Read Online (#20) The Clue in the Jewel Box by Carolyn Keene - Free Book Online Page B

prince to work,” he declared loftily.
    “Michael will need time for his studies,” Mrs. Alexandra said. “I hope to engage a tutor for him within a few days.”
    “No hurry about it,” the young man interposed. “I want to have a good time for a while.”
    Bess and George noticed that many art treasures had been removed from the living room. Nancy had forgotten to tell them that Anna had put away the objects until the two women became better acquainted with the newcomer.
    “Where is the Easter egg?” Bess asked.
    Francis Baum became immediately alert. “Easter egg?” he demanded. “What’s that?”
    “Merely one of the things I brought with me when I came to this country.”
    “Let’s see what it’s like.”
    Mrs. Alexandra ordered Anna to bring the little treasure. She obeyed reluctantly.
    Francis Baum’s eyes brightened at the sight of the Easter egg with the gold-encrusted lid. He raised the lid. Beholding the nightingale, he astonished everyone by asking if it could sing.
    “Then you too know the secret!” Mrs. Alexandra exclaimed.
    She took the beautiful ornament from him. At the touch of her finger the nightingale sang its song. The young man gave no hint that he understood the words.
    Mrs. Alexandra told the story of her escape from her country, much the same as Nancy had heard it from Mr. Faber.
    “Michael dear, what did your nurse tell you about the nightingale?” she asked.
    “Just about what you’ve told me. Why do you keep asking me?”
    As if to escape further questioning, the young man arose and hurriedly left the room.
    Nancy quickly told Mrs. Alexandra that Katherine thought the nightingale might be saying in her native tongue, “clue in jewel box.”
    The former queen touched the secret spring several times. Finally she admitted that the little bird might be trying to convey such a message.
    “Do you know what it means?” Nancy asked.
    Before Mrs. Alexandra could reply, they were startled by a loud crash. From the kitchen Anna’s voice was raised in fright and anger.
    “Oh, Michael!” they heard her wail. “What have you done now?”
    Mrs. Alexandra and the three girls, alarmed by Anna’s cries, hastened to the kitchen. On the floor lay a porcelain bowl which had broken into a dozen pieces.
    “Madame Marie, it was not my fault!” Anna said, her eyes fastened on Michael.
    “No, blame me!” he retorted sharply. “Sure I did it. So the old bowl cracked.”
    “Old? Cracked?” Anna’s voice rose in anger. “That lovely porcelain cannot be replaced. The king gave it to Madame. She—”
    “There, Anna, please say no more,” Mrs. Alexandra interrupted. “It was an accident. After all, my grandson is far more precious to me than the most valuable piece of porcelain.”
    “That’s the way to talk, Grandmother!” Michael nodded. “I’ll get you another bowl.”
    It was easy to see that Mrs. Alexandra felt deeply distressed. Nevertheless, she passed the matter off with regal composure. Nancy decided it was not the right time to bring up the subject again of the nightingale’s mysterious reference to a jewel box.

    I’m afraid to borrow it,” Nancy said
    “We must leave now,” she said considerately. “May I take the hair ornament that Mr. Faber recovered?”
    To her dismay, Mrs. Alexandra asked Anna to bring in the genuine headdress and place it on Nancy’s head.
    “It suits you perfectly. You must wear it in the fashion show,” she insisted.
    Nancy did not want to offend the woman a second time, yet she was fearful that something would happen to the tiara-like piece.
    “I’m really afraid to borrow it,” she declared dubiously.
    “Do take it to please me,” Mrs. Alexandra urged. “I assume all responsibility. Anna will wrap it for you.”
    Nancy thanked the woman, and left the house with Bess and George. They carried the precious package at once to Katherine.
    “Ah, it will set off the Renaissance costume!” the designer approved in delight. “I ask Jim