Hercule Poirot and the Case of the Missing Ruby (standard:Fan Fiction, 12378 words)
Author: kathyg	Added: Mar 07 2010	Views/Reads: 3032/1828	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
Janet wins first prize in a contest and has the famous Hercule Poirot attend her science fair. Only after the science fair the real detective work begins and Janet seeks the help of Poirot to solve this case of a missing ruby.

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judges!  A young man who knock this young lady down and tried to steal 

Janet's solar eclipse exhibit !   This is wrong!  I, Hercule Poirot
cannot 

understand why this man is so rotten that he would stoop 

to such a foul deed!! I came all the way here from London to award 

Janet with her outstanding essay!! Her essay is amazing and her 

tenacity in the field of science and the solar system is a credit 

to your McArthur High School Now if you will all please standup and give


this fine young lady a hand of applause! This project is indeed Janet's 

and not Jimmy's! Janet is the rightful designer of this project!!" 

The whole auditorium stands up for Janet and applauds her solar eclipse
exhbit and Janet walks over to the microphone to say a few words... 

"We all live in this wonderful world, you and everyone here. It's really


easy to take the sun for granted. The sun is the center of our 

existence and that is what fascinates me and all the research 

and footage I have discovered about the sun and our solar system. I 

feel honored to have the famous Hercule Poirot choose our high 

school and attend our science fair!  Thank you Monsieur Poirot! 

Monsieur Poirot stands up and takes a bow to the applause of the
audience. 

Hercule then walks up to the judges and shows the video footage of the
solar eclipse. He then asked Janet to come up and he asks her several 
pointed questions about her science project. 

Janet wins hands down at the science fair also with her solar eclipse
photography with the help of the famous Hercule Poirot!! 

***************** 

Jimmy exits the auditorium in shame, followed by his father 

and shouting is  overheard in the hallway. 

******************** 

"Thank you, Monsieur Poirot! I do not know if I would have won without
your help! You saved the day!!" 

Non, non! It  isyou Janet! You deserve the bows! I salute you, Janet! 

Go on ahead. I will be okay!", Janet says. 

"Are you sure?", Hercule Poirot asks her. My driver would be happy 

to take you home Janet!" 

"No, go ahead." 

******************* 

It's eerily quiet outside. Janet can hear her own heart beating. 

She walks cautiously along these familiar streets with only a distant
streetlight and the full moon as a guide.  She focuses on just getting 
home,  when suddenly a  black dog jumps from the bushes a few feet 
away. 

She screams! 

The dog rushes past  and cuts through a few parked cars on the side of
the road when she sees a black van with the license plate covered with 
mud. 

Janet turns around slowly. The voice sounds hauntingly familiar. Then a
hand reached over and covered her mouth. 

” Be quiet or I will turn you into the police! You realize there was a
robbery at the museum. A priceless jewel stolen. See, Here it is. A 
ruby from the royal collection of the princess of Madrid!" 

"Come with me, or there will be hell to pay, dearie!" 

“Turn me in for what?  Almost winning first prize in the science fair?
Are 

you related to that creep who stole my idea for my science fair project?


How could he do that to me! I work for months on that solar 

eclipse project and video footage! I  get the timing right and 

so many details. It is perfection as Hercule Poirot would say! 

“Keep quiet and you won't get hurt. This is a lot more than just a dumb 

science fair project!”, the voice says as she feels a hand over her
mouth. 

She thinks quickly and stomps down hard. A foot! Good. She twists and
fights her way out. 

Run!! 

Janet scans the street for any signs of life. Nothing. 

She is both frightened and angry. She knows if these thugs get her in
that black van she is toast. She has to get away any way she can. 

The two hooded men try to grab her from behind. She twist, kicks claws
and bites them any way she can.  She can see them swear at the pain. 

Bitch! 

Then she screams like she  never screamed before!! 

Janet look around once again for any signs of light even flickering
porch lights. 

Nothing. 

She manages to slip out of their clutches and run like no tomorrow. She
slips and falls, but regains her footing. She feels something heavy in 
her pocket but keeps running until she gets to the hotel where she 
knows Poirot is staying. The Whitemanor Hotel. It is always the one he 
chooses. The cleanest of course! And the best room service! But of 
course... 

Hercule Poirot is very famous detective and only the best for him. Even
in this little  town. Besides anyone in town finds out Hercule Poirot 
is staying at the Whitemanor Hotel, they will rush over there to get a 
glimpse of this famous detective! Or maybe an autograph... 

She still  can hear those idiots screaming at her and footsteps running.


You're going to jail! 

She runs as fast as she can to the Whitemanor Hotel. Monsieur Poirot
just has to be there by now. 

Poirot will know what to do. 

The sound of her own footsteps are all that Janet can hear 

as she makes her way to the Whitemanor Hotel.  She did not think 

that perhaps there would be a crowd there just waiting to see 

him also! 

"How am I going to get to him if everyone in this one horse town 

is trying to do the same? I have to be clever!" 

Janet reaches in her pocket and realizes that the robbers dropped 

the ruby in her pocket! Now she really has to find Poirot! 

She continues to run around the building away from the crowd and 

soon finds a service entrance.  The door is unlocked and she opens 

the door and makes her way to the top floor, where she is sure 

Poirot is staying. 

Walking cautiously down the hall, she is stopped suddenly 

by a police officer. 

"What are you doing here? This floor is off limits to the public! There 

is a famous detective staying here!" 

"Yes, I know. I am the girl who wrote the essay to bring him here! 

I think perhaps you can make a little exception for me, please!" 

The police officer frowns a moment, then knocks on Poirots 

hotel door. 

A few moments later, Poirot opens the door. He looks around 

and is suprised to see Janet. 

"Monsieur Poirot, do you know this young girl ?She claims she 

won your essay contest! 

"But of course! I know Janet! She has the mind of brilliance! And 

she is welcome! Come on in Janet! " 

Janet is relieved that she is able to see Poirot, as she walks 

inside. 

Poirot shows her to a seat . 

"Now, young Janet, what is on your mind? You seem to be bursting 

with some news to tell me!  Go on, Poirot loves a good mystery!" 

Janet catches her breath . 

"Remember when I said that I would be okay walking home? " 

"Yes, I remember. I still wish you would have let my driver take you." 

"Let me finish, please. Well, I walked a few blocks when I noticed 

this black dog jumping out of the bushes. It scared me to death!" 

"I can imagine. I hate dogs!", Poirot replies..."Go on, Janet." 

"I kept walking and it was eerie outside. Even the streetlights seemed 

dim and spooky. The dog frightened me but I noticed a black van 

with the license plate covered with mud. I thought that was odd 

but I kept walking cautiously. Then, suddenly out of nowhere a 

group of thugs came from behind me and tried to get me into that 

van!! I kicked and screamed and got away. They told me that 

while the whole town was at the Science Fair,  they somehow got 

into the museum and took Ruby of the Spanish Princess!! 

Janet put her hands over her face and started to cry. 

" For some wierd reason, they dropped the ruby in my pocket. Look, 

here it is!!", Janet explains as she hands him the ruby. 

"Ah, yes!! The Ruby of the Spanish Princess!! What is it doing in 

a museum in an obscure little town in the middle of America? How 

odd!! It really belongs in someplace like the Smithsonian or some 

European museum. This ruby is famous!!" 

