At that moment Officer Beaumont walked over to them. “I’m sorry, madame,” he said. “You must come with us for further questioning.”
Tears rolling down her cheeks, the woman arose. But suddenly she turned and said to Nancy, “Remember me to Mrs. Blair and tell her I loved her dearly.”
Nancy felt her own eyes becoming a little dewy. “I’ll be happy to,” she replied.
Louis Aubert was made to release the secret lock on the door leading to the 99 steps. Before mounting them, Nancy suddenly remembered one part of the mystery was still unsolved. She asked Beaumont, “Did you search the Arab costume?”
The officer admitted they had not. “Wait here!” he directed, then hurried back into the rear corridor. He returned holding the robe, turban, and false hair. Beaumont searched the various pockets the costume contained. As Nancy had suspected, Madame Bardot’s missing gold pieces were hidden in several of them! After a search, the rest were found hidden about the laboratory.
Everyone looked at Nancy admiringly. The officers shook their heads and Beaumont commented, “Mademoiselle Drew, vous êtes merveilleuse!”
George grinned. “In other words, Nancy, you’re the greatest!” Her words were to prove true again when Nancy met her next challenge in The Clue in the Crossword Cipher.
The Auberts were led away. Then Nancy beckoned the others to precede her from the laboratory. Smiling, they all exchanged knowing glances. The young sleuth wanted to be the one to close the door to the mystery of the 99 steps!
The Mystery of the 99 Steps Page 12
