Animal Shelter Mystery Read Online Free PDF Page B

“Maybe it’s something important that belongs to the Greenfield Animal Shelter.”
    Henry studied the old document. “Jacob Kisco deeds fifty acres of land to Silas Newcombe,” he read. Henry shook his head. “Didn’t Grandfather say that when he was a little boy, Miss Newcombe’s father, Silas, gave the schools free milk and ice cream that came from his farm?”
    Jessie looked thoughtful. “That’s right. But if the deed has her father’s name on it, why was it hidden away in this old book in that broken-down toolshed? Why shouldn’t Miss Newcombe have it in a safe place?”
    Violet had a worried look on her face. “I just know something must be wrong with Miss Newcombe. I have a feeling.”
    â€œDr. Scott will be here soon to check on the animals,” Jessie said. “Maybe she can figure out what this deed is all about.”
    The Aldens were still talking about Miss Newcombe when they heard Dr. Scott’s station wagon pull into their grandfathers driveway.
    But there was no time to tell Dr. Scott anything. She arrived, out of breath and in a hurry. She apologized to everyone. “I’m sorry to be in such a rush, but trying to clear out the shelter in such a short time has cut into my medical work.”
    The Aldens could see this was no time to bring up the land deed. Dr. Scott was already out back with her medical bag. As she visited the animals one by one, the children reported on each of them.
    Henry let Dr. Scott into the dog run where Lad and the two puppies were sound asleep in a heap on top of each other. “The two pups started regular food this morning,” Jessie told the doctor. “They didn’t whine at all during the night.”
    â€œMaybe they just needed more food,” Dr. Scott said. “And having this safe new home helps them sleep through the night, too.”
    Benny took hold of Dr. Scott’s hand. “Come see the crow,” he told her when they stopped in front of the tall, airy birdcage. The crow was sitting on a tree branch Benny had put in the cage. “This crow ate two handfuls of blueberries from Grandfather’s blueberry bushes last night, but no ice cream.”
    â€œI see he trusts you, Benny,” Dr. Scott said. She reached into the cage and wrapped both her hands around the bird to check his wing. “He’s well fed, now, and this wing is mending beautifully. In another few days, leave the cage door open. He may be able to make a short flight to those blueberry bushes himself and come back to the safety of this cage until his wing is completely healed. Now how are those rabbits doing?”
    â€œThey’re right here,” Benny said. He led Dr. Scott to the rabbit hutch. “I let them out to play, and they ate two heads of Grandfather’s lettuce from the garden! I think I should bring them their dinner inside the cage from now on.”
    â€œI think so, too, or we won’t have any salad for the rest of the summer,” Henry laughed.
    Dr. Scott finished her checkups. “Well, I see these animals don’t need me! Is there anything else we should talk about?”
    â€œYes, there is something,” Jessie answered. “It’s not about the animals, though, but it might have something to do with Miss Newcombe.”
    â€œAh, yes, Miss Newcombe.” Dr. Scott sighed. “I haven’t forgotten her, you know. After many calls, I finally reached the new caretaker who is looking after her house. He says she’s away visiting relatives. I’ve only had one short conversation with this man, but something bothers me. With everything that’s going on at the shelter lately, I just haven’t had time to figure out what it is.”
    â€œDidn’t Mr. Clover tell us she didn’t have family left?” Henry asked everyone.
    Jessie’s eyes opened wide. “He did! Then how could Miss Newcombe be visiting