Janet's lips trembled as she spoke, "I ran away as fast as I could 

but they were just as fast and kept screaming, "You're going to 

jail. I didn't understand until I was almost at the Whitemanor. Then 

I happen to reach inside my pocket and I felt the ruby inside. What 

are we going to do ? " 

"First of all, let me take a good look at this ruby and then we will 

call the museum curator and the police. Do not worry 

Janet., Poirot is on the case! We will nab those robbers 

toute de suite!" 

"Now, young Janet, let's try to step back a bit and examine 

the "hows" and "why's" of this museum robbery!  First, let's 

give the museum curator a call!  What I cannot understand is 

why the ruby was not guarded most carefully. There are so many 

things that just do not add up!" 

Poirot picks up the telephone . 

"Yes, front desk, can you connect me with the museum curator. Sorry 

I don't have the number." 

"Right on it, Monsieur Poirot! By the way, when are you going to 

come down and greet your public? They are dying to see you and 

get autographs! It is all I can do to keep the crowd at bay!", the 

front desk reception responds. 

"Ah, do not worry! Poirot will greet the public in due time. First, I
must 

satisfy my "little grey cells" and get some answers!" 

"Whatever, Monsieur Poirot, I am putting your call through now. Hold 

on a minute." 

The telephone rings a few times. 

"Yes, this is the front desk of the Whitemanor Hotel. A Monsieur 

Poirot, the famous detective from London has a few important 

questions for the curator, is he available to talk to Poirot right
now?", 

asks the front desk receptionist. 

"Why yes! Always have time for Poirot. Connect me please!" 

"Sure thing!" 

"Hello, I understand, Monsieur Poirot, that you have a few questions 

for me? I am right this moment in a bit of a crisis myself. The famous 

ruby of the Spanish Princess has been stolen! The police are 

on there way here now!", the museum curator says quickly. 

"Ah, but I have the ruby here with me! What I do not understand 

is why you do not have more guards around such a precious jewel? 

Why do you leave it unattended like this ? You are just asking 

for a robbery!", Poirot inquires. 

The museum curator replies, "But, as you know this is a small, one 

horse town where people leave their doors unlocked at night. About 

six months ago, I was in Spain and visited the museum where 

the Spanish Princess Ruby was originally kept. It is a stunning 

jewel and very old!  I inquired if it ever goes on tour and offered our 

humble museum as a safe haven for tourists to see such a precious 

jewel. I also talked to the museum curator there and he said they 

would take my inquiry in special consideration because I took the time 

to visit the original home of the Spanish Princess Ruby and our 

little museum would be put on top of the list! I was indeed honored!! 

But now look what has happened!! You see, this robbery will shut 

down our little museum as how can we afford to replace an 

irreplacable Ruby?", the curator explained. 

"But, Poirot just said that I have it in my possession right now. 

I am at the Whitemanor Hotel. I will take my private car and 

come to the museum toute de suite and explain everything. Do 

not worry. Everything will be okay. Poirot is on the case!" 

