Mystery on Stage by Gertrude Chandler Warner

CHAPTER 1
    Stagestruck
    O ne fall day, Jessie Alden stood outside a bookstore in Greenfield. In the window was a large poster:
    WANTED
    Actors, actresses to perform in
The Wizard of Oz
    Auditions held Saturday, November 4th
9AM–4PM
Greenfield Community Playhouse
Scripts available in bookstore.
    The bookstore was closed, but Jessie stood staring at the poster for a time. She did not even notice when another girl also stopped to look in the window.
    â€œOh, I love The Wizard of Oz ,”the new girl whispered aloud.
    Jessie jumped and whirled around to face the girl. “I didn’t think anyone else was here — you scared me,” twelve-year-old Jessie said.
    â€œI’m sorry, I didn’t mean to,” the girl answered.
    Jessie smiled. “I’m Jessie Alden,” she said. “Will you be trying out for a part in this play?”
    The older girl did not return Jessie’s smile. She seemed to look beyond Jessie, far off into space. “I’m Sarah Bellamy,” she finally answered. “And yes, I will be. I want the part of Dorothy.” Sarah spoke in a deep, clear voice.
    â€œOh, I’d like to try for that part, too,” Jessie said. “I’ve never tried out for a big role like that before. Have you?”
    â€œWhy are you asking me that?” Sarah asked sharply.

    â€œI’m sorry,” Jessie said, looking down at the sidewalk.
    Sarah looked a little ashamed of herself. “I didn’t mean to snap at you,” she said as she pulled her purple coat more tightly around her shoulders. “I’m just in such a hurry. You must excuse me.”
    Before Jessie could say another word, Sarah turned and walked quickly away. Jessie stared after her. Sarah’s long dark hair blew in the wind. Her hair and her purple coat seemed to float around her body as she moved down the street. “She looks just like a dancer,” Jessie said aloud.
    Suddenly, a big gust of wind blew a pile of yellow leaves from the trees. Jessie shivered and buttoned her red jacket before she, too, hurried home.
    â€œViolet, you’ll never guess what I saw!” Jessie exclaimed to her ten-year-old sister when she burst into her house.
    Jessie was so excited, she let the front door bang behind her, which was unusual. Jessie never banged doors.
    Violet looked up from the picture she was drawing of Watch, the family dog. “What?” she asked as she stretched her legs.
    â€œWell, the Community Playhouse is putting on The Wizard of Oz. ”Jessie sank into her grandfather’s overstuffed armchair. “I really want to try out for the part of Dorothy.”
    Watch ran to Jessie wagging his tail. “Oh, Watch,” Jessie said, laughing. She patted Watch’s soft fur. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your portrait.”
    â€œHe wasn’t sitting still anyway.” Violet shook her head and pretended to give Watch a cross look.
    The front door opened again, and in came the girls’ grandfather with their elder brother, Henry. Watch bounded over to Henry.
    â€œOh, Watch, can’t you see my hands are full?” Henry, who was fourteen, laughed and nudged Watch with his foot. Henry and Grandfather were each carrying several logs of wood.
    â€œOh, good, you’re building a fire,” Jessie said. “It will be cozy on a night like this.”
    â€œIt sure will.” Benny came into the living room from the kitchen. He held a half-eaten chocolate chip cookie in his hand.
    â€œThese cookies just came out of the oven,” Benny said proudly. “I helped Mrs. McGregor make them.” Mrs. McGregor was the Alden’s housekeeper.
    â€œOh, Benny, don’t spoil your appetite before dinner.” Jessie tried to sound stern, but she couldn’t help smiling at her six-year-old brother. He always seemed to be eating.
    â€œNothing could spoil Benny’s appetite,” Henry said. He crouched by the fireplace and