The Mystery Horse Read Online Free PDF

horse again.”
    â€œGood idea.” Jessie was about to say more, but she spotted Daisy racing across the yard toward them.
    â€œHey, Jessie and Violet!” the little girl shouted. “Want to come with me? I’m going to feed Oliver.” She held up a bag of sliced apples and raisins, Oliver’s favorite treat.
    Jessie and Violet exchanged a look as they got to their feet. “It looks like she’s not afraid of horses anymore,” Jessie said. Violet smiled.
    It was mid-afternoon when Mr. Morgan stopped Henry on his way to the cattle shed. “Need to talk to you for a minute, son,” the farmer said.
    â€œSure,” Henry answered.
    â€œI need a little favor. Mrs. Morgan wants to go into town to set up a booth for the fair. Daisy and the kids are coming with us, and Ms. Jefferies went for a walk around the lake. I wondered if you’d look after things here for me.”
    â€œI’ll be glad to,” Henry said. “Is there anything special you want me to do?”
    Mr. Morgan started to say something and then stopped. “Well, not really. Just keep an eye on the farm, that’s all.” He nodded and moved off before Henry could ask any more questions. Puzzled, Henry headed for his last chore of the day, pitching fresh straw into the shed.
    An hour later, Henry was enjoying a tall glass of lemonade when he looked up in surprise. A car pulling a horse trailer was rumbling up the main road. Mr. Morgan hadn’t said anything about visitors. Henry quickly crossed the yard and stood in front of the main house. But the car roared past him, blowing up clouds of dust. It was headed straight for the stable!
    Henry took off at a run, and nearly collided with Violet and Jessie who were carrying a burlap bag of chicken feed between them.
    â€œWhat’s your hurry?” Jessie said, laughing. She lost her grip on the bag, and some chicken feed spilled on the ground.
    â€œNo time to explain,” Henry gasped. “Just follow me.” He was panting when he reached the stable, and he took several deep breaths. The car had pulled right up in front of the stable, and two men were trying to open the padlocked door.
    â€œWouldn’t you know it? It’s locked up tight,” one man said disgustedly to his partner.
    â€œI told you to bring the crowbar, Hank. Only a fool would leave a stable unlocked.”
    â€œWell, we’d better think of something quick, before they get back,” the man named Hank said. “It looked like they were heading into town, but we don’t know how long they’ll stay there.”
    Henry decided it was time to speak up. “May I help you with something?” His tone was polite, but firm.
    â€œWho are you, boy?” Hank looked questioningly at Henry.
    â€œI’m Henry Alden.” Hank edged closer, but Henry stood his ground. He noticed that both men were tall with dark hair, and they were dressed casually. The one who hung back was wearing expensive black cowboy boots with silver toes.
    â€œWhat do you want?” Henry asked. He knew without turning around that Violet and Jessie had come up behind him.
    There was a long pause while the two men looked at each other. Finally the one with the silver-toed boots moved toward the children. “We’re here to pick up one of the horses,” he said casually.
    â€œWhich one?” The words were out before Violet even realized she had spoken.

    â€œWhy, the big chestnut one, little girl,” Hank said. He smiled, but Violet thought his eyes looked hard and cold. “Do you know which one we mean?”
    Violet shook her head. Of course she knew which horse he was talking about, but she decided to say nothing.
    â€œHow about you?” Hank moved past Henry to stand in front of Jessie. “Have you seen a big chestnut horse with a star on his face?” Jessie shook her head, and the man threw up his hands in disgust. He turned to his