Free Mystery in the Old Attic by Gertrude Chandler Warner Page B

long trip anymore.”
    Violet was quiet. She knew how much Grandfather had enjoyed his summers in Michigan.
    â€œI can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to showing you the Upper Peninsula,” Grandfather said as he reached across the aisle to pat Violet on the arm. “There is no place as pretty, except for maybe Greenfield.”
    Violet laughed.
    â€œOh, lunch is here,” said Benny happily as the flight attendant put a tray of chicken salad, bread, cheese, and a cookie in front of him.
    â€œMmm,” said Benny.

CHAPTER 2
    The Old House
    F our hours later, the Aldens were in the little plane headed for Brockton’s airport. Benny and Jessie could not stop looking out the window. All they could see were pine trees that stretched for miles before ending at the shores of a big blue body of water.
    â€œThat must be Lake Superior,” said Benny.
    Grandfather nodded. He was looking out the window, too, over Benny’s shoulder. “It’s just the way I remember it. Trees, trees, and more trees,” he said, sounding very pleased.
    â€œHow come it’s not snowing?” asked Benny.
    Grandfather chuckled. “Don’t worry, Benny. It will. There is usually snow on the ground five months of the year up here — from November to April.”
    It was late afternoon when Grandfather’s rental car pulled into the circular driveway in front of Aunt Sophie’s mansion. Sagging steps led up to a wide porch that went all around the mansion. Painted a mustard yellow with white trim, the house had big dormer windows, two towers, eight chimneys, and a big brass knocker on the front door.
    â€œWow,” said Benny, bounding up the steps. “I’ve never seen a house like this. Can I have one of the tower rooms?”
    Grandfather shook his head. “The top floor of the house is rented. When Aunt Sophie grew older, the house became too much for her, so she converted the top floor into apartments.”
    â€œOh,” said Benny. “The renters have the tower rooms?”
    Grandfather nodded. “But you will have your choice of bedrooms. As I remember, there are at least five on the second floor.”
    â€œHow many renters are there, Grandfather?” Jessie wanted to know.
    â€œTwo. One in each little apartment.”
    â€œNothing about this house looks little,” said Henry, shaking his head. “Look at those big trees in back.” He pointed to some massive oaks.
    Grandfather turned his key in the lock. “Let’s go inside now.”
    The wooden door creaked open. The Aldens walked through a large parlor, then into the biggest living room the children had ever seen. A large crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling. Oriental rugs covered the parquet floors. A grand piano stood near the bay window, and scattered around the room were overstuffed armchairs, comfortable couches, and antique tables and chairs.
    â€œLook at that fireplace,” said Benny. “It’s big enough for me to sit in.”

    â€œI would not try that,” said a strange voice.
    The Aldens whirled around to face a middle-aged, balding man with a mustache and glasses. The man introduced himself to Grandfather. “Hello, I am Professor Francis Schmidt. I live upstairs on the third floor.”
    â€œOh, yes,” said Grandfather, shaking the man’s hand. “You teach history at the local college. Aunt Sophie told me about you.”
    The professor nodded a little sadly. “Your aunt was a lovely woman,” he said. He turned to look at Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny but did not say anything to them. He looked only at Grandfather when he spoke. “So, how long will you be staying?” he asked.
    â€œLong enough to clean up the house a bit in order to sell it,” answered Grandfather.
    â€œI was afraid you might sell this old house, but I don’t blame you. It would be a lot to take care of, especially when you