“We know that the gargoyles aren’t real,” said Jessie. “But your videos were fake, too?”
“They’re fake,” Annabel admitted. “Just as fake as Raven was. I just acted like I saw gargoyles in the videos. I’d go to the library with a friend. He would hold the camera and I would pretend that the gargoyles appeared. And then tonight I did see a gargoyle.”
“So you were pretending to be someone else,” said Violet. “A made-up person…”
“Just like Holly Page,” Henry said. “I bet we couldn’t find Holly Page in those old yearbooks because she’s a made-up person, too, just like Annabel was only acting like Raven.”
“Annabel must be a pretty good actor,” said Benny, “because your screams sounded really real.”
“Oh, my screams were real tonight,” said Annabel. “I really did see a gargoyle in the window just now. I wasn’t filming this to put it online. The gargoyle I saw was real.”
Jessie, Violet, and Benny didn’t know whether to believe what Annabel was telling them—not after she hadn’t been honest about everything else.
But Henry believed her. “We know that gargoyles are just stone statues, but I think she’s telling the truth, guys,” he said, standing at the window. “She saw something. Look at this string hanging outside the glass. It looks like the string we saw at the library earlier tonight.”
Sure enough, hanging outside the window was a string.
“It looks like the string is hanging from someplace above your room,” Henry said.
“But the fourth floor is the top floor of Harper Hall,” said Annabel. “The only thing above my room is the roof.”
“Then we’re headed to the roof,” said Henry.
“That sounds like fun!” Benny shouted. “Let’s go!”
“I’m sorry, guys,” said Annabel. “My days of hunting gargoyles are done. I think I’ll stay in my room. But if you want to get to the roof, take the stairs at the end of the hall. The door at the top opens out onto the roof—sometimes I go up there at night to watch the stars.”
Benny had already started down the hall and up the stairs, so his sisters and brother had to run fast to catch up with him. They were all in such a hurry that no one heard the sound of footsteps running down the stairs, or the sound of the exit door opening and slamming shut.
The four Alden children went through the door at the top of the stairs and, sure enough, above them shined the moon and the constellations of the night sky.
“I see the Big Dipper!” Benny said.
“And look,” said Jessie, “that constellation shaped like a hunter is called Orion.”
“I wonder if Orion has ever gone gargoyle hunting like us,” said Benny.
“I don’t know,” Henry said, “but I think we’re pretty close to catching whoever is behind this mystery. Come on, the area right over there should be directly above Raven’s, er, Annabel’s room. Just be careful, since we’re on the roof of a building.”
The roof of Harper Hall was flat, but the children walked carefully to the edge.
“Here’s the string,” said Benny, holding one end of the string up in the air.
“So whoever is scaring people must be dangling the gargoyle from a string,” Henry explained. “They must have used the same trick at the library, hanging the gargoyle that we saw from the window on the top floor.”
“But those gargoyles are part of the library,” said Jessie. “I don’t see how somebody could pull a heavy stone statue off of a building and hang it from a little piece of string like a piñata at a birthday party.”
Benny held the other end of the string in his hand. “It looks like this string is broken. The gargoyle must have fallen.”
“Benny’s right,” Henry said, cautiously peeking over the edge of the roof. “I can see something in the bushes below.”
“I see it, too,” said Violet. “It’s gray and has wings. It’s a gargoyle!”
While Annabel had been frightened by the gargoyle that appeared at Harper Hall, the Alden children weren’t scared at all. Back to the stairway door they hurried, and down the stairs to the ground floor they raced.
Once again, Benny led the way. Once he was through the door he ran and around the side of the dorm to the bushes they’d seen from the roof.
“It is a gargoyle!” Benny yelled. “And it’s not heavy at all.”
Henry, Jessie, and Violet turned the corner to see their little brother standing in the middle of a green, prickly bush. In Benny’s hand was a gray, grinning gargoyle held high over his head.
“We can be sure that’s not a real statue now,” said Jessie.
“Yeah,” said Henry. “Benny might be strong for a kid, but nobody could lift one of the real gargoyles over his head.”
Violet looked puzzled. “That gargoyle looks just like the statues on top of the library, though. If it’s not a real statue, what is it?”
Jessie took the gargoyle from Benny and helped her little brother out of the bushes. She tapped the grinning creature with her finger. A dusting of white powder showered down from the bottom of the gargoyle. “This isn’t made of stone,” she said. “It’s made out of papier-mâché.”
“Papier-mâché!” said Violet. “I know where I’ve heard that word before. It was on a book at the library.”
“Then we need to go back to the library so we can finally solve the mystery of the grinning gargoyles,” Henry said.
“And we will,” said Jessie, “just as soon as we get a good night’s sleep. We have a very big day tomorrow.”
The Alden children took the papier-mâché gargoyle with them as they headed back into Harper Hall. Leaving the papier-mâché gargoyle with Annabel—to show her it had been a sculpture and not a living, breathing creature outside her window—the Aldens headed back to suite 4A.
“I think Annabel had the right idea, wearing those pretty pajamas to bed,” Violet yawned as the children reached the front door of their suite.
