Peril at Granite Peak by Franklin W. Dixon Page B

around. “What happened here?”
    By the time we finished explaining what Cody had just told us, the staff had most of the tables back in place. As Rick swept up the rest of the trash, Mrs. Gallagher clapped her hands.
    â€œAttention, guests,” she called out. “Sorry for the disruption. We’ll have it cleaned up soon, but in the meantime, please enjoy your breakfast.” She gestured at the buffet table, where Josie and the other waitress were busy setting out food.
    â€œExcellent,” Chet said, patting his belly. “Let’s go.”
    We headed over, ending up at the head of the line. “How do you think that window got broken?” I asked Frank in a low voice as Chet grabbed a plate and moved forward.
    Frank shrugged. “Maybe our culprit,” he replied quietly. “Maybe the storm. Or the raccoons. We should try to get a look at it if we can.”
    I nodded, reaching for a plate. Chet was already helping himself to a large stack of waffles.
    â€œHey, is that a chocolate chip one back there?” he asked eagerly, grabbing a waffle sitting on a plate behind the others.
    â€œWait!” Josie exclaimed. “That’s Mr. Wright’s special order. He’ll freak out if someone else eats it!”
    â€œToo late,” I said with a grin.
    Chet’s eyes widened with alarm as he bit down on the waffle. For a second I thought he felt guilty because of what Josie had said.
    Then I gasped as he spit the half-chewed waffle into his hand—along with a mouthful of blood!

OUT FOR BLOOD
13
FRANK
    I HEARD JOE’S GASP AND turned to see blood dripping out of Chet’s mouth. “Ow!” he mumbled.
    â€œChet! What happened?” I cried, leaping toward him.
    By now others had noticed the blood as well. There were screams and cries of alarm. Mrs. Gallagher rushed over and started fussing over Chet, ordering him to open his mouth so she could see inside.
    â€œStand back, please!” the older waitress said, gesturing to the other guests, who were gathering around looking shocked and worried. “Give them some room.”
    The waffle had fallen to the floor. I grabbed it just before it got trampled by Joe, who was leaping around, telling Chet to hold still.
    I punched him lightly in the shoulder to get his attention.“Check it out,” I said grimly, holding up the waffle. Several shards of glass were poking out of the ragged edge where Chet had bitten!
    Joe let out a low whistle. “That’s hardcore,” he said with a worried glance at Chet.
    I tapped Mrs. Gallagher on the arm. “Look,” I said. “There was glass in the waffle.”
    Chet still had his mouth wide open, but his eyes widened with alarm. “Did you swallow any, dude?” Joe asked him.
    Chet shook his head and closed his mouth. “I don’t think so,” he said, his words slightly garbled. “I stopped chewing when Josie yelled.”
    â€œGood thing she yelled when she did, then.” I shot a look at Josie, who was clutching the edge of the buffet table and staring at Chet in horror. “Someone could die from a stunt like this.”
    â€œLike Chet.” Joe stared at our friend with concern.
    I nodded. “Or Stanley,” I reminded him quietly, trying not to let anyone else hear. “That waffle was meant for him.”
    â€œCome with me, Chet,” Mrs. Gallagher said briskly. “You’ve got a couple of pretty nasty cuts on your tongue and the roof of your mouth. I want to check you out in the infirmary.”
    She led him away. “Is he going to be okay?” Josie cried, her voice high and sort of fluttery.
    â€œLooks like it,” I told her. “Where’d that waffle come from?”
    Josie didn’t seem to hear me. Her eyes were wide and anxious as she stared after Chet. “This is terrible,” she moaned. “Just terrible!”
    â€œI know,” I said. “I—”
    I cut