The Deserted Library Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
He helped Benny with his red raincoat, then struggled into his own.
Violet buttoned her lavender raincoat but propped her purple umbrella by the door. There was no sense in letting the wind whip it inside out. Miguel wore a yellow slicker, just like a fisherman, which he had hidden under the window seat.
“Okay,” Henry yelled. “Let’s run all the way to the house.”
With a whoop, Benny was the first to rush out the door. The raindrops fell faster now, but Benny didn’t care. He lifted his head to the rain, enjoying the fresh drops on his face.
“I’ll race you!” he challenged, but his words were lost in the roar of the wind. Benny raced down the path. All that could be seen below his red rain gear were his sneakers.
Everyone ran through the mud and the rain. When they reached the house, Benny splashed about in a mud puddle. “Let’s stay outside and play in the rain.”
“Not a chance,” Jessie said, shivering from the wet cold.
“I thought you were tired,” Violet said to Benny softly, her eyes twinkling.
“I was,” Benny said. “The rain made me awake! It was fun!”
Miguel, drops of water glistening on his long lashes, laughed, too. “It was fun, wasn’t it?”
“All right, you two. Time to remove your wet things. Go upstairs and get into your dry pajamas,” Jessie ordered with a smile.
“Okay, Jessie.” And Benny was upstairs before Henry had his coat off.
Jessie built a blazing fire in the fireplace while everyone changed into warm dry clothes.
Henry, in jeans and a sweater, and Violet, in a violet blouse and jeans, took the leftover soup out of the refrigerator and set it on the stove.
While the soup was simmering, everyone drank hot apple cider and sat before the fireplace. They felt cozy and warm as they watched the orange flames.
In the morning, feeling refreshed after a good night’s sleep, they had hot cereal, buttered toast, and cocoa for breakfast, and were ready for a day at the library. Maybe today they would find the rest of the sword. The wind still howled, but the rain had stopped.
“Do you think the Coast Guard will bring in the two fishermen today?” Miguel asked in a low tone, barely above a whisper. His father was always in his thoughts.
Henry glanced out the window at the gray sky and the swaying tree branches. “Not today, Miguel. The wind isn’t as bad as yesterday, but the ocean waves are too high. I’m sure, though, your father will be found safe and sound in a day or two.”
Miguel met Henry’s eyes and his voice was husky. “I wish I were as certain as you that he’s alive. I pray you’re right!”
Benny piped up, changing the subject. “That was a good breakfast.” He jumped up and ran to the door. “I want to see how windy it is.”
“Careful you’re not blown over,” Henry teased.
Benny tried to open the door, but it wouldn’t budge. He leaned against it with his shoulder and shoved as hard as he could. The door was stuck fast!
“Henry,” Benny panted. “The door won’t open!”
Henry laughed. “The wind is strong, Benny, but I don’t think it’s that strong.” He turned the handle and pushed against the door, but Henry couldn’t open it, either. He pushed three times, but the door remained shut.
“Let’s all try,” Jessie suggested. All five put their shoulders to the door, but it remained closed.
Puzzled, Henry shook his head. “Maybe something has blown in front of the door and jammed it shut.”
“I don’t think so,” Jessie said. Worry lines creased her forehead.
“I need to check the door from the outside,” Henry said, “but I have a problem.” He stared at the narrow windows. “The windows are too small. I can’t squeeze through.”
“I could!” Benny shouted. “Let me! Let me!”
Henry nodded. “Okay, Benny, you’re the only one small enough to crawl through.”
Henry opened a window and lifted Benny up. Benny wiggled through the narrow opening and dropped to the ground.
Benny hurried around the cabin to the front door. There, to his surprise, was a heavy branch shoved through the door handle. No wonder it wouldn’t turn. He tugged with all his might and was able to pull the branch out. “You can open the door now,” he yelled.
Henry opened the door, and Benny showed him the branch that had locked them in.
“Someone deliberately tried to keep us from getting out, didn’t they?” Violet asked.
