Henry shrugged his shoulders.

  “Oh, Ezra,” Andi was saying. “I’m upset because I came here to quit. I can’t be your assistant anymore.”

  “But whyever not?” Ezra asked.

  “Because I’m no good,” Andi said. “I keep losing things, like the new music I bought. And I don’t play well enough. I’ve been sneaking in here for extra practice, but I didn’t want you to know.”

  “Don’t play well enough?” Ezra said. “You’re great! In fact, you’re so good, I’m afraid they’re going to give you my job when you graduate! I’m getting old, and you’re bringing in that exciting newfangled music.”

  “I thought you didn’t like the new music,” Andi said.

  Ezra looked at her sheepishly. “I admit it took me a little while to get used to the idea. But now I really enjoy it.” He paused. “In fact, the reason you couldn’t find your music is because I borrowed it.” He looked at the Aldens. “I may be the one you’ve seen up here at night. I came up here once to try out Miss Barton’s new music, but I didn’t want anyone to know.”

  Andi beamed. “I’m so relieved. I thought you were disappointed with me.”

  “Well, you could try to be a little more organized,” Ezra said. “But you’re an excellent carillon player.”

  “I’ll try harder,” Andi said. “And I’ll help you with the new music. I’m just so honored to be working with a gifted carillon player like you.”

  “Now we know who was up in the tower those nights,” Henry said.

  “Actually, I only came up here one night,” Ezra said.

  The children looked at one another, confused. “But we saw a light up here on two different nights.”

  At that moment Don came forward and cleared his throat. “I think I have some explaining to do,” he said. “I was the one you saw up here in the tower the other night.”

  CHAPTER 10

  A Reward for the Children

  “You were the one?” Joel asked in disbelief.

  “Yes, I was the one who found the letter—and then left it up here,” Don said.

  “Where did you find it?” Benny wanted to know.

  “It was tucked inside that antique book my father gave me,” Don said.

  “So that’s why you didn’t want us looking at the book,” Jessie said.

  “That’s right—I kept the letter in the book,” he said. “Until I brought it up here. I didn’t want you looking in the book because I was afraid you might see it.”

  “That day we saw you on the Quad and you started to ask us about the book—” Jessie recalled.

  “By then I’d realized I’d lost the letter,” Don said. “I was going to ask if you had seen it. But then I decided I’d better not mention it, or I’d have a lot of explaining to do.”

  Then Joel spoke up. “So that’s why you were so eager to come up here to visit. You wanted to find the treasure.”

  “Yes,” Don said. “I went up into the tower in the middle of the night to search. I only had a flashlight on, so I didn’t think anyone would see me.”

  Suddenly Violet remembered something. “It was your muddy footprint we saw, wasn’t it?” she said, looking down at the sneakers Don was wearing.

  “I suppose it must have been,” Don agreed. “When I was searching around up here, I tried to look inside and behind the carillon—I’m afraid I may have broken some of the wires by accident when I leaned on them. I even went up to look at the bells and unscrewed some of the parts to see if somehow a treasure could be hidden inside.”

  “That was a terrible thing you did,” Ezra said angrily. “It took me a long time to fix the carillon.”

  Don’s face turned red, and he looked at the floor. “I’m so sorry,” he said quietly. “I wasn’t thinking. I’d come so far, and I didn’t want to leave empty-handed. I’ll repay you for the time you spent repairing them.”

  “What I don’t understand is: Why were you being so secretive? Why not tell the university what you’d found?” Professor Meyer asked.

  “I know what I did wasn’t right. But I never intended to keep the money. I just wanted to find the treasure.” Don looked at his father.

  “Still playing detective?” Joel asked.

  “I guess so,” Don said sadly. “I’m sorry.”

  “Well, I’m glad all the mysteries have been solved,” the professor said. “Thanks to the Aldens.” She smiled at the children, who smiled back proudly.

