Mystery of the Queen's Jewels Read Online Free Page A

picture of the queen.”
    â€œWe’d better bring some things with us today, like a map and our guidebook,” said Jessie.
    â€œDon’t forget the camera,” said Violet.
    â€œAnd an umbrella, in case it rains,” Grandfather suggested. “It rains a lot in London.”
    â€œWe can put that stuff in my backpack,” Benny said, running to get his little red backpack from next to his bed.
    A little while later, the Aldens were waiting in front of the inn. Mrs. Brown had arranged for a car to pick them up.
    â€œThere’s a cab,” said Benny, pointing a little way down the street.
    â€œI don’t think that’s for us,” Grandfather said. “If it was, the driver would pull up to the door.”
    â€œAnyway, it looks as if there’s already someone in the back,” Violet pointed out.
    â€œI don’t see anyone,” said Jessie.
    Violet looked again. “That’s funny. I’m sure I saw someone in there a second ago.”
    â€œIt’s strange the way that cab is just sitting there with the motor running,” Henry said.
    Just then another big black cab pulled up, right in front of the inn. “This must be ours,” Grandfather said. The children got into the backseat, and Grandfather sat up front, next to the driver.
    As they pulled away from the curb, Violet took a look out the rear window. “Now that other cab is moving,” she said.
    Jessie looked back, too. “And there is someone in the backseat. But it’s funny — the person has his hat pulled all the way down over his face, as if he doesn’t want to be seen.”
    â€œHow do you know it’s a he ?” asked Henry.
    â€œGood point,” Jessie said.
    â€œA mysterious stranger!” said Benny
    â€œYou kids and your mysteries,” Grandfather said, chuckling.
    A few minutes later, Violet turned around and looked out the rear window again. “That cab is still in back of us,” she said. The others turned to look.
    â€œI’m sure it’s just a coincidence,” said Grandfather.
    But when they checked a few minutes later, after their cab had made several turns, the other one was still behind them. “I think we’re being followed,” said Jessie.
    â€œDo you think that person got in the cab and said, ‘Follow that cab!’ like in the movies?” Benny asked.
    Everyone laughed. Before they could figure out why someone might be following them, they had pulled up in front of a tall, imposing gate.
    â€œHere we are,” said Grandfather. “Buckingham Palace.” The children got out, but Grandfather stayed inside. The cab was taking him to an office building a little bit farther up the road. Grandfather rolled down his window. “Do you have your map?”
    â€œYes,” said Henry.
    â€œAnd you have the money I gave you?” asked Grandfather.
    â€œYes,” said Violet.
    â€œAnd you have the phone number where I’ll be?” asked Grandfather.
    â€œYes,” said Jessie. “We’ll be fine. Well take a cab back to the inn when we’re through here.”
    â€œAll right. Then I’ll see you back at the inn at dinnertime,” Mr. Alden said, and the cab pulled away from the curb.
    â€œHey, what happened to that cab that was behind us?” asked Violet, looking around. It was nowhere in sight.
    â€œI guess it’s gone now,” said Jessie. “Come on. Let’s go see the palace.”
    The children looked at the beautiful building on the other side of the large iron gate. “Wow,” said Benny, looking at the rows of windows. “It’s huge! Does the queen really live there?”
    â€œI think so,” said Jessie. “Let’s see what our guidebook says.” She unzipped Benny’s red backpack and reached inside. She pulled out the book and flipped a few pages. “Here’s the section about the palace.” She read