儿童英语读物 The Mystery of the Spider's Clue CHAPTER 10 The Mystery Man

“We thought we’d take you out for lunch with us, Thomas,” said Rose. “And what a stroke of luck to find the Aldens here!” she added, glancing over at the children.



“We’d sure like it if you’d join us,” Sam told them.



The children looked at one another. They would never be able to discuss Sam’s past with Sam right there.



Thomas spoke 1 up before they could answer. “I just have a few things to clear off my desk.” He opened his door a crack. “Why don’t we step inside my office for a minute.” He was almost shouting. “It’ll be more comfortable.”



Thomas was usually so soft-spoken. Violet wondered why he was raising his voice.



“No need to yell, Thomas,” said Rose, who seemed to think it odd, too. “We’re right here.”



They stepped inside a cozy 2 office where law books filled the shelves and chairs were clustered before a huge desk. On the far side of the room was a door leading to an adjoining office.



Violet moved closer to her younger brother. “What’s the matter, Benny?” She knew by the look on his face that something was up.



“I know who Pinky is!” Benny announced. And he glanced meaningfully over at Rose.



Henry, Jessie, and Violet exchanged looks of amazement 4.



“Rose Hill is Pinky?” whispered Violet in disbelief.



“How did you know?” Rose couldn’t help laughing when she overheard. “Pinky was my nickname when I was a young girl.” Then she added, “But nobody’s called me that in years.”



Thomas laughed along with Rose as he sat down at his desk. “Back then, that’s all we ever called you!”



“Didn’t know you had any other name in the old days,” added Sam.



Henry looked at Jessie. Jessie nodded back. She was thinking what he was thinking. Rose was an old friend of Sam’s. They’d known each other for years. It all added up. The key to the code word really was in Sam’s past—and the key was Rose Hill!



“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet!” said Jessie.



Violet gasped 5. “And a rose by any other name is ‘Pinky’!”



“That must be the secret code word,” concluded Henry. “Is that it?” he asked Thomas. “Is the secret code word—‘Pinky’?”



Thomas reached into a drawer and removed an envelope. Opening the flap, he pulled out a small card. Then he held it up for everyone to see. The word PINKY appeared on it in large type.



A slow smile spread across the lawyer’s face. “You hit the nail on the head, kids!”



“Didn’t I tell you they were fine detectives?” said Sam, his eyes shining.



Just then Violet heard something—a slight shuffling 6 sound. It seemed to be coming from behind the door of the adjoining office. Was someone listening through the door? Melissa had told them Thomas was busy with a client. But where was his client? Violet had no time to think about it, though. Thomas was talking again.



“You children did a fine job,” he said. “And just in the nick of time, too.”



Henry nodded, but he looked troubled. Something just didn’t feel right.



“What is it, Henry?” asked Jessie.



Everyone turned to look at him.



“I’m not sure,” said Henry. “But it’s like Grandfather said—it’s such an amazing coincidence.”



“Coincidence?” Sam raised an eyebrow 7 as he sat down in a chair.



“Don’t you think it’s strange,” said Henry, “that this inheritance came along just when you’re out of work, Sam?”



“Well,” Sam said thoughtfully, “now that you mention it . . .”



“And the lawyer handling the estate just happens to be a friend of yours,” added Henry. “That’s a pretty big coincidence, too. Don’t you think?”



Sam nodded. So did Violet and Benny.



Jessie nodded, too. But she was thinking of something else. “And then there’s the code word itself,” she said. “Only a few people would have known Rose’s nickname.”



“Hmm, I hadn’t thought of that,” Sam said.



“Why were you so surprised, Thomas,” Henry asked, “when Ray Munch 8 said he was here about the inheritance?”



The question seemed to catch Thomas off guard. “What . . . ?”



Henry quickly explained to Sam and Rose what had happened before their arrival. Then he turned to Thomas again. “You seemed so sure Ray Munch was up to something. It was almost as if you knew, somehow, that his name wasn’t on the millionaire’s mailing list.”



Thomas shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “I had a hunch 9, that’s all.”



“There’s another strange coincidence,” said Violet. “The person who came up with these clues must have liked mysteries. And he was good at making them up, too. Just like you, Thomas.”



Benny folded his arms. “That’s right.” He looked accusingly at Thomas. “You make up codes and clues for your grandchildren. I bet you made up this mystery, too!”



Thomas held up a hand. “Wait a minute!”



Sam looked sharply at his old friend. “What’s going on, Thomas?”



There was a long silence. In a quiet voice, Thomas finally answered Sam’s question. “I guess you’ve found me out,” he said. “The mystery of the Spider’s Clue was my own invention.”



Sam blinked in disbelief. “You tricked me?”



“I did.”



“Oh, dear.” Rose wrung 10 her hands. “Things aren’t going the way we’d planned.”



Sam turned to her in surprise. “You were in on this, too?” He sounded more hurt than angry.



“Well . . .” Rose began, then stopped. She managed a weak smile. “We were just trying to help.”



At that moment, the door of the adjoining office swung open. A heavyset man with silver hair stood in the doorway 11.



Jessie gasped. “The mystery man!”



Sam’s mouth had dropped open. “It . . . it can’t be!”



