Mystery Of The Missing Necklace (20 page)

"Well, once more, you've done remarkably well," he said, "though I must confess I was a little annoyed with you, Frederick, for running heedlessly into danger. Still, as usual, you've used your brains, and have helped a

great deal. Especially little Bets, if she really di
d think
where the necklace might be."

"Oh, she
did,"
said every one, even Pip, and Bets went as red as a tomato with pride. She might be the youngest of the Find-Outers
—
but she was just as good as any of them!

"Now
—
I
can take it that you will respect my wishes and not go near the Waxworks Hail tonight?" said the Inspector, raising
his
eyebrows at them all. They nodded vigorously.

"You can trust us, Inspector. But tell us in the morning if you've got Number Three, won't you?" said Fatty.

And in the morning the Find-Outers heard what had happened. Number Three had let himself into the Hall at midnight. He had walked to Queen Elizabeth, and had fumbled at the jewellery round her neck
—
and just as he was fumbling, out stepped three burly men and caught him!

"Now he's in a cell thinking sadly over his sins," said the Inspector, over (the telephone. "We've got the whole gang
—
and the necklace too. Good work! We certainly couldn't have done without you Find-Outers. What about you all joining my police-force? We could do with you!"

"Oh, how I wish we could!" said Bets, afterwards. "I suppose he didn't really mean it, did he? "

"And now to think we've got to help with our packing and go back to school
!”
said Pip, in disgust. "After ail our fine detective work, we've got to go and learn the chief rivers of the world, and the date when Queen Elizabeth came to the throne, and how much wheat Canada grows, and..."

"Never mind
—
well have another Mystery to solve next hols," said Bets happily. "Won't we, Fatty?"

Fatty grinned at her. "I hope so, little Bets," he said. "I really do hope so!"

I hope so too. It would be
most
disappointing if they didn't!