“Maybe the money she lost is still here!” Vevi declared. She felt quite pleased with herself for having made such an important discovery.
“Open it and see,” urged Jane impatiently. “Or hand it over to me.”
Vevi unfastened the zipper which was clogged with sand. Inside was a smaller coin purse, a comb and a vanity case. In addition, there were four keys on a metal ring.
“There’s no money here,” Vevi reported, opening the coin container. “Not a penny.”
“Mrs. Allison lost ten dollars,” Connie recalled. “But the purse was taken from her car. How did it get here in the sand?”
Miss Gordon told the Brownies it was her theory that the thief had discarded the pocketbook. After taking it from Mrs. Allison’s car, he had kept the money, throwing the purse away.
“I’d return it to the lady, Vevi,” Mrs. Williams suggested. “Even though the purse is ruined, the vanity case isn’t tarnished. Besides, the keys will be needed.”
“I’ll take it to her just as soon as I get dressed,” Vevi promised. “My, I’m good at finding things! I wish I could find your wristwatch, Miss Gordon!”
“I wish you could too, dear,” smiled the Brownie leader. “However, I never expect to see the watch again. I’m sure it was stolen by the same person who’s been breaking into cars. Even if the watch were found in the sand, it would be ruined after all this time.”
The Brownies soon ran to the beach house to take showers and dress. Vevi and Connie were the first ones to finish wringing out their suits.