The Niagara Falls Mystery Read Online Free

said, grabbing two pieces of luggage.
    â€œGood-bye, Grandfather,” the children called out when Mr. Alden’s car pulled away.
    The parking spot wasn’t empty for long, though. Will Lasalle pulled into it almost as soon as Grandfather left. “Hey, what’s the matter?” he asked when he noticed the children looked upset about something.
    Jessie handed Will one of the fliers. “These ‘Going-Out-of Business’ notices were on the cars this morning again.”
    â€œWhat do you mean, ‘again’?” Will asked.
    â€œLast night there was one on our windshield and on most of the other cars on the street,” Henry explained. “So we took them off. We tried to find you, but you were already on the boat. Somebody put more fliers on these cars after we left.”
    Will’s brown eyes filled with worry. “Who can be doing this? First I lost my store sign. Next I found out that somebody’s throwing away all our ads. Now these fliers. What’s going on?”
    â€œMaybe we can find out,” Benny said.
    For the first time that morning, Will Lasalle smiled a little. “If anyone can figure this out, I know it’s you Aldens. Let me get you settled in the bungalow. Then I’ll come back and show you around our display room,” Will said, leading the children down a short passageway on the side of the shop. “I’ll be back in a while.”
    â€œIt’s like a miniature cabin,” Violet said when Will let everyone into a snug cottage in back of the shop.
    â€œGranddad built this bungalow by hand,” Will explained. “The walls are made of Canadian logs. The stones for the fireplace came from the farm where he grew up. And those snowshoes on the wall belonged to my great uncle.”
    â€œIt’s cozy — just what we like,” Jessie said as she carried the cooler into the kitchen. “This is just as nice as the Rainbow Inn.”
    â€œExcept for the peach pie,” Benny reminded his sister.
    Will went to the door. “Why don’t you unpack while I open up the shop. Then I’ll show you around. I’ll leave the back door to the display room unlocked. See you in a while.”
    After Will left, the Aldens opened the windows to let in some fresh air. Henry and Benny put away the food from their cooler. Mrs. McGregor, Mr. Aldens’ housekeeper, knew how hungry four children could get. She always packed a cooler with some of her delicious home-cooked food for their car trips.
    â€œListen,” Henry said when he heard voices out back. “I think our neighbors are here.”
    The children overheard Will talking to some people as they climbed the stairs behind the shop.
    â€œThat must be the couple he hired,” Jessie said. “I hope they’re nice. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m ready to start work.”
    â€œMe, too,” Violet said.
    â€œMe, three,” Benny said, laughing.
    The children walked outside, and Henry locked the door to the bungalow. Will had left the back door to the display room open. The second the children got inside, they heard something.
    â€œSomebody’s in here!” Henry whispered. “I thought Will was upstairs showing the couple the apartment.”
    Jessie followed the sound of footsteps into the shop area that connected to the display room. “Who’s there?” she called.
    The only answer was the shop door slamming. The children caught a glimpse of someone on the sidewalk.
    â€œLet’s follow whoever it is,” Henry suggested.
    By the time the children got outside, all they saw was a dark brown car driving down the street. Across the way, Angus Drummond sat quietly with his suitcase in front of him.
    Violet waved, but Angus didn’t look up.
    â€œDo you think Angus was in here?” Jessie asked Henry when everyone returned to the shop.
    Henry shook his head. “I’m not sure. He looks like