The Danger

EPILOGUE

The X-ray machine at Martinique airport picked up the strange object in Star’s duffel bag. Security officers swarmed from all directions. Star and her three traveling companions were pulled aside into the restricted area, and a search of the luggage began.

The agent in charge rummaged around the bag and pulled out the carved whalebone handle that had once belonged to Captain James Blade of His Majesty’s privateer fleet.

“I totally forgot about that thing!” Star exclaimed.

And then the huge stone inset above the initials J.B. caught the light and flashed deep green fire at them. The interns stared at it, mouths agape. This was the first time they had seen it free of its encrustation of coral. It was magnificent.

A junior agent pointed urgently at the brilliant display. “Monsieur — regardez! The gem!”

With disinterested eyes, the inspector looked from the four teens in shorts to this huge garish stone.

“Do not be ridiculous,” he chided his subordinate. “It cannot be real. An emerald that size would be worth two million dollars!”

With a snort of disgust, he tossed the artifact back into Star’s duffel, and passed the interns through.

“Souvenir tourist junk!”