Gertrude Warner - Mystery in New York

“Stop here,” Jessie said. “At the corner.”

Quickly they paid the driver and got out just as Lydia hurried across the sidewalk. She stopped at a door and touched the crystal at her throat.

“For luck,” whispered Violet almost to herself.

Then Lydia took a deep breath, opened the door, and disappeared inside.

The Aldens raced up to the door and stopped.

Then Henry read the sign posted on the door. “‘Auditions today for Diamonds and Hearts . A new mystery about stolen jewels … and love.’”

Then Henry began to laugh.

“What’s so funny?” Benny said.

“She isn’t a thief,” said Henry, laughing harder. “She’s an actress!”

Now Violet was smiling. “That’s why she put on those funny clothes, isn’t it?” she asked.

“Why?” asked Benny.

“Of course! Because she was going to an audition,” said Jessie.

“What’s an audition?” asked Benny. By now he was very confused.

“You remember when we were in that play, Benny. An audition is when you try out for a part in a show,” explained Violet.

“Oh. So she wasn’t in disguise. She was dressed up for the play,” said Benny.

“Right, Benny,” said Henry.

“And that’s why she was in Tiffany’s!” Jessie exclaimed suddenly. “What better place to do research about a play called Diamonds and Hearts ? She was studying the way the other people were dressed in Tiffany’s, too. That’s how she is dressed today — like some of those people at Tiffany’s.”

“With her crystal necklace for a diamond,” said Benny.

“You’re right,” said Henry.

“Does that mean she’s not the thief?” asked Benny. He sounded a little relieved.

“Well, she could still be a thief,” said Jessie. “But somehow, I don’t think so. I think she’s too busy to be a thief!”

Henry had managed to stop laughing. “Well, we might as well walk back to Mrs. Teague’s,” he said.

As they walked back uptown, they talked about the mystery.

“I’m glad it’s not Lydia,” said Benny. “I like her. And so does Watch. Because she likes dogs.”

“Me, too,” admitted Jessie.

“But if it isn’t Lydia, who is it?” asked Violet.

“Maybe Mr. Pound did it,” said Benny suddenly. “Maybe he’s just pretending the diamond is stolen.”

“Maybe, Benny,” said Henry. “But remember, he’d have to know an awful lot about alarm systems.”

“That’s true,” said Benny.

Violet said, “What about Mr. Saunders, the doorman? He could have let someone in without making them sign in.”

“That’s true, too,” agreed Jessie. “I definitely think we should keep Mr. Saunders as a suspect.”

“Don’t forget Mr. Evans,” said Henry.

“Why Mr. Evans?” asked Violet.

“Because he’s an electrician. He could probably figure out how to tamper with an alarm so that no one could tell,” said Henry.

“Do you think he broke into Mr. Pound’s apartment and took the diamond?” asked Benny.

“But the lock on the door of Mr. Pound’s apartment hadn’t been broken,” objected Henry. “The police said so.”

“Maybe we should ask Lydia,” said Benny.

“Ask Lydia what?” said Jessie, puzzled.

“About diamonds,” said Benny. “She’s in a play about stolen diamonds. And she has a lucky diamond necklace.… I mean, a crystal necklace.”

Jessie stared at Benny. And then her mouth dropped open. “That’s it, Benny! That’s it!”

“What?” said Benny.

“Remember what you said, Benny?” said Jessie. “About Lydia’s crystal necklace?”

“The one like a diamond?” asked Benny.

“Yes!” cried Jessie. “The crystal that Lydia wears for luck is like a diamond. Think, Benny. Where else have we seen crystals like diamonds? Lots of them.”

Benny frowned.

Violet gasped. “The chandelier!”

Henry said, “You’re right. Mrs. Teague’s chandelier. But what does that have to do with anything?”

“Because I think the Elizabeth Star is hidden there. And all we have to do to catch the thief is find out who hid it,” said Jessie.

“In the chandelier?” asked Benny. “The diamond is hidden in the chandelier?”

“Yes,” said Jessie.

“Let’s go!” cried Henry.

They raced back to Mrs. Teague’s apartment and ran past Mr. Leed.

“Where’s the fire?” asked Mr. Leed, startled, as they ran by.

“No fire,” Henry managed to say. “Diamonds.”

The elevator seemed to take forever to get down to the lobby. Suddenly Henry pointed at the stairs. “Come on. That’ll be faster,” he said.

They began to run up the long flights of stairs. By the time they reached the ninth floor, they were all gasping for breath. As they burst into the hall, they heard the elevator doors closing.

But they didn’t stop. They ran to Mrs. Teague’s apartment.

Jessie led the way into the dining room. She pulled out a chair and jumped up on it. “It’s not there,” she said.

“Jessie? What’s wrong?” asked Mrs. Teague, coming out of her study down the hall.

Then she said, “Doesn’t the chandelier look nice? Mr. Evans noticed how dusty it had gotten and gave it a good cleaning.”

“Mr. Evans? Where is he?” Violet looked around wildly.

“He just this second left. I’m surprised you didn’t see him in the hall,” began Mrs. Teague.

“The elevator!” exclaimed Henry.

Jessie jumped from the chair and, without waiting to give Mrs. Teague an explanation, the children raced out of the apartment.

This time they ran down the stairs so fast that Benny felt dizzy.

“Mr. Evans!” cried Jessie as they burst into the lobby. “Where is he?”

“He just left,” said Mr. Leed.

“Which way did he go?” asked Henry.

“Turned left. He might have parked his truck around the corner. You can’t park out front, you know. That’s for taxis and —”

They didn’t wait to hear the rest. They raced out of the building and down the sidewalk. Feet pounding the cement, they ran around the corner.

“There!” Jessie pointed.

A blue truck with the words EVANS’ ELECTRIC painted on the side was parked just up ahead and Mr. Evans was walking toward it with his car keys in his hand.

Henry didn’t hesitate. He ran and jumped right in front of the driver’s-side door. Violet, Benny, and Jessie ran and stood behind Mr. Evans so he couldn’t escape.

Mr. Evans put his hands on his hips. “Hey. What’s going on?” he demanded.

“I think you know,” said Jessie. She held out her hand. “The diamond, please.”

“Diamond? What diamond? I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Mr. Evans raised his voice. “Move!” he called to Henry.

Henry folded his arms and shook his head.

“You have the Elizabeth Star,” said Jessie. “We know you do.”

“Ha!” said Mr. Evans. “Very funny. Get out of my way or I’ll call the police.”

“Call them,” said Jessie. “And tell them how you took the Elizabeth Star from its hiding place in Mrs. Teague’s chandelier.”

Mr. Evans dropped his arms to his sides. There was a long silence.

“No police,” he said.

“Where’s the diamond?” Benny asked.

Slowly, Mr. Evans reached into his shirt pocket and took out an old piece of cloth spattered with paint. He unwrapped it and held it out. There in his hand glittered the Elizabeth Star.