Captive Witness

by Carolyn G. Keene

“Well, you can’t get out your side,” Nancy pointed out. “You’d step into space, just as I would.”

  “No,” Gutterman decided. “This is what we will do. Both of you should move as far over to the left as you can. I will climb over Burger and stand on the running board. Then, Burger, you start it up and see if the four-wheel drive can pull us out of this.”

  “Wait a minute,” Ned protested. “If that doesn’t work, you and Burger can jump free, but Nancy and I will go over the edge with the car.”

  “How clever you are,” Gutterman sneered. “You do catch on quickly. That should make you both want to hug the left side of the car with all your might. ”

  With no other choice, Nancy and Ned flattened themselves against the left side. The car tilted and rocked slightly.

  “The worst is yet to come,” Nancy breathed through her almost clenched teeth, “when that big galumph Gutterman tries to crawl over Burger. If he makes one slip, we’ll really rock!”

  “Don’t think about it,” Ned said. “Just squeeze yourself against this door.”

  Holding their breath, they froze as Gutterman, with surprising grace, managed to climb over Burger and out onto the left running board of the car. He hung off as far as he could, bearing his weight down fully, then told Burger to put the car in gear.

  Burger did as he was ordered. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, the big, brown car began to move, its left rear wheel sending some gravel and rocks into the valley as it slipped slightly. The whole car tilted and, with a soft lunge, pulled up until the right rear wheel spun into contact with the ground and rolled to safety.

  “Masterful driving,” Gutterman said, patting his henchman on the shoulder. From the back seat, neither Ned nor Nancy let up on their tormentors.

  “Oh, masterful,” Nancy said. “Wasn’t it, Ned?”

  “Wonderful. Almost as good as the way he was driving when he went through the guardrail.”

  The two young people strived to make their captors so angry that they would open the back door to get at them. Nancy’s plan could then be activated. While Ned attacked, she would fire her tear-gas “book” and perhaps they could finally escape.

  But Gutterman and Burger were in a self-congratulatory mood. They even began singing as Burger continued to take the car higher into the mountains, this time at a more reasonable speed.

  After several hours of driving, however, Burger pulled the car off on a dirt road and drove to what appeared to be a shepherd’s hut. He stopped about a hundred feet away and turned around, almost backing over an extremely steep gorge in the process.

  Nancy gulped again. “I don’t know what they’re going to do to us, Ned, but whatever it is, it has to be better than being locked in a high-powered automobile driven by Herr Burger.”

  “Absolutely,” Ned concurred. “But what do you suppose they have in mind?”

  The young couple soon found out as both Burger and Gutterman got out and walked around to the right-hand back door. “Now,” Gutterman rasped as he unlocked the door with one hand while keeping the other thrust threatingly in his coat pocket, “you get out, Miss Drew. And you, Mr. Nickerson, you stay far over on the other side of the car if you know what’s good for you.”

  Ned glanced down at Gutterman’s pocket. Was there a gun inside? he wondered. Reading Ned’s mind, the girl detective cautioned him.

  “Don’t do anything, Ned, please.”

  “Where are you taking her?” the young man demanded.

  Gutterman flashed his evil smile, but said nothing. When Nancy got out, the door was shut and locked. Ned was left alone, helplessly watching the two men lead Nancy toward the shack.

  But as she entered what appeared to be a crude building, she was amazed to find it beautifully cozy with sparkling, waxed floors, a cheery fireplace, a pretty rug, and upholstered furniture.

  “Being a shepherd must pay very well,” Nancy murmured, gesturing at the expensive furnishings. “But the shepherd doesn’t own this anymore, does he?” she added, looking hard at Gutterman. “The wolves have taken over.”

  Gutterman shrugged. “Wolves. Sheep. I have no time for your small talk, Miss Drew. Let’s get down to business.”

  “Excuse me,” Nancy said, “but it was a long drive up here. Do you have a powder room where I could freshen up a bit?”

  Gutterman pointed to a door at the far end of the room and, with an expansive bow, indicated that Nancy would find what she wanted there.

