Keene, Carolyn - [Nancy Drew 002] - The Hidden Staircase (Rtf)

CHAPTER I The Haunted House  NANCY DREW DREW began peeling off off her garden gloves as she ran up the porch steps and into the hall to anser the ringing telephone! "he pic#ed it up and said$ %Hello&% %Hi$ Nanc'& This is Helen!% Although Helen Corning as nearl ' three 'ears older than  Nanc'$  Nanc'$ the to girls ere close friends! %Are 'ou tied up on a case(% Helen as#ed! %No! What)s up( A *'ster'(% *'ster'(% %Yes+a haunted house!%  Nanc' sat don on the chair b' the telephone! telephone! %Tell %Tell *e *ore&% the eighteen,'ear,old detective begged e-citedl'! e-citedl'! %You)ve %You)ve heard *e spea# of *' Aunt Rose*ar'$% Rose*ar'$% Helen began! %"ince beco*ing a ido$ she has lived ith her *other at Tin El*s$ the old fa*il' *ansion out in Cliffood! Well$ Well$ I ent to see the* 'esterda'! The' The' said that *an' strange$ *'sterious things have been happening there recentl'! I told the* ho good 'ou are at solving *'steries$ and a nd the')d li#e 'ou to co*e out to Tin El*s and help the*!% Helen paused$ out of breath! %It certainl' sounds intriguing$% Nanc' replied$ her e'es dancing! %If 'ou)re not bus'$ Aunt Rose*ar' and I ould li#e to co*e over in about an hour and tal# to 'ou about the ghost!% %I can)t ait!% After Nanc' had put don the phone$ she sat lost in thought for several *inutes! "ince solving The "ecret of the .ld Cloc#$ she had longed for another case! Here as her chance& Attractive$ blond,haired Nanc' as brought out of her da'drea*ing b' the sound of the doorbell! At the sa*e *o*ent the Dres) house#eeper$ Hannah /ruen$ ca*e don the front stairs! %I)ll anser it$% she offered! 0rs! /ruen had lived ith the Dres since Nanc' as three 'ears old! At that ti*e 0rs! Dre had passed aa' and Hannah had beco*e li#e a second *other to Nanc'! There as a deep affection beteen the to$ and Nanc' confided all her secrets to the understanding house#eeper! 0rs! /ruen opened the door and instantl' a *an stepped into the hall! He as short$ thin$ and rather stooped! Nanc' guessed his age to be about fort'! %Is 0r! Dre at ho*e(% he as#ed brus1uel'! brus1uel'! %0' na*e is Co*ber + Nathan Co*ber!% %No$ he)s not here 2ust no$% the house#eeper replied! The caller loo#ed over Hannah /ruen)s shoulder and stared star ed at Nanc'! %Are 'ou Nanc' Dre(% %Yes$ %Yes$ I a*! Is there an'thing I can do for 'ou(% The *an)s shift' ga3e *oved fro* Nanc' to Hannah! %I)ve co*e out of the goodness of *' heart to arn 'ou and 'our father$% he said po*pousl'! %Warn %W arn us( About hat(% Nanc' as#ed 1uic#l'! 1uic#l'!  Nathan Co*ber straightened up i*portantl' and said$ %Your %Your father is in great danger$ 0iss! Dre&% 4oth Nanc' and Hannah /ruen gasped! 5Y 5 You *ean this ver' ver ' *inute(% the house#eeper 1uestioned! %All the ti*e$% as the startling anser! %I understand 'ou)re a prett' bright girl$ 0iss Dre  +that 'ou even solve *'steries! Well$ Well$ right no I advise 'ou to stic# close to 'our 'our father! Don)t leave hi* for a *inute!% Hannah /ruen loo#ed as if she ere read' to collapse and suggested that the' all go into the

living roo*$ sit don$ and tal# the *atter over! When the' ere seated$ Nanc' as#ed Nathan /o*ber to e-plain further! %The stor' in a nutshell is this$% he began! %You %You #no that 'our father as brought in to do legal or# for the railroad hen it as bu'ing propert' for the ne bridge here!% As Nanc' nodded$ he continued$ %Well$ a lot of the f ol#s ho sold their propert' propert ' thin# the' ere g'pped!%  Nanc')s face reddened! %I understood fro* *' father that ever'one as ell paid!% %That)s not true$% said Co*ber! %4esides$ the railroad is in a real *ess no! .ne of the  propert' oners$ hose deed and signature the' clai* to have$ have$ sa's that he never signed the contract of sale!% %What)s his na*e(% Nanc' as#ed! %Willie Wharton!