  “What’s going to happen to the treasure?” Benny asked.

  “We’ll have to notify the Chambers family,” Professor Meyer said. “For now, perhaps, we should bring the treasure to the president’s office for safekeeping.”

  “That sounds like a good idea,” said Jessie.

  The next day, the Aldens were getting ready to leave Goldwin and return home. Their suitcases were packed and ready. The family was just finishing up lunch in the dining hall.

  “I’ve enjoyed being here again after all these years, but it will be good to get back to Greenfield,” Grandfather said.

  “I agree,” said Jessie.

  “I miss Mrs. McGregor’s cooking,” Benny said.

  “Look, there’s Professor Meyer,” Violet called out as they stood up to leave.

  Grandfather waved to her and she came right over. “I’m glad I found you before you left,” she said. “I spoke with Laurence Chambers last night. He was overjoyed to hear that you had found the family valuables—he couldn’t believe it. In fact, he took the first flight here and arrived this morning.”

  “Really?” Henry said. “Has he seen the treasure yet?”

  “Yes, and it was more wonderful than he’d imagined,” the professor said. “He’d like to meet you and thank you in person.”

  The children looked at one another, their eyes glowing.

  “We’d love to,” said Jessie.

  The Aldens went with the professor up to the top of the tower one last time. When they reached the top, a tall dark-haired man was standing looking out the window. As he turned to face them, Violet said, “You look like your great-great-granduncle.”

  “Do I?” Mr. Chambers asked.

  “Yes,” Henry agreed. “We saw a picture of him in a book.”

  “And you must be the Aldens,” Mr. Chambers said. “I can’t thank you enough for finding my family heirlooms.”

  “It was our pleasure,” Jessie assured him.

  “I’d like to give each of you a small piece of the treasure,” Mr. Chambers went on. He held out his hand and showed the children four old gold coins. “Will you accept these as your reward?”

  The children were too stunned to speak. As he handed each of them a coin, Grandfather said, “They’re speechless. I think that means they accept your offer.”

  At last the children remembered their manners. “Thank you!” they each said.

  “As I was saying, it is the sentimental value, not the money, that matters to me,” Mr. Chambers said. “Last night I discussed with my family what to do with this treasure.

  “As you know, my family has always been very devoted to this university. We will keep a few pieces, but the rest we are going to donate to Goldwin. We’ll be putting some of the antiques, like the goblets, on display.”

  “What about the gold and silver?” asked Henry.

  “My cousins and I discussed what to do with it,” Mr. Chambers said. “My great-great-granduncle was quite fond of music, especially the carillon. You may have figured that out from his letters.”

  “Yes, it sounded that way,” said Jessie.

  “My family would like to use this money to add some new bells,” said Mr. Chambers.

  “What a wonderful idea,” Ezra said. “Thank you so very much.”

  “Our music will sound even more beautiful,” Andi said excitedly.

  “Your great-great-granduncle would have been proud,” Ezra said.

  “Thank you for calling me,” Mr. Chambers said to Professor Meyer. Then he turned to the Aldens. “And t
hank you again, for finding my family’s treasure.”

  “You’re welcome,” said Henry.

  “Anytime you need a treasure found, just call us!” said Benny with a smile. “We’re always ready for a treasure hunt.”

  About the Author

  GERTRUDE CHANDLER WARNER discovered when she was teaching that many readers who like an exciting story could find no books that were both easy and fun to read. She decided to try to meet this need, and her first book, The Boxcar Children, quickly proved she had succeeded.

  Miss Warner drew on her own experiences to write the mystery. As a child she spent hours watching trains go by on the tracks opposite her family home. She often dreamed about what it would be like to set up housekeeping in a caboose or freight car — the situation the Alden children find themselves in.

  When Miss Warner received requests for more adventures involving Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny Alden, she began additional stories. In each, she chose a special setting and introduced unusual or eccentric characters who liked the unpredictable.

