Ghost of the Chattering Bones by Gertrude Chandler Warner Read Free Book Online Page B

it?”
    “A thief—that’s who!” declared Benny. “And it looks like an inside job. I don’t see any broken windows.”
    This made Henry smile a little. “Let’s not jump to any conclusions, Sherlock.”
    “I bet Annette stole it,” said Benny, who wasn’t about to let go of his idea.
    Jessie looked over at her little brother. “We shouldn’t suspect people, Benny, until we’re certain it was stolen.”
    With that, they walked slowly around the room, checking behind cushions and under chairs. But the photograph of Stone Pool had disappeared.

CHAPTER 8
What’s Wrong with This Picture?
    The moment Nora and Mrs. McGregor came through the door, Jessie told them about the missing photograph. “I’m so sorry, Norah,” she said. “I know how much it meant to you. I just don’t understand what happened.”
    “Oh, dear,” said Mrs. McGregor, in a concerned voice. “First the tape recorder, and now the photograph. What more can happen?”
    “Don’t you worry,” Norah said kindly, patting Jessie’s arm. “It just so happens I made copies to give out to relatives.”
    “Oh!” The frown left Jessie’s face.
    “Besides,” Norah added as she started up the stairs behind Mrs. McGregor, “it’s bound to show up. After all, it has no value to anyone but the family.”
    The Aldens exchanged a look. Norah didn’t realize the photograph could be an important piece of the puzzle. It had value to anyone who was after the brooch.
    “There’s at least a dozen copies in my desk drawer,” she called down to them. “The den’s at the end of the hall, kids. Go in and help yourself.”
    “Let’s check it out,” said Jessie, who was back to her usual cheery self.
    With that, the four children headed along the hall. As they got closer to the den, they noticed the door was open a few inches. They heard a familiar voice.
    “I’m telling you, it’s a foolproof plan.” This was Annette speaking. “Nobody suspects a thing.”
    The Aldens didn’t like the sound of this. They knew it wasn’t right to eavesdrop, but in this case, they felt they were doing it for a good cause.
    “No … they won’t be a problem anymore,” Annette was saying. “What’s that? … We’ll leave no stone unturned?” She was laughing loudly now. “That’s a good one!”
    “Did you hear that?” Jessie asked the others, as they walked back along the hall.
    Henry nodded. “It sounds like Annette’s up to something.”
    “And she was asking about the mystery today, too,” added Jessie. “That’s kind of fishy, don’t you think?”
    “It was suspicious,” admitted Violet.
    Benny looked over at his brother and sisters. “Shouldn’t we warn Norah?”
    “It is a pretty strong case against Annette,” admitted Violet. “But we can’t be sure what she was talking about on the phone.”
    Henry agreed. “And Norah would never believe she was up to anything—not without hard evidence.”
    “You’re right, Henry,” Jessie said. “It’s one thing to suspect someone. It’s another thing to have proof.”
    That evening, Norah, Mrs. McGregor, Pam, and the Aldens went to a baseball game and cheered for the hometown team. Even Pam couldn’t help getting into the spirit of things. The game went into extra innings, and it was late by the time they finally returned to Eton Place.
    After getting ready for bed, the Aldens got together for another late-night meeting. “I wonder who she was talking to on the phone,” said Benny, still thinking about Annette.
    Henry answered first. “Spence Morton comes to mind.”
    “You think Annette and Spence are working together, Henry?” Jessie asked in surprise.
    “Could be,” he said.
    “Annette and Spence?” Benny repeated, not understanding. “But Spence left town, remember?”
    “Maybe that’s just what he wants us to believe,” suggested Henry.
    Violet thought about this for a moment, then she nodded. “I guess it’s possible he was trying to throw us off the