The Mystery at Maypenny's by Julie Campbell Read Free Book Online

also specialize in creating mysteries where none exist?” Jim asked. “When they first saw your uncle, they decided he was poaching on my father’s game preserve. Their evidence was the fact that they’d never seen him before.”
    “My uncle did mention that,” David said. “But I think it seems quite understandable. If I saw an old gentleman in a red cap, turtleneck sweater, and knickers, I’d think he was a poacher—either that or a character left over from a Washington Irving story.”
    “Are you familiar with the Washington Irving stories—‘Rip Van Winkle’ and ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’?” Honey inquired, obviously impressed.
    David shrugged modestly. “I know a little bit about them,” he said. “I knew that my family had come from this part of the country, where those stories are set. So when we studied them in school, I paid extra-close attention.”
    As David spoke, Trixie eyed him closely. He certainly didn’t look anything like Mr. Maypenny. Mr. Maypenny was tall and gaunt, with a ruddy, weather-beaten face and white hair. David was short and round—not overweight exactly, but kind of soft-looking. His skin looked soft, too, with almost no wrinkles, and his hair was dark. He was definitely an indoor person, Trixie felt, and he looked as though he’d never had a really good suntan in his life.
    But Trixie couldn’t see anything in David Maypenny’s personality that would make Dan take such a quick dislike to him. David seemed open and friendly enough. His gaze was direct, not shifty. And he seemed genuinely interested in finding out more about the Bob-Whites.
    “Well, I see you young folks have all met one another,” Mr. Maypenny said, coming out of the kitchen. “Is everybody getting along okay?”
    “Just fine, Mr. Maypenny,” Brian said as the others nodded.
    “Oh, Mr. Maypenny, here’s a cake that Miss Trask sent over for dessert,” Honey said.
    “And here’s the one Moms sent over for dessert,” Trixie said, laughing.
    Mr. Maypenny started to laugh, too. “Isn’t that just like womenfolk?” he said. “Well, you tell them ‘thank you’ for me.” He took the cake carriers from Honey and Trixie and started for the kitchen. Then he paused. “Hmm,” he said. “This could be just what we need.”
    “What do you mean, Mr. Maypenny?” Trixie asked curiously.
    Mr. Maypenny suddenly looked embarrassed. “I hate to have to tell you young folks about this, after I had to ask you to come over and help me out last week. But it seems I let the fire go out under the stew this afternoon. It was lucky Dan noticed it, or we’d really be in trouble. As it is, that stew should simmer for another hour or so. So if anybody’s hungry, I thought we could have dessert first, then have the main course, and then have dessert again,” Mr. Maypenny concluded, holding up one cake carrier and then the other.
    “A superlative suggestion,” Mart said, patting his stomach.
    Mr. Maypenny looked at Mart, his eyes narrowed in a squint. “Does that mean he wants some cake or not? 1 can never tell what that young fella’s talking about.”
    The others laughed as Mart blushed. “Yes, please,” he said simply.
    Mr. Maypenny nodded. “I’ll be right back with cake and milk for everybody,” he said, returning to the kitchen.
    The Bob-Whites were still smiling over the exchange between Mr. Maypenny and Mart. But Trixie noticed that David Maypenny’s face was wearing a worried frown. “Is anything wrong?” she asked.
    David looked startled. “I’m sorry,” he said.
    “I—I didn’t think anyone would notice. I guess I am a little worried.”
    “About what?” Brian asked.
    “About my uncle,” David replied. “He’s older than I thought he’d be. I worry about him, living so primitively at his age.”
    “Mr. Maypenny can take care of himself,” Jim said confidently.
    “What about that fire?” David demanded. “He wouldn’t have noticed it was out if Dan hadn’t mentioned