Windy City Mystery Read Free Page B

brochures and maps this morning,” Jessie reminded him.
    â€œThat’s right,” Grandfather said. “And this is a visitors’ center — just the place to do that.” Changing the subject, he asked, “What are your plans for the day?”
    â€œWe’re still deciding,” Violet said.
    â€œI have a suggestion,” Mr. Alden said. “How about a baseball game? The Cubs are in town.”
    Benny jumped up and down. “Oh, good!” he said. “We can have lunch there!”
    Grandfather stood up. “Chad, we’d like you to come along.”
    â€œThanks, I’d love to go, but I have some schoolwork to do,” Chad said. He added, “I’ll see you in the morning,” and then he was gone.
    â€œJessie, I think you dropped something,” Grandfather said.
    Jessie looked behind her. Several pamphlets lay on the ground.
    â€œI’ll get them,” Benny said.
    Mr. Alden picked up a few leaflets that had blown some distance away. He handed them to Jessie. “Don’t forget these.”
    She stacked the papers and put them in her backpack.
    â€œHow are we getting to the ballpark, Grandfather?” Violet asked.
    â€œYou’ll see,” Mr. Alden answered. “Just follow me.”
    Benny laughed. “You made a rhyme, Grandfather! Just like the —” Henry poked him. Then Benny remembered they were not supposed to tell anyone about the mystery.
    They walked west. Two blocks away, Mr. Alden led them down a broad staircase.
    â€œWe’re going to the subway,” Henry observed.

    â€œThere’s a lot happening underground in Chicago,” Grandfather said.
    Downstairs, Grandfather Alden paid the woman in the ticket booth and, single file, they pushed through the metal turnstile. More stairs took them to the station platform where tracks ran along both sides.
    Grandfather said, “We want to go north.”
    Violet was the first to see the NORTHBOUND sign.
    Before long, a train screeched to a stop. Doors slid open. They all hopped on.
    After several stops, the train began to climb. It emerged from the tunnel into the sun. Up, up went the tracks until they were high above the street. The train screeched past the buildings lining the way.
    â€œWhat do you think of the El, Benny?” Grandfather asked.
    â€œEl?” Benny said.
    Henry looked at Grandfather Alden. “Is that short for elevated ?”
    â€œRight you are, Henry,” Mr. Alden answered.
    Before long, a voice came over the public address system. “Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs!” it said.
    The train squealed to a halt. The Aldens followed the crowd down the steep stairway.
    â€œThe game’s going to be crowded,” Benny decided.
    And he was right. Still, there was plenty of room. They found good seats.
    â€œIs anybody hungry?” Grandfather asked.
    Benny raised his hand. “I am!”
    Laughing, the others raised their hands, too.
    â€œGive me your orders,” Mr. Alden said. “Henry and I will go get lunch.”
    They all wanted hot dogs and peanuts.
    â€œThat’s easy to remember,” Henry said. He followed Grandfather out to the concession stands.
    Jessie, Violet, and Benny watched the pregame action. All around them, people settled into seats, talking excitedly.
    â€œDid you think more about the clue?” Violet asked Jessie.
    â€œHenry and I thought the Water Tower was the place,” Jessie answered.
    â€œYou’re right,” Violet said. “It fits the description.”
    Benny was surprised. “You mean we solved that clue, and I didn’t even know it?”
    â€œWe’re not sure we solved it,” Jessie said.
    Violet thought about that. Finally she asked, “If Chad wrote the clue, why didn’t he let us figure it out?”
    â€œBut who else could have written it?” Benny asked.
    â€œHenry and I asked both those questions, too,” Jessie