The Mystery in the Snow Read Free Page A

in.
    Benny shivered with excitement. “I can’t wait to find out whose team I’ll be on,” he said.
    They decided to make up their beds and go to sleep. That way, morning would come faster.

CHAPTER 4
    Flat Tires
    T he next morning, the Aldens met Jimmy Phelps in front of the lodge. He was taking off his skates.
    â€œIs breakfast over already?” Benny asked him. He couldn’t imagine anyone doing too much before eating.
    â€œNo,” Jimmy answered. “I was just working up an appetite.”
    â€œI’m glad I don’t have to do that!” Benny commented.
    â€œBenny likes to eat,” Jessie explained.
    Jimmy smiled. His rosy cheeks became even rounder. “I figured that,” he said.
    On their way into the lounge, Henry asked, “Did Mr. Mercer find the keys?”
    Jimmy shook his head. “No,” he said. “I don’t know what he’ll do.”
    Mr. Mercer stood just inside the door. He pointed to a table near the entrance. “Sign your names on those cards,” he said, “and put them into that big box.”
    â€œIs that the box from the equipment shop?” Jessie asked.
    Mr. Mercer shook his head. “No, the equipment shop is still locked. I’m going into town later to get a locksmith. He can make new keys.”
    â€œWe thought you might have to call off the games,” Henry said.
    â€œWell, it is a problem not being able to get into the equipment shop. But, I’d never call off the games. Not for a little thing like a missing key,” Mr. Mercer assured them.
    The Aldens went over to fill out the cards.
    Their grandfather got up from his chair near the fire. “Good morning,” he called out.
    â€œGood morning, Grandfather,” the children responded.
    Freddy came in, pulling off her green knit hat. She was wearing a one piece ski outfit that was bright green, orange, and yellow. And she had on gloves to match!
    â€œDid everybody sign up?” she called. “I want you all to have a chance to be on my team.”
    Several children who hadn’t filled out the cards formed a line behind the Aldens. Everyone else headed for the dining room. Long tables were set with red-and-white checked tablecloths. At the front of the large, sunlit room, the longest table was filled with food: egg dishes, bacon, sausage, rolls, toast, pancakes, fruit, three kinds of juice, milk, coffee, tea — something for every taste.
    â€œEverything looks so good,” Jessie commented. “It’s hard to know what to choose.”
    Benny took a plate from the stack at the end of the table. “Take some of everything,” he advised his sister. “That way you won’t have to make hard decisions.”
    Grandfather chose a toasted English muffin and a bowl of fruit; the younger Aldens took Benny’s advice.
    After breakfast, Mr. Mercer went to the front of the room. Jimmy and Freddy followed with the box of names.
    â€œAttention, everyone,” the man said. “It’s time to pick teams. Freddy and Jimmy are our team captains. As your name is called, please come up and join your leader.”
    Everyone started talking excitedly.
    Mr. Mercer hushed them. “I have to go into town to the locksmith,” he said. “So I’ll let your team captains take over.” He left the room.
    Freddy reached into the box and pulled out a card. “Danny Cahill,” she read.
    In the far corner of the room, a red-headed boy, about Benny’s age, stood up. He walked slowly to the front of the room.
    Freddy greeted him with a broad smile. “Welcome to the winning team, Danny,” she said.
    Jimmy picked out a name. He read it to himself; then looked up. He had a funny expression on his face. It was hard to tell whether he was happy about his choice, or sad. “Beth Markham,” he announced. “Last year’s top skater.”
    Beth skipped to the front of the room, her ponytail