Windy City Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner Page A

had been slipped under their door. Knowing where they had gotten the clues did not tell them who had written them.
    â€œWe know one thing for sure,” Henry concluded. “Chad was with us — or nearby — every time.”
    It did seem likely that Chad was behind the mystery. But even though they had watched him for telltale signs of guilt, there had been none. He had certainly acted surprised to find the envelope on the student bulletin board. He had even suggested someone might be following them.
    That thought prompted Violet to say, “Remember that man at the Art Institute? We thought he might be the man with the mustache.”
    â€œBut he wasn’t,” Benny said. “He didn’t have a mustache. Just bushy eyebrows.”
    â€œThe two men did look alike,” Henry said. “Both were balding and both were about the same size.”
    Jessie nodded. “We thought they might be brothers.”
    Grandfather came into the room. “Are we ready?” he asked.
    Benny’s stomach growled. Everyone heard it.
    Mr. Alden laughed. “I think that’s a yes !”
    Because it was a warm, clear evening, they decided to walk.
    Thinking about the mystery, Henry asked, “Grandfather, have you known Mr. Piper for a long time?”
    â€œFor many years. I knew his father, too. And I watched Chad grow up.”
    â€œHas he always been in the paper business?” Jessie asked.
    Grandfather nodded. “And his father before him. Somewhere along the line, the family was connected with railroading. At one time, Chicago was the railroad center of the country.”
    That pleased Benny. “Maybe I could ask Mr. Piper how I can get to be a railroad engineer.”
    Mr. Alden chuckled. “I’m sure he could help,” he said. Grandfather stopped before a glass and steel building. “We’re here.”
    The Alden children stepped back to look up. They couldn’t believe their eyes. Starting at the broad base and climbing to the narrower top were a series of gigantic steel X’s.
    â€œX marks the spot,” the younger Aldens all said at once.
    Grandfather laughed. “Right you are,” he said. “Another mystery solved!” He told them the name of the building: the John Hancock. “The X’s are not decoration; they’re essential to the structure,” he added as he glanced upward. “This was the tallest building in Chicago until the Sears Tower was built.”
    They hurried inside to an elevator. It ascended so quickly their ears popped. The first stop was a restaurant on the ninety-fifth floor, where Jacob Piper was waiting.
    He led them to a table by the windows.
    Behind him, Henry and Jessie noticed something they hadn’t seen before: Mr. Piper’s dark hair framed a bald spot.
    â€œHere we are,” Mr. Piper said.
    Outside the windows, the lake and city stretched as far as the eye could see.
    Beside them, Mr. Piper murmured, “No matter how many times I see this sight, it still thrills me.”
    â€œAnd no wonder,” Grandfather said. “It’s spectacular.”
    They sat down and opened their menus.
    Benny read the selections. Everything looked good. He glanced at the prices. Everything was very expensive. He closed his menu. “Maybe I’m not so hungry after all.”
    Mr. Piper seemed to read his mind. “This is my treat,” he said. “I come here on special occasions only. Meeting you finally, and our being together — that’s reason to celebrate.”
    After that, they all relaxed.
    Mr. Piper was easy to talk to. He told them about the paper business and about his family. “I hoped Chad could join us tonight,” he said, “but with work and school, he hasn’t much spare time.”
    â€œChad’s a very good artist,” Violet said. “And a very good teacher.”
    Mr. Piper smiled. “He told me you were good, too, Violet.”
    When