Windy City Mystery
Read Windy City Mystery Online
Authors: Gertrude Chandler Warner
The Boxcar Children Mysteries
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THE WINDY CITY MYSTERY
created by
GERTRUDE CHANDLER WARNER
Illustrated by Charles Tang
ALBERT WHITMAN & Company
Morton Grove, Illinois
Contents
7. Old Stories and New Fire Engines
CHAPTER 1
The Windy City
“L
ook for Chad,” Grandfather Alden said.
He and the Alden children had just gotten off an airplane.
“We've never met Chad,” Henry, who was fourteen, reminded him.
Grandfather smiled. “That's right,” he said. “I forgot.”
Twelve-year-old Jessie glanced around the airport. “What does he look like?”
“I haven't seen him in a long time,” Grandfather answered. “I'm not sure I'd recognize him myself.”
“There he is!” Benny said. He skipped toward a tall, thin young man.
The others followed.
“Welcome to Chicago,” the young man said.
“Chad Piper!” Mr. Alden said. “You've grown up!” He introduced Chad to the Alden children.
Then Jessie said, “Benny, how did you know this was Chad?”
Chad held up a sign. It read ALDENS.
“I'm six!” Benny said. “I can read!”
“I wasn't sure I'd recognize you,” Chad said, leading the group down the long hall. “So I made the sign.”
Ten-year-old Violet thought it would be fun to spend the day just watching the people come and go. “This place is really big,” she said.
“O'Hare is one of the largest and busiest airports in the world,” Chad told her.
They picked up their luggage from the carousel and went to the parking garage.
When they were settled in the car and on their way, Chad asked the children, “Have you decided what you want to see?”
“They didn't have much time to plan,” Mr. Alden said.
“Grandfather just told us about the trip two days ago,” Henry added.
“No 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.
“We'll pick up some maps and brochures tomorrow,” Chad continued. “Then you can decide what you want to see.”
“Oh, look!” Violet exclaimed.
Ahead, the city skyline was golden in the late afternoon sun.
“There it is,” Chad said. “The Windy City.”
“Wow!” Benny said, pointing to a building that towered over all the others. “That building looks like a giant!”
“It's the Sears Tower,” Chad told them. “One hundred and ten stories high â 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.