"It came over me that if I were found near the place I might be accused of causing the fire. When I heard a car coming up the driveway, I decided to make a getaway. I scrambled through the hedge and ran into the woods."

"You're sure you didn't leave Raybolt inside on purpose?" Detective Rock asked.

"A thousand times, no!" Mr. Swenson cried out indignantly. "I hated that man, I'll admit, but I didn't plot his death."

"Why didn't you tell your story right away?"

"I was afraid it would be misinterpreted. I had no idea Raybolt was missing until I read it in the newspaper."

The three officials took turns questioning Swenson. They quizzed him about details and time but were unable to confuse him.

Nancy was certain that the inventor's account was true, yet she had to acknowledge that the story sounded somewhat implausible. The fact remained that Felix Raybolt was missing and that Joe Swenson was the last person known to have an appointment with him.

Nevertheless, the inventor's straightforward manner had impressed the officers, and Nancy thought they were on the verge of letting him go. Felix Raybolt had been generally disliked, and it was common knowledge that he had made his fortune by ruthlessly adopting the ideas of various inventors.

The three officials held a whispered conference, then began questioning Nancy and her friends. The girls told no more than was necessary, with Nancy stressing the story of the inventor's lost letters and the thieving mail clerk. She put in a good word for Mr. Swenson at every opportunity, and it was apparent that she was creating a favorable impression.

The unpleasant session was drawing to a close, with every prospect of vindication for Joe Swenson, when there was a knock at the door.

An officer entered, addressing himself to his superior. "Mrs. Raybolt is here now. Shall I send her in?"

As an affirmative answer was given, Nancy ex changed despairing glances with her friends. She sensed that since Mrs. Raybolt had set the detectives on Joe Swenson's trail, the woman would create a scene. "I'm sure she'll do all in her power to damage his case," Nancy thought.

Her premonition was correct. Mrs. Raybolt's very appearance aroused the sympathy of the officials. The woman evidently had worried herself into a state bordering on nervous collapse and the sight of Joe Swenson made her distraught.

"Can you identify him?" the police captain asked.

Mrs. Raybolt stopped sobbing long enough to take her first good look at the prisoner. Nancy, who was watching her closely, saw uncertainty flash over her face. The young detective was convinced the woman had never seen Mr. Swenson before in her life!

Mrs. Raybolt hesitated only an instant, then cried hysterically, "Yes, I'm sure this is the man my husband went to meet-Felix feared him. He is a heartless criminal who deliberately burned my home and plotted my husband's death!"

She burst into tears again and an officer led her from the room. However, the damage had been done. If the three officials had ever seriously considered freeing Swenson, the decision was instantly changed.

"You girls are free to go," the captain told Nancy and her friends. "If we need you again, we'll summon you."

"What about Mr. Swenson?" Nancy inquired hopefully.

"We'll have to lock him up. Sorry if he's a friend of yours. His story may be on the level, but he'll have to prove it."

There was nothing more to be said. Joe Swenson thanked Nancy for her interest in his case.

"You're the only real friend I have," he said unhappily. "I've told them the truth, but they won't believe me."

"If you only had a witness!" Nancy murmured. "Someone who saw you at the door."

"No one was around," Mr. Swenson returned gloomily. "The place was deserted."

"Don't give up hope," Nancy said encouragingly. "I'll find a lawyer for you. And I'll bring your wife and Honey to see you, too."

The conversation was abruptly cut short as an officer took the prisoner by the arm and led him away.

When they entered the outside room, Nancy and her friends found Mrs. Raybolt, slumped on a bench, sobbing. Nancy, provoked that the woman had testified unfairly against Joe Swenson, started to pa.s.s her without a word. Then pity surmounted indignation and she paused.

"Don't grieve about your husband," Nancy pleaded. "He'll be found alive-I feel confident of it."

Mrs. Raybolt wiped her eyes and stood up. She glared at Nancy with an almost insane look in her eyes.

"You dare to tell me that!" she cried out. "You're an accomplice of Joe Swenson! My husband is gone! You probably helped plot his death!"

Mrs. Raybolt slapped Nancy's face, then began to shake the girl by her shoulders.

"Captain," she screamed, "come here! I demand that you arrest this-this accomplice!"

CHAPTER XVI.

A New a.s.signment

SHOCKED by Mrs. Raybolt's angry outburst, Nancy stepped back to dodge the blows.

Bess and George had jumped forward to her defense. But just then a sergeant burst into the room and interceded. Mrs. Raybolt stopped fighting with her fists but not with her tongue.

"I demand the arrest of this girl! She's in league with Joe Swenson and helped to kill my husband!" she screamed.

At this point Captain Johnson appeared. "Mrs. Raybolt," he said sternly, "the law will handle this case. I advise you to calm down or you may find yourself in a hospital under the care of a psychiatrist."

The distraught woman started to reply to this, but apparently thought better of it.

Nancy said calmly, "Mrs. Raybolt, I don't blame you for being upset. But please try to believe that people are trying to help find your husband. The fire investigators are sure no one was in your home at the time of the explosion and fire. Therefore, Mr. Raybolt must be alive."

"Then where is he?" Mrs. Raybolt demanded.

"No one knows." Nancy looked directly at the woman. "Unless you do," she added disarmingly.

Mrs. Raybolt gave a startled quiver. Then she sank into a chair and covered her face with her hands. The others in the room looked at one another. Was the answer going to be yes or no?

Nancy had a strong hunch that it should be yes, but that as soon as Mrs. Raybolt recovered from the shock of Nancy's unexpected question, she would say no. Finally the woman raised her head. She did not have the look of a grief-stricken widow. Instead, she glared balefully at Nancy.

"This girl is crazy," she said. "Another one of those meddling teen-agers. Why doesn't she stay out of other people's business? Of course I haven't heard from Felix. How could I? He's dead! I tell you he's dead!" Mrs. Raybolt's voice had risen to a high pitch.

Captain Johnson asked a sergeant to take Mrs. Raybolt to her car, but requested that the girls remain. After the woman had gone, the officer asked Nancy what had prompted her question.

The girl detective smiled. "I'm sure that many other people think Mr. Raybolt is alive. He has the reputation of having cheated people, including poor Mr. Swenson. Talk is going around that he felt it best to disappear. But wouldn't he get in touch with his wife?"

The police captain looked at Nancy in astonishment. "You are a very clear thinker," he said. "The theory that Mr. Raybolt is alive is being worked on. Hospitals, airlines, railroad companies, steamship companies-all have been questioned. No clues have come up yet."

Nancy thanked the officer for the information, then said, "I hope Mr. Raybolt will be found, and when he is, that he will clear Mr. Swenson of any blame in connection with the fire."