說(shuō)明教案文案115 great detective race gertrude chandler warner

CHAPTER1

Ready…Set…Go!

“Itjusthitme!”criedsix-year-oldBenny.Hesnappedhisfingers.“Iknowtheperfectgift!”

Ten-year-oldVioletlookedoveratherlittlebrother.“What’sthat,Benny?”sheasked.

“Abookaboutcodesandclues!”

“Oh,Benny!”Jessie,whowastwelve,couldn’thelughing.“That’saperfectgiftforus.”

“We’resupposedtobelookingforsomethingforMrs.McGregor,”Henrypointedout.

Henrywasfourteen.HewastheoldestoftheAldens.

“Noteverybodylikesmysteriesasmuchaswedo,Benny,”Violetsaid.Infact,theAldenslovedmysteries.Andtogether,they’dmanagedtosolvequiteafew.

“Mrs.McGregorlovescooking,”JessieremindedBenny.

ThefourAldenchildren—Henry,Jessie,Violet,andBenny—werestandingintheRatCellar,abookstoreinGreenfield.Theywereshopforabirthdaypresentfortheirhousekeeper.

“Yes,”saidBenny.“Mrs.McGregor’sthebestcookinthewholeworld.”“Yes,”Jessiesaidthoughtfully.“Maybeweshouldbelookingat

cookbooks.”

“That’sagreatidea,”agreedHenry.Bennynodded.

ButVioletwasn’tsosure.“Mrs.McGregoralreadyhassomanycookbooks.Don’tyouthinkweshouldgethersomethingreallyspecial,Jessie?”

Jessiewasn’tlistening.Somethinghadcaughthereye.Theothersfollowedhergazetoaposteronthewall.

“Theballet’sperformingSwanLakeattheGreenfieldTheater,”Jessiesaid.“AndMrs.McGregorlovesballet!”

“Oh,Jessie!”Violetclappedherhands.“Thatreallywouldbetheperfectgift!”

TherewasnostopBenny.TheyoungestAldenracedovertothecheckout.“We’dliketobuyatickettoSwanLake,please,”hetoldthesalesclerk.

TheotherAldenssd.TheycouldalwayscountonBennytoactfast.

Theyoungwomanbehindthecountershookherhead.“I’mafraidwedon’tsellthemhere.Whydon’tyoutrytheticketoutletintheGreenfieldMall,”shesuggested.

“Thanks,”saidHenry.“Wewill.”

Astheyturnedtogo,asmartlydressedwoman,herhairstreakedwithgray,suddenlystormedthroughthedoor.

“Notasinglecopy!”shealmostshouted.“Idon’tseeasinglecopyofTheArtofGoodMannersinsight.”Thewomanglaredatthesalesclerk.“Youpromisedtodisymybooksinyourstorewindow.”

“Oh!”Theyoungwomanbehindthecounterblinkedinsurprise.“Youmustbetheauthor—AmberMadison.”

“Well,whoelsewouldIbe?IcameallthewayfromBostontopromotemybook.ButitlookslikeImadethetripfornothing!”

“I’msosorry,MissMadison,”thesalesclerkapologized.“We’vebeenratherbusyaround—”

“I’mnotinterestedinyourexcuses!”theauthorsnapped,cuttinghershort.“Doyourjob—orelse!”Withthat,AmberMadisonwalkedout.

Thesalesclerkletoutasighasthedoorclosed.“You’llhavetoexcuseme,”shetoldtheAldens.“Ihaveworktodo.”

“Noproblem,”saidHenry.“Thanksforyourhelp.”

Astheysteppedoutside,Jessieshookherhead.“IthinkAmberMadisonshouldreadherownbookonmanners.”

Bennyfrowned.“Shewasn’tverynice.”

“Iguessshewasdisappointed,”saidViolet,whoalwayslikedtothinkthebestofpeople.“Aboutherbooks,Imean.”

“Thatdoesn’texcuseherforbeingrude,”Jessieinsisted,astheyheadedforthemall.

