Mystery on the Ice

by Gertrude Chandler Warner

  Violet laughed. “Before the performance, I promise.”

  “Speaking of performance,” said Jessie, “we’d better clear the table and get dressed. We need to be at the Civic Center early so we can sell cookies.”

  “I can’t wait to see the skaters!” said Benny. “They’ll look like stars skating across the ice.”

  “They are stars,” Henry said.

  After leaving the kitchen spic and span, the excited Aldens went upstairs to dress.

  Each could hardly wait to see the show.

  Jessie brushed her brown hair until it shone. Violet came into Jessie’s room to borrow a barrette.

  “I see you’re wearing your favorite dress,” Jessie said, smiling.

  Violet looked down at her lavender dress with a purple knit vest. “I want to look my best tonight,” she said.

  “Me, too,” Jessie said, slipping an arm around Violet.

  Downstairs, Henry winked at Violet. “We’d better leave, so Violet can try out her secret plan.”

  When they got to the Civic Center, they arranged cookies on trays. It wasn’t long before people who arrived early had purchased a whole trayful of gingerbread men.

  When Mr. and Mrs. Murray and James Alden came in, they went directly to the children. William Murray bought a dozen thumbprint cookies.

  So did Grandfather. “For a snack later tonight,” he said.

  “You look so shiny,” Benny said, gazing at Mrs. Murray.

  “Why, thank you, Benny,” Sara Murray said. Her white silk dress matched her white hair.

  “Did you find your stolen diamonds?” Benny asked, staring at Mrs. Murray’s sparking diamond earrings, necklace, bracelet, and rings.

  Mrs. Murray laughed, touching one dangling earring. “No, no, my real diamonds and rubies are still missing. These are only paste.”

  “You mean you pasted on all that jewelry?” Benny questioned.

  William Murray laughed. “Paste jewelry means fake jewelry. The diamonds that Sara is wearing tonight aren’t real.” Still smiling, he added, “I wish they were.”

  “Children, why don’t you run along? Let us sell the rest of your cookies,” Mrs. Murray said.

  “Yes,” Grandfather said. “The gingerbread men have all been sold and there are only a few of the thumbprint cookies left. Besides, I know you would like to see the ice skaters backstage before they begin their performance.”

  “Thanks,” Jessie said. “I would like to see Alex.”

  The children left, knowing their cookie sale was in good hands.

  “Mrs. Murray’s diamonds look real. They didn’t look like glue at all,” Benny said.

  “The word is paste, Benny.” Henry chuckled. “Not glue!”

  “Paste jewels,” Benny repeated. “I forgot.

  In the dressing room Alex was still in her practice outfit — leotards and T-shirt.

  Jessie wondered why Alex wasn’t dressed yet, but didn’t ask. “I wanted to wish you good luck,” she said.

  Alex smiled, hugging Jessie. “Thanks, I think everything will be fine.” She glanced at Violet. “Don’t you think everything will work out, Violet?”

  Violet replied, “I’m sure it will.”

  Carl poked his head in. He was dressed in red trousers and a sequined shirt. “Aren’t you ready, Alex?”

  “In a few minutes,” she answered.

  “We’re on in fifteen minutes,” Carl said, leaving.

  Suddenly, Alex exclaimed. “Oh, Violet. Look at my costume! It’s ripped!”

  “You can’t possibly wear it like that,” Violet said, examining the short red dress.

  Alex looked at Marcia, who sat in a corner reading a magazine. “Since you’re not skating, Marcia,” Alex said, “could I please wear your green dress?”

  Marcia jumped up, forgetting her crutches. “No!” Then she added in a calmer voice, “It wouldn’t fit you. You’re smaller than I am.” She reached for the costume, but Violet quickly took it off the hanger.

  “I can fix that,” Violet said. “A stitch here and there and it will be perfect.”

  Marcia bit her lip, not knowing what to say. Finally she said in a weak tone, “Be careful of it!”

  “Of course,” Alex answered, going behind a folding screen with Violet.

  Marcia glared at Jessie, Henry, and Benny. “If anything happens to that dress,” she muttered, “I’ll … I’ll …”

  Henry gave her a puzzled frown. “Why are you so nervous about a costume?”

  “Yes, why are you, Marcia?” Alex asked, re-emerging from the screen with Violet. “I don’t think I’ll be wearing your dress, after all.”