"Yes! I am worried. This museum means so much to this little 

town. If it shut down, half of our tourist trade would be ruined! Come 

right on over. I will be at the front entrance waiting." 

~~~~~~~~~ 

"Okay, Janet. lets go out the back entrance of this hotel. I will 

let my driver know so we can slip out quietly, I hope!" 

Poirot and Janet go out the back entrance of the hotel and in a few 

minutes arrive at the museum where the curator is waiting in the front 

lobby. The curator is pacing back and forth, very worried. 

"You came quickly. I thank you for that. Come inside my office and 

let me know what has happened to the ruby. Sit down please." 

The three sit down as Ppirot reaches into his pocket 

and shows the curator what he believes to be the Ruby of the 

Spanish Princess.... 

The curator takes the ruby from Poirot and examines it carefully. He 

put it to the light and gets out his magnifying glass to examine 

even more carefully. A frown comes across his face 

as he hands the Ruby back to Poirot. 

"This is not the Ruby of the Spanish Princess. It is a fake! The real 

Ruby was stolen!! What you have here is what the police call 

a "switch and run" robbery!!" 

Poirot gasps and Janet says, "But if this is a fake, why did they 

struggle so hard to get it back? Why was I selected to get this 

fake ruby? Was all this a scam to get more time to steal the 

real ruby? " 

"Yes, Janet, this is a fake ruby! Trust me on this one. I feel
responsible 

as I should have had it guarded more carefully!", the curator says. 

Poirot explains, "Let me fill you in on what happened. As you know 

half of this small town was attending a science fair, where I , Hercule 

Poirot was the guest of honor, and Janet won my contest to have 

me attend! I am guessing here from what I see, that the robbers 

took advantage of the fact that everyone would be so busy rushing 

to the Whitemanor Hotel to get my autograph and attending 

the science fair and it seems a perfect opportunity to steal the 

real Spanish Princess Ruby!" 

"I see", says the curator, "But where is it?", the curator asks. 

Janet stands up and starts pacing. 

"The only thing I know is that I was almost kidnapped by a bunch 

of thugs that must have been the robbers. They sure tried to get 

me inside that van!  And remember how wierd Jimmy acted at the 

science fair, Monsieur Poirot? What's up with that? He could 

possibly be involved in this robbery also, even if it is a wild guess!" 

Poirot asks, "But why would they pull a "bait and switch" jewelry 

robbery on a young girl like Janet? " 

The curator shook his head. I only know we have to get that 

Ruby back before it is either pawned or the robbers get out 

of the state or this museum will be shut down. 

Do not worry, Poirot and Janet will find the real Spanish Princess 

Ruby! 

The museum curator looks once again at the fake ruby 

in the light. 

"Come here Poirot. Now take a look at this fake jewel under more 

careful scrutiny! I am wondering why you did not catch this flaw sooner!


If you know anything about fake jewels, you should have know this. Now, 

let me show you!" 

Hercule Poirot looks once again at the jewel with the special 

lenses. 

"Now see all the scratches on the surface of the jewel here 

and how it has this almost transparent dullness to it?  A real ruby and 

one  as rare as the Ruby of the Spanish Princess would have a brilliant 

shine! 

There would be no scratches on the real ruby and trust me I have seen 

it first hand. This is not the Ruby of the Spanish Princess!", the
museum 

curator states as Hercule examines the ruby. 

"Ah, I see now! How foolish I am. That I, Hercule Poirot, would 

not recognize a fake ruby! I hang my head in shame, but I do 

promise you, that as long as I am on this case, I will do 

everything in my power to return the ruby and save this little 

museum you love so much!" 

"Thank you Poirot. Just your being here will help! We need to be 

as clever as the thieves, though. We need to beat them at their 

own game. First of all, we need to think like them. Now where 

would you go if you had a precious jewel? ", the museum curator asks. 

Janet stands up and shouts. 

"I know, probably a pawn shop!" 

Poirot looks at Janet, shocked. 

"Now, now, young Janet! How would you know of such places! You 

are reading too many mystery novels!!" 

Janet waves her hand dismissing his remark, then says 

calmly,  "Well if you want quick cash, that is where they will go." 

Poirot listens  as he paces back and forth by the door 

to the curator's office. 

"Please calm yourself, Monsieur Poirot. Won't you sit down?" 

"Mais non! I must think! I must use my "little grey cells" and 

find out where the Ruby of the Spanish Princess is!! I have 

no time to sit, Janet!" 

Janet holds back a giggle as she watches him, but says nothing. 

A few minutes pass, then suddenly, Poirot stops pacing. 

He walks over to Janet, stands directly in front of her and declares 

in a bellowing voice, "The Ruby of the Spanish Princess is not 

in a pawn shop!  If the thieves even  try to pawn it off there, 

any person worth their "salt" for their knowledge 

about jewels, or even the value of famous jewels  would 

guess in a minute that the Ruby was probably stolen. It doesn't 

take a rocket scientist to figure that out !  It is my guess that 

the thieves are local. They did not go far.  I am guessing the 

Ruby of the Spanish Princess is hidden in plain sight , in a place 

close by, just to mock the police and dare them to find it once again!!"


"That is what my "little grey cells" tell me!", Hercule Poirot 

says proudly, standing tall with his hands behind his back and a 

grin like a cheshire cat. 

"I guess you told us, Monsieur Poirot!!  Now all we have to do is 

prove you right! Now you are thinking like a thief!!", the museum 

curator laughs. 

Janet starts to giggle at the silliness of Poirot. He reminds her 

of a penguin in his shiny black shoes and funny suit and tie. 

"Okay, okay!!  The pawn shop was just a guess!  But 

how about having the police do an all points bulletin just in case. 

Isn't  that something we should be doing? 

There is a chance they did leave town they ditched the black van and got


on a plane to who knows where. We have to nab the thieves  before they 

get to the airports!" 

Hercule Poirot raises his eyebrowns and smiles... 

"Bravo!! Young Janet!! We seem to have a Junior detective in the 

making!! So, you are suggesting that we have all the airports, 

bus stations, interstates across the country 

informed of this robbery?" 

Janet gives Poirot a puzzled look. 

"Of course! Absolutely. You know for a famous detective. You sure 

are clueless about this robbery! I seem to be coming up with 

more solutions than you! Maybe I should get the reward? Just 

kidding, Monsieur Poirot!" 

One of the police officers entered the office with a few questions 

about the robbery. 

Poirot paces back and forth as the officer asks his first question to 

the museum curator. 

"Now, tell me, when did you first notice that the ruby was missing?", 

the police officer asks. 

"That's an easy one! I was in the office doing some paperwork 

when I heard some scuffling and whispering. I went out to see 

what was going on and even in the dim lighting, I could 

see the shadows of four young men rushing out the front entrance 

. Unfortunately, we never had a robbery here and I just took it for
granted 

that we would not have one this time as I thought everyone was 

at the Science Fair to see the famous Hercule Poirot. I guess 

I was wrong. That is when I beieve the thieves took advantage 

of the museum being empty to steal the real Ruby of the Spanish 

Princess!  " 

The police officer turns to Janet and asks... 

"Why are you here?" 

"I am the one who actually ran from the who I believe are the robbers 

that stole the Ruby of the Spanish Princess. They came after me while 

I was walking home from the science fair and tried to force me 

into the black van. I noticed that the license plate was covered with
mud. 

I thought that was really odd! 

It is going to be almost impossible to find that van! " 

The police officer sat down at the desk typing all the information 

into his laptop computer. He types quickly and then the museum 

curator speaks once again. 

" We must call the museum in Spain and talk 

to the curator there to find out a little more about the Ruby. 

This is one phone call I really am not looking forward to .... 

Janet reaches for the telephone and puts her hand over 

the receiver. 

"Just a minute.  Maybe I should be the one to talk to him, not you. 

After all, I was the only one who knows who may have the actual 

Ruby of the Spanish Princess!" 