“ hing’sforsure,”putinHenry,“abookonmannersistheverylastthingMrs.McGregorneeds.”

“Mrs.McGregor’salwayspolite,”agreedBenny.

“We’reluckytohaveherinourlives,”Violetsaidwithanod.

Aftertheirparentsdied,thefourAldenchildrenhadrunaway.Forawhile,theirhomewasanemptyboxcarinthewoods.Butthentheir

grandfather,JamesAlden,foundthem,andhebroughtthemtolivewithhiminhisbigwhitehouseonnecticut.Eventheboxcarwasgivenaspecialceinthebackyard.Thechildrenoftenuseditasaclubhouse.

Insidethemall,theAldensheadedstraightfortheticketoutlet.“Mrs.

McGregorwillbesosurprised,”Violetsaid,hereyesdancing.

Jessieputthemoneyonthecounter.“We’dlikeatickettoSwanLake,

please.”

“Sorry.”Thetallmanbehindtheticketwindowshookhishead.“Ijustsoldthelastone.”

TheAldenscouldhardlybelievetheirears.“Nowwhat?”Bennyasked,hisshouldersslumped.

Henryglancedathiswatch.“It’salmostlunchtime,”hesaid.“Whydon’twestopforabitetoeat.”

Bennydidn’tneedtobeaskedtwice.TheyoungestAldenwasknownforhisappetite.Innotimeatall,thefourchildrenwerecarryingtheirtraystoanemptytableinthefoodcourt.VioletandJessieweresharingahamandcheesesubmarinesandwich.Henryhadchosenfishandchips.AndBenny’stewaspiledhighwithfriedchicken,coleslaw,andpotatosalad.Whilemusicblastedfromtheoverheadspeakers,theAldensturnedtheirattentionbacktoMrs.McGregor’sbirthdaygift.

“Iguesswecouldstillgetacookbook,”saidHenry.Bennynodded.“Maybeonewith recipesinit.”

“Soundsmorelikeapresentforyou,Benny,”Henryteased.

Bennygrinned.“Well,Idolike—”TheyoungestAldensuddenlystoppedtalking.

“Whatisit,Benny?”Jessieaskedwithaworriedfrown.Sheoftenactedlikeamothertoheryoungerbrotherandsister.

Bennyputafingertohislips.“Shh,listen!”

Noonespokeforamoment.Theyheardaman’svoicecomingfromtheradioontheoverheadspeakers.

“Youheardme,folks!ticketstoSwanLake!Butremember,time’srunningouttosignupfortheGreatDetectiveRace.Thisweek,radiostationWGFDiscomingtoyouonlocationintheGreenfieldMall.Justheadforourbooth—rightbehindAlice—andfilloutanentryform.Trackdowntherightcodewordandwinfront-rowseatstoSwanLake—aswellasarideintheskywithourveryowntrafficreporter,ChopperDan.I’llbeinterviewingthewinneronmyafternoonprogram,sosignupnow.JustlthemMikeDevlin

sentyou!”

Violet’shandflewtohermouthinsurprise.“DidhejustsaysomethingaboutticketstoSwanLake?”

Jessienodded.“Front-rowseatsforthewinneroftheGreatDetectiveRace!”

“Andwe’redetectives!”criedBenny,hiseyesshining.“We’llwinforsure,right,Henry?”

“Right!”Henryagreed.Thenheaddedhonestly,“Atleast,we’lldoourbest.”

ThefourAldensquicklyfinishedtheirlunch.Thentheyhurriedovertoafountaindecoratedwithastatueofamermaid.

Thestonemermaid,nicknamedAlice,washoldingamirrorandsmilingtoherself.PeopleinGreenfieldoftenmadeawishastheythrewcoinsintothewater.Thebottomofthefountainwascoveredinpennies,dimes,andnickels.Allthemoneywenttocharity.

Bennylookedathisbrother.Henryknewwhy.“Hereyougo,Benny,”hesaid,fishingapennyfromhispocket.

Withagrin,Bennytookthepennyandtosseditintothewater.

