THEMAZEOFBONESThe39CluesBook01RickRiordanToHaleyandPatrick,whoacceptedthechallenge

CHAPTER1

Fiveminutesbeforeshedied,GraceCahillchangedherwill.Her lawyer brought out the alternate version,which had been hermost guarded secret for seven

years.Whether or not shewould actuallybe crazy enough touse it,WilliamMcIntyrehadnever beencertain.

"Madam,"heasked,"areyousure?"Grace gazed out thewindow, across the sunlitmeadows other estate. Her cat, Saladin, snuggled

besideherashehadthroughoutherillness,buthispresencewasnotenoughtocomforthertoday.Shewasabouttosetinmotioneventsthatmightcausetheendofcivilization.

"Yes,William."Hereverybreathwaspainful."I'msure."Williambrokethesealonthebrownleatherfolder.Hewasatallcraggyman.Hisnosewaspointed

likea sundial so it alwayscasta shadowoveronesideofhis face.HehadbeenGrace'sadviser,herclosestconfidant,forhalfherlife.They'dsharedmanysecretsovertheyears,butnoneasperilousasthis.

6Heheldthedocumentforhertoreview.Afitofcoughingwrackedherbody.Saladinmeowedwith

concern.Oncethecoughingpassed,Williamhelpedhertakethepen.Shescrawledherweaksignatureacrossthepaper."They'resoyoung,"Williamlamented."Ifonlytheirparents--""Buttheirparentsdidn't,"Gracesaidbitterly."Andnowthechildrenmustbeoldenough.Theyare

ouronlychance.""Iftheydon'tsucceed--""Then fivehundredyearsofworkhavebeen fornothing,"Gracesaid. "Everythingcollapses.The

family,theworld--allofit."Williamnoddedgrimly.Hetookthefolderfromherhands.Gracesatback,strokingSaladin'ssilverfur.Thesceneoutsidethewindowmadehersad.Itwastoo

gorgeousadaytodie.Shewantedtohaveonelastpicnicwiththechildren.Shewantedtobeyoungandstrongandtraveltheworldagain.

But her eyesight was failing. Her lungs labored. She clutched her jade necklace -- a good-lucktalismanshe'dfoundinChinayearsago.Ithadseenherthroughmanyclosecallswithdeath,manyluckymisses.Butthetalismancouldn'thelpheranymore.

She'dworkedhardtoprepareforthisday.Still,therewassomuchshe'dleftundone...somuchshehadnevertoldthechildren.7"Itwillhavetobeenough,"shewhispered.Andwiththat,GraceCahillclosedhereyesforthelast

time.WhenhewassureGracehadpassedaway,WilliamMcIntyrewent to thewindowandclosed the

curtains.Williampreferreddarkness.Itseemedmoreproperforthebusinessathand.Thedooropenedbehindhim.Grace'scathissedanddisappearedunderthebed.Williamdidn'tlookback.HewasstaringatGraceCahill'ssignatureonhernewwill,whichhadjust

becomethemostimportantdocumentintheCahillfamily'shistory."Well?"abrusquevoicesaid.Williamturned.Amanstoodinthedoorway,hisfaceobscuredbyshadows,hissuitasblackasoil."It'stime,"Williamsaid."Makesuretheysuspectnothing."Williamcouldn'ttellforsure,buthethoughtthemaninblacksmiled.

"Don'tworry,"themanpromised."They'llneverhaveaclue."8

CHAPTER2

DanCahilthoughthehadthemostannoyingbigsisterontheplanet.Andthatwasbeforeshesetfiretotwomilliondollars.Itallstartedwhentheywent totheirgrandmother'sfuneral.Secretly,Danwasexcited,becausehe

washopingtomakearubbingofthetombstoneaftereveryoneelsewasgone.HefiguredGracewouldn'tcare.She'dbeenacoolgrandmother.

Danlovedcollectingthings.Hecollectedbaseballcards,autographsoffamousoutlaws,CivilWarweapons,rarecoins,andeverycasthe'deverhadsincekindergarten(alltwelveofthem).Atthemoment,whathelikedcollectingbestwerecharcoalrubbingsoftombstones.Hehadsomeawesomeonesbackattheapartment.

Hisfavoriteread:PRUELLAGOODE1891-1929I'MDEAD.LET'SHAVEAPARTY.9HefiguredifhehadarubbingofGrace'stombstoneinhiscollection,maybeitwouldn'tfeelquiteso

muchlikeshewasgoneforever.Anyway,thewholewayfromBostontothefuneralinWorcesterCounty,hisgreat-auntBeatricewas

driving like a very slow lunatic. Shewent twenty-fivemiles anhour on the highway andkept driftingacrosslanessotheothercarshonkedandswervedandranintoguardrailsandstuff.AuntBeatrice justkept clutching the wheel with her jeweled fingers. Her wrinkly face wasmade upwith Day-Glo redlipstickandrouge,whichmadeherbluehairlookevenbluer.Danwonderedifshegavetheotherdriversnightmaresaboutoldclowns.

"Amy!"shesnapped,asanotherSUVcareeneddowntheexitrampbecauseBeatricehadjustpulledinfrontofit."Stopreadinginthecar!It'snotsafe!"

"But,AuntBeatrice-""Younglady,closethatbook!"Amydid,whichwastypical.Sheneverputupafightwithadults.Amyhadlongreddish-brownhair,

unlike Dan's, which was dark blond. This helped Dan pretend his sister was an alien imposter, butunfortunatelytheyhadthesameeyes--greenlikejade,theirgrandmotherusedtosay.

AmywasthreeyearsolderandsixinchestallerthanDan,andsheneverlethimforgetit--likebeingfourteen

10wassuchabigdeal.Usually, shewore jeansandsomeoldT-shirtbecauseshedidn't likepeople

noticingher,buttodayshewaswearingablackdresssoshelookedlikeavampire'sbride.Danhopedheroutfitwasasuncomfortableashisstupidsuitandtie.AuntBeatricehadthrownafit

when he tried to go to the funeral in his ninja clothes. It wasn't as if Grace would care if he wascomfortable anddeadly, thewayhe feltwhenhepretended to be a ninja, but of courseAuntBeatricedidn'tunderstand.SometimesitwashardforhimtobelievesheandGraceweresisters.

"RemindmetofireyouraupairassoonaswereturntoBoston,"Beatricegrumbled."Youtwohavebeenentirelytoospoiled.""Nellie'snice!"Danprotested."Hmph!ThisNellie

almostletyouburndowntheneighbor'sapartmentbuilding!""Exactly!"Everycoupleofweeks,Beatricefiredtheiraupairandhiredanewone.Theonlygoodthingwas

thatAuntBeatricedidn'tlivewiththempersonally.Shelivedacrosstowninabuildingthatdidn'tallowkids,sosometimesittookherafewdaystohearaboutDan'slatestexploits.

Nelliehadlastedlongerthanmost.DanlikedherbecauseshemadeamazingwafflesandsheusuallycrankedheriPoduptobrain-damagelevel.Shedidn't

11evenhearwhenDan'sbottlerocketcollectionwentoffandstrafedthebuildingacrossthealley.Dan

wouldmissNelliewhenshegotfired.AuntBeatricekeptdrivingandmutteringaboutspoiledchildren.Amysecretlywentbacktoherhuge

book.Thelasttwodays,sincetheygotthenewsaboutGrace'sdeath,Amyhadbeenreadingevenmorethanusual.Danknewitwasherwayofhiding,buthekindofresenteditbecauseitshuthimout,too.

"Whatareyoureadingthistime?"heasked."MedievalEuropeanDoorknobs?BathTowelsThroughtheAges?"Amygavehimanuglyface--oranuglier-than-usualface."Noneofyourbusiness,dweeb.""Youcan'tcallaninjalorddweeb.Youhavedisgracedthefamily.Youmustcommitseppuku."Amyrolledhereyes.Afterafewmoremiles,thecitymeltedintofarmland.ItstartedtolooklikeGracecountry,andeven

thoughDanhadpromisedhimselfhewouldn'tgetsappy,hebegantofeelsad.Gracehadbeenthecoolestever.She'dtreatedhimandAmylikerealpeople,notkids.That'swhyshe'dinsistedtheysimplycallherGrace,notGrandmotherorGranorNanaoranysillynamelikethat.She'dbeenoneoftheonlypeoplewho'devercaredabout them.Nowshewasdead,andtheyhadtogoto thefuneralandseeabunchofrelativeswhohad

neverbeennicetothem....12Thefamilycemeterysatatthebottomofthehillfromthemansion.Danthoughtitwaskindofstupid

they'dhiredahearsetocarryGraceahundredyardsdownthedriveway.Theycould'veputwheelsonthecoffinliketheyhaveonsuitcasesandthatwould'veworkedjustaswell.

Summer stormclouds rumbledoverhead.The familymansion lookeddarkandgloomyon itshill,likealord'scastle.Danlovedtheplace,withitsbillionroomsandchimneysandstainedglasswindows.

Helovedthefamilygraveyardevenmore.Adozencrumblingtombstonesspreadoutacrossagreenmeadowringedintrees,rightnexttoalittlecreek.Someofthestonesweresooldthewritinghadfadedaway.Graceused to takeAmyandhimdown to themeadowon theirweekendvisits.GraceandAmywouldspendtheafternoononapicnicblanket,readingandtalking,whileDanexploredthegravesandthewoodsandthecreek.

Stopthat,Dantoldhimself.You'regettingsentimental."Somanypeople,"Amymurmured,astheywalkeddownthedriveway."You'renotgoingtofreakout,areyou?"Amyfiddledwiththecollarofherdress."I'm--I'mnotfreakingout.Ijust--""Youhatecrowds,"hefinished."Butyou

knewthere'dbeacrowd.Theycomeeveryyear."13Eachwinter,aslongasDancouldremember,Gracehadinvitedrelativesfromallovertheworldfor

aweeklongholiday.ThemansionfilledupwithChineseCahillsandBritishCahillsandSouthAfricanCahillsandVenezuelanCahills.Mostofthemdidn'tevengobythenameCahill,butGraceassuredhimtheywereallrelated.She'dexplainaboutcousinsandsecondcousinsandcousinsthreetimesremoveduntilDan'sbrainstartedtohurt.Amywouldusuallygohideinthelibrarywiththecat.

"Iknow,"shesaid."But...Imean,lookatthemall."Shehadapoint.Aboutfourhundredpeopleweregatheringatthegravesite."Theyjustwantherfortune,"Dandecided."Dan!""Well?It'strue."TheyhadjustjoinedtheprocessionwhenDansuddenlygotflippedupsidedown."Hey!"heyelled."Look,guys,"agirlsaid."Wecaughtarat!"Danwasn'tinagoodpositiontosee,buthecouldmakeouttheHoltsisters--MadisonandReagan-

-standingoneithersideofhim,holdinghimbyhisankles.Thetwinshadmatchingpurplerunningsuits,blondpigtails,andcrookedsmiles.Theywereonlyeleven,sameasDan,buttheyhadnotroubleholdinghim.Dansawmorepurplerunningsuitsbehindthem--therestoftheHoltfamily.Theirpitbull,14

Arnold,racedaroundtheirlegsandbarked."Let'sflinghimintothecreek,"Madisonsaid."Iwannaflinghimintothebushes!"Reagansaid."Weneverdomyideas!"Theirolderbrother,Hamilton, laughedlikeanidiot.Next tohim, theirdad,EisenhowerHolt,and

theirmom,Mary-Todd,grinnedlikethiswasallgoodfun."Now,girls,"Eisenhowersaid."Wecan'tgoflingingpeopleatafuneral.Thisisahappyoccasion!""Amy!"Dancalled."Alittlehelphere?"Herfacehadgonepale.Shemumbled,"Dr-dr-drop..."Dansighedinexasperation."She'stryingtosay'DROPME!'"MadisonandReagandid--onhishead."Ow!"Dansaid."M-M-Madison!"Amyprotested."Y-y-yes?"Madisonmimicked."Ithinkallthosebooksareturningyourbraintomush,weirdo."Ifithadbeenanybodyelse,Danwould'vehitback,butheknewbetterwiththeHolts.EvenMadisonandReagan,theyoungest,couldcreamhim.ThewholeHoltfamilywaswaytoobuff.

TheyhadmeatyhandsandthicknecksandfacesthatlookedlikeG.I.Joefigures.Eventhemomlookedlikesheshouldbeshavingandchewingonacigar."Ihopeyouloserstookagoodlast lookaroundthehouse,"Madisonsaid."You'renotgoingtobe

invitedbackhereanymore,nowthattheoldwitchisdead."15"Rawf!"saidArnoldthepitbull.DanlookedaroundforBeatrice,butasusualshewasn'tanywherenearthem.She'ddriftedofftotalk

totheotheroldpeople."Gracewasn'tawitch,"Dansaid."And

we'regoingtoinheritthisplace!"The big brother,Hamilton, laughed. "Yeah, right."His hairwas combed toward themiddle so it

stuckuplikeasharkfin."Waittilltheyreadthewill,runt.I'mgonnakickyououtmyself!""Allright,team,"thedadsaid."Enoughofthis.Formation!"Thefamilylinedupandstartedjoggingtowardthegravesite,knockingotherrelativesoutoftheir

wayasArnoldsnappedateveryone'sheels."Isyourheadokay?"Amyaskedguiltily.Dannodded.Hewasa littleannoyedAmyhadn'thelpedhim,but therewasnopointcomplaining

aboutit.Shealwaysgottongue-tiedaroundotherpeople."Man,IhatetheHolts.""We'vegotworseproblems."Amypointedtowardthegravesite,andDan'sheartsank."TheCobras,"hemuttered.Ian andNatalie Kabrawere standing byGrace's coffin, looking like perfect little angels as they

talkedtothepreacher.Theyworematchingdesignermourningoutfitsthatcomplementedtheirsilkyblackhairandcinnamon-coloredskin.Theycould'vebeenchildsupermodels.

16"They won't try anything during the funeral," Dan said hopefully. "They're just here for Grace's

moneyliketherestofthem.Buttheywon'tgetit."Amyfrowned."Dan...didyoureallybelievewhatyousaid,aboutusinheritingthemansion?""Ofcourse!YouknowGracelikedusbest.Wespentmoretimewithherthananybody."AmysighedlikeDanwastooyoungtounderstand,whichDanhated."Comeon,"shesaid."Wemightaswellgetthisoverwith."Andtogethertheywadedintothecrowd.Thefuneralwasablur toDan.Theministersaidsomestuffaboutashes.They lowered thecoffin

intotheground.Everybodytossedinashovelfulofdirt.Danthoughtthemournersenjoyedthisparttoomuch,especiallyIanandNatalie.

He recognized a fewmore relatives: Alistair Oh, the old Korean dude with the diamond-tippedwalkingstickwhoalwaysinsistedtheycallhimUncle;theRussianladyIrinaSpasky,whohadatwitchinoneeyesoeverybodycalledherSpazbehindherback;theStarlingtriplets--Ned,Ted,andSinead,wholooked likepartof a cloned IvyLeague lacrosse team.Even thatkid from televisionwas there: JonahWizard.He stood to one side, getting his picture takenwith a bunch of girls, and therewas a line ofpeople

17waiting to talk to him.Hewas dressed just like on TV,with lots of silver chains and bracelets,

rippedjeans,andablackmuscleshirt(whichwaskindofstupid,sincehedidn'thaveanymuscles).Anolder African-American guy in a business suit stood behind him, punching notes in a BlackBerry.ProbablyJonah'sdad.Danhadheard thatJonahWizardwasrelated to theCahills,buthe'dneverseenhiminpersonbefore.Hewonderedifheshouldgetanautographforhiscollection.

Aftertheservice,aguyinacharcoal-graysuitsteppedtothepodium.HelookedvaguelyfamiliartoDan.Themanhadalongpointednoseandabaldinghead.HeremindedDanofavulture.

"Thankyouallforcoming,"hesaidgravely."IamWilliamMcIntyre,MadameCahill'slawyerandexecutor."

"Executor?"DanwhisperedtoAmy."Hekilledher?""No,youidiot,"Amywhisperedback."Thatmeanshe'sinchargeofherwill.""Ifyouwilllookinsideyourprograms,"WilliamMcIntyrecontinued,"someofyouwillfindagold

invitationcard."Excitedmurmuringbrokeoutasfourhundredpeopleleafedthroughtheirprograms.Thenmostofthemcursedandshoutedcomplaintswhentheyfoundnothing.Danrippedthroughhis

program.Insidewasacardwithagold-leafedborder.Itread:18DanandAmyCahillareherebyinvitedtothereadingofthelastwillandtestamentofGraceCahillWhere:TheGreatHall,CahillManorWhen:Now"Iknewit!"Dansaid."Iassureyou,"Mr.McIntyresaid,raisinghisvoiceabovethecrowd,"theinvitationswerenotdone

randomly.Iapologizetothoseofyouwhowereexcluded.GraceCahillmeantyounodisrespect.OfallthemembersoftheCahillclan,onlyafewwerechosenasthemostlikely."

Thecrowdstartedyellingandarguing.Finally,Dancouldn'tstanditanymore.Hecalledout,"Mostlikelytowhat?"

