Mystery of the Star Ruby by Gertrude Chandler Warner Page B

said.
    “And we think the culprit is in this room,” Violet added.
    “Since when do children accuse adults of stealing?” Donald asked. “And how do we know the ruby was stolen if they have it back? She entered it in the contest!”
    “I think we should listen to the kids,” said Mr. Knight.
    “We have evidence,” said Jessie. She pulled the gem list from her pack.
    Jonathan looked surprised. “That’s mine.”
    “We found it on the ground in the picnic area,” said Benny. “You crossed off everything but ‘star ruby.’”
    “You looked upset that day,” Violet said.
    Jonathan nodded sadly. “I had just gotten a letter from Carrie. She said I had been rock-hunting too long instead of visiting her. I was trying to write her a letter when you kids came along.”
    Sybil patted his shoulder. “I hope you called her.”
    “I did,” Jonathan said. Then he looked alarmed. “You don’t think I stole the star ruby? I’d never do that!”
    Mr. Knight waved his hands. “Wait a minute. Tell us about the star ruby being stolen. And how you got it back.”
    “I kept it in my backpack,” said Jessie. “The night we all went out to look at the Brown Mountain Lights, somebody went into our cabin and took the ruby.”
    Violet turned toward Jonathan. “You’d seen those lights before. You let it slip when you were talking to Sybil.”
    Jonathan blushed. “I’d heard about the lights, but I thought it was some story. I was walking in the woods when they appeared the night you Aldens arrived. I didn’t say anything at breakfast the next morning because I was afraid I’d look silly.”
    “What do the lights have to do with stealing the ruby?” Donald persisted.
    “Only that anyone had the chance that night to go in our cabin and take the ruby,” Violet said. “We even thought someone who worked here could have taken it because Mr. Knight called everyone out to see the lights.”
    “These kids have wild imaginations,” Donald said to Cecil Knight.
    “Twice we heard someone digging in the dump pile at the flume line after dark,” Henry went on. “The person was wearing white. Once we chased the person, but whoever it was ran.”
    Now it was Sybil’s turn to act sheepishly. “I’m afraid I’m the guilty party.”
    Mr. Knight stared at her. “What were you doing?”
    “Donald threw away a lot of dirt. I thought there might be some good stones in his dump pile,” Sybil answered. “But I was too embarrassed to let anyone see me, so I went out after dark. But I was only there once—and I didn’t run away!”
    “Who did run away?” Cecil Knight pursued.
    “The person who stole the ruby,” said Jessie. “We found the ruby buried in the dump pile.”
    Grandfather looked confused. “A valuable stone buried in a pile of dirt? That doesn’t make sense.”
    “It’s the perfect place,” said Henry. “Who would think of looking in the dump pile? But the thief got nervous and checked on it one night. When we went down there, the thief ran away.”
    Cecil Knight sat down at his desk. “Why would anyone be so dishonest?”
    “Some people here are very interested in getting a star ruby for their collection,” Grandfather put in, looking at Sybil.
    “You don’t think it was me?” Sybil asked, shocked. “Yes, I’d love a star ruby. But I wouldn’t steal one! I felt bad enough kicking over the children’s bucket the other day.”
    “So that wasn’t on purpose,” said Violet. “We thought you took Jessie’s backpack at first, too,” she added. “We found a scrap of white shirt material at the creek the day it was taken. And the day I found my Mama Bear ruby, you left the gem line in a hurry. At lunch later, you seemed very interested in my pack, which looks just like Jessie’s.”
    “I can explain,” said Sybil. “I had forgotten to take my medication and I remembered while I was in line. I went back to my cabin to take it. But I don’t understand about your pack. I thought Jessie’s