Mystery of the Spider's Clue (9 page)

The question seemed to catch Thomas off guard. “What . . . ?”

Henry quickly explained to Sam and Rose what had happened before their arrival. Then he turned to Thomas again. “You seemed so sure Ray Munch was up to something. It was almost as if you knew, somehow, that his name wasn't on the millionaire's mailing list.”

Thomas shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “I had a hunch, that's all.”

“There's another strange coincidence,” said Violet. “The person who came up with these clues must have liked mysteries. And he was good at making them up, too. Just like you, Thomas.”

Benny folded his arms. “That's right.” He looked accusingly at Thomas. “You make up codes and clues for your grandchildren. I bet you made up this mystery, too!”

Thomas held up a hand. “Wait a minute!”

Sam looked sharply at his old friend. “What's going on, Thomas?”

There was a long silence. In a quiet voice, Thomas finally answered Sam's question. “I guess you've found me out,” he said. “The mystery of the Spider's Clue was my own invention.”

Sam blinked in disbelief. “You tricked me?”

“I did.”

“Oh, dear.” Rose wrung her hands. “Things aren't going the way we'd planned.”

Sam turned to her in surprise. “You were in on this, too?” He sounded more hurt than angry.

“Well . . .” Rose began, then stopped. She managed a weak smile. “We were just trying to help.”

At that moment, the door of the adjoining office swung open. A heavyset man with silver hair stood in the doorway.

Jessie gasped. “The mystery man!”

Sam's mouth had dropped open. “It . . . it can't be!”

“You were listening at the door,” Violet said suspiciously. “Who are you?”

Thomas smiled at the Aldens. “Well, kids,” he said, “I'd like to introduce you to Sam's brother, Simon Snow.”

“What?” the Aldens all cried at once.

“Yes, it's true,” Simon admitted. “I was here visiting Thomas. When I heard everyone coming inside, I hid in the other room.”

Violet nodded. That explained why Thomas had raised his voice after opening the door a crack. He was warning Simon to duck out of sight.

Simon looked over at his brother. “Don't be angry with Rose. Or with Thomas. This whole thing was my idea.”

“It was your idea to trick me?” Sam looked upset.

Rose put a hand on Sam's arm. “Simon only wanted to help. He heard about your accident, Sam. He knew you'd be too proud to accept money from him. Between the three of us, we came up with this elaborate scheme to help you out.”

Sam was confused. “Then there never was an inheritance?”

“That's right,” answered Simon.

“Or a butler who sent out invitations,” added Henry.

“Right again,” said Simon. “Sam was the only one who received an invitation in the mail.”

“And I sent that out myself,” put in Thomas. “The money wasn't an inheritance. It was a gift from Simon.” Then he looked over at the Aldens and shook his head. “I knew you children were good detectives. But I had no idea you'd figure out so much.”

Jessie had some questions. The mystery was still not fully explained. “We overheard you on the phone, Simon,” she said, “when we were tracking down clues. You mentioned the mystery, and you sounded upset.”

Simon and Rose looked at each other.

“Oh, that must've been when Simon phoned me,” said Rose. “We were arguing about the mystery. I was certain you'd never find the Hollow Tree Restaurant. I mean, the sign's so faded on the awning. I thought we should give you a hint or two. But Simon wouldn't hear of it. He was certain we'd be sorry if we said anything. He thought it would just make you suspicious.”

“I knew you could solve it on your own,” said Simon. “I saw you in the library one day browsing through nursery rhymes. I knew you were going to solve the mystery just fine.”

“Were you following us?” asked Benny.

Simon shook his head. “I'm sorry if I frightened you. I was passing by and I saw you go inside. I was just curious to see if your visit to the library had anything to do with the mystery.”

“If the Aldens hadn't seen through your plan, Simon, you would have left Greenfield without speaking to me.” Sam's expression was grim. “Isn't that true?”

Simon hung his head. “I stood outside your house one afternoon, Sam,” he confessed. “I tried to work up the courage to knock on your door.”

“I saw you there,” Jessie said quietly.

Simon nodded. “I wanted to see you again, Sam. But I was afraid you'd turn me away.”

“Turn you away?” Sam looked shocked. “I would never turn my own brother away!”

Simon Snow crossed the room. He put out his hand. Sam got slowly to his feet, and the two men shook hands, then embraced. Simon had tears in his eyes. “I've been such a fool.”

“That makes two of us, Simon,” Sam said in a choked voice. “That makes two of us.”

Sam was true to his word. Just as soon as he was back on his feet, he cooked a big pot of chili and invited everyone over to enjoy it with him—the four Alden children, Grandfather Alden, Mrs. McGregor, Simon, Thomas, and Rose. And, of course, Watch.

“I still can't believe it,” said Sam, shaking his head. “I never thought I'd see the day my brother would be sitting right here in my kitchen.” Sam looked happier than the Aldens had ever seen him.

“Well, you'd better get used to it,” said Simon as he helped himself to another bowl of chili. “I'll be retiring next month, and I can't think of a better place to spend my retirement years than right here in Greenfield.”

