Free Mystery of the Spider's Clue by Gertrude Chandler Warner Page A

nobody’s called me that in years.”
    Thomas laughed along with Rose as he sat down at his desk. “Back then, that’s all we ever called you!”
    â€œDidn’t know you had any other name in the old days,” added Sam.
    Henry looked at Jessie. Jessie nodded back. She was thinking what he was thinking. Rose was an old friend of Sam’s. They’d known each other for years. It all added up. The key to the code word really was in Sam’s past—and the key was Rose Hill!
    â€œ A rose by any other name would smell as sweet !” said Jessie.
    Violet gasped. “And a rose by any other name is ‘Pinky’!”
    â€œThat must be the secret code word,” concluded Henry. “Is that it?” he asked Thomas. “Is the secret code word—‘Pinky’?”
    Thomas reached into a drawer and removed an envelope. Opening the flap, he pulled out a small card. Then he held it up for everyone to see. The word PINKY appeared on it in large type.
    A slow smile spread across the lawyer’s face. “You hit the nail on the head, kids!”
    â€œDidn’t I tell you they were fine detectives?” said Sam, his eyes shining.
    Just then Violet heard something—a slight shuffling sound. It seemed to be coming from behind the door of the adjoining office. Was someone listening through the door? Melissa had told them Thomas was busy with a client. But where was his client? Violet had no time to think about it, though. Thomas was talking again.
    â€œYou children did a fine job,” he said. “And just in the nick of time, too.”
    Henry nodded, but he looked troubled. Something just didn’t feel right.
    â€œWhat is it, Henry?” asked Jessie.
    Everyone turned to look at him.
    â€œI’m not sure,” said Henry. “But it’s like Grandfather said—it’s such an amazing coincidence.”
    â€œCoincidence?” Sam raised an eyebrow as he sat down in a chair.
    â€œDon’t you think it’s strange,” said Henry, “that this inheritance came along just when you’re out of work, Sam?”
    â€œWell,” Sam said thoughtfully, “now that you mention it . . .”
    â€œAnd the lawyer handling the estate just happens to be a friend of yours,” added Henry. “That’s a pretty big coincidence, too. Don’t you think?”
    Sam nodded. So did Violet and Benny.
    Jessie nodded, too. But she was thinking of something else. “And then there’s the code word itself,” she said. “Only a few people would have known Rose’s nickname.”
    â€œHmm, I hadn’t thought of that,” Sam said.
    â€œWhy were you so surprised, Thomas,” Henry asked, “when Ray Munch said he was here about the inheritance?”
    The question seemed to catch Thomas off guard. “What . . . ?”
    Henry quickly explained to Sam and Rose what had happened before their arrival. Then he turned to Thomas again. “You seemed so sure Ray Munch was up to something. It was almost as if you knew, somehow, that his name wasn’t on the millionaire’s mailing list.”
    Thomas shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “I had a hunch, that’s all.”
    â€œThere’s another strange coincidence,” said Violet. “The person who came up with these clues must have liked mysteries. And he was good at making them up, too. Just like you, Thomas.”
    Benny folded his arms. “That’s right.” He looked accusingly at Thomas. “You make up codes and clues for your grandchildren. I bet you made up this mystery, too!”
    Thomas held up a hand. “Wait a minute!”
    Sam looked sharply at his old friend. “What’s going on, Thomas?”
    There was a long silence. In a quiet voice, Thomas finally answered Sam’s question. “I guess you’ve found me out,” he said. “The mystery of the Spider’s Clue was my own