The Baker Street Boys - The Case of the Stolen Sparklers Read Online Free PDF

don’t suppose she’ll be coming back, so you might as well have it.”
    Queenie stared at Polly’s box. She almost asked if that was where the pearl earring had been found, but stopped herself just in time. That would have given the game away!
    “Does it have a lock?” she asked.
    “What you want a lock for?” Violet replied sharply. “Who d’you think’s going to steal your things? Me?”
    “No,” Queenie stammered. “Course not.”
    “Cheeky madam! And anyway, what’ve you got that’s worth stealing?”
    “Nothing. I ain’t got nothing.”
    “Right. Put this cap on, then, and we can get back to the kitchen. Mrs Ford’ll be wondering where we’ve got to.”
    She handed Queenie a white cotton mob-cap and helped her tuck her hair inside it, then she led her downstairs again.
    As the girls approached the kitchen, Queenie heard a voice that sounded somehow familiar. A man was standing with his back to the door, talking to Mr Harper and Mrs Ford. He turned round as Queenie and Violet entered the room, and with a shock she realized who it was.
    “Ah, Violet,” said Mr Harper. “This is Inspector Lestrade of the detective branch of Scotland Yard. He has come to solve our mystery. Inspector, this is Violet, Lady Mountjoy’s personal maid.”
    Lestrade nodded to Violet and craned his neck to get a better view of Queenie, who was trying to hide behind her.
    “Violet,” he said. “I’m pleased to see you. I understand from Sergeant Brown’s report that you were the last person to see the jewels before they were purloined.”
    “Yes,” Violet replied. “Apart from the thief, that is. Apart from Polly.”
    “Quite so. And who is this young lady? Come forward if you please, miss.”
    Violet stepped aside and pushed Queenie forward. Queenie pulled the mob-cap down as far as it would go and bobbed a little curtsy with her head lowered. She held her breath, fearful that the inspector would recognize her.
    “This is Victoria,” Violet said. “She’s new – only started today.”
    “She comes with excellent references,” said Mr Harper. “No need to be shy, girl. Hold your head up, now.”
    Queenie reluctantly raised her head and managed a little smile. Lestrade looked at her and frowned slightly, trying to remember where he had seen her before.
    “Victoria, eh?” he said, thinking hard, then giving up. “Hmm. Well, since you were not here when the robbery took place, Victoria, I shall not need to question you. You may get on with your work.”
    “Starting with that washing-up,” said Mrs Ford, pointing to the pots and dishes piled up in the sink.
    “Yes, Mrs Ford,” Queenie answered. She hurried across the room and got to work, pleased that she would be able to listen to what the inspector said.
    “I believe that the only persons in the house at the time of the robbery were the servants and the family. Is that correct?” he asked.
    “That is so,” Mr Harper told him. “Lady Mountjoy and Mr Gerald, the three of us, and Polly.”
    “And no one else could have got in?”
    “Not without my knowledge, sir. There are only two doors into the house. Without a key, the front door can only be opened from the inside; and this one leads into the kitchen, where Mrs Ford was busy baking.”
    “So she would have seen anyone trying to come in?”
    “Without a doubt.”
    Lestrade thought this over for a moment, pacing the kitchen.
    “And the same applies to anyone trying to get out through here?” he asked.
    “That’s right,” said Mrs Ford. “I’d have seen ’em for sure.”
    “Which door did Polly use to escape from the house?”
    “The front door,” said Violet. “I seen her run down the stairs and across the hall, with the sergeant and constable after her.”
    “Very good,” said the inspector. “And was she carrying anything, could you see?”
    “Oh, no, sir. She was empty-handed, I’m sure. And running for dear life.”
    “Very well. In that case, despite Sergeant Brown’s