Read Rescue Princesses #4: The Stolen Crystals for Free Online Page A

Scrant something he really wants in exchange.”
    “What do you mean?” asked Emily.
    Jaminta drew her hand from her pocket and showed them the beautiful star-shaped jewel. “We give him this. We give him the Star Crystal.”
    “But, Jaminta!” cried Clarabel. “It’s your new jewel. You wanted to give it to your grandfather for his birthday.”
    Jaminta sighed. “I know. But keeping Lucky safe is more important than anything else in the world!”

“Did your lump of crystal really change into that?” Emily’s eyes widened.
    Jaminta nodded. “When the earl sees it, I know he’ll want it.”
    “But are you sure it’s safe to take your jewel up there?” asked Lulu. “You know what happened last time.”
    “I’m totally sure,” said Jaminta firmly.
    “Quick! Or we’ll never find Lucky,” urged Clarabel.
    The four princesses flung themselves into the forest. Jaminta took the lead, stopping to listen now and then, checking the direction of the men crashing through the bamboo trees up ahead. She leaped over a pile of stones and ran on. It was hard trying to be fast and quiet at the same time, but they had to make sure the earl didn’t hear them until the very last second.
    They stopped at the edge of the rocky ravine.
    “This is where we crossed the valley yesterday,” said Lulu. “But where’s the rope bridge?”
    Jaminta pointed down into the ravine, her cheeks flushing angrily. The rope bridge dangled down against the rocky cliff. “It’s broken. Earl Scrant must have crossed over and then cut through the rope on the other side.”
    “What are we going to do?” said Clarabel. “We can’t climb all the way down there. It’s way too steep.”
    Jaminta bit her lip. “We have to try something. We have to get to Lucky.”
    Lulu took off her backpack, reached inside it, and pulled out a long coil of rope. “I’ll climb over. Then I can tie one end of this rope to a tree and throw the other end across to you.”
    The princesses looked across the ravine. The biggest tree on the other side had sturdy branches, strong enough to swing from.
    “Will you be able to do it?” Emily looked down at the steep cliff.
    Lulu grinned. “Of course! I love climbing!”
    She clambered carefully down the rock face, finding handholds and footholds in the rough cliff. Little by little, she lowered herself down.
    “You’re doing great!” Jaminta called softly as Lulu reached the bottom and began climbing up the other side.
    At the top, Lulu tied the rope firmly to a tree and threw the other end across to them.
    Jaminta caught it. “Who wants to go first?”
    Clarabel’s face turned pale. “I can’t! It’s too far.”
    “Don’t worry. We’ll help you.” Jaminta put the rope into her hand. “Ready?”
    Jaminta and Emily stood behind Clarabel. With a huge push, they swung her across the ravine to Lulu, who caught her safely on the other side. Clarabel hugged Lulu in relief and waved to the others.
    Emily swung across next. Then Jaminta stood alone on the edge of the cliff. She took the rope, trying not to look down. There was no one left to push her. Shewould have to jump hard enough to swing herself all the way across. She lifted her chin. Lucky was probably really scared by now. She would do it for him.
    She jumped. The ravine opened out below her, a steep drop filled with jagged rocks. She swung closer to the other side, and just as she wondered if she would make it, three pairs of arms grabbed her.
    “Wow!” she gasped, her feet thudding on the ground. “That was pretty scary.”
    “Right, let’s keep going,” said Lulu. “We don’t want to lose track of the earl.”
    They hurried on, slipping in and out of the trees, and at last they heard the men moving up ahead. The earl sounded even grumpier than before.
    “Hurry up, Drudger!” he snapped. “I want to dig up my jewels and then escape from Onica as fast as possible. But you are slowing me down!”

    “The shovel is heavy, Your Grace,”