Ruby Jolene Hurley is happily celebrating her thirteenth birthday at the boarding house in Way Down Deep, West Virginia, where she lives with Miss Arbutus and a parade of eccentric boarders, when tragedy occurs. Jethro expires suddenly—apparently from eating chocolate. " 'If so, it's not a bad way to go,' Grandma said."

Jethro is Ruby's pet goat, beloved by her and all the denizens of Way Down Deep. Distracted by this calamity, Ruby pockets the odd coin that little Rita gives her for her birthday, thereby setting in motion a series of events that begin with a funeral and ends (spoiler alert) with Ruby hunting down a real treasure.

As stories go, this one is practically perfect. The characters are likable and interesting, and the plot is thoroughly satisfying. Children love treasure hunts, and despite difficulties, Ruby perseveres and finds the treasure. The ending is worthy of cheers.