The Whispering Statue by Carolyn Keene Page B

later. There was loud applause by Dick and the other onlookers who realized that Nancy and Ned had been fouled at the start.
    As the couple walked away, Nancy said, “Now let’s find out about that telegram.”
    She located Bess and George, who told her Mr. Ayer had it. When the excitement over the race had died down, Nancy made her way to the manager’s office. As she had suspected, the telegram was indeed a hoax. The sheet inside the envelope was blank!
    Nancy smiled. “Whoever sent this did not find out anything,” she said. “The trick to make me answer the call didn’t work.”
    Mr. Ayer was visibly disturbed. He asked, “How are you progressing with the case?”
    She gave him a brief résumé.
    Although pleased with her progress, he admitted being worried. “I’m sure that the person who sent the telegram suspects Nancy Drew is in Waterford. It may be the same man who telephoned your house. If so, he is very determined to find you. I’m alarmed about what he may try next. Nancy, do take every precaution possible.”
    The young detective nodded, and asked if she might use his office telephone to call Mrs. Merriam. “When Ned’s books arrive, I’d like her to come over and examine them to see if they’re part of her collection.”
    Mr. Ayer said he would be very glad to cooperate. “If Mrs. Merriam is willing to drive over here, I’ll let her know when the books arrive.”
    Nancy made the call and the woman said she would be happy to come to the yacht club. She congratulated Nancy that her ruse had worked.
    “Of course I may be wrong,” Nancy told her, “so don’t be surprised if this turns out to be a false lead.”
    That evening all the guests at the yacht club were invited to participate in an after-dinner gala celebration for the victors in the afternoon races. The recreation room was gaily decorated with purple and pink bunting, the club colors. A peppy band was playing and soon there were many dancers on the floor.
    At ten o’clock the drum rolled, the music stopped, and everyone watched as the chairman of the racing committee stepped up to the microphone on the band platform. Two boys carried up a small table on which stood silver cups—the awards to the winners of the races. George and Burt were called forward and each received their prizes. There was loud applause because of the dose race they had had.
    Debbie Lynbrook and Ned were last. The cups they received were slightly larger and Mr. Ayer mentioned the participants’ marvelous sportsman-ship in coming in first. Everyone in the room knew they had made no protest about the foul and the clapping was tremendous.
    Many people crowded around the couple and congratulated them. “It was a great race,” several said.
    Nancy was fearful she might be recognized by somebody because she was not wearing her sunglasses. She let her long black hair fall closer around her face, almost covering her cheeks.
    “I must get out of here,” Nancy thought.
    She was relieved when the music began again and she and Ned could dance. As the lights were dimmed, bright moonlight streamed through the windows.
    “Let’s stroll outside,” Ned suggested. “It’s a beautiful night.”
    Nancy was happy to go because she felt very uneasy about possible identification by someone in the club.
    “Where would you like to walk?” she asked Ned, gazing out over the calm water in the bay.
    “Let’s go take a look at the statue,” he suggested.
    The couple danced to the entrance leading to the front porch. Then they started slowly across the lawn.
    The marble figure cast a broad shadow. There was something eerie about the scene with the beautiful young woman looking longingly in the direction of her Italian homeland.
    “Too bad the owner’s wife was ill and unhappy here,” Nancy thought. “The place is so beautiful anyone should find it delightful.”
    It was very quiet and Nancy and Ned found themselves tiptoeing along and not saying a word. Suddenly Nancy caught