"Inyourcase,Dan,"IanKabramutteredrightbehindhim,"tobeastupidAmericangit."Hissister,Natalie,giggled.Shewasholdinganinvitationandlookingverypleasedwithherself.19BeforeDancouldkickIaninasoftspot,thegray-suitedmananswered."Tobethebeneficiariesof

GraceCahill'swill.Now,ifyouplease,thosewithinvitationswillgatherintheGreatHall."Peoplewithinvitationshurriedtowardthehouselikesomebodyhadjustyelled"Freefood!"NatalieKabrawinkedatDan."Ciao,cousin.Mustruncollectourfortune."Thensheandherbrotherstrolledupthedrive."Forgetthem,"Amysaid."Dan,maybeyou'reright.Maybewe'llinheritsomething."ButDanfrowned.Ifthisinvitationwassuchagreatthing,whydidthelawyerguylooksogrim?And

whyhadGraceincludedtheKabras?Ashepassedthroughthemainentranceofthemansion,Danglancedupatthestonecrestabovethe

door--alargeCsurroundedbyfoursmallerdesigns--adragon,abear,awolf,andtwosnakesentwinedaround a sword. The crest had always fascinated Dan, though he didn't know what it meant. All theanimalsseemedtoglareathim,liketheywereabouttostrike.Hefollowedthecrowdinside,wonderingwhythoseanimalsweresomad.

TheGreatHallwasasbigasabasketballcourt,withtonsofarmorandswordsliningthewallsandhugewindowsthatlookedlikeBatmancouldcrashthroughthemanyminute.

20WilliamMcIntyrestoodatatableinfrontwithaprojectorscreenbehindhim,whileeverybodyelse

filedintorowsofseats.Therewereaboutfortypeopleinall,includingtheHoltsandtheKabrasandAuntBeatrice,wholookedcompletelydisgustedtobethere--ormaybeshewasjustdisgustedthateverybody

elsehadbeeninvitedtohersister'swillreading.Mr.McIntyreraisedhishandforquiet.Heslippedadocumentfromabrownleatherfolder,adjusted

hisbifocals,andbegan to read: '"I,GraceCahill,beingofsoundmindandbody,doherebydividemyentireestateamongthosewhoacceptthechallengeandthosewhodonot.'"

"Whoa,"EisenhowerHoltinterrupted."Whatchallenge?What'sshemean?""Iamgettingtothat,sir."Mr.McIntyreclearedhisthroatandcontinued:'"Youhavebeenchosenas

the most likely to succeed in the greatest, most perilous undertaking of all time -- a quest of vitalimportancetotheCahillfamilyandtheworldatlarge.'"

Fortypeoplestartedtalkingatonce,askingquestionsanddemandinganswers."'Perilousundertaking'?"CousinIngridshouted."Whatisshetalkingabout?""Ithoughtthiswasaboutmoney!"UncleJoseyelled."Aquest?Whodoesshethinkweare?We're

Cahills,notadventurers!"DannoticedIanandNatalieKabraexchangeameaningfullook.IrinaSpaskywhisperedsomething21inAlistairOh'sear,butmostoftheotherspectatorslookedasconfusedasDanfelt."Ladiesandgentlemen,please,"Mr.McIntyresaid."Ifyouwilldirectyourattentiontothescreen,

perhapsMadameCahillcanexplainthingsbetterthanI."Dan'sheartdida flip-flop.WhatwasMr.McIntyre talkingabout?Thenaprojectoron theceiling

hummedtolife.TheshoutingintheroomdieddownasGrace'simageflickeredonthescreen.ShewassittingupinbedwithSaladinonherlap.Sheworeablackdressinggown,likeshewasa

mourneratherownfuneral,butshelookedhealthierthanthelasttimeDanhadseenher.Hercomplexionwaspink.Herfaceandhandsdidn'tlookasthin.

Thevideomust'vebeenmademonthsago,beforehercancergotbad.Dangotalumpinhisthroat.Hehadacrazyurgetocalltoher:

Grace,it'sme!It'sDan!Butofcourseitwasjustanimage.HelookedatAmyandsawateartricklingdownthebaseofher

nose."FellowCahills,"Gracesaid."Ifyouarewatchingthis,itmeansIamdead,andIhavedecidedto

usemyalternatewill.NodoubtyouarearguingamongstyourselvesandgivingpoorMr.McIntyreahardtime about this contest I have instituted." Grace gave the camera a dry smile. "You always were astubbornbunch.Foronce,closeyourmouthsandlisten."

"Hey,waitaminute!"EisenhowerHoltprotested,buthiswifeshushedhim.22"Iassureyou,"Gracecontinued,"thiscontestisnotrick.Itisdeadlyseriousbusiness.Most of you know you belong to the Cahill family, but many of you may not realize just how

importantour family is. I tellyou theCahillshavehadagreater impactonhumancivilization thananyotherfamilyinhistory."

Moreconfusedshoutingbrokeout.IrinaSpaskystoodupandyelled,"Silence!Iwishtohear!""Myrelatives,"Grace'simagesaid,"youstandonthebrinkofourgreatestchallenge.Eachofyouhasthepotentialtosucceed.Someofyoumaydecidetoformateamwithotherpeople

inthisroomtopursuethechallenge.Someofyoumayprefertotakeupthechallengealone.Mostofyou,I'mafraid,willdeclinethechallengeandrunawaywithyourtailsbetweenyourlegs.Only

oneteamwillsucceed,andeachofyoumustsacrificeyourshareoftheinheritancetoparticipate."Sheheldupamanilaenvelopesealedwithredwax.Hereyeswereasbrightandhardassteel."If

youaccept,youshallbegiventhefirstofthirty-nineclues.Theseclueswillleadyoutoasecret,which,should you find it,willmake you themost powerful, influential humanbeings on the planet.YouwillrealizethedestinyoftheCahillfamily.InowbegyoualltolistentoMr.McIntyre.Allowhimtoexplaintherules.

Think long and hard before youmake your choice." She stared straight into the camera, andDanwantedhertosaysomethingspecialtothem:

DanandAmy,I'll23missyoumostofall.Nobodyelseinthisroomreallymatterstome.Somethinglikethat.Instead,Gracesaid,"I'mcountingonyouall.Goodluck,andgood-bye."The screenwent dark.Amy grippedDan's hand.Her fingerswere trembling. ToDan, it felt like

they'djustlostGracealloveragain.Theneveryonearoundthemstartedtalkingatonce.

"Greatestfamilyinhistory?"CousinIngridyelled."Isshecrazy?""Stubborn?"EisenhowerHoltshouted."Shecalledusstubborn?""William!"AlistairOh'svoice roseabove the rest. "Justamoment!Therearepeoplehere Idon't

evenrecognize,peoplewhomaynotevenbemembersofthefamily.Howdoweknow--""Ifyouareinthisroom,sir,"Mr.McIntyresaid,"youareaCahill.WhetheryoursurnameisCahill

ornotdoesn'tmatter.EveryoneherehasCahillblood.""Evenyou,Mr.McIntyre?"NatalieKabraaskedinhersilkyBritishaccent.Theoldlawyerflushed."That,miss,isbesidethepoint.Now,ifImightbeallowedtofinish--""Butwhat'sthisaboutsacrificingourinheritance?"AuntBeatricecomplained."Where'sthemoney?

It'sjustlikemysistertocomeupwithsomefoolishness!""Madam,"Mr.McIntyresaid,"youmaycertainlydeclinethechallenge.Ifyoudo,youwillreceive

whatisunderyourchair."24Immediately,fortypeoplefeltaroundundertheirchairs.EisenhowerHoltwassoanxioushepicked

upReagan'schairwithherstillinit.Dandiscoveredanenvelopeunderhis,stuckonwithtape.Whenheopened it, he found agreen slip of paperwith a bunchof numbers and thewordsROYALBANKOFSCOTLAND.Amyhadone,too.Sodideverybodyintheroom.

"Whatyounowholdisabankvoucher,"Mr.McIntyreexplained."Itshallonlybeactivatedifandwhenyourenounceyourclaimtothechallenge.Ifyousochoose,eachofyoumaywalkoutofthisroomwithonemilliondollarsandneverhavetothinkofGraceCahillorherlastwishesagain.Or...youmaychooseaclue--asinglecluethatwillbeyouronlyinheritance.Nomoney.Noproperty.Justacluethatmightleadyoutothemostimportanttreasureintheworldandmakeyoupowerfulbeyondbelief..."

William'sgrayeyesseemedtosettleonDanparticularly."...oritmightkillyou.Onemilliondollarsortheclue.Youhavefiveminutestodecide."

25

CHAPTER3

AmyCahillthoughtshehadthemostannoyinglittlebrotherontheplanet.Andthatwasbeforehealmostgotherkiled.ItallstartedwhenMr.McIntyrereadtheirgrandmother'swillandshowedthemthevideo.Amysatthereinshock.Shefoundherselfholdingagreenslipofpaperworthonemilliondollars.A

challenge?Adangeroussecret?Whatwasgoingon?Shestaredattheblankprojectorscreen.Shecouldn'tbelieve her grandmother would do something like this. The video must have been made months ago,judgingfromthewayGracehadlooked.SeeingheronthescreenlikethathadstungAmyworsethansaltinacut.

HowcouldGracehavebeenplanningsomethingthishugeandnothavewarnedtheminadvance?Amy never expected to inheritmuch.All shewantedwas something to rememberGrace by -- a

keepsake,maybeonepieceofherbeautifuljewelry.Nowthis...shefeltcompletelylost.26Itdidn'thelpthatDanwasjumpingaroundlikeheneededtogototherestroom."Onemilliondollars!"hesquealed."IcouldgetaMickeyMantlerookiecardandaBabeRuth1914!"Histiewascrooked,whichmatchedhiscrookedgrin.Hehadascarunderoneeyefromwhenhe'd

gonecommando-raidingatsevenandfallenonhisplasticAK-47.That'sjustthekindoflittledemonhewas.ButwhatAmyreallyresentedwashowcomfortablehe

seemed,likeallthesepeopledidn'tbotherhim.Amy hated crowds. She felt like everyone was watching her, waiting for her to make a fool of

herself.Sometimesinhernightmares,shedreamedshewasatthebottomofapit,andallthepeoplesheknewwerestaringdownather,laughing.She'dtrytoclimboutofthepit,butshecouldnevermakeit.

Rightnow,allshewanted todowasrunup toGrace's library,close thedoor,andcurlupwithabook.ShewantedtofindSaladin,Grace'sEgyptianMau,andcuddlewithhim.ButGracewasdead,andthepoorcat...whoknewwherehewasnow?Sheblinked tearsoutofhereyes, thinkingabout the lasttimeshe'dseenhergrandmother.

Youwillmakemeproud,Amy,Grace had said. They'd been sitting onGrace's big four-poster bed,with Saladin purring next to

them.Gracehadshownherahand-drawnmapofAfricaandtoldherstoriesabouttheadventuresshe'dhadwhenshewasayoungexplorer.Gracehadlookedthinandfrail,butthefireinhereyes

27wasasfierceasever.Thesunlightturnedherhairtopuresilver.Ihadmanyadventures,mydear,buttheywillpalenexttoyours.Amywantedtocry.HowcouldGracethinkthatAmywouldhavegreatadventures?Shecouldbarelymusterenoughcouragetogotoschooleverymorning."Icouldgetaninjasword,"Dankeptbabbling."OraCivilWarsaber!""Dan,shutup,"shesaid."Thisisserious.""Butthemoney--""Iknow,"shesaid."Butifwetookthemoney,we'dneedtokeepitforcollegeandstuff.Youknow

howAuntBeatriceis."Danfrownedlikehe'dforgotten.HeknewgoodandwellthatAuntBeatriceonlylookedafterthem

forGrace'ssake.AmyalwayswishedGracehadadoptedthemaftertheirparentsdied,butshehadn't.Forreasonssheneverexplained,she'dpressuredBeatriceintobeingtheirguardianinstead.

Forthelastsevenyears,DanandAmyhadbeenatBeatrice'smercy,livinginatinylittleapartmentwithaseriesofaupairs.Beatricepaidforeverything,butshedidn'tpaymuch.AmyandDangotenoughtoeatandanewsetofclotheseverysixmonths,butthatwasit.Nobirthdaypresents.Nospecialtreats.Noallowance.Theywent to regularpublic school andAmyneverhadextramoney tobuybooks.Sheusedthepubliclibrary,orsometimesshe'dhangoutatthesecond-handbookshoponBoylston,wherethestaff

28knewher.Danmadealittlemoneyonhisowntradingcollectiblecards,butitwasn'tmuch.Everyweekday for seven years,Amy had resentedGrace for not raising them herself, but every

weekendAmyjustcouldn'tstaymadather.Whentheycametothemansion,Gracegavethemundividedattention.Shetreatedthemlikethemostimportantpeopleintheworld.WheneverAmygotupthecouragetoaskwhytheycouldn'tstaywithGraceallthetime,Gracejustsmiledsadly.

Therearereasons,dear.Someday,youwillunderstand.NowGracewasgone.Amydidn'tknowwhatAuntBeatricewoulddo,buttheycoulddefinitelyuse

money.Itwouldmeanthey'dhavesomeindependence.Theycouldgetabiggerapartment,maybe.Theycouldbuybookswhenevertheywantedandevengotocollege.AmywasdesperatetogotoHarvard.Shewantedtostudyhistoryandarchaeology.Hermomwould'velikedthat.

Atleast...Amyhopedshewouldhave.Amyknewsolittleaboutherparents.Shedidn'tevenknowwhysheandDancarriedtheirmom'smaidenname--Cahill--whentheirdad'slastnamehadbeenTrent.She'daskedGraceaboutitonce,butGracehadonlysmiled."It'showyourparentswantedit,"shesaid.ButthestubbornprideinhervoicemadeAmywonderifithadreallybeenGrace'sideaforthemtocarrytheCahillname.

29Amyhadtroublerememberinghermother'sface,oranythingaboutherparentsbeforetheterriblenighttheydied.AndthatwassomethingAmytriedhardnotto

thinkabout."Okay,"Dansaidslowly."SoI'llspendmymilliononmycollection.Youcanspendyoursoncollege.Andeverybody'shappy."Amyfeltheartsick.Argumentswerebreakingoutallovertheroom.TheHoltslookedliketheywere

conducting a combat exercise. Sinead Starling was holding her brothers, Ned and Ted, apart so theywouldn'tstrangleeachother.IrinaSpaskywastalkinginrapid-fireRussiantothatkidfromtherealityTVshow, JonahWizard, andhisdad,but from theway theywere staringbackather, itwasobvious theydidn'tspeakRussian.

AngryvoicesfilledtheGreatHall.ItwasliketheyweretearingupGracebitbybit,squabblingoverherinheritance.Theydidn'tcareatallthatAmy'sgrandmotherhadjustpassedaway.

Thensomebodyrightbehindhersaid,"You'lldeclinethechallenge,ofcourse."ItwasIanKabra,withhisannoyingsister,Natalie,athisside.Despiteherself,Amy'sstomachdida

little somersault, because Ian was very good-looking. He had gorgeous dark skin, amber eyes, and aperfectsmile.Hewasfourteen,sameasher,buthedressedlikeagrown-up,inasilksuitandtie.Heevensmelledgood,likeclove.Amyhatedherselffornoticing.

30"Iwouldbesadifsomethinghappenedtoyou,"Ianpurred."Andyousoneedthemoney."Natalie put her hands to hermouth inmock surprise.She looked like a life-size doll in her satin

dress,herluxuriousblackhairsweptoveroneshoulder."That'sright,Ian!They'repoor.Ikeepforgetting.Itseemssooddwe'rerelated,doesn'tit?"Amyfeltherselfblush.Shewantedtosaysomethingscathinginreply,buthervoicewouldn'twork."Oh,yeah?"Dansaid."Well,maybewe'renotrelated!Maybeyou'remutantaliens,becauserealkidsdon'tdresslikebankersandflyaroundintheirdaddy'sprivatejet."Iansmiled."Youmisunderstandme,dearcousin.We'reveryhappyforyou.Wewantyoutotakethe

money,haveawonderfullife,andneverthinkaboutusagain.""G-G-Grace,"Amymanaged,hatingthathervoicewouldn'tcooperate."G-Gracewouldwant--""Wouldwantyoutoriskyourlives?"Iansupplied."Howdoyouknow?Didshetellyouaboutthis

contestshewasplanning?"NeitherAmynorDananswered."Isee,"Iansaid."Thatmustbeterrible--thinkingyouwereGrace'sfavoritesandthenbeingleftin

thedarklikethat.Perhapsyouweren'tasimportanttotheoldwomanasyouthought,eh?""Now,Ian,"Nataliechided."PerhapsGracejustknewtheyweren'tuptothechallenge.Itsoundsquite31dangerous."NataliesmiledatAmy."We'dhatetoseeyousufferapainfuldeath,wouldn'twe?Ta-

ta!"TheKabrasdriftedoffthroughthecrowd."Ta-ta,"Danmimicked."Whatlosers."PartofAmywantedtochasedowntheKabrasandhitthemwithachair.Butpartofherwantedto

crawlunderarockandhide.She'dwantedsobadlytotellthemoff,butshehadn'tevenbeenabletospeak."They'retakingthechallenge,"shemuttered."Well,duh!"Dansaid."What'sanothertwomilliondollarstothem?Theycanaffordtogiveitup.""Theywerethreateningus.Theydon'twantusinvolved.""Maybethey'lsufferapainfuldeath,"Danmused."Iwonderwhatthetreasureis,anyway.""Doesitmatter?"Amyaskedbitterly."Wecan'tlookforit.Webarelyhaveenoughmoneyforbuspasses."Butstillshefoundherselfwondering.Gracehadexploredallovertheworld.Couldthetreasurebe

alostEgyptiantomb...orpirates'gold?Mr.McIntyrehadsaidtheprizewouldmakethewinnersthemostpowerfulhumanbeingsonearth.Whatcoulddothat?Andwhywerethereexactlythirty-nineclues?

