Free Amazing Mystery Show by Gertrude Chandler Warner Page A

its great restaurants.”
    Henry grinned. “That’s good,” he said. “My brother’s known for his great appetite.”
    This made everyone laugh—including Benny.
    As they stepped inside their hotel suite, Grandfather nodded approvingly. “Looks like we’ll be very comfortable.”
    “That’s for sure!” said Violet, after looking around. “We even have three bedrooms.”
    “Henry and Benny can share one room,” Jessie said. “Violet and I can share another. And there’s one for you, Grandfather.”
    “We even have a kitchen!” Benny opened the refrigerator. “But no food.”
    “Don’t worry,” Henry said. “I just found a note taped to the bathroom mirror.”
    As everyone gathered round, Henry pulled up a chair and read the message aloud.
    “Welcome to Philadelphia! Join us for dinner in the hotel restaurant at six o’clock.”
    Violet nodded as she glanced over Henry’s shoulder. “It’s signed by Hilary Griffin.”
    “Who?” Benny said.
    “Hilary Griffin,” Violet repeated. “The producer of ‘The Amazing Mystery Show.’ Grandfather spoke with her on the phone.”
    James Alden nodded. “It’ll be nice to finally meet her.”

    Jessie glanced at her watch. “We’ll have just enough time to unpack before dinner,” she said in her practical way.
    The other Alden children looked at each other and smiled. They could always count on Jessie to be organized.
    Inside the restaurant, a young woman wearing a blue dress and sandals hurried over to greet them. “You must be the Aldens!” she said, holding out a hand. “I’m Hilary Griffin.”
    “I’m James Alden,” Grandfather said, shaking hands. “And these are my grandchildren—Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny.”
    “It’s very nice to meet you,” Jessie said, speaking for them all.
    “Come and join the Best family,” Hilary said, leading the way to a long table by the window.
    As everyone sat down around the table, Hilary introduced the Aldens to the other brother-and-sister team—twelve-year-old twins, Rob and Rosie, and eight-year-old twins, Tim and Tammy. They all had the same curly fair hair and freckles.
    “And this is Fiona Best,” Hilary added. She nodded towards a middle-aged woman with gray streaks in her dark hair. “The children’s aunt.”
    Fiona forced a smile. “So … you’re the Aldens, are you?” she said. Then she suddenly leaned forward as if about the share a secret. “I don’t mean to alarm you,” she told them in a whisper, “but my nieces and nephews are unstoppable.”
    “They’re really good detectives,” Benny praised. “We saw them on ‘The Amazing Mystery Show.’”
    “Which city?” Twelve-year-old Rob wanted to know.
    Henry answered, “San Diego.”
    “Oh, that one.” Rosie yawned. “We’re won so many times, it’s hard to keep track.”
    “That’s so true,” said Fiona, laughing. Then she began to tick off each city on her fingers. “Let’s see now, they won in San Diego … in Chicago … in Nashville … and in Boston. One more win and they’ll become—”
    “Five-time champions!” finished Tammy, holding up five fingers.
    Rob nodded. “And that means we can take part in the Tournament of Champions.”
    “That’s right,” Hilary said as she passed around the menus. “The tournament’s in Hawaii this year.”
    “Can you imagine?” Fiona clasped her hands together. “Honestly, I’ve always wanted to visit Hawaii.” She had a dreamy look in her eyes.
    Timmy put in, “We’re this close.” He held his finger and thumb an inch apart.
    “Oh, honestly!” Fiona waved that away. “It’s as good as done.”
    Grandfather looked up from his menu. “I wouldn’t be too sure about that,” he said. “My grandchildren are first-class detectives.”
    Fiona rolled her eyes. “Yes, I’m sure they’re real pros,” she said, though it was clear from her voice that she didn’t think they were real pros at all.
    Henry squared his shoulders. “We have solved quite