"Don't you dare say a word against either my father or Jimmie!" Betty cried.
"Girls! Girls!" the matron chided severely. "We'll discuss this matter calmly please."
Penny stepped forward. "I think I may be able to help," she said quietly. "I happen to know that the ring belongs to Betty Davis, for I have seen her wearing it."
"You're a friend of hers," the other girl accused.
"On the contrary, I scarcely know Miss Davis. But I believe in seeing justice done. If you actually lost a similar ring, you may find it on the floor near your locker."
"Have you looked carefully?" the matron questioned.
"Of course I have! The ring is gone and this Davis girl stole it!"
"I'll search your locker myself," the matron decided. "Show me which one it is."
Penny and the others followed to witness the inspection. Article by article, the matron removed everything from the locker, but the ring was not found.
"Wait and I'll sweep the floor," Penny offered. She ran to find a broom, returning with it a minute later. Carefully she swept the space in the vicinity of the locker.