Shecouldn'thelpbeingcurious.Shelovedmysteries.Whenshewasyounger,sheusedtopretendhermotherwasstillalive,andtheywouldtraveltogethertoarchaeologicaldigs.SometimesGracewouldgo,too,justthethreeofthemtogether,happilyexploringtheworld,butthatwasjustsillypretending.

32"Toobad,"Dangrumbled,"I'dlovetowipethesmilesofftheCobras'faces...."Justthen,AuntBeatricegrabbedtheirarms.Herfacewascontortedwithrageandherbreathsmelled

likemothballs."Youtwowilldonothingridiculous!Ifullyintendtotakemymilliondollars,andyouwilldothesame!Neverfear,I'llputitinanaccountforyouuntilyou'readults.I'llonlyspendtheinterest.In

return,Iwillallowyoutocontinueasmywards."Amychokedwithrage."You...you'llallowustobeyourwards?You'llallowustogiveyouourtwomilliondollars?"Assoonasshesaidit,shecouldn'tbelieveshe'dmanagedtogetthewordsout.Beatriceusuallyscaredhertodeath.EvenDanlookedimpressed."Watchyourplace,younglady!"Beatricewarned."Dotheresponsiblethingorelse!""Orelsewhat?"Danaskedinnocently.Beatrice's face turned bright red. "Or else, you little upstart, Iwill disownyou and leave you to

SocialServices.Youwillbepennilessorphans,andI'llmakesurenoCahilleverhelpsyouagain!Thiswholebusinessisabsurd.You'lltakethemoneyandwashyourhandsofmysister'sridiculousschemeforfindingthe--"

Shestoppedabruptly."Findingthewhat?"Danasked."Neveryoumind,"Beatricesaid.Withashock,AmyrealizedAuntBeatricewasscared."Justmaketheright33choice,oryouwillneverhavemysupportagain!"Shemarchedoff.AmylookedatDan,butbeforeshecouldsayanything,Mr.McIntyrerangalittle

bell.Slowly,thewranglingandarguingintheGreatHalldieddown.Theassemblytooktheirseats."It is time,"Mr.McIntyresaid."Imustwarnyou thatonce thechoice ismade, there isno turning

back.Nochangingminds.""Wait a moment,William," Alistair Oh said. "This isn't fair.We know almost nothing about the

challenge.Howarewetojudgewhetheritisworththegamble?"Mr.McIntyrepursedhislips."IamlimitedinwhatIcansay,sir.YouknowthattheCahillfamilyis

very large ... veryold. It hasmanybranches.Someof you, until today, did not even realize youwereCahills.But asMadameGrace said inhervideoaddress, this familyhasbeen instrumental in shapinghumancivilization.SomeofthemostimportantfiguresinhistoryhaveinfactbeenCahills."

Excitedmutteringfilledtheroom.Amy'smindwasracing.She'dalwaysknowntheCahillswereimportant.Alotofthemwererich.

Theylivedallovertheworld.Butshapinghumancivilization?Shewasn'tsurewhatMr.McIntyremeant."Historicalfigures?"Mr.Holtbellowed."Likewho?"Mr.McIntyreclearedhisthroat."Sir,youwouldbehard-pressedtonameamajorhistoricalfigurein34thelastfewcenturieswhowasnotamemberofthisfamily.""AbrahamLincoln,"CousinIngridshoutedout."EleanorRoosevelt.""Yes,"Mr.McIntyresaidsimply."Andyes."Astunnedsilencefellintheroom."HarryHoudini!"MadisonHoltshouted."LewisandClark!"hersister,Reagan,suggested."Yes,yes,andyes,"Mr.McIntyresaid."Oh,comeon!"Mr.Holtyelled."That'simpossible!""Iagree!"UncleJosesaid."You'reputtinguson,McIntyre."

"Iamcompletelyserious,"theoldlawyerassuredhim."Andyet,allthepreviousaccomplishmentsof theCahill clan are nothing compared to the challenge that now faces you. It is the time for you todiscoverthegreatestsecretoftheCahills,tobecomethemostpowerfulmembersofthefamilyinhistory--ortodietrying."

Amyfeltsomethingcoldandheavyinherstomach,likeshe'dswallowedacannonball.Howcouldsheberelatedtoallthosefamouspeople?HowcouldGracepossiblyhavethoughtAmy

couldbecomemorepowerfulthanthem?Shegotnervousjustthinkingaboutit.Therewasnowayshe'dhavethecourageforadangerousquest.

But if she andDan didn't accept the challenge ... She rememberedBeatrice clutching their arms,tellingthemtotakethemoney.Beatricewouldfindawayto35

stealtheirtwomilliondollars.Amywouldn'tbeabletostanduptoher.Theywouldgobacktotheirdrearylittleapartmentandnothingwouldchange,exceptGracewouldbegone.Noweekendtripstolookforward to, nothing to remember her by. Amy never thought anything could be worse than when herparentsdied,but

thiswas.SheandDanweretotallyalone.Theonlywayoutwasthiscrazyideathattheywerepartofa

greathistoricalfamily...partofsomemysteriouscontest.Amy'shandsstartedtosweat."Embarkingonthisquest,"Mr.McIntyrewassaying,"willleadyoutothetreasure.Butonlyoneofyouwillattainit.Oneindividual"--hiseyesflickeredacrossAmy'sface--"oroneteamwill

findthetreasure.Icantellyounomore.Idonot,myself,knowwherethechasewilllead.Icanonlystartyouonthepath,monitoryourprogress,andprovidesomesmallmeasureofguidance.Now--whowillchoosefirst?"

AuntBeatricestood."Thisisridiculous.Anyofyouwhoplaythissillygamearefools.I'lltakethemoney!"Mr.McIntyrenodded."Asyouwish,madam.Assoonasyouleavethisroom,thenumbersonyour

voucherwill becomeactive.Youmaywithdrawyourmoney from theRoyalBankofScotland at yourleisure.Who'snext?"

Severalmorestoodupandtookthemoney.UncleJose.CousinIngrid.AdozenotherpeopleAmydidn'trecognize.Eachtookthegreenvoucherandbecameaninstantmillionaire.

ThenIanandNatalieKabrarose.36"Weacceptthechallenge,"Ianannounced."Wewillworkasateamoftwo.Giveustheclue.""Verywell,"Mr.McIntyresaid."Yourvouchers,please."IanandNatalieapproachedthetable.Mr.McIntyretookoutasilvercigarettelighterandburnedthe

million-dollarpapers.Inreturn,hehandedIanandNatalieamanilaenvelopesealedwithredwax."Yourfirstclue.Youmaynotreadituntilinstructedtodoso.You,IanandNatalieKabra,willbeTeamOne."

"Hey!"Mr.Holtobjected."Ourwholefamily'stakingthechallenge!WewanttobeTeamOne!""We'renumberone!"theHoltkidsstartedchanting,andtheirpitbull,Arnold,leapedintotheairand

barkedalongwiththem.Mr.McIntyreraisedhishandforsilence."Verywell,Mr.Holt.Yourfamily'svouchers,please.You

shallbeTeam...uh,youshallalsobeateam."Theymade the trade -- fivemillion-dollar vouchers for one envelopewith a clue, and theHolts

didn'tevenbataneye.As theymarchedback to their seats,ReaganbumpedAmy in theshoulder. "No

pain,nogain,wimp!"Next,AlistairOhstruggledtohisfeet."Oh,verywell.Ican'tresistagoodriddle.Isupposeyoumay

callmeTeamThree."ThentheStarlingtripletsrushedforward.Theyputtheirvouchersonthetableandthreemillionmore

dollarswentupinflames.37"Da,"IrinaSpaskysaid."I,also,shallplaythisgame.Iworkalone.""Hey,yo,waitup."JonahWizardsaunteredforwardlikehewaspretendingtobeastreetpunk,the

wayhedidonWhoWantstoBeaGangsta?WhichwaskindofridiculoussincehewasworthaboutabilliondollarsandlivedinBeverlyHills.

"I'malloverthis."Heslappedhisvoucheronthetable."Handmetheclue,homes.""We'dliketofilmthecontest,"hisdadpipedup."No,"Mr.McIntyresaid.'"CauseitwouldmakegreatTV,"thedadsaid."Icouldtalktothestudiosaboutapercentagesplit--

""No,"Mr.McIntyreinsisted."Thisisnotforentertainment,sir.Thisisamatteroflifeanddeath."Mr.McIntyrelookedaroundtheroomandfocusedonAmy."Whoelse?"hecalled."Nowisthetimetochoose."Amy realized she andDanwere the last ones undecided.Most of the forty guests had taken the

money. Six teams had taken the challenge -- all of them older or richer or seemingly more likely tosucceed than Amy and Dan. Aunt Beatrice glared at them, warning them that they were about to getdisowned.Ianwassmilingsmugly.

Perhapsyouweren'tasimportanttotheoldwomanasyouthought,eh?Amyrememberedwhathisannoyingsister,Natalie,hadsaid:Gracejustknewtheyweren'tuptothechallenge.Amy's face felt hotwith shame.Maybe theKabraswere right.When theHolts turnedherbrother

upside38down,shehadn'tfoughtback.WhentheKabrasinsultedher,she'djuststoodtheretongue-tied.How

couldshehandleadangerousquest?Butthensheheardanothervoiceinherhead:Youwillmakemeproud,Amy.Andsuddenlysheknew:ThiswaswhatGracehadbeentalkingabout.ThiswastheadventureAmywassupposedtotake.Ifshe

didn't,shemightaswellcrawlunderarockandhidefortherestofherlife.Shelookedatherbrother.Despitehowannoyinghewas,theyhadalwaysbeenabletocommunicate

just by looking at each other. It wasn't telepathy or anything, but she could tell what her brotherwasthinking.

It'salotofmoney,Dantoldher.Alotofawesomebaseballcards.MomandDadwouldwantustotry,Amyrepliedwithhereyes.

ThisiswhatGracewantedustodo.Yeah,butaBabeRuthandaMickeyMantle...IanandNataliewillhateit,Amycoaxed.AndAuntBeatricewillprobablyblowagasket.Asmilecreptacrosshisface.IguessBabeRuthcanwait.Amytookhisvoucher.TheywalkedtothedesktogetherandshepickedupMr.McIntyre'slighter."We'rein,"shetoldhim,andshesenttwomilliondollarsupinsmoke.39

CHAPTER4

Danfeltadizzyrush, like the timeheate twentypacksofSkittles.Hecouldn'tbelievehowmuchmoneythey'djustthrownaway.

Eversincehewaslittle,he'ddreamedaboutdoingsomethingthatwouldmakehisparentsproud.Heknewtheyweredead,ofcourse.Hebarelyrememberedthem.

Still... he thought if he could just accomplish something amazing -- even cooler thanmaking theultimate basebal card collection or becoming a ninja lord -- his parents would somehow know. Andthey'dbeproud.ThiscompetitiontobecomethegreatestCahillsoundedliketheperfectchance.

Plushelikedtreasure.AnditwasarealbonusthatAuntBeatrice'sfaceturnedcompletelypurpleasshestormedoutoftheroom,slammingthedoorbehindher.

NowtheGreatHallwasemptyexceptfortheseventeamsandMr.McIntyre.Afteratensesilence,theoldlawyersaid,"Youmayopenyourenvelopes."RIP,RIP,RIP.40Thecluewaswritteninblackcalligraphyoncrèmepaper.Itread:RESOLUTION:Thefineprinttoguess,SeekoutRichardS___"That'sit?"Mary-ToddHoltscreeched."That'sallweget?""Tenwords,"EisenhowerHoltmuttered."That's--"Hestartedcountingonhisfingers."Roughly$500,000perword,"AlistairOhsupplied,"sinceyourfamilygaveupfivemilliondollars.

Igotabargain.Eachwordonlycostme$100,000.""That'sstupid!"MadisonHoltsaid."Weneedmoreclue!""RichardS--,"Ianmused."Nowwhocouldthatbe?"Helookedathissister,andtheybothsmiled

liketheyweresharingaprivatejoke.Danwantedtokickthem."Waitaminute."JonahWizard'sdadscowled."Dideveryonegetthesameclue?Becausemysoninsistsonexclusivematerial.It'sinhisstandardcontract.""Thethirty-nineclues,"Mr.McIntyresaid,"arethemajorsteppingstonestothefinalgoal.Theyare

the41sameforeachteam.Thefirstone,whichyouhavereceived,istheonlyonethatwillbesosimple.""Simple?"AlistairOhraisedhiseyebrows."I'dhatetoseethedifficultones.""However,"Mr.McIntyrecontinued,"therearemanypathstoeachclue.Hintsandsecretshavebeen

buriedforyoutofind--cluestotheclues,ifyouwill.""I'mgettingaheadache,"SineadStarlingsaid."Howyouproceedisentirelyuptoyou,"Mr.McIntyresaid."Butremember:Youallseekthesame

end,andonlyoneteamwillsucceed.Speedisoftheessence."IrinaSpaskyfoldedherclue,stuckinitherpurse,andwalkedoutthedoor.AlistairOhfrowned."ItseemsCousinIrinahasanidea."TheStarlingtripletsputtheirheadstogether.Then,asifthey'dgottenacollectivebrainflash,they

stoodupsofasttheyknockedovertheirchairsandranoutside.JonahWizard'sdadpulledhimintothecorner.Theyhadaheateddiscussionandhisdadtypedsome

stuffintohisBlackBerry."Gottajet,"Jonahsaid."Later,losers."Andofftheywent.Thatmadethreeteamsalreadyoutthedoor,andDanstillhadnoideawhatthecluemeant."Well."IanKabrastretchedlazily,likehehadallthetimeintheworld."Areyouready,dearsister?"42"TomakefoolsofourAmericancousins?"Nataliesmiled."Anytime."Dantriedtotripthemastheywalkedpast,buttheynimblysteppedoverhislegandkeptgoing."Allright!"Mr.Holtannounced."Team,formup!"TheHoltclanshottotheirfeet.Theirbufflittlepitbull,Arnold,barkedandleapedaroundthemlike

hewastryingtobitetheirnoses."Wherewegoing,Dad?"Hamiltonasked."Idon'tknow.Buteverybodyelseisleaving!Followthem!"Theymarcheddouble-timeoutoftheGreatHall,whichleftonlyAmy,Dan,AlistairOh,andWilliam

McIntyre."Dearme,"Alistairsighed.Withhisblacksuitandsilkcravat,heremindedDanofabutler.Abutler

withasecret.Hiseyesseemedtobesmiling,evenwhenhewasn't."IthinkI'llhaveastrollaroundthegroundsandthinkaboutthis."

Danwasthankfultoseehimleave.Alistairseemedlikethenicestoftheircompetition,buthewasstillcompetition.

Danstaredattheclueagain,morefrustratedthanever."Resolution.Fineprint.RichardS--.Idon'tgetit.""Icanofferyounohelpwiththeclue."Mr.McIntyremanagedafaintsmile."Butyourgrandmother

wouldbepleasedyouacceptedthechallenge."Amyshookherhead."Wedon'tstandachance,dowe?TheKabrasandtheStarlingsarerich.Jonah43Wizard'sfamous.TheHoltsarelikesteroidmonsters.AlistairandIrinaseemso--Idon'tknow--worldly.AndDanandI--""Haveothertalents,"Mr.McIntyrefinished."AsI'msureyou'llfindout."Danrereadtheclue.Hethoughtaboutbaseballcards,andletters,andautographs."We'resupposedtofindthisguyRichard,"hedecided."ButwhyishislastnamejustS___?"Amy'seyeswidened."Waitaminute.Irememberreadingthatbackinthe1700s,peopleusedtodo

that.Theywoulduseonlyoneletteriftheywantedtodisguisetheirnames.""Huh,"Dansaid."So,like,IcouldsayA--hasafacelikeababoonbutt,andyouwouldn'tknow

whoI'mtalkingabout?"Amyboxedhimontheear."Ow!""Children,"Mr.McIntyre interrupted. "Youwill have enough enemieswithout fighting eachother.

Besides"--hecheckedhisgoldpocketwatch--"wedon'thavemuchtime,andthereissomethingImusttellyou,somethingyourgrandmotherwantedyoutoknow.""Aninsidetip?"Danaskedhopefully."Awarning, youngmaster Dan. You see, all Cahills -- if they know themselves to be Cahills --

belongtooneoffourmajorbranches."Amystoodupstraight."Irememberthis!Gracetoldmeonce."44Danfrowned."Whendidshetellyouthat?"

"Inthelibraryoneafternoon.Weweretalking.""Shedidn'ttellme!""Maybeyouweren'tlistening!Therearefourbranches.TheEkaterina,theJanus,the...uh,Tomas,andtheLucian.""Whicharewe?"Danasked."Idon'tknow."AmylookedatMr.McIntyreforhelp."Shejustmentionedthenames.Shewouldn'ttellmewhatweare.""I'mafraidIcan'thelpyouthere,"Mr.McIntyresaid,butDancouldtellfromhistonethathewas

keepingsomethingback."However,children,thereisanother ... ah, interestedpartyyou shouldknowabout.Not oneof the fourCahill branches, but a

groupthatmaymakeyourquestmoredifficult.""Ninjas?"Danaskedexcitedly."Nothingquitethatsafe,"Mr.McIntyresaid."Icantellyouverylittleaboutthem.IconfessIknow

onlythenameandafewunsettlingstories.Butyoumustbewareofthem.Thiswasyourgrandmother'slastwarning,whichshemademepromisetotellyouifyouacceptedthechallenge:

BewaretheMadrigals."AchillwentdownDan'sback.Hewasn'tsurewhy.ThenameMadrigalsjustsoundedevil."But,Mr.

