Mystery in the Old Attic Read Online Free PDF Page A

too.
    â€œYou know what this is, don’t you?” asked Henry, looking very excited.
    â€œWhat?” asked Benny.
    â€œIt’s a dumbwaiter.” Henry made sure to say the word waiter very clearly. “It’s used to send food from the kitchen up to the other floors,” he explained.

    â€œWhy do they call it that?” asked Benny.
    â€œIt brings you food like a waiter, but it doesn’t talk, so it’s called dumb,” answered Henry.
    â€œBut it makes some noise,” Violet pointed out. “Look how much it creaked when you pulled on the rope.”
    â€œExactly,” said Henry, looking at the others. Just like the waiter in the riddle.”
    â€œOh!” exclaimed Benny.
    â€œOf course! Why didn’t I think of that?” said Jessie. She pulled a piece of paper out of the pocket of her jeans. “Here’s the riddle. I copied it down,” she said.
    My ring lies near the waiter who brings me up my tea.
    As I hear his creaking sounds,
    I hope my ring will not be found — by anyone but me.
    Benny was so excited, he jumped up and down. “That’s it. This has to be the waiter Emily wrote about.”
    Henry nodded. “Now all we have to do is look on every floor of the house, near the dumbwaiter.”
    â€œFor the special place Emily talks about in her diary,” added Violet.
    Benny wanted to start looking for the ring right away. But the others convinced him to eat dinner first. Then the Aldens were so tired from their skiing and cleanup efforts, they went right to bed.
    â€œI hope we find the ring tomorrow,” Benny told Jessie as she tucked him in.

CHAPTER 6
    Afternoon Tea
    T he next day, Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny began to look for the ring right after breakfast.
    â€œWe should probably look in the kitchen closet near the dumbwaiter,” said Benny.
    â€œI don’t think we need to,” said Jessie. “The riddle says, ‘My ring lies near the waiter who brings me up my tea.’”
    â€œOh, that’s true,” said Benny, who was already on his way to the second floor. There, the Aldens found the dumbwaiter door and looked inside. Benny pulled on the rope. The wooden platform creaked and rattled. Soon it was on the second floor.
    â€œI’m going to ride in it,” Benny announced.
    â€œGo ahead. It’s plenty strong, and you’re the only one small enough to fit,” said Henry as he held the platform steady while Benny scrambled onto it.
    â€œOh, boy,” said Benny. “This is almost as fun as an amusement park.”
    â€œDo you see any openings in the wall, someplace where a little box could be hidden?” asked Henry.
    â€œThe riddle says the ring is near the dumbwaiter, not in it,” Jessie reminded them.
    â€œI know,” said Henry. “But it’s a good idea to check anyway.”
    â€œI don’t see anything,” said Benny as he felt the walls inside the dumbwaiter with his hands. “But it’s very dark in here. I think I need a flashlight.”
    â€œI’ll get you a flashlight,” said Jessie. “There’s one in the kitchen.”
    In no time at all, Jessie was back with the flashlight, which she handed to Benny.
    â€œOkay, hold on, I’ll send you up to the next floor,” Henry told Benny.
    â€œI’m ready,” said Benny as he made himself comfortable.
    Henry pulled one of the ropes and Benny went higher and higher.
    â€œAh-choo! Ah-choo!”
    â€œBenny?” called Henry as he looked up the dumbwaiter shaft. “Are you all right?”
    â€œAll this dust is getting in my nose,” answered Benny. His voice sounded muffled.
    â€œAre you at the next floor yet?” Henry called.
    â€œHow can I tell?” asked Benny.
    â€œThere should be a little door in the wall like this one,” Henry explained.
    â€œOh,” said Benny. “Yes, I see a bolt like the one on your