Part 27 (2/2)
Felix Raybolt was easily captured. The appearance of the two men convinced the estate owner that his game was up, and he made little protest as they led him to Carson Drew's sedan.
”Nancy, you girls had better come with us,” Mr. Drew suggested. ”You can return and pick up your car later.” They agreed readily.
”Where are you taking me?” Raybolt muttered, as he got into the sedan.
”To jail,” Mr. Drew told him tersely.
”To jail?” the prisoner shrieked. ”I haven't done anything!”
”Maybe not, but an innocent man is being held there in connection with your disappearance. You must exonerate Joe Swenson at once from having had anything to do with your absence or with the fire.”
”Swenson?” echoed the captured man. ”He-”
Raybolt broke off and slumped down in the seat. He looked sick and beaten. His face was grimy and unshaven, and his clothing torn and stained.
”How in the world did you and Dad get here at the psychological moment?” Nancy asked Ned.
”Well-I'd been gone from home since morning,” Ned explained. ”This evening I drove to River Heights to see you. Mrs. Gruen told me you had gone to Mapleton and said she thought I was with you. I telephoned Mother from your house and she gave me your message.”
Mr. Drew added, ”I returned home just as Ned was leaving. When I heard what you were doing I decided I'd better come along.”
At the jail Foxy Felix did not even appear to be fl.u.s.tered about the situation. When questioned by the officials, he admitted that he had had an appointment with Joe Swenson but said that he had been outside the house at the time of the explosion.
”Isn't it true that you had explosives illegally stored in your cellar?” Nancy asked him.
Raybolt nodded. He claimed the explosion and fire had been accidental. When asked about his disappearance, he gave an evasive explanation. He said that he had been stunned at first, then had staggered off into the woods.
”And vanished,” said Carson Drew. ”You carry heavy life and fire insurance, I presume, Mr. Raybolt. Your wife could have collected the money, and met you later in some faraway place.”
The telltale flush on Raybolt's face told the lawyer that Nancy's and his supposition had probably hit its mark, but Raybolt confessed nothing. They judged that Mapleton had become too unfriendly a place for Foxy Felix. His enemies were numerous, and he no doubt lived in constant fear of physical harm. The fire had given him an opportunity to slip away quietly.
”Guess we can't hold him,” the captain told the Drews. ”This clears Swenson beyond a doubt. Sorry we arrested him, Miss Drew, but you must admit the evidence pointed his way.”
Joe Swenson was brought into the room. He was overjoyed about being freed, and at first could scarcely believe the good news. Tears came to his eyes as he thanked Nancy and her friends for all they had done.
”It's a shame that Felix Raybolt can't be held,” Nancy said. ”Isn't there any charge to keep him here?”
”I'm afraid not,” her father returned. ”Everyone knows the man has swindled people, including my client, but we have no proof. We need papers, letters-”
Suddenly Nancy grabbed her father's arm. ”I may be able to produce them!” she said excitedly, and told about the papers which Raybolt had tried to burn but she had managed to save.
”Excellent,” said Mr. Drew, as Bess, George, and Ned gasped in astonishment. ”We'll go out there at once with an officer if Captain Johnson agrees.”
The captain called a lieutenant and said that the man would accompany them to the burned estate. Mr. Raybolt, he added, would have to remain at headquarters to await the arrival of the papers.
The others hurried outside and drove off in a squad car. When they reached the ruins, Nancy pointed out the exact location of the safe. The police lieutenant quickly gathered up the records that Raybolt had started to burn, also some papers which the officer found in the safe. When the Drews and their friends reached headquarters, they were amazed to find that Mrs. Raybolt had arrived. She was admonis.h.i.+ng her husband not to admit anything.
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