Free Mystery in the Computer Game by Gertrude Chandler Warner Page A

computers, when I bought Ringmaster for Henry’s birthday, the salesperson told me our computer is too old to run Ringmaster II. ”
    “Ringmaster II?” Henry said. “That’s not out yet, Grandfather. At Computer City, people have to put their names on a long list to get it when it goes on sale. The company that makes it keeps delaying the date.”
    “Well, I have some good news about that,” Grandfather said. “We don’t have to wait until Ringmaster II goes on sale. And we don’t even have to buy a new computer, either. The nephew of my friend John Romer is the founder of QuestMaster. The company is replacing all their computers. They’re donating most of their old ones to a school. The good news is that John’s nephew, Charles, set aside one for you children when he heard we needed one with more power.”
    “QuestMaster,” Jessie said. “Isn’t that the company that designed Ringmaster?”
    “Exactly right,” Grandfather said. “They’ve moved their headquarters out near the university, not far from Greenfield. It seems they’ve been having problems with the new game. They’ve hired some students and engineers from the university to help them work out the bugs.”
    Soo Lee looked up at Grandfather. “Are there bugs inside our computer? I saw trolls but no bugs.”
    “The bugs Grandfather is talking about are little problems,” Henry said. “Like when something bugs us.”
    Mr. Alden had more good news. “One other thing. The company likes to try out all their games with real players. You children have been invited to test out Ringmaster II before the designers make the final changes.”
    “Wow!” Henry said. “We’d get to see it way ahead of everybody else.”
    “I’m told there’s one condition before we go over there,” Grandfather went on. “John’s nephew told him that before trying the new game, it’s important to become a Ringmaster on the first game. Now I hope one of you will tell me what a Ringmaster is.”
    Benny jumped up and down. “That’s what we turn into if we find the magic ring. Soo Lee and I are almost Ringmasters.”
    Grandfather shuffled a deck of playing cards. “Well, I’ll leave magic rings and computer games to you children. I use the computer for reports often enough. But when it comes to games, I prefer a simple game of solitaire. I want to become a Solitaire Master!”
    The children returned to their computer. They started up Ringmaster where they had left it.
    “We’re getting close,” Jessie said when the sound and pictures came on. “The two youngest children and their dog, Tracker, are right near that waterfall.”
    Benny put his hand on the mouse. “First the boy and girl have to finish eating. I wonder if there’s a biscuit in their packs for Tracker.”
    Benny clicked the mouse. The computer boy poured himself a drink from a container. Just as he lifted the cup to his lips, Soo Lee cried out, “Look, Benny! There’s green steam coming out of the drink. Maybe something bad is in it.”
    Benny hit a key on the keyboard and read aloud the message that popped up:
    “Should this liquid cross your lip,
    Never shall you drink another sip.
    Yet set aside at least a drop,
    Every enemy shall you stop.”
    “Phew!” he said. “You warned me just in time, Soo Lee, or else the game would be over for me.”
    He hit another key and continued with the game.
    The smoking poison liquid dripped from the cup. It landed on the ground, sizzled, and a hole opened up large enough to explore. Benny and Soo Lee took turns guiding the two computer children through the underground passageway. At the other end they found a spooky forest. One strange tree had branches like arms and twigs like fingers.
    “Eeee!” the Aldens screamed when the tree branches turned into a twisted hand.
    The hand reached out for the boy and girl. Even Tracker, their dog, wasn’t safe.
    Violet took over the mouse and clicked on another tree covered with apples.
    “Look, the apples