Free The Mystery of the Stolen Music by Gertrude Chandler Warner Page B

said. “But he should be here by now.”
    Just then, a large man entered. His gray hair stood up at odd angles. He wore a rumpled sweater and slacks, and a pair of old sneakers. He stood just inside the door looking uncertain. And he was humming!
    â€œOh, there he is,” Melody said, and headed toward hm.
    Mr. Alden, who was on the welcoming committee, followed her.
    â€œThat’s the great Victor Perrelli?” Henry said aloud.
    They were all surprised. This man was not what they had expected.
    â€œI wonder why he’s dressed like that,” Violet said.
    Everyone else was dressed up.
    â€œMaybe he didn’t know about the party,” Jessie suggested.
    â€œLet’s find out,” Benny said.
    They went over to join the others.
    â€œOh, Victor, I was wondering where you were,” Melody was saying. “Did you forget about the party?”
    â€œOh,” he answered mumbling. “I started thinking about the Mozart symphony. We need to work on the tempo before the concert.”
    â€œWe have plenty of time for that,” Melody assured him. “The concert is Friday evening — that’s five days away.”
    â€œI’m afraid I got so involved that I lost track of time,” Victor explained. “Then, I couldn’t find my luggage anywhere.”
    â€œDid you remember to pick it up at the airport?” Melody asked.
    Mr. Perrelli ran his hands through his hair. “Did I? Now, let me think.”
    â€œNo, you didn’t remember,” a voice said, “but I did.” A man carrying a suitcase and a garment bag came up beside them.
    Victor said, “Thank you,” and wandered off toward the food table, humming.
    Melody sighed. “What would he do without you, Bob?” she said.
    Looking at them over his half glasses, the man shrugged.
    â€œThis is Bob Weldon,” Melody said to the Aldens.
    Bob Weldon said, “Hello.” Then he hurried off, saying, “I have to check the auditorium.”
    â€œIs he a musician?” Violet asked.
    â€œNo,” Melody answered. “He’s our manager.”
    â€œWhat does a manager do?” Soo Lee asked.
    â€œEverything!” Melody answered. “He schedules our tours. Makes sure we get where we’re going and that everything is right when we get there. Sometimes, he settles arguments. The orchestra couldn’t do without him.”
    â€œIt sounds like an interesting job,” Henry said.
    â€œIt sounds like a hard job,” Benny put in.
    Melody laughed. “It’s both those things.”
    â€œMr. Weldon doesn’t seem to like it very much,” Soo Lee said.
    â€œHe is a little grumpy at times,” Melody said. “I don’t think he knows how much we appreciate him.”
    â€œWe certainly couldn’t have scheduled this week without him,” Mr. Alden said. “He helped us plan everything.”
    â€œI’ll show you something else he helped plan,” Melody said as she started across the room. “It’s what makes this tour extra special.”
    The Aldens were puzzled. It seemed to them that everything about this tour was extra special.

CHAPTER 3
    The Score
    M elody led them to the lobby. She stopped before a glass case on the wall.
    Pointing to several sheets of music displayed inside, she said, “Look at those!”
    â€œAren’t they amazing?” a woman who had been staring at them said.
    Benny didn’t see anything special about the papers. He opened his mouth to say so but decided not to.
    Violet moved closer for a better look. “They are wonderful,” she said.
    The woman turned to face them. When she saw Melody, her face reddened. “Oh, dear,” she said. “I — uh — You’re Ms. Carmody!”
    Melody smiled. “Yes,” she said. “How did you know?”
    â€œI’ve — uh — seen your picture,” she explained. She sounded very