Fabulous Five 027 - The Scapegoat by Betsy Haynes Read Free Book Online Page A

in the towers at the corners,
through which defenders could shoot arrows. Guards wearing red coats, black
pants, and tall bearskin hats stood at each side of the gate.
    When Mrs. Woodruff waved the girls through the gate,
Christie hurried to stay near the teacher. She wanted to make sure Miss Finney
saw how interested she was in everything.
    She felt a tingle run up and down her spine as she followed
the others into the passageway between the outer and inner walls of the
fortress. It was eerie knowing that she was walking where so many people had
been imprisoned or killed.
    The first place they stopped was next to the Bloody Tower.
Christie shivered, and hugged herself. This was where twelve-year-old King
Edward and his nine-year-old brother Richard, Duke of York, had been murdered.
Christie had read that some people claimed to have seen two small ghosts in
white nightgowns walking hand in hand in the halls of the tower.
    "Does anyone know the name of this structure?"
asked Mrs. Woodruff.
    "The Bloody Tower," answered Christie quickly. She
was glad she had been there before and had also learned so much about London in
Mr. Dracovitch's class.
    "Correct," said Mrs. Woodruff.
    "Notice the way in which the builders hand-cut the
stones and fit them perfectly," said Miss Finney, pointing at the walls. "They
did this without the aid of our modern tools."
    "This gate is a very good example of how things have
changed over the years," continued Mrs. Woodruff, stopping in front of a
wide archway. Christie could see the river on the other side. "At one
time, the Thames came up to this gate during high tide. Does anyone know what
the gate's purpose was?"
    "It's called the Traitor's Gate," volunteered
Christie. "They used to bring prisoners through it in boats at night."
    Miss Finney didn't look pleased that Christie was the one to
answer again.
    They continued through the passageways, stopping
periodically while Miss Finney or Mrs. Woodruff explained something, most of
which Christie already knew. Christie listened intently, anyway, to show her
interest. It didn't hurt to hear it all one more time.
    Finally they stopped to rest on benches near the building in
the center of the grounds. Christie took a seat next to Miss Finney.
    "The Tower of London is one of my favorite places in London,
Miss Finney," Christie said. "My ancestors were English, you know."
    "Oh?"
    "Yes," she continued. "Winchell is an English
name. I'm glad you brought us to the tower. There's so much to learn here."
    Miss Finney didn't respond.
    "Actually, I think everything about England is
fascinating." Christie desperately tried to find something that would
interest the teacher. "There's so much history here. And as you said, you
can see the way our ancestors did things years ago.
    "When Mr. Dracovitch, my science teacher at Wakeman
Junior High, found out my family was moving, he made sure our class learned
lots of things about England." Christie looked at Miss Finney. She didn't
see any signs of encouragement, so she hastily decided to change the subject.
    "I want to go to Oxford University," she said
brightly. Did she see a spark of interest in Miss Finney's eyes? "I want
to major in science. My mom says, if I keep my grades up, I might get a Rhodes
scholarship. People from the United States can get Rhodes scholarships, if they're
smart enough." Christie knew she was running on and on, but she couldn't
seem to stop herself.
    She said softly, "I'm trying really hard in your class,
Miss Finney." She had to swallow a huge lump in her throat.
    "I know all too well that people from the United States
can be awarded Rhodes scholarships, Miss Winchell," replied Miss Finney. "But
I'm not sure you appreciate just what it takes to get one." She got up and
called to the others, "All right, girls. Come along."
    Christie followed, feeling bewildered. Miss Finney didn't
seem to care about anything she had said. Trying to find the right things to
say to Miss Finney was like walking on