Guide Dog Mystery Read Free Page B

a short while Benny noticed a shadow through the smoked glass of Mrs. Carter’s door. He wondered who it was and why the person didn’t just come in. Then he remembered the figure he’d seen in the woods. Could it be the same person?
    At last, whoever it was knocked on the door.
    “Come in,” Henry called.
    The door opened slowly, and a man walked in and looked around. He was wearing a dark suit with a flower on the lapel. His hair was neatly groomed and he had a little mustache. He seemed confused.
    “Can we help you?” Jessie asked.
    “Yes . . . uh . . . I’m looking for the director,” he said at last.
    “Mrs. Carter’s not here right now. Can we give her a message?” Henry replied.
    “That dog out on the lawn. I want to buy her,” the man said.
    “But — ” Jessie began.
    “She’s a beautiful golden retriever. I simply must have her,” he went on.
    “I don’t think she’s for sale,” Henry said, realizing the man must mean Ginger. “She’s a guide dog.”
    “What do you mean she’s not for sale?” the man said. “That’s ridiculous. Just tell me the price.”
    “I’m sorry, sir. You’ll have to ask Mrs. Carter,” Jessie said.
    The man looked around the room at the children and drew in a deep breath. Then he turned on his heel and left, as abruptly as he’d come.
    “That was strange!” Violet said when the door had shut behind the man.
    “It certainly was!” Henry agreed.
    “I wonder if he’s the same person I saw in the woods,” Benny said.
    “What person in the woods?” Jessie asked.
    Benny told the others what he’d seen earlier that day.
    “There seem to be some strange things going on around here,” Jessie said.
    “Yes. Remember that scene between Jason and that woman — Mrs. Davis — yesterday?” Violet reminded them.
    “I’m not sure about this,” Henry said, “but I think we may have another mystery on our hands!”

CHAPTER 4
Barking Dogs
    W hen Mrs. Carter returned, Henry told her about the strange man who’d wanted to buy Ginger.
    “Well,” she said, “sometimes people do want to buy the dogs.”
    As the Aldens got off the elevator on the second floor, they saw Anna on her way to the dining room. Benny ran to catch up with his new friend. Just before he reached her, she turned around and said, “Hello, Benny!”
    Benny stopped in his tracks, his eyes wide. “How did you know it was me?” he asked.
    Anna smiled. “I just knew.”
    Benny didn’t know what to say.
    Anna laughed. “Besides,” she said, “your shoes squeak when you run. I noticed that when I first met you.”
    “That’s amazing!” Benny said as his sisters and brother joined him.
    “Not really,” Anna said. “Since I can’t see, I have to be more aware of sounds and smells and other things,” she explained. “I know Violet must have just come over, because I can smell her shampoo.”
    “Here I am,” Violet said with a grin.
    During a dinner of burgers and fries, Anna told them all about her afternoon and introduced them to a few of the other students she’d met that day. Anna and Ginger had gotten along very well, and the next day Jason was going to start their training together. She couldn’t wait.
    When they’d finished their strawberry shortcake, Anna and the Aldens went to the lounge to listen to music and talk.

     
    At last, worn out from a busy day, the children went back to their rooms.
    ‘I’m going to sleep well tonight!” Benny said.
    But he was wrong.
    A few hours later, Benny sat up in bed. He looked over at Henry, who was sleeping soundly. Benny wondered what had awakened him. In a moment he realized what it was. Outside his window the dogs were barking. They sounded upset.
    Benny was just about to look out the window when he heard a soft tapping at the door. “Who is it?” he whispered.
    “It’s Jessie and me,” he heard Violet whisper back.
    Benny opened the door and the two girls hurried in.
    “What’s going on?” Henry asked, rubbing his