Free Vampire Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner Page B

cemetery?” Mr. Hudson asked as the children stepped back onto the porch.
    “It is quiet and peaceful,” Jessie said. “Just like you said it would be.”
    Josh was rocking back and forth on a squeaky wooden rocking chair in the corner. He glanced at Jessie then quickly looked away and bit down on his lower lip.
    “I sure hope you will all stay for some lunch,” said Mr. Hudson.
    “Lunch? You bet!” cried Benny. “What are we having?”
    “Oh, Benny, that’s not polite,” Jessie said.
    “I’m sorry, Mr. Hudson. I didn’t mean to be rude.” Benny sniffed the air. “But I can smell something really good.”
    Mr. Hudson laughed. “It tastes as good as it smells, Benny. That’s my famous red clam chowder cooking on the stove. I made a big pot of it and I have a plate of sandwiches as well.”
    “Clam chowder!” Benny said. “That’s my favorite!”
    Jessie and Benny set the table, and Henry and Violet poured tall glasses of lemonade for everyone. The kitchen had wide oak floors and pretty flowered curtains on the windows.
    “Your home is so beautiful, Mr. Hudson,” Violet said.
    “Thank you, Violet.” Mr. Hudson filled her bowl with hot soup. “I do hate to sell it. It is filled with so many memories. My parents moved here years ago before I was even born. They hoped that the house would always stay in our family.”
    “Did you write all your books here, Mr. Hudson?” asked Henry. He took a turkey sandwich and passed the tray to Grandfather.
    “Yes, Henry, I did. There’s a small room upstairs that looks out over the cemetery and the woods. I started writing stories up there when I was a little boy. I get some of my best ideas when I am looking out that window.”
    Josh dropped his spoon. “Is that where you were when you saw the vampire?” he said.
    Mr. Hudson shook his head. “Now, Josh, I thought we agreed not to talk about such things.”
    “You agreed. I did not.” Josh pushed his chair back from the table. “Until we solve this vampire problem, I don’t see how I will be able to sell this house. Mrs. Fairfax says she found blood on her back porch yesterday! Some of the other neighbors have heard strange sounds coming from the cemetery at night. Word is getting around town that the vampire in your book has come to life.”
    The Alden children looked at each other across the table. Benny sat very still, the soup spoon frozen at his lips.
    “Josh, please stop that vampire talk. You know it is just a story,” Mr. Hudson said.
    Josh shrugged. “I’m only trying to do my job.”
    Mr. Hudson shook his head. “I don’t think this kind of talk is helping.”
    Josh stood abruptly. “I’m sorry, but I have to get back to the office, now. Thanks for the lunch, Charles. Call me before you leave,” he added. The screen door slammed behind him.
    Mr. Hudson sighed. “Josh is so excitable,” he said. “I should have hired a nice, calm realtor to sell my house.”
    “Is there really a vampire around here?” Benny asked.
    “Of course not,” Grandfather answered. “Vampires are not real.”
    “Your grandfather is right,” Mr. Hudson said. “When I was growing up in this house, there was an old legend about a vampire around here. People said prowled the town at night and brought his victims to the cemetery. During the daytime, he hid in his coffin and slept. I always loved scary stories. As a matter of fact, I used to frighten my little brother by telling him all about the vampire. Sometimes, he was so afraid that he would have to sleep in my bed with me. I thought that the vampire story was so much fun that when I grew up I turned it into a book.”
    “ The Legend of the Vampire !” Benny cried. “We checked it out of the library this morning. It’s outside in my backpack.”
    “Yes, Benny. That’s the one. It became a popular book. It has been so popular that I am hoping to convince a producer to turn my book into a movie.”
    “How exciting,” said Jessie. “Would it be