Carolyn Keene - The Clue in the Jewel Box

“Mr. Ellington is a talented commercial artist,” said Katherine. “I see some of his drawings at an exhibit. He sell them, I think, to magazines. Helen say he will be at the fashion show, and I must make impression on him!”

“What is his first name?” Nancy asked.

“I do not know. He sign all his drawings R. H. Ellington.”

Star Island soon came into view, and the boat was tied to a dock near a sandy beach. Helen and Jim’s group already had arrived. All the young men except Michael offered to carry the picnic hampers to a spot among the trees.

Nancy introduced Michael to the others, then said, “Let’s go for a swim!”

“The prince will have a chance to show us his skill,” Ned added.

Michael smiled in a superior way. “Sorry, I didn’t bring swim trunks.”

“I’ll let you have mine,” Jim offered. “We’re about the same size.”

“No, thank you,” the young man declined. “I never wear anybody else’s clothing.”

The others felt certain that he was giving these lame excuses because he was a poor swimmer. While they dived and raced in a sheltered cove, he amused himself by throwing sticks into the water for his dog to retrieve.

“Can’t you play that little game somewhere else?” Ned demanded crossly.

“So sorry,” Michael replied, but he kept on throwing sticks in the swimming area.

“I’ve had my fill of that guy!” Ned muttered.

“So have I,” added Bob Dutton.

Out of earshot of Nancy they formed a plan to be put into effect if Michael should annoy them any more. The young people decided to dress. Nancy’s clothing had dried.

The girls were ready first and began to set out the lunch. Michael took several sandwiches for his dog without asking permission.

“I wish those boys would hurry,” Helen said after fifteen minutes had gone by.

Presently the youths turned up, broad grins on their faces. Nancy suspected they were up to some trick.

As the food was passed, it became evident that the prince had not learned anything about good manners from his association with his grandmother. He was as greedy as ever.

“Michael,” said Ned, addressing him abruptly, “will you do us a favor?”

“What is it?” Michael asked suspiciously.

“Katherine left her coat in the motorboat. Dash down and get it for her,” Ned replied, giving the girl a wink.

The young man considered a moment, and then smiled at Katherine. “I’ll do it for you. But when I get back, I’ll expect a reward.”

“You’ll get it,” Ned promised.

As Michael started toward the beach with his dog, Nancy glanced questioningly at Ned. Instantly the boys arose and hurriedly stuffed the remaining food into the hampers.

“We pulled the motorboats to another dock,” he explained. “Here’s where we leave Prince Charming! Come on!” Ned urged. “A ferryboat touches Star Island every two hours. His highness can get home on that.”

Nancy felt that they should not desert the young man, but was overruled. Keeping out of sight, the young people slipped down to the dock and boarded the two boats. The roar of the motors brought Michael sprinting madly along the beach.

“Hey, wait for me!” he shouted.

“Can’t hear you,” Bob called through cupped hands. “Louder!”

Michael shouted again and again. Finally, as the boats sped away, he slumped down on the beach.

“It was a mean trick-” Nancy began, but Ned interrupted her.

“He deserved it. Don’t waste any of your sympathy on him. Save it for Mrs. Alexandra.”

When the young people reached River Heights, they all went to a movie.

The next morning Nancy dropped in to see Mr. Faber about her father’s birthday gift. The antique dealer said, “I think I have found just the right gentleman’s box for Mr. Drew.”

He showed her a handsome brown leather chest trimmed with silver.

“It’s beautiful!” she said and lifted the lid. “And in wonderful condition,” she added, gazing at the velvet-lined trays for jewelry.

“I hope your father likes it,” he said anxiously. “Madame Alexandra asked me to make a special effort to please him.”

“How nice of her!” Nancy exclaimed. “Have you seen her recently?”

“No, but Michael was here early this morning.”

“Michael?”

“Yes, he brought me a ring to sell for Madame Alexandra.” Mr. Faber’s face became troubled. “I gave her the best price I could, but it worries me that she must sell her treasures.”

“Maybe Prince Michael is an expensive grandson to have,” Nancy remarked.

“Ah, yes!” Mr. Faber said with concern. “It is a pity Madame can deny him nothing.”

When Nancy reached home, Mrs. Gruen gave her an urgent message from Anna.

“She called twice,” the housekeeper said. “Mrs. Alexandra is very troubled. Anna wants you to come at once.”

“Of course I’ll go,” Nancy agreed. “I wonder if Michael had anything to do with her condition.”

A few minutes later she arrived at the Downey Street home and asked Anna if he had been the cause of Mrs. Alexandra’s agitation.

“I don’t see how Michael can be responsible,” the maid replied. “He has been away most of the morning.”

“He was at Mr. Faber’s,” Nancy said. “I thought maybe his selling the ring for Mrs. Alexandra might have upset her.”

“Michael sold a ring for Madame Marie?” Anna’s eyes opened wide at this bit of news.

“Didn’t you know about it?” Nancy asked.

“I certainly did not!” Anna returned with displeasure. “If I had known-But now it is too late. Madame Marie has spent money most lavishly the past couple of days.”

“Is Michael here now?” Nancy asked.

“He came in about ten minutes ago,” the woman replied. “He tied up that dog of his, and went off somewhere. He was in a dreadful mood.”

“Did he tell you what had disturbed him?”

“Only that some acquaintances of his had left him stranded on an island yesterday,” Anna continued. “A fisherman took him off in a small boat. He had to row part of the way to shore, and blistered his hands.

“I am glad it happened,” Anna declared, her black eyes flashing. “Michael will require many lessons to make a gentleman of him.”

“May I see Mrs. Alexandra now?” Nancy asked.

As the two started upstairs, the dog began to bark. The disturbance was so loud that Nancy and Anna hastened to a window to see what was wrong. To their dismay, the huge animal had broken the rope and was attacking the mailman.

“Oh! Oh!” moaned Anna, covering her eyes.

Nancy ran out the front door, determined to help the man. Her eye fell on the garden hose ready for use on the lawn. Unable to reach the faucet to turn on the water, she seized the hose and tried to lash at the dog.

“Run!” she shouted.

The mailman scrambled into the vestibule, his uniform ripped from the knees down.

Nancy whirled and faced the animal defiantly. With a snarl he made a leap for her face.

NANCY might have been bitten by the vicious dog if the letter carrier had not acted quickly. As she dodged the animal, the man leaped from the vestibule, seized the hose from her hand and beat off the dog.

Nancy ran toward the cellar door and yanked it open. When the animal followed her, she got behind the door. As he shot down the cellar stairs Nancy slammed the door shut. He was trapped!

In the meantime, the letter carrier examined his torn trouser legs. “Are you the owner?” he asked Nancy.

“He belongs to Mrs. Alexandra’s grandson.”

“The dog must be turned over to the authorities.”

“I agree with you,” Nancy said. “If he’s allowed to stay here, someone may be bitten. I’ll call the dog warden at once.”