  Violet held up the green dress. In the light the rhinestones and other stones glittered and sparkled.

  “Those diamonds and rubies don’t look like paste,” Benny said. “They look real!”

  “I think they are,” Violet said in a quiet voice. “Aren’t they, Marcia?”

  Marcia stood rooted to the spot, not speaking. Her hands trembled as she reached for her crutches.

  “I don’t think you need these anymore,” Henry said, moving Marcia’s crutches away from her.

  “Well, Marcia?” Alex said.

  Just then Carl came in. “Are you ready, Alex? There’s not much time …” He stared at the bright stones on the green dress, then at Marcia without her crutches.

  “I think we’ve caught our thief,” Violet said.

  CHAPTER 11

  Confession

  Marcia stood defiantly facing Violet and Alex. “Are you accusing me of the jewel robbery?” she asked. “You have no proof.”

  “This is proof!” Violet said, holding up Marcia’s green costume.

  Marcia stared at her costume. She said nothing.

  “I’ll be right back,” Jessie whispered to Henry. In a few minutes she returned with Grandfather, Janet O’Shea, the Murrays — and the mystery man. They all crowded into the dressing room.

  “The police have been called,” Jessie said. She glanced at Marcia, feeling sorry for her, yet angry, too. How could she have stolen Mrs. Murray’s jewels?

  Marcia glared at Violet.

  Puzzled, Mrs. Murray looked around. “Are my jewels here? I don’t see them.”

  Without a word, Violet handed Mrs. Murray the green costume.

  Mrs. Murray looked from the green dress to Violet, then back at the dress. Suddenly she gasped. “My diamonds and rubies! I’d recognize their sparkle and cut anywhere! William, look!”

  Mr. Murray studied the gems. “These are our jewels,” he announced. “Each one has been removed from its setting and put into a clasp that holds buttons, then sewn onto the costume.”

  Benny’s mouth formed a big O. “You mean the jewels were in plain sight all the time — the buttons are the jewels!”

  “That’s right,” Alex said. “Violet thought it was strange that Marcia was so careful of her costume, checking the stones to be certain they were secure.”

  “When I saw Marcia without her crutches,” Violet said, “and then saw her study her costume, I became suspicious.” She glanced at Marcia. “You see, I was sewing in a corner in the back when you came into the dressing room today and leaned your crutches against the wall.”

  Marcia’s expression was grim. “So you saw me walk and look at my costume.” She shrugged. “That doesn’t mean I’m a thief!”

  “Don’t forget you used green ink!” Benny shouted. “That was another clue!”

  “Yes,” Alex said, smiling. “But I wrote in green ink, too! And so did Ollie.”

  “I knew you couldn’t steal anything!” Benny answered.

  “Green ink?” Marcia repeated. “What are you talking about?”

  Henry pulled papers from his pocket. “You used green ink on this map and also on the newspaper article.” He put a hand on Benny’s shoulder. “When Benny got your autograph, he realized that you and Alex and Ollie had pens with green ink.”

  Sighing, Marcia dropped into a chair.

  �
�We decided to play a trick on you,” Alex said.

  Marcia stared at Alex. “Do you mean your costume wasn’t torn?”

  “Not even a little,” Alex replied. “But we needed to look at yours. We suspected you’d sewn on the real jewels.”

  The man in black stepped forward, smoothing his mustache. He cleared his throat and spoke in a deep voice: “Marcia Westerly, you’ve not only stolen Mrs. Murray’s jewels, but also robbed homes in Albany, Philadelphia, and Pittsburg!”

  “Who are you?” Benny asked, surprised the man knew so much.

  Janet O’Shea spoke up. “This is Adam Hooper, a detective I hired.”

  Suddenly two policemen squeezed into the room.

  “This is the thief!” Adam Hooper announced, pointing at Marcia. “We’re waiting for her explanation.”

  “I’m Officer Mylansky,” the bigger of the two men said, “and this is my partner, Officer Greene.” He flipped open a notepad. “Who found the jewels?”

  Adam Hooper sheepishly turned to the Aldens. “I can’t take credit. The Aldens pieced together the whole thing.”