He waves his hand. 

"No, I feel responsible here. Nice gesture, Janet, but I have to 

be the one who speaks to the curator of the Spanish Museum.  It 

will only confuse him to speak to you, even though he does 

speak English, his sole concern is that he entrusted me to 

keep the Ruby safe during its time here at this little museum 

as he told me , "in the middle of America" . Now let me dial the 

number before I lose my courage." 

His hands shake as he dials the number for the museum 

in Spain. A few rings later, the curator is on the phone. 

"Hello, is this the curator? " 

"Yes, what can I do for you?" 

"As you know, you entrusted my little museum here in America with 

your precious Ruby of the Spanish Princess. or one of many visits to 

museums across America. I am afraid I have some bad news for you. 

The Ruby has been stolen and I am at this time talking to the famous 

detective Hercule Poirot from London  along with the police to 

help return the Ruby safely." 

There is silence on the other end of the telephone for what seems 

like minutes. 

"What??? What do you mean stolen?? How could this happen when 

you promise me that you would have the Ruby guarded most 

carefully? How many guards did you have around the Ruby at all times? 

This is an outrage! Let me speak to Poirot immediately!" 

The museum curator hangs his head down and  tries to reason 

with the Spanish museum curator calmly. 

"I have as much to lose here as you do, maybe more. I want to know 

if you can tell me how much the Ruby is insured for?" 

"At this moment, I can't think straight. Just let me talk to Poirot 

immediately and get out there and find my Ruby of the Spanish 

Princess. It's worth milions you know and is very old!!  Find it or 

I will shut down your little museum! " 

The museum curator's face turns white and he takes a seat 

with a thud. 

Janet hurries to get a glass of water for him as Poirot takes 

the call. 

"Hercule Poirot here, at your service! ", he says into the telephone. 

"Ah, Poirot, this is not funny!! I am glad you are on the case! Now tell


me what happened that there is no security at this museum?", the 

Spanish museum curator shouts on the other end of the telephone. 

Poirot takes a deep breath. 

"I am afraid that I, Hercule Poirot am partly to blame. You see, I came 

all the way to middle America because this young girl, won first 

prize in an essay contest to have me attend her science fair...." 

The curator interrupts... 

"Now, what does this have to do with the robbery of the Ruby of 

the Spanish Princess? 

Poirot continues... 

"I am getting to that most quickly. Now, most of this small town 

was attending the science fair because as you well know, I am 

famous!! And unfortunately, since the whole town was at the science 

fair to see me, then the museum was not guarded as it should be!! 

I promise that I will do everything I can to retrieve the famous 

Ruby of the Spanish Princess! Poirot is on the case!!  We have 

a few leads and an all points bulletin out for the thieves.  Do not 

worry, we will find the Ruby, toute de suite!" 

"But how??? It could be anywhere!!!", the curator pleads. "Get that 

Ruby back or else!!" 

"Or else what, Poirot wants to know. I have a few leads that 

I will follow up on with my assistant Young Janet. You have 

no choice but to trust us now... 

The line went dead and Poirot hung up the phone. 

"We better get moving if we have a chance to find the ruby...He is 

right about one thing. It could be anywhere! But , I have a feeling 

Jimmy and his Dad the science teacher are mixed up in this 

robbery!! " 

Janet stands up and gets her coat. Let's go back to the high 

school and see if they are still around. I know where they live 

if they are not there. I thought it was odd how he acted at the science 

fair.!!" 

"Yes, Poirot says, "A little too odd!!" 

Three days earlier In the Science Lab, McArthur High School 

Mr. Phillips, the science teacher, takes out a floor plan of the museum.
His fingers trace the path from room to room and where the Ruby of the 
Spanish Princess display. 

He takes out his cell phone and starts to dial. 

"Whitemanor Hotel, How may I help you?" "Is Roger working today? This is
important." "Yes, who is this?" "Nevermind, just get Roger on the phone 
now!" 

A few minutes pass. 

"Whitemanor Hotel, Roger speaking, how may I help you?" "Roger, this is
your contact about the job on Friday? Are you alone?" 

Roger looks around and sees his co-worker heading back for the front
desk. 

"Not really. Wait a minute. I will give him something to do.".  Roger
grabs a pile of mail and waves over his co-worker. 

"Can you mail these out for me now?" 

"Sure, no problem.", his co worker says as he walks away. 

"Okay, I will be brief", Mr. Phillips says over his cell, "Basically
your job is to keep Poirot busy and away from the museum. Spread the 
word that he will be staying at the Whitemanorand have a crowd there 
for autographs. That should keep him out of our way!" 

"That sounds easy! Now how much do I get for keeping him away?" "You
will get paid when the job is over. Can I count on you?" "Sure, no 
problem." 

Mr. Phillips hung up quickly just as Jimmy walked into the science lab. 

"I need a ride home, Dad. Are you ready?", Jimmy asks. 

"No, but I want to go over a few things with you about the science fair.
Do you remember what you have to do, Jimmy?" 

Jimmy walked over to the desk to where his Dad was sitting. "Yeah, I
know. All I have to do is grab Janet's video just as she is going up to 
present it and cause a big fuss. Try and get Poirot's attention away 
from you and on me, am I right?" 

Mr. Phillips starts to smile. 

"You got it, Jimmy!" 

"No, sweat Dad. Janet shouldn't win anyway. She is too smart! I am sure
Poirot will bring a big crowd to the science fair. I doubt anyone will 
even go to the museum that night. How much is the Ruby of the Spanish 
Princess worth Dad?" 

"More than you can imagine, Jimmy! " 

"Okay, Dad, if you are going to be here a while, I will walk home. See
you later." 

Jimmy walks out the door and Mr. Phillips makes some notes and gets out
his cell phone once again. 

A mysterious voice answers. 

"Who is this?" "You know who I am. It's all set for Friday at 6 pm.
Everyone in town will be at the Science Fair. I am counting on you. Go 
the the back window of the Museum. It will be unlocked. I doubt there 
is security as there was never a robbery until this week. This will be 
a piece of cake. Do you understand your instructions?", Mr. Phillips 
asks. 

"Yes, where will we meet once we have the Ruby?" 

"I will provide a  black van a few block away from the high school. I
have to be at the science fair so I am counting on you to keep me 
informed. I will be in touch. Until friday. 

"Yes, I understand . 

Until Friday. 

Outside the museum, Janet stops a moment. A rush of wind blows back her
hair and she brushes it aside. A flash of light catches her eye. 

"Just a minute, Monsieur Poirot.", Janet says as she waves him over.
"Let's go around to the back of the museum. I just saw something odd!" 

"Oh, there are many odd clues today! It is the odd ones that lead to the
answers!", Poirot says. 

Janet ignores his remark and keeps walking. 

"Here it is!", she announces as she bends down to see more clearly.
Bushes and flower boxes along the side of the museum make it kind of 
difficult for her to get to the source of the shiny object, but she 
manages to grab it on her second attempt. 

She picks it up and turns to Poirot. 

"It looks like a cell phone!" 

Poirot takes the cell phone from Janet and examines it carefully and
opening it. He then looks up at the window and walks closer to examiine 
the ground beneath the window. 

"Ah!! See here Janet," Poirot announces as he points to the ground
below, "It seems someone had placed a ladder here for what I guess the 
purpose of getting inside the museum! Also, see the footprints all over 
the place. What amateurs!!" Poirot laughs!! 

"Yeah, why not just take the front door? It isn't even locked! All that
work and still we found out how they got inside! These crooks aren't 
too bright!", Janet remarks. 

"Now, now, Janet. They still fooled you and me! They still have the real
Ruby of the Spanish Princess! But not for long! Not as long as Poirot 
is on the case!", Poirot bellows out. 

Janet looks at him and remarks. "You sure are proud of yourself! You can
pat yourself and me on the back when we find the ruby! Now let's get 
going. They are still getting away!" 

Poirot bows his head. "Oh, that is my one weakness, Young Janet. I am
proud! Forgive me." 

"Oh will you stop it and just get real, Monsieur Poirot! We need our
wits about us!", Janet says as she examines the window closely. It was 
