Mystery of the Secret Message by Charles Tang Read Free Book Online

shrugged. “Grandfather will bring the ballot box home and count the votes himself tomorrow night. And on Saturday, he’ll announce the result.”
    “Grandfather is working awfully hard on the festival,” Benny said. “We haven’t seen him much all day.”
    “That’s because he’s busy talking to people,” Henry explained. “It’s a big job, putting on this festival.”
    “I’m glad we’re able to help,” said Violet. She plopped another bag in the carton on the floor.
    “He’s been gone since dinner,” Jessie said, glancing at the clock. “I hope he doesn’t get home too late tonight.”
    “You’ve kept Grandfather organized,” Henry said to her.
    “Well, I write everything down,” Jessie said modestly. “And put it in the notebook.” Suddenly she clapped her hand over her mouth.
    Violet looked at her in concern. “What is it, Jess? What’s wrong?”
    “The festival notebook,” she whispered. “I left it in town!”
    “It’ll be okay,” Henry assured her. “We’ll get it tomorrow.”
    Jessie shook her head. “No. I can’t leave it there, Henry. The person who’s been wrecking the square might find it. He could use it to do more damage.”
    Violet stared at Henry. “Jessie’s right. We can’t take that chance.”
    “Let’s go get it,” Henry suggested.
    “Grandfather’s not home yet,” Jessie said. “I hate to cause him more trouble.”
    “I didn’t mean in the car,” Henry said. “You and I can ride our bikes. It won’t take long. Benny and Violet, you should stay here and let Mrs. McGregor know that we’ll be right back.”
    Quickly, Henry and Jessie scrambled into their jackets and slipped out the back door.
    Jessie was glad when they reached the lane leading into the town square. She parked her bike next to Henry’s.
    “Where did you leave the notebook?” asked Henry.
    “Behind the bench by the town hall,” Jessie replied, pulling her jacket tighter. A sharp wind had sprung up. “I put it there when Benny found Violet’s camera. Then, with all that talk about the hidden compartment in the statue, I forgot about it.”
    “We’ll get it now and hurry home,” Henry said, heading across the pavement.
    “It’s so quiet out here,” Jessie said, listening to the soft thud of her sneakers on the bricks.
    The town square was lit by lampposts at all four corners. The tall, dark Minuteman statue was illuminated by a spotlight.
    Then another, stronger light slashed across the square.
    Henry stopped. “Someone’s there!” he whispered. “He has a flashlight!”
    The light switched off abruptly, leaving the square shadowy.
    Jessie saw the figure run away from the statue. It was a small person, with a flowing ponytail.
    It looked like Dawn Wellington.

CHAPTER 8
A Scrap of Red
    Q uick!” Henry said, grabbing Jessie’s wrist, and the two flew across the pavement.
    It was getting darker and the town hall cast a long, spooky shadow. At last they reached the bench.
    Jessie’s tote bag containing her notebook was leaning against one wrought-iron leg. She snatched it up.
    “I wonder if that person was looking for your notebook, too,” Henry said as they hurried toward the parking lot.
    “I don’t know,” Jessie said over her shoulder.
    Their footsteps fell softly on the worn bricks, but something didn’t sound right. Henry stopped, causing Jessie to stop, too.
    Behind them, more footsteps rang out, then died.
    “Someone’s back there!” Jessie whispered. “We’re being followed!”
    Henry thought so, too. “Let’s get on our bikes and head home,” he said quietly.
    Henry opened the back door for Jessie. Grandfather hadn’t returned and Mrs. McGregor was in her room. Benny, Violet, and Watch were waiting in the living room. Watch thumped his tail in greeting.
    Jessie buried her face in the dog’s thick fur. She was glad to be home.
    “Who was that person lurking around the statue?” she asked Henry.
    “It was definitely a woman,” said Henry. “It