Mike's Mystery by Gertrude Warner Read Free Book Online Page A

trees and the monkeys.”
    When it was dark, the movies began. The people sat in rows and watched the show. They clapped and laughed at the monkeys. Watch had a chair between Jessie and Benny. He watched the picture with the rest. Next came Mike and then Spot. Mr. Carter sat on the end near the door. All the windows were open and the door was open. Benny whispered to Mike, “This would be a good time for somebody to blow up the mine.”
    “No, the watchmen are there,” Mike whispered.
    Mike put his arm around Spotty’s neck. Everyone looked at the picture except Mike. He never knew why he looked out the door, but he did and Spotty looked too. He saw a man walking slowly by. Then suddenly he felt the hair on Spotty’s neck move. Spotty looked at the door and growled.
    Mr. Carter heard Spotty growl. He jumped up, and dashed out of the door. Mike and Spotty dashed after him.
    They all saw a man running in the darkness. But Spotty could run faster than the man. Soon he caught the man’s leg. He held him, growling, until Mr. Carter came. Mike never knew how strong Mr. Carter’s hands were.
    The watchmen ran up and soon the man was taken away.
    “The man in the blue hat!” cried Mike.
    “Yes, Mike, I think it is,” said Mr. Carter. “Spotty knew him.”
    “Spotty ran faster than he did in the race,” said Mike.
    “I guess he did,” said Mr. Carter. “Now, Mike, don’t say a word. Just go back quietly.”
    “Can’t I tell Ben?” asked Mike.
    “Yes, if you whisper. Don’t let anyone else know about this. It will spoil the party.”

CHAPTER 14
    Ben or Mike?
    W hen Mike and Spotty went back, Mike whispered, “Ben, we just caught the man in the blue hat.”
    “You did?” said Benny. “Did he have on a blue hat?”
    “He didn’t have on any hat at all,” said Mike. “I told you he wouldn’t.”
    “I wish you had told me before,” said Benny. “Watch and I would have come, too.”
    “I had no time,” said Mike. “Sh-h-h, don’t say a word!”
    Then the show was over. The lights went on. Everyone sat around eating pie and drinking coffee. Mr. Carter came back very quietly.
    The boys looked at him but they did not say a word.
    “It’s all over,” Mr. Carter whispered to Mike and Benny.
    “Where is that man?” asked Mike.
    “Well, he is in jail again. This time he will stay there,” said Mr. Carter. “That man was wanted in four states! You boys helped me a great deal. And best of all, you did not talk.”
    “Wait till I tell Henry!” cried Benny. “He thinks I can’t stop talking.”
    “I’ll tell him myself,” smiled Mr. Carter. “And Jessie will like to know, too. She’s a mother to you, Benny.”
    “Yes, I know,” said Benny.
    “She always keeps care of you, Ben,” said Mike.
    “Takes care of me,” said Benny.
    “Well, takes care, then,” agreed Mike. He didn’t even start to argue. Benny was quite surprised.
    With everyone gone, the Woods, the Aldens and Mr. Carter were left alone in the big room.
    Mr. Carter said, “Please sit down, all of you. I want to tell you something.”
    When they were quiet, he said, “The hunt for the man in the blue hat is over. The man has been caught, and the mystery is solved.”
    “Oh, how?” asked Aunt Jane in excitement.
    Then Mr. Carter told her about the man. He told her about Spotty growling.
    “You don’t need to growl any more, Spotty,” said Mr. Carter. He patted the dog’s smooth head. “The man has gone away.”
    “Well, I am glad,” said Violet softly. “I know it was exciting for the boys, but I didn’t like it at all.”
    “No,” said Mr. Carter, looking at Violet with a smile, “neither did I.”
    “Well,” said Mike, “now it’s all over, it was my mystery, wasn’t it?”
    “Oh, no, it wasn’t!” cried Benny. “It was mine!”

    “My dog found the blue hat!” shouted Mike.
    “But my dog helped him. And Watch found the tin can!” said Benny.
    Then Mike suddenly stopped. He said, “Yes, Ben, I think