Mystery on Stage by Gertrude Chandler Warner Read Free Book Online

much as Richard is,” Benny pointed out. Henry couldn’t argue.
    Backstage, Violet and Soo Lee were making the tail for Jessie’s lion costume. Benny went over to watch them.
    â€œOh, Violet,” Nancy called as she came into the costume room. “Could you make a big poster for the show? We open in a week and we need more advertising.” Nancy sighed and looked at the jumble of materials spread out on the big table in front of the girls.
    â€œI can make the poster right here. Remember, we found lots of crayons and paints in this drawer.” Violet opened the long thin drawer of the black dresser.
    â€œGood, I know you’ll do a good job. All you Aldens are such a big help around here,” Nancy said, looking appreciatively at Benny and Soo Lee. “By the way, Benny, if you’re not busy, I’d like you to help Mrs. McGregor paint the Yellow Brick Road on the backdrop. I have to be in the wings all afternoon to give the actors their cues.”
    â€œI’m coming,” Benny said cheerfully. He liked to paint.
    When Violet had sketched and painted the poster, she left it on the table in the costume room so the paint would dry. Then she went with Soo Lee to help Benny finish painting the Yellow Brick Road.
    â€œOh, good, I’m glad you’re here to help.” Mrs. McGregor brushed a wisp of hair off her forehead with her arm. “Benny has to go on stage now. They’re rehearsing the Munchkin scene.”
    As she worked on the Yellow Brick Road, Violet noticed people going in and out of the costume room. When Richard came out, Violet asked, “Can I help you?”
    â€œOh, no.” Richard sounded a little embarrassed. “I, uh, was just looking for my costume.”
    â€œIt’s hanging on a hook near the wardrobe,” Violet said as she dabbed yellow paint on the big canvas backdrop in front of her.
    â€œYes, I saw it.” Richard played nervously with his bow tie. “It’s too bad I have to wear a brown suit during most of the play when all the others have such colorful costumes.”
    â€œYou have a colorful part,” Mrs. McGregor reminded him.
    â€œWell, yes,” Richard admitted. “But a brighter suit would make me stand out more in the Emerald City.”
    Violet didn’t know what to say. She nodded a little and continued painting. By the time rehearsal was over, the Yellow Brick Road was finished.
    â€œTomorrow, after the paint dries, they’ll put the canvas on the big wooden frame Henry made,” Mrs. McGregor said.
    Before she left, Violet went to the costume room to get her coat. She carefully checked all the costumes. Mrs. Adams had made Dorothy a new blue-checked pinafore, and it hung crisply on a hook. The Lion and Scarecrow costumes lay finished on one of the tables. Nothing had been touched.
    Violet breathed a sigh of relief, until she looked for the poster. It was missing!
    â€œWhat’s the matter?” Nancy asked as she came into the costume room behind Violet. Violet’s eyes were very wide.
    â€œThe poster I made is gone!” Violet’s voice shook a little.
    â€œIt has to be somewhere,” Nancy pointed out. She began to look in the closet and under the table. “Did you notice anyone coming into the costume room when you were painting scenery?”
    Violet frowned. “Well, yes,” she said. “Richard.”
    Nancy nodded.
    â€œAnd other people came in and out,” Violet continued, “but I didn’t pay much attention.”
    Nancy sighed. “I’m going to look for the poster backstage, then I’ll make an announcement. Maybe someone already hung it outside.”
    â€œNo, I don’t think so,” a shrill voice said behind them. Melody had silently slipped into the room wearing her pink ballet slippers. She waved her hands in front of her to show off her purple nail polish.
    Nancy and Violet stared at her in surprise.
    â€œWhat do