“Ibetthat’sMikeDevlin,”Henrysaid,noddinginthedirectionofaboothnearby.

TheotherAldenslookedovertoseeayoungmanofaboutthirtysittingbehindamicrophone.Hehadsandy-coloredhairandagoldentan.

“I’msureofit,”saidJessie.ShepointedtoaWGFDposterwithphotosofbothMikeDevlinand“ChopperDan”Beamer.

Henry,Jessie,Violet,andBennyhurriedoverwhereacrowdhadgatheredaroundalongtable.Everyonewasbusyfillingoutentryforms.

“Hi,kids!”Asmilingyoungwomanwithcoppery-redhairgreetedtheAldens.“AreyouheretosignupfortheGreatDetectiveRace?”

TheyoungestAldennodded.“I’mBenny.AndthisismybrotherHenry,andmysisters,JessieandViolet.”

“Nicetomeetyou.I’mDebraBelmont.”

“It’snicetomeetyou,too,”saidJessie,speakingforthemall.

“It’smyjobtogetmorepeopletolistentothisstation,”Debraexined.

“Themorelisteners,thebetter.”ShehandedeachofthechildrenaWGFDbaseballcap.

“Cool!”saidHenry.

“Justfilloutanentryform,”Debrawenton.“ThenI’llgiveyouthefirstclue.Alltheothercluesarehiddensomewhereintown.Oh,bytheway,”sheadded,“youmightneedtousethemagicwords—‘IlistentotheBigG.’”

“HowdareyoustickmeonyourLateNightshow!”Awomansteppeduptothetable,wavingaletterintheair.“IwapectinganinterviewwithMikeDevlin.”

TheAldenslookedateachotherinsurprise.ItwasAmberMadison—theauthorofTheArtofGoodManners.

“I’mafraidthat’snotpossible,MissMadison,”Debraexined,asnicelyaspossible.“Wenevernterviewsduringthedaytime.”

“Oh?”Amberlookedcross.“Won’tMikeDevlinbeinterviewingthewinnerofthis…thissillyraceonhisprogram?”

“Yes,butit’sjustforthecontest,”Debratoldher.

“I’mpromotingmybook!”Amberargued.“Nobodylistenstotheradiolateatnight.Iwanttotalkaboutmybookduringtheday.”

“I’msorry,butitjustcan’tbedone,”Debrasaidwithashrug.“Wedo

interviewsatnight.”

“Isee.”Amberlookedasifshewantedtoargue,butshedidn’t.Instead,shesatdownontheedgeofthefountain,shakingherhead.

Benny’seyeswereround.“Thatladysuregetsupsetalot.”

“Somegrown-upsarelikethat,”saidHenry,puttinganarmaroundhisbrother.

Ontheothersideofthetable,aboyaboutHenry’sagesuddenlycalledout,“Doesspellingcount?”

Debrashookherhead.“Don’tworry,”shesaidwithas.“I’mnotmuchofaspellermyself.Ifyoucanfigureoutclues,that’sallthatmattersinthisrace.”

“Guesswhat?”Bennypipedup,asJessiefilledoutanentryform.“Weliketrackingdownclues—andwe’regoodatit,too!”

“Oh,really?”Debralookedoverinsurprise.

“Wehavesolvedquiteafewmysteries,”Henryadmitted.

“Well,goodluckwiththisone,”Debrasaid,holdingoutanenvelope.“Thefirstclue’sarealdoozy!”

AstheAldenswalkedaway,theydidn’tnoticetheboyontheothersideofthetablefrowning—orAmberMadisonwatchingthemcarefully.

CHAPTER2

ThePiedPiper

“Wewereinthemall,”Bennywas lingGrandfatheratdinnerthatnight,“andguesswhatweheardontheoverheadspeakers?”

“Ihaveahunchithadsomethingtodowithamystery,”answeredGrandfather.“AmIright?”

Benny’sjawdropped.“Howdidyouknow?”

Grandfatherchuckled.“Becausemygrandchildrenhaveawayofattractingmysteries.”

