Mystery on the Train Read Online Free PDF

Reeves. Then, they walked the entire length of the train again. As they walked, Violet said, “I wish we would run into Annie. I want to make sure she’s okay.”
    “We could take another look in the observation lounge,” Jessie offered. “That’s where you talked with her last night on the other train. She may be there sketching.”
    They went up the stairs to the lounge and sat for a while, listening to a piano player and looking out at the stars. The sky from the observation lounge was beautiful, but they didn’t see Annie. At about eight o’clock, Jessie began to yawn. She said, “I think traveling by train makes me sleepy.”
    Violet nodded. “It’s the movement and the noise. It’s a lot like being rocked in a crib and hearing someone sing a lullaby.”
    Benny yawned and said, “If makes me sleepy, too.”
    “Maybe we should go to our compartments,” Violet said.
    “Good idea,” Benny said. “I want to see the porter make up our beds again.”
    “Maybe Vincent will make up the beds and we can ask him if he’s seen Annie,” Violet said.
    But the porter who made up their beds that night was called Tim and he didn’t even know Vincent. He hadn’t seen any red-haired girls named Annie, either.
    That night it was Henry’s turn to sleep in the top bunk. As they climbed into their beds, Henry said, “We had a big day. We saw Chicago and went to a German restaurant. We learned all about movie posters and when we wake up in the morning we’ll be in Colorado.”
    “We will sleep all the way through Nebraska,” Benny said sadly. “I wonder what Nebraska looks like?”
    “Flat,” Henry promised him. “That’s why we can travel so far so fast. But tomorrow we’ll be in the Rocky Mountains. Aunt Jane says it’s some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.”
    “Where will we be when we wake up?” Benny asked.
    “Outside of Denver. We’ll have breakfast in Denver.”
    “But I like eating in the dining car,” Benny said.
    Henry laughed softly and explained. “I meant the train will be in Denver. You’ll eat in the dining car.”
    They fell asleep very quickly. Henry was dreaming of his dog Watch when he heard a sharp knocking on the door. He called out, “Who is it?”
    “It’s Annie,” a voice called. “Oh, please, I need your help. Please wake up!”

CHAPTER 6
The Platform Search
    B enny sat up and asked, “Who is it?”
    Then Henry called down from the top bunk. “Annie? Wait a minute.” He jumped down as Benny slid the door open.
    Annie was standing in the corridor in a bright blue robe and yellow slippers. She said, “I’m sorry to wake you, I didn’t have anyone else to come to. Can you please help me?”
    The door of the girls’ compartment opened and Jessie asked, “What’s going on?” When she saw that Henry and Benny and Annie were in the corridor, she said, “Just a minute.”
    In a few seconds, she and Violet were out of their compartment and also standing in the corridor. They had long sweaters over their pajamas. “What’s wrong, Annie?” Violet asked.
    “Please help! My portfolio was stolen and we’re coming to a stop. I need you to watch the doors and make sure no one takes my portfolio off the train.”
    “Where are we?” Jessie asked.
    Henry looked at his watch and said, “It’s almost midnight. We were due to stop in Omaha, Nebraska, at midnight.”
    “So we get to see Nebraska after all,” Benny said.
    “I left my room for just a second,” Annie explained, “and when I came back, the portfolio was gone! We’re coming into Omaha and whoever stole my portfolio may try to take it off the train. Will you help?”
    “First you must tell us,” Jessie said. “What’s really in that portfolio? It must be something valuable if you are so upset.”
    Annie nodded her head. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you the truth earlier. The portfolio is filled with my collection of old movie posters—not artwork. My aunt and I inherited them and I planned