Mystery of the Spider's Clue by Gertrude Chandler Warner

Author:Gertrude Chandler Warner [Warner, Gertrude Chandler]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-4532-2144-0
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company
Published: 2011-10-26T04:00:00+00:00

The waitress suddenly let out a long sigh. “These high-heeled shoes are killing me,” she confided. “It’s impossible to walk in these things.”

The Aldens looked over at her. The waitress was dressed all in pink. There were even pink bows on her high-heeled shoes, and her long fingernails flashed with pink nail polish.

Although Benny was trying not to stare, the waitress caught his look.

“It makes me feel cheery to wear pink,” she said, smiling. “Pink’s my favorite color.”

Violet spoke up shyly. “Purple’s my favorite color.”

A warm smile spread across the woman’s face. “That must be why you’re wearing a purple ribbon in your hair!” She looked thoughtfully at the Aldens. “You’re friends of Sam Snow, aren’t you?” When the children stared at her in surprise, she gave them a wink. “I heard you mention Sam. I’m afraid you can’t help overhearing things when you’re a waitress. It goes with the territory.”

“Are you a friend of Sam’s, too?” Violet asked.

“Yes, Sam and I have known each other for years.” The waitress held out her hand. “My name’s Rose Hill. I own this little restaurant.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” said Violet, shaking hands. “I’m Violet Alden. And this is my sister, Jessie, and my brothers, Henry and Benny.”

As everyone shook hands, Rose said, “Welcome to the Hollow Tree!”

The Aldens all looked at one another in disbelief. “Did . . . did you just call this place the ‘Hollow Tree’?” Benny asked, astonished.

“That’s right,” replied Rose. Then she sighed. “I’m not surprised you didn’t know the name of my restaurant. The sign on the awning out front is badly faded.” She tucked her notepad into her apron pocket. “I’m hoping to have some money soon to fix up this old place. By the way, if you see Sam,” she added, “tell him I’ll be taking him out for lunch tomorrow. And I won’t be taking no for an answer!” With that, she teetered away in her high heels.

The children were still so shocked by what they’d heard, they couldn’t speak for a moment. Then Jessie said, “I can’t believe it! We’re actually sitting in the Hollow Tree.”

Henry nodded. “Good thing we decided to stop for a bite to eat!”

“So,” reasoned Violet, “if this place is the Hollow Tree, then the Spider’s Clue must be around here somewhere.”

“But where?” Benny said thoughtfully.

The children kept craning their necks and peering around the room over lunch. But they weren’t sure what they were looking for. What kind of clue was the Spider’s Clue?

“What do we do now?” asked Benny as he finished the last bite of his sandwich.

“Wash windows,” answered Henry. He wiped his mouth with a napkin. “We promised Mr. Arnold, remember?”

The four Aldens were anxious to work on the mystery, but they didn’t want to break a promise. Mr. Arnold was one of the senior citizens on Sam’s list.

Violet borrowed Jessie’s notebook. She made a quick sketch of the room to study later. Then the children paid their bill and hurried away.

Nobody noticed that

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