Part 15 (1/2)
”About what?” George asked.
”That Joe Swenson works at the factory, all right.”
”But they said n.o.body by that name was there,” Bess objected.
Nancy smiled. ”For reasons of his own, he could be using another name.”
”Like what?” George spoke up.
”Dahl,” Nancy answered.
”His mother's maiden name!” Bess declared. ”Oh, Nancy, you're a genius!”
”Better not praise me until I've proved my hunch right,” Nancy cautioned.
”Will you phone Mr. Weston and ask him?”
”No, Bess. I want to talk to Joe Swenson without his suspecting anything. If he's using an a.s.sumed name, it may be because he's hiding something. Suppose he finds out someone has been inquiring for him? He may run away.”
”You're right,” George agreed.
Reluctantly the girls rode back to River Heights. ”See you tomorrow,” Nancy told Bess and George as she stopped at their homes. Upon reaching the Drew house, she found Hannah Gruen awaiting her with a message.
”Ned Nickerson has phoned you five times, Nancy,” Hannah said with a smile. ”It seems that he wants to invite you to a dinner dance. One of his fraternity brothers is giving it-on the spur of the moment-tonight. Ned would like you to call. I have the number.”
Nancy's heart was already pounding with excitement as she dialed. Of course she would accept!
”Great!” said Ned. ”I was about to give up hope. Can you be ready in an hour?”
”I'll do my best,” Nancy, replied.
Singing a gay tune, Nancy quickly disrobed, jumped under a shower, and was dressed in three-quarters of an hour.
”You look lovely, Nancy,” Mrs. Gruen complimented her.
”Oh, thank you.” Nancy surveyed herself in a long mirror. The pale-green chiffon dress was very becoming, and the gold evening shoes she wore set it off to advantage.
Still humming gaily, Nancy went downstairs holding her white wrap. Ned arrived in a few minutes and they drove off in his car. At first conversation was in a light vein, then Ned asked if Nancy had located the Raybolt arsonist yet.
”No. How about you?”
Ned replied, ”All I know is what I read in the papers-first, that Mrs. Raybolt remains in a state bordering on collapse. She's firmly convinced her husband lost his life in the fire.”
”The police and fire investigators don't think so,” Nancy remarked.
”I do have one interesting piece of news. The police are busy working on a new angle. A clue, which they're withholding from the public, is expected to bring about the arrest of the criminal within a day or two.”
”Is it possible that the police suspect Joe Swenson?” Nancy asked herself aloud. ”If they arrest him, it will ruin all my plans for trying to help his family!”