Read Online Ghost Town Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner - Free Book Online Page A

only two who fit the part. Gert was too big — ”
    “As if I’d ever go along with such foolishness!” Gert sputtered.
    “ — and Mrs. Harrington was busy running Eagles Nest,” Violet said. “So that left Marianne.”
    Realizing it was her turn to speak, Marianne sniffed and said, “I never liked the idea of pretending to be the ghost. Especially after I met you Aldens. You’re such nice people. But my mother always dreamed of owning a fine hotel and Victor offered her that chance. I couldn’t stand in her way.”
    “But you quit, didn’t you?” asked Benny. “We heard you arguing outside our window with your mother.”
    “Yes,” Marianne said. “I really hated wearing that ridiculous outfit to fool Mr. Alden so he’d sell his land. One night I told my mother I wouldn’t do it anymore.”
    Now Jessie broke in. “Corey almost took over for you. I saw him with part of the costume under his poncho the evening of the rainstorm.”
    Corey looked sheepish. “Victor Lacey came to me. He knew I’d do anything for Marianne, so I offered to dress up as Rose Payne. I’m in the Drama Club at school.”
    Victor looked angry. “I was in a real bind without our leading player. But Corey couldn’t have pulled it off. He’s too big. You people would know in an instant he wasn’t the ghost of a woman. But he was easily roped into my plans.”
    “You rigged the Jeep so it broke down when we went to Tincup that evening,” said Henry. “You said you knew how to fix cars but you didn’t do anything. We walked into Tincup to give Marianne time to get into her costume.”
    Corey nodded. “There’s another path you Aldens don’t know about. We decided, instead of the ghost ‘walking’ again, to have Marianne hide behind the dance hall door. One of you was bound to see her.”
    “I did.” Violet shuddered at the memory of that horrible face.
    “I’m sorry,” Marianne apologized. “But in the end I couldn’t be disloyal to my mother. She’s worked so hard all these years and there was a chance for her to make it.”
    Victor smacked his fist into his open palm. “If you Aldens hadn’t come along, I’d be on my way to becoming a very rich man. Mr. Alden was ready to sell me his property — ”
    Grandfather held up a hand. “Not so fast. I wasn’t sure what your game was. My grandchildren uncovered it.”
    “Does this mean you’re not selling our town?” asked Benny.
    Grandfather smiled at him. “Tincup is ours. And all the property around it.” He looked at Old Gert. “I’m aware that your land is next to mine.”
    She looked worried for the first time. “I’ve always lived there.”
    “And you will continue to live there,” Grandfather assured her. “I’m not touching the property. I do think the town of Tincup ought to be saved, though. It’s part of history. I plan to pave the road and have the buildings preserved. People would love to tour an old silver-mining town.”
    Marianne turned excitedly to her mother. “We’ll have real tourists, Mother. And they’ll need a place to stay!”
    “Well, it won’t be at Eagles Nest,” said Mrs. Harrington. “I’m selling. To Mr. Alden, if he wants it. I’m tired of running a motel in the middle of nowhere. It’s time for us to move on, Marianne. Make a new start.”
    “You can always go to Colorado State,” Corey said. “It’s a good school and the town is nice, too.”
    While they were talking, Henry noticed Victor Lacey slipping between two of the buildings.
    “Hey!” he cried. “Mr. Lacey is trying to get away!”
    The children dashed down the alley. Corey and Old Gert, who could run surprisingly fast, reached the man first.
    “My dream is up in smoke,” Victor declared. “I’m leaving!”
    “But you’ve caused people a lot of trouble,” said Grandfather. “You can’t just walk away like nothing has happened. Gert, what do you think we should do?”
    Gert thought a few seconds. “You know what would be a fair