%  Nanc' had not heard her father *ention this na*e! "he as#ed /o*ber to go on ith his stor'! stor'! %I)* acting as agent for Willie Wharton and several of the land oners ho ere his neighbors$% he said$ %and the' can *a#e it prett' tough for the railroad! Willie Wharton)s signature as never itnessed and the attached certificate of ac#noledg*ent as not notari3ed! That)s good proof the signature as a forger'! Well$ Well$ if the railroad thin#s the')re going to get aa' ith this$ the')re not&%  Nanc' froned! "uch a procedure on the part of the propert' oners *eant trouble for her father& "he said evenl'$ %4ut all Willie Wharton has to do is sear before a notar' that he did sign the contract of sale!% Co*ber chuc#led! %It)s not that eas'$ 0iss Dre! Dre! Willie Wharton is not available! "o*e of us have a good idea here he is and e)ll produce hi* at the right ti*e! 4ut that ti*e on)t be until the railroad pro*ises to give the sellers *ore *one'! *one'! Then he)ll sign! You You see$ Willie is a real #ind *an and he ants to help his friends out henever he can! No he)s got a chance!%  Nanc' had ta#en an instant disli#e to Co*ber and no no it as 1uadrupled! "he 2udged hi* to  be the #ind of person ho sta's sta's ithin the boundaries of the la but hose ethics are 1uestionable! This as indeed a tough proble* for 0r! Dre& %Who are the people ho are apt to har* *' father(% she as#ed! %I)* not sa'ing ho the' are$% Nathan Co*ber retorted! %You %You don)t see* ver' appreciative of *' co*ing here to arn 'ou! 6ine #ind of a daughter 'ou are! You You don)t care hat happens to 'our father&% Anno'ed b' the *an)s insolence$ both Nanc' Na nc' and 0rs! /ruen angril' stood up! The house#eeper$ pointing toard the front door$ said$ %/ood da'$ da'$ 0r! /o*ber&% The caller shrugged as he too arose! %Have it 'our on a'$ but don)t sa' I didn)t arn 'ou&% He al#ed to the front door$ opened it$ and as he ent outside$ closed it ith a tre*endous  bang! %Well$ %W ell$ of all the insulting people&% Hannah snorted!  Nanc' nodded! %4ut that)s not the orst orst of it$ Hannah darling! I thin# there)s *ore to Co*ber)s arning than he is telling! It see*s to *e to i*pl' a threat! And he al*ost has *e convinced! 0a'be I should sta' close to Dad until he and the other la'ers have straightened out this railroad tangle!% "he said this ould *ean giving up a case she had been as#ed to ta#e! Hastil' Nanc' gave Hannah the highlights of her conversation ith Helen about the haunted *ansion! %Helen and her aunt ill be here in a little hile to tell us the hole stor'!% %.h$ *a'be things aren)t so serious for 'our father as that horrible *an *ade out$% Hannah said encouragingl'! %If I ere 'ou I)d listen to the details about the haunted house and then decide hat 'ou ant to do about the *'ster'!%

living roo*$ sit don$ and tal# the *atter over! When the' ere seated$ Nanc' as#ed Nathan /o*ber to e-plain further! %The stor' in a nutshell is this$% he began! %You %You #no that 'our father as brought in to do legal or# for the railroad hen it as bu'ing propert' for the ne bridge here!% As Nanc' nodded$ he continued$ %Well$ a lot of the f ol#s ho sold their propert' propert ' thin# the' ere g'pped!%  Nanc')s face reddened! %I understood fro* *' father that ever'one as ell paid!% %That)s not true$% said Co*ber! %4esides$ the railroad is in a real *ess no! .ne of the  propert' oners$ hose deed and signature the' clai* to have$ have$ sa's that he never signed the contract of sale!% %What)s his na*e(% Nanc' as#ed! %Willie Wharton!%  Nanc' had not heard her father *ention this na*e! "he as#ed /o*ber to go on ith his stor'! stor'! %I)* acting as agent for Willie Wharton and several of the land oners ho ere his neighbors$% he said$ %and the' can *a#e it prett' tough for the railroad! Willie Wharton)s signature as never itnessed and the attached certificate of ac#noledg*ent as not notari3ed! That)s good proof the signature as a forger'! Well$ Well$ if the railroad thin#s the')re going to get aa' ith this$ the')re not&%  Nanc' froned! "uch a procedure on the part of the propert' oners *eant trouble for her father& "he said evenl'$ %4ut all Willie Wharton has to do is sear before a notar' that he did sign the contract of sale!