Free Mystery of the Mummy's Curse by Gertrude Chandler Warner Page B

something else,” Henry said.
    Dr. Snood looked up from the mummy. “What is it?”
    Henry motioned to the gold cat. “We just found this—in Sam’s bag,” said Henry.
    Dr. Snood picked up the statue. “In her bag, you say?” He strode over to Sam’s desk. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I think it’s time I had a word with Dr. Dickerson.” He picked up the telephone.
    â€œNo,” Jessie said.
    Dr. Snood spun around in surprise.
    â€œI mean, please let me call,” said Jessie quickly. “I have a plan.”
    Dr. Snood looked at her for a moment and then nodded. “All right,” he said.
    Jessie picked up the phone and dialed Sam’s number. She looked nervous. “Hello, Sam,” she said after a moment. “It’s Jessie, at the museum. Pete asked me to give you a call. He needs to see you.”
    She listened for a moment before she spoke again. “I don’t know, he didn’t say. He just asked that you come right away.”
    Again she listened, then said, “No, Dr. Snood is out at a meeting.”
    At last Jessie smiled. “All right, we’ll see you soon.”
    She hung up the phone.
    â€œWhy did you tell her that—about Pete asking you to call and Dr. Snood being out?” Henry asked.
    â€œI know it isn’t right to lie,” Jessie said. “But I didn’t think Sam would come if she knew Dr. Snood wanted to see her. I’ve noticed that she’s always avoiding him.”
    â€œThat does seem to be true,” Dr. Snood agreed.
    â€œI guess you might say I’ve ... set a trap,” Jessie said.
    â€œVery smart, young lady,” Dr. Snood admitted.
    Jessie smiled and felt her cheeks turning pink.
    Pete grinned. “I told you these kids were good.”
    â€œI have a question,” said Henry. “Has Sam told either of you about the pieces missing from the exhibit?”
    â€œWhat?” the two men said. They looked at each other and then back at the children.
    â€œPieces missing ?” asked Pete. “I’ve heard nothing of the kind.”
    â€œNeither have I,” said Dr. Snood.
    â€œWe noticed some pieces missing, like a small baboon sculpture, and the little blue hippo, and a flute, and this gold cat. Sam said she had told you,” said Jessie.
    â€œNo one said anything to me,” Dr. Snood said. He seemed to be straining to remain calm. “When Dr. Dickerson comes, we’ll get to the bottom of this. Pete and I will wait in here until she comes,” Dr. Snood said, stepping into the exhibit hall.
    When the two men had gone, Violet said sadly, “I hate to think that she’s the one who’s been stealing the pieces all along. She’s so nice.”
    â€œI agree,” said Jessie. “But she could still be a thief.”
    The Aldens waited for Sam to come. No one felt much like talking. The only sound was the clock ticking on the wall.
    Finally, the children heard footsteps in the hallway. “That must be her now,” Jessie whispered.
    The footsteps came closer, and then Sam stood in the doorway. “What’s the matter?” she asked.
    Then she spotted the statue on the table. “What’s this doing in here? I put this—” She stopped abruptly as Dr. Snood stepped into the room, with Pete behind him.
    For a moment, Sam and Dr. Snood just looked at each other.
    Then a slow smile spread across Dr. Snood’s face. It was not a happy smile. Instead, he looked very, very angry.
    Sam sighed heavily and looked at the ground.
    â€œSo it’s you,” Dr. Snood said, his voice tight. “Even under all that red hair, I’d recognize you anywhere. I hoped I’d never see you again.”
    â€œHello, Reggie,” Sam said.
    â€œWhat’s going on?” asked Benny.
    Dr. Snood turned to the children. “We’ve found our thief,” he said. “Her name is Samantha