The man frowned and stopped his conversation. “Just a moment, Fiona,” he said.
Nelson Stone coughed. “I think I’d better rejoin the Museum Society trustees,” he said, excusing himself. Then he added in a whisper to Nancy, “If it weren’t for museum politics, I wouldn’t have shown up today. I really dislike crowds.” He nodded to Fiona, and as he departed, Justin Todd and Professor Herbert came forward.
“Justin, darling,” Fiona said, waving a manicured hand. “Do you think you could make me a copy of this lovely necklace?” Turning to Nancy, she added, “If you wouldn’t mind, of course.”
Justin Todd looked at the necklace and frowned. “I don’t make copies,” he said firmly.
“But, darling,” Fiona insisted. “You make wonderful copies. What about that gorgeous—?”
Professor Herbert’s face reddened. “Fiona,” the professor said sharply, “you’re embarrassing the young lady.” Turning to Nancy, he said, “I’m Charles Herbert, and these are my friends, Justin and Fiona Todd.”
“I’m Nancy Drew,” she said, shaking hands.
Professor Herbert studied Nancy’s face with sharp, gray eyes. “Would you be related to the attorney Carson Drew by any chance?”
Nancy nodded. “Yes, I’m his daughter.”
“Ah,” the professor said, rocking slightly on his heels. “Wasn’t he Amanda Lane’s attorney?”
“Yes, he was,” Nancy replied.
“I’ll bet he made a bundle handling her estate,” Fiona Todd chimed in.
Justin Todd took his wife by the arm and said, “I think it’s time we took a look at the dogs.”
“So, you must be the famous teenage detective I’ve heard so much about,” Professor Herbert said, turning back to Nancy.
“I’m not sure that I’m famous,” Nancy said with a smile. “But I’ve solved a few mysteries here and there.”
“I understand you were in the museum at the time of the robbery,” Professor Herbert went on when the Todds were out of earshot.
“That’s right,” Nancy replied. “I met a student of yours, Su-Lin Tung, there. We’ve become good friends.”
Professor Herbert’s gaze lowered to Su-Lin’s distinctive necklace. “Did she give that to you?” he asked.
Nancy clasped the locket. “Su-Lin loaned it to me,” she told him.
Professor Herbert raised his eyebrows and pulled a leather tobacco pouch from his jacket pocket. “I’m surprised she’d loan such a valuable piece,” he said, filling his pipe. “She told me once that she never opens the locket.”
Nancy tried to change the subject. “Su-Lin mentioned that your specialty is Tibetan artifacts and that you’ve written a book on the subject.”
Professor Herbert struck a match and drew on his pipe. “Yes, that’s true,” he said between puffs.
“I’ve become very interested in Tibet since meeting Su-Lin,” Nancy went on. “Wasn’t it just terrible that the Golden Horse was stolen?”
“Terrible,” Professor Herbert echoed, stroking his neatly trimmed goatee. “I myself was particularly upset, since I was the one who encouraged the museum to make the purchase. In fact, I authenticated the piece for them.”
“That’s interesting,” Nancy remarked. “Tell me, Professor, do you think the museum paid too much for the Golden Horse?”
Professor Herbert arched an eyebrow. “What makes you ask that?” he said.
Nancy hesitated. “Oh, something Hillary Lane said the other day.” She waited for his response to the heiress’s name.
Professor Herbert leaned over and gave Nancy a wink. “Well, just between you and me, I wouldn’t be surprised if Hillary Lane stole the Golden Horse herself. Mind you, now, I wouldn’t want that remark to go beyond the two of us.”
Nancy stared at him. “Why, how could anyone suspect Hillary?” she asked innocently.
“It should be obvious to a brilliant detective like yourself.” The professor drew contentedly on his pipe. “It’s no secret,” he continued, his face disappearing behind a cloud of smoke, “that Hillary has been stewing ever since Stone outbid her at the auction.”
At that moment a parade of fox terriers passed with their handlers, forcing Nancy and Professor Herbert to step aside.
Nancy remembered Hillary saying that she’d badly wanted the second Golden Horse for her collection. “Well,” Nancy said finally, “I guess she wanted to see the pair reunited after all these years.”
“Our Hillary is not so sentimental,” Professor Herbert said with a smile. “There’s something I’ll bet she didn’t tell you. The fact is, the value of the Golden Horses would be multiplied several times over as a pair. They’d fetch a cool three million, at least.”
Nancy considered the professor’s words carefully. Was Hillary Lane greedy enough to steal the Golden Horse? Nancy was beginning to think it was a very real possibility.
9
Disaster at the Dog Show
Before Nancy could question Professor Herbert further about Hillary Lane, she heard George calling her name.
“Nancy!” George said breathlessly, running up. “Where have you been? The show is starting, and I can’t find Bess. It’s not like her to just disappear.”
“Wasn’t she with you?” Nancy asked in surprise.
Professor Herbert knocked the ashes from his pipe. “Well, I’d better run along now and check my dogs,” he said. “It’s been nice chatting with you, Nancy. If you’re ever up at Westmoor University, feel free to drop by the anthropology department.”