  While the mystery element is central to each of Miss Warner’s books, she never thought of them as strictly juvenile mysteries. She liked to stress the Aldens’ independence and resourcefulness and their solid New England devotion to using up and making do. The Aldens go about most of their adventures with as little adult supervision as possible — something else that delights young readers.

  Miss Warner lived in Putnam, Connecticut, until her death in 1979. During her lifetime, she received hundreds of letters from girls and boys telling her how much they liked her books.

  The Boxcar Children Mysteries

  THE BOXCAR CHILDREN

  SURPRISE ISLAND

  THE YELLOW HOUSE MYSTERY

  MYSTERY RANCH

  MIKE’S MYSTERY

  BLUE BAY MYSTERY

  THE WOODSHED MYSTERY

  THE LIGHTHOUSE MYSTERY

  MOUNTAIN TOP MYSTERY

  SCHOOLHOUSE MYSTERY

  CABOOSE MYSTERY

  HOUSEBOAT MYSTERY

  SNOWBOUND MYSTERY

  TREE HOUSE MYSTERY

  BICYCLE MYSTERY

  MYSTERY IN THE SAND

  MYSTERY BEHIND THE WALL

  BUS STATION MYSTERY

  BENNY UNCOVERS A MYSTERY

  THE HAUNTED CABIN MYSTERY

  THE DESERTED LIBRARY MYSTERY

  THE ANIMAL SHELTER MYSTERY

  THE OLD MOTEL MYSTERY

  THE MYSTERY OF THE HIDDEN PAINTING

  THE AMUSEMENT PARK MYSTERY

  THE MYSTERY OF THE MIXED-UP ZOO

  THE CAMP-OUT MYSTERY

  THE MYSTERY GIRL

  THE MYSTERY CRUISE

  THE DISAPPEARING FRIEND MYSTERY

  THE MYSTERY OF THE SINGING GHOST

  MYSTERY IN THE SNOW

  THE PIZZA MYSTERY

  THE MYSTERY HORSE

  THE MYSTERY AT THE DOG SHOW

  THE CASTLE MYSTERY

  THE MYSTERY OF THE LOST VILLAGE

  THE MYSTERY ON THE ICE

  THE MYSTERY OF THE PURPLE POOL

  THE GHOST SHIP MYSTERY

  THE MYSTERY IN WASHINGTON, DC

  THE CANOE TRIP MYSTERY

  THE MYSTERY OF THE HIDDEN BEACH

  THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING CAT

  THE MYSTERY AT SNOWFLAKE INN

  THE MYSTERY ON STAGE

  THE DINOSAUR MYSTERY

  THE MYSTERY OF THE STOLEN MUSIC

  THE MYSTERY AT THE BALL PARK

  THE CHOCOLATE SUNDAE MYSTERY

  THE MYSTERY OF THE HOT AIR BALLOON

  THE MYSTERY BOOKSTORE

  THE PILGRIM VILLAGE MYSTERY

  THE MYSTERY OF THE STOLEN BOXCAR

  THE MYSTERY IN THE CAVE

  THE MYSTERY ON THE TRAIN

  THE MYSTERY AT THE FAIR

  THE MYSTERY OF THE LOST MINE

  THE GUIDE DOG MYSTERY

  THE HURRICANE MYSTERY

  THE PET SHOP MYSTERY

  THE MYSTERY OF THE SECRET MESSAGE

  THE FIREHOUSE MYSTERY

  THE MYSTERY IN SAN FRANCISCO

  THE NIAGARA FALLS MYSTERY

  THE MYSTERY AT THE ALAMO

  THE OUTER SPACE MYSTERY

  THE SOCCER MYSTERY

  THE MYSTERY IN THE OLD ATTIC

  THE GROWLING BEAR MYSTERY

  THE MYSTERY OF THE LAKE MONSTER

  THE MYSTERY AT PEACOCK HALL

