Windy City Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner Read Free Book Online

of flames.
    â€œIs this a school for firemen?” Benny asked.
    Violet asked, “Is this where the Great Chicago Fire started?”
    â€œLet’s go inside and see,” Grandfather answered.
    An old red hose wagon was displayed in the lobby. Firefighters in small groups at the information desk and in the hall beyond smiled at them as they entered. One of them stepped forward. “Welcome,” he said. “Can I help you?”
    They asked him about Mrs. O’Leary.
    He led them to a plaque on the wall. A chain connected to two brass fire nozzles set it apart from other displays.
    Henry read the inscription. “On this site stood the home and barn of Mrs. O’Leary, where the Chicago fire of 1871 started. Although there are many versions of the story of its origin, the real cause of the fire has never been determined.”
    â€œThe barn was right here,” the firefighter said. “The gold flame outside stands where her house was.”
    Jessie was impressed. “And now, on the same spot, people are trained to fight fires.”
    They wandered down the hall looking at the glass-covered wall displays of historical photos and drawings.
    Outside, Benny’s eyes grew wide. Shiny fire trucks of all kinds filled the yard. One of the firemen helped Benny and Violet climb inside.
    Henry pulled Jessie aside. “This is the place,” he said. He dug the clue out of his pocket. They both looked at it. There could be no doubt. Here, just as in the picture, the past and the present stood side by side.
    â€œDo you suppose the next clue is here?” Jessie asked.
    â€œKeep your eyes open,” Henry answered.
    Benny skipped over to them. “Did you see me in that fire engine?” he asked excitedly. “I’m going to be a firefighter when I grow up!”
    There was so much to see and do, they spent another hour touring the site. But they did not find the next clue.
    Back at the car, Grandfather said, “It’s early yet. How about visiting one of those places we talked about this morning?”
    The Alden children all spoke at once, each naming a favored place.
    Grandfather laughed. “I’ll choose.” He opened the car door and everyone got in.
    They cruised along the lake past a busy harbor and through a beautiful green park.
    â€œWho has a map?” Benny asked.
    Jessie pulled one out of her backpack.
    â€œWhy do you want a map, Benny?” Henry wanted to know.
    â€œTo see where we’re going,” Benny said. After a long silence, he said, “I figured it out!” Before he could say another word, Mr. Alden pulled into a big parking lot. “There it is!” Benny pointed straight ahead. “The Museum of Science and Industry!”
    They scooted out of the car and hurried across the parking lot. They dashed up the broad cement stairway, past huge round columns, through tall doors, into the vast building.
    They had so much fun they forgot about the mystery.
    But not for long!

CHAPTER 8
    The Final Clue
    G randfather pulled up in front of their apartment building. Willard was outside, talking to a man in a long raincoat and a broad-brimmed hat. Something striped was sticking out of his coat pocket.
    Willard waved and came to the curb. The other man hurried inside.
    Henry was the only one who noticed.
    Willard opened the car doors. “Welcome back,” he said.
    â€œDoes that man live here?” Henry asked.
    Willard looked around. “What man?”
    â€œThe man you were talking to.”
    Willard laughed. “I talk to everybody!”
    Grandfather came around from the driver’s side. “Will you see that this car gets back where it belongs?”
    Willard took the keys Mr. Alden held out to him. “Be happy to oblige,” he said.
    They met Chad inside. “I was looking for you,” he told them. “I wanted to talk to you about tomorrow — where you want to go.”
    â€œWe can talk about