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

anymore.”
    â€œReally?” he said, slowly weakening.
    â€œYes,” Jessie said.
    Benny stared at Jessie with his big brown eyes. “Can we have pancakes?” He smiled impishly.
    Violet laughed. “That’s just the breakfast I was thinking of,” she said.
    â€œThen, I guess I’m hungry, after all,” Benny said, going into the kitchen.
    They all pitched in, making the morning meal. Henry set the table, Jessie made the pancakes, Violet poured the milk, and Miguel set the syrup and butter on the table. Benny folded napkins and set one at each place, but every once in a while he stopped and glanced at the ruined chair.
    Everyone ate a hearty breakfast, trying to forget the intruder who had been in their house.
    They decided to bike to the library and on the way Henry began to sing, and soon everyone joined in. In the bright sunlight, the stranger didn’t seem so ominous. Besides, it was their last day, and tonight the lookout would warn them if anyone approached the little house.
    When they reached the library, Henry paused before opening the door. What if it was a mess again? He shook his head to get rid of the awful picture of yesterday’s chaos, and flung open the door.
    All was as they had left it yesterday. Everyone crowded behind Henry, peeking over his shoulder.
    â€œIt’s all right,” he laughed. “You can come in.”
    Row after row of books lined the shelves. Boxes of books, tied with string and labeled, hadn’t been opened.
    â€œWow,” Benny exclaimed. He beamed his approval.
    â€œDoesn’t everything look grand?” Henry said, surveying the room with his hands on his hips.
    Jessie stood beside him. “All our hard work has paid off.”
    â€œWait until Grandfather sees how lovely the library looks,” Violet said with a sweet smile.
    â€œWhat’s the matter, Miguel?” Henry motioned the boy forward. “You helped in this, too, you know.”
    â€œIt’s the nicest library I’ve ever seen,” Miguel said, but he still hung back.
    Jessie and Violet exchanged glances. They knew why he wasn’t in a happy mood. The wind had died down, and now Miguel would have to face the two fishermen who would soon be brought to shore. Miguel might be the happiest boy in the world or the most heartbroken. Jessie took Miguel’s hand, pulling him into the group.
    â€œWe only have the upstairs and we’ll be finished,” Henry said briskly, attempting to distract Miguel so he wouldn’t think too much.
    â€œThere aren’t many books upstairs,” Jessie said lightly, already mounting the steps.
    â€œNow, Benny,” Henry said gravely. “You stay downstairs and be our guard. If anyone approaches, you yell a warning.”
    â€œOkay,” Benny said, feeling important. He climbed atop the circulation desk. “I’ll sit right here and look out the window,” he said, swinging his legs.
    â€œGood boy,” Henry said. “We don’t need to worry with you as our lookout.”
    â€œYou bet you don’t!” Benny grinned, glad not to have to handle any more books. Being a guard was much easier.
    Violet patted Benny’s knee. “We shouldn’t be too long.”
    â€œThat’s okay,” Benny answered, resting his chin in his hand and staring intently out the window.
    Henry, Violet, and Miguel went upstairs where Jessie was already straightening books.
    After two hours of hard work, their job was almost ended.
    Suddenly they heard a thud. Then another.
    â€œWhat was that?” Violet asked in a shaky voice.
    Henry laughed. “Did you see the rubber ball sticking out of Benny’s back pocket?”
    â€œOh, is that it?” Violet said in relief, listening to the steady bounce of the ball.
    All at once the noise stopped.
    They all listened.
    Benny shouted, “Hurry, hurry! See what I’ve found.”
    They rushed downstairs.
    Benny,