“TheGreenfieldradiostationishavingacontest,Grandfather,”Henrysaid.“TheGreatDetectiveRace.”

Jessieadded,“There’sacodewordhiddensomewhereintown.Thefirstwhofindsit,winstherace.”

“We’rehotowinticketstoSwanLake,”Violetsaid.Shelookedtomakesuretheirhousekeeperwasn’taround.“ForMrs.McGregor’sbirthday,”shewhisperedbehindherhand.

Grandfathernoddedapprovingly.“That’sagreatidea.”

“Andthat’snotall,”Bennyadded.“ThewinnergetsaridewithChopperDan—inhishelicopter!”

“Well,it’snotChopperDan’shelicopter,Benny,”Henrycorrected.“I’mprettysureitbelongstotheradiostation.”

“Itwon’tbeaneasyracetowin,”Jessiesaid.“Lotsofpeopleweresigningupforthecontest.”

“UnlessImissmyguess,”Grandfathersaid,pushingbackhischair,“mygrandchildrenwillhavethismysterywrappedupinnotime.”

TheAldensgotuptoclearthetableastheirgrandfatherlefttheroom.“Debrawasright,”Henrysaid,stackingthedinnertes.“Thatfirst

cluereallyisadoozy!”

“Whydon’tyoureaditagain,Henry,”Violetsuggested,astheycarriedthedishesintothekitchen.

Henryreadtheriddlealoud:ThePiedPiper’stuneisthesweetestofall;

tofindthenextclue,justanswerhiscall.

“Irememberthatstory,”Bennysaid,handingJessieanemptytter.“ThePiedPipersavedatownfromrats.”

Jessienoddedassheopenedupthedishwasher.“HesavedthetownofHamelin.”

“ButHamelinwouldn’tpaythepiper’sfee,”addedHenry,“sohedecidedtoteachthemalesson.”

“Whatdidhedoagain?”Bennywantedtoknow.

“Heyedatuneonhispipe,”Violetremindedhim.“Allthechildrenfollowedhimoutoftown.”

Bennyfrowned.“Didthatreallyhappen?”“No,it’sjustastory,Benny,”Jessietoldhim.

“Thenhowcanwefollowhiscall?”Bennywantedtoknow.“Ifheisn’treal,Imean.”

“Goodquestion,”Henrysaid.Hegatheredthedirtyforksandknivesandputthemintothedishwasherrack.

Justthen,Mrs.McGregorcameintotheroom.“Ineverimaginedthey’dbesoldoutalready,”shesaid,moretoherselfthananyoneelse.

“Isanythingwrong,Mrs.McGregor?”Violetasked.

“Iwashotogetticketstoseetheballet,Violet,”Mrs.McGregortoldher.“ButitlookslikeI’moutofluck.”Shereachedhersewingbasketdownfromthecupboardwithasigh.“Iguesstheearlybirdgetstheworm.”

Astheirhousekeeperlefttheroom,Violetshookherhead.“Mrs.McGregorlookedsodisappointed.Isurehopewecanwinthoseticketsforher.”

Henrynodded.“Theanswer’sgottobesomewhereinthestoryofthePiedPiperofHamelin.”

“There’ssomethingaboutthatnamethatringsabell,”saidJessie.“Whatname,Jessie?”Bennywondered.“ThePiedPiper?”

Jessieshookherhead.“No,notthat,”shesaid.“I’mtalkingaboutthenameofthetown.Ihaveafeeling—”Herfacesuddenlylitup,thenshedashedfromtheroom.

Amomentlater,Jessiecamebackwavingastreetmapintheair.“Iwanttochecksomethingout,”shetoldthem.

TheotherAldensgatheredroundwhileJessieopenedthemap.Asshebentoverthetabletolookatit,shesuddenlythumpedherfingerdown.“I

knewitsoundedfamiliar!”shesaid,pointingtoastreetjustbehindtheGreenfieldtenniscourts.

Henry,Violet,andBennytookacloserlook.“It’sHamelinLane!”Violetrealized.

