Finders Keepers Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner Read Free Book Online

said. “You stretch the top and bottom of a quilt across it and stitch them together. At least that’s one way to do it. I can raise and lower it when I need to, so it doesn’t take up room in the shop.”
    “This place is wonderful,” Violet said. She ran her fingers across some pretty purple cloth and thought she might like to make a quilt in that color, to match the violet flowers on her wallpaper.
    Coral talked some more about quilting, and all four of the Aldens asked lots of questions. The more she talked, the more excited Coral got. She knew the answer to every question.
    “I think she must know as much as Mr. Munsey,” Jessie said softly to Henry.
    “Maybe more,” Henry whispered back. To Coral, he said, “Do many men make quilts?”
    “More and more,” Coral said. She didn’t seem so nervous now.
    “I wondered,” Henry went on, “because we saw a man coming out of your shop, and we were wondering if he makes quilts.”
    Coral thought for a moment. “A man coming of the shop this afternoon?” she said slowly.
    “Yes, just before we came in. He has short hair and thick eyebrows, and he walks with a sort of bounce,” said Violet.
    “Oh! That’s Dirk Grey,” said Coral. “He owns the antique shop across the street.”
    “We thought we saw him at the yard sale this morning, too,” Violet said.
    “Yes, he was at the sale,” Coral said. “I gave him a ride — well, a ride from his car. He’d parked down the street from the house because there were so many other cars, and I decided to take a look at where the sale was on my way to my store.” Coral smiled.
    “Oh,” said Benny, and the disappointment in his voice mirrored what the others were feeling. There was nothing suspicious about Coral Weaver and Dirk Grey meeting before the sale that morning.
    “I know a man who likes quilts,” Jessie said. “Mr. Munsey. Do you know him?”
    “The name doesn’t sound familiar,” Coral said, “but I’m terrible with names.”
    “Oh,” Jessie said, her voice as disappointed as Benny’s.
    “Well, thank you for dropping by,” Coral said, suddenly sounding as if she was in a hurry. “Come again.” She followed the Aldens to the door — and closed it behind them. When Jessie glanced back, she saw Coral hang up the CLOSED sign.
    “I got the feeling that Coral wanted us out of there all of the sudden,” said Henry.
    “Yes, me, too!” Jessie exclaimed. “And look — according to the sign, the store should be open for another half hour.”
    “She was acting funny,” Benny said, “especially when we came in.”
    “But she seemed to like talking about quiltmaking,” Violet pointed out.
    “You’re right,” said Jessie. She paused, then added, “Maybe she was nervous when we got there because of Mr. Grey. He’d just left, remember?”
    “Could be,” Henry said. “And maybe she wanted us to leave before we could ask her more about him.”
    “I think we should talk to Mr. Grey,” said Jessie.
    “Hold my hand while we cross the street, Benny,” Violet said. She led the way.
    Dirk Grey’s shop was still open, and they could see him inside, sitting behind a desk. Jessie pushed open the door and went inside.
    Mr. Grey looked up. The smile on his lips faded when he saw Violet and Henry with Jessie and Benny.
    “May I help you?” he said, his voice cool.
    “Hello, Mr. Grey,” said Henry.
    Mr. Grey glanced at the lettering on his window and nodded. “You’re right. I’m Dirk Grey and this is my shop.” He stopped and waited.
    “You were at our yard sale this morning. In the house,” Henry said.
    “I was,” agreed Mr. Grey.
    “What were you looking for?” asked Jessie.
    The man shrugged. “I’m an antique dealer. I was curious to see if there was anything in the house that I might want to buy.” He paused. “Old clothes, furniture, knickknacks, quilts, maybe. Anything of value.”
    “You shouldn’t have gone sneaking in like that,” said Violet. “You should have