The school bus trip to the medieval theme park had finally arrived. Kathy and Arlene and the entire school were going to spend the day at the park. Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate, for it was cloudy and a chance of showers was forecast. But all the school was still eager for their day at the park. Most of the kids wore jackets and hats in case it showered. Some of the teachers had their umbrellas. Miss Marissa was Arlene's and Kathy's home room teacher. They liked her, she was nice. When the buses came the children took their seats and on their way they went. When the buses arrived at the theme park the teachers allowed the older kids to go off on their own. It was hard to decide what to see or do first. There were coach rides, shows, jousting tournaments, jugglers, minstrels, a castle, knights in armor, animal pens, and more, much more. The medieval castle was huge, it had towers and a draw bridge that spanned a 30 foot wide and 20 foot deep moat. The moat was all around the castle, which, when the draw bridges were up, made it an island. It was going to be a day of enjoyment and learning. To witness how people used to live and work so long ago. Most of the boys went straight to where the knights were. They even watched the archers target shooting using their long bows. Some of the girls went to the millinery area to see how the clothing was fashioned and made. Some girls watched the weavers making material. Arlene and Kathy decided to go to the castle. Behind the castle were the stables and the performers' quarters. There was another draw bridge behind the castle. This was used a lot by the performers to take a short cut through the castle and reach the main part of the park. No matter which way Arlene and Kathy looked there were minstrels, jugglers, tumblers, story tellers. As Kathy and Arlene started across the draw bridge they passed some minstrels then a juggler who was tossing and catching some different colored balls.

"They sure sound good." Arlene said.

"Yes, but I prefer John Denver or Jimmy Buffet." Kathy answered.

The girls entered the castle and found themselves in a huge entrance hall. Two large stairways led to the upper floors of the castle.

"Where should we start?" Kathy asked.

"Let's go up and look out of the tower, " Arlene said.

So up they climbed. Higher and higher up.

"My legs are getting tired, " Kathy said.

"Mine too. No wonder why they use to lock people up in the towers. Nobody would want to climb up to get them out." Arlene said, leaning against the wall. After a minute the girls got their breath and finished the climb up to the tower. They were able to look out over the entire park.

"Hey, there's Miss Marissa with Natasha and Tatiana. Hi' down there." Arlene called out and waved. Miss Marisa, Natasha, and Tatiana all waved back.

"Hey, there's Alice, " Kathy said.

"Yeah, and she is funny looking even from up here, " Arlene giggled.

"She can't help it if she has elephant ears." A voice from behind the girls said. Turning about the girls saw Bob and Dan ( Doc Whats-on and Sure-not Homes); both were wearing their detective attire. To protect themselves in case of rain.

"Yeah, be careful if a gust of wind blows up. She might fly up here and land on you, " Bob, er, Doc Whats-on said. They all began to laugh. But the laughing suddenly stopped, for an alarm bell began ringing. Looking down, they saw a bunch of uniformed men running toward the castle.

"We had better see what's going on." Kathy said.

"Yeah, it could be a fire." Arlene answered.

"Or worse." Sure-not replied.

They all headed for the stairs and down and down they went. They stopped above the main entrance hall and watched the uniformed men ( security guards) running about.

"No one is to leave the park until the town police get here. The alarm is hooked up to the town police switchboard. So they are on their way, " said one of the security policemen.

"Hey, what's going on?" Doc Whats -on called down.

"You four come down here, " said the guard. The girls were a little frightened, but they didn't show it. Arlene, Kathy, Sure-not, and Doc Whats-on all came down and stood in front of the security guard.

"How long have you been in the castle?" he asked.

"I don't know, maybe 5 or 10 minutes," Arlene said.

"All of you?" asked the guard.

"We were here a bit longer." Sure-not said, pushing his hat up so he could see.

"And how long were you here?" asked the guard.

"Almost 10 minutes, the girls came in a few minutes after us," Sure-not replied.

"Where in the castle did you all go?"

"Arlene and I went straight up to the tower," Kathy answered.

"We were already up there, but overlooking the rear of the castle moat. Looking down at the stables," Sure-not said.

"Did you see anyone in the castle when you entered?" asked the security guard.

"No, no one, no, nope," all four replied.

"What's wrong?" Sure-not asked.

"Well, there's been a robbery" answered one of the guards.

"A robbery? What's been stolen?" asked Sure-not.

"A valuable jewel, that was going to be on display," answered the security guard.

