the manager.”
“An excellent start. I wish you luck.”
“I’ll probably need it.”
Ten o’clock found Nancy Drew driving toward the home of Mrs. Clara Potter. A trifle uncertainly, for she did not know what sort of reception to expect, she drew up in front of a large white house and walked toward the veranda. She noticed that the grounds were well kept and saw a gardener working in the flower beds.
“ Mrs. Potter doesn’t appear to be poverty-stricken, at least,” Nancy told herself.
She lifted the door knocker, and presently was admitted by a trim maid. Nancy explained that she wished to see Mrs. Potter, and after a short wait was admitted to the lady’s boudoir. Mrs. Potter, languid in an exquisite lounging robe, was just finishing her breakfast, but she arose at once to greet her caller. Nancy introduced herself, explaining her mission.
“Certainly, I’ll tell you all I know about the robbery,” Mrs. Potter declared, offering Nancy a seat. “I feel very sorry for poor Jane, but I must say she brought disaster upon herself. I warned her that it was unwise to carry those jewels the way she did.”
Mrs. Potter then gave her account of the robbery, which tallied with the story Mrs. Willoughby had already given out.
“Did you see Mrs. Willoughby place the handbag on the table?” Nancy questioned, when Mrs. Potter had finished her tale.
“Yes, I did.”
“Did you know that it contained the Crandall jewels?”