The Alden children slept until almost nine o’clock the next morning. When they got up, the house was quiet.
“I wonder where Grandfather and Ken are,” Benny said.
“Maybe they’re downstairs,” Henry said.
So the children headed downstairs.
They heard a voice in the living room. Assuming it was Ken, they followed the voice.
But it wasn’t Ken’s voice they heard; it was David’s.
He was talking on the telephone.
“Yeah, I think he’s pretty shaken up,” David said in a low voice as he straightened his tie. “One or two more scares like this and he’ll be ready to sell. I can almost guarantee it.”
David jumped when he saw the Aldens. He quickly picked up a magazine that was lying on the couch. “I’ll have to call you back,” he said into the phone. Then he hung up.
“We didn’t mean to intrude,” Violet said. “We were looking for our grandfather.”
“And Ken,” Benny added.
“You didn’t intrude,” David said with a stiff smile as he stuffed the magazine into the front pocket of his briefcase. “I was just talking to my wife. Dad and your grandfather went into town to do a little shopping. They left rolls and juice for you in the kitchen.”
“Did you hear about what happened last night?” Jessie asked.
“Yes,” David replied. “It’s a shame, isn’t it?” He checked his watch. “Goodness! Look at the time! I’d better run.”
He picked up his briefcase and hurried for the front door. “Don’t forget the rolls and juice!” he said. And then he was gone.
The children looked at each other. “He sure was in a hurry to leave,” Jessie said.
“Did you see that magazine he shoved into his briefcase?” Henry asked. “I got the impression he didn’t want us to see it.”
“I wonder why,” Violet said.
“Maybe it had letters cut out of the headlines,” Benny suggested.
“Do you think David could be the one vandalizing Ken’s maze?” Jessie asked.
“I don’t think so,” Violet replied. “David is Ken’s son. He wouldn’t hurt his own father any more than Kurt would hurt his own brother.”
“But he’s worried about his father,” Jessie pointed out. “He wants Ken to sell his farm and move into town, but Ken won’t do that. He doesn’t want to give up the maze or the festival, even though they’re a lot of work. Maybe this is the only way David can get Ken to move into town.”
“Maybe David and Kurt are working together to get Ken to sell the farm,” Jessie suggested.
“That’s an interesting possibility, Jessie,” Henry said, tapping his finger to his chin.
“The cap with the light belonged to David,” Benny pointed out. “And David’s always carrying a magazine.”
“But he’s always so well-dressed,” Violet said. “It’s hard to imagine him mucking around a field full of manure.”
“Maybe Kurt dumped the manure,” Jessie said.
“I don’t think so,” Henry said. “The person we saw last night could run really fast. I don’t think Kurt could run that fast.”
“Mr. Sweeney can run fast,” Benny said.
“Yes, he can,” Jessie agreed. “We were going to talk to him some more today.”
“Right,” Henry said. “Let’s get some breakfast and then go and do that.”
The children ate a quick breakfast of toast and cereal, then headed to the barn.
“I really don’t have a lot of time for chitchat,” Mr. Sweeney said as he carried a bucket of feed to the chicken coop. “I’ve got work to do.”
The Aldens trailed along behind him.
“We know you’re busy,” Jessie said. “We just wanted to ask you a couple of questions about last night.”
“Well, make it quick,” Mr. Sweeney said. He dumped the bucket of feed onto the ground in front of the clucking chickens. The chickens all waddled over and pecked at the food.
“We were just wondering what you were doing in the front yard last night?” Henry asked.
Mr. Sweeney scowled. “Same as you,” he said. “Trying to catch the guy who was prowling around the maze. I told you that last night.”
“But we didn’t see you by the maze. How did you get around to the front of the house so quickly?” Jessie asked.
“And how come you didn’t catch the guy?” Benny asked.
Mr. Sweeney glared at the children. “You think I’m the one who’s vandalizing the maze? Is that what you’re saying?”
“Oh, no, Mr. Sweeney,” Violet said right away. She would never accuse anyone unless she was sure. And they still weren’t sure of anything.
“We’re just trying to figure out what happened. That’s all,” Jessie said.
“Maybe you saw something we didn’t,” Benny said.
Mr. Sweeney scratched his neck. “Well, I thought I heard something out in the field around three o’clock this morning,” he said. “So I got up and went to check it out. But I didn’t see or hear anything unusual. I was about to go back inside when I heard a car out on the road.”
The group strolled back toward the barn. “It sounded as if the car was stopped right in front of the house,” Mr. Sweeney went on. “So I went around front to see who it was. That was about the time you folks came outside. I saw a dark figure run past, so I tried to catch him, but he got away. Then you kids caught up to me. That’s all I know.”
“Can you describe the car you saw?” Henry asked. “We never saw it.”
“I didn’t see it, either. I only heard it. By the time I got to the road, it was gone.”
“Too bad,” Benny said.
“So, did our intruder get away on foot or in a car?” Jessie wondered.
“I don’t know,” Mr. Sweeney said. “Right now we have to think about the maze. I was looking at it this morning, trying to figure out whether the damage could be repaired.”