“That’sgooddetectivework,Jessie!”saidHenry.Heslappedhissishigh-five.SodidVioletandBenny.

“Youthinkthat’swherewe’llfindthenextclue?”askedBenny.“SomewhereonHamelinLane?”

“That’dbemyguess,”saidJessie.

Bennyletoutacheer.Itwasalwaysfunfiguringoutclues.

Afterbreakfastthenextmorning,theAldensputontheirWGFDbaseballcapsandhoppedontheirbikes.WithWatchbesidethem,theysetoffforHamelinLane.Henryheldtheirlittledog’sleashastheypedaledalong.TheywerecarefulnottogotoofastsothatWatchcouldkeepupwiththem.

“Keepyoureyespeeled,”Henryadvisedwhentheyreachedthelanebehindthetenniscourts.“Remember,anythingunusualcanbeaclue.”

ThechildrenrodeupanddownHamelinLane.Once…twice…threetimes.Theysawateenagercuttingthegrass,kidsthrowingaFrisbee,andawomanknittingatherkitchenwindow.ButtheysawnothingthatwouldhelpthemwintheGreatDetectiveRace.Theyfinallystopped.

“Iwassosurewewereontherighttrack,”Jessiesaid,astheywalkedtheirbikesacrossthegrassylawnbythetenniscourts.

Henrynodded.“Thecluesseemedtofit.”Bennyhadathought.“Maybeweshouldbelookingforrats.”

“Ooooh!”Violetshivered.“Doyoureallythinkso,Benny?”“Well,ThePiedPiperofHamelinwasastoryaboutrats.”

“Youmightbeontosomething,Benny,”Henrysaidthoughtfully.Jessieturnedtoherolderbrother.“Whatareyouthinking,Henry?”“What’sthenameofthebookstore?”Henryasked.

Jessiesnappedherfingersassheremembered.“TheRatCellar!”Bennygrinned.“Nowwe’regettingsomewhere.”

Withthat,theyheadeddownMainStreet.WhileVioletwaitedonthesidewalkwithWatch,theotherAldenswentinsidetheRatCellartolookforclues.Theysearcheduponeaisleanddownanother.Theyevencheckedoutthebooksonthebargaintable.Butitwasnouse.

“Lookslikewestruckoutagain,”Henrysaid,headingforthedoor.“Waitaminute,Henry.”Bennypulledonhisbrother’sarm.“We’re

forgettingsomething.”

Henryturnedaround.“What’sthat,Benny?”

“RememberwhatDebraBelmontsaid?”heremindedthem.“Aboutthemagicwords,Imean.”

“Oh,right!”saidHenry.“Goodthinking.”

Withthat,Bennywalkeduptothesalesclerk.“IlistentotheBigG!”heannounced.

“What…?”Thesalesclerklookedstartled.“That’s,um,…nice,”shesaid,thenhurriedawaytohelpacustomer.

“Well,thatdidn’twork,”Henrysaidastheysteppedoutside.“Noluck?”Violetasked.

Jessieshookherhead.“Zero.”

Violethadbeenthinking.“There’samusicstorejustdownthestreet.

Let’scheckitout.”

“Amusicstore?”Henrylookedpuzzled,butonlyforamoment.“Oh,becausethePiedPiperyedmusiconhispipe,right?”

“Exactly,”saidViolet,takingherbikefromtherack.“Hithere,kids!”saidavoicebehindthem.

Astheywhirledaround,AmberMadisonflashedthemas.Thechildrenweresosurprisedbytheauthor’sfriendlygreeting,theywerespeechlessforamoment.

“You’retheAldens,right?”Amberwenton.“InoticedyousigningupfortheGreatDetectiveRace.Areyougettinganywherewithit?”

“Notreally,”saidJessie.“Notyet,anyway.”

“Oh,”saidAmber.“Toobad.”Shesoundeddisappointed.“Butwe’regettingwarmer,”Bennysaid.

Amberliftedaneyebrow.“Oh?”Sheflashedthemanothers .“I’dlovetohearallaboutit,”shesaid.“Ifinditquitefascinating.”

