Mystery of the Melting Snowman by Florence Parry Heide Read Free Book Online Page B

running off with the money from the sale and the house.”
    Suddenly Cindy jumped up. “We have to tell Mrs. Wellington! We can’t let her sit there and wait and wait. And then hear all about it from strangers—policemen and detectives—tomorrow. Let’s find her and tell her tonight. There’s nothing more we can do here, anyway.”
    “How can we find her?” asked Dexter.
    Cindy picked up her notebook and started flipping through the pages. “Here it is. The North Star. Jenny says Mrs. Wellington lives there now. Let’s look it up.”
    “It’s out on Cypress Drive,” said Jay in a moment, “on the other side of town.”
    “We can take a bus,” said Dexter. “It’s a long ride, but we can get there.”
    “Good,” said Cindy. “I like it when we’re doing something about something. I’m tired of just sitting and thinking.”
    Soon the three detectives were running to the bus stop. In a few minutes the bus pulled up to the curb.
    “What if Mrs. Wellington won’t see us?” asked Cindy. “You remember what Alex Baxter said about her—she’s old and feeble. She doesn’t really know what’s going on.”
    “I still don’t know why Mr. Baxter hasn’t told her anything about Jenny and Tom,” added Jay. “It’s only fair she should know. It’s her house after all.”
    “Maybe he was afraid she’d tell Jenny,” said Dexter. “And then Jenny would run off with her brother Tom.”
    They left the bus at the Franklin Street stop. Cypress Street was just a short walk beyond the bus stop.
    “Well, here we are,” Cindy said, staring across the snow-covered lawn. A long building lay before them, with lights shining in almost every window.
    They started up the long walk to the front door. As they walked into the building, a woman seated at a desk glanced at them.
    Cindy spoke up. “We’d like to visit Mrs. Melanie Wellington, if we may.” The three detectives looked at the lady behind the desk.
    “Oh, how lovely,” the lady said. “Mrs. Wellington is in Apartment 14.” She turned halfway around in her chair. “You follow this first corridor and then turn left by the double doors, and there you are!”
    The Spotlighters thanked her and walked where she had directed. They passed a large room with many tables in it. Some people were playing cards and laughing. Others were sitting, talking quietly.
    “I thought it was an old people’s home,” said Cindy. “These people don’t look old at all!”
    They found Apartment 14 and hesitated just outside the door. “Remember,” Cindy whispered. “We’ll tell her about Jenny first.” The boys nodded. Cindy knocked softly on the door three times.
    “I’ll be right there!” called a voice from inside. The door opened and they faced a tall, elegant lady. Thin lines of gray hair swirled into brown curls on top of her head. She was dressed in a beautiful long gown. Sparkling earrings hung in small loops from her ears. Her big brown eyes looked down at the children in a friendly way.
    “Mrs. Wellington?” asked Cindy, hesitating.
    The woman smiled and nodded. “And to what do I owe this honor?” she asked, her eyes twinkling. “Come in, come in.” She stretched a slender arm toward her living room.
    The Spotlighters looked at each other. Cindy thought, Why she’s not a little old lady at all. She’s beautiful.
    This time it was Dexter who spoke first. “Mrs. Wellington, I’m Dexter Tate, and these are my friends, Jay and Cindy Temple. We’ve come to warn you.” He stopped and looked at Jay and Cindy.
    “Warn me? Warn me about what?” asked Mrs. Wellington. “I daresay this is a most interesting evening. Do tell me what you’re about.”
    Cindy cleared her throat and then spoke in a rush. “Mrs. Wellington, it’s about Jenny Mayflower. She’s been lying to you all this time. She’s sold your house and she’s going to run away with Tom Foster and all the money. They had a house sale today and sold all your nice things. And they’re