“I’m afraid so,” Henry answered.
Jessie’s throat tightened, and her mouth was dry. Was someone trying to keep them from getting to the library? She pulled her sweater tighter around her. What would they find when they reached the library?
CHAPTER 9
The Upside-down Mess
The day before, the Aldens and Miguel had run up the rain-splashed path, not minding the wet and cold. This morning, however, after they had escaped the house’s bolted door, they walked up the path to the library without a word. They all were worrying about who had tried to keep them in Pete’s house.
Henry took out the library key to unlock the door, but as he came closer, he noticed the door was ajar.
He hesitated. “Someone might be in there. Keep a sharp lookout,” he advised.
“D-do you think we should go in?” Violet asked timidly.
“We’ve worked very hard,” Henry said calmly. “Do you want to stop now?”
“No,” Jessie said. “Let’s just look in.”
Henry pushed the door open. He listened carefully for any sounds. When he heard nothing, he stepped inside. The others followed, peering around.
Entering the library, Jessie stopped. Her hand flew to her mouth at the sight that greeted her. “Oh, no,” she wailed. “Look at this mess!”
Violet was behind her. “Who would do such a thing?” she asked in a shocked voice.
Miguel’s face paled. “The books are scattered everywhere!” He stepped over a stack of books. “Look! The desk is upside down.”
Books were upside down, too. Books were right side up, standing on end, and tossed in corners. Leaves of books had been ripped out and cast here and there. Some pages had been crumpled, others torn to shreds. There was no doubt about it! Someone had locked them in Pete’s house to gain time to search. The books, the shelves, and every nook had been explored.
“All our hard work is wasted!” Violet said.
Speechless, Henry stood with his hands on his hips, shaking his head in disbelief. He picked up a tattered book.
Benny gazed at Henry. “This is bad, isn’t it?”
Henry paused, then spoke in a calm manner. “It’s bad, Benny, but nothing that can’t be fixed. Books are everywhere, but there’s no major damage.”
Jessie rose. “We’ll need to put the books back on the shelf, that’s all.” She rolled up her sleeves.
Miguel held up a book, studying it curiously. “Where did these jagged holes come from?”
Henry reached for the book and examined the pages. “Our prowler,” he observed, “has done this on purpose! He’s used scissors to slash these books!”
“Who would do such a terrible thing?” asked Miguel.
“Someone who is angry because he can’t find what he wants,” Jessie answered. Her eyebrows knit together in a frown. “The intruder not only balled up pages and tossed them aside, but stabbed the bigger books with his scissors or a knife!”
“What a shame,” Violet said. “He must have been furious when he didn’t find what he was hunting for.”
“I need to check upstairs and see how many books have been ruined up there,” Henry said.
Jessie moved to his side. She anxiously chewed on her underlip. “Grandfather will be so disappointed if the library isn’t a landmark.”
Henry smiled grimly. “I know, Jessie. It’s pretty discouraging, but we’ll clean up this mess.” He wheeled about and hurried upstairs.
Soon Henry returned. “Good news! The upstairs has h
Violet tilted her head. “We must have interrupted whoever it was,” she said thoughtfully.
“You’re right, Violet,” Jessie said. “When he heard us coming, he must have dashed out the backdoor.”
“Do you think the awful person will come back?” Benny asked. His brown eyes were big.
“He probably will, Benny. He wants that sword! I’m sure of it.” Henry tossed a ruined book on top of the damaged pile.
“Do you think we should call the police?” Violet asked.
“There’s no phone here or in the cabin,” Henry said. “Let’s wait. The police would probably want us to stay out of the library.”
For the rest of the day they tackled the books. Book after book was put back on the shelves. Others were stacked neatly in piles.
By the end of the day the floor had been cleared. Jessie had collected the damaged books in a box. Henry had swept the floor of all the torn pages and debris.
