Carolyn Keene - The Clue in the Jewel Box

“I don’t think your grandmother would want Rudy at her dinner party.”

“Well, then I’ll have to leave him here.”

“Here?” Hannah Gruen asked sharply.

“Just overnight. He’s harmless.”

“I won’t be here to look after him,” the housekeeper said coldly. “I’m going to a movie.”

“Oh, he can stay outside,” Francis Baum said carelessly. “I’ll tie him by the garage.”

He seemed unaware that he had caused the slightest inconvenience.

“I suppose you’re eager to see your grandmother,” Mr. Drew remarked.

“Oh, sure,” he replied, but his tone lacked warmth. “What’s she like?”

“Decidedly formal,” Nancy warned him.

“Maybe she won’t let me eat with you in these clothes.” He grinned. “But she’ll soon like me.”

Nancy avoided looking at her father and Katherine. They all felt sick at heart, knowing that Mrs. Alexandra could not fail to be disappointed upon meeting her grandson.

Mr. Drew parked in front of the house, which glowed with lights, and followed the others to the door. It was opened by Anna.

Upon entering, Mr. Drew’s gaze wandered to an unusual card tray on the hall table. Constructed of copper, it was decorated with colored bits of enamel in a flower-and-leaf design.

“That’s a sample of wonderful old enamel work,” he said to Nancy.

“You’ll see many other treasures, unless they have been put away,” she said.

In the living room Mrs. Alexandra, gowned in rich maroon velvet trimmed with real lace, greeted her guests. Her eyes were moist as she kissed Francis Baum on either cheek. If his appearance startled her, she did not show it.

“Michael,” she said tenderly, leading him to a sofa, “I have prayed we would be reunited.”

“I’m glad to know you,” he replied. “But I thought my name was Francis. Guess Mom was afraid to call me Michael.”

Nancy thought she detected a slight start on the part of her hostess. It seemed strange that his nurse would have had a royal child call her “Mom.”

“Michael Alexandra is your true name,” the former queen explained. “Do you recall anything of life at the palace?”

Francis squirmed uncomfortably. “I remember seeing some parades. That’s all.”

An awkward pause followed. It was broken by Anna announcing dinner. As the double doors of the dining room were opened, Nancy drew in her breath at the beautiful table setting. Orchids formed the centerpiece, the cloth was made of rare lace, and at each place was a name card.

Francis Baum found his chair at once and sat down without waiting for the others. To cover his mistake, Mrs. Alexandra quickly seated herself. It was evident to all that she meant to spare her grandson embarrassment.

The first course was a compote of rare fruits served in fragile hand-blown glass cups. The service plates were of rich dark blue and gold, with hand-painted bouquets. The handles of the knives and forks were inlaid with mother-of-pearl.

Nancy and Katherine were so impressed by all the splendor that they felt as if they were dining in fairyland. A glance at Francis Baum, however, brought them to earth quickly. The young man made one mistake after another, both in his table manners and in his attempts at conversation.

“He certainly has forgotten everything he ever was taught,” thought Nancy.

Dessert was served on dainty plates of salmon pink and gold. Their decorations of enamel were so unusual that Mr. Drew commented on the fine work.

“It is indeed remarkable,” Mrs. Alexandra admitted, pleased by his interest. “At one time, only the ladies of the court had dessert served on these plates.” She smiled. “But now I am sharing this secret with you gentlemen.”

She turned to Francis Baum. “Michael dear, do tell us something of your life here in America,” she urged gently.

“Nothing to tell,” he mumbled, avoiding her gaze. “I didn’t have a chance to get much education-too busy working.”

“You shall have an opportunity to learn now, Michael. You’ll have a tutor.”

“I’ll need to find out how to handle myself in society,” the young man admitted. “You can teach me the ropes yourself, though. Right?”

Mrs. Alexandra looked slightly distressed at her grandson’s crude remarks. The next instant she smiled. Arising, she indicated that the long dinner had ended.

The guests returned to the living room, from which many art treasures had been removed. The Easter egg, too, had disappeared. Nancy was disappointed that her father would not have an opportunity to hear the nightingale’s song.

Realizing that Mrs. Alexandra no doubt wished to be alone with her grandson, the guests soon offered excuses for leaving. Francis Baum followed Nancy into the hall and whispered:

“How about you and me having a date soon?”

“Thank you, I’ll be very busy-for some time,” Nancy said.

“Oh, do it as a favor to my grandmother.”

Nancy was glad that Mrs. Alexandra’s appearance in the hall at that moment made it unnecessary for her to reply. The Drews and Katherine departed, leaving Baum in his new home.

“It’s difficult to believe that he’s related to Madame Alexandra,” Nancy said to Mr. Drew after taking Katherine to the Archer residence. “If Mrs. Alexandra hadn’t been so firmly convinced that his credentials were authentic, I’d have thought he was an impostor.”

“Training may make young Baum into a new person,” Mr. Drew declared. “Let’s hope so.”

When they reached home, Mr. Drew went directly to the garage. He and Nancy alighted. The windows in the house were dark, evidence that Mrs. Gruen had not returned.

As the Drews neared the side door, they were startled to hear an angry growl. Baum’s dog had broken away from the rope and was crouched on the top step, ready to leap on Nancy and her father.

“Let’s try the front door,” she suggested.

The annoying animal followed them. He became increasingly unfriendly, and would not let them come within several yards of the entrance.

“What’ll we do, Dad?”

“It’s too late to telephone the dog warden.”

“We can’t stay outdoors!” said Nancy.

Mr. Drew nodded grimly.

“I know what we’ll do,” he said with satisfaction. “Just follow me, Nancy.”

MR. DREW led the way to the home of their neighbor Mr. Gleason. Grimly he told Nancy that he would call Francis Baum and ask him to come for his dog at once.

“That’s a good idea,” she agreed.

The owner of the animal was not cooperative. But when Mr. Drew remained firm, Baum reluctantly agreed to take him away.

“Who does that fellow think he is, anyway?” the lawyer demanded.

“Merely a prince.” Nancy giggled. “Since he has the title, he feels he should act the part.”

“Putting other people to a lot of trouble is anything but princely!” her father declared. “Why don’t you wait here at the Gleasons, Nancy?” he suggested. “I’ll walk back and watch for Baum.”

“I wouldn’t desert you.” She snuggled dose to him. “His Royal Highness will arrive soon.”

Minutes elapsed and Mr. Drew became more impatient. Again he tried to get into the house, but the dog became even more ferocious. After nearly an hour had gone by, he announced he would telephone the young man again. At that instant a taxi came down the street and stopped.

“There he is now!” the lawyer muttered.

“I was just ready to go to bed when you called,” Baum complained as he reached the Drews. “Couldn’t you handle Rudy without bothering me?”

“I could have turned him over to the police,” the lawyer retorted testily.