Mystery of the Spider's Clue Read Free

his money.”
    â€œWho was he?” Benny wanted to know. “The businessman, I mean.”
    Thomas stirred cream into his tea. “My client wanted that to be kept a secret, Benny.”
    â€œYou mean, until after the mystery’s solved?” Mrs. McGregor looked puzzled.
    â€œBefore and after, Mrs. McGregor,” answered Thomas. “The millionaire’s name will never be revealed.”
    Henry scratched his head. “Why did he want to keep it a secret?”
    Thomas said only, “I’m sure my client had his reasons.”
    Sam looked around at everyone. “The whole thing sounded kind of fishy to me. But Thomas swears that the invitation is for real.” Sam was patting his shirt pockets. “Now, where did I put my glasses?” He glanced over at the Aldens. “Could someone read the invitation out loud for me?”
    Jessie stood up. “Of course.” She took the invitation from Sam, then began to read it aloud:
To Samuel Snow,
    You are cordially invited to solve the mystery of the Spider’s Clue.
    In a separate envelope, you will find a series of clues that will lead you through Greenfield to a secret code word.
    If you are the first to solve the mystery of the Spider’s Clue and discover the secret code word, you will be the winner of an inheritance.
    This code word must he given to Thomas Paintner, at the law firm of Paintner and Bradley, by July 12.
    Good luck to one and all!
    When she was finished, Jessie sank back against a cushion. She had never seen such a strange invitation before.
    â€œThere isn’t much time to find the code word,” Violet pointed out. “The twelfth of July is only one week away.”
    Thomas took a sip of his tea. “That’s true,” he said. “And there’ll be others trying to solve the mystery too.”
    â€œIt seems odd,” Henry said thoughtfully. “Why would the millionaire make a game out of giving away his money?”
    Jessie was curious, too. “Why didn’t he just name somebody in his will?”
    â€œI bet the millionaire liked mysteries,” Benny guessed, his eyes shining. “Maybe he wanted everyone to have some fun trying to solve one.”
    â€œYou’re a smart young man, Benny,” said Thomas with a slow smile. “Not many people would’ve figured that out.”
    Benny smiled.
    Sam put down his teacup and looked at each of the Aldens in turn. “I was wondering if you’d like to tackle this mystery for me,” he said. “I’d try to solve it myself, but I can’t get around much right now. It takes me a long time to walk anywhere.”
    The children didn’t have to think about it. “We’d be happy to solve it for you,” Henry said in an excited voice.
    â€œGreat!” Sam was pleased. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
    â€œSam often tells me about the Alden adventures,” said Thomas as he reached for another cookie. “And I love to hear about them. I quite enjoy a good mystery.”
    â€œThomas is a big mystery fan,” Sam told them. “Always has been.”
    Thomas laughed. “I’ve had a soft spot for mysteries ever since I was a kid,” he confessed. “Even now, I like to hide a bit of candy somewhere in the house when my grandchildren come to visit. I make a list of codes and clues to help them track it down.”
    That sounded like fun to Benny. “Your grandchildren must really like visiting you.”
    â€œI think they do,” said Thomas.
    Suddenly Jessie had a thought. “What happens if nobody finds the code word?” she asked Thomas. “What happens to the inheritance?”
    â€œAccording to my client’s will, if no one solves the mystery the money goes to his relatives.”
    Henry had a question, too. “Do you think the millionaire knew the people he sent invitations to?” he asked. “Or did he just pick their