% Co*ber chuc#led! %It)s not that eas'$ 0iss Dre! Dre! Willie Wharton is not available! "o*e of us have a good idea here he is and e)ll produce hi* at the right ti*e! 4ut that ti*e on)t be until the railroad pro*ises to give the sellers *ore *one'! *one'! Then he)ll sign! You You see$ Willie is a real #ind *an and he ants to help his friends out henever he can! No he)s got a chance!%  Nanc' had ta#en an instant disli#e to Co*ber and no no it as 1uadrupled! "he 2udged hi* to  be the #ind of person ho sta's sta's ithin the boundaries of the la but hose ethics are 1uestionable! This as indeed a tough proble* for 0r! Dre& %Who are the people ho are apt to har* *' father(% she as#ed! %I)* not sa'ing ho the' are$% Nathan Co*ber retorted! %You %You don)t see* ver' appreciative of *' co*ing here to arn 'ou! 6ine #ind of a daughter 'ou are! You You don)t care hat happens to 'our father&% Anno'ed b' the *an)s insolence$ both Nanc' Na nc' and 0rs! /ruen angril' stood up! The house#eeper$ pointing toard the front door$ said$ %/ood da'$ da'$ 0r! /o*ber&% The caller shrugged as he too arose! %Have it 'our on a'$ but don)t sa' I didn)t arn 'ou&% He al#ed to the front door$ opened it$ and as he ent outside$ closed it ith a tre*endous  bang! %Well$ %W ell$ of all the insulting people&% Hannah snorted!  Nanc' nodded! %4ut that)s not the orst orst of it$ Hannah darling! I thin# there)s *ore to Co*ber)s arning than he is telling! It see*s to *e to i*pl' a threat! And he al*ost has *e convinced! 0a'be I should sta' close to Dad until he and the other la'ers have straightened out this railroad tangle!% "he said this ould *ean giving up a case she had been as#ed to ta#e! Hastil' Nanc' gave Hannah the highlights of her conversation ith Helen about the haunted *ansion! %Helen and her aunt ill be here in a little hile to tell us the hole stor'!% %.h$ *a'be things aren)t so serious for 'our father as that horrible *an *ade out$% Hannah said encouragingl'! %If I ere 'ou I)d listen to the details about the haunted house and then decide hat 'ou ant to do about the *'ster'!%

In a short ti*e a sports car pulled into the inding$ tree,shaded drivea' of the Dre ho*e! The large bric# house as set so*e distance bac# fro* the street! Helen as at the heel and stopped 2ust be'ond the front entrance! "he helped her aunt fro* the car and the' ca*e up the steps together! 0rs! Rose*ar' Ha'es as tall and slender and had gra'ing hair! Her face had a gentle e-pression but she loo#ed tired! Helen introduced her aunt to Nanc' and to Hannah$ and the group ent into the living roo* to sit don! Hannah offered to prepare tea and left the roo*! %.h$ Nanc'&) said Helen$ %I do hope 'ou can ta#e Aunt Rose*ar' and 0iss 6lora)s case!% 7uic#l' she e-plained that 0iss 6lora as her aunt)s *other! %Aunt Rose*ar' is reall' *' great,aunt and 0iss 6lora is *' great,grand*other! 6ro* the ti*e she as a little girl ever'bod' has called her 0iss 6lora!% %The na*e *a' see* odd to people the first ti*e the' hear it$% 0rs! Ha'es re*ar#ed$ %but e)re all so used to it$ e never thin# an'thing about it!% %Please tell *e *ore about 'our house$% Nanc' re1uested$ s*iling! %0other and I are al*ost nervous rec#s$% 0rs! Ha'es replied! %I have urged her to leave Tin El*s$ but she on)t! You You see$ 0other has lived there ever since she *arried *' father$ Everett Turnbull!% Turnbull!