Mystery of the Star Ruby by Gertrude Chandler Warner Page A

Violet figured. “It’s kind of dark in here. Donald might not have seen a black bag on the floor.”
    Henry was studying the gemstone intently “He wouldn’t let Jonathan touch this, remember? It was almost as if he didn’t want anyone to see it closely.” He looked at Jessie. “Let me have our star ruby.”
    Jessie gave him the plastic container. “What is it?”
    “I want to try something,” said Henry.
    He held the star ruby in his right hand and Donald Hodge’s ruby in his left. Then he scratched the star ruby across Donald’s stone.
    Violet gasped. “How did—?”
    At that moment the door slammed shut.
    “I told you to go home!” growled a voice outside. “This is my final warning!”
    Footsteps moved away from the door and down the path.
    Benny ran over and tugged on the handle. “It won’t open!” he cried.
    Jessie twisted the handle. “It’s locked or blocked or something!”
    Henry glanced at his watch. “The contest closes in fifteen minutes! If we don’t enter our star ruby, we’ll lose!”

CHAPTER 10
A Thief Among Us
    “We have to get out!” said Violet.
    Henry stared at the small window. “There’s a bench on the other side of that window. But only Benny will fit.”
    “It’s the only way out,” said Benny. “I’ll go.”
    Henry linked his fingers together. “Step in my hands. I’ll boost you on the count of three. One, two, three !”
    Once he was level with the sill, Benny unlatched and opened the window. Then he crawled out.

    Jessie let out her breath when she heard her brother drop safely onto the bench on the other side.
    The door burst open and Benny ran inside.
    “It wasn’t even locked,” he exclaimed, waving a stick. “This was jammed through the handle.”
    “We have to hurry!” Violet urged.
    The children raced up the path to the main building. The dining room was packed with people.
    “You enter the ruby,” Henry told Jessie. “We’ll find Grandfather.”
    Jessie spotted one of the resort’s employees at the judging table. She ran up front, pulling the ruby case from her pack.
    “I’m not too late, am I?” she gasped.
    The man glanced at the clock over the stone fireplace. “Two minutes to spare, young lady.”
    After writing Jessie’s name on his clipboard, he weighed the ruby and recorded it. Then he set the star ruby on a velvet pad next to a large ruby. Though there were many other rubies on the pad, the Aldens’ was by far the largest. And it was the only star ruby.
    Cecil Knight came over and consulted with his employee, then he stood on a chair and clapped loudly.
    “Folks, may I have your attention?” he called. “I’m pleased to announce the winner of this year’s Ruby Hollow gemstone contest. Without a doubt, the star ruby found by Jessie Alden takes the prize. Let’s give her a hand.”
    Amid the applause, Jessie saw Donald Hodge get up and head for the doors.
    Henry and Grandfather blocked his path.
    “Let me through,” Donald demanded.
    “I’m sorry,” said Grandfather. “But the children told me something about being locked in the Laundromat—”
    “What’s that got to do with me?” Donald said. “They were probably playing a game. You know how kids are.”
    “It wasn’t a game,” Violet insisted. “You put a stick through the handle so we couldn’t get out.”
    “How do you know it was me?” asked Donald.
    By now everyone in the dining room was listening. Jonathan and Sybil had joined the group by the door.
    Cecil Knight left the judging table. “Is there a problem?” he asked.
    “Yes,” Henry answered. “Donald Hodge tried to keep us from entering our ruby in the contest.”
    Mr. Knight looked at him. “Let’s go into my office.”
    “Jonathan and Sybil should come, too,” said Jessie. Both of them agreed to go inside Mr. Knight’s office and talk. Once everyone was inside, Mr. Knight closed the door and said, “Now, what is this all about?”
    “Somebody took the ruby from my backpack,” Jessie