Mystery of the Ivory Charm by Carolyn Keene

hurried off.
    “You certainly walked out of that neatly,” Bess remarked, when the girls were on their way to River Heights. “I was afraid the missing papers might be discovered in your possession!”
    “Jasper Batt is too stupid to think of such a possibility,” George remarked.
    After Nancy had taken George and Bess to their homes, she drove to her father’s office. When she reported the day’s adventures, he was deeply impressed by the information contained in the documents she spread on his desk. The lawyer suggested that she show them to Professor Stackpole.
    “I’ll phone now for an appointment,” Nancy replied.
    After a brief pause she was connected with his residence, only to be informed that the man had left the city for a couple of days.
    “How disappointing!” Nancy commented as she carefully placed the documents in her father’s safe. “Now I must wait until he returns.”
    “In the meantime we’ll make every effort to locate Rishi,” Mr. Drew said. “Unless we find him again, your papers will not be of much value.”
    Both Nancy and her father were hopeful about tracing Rishi with little difficulty. Their first move was to communicate with the Bengleton Wild-Animal Show. They were disappointed to learn that the local police had obtained no clues either to Rishi or to Rai.
    Given the possibility that the animal trainer had sought work with another outfit, they canvassed the state. No one had heard of Rai.
    “The search will prove more difficult than I had anticipated,” Mr. Drew admitted. “No doubt Rai suspects we may try to track him down and is hiding.”
    When Professor Stackpole returned from his trip, Nancy lost no time in calling at his home. After relating the details of Rishi’s disappearance, she placed the important documents in the tutor’s hands. He pored over them for nearly an hour.
    “This is indeed amazing,” he declared. “Amaz ing! Yet I cannot say that I am greatly surprised. From the first time I met Rishi he impressed me as a boy of great refinement and unusual ability.”
    “Then you believe the documents are genuine?” Nancy asked.
    “Yes, I do not question them. In securing these papers, Nancy, you have accomplished a remarkable bit of detective work.”
    “I’m sure Mrs. Allison is responsible for lama Togara’s becoming the governor,” she said. “However, I want to get an admission direct from Mrs. Allison.”
    “But will that be possible?”
    “I have a plan, Dr. Stackpole. Will you help me?”
    “I’ll do anything in my power to help. I’ve become very fond of Rishi.”
    “Then this is my scheme. By some ruse, please invite Mrs. Allison here to your home. You might say you wish to consult her about Indian mysticism. She’ll feel flattered at the request and accept, I’m sure.”
    “And if she does accept?”
    “Try to get her to admit that she helped to place Togara in power.”
    “But I haven’t your ability as a detective.”
    “In this case you’ll succeed where I could fail. Mrs. Allison would never talk frankly with me. She will be flattered by your interest.”
    The scholarly man nodded thoughtfully. “The plan might be worth trying,” he admitted.
    Nancy was delighted and said, “With your permission I’ll eavesdrop on your conversation. If Mrs. Allison refuses to talk, then I’ll appear and confront her with the documents.”
    “I’ll attempt to make the appointment immediately,” the professor promised.
    “Thank you very much,” Nancy said, rising.
    Two days elapsed before she received word from the tutor.
    “At last I have contacted Mrs. Allison,” the professor reported. “I located her through a friend, Mrs. Winter, who happened to mention knowing her. Mrs. Allison has agreed to call at my home on Tuesday at three o’clock.”
    “That’s great!” Nancy exclaimed. “I’ll arrive ahead of her.”
    Nancy could hardly wait for Tuesday to arrive. In the meantime, however, she became busy getting ready for a