The Lost Treasure of Tuckernuck by Emily Fairlie Read Free Book Online Page A

behind and then ducked into an alcove near the auditorium doors.
    Bud wandered out of the auditorium, humming the “peck! peck! peck!” part of the song under his breath. He didn’t spot Laurie until she’d grabbed him by the upper arm and dragged him into the doorway next to the auditorium.
    â€œWha—?” Bud pulled his arm away. “I bruise easily, okay? Watch it.”
    â€œSorry, Princess. We need to find out about Keats. Singing time is over.” Laurie didn’t want to waste any more time. She needed solid gold bars, and she needed them now.
    Bud made a face at the princess line, but he didn’t argue. Being the ruling Clucker was looking pretty appealing. Maybe he’d get a bigger hat.
    â€œI can’t miss class, Laurie,” Bud said, checking his watch nervously.
    Laurie rolled her eyes at him. “We have plenty of time. I know a shortcut—we’ll just do a quick sweep of the English hall, find the Keats painting or statue or whatever, and then we’ll be golden.”
    â€œWell, okay. But fast.” Bud wasn’t about to be late the first week of school.
    Laurie grabbed Bud by the arm and raced off down the hallway. Without hesitation, she dashed around the corner, down a narrow passageway and came out in the English hall. Or what she thought was the English hall.
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    Tipoffs That You’re Not in an English Hallway, but in a Deceptively Similar Music Hallway
by Laurie Madison, grade six
    1. Music stands in corner.
    2. Bulletin board decorated with pictures of Beethoven and music notes.
    3. The presence of Trinity Harbaugh, music geek extraordinaire.
    4. Singing cherubs painted above the doorways. (Seriously, what’s that about?)
    5. Sheet music on floor instead of regular notebook paper.
    6. Actual music being played. Go figure.
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    â€œShoot.” Laurie looked at the music stand perched outside a classroom doubtfully. “That doesn’t look right.”
    â€œOh, man!” Bud looked at his watch again. “Where are we? Thanks a lot, Laurie. We’re gonna get tardies!”
    Laurie waved her hand at him dismissively. “It’s fine, it’s just through … here.” She picked a door at random and darted through. Which was a mistake.
    â€œCan I help you?” There was a teacher at the desk in the front of the empty classroom, maybe in a planning period. She closed her grade book and looked up just as Laurie skittered to a halt and Bud slammed into her.
    â€œNo. Uh. Sorry.” Laurie had barely gotten the words out before she’d turned and hurried out, leaving Bud alone in the doorway.
    â€œWe … uh. Didn’t know anyone would be here.” Bud felt weird about just running out like that. But he didn’t know what he was supposed to say either. He wished the teacher would stop staring at him.
    â€œAre you here to sign up for the choral auditions?” The teacher stood up, smoothed her skirt, and pointed to an audition sheet near the door. Bud eyed it nervously. Choral auditions were not his thing.
    â€œNo, really, just a mistake.” He gave a half smile. Why wouldn’t she just go back to her grade book?
    â€œBecause you sound to me like a tenor. Are you a tenor?” The teacher was getting closer. Bud knew he had to get out, and fast. But for some reason, his feet weren’t listening to him.
    â€œNo, not a tenor.” At least he didn’t think so. Bud wasn’t entirely sure what he was.
    â€œBecause we need tenors. And I believe you’re mistaken. I think you’re a tenor.”
    Bud swallowed noisily. The teacher gave him an encouraging smile. “Don’t be shy. The auditions aren’t for a while. You have time to prepare.” She held out a pen. It was so close, he could almost touch it. All he had to do was sign his name, and she’d be happy. It was tempting. But then Bud thought about what his dad would say.
    â€œNo, I