Mystery of the Orphan Train by Gertrude Chandler Warner

Author:Gertrude Chandler Warner [Chandler Warner, Gertrude]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-4532-2895-1
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company
Published: 2011-09-25T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 7

The Little Dog’s Ear

The Aldens got up early the next morning. They wanted to surprise Kate with a special breakfast. While they worked, they talked about Thane’s rhyme.

“Maybe it really was just a parlor game," Jessie was saying as she sliced a cantalope into wedges.

Henry, who was keeping an eye on the sizzling sausages, looked over. “Or maybe Thane left Wiggin Place before he had a chance to hide any clues.”

“Anything’s possible,” admitted Violet, scrambling eggs in a large bowl. “Still, it wouldn’t hurt to take another look at Sally’s book.”

“It’s worth a shot,” declared Benny. He didn’t like to give up. As he placed a dish of strawberry jam on the table, he added, “We will solve the mystery, won’t we?”

“Sure we will,” said Henry. Then he added honestly, “At least, we’ll do our best.”

“Well, what’s all this?” Kate asked, her eyes wide as she walked into the kitchen. Lindsay was close behind.

“We made breakfast,” Jessie said with a smile. “You’re just in time.”

“Everything smells wonderful!” said Kate, pulling up a chair.

“It sure does.” Lindsay slipped into the empty seat beside Kate. “I feel like one of the guests.”

Over breakfast, the children noticed that Kate seemed unusually quiet. Violet couldn’t help asking if anything was wrong.

Kate smiled, but it wasn’t much of a smile. “Nothing for you to worry about, Violet. Everything will work out.”

The Aldens looked at one another with concern. Why wasn’t Kate her usual cheery self?

“If there’s a problem, maybe we can help,” offered Henry. He passed the platter of sausages to Benny.

Kate let out a sigh. “Well, this is going to sound a little odd, but—”

“The bluebird necklace has disappeared,” Lindsay blurted out.

“What …?” Benny almost choked on his toast.

Jessie stared over at Kate in surprise. “You can’t mean … the necklace that belonged to your grandmother?”

Nodding, Kate said, “I left it out on my dresser. At least, that’s where I thought I’d left it. You see, the clasp was a bit loose, and I was going to take it into town to have it fixed.” A frown crossed her kind face. “It’s the strangest thing. When I got up this morning, it was gone,” she went on. “The necklace has vanished.”

“I can’t believe it!” said Violet.

Henry was baffled. “But it couldn’t just … vanish.”

“Apparently it did, Henry,” put in Lindsay.

“I don’t understand it,” said Jessie. “What could’ve happened?”

Benny spoke up. “I know what happened.”

All eyes turned to the youngest Alden. “What, Benny?” Kate asked.

“Somebody stole it!”

Kate held up a hand. “Now, now, Benny,” she cautioned him. “No need to think that. I refuse to believe anyone in this house would steal my grandmother’s necklace. I’ve simply misplaced it, that’s all. We mustn’t jump to any conclusions.”

Jessie agreed. “I guess we shouldn’t suspect people until we’re certain it was actually stolen.”

Lindsay reached out and placed a hand gently on Kate’s arm. “After I run a few errands in town, I’ll help you look for it. We’ll turn this place inside out if we have to!”

“We’ll help, too,” Jessie volunteered, and the others nodded.

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