The Crazy Christmas Angel Mystery Read Free Page B

won’t happen again. I promise.”
    â€œAnd that is the truth,” Grandpa muttered. He climbed the stairs, grunting all the way.
    So much for borrowing Grandpa’s stuff. Eric dashed upstairs to finish his book report.
    Then he thought of something. If he hadn’t left Grandpa’s glasses outside, he might have missed the strange sight next door. The angels had multiplied!
    Now Eric had a big mystery on his hands. And he didn’t know what to do about it.
    Then he had an idea. It might not solve the mystery, but it would show a little kindness.

EIGHT
    The next morning, Eric trudged through the snow. He headed to Mr. Tressler’s house—to deliver a newspaper free of charge. Eric would pay for it himself, out of his earnings.
    Eric tiptoed up the porch steps. He turned the handle on the storm door. And he placed the paper in the space between two doors.
    Inside, a cuckoo clock sang out the time. Six cuckoos in a row.
    Eric checked his watch. Six o’clock, right on the dot. He turned to leave, but the sound of a flute stopped him. It was coming from inside Mr. Tressler’s house.
    Eric froze in his tracks.
    Mr. Tressler plays the flute .
    Eric listened.
    It was music for the angels! He chuckled to himself as silver full-moon sounds floated around him.
    He leaned against the porch railing and felt lucky—the only one to hear the magic. He breathed it in and held it close.
    Then the music stopped. And the front door opened. Eric sprang off the porch and dashed down the street.

    After supper, the Cul-de-sac Kids met in Stacy’s front yard as planned. Abby was president, so she called the meeting to order. That was easy. The only reason for the meeting was to see the angels. At Mr. Tressler’s house.
    Dunkum set up his telescope. Eric had first look. The angels were flying all right. And Mr. Tressler was prancing and swaying.

    Carly and Dee Dee took turns looking through the telescope. Shawn and Jimmy were next.
    Jason couldn’t wait his turn. “If there’s a man dancing with angels, I’ve got to see it!” He walked across the street for a closer look. Dunkum followed.
    Eric stayed behind with Abby and Stacy, near the snowman.
    â€œI should invite Mr. Tressler to our Christmas play,” Abby said. “He could appear to the shepherds and bring his heavenly host.”
    Stacy laughed. “Good idea.”
    â€œWhat do you think makes them fly, Eric?” Abby said, after her turn.
    â€œBatteries, probably,” said Eric. But he didn’t know. Not really. He watched as the angels circled Mr. Tressler’s head.
    Carly asked, “Do the batteries ever run down?”
    â€œSooner or later,” Eric said, like he knew.
    Just then, Dunkum and Jason came running. “Huddle up,” Dunkum called.
    The kids grabbed each other’s arms and made a circle.
    Dunkum had a plan. “Let’s take a Christmas present to Mr. Tressler. Then we can find out what’s going on in there.”
    â€œWe’ve done enough spying,” said Abby. “Let’s sing Christmas carols for him. To welcome him to the cul-de-sac.”
    Everyone liked that idea. Everyone but Eric.
    â€œI sing flat,” Eric said.
    â€œYou could whistle,” Abby suggested.
    Leave it to Abby , thought Eric.
    â€œSomeone needs to introduce us after we sing,” Abby said.
    The kids looked at Eric.
    â€œWhy me?” Eric said.
    â€œYou got us out here,” said Dunkum.
    â€œYeah, hurry up, it’s cold,” said Dee Dee.
    Eric didn’t want to do the talking. He didn’t want to whistle Christmas carols. Besides, what if Mr. Tressler was real creepy and scared everyone away?
    What then?

NINE
    â€œIt’s too late to go caroling now,” Eric said. He was chickening out.
    Abby stuck up for him. “Eric’s right—besides, we need to practice first.”
    â€œHow about everyone giving Mr. Tressler a gift? I’ll