Tree House Mystery Read Online Free Page A

worry,” said Sammy. “My dad won’t get in the door before I ask him.”
    Jeffrey looked at Sammy and shook his head. “You know Dad doesn’t like to have us pester him. He’ll say no if you tease. Just ask him quietly, and then maybe he will let us go.”
    “I won’t bother him,” Sammy promised. “I’ll just say please, and tell him the Aldens are going, too.”
    “We don’t need to tell Dad anything about the spyglass,” Jeffrey said. “It might make him angry at Uncle Max all over again. I wonder if Uncle Max will know us. He hasn’t seen us for a long time.”
    “He’s older than Dad,” said Sammy. “I think he will remember us if we tell him. And he’ll remember the spyglass, if Dad does.”
    That same evening Benny said, “I wonder why those kids are so eager to have a spyglass.”
    “I wonder, too,” said Violet. “But we all like different things. They seem to think a spyglass goes with a tree house. And it does, of course.”
    Benny said, “I think it’s the mystery of the spyglass that gets them. They want the spyglass because it’s lost and they can’t find it. I’d like to find it myself.”

CHAPTER 4
    Finding Uncle Max
    J effrey and Sammy Beach were running around their yard early the next morning when the Aldens were eating breakfast.
    “Good luck to all of you,” Mr. Alden said as he started for his car. “I hope the boys can go with you on your bicycle trip.”
    “Well, they act happy,” said Benny. “I bet they can go.”
    When the boys saw the Aldens coming, they were too excited to take turns speaking. “Yes, we can go on our bikes!” Jeffrey shouted. “Mom said so. We were so surprised! And we don’t even have to get back for lunch. We can buy lunch at Uncle Max’s restaurant.”
    “We each have a dollar,” said Sammy.
    “Good,” said Jessie. “We’ll go back for our bikes.”
    The Aldens went home to get their bikes and to tell Mrs. McGregor that they would not be home for lunch.
    “We’ll eat lunch at that little diner just off the Shore Road,” said Jessie.
    Mrs. McGregor nodded. She said, “I’m glad the two boys are going to have a bit of exercise—and get out of that backyard for once.”
    “Yes,” Jessie agreed. “Mr. and Mrs. Beach don’t think much about what young boys like to do. I have a feeling they just expect Jeffrey and Sam to be as little trouble as possible.”
    “They don’t want to be bothered,” agreed Mrs. McGregor. “That’s easy to see.”
    Soon six bicycles were wheeled out to the street. Benny stayed close to Sammy and began to talk to him. “Sammy,” he said, “tell me why you want that spyglass so much.”
    “Every tree house ought to have a spyglass,” Sammy answered him. “You have to watch out for the enemy. And you want to see anything moving in the woods.”
    “Yes, but most people build their house first and then get a telescope,” said Benny. “Now you boys wanted one before we even started the tree house. Why?”
    “Well, you see we knew Uncle Max and Dad had one once,” Sammy told him, “and we might as well find it.”
    Benny thought this over. He knew it was no reason at all. But now the others were pedaling down the street on their way to the Shore Road. Benny and Sammy followed.
    It was very pleasant riding along the country road. There were no hills, and the road was smooth. It was not too hot, and there was a salt breeze blowing off the ocean. The six riders kept together very well. Sometimes one was ahead and sometimes another.
    After they had been riding for about an hour, Benny was ahead. Suddenly he turned in a half-circle and came back to the rest. He said, “I will not go another pedal without something to eat.”
    Violet laughed and said, “I’m glad you said that, Benny. I’m hungry, too.”
    Jeffrey said, “Well, anyway I’m tired. Aren’t we near Uncle Max’s place yet?”

    “Yes, we are,” replied Henry. “I have driven past it in the car, but never stopped to eat