McIntyre,who--""Myboy,"theoldmansaid,"Icantellyounomore.I'vestretchedtherulesofthecompetitionsaying

as45muchasIhave.Justpromisemeyouwilltrustnoone.Please.Foryourownsafety.""Butwedon'tevenknowwhere tostart!"Amyprotested."Everyoneelse just rushedoff like they

knewwhattodo.Weneedanswers!"Mr.McIntyrestood.Heclosedhisleatherfolder."Imustgetbacktomyoffice.But,mydear,perhaps

yourwayof finding out is not the same as the other teams'.What do younormally dowhenyouneedanswers?"

"Ireadabook."Amygasped."Thelibrary!Grace'slibrary!"SheracedoutoftheGreatHall.Usually,Dandidnotrunwithexcitementwhenhissistersuggested

visitingalibrary.Thistime,hedid.ThelibrarywasnexttoGrace'sbedroom--abigsunkenparlorlinedwithbookshelves.DanthoughtitwascreepybeingbackherewithjustAmy,especiallysinceGracehaddiednextdoor

inherbigfour-posterbed.Heexpectedtheroomstobealldrapedinblack,withsheetsoverthefurniturelikeyousawinmovies,butthelibrarywasbrightandairyandcheerful,justlikeithadalwaysbeen.

Thatdidn'tseemrighttoDan.WithGracegone,themansionshouldbedarkanddreary--kindofthewayhefelt.Hestaredattheleatherchairbythewindowandrememberedonetimehe'dbeensittingthere,playingwithacoolstonedaggerhe'dbustedoutof

46alockeddisplaycase.Gracehadcomeupsoquietlyhedidn'tnoticeheruntilshewasstandingright

overhim.Insteadofgettingmad,she'dkneltnexttohim.ThatdaggerisfromTenochtitlán,she'dsaid.Aztecwarriorsusedtocarrytheseforritualsacrifice.Theywouldcutoffthepartsoftheirenemies

thattheybelievedheldtheirfightingspirit.She'dshowedhimhowsharpthebladewas,andthenshelefthimalone.Shehadn'ttoldhimtobe

careful.Shehadn'tgottenangrybecausehe'dbustedintohercabinet.She'dactedlikehiscuriositywastotallynormal--evenadmirable.NoadulthadeverunderstoodDanthatwell.Thinkingaboutitnow,Danfeltlikesomebodyhadcut

awaypartofhisspirit.Amystartedsearchingthelibrarybooks.Dantriedtohelp,buthehadnoideawhathewaslooking

for and quickly became bored.He spun the old globewith brown seas andweird-colored continents,wonderingifitwouldmakeagoodbowlingball.Thenhenoticedsomethinghe'dneverseenbeforeunderthePacificOcean--asignature.

GraceCahill,1964."WhydidGrace autograph theworld?"he asked.Amyglancedover. "Shewas a cartographer.A

map-makerandanexplorer.Shemadethatglobeherself.""Howdidyouknowthat?"Amyrolledhereyes."BecauseIlistenedtoherstories.""Huh."ThatideahadneveroccurredtoDan."Sowhere'dsheexplore?"47Aman'svoicesaid,"Everywhere."AlistairOhwas leaningonhiscane in thedoorway,smilingat them."Yourgrandmotherexplored

everycontinent,Dan.Bythetimeshewastwenty-five,shecouldspeaksixlanguagesfluently,handleaspearorboomerangorriflewithequalskill,andnavigatealmosteverymajorcityintheworld.SheknewmyhometownofSeoulbetterthanIdid.Then,forreasonsunknown,shecamebacktoMassachusettstosettledown.Awomanofmystery--thatwasGrace."

Danwanted tohearmoreaboutGrace'sboomerang skills.That sounded sweet!ButAmysteppedawayfromthebookcase.Herfacewasbrightred."A-Alistair.Uh...whatdoyouwant?"

"Oh,don'tletmestopyou.Iwon'tinterfere.""Um,but...there'snothinghere,"Amymumbled."Iwashopingfor...Idon'tknow.SomethingIhadn'tseenbefore,butI'vereadmostofthese.Therereallyaren'tthatmanybooks.And

there'snothingaboutRichards-.""Mydearchildren,mayIsuggestsomething?Weneedanalliance."Danwasimmediatelysuspicious."Whywouldyouwantanalliancewithacoupleofkids?"Theoldmanchuckled."Youhaveintelligenceandyouth,andafreshwayoflookingatthings.I,on

theotherhand,haveresourcesandage.ImaynotbeoneofthemostfamousCahills,butIdidchangetheworldinmyownsmallway.Youknowmyfortunecomesfrom

48inventions,eh?DidyouknowIinventedthemicrowavableburrito?""Wow,"Dansaid."Earth-shattering.""There's noneed to thankme.Thepoint is I have resources atmydisposal.Andyou can't travel

aroundtheworldonyourown,youknow.You'llneedanadultchaperone."Aroundtheworld?Danhadn't thought about that.Hehadn't evenbeenallowed togoon the fourthgrade field trip to

NewYorklastspringbecausehe'dputMentosinhisSpanishteacher'sDietCoke.Theideathatthiscluehuntmighttakethemanywhereintheworldmadehimfeelalittlelightheaded.

"But--butwecan'thelpeachother,"Amysaid."Eachteamisseparate."Alistairspreadhishands."Wecan'tbothwin.Butthischallengemaytakeweeks,perhapsmonths.Untiltheend,surelywecancollaborate?Weare

family,afterall.""Sogiveussomehelp,"Dandecided."There'snothinghereaboutRichardS___.Wheredowelook?"Alistair tapped his cane on the floor. "Gracewas a secretivewoman. But she loved books. She

lovedthemverymuch.Andyou'reright,Amy.Itdoesseemstrangetherearesofewofthemhere.""Youthinkshehadmorebooks?"Amycuppedherhandoverhermouth."A...asecretlibrary?"Alistairshrugged."It'salargehouse.Wecouldsplitupandsearch."49ButthenDannoticedsomething--oneofthoserandomlittledetailsthatoftencaughthiseye.Onthe

wall,attheverytopofthebookshelf,wasaplastercrestjustlikeabovethefrontdoorofthemansion,afancy C surrounded by four smaller coats of arms -- a dragon, a bear, a wolf, and a pair of snakeswrapped around a sword.Hemust've seen this before amillion times, but he'd never noticed that thesmallercrestseachhadalettercarvedinthemiddle--E,T,J,L.

"Getmealadder,"hesaid."What?"Alistairasked."Nevermind,"Dandecided.Hebegantoclimbtheshelf,knockingdownbooksandknickknacks."Dan,getdown!"Amyprotested."You'regoingtofallandbreakyourarmagain!"50Danhadreachedthecrest,andhesawwhattodo.Thelettersweresmudgeddarkerthantherestof

thestone,likethey'dbeentouchedmanytimes."Amy,"hecalleddown,"whatwerethosefourbranchesagain?""Ekaterina,"shecalled."Tomas,Janus,Lucian.""Ekaterina,"Danrepeated,ashepressedtheE."Tomas,Lucian,Janus."Ashepressedthelastletter,thewholeshelfswungoutward.Danhadtojumpawaytoavoidgetting

squishedintoabooksandwich.Wherethebookshelfhadbeenwasadarkstairwell,leadingdown."Asecretpassage,"saidUncleAlistair."Dan,I'mimpressed.""Itmightbedangerous!"Amysaid."You'reright,"Danagreed."Ladiesfirst."51

CHAPTER5

Amycould'velivedinthesecretlibrary.Instead,shealmostdiedthere.Sheledthewaydownthestepsandgaspedwhenshesawallthebooks.Theywentonforever.She

usedtothinkthemainpubliclibraryonCopleySquarewasthebestintheworld,butthiswasevenbetter.Itseemedmore

library-ish.Theshelvesweredarkwood,andthebookswereleather-boundandveryold,withgildedtitleson

thespines.Theylookedlikethey'dbeenwell-usedoverthecenturies.Oriental carpet covered the floor.Cushy chairswere spaced around the room so you could plop

downanywhereandstartreading.Mapsandoversizefolioswerespreadoutonbigtables.Againstonewallwasa lineofoak file cabinets andahugecomputerwith three separatemonitors, like somethingthey'duseatNASA.Glasschandeliershungfromthevaultedceilingandprovidedplentyoflight,eventhoughtheroomwasobviouslyunderground.They'ddescendedalongwaytogethere,andtherewerenowindows.

52"Thisplaceisamazing!"Amyranintotheroom."Books,"Dansaid."Yay."Hecheckedoutthecomputer,butitwasfrozenonthepasswordscreen.

Hejiggledafewfilecabinetdrawers,buttheywerealllocked.Uncle Alistair gingerly picked a red folio from the shelves. "Latin. Caesar's campaign in Gaul,

copiedonvellum.Lookslikeitwashandwrittenbyascribearound,oh,1500.""Itmustbeworthafortune,"Amysaid.Dansuddenlylookedmoreinterested."Wecouldsellthem?Like,oneBay?""Oh,shutup,Dan.Thesearepriceless."Sheranherfingersalongthespines--Machiavelli,Melville,Milton."They'realphabeticalbyauthor.FindtheSsection!"They did, but it was a disappointment. There were ten shelves packed with everything from

Shakespeare'sFirstFoliotoBruceSpringsteen'sCompleteLyrics,butnothingwithRichardforthefirstname."Somethingaboutthat..."Amymuttered.ThenameRichardS-,coupledwiththewordResolution,kept nagging at her. They went together, but she didn't know how. It drove her crazy when she

couldn'trememberthings.Shereadsomanybookssometimestheygotjumbledaroundinherhead.Thensheglanceddowntheaisle.Attheendoftheshelf,curleduponaboxonasmalltable,wasan

oldfriend.53"Saladin!"shecried.Thecatopenedhisgreeneyesandsaid,"Mrrp?"withoutmuchsurprise,likehewasasking,Oh,it'syou?Didyoubringmemyredsnapper?AmyandDanrantohim.SaladinhadthemostbeautifulfurAmyhadeverseen--silverwith spots, like aminiature snow leopard.Well ... not sominiature, actually, sincehewas

prettyenormous,withhugepawsandalongstripedtail."Saladin,whatareyoudoingdownhere?"Amystrokedhisback.Thecatclosedhiseyesandpurred.

Amyknewhewasjustacat,butshewassohappytoseehimshecould'vecried.ItwaslikepartofGracewasstillalive.

"Hey,Saladin,"Dansaid."What'sthatyou'resittingon,dude?""Mrrp,"SaladincomplainedasDanliftedhimup.Underneathwasapolishedmahoganyboxwiththegold

initialsGCengravedonthelid.Amy'sheartskippedabeat."It'sGrace'sjewelrybox!"Amyopened it up, and therewasGrace'spersonal jewelry,whichAmyhad loved since shewas

little.Graceusedtoletherplaywiththese--apearlbracelet,adiamondring,apairofemeraldearrings.Amyhadn'trealizeduntilmuchlaterthatthestuffwasreal

--worththousandsofdollars.Sheblinkedthetearsoutofhereyes.Nowthatshe'dfoundSaladinandthejewelrybox,shefeltlikeshereally54wasstanding inGrace'smost secretplace.Shemissedhergrandmother somuch ithurt.Thenshe

pulledaveryfamiliarpieceofjewelryoutofthebox...."Dearme,"Alistairsaid."That'sherfavoritenecklace,isn'tit?"Hewasright.Amyhadneverseenhergrandmotherwithoutthisnecklace--twelveintricatelycarved

squaresofjadewithagreendragonmedallioninthecenter.Gracehadcalledithergood-luckcharm.Amy touched the dragon in the center. She wondered why Grace hadn't been buried with this

necklace.Itdidn'tseemright."Hey!"Dancalled."Lookatthis!"Amy found him around the corner, holding Saladin and staring at a giant wall map covered in

pushpins.Thepinswereinfivedifferentcolors:red,blue,yellow,green,andwhite.Everymajorcityintheworldseemed tohaveat leastone.Someareaswerestuckwithonly redpins, somewithgreenorblue,somewithseveralcolors.

"She'sbeendoingvoodooontheworld!"Dansaid."No,dummy,"Amysaid."Thosemustbemarkers.Theytellwheresomethingis.""Likewhat?"Amyshookherhead.Shefoundthemapcreepy."MaybesomethingabouttheCahills?"Sheglanced

atAlistair.Hefrowned."Idon'tknow,mydear.Mostcurious."Buthewouldn'tmeethereyes,andAmygotthe

feelinghewashidingsomething.55"LookatEurope,"Dansaid."AndtheEastCoast."Thoseareaswereheavilypinnedinallfivecolors.Amycouldhardlyseethecitiesunderneath.If

these pins represented theCahills, then it looked like they'd started somewhere inEurope and spreadacrosstheworld,heavilycolonizingNorthAmerica.

Thenshethought:Europe.Colonies.NorthAmerica.ThenameRichardS--startednaggingathermindagain,tryingtoscratch

itswayout.Anamefromtheeighteenthcentury,someonewhohadwrittenresolutions...Suddenly,sheturnedandraceddowntherowofshelves."Hey!"Dancried,asSaladinwriggledoutofhisarms."Amy,whereareyougoing?"

"TheFs!"sheyelled."Whatfor-failure?"ShegottotheFsandfoundit immediately:atinybook,sotattereditwasfallingapart.Thecover

wasdecoratedwithared-and-whitewoodblockprintofColonialfarmers.Thetitlewasfaded,butshecouldstillmakeout:PoorRichard'sAlmanack

,FortheYear1739,byRichardSaunders."Ofcourse!"UncleAlistairsaid."Verygood,mydear.Verygood,indeed!"Despiteherself,Amyfeltflushwithpride."Waitasecond,"Dansaid."IfthiswaswrittenbyRichardSaunders,what'sitdoingunderF?"56"RichardSaunderswasapseudonym,"UncleAlistairexplained.Danknithiseyebrows."Afakefoot?"Amy wanted to strangle him, but Alistair said patiently, "No, my dear boy. You're thinking of a

pseudopod. A pseudonym is a fake name, a nom de plume, a disguise for the author. This bookwaswrittenbyaveryfamousperson."

"BenjaminFranklin,"Amysaid."Ididareportonhimlastyear."Sheopenedthebook.Thetextwasprintedinblockletterswithoutmuchpunctuation,soitwashard

toread,buttherewerecharts,illustrations,columnsofnumbers."ThisisthemostfamousthingFranklinever published. Poor Richardwas a character Franklin created.He had lots of pseudonyms like that.Whenhewrote,hewouldpretendhewasdifferentpeople."

"Sowe'rerelatedtoaguywithmultiplepersonalities,"Dansaid."That'sgreat.Aren'talmanacsforsports?"

"Not this kind," Amy said. "This has facts for farmers. It's like a yearbook with useful tips andarticles.Franklinputallhisfamousquotationsinthere,like'Earlytobed,earlytorise.'"

"Uh-huh.""And'Arollingstonegathersnomoss.'""Whywouldfarmerscareifstonesaremossyornot?"Amywastemptedtowhackhimwiththebook.Maybethatwouldloosenthestonesinhishead.But57shekepthercool."Dan,thepointishegotveryfamousforthis.Andhemadetonsofmoney.""Okay..."Danfishedoutthepieceofpaperwiththeirfirstclue.Hefrownedatit."SowefoundRichardS___.Howdoesthathelpusfindourtreasure?Andwhat'sRESOLUTIONmean?""Franklinusedtowriteresolutionsforhimself,"Amysaid,"ruleshewantedtofollowtoimprove

himself.""LikeNewYear'sresolutions?""Sortof,buthewrotethemallyearround.NotjustonNewYear's.""SowasthatpartofPoorRichard'sAlmanack?"Amyknithereyebrows."No,"shesaiduneasily."Hisresolutionswerefromadifferentbook.His

autobiography,Ithink.MaybethewordRESOLUTIONinthecluewasjusttohelpusthinkofBenjaminFranklin.I'mnotsure...."Sheturnedapagein

PoorRichard'sAlmanack.Noteswerescribbledinthemarginsinseveraldifferenthandwritingstyles.Shecaughtherbreath.

She recognizedone lineofelegant script,written inpurple inkat thebottomofapage.She'd seen thesamehandwritinginoldletters-- treasuresthatGracewouldshowherfromtimeto time.Thenotationsimplyread

FollowFranklin,firstclue.MazeofBones."Momwroteinhere!"shecried."Shealwaysusedpurplepen!""What?"Dansaid."Lemmesee!""MayI?"Alistairasked.58Amywantedtoholdthebookforever.Shewantedtodevoureverywordhermotherhadwritteninit.

Butreluctantly,shehandedittoAlistair."Iwantitrightback,"sheinsisted."Nofair!"Dansaid.Alistairputonhisglassesandexaminedafewpages."Interesting.Severalgenerationshaveheldthis

book.ThesenoteshereareinGrace'shand.Andhere,myfather'shandwriting,GordonOh.Andhere--JamesCahill,Grace'sfather.Theywerebrothers,youknow,althoughGordon'smother,mygrandmother,wasKorean."

"That'sgreat,"Dansaidimpatiently."ButwhywasourmomwritingaboutBenFranklin?"Alistairarchedhiseyebrows."Obviously,BenjaminFranklinwasaCahill.Thatdoesnotsurprise

me.Hewasaninventorlikeme,afterall.Iwouldimaginemostofthebooksinthislibrarywerewrittenbymembersofourfamily,whethertheyknewtheirtruebloodlineornot."