  THE WINDY CITY MYSTERY

  THE BLACK PEARL MYSTERY

  THE CEREAL BOX MYSTERY

  THE PANTHER MYSTERY

  THE MYSTERY OF THE QUEEN’S JEWELS

  THE STOLEN SWORD MYSTERY

  THE BASKETBALL MYSTERY

  THE MOVIE STAR MYSTERY

  THE MYSTERY OF THE PIRATE’S MAP

  THE GHOST TOWN MYSTERY

  THE MYSTERY OF THE BLACK RAVEN

  THE MYSTERY IN THE MALL

  THE MYSTERY IN NEW YORK

  THE GYMNASTICS MYSTERY

  THE POISON FROG MYSTERY

  THE MYSTERY OF THE EMPTY SAFE

  THE HOME RUN MYSTERY

  THE GREAT BICYCLE RACE MYSTERY

  THE MYSTERY OF THE WILD PONIES

  THE MYSTERY IN THE COMPUTER GAME

  THE MYSTERY AT THE CROOKED HOUSE

  THE HOCKEY MYSTERY

  THE MYSTERY OF THE MIDNIGHT DOG

  THE MYSTERY OF THE SCREECH OWL

  THE SUMMER CAMP MYSTERY

  THE COPYCAT MYSTERY

  THE HAUNTED CLOCK TOWER MYSTERY

  THE MYSTERY OF THE TIGER’S EYE

  THE DISAPPEARING STAIRCASE MYSTERY

  THE MYSTERY ON BLIZZARD MOUNTAIN

  THE MYSTERY OF THE SPIDER’S CLUE

  THE CANDY FACTORY MYSTERY

  THE MYSTERY OF THE MUMMY’S CURSE

  THE MYSTERY OF THE STAR RUBY

  THE STUFFED BEAR MYSTERY

  THE MYSTERY OF ALLIGATOR SWAMP

  THE MYSTERY AT SKELETON POINT

  THE TATTLETALE MYSTERY

  THE COMIC BOOK MYSTERY

  THE GREAT SHARK MYSTERY

  THE ICE CREAM MYSTERY

  THE MIDNIGHT MYSTERY

  THE MYSTERY IN THE FORTUNE COOKIE

  THE BLACK WIDOW SPIDER MYSTERY

  THE RADIO MYSTERY

  THE MYSTERY OF THE RUNAWAY GHOST

  THE FINDERS KEEPERS MYSTERY

  THE MYSTERY OF THE HAUNTED BOXCAR

  THE CLUE IN THE CORN MAZE

  THE GHOST OF THE CHATTERING BONES

  THE SWORD OF THE SILVER KNIGHT

  THE GAME STORE MYSTERY

  THE MYSTERY OF THE ORPHAN TRAIN

  THE VANISHING PASSENGER

  THE GIANT YO-YO MYSTERY

  THE CREATURE IN OGOPOGO LAKE

  THE ROCK ’N’ ROLL MYSTERY

  THE SECRET OF THE MASK

  THE SEATTLE PUZZLE

  THE GHOST IN THE FIRST ROW

  THE BOX THAT WATCH FOUND

  A HORSE NAMED DRAGON

  THE GREAT DETECTIVE RACE

  THE GHOST AT THE DRIVE-IN MOVIE

  THE MYSTERY OF THE TRAVELING TOMATOES

  THE SPY GAME

  THE DOG-GONE MYSTERY

  THE VAMPIRE MYSTERY

  SUPERSTAR WATCH

  THE SPY IN THE BLEACHERS

  All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this ebook onscreen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, eve
nts, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  copyright © 2001 by Albert Whitman & Company

  978-1-4532-2141-9

  This 2011 edition distributed by Open Road Integrated Media

  180 Varick Street

  New York, NY 10014

  www.openroadmedia.com

 


 

  Gertrude Chandler Warner, The Haunted Clock Tower Mystery

 


 

 
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