Read Online Animal Shelter Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner - Free Book Online

night. Benny checked that all the water dishes were filled so none of the strays would be thirsty during the night.
    Violet was especially sad. What had happened to Miss Newcombe? What would happen to her nice pets? How would they find homes for all the animals they had? All this worry kept Violet awake long after the rest of the family had fallen asleep.
    Suddenly she heard the long, low sound of a heavy door being pushed.
    â€œThe boxcar!” she cried. She jumped from her bed and went to the window.
    The moon was high above the Aldens’ yard now. In the moonlight, Violet saw a gray-haired woman step inside the boxcar. “What is Mrs. McGregor doing out there this late?” she said to herself. She put on her robe, then tiptoed downstairs. Watch was at the back door, growling in a low voice.
    â€œNo need to growl, Watch,” Violet whispered to the dog. “It’s just Mrs. McGregor.”
    In the moonlight Violet found her way easily to the boxcar. When she was about ten feet away, she could hear a dog’s tail thumping against the metal walls of the boxcar. All the dogs were yipping with excitement.
    Violet knew those sounds very well. They were not frightened or unhappy sounds. These were the same happy cries the animals made when the Aldens came to visit, pet, or feed them. Somebody they liked very much was in the boxcar!
    â€œAh, Patches, you lovely, sweet thing,” someone was saying inside. “I knew this was the right place for you.”
    Lad made an eager yelp.
    â€œAnd you, too, Lad,” the voice continued.
    When Violet’s eyes adjusted to the darkness, she saw a white-haired woman sitting down on an empty food crate. The woman was surrounded by Lad, the white dog, Patches, and a cat. They were all licking her and rubbing against her ankles.
    â€œExcuse me,” Violet said.

    The woman jumped. In the moonlight, Violet saw the woman’s eyes flash with fright.
    â€œI’m sorry,” Violet said softly. “I heard the door of the boxcar opening. I was worried about the animals.” Violet paused. She didn’t want to frighten the woman away by stepping inside.
    â€œIt’s okay, Lad. Sit,” the woman said, taking the dog’s front paws off her lap.
    â€œLad?” Violet asked. “You know this dog?”
    The woman stood up. She was hardly taller than Violet. She smoothed her dress and twisted a ring on her finger. “Many of the animals in here were mine,” she began. “I left them here in your safekeeping.”
    Violet waited a long time before she said anything. “Then you must be Miss Newcombe.”
    â€œYes. Clara Newcombe. I heard about your love of animals from Dr. Scott. And I knew your grandfather’s family long ago. When I had to leave my animals, I knew they would have a good home here.”
    â€œYou brought all these animals here?” Violet asked.
    The woman stroked Patches on her forehead. “Yes, I left Patches here a week and a half ago and the other animals at good homes around town, but some of them ran away and tried to get back home. Late the other night, I saw Lady wandering around Greenfield, so I brought her here, too. As for Lad and Midnight, the cat, I don’t know how they came to be here, but I’m glad they are. Lad and Lady are from the same litter.”
    Violet stroked Lad’s floppy ear. “At first we called him Fred. I mean the people who found him did. A woman and her little boy saw him wandering around in the parking lot of their apartment building. A farmer who says he knows you brought Midnight to the Greenfield Animal Shelter. We took her because the shelter has to close.”
    When Violet said that, the woman sat down. “Yes, the shelter. I know all about the shelter closing,” she said. She looked up at Violet. “That’s why I didn’t bring my animals there.”
    â€œYou must come into our house,” Violet said gently.