Read Online The Black Widow Spider Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner - Free Book Online

man with the notebook. He was standing at the back of the hall.
    Benny motioned with his head. “See that man back there?” he asked. “The one in the long black coat?”
    Jessie looked. “Yes.”
    â€œWell, he’s not looking at the exhibit — he’s just watching the people,” Benny said. “He was even watching me for a while.”
    â€œSo?” Jessie asked.
    â€œAnd he keeps writing in that little notebook,” Benny added. “See?”
    â€œDon’t tell me you think he’s a spy,” said Jessie.
    But Benny was too excited to notice that Jessie was teasing him. “Maybe he’s working with Mrs. Blackwell.” Then his eyes opened wider. “Or maybe he’s the man she’s trying to catch!”
    Jessie sighed. “Wait a minute. Just because there have been some strange things happening on our street lately doesn’t mean everyone in Greenfield is up to something.” She strolled on to look at the next display.
    But Benny was still focused on the mysterious man. He followed the man around the exhibit. The man definitely seemed to be studying the visitors more than the displays. Every now and then, he pulled out his notebook and made a quick note before tucking it back inside his coat. Benny tried to get a glimpse of what the man was writing, but he held the notebook too close to his chest.
    â€œHmmm …” said Benny. “Definitely up to something.”
    The man approached a door with an official-looking sign on it.
    Benny looked at the sign on the door and sounded out the words. “St … staff … only. Staff only. Hey!” Benny said to himself, “he can’t go in there!” The man wasn’t wearing a museum uniform but he was headed straight for the door.
    Benny stood facing the closed door, wondering what to do. Should he tell someone?
    Before Benny could do anything, the man pulled the door open and went inside.
    As the man shut the door behind him, Benny caught sight of something unexpected. On the man’s wrist was a gold chain bracelet. The bracelet held a red hourglass charm.
    Benny gasped. “I’ve got to find the others,” he said to himself.
    â€œStop right there!” said a voice behind him.
    Benny froze, startled. But when he turned around, he saw it was just Jessie, a big smile on her face.
    â€œJessie, you’ll never believe it!” he said. “I was following that man and I saw something. He was wearing a bracelet!”
    â€œSo, some men wear jewelry,” Jessie replied. “Benny, you’ve really got to stop —”
    â€œBut it had a red hourglass on it!” Benny said.
    Jessie’s eyes opened wide in surprise. “Really?” She frowned. “Let’s go tell the others.”
    She and Benny found Henry and Violet in front of the giant spiderweb. Benny quickly told them about the mysterious man and the bracelet.
    â€œHow weird,” said Violet.
    â€œCome on,” Henry said. “I want to see this guy. Let’s try to find him.”
    As the Aldens headed around the room, Violet stopped in front of a photo of a spider wrapping a fly it had just caught in its web. “These photographs are amazing,” she said.
    â€œThey are cool,” said Jessie.
    Then Violet smiled. “Hey, did you notice the name of the photographer? It says Arachnia Borrero. Mrs. Blackwell’s name is Arachnia, too.”
    â€œThat’s funny,” said Henry. “Arachnia can’t be a very common name.”
    Benny looked away from the photograph toward the museum lobby. “Hey,” he said. “There’s the man!” He raced out of the exhibit.
    The others chased Benny into the lobby after the mysterious man.
    The man quickly crossed the lobby and headed out the front door of the museum. He was already down the steps and standing by the curb when the Aldens stepped out of the museum door.
    A black