Mystery in the Old Attic by Gertrude Chandler Warner Page A

us?” asked Jessie hopefully. “We might be able to visit now and then. This would be a great place to take family vacations.”
    â€œI’ll say,” said Henry.
    Grandfather gazed at his grandchildren, then up at the portraits. Emily’s mother had the same hair, the same dreamy blue eyes as Violet. “We’ll see,” he said thoughtfully.
    The next morning, Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny woke up early. They were at the pawnshop as soon as it opened.
    â€œWell, you folks are certainly on the case,” said Sam, who looked a little sleepy. “I just opened the store a few minutes ago.”
    â€œWere you able to check your records?” asked Jessie.
    â€œYes, yes,” said Sam. “Now, let me see, what have I done with that note to myself?”
    Jessie and Violet exchanged looks. They were no longer surprised Sam had been mixed up about the person who sold him the ring.
    â€œAha, here it is.” Sam waved a paper in the air. “The person who sold me the ring is named Professor Francis Schmidt.”
    â€œI knew it! I knew it!” shouted Benny.
    â€œOh, dear. I guess I did lead you astray when I said Adam had pawned the ring,” said Sam, sighing. “No wonder he was upset. No one likes to be falsely accused.”
    â€œI guess not,” said Violet, who suddenly felt very bad for Adam. “We should tell him we’re sorry.”
    The others nodded. “But first let’s find the professor,” said Henry.
    The Aldens met Professor Schmidt as he was walking across the lawn to the woods. “We have to talk to you,” said Henry.
    The professor looked at his watch. “What about?” he asked. “You see, this is usually the time I go feed the animals in the woods. They seem to expect me.”
    Benny stared at the professor. Never in his wildest dreams had he thought the professor cared about small animals. “What kind of food do you give them?” he asked.
    â€œMostly bread crumbs like this,” answered the professor as he pulled some muffins out of his large pocket. “Now, what did you want to speak to me about?” he asked Henry.
    â€œAbout a ring that belongs to our family,” Henry replied.
    â€œI did find a ring on the top floor of the house,” said the professor. “It was in a hole in the wall.”
    â€œWas it a diamond and pearl ring with a silver band?” asked Jessie.
    â€œA platinum band, I believe,” answered the professor, looking surprised. “But yes, that describes it.”
    â€œAnd you took it and pawned it,” Henry said.
    The professor glared at Henry. “I did not take it, young man. I found it and told your great-aunt. But she insisted that I keep the ring.”
    â€œWhat?” Benny exclaimed.
    â€œDid you show her the ring?” asked Violet more softly.
    â€œWell, no,” the professor admitted. “But I described it to her. She was quite ill then. You see, I found the ring a couple of months ago when I went upstairs to examine the roof. It was leaking. I was able to fix it, and your great-aunt was so grateful, she gave me the ring.”
    â€œOh,” said Henry and Jessie together.
    â€œBut why did you pawn it?” asked Benny.
    The professor sighed. “Well, if you must know, I needed the money to send to my sister,” he explained. “She’s been ill.”
    The Aldens understood. They were beginning to understand the professor.
    â€œNow, suppose you tell me what you know about the ring,” said Professor Schmidt.
    â€œIt may take a long time,” said Henry as he stamped his feet to keep them warm.
    â€œPerhaps we had better go inside,” the professor suggested.
    Several minutes later, the professor sat in the living room with Henry, Jessie, Violet, Benny, and Grandfather. Jessie held Emily’s diary on her lap. “Here is the part where Emily wrote about the ring,” she said as she