Mystery on the Ice by Gertrude Chandler Warner Read Free Book Online Page B

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