not forced open. I am suprised the museum curator did not notice this! 
Notice how there are not tool marks to pry open the window, it must 
have opened easily. Well, at least now we know how they got inside. No 
wonder the curator did not see them come in! He really needs to get 
better security! " 

"Yes, Janet, what an eye for detail you have!! Poirot is proud of you! "


"Oh here we go again with the "proud" stuff. Its right here. No big
deal..", Janet says as she knocks on the window. 

The museum curator approaches the window and opens it. 

"Ah, is this how they got inside? I didn't hear anything until the
scuffle.! I really need to get better security on this museum! Did you 
find anything Poirot?" 

"Yes, Janet found a cell phone in the bushes by the window and see down
here they are footprints all over the place. Clearly amateurs!! ", 
Poirot laughs. 

"It's not funny Poirot!", the museum curator says. 

"Ah, I know. Just a light moment. Poirot gets those from time to time." 

"Hand me the cell phone!", the museum curator says. 

"Mais, non, it is evidence!! Poirot must examine it most carefully!" 

Janet snatches it and opens it up. She presses a few buttons and holds
it up to hear a voice mail with a familiar voice...... 

" I will provide a  black van a few block away from the high school. I
have to be at the science  fair so I am counting on you to keep me 
informed. I will be in touch. Until friday.... 

" I know that voice from somewhere, but who's is it?", Janet asks. 

"Va au lycée immédiatement!! dépéche toi!", Poirot says loudly as 

he motions for Janet to get into the car. 

"Monsieur Poirot, You're something else...,"I understand what you are
telling me. You're right about one thing. Let's hurry to the high 
school. I think we will find more answers there, then here!" 

Poirot and Janet are hot on the trail of the Ruby of the Spanish
Princess with a few twists along the way. A few more clues 
uncovered...first edit... 

Poirot's driver hurries to McArthur High School. He is used to driving
fast as Poirot is always in a hurry! Luckily there are only a few 
traffic lights on the way to the high school. 

"Vite! Vite!", Poirot shouts to the driver! 

"Oui, Monsieur Poirot" 

"Oh will you calm yourself, Monsieur Poirot! Screaming at your driver
won't get us there any faster! Get a grip, will ya?", Janet says 
calmly. "You sure are a nervous man!  You need to learn how to relax!" 

"Relax? Poirot! I would not know how! My little grey cells are always on
duty! We must find the Ruby of the Spanish Princess toute de suite to 
save the museum!! I promised I would find it! I always keep my 
promises!", Poirot says quickly as he puts his hands to his temples. 

"My mind is racing like a clock." 

"Breathe, just breathe, Monseiur Poirot!", Janet says. 

"I will, but I doubt it will help." 

They arrive quickly at McArthur High School and Janet and Poirot get out
of the car. 

"Attendez ici le chauffeur!", Poirot says through the open car window. 

"Oui, Monsieur Poirot!" 

"Why do you always speak French when you are Belgian?", Janet asks,
"Besides we are in the middle of America, it's okay to speak English!" 

"Ah, you are right, young Janet. Poirot is in the middle of America.
Just habit I guess. I will speak the English if that is what pleases 
you!" 

"Good!" 

Janet and Poirot enter the high school and the halls are empty except
for a few maintenance workers shining the floors. 

One of the workers stops Poirot as he attempts to open the Science Fair
entrance. 

"You can't go in there. We will be cleaning in there soon! The science
fair is over! It was yesterday!", the maintence worker says. 

"We are in the middle of an investigation!! Don't you know who I am!! I
am the world famous Poirot! It is for me that I, Hercule Poirot was 
invited to your Science fair, and you have the nerve to tell me I 
cannot go inside this room? Step aside, I have work to do!" 

"Excuse me? I told you you can't go in there. If you do, I will go in
there to so you don't take anything!" 

Janet steps in and tries to explain . 

"Listen, there was a precious ruby stolen from the museum and Poirot was
called to help find it. I am helping him. We think it might be hidden 
among the exhibits. So, please step aside so we can look." 

"Like I said, I have to go inside too. " 

"Whatever.", Janet says. "Now unlock the door and let us inside!" 

The maintenance worker reluctantly opens the door, but follows Poirot
and Janet inside. Janet switches on the light and looks around the 
Science fair exhibits. The room is stuffy and warm. She turns to Poirot 
and says: 

"You check all the exhibits by the window. Be very thorough. We probably
won't get a second chance. I think they will take it down today," 

"Poirot is always thorough!", he says as he heads toward the exhibits. 

For the next hour, Poirot and Janet check each exhibit closely, to find
any evidence that the  Ruby of the Spanish Princess is hidden somewhere 
in this room. 

They are about to give up when suddenly, Mr. Philips rushes in the room
and yells at them both. 

"You are not supposed to be in here! The Science Fair is over!
Maintenance called me and told me you were trespassing. Janet what is 
going on?" 

"This is an investigation! Let us go on with it. What are you doing
here, Mr. Philips? Might we ask you the same question? " 

"I work here Janet and besides I want to oversee the maintenance when
they disassemble the Science Fair projects. All entries will be 
returned to their owners this week. You will be notified when it is 
okay to come back! Now I want you to leave!", Mr. Phillips says firmly. 


Poirot walks up to Mr. Phillips. 

"Nobody yells at Poirot! Like Janet says, we are in the middle of an
investigation. So, if we must get a search warrant, we will!" 

"No need for a search warrant, just hurry up!", Mr. Phillips says to
Poirot. "What is the nature of your investigation. Monsieur Poirot. 

"I think you know already. Poirot doesn't have to spell it out for
you!", Poirot says to Mr. Phillips. 

"You are a very strange man, Poirot. You speak funny and you are
foreign. I am not sure I trust you. ", Mr. Phillips says. 

"That is a mean thing to say, Mr. Phillips, but just let Poirot do his
work and we will be finished toute de suite! I need not explain any 
further! Good day, Mr. Phillips!", Poirot snaps back. 

"Okay, okay! I'm leaving!" 

Mr. Phillips whispers to the maintence man, "Watch them carefully. You
have your instructions." 

The maintence man nods as Mr. Phillips leave the room. 

Janet and Poirot continue to search the room, when suddenly, Poirot
stops. He motons for Janet to come over to where he is. 

"I am saying this quietly to you Young Janet. My little grey cells tell
me something just now. I realize you think I am wierd but no matter. 
Isn't it odd, that Mr. Phillips gave in so easily? That makes Poirot 
believe the Ruby of the Spanish Princess is not here!! We have been 
misled!! I think the maintence man is in on this robbery!" 

"How so?", Janet whispers back to Poirot. 

"Well, see how he watches our every move?", Poirot whispers as he
glances over at the maintence worker. "He is making sure we don't go to 
where the Ruby really is! Poirot believes it is inside this building 
but not in this room!" 

"Then where is it?", Janet whispers again. 

"Well, Poirot feels the trail is "hot". To follow Mr. Phillips into his
office, we might find more clues!! I think it is there! At least for 
the time being. We must get it now before he moves it again!" 

Poirot and Janet move about the exhbits as the maintence worker watches.
The maintence worker opens up his cell phone as they see him talking 
into it. 

A few rings... 

"Yeah, they are still here. Is it still safely hidden?", he says . 

"They won't find it, don't worry." , a strange voice answers. "Watch
them closely." 

He closes the cell phone and continues to watch. 

Poirot and Janet wait a little while longer, pretending to seach and
after a half hour, head for the door. 

"Okay, I see it isn't here. Thanks for letting us look here, despite
your objections!" 

The maintence worker looked blankly at them both but watched as they
walked out of the building. 

Poirot and Janet get back inside the car. 

"Driver around to the next block, toute de suite. We must not be seen as
what we do next!" 

"Let's go!", Janet tells the driver as they speed off. The maintenance 

man watches from the front entrance of McArthur High School. 

The driver turns down at the next block and pulls over. 

"Monsieur Poirot, may I make a suggestion. I will drop you off here and 

park the car a block or so away. You need to get back into that building


right away before they move the ruby! Be careful. They know you 

are up to something!" 

"Good mind! I knew I hired you for a reason! Very good. Let us out 

