“First, we lose my cracked pink cup,” Benny was saying, “and then we lose round two.”
The four Alden children were heading down the street from the hotel. They were on their way to the photo shop after dinner that evening.
Violet stopped to drop their postcard into the mailbox. “We still have one more round, Benny,” she reminded him.
“And you know what?” Henry added. “I have a hunch we’ll find your special cup, Benny.”
“I hope so,” Benny said, as they filed into the photo shop. “Hey, isn’t that Andy?”
Sure enough, the cameraman was standing at the counter, his back to them.
“Hi, Andy!” Violet said, coming up behind him.
“Oh!” Andy was clearly startled to see the Aldens. “I was … just picking up some snapshots.” Just then, a photo slipped from the counter and fluttered to the floor. A funny look came over the young man’s face as Violet bent to pick it up. “No, no, I’ll get it,” he said, waving her away.
Before Violet had a chance to say anything, Andy had slipped the photo back into its envelope and dashed out of the shop.
“What was that all about?” Henry wondered. It was almost as if they’d just caught Andy in the middle of something he wanted to keep secret.
“I’m not sure,” said Violet. She gave the sales clerk her roll of film. “But things are getting stranger and stranger,” she whispered behind her hand.
When they stepped outside again, Jessie turned to her sister. “What did you mean about things getting stranger and stranger?”
“I was talking about the photo,” Violet said with a frown. “The one that Andy dropped.”
“What about it?” Benny asked.
“It was a picture of Andy and Hilary,” said Violet. “They were holding hands and smiling.”
“That’s weird.” Jessie looked puzzled. “Andy told us they didn’t get along.”
“Do you think Andy lied to us?” Benny wondered.
“It sure looks that way,” said Jessie. “But it doesn’t make sense. If Andy likes Hilary, why would he want to keep it a secret? There’s nothing wrong with having a crush on somebody. Is there?”
“No,” Henry said, as they stopped at the light. “Not if that’s all it is.”
“You think there’s more to it than that?” Jessie wondered.
Henry nodded. “Why else would he try to keep it a secret?”
“Do you think Andy’s up to something?” Benny wondered.
“Yes,” Jessie answered with a quick nod. “We just don’t know what.”
“It is suspicious,” Violet admitted. “But I don’t think we should jump to conclusions.”
“I suppose you’re right,” Jessie said.
“You don’t think …” Benny began.
“Are you wondering if Andy took your pink cup?” Henry asked his little brother. “I don’t blame you. I’ve been wondering about that myself.”
“But there’s no reason for him to do something like that,” Violet said. “Is there?”
“Somebody’s working hard to make sure the Best kids become five-time champions,” Jessie pointed out. “First, he—or she—tampers with the map, and then Benny’s cup disappears.”
“Somebody’s trying to distract us,” Henry concluded.
“Andy was in the right place at the right time,” Violet had to admit.
“Maybe,” Jessie said thoughtfully. “But I still can’t shake the feeling somebody was following us today.”
Violet and Benny were surprised to hear this. “Who do you think it was?”
“I can’t be sure,” Jessie said. “But I know somebody was there.”
The more she thought about it, the more certain she was.
“Do you think it’ll be another two-parter today?” Violet asked, as they had an early breakfast in their hotel suite the next morning.
“I guess we’ll find out soon enough,” Henry said as he poured himself another bowl of cornflakes.
“Don’t forget,” Benny reminded them, “we’re checking out the lost-and-found at the Fireman’s Museum.”
“For sure,” said Jessie.
“I forgot something!” The youngest Alden pushed back his chair and raced into the other room.
As soon as Benny was out of earshot, Henry whispered, “I bought something last night.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a gold coin.
“Oh, it’s the Betsy Ross coin!” cried Violet. “The one Benny wanted to buy.”
Henry nodded. “I thought he might need some cheering up,” he told them. “Just in case we can’t find his special cup, I mean.”
“Benny will love it,” said Jessie.
Just then, Benny came back into the room. He was holding a drawing of his cracked pink cup. “This is for the lost-and-found,” he said, “so they’ll know what my cup looks like.”
“That’s a great sketch, Benny,” said Violet. “I’m sure it’ll help.”
“I thought you might be anxious to see these, Violet,” Grandfather said as he stepped through the door, a rolled-up newspaper under one arm. He handed his youngest granddaughter an envelope thick with photos.
“Oh, thank you, Grandfather!” Violet’s face lit up. “I’ve been wondering how they turned out.”
While James Alden read his newspaper on the balcony, the four children looked through the photos. “This is a great shot of Caroline,” Jessie remarked.
Benny scrunched up his face. “Caroline?”
“The storyteller in Franklin Square,” Henry reminded his little brother.
“Oh, right,” said Benny. “This is a good one, too.”
Jessie looked over at her little brother. “Which one is that?”
“The one of the giraffe munching on leaves.” Benny held it up. “See?”
Henry glanced over. “You’re becoming a wonderful photographer, Violet,” he praised.
“Thanks, Henry.” Violet gave her older brother a grateful smile. But she was soon frowning as she bent over another photo. “That’s funny,” she said. “I don’t remember this place.”
Jessie took a good look at the snapshot. It showed a brick building with a white steeple. “Oh, that’s Independence Hall,” she said, recognizing it from the postcard. “You know, where they signed the Declaration of Independence.”
Benny looked confused. “But … we didn’t visit Independence Hall.”
“Probably just a mix-up,” Henry concluded. “I bet we got somebody else’s picture by mistake.”
Violet was bending over the photo again. “That can’t be.”
“What makes you say that?” Jessie wanted to know.
“For starters, take a good look at the picture.” Violet held it up for everyone to see.
Benny blinked in surprise. “Is that what I think it is?” he asked. The youngest Alden was holding a spoonful of cereal in midair.
Violet nodded. “It’s your cracked pink cup, Benny.”
Henry let out a low whistle. “What’s it doing on the lawn at Independence Hall?”
Jessie added, “And who took the picture?”
“Not us,” said Henry. “That much we know for sure.”
“Do you think this is somebody’s idea of a joke?” Jessie wondered.
“Well, if it’s not a joke,” said Henry, “then it can mean only one thing.”
“What, Henry?” Benny asked.
“It’s some kind of clue.”
“Back up a minute, Henry,” said Jessie. “Are you saying we’ll find Benny’s cup at Independence Hall?”
Henry nodded. “That’d be my guess.”
Benny was on his feet. “Then let’s get it back!”
“Wait!” Violet held up a hand. “There’s something weird about this snapshot. Did you notice?”
The others were instantly curious. “What are you talking about, Violet?”
“Don’t you think the cup looks a bit strange?” Violet asked, without taking her gaze from the photo.
“Strange?” Benny looked confused.
Violet nodded. “It looks like a giant cracked pink cup!”
“What?” Henry laughed a little. “You’re kidding, right?”
“Take a look, Henry.” Violet passed the photo to him.
“Uh-oh!” Benny’s mouth dropped open as he looked over Henry’s shoulder. “What in the world happened to it?”
Sure enough, Benny’s cracked pink cup was almost as big as the front door at Independence Hall!
“Maybe it’s trick photography,” Jessie suggested.
Henry was deep in thought. “Or maybe …”
“Maybe what, Henry?” Jessie wondered.
“Maybe the building’s too small.”
“Too small?” Benny looked confused. “That’s even weirder.”
“Not as weird as you might think.” A slow smile spread across Henry’s face. “I think I know where we can find Benny’s cup!”
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