Miguel leaned backward, then forward. “My back hurts,” he complained with a smile. “I feel good, though. Look how much we’ve done!”
Henry smiled at Miguel, placing a hand on his shoulder. “I don’t know what we’d have done without you!”
Miguel grinned, happy to be needed.
“I’ll lock the door,” Henry said, “but I’m not sure it will keep out the stranger. I’m willing to bet he has a passkey. He must have.”
They left for the house, tired and discouraged. Henry kept his thoughts to himself, but certain questions ran through his mind. What if they returned tomorrow and the books were topsy-turvy again? How could they go through all this work another time? Someone seemed to know their every move. And what if that someone found the missing sword piece before they did? And what if he didn’t? If the intruder was desperate enough for the sword, there was no telling what he might do!
Jessie caught up with Henry. “At least the intruder didn’t find what he was searching for.”
“No, Jessie,” Henry responded. “But I’m afraid he might become dangerous.” He frowned. “Maybe we’d better pack up and go home.”
“We’ve come this far,” Jessie said softly. “We mustn’t give up now!”
Henry gave her a grateful glance. “I was hoping you’d say that!” He patted his back pocket. “The letter is with me all the time, and the sword is either under my pillow or on my bike or in the library when I’m working.”
Violet lagged behind, picking wildflowers. She loved flowers, especially violet ones. The others were far ahead, and the sun was setting. She felt uneasy. She’d better catch up with everyone. All at once she heard a faint noise in back of her. Someone was following her! Heavy steps on the pebble path made a crunching noise. She whirled about. A shadowy figure dived into the shrubs. Violet raced toward the others. “Henry!” she called. “Wait!”
They stopped. “What is it, Violet?” Henry asked.
“A man! I saw a man duck into the bushes.” She was out of breath, but felt better surrounded by her family and Miguel.
“Don’t worry!” Benny said. “We’ll protect you!”
Henry chuckled nervously. “We’ve almost reached the house. We’ll be safe there.” But his heart was racing, too. One more day, he vowed, and they must leave! Things were getting out of hand!
That night no one slept well.
Benny thrashed about in bed and pounded his pillow. Then he lay very still. What was that click? But it was only his chattering teeth.
Miguel thought he heard the stranger trying to break in, but it was only the branches scraping against the window.
Henry thought he heard a scratching noise, but it was only a mouse.
Jessie thought she heard someone breaking the lock, but it was only the dying embers in the fireplace that crackled and popped.
Violet sat straight up in bed. Was someone ripping and tearing something? No, she thought, lying back was probably her imagination again.
CHAPTER 10
The Last Missing Piece
When dawn broke, Henry awakened and jumped out of bed. Quietly he went into the kitchen. Jessie joined him. Then Violet and Miguel came in.
And last, Benny slowly shuffled toward them. He gave a wide yawn and rubbed his half-closed eyes. “Is it time to get up?” he asked sleepily.
“No,” Henry said. “I couldn’t sleep.”
“Neither could I,” Jessie said.
“Me neither,” Violet echoed.
“I woke up lots of times,” Miguel said.
“I didn’t sleep very good either!” Benny said.
In the half light Henry moved toward the fireplace. Suddenly he halted, unable to go another step.
Jessie, who was beside him, stopped also. “The chair!” she exclaimed. “It’s ripped to shreds.”
“So it wasn’t my imagination after all,” Violet said in a husky voice, a hand flying to her flushed cheek. “To think the intruder was in the house while we were sleeping!” She shivered, hating to think how near a stranger had been.
“Well,” Henry said, trying to laugh, “it looks like Pete has one ruined chair.”
“I’ll say,” Benny said in a low tone. “The chair is all stuffing and springs.”
They stared at the damage, not quite knowing how to handle this.
Jessie was the first to stir. She forced a cheerful smile. “There’s not much we can do about the damage.” She hesitated, then continued, “Besides, that old chair was so caved in that you almost sank to the floor.”
“Oh, Pete won’t care. It’s just the thought of someone . . .” Henry didn’t finish.
