Hocus Pocus Hotel by Michael Dahl Read Free Book Online

took a half dozen of my best serving spoons.”
    â€œThe big kind,” added Tyler. “You know, for scooping out stuff.”
    â€œWe run a tight ship here at the Top Hat,” said Mr. Yu. “Every pot, pan, plate, and utensil is accounted for. I can’t understand why anyone would want serving spoons.”
    â€œAre they valuable?” asked Charlie.
    â€œWell, they are old,” admitted Mr. Yu. “And I’m sure they’re genuine silver. They came with the original silverware from the hotel’s first restaurant.”
    â€œThink they’re worth a hundred bucks, Dad?” asked Tyler.
    â€œProbably more,” said Mr. Yu. “Now, I need to get back to my customers. We’re serving one of my specialties tonight, Flambeau de Chesterton. I have to make sure I don’t set off the fire alarm like I did last time. You boys have fun.”
    â€œSee you later,” Tyler said.
    â€œNice to meet you,” Charlie said.
    Mr. Yu smiled at him. Then the boys left.
    As they returned to the lobby, Charlie stopped and asked, “Why do you think a ghost stole the spoons?”
    â€œNot so loud,” whispered Tyler. “I don’t want the guests to hear. It’s bad for business.”
    He grabbed Charlie by the collar and pulled him into a shadowy corner, where they were surrounded by potted palms and giant ceramic vases.
    â€œThere’s no one around,” said Charlie, readjusting his collar.
    â€œYeah, but that lobby echoes,” said Tyler. He shrugged. “My family has a reputation to uphold here.”
    â€œSo tell me why you think —” Charlie began.
    â€œYeah, yeah, the ghost,” said Tyler. “Definitely took the spoons. And I think so because it all happened the same night. After Mr. Thursday called us upstairs about the shower curtain, that same night, my dad noticed his spoons were gone. And later, my mom got complaints from some of the guests that the bowling pins were missing downstairs.”
    â€œThat is weird,” said Charlie.
    â€œNo kidding,” said Tyler. “This is why you need to solve the mystery. And it better be quick, before something else disappears.”
    Just then, a hand reached out from behind one of the giant vases.

Tyler jumped as the hand grabbed at him.
    â€œWhere’s my key?” came a voice.
    As the mysterious hand moved closer to Tyler, Charlie saw that it was attached to an arm, then a shoulder, then an entire body of a teenage boy with long blond hair. He was wearing a dark maroon suit and a gold name badge.

    â€œDon’t do that!” said Tyler.
    â€œSorry, man,” said the teenager. “I need my passkey back.” He turned and looked at Charlie. “Who are you?”
    Charlie began, “I’m —”
    â€œHe’s Hitch,” said Tyler. “And here’s your stupid passkey.” He handed it to the blond guy, who shoved it in his pocket.
    â€œYour mom was looking for it,” said the blond guy. “And I don’t want to lose it like last time.”
    â€œYou lost it?” Charlie asked.
    The blond guy turned to Tyler. “Who is this kid?” he asked. “And why does he care about my stupid passkey?”
    â€œI’m, uh, writing a report on the hotel for school,” said Charlie. “Who are you?”
    â€œRocky,” said the guy. “I work the front desk.”
    â€œHe and Annie switch off,” explained Tyler.
    â€œWhen did you lose the key?” Charlie asked.
    â€œI didn’t really lose it,” said Rocky. “I just misplaced it. I was checking people in and I had a lot on my mind. I couldn’t find the key, but when I looked again a little later, there it was on the floor. Must have dropped it. Anyway, why do you care when I lost it?”
    â€œDon’t you have work to do?” asked Tyler.
    â€œNice talking to you too, Ty,” said Rocky. He pushed his long hair