The Sign of the Twisted Candles by Carolyn Keene Page B

he in this house that he was not supposed to enter? She would wait until Ned’s return.
    “First tell me how you got in here,” Nancy said.
    Grudgingly he admitted trying the door when the guard’s back was turned. “I found it unlocked and slipped in. I thought I’d better come here and —and protect my inheritance,” he added lamely. “Suddenly somebody hit me from the back and that’s all I remember.”
    There was the sound of approaching footsteps. Ned walked in and Nancy signaled him not to act too startled.
    Jacob Sidney, apparently mistaking Ned for a plainclothes police detective, said, “I had a right to be here, Officer. I’ve inherited part of this property.”
    As Ned leaned over and untied the man’s bonds, Nancy said, “This is Mr. Jacob Sidney.”
    “Well, Mr. Sidney,” Ned remarked, “I advise you to leave at once and not come back.”
    “I will, I will,” the crestfallen intruder said.
    He got up stiffly, went down the stairs, and out the front door. Not until he was outside did Nancy and Ned burst into laughter.
    Ned remarked, “I guess that snoopy beneficiary won’t be back in a hurry.”
    “Not with you around, Officer,” said Nancy.
    “I got your father,” Ned reported. “He certainly didn’t dismiss the guard, and is sending the man back. A repairman from the phone company will be here to replace the cord. Probably the person who cut the cord is responsible for the dismissal of the watchman and the knockout blow to Jacob Sidney.”
    “Let’s see what other damage he may have caused,” Nancy suggested.
    They opened closet doors and Nancy even investigated the camouflaged back stairway, but found nothing suspicious. She showed Ned the hidden ornate music box before they began a hunt for other treasures.
    “I’m to look for the sign of a twisted candle?” Ned asked.
    “Uh-huh,” she answered.
    Every panel in the ceilings, walls, and floorboards was carefully examined. The couple became separated and there was not a sound for nearly half an hour.
    Then Ned cried out, “Nancy! Come here! I think I’ve found something!”
    She ran to his side in the rear hall. “Look! The grass cloth on this wall is a little different from the rest and a twisted candle has been carefully worked into the design. Do you think it means anything?”
    Nancy ran her fingers over the rough fabric. “It’s lumpy underneath!” she said excitedly. “Ned, we should investigate!”
    For a moment Nancy wondered if they should tear off the wall covering. “It’s old and faded, anyway,” she told Ned.
    He agreed. “We’ll use my penknife and be as careful as possible,” he said.
    Inch by inch he felt the lumpy area and cut around it. Then he peeled off the grass cloth.
    “A safe!” Nancy exclaimed.
    “Right,” said Ned. “And how are we going to find out the combination to it?” He grinned. “One thing I haven’t learned is how to be a safe-cracker.”
    Nancy laughed, then reached up and tried the recessed knob. To her amazement it turned!
    “Oh, Ned, the safe isn’t locked!”
    In a moment the door was open. The couple peered inside.
    “Swords!” said Ned.
    He lifted one out. It was encrusted with jewels and evidently very old and valuable. Five others were examined, each one ornate.
    “Well, your Asa Sidney was a collector,” Ned remarked, “and I must say he had good taste. What are you going to do with these?”
    Nancy did not know. “I suppose they shouldn’t be moved, but I’m afraid to leave them. They may be stolen.”
    “Perhaps we can put back the grass cloth so the cuts won’t be noticeable,” Ned suggested.
    The swords were replaced and the safe shut. Putting back the frail grass cloth was a tedious job. Nancy had noticed a jar of paste in the room Carol had occupied. She went to get it, then worked with Ned for some time. Finally Nancy felt that the repair would suffice until the authorities came to appraise the estate.
    “Where do we look next?” Ned asked.