“I’m not through searching yet,” Nancy said sharply. “I know the jewels are hidden here somewhere.”
“Take all the time you need,” Captain Dudley told her kindly.
Again Nancy Drew surveyed the room. She could not admit defeat, and yet she was at her wit’s end.
As her eyes roamed over the walls again, her attention was attracted to a round-faced wall clock which had stopped at the hour of twelve. The timepiece was very ordinary in appearance, and Nancy might not have given it as much as a second glance had she not chanced to look toward Mary Mason.
The girl was staring fixedly at the clock and for one fleeting instant there was an expression of stark terror in her smoldering eyes. The next moment she looked away from the wall indifferently, but Nancy Drew was not to be deceived.
She rushed eagerly over to the clock. It was far above her head, but by mounting upon the cot she found that she could reach it.
“Well, of all the silly things!” Mary burst out, but there was a tremor to her voice.
Quickly, Nancy reached up and opened the glass door of the clock. The cardboard face did not appear to be securely in place, and upon impulse she began to pry at it with her fingers.
“Here’s my knife,” Captain Dudley offered.
“Thank you, that’s just what I need.”
Nancy took the knife and pried off two tiny screws. The face then dropped down into her hands.