% 0rs! Ha'es ent on to sa' that all #inds of strange happenings had occurred during the past couple of ee#s! The' had heard untraceable *usic$ thu*ps and crea#ing noises at night$ and had seen eerie$ indescribable shados on alls! %Have 'ou notified the police(% Nanc' as#ed! %.h$ 'es$% 0rs! Ha'es ansered! %4ut after tal#ing ith *' *other$ the' ca*e to the conclusion that *ost of hat she sa and heard could be e-plained b' natural causes! The rest$ the' said$ probabl' as i*agination on her part! You You see$ she)s over eight' 'ears old$ and hile I #no her *ind is sound and alert$ I)* afraid that the police don)t thin# so!% After a pause 0rs! Ha'es ent on$ %I had al*ost tal#ed *'self into thin#ing the ghostl' noises could be attributed to natural causes$ hen so*ething else happened!% %What as that(% Nanc' 1uestioned eagerl'! %We ere robbed& During the night several pieces of old 2eelr' ere ta#en! I did telephone the police about this and the' ca*e to the house for a description of the pieces! 4ut the' still ould not ad*it that a ghost8' visitor had ta#en the*!%  Nanc' as thoughtful for several seconds before *a#ing a co**ent! co**ent! Then she said$ %Do the  police have an' idea ho the thief *ight be(% Aunt Rose*ar' shoo# her head! %No! And I)* afraid e *ight have *ore burglaries!% 0an' ideas ere running through Nanc')s head! .ne as that the thief apparentl' had no intention of har*ing an'one+that his onl' onl ' *otive had been burglar'! burglar'! Was Was he or as he not the person ho as %haunting% the house( .r could the strange happenings have so*e natural e-planations$ as the police had suggested( At this *o*ent Hannah returned ith a large silver tra' on hich as a tea service and so*e daint' sandiches! "he set the tra' on a table and as#ed Nanc' to pour the tea! "he herself  passed the cups of tea and sandiches to the callers! As the' ate$ Helen said$ %Aunt Rose*ar' hasn)t told 'ou half the things that have happened! .nce 0iss 6lora thought she sa so*eone sliding out of a fireplace at *idnight$ and another ti*e a chair *oved fro* one side of the roo* to the other hile her bac# as turned! 4ut no one as there&% %Ho e-traordinar'&% Hannah /ruen e-clai*ed! %I)ve often read about such things$ but I never thought I)d *eet an'one ho lived in a haunted house!% Helen turned to Nanc' and ga3ed pleadingl' at her friend! %You %You see ho *uch 'ou)re needed

at Tin El*s( Won)t 'ou please go out there ith *e and solve the *'ster' of the ghost(% CHAPTER II The 0'sterious 0ishap "IPPIN/ their tea$ Helen Corning and her aunt aited for Nanc')s decision! The 'oung sleuth as in a dile**a! "he anted to start at once solving the *'ster' of the %ghost% of Tin El*s! 4ut Nathan Co*ber)s arning still rang in her ears and she felt that her first dut' as to sta' ith her father! At last she spo#e! %)0rs! Ha'es+% she began! %Please call *e Aunt Rose*ar'$% the caller re1uested! %All Helen)s friends do!%  Nanc' s*iled! %I)d love to! Aunt Rose*ar'$ *a' I please let 'ou #no tonight or to*orro( I reall' *ust spea# to *' father about the case! And so*ething else ca*e up 2ust this afternoon hich *a' #eep *e at ho*e for a hile at least!% %I understand$% 0rs! Ha'es ansered$ tr'ing to conceal her disappoint*ent! Helen Corning did not ta#e Nanc')s announce*ent so cal*l'! %.h$ Nanc'$ 'ou 2ust *ust co*e! I)* sure 'our dad ould ant 'ou to help us! Can)t 'ou postpone the other thing until 'ou get bac#(% %I)* afraid not$% said Nanc'! %I can)t tell 'ou all the details$ but Dad has been threatened and I feel that I ought to sta' close to hi*!% Hannah /ruen added her fears! %/oodness onl' #nos hat the' *a' do to 0r! Dre$% she said! %"o*ebod' could co*e up and hit hi* on the head$ or poison his food in a restaurant$ or   +% Helen and her aunt gasped! %It)s that bad(% Helen as#ed$ her e'es groing ide!  Nanc' e-plained that she ould tal# to her father hen he returned ho*e! %I hate to disappoint 'ou$% she said$ %but 'ou can see hat a 1uandar' I)* in!% %You poor girl&% said 0rs! Ha'es s'*patheticall'! %No don)t 'ou orr' about us!%  Nanc' s*iled! %I)ll orr' hether I co*e or not$% she said! %An'a'$ I)ll tal# to *' dad tonight!