Finders Keepers Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner

Author:Gertrude Chandler Warner
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781453228890
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company
Published: 2011-02-14T10:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 7

Without a Clue

“Lina,” Violet said as the Aldens followed Lina to the house, “there’s something Henry and I need to tell you.”

Henry nodded solemnly. He and Violet quickly filled in the others on the man with the bouncy walk who had sneaked into Lina’s house during the yard sale.

When they had finished the story, Jessie asked, “Do you think it was the same person who tried to break in before?”

“Could be,” said Henry. “He was definitely searching for something, and I’m pretty sure it wasn’t the bathroom.”

“He was looking in the closet and at the stuff on your dresser,” Violet added.

“Bouncy walk, bushy eyebrows, neat dresser, did you say? He didn’t buy anything,” Lina said, “or I’d have remembered him.”

“I noticed him at the yard sale. He inspected all of the china and vases really carefully,” Jessie said.

Just then the phone rang. Lina dashed into the house to answer it. Through the open door, the Aldens heard her say, “Yes, Regina, of course I remember you. No, not today, I’m too tired. Tomorrow isn’t good for me, either. No. No! Fine, call me Monday morning. Good-bye.”

Lina came out, shaking her head. “That reporter, she doesn’t give up. She keeps pestering me to let her into the attic again and tell her more about the quilts.”

Benny, who had been thinking hard, said suddenly, “I saw him. That bouncy man. I saw him with Coral.”

“You did?” said Henry. Everyone looked at Benny.

“Yes. During the yard sale,” said Benny.

“When? Coral didn’t get to the yard sale until late,” Henry said. “The man was gone by then.”

Benny thought, then said, “It wasn’t late, but it wasn’t early. I saw him arrive. He got out of her car, and she drove away.”

“Benny, are you sure?” Violet said.

Benny nodded firmly. “I remember her red hair.”

“Well, Coral did know that the quilts were in the attic,” Jessie said. “If she and that man are in this together, that explains it… unless it was a lucky guess.”

Lina sighed. “A crazy quilt lady, a bouncy snoop, a mysterious wannabe burglar, and a news reporter who won’t take no for an answer,” she said. “Maybe I should just call Mr. Munsey and tell him to take the quilts, at least for now.”

“But what if Mr. Munsey is the one who told the burglar about the quilts? Or what if he is the burglar?” Violet said. “Remember, he’s the only one we told — and then Regina showed up.”

“Let’s try to talk to Mr. Munsey,” said Henry. “We’ll visit Coral at her shop, too, and see if we can pick up any clues.”

“Meanwhile, I think we should hide the quilts,” Jessie said, “to keep them safe.”

“Where?” asked Violet.

“I think I have an idea,” Jessie said. “Come on!”

A short time later, she was smoothing one side of the old hops quilt while Violet tugged and straightened the corner of the other side.

All six quilts had been layered on the bed in the room across the hall from Lina’s. The old hops quilt was spread out over them.

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