Jessiesuddenlyfeltvery fortable.“Wehavetogo,”shesaid,glancingatherwatch.“Sorry.”

TheAldenshurriedaway.

“Thatwasweird,”Jessiesaid,whentheywereoutofearshot.“HowdidAmberMadisonknowwhowewere?”

“Wedidn’t lherournames,”saidBenny.

“Maybesheoverheardustalkingatthemall,”suggestedViolet.“Inoticedhersittingontheedgeofthefountainnearby.”

ButJessiewonderedifAmberMadisonhadaskedsomeonewhothey

were.Butwhy?

Whentheygottothemusicstore,theysoonforgotallabouttheauthor.Jessie,Violet,andBennygavetheshopacarefulsearchwhileHenryhadwaitedoutsidewithWatch.Theycheckedouttheflutesectiontwice.Theyevensaidthemagicwordstothesalesclerk.Buthejustlookedpuzzled.Finally,theysteppedoutsideagain,shakingtheirheads.

“Anotherdeadend?”Henryasked.

Violetnodded.“Looksthatway.”

Justthen,Bennycaughthisbreath.“Look!”

Theothersfollowedtheirlittlebrother’sgazedownthestreet.“Ohmygosh!”criedViolet.“IsthatwhatIthinkitis?”

Jessienodded.“It’sa…agiantturkey!”

Henrylaughed.“Ithinkit’sjustDennisHoweinsomekindofturkeygetup!”Denniswasacollegestudent—andoneoftheAldens’neighbors.

Sureenough,Dennisgreetedthemwithacheerys .“Goodtoseeyouagain,kids!”

“Coolcostume!”chirpedBenny.

“Actuallyit’sanythingbutcool,Benny,”Dennissaid,ashekneowntopetWatch.“I’mroastingunderallthesefeathers.”

“So…whyareyoudresseduplikeaturkey,Dennis?”Henrywantedtoknow.

“Goeswiththejob.”DennislookedupashescratchedWatchbehindtheears.“I’mhandingoutfliersfortheTurkeyTrotdancestudio,”heexined.“Andwhatareyoukidsngintown?”

“We’reonthehuntforclues,”Jessietoldhim.“We’retakingpartintheGreatDetectiveRace.”

“Thatexinsthebaseballcaps,”Dennissaid,standingup.“They’reverypopulararoundherelay.”

TheAldensglancedaroundattheshoppers.Denniswasright.HalfthepeopleintownseemedtobewearingWGFDbaseballcaps!Couldtheyfindthecodewordbeforeanyoneelse?

CHAPTER3

ThreeStrikesinaRow

Afterdinner,thechildrentookturnslingGrandfatherabouttheirdayastheyrelaxedonthefrontporch.Watchwasdozingnearbywhiletheeveningshadowsgrewlonger.Bennyfinishedbysaying,“Wekeptstrikingout.”

JamesAldensdoverathisyoungergrandson.“Ihaveahunchthere’sacluejustaroundthenextcorner,Benny,”hesaid.“SpeakingofWGFD,”headded,“herecomesJordanPorter.”GrandfatherwavedasamaninshortsandawhiteT-shirtcamejoggingby.Wavingback,thesilver-hairedmanturnedintothewalkwayandranuptheporchsteps.GrandfatherintroducedthechildrentoMr.Porter,theowneroftheWGFDradiostation.

“Guesswhat?”Bennysaidasheshookhands.“WejustsignedupfortheGreatDetectiveRace!”

Jessienodded.“We’vebeenlookingforcluesallday.”

Mr.Porternoddedapprovingly.“We’rehotodrumupmorelistenerswiththerace,”heexined.“Thestationjusthiredsomeonenew.Theracewasheridea.”

“DebraBelmont,”guessedViolet.“Right?”

“Right!”MrPortersaid.“Sofar,she’sbeenngagreatjob.ButImustadmit,shehasn’thadaneasytimeofit.”

Grandfatherraisedaneyebrow.“Oh?”

