Sword of the Silver Knight Read Online Free Page A

“People may not want to come if they think there are thieves lurking about. I just wish I had the money to hire a private detective.”
    “Don’t worry,” Benny told her. “We’ll figure it out.”
    Hannah’s face softened for the first time that day. “I bet you will.”
    “Before we go to the costume shop, do you mind if we look around a little bit to see if we can find the sword?” Jessie asked.
    “I hope you can find it,” Hannah said. “I’ll be in my office.”
    When Hannah had left, the children looked at each other.
    “Can you believe that beautiful sword is missing?” Violet said.
    “What could have happened to it?” Henry wondered.
    Jessie pulled a notebook and pen out of her backpack. She quickly flipped to a fresh page. “Let’s figure this out. Who had the sword last?”
    “Jonathan used it last night in the show,” said Henry.
    Jessie wrote that down in her notebook.
    “We should talk to him first,” said Violet.
    The Aldens walked to Jonathan’s tent. “Hello?” Henry called, poking his head in the flap.
    “Henry, come in,” Jonathan said.
    When the children entered they found Jonathan sitting in a chair with his feet up on a small table. A magazine was spread across his lap, and he was flipping through it. “What can I do for you? Not time to get ready for the show yet, is it?”
    “No,” Jessie said. “We just wanted to ask you about the sword you used last night— the one that’s missing.”
    Jonathan turned back to his magazine. “Oh, yes. Too bad,” he said.
    The Aldens looked at each other, surprised. Jonathan didn’t seem upset at all that the valuable sword was missing.
    “So I guess you were the last one to have the sword,” Jessie went on.
    Jonathan looked up. “Yes, I used it in the show—it was great to use a real sword.”
    “What did you do with it after the show?” Henry asked.
    “I returned it to Richard’s tent,” Jonathan said simply.
    “And that’s the last you saw of it?” Jessie asked.
    Jonathan looked at her and smiled. “Is this an official investigation?”
    “Oh, we’re just … we like to solve mysteries. We’re helping Hannah find the sword,” Jessie explained.
    “I see. Detectives.” Jonathan studied the children’s serious faces. “I used to like to play detective when I was a kid, too. I played all sorts of things—detective, cowboy, knight in shining armor. I loved to be in disguise, to pretend to be someone I wasn’t. I guess I’m still doing that.”
    “Where exactly did you leave the sword?” Henry asked.
    “I put it on Richard’s dressing table,” Jonathan said. “What a cluttered mess! I’m not surprised the sword got misplaced.”
    “Was he there when you left it?” asked Henry.
    “No,” Jonathan said. “I’m not sure where he was.”
    “What time was it?” asked Jessie.
    Jonathan thought for a moment. “It was right after the show, probably about ten o’clock. I just left the sword on the dressing table and walked out.” He shrugged. “Never occurred to me that something might happen to it.” He looked back at his magazine.
    The Aldens had no more questions, so they left. “See you later,” Benny called.
    Outside Jonathan’s tent, Jessie made a couple of notes in her notebook.
    “Richard Worthington’s tent next?” Violet asked. The others nodded, and they set off in that direction.
    “We didn’t learn much from Jonathan,” said Henry.
    “Except for one thing,” Violet said. “He didn’t seem very concerned about the sword.”
    “No,” Jessie said thoughtfully. “He certainly didn’t.”
    A moment later the children were at Mr. Worthington’s tent. The flap was propped open, and they could see him inside. The Aldens immediately saw that Jonathan was right—the dressing table was a complete mess, as was the rest of the tent. Piles of clothing and armor and bits of hay were strewn about everywhere.
    “Mr. Worthington?” said Henry.
    “Yes?” he responded, looking up from a