"Running away was the worst thing you could have done," Ned remarked.

"I was so upset I acted impulsively. All along I kept hoping Joe Haley would find the jewel chest. It had to be somewhere in the woods. So much time has pa.s.sed now, that of course there's no hope of finding it."

"Don't give up yet," Nancy remarked, but the young woman did not seem to hear her.

"Mrs. Brownell has never stopped bothering me since the compact was lost," Margaret Judson went on. "While she has never come to me herself, she has sent a friend."

"A friend?" Nancy inquired.

"Another woman, who follows me wherever I go. She keeps pressing me for money and threatening that unless I pay she will expose me to my friends and to the police."

"Margaret, I think your troubles are nearly over," Nancy said kindly. "Your jewel box has been found."

"What!" The young woman trembled with eagerness. "Did Joe Haley find it?"

"No, it came into my possession by accident," Nancy explained. "Tell me, what was the little chest made of?"

"Carved bra.s.s, and the design was very beautifuL It's hard to describe, but-I can draw it."

Margaret Judson made a rough sketch that convinced Nancy the chest she had found in the ravine did indeed belong to the young woman.

"Did it contain the missing compact?" Margaret asked anxiously.

"Yes, and the diamond ring you mentioned. I think everything that was in the chest the night of the fire is still there."

"Oh, Nancy, how can I ever thank you?"

Smiling, Nancy suggested, "Perhaps you'd like to go to the cabin now. Mr. Haley would be happy to see you again."

As the car sped along the road toward Deer Mountain, Nancy answered the young woman's questions concerning the discovery.

Margaret knit her brow. "Could I have dropped it on the bank of the stream when I crossed the bridge that terrible night? I have no recollection of anything I did."

"It's possible the chest slipped from the bundle of clothing you put it in," Nancy agreed. "I found it buried deep in the mud."

Ned parked the car at the side of the road. The three walked along the trail to the cabin. From a distance they could see lights glimmering through the trees. As they approached closer they heard men's voices.

Nancy a.s.sumed that her father was talking with Mr. Haley, and she felt elated to think that the patient was gaining steadily in strength.

The sound of footsteps brought Carson Drew to the door. As he flung it open, Nancy glanced inside and saw that her father had a visitor. She looked at Margaret Judson.

Directly behind Mr. Drew stood Mark Wardell!

Margaret did not see her former fiance until after she had entered the lighted cabin. Their eyes met in a surprised stare. Neither spoke.

An awkward silence followed. Even Nancy could think of nothing to say or do at such a critical moment.

CHAPTER XIX.

A Match of Wits

AT last Mark Wardell took a step toward his former fiancee.

"Margaret," he murmured.

"Mark," she replied and with a little sob threw herself into his arms. "I've missed you so very much."

Mr. Drew, Nancy, and Ned decided that the happy reunion should be private. They slipped quietly into Mr. Haley's bedroom and closed the door.

"If Margaret and Mark can just talk things over alone," Nancy whispered to her father and Ned, "I'm sure everything will turn out perfectly."

"This plan of yours to reunite the lovers is fine," Carson Drew replied gravely, "but don't forget the stolen compact that was found in Margaret Judson's bra.s.s chest."

Nancy laughingly pressed her fingers against her father's lips.

"Wait, Dad, until you've heard my story. I'm positive Margaret is innocent! She explained the whole matter to our satisfaction." Ned nodded in agreement.

"I'd like to hear what she said," the lawyer replied.

With a word now and then from Ned, Nancy related what she had learned from Margaret Judson. She was gratified to see that the information seemed to impress her father.

"In my opinion," Nancy said, "Mrs. Brownell and her mysterious friend are the suspects in this case," she ended.

"You may be right, Nancy," her father commented, "but-"

There was no opportunity to say more just then because the door opened. Margaret and Mark stood there, smiling. They did not need to announce that their engagement had been renewed.

"I'll never be able to repay you for your kindness," Margaret told Nancy, tears gleaming in her eyes. "Ask any favor-"

"I have just one. Talk with my father about Mrs. Brownell and her friend, and give him as much information about them as you can remember."

Mr. Haley, who had been sleeping soundly, stirred restlessly. Margaret Judson stepped forward to take the man's hand in her own.

"Is that you, Miss Margaret?" he asked.

"Yes," she answered softly. "You must try to get well."

The man's eyes roved over her lovely face. "I am so glad you came. But I have failed you. I tried. I could not find the box of jewels."

"It doesn't matter now. The chest has been found so don't worry any more."

With a sigh of relief the man closed his eyes and fell into a restful sleep. While Ned remained at the bedside, Mr. Drew and Nancy led Margaret Judson to the living room.

"I have no idea what became of Mrs. Brownell," the young woman reported, "but her friend, Mrs. Cartlett, annoyed me a few days ago at Hemlock Hall. I think perhaps she's staying there."