Amywasstunned.Allofthesefamousauthors...Cahills?Wasitpossible,whenevershe'dsatinalibrary, lost inbooks, she'd actuallybeen reading thewordsofher relatives?She couldn't believe theCahillscouldbesopowerful,butMr.McIntyrehadtoldthemtheirfamilyhadshapedhumancivilization.Forthefirst time,shebegantounderstandwhatthatmightmean.Shefelt likeanenormouscanyonwasopeningupatherfeet.

Howhadhermotherknownaboutthefirstclue,yearsbeforethecontestbegan?Whyhadshechosen59towriteinthisbook?WhatdidshemeanbytheMazeofBones?Thereweretoomanyquestions.Meanwhile,Danwasbouncingaroundinhisusualannoyingway."I'mrelatedtoBenjaminFranklin?

You'rekidding!""Whydon'tyougoflyakiteinastormandseeifyougetelectrocuted?"Amysuggested."Comenow,children,"Alistair said. "Wehavemuchwork todowithoutbickering.We'llhave to

readthroughthesenotesand--""Wait."Amy'swholebodytensed.Anacridsmellfilledtheair."Issomeonesmoking?"UncleAlistairandDanlookedaroundinconfusion.ThenAmysawit.Whitesmokewasthickeningacrosstheceiling,driftingdowninadeadlyhaze."Fire!"Danyelled."Gettothestairs!"ButAmyfroze.Shewasmortallyafraidoffire.Itbroughtbackbadmemories.Verybadmemories."Comeon!"Dantuggedherhand."Saladin--wehavetofindhim!"ThatjoltedAmyintoaction.Shecouldn'tletanythinghappentothecat."There'snotime!"UncleAlistairinsisted."Wemustgetout!"Amy'seyesstung.Shecouldhardlybreathe.ShesearchedforSaladin,buthe'ddisappeared.Finally,

Dan dragged her up the stairs and shoved his shoulder against the secret bookshelf door. It wouldn'tbudge.

60"Alever."Dancoughed."There'sgottobealever."Danwasusuallygoodatfiguringoutmechanicalstuff,buttheygropedaroundforaswitchoralever

andfoundnothing.Thesmokewasgettingthicker.Amypushedonthewallandyelped."Thesurfaceisgettinghotter!Thefire'scomingfromtheotherside.We

can'topenit!""Wehaveto!"Daninsisted,butitwasAmy'sturntopullhimalong.Shedraggedhimbackdownthestairs.Thesmokewassobadnowtheycouldbarelyseeeach

other."Getaslowasyoucan!"Amysaid.SheandDancrawledthroughthelibrary,desperatelylookingfor

anotherexit.ShehadnoideawhereUncleAlistairhaddisappeared.Thebookshelveswerecombusting--olddrypaper,theperfectkindling.

Amypulledherselfuponatableandfoundthejewelrybox.Don'ttakevaluables.Sheknewthatwasoneofthefirstrulesforgettingoutofafirealive.Butshescoopeduptheboxand

keptgoing.The heatwas gettingworse. The air filledwith ash. It was like breathing in a poison fog.Amy

couldn'tevencrawlfastbecauseshewaswearingherstupidfuneraldress.SheheardDancoughingandwheezingbehindher.Hisasthma--hehadn'thadanattackinmonths,

butthissmokemightkillhimiftheheatdidn't.Think,sheorderedherself.IfshewereGrace,shewouldnevermakeasecretroomwithonlyoneexit.61Amysanktothefloor,coughingandchoking.Allshecouldseewastheorientalcarpet--aparadeofwovensilkdragons.Dragons...liketheoneonGrace'snecklace.Andtheywereallflyinginthesamedirection,likethey

wereleadingtheway.Itwasacrazyidea,butitwasallshehad."Followme!"Amysaid.Danwaswheezing toobadly toanswer.Amycrawledalong, lookingbacknowand then tomake

surehewasstillbehindher.Thedragonsledthembetweentwoburningbookshelvesanddead-endedinfrontofanairgrateaboutthreefeetsquare.Notverybig,butmaybebigenough.Amykickedatthegratewithherfeet.Onthethirdtryitrattledoff,revealingastoneshaftslantingup.

"Dan!"sheyelled."Go!"ShepushedhimthroughandrealizedwithastartthathewasholdingSaladin.Somehow,he'dfoundthecat,andthecatwasnothappyaboutit.Saladinclawedandgrowled,but

Danheldhim tight.Amy followed,gasping forbreath.Hereyes felt like theywerebeing sandblasted.Theyclimbedupthedarkshaft,andafterwhatseemedlikeages,Danstopped.

"What are you doing?" Amy demanded. The heat wasn't as bad now, but the smoke was stillthickeningaroundthem.

"Blocked!"Danwheezed."Pushit!"62Intotaldarkness,shecrawledupnexttohimandtogethertheypushedonaflatsmoothstonethatwas

blockingtheirpath.Ithadtoopen.Ithad

to.Andfinally,itdid--poppinguplikealid.Daylightblindedtheireyes.Theycrawledoutintofresh

airandcollapsedonthegrass.Saladingotfreewithanindignant"MRRRRP!"andshotoffintothetrees.Theywerelyinginthecemetery,notfiftyfeetfromGrace'snewlyfilled

grave.Theslabthey'dpushedasidewassomebody'stombstone."Dan,youokay?"sheasked.Dan'sfacewasstreakedwithsoot.Steamrosefromhishairandhisclotheswereevenblackerthan

theyhadbeenbefore.Hewasbreathingheavily.Hisarmsbledfromahundredcatscratches."Think..."Hewheezed."Don'twant...collecttombstones...afterall."Smokepoured out of the tunnel like a chimney, but thatwas nothing compared towhatAmy saw

whenshelookedupatthehill.Herthroatconstricted."Oh,no."Thefamilymansionwasaroaringinferno.Flameswinkedinthewindowsandlappedupthesidesof

thebuilding.AsAmywatched,onestonetowercollapsed.Thebeautifulstainedglasswindowsmelted.Thefamilycrestabovethemainentrance--thatoldstonecrestAmyhadalwaysloved--crasheddownandshatteredonthepavement.

63"Amy..."Dan'svoicesoundedlikeitwasabouttobreaktopieces."Thehouse...wecan'tletit...we

haveto..."Buthedidn't finish.Therewasnothing they coulddo.A sectionof the roof crumpled,belching a

fireballintothesky.DespaircrushedtheairrightoutofAmy'slungs,likethehousewascollapsingontopofher.ShereachedforDanandhuggedhim.Hedidn'tevenprotest.Hisnosewasrunny.Hislowerliptrembled.Shewantedtocomforthim,totellhimitwouldbeallright,butshedidn'tbelieveitherself.

Thenshenoticedsomethingthatjoltedheroutofherdaze.Inthedrivewaylayacollapsedfigure,amaninagraysuit."Mr.McIntyre!"Amycried.

Shewasabouttoruntohisaidwhenherbrothergasped,"Getdown!"Hewasn'tasstrongasshewas,buthemust'vebeendesperate,becausehetackledherwithsomuch

forceshejustaboutatethelawn.Hepointeduptheroadthatledthroughthehills--theonlyexitfromtheproperty.

Aboutfivehundredyardsaway,halfhiddeninthetrees,amaninablacksuitwasstandingverystill.HowDanhadspottedhimsofaraway,Amydidn'tknow.Shecouldn'tmakeouttheman'sface,buthewastallandthin,withgrayhair,andhewasholdingbinoculars.Withachill,Amyrealizedhewaswatching

them.64Amysaid,"Who--"Butshewasdistractedbythechirpingsoundofacaralarmbeingdeactivated.Alistair Oh, sooty and smoky, burst out of the mansion's main entrance and hobbled toward his

BMW,cradlingsomethingagainsthischest.Helookedterrible.Hispantswererippedandhisfacewaswhitewithash.Amyhadnoideahowhe'dmanagedtogetout.Shealmostcalledtohim,butsomethingheld her back.Alistair staggered pastWilliamMcIntyrewith hardly a glance, jumped in his car, andpeeledoutdownthedriveway.

Amylookedbacktowardthewoods,butthemanwiththebinocularshaddisappeared."Stayhere,"shetoldDan.She ran towardMr.McIntyre.Dan, of course, didn't obey orders.He followed her, coughing the

wholeway.BythetimetheygottoMr.McIntyre,theentiremansionwascollapsing.Theheatwaslikeanewsun.Amyknewtherewouldbenothinglefttosalvage--nothingexceptthejewelryboxshewasstillclutching.

ShesetdowntheboxandrolledMr.McIntyreover.Hegroaned,whichatleastmeanthewasalive.

Amywishedshehadacellphoneofherown,butAuntBeatricehadneverallowedthemtohaveone.ShefishedaroundinMr.McIntyre'spockets,foundhisphone,anddialed911.

"Hetookit,"Danwheezed."What?"Amywasn'treallylistening.Shesanktoherkneesandwatchedastheonlyplaceshe'dever

cared65about went up in flames. She pictured Grace telling her stories in the library. She remembered

runningdownthehalls,playingtagwithDanwhentheywerelittle.ShethoughtofthesecretnookinthebedroomwhereshelikedtoreadwithSaladinonherlap.Allgone.Herwholebodyshook.Tearswelledupinhereyes.Forthesecondtimeinherlife,firehadrobbedher.

"Amy."Dansoundedclosetotears,butheputahandonhershoulder."You'vegottolisten.Hetookit.Alistairdid."

Amywanted to tellDan toshutupand lethermourn inpeace,but thenshe realizedwhathewastalkingabout.Shegotunsteadilytoherfeetandstaredintothedistance,wheretheBMW'staillightsweredisappearingaroundahill.

AlistairOhhadtrickedthem.He'dstolenthePoorRichard'sAlmanackwiththeirmother'snotes--theironlyleadinthequest.66

CHAPTER6

Danhadalwayswantedtorideinapolicecar,butnotlikethis.Hischeststillhurtfromthesmoke.HesatinthebackseatofthepolicecarwithSaladinonhislap

andtriednottowheeze,buteverybreathwaslikeinhalingsand."If you'd just brought your inhaler..."Amy chided.But he hated his inhaler. Itmadehim feel like

DarthCahillorsomething.Besides,hehadn'thadanattackinforever,andhedidn'tknowtheyweregoingtogetcaughtinastupidfire.

Hecouldn'tbelievethefamilymansionwasgone.He'dwokenupthismorningsurethatAmyandhewouldinherittheplace.Nowtherewasnothingleft--justasmokingmountainofrubble.

Thepolicedetectiveshadn'tgiventhemmanyanswers.Itlookedlikearson,theysaid.The fire spread too quickly to be an accident. They said William McIntyre would be okay.

Amazingly,nooneelsehad67beenhurt.DanhadtoldthepoliceaboutAlistairOhleavingthemansioninabighurry.Hefiguredhemightaswelltrytogettheoldcreepintrouble.ButDanhadsaidnothingaboutthe

thirty-ninecluesorthesecretlibraryorthestrangeguywiththebinoculars."Whowasthemaninblack?"Amywhispered,likeshe'dbeenthinkingthesamething.ShehadGrace'sjewelry

boxonherlap,andshewastwistingherhairthewayshealwaysdidwhenshewasnervous."Don'tknow,"Dansaid."Alistair?""Hecouldn'thavebeenintwoplacesatonce.""Mr.Holt?""Mr.Holt'snotthatold,andhe'salotmorebuff.""AuntBeatricedressedasaman?"Personally,Danlikedthisidea,becauseBeatricedefinitelyhad

the"evil"factorgoingforher.Afterall,she'djustleftthematthemansionwithoutasecondthought.ButAmyrolledhereyes."Hewasn'tanybodyweknow,Dan.Atleast,I'mprettysure.Buthewaswatchingus,likehewantedtoseeifwegotout.Ithinkhesetthatfiretotrapus.""Mrrp,"Saladinsaid."Iagreewiththecat,"Dansaid."AfterthatmaninblackandUncleAlistair,Isaywemakeanew

RESOLUTION.Stayawayfromoldguys.""We'llhavetobemorecarefulabouteverybody."Amyloweredhervoiceevenmore."Dan,ourmotherwasinvolvedinthethirty-nineclues.Thatwriting--"68"Yeah,butthat'simpossible.Thecontestjuststarted!""ItwasMom'swriting.I'msure.Shesaid,FollowFranklin, first clue.MazeofBones.Wehave to findoutwhat thatmeans.This is just thekindof

mysteryMomwould'veloved!"Dan knew he shouldn't have felt annoyed, but he hated that Amy remembered more about their

parentsthanhedid.Hewouldneverhaverecognizedtheirmom'shandwriting.Hehadnoideawhatkindofpersonshe'dbeen.

"Welostthebook,"hegrumbled."Wekindoffailedalready,didn'twe?"Amy traced themonogramon top ofGrace's jewelry box. "Maybe not. I have an idea, butwe're

goingtoneedanadult.Alistairwasrightaboutthat.We'llneverbeabletotravelwithoutone.""Travel?"Dansaid."Wherearewegoing?"Amy glanced at the cop. She leaned closer to Dan and whispered, "First, we need to find a

chaperone.Andquickly.AuntBeatriceisgoingtocallSocialServicessoon.Weneedtogethome,getourstuff,andgetout.If

thepolicefindoutwe'vebeendisowned,they'lltakeustoafosterhomeorsomething.We'llneverbeabletofindthethirty-nineclues."

Danhadn'tthoughtaboutthis.Hedidn'tknowmuchaboutfosterhomes,buthefiguredhedidn'twanttoliveinone.Wouldafosterhomelethimtakehiscollection?

Probablynot."Sohowdowegetanadult?"heasked."Rentone?"69Amy twisted her hair into a noose. "We need somebodywho'll let us dowhat wewant without

asking too many questions. Somebody old enough to look like we're being chaperoned, but not strictenoughthatthey'lltrytostopus.Somebodykindofpliable."

"Does'pliable'meanwecanlietothem?""Mrrp,"Saladinsaid,likethatsoundedgoodtohimaslongashegotfreshfish.The police car turned ontoMelrose Street and pulled up in front of their weathered brownstone

apartmentbuilding."Thisistheaddress?"thecopasked.Shesoundedboredandannoyed."Yes,"Amysaid."Imean,yes,ma'am.""Yousurethere'ssomebodyhome?Yourguardianorwhatever?""NellieGomez,"Dansaid."She'souraupa--"Hiseyeswidened.HelookedatAmy,andhecouldtellshewasthinkingthesamething.Itwasso

obviousevenaHoltcould'veseenit."Nellie!" theysaid together.Theygotoutof thepolicecarwith theircatand the jewelryboxand

racedupthefrontsteps.NelliewasjustwhereDanfiguredshe'dbe--sackedoutonthesofawithherearbudsin,bobbing

herheadtowhateverweirdmusicshewaslisteningtowhileshepunchedtextmessagesintoherphone.Astackof

70cookbookssatnexttoheronthecouch.ThetoponereadExoticMandarinCuisine.DanletSaladindowntoexploretheapartment.ThenhenoticedtheemptycartonofBen&Jerry's

CherryGarcia--hisCherryGarcia--sittingonthecoffeetable."Hey!"Danprotested."Thatwasmine!"Ofcourse,Nelliedidn'thearhim.Shekeptjammingoutand

typingonherphoneuntilAmyandDanstoodrightoverher.

Nellie frowned likeshewasannoyedshehad toactuallywork.Shepulledoutoneearbud."Backalready?Whoa--whathappened?You'reallgrungy."

"Weneedtotalk,"Amysaid.Nellieblinked,whichwasprettycooltowatchsincehereyesweredoneinblueglittereyeshadow.

Shehadanewnoseringshapedlikeasilversnake.Danwonderedwhyshewantedasnakecurledinsidehernostril.

"Whatdoweneedtotalkabout,kiddo?"sheasked.AmylookedlikeshewantedtohitNelliewiththejewelrybox.DanknewshehateditwhenNellie

calledherkiddo,butshekepthervoicepolite."We--we'vegotadealforyou.Anewbabysittingdeal.Itpaysalotofmoney."Nelliepulledoutherotherearbud.Theyhadherattentionnow.Threewordsalwaysworkedwith

Nellie:guys,food,andmoney.Shestoodup.ShewaswearingherrippedBritishflagT-shirt,fadedjeans,andpinkplasticshoes.

Her71hairlookedlikeapileofwetstraw--halfblack,halfblond.ShefoldedherarmsandlookeddownatAmy."Okay.Whatkindofdeal?"DanwasafraidAmywouldfreezeup,butsheseemedtobekeepinghernervesprettywell.Nellie

wasn'tasintimidatingassomeoftheotheraupairsthey'dhad."Urn...it'satrip,"Amysaid."You'dbeourchaperone."Nelliefrowned."Whyisn'tyourauntaskingmeaboutthis?""Oh,shebrokeherneck,"Danblurtedout.AmygavehimalooklikeShutup!"Brokeherneck?"Nellieasked."It'snot serious,"Dan said. "Just a littlebreak.She's,uh,going tobe in thehospital for awhile,

though.Soshefiguredwe'dbettertakeatrip.WetalkedtoourUncleAlistair.Hesaidwe'dneedanadulttogowithus."

That last part, at least,was true.Dan didn't knowwhere hewas goingwith this, but he plungedahead.HefiguredifhecouldjustkeepNellieconfused,shecouldn'tcallhimaliar.

"It'sthisthingourfamilydoes,"hesaid."Kindoflikeascavengerhunt.Wevisitabunchofplacesandhavefun."

