Part 22 (1/2)
The officer did not reply. Nancy turned to Bess and George. ”I think we'd better leave now.”
When they reached the sidewalk, George said, ”Wow! What a session! Where do we go from here?”
”Home,” Bess replied. ”What a day this has been!”
”Do you insist?” Nancy asked.
Bess eyed her chum intently. ”What's on your mind?”
”I was wondering if Mr. Weston could help us clear Joe Swenson,” Nancy replied. ”Do you mind driving back to Stanford with me so I can talk to him?”
”Let's do it,” Bess urged. ”Anything to help dear little Honey's father.”
”I agree,” said George.
Nancy slid into the driver's seat and took the main street which led toward the highway to Stanford. As the car pa.s.sed one Mapleton store after another, Bess kept gazing at the window displays. Finally she asked Nancy to stop.
”I want to run in and buy a new dress for Honey,” she said.
”I'll come with you and get her some underwear,” George spoke up.
Nancy chuckled. ”I'll follow and pick up some shoes for her. First I'll phone Mr. Weston. If he can see us, I'll call home and tell Hannah to notify your families.”
The friends alighted and Nancy hastened into a drug store to make the telephone calls. Then she went to a children's shoe store. When she rejoined the cousins back at the car, the girls showed one another their purchases.
”They're lovely,” said Nancy. ”These things should make Honey very happy. Glad you thought of it, Bess. Mr. Weston will see us, so let's go!”
They reached the impressive Weston home about six-thirty. Both the manufacturer and his wife were amazed to hear of the arrest of Joe Swenson, known as Joe Dahl.
”Even in the short time Dahl has been working for us, he has become a very valuable man in our organization,” the plant owner said. ”On my desk is a recommendation from the manager for a promotion.”
”Then if he's cleared of this charge against him,” said Nancy, ”you'll take him back?”
”Yes, indeed.”
The young sleuth gave Mr. Weston a warm smile in appreciation, then said, ”I wonder if you or your factory manager can give us any information that might help to exonerate Mr. Swenson?”
The manufacturer thought for several seconds, then shook his head. He arose, went to the telephone, and called his plant manager. There was a lengthy conversation, then Mr. Weston came back to report:
”I'm afraid we haven't any clues to help you, but my manager feels certain Mr. Dahl-that is, Swenson-would never resort to seeking revenge on an enemy. He is a highly ethical person. I'd be glad to defend him in this way.”
”I'll pa.s.s the word along,” Nancy said. ”Thank you so much.” She arose to leave.
At once Mrs. Weston insisted that the girls remain to dinner, an invitation which her husband heartily seconded.
”We wouldn't think of your driving back to River Heights without first having something to eat,” he declared.
The girls were persuaded to stay. A four-course dinner was perfectly served by a butler. Mr. and Mrs. Weston were charmingly informal and conversation took on a less serious tone.