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

invention.”
    Sam blinked in disbelief. “You tricked me?”
    â€œI did.”
    â€œOh, dear.” Rose wrung her hands. “Things aren’t going the way we’d planned.”
    Sam turned to her in surprise. “You were in on this, too?” He sounded more hurt than angry.
    â€œWell . . .” Rose began, then stopped. She managed a weak smile. “We were just trying to help.”
    At that moment, the door of the adjoining office swung open. A heavyset man with silver hair stood in the doorway.
    Jessie gasped. “The mystery man!”
    Sam’s mouth had dropped open. “It . . . it can’t be!”
    â€œYou were listening at the door,” Violet said suspiciously. “Who are you?”
    Thomas smiled at the Aldens. “Well, kids,” he said, “I’d like to introduce you to Sam’s brother, Simon Snow.”
    â€œWhat?” the Aldens all cried at once.
    â€œYes, it’s true,” Simon admitted. “I was here visiting Thomas. When I heard everyone coming inside, I hid in the other room.”
    Violet nodded. That explained why Thomas had raised his voice after opening the door a crack. He was warning Simon to duck out of sight.
    Simon looked over at his brother. “Don’t be angry with Rose. Or with Thomas. This whole thing was my idea.”
    â€œIt was your idea to trick me?” Sam looked upset.
    Rose put a hand on Sam’s arm. “Simon only wanted to help. He heard about your accident, Sam. He knew you’d be too proud to accept money from him. Between the three of us, we came up with this elaborate scheme to help you out.”
    Sam was confused. “Then there never was an inheritance?”
    â€œThat’s right,” answered Simon.
    â€œOr a butler who sent out invitations,” added Henry.
    â€œRight again,” said Simon. “Sam was the only one who received an invitation in the mail.”
    â€œAnd I sent that out myself,” put in Thomas. “The money wasn’t an inheritance. It was a gift from Simon.” Then he looked over at the Aldens and shook his head. “I knew you children were good detectives. But I had no idea you’d figure out so much.”
    Jessie had some questions. The mystery was still not fully explained. “We overheard you on the phone, Simon,” she said, “when we were tracking down clues. You mentioned the mystery, and you sounded upset.”
    Simon and Rose looked at each other.
    â€œOh, that must’ve been when Simon phoned me,” said Rose. “We were arguing about the mystery. I was certain you’d never find the Hollow Tree Restaurant. I mean, the sign’s so faded on the awning. I thought we should give you a hint or two. But Simon wouldn’t hear of it. He was certain we’d be sorry if we said anything. He thought it would just make you suspicious.”
    â€œI knew you could solve it on your own,” said Simon. “I saw you in the library one day browsing through nursery rhymes. I knew you were going to solve the mystery just fine.”
    â€œWere you following us?” asked Benny.
    Simon shook his head. “I’m sorry if I frightened you. I was passing by and I saw you go inside. I was just curious to see if your visit to the library had anything to do with the mystery.”
    â€œIf the Aldens hadn’t seen through your plan, Simon, you would have left Greenfield without speaking to me.” Sam’s expression was grim. “Isn’t that true?”
    Simon hung his head. “I stood outside your house one afternoon, Sam,” he confessed. “I tried to work up the courage to knock on your door.”
    â€œI saw you there,” Jessie said quietly.
    Simon nodded. “I wanted to see you again, Sam. But I was afraid you’d turn me away.”
    â€œTurn you away?” Sam looked shocked. “I would never turn my own brother away!”
    Simon Snow crossed