Free The Mystery of the Stolen Music by Gertrude Chandler Warner

CHAPTER 1
    Getting Ready
    â€œA re we ready or not?!” six-year-old Benny asked eagerly as he danced around the kitchen.
    The Aldens’ dog, Watch, awoke from his nap and barked excitedly.
    Benny’s older sister, Jessie, was making small round sandwiches. “Be patient, Benny,” she said. She was twelve years old.
    â€œI don’t want to be late,” Benny explained. “It isn’t every day a famous orchestra comes to town.”
    â€œThat’s for sure,” Jessie said. “Greenfield is a small town. Usually, orchestras tour big cities.”
    Benny hadn’t thought about that before. “Why are they coming here?” he asked.
    â€œThe Civic Center is a good place for them to play,” their fourteen-year-old brother, Henry, answered. “People will come from all over the area to hear them.”
    â€œBut they’re not only going to perform,” Jessie reminded him. “They’ve set up all those workshops to teach people about music, too.”
    â€œThe conductor lived here when he was a boy,” Violet added. She was ten years old and loved music. She played the violin and had been reading everything she could about the orchestra. “It was in Greenfield that the conductor first became interested in music. He wants to share his love for music with the people here.”
    All this talk about the orchestra made Benny even more excited. “Could we please hurry?” he urged.
    Henry poured punch into a gallon jug. “We won’t be late, Benny,” he said. “Besides, the reception can’t start without us — we’re bringing the food.”
    â€œAnd the decorations,” Violet added. She stepped back from the kitchen table to look at the centerpiece she had made. Cardboard musical instruments circled colorful spring flowers. “There,” she said. “It’s finished.”
    â€œIt’s beautiful!” Jessie said. “You did a great job, Violet.”
    â€œI cut out some of the instruments,” Benny reminded them.
    â€œYou were very helpful,” Violet told him.
    â€œNot helpful enough,” Benny said, “or we’d be ready to go.”
    Henry laughed. “You can help me,” he said.
    Benny pulled a stool over to the counter and climbed on top. “What do you want me to do?”
    â€œPut the tops on the jugs when I’ve filled them,” Henry told him.
    Benny nodded and set to work. When he had screwed on the last top, he jumped down from the stool. “Now what can I do?”
    â€œI’d ask you to put the sandwiches in the boxes,” Jessie teased, “but I’m afraid you’d eat them all.”
    Benny turned up his nose. “Cucumber sandwiches?” Even though they weren’t his favorite, he took one and popped it into his mouth.
    â€œStop that,” Jessie said, “or I’ll have to make more and we’ll be late.”
    â€œIs that the only kind you made?” Benny asked.
    â€œNo. There are other kinds,” Jessie told him, “but they’re all packed.”
    Benny looked in the boxes. Sandwiches of all kinds and shapes were stacked inside. They were all small. “I like big sandwiches,” he said.
    Jessie began putting the lids on the boxes. “These are tea sandwiches,” she said, “to serve at afternoon parties.”
    â€œThey look pretty on the plates,” Violet added.
    â€œI don’t care how they look,” Benny said. “Just so they taste good.”
    Everyone laughed. They knew how much Benny liked to eat.
    â€œThat does it,” Jessie said as she covered the last box.
    â€œSo what are we waiting for?” Benny asked.
    â€œGrandfather,” Henry answered.
    Mr. Alden had gone to pick up Soo Lee. The Aldens’ cousins, Joe and Alice, had adopted her from an orphanage in Korea. The Aldens were orphans, too. They had lived alone in a boxcar until their