Suddenly Jessie gasped. “Maybe that’s why someone’s been following us! Like Violet said the other day, he was following us because we had something he wanted. He’s been trying to get it back all week! We’ve had the backpack with us every day. This is one of the first times we’ve left it and gone out at night.”
“Why did he break into our room tonight and not before?” asked Benny.
“Somehow it seems as if the person knew we’d be out tonight and probably wouldn’t be bringing the backpack,” said Henry.
“But who would have known that?” asked Benny.
“We told Andrew we’d be going to the theater tonight,” said Jessie. “And remember what he said about hiding something where it would be safe!”
“He does seem like the most likely suspect,” said Henry. “But don’t forget Donna. She saw us as we were leaving the inn tonight. And Mrs. Brown said something about her having a secret plan to get rich. If she stole this brooch and sold it, she’d be rich.”
“Mrs. Brown even said her plan was sort of like stealing,” Benny added.
“I just thought of someone else,” Jessie said. “We told Charles we were going to the theater tonight, too.”
“But he’s such a kind man,” said Violet. “I can’t believe he’d do anything like this.”
When Mr. Alden came back downstairs, the children showed him the brooch. He turned it over in his hands, studying it. He was just as mystified as they were.
At last he said, “I have a very important meeting first thing tomorrow morning, and I’ve got to get some sleep. But as soon as my meeting’s over, we’ll all go to the police station and show them this brooch. Maybe someone has reported it missing. At any rate, the police will know what to do. For now I think the best thing is to get some sleep.” He turned to the boys. “I think it’s safe to sleep here. Whoever broke in didn’t find what he was looking for. I’m sure he won’t come back.”
“And you’ll be right across the hall if we need you,” said Benny, yawning loudly.
“Yes,” said Grandfather. “Good night.”
But although it was very late and they were all tired, a long time passed before any of the Aldens could fall asleep.
CHAPTER 10
Mystery Solved!
After all the late-night excitement, the children slept late the next morning. When they awoke, their grandfather had already left for his business meeting. He’d left a note telling them when he’d be home and how to reach him if they needed to.
Because it was so late, the Aldens were the only ones at breakfast. Mrs. Brown told them that the bobby had spoken to Andrew and Donna earlier, but there was no new information.
Jessie turned to the others. “Grandfather probably won’t be back until this afternoon, so what should we do until then?”
“How about going to a museum?” suggested Henry. “There are lots in London and so far we’ve only been to one, the British Museum.”
“That’s it!” said Violet.
Everyone turned to look at her.
“That’s why that brooch looks familiar,” Violet said. “Remember that jewelry exhibit at the British Museum we saw on our first day here? There were some earrings there that looked just like the brooch — they’re probably a matching set!”
“Let’s go back there and take a look,” said Jessie. “Maybe there’s someone who works at the museum we could talk to.”
The Aldens finished eating quickly and left the inn. They brought the brooch with them, wrapped up and tucked carefully in Jessie’s pocket.
At the museum they went straight to the glass display case that held the antique jewelry.
“Look!” said Jessie, pointing. “Violet was right. Those earrings are a perfect match for the brooch.”
The children all peered into the case: in amazement. The earrings were the same oval shape, with the same jewels and intricately engraved HRH.
“It says they belonged to Queen Victoria over one hundred years ago,” said Violet. “Do you think the brooch did, too?”
“We’d better speak to someone in charge,” said Henry, heading to the information desk. “Hello, we’d like to speak to someone about the royal jewelry,” he said to the woman who was sitting there. “It’s important.”
The woman studied Henry for a moment. She was obviously trying to decide whether he was serious.
“We’ve found something that may be worth a lot of money,” Jessie added.
The woman at the desk picked up her telephone and dialed. “Mrs. Scherr, there are some children here who want to see you, if you have a moment. I know you’re busy, but they say it’s important.” She listened for a moment and hung up the phone. Then she motioned to one of the uniformed security guards. “Please take these children to speak to Mrs. Scherr,” she said. “She’s the head of the British Antiques Department,” she told the Aldens.
The guard led them to the section of the museum where the offices were. “Here’s Mrs. Scherr’s office,” he said.
“Thanks,” said Jessie as the children went inside.
A dark-haired woman was sitting behind a large desk, which was covered with books and papers. She smiled when she saw the Aldens. “Can I help you?”
“We found something that may belong in this museum,” Jessie said, pulling the package out of her pocket and laying it on the desk.
Mrs. Scherr looked at the children curiously and then began unwrapping the package. When she saw the brooch she gasped. “But — but — wherever did you find this?”
“I know this is going to sound strange,” Henry began. “It was tucked inside my little brother’s backpack.”
Benny smiled proudly and held up the red backpack.
“How did it get there?” Mrs. Scherr asked.
“We have no idea,” said Jessie.
“This is a very valuable brooch,” Mrs. Scherr explained. “It belonged to Queen Victoria. It’s part of a set.”
“It goes with the earrings in the glass display case, doesn’t it?” asked Violet.
“Yes,” said Mrs. Scherr. “This brooch was in a private collection. Last week it was auctioned — in America. I sent my assistant to purchase it for the museum, and he’s due back next week. I can’t imagine how the brooch ended up in your backpack!”
“We were just as surprised as you are,” said Jessie.
Suddenly Benny said, “What is your assistant’s name?”
“My assistant?” Mrs. Scherr asked. She sounded surprised at the question. “His name is Charles. Charles Finchley.”
“Charles?” said Jessie and Henry at the same time.
“I think I know what happened,” said Benny.
Everyone turned to Benny.
“Remember Charles was sitting right near us on the plane, and he had a red backpack just like mine?” Benny said.
“That’s right!” said Jessie. “He did.”
Benny went on, “The backpacks were both in the overhead bin during the flight and—”
“And I put the brooch in the wrong backpack,” said a voice in the doorway.
Everyone turned to see Charles standing there, his head down.
“Charles, what is going on?” Mrs. Scherr demanded.
“I’m so sorry, Lauren. I never meant for this to happen,” said Charles. “I went to the auction and bought the brooch, just as I told you on the telephone. But I was so excited I wanted to bring it back myself to surprise you. So I caught an earlier flight. Midway through the flight I took the brooch out to make sure it was safe, and then I returned it to my backpack. It wasn’t until I got home that I realized I’d put it in the wrong bag. I’m so scatterbrained sometimes.”
“You certainly are,” Mrs. Scherr agreed, but her voice was gentle.
“So why didn’t you tell us?” asked Jessie. “We would have given it back to you.”
“I started to,” said Charles. “I came by your hotel, but you weren’t in. And then I panicked. I was afraid that if anyone found out what I’d done, I’d lose my job here.”