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

patiently for her plan. When she didn’t say anything, he said, “Well? What is it?”
    Violet smiled mysteriously. “I’ll tell you later.”
    “You don’t want to tell us in case it doesn’t work,” Benny said.
    “I’ll be back in a minute,” Violet said, hurrying toward Alex.
    Jessie, Henry, and Benny watched as Violet whispered into Alex’s ear.
    Alex listened intently, then a quick smile lit her face, and she nodded in agreement.
    “What are they talking about?” Benny asked, frowning. “I wish I could hear.”
    “We’ll find out sooner or later,” Henry said.
    Whatever Violet had in mind, Jessie thought, Alex obviously thought it was a good idea. She watched them disappear inside the dressing room. She wished she were in on the secret.

CHAPTER 10
The Thief
    Later that day at home, Jessie heated up some meatballs, while Henry boiled water, then dropped in spaghetti. Violet tossed a salad. Benny set the table, and got out some butter and Italian bread.
    Grandfather had stayed in town to dine with the Murrays.
    While the children ate, they discussed the newspaper article and map they’d found, plus the different suspects.
    “I wonder if the police are any closer to finding the robber than we are,” Violet said.
    “I’ll bet they don’t know about the green ink!” Benny said proudly. “Marcia and Alex and Ollie are the only ones who wrote their names in green.”
    “Yes,” Henry said, “that’s an important clue, Benny, but we can’t be sure any one of them is guilty.” He buttered a slice of bread, then looked at Violet thoughtfully. “I know you have a plan. What is it?”
    “I can’t say,” Violet said. “I just don’t know how it will work out.”
    “When will we know?” Benny asked.
    Violet laughed. “Before the performance, I promise.”
    “Speaking of performance,” said Jessie, “we’d better clear the table and get dressed. We need to be at the Civic Center early so we can sell cookies.”
    “I can’t wait to see the skaters!” said Benny. “They’ll look like stars skating across the ice.”
    “They are stars,” Henry said.
    After leaving the kitchen spic and span, the excited Aldens went upstairs to dress.
    Each could hardly wait to see the show.
    Jessie brushed her brown hair until it shone. Violet came into Jessie’s room to borrow a barrette.
    “I see you’re wearing your favorite dress,” Jessie said, smiling.
    Violet looked down at her lavender dress with a purple knit vest. “I want to look my best tonight,” she said.
    “Me, too,” Jessie said, slipping an arm around Violet.
    Downstairs, Henry winked at Violet. “We’d better leave, so Violet can try out her secret plan.”
    When they got to the Civic Center, they arranged cookies on trays. It wasn’t long before people who arrived early had purchased a whole trayful of gingerbread men.
    When Mr. and Mrs. Murray and James Alden came in, they went directly to the children. William Murray bought a dozen thumbprint cookies.
    So did Grandfather. “For a snack later tonight,” he said.
    “You look so shiny,” Benny said, gazing at Mrs. Murray.
    “Why, thank you, Benny,” Sara Murray said. Her white silk dress matched her white hair.
    “Did you find your stolen diamonds?” Benny asked, staring at Mrs. Murray’s sparking diamond earrings, necklace, bracelet, and rings.
    Mrs. Murray laughed, touching one dangling earring. “No, no, my real diamonds and rubies are still missing. These are only paste.”
    “You mean you pasted on all that jewelry?” Benny questioned.
    William Murray laughed. “Paste jewelry means fake jewelry. The diamonds that Sara is wearing tonight aren’t real.” Still smiling, he added, “I wish they were.”
    “Children, why don’t you run along? Let us sell the rest of your cookies,” Mrs. Murray said.
    “Yes,” Grandfather said. “The gingerbread men have all been sold and there are only a few of the thumbprint cookies left. Besides, I know you would like to