" A jewel?" Arlene said.

"Yes. The Barber Blue Diamond," answered the guard.

"Was it worth a lot?" Doc Whats-on asked.

"Priceless," said the guard by the door.

"Priceless indeed; why, it was over 300 carats in weight," answered the security guard.

"Wow, that's big" Arlene said.

"Largest Blue Diamond in the world," said the guard.

"Who are these kids?" a loud voice said. They turned to see who spoke. There were a couple of uniformed town police and a man in a brown suit who seemed to be in charge.

" Er, they are with the school tour who are visiting the park today. A school outing," replied the guard.

"Well get them out of here. This isn't a playground," the man in the brown suit said.

"O.K. kids, you have to leave. You had best go find your teachers," the guard said as he escorted Arlene, Kathy, Sure-not and Doc Whats-on to the door.

"Who is that?" Sure-not asked the guard.

"Detective Trod, regular police from the town. Now you best go find your classmates," the guard said as he closed the door. Just then a voiced called out.

"Everyone has to assemble in the dining hall." It was Natasha's voice.

"O.K. Natasha," Kathy shouted back.

"Let's go," Arlene said.

"Hope they have some sandwiches and ice-cream, I'm getting hungry." Doc Whats-on said. The four of them followed Natasha to the dining hall. Entering, they found all the school kids were already there.

"O.K. children, let me have your attention. Everyone take a seat," Miss Marissa said.

"I am sorry to tell you," she continued,"but I am afraid our visit to the medieval park must be cut short. We will be leaving shortly. When the police say it is alright."

"Oh what's wrong?" Tatiana said.

"Did we do something wrong?" a voice said.

"Gee, do we gotta?" another said. All the children were disappointed and sad.

"No, children, it is nothing any of you did. But it seems there is something missing from the castle. The police suggest we stay here until they search the castle. Then they will inform us when we can leave."

"I'll bet you could solve it Sure-not," Doc Whats-on whispered.

"What's missing?" the children asked. Doc Whats-on stood up.

"It was a Blue Diamond," he said.

"That's right," a voice said from the door way. It was the Detective.

"I am Detective Trod, and I need to ask you all some questions."

"You don't think the children were involved?" Miss Marissa asked.

"No, but they may have seen something," he said softly.

"Now let me see a show of hands. How many of you were in the castle?" he said loudly.

"We were," said Arlene, raising her hand, as did Kathy, Sure-not, and Doc Whats-on.

"All right, anyone else?" the Detective asked. None of the other children raised their hands.

"O.K., with your teachers' permission, I'd like to ask you four a couple of questions. "Miss Marissa nodded her head yes.

"Let's go over to that empty table so we won't be disturbed." the detective said. So Miss Marissa, Arlene, Kathy, Doc Whats-on, and Sure-not followed the Detective.

"O.K. When you went into the castle did any of you notice anything strange?" he asked.

"No, not me." answered Arlene.

"No," said Kathy.

"No," said Doc Whats-on.

"No," said Sure-not.

"Did any of you notice the door marked 'office'?"

"Yes," said Sure-not.

"Was it opened or closed?" asked Detective Trod.

"Closed," answered Sure-not.

"Is that where the Barber Blue Diamond was?" asked Doc Whats-on.

"Yes, the park director Mr. Mycroft opened the office. He got some papers out of the safe, where the Barber Blue Diamond was. He went and unlocked the castle's rear door. He does this so some of the staff... er... performers can cut through the castle to enter out into the park. He remembers seeing some minstrels and a juggler coming toward the rear draw bridge. He, Mr. Mycroft, went out the front door. You came in shortly after. It was in that time the diamond had to be stolen. Mr. .Mycroft was by the blacksmith's when remembered he left the safe open. He returned and discovered the Barber Blue Diamond was gone. He immediately sounded the alarm, which also sends an alarm at the police station. He told his security staff, who immediately found the minstrels and juggler. They were searched both by the security guards and by my men after we arrived. Nothing was found. Now I notice you have lunch pails and a lunch bag. With your teacher's permission, I'd like you to open them."

"Children, you do not have to if you do not wish to." Miss Marissa said.

"O.K. with me," said Doc Whats-on. "My pail is empty. I got hungry on the bus."

"Arlene and I have our lunch in the bag," said Kathy, opening the bag.

"And here is my lunch pail." Opening it, Sure-not said, "Just a sandwich, napkin, and candy bar."

