The Quest of the Missing Map by Carolyn G. Keene

the letter tell what became of the missing treasure map? Nancy wondered.
    Her voice vibrant with emotion, Mrs. Chatham read the entire note aloud. In it her first husband revealed details of his early life never before disclosed to her, including the fact he had dropped the name Abner because he did not like it. There were other facts sufficient to prove that he and Tomlin Smith were twin brothers.
    “So that part of the mystery is solved!” said Nancy.
    The letter concerned itself mainly with the inheritance originally secreted by Captain Tomlin’s seafaring grandfather.
    “Listen to this!” Mrs. Chatham exclaimed as she came to a particularly significant paragraph.
    “‘All these years I have kept the torn section of a treasure map given me by my father. Fearing theft I made a copy of it. Only a month ago, this very copy was stolen from my cabin, unquestionably by a member of the crew.’ ”
    “What is the date of the letter?” Nancy asked as the widow paused to catch her breath.
    “It was written only a week before my husband’s death. He continues:
    “‘I have taken the original map and hidden it on the Warwick. This map, if combined with the section in the possession of my missing twin brother, will lead to the discovery of our grandfather’s great treasure.’ ”
    “That doesn’t add up!” Nancy exclaimed. “Wasn’t the Warwick the name of the vessel your husband sailed?”
    “You’re right, Nancy, it was.”
    “Then how could he have removed the parchment map from his own ship and still have hidden it there?”
    “Perhaps he meant he hid it somewhere in another part of the vessel—away from his cabin,” Mrs. Chatham suggested.
    “That doesn’t seem likely,” Nancy said, shaking her head. “No, I’m sure Captain Tomlin never would have risked having the original found by members of his crew. Especially after the copy had been stolen.”
    Mrs. Chatham furrowed her brow in bewilderment as Nancy went on, “Apparently he thought you would understand where the map was hidden.”
    “I haven’t the faintest idea!”
    Nancy was silent for several moments as she reread the letter. Then suddenly her face brightened.
    “I get it!” she exclaimed. “Captain Tomlin owned the ship models you have at the studio on Rocky Edge, didn’t he?”
    “Yes. He had many of them custom-built.”
    “And they were sent to you from the ship after his death?”
    “Yes.”
    “Among the collection was there a replica of the Warwick?”
    “Oh dear! I can’t remember,” Mrs. Chatham said. “There were so many of the little boats. I sold a few of them.”
    Nancy was worried. Mrs. Chatham might have sold the Warwick!
    “You think my husband hid his half of the map in a model of the Warwick?” the widow asked.
    “Doesn’t that seem reasonable?” Nancy replied.
    “Oh, it does!” the woman cried in despair. “And to think I may have disposed of it unwittingly! I’ll have no peace of mind until we find out. We’ll take the first plane home,” Mrs. Chatham decided instantly.
    The two were soon en route to River Heights. Aided by a strong tail wind, their plane arrived ahead of schedule.
    They hailed a taxi and rode to Rocky Edge. As the cab rolled through the open gate, Nancy observed that no guards were on duty.
    “Shouldn’t at least one of the special detectives be stationed at the gate?” she inquired.
    “They aren’t detectives,” Mrs. Chatham replied. “My gardener knew two strong men who were out of work, so we gave them the job. I’m sure they’re around here somewhere.”
    Shortly the taxi pulled up in front of the main house. As Nancy and Mrs. Chatham stepped out, a servant rushed up to them.
    “Oh, Mrs. Chatham,” the young woman said, puffing, “what are we going to do? What are we going to do?” she repeated hurriedly. “I’m so sorry, so very sorry.”
    The widow put a comforting arm around the girl’s shoulders and tried to remain calm. “Now tell me what the problem