The House Has Eyes Read Online Free PDF Page A

disappointed that Sean felt sorry for him.
    Mr. Elbert said, “I’m sure you boys have homework to do. I know that Charles does. So if you’ll just run along …”
    Brian began walking again toward the ocean. “We will,” he said, “after Charles has shown us the bay.”
    Mr. Elbert scrambled to catch up. “You live in Redoaks. You know what the bay looks like.”
    “But not your beach.”
    “It’s no different than any other little strip of beach. Mostly rocks and …”
    Brian had reached the top of the steps leading down to the water. He pointed to a small dinghy that had been pulled up on the sand, above the high-tide line. It was partially hidden by the rocks. “Whose boat is that?” he asked.
    “It’s an old boat. It came with the house,” Mr. Elbert said.
    “I didn’t know there was a boat,” Charles said.
    “You weren’t told because you can’t use it. It wouldn’t be safe,” Mr. Elbert said. He scowled at Brian. “No one uses the boat. I wouldn’t be surprised if the bottom had rusted out long ago.”
    The small part of the boat that was visible didn’t look rusted to Brian and Sean. It didn’t even look that old.
    “Before we go, could we please get something to drink?” Brian asked Mr. Elbert. “I’m thirsty.” He paused and smiled. “A little bit hungry, too.”
    “We’ve got cookies.” Charles said. “And lemonade.”
    “Very well,” Mr. Elbert snapped. “If that’s all you need.”
    “That’s not all,” Brian said. “We need to talk to Charles. Privately.”
    Sean looked at Brian in surprise. Why was he acting strange, as if he had big secrets he wanted to keep from Martin Elbert?
    As they walked back to the house Brian stopped. He studied the brick wall next to the back steps.
    “What are you doing?” Mr. Elbert demanded.
    “The mortar around a few of the bricks looks chipped,” Brian said. “The realtor should get that fixed.”
    He took two steps toward the wall, but Mr. Elbert grabbed his arm, pulling him back. “I’ll report it to the Colliers,” he said. “Come inside.”
    Mrs. Elbert got up as they entered the kitchen, and Charles asked for the cookies and lemonade.
    “Have a seat,” she said, pointing to the kitchen table.
    Sean began to sit down, but Brian said, “Do you mind if we eat in the dining room?”
    They all looked at Brian in surprise. He didn’t explain. He just smiled.
    “It’s all right with me,” Mrs. Elbert said. “Run along. I’ll bring in a tray.”
    Once they were in the dining room, Sean whispered, “What are you doing, Brian?”
    Brian held a finger to his lips. He strode to the buffet table and picked up the seltzer bottle, slipping it under his jacket. Then he said loudly, “Charles, we’ve discovered something interesting about this old house, so we need to talk where no one will overhear us. How about in the library? Right now?”
    “But …” Charles began.
    “Right now,” Brian repeated.
    Sean didn’t know what Brian had in mind, but he backed him up. “Sure, Charles. Let’s go,” he said.
    They walked down the hallway to the library, entered the room, and shut the door.
    “Do you remember exactly where that eye appeared?” Brian whispered.
    “There.” Charles pointed to an ornate strip that joined two panels.
    Brian motioned Sean and Charles to join him near that strip. His eyes didn’t leave it as he said in a normal tone of voice, “We’ve begun to make progress, Charles. We’ve found out some important items.”
    Slowly, Brian pulled the seltzer bottle from under his jacket and held it up. “I’m going to tell you something no one else should know,” he said, “so keep it secret.”
    He lowered his voice as he spoke, so that Sean and Charles could scarcely hear him. It didn’t matter, Sean thought, since Brian was saying the same meaningless stuff, over and over.
    Silently, a small piece in the wood paneling opened, and an eye peered out.
    Brian was ready. With a whoosh, he aimed the