Nancy's Problem

" Felix Raybolt! " Nancy echoed.

She had expected the news, yet hearing the name gave her a distinct shock.

" Yes, " Mrs. Swenson returned, looking curiously at the girl. " Do you know him? "

" Only by reputation, " Nancy answered guardedly. " I've never seen him. I did hear that his house burned last week."

" Yes, " Mrs. Swenson agreed in obvious satisfaction, " and it served him right. He has cheated so many poor folks."

Nancy started to mention the ring and then checked herself. She could not destroy Mrs. Swenson's faith in her husband. His wife evidently did not dream that he had been near the Raybolt estate, but believed that he had gone away to seek work. It would be cruel to tell her that he was under suspicion.

While Nancy was debating with herself, Honey and her new friends came in from the garden.

" Don't you think we'd better be starting for home, Nancy? " Bess asked. " The sun is setting and we must get across that shaky bridge before dark."

" Yes, " Nancy agreed, " we must leave right away."

While the others were gathering up their belongings she found an opportunity to speak to Ned privately.

" Have you heard any news about the Raybolts? " she asked in a low tone.

" Not a word. They haven't been located yet. Has your father had any luck? "

" Not yet, but I think he'll find them. I'm not sure that I want him to—I'm afraid it might bring more trouble on the Swensons."

As Ned looked puzzled, Nancy hurriedly explained that she believed she had found the owner of the ring.

" That's a shame, " he said, " because they're nice people. I like that little girl a lot."

" So do I, " Nancy admitted. " I'd like to do something for them."

" I think you've done a lot already. It's my turn now. Do you suppose they'd be offended if I left five dollars? "

" It would be a blessing, Ned. I don't believe they have a penny in the house. Why not hide it somewhere? "

" That's a good idea, " Ned approved. " Mrs. Swenson can't very well protest if she doesn't find it until after we're gone."

Without being detected, the two managed to slip the five dollar bill into the teapot where they knew Mrs. Swenson would find it. Then, as it was growing dark, they said goodbye, promising to return for another visit.

Nancy had told Ned about the broken-down bridge, and the young man insisted upon accompanying the girls past the detour. They found that the smashed railing had been marked by warning lights. As soon as the roadster had crossed over in safety Ned turned back.

" He certainly intends to look after you, Nancy, " Bess teased mischievously. " Honestly, he has a terrible case! "

" Piffle! " Nancy retorted, but she was not displeased.

As they sped toward River Heights she told the girls of her talk with Mrs. Swenson.

" It begins to look black for Mr. Swenson, " she declared. " Now that I've learned he is a university man I feel convinced the ring Ned found belongs to him."

" It looks that way, '' George agreed. " Undoubtedly he was the man you saw running away from the house, too."

" I'm afraid so."

" That points to the conclusion that he set the house on fire, " Bess declared. " Still, what motive would he have? "

" In talking with me, Mrs. Swenson unwittingly established a motive, " Nancy said regretfully. " He has had trouble with Felix Raybolt about some patents. It seems that Raybolt stole an invention of his."

" Then Swenson must have set his house on fire to get even! " George exclaimed.

" All the evidence points that way, " Nancy admitted, " and yet somehow I can't believe he's entirely guilty. He must have had some stronger motive than revenge, if he did do the deed."

" What do you mean to do about it? " Bess asked. " Send him to jail? "

" I don't know what to do. I was never in such a quandary before in my life. If he goes to prison Mrs. Swenson and Honey will be without means of support—to say nothing of the family name being besmirched."

" But it isn't right to protect a criminal, " Bess insisted.

" I've been thinking that if we could wait a bit, things might adjust themselves. We don't know the entire story yet, and until we do, I don't propose to stir up trouble."

" That's wise, " George approved. " Nancy always did have a head on her shoulders."

" The only trouble is that I don't seem to be able to use it, " Nancy smiled. " I mean to talk over things with Dad and abide by his judgment. It's probable that he has located Felix Raybolt by this time, and I'm eager to learn how he is affected by the loss of his home."

" He might be induced to let Joe Swenson off, " George said hopefully.

" That's what I thought, " Nancy returned. " From what I hear, Raybolt has plenty of money and it wouldn't hurt him to do one act of charity in his life."

" The only trouble is that he's not noted for generosity, " Bess observed gloomily.

" As soon as he is located I mean to talk to him, " Nancy announced. " Perhaps I shouldn't interfere in the case, but for Honey's sake I feel that I must."

The girls reached River Heights shortly after dark and Nancy dropped her friends at their homes. Reaching her own residence, she found the house unlighted save for the kitchen where Hannah was still at work.

" Isn't Dad home yet? " Nancy inquired as she entered the room.

" No, he telephoned he wouldn't get back until late tonight. Have you had your dinner? "

" Yes, some time ago. I would have called you but I couldn't get to a telephone."

Nancy was disappointed that her father had not returned, for she was eager to learn if he had found Felix Raybolt. She was tempted to call the office, then changed her mind as she knew she might disturb her father while he was engaged in conference.

It was only a few minutes after eight, but as soon as she had read the evening paper Nancy retired to her bedroom.

" I'll have another look at that diary, " she thought. " Perhaps I'll be able to make something out of it now."

For more than an hour Nancy patiently applied herself to the task of deciphering the cramped scrawl. She looked at the drawing again and wondered whether it was a sketch for a part on an electric elevator. She distinguished a few paragraphs which were written in English. They were mostly notations of supplies purchased from various manufacturing concerns.

" It's Joe Swenson's diary, " Nancy told herself with conviction. " If I hand it over to the police he won't have a chance! "

She regretted that the man had not been at home that afternoon, for she felt that she must know what kind of person he was at heart. If he were the vicious type, revengeful and criminally inclined, she could not help him, but if he had done wrong in order to save his wife and child—that was a different matter.

" I simply must find him, " Nancy thought " Mrs. Swenson believes he is looking for work. I wonder where he would be likely to go? "

Her eye chanced to fall upon an open page of the diary, and she read again the name of a manufacturing concern which dealt in electric equipment.

" I have it! " she cried exultantly. " He is probably working for one of the companies mentioned in the diary! At the first opportunity I'll make the rounds of the factories and see if his name is on any of the payrolls. It's a remote chance, but one worth trying! "