Grandfather Alden smiled. “It's a wonderful town.”

Simon sat back in his chair. “Years ago, I told my brother he was making a big mistake to come back to Greenfield. But I was wrong.” He turned to Sam. “You live in a town where everyone loves and respects you. I envy you for that. I just wish . . .” Simon paused. “I just wish you'd let me help you out, Sam. I've done really well in the carpet business, you know.”

Sam suddenly got up from the table. He walked across the room and opened a drawer. When he came back to the table, he was holding his bank book. “Take a look at my savings account, Simon,” he said.

Simon let out a low whistle when he saw the balance. “I had no idea you were doing so well, Sam.”

Sam nodded. “I've worked hard all these years. And I haven't had many needs.”

Rose clapped her hands. “The Three Musketeers have all done well for themselves,” she said. “And I'll expect to see all three of you at the Hollow Tree! Especially now that it's getting spruced up a bit,” she added.

“Did the bank approve your loan?” asked Thomas.

Rose nodded happily. Then she looked over at the Aldens. “That's the reason I was tottering around in those high heels the day I met you. I had an appointment with the bank manager and I was trying to make a good impression—I guess it worked.”

Violet smiled. She knew Rose could never have stolen from anybody.

“Thanks to the Aldens, everything's turned out great for all of us!” Sam said.

“And thanks to Watch,” added Violet. “He helped solve the mystery.”

“He sure did,” agreed Henry.

Watch barked when he heard his name. “Woof, woof!”

“Don't worry.” Benny gave their little dog a hug. “Another mystery will come along soon. You can count on it!”

G
ERTRUDE
C
HANDLER
W
ARNER
discovered when she was teaching that many readers who like an exciting story could find no books that were both easy and fun to read. She decided to try to meet this need, and her first book,
The Boxcar Children,
quickly proved she had succeeded.

Miss Warner drew on her own experiences to write the mystery. As a child she spent hours watching trains go by on the tracks opposite her family home. She often dreamed about what it would be like to set up housekeeping in a caboose or freight car — the situation the Alden children find themselves in.

When Miss Warner received requests for more adventures involving Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny Alden, she began additional stories. In each, she chose a special setting and introduced unusual or eccentric characters who liked the unpredictable.

While the mystery element is central to each of Miss Warner's books, she never thought of them as strictly juvenile mysteries. She liked to stress the Aldens' independence and resourcefulness and their solid New England devotion to using up and making do. The Aldens go about most of their adventures with as little adult supervision as possible — something else that delights young readers.

Miss Warner lived in Putnam, Connecticut, until her death in 1979. During her lifetime, she received hundreds of letters from girls and boys telling her how much they liked her books.

The Boxcar Children Mysteries

T
HE
B
OXCAR
C
HILDREN

S
URPRISE
I
SLAND

T
HE
Y
ELLOW
H
OUSE
M
YSTERY

M
YSTERY
R
ANCH

M
IKE'S
M
YSTERY

B
LUE
B
AY
M
YSTERY

T
HE
W
OODSHED
M
YSTERY

T
HE
L
IGHTHOUSE
M
YSTERY

M
OUNTAIN
T
OP
M
YSTERY

S
CHOOLHOUSE
M
YSTERY

C
ABOOSE
M
YSTERY

H
OUSEBOAT
M
YSTERY

S
NOWBOUND
M
YSTERY

T
REE
H
OUSE
M
YSTERY

B
ICYCLE
M
YSTERY

M
YSTERY IN THE
S
AND

M
YSTERY
B
EHIND
THE
W
ALL

B
US
S
TATION
M
YSTERY

B
ENNY
U
NCOVERS
A
M
YSTERY

T
HE
H
AUNTED
C
ABIN
M
YSTERY

T
HE
D
ESERTED
L
IBRARY
M
YSTERY

T
HE
A
NIMAL
S
HELTER
M
YSTERY

T
HE
O
LD
M
OTEL
M
YSTERY

T
HE
M
YSTERY OF THE
H
IDDEN
P
AINTING

T
HE
A
MUSEMENT
P
ARK
M
YSTERY

T
HE
M
YSTERY OF THE
M
IXED
-U
P
Z
OO

T
HE
C
AMP
-O
UT
M
YSTERY

T
HE
M
YSTERY
G
IRL

T
HE
M
YSTERY
C
RUISE

T
HE
D
ISAPPEARING
F
RIEND
M
YSTERY

T
HE
M
YSTERY OF THE
S
INGING
G
HOST

M
YSTERY IN THE
S
NOW

T
HE
P
IZZA
M
YSTERY

T
HE
M
YSTERY
H
ORSE

T
HE
M
YSTERY AT THE
D
OG
S
HOW

T
HE
C
ASTLE
M
YSTERY

T
HE
M
YSTERY OF THE
L
OST
V
ILLAGE

T
HE
M
YSTERY ON THE
I
CE

T
HE
M
YSTERY OF THE
P
URPLE
P
OOL

T
HE
G
HOST
S
HIP
M
YSTERY