Free Honeybee Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner

wrong, but he’s probably gone beyond the point of caring.”
    Mr. Price looked at the Shermans. “I’m really sorry about this. I assure you I won’t be giving that contract to Tyler Wentworth.”
    â€œWell … we’re not positive it’s him,” Violet said cautiously.
    â€œNo, that’s why we came over here,” Jessie added.
    â€œWho else could it be?” Mr. Price said, holding up his hands. “It all fits so perfectly. But how are you going to get this proof you need?” he asked the children. “If he’s the one, he’s not just going to say, ‘You’re right, it was me!’”
    â€œHenry has a plan,” Clay Sherman said, “and from the sound of it, it’s a darn good one.”
    Mr. Price turned to the boy. “Is that right? Let’s hear it.”
    So Henry told him everything from beginning to end. When he was finished, Mr. Price said, “That sounds like it just might work.”
    â€œIt should,” Henry agreed, “but we’ll really need your help. That’s key. How about it?”
    John Price thought it over for a moment, then smiled. “Sure. I’ve never caught a criminal before.”
    â€œThen this’ll be your big chance,” Jessie told him.
    The Aldens returned to Mr. Price’s hotel early the next morning, along with their grandfather, and went over phase one of Henry’s plan.
    â€œSounds good,” said Mr. Price. “Are you ready?” he asked the children.
    â€œReady,” said Benny.
    Mr. Price picked up the hotel phone and pressed the speakerphone button so the Aldens could listen in. Then he dialed the number on Tyler Wentworth’s business card. Wentworth picked it up on the second ring.
    â€œHello?”
    â€œMr. Wentworth? John Price here. We spoke over breakfast yesterday morning.”
    â€œJohn! How are you doing this morning, my friend?”
    â€œI’m fine, Tyler, just fine. Hey, listen, I’ve got some bad news for you, I’m afraid.” Mr. Price looked at the Aldens and winked.
    â€œBad news? What might that be?”
    â€œWell, I don’t know how, but the bees on the Shermans’ farm have started making honey again. Remember when I called before and said you could have the contract because their bees had stopped? Well, I just got off the phone with Mrs. Sherman, and she said everything was going fine again.”
    Mr. Price waited for Tyler Wentworth to say something, but there was only silence.
    â€œTyler? You still there?”
    â€œHuh? Oh, um … yeah, sure, I’m still here.” He gave a small laugh, but there wasn’t any humor in it. “Well, that’s great, John. Just great. I’m glad to hear it, I’m glad for them. What was happening over there was just terrible. Good for them, really.”
    â€œI just wanted you to know right away,” Mr. Price went on. “No hard feelings, I hope? They’ve been my honey people for a long time, and I believe in loyalty. It’s only fair.”

    â€œHuh? Oh, no, no hard feelings at all,” Wentworth told him, and he almost sounded like he meant it. “No hard feelings. Okay, well, maybe next season?”
    â€œSure, maybe,” Mr. Price said. “For now, I wish you the best of luck selling your honey elsewhere.”
    â€œWhat? Oh, sure, yes, thanks. Thanks very much.”
    There was another pause, and then Wentworth said, “Hey, listen, if their bees go through that strange spell again, would you still take the honey from me?”
    John Price smiled broadly and gave the Aldens a thumbs-up.
    â€œI sure would,” Mr. Price said enthusiastically. “I’d have to. I’d have no one else to turn to!”
    A much happier Tyler Wentworth said, “Great, then please keep me in mind.”
    â€œI sure will,” Mr. Price said. “Have a good day.”
    After he hung up the phone, he put