Mystery on Stage by Gertrude Chandler Warner Read Free Book Online Page A

you mean, you don’t think so?” Nancy asked. “Have you seen the poster?”
    â€œWhy, isn’t it over there?” Melody pointed with her purple-nailed index finger.
    The poster stood in the far corner of the room facing the wall. Violet examined it carefully. Everything looked all right except someone had tried to make the letters in Richard’s name bigger!
    â€œOf all the nerve!” Nancy exclaimed.
    Violet stared at her poster in silence. “I think I can fix it,” she said after a few moments. “I’ll just have to make Sarah’s name a little bigger, too.”
    Nancy just shook her head. “I’m going to have to have a talk with Richard.” She hurried out of the room.
    Melody paid no attention to the conversation between Nancy and Violet. “I want to see my Scarecrow costume,” she insisted. “Now.”
    â€œIt’s right here.” Violet pointed to the patchwork jumpsuit filled with cotton and straw.
    â€œIt looks so itchy,” Melody complained.
    Violet sighed. “It shouldn’t be,” she answered. “The straw won’t be touching your skin.”
    â€œI wish I could wear one of these long dresses,” Melody said as she inspected one of the long pink silk gowns hanging on the rack.
    â€œMelody?” Violet asked. “How did you know where the poster was?”
    Melody played with one of the rings on her finger. “I just saw it there when I came in earlier to change into my ballet slippers.”

    â€œDid you notice anyone fiddling with it?”
    Melody held the pink gown to her body and examined her reflection in the full-length mirror. “What do you mean fiddling with it?” she asked without looking at Violet.
    â€œI mean, did you see anyone changing the lettering on it?” Although Violet sounded polite, she was beginning to lose her patience.
    â€œNo.” Melody shook her long auburn curls. “The poster was just sitting there against the wall. I didn’t touch it, if that’s what you mean. Why would I want to make Richard’s name bigger?”
    Melody twirled in front of the mirror one more time before hanging the dress back on the rack. She left the room without saying another word to Violet.
    When Nancy came back, she looked discouraged. “Richard’s left for the evening. I promise you, I’ll talk to him tomorrow.”
    Violet sighed. “I think I’ll finish this poster at home. I have lots of paints there.”
    â€œDon’t stay up too late,” Nancy advised as she put on her coat. “You’ll need your energy for all those costume fittings tomorrow.”
    â€œI won’t,” Violet assured her as she gathered her things to leave.
    As the Aldens walked out of the Community Playhouse, they noticed a big white car pulled up in front of the building. A man in a tweed coat sat behind the wheel drumming his fingers on the dashboard.
    â€œHave you seen a girl named Sarah Bellamy?” the man called to the Aldens as they walked past his car.
    â€œYes, we know her. She’s staying late to practice her lines with Jim, the director,” Jessie answered.
    The man shook his head impatiently. “I can’t wait here forever,” he complained as he leaned on his horn and honked.
    â€œI don’t think she can hear you,” Benny pointed out. The man glared in Benny’s direction.
    â€œWould one of you mind going inside to find her?” The man tried to sound polite. “You see, I don’t want to lose my parking place,” he explained.
    â€œI can go,” Benny said.
    â€œI’ll go with you, Benny,” said Jessie. She didn’t notice any other cars parked nearby and wondered why the man was afraid of losing his parking place.
    â€œWe’ll meet you at the house, then,” Mrs. McGregor suggested. “I have to get dinner started, and Soo Lee and Violet are helping me. Aren’t