"Alright. Oh, by the way, where did you get that hat?" Detective Trod asked Sure-not.

"My Dad got it for me," Sure-not said proudly.

"Oh, so you are a Sherlock Holmes fan," Detective Trod said. Then almost in a whisper he said, "Hmmmn could have picked a real policeman instead of that amateur."

"I bet Sure-not could solve the case," Arlene said loudly.

"What? Who?" The detective said.

"Sure-not Homes and Doc Whats-on. They can solve anything." Arlene said, looking up at Detective Trod.

"Oh, can they, now." He replied.

"I'd like to see that." A voice said from behind them. Looking about there stood Mr. Mycroft and another man.

"Hi chief." Detective Trod said.

"This is Captain Gregson of Detectives." Mr. Mycroft said, stepping toward the table where Sure-not, Doc Whats-on, Kathy, and Arlene were sitting.

Looking down at Sure-not, Captain Gregson said, "Well, young man, I see by your detective hat you can solve crimes. How would you solve this mystery?"

"I would need to ask some questions. Once I get all the facts and clues, then I would deduce who stole the Barber Blue Diamond. "Sure-not answered.

"Well go ahead, ask the questions, I give you permission," said The Captain of Detectives.

Sure-not and Doc Whats-on both got up from the table. Sure-not, facing Mr. Mycroft began. "Mr. Mycroft, do you know the minstrels and juggler you saw coming toward the castle, when you unlocked the door?"

"Yes, they worked here last summer. But if you suspect them, I think you should know my security force searched them, with their permission. The police also searched them, even searching the musical instruments and the wooden balls the juggler used (which are solid). The medieval attire they wear is skin-tight. So there was nowhere the diamond could have been hidden on them.

"How big is the Barber Blue Diamond?" Sure-not asked. Mr. Mycroft held the tip of his thumb to the tip of his middle finger.

"Phew," said Doc. Whats-on.

"Where were the minstrels and the juggler when the security officers found them?" Sure-not asked. It was Detective Trod who answered.

"From the report the security team gave us, the juggler met another juggler and they began their act. They were by the Bakers' ovens. The minstrels were strolling in front of the jousting area. A few other minstrels had joined them. They were also searched, as was the other juggler. Nothing was found on any of them."

Then, looking to the Captain of Detectives, Detective Trod added, "Chief, I think we should drain the moat."

"Detective Trod, that is a major undertaking. The moat is fed by an underground stream. Even if we had pumps available, it would take an engineer. The stream would have to be diverted, Mr. Mycroft said. Sure-not put his hands behind his back and just shook his head. Detective Trod saw how Sure-not was acting, and ignored him.

"Well, the diamond must be there. Whoever stole it dropped it in the moat and figured to get it out after the park closed," he said loudly. Mr. Mycroft and Detective captain Gregson also saw Sure-not's reaction.

"Well, it looks like somebody doesn't think your theory is correct." Detective Gregson said.

"Bah, what does a kid know? Even wearing that silly hat doesn't make him a detective. He'd be lucky if he could catch a cold, let alone a robber." Detective Trod snarled.

"Go ahead, Sure-not," Kathy said.

"Yeah, go ahead and you tell them who done it." Arlene shouted.

"Can I have your candy bar?" Doc Whats-on said.

"O.K., junior Sherlock. Let's see the master detective at work," Detective Trod growled.

"You said the other juggler and minstrels were also searched."

"That's right, we are professional police, not fly-by private guessers."

"Ah, go easy Lester, he is only a kid," Detective Gregson said to the red-faced Detective Trod.

"I would like to see where the minstrels and jugglers were, when the security police found them," Sure-not said.

"Let's go," said Detective Gregson. So out went the police, Mr. Mycroft, Miss Marissa, Arlene, Kathy, Doc- Whats-on, and Sure-not Homes. Following the path taken by the minstrels, they walked from the castle over the draw bridge to the jousting area, which now had a number of knights all in armor, standing about.

"Now, where were the jugglers were found?" Sure-not asked.

"By the Baker. I suppose you want to go there too?" Detective Trod said loudly.

"Ah, Les." Said Detective Gregson.

"Sorry, chief" came Detective Les Trod's answer. Then, following the Detective, the group set off for the area where the jugglers were located.As they neared the ovens there were trays of breads, and trays of cakes, and trays of hot cross buns. Walking through the aisles of fresh baked goods, Sure-not would pause and look. Doc Whats-on was licking his lips.

