The Castle Mystery Read Online Free

We’ll be careful,” Jessie said. She remembered Grandfather Alden’s advice. Find out what new people like to do, and you’ll make a friend. That’s just what she was going to do with Sandy Munson.
    â€œHow did you learn so much about Drummond Castle?” Jessie began in her friendliest voice. “You seem to know your way around this big place so well after such a short time.”
    â€œWhat do you mean by that?” Sandy demanded.
    â€œI’m sorry,” Jessie apologized. “I only meant …” Jessie stopped before she got into any more trouble with Sandy.
    Sandy pointed to a low cabinet. “Hand me that box, please,” she ordered Benny. “It’s heavy, so watch out.”
    Benny carefully pulled down a large leather-covered box. “Whew, what’s in here?” The box was heavy!
    â€œSilverware!” Sandy snapped. “Now be careful!”
    Benny was as careful as could be. He held the heavy box in his arms for Sandy to take. Yet she grabbed it so fast that it crashed to the floor. Silverware scattered all over.
    â€œNow look what happened!” Sandy yelled. “Please leave the rest of the work in here. I’ll finish up by myself.”
    Benny Alden wasn’t used to sharp voices. He bit his lip. “I’m sorry,” he apologized.
    Sandy took the ledger from Jessie. “I’ll do the rest.” Jessie, Violet, and Benny left the dining room quietly.
    â€œCome on,” Jessie said. “Carrie said we should take our lunch down to the lake after we finished in the dining room. I guess Sandy thinks we’re finished.”
    â€œA picnic would be nice,” Violet said softly. “That was a dusty job.”
    The children went to their rooms for their jackets and came back down the narrow twisty staircase.
    â€œLook,” Benny whispered when the children reached the second-floor landing. “Grandfather must be finished with his work, too. His door’s open.”
    But when they entered his room, they got a surprise. Mr. Tooner was in Mr. Alden’s room, kneeling on the floor. He was trying to pry up some floorboards underneath the carpet.
    Benny felt his nose twitch. “Aaaachoo!” he cried when he couldn’t keep from sneezing.
    Startled, Mr. Tooner turned around. “What are you kids doing here?”
    Jessie stepped forward. “We came to visit our grandfather.”
    Mr. Tooner banged in the floorboard with his hammer. “Well, you can see he’s not here. He and that boy have been out on the porch trying to destroy that wisteria vine that’s older than the two of ’em put together! That’s where they are. Hmph!”
    Violet was a quiet one but not when it came to her family. “My grandfather is a wonderful gardener. Why he even had a rose named after him! He would never destroy any living thing!”
    Mr. Tooner looked as if he was about to apologize, but he changed his mind.
    â€œWell, if I didn’t always have to be fixing things for all the guests that keep coming here, then maybe I could have trimmed that vine myself. Now scat!”
    Jessie took Benny’s hand, then Violet’s, and the three went down to the kitchen. “I just wish people around here would let us help more,” Jessie said to Carrie.
    â€œHelp?” Carrie said. “Why you children are just in time to help me with this platter of sandwiches.”
    Jessie helped Carrie put sandwiches on a big tray. “Sorry we’re so early for lunch, but Sandy told us to leave for now. She wants to finish the work in the dining room by herself.”
    Carrie shook her head. “Dear, dear. I wish she wouldn’t. She means well, but she can be all thumbs around delicate things. She doesn’t listen. Well, I’d better get up there before there’s a crash. I know you children can fix yourselves a little picnic together, now can’t you?”
    â€œWe sure