The Happy Hollisters and the Mystery in Skyscraper City
Oh Pam Pete called out look at this Th e girl hurried to his side and both eagerly examined the strange writing Th ere’s one word in English Pam said excitedly pointing to the bottom of the paper It says Help Th at’s odd Pete remarked I wonder what the other writing means He looked in the front of the book for the owner’s name but there was none Pam thought that perhaps a person in trouble had written the note and slipped it between the pages hop ing someone would fi nd it I wonder when the note was put in Pete mused Th is book was published fi fteen years ago he added looking at the date But maybe the note has been in only a short time Pam suggested Perhaps we are the fi rst ones to fi nd it Pam was a kind-hearted girl and always wanted to help others who were in trouble Let’s take the note home and show Mother she said Pete opened the book again If we could fi nd out who gave this to the sale maybe the mystery would be solved He asked the librarian but she could not help the children I never list the people who bring in the books so I have no idea who gave this one Just then a boy named Joey Brill leaned over Pete’s shoulder to see what was going on He was larger than Pete although the same age Joey had played mean tricks on the Hollisters ever since the family had moved to Shoreham 8
him Joey snatched it out of her hand the note Maybe Japanese or Chinese What’s that writing Joey asked as Pam studied It’s only a message in a foreign language Pete said Let me take a look at it Joey demanded Even before Pam could hand the piece of paper to Don’t do that Pete said angered at the boy’s rudeness Joey held the note high over his head and grinned It isn’t really yours anyhow he taunted Th e note was in this book Pete bought Pam pro tested Give it back Joey Joey lowered the paper and glanced at it quickly Th is is Egyptian writing he said importantly and doesn’t mean a thing You won’t need it any more the conversation and turned their attention to the bully Hand that note over Pete said hotly By this time the other children in the library had heard What if I don’t Joey sneered Th en I’ll take it Pete retorted leaning toward the taller boy Try it Pete reached for the note but Joey again held it high over his head Th en as Pete pulled the bully’s arm down Joey pushed him in the face Pam cried out Stop that you meanie Th e librarian glanced up in time to see Pete twist Joey’s arm until the note fl uttered from his grip Pam quickly reached over picked up the paper and put it back into the book 9
Oh you want to fi ght eh Joey said his face turn ing red with embarrassment Before Pete could answer Joey shoved him hard with both hands Look out Pete Pam cried Her brother teetered backward toward the librarian’s desk on which stood several piles of books Be careful Miss Allen cried out rising from her chair But Pete could not regain his balance He hit the side of the desk and fell sending books fl ying through the air One of the volumes skidded across Miss Allen’s desk It knocked her bottle of black drawing ink to the fl oor with a crash A gasp arose from the onlookers Are you hurt Pete his sister asked anxiously I’m all right By the time Pete picked himself up however a large pool of ink had spread over the fl oor near the librarian’s desk Look what Pete Hollister did Joey said triumphantly Miss Allen was not fooled It was just as much your fault as his Joey Brill she told him I’m sorry Pete told the librarian I’ll clean it up Miss Allen And Joey will help you the woman declared You’ll fi nd a bucket and some cloths in the hall closet I don’t want to help him Joey said sulkily But the librarian’s stern look told the bully he had no other choice 10
