Read Online Mystery on Stage by Gertrude Chandler Warner - Free Book Online Page A

weren’t supposed to say that!” Melody said loudly.
    Henry checked all the overhead lights. “The other lights seem fine,” he reported to Jim after rehearsal. Jim nodded as if he were still in a daze. Indeed, he looked so tired, Henry volunteered to stay late to reset the lighting board.

    â€œWe’ll help you, Henry,” Jessie said. Violet, Benny, and Soo Lee nodded.
    â€œMaybe we’ll be able to find another light,” Violet suggested.
    â€œI wouldn’t count on it.” Jim sounded discouraged. “I think we better just redesign the lighting as Henry and I discussed. I know you’ll do a good job — all of you,” Jim added with a grateful look at the Aldens.
    When everyone had left, Jessie opened the door to bring some air into the backstage area. She poked her head outside. Something she saw made her quickly shut the door.
    â€œWhat’s the matter?” Violet asked.
    â€œThat woman,” Jessie whispered. Violet looked puzzled.
    â€œRemember the woman we saw the other night in the fur coat?”
    Violet nodded. “You mean she’s outside the theater again?”
    â€œYes,” Jessie was still whispering. “She’s just waiting in the street.”
    â€œDid she see you?” Violet wondered.
    Jessie shrugged her shoulders. “I’m not sure.”
    Violet shivered a little. “It’s spooky back here at night,” she observed. The girls looked at the large sets stacked along the wall — Dorothy’s simple farmhouse, the witch’s castle, even the Yellow Brick Road glowed eerily under the light of one small bulb overhead.
    Henry came backstage with Benny. “I’m starting to change the lighting so it won’t depend so much on that big light we lost.”
    â€œCouldn’t you wait a little longer?” Jessie asked. “We might find a replacement.”
    Henry looked at his watch. “Well, all right, but it’s already nine o’clock.”
    Jessie nodded. “I know.” Quickly she told her brothers about seeing the mysterious woman in the fur coat.
    Henry shook his head. “I don’t know what to think. So many things don’t seem right about this play.”
    â€œI know what you mean,” Jessie answered. She walked over to another storage closet. “Nothing but brooms and mops in here,” she announced.
    Henry sat down on the steps. “I really think someone tampered with that light on purpose,” he said grimly.
    â€œSo do I.” Jessie’s voice sounded muffled from inside the closet. “But who would do such a thing?”
    â€œWhy would someone in the cast try to ruin the show for everyone?” Violet remarked.
    â€œWe have to think about this,” Henry said. “First of all, whoever is doing these things may not be in the cast at all. Who do we suspect besides Sarah and Melody?
    â€œRichard.” Violet and Jessie both answered at once. They came to join Henry on the steps.
    â€œWe did catch him fiddling with Violet’s poster,” Jessie reminded them.
    â€œWell, we didn’t exactly catch him,” Violet pointed out. “But who else would want to make Richard’s name bigger?”
    Jessie and Henry both nodded.
    â€œWhat about the Tinman?” Benny asked as he came out of the costume room. “Don’t you think it’s strange he never takes his costume off?”
    â€œWell, yes,” Jessie agreed reluctantly. “Still, I can’t believe he’d be responsible for ruining costumes and sets. He’s so serious about his acting.”
    â€œYou could say the same about Sarah,” Henry reminded them.
    â€œYes.” Jessie said slowly. “I’ve been wondering about Sarah ever since the play started. She’s so secretive.”
    â€œDon’t forget about that folder she didn’t want us to see,” Benny reminded his sister as he joined his