“And if he did, there would be an excellent chance that it would not be legal I suppose.”
“Yes, it’s a real trick to draw up a will that cannot be broken. But Josiah Crowley was a very careful man.”
“Still, if he left even a loophole, the Tophams would drag the matter into court.”
“Yes, it is a foregone conclusion that the Tophams will keep the fortune whether they have a right to it or not. They have the advantage of money, you know. I believe the other relatives have filed a claim, but they have no proof a second will exists, and without money they cannot hope to fight the Tophams.”
While her father and Mr. Rolsted discussed the case, Nancy Drew remained silent, but not a word of what was said escaped her. Although she gave no indication of her feelings, the information excited her.
After a time, Mr. Drew paid the luncheon check and the three arose and left the dining room. Mr. Rolsted took leave of them in the lobby.
“Well, Nancy, did you find out what you wanted to know?” Carson Drew inquired after the lawyer had disappeared.
“Oh, father, it’s just as I suspected! Mr. Crowley did make a second will!”
“You mustn’t jump hastily at conclusions,” Mr. Drew warned her. “It’s possible that Crowley never drew up the will at all, or if he did, he may have destroyed it.”
“That’s possible, of course. But he had no love for the Tophams, and I have a feeling he hid the will someplace. Oh, if only I could find it!”
“It would be as easy as looking for a needle in a haystack,” Mr. Drew replied. “If I were you, I would forget about the case, Nancy.”