“That reminds me of something you said back in Annabel’s room,” said Henry, holding the door for his siblings. “You said Raven was a made-up person, and I realized that Holly Page was made-up, too. I’ve been thinking about that ever since, and I think there’s someone whose name sounds a little bit like Holly and who spends the day looking through pages and pages.”
“I think you’re right, Henry,” said Jessie. “And I think after we get some rest tonight, we know who to talk to.”
CHAPTER 8
Checked Out
The next morning, Jessie woke her brothers and sister very early.
“I’m tired,” said Benny. “We were up so late.”
“We’re going to be busy today,” Jessie said. “There’s the groundbreaking ceremony, and then the big game…”
“And we still have the mystery to solve, too,” said Henry, stretching his arms and climbing out of bed. “Let’s head right to the library.”
“I’ll leave a note for Grandfather,” Violet said, pulling a purple pen and a pad of paper from her purple duffel bag. “We can meet him at the ceremony once we have finished our work.”
On the way to the library, the Aldens stopped at the Bruin Beanery.
Behind the counter was a smiling girl with light-brown hair. On the girl’s chest was a name badge that said Annabel.
“Hi, Raven!” said Benny. “I mean, Annabel. We’re going to have a little breakfast before we go to the library.”
“What would you like?” Annabel asked. “Breakfast is on the house.”
“On the house?” Benny asked. “Don’t you mean on the roof?”
Annabel laughed. “It means that whatever you kids want to eat for breakfast is free. It’s my way of saying thank you for helping me last night when I was scared.”
“Thank you,” Violet said. “You’re really nice, Annabel.”
“Yeah,” said Benny. “You’re about the nicest suspect I’ve ever met!”
“Annabel’s not a suspect,” Henry said. “Not anymore. But she can
do one thing for us.”
“What’s that?” asked Annabel.
“You and your friend with the video camera can meet us after the groundbreaking ceremony for the Alden Library,” said Henry. “You can film the final chapter of the grinning gargoyle mystery. Will you do that?”
“We sure will,” Annabel said. “I didn’t think I’d be making anymore gargoyle videos, but I suspect this is a good plan.”
“Speaking of suspects,” said Jessie, “I think we know which suspect we need to talk to. Let’s eat our breakfast as we walk.”
The Aldens had finished their breakfast by the time they reached the old library. The stone gargoyles grinned down at them from high above. The papier-mâché gargoyle he had found the night before grinned up at the statues from Benny’s arms.
Benny held onto his gargoyle until the children reached the desk where Miss Hollenberg already sat. The old librarian looked up from the book she was reading and was surprised when the youngest Alden dropped the papier-mâché creature into her lap.
“Where did you get this gargoyle?” Miss Hollenberg asked, looking surprised and a little bit annoyed with the powdering of white dust that covered her red dress. “It’s papier-mâché. Did you children make it?”
“No,” said Henry. “But we think you did.”
“Why would I do such a thing?” asked Miss Hollenberg.
“You’re sad about the Alden Library replacing this old library,” said Jessie, “and you thought you could foil the plan by scaring people with the legend of the grinning gargoyles.”
Miss Hollenberg laughed. “Why that’s the silliest thing I’ve ever heard,” she said. “For one thing, the Alden Library isn’t replacing anything. But that’s a secret for today’s ceremony, so that’s all I will say about that. And for another thing, the legend of the grinning gargoyles is fiction…”
“What does ‘fiction’ mean?” Benny asked.
“It means ‘made up,’” Henry said. “Just like Raven was made up. Or just like Holly Page, who wrote the newspaper article!”
“I haven’t heard that name in years,” Miss Hollenberg sighed, taking the old, yellowed newspaper from her desktop.
“You created the gargoyle legend, didn’t you, Miss Hollenberg?” Violet asked. “You were Holly Page.”
“I sure did,” said Miss Hollenberg. She pointed tothe author’s nameon the newspaper article. “See. Holly, like Hollenberg. And Page, like the pages in all these books Holly Page. That’s me.”
“But why would you make up a legend like that?” asked Jessie.
“Years ago, even before your grandfather was a student here at Goldwin University, I had a problem with students misbehaving in the library,” Miss Hollenberg explained. “Like I told you when you arrived yesterday, gargoyles are supposed to protect the buildings which they decorate. I figured that a spooky legend about grinning gargoyles would make everyone behave. So I wrote this article in the Goldwin Gazette, using Holly Page as my pen name.”
“What’s a pen name?” Benny asked.
“It’s a made-up name an author uses instead of their own,” said Henry. “Sort of like how Annabel used the name Raven for her videos. Did your article work, Miss Hollenberg?”
“It did back then, and then it was forgotten for many, many years,” said the old librarian. “But recently, the legend of the grinning gargoyles has been causing more trouble than it has solved, what with people talking about gargoyles scratching at windows and peeking in at scared students. It reminded me of the old article, which I found among my things. I don’t know how anyone else knew about the legend, though—I highly doubt there are any other copies left.”