here and we make out way back to the high school. Hopefully 

we can get another chance to find the ruby before its moved yet again! 

Janet and Poirot get out of the car as Janet points to a familiar path 

that she often takes to school. Tall grass and wildflowers along 

the way make Poirot sneeze and he gets out his handkerchief. 

"Flowers! I sneeze when I am around them. We must hurry before 

I sneeze any more! He says into his handkerchief. 

"Just follow me, Monsieur Poirot. I will get you there, like you say, 

toute de suite!" 

About a block away from the high school, Janet hears a familiar 

voice. 

"What do you think you're doing Janet! Think you are better 

than the rest of us winning first prize at the Science Fair. I almost 

got first place. Why didn't you let me get the prize Janet? Did your 

famous Hercule Poirot talk to the judges first? Was the contest 

fixed?" 

"You just shut your mouth, Jimmy! Or you'll be sorry. " 

Poirot steps in, trying to separate the two. 

"What a low class young man you are! And now I think I know 

why you are so mean to young Janet. You are jealous of her 

brilliant mind! Poirot has a feeling Jimmy knows more than 

he says. How about it, Jimmy, tell us what you know about that night." 

Jimmy folds his arms in front of him and takes a defiant stance 

to Poirot's question. 

"Make me." 

"Oh, Hercule Poirot can "make" you talk. I have ways." 

Janet steps in. 

"Let me how you how its "done", Monseiur Poirot. 

Janet twists Jimmy's arm behind him, kicks his legs out from 

under him and put her shoe to his throat. 

Now talk, Jimmy before I make you really cry!" 

Jimmy's eyes bulged out, and he tried to get Janet's foot 

off his throat. 

"Okay, I 'll talk, I'll talk!" 

Poirot watches in amazement and claps. 

"Bravo, Young Janet. I bow to you!" 

"Okay, Jimmy, start talking. My foot is close by." 

Jimmy took a few breaths but did not look up. 

"Monseiur Poirot, I know you think I am lower than pond scum 

right now and probably I am. You see, Janet is so smart and 

she even won the contest to get you to come to our small town 

here. I found out about the contest and I wanted to steal 

her thunder so to speak." 

Poirot interrupts. 

"That is all well and good, but what do you know about 

the robbery at the museum. That is my main concern now, not 

who won the Science Fair!" 

"I am getting to that. I know who took the Ruby of the Spanish 

Princess! " 

"Who took it Jimmy?", Janet asks. 

"Well, I will tell you for fifty dollars!" 

Janet steps on his throat again even harder. 

"Wrong answer. Start talking Jimmy before you can't 

talk at all!!" 

"Okay, okay. Just joking around. You see, my Dad is involved 

so I can't exactly be very talkative. He has the ruby right now 

but only for a short time. We have to get to his office safe 

very soon or else the real thieves will transport the ruby out 

of the country!" 

"Do you know the combination?", Poirot asks. 

Jimmy just shrugs his shoulders. "Only my Dad knows it. 

Poirot smiles. "No problem. I can open safes. I may be a world 

famous detective but I am also a safe cracker. There is no 

safe Poirot cannot crack open! The ruby is as good as found! 

And we must hurry! 

"Wait a minute, Monsieur Poirot. Jimmy, who are the thieves?" 

"Well, they were closer to Poirot than you thought. They were 

the reception desk clerks at the Whitemanor Hotel.!!! They knew 

Poirot was coming to our town and they were trying 

to cook up some plot to frame Poirot for the robbery. We have 

to get the ruby firstt 

"Okay, Jimmy. Now you get us into the high school without anyone 

seeing us. . Can you do that Jimmy. And bring us to your 

Dad's office. 

"I will but if he catches me, I'll be grounded for life." 

Well, that's better than going to prison, isn't it Jimmy?", Poirot 

says. 

"Oh your a riot Poirot. Not!!!.... 

Janet slaps the back of Jimmy's head. 

"Ouch! Why did you do that for? I'm just joking around!", Jimmy 

says as he rubs his head. 

"Have a little respect. We are in charge now. Your jokes 

aren't even funny Jimmy. Now lets get a move on to your Dad's 

office.!", Janet says as she pushes him on ahead 

Janet, Poirot and Jimmy hurry to the back of the high school. Jimmy 

points to the service entrance. 

"I know they keep it unlocked. The maintence men are here for a while 

longer. I have an idea. Just follow me. 

Jimmy opens the service entrance door and walks into the dark hallway. 

The air is musty and dim. There are several doors on either side 

of the hallway. He stops at the second one and checks to see if 

it is unlocked. He then opens the door and motions for 

Poirot and Janet to go inside, he soon follows. 

"Okay there is a closet where the uniforms are kept. Hurry up 

and put on one and don't forget the hat. I will put one on too!". 

Poirot stuggles to get into the uniform and it almost rips but he 

manages to get it on. Then he puts on the hat. 

"So, how do I look, Young Janet?", Poirot asks. 

Janet and Jimmy start to laugh. 

"Too funny! You will never make it as a janitor! Lucky you are 

a detective!" 

Poirot waves his hand. "I am sure I look perfect! I am, after 

all, Hercule Poirot! Let's see the two of you! Oh, you look 

funny, as well!" 

"I don't care how I look as long as we get into that office. Now lets 

go!", Janet whispers. 

Janet, Jimmy and Poirot continue down the dim hallway and up the stairs
to the first floor. 

"My Dad's office is over here at the end of the hallway. I will stand
guard 

and you two go in. The safe is in a strange place. It is not a big safe 

so it can be hidden well. It is in the back of the cloak room in a big 

box full of Christmas ribbons! Don't laugh. My Dad is odd but he 

figures any thief won't go looking there. But he didn't count 

on his son being a rat either! " 

"Jimmy, your not a rat, maybe a skunk, but never a rat!", Janet 

teases him. 

"Very funny!" 

"This will save lots of time since we know where it is. Now stand guard.


Jimmy. I have to put my little grey cells to work on cracking the
safe!", 

Poirot whispers as he heads toward the cloak room. 

Poirot and Janet soon find the box full of Christmas ribbons inside 

the cloak room and Poirot pulls out the safe from the box. 

"This safe is very heavy. Let me examine it closely.", he says 

as he puts his ear to the combination lock. A few turns to the left, 

to the right and he hears a click, turns and it opens like clockwork. 

Poirot stands up proudly and announces, "I told you I could 

crack any safe! Poirot the genius !!" 

"Just get the ruby and let's get out of here!", Janet whispers. 

Poirot reaches inside and finds the Ruby of the Spanish Princess inside 

It sparkles as he put it up to the light. 

"Ah, this is a rare beauty!! I must have been blind to think the 

"fake" was the genuine ruby!" 

Jimmy comes in the cloak room. "We have to hurry, I hear 

footsteps coming down the hall. 

"Hurry up, I think I hear footsteps, coming down the stairs!", Jimmy 

says through the door. 

Janet starts for the door, but Poirot stops her. He puts his 

finger to his lips and motions for her to come closer. 

He whispers. "Walk over to the door very quietly. Lock it from the 

inside, Young Janet." 

Janet looks puzzled. 

"Why?", she whispers back. 

"Just do it. I will explain." 

Janet steps quietly to the door, locks it and walks 

back to the cloak room. 

"Okay, now we must be very quiet. I think that Jimmy will 

double cross us. I don't trust him. Now, go over to the window 

and open it. I will hand you the real Ruby of the Spanish Princess 

and tell me, do you have any friends you can trust, absolutely?" 

Janet thinks a minute. 

"Yes, I think so. " 

"Well, you will have to hope you can trust them because you 

must go to their house and contact the museum curator. You 

must arrange to meet him and return the Ruby to the museum. If you 

go to the museum now, the police will surely catch you. We must 

be as clever as they are. You know I am going to be in jail for a while.


Here is a number for my secretary in London. Call her for me 

and tell her I need help. She can help me get a good lawyer, even 

here in USA, even if she has to fly my own lawyer from London! Miss 

Lemon will do it, for Hercule Poirot!" 

"Okay, okay, stop the drama. I understand. ", Janet whispers. 

Poirot opens the window quietly and helps Janet out of the building. 

He then hands over the Ruby of the Spanish Princess to Janet. 

"Guard it with your life, Young Janet. I know  you can do it. And don't 

forget to call Miss Lemon for me." 

"Why don't you come out the window too, I am sure you can. Try!" 

"Okay, I will. I was just concerned for your safety." 

A knock at the door. 