% The callers left shortl'! When the door had closed behind the*$ Hannah put an ar* around  Nanc')s shoulders! %I)* sure ever'thing ill co*e out all right for ever'bod'$% she said! %I)* sorr' I tal#ed about those dreadful things that *ight happen to 'our father! I let *' i*agination run aa' ith *e$ 2ust li#e the' sa' 0iss 6lora)s does ith her!% %You)re a great co*fort$ Hannah dear$% said Nanc'! %To tell the truth$ I have thought of all #inds of horrible things *'self!% "he began to pace the floor! %I ish Dad ould get ho*e!% During the ne-t hour she ent to the indo at least a do3en ti*es$ hoping to see her father)s car co*ing up the street It as not until si- o)cloc# that she heard the crunch of heels on the drivea' and sa 0r! Dre)s sedan pull into the garage! %He)s safe&% she cried out to Hannah$ ho as testing potatoes that ere ba#ing in the oven! In a flash Nanc' as out the bac# door and running to *eet her father! %.h$ Dad$ I)* so glad to see 'ou&% she e-clai*ed! "he gave hi* a tre*endous hug and a resounding #iss! He responded affectionatel'$ but gave a little chuc#le! %What have I done to rate this e-tra bit of attention(% he teased! With a in# he added$ %I #no! Your date for tonight is off and 'ou ant *e to substitute!% %.h$ Dad$% Nanc' replied! %.f course *' date)s not off! 4ut I)* 2ust about to call it off!% %Wh'(% 0r! Dre 1uestioned! %Isn)t Dir# going to sta ' on 'our list(% %It)s not that$% Nanc' replied! %It)s because+ because 'ou)re in terrible danger$ Dad! I)ve been arned not to leave 'ou!% Instead of loo#ing alar*ed$ the la'er burst out laughing! %In terrible danger of hat( Are 'ou going to *a#e a raid on *' allet(%

%Dad$ be serious& I reall' *ean hat I)* sa'ing! Nathan Co*ber as here and told *e that 'ou)re in great danger and I)d better sta' ith 'ou at all ti*es!% The la'er sobered at once! %That pest again&% he e-clai*ed! %There are ti*es hen I)d li#e to thrash the *an till he begged for *erc'&% 0r! Dre suggested that the' postpone their discussion about Nathan Co*ber until dinner as over! Then he ould tell his daughter the true facts in the case! After the' had finished dinner$ Hannah insisted upon tid'ing up alone hile father and daughter tal#ed! %I ill ad*it that there is a bit of a *uddle about the railroad bridge$% 0r! Dre began! %What happened as that the la'er ho ent to get Willie Wharton)s signature as ver' ill at the ti*e! 9nfortunatel'$ he failed to have the signature itnessed or have the attached certificate of ac#noledg*ent e-ecuted! The poor *an passed aa' a fe hours later!% %And the other railroad la'ers failed to notice that the signature hadn)t been itnessed or the certificate notari3ed(% Nanc' as#ed! %Not right aa'! The *atter did not co*e to light until the *an)s ido turned his brief case over to the railroad! The old deed to Wharton)s propert' as there$ so the la'ers assu*ed that the signature on the contract as genuine! The contract for the railroad bridge as aarded and or# began! "uddenl' Nathan Co*ber appeared$ sa'ing he represented Willie Wharton and others ho had oned propert' hich the railroad had bought on either side of the 0us#o#a River!% %I understood fro* 0r! Co*ber$% said Nanc'$ %that Willie Wharton is tr'ing to get *ore *one' for his neighbors b' holding out for a higher price hi*self!% %That)s the stor'! Personall'$ I thin# it)s a sharp deal on Co*ber)s part! The *ore people he can get *one' for$ the higher his co**ission$% 0r! Dre stated! %What a *ess&% Nanc' e-clai*ed! %And hat can be done(% %To tell the truth$ there is little an'one can do until Willie Wharton is found! Co*ber #nos this$ of course$ and has probabl' advised Wharton to sta' in hiding until the railroad agrees to give ever'bod' *ore *one'!%  Nanc' had been atching her father intentl'! No she sa an e-pression of eagerness co*e over his face! He leaned forard in his chair and said$ %4ut I thin# I)* about to outit 0r!  Nathan Co*ber! I)ve had a tip that Willie Wharton is in Chicago and I)* leaving 0onda' *orning to find out!