Mystery in Washington, D.C. by Gertrude Chandler Warner

Author:Gertrude Chandler Warner [Chandler Warner, Gertrude]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-4532-3437-2
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company
Published: 2011-09-19T04:00:00+00:00

“And there’s Italy, England, and Switzerland,” Amira added.

“I recognize the Swiss flag,” Jessie said. “It’s the one with the white cross on the red background. But what’s the green one?” She pointed to an unusual flag with a red stripe and a black stripe and an eagle in the middle.

“Oh, that’s Egypt.” Amira, as usual, was right. When they reached the building, a small plaque said EGYPTIAN EMBASSY.

“You really know a lot about foreign countries,” Violet said admiringly.

Amira looked embarrassed. “I’m interested in geography.” She quickly lowered her eyes to her guidebook.

“And I see someone who’s interested in us!” Benny blurted out. He pointed to a long black limousine that swung around the corner and crawled along the boulevard, keeping pace with them.

They quickly crossed the street, heading to the Smithsonian, and Henry came to a decision. “Amira,” he said gently, “a limousine has been following us for days. You don’t know anything about it, do you?”

Amira looked startled by his question. “How … how would I know anything about it?” she said softly. Two faint spots of color appeared on her cheeks. “There must be hundreds of long black limousines in the city.”

“But we keep seeing the same one,” Henry said grimly. “The people inside must be after something.”

“Maybe they’re after us,” Benny whispered. He moved a little closer to Violet.

“Are you sure you don’t know anything about it?” Henry asked Amira again.

“Yes,” Amira said quickly.

“Where shall we go today?” Violet said to change the subject.

“First let’s stop here at the Museum of American History,” Jessie suggested.

“Where shall we go first?” Amira asked, once they were inside the museum.

“The First Ladies’ dresses,” Violet said promptly.

A few minutes later, Violet skipped down a red carpet, exclaiming, “I feel like I’m in the White House!” The entrance to the dress exhibit was designed to look like a White House reception room, with crossed flags, crystal chandeliers, and gilt mirrors. They passed under a huge presidential seal and found themselves in a dimly lit maze of rooms filled with mannequins wearing the First Ladies’ dresses.

“Look,” Jessie said in an awe-struck tone, “there’s Mrs. Lincoln’s dress. It’s beautiful.”

“Why is it so dark in here?” Benny said.

“Light damages the dresses,” Jessie explained. “Some of the fabrics are very old.”

Benny moved restlessly ahead of the others. He was starting to get hungry.

Violet was reading a plaque about preserving the dresses, when she froze. Standing right behind Benny was one of the men in sunglasses! Apparently, he didn’t realize that she could see him reflected in the darkened glass.

“Benny,” she started to say, but the words caught in her throat when she realized it was too late. Benny had just scampered past a potted fern, and disappeared down another dark corridor. The man in the sunglasses seemed to be following him, and Violet put her hand to her mouth. Should she go after them? Or should she alert the others? There was no time to think!

Just then, Amira edged up to her to look at a dress.

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