“Then how would someone find out about the legend,” Jessie wondered, “if they didn’t have a copy of that old newspaper?”
“There are lots of other ways to find things in the library,” said Miss Hollenberg. “I’m sure someone found the article online…”
“You’re probably right,” said Henry, “because that’s how we found it—on the computer last night. I think we have a pretty good idea who has been hanging gargoyles from windows, don’t we?”
Violet and Benny nodded in agreement, while Jessie walked over to the carts of books parked by the elevator doors. She returned carrying the art book titled Papier-mâché that the children had seen the night before.
“Will you do us a favor, Miss Hollenberg?” Jessie asked.
“Certainly,” said Miss Hollenberg.
“We can prove who the computer culprit is with the help of your computer,” said Jessie. “Can you look up the person who last checked out this book? Whoever borrowed this book is behind the mystery of the grinning gargoyles.”
Miss Hollenberg looked up the name and showed it to the Alden children. Then she looked at the time and said, “You might have a suspect to apprehend, but we all have a ceremony to attend.”
“And there are also a couple things I think we want to discuss with Grandfather,” said Jessie. “Things that will help Goldwin University be an even better place than it already is.”
CHAPTER 9
Breaking Ground and Cracking the Case
Along with Miss Hollenberg, Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny Alden hurried out of the old library, looking up at the gargoyle statues grinning down from its top floor. A large crowd was already gathered on the empty lot next to the library.
“I see Coach Woods and the football team,” said Violet.
“There is Grandfather,” Benny said. “He’s holding some kind of shiny shovel.”
James Alden, proud graduate of Goldwin University, did hold a shiny silver shovel in his hands. He stood at the front of the crowd, in front of a microphone, wearing his white suit and his tie that was the color of the red, autumn leaves. Grandfather Alden nodded to his grandchildren, and began his speech.
“Friends and family, students and teachers, I would like to welcome you all to this groundbreaking ceremony,” he began.
“When I attended Goldwin University many, many years ago, I often came to this library building to study. I studied hard, and I have done well for myself. So it is only right that I give back to this special place that helped me learn and grow.”
Grandfather Alden stuck the shovel into the ground and dug up a chunk of dirt. “With this ceremonial shovel full of earth, I begin the building of a new library, where students will be able to learn and grow for many years to come. But I will say, that this old library with its grinning gargoyle statues is very dear to me. I was reminded of this not only by this visit, but also by my dear friend Miss Hollenberg and by my four special grandchildren. I do not want the old library to be torn down and forgotten. So I propose that a walkway be built between the new library and the old one, to remind us of the past even as we look to the future. With both library buildings, Goldwin University will be able to house twice the books and twice the computers for its students to use.”
The crowd broke into applause. The building of the Alden Library had begun, and the old library would still be used and appreciated. The children were proud of their grandfather.
But Grandfather Alden’s speech was not finished yet. “I have another announcement,” he said into the microphone. “I also hadn’t realized that Goldwin Coliseum has fallen into disrepair…”
“What does that mean?” Benny asked Henry.
“It means that the football stadium is getting old,” Henry explained.
“I would not only like to help with the building of a new library for the university to enjoy, but a new football stadium, as well,” Grandfather Alden continued. “Using the money that would have been used to tear down the old library and build something else in its place, a new home for the Goldwin Bears football team can be built. It will still have a large video screen, but will also have comfortable seats, a well-groomed field, and facilities that are modern and well-kept…”
“And what does that mean?” asked Benny.
“It means that the new stadium’s steps won’t
be crumbly and that the plumbing won’t leak,” said Jessie.
“This new sports arena shall be called Woods Stadium,” Grandfather Alden said, “in honor of my good friend, our legendary Coach Woods.”
The crowd applauded again, cheering for the coach, who looked very happy and quite shocked at the kind news.
“And with that,” said Grandfather, “let’s all head over and cheer for our Goldwin Bears football team as they try to win the big game!”
The crowd cheered its loudest, and then the people started to walk across campus to Goldwin Coliseum.
Before the first of their remaining suspects could leave, the Alden children stopped Coach Woods.
“Good luck in the big game,” said Henry.
“And good job on not being one of our suspects anymore,” said Benny.
Coach Woods looked puzzled.
“I think what Benny meant is congratulations on the new stadium,” said Jessie.
“It’s going to be named after you!” said Violet.
“Did you come up with any big plays for the big game?” asked Benny.
“You will just have to come see for yourself,” said Coach Woods. He thanked the children for their kind words, and then jogged to catch up with the players on his team.
The Alden children had now crossed three suspects off of their list—neither Coach Woods, Miss Hollenberg, or Annabel was behind the gargoyle mystery. But their final suspect hadn’t attended the ceremony.
“Come on, guys,” Henry said, “we have a stop to make before we go to the game.”
The children then paid a visit to Goldwin Gyros. The restaurant was empty, but the sound of pots and pans clattering came from the kitchen in back.
“Hello, children.” Izzy said from the kitchen, sweat pouring from his bald head as he stood over the stove. “How are you this morning? I hope you haven’t seen any gargoyles, other than the ones on the library.”