nancy stepped on one of Ned’s toes and hoped he would get the message that he was to pay any price the shop owner asked.
    “Are the volumes in good condition?” Ned asked.
    “Oh yes,” Mr. Basswood replied.
    “Then I’ll take the books,” Ned said. “I’m staying at the yacht club. Please deliver them there when you get them. The money will be waiting at the desk.”
    Ned glanced around the shop and remarked that the objects for sale were certainly attractive. “But I can’t spend any more today.” He laughed. “I’m broke after buying those books.” He said good-by to Mr. Basswood and left.
    Nancy realized she had to give some excuse for having walked up to Mr. Basswood. She said sweetly, “My customer can’t seem to make up her mind between two of the statuettes. Perhaps you can point out some things about them I don’t know.”
    Mr. Basswood talked to the woman. He finally helped her make up her mind, but she said, “This was the one the young lady was recommending all along.”
    The shop owner made no comment and walked off. Nancy worked hard during the day, but promptly at four o’clock she said good-by to Mr. Basswood and his assistant and hurried away. As prearranged, Ned met her at the town parking lot and they hurried to the yacht club in his car.
    “Thanks, Ned, for buying the books. If the ones you receive are from Mrs. Merriam’s collection, Mr. Basswood is making a tremendous profit instead of only his commission.”
    “Wow!”
    Nancy dashed into the yacht club to change her clothes and met Ned at the dock. A race was in progress.
    Bess and Dave stood there. They said hello to Nancy, and Dave added, “George and Burt are in that leading boat!”
    Nancy felt a thrill of excitement. Their craft was tacking in barely ahead of a red one.
    Bess began to jump up and down and scream. “George! Burt! Come in! Hurry! Come in!”
    Nancy, Ned, and Dave took up the cry. But suddenly their hearts sank. The rival sailboat was pulling ahead! It had caught a freshening breeze at exactly the right angle.
    The next second Burt took advantage of the same strong wind and tacked swiftly to starboard. George worked the tiller in perfect harmony and once more the Sailfish shot ahead.
    “Come in! Beat ’em!” cried Dave.
    The race was a photo finish, but George and Burt were declared the winners.
    “You were superb!” Bess exclaimed.
    There were congratulations from all sides, then the chairman announced that they were ready for the final race. The contestants scurried to their craft, eager and hopeful. Nancy was to be at the tiller.
    As Nancy and Ned took their positions, a boy came running. He called out to the watching crowd, “Telegram for Miss Nancy Drew!”
    Instinctively Nancy started to rise, but Ned pulled her back and hissed into her ear, “Sit still, Debbie Lynbrook!”

CHAPTER IX
    Foul!
    AT Ned’s command Nancy quickly sat down in the sailboat. She had nearly given away the show! Playing the part of Debbie Lynbrook was difficult. It was so natural to respond as Nancy Drew!
    “I mustn’t make another mistake,” she thought. “But I wonder who sent the telegram. It probably was a trap. I’m glad I didn’t get caught in it!”
    On shore Bess and George had heard the messenger call out Nancy’s name for a telegram.
    “We must do something!” George told her cousin.
    Burt and Dave were still discussing the race and had not noticed the boy. Quickly George said to them, “We’ll be right