“MikeDevlanbeabitdifficultsometimes,”saidMr.Porter.“He’sagooddeejay.ButI’mafraidhethinkshe’stooimportant.Heseemstoforgetittakeworktomakeasuccessfulradiostation.”

“Orsolveamystery!”saidBenny.

Mr.PortersdattheyoungestAlden.

“You’llgetnoargumentfromme,Benny.”Withthat,thestationownergavethemafriendlywaveandhurriedaway.

“Well,Istillhavepaperworktofinish,”Grandfathersaid,gettingtohisfeet.“Soundslikeyouhaveyourworkcutoutforyou,too,”headded.“SoI’llleaveyoutoyourdetectivebusiness.”

Asthescreendoorclosed,Jessiefishedtheriddlefromherpocketand

glancedatitagain.“Theremustbesomethingherewe’renotgetting,”shesaid.

Justthen,Watchletoutawhine.Hetiltedhisheadasifhewerelisteningtosomethingthatnooneelsecouldhear.Amomentlater,anicecreamtruckcamearoundthecorner,ahappytunecomingfromitsspeakers.

“Dowehaveenoughmoneyforicecream,Henry?”Bennywantedtoknow.

Henrytookouthismoneyandcountedthechange.“You’reinluck,Benny.Lookslikewehaveenough.”

ThefourAldensweresoonracingdownthestreetwithWatchclosebehind.Whenthetruckslowedtoastop,theyjoinedalonglineofchildrenwaitingforicecream.

Violethadasuddenthought.“Theice-cre nisabitlikethePiedPiper,”shenoted.“Don’tyouthink?”

Henryturnedtolookather.“Whatdoyoumean?”

“Well,heysatuneandallthekidsfollowhimdownthestreet,”Violetexined.Thenshecaughtherbreath,surprisedbyherownwords.“Ohmygosh!”shecried.“ThePiedPiper’stuneisthesweetestofall!”

“Andicecreamissweet!”Bennyexclaimed,catchingon.“IthinkyoujustfoundthePiedPiper,Violet!”Jessiesaid.

Henryadded,“Nowlet’sseeifthemagicwordsworkonhim.”

Whentheygottothefrontoftheline,Bennypipedup,“WelistentotheBigG!”

Theyoungmanhandingouticecreamsuddenlysd.ThenhereachedintohispocketandpulledoutaWGFDenvelope.TheAldensracedhomewithicecreambarsandthenextclue.

“Readit,Jessie,”Bennyurged,hinghisporchchaircloser.Hecouldn’treadverywellyet.

“Heregoes,”saidJessie,tuckingherlonghairbehindherears.Shereadaloud:

Makeyourwayto ley,that’swhatyoushoulddo.

Threestrikesinarow

andyou’llfindthenextclue.

Bennylookedconfused.“Wealreadystruckoutthreetimes.”

ThismadeJessies alittle.“That’strue,Benny,”shesaid.“ButIthinkthismeanssomethingelse.”

Violetgiggled.“Grandfatherwasright.”

Henrylookedoverather.“Rightaboutwhat,Violet?”

“Hesaidtherewasacluecomingaroundthenextcorner,”sheremindedthem.“Andtherewas!”

Bennynodded.“ThePiedPipercamearoundthecornerdrivinghisice-creamtruck.”

“Grandfather was right about something else, too,” Henry saidthoughtfully.“We’vereallygotourworkcutoutforus.”

Violetnodded.“Greenfieldhasdozensofbackalleys.”“Let’stakeanotherlookatthemap,”Jessiesaid.

Innotimeatall,theAldenswerehuddledaroundthestreetmapagain.

Jessieputaredcheckmarkbesideeveryalleyway.

“Whew!”Bennylickedadropofchocolateicecreamfromthebackofhishand.“This’lltakeforever.”

Violetagreed.“Lookslikewehavealotofgroundtocover.Anyideawhereweshouldbegin?”

“I’mnotsure,”Jessieanswered,withouttakinghergazeoffthemap.

Henrys d.“Ithinkwecannarrowitdownalittle,”hesaid.“Ihaveafeelingweshouldstartrighthere.”Hecedafingeronthemap.

