Free The Homerun Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner

you could tell people to tear down the ballpark.”
    â€œYou convinced everyone that the town would be better off without it,” Henry added. “Home Run Herman brought shame to Pikesville. If the ballpark was gone, people would forget what happened.”
    â€œYou kids are pretty smart,” Beverly acknowledged. “Yes, I used the old scandal to convince council members to tear the ballpark down. They didn’t know Mike and I had an agreement to buy the land.”
    â€œBut you overlooked one important detail,” said Grandfather.
    Beverly sighed deeply. “I was hoping you wouldn’t bring that up.”
    â€œBring up what?” asked Benny.
    â€œThe old factory was declared historical,” said James Alden. “If the town could find a good reason to make the ballpark a historical landmark too, it would stay.”
    Benny was confused. “I don’t understand.”
    â€œIt means there was a good chance that the Percys’ sweet deal could be ruined,” Henry replied. “The letter from Mrs. Percy’s great-aunt proved that Home Run Herman didn’t do anything wrong. Knowing the truth would make people feel good about that old ballpark, and she didn’t want that.”
    â€œThat’s right,” said Violet.
    â€œIf the town found the letter,” said Grandfather, “they might keep the ballpark. The Percys would lose their chance to buy the land cheaply and sell it back to the town for a profit. If the land could be made into a parking lot it would be worth a lot more to them.”
    Mr. White had been studying the letter. Now he passed it to the next council member around the table. “I think this document casts a new light on the situation. Please review it and we’ll discuss it.”
    While Mrs. Pettibone’s letter was being examined, the Aldens still had some questions for Mike and Beverly Percy.
    â€œHow did you get in the old factory?” Henry asked them. Carl Soper has the only keys.”
    Beverly shook her head. “That’s not true. The town has a set, too. As a member of the town council, I had a right to inspect the old factory. I took the keys and had duplicates made.”
    â€œYou gave a set to Coach Jenkins,” Jessie guessed. “And kept one for yourself. That way you could get into the factory and the clubhouse whenever you wanted.”
    Mike nodded. “Even though we knew Herman Soper had left: Pikesville years ago, the original of Daisy Pettibone’s letter might still be around. As it happens, we were looking in the wrong places.”
    â€œHow did you get out the other night?” Jessie asked the couple. “I smelled Mrs. Percy’s perfume, so we knew it was you. But we didn’t see you leave.”
    â€œCoach Jenkins pried open a back door,” Mike explained. “When we heard you coming, we left.”
    â€œWhat about the game?” Emily asked Mike. “Did you know Coach Jenkins was making the Eagles cheat?”
    â€œYes. Bev and I needed help hunting for that letter. The factory is pretty big and we could only search at night, after work,” confessed Mike. “So we asked Coach Jenkins if he’d help. He wanted his team to win the championship. And we figured if the Half Moons started losing all the time, it would be more reason for the council to tear down the old ballpark. I suggested corking a couple of bats.”
    The council members had finished reviewing the letter.
    Mr. White rapped on the table. “I think we’ve had ample time to reach a decision.” He looked long and hard at Mrs. Percy. “I expect your resignation from the town council before this meeting ends. Ladies and gentlemen, let’s vote.”
    Mr. White asked, “Should the ballpark attached to the factory be torn down?”
    All the members replied, “No.”
    â€œShould the ballpark then be declared a historical property and be restored to