The Mysterious Moonstone by Eric Luper

Author:Eric Luper
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Published: 2016-11-27T05:00:00+00:00

Artie leaped through the window. “London Police!” he cried out. “Drop the knife!”

“Good heavens,” Ms. Crowley said. “I was only cutting vegetables.” She pointed at the counter where piles of carrots, onions, and potatoes sat. “So much to do for this wedding, you know.”

“Ms. Crowley,” Cleo said. “It’s us. Cleo and Evan.”

Evan stumbled through the open window.

“Pleasure to meet you,” she said, “but I’m not sure who this Ms. Crowley is. My name is Chef Lilith Merriweather. I studied cooking in Paris and have been working for the finest families in England for many years.”

“But you’re … you’re …” Evan said.

“I am Chef Lilith,” the woman said again, “not this Ms. Crowley you are speaking of. I would appreciate it if my junior Frank Hardy and Nancy Drew would stop mistaking me for someone I am clearly not.”

She was smiling, but her glare was unmistakable. It was Ms. Crowley for sure.

“My friends must be confused,” Artie said. “I’ve read about you in the Gazette. You once prepared a feast for Queen Victoria.”

“And a magnificent feast it was,” Chef Lilith said. “Roasted quail, cod in oyster sauce, and Cumberland duck.”

“Sounds delightful,” Artie said.

“Sounds like a stomachache,” mumbled Evan.

“If you don’t mind, may we ask you a few questions?” Artie said.

Chef Lilith crossed her arms. “You may,” she said.

Evan was weirded out. Ms. Crowley was somehow inside this book with them, but she didn’t want anyone to know who she was. Why? He guessed he needed to play along to find out. “Where were you when the moonstone disappeared?” he asked.

“I was here in the kitchen with Kumar,” she said.

Watson woofed.

“Why did you cut that rope and drop a chandelier on our heads?” Cleo asked.

“What?” Chef Lilith said. “I would never do such a thing, but I did notice a knife missing from my cutting block.”

Artie grabbed the huge spoon and stirred the soup. “This smells delightful.”

“It’s my specialty,” Chef Lilith said. “Tomato soup with garlic and basil. Beatrice insisted it be served at the wedding.”

“I’m curious,” Artie said, lifting the spoon from the pot. “Are fake rubies an ingredient in your recipe?”

He dumped out the spoon. A red stone clattered across the countertop.

“How do you know it’s fake?” Cleo asked.

“Fake gemstones float,” Artie said. “Real ones sink.”

“Someone has tampered with my soup!” Chef Lilith cried out.

“You’ve torn your apron,” Evan said. “Do you mind if we have a look?”

Chef Lilith bunched up her apron and turned away. “I’m very busy.”

“It’ll only take a moment,” Artie said. He took the piece of white cloth they had found on the rope ladder and held it to the torn edge of the apron.

It didn’t fit. The bit of cloth was too large.

“Satisfied?” Chef Lilith said. “Now, please excuse me, I’ve got to fetch eggs for the soufflé. Perhaps Evan and Cleo could help me.”

“Of course,” Artie said. “I’ll just have a look around the kitchen.”

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