“The day Brandette’s wallet was stolen was the first time I saw the three of them,” said Nancy.
“Brandette professed admiration for the pickpockets’ work, with the result that the three men became pals. Brandette had already found the prince’s portfolio on the train and was planning how to rob Mrs. Alexandra.”
“So the impostor wasn’t keeping all the money from the sale of the jewels,” said Nancy.
“No, the pickpockets were helping him dispose of the articles and taking most of the money received for themselves. Brandette and Dorrance threatened you outside your home one night because they wanted to keep you from spoiling their scheme. Seeing that wasn’t possible, they decided to loot the Alexandra home.”
“Is the stolen property here?”
“Yes,” replied the officer, after consulting a memorandum. “It was brought in last night. We’ll have to hold everything here until Mrs. Alexandra can identify the objects.”
“She may be in the hospital for several days. I was wondering-couldn’t I do it for Mrs. Alexandra? Then the things could be taken to her home and put back in place.”
“I think it can be arranged,” the lieutenant agreed. “Can you identify the pieces?”
“A good many of them.”
As Nancy went to inspect the loot she asked the officer if Brandette had volunteered any information about the real Prince Michael.
“I don’t think he knows anything,” the lieutenant replied. “According to Brandette’s confession, he found an art portfolio left on a train seat.”
“An art portfolio?” Nancy repeated meditatively.
“Yes. Discovering that the photograph and letter which it contained might lead to a fortune, Brandette decided to keep the portfolio. From the letter he knew that the name Francis Baum had been given the prince by his nurse. Evidently the woman had been afraid that if Michael Alexandra used his real name, enemies might harm him.”
“Did Brandette describe the man who owned the portfolio?” Nancy asked after a moment.
“No, he refuses to give any further information.”
Nancy’s mind was racing. “The impostor certainly acted as if he didn’t want Richard Ellington to see him that day out on the river,” she thought. “Katherine did say he was from her country. Could it be possible that it was Richard’s portfolio Brandette had picked up? The artist might be the lost prince!”
Nancy was brought out of her reverie by a surprising remark from the police officer.
“Brandette made an admission in regard to you. He was eavesdropping at your house and heard you discussing plans for a party at the Red Lion Inn. He made sure you saw him there so that he’d have an alibi if he was questioned about the Alexandra robbery.”
“I guessed that last night. But I believe he had a second reason for appearing at the inn,” Nancy said slowly. “Did he say why his companion trailed a friend of mine and me along the road?”
“I didn’t know about that,” the officer replied. “Brandette may do some more talking. If he does, I’ll let you know.”
As soon as Nancy left headquarters, she telephoned Ellington’s apartment again, only to learn that no word had come from him. Later, as Nancy, Bess, and George were putting the Alexandra home in order, they discussed ways of locating the real Prince Michael, but Nancy said little.
“He must be somewhere in River Heights,” Bess declared, holding a tapestry for George to tack into place on a wall.
“Nancy, you’re so quiet,” George commented.
“I’m worried about Richard,” said Nancy. “As soon as we finish here, I propose that if he hasn’t returned, we get Ned and some of the other boys and start a search for him.”
“Good idea,” Bess agreed.
“But shouldn’t there be a police guard here when we leave?” George asked. “That thief Cordova hasn’t been caught and he may come back here.”
Nancy called headquarters and found out that the chief could not send a man until five o’clock, but he would stay overnight as watchman.
“That’s a relief,” Bess commented.
About four-thirty Katherine Kovna came to the Alexandra residence. She praised the girls’ work, then asked if anyone had news of Richard Ellington. Upon receiving a negative answer and learning of another fruitless telephone call to the artist’s apartment, she became excited.
“Oh, he must be in trouble!” she cried.
“A search is to be started in half an hour,” said Nancy. “The boys are going to help. Of course you’ll join us?”
“Yes, yes. Where do we go?”
“To the Red Lion Inn.”
“You think we may find a what-you-call ‘clue’ there?” Katherine asked, her face brightening.
“That’s my hope. Mr. Ellington disappeared somewhere between Harbortown and the restaurant.”
By the time the policeman arrived, the girls had the entire house in order, with all the returned articles in their proper places.
Katherine sighed. “If only we could find the true Prince Michael, his lovely grandmother’s homecoming would be a happy one.”
Immediately after a quick supper at the Red Lion Inn, the girls with Ned, Burt, Dave, and three other boys started out to hunt for Richard Ellington. Upon learning that there were two roads between Harbortown and the Red Lion Inn, they formed two searching parties. Nancy, Ned, Katherine, and Bob Dutton decided to follow the river route, while the others tried the higher road.
“It’s getting dark,” Ned remarked after they had walked a mile.
“I hope it doesn’t rain,” Nancy said as she tested her flashlight.
“Say, what’s that over in those bushes?” Ned suddenly asked. “Looks like a parked car!”
They scrambled through the underbrush to examine the automobile.
“This is Richard’s!” Katherine exclaimed, beside herself with worry. “What has happened?”
“There’s been a struggle!” Nancy observed, beaming her light over the ground. “The grass has been trampled, and a body has been dragged along!”
Katherine murmured, “I hope no one throw Richard in river!”
The trail of trampled grass led down a steep slope to the riverbank. A short distance away stood an abandoned boathouse whose weakened posts threatened to give way beneath it. As Nancy flashed her light over it, she thought she heard a faint cry.
“Listen!” she whispered tensely.
“Help! Help!” came a weak call.
“Let’s go!” Ned cried, starting forward. “Ellington may be locked in there!”
He and the girls headed for the door, but Bob took a path which led around the far side of the structure. Before they reached the water’s edge, a voice boomed at them from the darkness.
“Come no closer or take the consequences!”
As the trio halted, they again heard the feeble call for help.
“What shall we do?” Katherine whispered. She was trembling.
CHAPTER XX
As the weak cry for help was repeated, Ned switched on his flashlight, pointing the bright beam at the old boathouse. A man was standing on a narrow platform facing them.
“Ned! That’s Cordova-the pickpocket!” Nancy whispered tensely. “Dorrance’s double!”
“I’m going after him,” muttered Ned, putting out his flashlight and handing it to Nancy. “When I shout, train this right in his eyes!”
“Be careful,” Katherine warned anxiously.
Crouching low behind some bushes, Ned moved a little down shore. In the darkness the man on the platform could see only Nancy’s light, which she was playing over the trees.
Suddenly a board creaked, there was a shout, and a flashlight was turned full on his face. The pickpocket whirled, but Ned leaped on him, and the two went down together.