The Thirteenth Pearl by Carolyn Keene

Author:Carolyn Keene [Keene, Carolyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Penguin USA, Inc.
Published: 2011-12-06T18:51:28+00:00

The article said that the theft was most unusual. Although the shop had a burglar alarm system, it had not been set off, and the police were at a loss to explain why. Also, they were puzzled by the fact that the only article taken was a necklace containing 25 pearls. The center pearl was very large and on each side of it were 12 smaller ones.

“That sounds like Mrs. Rossmeyer’s!” Nancy exclaimed.

“It does, indeed,” Mr. Drew agreed. “What do you think happened?”

“Benny the Slippery One comes to mind,” she replied. “I don’t know how he got his nickname, but it could mean that he knows how to turn off burglar alarms and slip in and out of jewelry stores unnoticed.”

“You are talking about the same man who climbed the tree last night and called into your room?” Mrs. Mise asked.

“Yes.”

“But how could he do two things at the same time?”

“Does the article mention what time the robbery took place, Nancy?” Mr. Drew asked.

“It could have been any time after closing yesterday. When the store’s custodian arrived at five-thirty this morning, he discovered that the alarm had been turned off. Thinking this strange, he called the owner of the shop. The man came immediately and discovered that the valuable necklace was missing. He phoned the police and they, in turn, gave the item to the newspaper just before it went to press.”

“So Benny had plenty of time for the burglary, either before or after he climbed the tree,” Nancy said. “I certainly wish I could find out if that necklace was Mrs. Rossmeyer’s.”

“Possibly World Wide Gems sold it to that jewelry store,” Mr. Drew added, “and then Benny or someone working for him went to get it back.”

“To make more money by reselling it!” Mrs. Mise added. “What a racket!”

Just then the telephone rang. Hannah Gruen was calling and said that Mr. Drew should phone his office as soon as it was open. “Meanwhile, I’ll talk to Nancy,” she added.

The young sleuth was delighted with what Hannah had to tell her. Ned Nickerson, Burt Eddleton, and Dave Evans were coming to River Heights to visit Nancy, George, and Bess. They wanted to know how soon Nancy would be home.

“I told them I thought in about a week,” Hannah remarked.

“I’ll certainly be there by then,” Nancy agreed. “Dad and I hope to wind up the mystery soon.” She told Hannah what happened since the Drews had arrived in Japan.

When she came to the part about Caputti climbing the tree and calling into her room, the motherly housekeeper gasped. “Oh, Nancy dear, please watch your step!” she begged.

“Don’t worry, Hannah,” Nancy replied. “I’m doing my best. This is a very puzzling case.”

After good-by’s had been said, Nancy wondered what to do next. An idea came to her. She said to her father, “Let’s go outdoors and see if we can find any clues to the man who was here last night.”

The two excused themselves and walked into the garden. Near the bushes through which the suspect had gone were footprints!

“These are strange,” Nancy said.

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