The Happy Hollisters and the Mystery in Skyscraper City
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
Be careful Miss Allen cried out 11
Together he and Pete went into the hall and returned a few minutes later with a bucket of warm sudsy water and several cleaning cloths Together they mopped up the ink then started to rub out the stains One thing I don’t like to do is scrub fl oors Joey complained Pete made no comment and went about his task cheerfully Th is angered Joey all the more I’ll get even with you for this Joey said between clenched teeth as they fi nished their work You don’t scare me Pete replied Miss Allen told the boys they had done a good job and added But don’t fi ght in the library again Joey take the bucket to the janitor’s room and dump it in the basin Th e bully muttered a protest under his breath but took the bucket and disappeared from the room At the same time a man walked into the library He was short slender and well dressed Pam noticed immediately that he had a slightly Oriental look to his eyes Th e stranger went straight to Miss Allen’s desk bowed politely and in a soft voice said I hear you have a book about secret New York tunnels on sale here I should like to purchase it We did have such a book the librarian replied but I’m afraid you’re too late Pete Hollister bought it only a few moments ago Th e man turned and surveyed the room in one sweeping glance Which boy is Pete Hollister 12
I am sir Pete said stepping forward He had an uneasy feeling as the man’s eyes looked him over and then came to rest on the volume in his hand I want that book on secret New York tunnels the man said I’ll pay you fi ve dollars for it Five dollars Pam exclaimed in amazement It cost my brother only twenty-fi ve cents Never mind that the stranger went on I’m pre pared to give you fi ve dollars for it He reached into his pocket and pulled out a wallet removing a crisp bill from the fold He held it out toward Pete Here you are he said Now I’ll take the book Pete did not accept the money He looked fi rst at his sister then at the librarian He did not know what to do If the book were worth fi ve dollars to this man Pete thought there must be a special reason Could it be the mysterious note tucked among the pages Pete drew a deep breath and said I don’t want to sell the book A silence followed as all the children waited to see what the man would do A forced smile came over the fellow’s face He turned to Pam Please tell your broth er not to be so foolish as to refuse my off er Pam did not hesitate Her reply seemed to shock the Oriental-looking stranger I don’t think Pete should sell it either At this moment Joey came back into the room and hurried forward to see what was going on Learning of Pete’s refusal to make such a tremendous profi t he said How stupid can you be Pete 13
