Mystery of the Orphan Train Read Online Free PDF Page A

“Come and take a look.”
    “Well, it sure fits in nicely,” Josh said approvingly. Then he turned to his wife, who was trailing behind. “Don’t you think so, Vanessa?”
    Vanessa nodded a little. Then she picked up a magazine and began to flip through the glossy pages.
    “The desk belonged to my great-grandfather,” Kate explained. “I checked all the old photos, and this is exactly where it used to be. Right here in this very spot. And see that painting?” She pointed to a framed watercolor of green hills. “That painting always hung on the wall behind the desk.”
    “It’s such a lovely landscape,” said Violet, who was very artistic and had an eye for beauty. “I’ve been admiring it all day.”
    Kate smiled. “‘The Emerald Isle’ is my favorite painting in the house.”
    “The Emerald Isle?” Benny glanced over at the painting curiously. “Is that like the Emerald City in The Wizard of Oz? ”
    Henry shook his head. “The Emerald Isle is another name for Ireland, Benny,” he said, putting an arm around his little brother.
    “Yes, the artist was from Ireland,” put in Kate. “Margaret O’Malley loved painting the green hills of her home.”
    “Oh, I get it!” Benny snapped his fingers. “Ireland has green hills, and an emerald is green!”
    Henry gave him the thumbs-up sign.” You catch on fast, Benny.”
    “Margaret O’Malley?” Vanessa tossed her magazine aside. “Never heard of her.”
    “Oh, she wasn’t famous. No, not at all. Painting was just one of her hobbies,” Kate was quick to explain. “You see, Margaret O’Malley worked for the family when my grandmother was growing up.”
    Vanessa was tapping her chin, her eyes fixed on the watercolor. “That’s just the right shade of green.”
    Josh gave his wife a puzzled look. “The right shade?”
    “To go with the chairs in our living room,” Vanessa told him. Then she turned to Kate. “I can write a check for it now.”
    The children all looked at one another. They couldn’t help thinking that Lindsay was right. Vanessa seemed to want everything she saw.
    “Nothing in this house is for sale,” Kate told Vanessa firmly. “Nothing at all.”
    The young woman clicked her tongue, then turned on her heel and stormed out of the room.
    Josh apologized for his wife’s behavior. “Vanessa can be pushy sometimes. But she has a good heart.”
    After Josh left, Kate shook her head. “That man has his hands full, I’m afraid,” she said, keeping her voice low. Then, changing the subject, she reached into her pocket and pulled out some dollar bills. “Let me give you something for all your hard work.”
    Jessie spoke up. “Please put your money away, Kate.”
    “We like helping,” added Violet. And Henry and Benny nodded.
    Kate hesitated for a moment, then tucked the money away again. “Well, then, let me treat you to a night out. After dinner we can catch a performance of The Wizard of Oz. How does that sound?”
    It sounded wonderful. It wasn’t long before they were following a line of people into the theater. The children sat wide-eyed throughout the play. They could hardly believe they were right there in Kansas—Dorothy’s home. And when the actors took their bows, they joined Kate in clapping their hands as hard as they could.
    It was late by the time they finally got back to Wiggin Place. After getting ready for bed, the Aldens met for a late-night meeting in the room that Violet and Jessie shared.
    “Read it again, Jessie,” urged Benny, who was swinging his feet from the edge of the bed.
    “Maybe it’ll make sense this time,” added Violet.
    Nodding, Jessie opened her little notebook and read aloud. “Where leopards get spotted/ a clue will appear./ Just take a look under/ the little dog’s ear.”
    Nobody said anything for a moment. Then Jessie glanced up from her notebook. “Leopards get spotted at the zoo,” she pointed out.
    “That’s true,” said Henry.
    “Don’t forget about the