A sheep farmer receives a mysterious telephone call shortly after he buys a series of pictures painted on parchment. 'Decipher the message in the parchment and right a great wrong,' the voice says. Puzzled, the owner asks Nancy to help. With Junie, his daughter, Nancy tracks down a kidnapper and a group of extortionists. Clues weave in and out of several puzzles, two of which are linked with Italy. Is there a connection between the message in the parchment and a boy artist on another farm? And who is responsible for the atmosphere of fear in the neighborhood? After several harrowing experiences, Nancy begins to tighten the net around a ruthless villain and calls on the assistance of the friends Ned, Burt, Dave, Bess and George to bring his nefarious schemes to a dead end. Recommended for ages 8 to 12.
