Violet awoke early. By the time her family came down for breakfast, she had poured juice and made coffee for Grandfather.
“I wish I could be there for your rehearsal,” Mr. Alden told her, “but I have to work this morning.”
Violet was relieved. Having Mr. Alden in the audience during rehearsal might make her more nervous than she already was. “That’s all right, Grandfather,” she said. “You’ll hear us play at the concert.”
He finished his coffee and toast. “Good luck then,” he said and started out. At the door, he turned back. “And the rest of you, no more mysteries. Hear? You’ve solved enough for one week.”
They knew Grandfather was teasing. Last night, after they had told him all that had happened, he said, “You children attract mysteries the way a magnet attracts iron.” But they knew he was proud of them for having solved this latest puzzle.
The Aldens joined the stream of young people flowing into the auditorium. Inside, Melody was directing them to their places on stage. Excitement filled the air.
Violet didn’t seem at all nervous as she took her seat. She smiled to the string players near her and took out her violin.
One by one, the young musicians began to tune their instruments. Before long, the theater was vibrating with sound.
Benny put his hands over his ears. “It’s hard to believe they can sound so good later when they sound so awful now,” he said.
“I like to hear them tune their instruments,” said Jessie.
Henry agreed. “It’s exciting. It gets me ready to listen.”
“I’m already ready,” Benny said.
The first attempts were not good. Melody stopped the orchestra every few bars.
“Keep together,” she instructed gently.
Time and time again they started and stopped. Finally, they made it through an entire piece. After that, it seemed to get easier and sound better. By lunchtime they had played the entire program.
“Not bad for a first run-through,” Melody said. She told them to return late in the afternoon. Then, she dismissed them.
Early that afternoon, the adult orchestra held their final rehearsal. Later, it was the young people’s turn once again. Then, it was home to prepare for the big concert.
“I’ve never been to a real concert before,” Benny said. “I don’t know what to wear.”
“Your party best,” Jessie told him.
Mr. Alden was the last one downstairs. He wore a tuxedo and a stiff white shirt.
“You look very handsome,” Violet told him.
He smiled. “It seems to run in the family,” he said as he admired his grandchildren.
The Aldens had front row seats. As the auditorium filled, Benny kept looking around.
“There won’t be a seat left,” he said.
“You’re right,” Grandfather told him. “The house is sold out.”
The orchestra filed in and took their places. The audience hushed. Finally, the great Victor Perrelli entered. Everyone clapped. Victor bowed, then turned his back to the audience. He tapped for attention, paused, and raised his baton. Every eye was on him, waiting expectantly.
“Start the music,” Benny whispered.
With a sharp downbeat, Victor did just that. The orchestra came to life. Victor swayed to the music, pointing to one section and then another. His baton was a magic wand, making all the different instruments sound beautiful together.
At intermission, the Aldens went out to the lobby. Mr. Alden stopped to visit with some old friends. The children went over to the display case to look at the Mozart score.
“Mozart’s music is so beautiful,” Violet said.
Janet Muller came up beside them. “I see the score is back.” She looked around as if to be sure no one was listening. Then, she leaned in close. “Do you know who took it?”
Jessie was about to answer when Victor came into the lobby. Seeing the children, he hurried over.
Janet’s hands fluttered nervously. “Oh, my. Oh, dear,” she said. “There’s the maestro.” She stepped away as Victor approached.
It was nervous behavior like this that had made the Aldens suspect she was the thief.
“I haven’t had the chance to thank you for all you’ve done this week,” Victor told the Aldens.
“We were happy to help,” Henry said.
“We like solving mysteries,” Benny piped up.
Victor laughed. “You’re very good at it.”
Benny waved that away. “We’ve had lots of practice,” he said.
Still laughing, Victor drifted off. Awestruck, Janet watched him go. “What a talented man,” she said. “I have to go sit down — being around great stars like him makes me a bit light-headed.”
The last mystery was solved. Janet wasn’t nervous because she wasn’t hiding anything. She was just starstruck.
The second half of the concert was even better than the first. Melody’s solo was a showstopper. At the end of the performance, the audience rewarded the orchestra with ten full minutes of applause.
At the reception afterward, Victor looked sad.
“That was a wonderful performance,” Mr. Alden said to him. “You should be very proud.”
“The orchestra played flawlessly,” Victor responded. “The praise is theirs. I’m just sorry Bob couldn’t be here.”
It was clear that Bob Weldon was not the only one who would suffer because of his actions.
The Aldens left the reception early so that Violet could get a good night’s rest. But she had trouble sleeping. Long after the others were in bed, the sweet strains of violin music drifted through the house.
In the morning, Benny brought his bear down to breakfast. Made from old stockings, it had been with him since their boxcar days. “I thought you might like to take Stockings, Violet. For luck.” He held out the bear to his sister.
Violet was pleased. “Oh, Benny,” she said, “that is so nice. But there’s no place to put him onstage.”
Benny wasn’t the least bit disappointed. He had already thought about that. “You could put him in your violin case.”
“But our instrument cases will be in a room offstage.”
“That’s okay,” Benny assured her. “It’ll still work.”
Soo Lee and her parents, Joe and Alice, were waiting in the lobby. One by one, the Aldens gave Violet a hug and wished her well.
Victor and Melody ushered the young musicians and their families into the auditorium.
“Come, children,” Victor said, “and we will make beautiful music together.”
Janet Muller rushed up to the door. She thrust an open book and a pen under Violet’s nose. “Would you please give me your autograph, Violet?” she asked shyly.
Violet was surprised. “You don’t want my signature,” she said. “I’m nobody famous.”
Janet said, “Who knows … ”
Victor, Melody, and the Aldens chimed in, “ … Maybe one day.”
Violet smiled as she signed her name. After the n in Alden, she drew a graceful flourish. |