Mystery of the Spider's Clue by Gertrude Chandler Warner

room to lie down.
    â€œIt’s funny how the clues keep reminding Sam of the past,” said Benny.
    The others nodded. They’d noticed this, too.
    Violet filled the sink with hot soapy water. “It really is strange,” she said in a quiet voice. “Sam gets so unhappy whenever the past is mentioned.”
    â€œI just wish we could help.” Jessie stacked plates on the counter.
    Henry thought about that. “We can’t help if we don’t know what’s wrong,” he said.
    â€œWhy don’t we ask,” suggested Benny.
    Henry shook his head as he put the leftover rice in the refrigerator. “Remember what happened when Thomas mentioned the past?”
    â€œSam didn’t like it one bit,” Benny recalled.
    â€œBesides,” Jessie added, “it’s not really any of our business.” She reached for a dish towel. “If Sam wants to tell us, he will.”
    The children finished quickly. In no time at all, the table had been cleared, the dishes washed, and the kitchen counters wiped clean.
    â€œAs soon as I’m on the mend,” Sam told them when they sat down again in the living room, “it’ll be my turn to cook. I make a pretty good bowl of chili.”
    â€œIt’s a deal!” said Jessie. It made her smile to think of Sam bustling about again.
    Benny was staring hard at the Chlorophytum. “That plant looks like a big green spider hanging from the ceiling,” he said thoughtfully.
    Violet studied the Chlorophytum. Benny was right. It really did look like a green spider.
    Sam snapped his fingers. “Spider plant!” he exclaimed. “That’s the name I couldn’t remember. Chlorophytum’s the scientific name, of course. But most folks just call it a spider plant.”
    Violet’s brown eyes widened. “I think we should be paying another visit to the Hollow Tree.”
    â€œOh!” cried Jessie, as she caught Violet’s meaning. “Do you think one of the plants in the restaurant could be a spider plant?”
    Henry answered first. “I’m sure of it! And that’s just where we’ll find the Spider’s Clue.” He sounded excited.
    â€œYippee!” cried Benny clapping his hands.
    â€œUnless I miss my guess,” Sam put in, “you’ll have this mystery wrapped up real soon.”
    But would it be soon enough? Tomorrow was the twelfth of July, the last day to solve the mystery. The Aldens were quickly running out of time.

CHAPTER 8
A Shadow in the Night
    Watch growled softly.
    Benny sat up in bed. “What’s wrong, Watch?” he asked in a sleepy voice.
    After a long day the Aldens had sat up in the boxcar, talking about their mystery. But now it was the middle of the night and they were all in bed. The house was dark and quiet. Why was Watch barking?
    â€œGrrr,” Watch growled again. He began to scratch at the bedroom door.
    Benny slid out of bed and padded across the room. He opened the door. Watch dashed out into the hall, then raced down the stairs, barking loudly.
    Henry, Jessie, and Violet came out of their rooms.
    â€œWhat’s the matter with Watch?” Jessie wanted to know.
    Before Benny could answer, Grandfather stepped out into the hall, pulling his bathrobe around him.
    â€œWhat’s all the fuss about?” he asked, flicking the light switch.
    Benny blinked at the brightness. “I think Watch hears something outside.”
    â€œLet’s go see what’s wrong,” said Grandfather.
    Everyone followed James Alden downstairs. They found Watch in the kitchen, scratching at the back door.
    Benny ran to the window and peered out into the night. Was that a shadow moving across the yard?
    â€œWait here,” said Grandfather. “I’ll take a look around.” He took the flashlight down from the shelf so he could find his way in the dark.
    â€œBe careful!” Violet called out in a worried voice.
    Henry,