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book tossed from the shelf. Nothing was left as it had been just two hours ago.
    “Can you help us?” the officer asked.
    Nancy could only shake her head. “I was in the room briefly, but I didn’t notice . . . The only items I remember clearly are an ivory polar bear on the corner of the desk and the ornate clock on the dresser, and I see they’re still here.”
    The officer nodded. “So far we haven’t found anything obvious that’s missing.”
    “Do you have any idea what they were searching for?” Nancy asked.
    He shook his head. They left the mess behind and moved on to her room. Nancy felt sick when she looked inside. She’d brought little with her, but it was obvious that someone had been through everything.
    “What would they be looking for among your things?” the officer asked.
    Nancy’s fingers tightened on her purse, not really able to feel the notebook inside, but aware that it was there. “Whatever they couldn’t find in Alana’s room,” she replied as calmly as she could. Then she asked, “Where were the servants when this was happening?”
    “In the kitchen and dining room according to the housekeeper. They were preparing for the evening meal.” He smiled. “And there was no sign of forced entry, Miss Drew. Whoever did this either had keys or had help from someone inside the house. Is there anything missing from your things?” he asked after a moment of silence.
    Nancy checked quickly, then shook her head.
    “Shall we go back down and talk to Mr. Steele?”
    Nancy rubbed the edges of her purse again, suddenly sure that the notebook inside was what the thief had been after. But why? What could it hold that would goad someone into such a violent search? She had to give it to the authorities, she realized unhappily, yet she longed to read it first.
    “You see what you’ve done,” Mr. Steele growled the moment Nancy stepped into the library.
    “I’ve done? she gasped. “I don’t understand what you mean.”
    “You let him in, didn’t you? You called that Tod Harper and let him in so he could search
    for whatever he wanted.”
    “But I didn’t,” Nancy said. “I told you I made an appointment to meet him near the Empress Hotel. He didn’t come, but I’m not at all sure he’s the one who—”
    “He did it all right. He’s behind all this. If Alana’s in trouble, it’s his fault. I never trusted him.”
    The ringing of the telephone stopped him from saying more. The officer took the call. He spoke softly, then listened, his face grave. When he hung up the receiver, he turned to Nancy. “When did you talk to Tod Harper?” he asked. Nancy answered easily, for she’d checked her
    watch right after promising to meet him. “Why?” she asked.
    “Tod Harper is not responsible for what hap-pened here,” the officer said quietly. “He didn’t keep his appointment with Miss Drew because he was on his way to the hospital.”
    “What?” Nancy gasped. “Is he all right?” “He has a concussion and a lot of minor injuries. He was struck by a hit-and-run driver shortly after he left his apartment.”

7. The Elusive Detective

    “A hit-and-run driver?” Nancy exclaimed. “But. . .”
    “Harper was in an accident?” Mr. Steel didn’t sound quite convinced.
    “He was struck down,” the officer said. “But it certainly doesn’t sound like it was an accident.”
    “You mean he was injured on purpose?” Nancy was sickened at the thought, but not surprised.
    “There were two witnesses and both of them stated that the car had been parked at the curb with the motor running for some time. When Harper came out of his apartment building, the car pulled out and headed directly for him. According to both witnesses, Harper saw the car and tried to avoid it. The car pursued him, finally striking him just before he reached the far curb.”
    Nancy shuddered. “How awful.”
    “He was very lucky to get away with just a concussion and the other cuts and bruises,” the officer