“Someone being so close,” Miguel finished.
“Right,” Violet said. Her face was pale. “Shall we go for help?”
Jessie, attempting to keep her smile, said, “If word gets out there’s a prowler, we won’t be able to finish.”
Henry nodded. “We’ll be very careful. We have to keep our eyes open every minute, and we have to stay together.”
“Will he come back tonight?” Benny asked in a small frightened voice, his eyes fastened on Henry’s face.
They all shifted their feet uneasily, but Henry was positive. “Absolutely not! We only have one more night here, and we’ll take turns standing guard. We’ll work in the library today and if we don’t find the missing sword, then I guess it will never be found!”
Jessie leaned down, looking at Benny. “You must eat some breakfast, Benny.” Benny shook his head.
“I can’t believe you’re not hungry,” Miguel said with concern in his dark eyes. “You must eat so you can help at the library.”
“I’m tired of working in the library.”
“Then you can be our lookout today,” Henry said. “You won’t have to lift books anymore.”
“Really?” he said, slowly weakening.
“Yes,” Jessie said.
Benny stared at Jessie with his big brown eyes. “Can we have pancakes?” He smiled impishly.
Violet laughed. “That’s just the breakfast I was thinking of,” she said.
“Then, I guess I’m hungry, after all,” Benny said, going into the kitchen.
They all pitched in, making the morning meal. Henry set the table, Jessie made the pancakes, Violet poured the milk, and Miguel set the syrup and butter on the table. Benny folded napkins and set one at each place, but every once in a while he stopped and glanced at the ruined chair.
Everyone ate a hearty breakfast, trying to forget the intruder who had been in their house.
They decided to bike to the library and on the way Henry began to sing, and soon everyone joined in. In the bright sunlight, the stranger didn’t seem so ominous. Besides, it was their last day, and tonight the lookout would warn them if anyone approached the little house.
When they reached the library, Henry paused before opening the door. What if it was a mess again? He shook his head to get rid of the awful picture of yesterday’s chaos, and flung open the door.
All was as they had left it yesterday. Everyone crowded behind Henry, peeking over his shoulder.
“It’s all right,” he laughed. “You can come in.”
Row after row of books lined the shelves. Boxes of books, tied with string and labeled, hadn’t been opened.
“Wow,” Benny exclaimed. He beamed his approval.
“Doesn’t everything look grand?” Henry said, surveying the room with his hands on his hips.
Jessie stood beside him. “All our hard work has paid off.”
“Wait until Grandfather sees how lovely the library looks,” Violet said with a sweet smile.
“What’s the matter, Miguel?” Henry motioned the boy forward. “You helped in this, too, you know.”
“It’s the nicest library I’ve ever seen,” Miguel said, but he still hung back.
Jessie and Violet exchanged glances. They knew why he wasn’t in a happy mood. The wind had died down, and now Miguel would have to face the two fishermen who would soon be brought to shore. Miguel might be the happiest boy in the world or the most heartbroken. Jessie took Miguel’s hand, pulling him into the group.
“We only have the upstairs and we’ll be finished,” Henry said briskly, attempting to distract Miguel so he wouldn’t think too much.
“There aren’t many books upstairs,” Jessie said lightly, already mounting the steps.
“Now, Benny,” Henry said gravely. “You stay downstairs and be our guard. If anyone approaches, you yell a warning.”
“Okay,” Benny said, feeling important. He climbed atop the circulation desk. “I’ll sit right here and look out the window,” he said, swinging his legs.
“Good boy,” Henry said. “We don’t need to worry with you as our lookout.”
“You bet you don’t!” Benny grinned, glad not to have to handle any more books. Being a guard was much easier.
Violet patted Benny’s knee. “We shouldn’t be too long.”
“That’s okay,” Benny answered, resting his chin in his hand and staring intently out the window.
Henry, Violet, and Miguel went upstairs where Jessie was already straightening books.