Free The Secret of the Scarecrow by Carolyn Keene

Surprise in Store
    â€œGuess what, class?” Mrs. Ramirez said. “We have a special guest today.”
    Eight-year-old Nancy Drew smiled as she sat up straight behind her desk. She loved special guests almost as much as she loved solving mysteries. But who was the well-dressed woman standing next to Mrs. Ramirez?
    Nancy’s best friend Bess Marvin tugged gently at Nancy’s reddish blond ponytail. “Who do you think she is, Nancy?” she whispered.
    â€œI may be a detective,” Nancy whispered back. “But I don’t have a clue.”
    Nancy was lucky to have both of her best friends in her class. Her other best friend, GeorgeFayne, sat a few desks down. She was too far to trade whispers but close enough to trade smiles!
    â€œMy name is Mimi Franklin,” the mystery guest said. “And I’m the owner of Darcy’s Department Store.”
    â€œWow,” Nancy said under her breath. Darcy’s was the biggest store in River Heights!
    â€œHas anyone here shopped at Darcy’s?” Ms. Franklin asked.
    Nancy’s hand shot up. Her new back-to-school shoes were bought at Darcy’s. She looked around the classroom to see all hands up. All except Leanne Hudson’s.

    â€œYou’ve never shopped at Darcy’s?” Ms. Franklin asked Leanne.
    â€œNo,” Leanne Hudson said. She added quickly, “But Hudson’s Apparel is having a sale on suitcases and duffel bags!”
    Nancy got it. Leanne’s parents owned Hudson’s Apparel, a smaller store across the street from Darcy’s. Why would she shop anywhere else?
    â€œMs. Franklin is here to tell us about her special surprise,” Mrs. Ramirez said. “Go ahead, Ms. Franklin.”
    Nancy sat up even straighter. What could it be?
    â€œDarcy’s is about to decorate their store windows for fall,” Ms. Franklin explained. “There’ll be pumpkins, colorful fall leaves, and a scarecrow.”
    Ms. Franklin gave a big smile and said, “Mrs. Ramirez is a friend of mine, and she tells me how creative this class is . . . so how would you like to make our scarecrow?”
    Excited whispers filled the room.
    â€œWhat kind of scarecrow?” George asked.
    â€œAny kind,” Ms. Franklin said. “As long as it’s no bigger than a nine-year-old and is wearing clothes from Darcy’s.”
    Tommy Maron’s hand shot up. “Does Darcy’s sell superhero capes?” he asked.
    â€œUh . . . no,” Ms. Franklin said.
    â€œPhooey,” Tommy grumbled.
    Mrs. Ramirez explained the next step: “Each of you will draw an idea for the scarecrow. Then Ms. Franklin will pick the best one for their window.”
    Nancy smiled over her shoulder at Bess. A contest!
    â€œOnce I pick a winner, I will choose the outfit at Darcy’s that best matches that design.”
    â€œYou can work in teams,” Mrs. Ramirez said. “But no more than three.”
    Perfect! Nancy thought. She, Bess, and George were already a team—a team of detectives who called themselves the Clue Crew.
    â€œIs everybody ready to make a scarecrow?” Ms. Franklin asked.
    â€œNot me,” a voice in the back said.
    Everyone turned to see Harvey Mueller.
    â€œScarecrows are scary for a reason,” Harvey said. “Haven’t you guys heard of Jake McStuffings?”
    â€œJake Mc-who?” Kevin Garcia asked.
    â€œJake’s a scarecrow who wears baggy overalls and a big straw hat,” Harvey said in a hushed voice. “Every fall, Jake leaps off his pole to wander the streets of River Heights.”
    Most of the kids snickered. Harvey was always making up scary stories!
    â€œQuit laughing!” Harvey said. “Jake is for real!”
    Mrs. Ramirez clapped her hands for attention.
    â€œOkay, class,” Mrs. Ramirez said. “Let’s go quietly to the art room so we can begin.”
    The kids formed a line near the door.