The Mystery Cruise by Gertrude Chandler Warner Read Free Book Online Page A

CARLA .
    â€œWhat do you suppose this means?” Jessie asked worriedly, handing the telegram to Henry.
    After reading it, Henry frowned. “Two more days of what?”
    Violet took the telegram. “How could two more days make them rich?”
    Jessie was thoughtful. “If Max makes it to Miami on time, he’ll be rich. If not his cousin Carla will inherit Great-Aunt Edith’s estate. This telegram could be from cousin Carla.”
    Henry picked up Jessie’s train of thought. “And Tom could have been hired by Carla to keep the West Wind from getting to Miami on time.”
    â€œThen Tom has been the one all along,” Violet said, disbelief on her face.
    â€œAnd he seemed so nice, too!” Benny exclaimed.
    â€œLet’s find Max,” Henry said. “I’m sure he’ll know what to do.”
    They found Max and Grandfather playing cards in the library.
    â€œHere, Max,” Jessie said, “I think you should read this.”
    Max stared at the telegram, then his eyes lit up in understanding. “Tom Bishop. Of course. He must be Thomas, the man Carla’s going to marry. She talked about a ‘Thomas.’ I’ve never met him so I had no idea what he looked like.”
    â€œHe did ask us questions,” Henry said, “and once he mentioned how upset you looked.”
    â€œWhen Tom came aboard,” Benny said, “I remember he said that we kids knew all about the ship, and we’d have to show him around.”
    â€œThat’s right,” Violet said.
    â€œSo,” Max said, “Tom’s doing Carla’s dirty work! Carla’s probably in Miami right now!” He shook his head. “If I don’t get to Miami by Sunday, she’ll inherit everything!”
    Henry said, “We need to warn the captain about Tom.”
    â€œYes,” Jessie agreed. “And let’s also ask him if we’ll be sailing into Nassau on time.”
    â€œGood idea,” Grandfather said, rising to his feet.
    They found the captain on the navigation deck, and when he heard their news, he was furious. “ No one can tamper with my ship!”
    Thoughtfully he added, “I’m not surprised, though. The crew has seen Tom outside the engine room a few times and wondered what he was up to.”
    â€œHe’s deliberately trying to delay the ship,” Max said urgently. Then he explained to the captain why he had to get to Miami.
    â€œWell,” the captain said, “Tom Bishop won’t succeed. We’re right on time. We’re taking a shorter route to Nassau.” He smiled. “So, Mr. Greene, you’ll be at the reading of the will.”
    Max breathed a sigh of relief.
    â€œWe’re on time now,” Grandfather said, “but what if . . .?”
    â€œWhat if Tom does something else to sabotage the ship?” Jessie finished.
    â€œExactly,” Grandfather said.
    For a few minutes they were all silent. Then Jessie, her eyes shining, said, “I have a plan.”
    â€œYou have?” Violet asked.
    â€œYes, I have,” Jessie replied, smiling. And she whispered into the captain’s ear, and then into Max’s.
    The captain nodded. “I’ll do it,” he said firmly.
    A slow grin spread across Max’s face. “Good idea, Jessie,” he said.
    â€œWhat are they going to do?” Benny asked as they walked back to the cabin.
    â€œYou’ll see at dinner,” Jessie said with a secret smile.
    The Aldens went to their cabins to change clothes, and met at their table for dinner. Tom was sitting at the next table, right behind Max.
    â€œI can’t wait to see what the captain’s going to do,” Benny whispered carefully to Jessie.
    â€œHe’s going to say something to Max,” Jessie carefully whispered back. “Listen closely.”
    As they ate their lemon meringue pie, the captain walked slowly by the Aldens’ table.
    â€œExcuse me,