Honeybee Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner Read Free Book Online Page B

that,” Benny commented.
    â€œNo,” Henry agreed, “I’ll bet he’s not. That could be a motive. After all these years of losing the contract just because the Shermans have more bees, what better way to even things out than to make it so the Shermans’ bees don’t make as much honey as they usually do?”
    Violet was studying the whole farm. “Hey, I don’t see a field of wildflowers anywhere.”
    â€œThere must be some flowers around here somewhere,” Benny said. “Or else the bees wouldn’t be able to survive, would they?”
    â€œNo, they wouldn’t,” Henry said. “But obviously that’s another way the Shermans have an edge. It’s hard for bees to produce honey when there isn’t much nectar to gather.”
    â€œBut they do have plenty of crops,” Violet pointed out, which was true. Hennessey had many more crop fields than the Shermans. Plus, far in the distance, the Aldens saw what appeared to be a few rows of apple trees.
    â€œYou know something?” Henry said, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “I think I’m starting to understand what the Shermans were saying about once having been in business with Hennessey. It all fits together perfectly if you think about it. The Shermans have what Hennessey doesn’t, and Hennessey has what the Shermans don’t. Together, they’ve got it all.”
    â€œI wonder why they split up,” Benny said.
    Jessie shook her head. “Who knows? Doesn’t seem like something the Shermans are too eager to talk about.”
    â€œMaybe we should —”
    â€œLook!” Violet said, pointing.
    On the road leading from the house, four men appeared — two in front and two behind them. One of the men in front was wearing a suit and tie. He had a briefcase in one hand and a glass in the other, probably iced tea or lemonade.
    The man walking alongside him was old and thin and, judging by the way he moved his hands all around, very irritated about something. Like Clay and Georgie Cooper, he wore a pair of overalls.
    â€œI’ll bet that’s Mr. Hennessey,” Henry said. “He looks like he’s in charge, and he’s about the right age.”
    As the four men came closer, the two in the back came into view. One of them was a tall blond-haired boy who looked to be in his mid to late teens. And the other …
    â€œOh, wow!” Benny said excitedly. “That’s …”
    Henry nodded. “That’s the guy we chased yesterday.”
    â€œRight,” Jessie said.
    â€œSo he was sent to the Shermans’ farm by Mr. Hennessey,” Violet guessed.
    â€œIt appears so,” Henry replied.
    â€œI wonder who the man with the briefcase is,” Benny said.
    â€œI have no idea,” Jessie answered. But that wasn’t strictly true — she did have an idea, but didn’t want to say anything just yet.
    The four men stopped at the beekeeping area. “Let’s try to get a little closer so we can hear them,” Jessie suggested.
    â€œAll right, but stay low and keep quiet,” Henry advised.
    They kept moving until they could hear the voices. The older man and the one in the suit were doing all the talking.
    â€œI really do appreciate you inviting me down to your farm, Mr. Hennessey,” the man in the suit said, “and you do have a nice bee colony here. But as I’ve told you, I still get all the honey I need from the Shermans.”
    â€œI know that, Mr. Price, but you may change your mind after you see what I have to show you.”
    The Aldens looked at one another in astonishment. “It’s him!” Violet said in a whisper. “It’s Mr. Price! He’s visiting earlier than we thought!”
    Jessie nodded gravely. “Just as I figured.”
    â€œSo Mr. Hennessey really is trying to steal the Shermans’ business away!”
    â€œYeah, that’s how it