Deserted Library Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner Read Free Book Online Page A

asked.
    â€œA man! I saw a man duck into the bushes.” She was out of breath, but felt better surrounded by her family and Miguel.
    â€œDon’t worry!” Benny said. “We’ll protect you!”
    Henry chuckled nervously. “We’ve almost reached the house. We’ll be safe there.” But his heart was racing, too. One more day, he vowed, and they must leave! Things were getting out of hand!
    That night no one slept well.
    Benny thrashed about in bed and pounded his pillow. Then he lay very still. What was that click? But it was only his chattering teeth.
    Miguel thought he heard the stranger trying to break in, but it was only the branches scraping against the window.
    Henry thought he heard a scratching noise, but it was only a mouse.
    Jessie thought she heard someone breaking the lock, but it was only the dying embers in the fireplace that crackled and popped.
    Violet sat straight up in bed. Was someone ripping and tearing something? No, she thought, lying back was probably her imagination again.

CHAPTER 10
    The Last Missing Piece
    W hen dawn broke, Henry awakened and jumped out of bed. Quietly he went into the kitchen. Jessie joined him. Then Violet and Miguel came in.
    And last, Benny slowly shuffled toward them. He gave a wide yawn and rubbed his half-closed eyes. “Is it time to get up?” he asked sleepily.
    â€œNo,” Henry said. “I couldn’t sleep.”
    â€œNeither could I,” Jessie said.
    â€œMe neither,” Violet echoed.
    â€œI woke up lots of times,” Miguel said.
    â€œI didn’t sleep very good either!” Benny said.
    In the half light Henry moved toward the fireplace. Suddenly he halted, unable to go another step.
    Jessie, who was beside him, stopped also. “The chair!” she exclaimed. “It’s ripped to shreds.”
    â€œSo it wasn’t my imagination after all,” Violet said in a husky voice, a hand flying to her flushed cheek. “To think the intruder was in the house while we were sleeping!” She shivered, hating to think how near a stranger had been.
    â€œWell,” Henry said, trying to laugh, “it looks like Pete has one ruined chair.”
    â€œI’ll say,” Benny said in a low tone. “The chair is all stuffing and springs.”
    They stared at the damage, not quite knowing how to handle this.
    Jessie was the first to stir. She forced a cheerful smile. “There’s not much we can do about the damage.” She hesitated, then continued, “Besides, that old chair was so caved in that you almost sank to the floor.”

    â€œOh, Pete won’t care. It’s just the thought of someone . . .” Henry didn’t finish.
    â€œSomeone being so close,” Miguel finished.
    â€œRight,” Violet said. Her face was pale. “Shall we go for help?”
    Jessie, attempting to keep her smile, said, “If word gets out there’s a prowler, we won’t be able to finish.”
    Henry nodded. “We’ll be very careful. We have to keep our eyes open every minute, and we have to stay together.”
    â€œWill he come back tonight?” Benny asked in a small frightened voice, his eyes fastened on Henry’s face.
    They all shifted their feet uneasily, but Henry was positive. “Absolutely not! We only have one more night here, and we’ll take turns standing guard. We’ll work in the library today and if we don’t find the missing sword, then I guess it will never be found!”
    Jessie leaned down, looking at Benny. “You must eat some breakfast, Benny.” Benny shook his head.
    â€œI can’t believe you’re not hungry,” Miguel said with concern in his dark eyes. “You must eat so you can help at the library.”
    â€œI’m tired of working in the library.”
    â€œThen you can be our lookout today,” Henry said. “You won’t have to lift books