  Will there be a window? she wondered. If so, will it be big enough for me to squeeze through? Her experienced eyes roved over every inch of the cottage searching for something, anything, that might produce a way out of the trap.

  Once inside the bathroom, she saw there was no lock on the door. Obviously, Herr Gutterman had used this building for previous interrogations and didn’t want his prisoners to lock themselves in while they plotted their next move.

  Glancing swiftly around, she discovered a window but, unfortunately, it was high up and much too small even for a willowy eighteen-year-old.

  After splashing water on her face, she dried off with a towel and looked in the mirror.

  “Think, Nancy,” she hissed. “Think. Don’t just stand there.”

  Back outside in the living room, she found Herr Burger busily making coffee while Herr Gutterman lounged in a chair near the door. Apparently, Ned was still left behind in the car. Nancy noted quickly that the three windows in the room were all barred on the inside. Escape that way was impossible. Then she brightened. If escape through the window was impossible, then pursuit would be impossible, too. If only she could slip outside and lock the door behind her! Gutterman and Burger would be trapped!

  Herr Gutterman was talking, babbling really, about his cleverness, and Nancy only half listened as she concentrated on escape.

  The door to the room was made of solid oak, but Nancy had noticed a peculiar feature. On the outside walls were two metal slots like those found on cattle cars. They were used to hold a two-by-four or other heavy piece of timber across the door. Normally, such a crude but effective lock would be put inside a door to prevent forced entry. But obviously Herr Gutterman found himself constantly in need of locking people in, not keeping them out. Hence, the door to the building opened outward and could be blocked easily by dropping a piece of timber in the slots.

  Instantly, Nancy flicked her eyes about the room looking for the timber to do the job. She saw it leaning against the doorjamb.

  All she had to do was rise from her chair, pass Gutterman, grab the timber, open the door, slam it, and then throw the timber into place across the door.

  She groaned inwardly. I’ll never make it, she thought. But then Herr Gutterman said something that made her sit up straight.

  “Of course,” the man purred, “it would be advisable for you to answer my questions very quickly and correctly. You see, we left the engine of the car turned off. Therefore, no air will be fed into the back seat. Poor Mr. Nickerson. Who can say how long he will last?”

  9

  The Alpine Prison

  Nancy quickly recovered and concealed her fright from Gutterman by flattering him. “Herr Gutterman,” she said, “I don’t know what line of business you are in, but I know you are much too cultured and urbane a gentleman to let an innocent person be injured. Why can’t Ned be brought in here? You could tie him up. You don’t have to hurt him.”

  Gutterman smiled. “You are a very clever girl, Nancy Drew. You know how to get your way. But this time, things will go better for you if we talk first. Besides, I’m sure Mr. Nickerson can last at least fifteen minutes. Now then, why are you mixed up in this ridiculous attempt to kidnap ten little children from Eastern Europe?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Herr Gutterman; I’m not mixed up in anything.”

  “Your whole tour group is under suspicion,” Gutterman continued. “Every one of you. But you most of all, because it would make sense for them to hire you for this job. If worse comes to worst, the ch
arming Nancy Drew might charm the children across the border and charm the guards and charm everyone else.”

  Nancy continued to look calm but inside she was broiling. By the time this long-winded man finished asking three or four questions, Ned would be in real trouble, unable to breathe.

  Her eyes, which had been trained on Gutterman’s, now followed his hand down as he stubbed out his newly lit cigarette. It was then that she saw the car keys, lying on the table within easy reach. Fearing she would lose her courage if she hesitated, she took a deep breath and went into action.

  Herr Burger had just put some iced coffee on the table in front of her and had gone back into the kitchen. With one swoop, Nancy grabbed the keys, flung her iced coffee into Herr Gutterman’s face, and made a run for the door.

  Gutterman was already on his feet and in pursuit. But then fate intervened as Herr Burger, hearing the glass shatter, rushed into the room, straight into the arms of Herr Gutterman. As they teetered, grunted, and crashed to the floor together, Nancy grabbed the timber and raced out the door. She had just enough time to slip the bar into place before she heard Gutterman smash against the solid oak, screaming.