% 0r! Dre ent on$ %I believe that Wharton ill sa' he did sign the contract of sale hich the railroad co*pan' has and ill readil' consent to having the certificate of ac#noledg*ent notari3ed! Then$ of course$ the railroad on)t pa' hi* or an' of the other propert' oners another cent!% %4ut$ Dad$ 'ou still haven)t convinced *e 'ou)re not in danger$% Nanc' re*inded hi*! %Nanc' dear$% her father replied$ %I feel that I a* not in danger! Co*ber is nothing but a  blo,hard! I doubt that he or Willie Wharton or an' of the other propert' oners ould resort to violence to #eep *e fro* or#ing on this case! He)s 2ust tr'ing to scare *e into persuading the railroad to accede to his de*ands!%  Nanc' loo#ed s#eptical!! %4ut don)t forget that 'ou)re about to go to Chicago and produce the ver' *an Co*ber and those propert' oners don)t ant around here 2ust no!% %I #no!% 0r! Dre nodded! %4ut I still doubt if an'one ould use force to #eep *e fro* going!% :aughingl' the la'er added$ %"o I on)t need 'ou as a bod'guard$ Nanc'!% His daughter gave a sigh of resignation! %All right$ Dad$ 'ou #no best!% "he then proceeded to tell her father about the Tin El*s *'ster'$ hich she had been as#ed to solve! %If 'ou approve$% Nanc' said in conclusion$ %I)d li#e to go over there ith Helen!% 0r! Dre had listened ith great interest! No$ after a fe *o*ents of thought$ he s*iled!

%/o b' all *eans$ Nanc'! I reali3e 'ou)ve been itching to or# on a ne case+and this sounds li#e a real challenge! 4ut please be careful!% %.h$ I ill$ Dad&% Nanc' pro*ised$ her face lighting up! %Than#s a *illion!% "he 2u*ped fro* her chair$ gave her father a #iss$ then ent to phone Helen the good nes! It as arranged that the girls ould go to Tin El*s on 0onda' *orning!  Nanc' returned to the living roo*$ eager to discuss the *'ster' further! Her father$ hoever$ glanced at his rist atch! %"a'$ 'oung lad'$ 'ou)d better go dress for that date of 'ours!% He in#ed! %I happen to #no that Dir# doesn)t li#e to be #ept aiting!% %Especiall' b' an' of *' *'steries!% "he laughed and hurried upstairs to change into a dance dress! Half an hour later Dir# ;ac#son arrived! Nanc' and the red,haired$ for*er high,school tennis cha*pion drove off to pic# up another couple and attend an a*ateur pla' and dance given b' the local :ittle Theater group!  Nanc' thoroughl' en2o'ed herself and as sorr' hen the affair ended! With the pro*ise of another date as soon as she returned fro* Tin El*s$ Nanc' said good night and aved fro* her doora' to the departing bo'! As she prepared for bed$ she thought of the pla'$ the e-cellent orchestra$ ho luc#' she as to have Dir# for a date$ and hat fun it had all been! 4ut then her thoughts turned to Helen Corning and her relatives in the haunted house$ Tin El*s! %I can hardl' ait for 0onda' to co*e$% she *ur*ured to herself as she fell asleep! The folloing *orning she and her father attended church together! Hannah said she as going to a special service that afternoon and therefore ould sta' at ho*e during the *orning! %I)ll have a good dinner aiting for 'ou$% she announced$ as the Dres left! After the service as over$ 0r! Dre said he ould li#e to drive don to the aterfront and see hat progress had been *ade on the ne bridge! %The railroad is going ahead ith construction on the far side of the river$% he told Nanc'! %Is the Wharton propert' on this side(% Nanc' as#ed! %Yes! And I *ust get to the truth of this *i-ed,up situation$ so that or# can be started on this side too!% 0r! Dre ound a*ong the *an' streets leading don to the 0us#o#a River$ then too# the vehicular bridge across! He turned toard the construction area and presentl' par#ed his car! As he and Nanc' stepped fro* the sedan$ he loo#ed ruefull' at her pu*ps! %It)s going to be rough al#ing don to the aterfront$% he said! %Perhaps 'ou had better ait here!% %.h$ I)ll be all right$% Nanc' assured hi*! %I)d li#e to see hat)s being done!%