Mystery of the Missing Cat by Charles Tang Page B

children had helped fix up the old house and had solved the ghost mystery. Now the house looked welcoming as the four children rode up on their bicycles.
    Soo Lee was sitting on the steps when they arrived.
    â€œYou’re right on time,” she said, her eyes sparkling. She got on her bike, and soon the five of them were on their way to Mr. Woods’s house to find out more about the missing cat and maybe to meet Mrs. Valentine’s niece.
    The day was bright and sunny. The Aldens rode their bicycles briskly through Greenfield, enjoying the feel of the air on their faces. They waved at the people they passed, who all seemed to be enjoying the day, too.
    But when they reached Tucker Lane, Violet stopped her bike, a worried expression on her face.
    Henry looked back. “What is it, Violet?” he asked, getting off his bicycle. The others got off their bicycles, too.
    Violet bit her lip and looked down the street toward the big stone house. “Mrs. Valentine said Mr. Woods didn’t like anybody. What if he’s mean?”
    The other children looked thoughtful. Then Soo Lee said, “She didn’t say he was mean, did she?”
    Jessie said, “No, she didn’t. Maybe he’s just nervous when he meets new people, Violet. Maybe he’s shy.”
    Violet was shy herself, so she could understand how that felt. She nodded slowly and looked a little less worried. “Maybe he is shy,” she said.
    â€œWe won’t know until we get there,” Henry pointed out.
    â€œOkay,” said Violet. “Let’s go!” She got on her bicycle and began to pedal determinedly toward the big stone house. The others quickly followed.
    As they got closer, they could see that the house didn’t look so scary. The wide front porch had big wicker chairs on it. Brightly colored pillows made the chairs look even more comfortable. A table with a pot of flowers on it stood at one end of the porch, and there were hanging baskets with ferns in them all around.
    â€œMr. Woods may not like people, but he likes plants,” Jessie observed.
    They walked up the stairs and Henry knocked on the door, using the heavy old brass knocker.
    No one answered. Henry knocked a second time. But still no one answered.
    â€œMaybe no one’s home,” said Benny.
    â€œMrs. Valentine’s niece is arriving today. Maybe she went to meet her,” said Henry.
    â€œBut Mrs. Valentine said Mr. Woods never goes anywhere or talks to anybody,” said Violet softly. “He must be here.”
    â€œHe goes on walks,” Benny reminded them. “That’s how he found Spotzie.”
    â€œTrue,” said Henry. “Maybe that’s what he’s doing now.”
    â€œEven if he is here, I don’t think he’s going to answer the door,” said Soo Lee.
    â€œYes, we’ve knocked long enough,” agreed Henry. “I guess we’d better go.”
    Suddenly, Violet said, “Did you see that?”
    Everyone looked at Violet, then in the direction she was staring.
    â€œWhat, Violet?” Jessie asked.
    â€œI thought I saw someone behind the curtain at the front window,” Violet said.
    They all watched the window. But they couldn’t see anything.
    â€œMaybe it was a draft inside,” said Henry.
    â€œOr maybe Mr. Woods is home, like Soo Lee said, and he just won’t answer the door,” said Jessie.
    â€œDo you think he has been watching us the whole time?” asked Benny.
    â€œI don’t know, Benny,” said Jessie.
    â€œThat’s sad, if he’s too shy to answer the door,” said Violet. “He must miss Spotzie a lot.”
    â€œWe can find Spotzie,” declared Henry.
    â€œYes,” said Violet. “Let’s get started right now.”
    â€œMrs. Valentine said Mr. Woods goes out and looks for Spotzie every day. But if he doesn’t like people, I bet he hasn’t asked the neighbors,” said Jessie.