Nancy Drew and the case of the Matching Vase
When Nancy Drew agrees to help local art collector Major Watson to investigate an unscrupulous Chinese dealer, Nancy is faced with danger at every turn especially from the art dealer's associate, Lei Wong, a martial arts expert who is determined to put Nancy off the case.
Chapter 1
THE SCHOOL TRIP
Nancy Drew, 16 year-old schoolgirl sleuth, was with a party of her school friends visiting the home of Major Watson who had a grand house on the outskirts of the town where Nancy lived, River Heights.
Nancy had started sleuthing at a young age starting with finding missing cats, but now assisted the police in some cases and had recently put a swindler behind bars for trying to trick an old lady out of her will.
Nancy ran her fingers through her long brown hair and listened intently as the guide explained about the Majors art collection. .
'I'm bored' came a voice in Nancy's ear. It was her best friend Bess Marvin.
'Bess, you could really learn something here' said Nancy.
However, Bess was more interested in the nearest burger bar.
The group came to a magnificent vase, which was contained in a glass case protected by alarms and obviously worth a fortune. The guide explained that it was one of a pair but that the other had fallen into the hands of an unscrupulous dealer.
'Wow, sound like a mystery' said Bess.
Nancy smiled at her friend, secretly thinking to herself that Bess may be right, another mystery could be heading her way.
After the tour was over, Bess went to fetch some food while Nancy sought out Major Watson.
He confirmed that there were two vases but one had been acquired from an antique shop just out of town by a Chinese dealer who he was sure would stop at nothing to get his hands on the one the Major had.
'Nancy, it would be really good if you could do some investigating for me, I could be worrying about nothing'
'Leave it to me Major, I would love to help' said Nancy.
Nancy returned home and changed into her sweatshirt and jeans and made her way to the antique shop.
There she spoke with the owner.
'Yes you are correct, Nancy Drew' said the kindly gentleman, 'a Chinese dealer has bought the other vase'
'I believe they worked in an office just outside of town'.
In the back of the shop an oriental woman with dark glasses was browsing and overheard Nancy and the shop owner speaking.
Late that day the woman was in the office of the Chinese art dealer and his associate Lei Wong.
'I believe this Drew girl knows the location of the other vase' she said.
'Nancy Drew' said the art dealer, concerned 'we do not want her involved'.
'She is the famous schoolgirl sleuth'.
'What can this schoolgirl do to thwart our plans' said Lei Wong. She was a martial arts expert. 'I am sure the owner of the other vase can be convinced to hand it over, maybe this Nancy Drew can tell us who it is'.
'Do not under estimate Miss Drew, she is famed for solving mysteries' said the dealer.
'All we need to do is find out where Nancy Drew lives, then I will knock her out'.
'We will soon scare her off' laughed Lei Wong.
'She lives with her father, Carson Drew, the solicitor, in River Heights, the house should not be difficult to find'.
Next day Nancy was on the phone to Bess, who had Nancy's other best friend, George Fayne with her.
'Do you think the Major is right, are the Chinese people after his vase',
'He has asked me to investigate' said Nancy, 'obviously the police can not get involved as there has been no crime, but I am going to pay the art dealer a visit, if either of you are interested'
'Count us in' said Bess and George.
Nancy went upstairs and changed. She pulled on her cream blouse, tight black micro-mini skirt and sheer tan tights. She pulled her long brown hair into a pony tail and fastened it back. She called to her house-keeper Hannah 'I am just going into town with Bess and George, be back for lunch'.
Hannah appeared and gave Nancy a disapproving tut.
'If I had gone out like that when I was your age, young lady'! she said, alluding to Nancy's very short micro skirt which barely covered her underwear, 'I would have been the one getting arrested'!
Nancy laughed, 'Ned loves me to wear this skirt' Ned was a good friend of Nancy's
'Why am I not surprised' said Hannah, 'good job he is out of town'
'Don't worry, I will be careful' said Nancy
As she walked off the end of her drive, Nancy became aware of a car pulling up beside her.
The driver poked his head out of the window, distracting Nancy.
'Do you know Miss Nancy Drew' said the driver.
'I'm Nancy' she said.
Next moment Lei Wong emerged from the car.
'Miss Drew, I have something for you' she said.
Without another word, she drew her arm back and hit Nancy across the neck with the side of her hand.
'Ahhh' moaned Nancy, in pain.
It was the perfect knock-out chop, hitting Nancy on the carotid artery in her neck.
The schoolgirl super sleuth felt a moment of intense pain and pressure in her head, then felt herself falling.
Before she hit the pavement, Nancy Drew had fainted!
The karate chop had done its job perfectly, Nancy lay stretched unconscious on the pavement outside her house. She was knocked out, completely!