Old Motel Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner Read Free Book Online Page A

need a thing, but thanks,” Kay said.
    Cheerfully waving good-bye, the children biked down the muddy lane.
    At the store, Jessie bought a loaf of bread. That errand over, they biked to the edge of Lyndale and back.
    When they returned, Kay called to them, “Rolf is back with the shingles and has already replaced the missing fuses. He needs a little help with the shingles.”
    Benny shouted. “I’ll help.”
    â€œAnd so will I,” Henry volunteered.
    â€œWonderful,” Kay said. “I think he just needs someone to hand him the shingles.”
    â€œWhat can we do?” Violet asked.
    Kay smiled. “See all these geraniums? They need potting. I have window boxes stored in the bike shed.”
    â€œOh, what fun,” Jessie said. “We’ll plant the flowers in the boxes and put them on the windowsills of each motel unit.”
    â€œRight,” Kay said.
    â€œWon’t the red flowers be pretty against the white motel?” Violet said.
    â€œI thought so,” Kay said. “If you’ll do that, Jane and I have a sewing project. You know the small round table by each bed. We’re going to make tablecloths to cover each one in all the units.”
    â€œAunt Jane is a beautiful seamstress,” Violet said.
    Kay chuckled. “I know. She’s already hemmed a skirt for me.”
    Rolf climbed the hill. “Hi, kids,” he called. “It’s good to see the sun again, isn’t it?”
    â€œYes,” Benny said, looking up at the big man. “Henry and I will help you with the shingles!”
    â€œThen let’s get started,” Rolf said. “My Jeep is parked below, filled with shingles. Come on, kids.” He hoisted Benny up on his shoulders.
    â€œI’m a roofer today,” Rolf said with a grin, setting Benny on the ground. Rolf wore a cap, jeans, and a navy shirt and looked quite handsome. “Do you want to bring me a bundle of shingles from the Jeep, Henry, while I get the ladder?”
    â€œSure thing,” Henry said, eager to start.
    The girls hauled out eight window boxes and filled them with potting soil from the bags that were lined up against the shed. Then they took the crimson geraniums and planted the first window box.
    Rolf placed the ladder against the motel.
    Benny shaded his eyes as Rolf climbed halfway up the ladder. “Will you stop the rain from dripping in my eyes?”
    â€œI’m going to patch that very spot,” Rolf promised.
    Shingles were stacked high in the back of the jeep.
    Henry reached in for a stack but quickly pulled his hand away. Puzzled, he stared at his sticky fingers.
    Benny, coming up behind Henry, also tried to lift a shingle, but it was stuck fast.
    â€œUgh!” Benny said, wiping a thick black substance on the grass. “It won’t come off,” he wailed. “What is it, Henry?”
    â€œI think it’s tar,” Henry said.
    The shingles were ruined. Someone had poured tar all over them.

CHAPTER 10
    Running Water
    â€œR olf!” Henry shouted. “Look at this!”
    Rolf stepped off the ladder and walked over to Henry. “What is it?” Then he saw the black tar oozing over the new shingles. “For Pete’s sake,” he muttered, planting his hands on his hips and shaking his head “Who did this?”
    â€œI wish I knew.” Henry looked at Rolf with a stricken expression. Rolf seemed very calm. To Henry, Rolf didn’t seem upset, nearly enough.
    Benny’s chin stuck out and he said in a loud voice. “I wish we could find this mean person!” He shook his fist in the air. “I’d like to give him a punch!”
    Henry’s hand dropped on Benny’s shoulder. “I know, Benny. But don’t worry, we’ll find out who’s behind this!”
    â€œI’ll just have to haul the whole mess to the dump,” said Rolf.
    Violet and Jessie hurried over to see what all the fuss was