Free The Jaguar's Jewel by Ron Roy Page B

a letter opener.”
    â€œIs it real silver?” Josh asked.
    Uncle Warren nodded. “It was made in Spain more than three hundred years ago.”
    â€œI can see my reflection in it!” Josh said.
    Uncle Warren laughed. “That’s because my assistant polishes it every morning.”
    Josh wiped the letter opener on his T-shirt and placed it back on the desk.
    â€œNow, let’s see what we have here,” Uncle Warren said. He draped his suit jacket over a chair, then dragged a toolbox from a closet. He selected a small crowbar from among the tools. Fitting the sharp end of the bar under the crate’s lid, he pried the top off.
    Inside were mounds of white packing “peanuts.” Uncle Warren reached through the peanuts and pulled out a small package wrapped in brown paper.
    He stripped away the paper to reveal a layer of plastic bubble wrap. He carefully removed the plastic and held up a gold cup.
    â€œCool!” said Josh.
    Uncle Warren grinned at the kids. “Lovely, isn’t it?” he said. “This is a drinking cup made by the Incan people in the fifteen hundreds. Imagine, almost five hundred years ago! Have you studied the Incas in school?”
    The kids shook their heads.

    â€œWell, the Incas lived in Peru, in South America. The Porter Museum is going to display some of their pottery and gold sculpture.”
    Leaning over the side of the crate, Uncle Warren dug deeper into the peanuts. “Aha, I think this is the jaguar!”
    Grunting, he lifted out a much bigger package. It was as long as Dink’s arm and nearly as big around as his waist. The heavy package made a solidthud as Uncle Warren set it on his desk.
    â€œWhy’s it so heavy?” Josh asked.
    â€œGold is a heavy metal,” Uncle Warren explained. “The Incas admired jaguars for their strength and cunning. This one is made of solid gold. It holds a fabulous emerald in its front paws.”
    â€œCan we see it?” asked Ruth Rose.
    â€œYes, but not until tomorrow,” he said. “A Dr. Pitts will be here at nine o’clock. He works for the Society of Incan Treasures. Dr. Pitts will inspectevery piece as it comes out of its wrapping.”
    â€œWhy?” Josh asked.
    â€œTo make sure everything has arrived safely,” Uncle Warren said. “These pieces are priceless treasures!”
    Uncle Warren put the jaguar back in the crate. “Sleep well!” he said.
    Then he reached into the toolbox and handed Josh a hammer. “Let’s re-wrap the cup and put it back, then nail the crate shut again till tomorrow.”
    After they’d finished, Uncle Warren said, “Now let’s lock up and walk to my apartment. We’ll leave your backpacks with Roger, then I’ll treat you to a New York dinner!”
    â€œWho’s Roger?” Ruth Rose asked.
    â€œHe’s the doorman at my apartment building,” Uncle Warren said. “He opens the door for tenants and whistles for taxis.”
    â€œCan we eat at your friends’ restaurant?” Josh asked.
    â€œYes, but not tonight,” Uncle Warren said. “I’m saving that for your last night in the city. What kind of food do you like?”
    â€œPizza and ice cream!” Josh said.
    Dink laughed. “Josh will eat anything,” he said.
    â€œI mean, do you want Japanese, Chinese, Italian, Greek, Indian, or Mexican food?” Dink’s uncle asked.
    â€œWhy don’t you pick?” Dink said. “We love surprises!”
    Uncle Warren flipped down the wall switches. The lights, music, and ceiling fan all went off. The kids followed him out of the office.
    â€œThen a surprise you shall have!” he said, and pulled the door shut behind them.

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“What do you mean?” Dink’s uncle asked. “I don’t see how it could be fake.”
    Dr. Pitts rested a finger on the jewel. “This is not the original emerald,” he