  Marcia’s mouth became a thin line, and she said in a cold tone, “Yes, the clever Aldens! If it hadn’t been for them, I’d have been on a plane tomorrow, and no one would have been the wiser. I’ve always wanted to have money. I was going to sell the jewels when I got out of this town.” She added bitterly, “The blizzard was against me, too! Snow closed the airport, or I would have left town the day after the robbery!”

  “Did you really burglarize homes in those other cities?” Henry asked, disbelief on his face.

  “Yes, I did!’ Marcia stood up, facing her accusers. “It was easy. My crutches gave me the perfect excuse.” She paused, glancing at the waiting officers. “The Murrays’ house was going to be my last robbery with the troupe. I knew I couldn’t stay on crutches forever!”

  “No, you couldn’t!” Janet exclaimed. I was beginning to wonder when you were ever going to put on a pair of skates! To think I hired you!”

  “I wondered about you, too, Marcia,” Jessie said, “when you didn’t know a simple skating term or who Valentina Markov was!”

  Marcia gave a bitter laugh. “I guess I gave myself away in more ways than one!”

  “Come along, Miss,” Officer Greene said, leading Marcia out of the room.

  Mrs. Murray clutched the green dress, examining each gem. “Every diamond and ruby has been fastened on this dress.” Tears filled her eyes. “How can I thank everyone!”

  For a moment all that was heard was the police siren fading into the distance, then Benny spoke up, “You could buy the rest of our cookies!”

  Mr. Murray put his arm around his wife. “We will, we will!” he promised, laughing.

  “And we’ll put on the best ice show you’ve ever seen!” said Carl. He touched Alex’s hand, and she smiled at him. “I’ll be ready in five minutes,” she said.

  All at once, Janet O’Shea waved a paper overhead. “I have more good news! The tickets to our five Cincinnati performances are completely sold out!” She smiled. “It looks as if all my skaters will be paid, and get bonuses, too!”

  Benny tilted his head. “It’s the first time I ever saw you smile, Miss O’Shea.”

  Janet O’Shea chuckled. “I haven’t had much to smile about! I think, though, sunny skies are ahead!”

  “Good!” Benny said. “Then you can smile all the time.”

  Everyone laughed, and, except for the skaters, they hurried to take their seats for the performance.

  Bugles blared. The arena darkened, then one spotlight shone. Ollie Olsen came careening out on the ice on his stomach, sliding across the rink.

  Benny laughed the hardest at Ollie’s funny routine. The clown stumbled around the rink, stopping in front of Benny and doffing his hat. He shook his head from side to side, which caused his orange wig to slip over one eye. He pulled a fuzzy rabbit from his sleeve, then presented it to Benny.

  Benny’s eyes shone. “Thank you!” he said, hugging the rabbit.

  Ollie, plopping his hat back on, teetered back and forth. With a bow so low his round false nose touched the ice, he whirled about, tripping and tottering offstage.

  Soft music played and the spotlight moved to a couple skimming around the rink. Alex and Carl, in red, glittering costumes, skated out to the middle. They did double and triple jumps, and when Carl lifted Alex high overhead, Jessie clapped the loudest. “Aren’t they wonderful?” she said to Henry.

  “The best,” he replied.

  More skaters came out. With the colored lights, music, and costumes, the show was one of the most beautiful sights the Aldens had ever seen. The performers’ intricate footwork and spins were breathtaking.

  “I want to be an ice skater when I grow up!” Benny exclaimed.

  Violet smiled. “Maybe you will, Benny. Maybe you will.”

  Jessie and Henry smiled, too, knowing Benny would change his mind many times before he grew up.

  On the way home, the children sat quietly in the car, enjoying the way the moonlight sparkled on the white snow.

  In his pajamas, Henry touched his toes twenty-five times. It had been a busy day. A thief had been caught, the jewels had been returned to Mrs. Murray, and they’d seen an ice show more spectacular than any they’d ever imagined. Tomorrow, they’d meet Soo Lee. He switched off the light and climbed into bed. What could be better?

  CHAPTER 12

  Soo Lee

  As the Aldens ate their breakfast, they admired the gifts they’d chosen for Soo Lee. Henry had bought a lovely illustrated Cinderella book; Violet, a doll dressed in a denim skirt and plaid blouse; Jessie, a soft teddy bear; and Benny, a bright red fire engine.