Jessielookedfromherolderbrothertothemapandbackagain.“Behindtheballpark?”shesaid.“Whydoyousaythat,Henry?”

“Iknow!”saidBenny.“Threestrikesinarow.Thatmeansbaseball!”Henrynodded.“Exactly.”

CHAPTER4

Gobble,Gobble

“Sorry,Watch,”Bennysaidthenextmorning.“Youcan’tcomewithusthistime.”Hekneownandgavetheirlittledogahug.“Wemightbegoneallday.”

HenrypettedWatchsoftlyonthehead.“We’lltakeyouforawalkafterdinner,Watch,”hepromised.

Afewminuteslater,theAldenswereridingtowardstheballpark.Itwasaperfectdayforarace—theskywasclearandthesunwasshining.

Thefourchildrenrodeupanddownthenarrowalleywaybehindtheballpark.Theysearchedcarefullyforaclue.Butafwhile,theystoppedandlookedatoneanotherindismay.

“Well,IguessIwaswrong,”Henrysaid.“Andyouknowwhatthatmeans.”

Jessieglancedoverathim.“What?”

“We’llhavetosearcheveryalleyinGreenfield,”Henrysaid.

Noonesaidanythingastheypedaledalong.Therewasnothingtosay.Whatcouldtheydoexceptcheckallovertown?Theycouldn’tthinkofanyotherwaytofindthenextclue.

Allmorninglong,theyrodetheirbikesuponealleyanddownanother.Finally,Bennyhadasuggestion.“Maybeweshouldcheckthealleybehindthediner,”hesaid,astheystoppedtowaitforalighttochange.TheyoungestAldenwiggledhiseyebrows,makingeveryonelaugh.

“Wegetthehint,Benny,”saidHenry.“Let’sgetsomethingtoeat.”

Itwasn’tlongbeforetheyweresettledintoaboothatthediner.Theyeachorderedthespecial—chickenburgers,salad,andlemonade.Whiletheywaitedfortheirfoodtoarrive,theytalkedabouttherace.

“Iwassosuretheriddlewasleadingustothealleybehindtheballpark,”saidHenry.

“Thecluesaddedup,”Violetsaidwithanod.

“Waitaminute!”Henrysuddenlyhadanideathathadn’toccurredtohimbefore.“Ijustthoughtofasportwithstrikesinit.”

“Wealreadyfiguredthatout,Henry,”Bennyremindedhim.“It’s

baseball.”

Henryshookhishead.“Ithinkwegotthewrongsport.”“But,Henry,”Bennyargued,“therearestrikesinbaseball.”

“Yes,”Henryagreed,“butthere’sanothersportwithstrikesinit,too.Cometothinkofit…”Hepausedtosortouthisthoughts.“It’sasportyouyinley!”

“I’mnotfollowing,Henry,”saidJessie.

Violetlookedjustaspuzzledashersister.“Asportwithstrikes…thatyouyinley?”

“Oh!”saidJessie.“Bowling!”

“Oh,right!”Benny’sfacelitup.“Ifyouknockdownallthebowlingpins,it’scalledastrike.”

“AndtheGreenfieldBowlingAlleyisjustaroundthecorner,”Violet

said.

“We’llcheckitoutrightafterlunch,”saidJessie.Shewashanding

everyoneanapkinfromthedispenserwhensomethingcaughthereye.“Isn’tthatDebraBelmontoverthere?”

Henrynodded.“Andthat’sMikeDevlinsittingacrossfromher.”

Thechildrendidn’tmeantoeavesdrop.Butfromwheretheyweresitting,theycouldn’thelphearingwhatthetwopeopleweretalkingabout.

“ButMike,”Debrawassaying,“whenIfirsttoldyouabouttheGreatDetectiveRace,yousaiditwasacoolidea.”

“Well,nowI’mnotsosure.”Mikedidnotsoundveryhappy.“Whyaresomanykidssigningupforthisrace?Willyouplease lmethat?”

“It’ssummer