Mystery of the Ivory Charm by Carolyn Keene Page B

house.
    “Do you suppose that foreign student, Anil, could have stolen it?” a girl suggested.
    “Oh, no!” Nancy exclaimed instantly.
    “But he was interested in the charm. Everyone noticed it. And you said yourself that he spoke of its value.”
    Mrs. Howard, the housekeeper, did not feel so confident that Anil was innocent. Without telling Nancy, she telephoned him. After asking several pointed questions about the charm, she requested that he call at the chapter house as soon as possible.
    A little after nine o’clock, Ned drove up hurriedly to the door and asked for Nancy.
    “I’ve just heard from Anil about your losing the ivory charm,” he said quickly. “But I’m sure Anil had nothing to do with the theft. The poor guy is almost beside himself with worry.”
    “I didn’t accuse Anil,” Nancy said in amazement. “I know he didn’t take the charm.”
    “Mrs. Howard phoned him,” Ned explained. “I suppose she meant well, but Anil thought he had been accused of the theft. He intends to run away before he’s arrested.”
    “We must stop him, Ned.”
    “You’re the only one who can explain to him, Nancy. That’s why I came for you.”
    “I’ll be ready in an instant.”
    She ran back into the house for her handbag. Bidding Mrs. Howard and the girls a quick good-by, she rejoined Ned. He drove swiftly to Anil’s apartment house, but was informed that the young man had departed.
    “Which way did he go?” Ned asked.
    “Down Fulton Street toward the railroad station.”
    Nancy and Ned resumed their pursuit, and a few blocks farther on were gratified to glimpse Anil trudging along with his heavy suitcase. Ned halted the car at the curb.
    “I did not steal the charm!” Anil cried out, before either Ned or Nancy could say a word. “Let me go in peace, I beg you!”
    “We don’t want you to go, Anil,” Nancy said. “It’s all a mistake.”
    “You have found the charm?”
    “No, but Mrs. Howard didn’t mean to accuse you of taking it. We all know you’re innocent. There is no need for you to run away.”
    Anil blinked back tears of relief. When he tried to express his thanks words failed him.
    “You are very good,” he murmured at last. “Very kind. I will do all I am able to help you recover the charm. Now that it is gone your good luck is supposed to end.”
    Nancy smiled. “I’ve always been considered a lucky person, even before receiving Rai’s charm.”
    “Rai?” Anil asked.
    “Yes. You know him?”
    “Only casually. I have met him a few times. Last evening he telephoned me.”
    Ned and Nancy exchanged significant glances. Here, they thought, was an unexpected clue.
    “Was this after the dance?” Nancy asked.
    “Yes, he called my apartment.”
    “And by any chance did you mention my name?”
    Anil was surprised at the question. “Yes, I did,” he admitted. “I told him of your wonderful personality.”
    “And my ivory charm?” Nancy prompted.
    “I did mention it, I believe.”
    “I think that explains everything,” Nancy said quietly to Ned. “My bedroom at the fraternity house is on the first floor and I slept soundly.”
    “I did not mean to reveal anything of importance,” Anil said in alarm. “What have I done?”
    “It isn’t your fault,” Nancy assured him. “However, I’m afraid Rai took my charm. Tell me, where is he now?”
    “I have no idea. He telephoned from a hotel and mentioned that he was leaving the city in an hour.”
    “Don’t look so glum, Anil,” Ned told him. “No one blames you. Jump in the car and we’ll take you home.”
    En route, Anil repeated over and over that he was upset at the outcome of the casual telephone call.
    “Don’t take the matter too seriously,” Nancy urged as they parted. “I have faith I’ll find the ivory charm, and after all it did belong to Rai.”
    During the ride back to the fraternity house, neither she nor Ned talked much. Both felt discouraged and blue.
    “I guess the weekend was a failure,