The Mystery of the Black Raven Read Online Free PDF Page A

right,” said Jessie. “I think the town is neat, but everybody seems mostly interested in the gold part.”
    Violet tied the sleeves of her light jacket around her waist so she wouldn’t have to carry it. “Maybe the theft of Grandfather’s scrapbook and raven has something to do with money.”
    “Good point,” Jessie said. “The thief could have taken those things to sell.” Then she paused. “But the scrapbook isn’t really worth anything, is it? It’s just old photos.”
    “And those raven statues are everywhere,” Benny put in. “Look, there’s one in that window.”
    The raven he pointed to was bigger than the Four Rock Miners’ statue, but the soapstone carving looked very similar, even down to the etched wing feathers.
    “Miss Parker told us how important the raven is to Native American tribes,” Jessie said. “So we can expect to see ravens all over the place.”
    “Then money wasn’t the reason the thief took the scrapbook and statue?” reasoned Violet.
    Henry shook his head. “I don’t think we can rule out anything in this mystery. The strangest part is, how did anyone break into Grandfather’s room while he was in it?”
    “That,” said Jessie, “is a mystery within a mystery.”
    Later, the Four Rock Miners reunion members met at the Northern Lights Pizzeria for dinner.
    “Now, this is more like it,” said Mrs. Pittman when they sat down and studied the menus.
    “I love pizza,” Benny said.
    “You love any food,” Violet said, laughing.
    “Well—I’m not crazy about beets. Or brussels sprouts,” Benny said seriously. Even the Pittmans laughed at that.
    The restaurant was warm from the pizza ovens. Soon everyone was munching slices of pizzas topped with pepperoni, sausage, or mushrooms.
    Mark bit into a piece, dragging the cheese way out. His sister giggled when the cheese string broke and stuck to his nose. For once, the Pittmans seemed to be enjoying themselves.
    Mr. Pittman talked louder and louder, as the place filled with other diners. “Let me tell you something, boy,” he said to Steve Wilson, clapping him jovially on the back. “I’m going to be somebody someday. Mark my words, Wilson.”
    Miss Parker interrupted in her gentle voice. “You’re special already, Earl. You have a fine family. There’s no further need to prove yourself.”
    “Yes, there is,” Mr. Pittman insisted, suddenly becoming surly. “And I’ll do it, too!”
    Violet, who sat across from Mark, watched him doodle on the napkin. Staring at the drawings upside down, she recognized birds with large heads and big beaks. Why was Mark drawing ravens?
    Grandfather spoke up. “Well, I think my grandchildren are ready to call it a night. I know I am. We’ll see you tomorrow morning at breakfast. Be ready for a big day!”
    As they walked back to the Totem Lodge in the nippy air, Benny asked his grandfather, “Why is Mr. Pittman always so grumpy?”
    “Oh, some people have trouble seeing happiness, even when it’s right in front of them,” replied Grandfather.
    “Well, his kids certainly aren’t much fun,” Henry put in. “All they do is mope and complain.”
    “I hope they won’t be mopey when we go gold hunting,” Jessie put in.
    “Gold hunting is cool,” said Benny. “How can anybody be mopey over that ?”
    Jessie kept her thoughts to herself. If there was a way to spoil the outing, Mark and Monique would find it.
    Back at the lodge, Grandfather reported in at the front desk. Howie the bellhop was on night duty. He nodded to Grandfather and the children.
    “Mr. Alden,” said the evening desk clerk, “I’ve spoken to the maid who cleaned the third-floor rooms today. She didn’t find a scrapbook or a raven statue under the beds or on the closet shelves.”
    “That’s what I thought,” Grandfather said with a sigh.
    The clerk went on, “Of course, she isn’t permitted to go through the dressers or the guests’ personal belongings.”
    “Of course,” Grandfather agreed.