Read (#26) The Clue of the Leaning Chimney for Free Online

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    “I know what you mean,” Nancy interposed. “I’ve seen such marks on silver and gold.”
    Mr. Soong nodded in quick agreement. “Such symbols have been used for centuries by the Chinese to designate an article as authentic and of fine workmanship,” he said. “They go back centuries to the great Sung, Ming, and Ch’in dynasties.”
    “How interesting!” said Nancy.
    Mr. Soong peered again at the symbols. “These particular sets of markings are very old and famous,” he said. “They are from the Ming dynasty and are well known to all experts on porcelains.”
    “Oh!” exclaimed Nancy. “I’m learning more than I had hoped!” Her brow knit in a frown. “But what use would Manning have for copies of the markings?” she persisted. “And why should he take such pains to conceal them?”
    Mr. Soong gave a gentle shrug and smiled. “That I do not know.”
    Nancy showed him the Chinese newspaper she had taken from the attic in Masonville. It was a Chinese daily published in New York, Mr. Soong told her.
    “This Mr. Manning may work with Chinese in New York,” he suggested.
    Next, Nancy opened the wrinkled newspaper which held the fragments of the broken bowl. The paper, Nancy saw, was the same as the other.
    Mr. Soong examined the pieces with interest, but they were so small he could tell only that the bowl had been made of excellent clay. He looked at Nancy inquiringly, as if to ask for more information. But she shook her head with a sigh.
    “They’re all the leads I have—this time!” she replied.
    Mr. Soong stepped from the car and gravely shook Nancy’s hand.
    “You have done very well, Miss Drew,” he said softly. “With the help of both members of your illustrious family, I am confident that my unworthy problems will soon be solved.”
    The Chinese bowed slightly, then turned and went up the walk to his front door. Nancy looked after him, puzzled. “Now, what did he mean by that?” she asked herself.
    Nancy hurried back to her father’s office building. While she was trying to squeeze into a parking space, a familiar voice said:
    “Mind if I take you home?”
    Nancy looked around swiftly. “Dad!” she cried.
    She planted a kiss on his cheek as he got in. Carson Drew was a tall, handsome man of middle age, with alert blue eyes like those of his daughter, Like Nancy’s, too, they twinkled when his sense of humor was aroused.
    The relationship between Nancy and her father was warm and companionable. No matter how busy Mr. Drew was with his own criminal cases, he always found time to discuss Nancy’s cases.
    Now, driving home, the distinguished-looking attorney and his attractive daughter talked about her latest adventures. As Nancy swung the convertible into the driveway of the Drew home, she suddenly remembered Mr. Soong’s parting words. Nancy repeated them to her father and asked if he knew what they meant.
    “You bet I do. Mr. Soong paid me a visit today. He wants you and me to undertake a search.”
    “A search?”
    “That’s right. A Chinese puzzle that goes back five years!”
    He got out of the car and Nancy quickly followed him.
    “Dad, stop keeping me in suspensel” she begged. “What’s it all about?”
    “I’ll tell when we get inside,” he promised, mounting the steps to the porch. “It’s the story of the missing Engs!”

CHAPTER VI
    The Vanishing Vase
    “WHAT are the missing Engs?” Nancy inquired when she and her father were seated in his study. “Some valuable jewels?”
    Mr. Drew laughed. “You’re not even warm! The Engs are Chinese friends of Mr. Soong’s; Eng Moy and his daughter Eng Lei. As you know,” he added, “Chinese last names come first!”
    Carson Drew paused for a moment.
    “Go on, Dad,” Nancy begged impatiently.
    “Five years ago Eng Moy wrote to Mr. Soong from China. He said he and his daughter were leaving on a trip to the United States and hoped to visit him. According to Mr. Soong, Eng Moy was a well-known maker of