Vampire Mystery Read Free Page A

quiet.
    Suddenly, a loud clatter came from the side yard. The children ran to the edge of the porch. Their bicycles were lying in a heap on the ground.
    “That’s odd,” said Henry.
    “Maybe it was the wind,” Violet suggested.
    Benny jumped over the porch rail and picked up his bike. “It’s not very windy.” Something caught his eye and he pointed toward the cemetery. “Look!”
    “What do you see?” asked Jessie.
    But whatever it was, it was gone.

    “I don’t know,” Benny said. “I thought I saw someone in a dark cape running. But I guess it was just a shadow.”
    “We should get home,” Henry said. “Grandfather doesn’t like us riding our bikes in the dark. And it is getting late.”
    “But what about the book?” asked Benny. “We still haven’t found it.”
    “Don’t worry,” said Jessie. “If we don’t find it by the due date, we’ll all chip in from our allowance money to pay for the book.”
    “Hey! Is that you Alden children over there making all that clatter?” Mrs. Fairfax was leaning against the rail of her front porch.
    “We’re sorry,” Henry called. “The wind knocked our bicycles over. We’re leaving now.”
    “I hope so,” she said, turning away and stomping back toward her front door. “A person can’t get any peace around here. And stop running through my backyard!”
    “But we …” Violet wanted to explain that they had not run through her yard, but Mrs. Fairfax was already inside, the screen door slamming shut behind her.
    “Why is she so angry?” asked Benny.
    “Mrs. Fairfax probably just likes her peace and quiet,” Violet said. “I suppose she’s not used to such noises on this street. Maybe we frightened her.”
    “I hope I don’t upset her when I have to cut the lawn,” Henry added. “Lawn mowers make plenty of noise.”
    “So does my stomach,” said Benny. “All this bike riding has made me hungry.”
    Henry laughed. “Let’s go home and get you another piece of Mrs. McGregor’s pie.”

CHAPTER 4
Lost!
    The next morning, Mrs. McGregor placed a large platter of steaming waffles on the breakfast table.
    “Here you go, Benny,” she said. “I made a special waffle for you.”
    Benny had been sitting with his head in his hands. He looked up to see what Mrs. McGregor had made. It was a large round waffle with strawberries for eyes and a blueberry mouth. Fluffy white whipped cream hair sat on top.
    “Wow! Thank you, Mrs. McGregor.” Benny grabbed his fork.
    “There’s the smile we like to see,” said Grandfather. “Are you feeling better now?”
    Benny’s mouth was stuffed full with waffle and fruit.
    Jessie answered for him. “Benny’s not sick, Grandfather. He feels badly because he can’t find The Legend of the Vampire , the book he checked out of the library yesterday.”
    “Perhaps it’s in your room, Benny,” Grandfather suggested.
    Benny shook his head.
    Violet spooned fruit over her waffle. “We searched everywhere,” she said.
    “It was in his backpack when we were at Mr. Hudson’s house. By the time we got home, it had mysteriously disappeared. We even checked at the library to see if anyone had turned it in.” Henry poured himself a glass of orange juice.
    “That is a mystery,” Grandfather said. “But I’m sure you children will figure it out.”
    The Aldens loved mysteries and they had already solved quite a few since coming to live with Grandfather.
    “Maybe you can check at the library again today,” Grandfather said. “They are having their annual fair and bake sale on the front lawn. It might be fun to stop by.”
    A timer in the kitchen rang. “That must be my pie,” Mrs. McGregor said, wiping her hands on her apron. “I made an apple pie and a lemon cake to donate to the bake sale. If you children want, you can come with me this morning when I drop them off at the library.”
    “That reminds me,” Grandfather said. “Mr. Hudson called this morning. He will be leaving on his business trip