Windy City Mystery Read Free

that man with the big mustache?” Benny asked.
    â€œHe was dressed in overalls,” Violet said. “I’ll bet he doesn’t work in an office.”
    â€œThe city is full of all kinds of jobs,” Jessie said.
    â€œHe looked like a railroad engineer,” Henry added.
    Just then they saw Chad outside. He stopped to talk to the doorman.
    â€œLet’s go.” Henry stood up and started for the door.
    â€œHe’s going away!” Benny observed as Chad hurried out of sight.
    The doorman came in. “You must be the Aldens,” he said, smiling. “I’m Willard. I have a message for you.”
    â€œFrom Chad?” Henry asked.
    Willard nodded. “He says he’ll be with you shortly. He had an errand down the street.” He started away. “Oh, I almost forgot,” he said, turning back. “This is for you, too.” He handed Henry an envelope and went back outside.
    â€œWho’s that from?” Benny asked.
    Henry studied the envelope. “It doesn’t say.”
    â€œIt’s probably from Chad,” Violet decided.
    Henry opened the envelope and took out a piece of paper. “This is odd,” he said, and he began to read the note aloud.
    In this city
    There’s lots to do.
    Follow my lead
    To each new clue .
    And when you’ve seen
    All the rest ,
    You’ll find the treasure
    That is best .
    NOTE WELL: DON’T TELL!
    â€œDon’t tell what , Henry?” Benny asked.
    Henry shrugged. “I don’t know. About the note, maybe, or … There’s a clue on the bottom. Maybe that’s it.”
    â€œA clue? What kind of clue?” Jessie said.
    Henry read on:
    CLUE #1
    Find a structure
    Straight and tall
    Standing there
    Through fire and all .
    They drifted back to the bench and sat down. They were full of questions. What did this note mean? Who had written it? Why was it given to them? What was the special treasure the note mentioned?
    â€œChad wrote the note,” Jessie decided.
    â€œBut why?” Henry wondered.
    â€œLet’s ask him,” Benny said.
    â€œThe note says, ‘Don’t tell,’” Violet reminded him.
    Benny was puzzled. “But if Chad wrote it, he already knows about it.”
    â€œYou’re right, Benny,” Henry said, “but if he did write it, he doesn’t want us to know he did.”
    â€œIt’s some kind of game — a treasure hunt,” Jessie said. “We should just go along with it.”
    â€œThen we’d better figure out the clue,” Henry concluded. He reread it.
    â€œA structure — is that a building?” Benny asked.
    Henry nodded. “It could be a building. But there are other kinds of structures.”
    â€œLet’s say it’s a building, Henry,” Jessie suggested.
    â€œOkay. A building — straight and tall —”
    â€œThere’s Chad!” Benny said.
    This time Chad came inside. “Sorry I’m late,” he said. “I hope you weren’t bored.”
    Henry stuffed the note into his pocket. “Actually, we were busy … figuring things out,” he said.
    The Aldens all watched Chad. If he had written the note, he would know they had been trying to figure out the clue. His reaction would give him away.
    Chad did not react. Instead, he said, “Let’s get moving!” and sailed through the doors with the Aldens at his heels.
    Chad led the way along the broad sidewalks. “I hope you like to walk,” he said.
    Benny looked at the tall buildings and the busy streets. “Where are we going?” he asked.
    â€œTo the Water Tower,” Chad answered. “It’s not far.”
    â€œWhat’s at the Water Tower?” Violet asked.
    â€œLong ago it contained instruments to measure water pumped from Lake Michigan. Now it’s a visitors’ center,” Chad said. “We can get information and maps there.”
    â€œThe Water