"Quite a lot of Hot cross buns," Sure-not said to the Baker.

"They are donated to the Pleasant Hills retirement home." He answered.

"All of them?" Doc. Whats-on asked.

"These trays you see, there are five dozen They are cool enough now for me to load into my station wagon. Then I deliver them to the home," said the Baker.

"Smells good," Doc Whats-on said, drooling.

"We give five dozen to the senior home. The other three dozen we keep for sale here in the park." Mr. Mycroft said. Sure-not walked out from the aisles toward the Detectives.

"I think it would be wise to have your handcuffs at the ready," Sure-not whispered.

"For whom?" Captain Gregson asked softly.

"Why, for the juggler's accomplice," came Sure-not's reply.

"And who might that be?" asked Detective Trod.

"Why the Baker of course, and here is your proof." Going over to one of the many trays with hot cross buns on them, Sure-not reached out his hand.

"Just what do you think you are doing?" The Baker yelled out.

"Just returning this to its proper owner." Then, picking up a hot cross bun, Sure-not split the bun in half, and there in his hand was The Barber Blue Diamond.

"Amazing." Mr. Mycroft said.

"Hold on you, you are under arrest," said Detective Trod, taking hold of the Baker.

"How did you know where it was, Sure-not?"asked Arlene

"Yes, I would like to hear this myself, " said Captain of Detectives Gregson.

"Can I have the bun?" Doc Whats-on said.

"No it's evidence." Kathy answered.

"It was obvious from the beginning it must have been the juggler. When we were up in the tower, Doc. Whats-on and I, we could see Arlene and Kathy coming toward the draw bridge. The minstrels were strolling and playing their instruments. As the girls got close to the bridge the juggler came out. Before he even saw anyone he began to juggle," Sure-not said.

"It still could have been the minstrels," Detective Gregson replied.

"A possibility but not likely. They knew what other performers would be using the short cut through the castle. They were never out of anyone's sight. Mr. Mycroft saw them approach the castle, and the girls saw them on the bridge after leaving the castle. The juggler was behind them. From the tower they were visible coming and going. Plus, as you stated, the police searched the minstrels and their instruments. But once the minstrels exited the castle the juggler was inside with no one behind him. Seeing the office door ajar, the safe open, it was simple enough for him to take The Barber Blue Diamond."

"But some one could have seen him with the diamond," Miss Marissa said softly.

"Everyone did." Sure-not said.

"What?"

"Everyone did. If you recall when you passed him. What was he doing?"

"Why, er... juggling. Yeah, juggling," Arlene and Kathy said almost together.

"Correct, and one of those brightly colored balls was The Barber Blue Diamond. He couldn't alter his route or routine because it would draw attention to him. So he continued juggling until he came to his confederate.

"I thought confederates were in the Civil War." Doc Whats-on said.

"Be quiet silly," Arlene said.

"His confederate... er, accomplice took the diamond and rolled it in the sweet dough of the buns."

"But how did you know from all those buns which one had the diamond in it?" Mr. Mycroft asked.

"Your donation of the hot cross buns to the seniors is a very nice thing to do. Your Baker made up the order. All with a bakers count. A baker's dozen, 13. Except one tray which had 14 and that one extra had no icing on it .Once your Baker left the park, he would simply remove the extra hot cross bun, hide the diamond, deliver the buns to the seniors, return to the park, and be free of suspicion.

"Young man, when you get older, why you come see me, there will be a job for you on the police force." Captain Gregson said, shaking Sure-not's hand.

"Miss Marissa, the park will remain open for you and your school today. Also all rides, refreshments, shows, lunches, games are all free."

"Why thank you Mr. Mycroft. I will inform the other teachers. The children will be so happy," Miss Marissa said, and hurried off to tell the others. "And is there something I can do for you, Mr. Sherlock Holmes?"

"That's Sure-not Homes." Doc Whats-on said proudly.

"Oh, of course." Mr. Mycroft said. "Is there anything I can do for you or your associate?" he added.

"No, I can think of nothing. Solving the case is its own reward." Sure-not said

"Sure-not, lets eat before you answer." Doc Whats-on said, adding, "Arlene and Kathy can join us, it will be my treat."

"Mr. Mycroft said lunch would be free," Arlene said loudly.

"I know, and that will be my treat," answered Doc Whats-on.

So toward the dining room the four went. Another mystery solved.