The Mystery on Cobbett's Island by Julie Campbell Read Free Book Online Page A

Committee, I gratefully accept your offer,” he said, making a theatrically low bow. “You know, if word gets around that more of the gardens have been opened up and the gazebo is restored, more people will come to see them.”
    “More people, ergo , more money,” said Mart gleefully. “Right?”
    “I don’t know anything about ‘ ergo , ’ ” said Trixie, “but ‘money’ I understand. When do we start?”
    “We can start as soon as I show you the rest of the house,” Peter answered, leading them into the sitting room. He pressed one of the little rosettes on the mantel, and, to everyone’s surprise, one of the panels above the fireplace slid slowly back, revealing a hiding place.
    “There wasn’t a thing in it except some old copies of Youth’s Companion,” said Peter, “full of corny old stories!”
    Beyond was the dining room, which was papered with some scenes from the days when whaling was an important occupation. The kitchen was in an ell at the rear of the house, and one whole side of it was filled with a wide fireplace and brick ovens. A refrigerator and modern stove had been built in so cleverly that the Early American atmosphere of the room had not been disturbed.
    “What a wonderful place for parties!” exclaimed Jim. “I can smell the popcorn right now.”
    “As a matter of fact, we do usually end up here Saturday nights,” Peter remarked.
    After they had looked into the library, with its big mahogany desk, comfortable leather chairs, and shelf upon shelf of books, Peter took them upstairs to see a curious four-poster bed covered with a tester and with a tryndle bed underneath. Each post was elaborately carved, and the bed was so high that one had to use a step stool to get into it.
    They decided to postpone the visit to the attic until they had more time. Peter said his family had been so busy getting the downstairs redone that no one had had time to explore it fully.
    “Jeepers, it’s an awful temptation to start looking through all those fascinating old trunks and boxes,” said Trixie, poking her head through the narrow door that led to the attic, “but I know if we took one peek, we’d never be able to tear ourselves away.”
    “You’re so right,” Honey agreed. “Come on, everybody, let’s get out of this enchanted house.” She led the way down the narrow back stairs and out the kitchen door.
    After getting rakes from a nearby shed, they took the path that led to the entrance to the gardens behind the house. It was obvious that the gardens had been lovingly and skillfully planned years ago, and even time and neglect had not been able to erase their beauty. Fruit trees lined a path leading to a shallow pool in which Mrs. Kimball had started water lilies. Behind the pool was an ancient statue of a woman holding an urn on her shoulder, and on either side were gracefully carved stone benches. Carefully laid out flower beds were already bright with color, and beyond them could be seen the vegetable gardens. To the right of the pool, and at some distance, lay the unrestored section of the garden. Honeysuckle and wild grapevines had grown to the tops of the trees, making an almost impenetrable tangle and practically concealing a little structure that Peter said was the gazebo.
    “You know, I was wondering what a gazebo is,” mused Diana. “I always get that word and carousel mixed up, for some reason or other.”
    “My mother tells me these fancy little houses were the last word in Queen Victoria’s day—for tea parties or just to sit in and gaze about. That’s probably how they got their name,” Peter offered.
    They all went to work cleaning up the debris in the main garden so that it, at least, would be presentable for the party, and it was dusk when they finally stopped work.
    “If I can get everyone up early tomorrow, we’ll be back and get this finished in no time,” said Trixie.
    “Say, who was first up this morning, I’d like to know?” asked Jim with mock