The Aldens were surprised Mr. Sweeney had thought about repairing the maze at all. He hadn’t sounded very hopeful about repairing it last night.
“Can it be repaired?” Violet asked.
“Come see what you think.” Mr. Sweeney led them over to the field.
Jessie gasped when she saw the damage.
“Oh no,” Violet said.
A whole section had been chopped down. Pieces of cornstalk and ears of corn lay scattered on the ground.
“Of course, if it was up to me, I’d just cancel the festival,” Mr. Sweeney said. “But Ken won’t want to cancel.”
“No, he won’t,” Jessie agreed.
“So, I was thinking I could put up a fence to show where the path is supposed to be. What do you think?” Mr. Sweeney asked.
“That might work,” Henry said.
“You could paint the fence green so it blends in with the rest of the field,” Violet suggested.
“Maybe you could even attach some of these corncobs that are all over the ground to the fence,” Benny said. “Then it would still be sort of a corn maze.”
Mr. Sweeney scratched his chin. “It’ll be a lot of work,” he said. “If I’m going to do all that before the festival this weekend, I’m going to need some help.” He looked at the children.
“We’ll help you, Mr. Sweeney,” Benny said right away.
“That’s right,” Violet added. “Anything for Ken and the King Corn Days Festival.”
“Well, it looks like Ken and your grandfather are back from town. Why don’t you go see what Ken has to say about our plans,” Mr. Sweeney said. “I’ll go get my tools. And I’ll meet you back here in a bit.”
When the Aldens walked up to the house, they noticed Kurt’s rusty blue pickup parked next to Grandfather’s rented van. As soon as the children stepped inside the house, they could hear the two brothers bickering.
“Someone tried to chop down your field? I don’t like this, Ken,” Kurt said. “I don’t like it at all.”
“Well, what do you want me to do?” Ken responded.
“You know what I want you to do. I want you to sell the farm and move into town. I’ll give you a good price—”
“I will not be run off my own land!” Ken shouted. “Besides, what makes you so sure you wouldn’t have the same troubles I’m having?”
“I know I wouldn’t,” Kurt said. “All of your troubles are related to that maze. I’ll just tear the maze down.”
Ken grit his teeth. “That’s exactly why I won’t sell to you,” he replied.
Henry cleared his throat. “Hello, Ken. Hello, Kurt,” he said cautiously.
The older men glanced at the children, then turned away from each other.
“Hello, kids,” Ken said without a lot of enthusiasm.
Kurt yawned and stretched. Then he stood up. “Gosh, I could use another cup of coffee. I sure am tired today.”
“Why are you so tired?” Violet asked.
“I don’t know,” Kurt said as he poured himself a cup of coffee. “I didn’t sleep very well last night. What have you kids been up to this morning?”
“Talking to Mr. Sweeney,” Benny said. “He thinks we can repair the maze.” The children told Ken and Kurt what they and Mr. Sweeney had decided.
“You don’t mind if some of the paths are marked by a fence instead of by corn, do you, Ken?” Violet asked.
“Well, ideally a corn maze should be all corn,” Ken said. “But if the choice is a maze with a little fencing here and there or no maze, I’ll choose the fencing.”
Jessie smiled. “That’s what we thought you’d say.”
“We told Mr. Sweeney we’d help him build the fences,” Benny said.
“Thank you, kids. I sure do appreciate all the work you’re doing on the farm. This is supposed to be your vacation and it seems like all you’re doing is working.”
“But this kind of work is fun,” Violet said.
Just as they were turning to leave, Benny noticed a nasty jagged cut on Kurt’s arm.
“Kurt, what happened to your arm?” Benny asked.
“What? Oh, that,” Kurt pushed up the sleeve of his black hooded sweatshirt and looked at the cut. “I was uh … taking out an old barbed wire fence last night. I must have cut it then.”
“That rusty old fence down by the creek?” Ken cried.
“That’s the one,” Kurt replied.
“By yourself?” Ken asked.
“Sure. Why not?” Kurt said with a shrug.
Ken snorted. “You’re not that much younger than I am, Kurt. And apparently you’re not as smart as I am, either. What are you thinking taking on a big job like that by yourself?”
Kurt shrugged. “I can handle it,” he said.
“That looks like a bad cut,” Violet said with concern.
“When was your last tetanus shot?” Ken asked.
Kurt scowled. “Will you quit treating me like a child? I’m fine!”
“Why don’t you let Jack come over and help you finish with that fence,” Ken suggested.
“That won’t be necessary,” Kurt said. “The job’s done. Now if you don’t mind, I think I’ll head home. I’ve got things to do.”
Kurt plopped his hat on his head, then headed out the back door.
Ken just sat at the table and shook his head. “Stubborn old coot,” he muttered.
“You and Kurt sure argue a lot,” Benny said.
Ken looked surprised. “Yes, I guess we do,” he said. “We’ve always argued. Ever since we were little kids. We’re still at it.”
“Why?” Violet asked.
Ken shrugged. “I don’t know. We’re both stubborn. And I think deep down, we both like arguing.”
The Aldens frowned. It was hard to understand why brothers would enjoy arguing! |