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salesmen make her nervous. She prefers women clerks.”
    “I’m sure I could do the job,” Nancy told him.
    The shop owner thought over the proposition for a full fifteen seconds, then said, “All right, I’ll give you a chance. But remember, I’m not making any promise to keep you, and I’ll pay you only the minimum wage rate.”
    Nancy was fearful that he might ask her for a social security number or other type of identification but he said nothing about it and she bubbled eagerly, “How soon may I start?”
    “You may come in tomorrow,” Mr. Basswood replied. “Your hours will be from ten to twelve and two to four.”
    “Oh thank you! Thanks very much,” said Nancy and the girls hurried off.
    It was not until they were two blocks away from the art shop that the three friends burst into laughter.
    George remarked, “Debbie Lynbrook, you certainly put that one over. You’d better be a good salesgirl if you hope to stay at the shop and do any sleuthing.”
    Bess suddenly sobered. “At first I thought all this was funny, but now I’m afraid you’re headed for trouble.”
    “I hope not,” the young detective replied. “But it’s my only chance to find out what’s happening to Mrs. Merriam’s rare book collection.”
    As the girls strolled along, George said, “Will you excuse me for a little while? I have an errand to do. I’ll meet you two at the nice soda shop over on that corner.”
    She went down a side street and Bess said, “I wonder what she’s coming up with now.”
    Nancy and Bess went into the sweetshop to idle away the time. They purchased magazines, a newspaper, and salted peanuts. Then they sat down at the counter to order lunch.
    George came in. She said nothing about her errand and Nancy and Bess were a bit curious, because George was not usually secretive. She ordered a soda and a sandwich. As soon as the girls had finished, they headed for the bus station where they had been told there was usually a taxi.
    It was not until the three were seated in the taxi that George divulged where she had gone. She took a small package from her purse and put it into Nancy’s lap.
    “This should help you keep your disguise,” she whispered.
    Curious, Nancy opened the package. Inside was a stack of calling cards on which had been printed “Miss Debbie Lynbrook.”
    “How clever!” Nancy said. “Indeed they will be a big help.” Her eyes twinkled. “Tomorrow morning I shall leave one on the table near Mr. Basswood’s office.”
    When the girls reached the yacht club, Bess found a note in her mailbox saying she was to telephone her home at once. She went off to make the call but returned in a few minutes.
    “Is everything all right?” George asked her.
    Bess replied that she was not sure. “Mother said that Mrs. Gruen phoned and asked her to get this message to Nancy. Some man who refused to give his name called your house several times demanding to talk to you or be told where to find you. Hannah decided not to call you direct.”
    “He wouldn’t give his name?” George asked.
    “No, and this worried Hannah. She requested him to give her a number that Nancy could call but he refused.”
    Bess said the man had been so persistent that Hannah finally had become angry and told him if he would not give his name he should never call again.
    “Oh, Nancy, I’m worried too,” Bess added. “Your enemies are determined to find you.”
    Nancy was silent for several seconds, then she smiled slightly. “Do you realize, girls, that this means they don’t know where I am, or that I’m Debbie Lynbrook?”
    Hearing this, Bess and George relaxed, but advised Nancy to be on the alert for trouble.
    “Especially while you’re at work,” George added.
    That evening Nancy telephoned her father. He was amazed to hear about the discovery of the statue and said he would have an expert from New York City examine it.
    “It will be interesting to find out whether or not your suspicions about it are