Read Online Windy City Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner - Free Book Online Page B

reached the outer lobby, the men were gone.
    â€œThey didn’t go out the front door,” Violet said. “We would’ve seen them.”
    Henry was baffled. “But they couldn’t just … disappear!”
    â€œLook, Henry!” Jessie pointed to the doors Henry had tried earlier. One of them was open.
    â€œLet’s ask Willard where it leads,” Violet suggested.
    But Willard was busy outside.
    And Benny was already across the room. His brother and sisters followed. They slipped through the door and came upon a stairwell. They heard voices below, and then … nothing.
    Taking the lead, Henry crept down the stairs. The others stayed close behind him.
    At the bottom of the stairs was another door. Slowly, cautiously, Henry cracked it open and peeked into the dimness beyond.
    Henry let out a soft whistle. Then he said, “Wow!”
    â€œWhat is it, Henry?” Jessie murmured.
    Henry opened the door. There in the murky light was a lone railroad coach!
    Stunned, they moved outside to the walkway. They wondered where the car had come from and why it was there.
    After a long silence, Violet said, “‘A place like home’! The clue was about our home in the boxcar!”
    â€œâ€˜Resting on/A bed of stone,’” Jessie quoted.
    â€œGravel, or stone, is used to make railroad ties stable,” Henry said.
    â€œWe’ve solved the final clue!” Violet said.
    But the mystery was yet to be fully explained. They still had no idea who was behind this strange treasure hunt — or the reason for it.
    Henry motioned them to stay where they were. He sneaked up onto the observation platform and peered through a window.
    â€œWhat do you see?” Violet asked.
    Suddenly a voice behind her said, “I see you’ve found the treasure I think best.”
    Jessie, Violet, and Benny spun around. Their mouths dropped open in surprise. “You!”
    Jacob Piper pulled off a fake mustache and one bushy eyebrow.
    Just then, Grandfather appeared on the platform beside Henry. “I told you, Cob,” he said. “My grandchildren are smart. I knew they’d figure out our little game.”
    Jacob Piper and Grandfather! Together, they were responsible for this baffling mystery!
    Mr. Piper climbed onto the platform. “Come on aboard.”
    Astonished, the children followed him.
    Cob swept his arm in a circle. “Welcome to my home.”
    Benny stared at him. “You live here?”
    Cob laughed. “It’s very comfortable,” he said. He proudly showed them everything: a desk that opened into a large table; chairs that turned into beds; a stainless steel kitchen, where something bubbled on the compact stove.
    â€œThat smells good,” Benny said.
    â€œSpaghetti sauce for our supper,” Cob told him.
    Questions swirled through the Aldens’ minds, but they were too amazed to ask them. Still, the two men provided answers.
    Grandfather said, “When I told Cob you like mysteries, he planned this treasure hunt.”
    â€œIt was a good way for you to see my favorite city,” Mr. Piper told them. “But I was afraid you wouldn’t solve it. I wanted to tell you. Your grandfather and I argued about it.”

    That explained the telephone calls.
    â€œI was worried about the whole thing,” Mr. Alden continued. “I didn’t know how I was going to give you the clue at the Water Tower. Fortunately, Jessie, you dropped the maps. I slipped the envelope in with them.”
    â€œAnd I just missed seeing Chad at the Art Institute,” Mr. Piper said.
    Henry found his voice. “So Chad didn’t know.”
    Mr. Piper shook his head. “I was afraid he’d give it away.”
    â€œHow about Willard?” Benny asked.
    â€œHe knew something was going on, but he never figured it out.” Cob held up the mustache. “I’m not very good at this disguise business.”
    Benny snickered.