The Mystery of the Black Raven Read Free Page B

started coming to Skagway, they continued the tradition of passing on the scrapbook and raven,” said Grandfather. “This year, it’s my turn again.”
    “Whose turn is it next year?” asked Mr. Pittman.
    Grandfather checked a small notebook he carried in his jacket. “The Wilsons’.” Jennifer clapped her hands.
    “Might’ve known we’d be last,” Earl said to his wife, one corner of his mouth pulled down.
    After passing around the scrapbook for everyone to see, it was time to return to the Totem Lodge.
    Back at the lodge, Grandfather went up to the front desk. In keeping with the old-fashioned ways of the frontier town, room keys were kept on hooks behind the front desk.
    Benny walked over to the large carved poles. The animals on it were funny, kind of squashed-looking. He saw a bird with a large head and a thick beak. Is that a raven? he wondered.
    Before he could ask anyone, Mr. Pittman started arguing with the clerk again.
    “Our room is too cold. And did you see about those extra towels yet?”
    The Wilsons were patiently waiting to retrieve their key while the harried clerk dealt with Mr. Pittman. Howie the bellhop was on duty at his station. He listened to the problems at the front desk but didn’t move until the annoyed clerk rang his bell.

    Grandfather had already received their room keys. The Aldens went up to the third floor.
    “See you in the morning,” Grandfather said to the children.
    Benny was almost too tired to undress. It had been a long day. Just before he fell asleep, he heard voices in the hallway outside.
    Jennifer and Steve Wilson were talking to someone else. Who? Then Benny knew. Howie, the bellhop. Howie was saying something about the totem poles downstairs…
    Then Benny drifted off to sleep.
    The next morning the boys were awakened by a loud knock. It was Jessie and Violet.
    “What happened?” Henry asked.
    “It’s Grandfather,” Jessie cried. “The scrapbook and raven statue have disappeared from his room!”
    “Wow!” exclaimed Henry. “Were they stolen?”
    “We don’t know,” Violet replied. “But Grandfather is very upset.”
    “I know what happened to them,” said Benny. “The ghost of that fancy hotel came and took them!”

CHAPTER 3
“One of Us Is a Thief!”
    G randfather came out of his room. Worry lines creased his forehead, Violet noticed.
    Across the hall, Miss Parker’s door opened and she stepped out. She took one look at Grandfather and said, “What’s wrong, James?”
    “The scrapbook and raven are missing,” he replied. “I put them on my dresser last night. This morning when I got up, they were gone!”
    The children hurried over to join them.
    “I bet the ghost took them,” said Benny.
    Grandfather looked at him. “What ghost?”
    “The one that lives in the hotel we went to last night. Miss Parker told us about it. I think it followed us here and took your stuff,” Benny stated.
    “You don’t really believe in ghosts, do you?” Jessie asked him gently. “That’s just a story.”
    “Jessie’s right, Benny,” Miss Parker said. “Lots of old houses and buildings claim to have a ghost. It makes them seem more interesting.”
    Just then the Wilsons emerged from their room. Steve saw the group standing in the hall and asked, “What’s going on? You guys look glum.”
    “The scrapbook and raven are gone,” explained Violet.
    “Gone?” echoed Jennifer. “How could that happen?”
    Before Grandfather could answer, the door to the room where the Pittmans were staying flew open with a bang. The family was bickering about what to have for breakfast.
    Earl Pittman nearly bumped into the gathering in the hall. “Hope you’re not waiting for us. We plan to eat by ourselves this morning.” He seemed grumpier than usual.
    “That’s not it,” Miss Parker said to him. “The scrapbook and statue are missing from James’s room.”
    “How can they be missing?” asked Edie Pittman.
    Sighing, Mark and Monique leaned against the