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straightforward to me,” Nancy said.
    Ned went on, “The reason I’m suspicious is that Foyle’s symptoms—double vision, stuff like that—didn’t start until a couple of days after the doctor at the hospital emergency room checked him out and said he was okay. I suspect that he thought it over and decided that if he could fake symptoms, he could make a mint by suing the town for damages. Since I’m the one who investigated the claim, I feel responsible for straightening the whole mess out.”
    â€œIt seems like a long shot,” Nancy remarked, half to herself.
    Ned didn’t answer, but Nancy saw him frown and immediately felt a pang of guilt. Was she being too discouraging? Could George be right about her not wanting Ned to get involved in investigative work?
    â€œBut if anyone can solve this case, you can, Mr. Insurance Dragon,” she added quickly, and was pleased that Ned smiled at her.
    After a few minutes Ned got out of the car. “I’m going to ring the doorbell,” he told Nancy. “If Foyle answers, I’ll snap his picture. If anyoneelse answers, I’ll ask for Foyle and see what happens.”
    â€œBe careful,” Nancy called after him. She watched him cross the narrow street and go up to the door. After a moment it was answered by a thin, elderly woman. She and Ned spoke briefly before he turned around and came back to the car.
    â€œThat was Foyle’s landlady,” he reported. “She says she has no idea when he’ll be in.”
    â€œWell, these things happen,” Nancy told him. She eased her seat back to get a little more legroom. “Now I guess we just watch and wait.”
    Four hours later Nancy was feeling tired and grimy, and her neck was stiff from staring at the house across the street.
    â€œNed,” she said. “It’s after eleven, and I’m beat. Can we try again tomorrow?”
    â€œOkay, okay,” he said, yawning. “I guess we’ve done enough staking out for one day.”
    Giving Ned a grateful smile, Nancy started the car and drove the short distance to his house.
    â€œI’ll call you in the morning,” he told her. He gave her a quick kiss and got out. “And, Nancy, remember one thing—I’m not going to give up until I prove my case.”
    â€¢Â â€¢Â â€¢
    On Saturday morning Nancy hung around the house for an hour or so, waiting for Ned’s call, but it didn’t come. When she tried to call him, the line was busy. At last she decided to go out and run some errands.
    When she came home at two, she asked Hannah if Ned had called.
    The gray-haired housekeeper looked up from the kitchen table and smiled at Nancy. “No, he hasn’t,” she replied. “Do you two have plans for today?”
    â€œI thought we did,” Nancy said, frowning. “He was supposed to call me this morning.”
    At that moment the telephone rang, and Nancy sprang for it. It was Ned, calling from what sounded like a phone booth.
    â€œNed, what’s up? Have you been tailing Foyle?” Nancy asked.
    â€œIn a manner of speaking,” Ned said. His voice was high and strained. “Foyle is dead.”
    â€œWhat?” Nancy nearly dropped the phone. “Ned, what’s going on?”
    â€œFoyle is dead,” Ned repeated, “and I’m at the Mapleton police station—under arrest. Nancy, they think I killed him!”

Chapter

Four
    F OR A SECOND Nancy couldn’t even breathe. Ned under arrest—for murder?
    â€œDid—did I hear you right?” she croaked at last. “They think you—”
    â€œYes. I found the body and the weapon, and then the police found me.” Ned’s voice sounded weak and scared, and Nancy’s heart went out to him.
    â€œOh, Ned. How horrible!”
    Ned gave a shaky laugh. “Tell me about it. Listen, I’m not allowed to talk long,” he hurried on.