Benny was the first to glimpse the flatbed truck. Its here! he cried. All the people who worked around the town square were on hand for the return of the stolen statue. Dawn Wellington and Mrs. Turner waited with the Aldens. Even Mr. Kirby came out f...
Violet was trying to focus through the viewfinder. But Benny kept moving the canvas that covered the statue. Look! he cried. He grabbed a corner of the canvas and pulled. Violet nearly dropped her camera. Standing on the granite base was a stepladder...
Quick! Henry said, grabbing Jessies wrist, and the two flew across the pavement. It was getting darker and the town hall cast a long, spooky shadow. At last they reached the bench. Jessies tote bag containing her notebook was leaning against one wrou...
Violet! What is it? Henry cried, next to her. But Violet was frozen in the darkness. She was afraid to move. The dark shape did not move, either. Wait, Ill get the light. Rick pulled the chain of an overhead light. When she saw the monster, Violet gi...
Are you sure your camera bag is missing? Jessie asked Violet. Maybe you took it into the drugstore. Violet shook her head. I left it here, with our coats and things. I cant believe someone would steal it. Well, somebody did, Henry said grimly. Benny...
Brrr! said Jessie, buttoning her jacket up to her chin. It sure is cold! Winter was definitely in the air at the Farm Meadow Nursery. Swags of greenery were looped along the fence. Tiny white lights twinkled in the evergreen trees. The Aldens had dri...
Everyone stood still in the dark-room. They stared at the sticklike letters forming before their eyes. The letters spelled out a single sentence: MOVE IT THE DAY BEFORE Benny, who was just learning to read, repeated the strange words in an awed whisp...
We need a new mystery, Benny said. The four Alden children were sitting and talking in their boxcar, and Benny was feeling restless. We have to help Grandfather with the Winter Festival. We dont have time to solve a mystery, too, said Jessie. She wro...
The others gathered around to see Violets mysterious photograph, which was of the town square. In the center was the Minuteman statue. Are you sure you didnt take this? Jessie asked her sister. Violet shook her head. I didnt take any shots in town. H...
Apple or pumpkin? Jessie Alden asked her little brother as they sat in Cookes Drugstore reading the menu. Six-year-old Benny squeezed his eyes shut. It was hard to choose. He liked both kinds of pie. In fact, he liked all kinds of pie! Mrs. McGregor...
