Tattletale Mystery Read Online Free Page A

thought, Jessie said, “That’s interesting, but ... it doesn’t help us decode the message.”
    “That’s true,” admitted Henry. “I guess we’ll just have to look harder.” And the others nodded.
    A few hours later, Benny finally slumped in his chair, his hands on his cheeks. “We’re getting nowhere,” he groaned, looking defeated.
    Henry glanced up from his book. “Don’t be so sure! Listen to this: ‘Leonardo da Vinci was afraid his ideas would be stolen, so he wrote his notes in codes and in mirror writing.’ ”
    Benny straightened up. “Wow, Leonardo da Vinci liked mysteries, too! But ... what’s mirror writing?”
    “It’s writing that’s backward,” explained Henry. “But if you hold it in front of a mirror, you can read it.”
    “Do you think the code is mirror writing?” asked Violet.
    Jessie fished the message from her pocket. After studying it carefully, she had to admit it was possible. “It just might be.”
    “There’s only one way to find out,” said Benny excitedly. “Right, Henry?”
    “Right!” Henry sounded just as excited as Benny. “We can use the rearview mirror on my bike.”
    After returning their library books to be reshelved, the Aldens hurried outside. Benny hopped up and down impatiently as Jessie held the message up to Henry’s rear-view mirror.
    “Can you read it, Jessie?” He wanted to know. “Is it mirror writing?”
    With a nod, Jessie read the message aloud.
“She is guarded in Greenfield
    By night and by day
    And the smile on her lips
    Never does go away
    The smile is more famous
    Than any in history
    And behind it there lurks
    A snapdragon mystery.”
    “All right!” cried Benny. “Now we’re getting somewhere!”
    Violet didn’t look so sure. “But ... what does it mean?”
    “Beats me,” said Henry.
    Benny grinned. “We’re good detectives,” he reminded them. “We’ll figure it out.”
    “I hope so, Benny,” said Henry. “I hope so.”

CHAPTER 5
A Warning
    Solving mysteries is hard work,” Benny said as they wheeled their bikes back onto the road. “But it’s fun, too,” he quickly added.
    “That’s for sure!” Jessie said. And the others agreed. The Aldens were never happier than when they were figuring out clues.
    Henry looked at his wristwatch. “It’s almost lunchtime. Why don’t we get something to eat at Cooke’s Drugstore.”
    Benny was grinning from ear to ear. “That’s a great idea!”
    It wasn’t long before they were sitting at the long lunch counter of the drugstore, studying the menus.
    “Aaah, my favorite customers!” Mrs. Turner greeted the children with a big smile. Her gray hair was pinned back from her round face. “What’ll it be today?”
    Henry ordered a ham sandwich, coleslaw, and a cola. Jessie had a bacon and tomato sandwich and milk, and Violet ordered a grilled cheese sandwich and a strawberry milk shake. Benny decided on a hamburger, french fries, a chocolate sundae with extra sprinkles, and milk.
    “Benny, you eat like a bird,” Mrs. Turner teased good-naturedly. “And I don’t mean that kind of bird!”
    The children looked at Mrs. Turner, then in the direction she was pointing. Through the big plate-glass window, they could see a small pigeon on the top of the minuteman statue. They couldn’t help laughing at Josiah Wade. The Revolutionary War hero was standing in the middle of Town Square with his musket at his side — and a pigeon on his head!
    “No, you don’t eat like a pigeon, Benny,” Mrs. Turner went on. “I was thinking more of those big prehistoric birds.”
    Benny grinned. “I wonder if they liked extra sprinkles, too,” he said, making them all laugh.
    While they waited for their food, the Aldens turned their attention to the mystery. “I wish we knew more about the Tattletale,” said Jessie. “I can’t stop wondering who it is.”
    “At least we have another clue,” put in Henry.
    The others looked surprised to hear this. “We do?”
    “Sure.” Henry