Tattletale Mystery Read Online Free

he invent?” Benny wanted to know.
    Taking a bite of his meat loaf, Grandfather chewed thoughtfully. “As I recall, he drew designs for diving equipment and a submarine. Even a helicopter and a parachute.”
    Violet looked puzzled. “But ... I thought Leonardo da Vinci lived a long time ago.”
    “He did,” Grandfather told her. “Long before the days of flying machines. That’s why his ideas are so amazing.”
    “But I don’t get it,” said Benny, putting his fork down. “How can he give us the key to a rhyme if he lived in the olden days?” Henry said, “I think we should find out more about Leonardo da Vinci.”
    “How will we find out?” asked Benny. Jessie thought about this. “We can go to the library. We should be able to find lots of information about a genius.” And the others agreed.
    Right after breakfast the next morning, the Aldens set off on their bikes for the Greenfield Public Library.
    “Do you think this is somebody’s idea of a joke?” Jessie asked.
    Violet looked at her sister. “Oh, Jessie!” she gasped. “Do you really think it’s possible?”
    “I don’t want to think anyone would do something like that, Violet,” said Jessie. “But we have to consider everything.”
    “I have a hunch there’s more to it than that,” Henry insisted. “After all, the Tattletale went to a lot of trouble making up codes and clues.”
    “I hope we can figure out why he — or she — went to so much trouble,” Violet said as they slowed to a stop outside the library. She propped her bike against a tree. So did the others.
    Inside the library, Henry said, “Let’s start by checking the computer catalog.” He led the way to a long table with a row of computers on it.
    The others gathered around while Henry sat down in front of a computer. His fingers tapped against the keyboard as he searched for any books about Leonardo da Vinci. Before long, a list of titles appeared on the screen. Jessie wrote the Dewey decimal numbers on a piece of paper, then they all hurried off to search the shelves.
    When their arms were full, the children headed for an empty table by the window. They sat down with their books piled high in front of them.
    “How nice to see the Aldens again!” said a voice behind them, and the children turned around in surprise. An attractive young woman with reddish brown hair smiled at them.
    “Hi, Janice!” said Jessie, returning the young woman’s friendly smile. The children were regular visitors to the library and often ran into Janice Allen.
    “I’m impressed,” said Janice, noticing all the books in front of them. “What’s all this about?” She took a closer look at the titles. “Oh, you’re reading about Leonardo da Vinci! We were just studying about him in school.” Working at the library was Janice’s part-time job while she went to college.
    “Do you know a lot about art, Janice?” Violet wondered.
    “I know a little about art history,” said Janice. Then her smile faded and she sighed. “But when it comes to drawing, I have no talent whatsoever.” She noticed someone waiting by the information desk and hurried away.
    The Aldens wasted no time getting started. Jessie helped Benny with the harder words. Before long, Henry came across a drawing in red chalk. He turned the book around so the others could see.
    “It’s a self-portrait of Leonardo da Vinci,” he said, as they all stared in fascination at the drawing of an elderly man with long hair and a long beard.
    “What’s a self-portrait?” Benny wanted to know.
    “That just means Leonardo drew a picture of himself,” explained Jessie.
    Violet had found something interesting, too. “This is the Mona Lisa. She showed them a painting of a dark-haired woman with a gentle smile. “It’s the most famous painting in the world. But Leonardo da Vinci didn’t even sign it.”
    “Just like Milly Manchester,” whispered Benny. “She never signed her paintings, either.”
    After a moment’s