Windy City Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner Page A

problem,” Chad said. “I’m to be your guide when your grandfather and my father are busy.”
    Jacob Piper, Chad’s father, owned Piper Paper Products. Mr. Alden, who owned a mill, had come to see him on business.
    â€œWe’ll pick up some maps and brochures tomorrow,” Chad continued. “Then you can decide what you want to see.”
    â€œOh, look!” Violet exclaimed.
    Ahead, the city skyline was golden in the late afternoon sun.
    â€œThere it is,” Chad said. “The Windy City.”
    â€œWow!” Benny said, pointing to a building that towered over all the others. “That building looks like a giant!”
    â€œIt’s the Sears Tower,” Chad told them. “One hundred and ten stories high — counting the antennae on top. It’s the tallest building in North America.”
    Before long, they turned off the expressway onto city streets. People hurried along the sidewalks and in and out of buildings.
    Chad parked the car. “Here we are,” he said.
    Everyone got out. Henry helped Chad with the suitcases.
    Benny tipped his head back to look up. This building was not one hundred and ten stories, but it was tall. “Is this where we’re staying?” he asked.
    Chad nodded. “Piper Paper Products owns an apartment here. My father keeps it for visitors.”
    Inside, a man in a blue uniform was talking on a phone.
    Chad gave Mr. Alden a key. “Take the elevator to twenty,” he said. “Apartment 2004. I’ll be up in a few minutes.”
    As the Aldens entered the elevator, Violet glanced over her shoulder. “Chad’s talking to the man in the uniform,” she said.
    Henry turned around to look. “That’s the doorman.”
    Upstairs, Benny ran ahead, reading the numbers on the doors. “Here it is!” he said.
    Mr. Alden unlocked the door and stepped back to let the children enter. The apartment had high ceilings and lots of woodwork.
    On their right was a small kitchen. Benny went to the refrigerator. He opened it and peered inside. “Look at all this food!” he said. “Eggs and bacon and jam and milk and soda and … everything!” He closed the door. “I’m going to like it here.”
    Beyond the kitchen was a large living room. Violet crossed to the wall of windows.
    Grandfather followed her. “There’s Lake Michigan,” he said.
    A few blocks east, the lake sparkled.
    â€œIt’s beautiful,” Violet said.
    Henry came up beside them. “It sure is,” he agreed.
    Jessie came into the room. “There are three big bedrooms,” she told them. “Grandfather can have one. Henry, you and Benny can have another, and Violet and I will take the third.”
    The other Aldens took their suitcases and followed her. Jessie was good at organizing things.
    They were in their separate bedrooms when Chad came into the apartment and called, “Where is everyone?”
    The Aldens returned to the living room.
    â€œThis is a nice place,” Jessie said.
    Chad grinned. “I’m glad you like it. I helped decorate it. It’s a challenge — an old place like this.”
    â€œAre you a decorator?” Violet asked.
    Chad shook his head. “Actually, I work part-time for my father,” he said, “but I am going to school. I want to be an artist.”
    â€œViolet’s an artist.” There was pride in Benny’s voice.
    â€œAre you?” Chad said. “That’s great!”
    Violet blushed. “I’m not really an artist,” she objected. “I just like to sketch.”
    â€œThat’s how I started,” Chad told her. “I’d like to see your work.”
    â€œYou brought your sketchbook, didn’t you?” Henry asked.
    Violet nodded. She always packed her sketchbook.
    â€œGood,” Chad said. “We’ll make time to do some drawing.” He turned to the others. “If