The Clue in the Recycling Bin by Gertrude Chandler Warner

those opened trash bags upset me. I thought somebody didn’t like me. I thought they didn’t like the recycling center.”
    â€œI’m sorry,” said Ethan. “I won’t do it again.”
    â€œBut what upsets me even more is that you tipped over the Other Stuff Dumpster,” Kayla said. She frowned at Ethan. “You didn’t help clean that up.”
    Ethan looked shocked. “But I didn’t do that!” he shouted. “I didn’t turn over the Dumpster!”
    â€œEthan is telling the truth,” said Jessie. “He didn’t turn over the Dumpster.”
    Kayla frowned. “You mean to say that two people have been breaking into the recycling center?”
    â€œYes,” said Henry. “And the break-ins aren’t the only crime to solve.”
    â€œThey aren’t?” asked Kayla. “What else is there?”
    Jessie spoke. “Somebody robbed Jonah’s Jewelry Store three weeks ago. They stole a bag of diamonds.”
    â€œDiamonds?” Kayla seemed nervous. “I don’t know anything about diamonds.”
    Jessie thought Kayla’s comment was strange. Nobody is accusing her of taking the diamonds , thought Jessie . Why does she act guilty?
    â€œWe think that the diamond theft and the second break-in here might be connected,” Jessie explained.
    â€œNo,” said Kayla, standing up. “That’s ridiculous. There’s no connection between the robbery and the recycling center.”
    The Aldens and Ethan watched as Kayla shoved all her pieces of metal and sparkling glass into a drawer. Then she shut the drawer and locked it.
    â€œYou kids might be able to figure out who turned over the Other Stuff Dumpster,” she said. “I hope you do. But you won’t be able to solve who stole the diamonds.”
    â€œWe will solve it,” said Henry.
    â€œNo,” said Kayla. “If the police haven’t solved it, you won’t, either.”
    The children turned to leave, but Kayla stopped them. “Wait,” she said. “This morning I found something in the Other Stuff bin: something just for Violet.”
    Kayla rummaged around under one of her benches, then pulled out something wrapped in plastic. Kayla removed the plastic and thechildren saw a large piece of beautiful purple cloth.
    Kayla handed the cloth to Violet. “Somebody left this brand new cloth in the Other Stuff bin.”
    Violet held the cloth, which shimmered with flecks of gold. She saw that there were thin gold-colored threads woven through the cloth. “It’s so pretty,” said Violet. The cloth felt very soft and smooth in her hands.
    Violet smiled. “Thank you,” she said. “I don’t see how anybody could give away something purple.”

CHAPTER 8
    The Bottom of the Boots
    T he children stood just outside the gate to the recycling center. Ethan had gone back to work on the bags, and Kayla was in her studio.
    â€œWe know that Ethan didn’t climb the fence and tip over the Other Stuff Dumpster,” said Violet.
    â€œBecause his footprints don’t match the smaller set of footprints,” said Jessie.
    â€œAnd because Ethan could jump over the fence,” said Benny. “But the person who tipped the Dumpster had to climb over.”
    â€œWe need to find out whose footprints match the second set,” said Henry. “Then we need to find out why that person tipped over the Dumpster.”
    The children stood there and thought.
    â€œWe need to see the tread marks on Mrs. Wickett’s shoes, on Chad’s shoes, and even on Kayla’s shoes,” said Jessie at last.
    Her brothers and sister agreed.
    â€œLook!” said Benny, pointing across the street. “I just saw something bright red. I think it’s Mrs. Wickett’s boots!”
    The Aldens crossed the street and walked into Mrs. Wickett’s yard. They walked around the back, where Benny had seen