“Won’t you do me the honor of taking breakfast at my home?” Captain Dudley asked. “My wife will be delighted.”
“At this hour?” Nancy laughed. She shook her head. “No, I must get back to River Heights just as quickly as I can. Poor Mrs. Willoughby is under suspicion for the theft of the Crandall jewels and the police intend to arrest her.”
“Then of course I won’t try to hold you here. When you see your father, give him my kindest regards.”
“I will,” Nancy promised. “And now, if someone will tell me where I can get a taxicab—”
“I’ll be glad to drive you to River Heights in my car,” the naval officer volunteered. “If you intend to take those jewels with you, you’ll need someone to go along as a guard.”
“Perhaps you are right. I shall be delighted to accept your kind offer.”
During the night the storm had blown itself out, and as Nancy Drew stepped into the automobile she noticed that the sky had cleared. Gazing toward the east, she was surprised to see that the sun was about to peep over the horizon.
“Ho-hum,” she yawned sleepily. “It’s been a terrible night, but I wouldn’t have missed it for anything! I only hope I get home safely with these jewels. As soon as I deliver them, I’m going to bed and sleep a month!”