Mystery Behind the Wall by Gertrude Warner

CHAPTER 1
    Benny’s Problem
    I don’t know what to do with myself,” exclaimed Benny one day.
    “That’s the first time I’ve ever heard you say that, Benny Alden!” said his older brother, Henry. “What’s the matter with you?”
    “I tell you I don’t know,” repeated Benny. “I’ve got a whole summer vacation and I don’t know what to do with it. I’ve used up one week already. I don’t like just to sit around.”
    He slid down in his chair.
    Jessie, Benny’s sister, nodded. She said, “You are right, Benny. You worked hard at school all year. And you don’t know what to do with a vacation because your friends have gone away. You’re lonesome.”
    “Well, maybe,” Benny said doubtfully.
    Grandfather Alden said nothing. He liked to let his four grandchildren settle their own problems. He was always there if they needed help. But even Mr. Alden was surprised to hear Mrs. McGregor, the family’s housekeeper, put in a word.
    Mrs. McGregor had worked for Grandfather Alden for many years. She was there long before the four Alden children came to live with their grandfather. She was a short little woman with grayish-brown hair done in a knot on the back of her head. She never paid any attention to style. She just did the cooking and looked out for the four children and their grandfather.

    Now she said to Grandfather Alden, “I know what is the matter. Benny is lonesome, even with a brother and two sisters and a grandfather and a dog and a cat. What he wants is something new and exciting. And I have thought of something.”
    Grandfather Alden smiled and said, “Let’s hear it, Mrs. McGregor. Anything you have to say will interest me, whatever it is.”
    “Well, as you know, I have a sister living in Canada. She is always writing to me about a neighbor boy who is lonesome, too. He is ten years old now, and an only child. Very few people come out to his place. He seems to be lively, always thinking up something new to do. He works hard, too, to help his father. If he came here for a visit, he’d think this house was wonderful. You wouldn’t have to take him anywhere outside these four walls. He’d find plenty to do all by himself.”
    Benny gave a little jump on one foot. He had a big smile.
    “Look at that!” Jessie Alden said. “Benny isn’t lonesome anymore.” She smiled at Benny. “You have saved the day, Mrs. McGregor.”
    “What’s the boy’s name?” asked Violet.
    “His name is Roderick, but no one uses it. Everybody calls him Rory,” Mrs. McGregor answered. “If you called out ‘Roderick,’ he wouldn’t even turn his head. His last name is Beaton.”
    “That’s a good name—Rory,” said Benny. “I like Rory better than Roderick myself.”
    The Alden family acted as if Rory Beaton was coming that very day. And he hadn’t even been invited!
    Jessie said thoughtfully, “Where would you put him, Mrs. McGregor? That empty room next to Benny’s is not really a boy’s room. The wallpaper has roses, and the pictures are old-fashioned.”
    “I’ll take care of that,” replied Mrs. McGregor. “There’s a red bedspread I can put in there. Maybe he won’t even look at the pictures. He’s a busy boy who is forever moving around, doing something. He may tire Benny out.”
    “A ten-year-old boy tire me out?” demanded Benny. “I’d like to see him do that!”
    Then Grandfather put in a word. “You have to fix up his room, Mrs. McGregor, but Benny and the others can help you.”
    “Let’s go,” Benny said.
    “We’d love to do it,” Violet said. “It’s fun to fix up a room for company. Let’s go now. It will make the time go faster.”
    Mr. Alden said, “Wait. Might as well finish this business at once. Maybe Rory’s parents won’t let him come.”
    “I think his mother will be glad to let him come. She knows I’ll be right at hand to take care of him,” replied Mrs. McGregor.
    The four Aldens smiled to see their grandfather go at once to the telephone. He