Free Great Detective Race by Gertrude Chandler Warner Page A

place in the backyard. The children often used it as a clubhouse.
    Inside the mall, the Aldens headed straight for the ticket outlet. “Mrs. McGregor will be so surprised,” Violet said, her eyes dancing.
    Jessie put the money on the counter. “We’d like a ticket to Swan Lake, please.”
    “Sorry.” The tall man behind the ticket window shook his head. “I just sold the last one.”
    The Aldens could hardly believe their ears. “Now what?” Benny asked, his shoulders slumped.
    Henry glanced at his watch. “It’s almost lunch time,” he said. “Why don’t we stop for a bite to eat.”
    Benny didn’t need to be asked twice. The youngest Alden was known for his appetite. In no time at all, the four children were carrying their trays to an empty table in the food court. Violet and Jessie were sharing a ham and cheese submarine sandwich. Henry had chosen fish and chips. And Benny’s plate was piled high with fried chicken, cole slaw, and potato salad. While music blasted from the overhead speakers, the Aldens turned their attention back to Mrs. McGregor’s birthday gift.
    “I guess we could still get a cookbook,” said Henry.
    Benny nodded. “Maybe one with cookie recipes in it.”
    “Sounds more like a present for you, Benny,” Henry teased.
    Benny grinned. “Well, I do like—” The youngest Alden suddenly stopped talking.
    “What is it, Benny?” Jessie asked with a worried frown. She often acted like a mother to her younger brother and sister.
    Benny put a finger to his lips. “Shh, listen!”
    No one spoke for a moment. They heard a man’s voice coming from the radio on the overhead speakers.
    “You heard me, folks! Free tickets to Swan Lake! But remember, time’s running out to sign up for the Great Detective Race. This week, radio station WGFD is coming to you on location in the Greenfield Mall. Just head for our booth — right behind Alice — and fill out an entry form. Track down the right code word and win front-row seats to Swan Lake — as well as a ride in the sky with our very own traffic reporter, Chopper Dan. I’ll be interviewing the winner on my afternoon program, so sign up now. Just tell them Mike Devlin sent you!”
    Violet’s hand flew to her mouth in surprise. “Did he just say something about free tickets to Swan Lake ?”
    Jessie nodded. “Front-row seats for the winner of the Great Detective Race!”
    “And we’re detectives!” cried Benny, his eyes shining. “We’ll win for sure, right, Henry?”
    “Right!” Henry agreed. Then he added honestly, “At least, we’ll do our best.”
    The four Aldens quickly finished their lunch. Then they hurried over to a fountain decorated with a statue of a mermaid.
    The stone mermaid, nicknamed Alice, was holding a mirror and smiling to herself. People in Greenfield often made a wish as they threw coins into the water. The bottom of the fountain was covered in pennies, dimes, and nickels. All the money went to charity.
    Benny looked at his brother. Henry knew why. “Here you go, Benny,” he said, fishing a penny from his pocket.
    With a grin, Benny took the penny and tossed it into the water.
    “I bet that’s Mike Devlin,” Henry said, nodding in the direction of a booth nearby.
    The other Aldens looked over to see a young man of about thirty sitting behind a microphone. He had sandy-colored hair and a golden tan.
    “I’m sure of it,” said Jessie. She pointed to a WGFD poster with photos of both Mike Devlin and “Chopper Dan” Beamer.
    Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny hurried over where a crowd had gathered around a long table. Everyone was busy filling out entry forms.
    “Hi, kids!” A smiling young woman with coppery-red hair greeted the Aldens. “Are you here to sign up for the Great Detective Race?”
    The youngest Alden nodded. “I’m Benny. And this is my brother Henry, and my sisters, Jessie and Violet.”
    “Nice to meet you. I’m Debra Belmont.”
    “It’s nice to meet you, too,” said Jessie,