Chapter 7

Chapter 7 "I don't get it," Josh said as Dink handed Ruth Rose the cookie. Ruth Rose took a bite. "Thanks, Dink. Josh, I think my message will persuade Penelope Gwinn to see us," she explained. "But what's the information we have?" Josh asked.

"We'll think of something," Ruth Rose said. "Let's go!" She turned around and yelled into the house, "BYE, MOM. I'M TAKING OFF WITH THE GUYS!" The kids walked to Main Street and took a bus to Hartford. They shared a seat toward the rear. "Well, one thing we can do is describe that hairy hot-dog guy" Josh said. "If he was the thief, she might remember him." "And I can describe that woman sitting in front of me," Dink said. "They both had autograph books and they were both in a big hurry." The bus let them off not far from Bushnell Park. "The hotel is on the other side," Ruth Rose said. They cut through the park, passing by the carousel. The circus music was playing, and a few kids were sitting on the mounts. "Want to go for a ride, Dink?" Josh teased. "No, but you can," Dink said. "Or are you afraid to do it alone?" "I'm not afraid of anything!" Josh said. "Guys, there's the hotel," Ruth Rose said and pointed across the street.

They were standing near the stage. The chairs were gone, but the steps up to the stage were still in place. "Let's check it out," Dink said. They walked to the stage, passing the first-aid tent. Dink peeked inside. It was empty except for the two chairs and the sign about sunstroke. Josh climbed up on the stage and gazed out at an imaginary audience. "Maybe I'll become a rock star," he said. "Thousands of people will want my autograph." Ruth Rose was studying the ground around the stage steps. "Penelope would have come down these steps to sign autographs," she said. "The thief was probably standing right here, waiting for his turn!" "Or her turn," Dink reminded Ruth Rose. "Or her," Ruth Rose agreed. She bent over and picked up a small plastic container. "I think this held film for a camera," she said. "I wonder if it's a clue." Dink picked up a pair of smashed sunglasses. "Come help us search," Dink yelled up at Josh. "For what?" Josh asked, sitting on the edge of the stage.

"Clues," Ruth Rose said. She held up a dollar bill. "Look what I just found!" Josh was on the ground in a flash. After searching for five minutes, they had a small pile: the broken sunglasses, the empty film container, a pencil, one dollar, one penny, ten ticket stubs, seven flattened penguin masks, and about a hundred candy wrappers. They threw the masks, stubs, and wrappers into a trash bin. Ruth Rose put the other stuff in her pocket as they walked toward the hotel. The trailer was gone. "What if Penelope isn't even here?" Dink asked. "If she canceled her concerts, maybe she went home. Wherever that is." "I never thought of that," Ruth Rose said. "We'll know in a minute." The kids walked into the hotel lobby and up to a long reception counter. Two clerks were standing behind the counter. One was talking on the telephone, so Ruth Rose approached the other one. "Excuse me, is Penelope Gwinn still staying here?" she asked. The woman looked at Ruth Rose. "And you are …?"

"I'm Ruth Rose Hathaway," she said. "Penelope Gwinn sent me this signed picture." Then she turned it over so the woman could read the back. "We were there when it happened," Ruth Rose said. "I think Miss Gwinn would like to hear what we have to say." The clerk picked up a telephone and dialed a number. "Hello. There are some children in the lobby asking to see Miss Gwinn. They say they have information about the theft of her diamond. Yes, thank you." The clerk hung up the telephone. "Room 1200, on the twelfth floor," she said. "Elevators are to your right." The kids found the elevators and got on one. Josh pushed the button for twelve, and they were whisked upward. When the elevator doors opened, a man was waiting for them. It was the same man Dink had seen escort Miss Gwinn to the stage. He did not look happy to see them. "I'm Miss Gwinn's manager," the man said. He glared down at the kids with fierce eagle eyes. "What do you have?" His arms were crossed over his broad chest.

"We, um—" Ruth Rose started to say. "We saw two people who acted weird," Dink said. "We think one of them might be the thief." Penelope Gwinn walked up behind the man. "Thanks, Hans," she said. Up close, Penelope Gwinn didn't look like a famous rock singer. She was wearing sweats and her hair was in a ponytail. "Come inside," Penelope said. She walked into the suite and the kids followed, with Hans right behind them. They were in a large room with a view of Bushnell Park. "Have a seat, please," Penelope said. The kids sat together on a white sofa. Hans disappeared through a door. "Now, tell me more about these two 'weird' people," Penelope said. She sat in a white chair opposite the kids. Dink described Frank, the man who sold them hot dogs. "He had an autograph book," Dink said. "He told us he had to get you to sign it for his daughter." "I don't remember him," Penelope said.