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!"


to be continued....