Copycat Mystery Read Online Free PDF

you want.”
    “But it’s yours,” said Benny.
    “That’s okay.”
    “Really?”
    “They’re easy to make,” Sharon said.
    Benny was grinning from ear to ear. “Thank you very much.”
    Sharon was being very nice to Benny, Jessie thought.
    Gwen, who had gone to change into her Victorian costume, smiled over at the youngest Alden when she came back into the room. “I’m not surprised you like thaumatropes, Benny,” she said. “They were very popular during the Victorian era.”
    Benny gave the cardboard circle another spin. “I like the way the bird appears inside the cage.”
    Gwen was putting her track pants and T-shirt into the wardrobe cupboard when she suddenly turned around. “What did you say?”
    Benny looked puzzled. “I said, I like the way the bird appears inside the cage.”
    “Benny!” exclaimed Gwen. “That’s it!” And she ran from the room, leaving them all staring after her in amazement. When she came back a few minutes later, she was shaking her head.
    “What’s going on?” Sharon asked.
    “Are you okay?” Jessie inquired at the same time.
    Gwen sank down into a chair. She was quiet for a moment. “I knew something wasn’t quite right in the parlor,” she said at last. “I’ve been racking my brains trying to figure it out. Thanks to Benny, I finally did.”
    “ What did you figure out?” asked Sharon.
    “There was an antique birdcage in the parlor,” Gwen whispered. “And now it’s gone!”

CHAPTER 5
The Copycat Strikes Again
    The Aldens were busy helping with tours all morning long. It wasn’t until they were having a break for lunch that they could talk about the mystery again.
    “You heard what Gwen said this morning,” Jessie reminded them as she unwrapped a tuna sandwich. “If the antique birdcage doesn’t show up by the end of the day she’ll have no choice but to call the police.”
    The day was getting hot, and Henry and Benny were barefoot, standing ankle-deep in the creek. Jessie and Violet sat on the grassy bank, their feet dangling in the cool water.
    Benny looked worried. “Mr. Mason’s not going to be very happy. You don’t think Gwen will lose her job, do you?” he asked as Jessie handed him a sandwich. “Mr. Mason was already upset about the farmhouse sign.”
    “I sure hope not, Benny, but . . .” Jessie stopped and let out a long sigh.
    “ But, ” finished Henry, “Mr. Mason holds Gwen responsible for what goes on around here.”
    Jessie nodded slowly. “It sure seems that way.”
    Violet said, “Why would anyone want to take a birdcage?”
    “That is strange.” Henry held out his cup while Jessie poured lemonade from a thermos. “I have a hunch that whoever took the birdcage probably moved the sign, too.”
    “I bet the copycat’s playing another practical joke,” said Benny, who was wading back and forth in the water.
    Violet wiggled her toes in the stream. “Well, it isn’t very funny,” she said. “I’m just glad there wasn’t a bird inside the cage.”
    “Gwen says she’s positive the birdcage was in the parlor when she locked up yesterday,” Jessie added.
    “There wasn’t any sign of forced entry,” Henry pointed out. “That’s why Gwen isn’t very eager to call the police. If the house wasn’t broken into, it can mean only one thing.”
    The other Aldens knew what Henry was going to say. It had to be someone who had keys to the farmhouse. But who was that someone? And was this another practical joke like the ones Horace Wagner had played so long ago?
    The children were quiet as they finished their lunch of sandwiches, chips, and fresh fruit. They had plenty of questions. The problem was, they didn’t have any answers. Finally, Henry looked at his watch. “We promised we’d help with the laundry demonstration.”
    “Right,” said Jessie as Violet took a quick picture of Henry and Benny. “I guess we should be going.”
    They were making their way through the long grass when they spotted Miss Pennink