night in the museum, the way Rob boasted that he could get around the alarm system? And the way he and Bess kept leaning over the case with the jewels that were stolen this morning? Their fingerprints are probably all over that display case.â
âBut thatâs not evidence,â George protested.âDozens of people must have touched that case!â
âI know,â Nancy said. âBut donât forget that one of them was probably the thief. Itâs their responsibility to check out everyone whoâs the least bit suspicious.â
Bess had been talking to Jerry, her mug of hot cocoa in one hand and a stick with a toasted marshmallow on it in the other. Now she turned to Nancy and said, âWeâve got to do something about this. Weâve got to find out who really stole the jewels.â Before popping the gooey marshmallow into her mouth, she added, âAnd if I know you, youâve already got some suspects.â
âI have a couple,â Nancy told them. âBut Iâm going to need a lot of help.â
âJust tell us what to do,â Jerry volunteered, with a snappy salute that made Bess giggle.
Nancy took a few steps away from the crowd, and Bess, George, Ned, and Jerry followed her. âIâd like you all to talk to people who either visited the museum or attended the boat house dedication this morning.â
âWhat are we looking for?â asked George.
Nancy grimaced. âI donât know, exactly,â she confessed. âFind out who they saw and talked to. Beyond that, look for anything out of the ordinary.â
âYou think the fire at the boat house was linked to the robbery?â Jerry asked.
âThe timing was just too neat to be a coincidence,â Nancy said, glancing at her watch. âWe should get on with it. What do you say we meet in the student center in an hour?â
âWhat are you going to do now?â Ned asked her as the others walked away. âCan I help?â
Nancy shook her head. âIâm going to try to get permission from the college authorities to solve the theft,â she said. âThey canât stop me, in any event, but it would make my work easier if they cooperated.â
Nancy skipped up the stairs that led to the main part of the campus. She felt lighter since George had offered to take her skates back to the dorm. Before heading over to the administration building, however, she decided to stop at the Emerson Museum. Luck was with her. Dean Jarvisâs car was still parked in front. She climbed the steps and banged on the closed doors. No response. She looked around and finding a small bell to one side, she pressed it. Half a minute later, the door opened a couple of inches and the guard who had identified Rob looked out at her.
âSorry, the museumâs closed for the day,â he said gruffly, starting to close the door.
âIâd like to speak to Dean Jarvis,â Nancy saidquickly. âI believe heâs inside. Please tell him itâs Nancy Drew.â
The guard scowled. âI donâtââ he began.
âItâs very important,â Nancy pressed.
âOkay, hold on.â After a few moments the door opened and the guard reappeared. âOkay,â he told her, âcome on in. Dean Jarvis is over there.â
Dean Jarvis was standing with President Butler and Mr. Whorf. All three men glanced over at Nancy as she started across the entrance hall.
Dean Jarvis stepped away from the others and met her in the middle of the hall. âWhat is it, Nancy?â he asked in a low voice. âThe guard said it was important.â
âItâs about the jewel theft,â Nancy said. âHave you heard that the police have taken one of your students, Rob Harper, down to the station for questioning?â
Jarvis drew his eyebrows together. âHarper? No, IâI know theyâve been questioning a few people here,â he
Ronie Kendig, Kimberley Woodhouse