“You were listening at the door,” Violet said suspiciously. “Who are you?”



Thomas smiled at the Aldens. “Well, kids,” he said, “I’d like to introduce you to Sam’s brother, Simon Snow.”



“What?” the Aldens all cried at once.



“Yes, it’s true,” Simon admitted. “I was here visiting Thomas. When I heard everyone coming inside, I hid in the other room.”



Violet nodded. That explained why Thomas had raised his voice after opening the door a crack. He was warning Simon to duck out of sight.



Simon looked over at his brother. “Don’t be angry with Rose. Or with Thomas. This whole thing was my idea.”



“It was your idea to trick me?” Sam looked upset.



Rose put a hand on Sam’s arm. “Simon only wanted to help. He heard about your accident, Sam. He knew you’d be too proud to accept money from him. Between the three of us, we came up with this elaborate scheme to help you out.”



Sam was confused. “Then there never was an inheritance?”



“That’s right,” answered Simon.



“Or a butler who sent out invitations,” added Henry.



“Right again,” said Simon. “Sam was the only one who received an invitation in the mail.”



“And I sent that out myself,” put in Thomas. “The money wasn’t an inheritance. It was a gift from Simon.” Then he looked over at the Aldens and shook his head. “I knew you children were good detectives. But I had no idea you’d figure out so much.”



Jessie had some questions. The mystery was still not fully 3 explained. “We overheard you on the phone, Simon,” she said, “when we were tracking down clues. You mentioned the mystery, and you sounded upset.”



Simon and Rose looked at each other.



“Oh, that must’ve been when Simon phoned me,” said Rose. “We were arguing about the mystery. I was certain you’d never find the Hollow Tree Restaurant. I mean, the sign’s so faded on the awning 12. I thought we should give you a hint or two. But Simon wouldn’t hear of it. He was certain we’d be sorry if we said anything. He thought it would just make you suspicious.”



“I knew you could solve it on your own,” said Simon. “I saw you in the library one day browsing 13 through nursery rhymes. I knew you were going to solve the mystery just fine.”



“Were you following us?” asked Benny.



Simon shook his head. “I’m sorry if I frightened you. I was passing by and I saw you go inside. I was just curious to see if your visit to the library had anything to do with the mystery.”



“If the Aldens hadn’t seen through your plan, Simon, you would have left Greenfield without speaking to me.” Sam’s expression was grim. “Isn’t that true?”



Simon hung his head. “I stood outside your house one afternoon, Sam,” he confessed. “I tried to work up the courage to knock on your door.”



“I saw you there,” Jessie said quietly.



Simon nodded. “I wanted to see you again, Sam. But I was afraid you’d turn me away.”



“Turn you away?” Sam looked shocked. “I would never turn my own brother away!”



Simon Snow crossed the room. He put out his hand. Sam got slowly to his feet, and the two men shook hands, then embraced. Simon had tears in his eyes. “I’ve been such a fool.”



“That makes two of us, Simon,” Sam said in a choked voice. “That makes two of us.”



Sam was true to his word. Just as soon as he was back on his feet, he cooked a big pot of chili 14 and invited everyone over to enjoy it with him—the four Alden children, Grandfather Alden, Mrs. McGregor, Simon, Thomas, and Rose. And, of course, Watch.



“I still can’t believe it,” said Sam, shaking his head. “I never thought I’d see the day my brother would be sitting right here in my kitchen.” Sam looked happier than the Aldens had ever seen him.



“Well, you’d better get used to it,” said Simon as he helped himself to another bowl of chili. “I’ll be retiring next month, and I can’t think of a better place to spend my retirement 15 years than right here in Greenfield.”



Grandfather Alden smiled. “It’s a wonderful town.”



Simon sat back in his chair. “Years ago, I told my brother he was making a big mistake to come back to Greenfield. But I was wrong.” He turned to Sam. “You live in a town where everyone loves and respects you. I envy you for that. I just wish . . .” Simon paused. “I just wish you’d let me help you out, Sam. I’ve done really well in the carpet business, you know.”



Sam suddenly got up from the table. He walked across the room and opened a drawer. When he came back to the table, he was holding his bank book. “Take a look at my savings 16 account, Simon,” he said.



Simon let out a low whistle when he saw the balance. “I had no idea you were doing so well, Sam.”



Sam nodded. “I’ve worked hard all these years. And I haven’t had many needs.”



Rose clapped her hands. “The Three Musketeers have all done well for themselves,” she said. “And I’ll expect to see all three of you at the Hollow Tree! Especially now that it’s getting spruced up a bit,” she added.



“Did the bank approve your loan?” asked Thomas.



Rose nodded happily. Then she looked over at the Aldens. “That’s the reason I was tottering 17 around in those high heels the day I met you. I had an appointment with the bank manager and I was trying to make a good impression—I guess it worked.”



Violet smiled. She knew Rose could never have stolen from anybody.



“Thanks to the Aldens, everything’s turned out great for all of us!” Sam said.



“And thanks to Watch,” added Violet. “He helped solve the mystery.”



“He sure did,” agreed Henry.



Watch barked when he heard his name. “Woof, woof!”



“Don’t worry.” Benny gave their little dog a hug. “Another mystery will come along soon. You can count on it!”