  To her relief, Ned was not only alive but yelling, trying to indicate that it was getting stuffy in his airless compartment.

  She slammed the door and turned on the intercom. “Hang on, Ned, I’m looking for the ignition switch,” she said.

  Nancy began running her finger rapidly over the whole confusing array of switches and buttons. Finally, she found the starter, inserted the key, and pumped the accelerator. Nothing happened.

  “Maybe it’s flooded,” Ned suggested.

  “Oh,” Nancy said in exasperation, “why does everyone always say that when you can’t start a car?”

  “Because that’s generally what’s wrong.”

  From the hut, Nancy could now hear noises which sounded like wild beasts fighting to claw and push their way out of captivity.

  She laughed in spite of herself. “Apparently they don’t like being locked up. ”

  “I’ll say,” Ned shouted. “Look at that.” As they watched the sturdy oak door, they saw a fist suddenly push right through it, shattering a plank completely. “Did you see that?” Ned asked. “And he’s just warming up! Nancy, let’s get out of here!”

  “I’m trying. Again, the girl detective pressed on the gas pedal and turned the key. Then a thought struck her. Some custom cars had a double ignition. One would have to be unlocked before the other one could work.

  “Uh-oh,” Ned said. “Look who’s coming.”

  Nancy glanced up to see the enraged face of Herr Gutterman and the narrow, ratlike face of Herr Burger peering through the shattered door as Gutterman reached out to remove the timber blocking their exit.

  “Nancy, what are we going to do? Listen, let me out!”

  “That would be crazy!” Nancy cried. “No, I’ll lock all the windows and doors. Then, at least, they can’t get in.”

  The girl detective managed to hit the lock switches just in time.

  Gutterman promptly threw a tantrum, pounding his fists, and finally his head, on the side of the car.

  “You might as well give up,” Nancy called. “You can’t get in. Eventually, I’ll get this started and when I do, it’ll be bye-bye, Herr Gutterman.”

  Suddenly, Gutterman looked up. His hair was in disarray. His eyes were wild and red-rimmed. His tie was hanging down and his shirt was disheveled. But he let fly a cry of triumph.

  “Aha,” he shouted. “I’m not beaten yet.” He darted in front of the car and lay down directly in its path. “Now try to get away!” he exclaimed. “You’ll kill me, if you do, and you’re too much of a lady to do that, aren’t you, Miss Drew? Yes, I know you are. Your moral code wouldn’t allow you to do something that might result in death or even bodily injury to another person, even to save your own life.

  “That is why my kind wins and your kind loses these little battles, Miss Drew.” Gutterman continued his lecture as his partner stared at him, unbelieving.

  “Have you lost your mind?” Burger cried. “You will be killed, you maniac.”

  Nancy heard Gutterman, though neither she nor Ned could see him. “Not crazy,” he bellowed. “You’ll see.”

  But Herr Gutterman didn’t know about the girl detective’s superb driving skills and quick reflexes. While Gutterman was raving, Nancy found the second ignition. It was hidden behind a false cigarette lighter. She turned it quickly and then, quietly, slipped the key into the ignition itself.

  “Ned,” she whispered. “I’ve got it. Hold on, I’m going to start the car and back up like a rocket, then swing to the right.”

  “Got it,” Ned replied softly. “Let’s do it! I need air!”

  In one swift and easy motion, Nancy started the engine, slammed the car into reverse, and went spinning back a dozen feet as soft pine needles slipped and churned under the wheels. Suddenly, the car slid downward as if on ice.

  “It’s the pine needles!” Ned shouted. “Quick, put it into first gear and the four-wheel drive will pull us out. ”

  Smoothly, Nancy reversed the gears. The car shot forward and made a wide circle to the right, leaving the stricken Gutterman and Burger wailing in loud, shrill voices.

  Out on the highway, Nancy pressed the big car to just under the speed limit and headed back for Vienna. From the back seat, she could hear Ned’s voice. “Oh, that was tremendous! Tremendous! Let’s go back and do it again, now that I can breathe. I want to see the looks on their faces.”

