The Clue in the Old Stagecoach (16 page)

BOOK: The Clue in the Old Stagecoach

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Marjory whispered happily to Nancy, “My husband has secured a nice outdoor job with Camp Merriweather. They’re going to build a new addition to the lodge.”

“Oh, I’m so glad to hear that!” said Nancy.

At the edge of the crowd she could see John O’Brien and waved him to come forward. “You had a big hand in solving this mystery,” she whispered to him, and he grinned. Mrs. Pauling, too, was present and congratulated Nancy warmly.

At last the mayor stepped forward. He gave the assembled audience a short resumé of Abner Langstreet’s life, then read the letter.

“I wish he’d get busy and open that cornerstone,” George whispered impatiently to Nancy and Bess.

Finally the moment for which they had been waiting arrived. A workman chipped out the masonry around the large stone on which were the words:

ERECTED A.D. 1851

After the use of a crowbar, and much tugging, he and two other workmen lifted the cornerstone out and set it on the ground. Behind it was a small metal box. The mayor pulled this out, and as a hush fell over the crowd, he raised the lid and took out an envelope.

“This says,” he told the waiting group, “ ‘To Francisville from Abner Langstreet.’ ”

No one spoke as the mayor opened the envelope and put his hand inside. When it came out he was holding five blocks of four stamps each.

Mrs. Strook, standing close by, gave a gasp. “Why, these are Benjamin Franklin stamps of 1851 with the gum still on them! They’re worth a fortune!” she exclaimed. “One stamp like these will bring $7,500. That would mean each block can be sold for at least thirty thousand dollars!”

A cry of astonishment went up from the crowd. Then Art Warner spoke up. “Why, they would bring enough money, when added to what Francisville can raise, to build a fine new school for our town!”

“That’s right,” the mayor agreed, and the other officials bobbed their heads. None of them could believe the town’s good fortune.

There were tears in Mrs. Strook’s eyes. “Bless my Great-uncle Abner!” she said. “There were times when I doubted his story. But Nancy Drew, here, never lost faith. All the credit for solving the mystery goes to her.”

The town officials were loud in their praise of the young sleuth and her friends. As Nancy smiled she put an arm around Mrs. Strook. “This is the person who started the whole thing,” she said. “She should have the credit.”

The mayor said he agreed. “We must have a special celebration as soon as the old stagecoach is restored,” he said. “Anybody have a suggestion as to what we might do?”

“I have!” John O’Brien spoke up, stepping forward. He told about how Nancy and her friends had dressed in costume and been photographed in the old stagecoach at Bridgeford. “I’d like to see them do the same thing here in Francisville, but make it part of a parade with real horses.”

The crowd cheered and applauded, giving their approval to the idea. Nancy thanked everyone but said, “I think the passengers in the old stagecoach should be people who live in your town.”

“No,” said the mayor quickly. “You shall have the honor.” Then he raised his hand over her head. “Nancy Drew, detective, is hereby proclaimed an honorary citizen of Francisville because of the fine work she has done for our town!”

The response was thunderous but Nancy hardly heard it. She was reflecting on how well everything had turned out for Francisville. For a brief moment she wondered whether her next mystery would be as much of a challenge. Although she had no way of knowing,
The Secret of the Fire Dragon
was to prove just as baffling and exciting.

When the applause had died down, Bess whispered, “You see, George, there was something to the clue in the old stagecoach. You lost your wager. Now you owe Nancy and me each a hand-knit sweater!”

George frowned, then said, “All right. This adventure was worth itl”