Mystery of the Runaway Ghost by Gertrude Chandler Warner Page B

nodded. “You must be right, Jessie.”
    “So the number one is our next clue?” Violet looked puzzled. “What kind of clue is that?”
    “And where’s it leading us?” added Henry.
    “I think I know,” Benny said, breaking into a run. “Come on!” He motioned for the others to follow.

CHAPTER 9
Saved by the Bell
    “The answer to the riddle is one,” Benny called back as he rounded the corner, racing for Shadowbox. “And Buttercup has the number one on her bell!”
    “You think the answer to the riddle has something to do with Buttercup?” Violet asked, running right behind him.
    “I’m sure of it,” Benny said. “We just have to … oh, no!” Benny stopped suddenly at the top of the driveway.
    “What?” Jessie asked, trying to catch her breath.
    “The riddle leads us straight to Buttercup,” Benny explained, “but Buttercup isn’t around anymore. And that means — ”
    “We’ve come to another dead end,” finished Violet.
    Just then, they heard a familiar voice drifting out the open window of Shadowbox. It was Grandfather!
    Benny rushed inside, arms outstretched. Grandfather was standing in the hallway with Fran. He laughed and returned the hug.
    “Grandfather, you’re back!” Jessie hugged him, too.
    “I finished my work sooner than expected,” Grandfather told them, embracing Violet and Henry. Then everyone was talking at once.
    “I bought a ghost cookie cutter,” Benny told him.
    “We played croquet on the back lawn last night,” Jessie said.
    “Fran showed us how to press flowers,” Violet was saying.
    “We’ve been trying to solve a mystery,” added Henry.
    Grandfather chuckled. “Sounds like you’ve been busy.”
    As they sat down to lunch, Fran turned to Grandfather. “Let’s do something special tonight. How does a picnic supper in the park sound? A local group’s performing in the band shell.”
    Grandfather thought an outdoor concert sounded great. So did everyone else.
    “You know, it’s been ages since I’ve seen Nelson,” Grandfather said. “Why not invite him along tonight?”
    It took Fran a moment to answer, but when she did, she was smiling. “That’s exactly what I’ll do, James. Thanks to Violet,” she added, “I’ve come to realize how little time Nelson and I spend together these days.”
    “Maybe we could invite Reese and her mother, too,” suggested Jessie.
    “Yes, I might as well mend all my bridges.” Fran nodded. “Oh, and I must remember to phone Lottie. She can meet us at the park after work.”
    Benny swallowed a bite of his ham sandwich. “And we can bring the croquet set along, too.” He sounded excited.
    After lunch, Grandfather went upstairs to take a nap. The children cleared the table while Fran made her phone calls. Cora accepted Fran’s invitation eagerly. So did Nelson. Lottie was the only one who had other plans. The Aldens couldn’t help wondering if her plans had anything to do with Rally Jensen, the art collector.
    When the kitchen was spic and span, the children joined Fran in her workroom. Fran passed out heavy stationery, folded in half. “The flowers are very delicate, so handle them carefully,” she advised.
    Violet decided on a border of purple pansies on the front of her card. Henry made a zigzag design with goldenrod and the dark green tendrils of a morning glory. Jessie draped red velvet ribbon through a wreath of creamy elder blossoms. And Benny used bright yellow buttercups to form the letter B .
    They were just finishing when Grandfather poked his head into the room. “So this is where everyone’s hiding.”
    The children smiled proudly as Grandfather oohed and aahed over their greeting cards.
    “I bet you didn’t know your grandchildren were so talented, did you, James?” Fran said, her eyes shining.
    At that, Grandfather had to laugh. “Fran, my grandchildren never cease to amaze me!”
    “I guess we’ll never find the treasure.” Benny sighed as he added a spoonful of mayonnaise to the