儿童英语读物 The Great Bicycle Race Mystery CHAPTER 9 Henry’s Plan

The Aldens stood at the day’s finish line, applauding as the last riders came in ahead of the sweep wagon 1.



“I’m glad we didn’t follow that detour 2 sign,” said Jessie. “Getting lost two days in a row would have been too much.”



“Not so many people got lost this time. And what a surprise. It was Ms. Whatney who caught up with the ones who had followed the sign and got them to turn around before going too far out of their way,” said Henry.



“And Al didn’t switch the signs today,” Benny said. “He was with us. He did say he wrecked 3 Henry’s bike, though.”



“I’ve told you I think I know who is behind all of the trouble now,” said Henry. “And I’ve got a plan.”



“What? Tell us!” Jessie pleaded.



“Follow me, and I’ll tell you while we walk,” Henry said.



At the bike corral, the crew member who was standing 4 guard at the entrance didn’t ask any questions. “The guard tonight?” he said. “Anna Wong. You could check for her in the volunteer tent section. Or leave a message on the volunteer message board there.”



“Thanks,” said Henry. They found Anna Wong emerging from her tent, yawning and stretching.



She stopped yawning as Henry introduced himself, and the Aldens told their story. When they had finished, she said, “I can do that. I’d like to catch whoever’s behind all this, believe me. I love Eagle Mountain.”



“We’ll meet you at dinner, then,” said Henry.



“And don’t forget—we’ve never met before,” Jessie reminded her.



Anna pushed her short dark hair back from her face and laughed. “I can’t remember,” she said. “And I won’t have to pretend too much to be sleepy. I still am.”



Shortly after that, Henry led the Aldens through the dining tent. They passed several empty tables, but none of them seemed to suit him.



Then Violet whispered, “Over there.”



“Right,” said Henry. He walked in the direction that Violet had indicated and sat down at an empty table.



Anna Wong appeared almost immediately, carrying her dinner.



She slowed as she got nearer. Henry tipped his head toward the back of the person sitting at the next table across from the Aldens.



Anna nodded back. She walked over, slid her dinner down at the place in front of Henry and just behind the person he had pointed 5 out, and said, “Do you mind if I sit here?” She yawned loudly as she sat down.



“Please join us,” Violet said.



“I’m Benny,” Benny said, and introduced the rest of his family.



“I’m Anna Wong,” Anna said. She yawned even more loudly. “I’m on the crew.”



“Hard day?” asked Soo Lee. “You seem tired.”



“I am tired,” Anna said. “I’m on bike corral guard duty tonight. I just hope I can ...” She let another yawn interrupt her and then finished, “... stay awake.”



“Were you on duty last night, too?” asked Violet.



“No. Someone else was. I just hope nothing happens tonight. It would be terrible. I would feel awful,” Anna said.



“You’ll do fine,” Jessie reassured 6 her.



“I hope so,” Anna said. “I go on duty right after lights out. I just hope I don’t go on duty and then go to sleep.” She finished her sentence with the loudest yawn of all. They ate in silence for a while. When they all finished, Benny spoke 7 first.



“I’m getting sleepy,” Benny said. He yawned.



“We’d better head back to our tents,” Jessie said. She stood up. The rest of the Aldens did the same.



“Good luck tonight,” said Violet politely.



“Thanks,” said Anna. And winked 8.



The figure of Anna in the darkness had been drooping 9 in the chair by the corral entrance. Now her head tipped back and she started to snore. Loudly.



The snoring went on, then stopped. Anna shifted, mumbled 10, and pulled her hat down over her eyes to block out the light by the gate where she was keeping watch. The field of bicycles inside the enclosure was dimly lit by the lights that had been placed around the fence.



Then she began to snore again.



Time passed. Anna appeared to be in a deep sleep.



From their hiding place behind a nearby rock, the Aldens watched. Behind them, bicycle riders and volunteers slept in the rows of tents. It was quiet and dark except for the beam of an occasional light as a rider made a cautious late-night trip to the bathroom or to get some water.



Violet clutched Henry’s arm and whispered, “I saw something move. Over there!”



Benny almost jumped up to peer over the rock, but Jessie caught him in time. “Not yet, Benny,” she hissed 11.



They kept waiting. Sure enough, Violet had been right. They saw a tall, slender figure emerge from the shadows. It edged toward Anna’s sleeping form.



Looking left and right, the shadowy figure hesitated for a moment outside the bike corral. Then it eased the gate open just a fraction and slipped inside.



“Come on,” said Henry.



Crouching 12 low, the five Aldens hurried to where Anna still appeared to be sleeping.



“Shout when you’re ready,” Anna said softly. “I’ll throw the switch and turn all the corral lights on.” She spoke without moving from her position of seemingly deep sleep.



“Right,” Jessie said.



One by one, the Aldens slipped inside the gate.



Jessie said, “Benny, why don’t we take this side of the corral.”



“We’ll take the other,” said Henry. He, Soo Lee, and Violet disappeared into the shadows at the edge of a bike row.



Keeping down and moving cautiously, Benny and Jessie did the same. At the end of each row, they stopped and peered cautiously down it.



Suddenly Benny said, “I see someone.”



“Let’s go,” said Jessie. “On this side of the row, so we can’t be seen coming.”



She and Benny raced down the row, trying to move as quietly as possible. They slowed as they heard a sound—a click, and then a pop. After each click and pop, the figure moved to the next bicycle.



“The spokes 13. They’re being cut on each bicycle,” Jessie breathed.



Benny didn’t wait. He jumped to his feet, turned his flashlight on, and shouted at the top of his lungs, “Stop that!”



The lights of the bicycle corral turned on full force. Anna Wong popped out of her chair and began running down the middle aisle 14 of the rows of bicycles. Henry, Violet, and Soo Lee began running from the other side of the corral.



And Nan gave a little shriek 15, dropped her wire cutters, and tried to run.