Mystery of the Runaway Ghost by Gertrude Chandler Warner

announced. “And we brought something from Fran.”
    The salesclerk gave Benny an amused smile. “My name’s Amanda, and I’m sure glad you came so fast. As of this morning, Fran’s cards are completely sold out.”
    After introductions had been made, Jessie tugged the shoeboxes from her backpack. “There should be enough here to last a while,” she said cheerfully, as she placed the boxes on the counter. “At least, that’s what Fran says.”
    Amanda was looking inside one of the boxes. “She really has the magic touch, doesn’t she?” She held up a greeting card. Pressed forget-me-nots and lavender had been arranged to form a delicate heart-shaped design on the front.
    Violet gasped. “Oh, it’s beautiful!”
    Amanda flashed them a smile. “I guarantee this batch won’t be on the shelf for long.”
    Benny, who was glancing around, suddenly touched Henry’s arm. “Hey, that man was here yesterday!”
    “What man?” Henry asked.
    “Over there.” Benny nodded toward a customer at the far end of the gallery. “Wasn’t he sitting across from Lottie yesterday?”
    Henry shrugged a little. “It’s hard to tell.”
    The man, who was studying a painting on the back wall, was broad-shouldered and had dark hair. Although his back was to them, he looked vaguely familiar. Suddenly the man turned around.
    “Look, he has a beard,” Benny whispered loudly. “That is the same man.”
    Hearing this, Amanda said, “That’s Rally Jensen. He’s an art collector from out of town. Actually, he’s been in here quite a bit lately.” She lowered her voice and leaned closer. “I’m hoping he’ll purchase a painting before he leaves tomorrow,” she added, crossing her fingers.
    “I’m sure he will,” Violet said. She glanced around admiringly at the colorful canvases hanging on the walls. “You have some beautiful artwork.”
    Amanda beamed. “We only display the very best.”
    “Violet’s an artist, too,” said Benny proudly.
    Amanda’s eyebrows rose. “Oh?”
    Violet smiled shyly. “I do like to sketch and draw.”
    “Well, I’m glad you told me.” Amanda bent down to rummage around beneath the counter. “I have some reading material you might find interesting, Violet.” Straightening up, she held out a handful of brochures. “You’ll find a ton of information about artists in these,” she said. “Please help yourself. They’re just cluttering things up around here.”
    “Thank you!” Violet’s face lit up.
    Everyone glanced through the brochures except Benny. He was too busy looking around at the other people in the gallery. The lady in the big straw hat was going out the door with the sketch Lottie drew of her. When she left, the art collector went over to Lottie and began to talk quietly.
    Benny watched as Fran’s boarder listened to what the man was saying. She was pale and she looked upset. The man suddenly turned on his heel and started for the door. “Remember, it’s tonight or never!” he called back over his shoulder. Then he left.
    “Did you hear that?” Benny whispered to Henry.
    “Yes,” his brother answered. Jessie and Violet had heard it, too.
    Lottie slumped down in her chair, her chin in her hands. She did not look happy. She sat very still for a moment. Then, as if feeling the children’s eyes on her, she looked up. The Aldens could tell by the look on her face that Lottie was startled to see them. In a flash, she was on her feet and out the door, leaving the children to stare after her.
    The Aldens thanked Amanda and left the gallery.
    Outside, they turned to one another. “That was very strange,” Benny said. “Lottie didn’t even say hi to us.”
    “She’s acting very suspiciously,” Jessie added.
    Henry agreed. “You’d think we’d just caught her in the middle of something she wanted to keep secret.”
    “That man, Rally Jensen, said it was tonight or never,” Benny reminded them as they started back to Shadowbox. “I wonder what he meant by