"Why is the door locked? Let me in!", Jimmy shouts. 

"Oh, it is just a safety precaution, Jimmy, Just a minute.", Poirot 

shouts back. 

Poirot climbs out the window and joins Janet as they 

make their way to the woods behind the high school. They 

wait and watch and just as Poirot predicted, the police arrived 

and rushed inside the high school. 

"See,  I told you Jimmy would double cross us! His Dad probably 

told him to make up that story and wait for us along the 

path. We have to be more careful !", Poirot explains. 

It is late afternoon and it has started to rain. The path is thick 

with brush and flowers that make Poirot sneeze. "Flowers! Wet 

flowers yet! I know I am going to get a cold and sneeze!" 

"Yes, probably. We are almost at my friend Claire's house. I can trust 

her and she will understand. Everything will be okay once we get 

there. We must hurry. I am not sure how long the lock on the door 

will hold. I am sure the police will be on the lookout for us and 

whatever story Jimmy cooked up is probably good if the police 

are after us !" 

Poirot sneezes into his handkerchief. 

"How much further to your friend's house?" 

"It's over there. Let's go around to the back door." 

They hurry to the back door and knock. 

Claire's mother answers the door. "Is Claire here? It's really 

important." 

"Yes, she's here. Claire? Janet is at the back door. She needs 

to talk to you.. Come on in, will you?" 

Poirot and Janet walk inside. 

"Hi Janet! What is so important and why do you have Hercule 

Poirot with you? Isn't he famous or something?" 

"Yes, I am a famous detective but right now we need your 

help Claire. Will you help us?" 

Claire nods. "Sure, what do you need, Monsieur Poirot. You 

can trust me." 

"We need to stay here a while and if the police arrive and 

ask any questions, you know nothing. That is easy, isn't it?", Poirot 

asks Claire. 

"Sure, no problem. " 

"Also, I need to use your telephone. Where is it?" 

Claire bring Poirot to the telephone. 

"Janet, look up the number for the museum first of all." 

A few minutes pass as she finds the number and dials it 

for Poirot. 

"Is this the museum curator?" 

"Yes". 

"This is Janet. I am calling for Hercule Poirot to give you 

an update. We have the Ruby of the Spanish Princess in our 

possession but are unable to come to the museum. We need 

to meet you at the park at 9 pm tonight. Are you alone?" 

"Yes, I am alone, Janet." 

"Good. Monsieur Poirot feared the police would be surrounding 

the museum as we had to retrieve the ruby in a most unusual way. 

We will explain later. If the police ask you where we are, you know 

nothing. Understand?" 

"Yes, I understand.", the museum curator says. "Nine o'clock 

at the park. I will be there." 

He finishes the telephone call  just as the police arrive 

at the museum. 

The police do not talk to him right away but search each room 

for any sign of Hercule Poirot or Janet. 

"We have just received a telephone call from the high school 

that might interest you. It seems that the Ruby of the Spanish Princess 

was hidden there for a short while. It seems your famous 

detective from London, Hercule Poirot, might be the thief." 

The museum curator just laughed. 

"I think not!  He is a famous detective from London. Why would 

he ruin his good name by trying to steal this ruby? Besides 

why would he come all the way to small town America to a science 

fair and get mixed up with a museum robbery that has him doing 

detective work if he was stealing the Ruby of the Spanish Princess. 

Wouldn't it just be easier to take it and hop on a plane to 

who knows where? Why hang around to get caught? It makes 

no sense.! Besides, he is trying to help save the museum from 

closing!  Now , why don't you go out and find the real thieves 

instead of blaming Poirot!" 

"I am sure you understand we are just doing our job here!", the 

police officer reminds him as he continues to search 

the museum for any signs of Poirot or Janet. 

The police officer goes back outside and walks around the museum.
Another officer notices the footprints by the back window. 

The curator is amused. 

"Let them look around. Hercule Poirot has 

the Ruby of the Spanish Princess and at 9 o'clock 

it will be safe once again. I will make sure to get 

extra guards to keep it safe. I just have to find a way 

to get to the park without the police following me. 

8:30 p.m that same evening... 

The museum curaror walks through all of the museum exhibits and finds 

the police still trying to stall for time in hope that Poirot will show 

up. 

"The museum closes at 9 p.m.. I suggest you call it a night. Poirot 

won't come here this late in the day. He is trying to help us find the 

Ruby of the Spanish Princess and save the museum from closing down. 

There isn't anything you can do to right now. " 

The police officers give him a defiant stare and keep searching. 

"I said the museum closes at 9 p.m. . Do I have to be blunt? I suggest 

you come back tomorrow morning if you have any searching to do. I have 

to close up the museum!" 

"No problem. ", the police officer replies. He turns on his 

radio and calls Police Headquarters. 

"Officer Madison, signing off duty. ", he says into the radio. 

He listens for a reply. and then he and the other officers exit the 

museum. 

The telephone rings soon after. 

"Are you alone?", Hercule Poirot says. 

"Yes", says the museum curator. 

"Can you leave without being seen?" 

"Yes", says the museum curator. "I'll go now." 

The museum curator quickly closes the museum and locks 

the door for the night. and turn on the new alarm system he had 

installed. 

He gets in his car and heads for the park in the center of town. 

Parking his car, he gets out quickly and waits by a park bench. He 

does not sit down. Soon enough Hercule Poirot and Janet 

show up. 

"Do you have the ruby? Let me see it?" 

Janet shows it to him quickly. He put it up to the street light 

to check to see if it is the real ruby. 

"Now this is the real Ruby of the Spanish Princess. Let me tell 

you , Poirot, this situation is delicate. The police think you are after


it yourself  because they got a tip from an anonymous source 

saying that you were seen trying to open the safe of Mr. Phillips 

at the high school. " 

"Well, I was set up. And a clever set up it was! Listen, I know you 

believe me. I would not steal the ruby myself. I was trying to save 

your museum from being closed. What good would it do for me 

to take the ruby? " 

"None, I suppose. I know your intentions are good. It is just that 

this town is small and people like to talk. " 

Janet laughs..."Oh they sure do like to talk! I should have known 

Jimmy and his Dad were mixed up in this! " 

"What we should do is contact the museum curator in Spain 

and have him come here personally to retrieve the ruby. We 

will save alot of time that way. If we set a trap at the museum 

maybe the real thieves will come back to try to take it again. But 

this time we will be ready for them. 

"What do you think Poirot?" 

"Is it a plan?" 

"There hasn't been a case I could not solve. We have the ruby 

but the real thieves are still eluding us! Hercule Poirot won't 

rest until they are caught! Yes, I will get Miss Lemon to contact 

the museum in Spain for you. Don't worry, your museum will 

not close. 

A dark van pulls into the parking lot of a diner 

in town. Two men get out of the van and go inside to a 

window booth. They watch cautiously out the window at 

the park across the street. 

"Do you see what I see?" 

"It's Janet and that Hercule Poirot!! What are they doing 

at the park at this time of night? " 

The waitress walks over and places a menu down on 

the table. 

"What'll ya have fellas?", she says loudly, snapping her gum. 

"Oh, just two coffees, cutiepie." 

"Just for that sweetie, I'll add a little sugar to your coffee and maybe


a honeybun." 

"You're a feisty one!", he laughs. 

The waitress walks to the booth and returns with the coffees. 

"Nice and hot, just like you like it.", she smiles. 

"Thanks, your a doll." 

The waitress smiles and goes to another table . 

"Okay", the man says to his friend, "we finish our coffees 

quickly. They could leave any minute now. We have to surprise 

Janet. Not have them see us first. 

He walks to the counter and pays for the coffees. 

"Hey, see ya, Cutie pie! I give you a big tip sometime..." 

"Oh, promises, promises!!", she winks at him, as she rings 

up his order. "Have a good one!" 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

The two men exit the diner and watch the park across the street 

for a few minutes.  He sees the museum curator holding 

up the Ruby to the street light and he has to take a double 