  “Once was enough.” Nancy laughed as she pulled to the side of the road, unlocked the door switches, and made room for Ned in the front seat.

  “Boy,” Ned said, settling down, “it feels good to be out of the old cell, doesn’t it? Well, anyway, now our worries are over.”

  “I don’t know about that,” Nancy said.

  “Sure they are,” Ned insisted. “We’ve got a nice car, we’re headed for Vienna, we know that the people who are threatening the professor and the tour are really a bunch of muscleheads. They’re not too smart, even if they do have beautiful cars and instant hotel reservations.

  “By the way, why are they threatening the professor, and why are you going to Vienna? Do you realize I’m just stringing along with you, good old faithful Ned, and I don’t even know what I’m getting myself into?”

  “And I owe it to you to tell you,” Nancy replied. As briefly as possible, she filled him in on the details of both the rescue effort involving the ten children and the mystery of the stolen film.

  “Well, you’ll figure everything out, Nancy. You always do. I have faith in you. If you need any heavy muscle work done, just call on your obedient slave.”

  “Thanks,” Nancy said. “But right now, we’re in trouble. ”

  “What kind of trouble?”

  “Well, just for starters, how about car theft?”

  “Car theft? Those guys kidnapped us.”

  “Sure. But do we have any witnesses? Gutterman and Burger can claim they were nice enough to give us a ride and we took their car.”

  “But why would they want to draw attention to themselves?”

  Nancy pondered the idea. “I suppose you’re right, but even so, I don’t want to be found with this car. I think we’ll have to run the risk of leaving it someplace inconvenient.”

  “Gee, I hate to give up this beautiful buggy. Why don’t we take our chances and explain it to the police if we have to? We’d be telling the truth.”

  Nancy shook her head. “We can’t take any chances on this mission,” she replied. “So this is where we get off. ”

  “In the middle of nowhere? In the Austrian Alps?”

  “Trust me,” Nancy said.

  10

  Amphibian on Wheels

  Nancy slowed down the big, brown car and at a small, almost hidden side road she pulled off. In a few moments, the car was lost from sight in the forest.

  “Do you have any idea where we’re g
oing?” Ned asked.

  “Not really,” Nancy said, “but as we know, this car has four-wheel drive. It’s obviously waterproof as well as soundproof and it’s built high, providing a lot of space between the bottom of the car and the roadbed. That means we can drive it almost anywhere.”

  “Maybe even across a lake!” Ned chuckled.

  “Don’t laugh,” Nancy said. “It could be amphibious and able to travel on water just like a boat!”

  “In that case, did you pack an extra snorkel for me?” Ned teased.

  “Not only that,” Nancy said with a giggle, “but a set of flippers too!”

  “Uh-oh, I’m beginning to think you’re serious,” Ned continued.

  “I wish I were.”

  “Then I suggest we try hunting for another good road to Vienna,” Ned said, “before we wind up in the drink!”

  “Don’t tell me you don’t trust me, Ned,” the young detective replied, eliciting no response from the boy.

  They drove for almost an hour over the side road, which was little more than a pair of dusty ruts. It ended in a small stream about two feet wide.

  “Now what?” Ned asked.

  “We follow the stream,” Nancy said. “Why?”

  “Because streams always lead to people and houses, and anyone who gets lost in the woods should remember that.” Ned laughed. “Oh, remember how they used to drill that into you at summer camp?”

  “Yes,” Nancy said, “and it happens to be absolutely true.”

  As the car bucked and lunged along the now grassy, now muddy streambed, Ned brought up the possibility of discovering a river large enough to float down. He had no sooner said it when they heard a rush of water and saw the little brook feed into a much larger stream, almost forty feet across.

  “Well,” said Ned, “here’s where we find out whether we’re riding in an amphibian.”

  “See those knobs and instructions?” Nancy asked. “This activates air pontoon sacks on the side, and this converts the engine power into a propeller drive shaft, which drops down when you push this button. ”

  To their amazement, it all worked and they found themselves sailing grandly through the Austrian Alps in Herr Gutterman’s beautiful automobile-boat. The thought made Nancy almost wistful.