Poison Frog Mystery Read Online Free PDF Page B

There was something about them that seemed important to her—something way in the back of her mind. She could feel that they fit into the picture, but she couldn’t quite figure out how.
    She would, though, very soon.
    It was early afternoon, and Violet and Benny were standing in Amphibian Hall. After the Aldens finished examining the room where the condors had been stolen, they had lunch, then decided to see the rest of the zoo before returning home. Benny insisted that Violet see the frog display.
    Inside a huge glass-fronted enclosure were some of the most beautiful tropical plants Violet had ever seen, with huge green leaves attached to thick vines and branches. A little pipe that ran across the ceiling sprayed a fine mist of water. There were rocks and bubbling water pools, and even a tiny waterfall. It was perfect, Violet thought, even without the animals.

    But the animals were what Benny had insisted she must see—and Violet was happy he had. They were frogs, but not like any other she’d ever seen. Most of them were so small they looked more like large bugs. One was blue and black, another was red and blue. A third was black and orange. One was a very bright yellow, and a few were a pure royal blue. These were the ones that took Violet’s breath away.
    “Benny, they’re unbelievable!”
    Her little brother smiled proudly. “I thought you’d like them.”
    “I certainly do.”
    She read the information plaque on the wall. It said that these amphibians were called poison-arrow frogs, named because natives of South America used to coat the tips of their arrows with the poison that covered the frogs’ skin. In spite of the frogs’ small size, the poison was strong enough to cause severe rashes and other painful skin irritations in humans.
    “Wow,” Violet whispered. She was amazed at how animals so beautiful could be so dangerous at the same time.
    Benny and Violet decided to get a snack after seeing the rest of Amphibian Hall. They walked to the outdoor food court and chose a table in a patch of shade to sit and share an order of french fries. Benny was happily munching away when someone familiar caught his eye. A strongly built young man wearing sunglasses and a brightly colored flowered shirt had made his way off the paved walkway that wound between the exhibit houses. He was standing on tiptoe behind some bushes, peering into back rooms of the Bird Barn.
    “Violet,” said Benny, “look at that guy over there peeking into the Bird Barn. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen him at the zoo before ... Wouldn’t it be much easier for him to see the birds if he just went inside to the exhibit?”
    “You’re right, Benny, but I don’t think he is an ordinary zoo visitor. Look, he’s taking notes.”
    The young man had flipped open a notebook and was writing in it. Then he seemed to be startled by a noise coming from the other side of the Bird Barn window. He looked around quickly, flipped his notebook closed, and hurried away.
    Benny looked thoughtfully down at his french fries. “ Now I remember,” he said excitedly. “I did see him here before. When we ate lunch with Lindsey and she explained to us all about the California condors. He seemed to be listening to Lindsey and he was taking notes then, too!”
    Violet and Benny looked at each other.
    “Do you think we found another suspect?” asked Benny.
    “I think so,” answered Violet, “but who is he?”

CHAPTER 5
“Unlocking” the Mystery
    The children returned home late that afternoon. After dinner they went into the living room with their grandfather to talk about everything that had been happening.
    “I’ll bet Lindsey’s very upset,” Grandfather said.
    “She is, I can tell,” Jessie replied. She and Violet were sitting together on one of the couches. Violet was drawing something in her sketch pad.
    “And what about that Jordan Patterson fellow you’ve been telling me about?” Grandfather added. “How’s he doing?”
    “I think