"Whatsortofplaces?"Nellieasked."Oh,allkinds."DanthoughtaboutthemapinGrace'ssecretlibrary--allthosepushpins."That'spart72ofthefun.Wedon'tknowalltheplacesatthebeginning.Wecouldgoallovertheworld."Nellie'seyebrowsshotup."Youmean,like,forfree?"Amynodded,asifshewerewarminguptoDan'smethods."Yeah,itcouldtakemonths!Travelingto

exoticplaceswherethere'slotsof...um,foodandguys.Butyouwouldn'tneedtobewithusthewholetime--justfortheadultstufflikebuyingairlineticketsandcheckingintohotelsandstuff.You'dhavealotoftimeonyourown."

Yes,please,Dan thought. Nellie was okay, but the last thing he wanted was her following them around too

closely."Howareyougoingtopayforit?"Nelliesaidsuspiciously.Amyopenedthejewelryboxanddumpeditonthetable.Thepearlbracelet,thediamondring,and

theemeraldearringsglittered.

Nellie'smouthdroppedopen."Oh--my--god.Didyoustealthat?""No!"Amysaid."It'sfromourgrandmother!Shewantedustotakethistrip.Shesaidsoinherwill."Danfeltimpressed.Thatwasn'texactlyalie,either.Nelliestaredatthejewelry.Thenshepickedupherphoneanddialed.Dantensed.HehadvisionsofSocialServices--whateverthatwas--swoopingin,guyswithwhite73coatsandnets,maybe,takingthemtoafosterhome."Hello?"Nelliesaidintothephone."Yeah,Dad,listen,I'vegotanewjobfortheCahills."Pause."Yeah,it'sreallygoodmoney.SoIcan'tmakedinnertonightlikeIpromised."Nelliepickedupthe

diamondring,butAmysnatcheditaway."Howlong?Um...we'retraveling.Soafewweeks.Maybe...months?"

Sheyankedthephoneawayfromherear.Ontheotherend,herdadwasyellinginrapidSpanish."Dad!"Nelliesaid."No,claw.Butthefallsemesterdoesn'tstartforamonth,andit'sall,like,boringcoursesanyway.Icouldjusttakemorehoursinthespringand--"AnotherburstofangrySpanish."Well,ifyou'dletmegotocookingschoolinsteadofstupidregularcollege--"Herdad'syellinggotslightlylouderthananuclearexplosion."Que,papa?"Nellieyelled."Losiento,you'rebreakingup.I'llcallyouwhenIgetabettersignal.Loveya!"Shehungup."He'sfinewithit,"sheannounced."I'min,kiddos."On Amy's orders, Dan was only supposed to pack one bag. That meant clothes, but Dan wasn't

interestedinclothes.Helookedaroundhisroom,tryingtofigureoutwhattotakefromhiscollections.74Hisbedroomwasalreadywaytoosmallforhisstuff.Againstonewallwerehistombstonerubbings.

He'dhavetoroll themuporfold themtopackthem,andthatwouldruinthem.Hisclosetwasstackedwithplasticbinsholdinghiscardcollectionandcoinportfolios-- toomanytochoosefrom.UnderhisbedwereboxesfullofoldCivilWarweapons,hiscasts,hisautographedcelebrityphotos,andatonofotherstuff.

Hepickeduphislaptop,whichhe'dboughtfromthecomputerscienceteacheratschoolfor$300.He'd

havetotakethat,becauseheusedittofindoutstuffandmakemoney.Heknewtheexactvalueofevery

tradingcardontheInternet.He'dlearnedtosellhisduplicatecardsatschoolandinthelocalcardshopsforalittlemorethanhe'dpaid.Itwasn'tmuch,buthecouldmakeabout$100amonthifhewaslucky.Andhe

waslucky.Unfortunately,hespentthemoneyonrarestuffasfastashemadeit.He slipped the computer into his black duffel bag. Then he added three extra shirts, pants,

underwear,atoothbrush,hisinhaler,and--finally--hispassport.Theirparentshadgottenthempassportsrightbeforetheydied,whenDanwasfour.Dandidn'trememberwhy.They'dneverusedthem.Gracehadinsistedonrenewingthemlastyear,

whichhadseemedkindofsilytoDanatthetime.Nowhewondered....Heshovedthepassporttothebottomofthebag.Therewashardlyanyroomleft.Nowaycouldhefitevenatenthofhisstuff.75Hedugunderhismattressandbroughtouthisphotoalbum. Itwasabigwhitebinderholdinghis

mostimportantcollection:photosofhisparents.Therewasonlyone.Itwasburnedaroundtheedges:theonlyphotographthathadsurvivedthefire.

Hismomanddadwerestandingonthesummitofamountainwiththeirarmsaroundeachother,smilingfor thecamera.TheybothworeGortexparkasand thermalclimbingpants,withharnessesaround theirwaists. Instead of helmets, theywore baseball caps, so their eyeswere hidden in shadows.His dad,Arthur,wastallandtanwithsalt-and-pepperhairandanicesmile.Danwonderedifhewouldlooklikethatwhenhegotolder.Hismom,Hope,hadreddish-brownhairlikeAmy's.Shewasalittleyoungerthantheirdad,andDanthoughtshewasverypretty.HerhatwasanOriolescap.Hisdad'swasaRedSox.Danwondered if thatwas random,or if thosewere their favorite teams, and if theyever fought aboutwhichonewasbetter.Hedidn'tknow.Hedidn'tevenknowiftheyhadgreeneyeslikehedid,becausethecapshidtheirfaces.

Hewantedtocollectotherphotosofthem.Hewantedtoknowwhereelsetheytraveledandwhattheywore.Hewantedtoseeapicturethathad

himinit.Buttherewasnothingtocollect.Everythingfromtheiroldhousehadburned,andGracealways

insistedshehadnophotographsofthem,thoughDanneverunderstoodwhy.76Hestaredatthephotoandgotasinkingfeelinginthepitofhisstomach.Hethoughtaboutthefireat

Grace'smansion,themaninblack,Mr.McIntyrelyingonthepavement,UncleAlistairdrivingawaylikeamadman,andhismom'shandwritinginthatBenjaminFranklinbook.

Whatcouldbesoimportantaboutabook?Danknewthevalueofalotofcollectibles,buthe'dneverheardofanythingworthburningdownahouse.

Gracemust'veknownwhatshewasdoing,settingupthiscontest.Shewouldn'thavelethimandAmydown.Dantoldhimselfthatoverandover,tryingtobelieveit.

Therewasaknockonhisdoor.Hetooktheplasticsleevewiththephotographoutofthealbumandslippeditinhisbag.Hezippeditshutjustasthedooropened.

"Hey,dweeb,"Amysaid,butshedidn'treallysoundmean."Youalmostdone?""Yeah.Yeah,I'mgood."She'd taken a shower and changed clothes -- back into her regular jeans and green T-shirt. She

frownedathisfullduffelbag,thenlookedatallthebinssittinginthecloset.Danguessedshecouldtellhehadn'tsortedthroughthem.

"Youcould,uh,takeabackpack,too,"sheoffered."Ifthathelps."ComingfromAmy,itwasaprettynicethingtosay.ButDanstaredathiscloset.Somehowheknewhe77wouldn't be comingback here ever again. "Amy, howmuchmoneydo you thinkwe'll get for the

jewelry?"Herhandwenttoherneck,andDanrealizedshewaswearingGrace'sjadenecklace."Um...Idon'tknow."Danunderstoodwhy she lookedguilty.Hewasn't an expert at jewelry prices, but he figured that

necklacewasoneofthemostexpensivepiecesinthebox.Ifshekeptit,theywouldn'tgetnearlyasmuch."They'llripusoff,"hewarned."Wedon'thavetimetodoitright.Andanyway,we'rejustkids.We'll

have to take the jewelry to somebody who can give us cash without asking a lot of questions.We'llprobablyonlygetafewthousand--afractionofwhatthestuffisworth."

"We'llneedtransportationforthreepeople,"Amysaiduncertainly."Andhotels.Andfood."Dantookadeepbreath."I'mgoingtosellmycardsandcoins.There'sashopdownonthesquare--""Dan!You'vespentyearscollectingthatstuff!""It'lldoubleourmoney.Thestorewillripmeoff,butIcangetthreethousandeasyforallofit."Amystaredathimlikehe'ddroppedinfromouterspace."Dan,I thinkthesmokemessedupyour

brain.Areyousure?"For some weird reason, he was. He wanted to go on this clue hunt more than he wanted his

collection.Hewanted to get back atwhoever had burned downGrace's house.Hewanted to find thesecretofthethirty-nineclues.Mostofall,hewantedtofinallyusethat

78stupid passport andmake his parents proud.Maybe along the way he'd find new photos for his

album."I'msure,"hesaid.Amydidsomethingcompletelydisgusting.Shehuggedhim."Gross!"Danprotested.Hepushedheraway.Amywassmiling,butshehadtearsinhereyes."Maybeyou'renotsuchadweeb,"shesaid."Yeah,well,stopcryingalready,andlet'sgetoutof--wait,wherearewegoing?""Tonightahotelintown,"shesaid."Thentomorrow...I'vegotanideaaboutBenFranklin.""Butyoudon'thavethebookanymore.""Ididn'tneedthebookforthis.Mom'snotesaid'FollowFranklin.'BenFranklinstartedasaprinterhereinBoston,whenhewasateenagerworkingforhis

brother.""Sowejustlookaroundtown?"Amyshookherhead."That'swhattheothersareprobablydoing.Butwe'regoingtofollowwherehe

wentnext,likefollowhislife.BenjaminFranklindidn'tstayinBoston.Whenhewasseventeen,heranawayfromhisbrother'sshopandstartedhisownprintingbusinessin

anothercity.""Sowerunaway,too!WefollowFranklin!""Exactly,"Amysaid."I justhopenobodyelsehas thoughtof thatyet.Weneed tobook three train

ticketstoPhiladelphia."79"Philadelphia,"Danrepeated.TheonlythingsheknewaboutPhiladelphiaweretheLibertyBelland

thePhillies."Sowhenwegetthere,whatdowelookfor?"Amy touched the jade necklace like itmight protect her. "I'm guessing a secret that could get us

killed."80

CHAPTER7

Amileaway inCopleySquare, IrinaSpasky -- codenameTeamFive --wasworryingaboutherpoison. She had loaded her fingernail injectorswith the usualmixture, but she feared itwould not beenoughforthismeeting.

Back in the Cold War, she and her KGB colleagues used poison-injecting umbrellas, or spraypaintedtoxinsontoiletseats.Thosewerethegoodolddays!NowIrinaworkedbyherself,soshehadtokeep things simple.The needles extendedwhen she bent back her fingers at the first joint.Theywerealmostimpossibletoseeandcausedonlyatinypinpricksensation.Thepoisonwouldleavehervictimsverysick,perhapsparalyzed,formanydays--enoughtogiveIrinaagoodheadstartinthesearch.Bestofall,thepoisonwascompletelyuntraceableandhadnoantidote.

Unfortunately,itwasslow-acting.Hervictimsmightnotshowsymptomsforeighthoursormore.Ifsheneededtoincapacitateherenemiesquickly,shewouldhavetorelyonothermeans.

81IanandNatalieKabrawerenottobeunderestimated.Backwhentheyweretenandseven,perhaps

Irinacould'veoverpoweredthem.Nowtheywerefourteenandeleven...averydifferentstoryindeed.ShewanderedCopleySquare,waiting tospot them.Theyhadagreedonstandardantisurveillance

tactics,onlysettingageneralareaandtimefortheirrendezvous.Thestormcloudshadcleared.Itwasabeautifulsummerafternoon,whichIrinahated.Allthissunshineandflowersandchildrenplaying--

bah.Shepreferredasteel-graywinterinSt.Petersburg,amuchbetterclimateforespionage.Sheboughtacoffee froma streetkiosk, then spotted IanandNatalieacross theplaza,walking in

frontofTrinityChurch.Theireyesmethersbrieflyandtheykeptwalking.Irina'smove.Shefollowedthematadistance,checkingtoseeiftheyhadgrowna"tail" -- any surveillance, any followers, any possible angles for photographers. After fifteen

minutes,shesawnothing.Shewaitedforthemtoturnandseeher.Assoonastheydid,Irinaturnedandwalkedoff.Thegamereversed.Sheledthemacrosstheplaza,

towardthelibrary,knowingtheywouldbewatchingfortailsonher.Iftheysawanything,IanandNataliewoulddisappear.Themeetingwouldbeaborted.Afterfifteenminutes,IrinachangedcourseandnoticedtheKabrasacrossBoylstonStreet,still82shadowingher.Thismeantshewasclean.Nosurveillance.ThechildrenturnedtowardtheCopley

PlazaHotel,andIrinafollowed.Theymetinthebusylobby,whereneitherpartycouldambushtheother.NatalieandIan lookedmuch too relaxed,sittingacross fromeachotheronoverstuffedsofas.The

littlebratshadchangedoutof their funeral suits -- Ianworea sky-bluepolo shirt,beige trousers, andtasseled loafers;Natalieworeawhite linendress thatshowedoffhercoffeeskin.Theireyesglitteredlikeamber.Theyweresolovelytheymadeheadsturn,whichwasnotagoodthingforasecretmeeting.

"Youattracttoomuchattention,"Irinascolded."Youshouldbeuglier."Natalielaughed."Isthatwhatkeepsyoualive,dearcousin?"Irinawanted to scratch theyoungwhelp's facewithherpoison fingernails, but shekepther cool.

"Insultmeasyouwill.Itgetsusnowhere.""True,"Iansaid."Wehaveamutualproblem.Please,sit."Irinaconsidered.ShewouldhavetositnexttoeitherIanorNatalie,andneitherwassafe.Shechose

theyounggirl.Perhaps shewouldbeeasier tooverwhelm if it came to that.Natalie smiledandmaderoomforheronthesofa.

"Haveyouconsideredourproposal?"Ianasked.83Irina had thought of nothing else since the text message came two hours ago on her cell phone,

encryptedinanalgorithmiccodeusedonlybytheLucians.Shenodded."YouhavecometothesameconclusionasI.ThesecondclueisnotinBoston.""Exactly,"Iansaid."We'vetoldourparentstocharterusaprivatejet.We'llbeoffwithinthehour."Charteringaprivatejet,Irinathoughtresentfully.SheknewtheKabras'parentsfromtheolddays.Theywereinternationally

knownartcollectors.Oncetheyhadbeendangerouspeople,importantpeoplewithintheLucianbranch.NowtheywereretiredinLondonanddidnothingbutdoteupontheirchildren.TheyletIanandNataliedoallthetraveling,writingthemblankchecksasneeded.

Whatdidthesebratscareaboutthethirty-nineclues?Thiswasjustanotheradventuretothem.Irinahadherownreasonsforhuntingthetreasure--muchmorepersonalreasons.TheKabrasweretoorich,toosmart,tooproud.Someday,Irinawouldchangethat.

"So,"Irinasaid,"wherewillyougo?"Iansatforwardandlacedhishands.Hedidn'tlookfourteenyearsold.Whenhesmiled,helooked

evilenoughtobeanadult."Youknowit'saboutBenjaminFranklin.""Yes.""Thenyouknowwherewe'regoing,andyouknowwhatwe'reafter."84"Youalsoknow,"Nataliepurred,"thatwecan'tallowthesecrettofallintoanyoneelse'shands.As

Lucians,weshouldworktogether.Youshouldsetthetrap."Irina'seyetwitched,thewayitdidwhenshewasnervous.Shehatedthatitdidthis,butshecouldnot

stopit."Youcouldsetthetrapyourselves,"shesaid.Natalieshookherhead."Theywouldsuspectus.You,ontheotherhand,canlurethemtotheirdoom."Irinahesitated,tryingtoseeaflawintheplan."Whatisinthisforme?""They'reourbiggestthreat,"Ianpointedout."Theymaynotrealizeityet,buttheywillintime.We

havetoeliminatethemquickly.It'llbenefitallofus.Besides,you'llhavetheLucianstrongholdatyourdisposal.Afterwards,therewillbetimetofighteachother.Now,wemustdestroyourcompetition."

"AndtheMadrigals?"Irinaasked.ShethoughtshesawarippleofnervousnesscrossIan'sface,butitpassedquickly."Oneenemyatatime,cousin."Irinahatedtoadmitit,buttheboyhadapoint.Sheexaminedherfingernails,casuallymakingsure

thateachofherpoisonneedleswasprimedandready."Does it seem odd to you," she asked slowly, "that the Lucian database contains so little about

Franklin?"Sheknewverywelltheywouldhaveloggedintothebranch'smainframe,justasshehaddone.85AnnoyanceflickeredinIan'seyes."Thereshouldhavebeenmore,it'strue.Apparently,Franklinwas

hidingsomething...evenfromhiskin."Nataliesmiledcoldlyatherbrother."ALucianwhodoesn'ttrusthiskin--imaginethat."Ianwavedhercommentaside."Complainingaboutitwillchangenothing.WeneedtodealwithAmy

andDan.CousinIrina,dowehaveadeal?"Thehoteldoorsopened.Aheavysetmaninabrownsuitstrodethrough,headingforthefrontdesk.

Heseemedoutofplace,possiblyasecurityguardoranundercoverpoliceman.Itmighthavenothingtodowiththem,butIrinacouldn'tbesure.Theyhadsatheretoolong.Meetinganylongerwouldbedangerous.

"Verywell,"Irinasaid."Ishallpreparethetrap."NatalieandIanrose.Irinafeltrelievedandperhapsflattered,too.TheKabrasneededherhelp.Shewas,afterall,much

olderandwiser."Iamgladwecametoanarrangement,"shesaid,feelinggenerous."Ididnotwishtohurtyou."

