Read Online Mystery of the Queen's Jewels by Gertrude Chandler Warner - Free Book Online Page B

asked Jessie. “We would have given it back to you.”
    â€œI started to,” said Charles. “I came by your hotel, but you weren’t in. And then I panicked. I was afraid that if anyone found out what I’d done, I’d lose my job here.”
    â€œSo you were the friend who stopped by,” said Jessie, beginning to understand.
    â€œThen you followed us around, trying to get it back,” said Henry. “We saw someone in a raincoat—”
    â€œThat’s what was different about the raincoat,” said Violet. “It was all wrinkled!”
    â€œYes,” Charles said. “That was me. I hoped you’d put your backpack down and I could quickly take out the brooch without bothering anyone. No one would ever know. I tried to get it during tea.”
    â€œSo that’s why my bag wasn’t under my chair when I went to get the camera,” said Benny.
    â€œWe mentioned we were going to the theater last night,” said Jessie, “and so you took the opportunity to break into Benny’s room.”
    â€œI’ve never done anything like that before, but I was getting desperate,” Charles said, his voice cracking. “That brooch is very valuable — I had to get it back! Last night, when I didn’t find it, I finally realized I had to tell the truth. I should have done that in the first place. That’s why I came here, Lauren. I was going to tell you everything.” Charles sighed heavily. “I guess you’ll want to call the police now.”
    Mrs. Scherr looked seriously at Charles. “I don’t know. I don’t know what to do.”
    Everyone sat silently as Mrs. Scherr picked up the brooch and studied it.
    Then Violet spoke up in a quiet voice. “Charles, what you did was wrong — following us around, breaking into Benny and Henry’s room. You really scared us! Still, you must have been very frightened, having lost something so valuable. You must not have thought about what you were doing.” Violet looked at her sister and brothers, and then back at Charles. “I think we can forgive you.” The others nodded.
    â€œAnd for me,” Mrs. Scherr said, “the important thing is that the brooch is safe and you’ve told me the truth. You do excellent work, Charles — most of the time. I’d hate to lose you.” Mrs. Scherr paused. “I think we can put this all behind us.”
    â€œYou mean you’re not going to report me to the police?” Charles said. “Or fire me?”
    â€œNo,” said Mrs. Scherr. “But I’m certainly not sending you to any more auctions. From now on you can just work here in the office.”
    â€œOh, thank you, Lauren,” Charles said. “I won’t make you sorry.”
    â€œI just remembered,” Violet said. “We have something that belongs to you, Charles.”
    â€œYou do?” Charles asked.
    â€œYes, your hat,” said Violet. “You left it in the tea shop.”
    â€œThat’s right,” said Benny, digging into his backpack and pulling it out. He handed it to Charles.
    â€œSo that’s what I did with it! What would I do without kind people like you?” Charles asked, turning his hat around in his hands. “If that brooch had ended up in someone else’s bag, they might have kept it, or sold it for lots of money. Even if they were honest people, they might not have known where to return it. I’m lucky you children are so honest and that you were clever enough to figure out that the brooch belonged here at the museum.” Placing his hat on a table beside him, he walked over to the Aldens. One by one he shook each of their hands. “Thank you again,” he said warmly. “When do you leave London?”
    â€œOn Monday, at three o’clock,” said Jessie.
    â€œHave a safe trip,” Charles said. Then he turned back to Lauren. “Now, do you mind if I go