  “Could I have another piece of toast?” Benny asked. “It’s a long way to the airport.”

  “Sure,” Henry said, popping a slice in the toaster.

  Grandfather pushed back his chair. “I’m proud of each of you for solving the Murrays’ robbery. Sara is very happy. Your ideas worked!”

  “The green-ink idea was mine,” Benny said, heaping a tablespoon of jam on his toast.

  “I won’t forget,” Grandfather said with a chuckle. He glanced at his watch. “We’d better leave for the airport. The Starlight Troupe will be leaving soon, and I know you want to say good-bye.”

  Jessie jumped up. “I don’t want to miss Alex!”

  Benny said, “I don’t want to see the ice skaters leave.”

  “None of us do,” Jessie said softly.

  “I’m sure they’ll come back,” Henry said in a reassuring tone.

  Benny brightened again. “Really?”

  “Really,” Jessie said. “And if they don’t, I’ll bet Grandfather will take us to a city where they’re performing!”

  “Yes, Grandfather would do that, wouldn’t he,” Benny said, putting on his jacket. He felt better.

  When they arrived at the airport, Alex and Carl rushed to meet them. “We were afraid you wouldn’t get here on time,” Carl said. He raised Benny high in the air.

  Benny shouted with delight.

  Alex turned to Jessie. “Will you write to me? I want to hear how your skating lessons are going.”

  “Of course,” Jessie said, trying to swallow away the lump in her throat.

  Alex hugged Jessie and Violet. She looked at Henry, reaching for his hands, and hugged him, too.

  Henry’s ears reddened, but he smiled with pleasure.

  Alex turned to Benny, but before she could hug him, he stuck out his hand. “Good-bye, Alex,” he said. “I don’t like mushy stuff.”

  Alex smiled, gravely shaking his hand.

  Janet O’Shea motioned to her skaters. “Hurry! They’ve called our flight. Ollie and the others are already on the plane.” With a wave, she hurried away.

  Carl’s voice was firm. “We’ll never forget the Aldens!” He spun about, grabbing Alex’s hand. They disappeared down the ramp to the plane.

  With sadness, Jessie watched the Starlight Troup
e’s plane taxi down the runway, then lift into the air. But as soon as their plane was out of sight, another plane circled the airfield, then landed.

  “Joe and Alice are on that plane!” Henry exclaimed.

  “And Soo Lee!” Benny shouted.

  At the gate, the Aldens watched eagerly as the passengers emerged. All at once, Joe and Alice came down the passageway holding the hands of a small Korean girl.

  “Over here!” shouted Henry.

  Joe and Alice hurried toward them.

  They hugged each of the Aldens, then, smiling, said, “This is our daughter.”

  Soo Lee’s big dark eyes were solemn as she gazed at the Aldens.

  “Hi, Soo Lee,” Jessie said, bending over. “Did you have a good trip?”

  “Yes, thank you,” Soo Lee said. She gave Jessie a shy smile.

  “Let’s get your bags,” James Alden said. “I have the station wagon, and we’ll stop at our house for hot chocolate.”

  “We’d have been here two days ago,” Alice said, “except for the blizzard.”

  “Yes, but the blizzard helped us catch a thief,” Benny piped up.

  Joe gave Benny a sharp look. “A thief?”

  “We’ll tell you the whole story,” Henry said, “in the car.”

  When James Alden pulled into the driveway, everyone piled out.

  Joe said, “What an adventure you had, Benny!”

  “It was exciting!” Benny exclaimed, “but I’m glad we found out who robbed the Murrays, and I’m really glad you’re home!”

  “So are we!” Alice said emphatically. “It was a long trip.”

  Over hot chocolate and cookies, Joe told of their wait in Seoul, Korea, for Soo Lee.

  “You should have seen the papers we signed,” Alice said, shaking her head. She reached over and put her hand over Soo Lee’s. “But it was worth it.”

  Benny, sitting next to Soo Lee, turned to her and said, “Do you play Monopoly?”

  “No, but thank you.”

  “I don’t think Soo Lee knows what Monopoly is,” Joe said.

  “Is it food?” Soo Lee asked.

  “Monopoly is a game,” Benny said with an encouraging smile. “I’ll teach you.”

  Soo Lee smiled and her dark eyes shone. “Good. I would like that.”