The Mandie Collection Read Online Free PDF Page A

problems we’ve encountered.”
    â€œOh, I do have faith in my little blue eyes,” John Shaw said, grinningat Mandie. “I have faith in her determination to figure all these things out. And I certainly hope she can throw some light on the problem we have right now.”
    Mandie grinned back at him and said, “Thanks, Uncle John, I won’t let you down.”
    As soon as the meal was over, Mandie and Joe left the adults sitting around the table talking and went to sit on the bottom step of the huge staircase in the front hallway.
    â€œNow what do we do?” Joe asked her.
    â€œWe have to give Liza and the others time to eat and clear away the food,” Mandie replied. “Then we’ll go back and talk to them.” She stood up and added, “And in order to save time, I’d like to begin searching the second floor.” She turned to go up the steps.
    Joe stood up and followed. “But that’s where everyone’s rooms are,” he said. “We aren’t going prowling through your mother’s and your uncle’s rooms, are we? And your grandmother’s?”
    â€œWhy not? We won’t disturb anything,” Mandie said as she climbed the steps.
    â€œI don’t like the idea, Mandie,” Joe objected.
    â€œWell, you don’t have to do anything. Just stand outside the doors and let me know if anyone comes up the stairs,” Mandie told him as they reached the top.
    â€œAnd then what do you plan on doing?” Joe asked as he followed Mandie to the first room down the hallway. This was a guest room and was not occupied at present.
    â€œWell, we’ll have to search the first floor, and the attic, and the cellar,” Mandie told him as she pushed open the door to the room.
    Joe frowned as he looked at her and said, “You are so positive the will is in the house somewhere, but I believe whoever stole it took it with them.”
    Mandie looked back at him and said, “I have this strong feeling the will is still in the house, and when I get these feelings I’m usually right. So remember this when I tell you I told you so.” She grinned at him.
    â€œAnd if you don’t find it, then I will tell you I told you so,” Joe replied as they stood in the open doorway.
    â€œThat’s fair enough. Now, let’s get to work,” Mandie agreed as they entered the guest room and began their search again.

CHAPTER THREE
    WHERE IS THAT WILL?
    Mandie hurried through her search of the second floor with Joe helping out, but no clue to the missing will was found. They stood in the middle of the last room and looked around. This was an unoccupied guest room.
    â€œNothing!” Mandie exclaimed in a disappointed voice.
    â€œWhat next?” Joe asked.
    At that moment Liza came rushing through the open doorway. “Missy ’Manda, I been lookin’ ev’rywhere fo’ y’all,” she said. “We done got done in de kitchen, and I come to see if I kin help find dat will paper.”
    â€œOh, Liza, I was coming to find you so we could discuss that day Uncle John’s office door was left open,” Mandie told her. “But let’s don’t talk on this floor because somebody might come to their room. Let’s go on up the flight of stairs to the attic.”
    Mandie led the way to the staircase, and the three sat down on the landing between the third floor and the attic. Joe pushed open the shutters on the window there to let in some sunlight.
    â€œNow, Liza, tell me all about that day you left Uncle John’s office door open,” Mandie said to the girl.
    Liza looked at her and shrugged and said, “I done tole you I lef’de do’ open ’cause Mistuh John he be gone all day and I had work to do. I couldn’t jes’ sit dere lookin’ at dat do’ all de day long.”
    â€œWas it open a whole day?” Mandie asked.
    â€œI s’pose so,” Liza