Mystery of the Queen's Jewels Read Free Page B

coming week!”

CHAPTER 3
A Friend Stops By
    W hen they got back to the Cheshire Inn that evening after they’d eaten dinner, Mrs. Brown was in the lobby.
    â€œSomeone came by to see you,” she told them. “I was out, but my son was here keeping an eye on things. He left this note.” She held up a piece of paper.
    â€œWho was it?” Mr. Alden asked.
    â€œI don’t know,” Mrs. Brown said. “His note just says, ‘Tell the Aldens a friend stopped by.’ ”
    â€œWho do you think it was, Grandfather?” Violet asked.
    â€œI don’t know,” he replied. “The only people I know in London are my business associates. I don’t really have any friends here in town.”
    â€œCould it have been someone from Greenfield?” Henry wondered. “Maybe someone else is vacationing here, found out where we’re staying, and came by to say hello.”
    â€œWas the friend a man or a woman?” Jessie asked Mrs. Brown.
    â€œWhat did the person look like?” Benny added.
    â€œI don’t know,” Mrs. Brown answered. “As I said, my son was here while I did some shopping. I found this note here on the front desk. He’s already gone home, but next time I talk to him I’ll ask.”
    Benny’s eyes sparkled. “Isn’t that strange,” he said excitedly as the Aldens went upstairs to their rooms.
    â€œI’m sure there’s a simple explanation,” Grandfather said.
    â€œI think it’s a mystery!” said Benny.
    Grandfather chuckled and gave Benny a hug. “Good night, my little mystery solver. And don’t forget, breakfast is served at eight o’clock.”
    â€œWe know Benny won’t forget,” said Henry with a smile. Benny had the biggest appetite of anyone they knew.
    The Aldens said good night and headed for their rooms.
    Henry and Benny had just put on their pajamas when they heard a door shut. Benny peeked out and saw an old man walking down the hall. He was hunched over and carried a cane.
    â€œHey, Henry,” Benny whispered. “Look!”
    â€œWhat?” Henry asked, turning down the covers on his bed.
    â€œNever mind. He’s gone around the corner,” said Benny.
    â€œWho has?” asked Henry.
    â€œThere was an old man in the hallway,” Benny explained. “I wonder who it could have been. I thought Andrew and Donna were the only other guests here.”

    â€œThe man was probably visiting one of them,” Henry said.
    â€œMaybe … but I wonder. …” said Benny.
    â€œStop looking for mysteries and go to bed,” Henry said. And with that, he turned off the light.
    The next morning when the Aldens entered the dining room, the other two guests were already there.
    â€œGood morning!” Andrew called out.
    Donna smiled stiffly, then looked at her watch. “Excuse me, I have to be going now,” she said as she got up from the table.
    â€œWhere are you off to today?” Andrew asked her.
    She looked at Andrew for a moment before answering. “Nowhere in particular,” she said coldly and walked out.
    â€œIt’s funny she’s leaving so quickly to go nowhere in particular,” Andrew commented.
    As the Aldens were sitting down, Mrs. Brown came in carrying a tray laden with food. She put a large bowl of scrambled eggs and a plate of steaming hot sausages on the table. “There are some fresh scones, still warm from the oven,” she said, motioning toward a napkin-covered basket. Then she turned to Andrew. “Here’s your tea.” She placed a small teapot in front of him.
    â€œThank you,” Andrew said, pouring himself a cup.
    Mrs. Brown went back into the kitchen, leaving the guests to enjoy their breakfast.
    â€œWhat are scones?” Violet asked.
    â€œThey’re like biscuits,” Mr. Alden explained, passing the basket to her.
    Violet pulled out a scone and saw that it was