Read Online The 100-Year-Old Secret by Tracy Barrett - Free Book Online

thought.
    Andrew's welcoming smile vanished. He turned to the headmaster and said, “Are these the new kids you wanted me to take around?”
    â€œYes, indeed,” the headmaster said. “Your aunt suggested it. Off you go now, and don't forget that you're to collect them at the end of the day and get them started on their way home.”
    â€œYes, sir,” Andrew said. He began walking down the corridor so fast that even Xena had a hard time keeping up.
    Xander broke into a jog and said, “I thought this was an international school.”
    â€œIt is.”
    â€œBut you're English!”
    â€œRight,” Andrew replied. “My mum's from South Africa, and my parents want me to go to school with kids from other places. So theyenrolled me here.” And he didn't say another word as he dropped them off at their classroom doors.
    The first day flew by in a whirl. The other students were clearly accustomed to newcomers, and most of them were friendly. Xena tried out for the choir, and the director told her that he was pleased to have another alto.
    Xander planned to sign up for soccer tryouts the next morning. If he made it, he'd have his first scrimmage that same afternoon.
    And since neither had studied foreign languages before, they were both put in the beginning Spanish class, which was taught by a young woman from Paraguay.
    Xena and Xander didn't see Andrew again until the end of the day. He met them at the door.
    â€œIf you were real detectives,” Andrew said, “you'd be able to find your way to the Tube without me.”
    Fine, Xander thought. He spotted a sign saying SUBWAY and headed for it.
    â€œWhere are you going?” Andrew called after him. “It's this way.”
    â€œNo, it isn't,” Xander called back. He went down the stairs at a trot and found himself in an underground pedestrian crossing. Oh great, hethought, and retraced his steps to where the other two were waiting.
    â€œIn England, a subway is a passage under a busy street,” Andrew explained.
    â€œNo kidding,” Xander muttered. He didn't want to look at Andrew to see if he was smirking, so he kept his head down as Andrew guided them to the right train. As it pulled out of the station, they saw him taking the stairs two at a time to get out of the station. At least they weren't going back to the hotel, but to their new flat with its high ceilings, big windows, and fireplaces.
    As soon as they were in the door, Xander tore off his school jacket and threw it onto the floor. “Stupid thing,” he muttered. “And why is there a giraffe on it?” Their mother had already explained to them that the school's logo reflected the founder's Kenyan origin, so Xena didn't answer.
    Pretty soon Xander quit grumbling. “Let's get changed and start looking for that girl we saw yesterday,” he said. “She's got to live around here someplace.”
    â€œWhat makes you think that?” Xena asked, unpacking her backpack.
    â€œThe first time I saw her from the bus, shewas walking right near the hotel, remember?”
    Xena nodded.
    â€œAnd the next time she was across the street. The hotel's only a few blocks away. We could go—”
    â€œSorry, but you're not going anywhere today,” their mom said, coming in the door. “We've got a lot of work to do.” They looked past her to the piles of boxes and suitcases.
    Their search for the girl in the purple hat would have to wait.

    The next morning Xander made the soccer team, but he wasn't sure if this was going to be a good thing. He hadn't played very well. He made it because only three boys tried out this season and Coach Craig had to take him. And even then the coach wouldn't give him a uniform until he promised to start calling the game football , not soccer. Worse yet, it turned out that the captain of the team was none other than Andrew.
    Now that the school day was finally over, Xander was determined to make a