Mystery of the Missing Cat by Charles Tang Read Free Book Online Page A

and sat down beneath the shade of an old oak tree by the old boxcar that had once been their home.
    â€œWhat are we going to do now?” Violet repeated.
    â€œMaybe we should talk to Professor Madison again,” said Henry.
    Jessie said, “It’s true, she’s acted pretty strangely. But if that man really was trying to break into her house and steal the cat, that would explain it.”
    â€œ If she’s telling the truth,” said Henry.
    â€œBut why would Professor Madison steal a cat when she already has so many?” asked Violet.
    â€œThat’s true,” said Henry.
    Suddenly Jessie said, “Whitney!”
    Henry, Violet, and Benny looked at her in surprise. “What about Whitney?” asked Henry. “She couldn’t have had anything to do with Spotzie’s disappearance. Spotzie disappeared before Whitney ever arrived.”
    â€œBut what if Whitney is the one making the mysterious phone calls? What if there is no Mr. Jones at all?” asked Jessie.
    â€œWhy would Whitney do that?” Benny wanted to know.
    Jessie furrowed her brow. “Because … because she thinks we’re just children and we can’t solve this case. Maybe it’s a practical joke?”
    Benny shook his head. “It would be a mean joke!” he declared.
    â€œI wonder if Whitney would do something like that?” said Violet. “I don’t think she would.”
    After a moment, Jessie nodded her head in agreement with Violet. “You’re right, Violet. I guess I don’t think she would, either.”
    â€œWell, what about Mr. Allen?” suggested Henry. “Did you notice he seemed surprised when he saw Spotzie’s photograph — almost as if he recognized her.”
    â€œThat’s true,” Jessie said.
    â€œYes, he did act surprised,” said Violet. “But why would he lie about ever having seen Spotzie?”
    â€œMaybe he has Spotzie!” cried Benny.
    â€œBut why, Benny,” said Jessie. “Why would he want Spotzie when he has so many other beautiful cats?”
    â€œMr. Jones, whoever he is, is the most likely ‘cat burglar.’ We have to find him to solve the mystery and find Spotzie.”
    â€œBut how?” said Jessie. “How are we going to find Mr. Jones?”
    Henry said, “Wait a minute. I’ve thought of a way we could find Mr. Jones.”
    â€œHow?” cried Jessie excitedly.
    â€œWe wrote to him at a post office box,” said Henry. “Box number ninety-three. All we have to do is watch the post office and see who comes to get the mail out of that box.”
    â€œOh, Henry, that’s a wonderful idea!” exclaimed Violet.
    â€œWe’ll be like spies,” said Benny. “Will we need disguises?”
    Everyone smiled at that. “No, Benny,” said Henry. “But we will be like spies, sort of, watching for Mr. Jones to see who he really is.”
    Benny nodded. “We can take Watch to watch for Mr. Jones.”
    â€œWe’ll do that,” said Henry. “We can take turns, Benny. You and Watch and Jessie can watch tomorrow morning. Then Violet and I will come up to watch for a while.”
    â€œCan Soo Lee come, too?” asked Violet.
    â€œYes, of course,” said Henry. “The more people we have helping us, the better!”

CHAPTER 10
    The Chase Is On
    J essie, Benny, and Watch were waiting at the Greenfield Post Office when it opened the next morning. It was a bright, sunny day. The post office was surrounded by shady trees and had windows across the front.
    Jessie, Benny, and Watch were about to go in and find box 93 when Jessie noticed a sign on the post office door: N O D OGS A LLOWED .
    â€œYou and Watch will have to wait out here,” she said, pointing to the sign. Benny sounded out the words slowly and then looked at his sister.
    â€œWhy aren’t dogs allowed in the post office?” he asked. “I