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leave at once.
    “Do you mind delaying a few minutes longer while I buy a purse and a few things I must replace?” Nancy asked.
    “Give you fifteen minutes,” he conceded.
    She completed her shopping, then they started off in Nancy’s car. At the fraternity house, she was greeted by Mrs. Haines, the housemother, and several young women. All of them had been invited to spend the night.
    As Nancy started upstairs to shower and dress for the dance, someone called out, “Telephone for Nancy Drew!”
    “For me?” she asked in surprise, retracing her steps. “Maybe it’s Dad.”
    The caller proved to be Ellen Smith, who spoke in an agitated voice.
    “Nancy, I’m sorry to bother you,” she apologized. “It’s about Mrs. Chatham. She came to see me at college today and absolutely insists that I give her my decision about the position in three days. What shall I tell her?”
    “I’ll talk to Mrs. Chatham tomorrow,” Nancy promised. “Don’t do anything until I see you.”
    “I really can’t afford to turn down the job.”
    “I understand,” Nancy assured her. “Don’t worry about it, Ellen. If it seems unwise for you to take the position, I’ll try to find another one for you.”
    “Oh, I knew you’d think of something,” the other girl said gratefully. “You’re a darling.”
    After Ellen had hung up, Nancy decided to phone her home and tell her father what had happened. Hannah Gruen answered and said Mr. Drew was not there.
    “I’m so glad you called,” the housekeeper said, her voice unsteady.
    “What’s wrong? You sound upset.”
    “About half an hour ago a man phoned. He didn’t give his name, but he had the most unpleasant voice!”
    “What did he say?”
    “‘Layoff the Tomlin matter or you’ll be sorry.’ Those were his exact words. Oh, Nancy, that warning was meant for you. And to think that I suggested you take an interest in the Smiths’ problems!”
    After a somewhat lengthy conversation Nancy convinced the housekeeper that there was no immediate cause for alarm. She did not mention the incident at the Hamilton bus station, knowing it would only add to Mrs. Gruen’s uneasiness.
    Later, as Nancy was dressing, she speculated as to who the strange caller might have been. Spike Doty or the purse snatcher? Finally she decided to forget both for the evening.
    When Nancy descended the stairs in her striking white dress, she saw Ned’s face light up with admiration. “Wow!” he exclaimed with a smile. “May I have the honor?”
    “You may,” Nancy replied.
    The couple linked arms and strolled into the main dining room which was attractively decorated in the college’s colors of purple and orange. Several of Ned’s classmates gave Nancy an admiring glance and an exaggerated nod of approval to her escort.
    After dinner there was an inter-fraternity dance in the gymnasium. Nancy thoroughly enjoyed herself. During an intermission Nancy noticed one of Ned’s fraternity brothers walking toward them.
    “I don’t know him very well,” Ned whispered. “He came to Emerson just this year. His name is Bill Tomlin.”
    “Tomlin?” Nancy asked.
    “Why, yes, do you know him?”
    “I didn’t tell you, Ned, but the old sea captain had that same last name. They’re probably not even distantly related but I must check every possible clue.”
    Bill Tomlin, pleasant and humorous, asked to dance with her. As they moved across the floor, she casually inquired if any member of his family had followed the sea.
    “My grandfather’s brother was a sea captain,” he replied. “He had twin sons and I understand one of them was a sea captain. I don’t know what became of the other brother.”
    Nancy tried not to show her mounting excitement. She asked, “Do you know if the captain is still living and where he might be found?”
    Before her dance partner could reply, the music stopped abruptly. The bass drum thumped loudly and the chairman of the dance committee, Jeff Garwin, rose to