take to make sure he isn't seeing things. 

"Is that the Ruby of the Spanish Princess? I thought it was 

locked up in Mr. Phillips safe!! He was supposed to keep 

it there until we were ready to transport it!  We have to get it 

back quickly. " 

The other man thought for a moment. Then he smiled. 

"I do have a plan. We do have a way 

to get it back. 

Just listen and learn. 

Follow me.." 

Leaving the black van in the parking lot of the diner, the two men 

go by foot along the side of the park, that is surrounded by hedges. 

They get as close as they can to listen to the conversation and 

bide their time. 

"Do not worry, I, Hercule Poirot, have never lost a case yet, the 

theives will not get away! Rest assured, your museum will 

not close. We must hurry to the museum and get this 

Ruby of the Spanish Princess back safely where it truly belongs-- 

in Spain! " 

The museum curator kept gazing at the Ruby. It's so flawless 

and rare! I can't keep my eyes off it! No wonder the thieves 

want to for themselves." 

"Tut, tut. Nevermind.", Poirot scolds him. "Remember the 

curator of the Spanish museum! He is boiling mad at you! Now 

don't go tweaking his nose by saying such things!" 

Janet watches the Ruby in the light. "Can I hold it for 

just a minute. It's so beautiful!", she asks the curator. 

"Just a minute.", he says as he hands her the ruby. 

The two men take that moment to crash through the hedges and 

they grab Janet. 

Janet starts to scream but the man puts his hand over her 

mouth and as Hercule Poirot and the Curator lunge at the 

two men. 

The man puts a knife to Janet's throat. 

"Now, if either of you two, takes one more step 

forward, I will cut her throat!" 

Hercule Poirot and the curator stopped cold. 

A tense moment passes. 

Then Janet bites the man's hand, stomps 

on his foot, twists his arm and steps on his throat. and 

grabs the knife. 

"Now you, hand over that ruby now! Some 

robbers you are. Think I'm a weenie, do ya? 

Well, think again! I'm Janet!" 

Poirot and the curator are stunned 

at what just happened... 

"You continue to amaze me, Young Janet! Thanks 

to you, The Ruby of the Spanish Princess is 

saved and so is the Museum!!" 

"Call the Police," Janet says to Poirot. "Tell them to come 

to the park. I see the black van across the street." 

"Ah, yes. Poirot will go there and ask a few questions. Maybe 

someone inside knows a little more than they are saying about 

these two strange robbers!" 

"Well, for one thing. They aren't too bright!", Janet says. 

"In my backpack, I have some rope. Tie them up. You can do it. 

Just wrap it around their hands and feet until the cops arrive. 

It's easy! I would do it myself but I have to keep them quiet!" 

Police sirens fill the air by the park where Janet stands guard 

over the robbers that tried to take the Ruby of the Spanish Princess. 

"Just try to make a move and my foot will crush your throat! This 

is not a threat, it's a promise!", Janet says calmly as her foot 

steps on the robbers throat. 

"Okay, okay. Think your tough, do ya?" 

"Of course!", says Janet. "But I am not as stupid as you are!  You 

and your bumbling friends left clues all over the place. This case 

was easy to solve. Maybe not for Poirot but for Janet!!" 

Poirot turns around and stares at Janet. 

"Now, now, Janet. It is not the time for arrogance. You made some 

lucky guesses.  It is not always so clear cut. You must keep a sharp 

mind and not let your pride get the better of you. Remember its 

a crime case that is primary, not your ego! We must think 

of the museum, first. 

"Yes, I remember." 

Several police officers rush over to where Janet is standing guard 

over the robber and put the cuffs on him, and reading him his 

rights. He is then escorted to the waiting police car , sirens 

blaring and crowds gathering. 

Poirot points to the diner. 

"Lets go to the diner and see what any of the patrons have to 

say about the robbers. Or if they noticed anything at all!" 

A few minutes later, Poirot, Janet and the museum curator 

arrive inside the diner.  The waitress gives them a curious look. 

"What's with the police cars? What's happening?" 

"A jewel robbery. The robbers were just in here.Didn't you notice 

anything suspicious ? " 

The waitress thinks for a moment. "Do you mean those 

two weirdos that were in earlier, trying to pick me up. Well, good 

luck! They looked like they didn't have two nickels to rub together. 

Poor suckers! Can you imagine that. I thought they were regular 

Joes and they are rotten jewel robbers! I must keep up with 

my people skills! What a dope I am!" 

"Ah, Miss, you are no dope. How could you know? You are just 

doing your job! What did they say to you? ", Poirot asks the waitress. 

The waitress smiles at Poirot. 

"Hey, you talk funny. where are you from?" 

"I am Belgian, but I live in London!" 

"What are you doing in the middle of America? And at my diner? You 

look like a classy guy.. Would you like to go out on a date with me?" 

"I am Hercule Poirot. I am on a case!! How about sitting down and 

having a tea with me? " 

"At work? Here? I meant somewhere else.! Ha!! You're funny ! A date 

where I work. Oh that's a laugh. I meant a fancy restaurant. You look 

like you can afford it. I can eat here any day!" 

"Poirot does not have the time for your silly games. Do you want 

a tea or not?" 

"Okay, sweetie. Don't sweat it. I am just playing. You're not used 

to people teasing you, are you?" 

"No one teases Poirot! I am too clever for the tease!" 

"Not clever enough for me. This might be interesting!" 

"Take a booth anywhere. There is no formal attire necessary 

for the food here is inedible! It's a diner. Try the coffee and 

the honey buns. I made them this morning!" 

"Excuse me. Just tea and a few minutes of your time, Miss." 

"Okay, cutie pie." 

The waitress walks off and returns with two cups of tea. 

Janet and the museum curator take another table and are waited 

on by a different waitress. 

Sitting down at the booth, the waitress sets down the tea cups 

and looks into Poirot's eyes. 

"Oh, sweetie, you take things much too seriously. Now, with a job 

like mine, I have to flirt with the customers! I would go batty 

if I did not! And besides the tips are better when I show a little 

leg and give a little more cakes. " 

Poirot just looked at her and shook his head. 

"Je ne comprends pas." 

"Oh,  you don't understand me?" 

"We need to talk about the case!! Stop flirting with me!", Poirot 

shouts! 

Half of the customers turned around  and stared. 

"Okay, okay. About 6 pm I notice these two strange fellows 

walking into my diner. I walked over and asked them if they 

wanted a coffee and some cake. I started to make small talk 

but I did notice they kept looking out the window at the park. It seems 

they were both preoccupied with the window. The did not even 

leave a tip!" 

"So, I am guessing you did try to flirt with them too?" 

"You bet I did! They paid a little attention but whatever was going 

on at the park seemed to take their interest. Now I know why. 

A jewel robbery!" 

"Yes, the Ruby of the Spanish Princess. It was on exhibit at 

the museum and was stolen by those theives. Now it is recovered 

and will return to the Museum in Spain once again. 

The museum will stay open here and now the Ruby of the 

Spanish Princess is safe and sound. 

Poirot holds it up to the light. 

The waitress stares at the jewel sparkle in the light. "This 

ruby is absolutely gorgeous. Can I hold it? 

"Just for one minute. We must get it back to the police!" 

Poirot hands it over to the waitress. She holds it up to the light. 

Looks Poirot in the eye and says. 

"What a dope you are!  You think the 

museum is saved? 

Think again! 

She threw the Ruby up in the 

Air and tried to walk away 

but Janet tripped her and 

the Ruby flew up 

in the air only to land 

in a bowl of chicken noodle 

soup . 

Poirot rushed over 

to scoop it out, handed 

it over to the museum 

curator, shouting 

Case closed. 

The museum is saved! 

"Oh, all this for a sparkly Ruby.!" 

Beware my friend of all things sparkly! They 

lure the greed in the heart and fire the brain 

to where they know nothing but the sparkle 

of the jewel. Let's let the museum curator 

in Spain know that the Ruby of the Spanish 

Princess is on its way back home to Spain 

now before someone else decides to steal 

it!" 

Goodnight, you sly waitress. You thought 

you could outfox Poirot! I think not! 

Oh right. You are much to uptight for me! 

Have  sweet bun, you look like you could 

use a little,just teasing. 

Oh you American girls! I don't get it. 

"No, I am sure you don't!" 


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