"Oh,we'reglad,too,"Ianpromised."Natalie,Ibelieveit'ssafenow."Irinafrowned,notunderstanding.ThenshelookedatNatalie--thatprettylittlegirlwhoseemedso

harmlessinherwhitedress--andrealizedtheyoungshe-devilhadatinysilverdartguncuppedinherhand,nottwoinchesfromIrina'schest.Irina'sheartskippedabeat.Shehadusedsuchgunsherself.The

86dartscouldcarrypoisonsfarworsethanshedaredkeepinherfingernails.Nataliesmiledprettily,keepingthedartgunaimedandready."Itwassogoodtoseeyou,Irina.""Indeed,"Iansaidsmugly."I'dshakeyourhand,cousin,butI'dhatetoruinyourspecialmanicure.Do

letusknowwhenAmyandDanareeliminated,won'tyou?"87

CHAPTER8

AmyknewsomethingwaswrongassoonasNelliecameoutoftherentalcarplace.Shewasfrowningandholdingathickbrownpaddedenvelope."Whatisthat?"Amyasked."It's for you guys." Nellie held out the package. "Somebody dropped it off at the counter this

morning.""That'simpossible!"Amysaid."Nobodyknewwe'dbehere."But as she said it, a chillwentdownherback.They'dbooked the train tickets and the rental car

onlinelastnightfromtheirhotel,usingNellie'sname.Wasitpossiblesomebodyhadtrackedthemdownsofast?

"Whatdoestheenvelopesay?"Danasked."'ForA.&D.Cahill,'"Nellieread.'"FromW.McIntyre.'""Mr.McIntyre!"Dangrabbedthepackage."Wait!"Amyyelled."Itcouldbeatrap."Danrolledhiseyes."C'mon.It'sfrom--""Itcouldbefromanybody,"Amyinsisted."Itcouldblowuporsomething."88"Okay,whoa,"Nelliesaid."Whywouldsomebodysendacoupleofkidsabomb?Andwhoisthis

McIntyredude?"Dangrinned."IsayweletNellieopenit.""Um,no!"Nelliesaid."You'retheaupair!Aren'tyousupposedtodefuseexplosivesforusandstuff?""I'mdrivingyou,kiddo.That'senough!"Amy sighed and snatched the package. She stepped into the parking lot, turned the flap of the

envelopeawayfromNellieandDan,andcarefullypeeleditopen.Nothinghappened.Insidewasametalcylinderlikeaflashlight,exceptthelightwasastripofpurple

glass runningdownoneside.Anotewasattached insloppyhandwriting, like thewriterhadbeen inahurry:

MeetmeatIndependenceHallthiseveningateight,butonlyifyoufindtheinformation--WM(P.S.Thankyouforcallingtheambulance.)"Findwhatinformation?"Danasked,readingoverhershoulder."Thenextclue,Iguess.""Whatclue?"Nelliedemanded.89"Nothing,"DanandAmysaid.Nellieblewatuftofblackandblondhairoutofhereyes."Whatever.Stayrighthere.I'llbringthecararound."She left them standingwith the bags and Saladin in his new cat carrier. Saladin hadn't been too

pleasedwiththecatcarrier--anymorethanNelliehadbeenwiththefreshredsnapperthey'dboughttokeephimhappy--butAmyhadn'thadthehearttoleavehimbehind.

"Mrrp?"Saladinasked.Amy reacheddownand scratchedhishead through thebars. "Dan,maybewe shouldn'tmake that

rendezvous.Mr.McIntyretoldusnottotrustanyone."

"Butthenoteisfromhim!""Itcouldbeatrick.""Thatmakesitevenbetter!We'vegottogo!"Amytwistedherhair.ShehateditwhenDandidn'ttakeherseriously.Andthiscouldbedangerous."Ifwego,itsayswehavetofindinformationfirst.""Butyouknowwheretolook,right?You'resmartandstuff."Smartandstuff.Like that's all they needed to track down a clue in a huge city. Before they'd left Boston, she'd

splurgedandboughtsomebooksaboutFranklinandPhiladelphiafromherfriendsattheusedbookshop.She'dspentthewholetraintripreading,butstill....

"I'vegotafewideas,"sheadmitted."ButIdon'tknowwherewe'regoinginthelongterm.Imean--haveyouthoughtaboutwhatthisultimatetreasurecouldbe?"

90"Somethingcool.""Oh,that'srealhelpful.Imean,whatcouldmakesomebodythemostpowerfulCahillinhistory?And

whythirty-nineclues?"Danshrugged."Thirty-nineisasweetnumber.It'sthirteentimesthree.It'salsothesumoffiveprime

numbersinarow--3,5,7,11,13.Andifyouaddthefirstthreepowersofthree,3(raisedtothefirstpower)plus3(raisedtothesecond

power)plus3(raisedtothethirdpower),yougetthirty-nine."Amystaredathim."Howdidyouknowthat?""Whatdoyoumean?It'sobvious."Amyshookherheadindismay.Danactedlikeadoofusmostofthetime.Thenhe'dpullsomething

likethat--addingprimenumbersorpowersofthreethatshe'dneverthoughtabout.Theirdadhadbeenamathematicsprofessor,andDanapparentlyhadinheritedallofhisnumbersense.Amyhadenoughtroublerememberingphonenumbers.

ShehelduptheweirdmetalcylinderMr.McIntyrehadsentthem.Sheswitcheditonandthelightglowedpurple.

"Whatisthatthing?"Danasked."Idon'tknow,"Amysaid."ButIhaveafeelingwe'dbetterfigureitoutbeforeeighto'clock."Amyhatedcarsalmostasmuchasshehatedcrowds.Shepromisedherselfthatwhenshegotolder

she'dlivesomewherewheresheneverhadtodrive.Partof91thatwasbecauseshe'dbeeninthecarwithNelliebefore.NelliehadrentedaToyotahybrid.Shesaiditwasmoreenvironmental,whichwasfinewithAmy,

butitcosttwohundredandfifty-eightdollarsaday,andthewayNellieracedaroundcornersandgunnedthegaswasn'texactly"green."

TheywereonInterstate95,headingintodowntown,whenAmyhappenedtolookbehindthem.Shewasn'tsurewhy--apricklingsensationonhernecklikeshewasbeingwatched.Infact,shewas.

"We'rebeingfollowed,"sheannounced."What?"Dansaid."Fivecarsback,"Amysaid."GrayMercedes.It'stheStarlings."

"AStarbucks?"Nelliesaidexcitedly."Where?""Starlings,"Amycorrected."Ourrelatives.Ned,Ted,andSinead."Nelliesnorted."That'snotreallytheirnames.""I'mnotjoking,"Amysaid."It's,um,partofthescavengerhunt.Nellie,wecan'tletthemfollowus.

Wehavetolosethem."Nelliedidn'tneedtobetoldtwice.SheyankedthewheeltotherightandtheToyotacareenedacross

three lanes of traffic. Saladin yowled. Just as theywere about to slam into the safety-impact barrels,Nellieslippedontoanexitramp.

ThelastviewAmygotoftheStarlingswasSinead'sfreckledfacepressedagainstthewindowofthe92Mercedes,herjawhangingopenasshewatchedAmyandDangetaway"Isthatlostenough?"Nellieasked."Mrrp!"Saladinprotested."Youcould'vekilledus!"Danhadabiggrinonhisface."Dothatagain!""No!"Amysaid."LocustStreet.Andhurry!"TheirfirststopwastheLibraryCompanyofPhiladelphia,abigredbrickbuildinginthemiddleof

downtown.AmyandDan askedNellie towait in the carwithSaladin.Then theywalkedup the frontsteps.

"Oh,boy,anotherlibrary,"Dansaid."Wehavesuchgreatluckwithlibraries.""Franklinfoundedthisplace,"Amytoldhim."It'sgotalotofbooksfromhispersonalcollection.If

wecanconvincethelibrarians--""What's the big dealwithBenjamin Franklin, anyway? Imean, so the guy invented electricity or

whatever.Thatwashundredsofyearsago.""Hedidn'tinventelectricity,"Amysaid,tryingnottosoundtooannoyed."Hediscoveredthatlightningwasthesame

stuffaselectricity.Heinventedlightningrodstoprotectbuildingsandexperimentedwithbatteriesand-""Idothat.Haveyoueverputoneonyourtongue?"93"You'reanidiot.ThethingisFranklinwasfamousforalotof reasons.He started out getting richwith his printing business.Then he became a scientist and

inventedabunchofstuff.LaterhehelpedwritetheDeclarationofIndependenceandtheConstitution.HewasevenanambassadortoEnglandandFrance.Hewasbrilliant.Worldfamous.Everybodylikedhim,andheliveduntilhewas,like,inhiseighties."

"Superman,"Dansaid."Prettymuch.""Sodoyouthinkheknewwhatitwas--thistreasurewe'relookingfor?"Amyhadn'tthoughtofthat.Franklinhadbeenoneofthemostinfluentialpeopleinhistory.Ifhewasa

Cahill,andheknewaboutthissecretfamilytreasure..."Ithink,"shesaid,"we'dbetterfindout."ShepushedopenthedoorsandledDaninside.Fortunately,thelibrarianswerehavingaslowday,andAmywasn'tshyaroundthematall.Sheloved

librarians. When she told them she was doing a summer research project on Benjamin Franklin and

neededtousehistoricaldocuments,theyfellalloverthemselvestohelpher.TheymadeAmyandDanwearlatexglovesandsitinaclimate-controlledreadingroomwhilethey

broughtoutoldbookstolookat.94ThelibrariansetthefirstonedownandAmygasped."ThisisFranklin'sfirstcartoon!"Dansquintedat it.Thepictureshowedasnake,cut intothirteenpieces,eachonelabeledwiththe

nameofanAmericancolony."Notveryfunnyforacartoon,"Dansaid."It'snotsupposedtobefunny,"Amysaid."Backthen,cartoonsmadeapoint.Like,he'ssayingifthe

coloniesdon'tgettogether,Britainwillcutthemapart.""Uh-huh."Danturnedhisattention tohiscomputer.They'dbeen in the librarymaybefiveminutes,

andherehewas,alreadylookingbored,clackingawayonhislaptopratherthanhelpingher.Amyporedover theotherartifacts:anewspaper thathadbeenprintedonFranklin'sownprinting

press,acopyofPilgrim'sProgressthatFranklinhadowned.Somuchamazingstuff...butwhatwasshelookingfor?Amyfeltpressured,andshedidn'tdowellunderpressure."Findwhatyouneed?"thelibrarianasked.Shehadfrizzyhairandbifocalsandlookedsortoflikea

friendlywitch."Um,maybesomemore,please.Anythingthatwas...importanttoFranklin."Thelibrarianthoughtforamoment."Franklin'sletterswereimportanttohim.Hewrotemany,many

letterstohisfriendsandfamilybecausehelivedinEuropesolong.I'llbringyousome."Sheadjustedherglassesandlefttheroom.95"Franklininventedthose,too,"Amysaidabsently.Danfrowned."Librarians?""No, bifocals!He cut up two sets of lenses and pasted them half-and-half, so he could see long

distanceandshortdistancewiththesamepair.""Oh." Dan didn't look impressed. He went back to playing on his laptop. He had the mystery

flashlightfromMr.McIntyreinfrontofhim,andhekeptswitchingitonandoff.The librarian brought them a stack of new stuff, including old letters preserved in plastic sheets.

Amyread through thembut feltmorehopeless thanever.Nothing jumpedoutather.Nothingscreamed"clue."

Suddenly,Dansatupstraight."Ifoundit!""Youfoundwhat?"She'dassumedDanwasplayinggames,butwhenheturnedthelaptoptofaceher,

therewasapictureofaflashlightjustliketheoneMr.McIntyrehadsentthem."It'sablacklightreader,"Danannounced."Oh!"thelibrariansaid."Veryingenious.Wehaveoneofthoseforourcollection."Amylookedup."Why?Whatdotheydo?""They reveal secretwriting," the librarian said. "During theRevolutionaryWar, spieswould use

invisible ink to send messages on documents that seemed harmless, like love letters or orders formerchants.Thereceiverwoulduseheatoraspecialchemicalwashtomakesecretwordsappearbetweenthelines.Ofcoursewecan'tdamageourdocumentsbysprayingchemicalsonthem,

96soweuseblacklighttocheckforsecretmessagesinstead."Amyhelduptheblacklightreader."Can

we--""Icansaveyoutime,mydear,"thelibrariansaid."We check all our colonial documents as a matter of course. There are no secret messages,

unfortunately."Amy'sheartsank.They'dwastedtheirtimehere,andshestilldidn'tknowwhatshewaslookingfor.

Shehadamentallistofotherplacestovisit,butitwasverylong.Therewasnowaytheycouldhitthemallbeforeeighttonight.Secretmessages.FranklinhadwrittenlotsofletterstohisfriendsandfamilywhilelivinginEurope.FollowFranklin.Acrazyideastartedtoforminherhead.Amylookedatthelibrarian."Yousaidhisletterswereimportanttohim.Isthereanyplaceelsethat

keepsFranklin'slettersondisplay?"Thelibrariansmiled."Funnyyoushouldask.Someofhismostfamoushandwrittendocumentsare

showingthismonthattheFranklinInstitutedownon--""Thesciencemuseum?"Amyshottoherfeet."On20thStreet?""Yes."Thelibrarianlookedstartled."Buthowdidyou--""Thanks!"AmyrushedoutoftheroomwithDanrightbehindher.ItwasaquickdrivetotheFranklinInstitute.Nelliewasn'ttoothrilledtositinthecarwiththecat

again,97butDanandAmyconvincedhertheywouldn'tbelong.Theyraninsideandfoundatwenty-foot-tall

whitemarblestatueofBenjaminFranklingazingdownatthemfromagiantchairintheentrychamber."Holyalmanacs,"Dansaid."That'sabigBen."Amynodded."Attheendofhislife,hewassoheavyhehadtobehauledaroundinasedanchair

carriedbyfourbigconvicts.""Sweet,"Dansaid."Iwantasedanchair.""Youweighninetypounds.""RESOLUTION:Starteatingmoreicecream.""Justcomeon!"Themuseumwashuge.Theywalkedpastthememorialandthroughtheticketarea,thenfollowedthe

mapintotheFranklinGallery.Itwasalreadylateintheafternoonandtheplacewasprettymuchdeserted."Checkthisout!"DanpickedupamechanicalarmandgrabbedAmy'swristwithit."Stop that!" she said. "Franklin made that for getting things off high shelves, not annoying your

sister.""Ibetifhehadasister--""Hedidhaveasister!Dan,weneedtofindhisletters.Stopmessingaround."Theykeptwalking.TheyfoundadisplayofFranklin'slightningrods,abunchofbifocals,andoneof

hisbatteriesforgeneratingelectricity--awoodencratefullofglassjars,allwiredtogether."Thatthingishuge,"Dansaid."Whatisthat,like,adoubleZbattery?Andwhoa,whatisthat?"98He ranover to another display. Insidewas amahoganyboxholding a rowof closely fittedglass

saucers,likeastackofcerealbowls."It'sanarmonica,"Amysaid,readingthedescription."Itmakesmusicbyrubbingwaterontherims

oftheglasses.""Awesome.Franklininventedthat?""Yeah.Sayshereitwasreallypopularforawhile.Lotsoffamouscomposerswrotemusicfor..."Amyfroze.Atallgray-hairedmanhadjustcrossedthehallwayinthenextgallery,headingtoward

theinformationdesk.Andhewaswearingablacksuit.

"What?"Danasked."Maninblack,"Amymurmured."Run!"Shegrabbedherbrother'shandandtheyfleddeeperintothegallery.Theydidn'tstopuntiltheywere

tworoomsaway,hidingbehindalargeglassspherethatshowedthesolarsystem."What'shedoinghere?"Amyfretted."Duh,"Dansaid."Thefiredidn'twork,sohe'sheretogetus!Wecan'tgooutthemainexit.He'llbe

waitingtojumpusassoonaswetry."Amylookedaroundnervouslyforanotherwayout.Thenshenoticedwhatwasonthewallrightnext

tothem.Documents.Casesfullofdocuments--allyellowingparchment,writteninspideryhandwriting."Franklin'sletters!"shesaid."Quick,theblacklightreader!"99Danfumbledinhisbackpackandbroughtoutthelight.Theyheldituptothefirstletterandshoneit

throughtheglass.Thedocumentseemedtobesomekindofrequestforsupplies.Itstarted:Sir,IwrotetoyoulatelyviaNewYork,whichIhopemaycometohand.Ihaveonlytimenowto

desireyoutosendmethefollowingitems,viz.1Doz.Cole'sEng.Dictionaries3Doz.MathersYoungMan'sCompan'n1Qty.IronSolute2QuarterWaggonersforAmericaPurplelightpassedoverthepaper,butnothinghappened."Next!"Amysaid.Shewassurethemaninblackwasgoingtoburstinonthemanysecond."Whoa!"Dansaid.Amygrippedhisarm."Youfoundit?""No,butlook!Thiswholeessay--'TotheRoyalAcademy.'Hewroteawholeessayonfarts!"Dan

grinnedwithdelight."He'sproposingascientificstudyofdifferent fartsmells.You'reright,Amy.Thisguywasagenius!"

"Dan,you'resuchadweeb!Keepsearching!"TheyscannedfourmoredocumentswrittenbyFranklin.Nothingshowedup.Then,onthefifthone,

Dansaid,"Here!"100Thankfully, itwasn't another fart essay.The letterwas somethingFranklinhadwritten inParis in

1785 to someonenamed Jay.Amydidn't knowwhat itwas about.Shedidn't have time to read it.Butglowing yellow in the black light beam were lines between the lines -- a secret message in thehandwritingofBenjaminFranklin:

SoonmustIleaveThisplaceofwonderButIleavebehindWhathathdrivenmyclanasunder.Below,drawnbyhand,wasacrestwithtwosnakescoiledaroundasword.Amygasped."That'soneofthecrestsfromGrace'slibrary--theonewiththeL.Franklinmust'vebeenaLucian!""Sothisisthesecondclue?"Danasked."Oracluetotheclue?"Acameraclicked."Eitherway,"agirl'svoicesaid."Nicejob."

