Reading Comprehension – Question 26

Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the following question. The snowstorm was getting worse. White flakes whirled around us as we fought our way against the wind. I had almost given up hope of sheltering, when we found an abandoned log cabin in front of us. I squeezed through the door of the cabin and stepped cautiously inside with Jane close behind me. It was dark and musty-smelling, but at least it was sheltered and dry. Glad to be out of the storm, we settled down on the dusty floor to wait for a break in the weather. “What’s this?” asked Jane curiously. Her hand closing over something shiny. She held it up to the weak ray of light that pierced the gloom. A gold necklace glittered and shone. Its ruby pendant was a lustrous wine-red in the faint beam. Strangely, there was no dust on the necklace. It was almost as though it had dropped from the throat of its owner moments ago. We gazed at each other speechlessly. What strange mystery had we accidently stumbled upon? What had the writer given up hope?