Amy turnedand foundherself surroundedby theStarlings.Theywore identicalpreppyclothesasusual -- 12 khakis, button-downs, and loafers. Sinead's auburn hair was tied back in a ponytail. Herbrothers,TedandNed,stoodoneithersideofher,smilinginanunfriendlyway.Sineadwasholdinghercellphone,whichshe'd

101obviouslyjustusedtotakeaphotooftheirclue."You lostusprettywellon thehighway,"Sineadadmitted. "Fortunately, therewereonly somany

Franklinsitesyoucould'vebeenheadingto.Thanksfortheclue."ShesnatchedtheblacklightreaderawayfromDan."Now,listenclose.Youbratsaregoingtostayinthemuseumforhalfanhour.Giveusaheadstartorwe'llbeforcedtotieyouup.Ifyouleaveearly,IpromiseTedandNedwillfindoutaboutit.Andtheywon'tbehappy."Hertwobrothersgrinnedevily.Sineadturnedtoleave,butAmyblurtedout,"W-w-wait!"Sineadraisedaneyebrow."Th-there'saman..."Amytriedtosaymore,buttheStarlingswereallglaringather.Shefeltlikeshe'dbeensubmergedinicewater."Whatman?"Sineadasked."He'sbeenwatchingus!"Dansaid."Followingus!Itisn'tsafetogooutthemainentrance."Sineadsmiled."You'reconcernedforoursafety?That'sverycute,Dan,but thethingis"--Sinead

leanedinandpokedhiminthestomachwitheveryword--"IDON'TBELIEVEYOU."Sineadandherbrotherslaughed,thenturnedandjoggedtowardthemainexit.BeforeAmycouldeventhinkwhattodo,alowhorriblehumshookthefloor.Andthen:BOOOM!102Glassdisplaycasesshattered.Thewholebuildingshuddered.AmywasthrownagainstDanandthey

crumpledtothefloor.When she sat up, her vision was fuzzy. She wasn't sure how long she stayed there, dazed. She

staggeredtoherfeetandtuggedonDan'sarm."Getup!"shesaid,butshecouldn'thearherownvoice."What?"hemouthed.She hauled him to his feet. Together they ran toward the exit. Smoke and dust filled the air.

Emergencylightsflashedfromthefirealarms.ApileofrubbleblockedtheexitfromtheFranklinGallery,asifpartoftheceilinghadcollapsed.OnthefloornearAmy'sfeetlaytheshatteredblacklightreaderandSinead'scellphone.

AndtherewasnosignoftheStarlingsatall.103

CHAPTER9

Dandecidedthatexplosionswerecool,butnotifyouwereinone.The whole way to Independence Hall, Amy cradled Saladin's cat carrier like it was her life

preserver.Nellieyelledatthemforbeingsoreckless.Dan'shearingwassomessedupshesoundedlikeshewastalkingfromthebottomofafishtank.

"Ican'tbelievethis!"Nelliesaid."Arealbomb?Ithoughtyouwerejoking!"Amywipedhereyes."TheStarlings...theyjust--""Maybethey'reokay,"Dansaid,butitsoundedlameeventohim.Theyhadn'tstuckaroundforthe

policetoarrive.They'dbeensofreakedoutthey'dsimplyfled,soDanhadnoideawhathadhappenedtothetriplets.Hedidn'tfigureitwasagoodsignthatthey'dfoundSinead'sphonenexttoawholesectionofcollapsedroof.

NellieyankedthewheelandtheyturnedontoSixthStreet."Youguys,thisisserious.Somebodytriedtokillyou.Ican'tbabysityouif--"104"Aupairus,"Dancorrected,"--whatever!"ShepulledthecarinfrontofIndependenceHall.Thesunwasgoingdown,andintheeveninglight,

theplacelookedexactlylikeitdidinschoolvideos--atwo-storybrickbuildingwithabigwhiteclocktower, surroundedby treesand flowerbeds.Astatueof someRevolutionarydudestoodout front.Thehalldidn'tlookallthatimpressivecomparedtothehugemodernbuildingsaroundit,butbackintheday,Danguesseditwasprobablythebiggestplaceintown.HecouldimagineFranklinandallhisfriendswithpowdered wigs and three-cornered hats gathering on the steps to talk about the Declaration ofIndependence, or theConstitution, ormaybeBen's latest proposal for studying farts. Thewhole scenemadeDanthinkofAmericanhistorytests,whichwerealmostasscaryasexplodingmuseums.

"Look,guys,"Nelliesaid."Thedeal'soff.Whateveryou'vegottenyourselvesinto--thisiswaytoodangerousforacoupleofkids.I'mgoingtotakeyoubacktoyouraunt."

"No!"Dansaid."Nellie,youcan't.She'll-"Hestoppedhimself,butNellie'sblue-glitter-shadedeyesnarrowed."She'llwhat?"DanglancedatAmy,hopingforhelp,butshewasstillinshock,juststaringoutthewindow."Nothing,"Dansaid."Nellie,thisisimportant.Please.Justwaitforus."105Nelliefumed."I'vegot,like,sixmoresongsonmyplaylist,okay?Ifyou'renotbackinthecarwhen

thelastsongisover,andreadytoexplainthingstomehonestly,IamsocallingBeatrice.""Yougotit!"Danpromised.HetriedtopushAmyoutofthecar,butshemust'vestillbeeninshock,

becausesheheldontoSaladin'scatcarrier."Whatareyoudoing?"Danasked."Leavehimhere.""No."Amyfumbledtocoverthecarrierwithablanket."Weneedtotakehim."

Dandidn'tknowwhy,buthedecidednottoargue.Theyhurriedalongthesidewalk.TheywerehalfwayupthestepsofIndependenceHallwhenDanrealizedtheplacewasclosedfor

thenight."Howdowegetin?""Children!"avoicecalled."Overhere!"WilliamMcIntyrewasleaningagainstthebuilding,halfhiddenbehindarosebush.Amyranoverand

gavetheoldlawyerahug,whichseemedtoembarrasshim.Hehadabandageonhislefthandandacutbelow his right eye, but other than that he looked pretty good for a guy who'd just gotten out of thehospital.

"I'mgladyou'resafe,"hesaid."IheardabouttheFranklinInstituteonthenews.Iassumeyouwerethere?"

"Itwashorrible,"Amysaid.Shetoldhimeverything--fromthesecretlibraryinGrace'smansionrightuptothemaninblackinthemuseumandtheStarlingtripletsgoing

ka-boom.Mr. McIntyre frowned. "I called Jefferson University Hospital. The Starlings will survive, but

they'reinbad106shape.They'llberecoveringformonths,whichputsthemoutoftheracepermanently,Ifear.""Itwasthemaninblack,"Dansaid."Hesetthattrapforus."Mr.McIntyre's eye twitched.He took off his spectacles and polished themwith his tie, his nose

castingashadowacross thesideofhis face. "Thisexplosion... fromyourdescription, I'd say itwasasonicdetonator.Very sophisticated, designed to stun and causeonly localizeddamage.Someoneknewwhattheyweredoing."

"Howdoyouknowsomuchaboutexplosives?"Danasked.Theoldmanfocusedonhim,andDangotthesuddenfeelinghehadn'talwaysbeenalawyer.He'd

seenthingsinhislife--dangerousthings."Dan,youmustbecareful.Thisexplosionwasalmosttheendoftheraceforyou.Ihadhopedtostayoutofthecompetition.I

mustnotbeseenaspartialtoanyoneteam.Butwhenyourgrandmother'smansionburneddown...well,IrealizedjusthowmuchofapredicamentI'dputyouin."

"That'swhyyousentustheblacklightreader?"Mr.McIntyrenodded."I'mconcernedbyhowmuchtheotherteamsaretargetingyou.Theyseemdeterminedtoputyououtofcommission.""Buttheyfailed!"Dansaid."Wegotthesecondclue.Nobodyelsehasit,right?""Dan,whatyoufoundismerelyaleadtothesecondclue.Makenomistake,itisagoodlead,andI'mgladthe107blacklightreaderwasuseful.Butitisbynomeanstheonlylead.Otherteamsmayfinddifferentpathstowardthenextclue.Or,iftheybelieveyouhaveuseful

information,theycansimplyfollowyou,astheStarlingstriedtodo,andtaketheinformationfromyou."Danfeltlikekickingthewall.Everytimetheygotabreak,somethingbadhappened,oritturnedout

theyweren'tnearlyasclosetothenextclueashe'dthought."Sohowdoweknowwhenwefindtheactualsecondclue?Isitgoingtohaveabigsignonit--

CLUETWO?""You will know," Mr. McIntyre said. "It will be more ... substantial. An essential piece of the

puzzle.""Great,"Dangrumbled."Thatclearsitup.""WhatifNellie'sright?"Amy'svoicequavered."Whatifthisistoodangerousforacoupleofkids?"

"Don'tsaythat!"Dancried.Amyturnedtohim.Hereyesremindedhimofbrokenglass.Theyhadthatshimmering,kindof fragile look. "Dan,wealmostdied.TheStarlingsare in thehospital, and it's

onlytheseconddayofthecontest.Howcanwekeepuplikethis?"Histhroatfeltdry.Amyhadapoint.Butcouldtheyjustwalkaway?HeimaginedgoingtoBeatrice

andapologizing.Hecould reclaimhis collection,goback to school, haveanormal lifewherepeopleweren'ttryingtotraphiminfiresorblowhimupeveryfewhours.

108Mr.McIntyremust'veseenwhathewasthinkingbecausetheoldman'sfacepaled."Children,no.Youmustn'tconsiderit.""We--we'rejustkids,"Amystammered."Youcan'texpectus--""Mydear,it'stoolate!"Foramoment,Mr.McIntyresoundedreallypanicked...terrifiedthatthey'dbackout.Dandidn'tunderstandwhy.Thentheoldmantookadeepbreath.Heseemedto

collecthisnerves."Children,youcan'tgoback.YourAuntBeatricewasfuriouswhenyoudisappeared.She'stalkingofhiringadetectiveto

findyou.""Shedoesn'tevencareaboutus!"Dansaid."Bethatasitmay,untilsheofficiallyturnsyouovertoSocialServices,shewillgetinlegaltrouble

ifanythinghappenstoyou.IfyoureturntoBoston,you'llbesenttofosterhomes.Thetwoofyoumaynotevenbeputtogether.There'snoreturningtoyouroldlifenow."

"Couldn'tyouhelpus?"Amyasked."Imean,you'realawyer.""I'mhelpingtoomuchalready.OccasionalinformationisallIcangive."Dan'searsprickedup."Informationlikewhat?"Mr. McIntyre lowered his voice. "One of your competitors, Jonah Wizard, is preparing for an

overseasjourney.Ifearyouwillrunintohimquitesoon.HeandhisfathermadefirstclassreservationsinNewYorkthismorning."

109"Wherearetheygoing?"Danasked."Ifyouthinkabouttheinformationyoufound,Ithinkyou'llknow.""Yes,"Amysaid."Ido.Andwe'regoingtogettherefirst."Dandidn'tknowwhatshewastalkingabout,buthewasgladtoseeherlookingangryagain.Itwas

nofungivingAmyahardtimewhenshewascrying.Mr.McIntyrebreathedasighofrelief."Soyou'llcarryon.Youwon'tgiveup?"AmylookedatDan,andtheycametoasilentagreement."We'llkeepgoingfornow,"Amysaid."But,Mr.McIntyre,whyareyoureallyhelpingus?You'renothelpinganyoftheotherteams,areyou?"Theoldlawyerhesitated."IntheFranklinInstitute,yousaidyouwarnedtheStarlingstheywerein

danger.""Ofcoursewedid,"Amysaid."Theywouldn'thavedonethesameforyou.""Maybe,butitseemedliketherightthing."

"Interesting..."Heglancedtowardthestreet."Icansaynomore.Imust--""Please," Amy said. "One more favor." She uncovered Saladin's cat carrier, and suddenly Dan

realizedwhyshe'dbroughtit."Amy,no!""Dan,wehaveto,"shesaid."It isn'tsafeforhim."Hewasabout toargue,butsomethingstopped

him.Hethoughtaboutdraggingthepoorcatupthatairvent110inthefire,thenmakinghimsitthroughthetrainridestuffedinacatcarrier.WhatifSaladinhadbeen

in themuseumexplosionwith them? If the little dudegot hurt,Danwouldnever forgive himself. "Allright,"hesighed.

"IsthatMadameGrace'scat?"Mr.McIntyrescowled."Howdidyou--""Heescapedthefirewithus,"Amysaid."Wewerehopingtokeephim,but...wecan'twherewe're

going.Itwouldn'tbefairtodraghimalong.Couldyoukeephimforus?""Mrrp."SaladingaveDanalooklikeYoucan'tbeserious.Mr.McIntyrehadprettymuchthesameexpression."Idon'tknow,mydear.Iamnot,well,ananimalperson.Ihadadogonce,Oliver,but--""Please,"Amysaid."Hewasourgrandmother's.Ineedtoknowhe'ssafe."Theoldlawyerlookedlikehewantedtorun,buthetookadeepbreath."Verywell.Foralittlewhile.""Thankyou!"Amyhandedhimthecarrier."Heonlyeatsfreshfish.Redsnapperishisfavorite."Mr.McIntyreblinked."Redsnapper?Ah,well...I'llseewhatIcando.""Mrrp,"Saladinsaid,whichprobablymeantsomethinglikeIcan'tbelieveyou'releavingmewithanoldguywhodoesn'tknowIlikeredsnapper."Children,youshouldgo,"Mr.McIntyresaid."Yourbabysitter isgettingimpatient.Justremember

whatIsaidbefore.Trustnoone!"111Andwiththat,WilliamMcIntyreretreateddownthestreet,holdingSaladin'scatcarrierouttoone

sidelikeitwasaboxofradioactivematerial.Astheywalkedbacktothecar,Amysaid,"We'regoingtoParis."Danwas thinkingaboutSaladin,andhisearswerestill ringingfromthemuseumexplosion,sohe

wasn'tsurehe'dheardherright."DidyousayParis...likeinFrance?"AmybroughtoutSineadStarling'scellphone.ThephotooftheBenjaminFranklinletterwasstillon

thescreen--thesecretmessageafuzzyyellowscrawlinpurplelight."WhenFranklinwasreallyold,"Amysaid,"hewastheAmericanambassadorinParis.HewasworkingonapeacetreatytoendtheRevolutionaryWar.Hehadahouseinaplacecalled

Passy,andalltheFrenchthoughthewaslikearockstar.""TheytreatfatoldguyslikerockstarsinFrance?""Itoldyou,Franklinwasworldfamous.Hewasintophilosophyandhelikedpartiesandalsortsof

...Frenchstuff.Anyway,thesecretmessagesaidhewasleavingParis,right?Theletterwasdated1785.I'mprettysurethat'stheyearhecamebacktoAmerica.SohewasleavingsomethingbehindinParis."

"Somethingthatbrokeuphisclan,"Dansaid."That'swhatasundermeans,right?Youthinkhe112wastalkingaboutthebranchesoftheCahills?"

"It'spossible."Amytwistedherhair."Dan,whatIsaidearlier...Idon'treallywanttogiveup.I'mjustscared."

Dannodded.Hedidn'twanttoadmitit,butthemaninblackandtheexplosionhadkindoffreakedhimout,too."It'sokay.Wehavetokeepgoing,right?"

"Wedon'thaveachoice,"Amyagreed.Beforetheyreachedthecurb, thedooroftheToyotaflewopen.Nelliemarchedovertothem,one

earbudstilldanglingfromherear.Shehelduphercellphonelikeshewasgoingtothrowitatthem."Guesswhat?"shesaid."IjustgotavoicemailfromSocialServicesinBoston!"Amygasped."Whatdidyoutellthem?""Nothingyet.I'mwaitingforyourbigamazingexplanation!""Nellie,please,"Dansaid."Weneedyourhelp.""They'relookingforyou!"Nellieshrieked."Yourauntdoesn'tevenknowwhereyouare,doesshe?

DoyouknowhowmuchtroubleIcouldgetin?""Throwawayyourphone,"Dansuggested."What?"She sounded likehe'd just toldher to burnmoney --whichof courseAmyhad alreadydone that

week."Pretendyoudidn'tgetthemessage,"hepleaded,"justforafewdays.Please,Nellie,weneedtoget

toParisandwe'vegottohaveanadult.""IfyouthinkforoneminuteIwould--DidyousayParis?"113Dansawhischance.Heputonasadfaceandsighed."Yeah,weweregoingtobuyyouaticketto

Paris,plusyourpay,andafreehotelroomandgourmetmealsandeverything.But,oh,well...""Nellie,it'sjustforacouplemoredays,"Amysaid."Please!Weweren'tlyingaboutthescavenger

hunt.It'sreallyimportant to our family andwe promisewe'll be careful!Oncewe're done in Paris, you can do

whateveryouthinkisbest.We'llswearthatitwasn'tyourfault.ButifwegobacktoBostonnow,they'lltakeusawaytoafosterhome.We'llfailthescavengerhunt.Wemightevenbein

moredanger!""Andyouwon'tseeParis,"Danadded.Hewasn'tsurewhichargumentwasmosteffective,butNellieslippedherphoneintoherpocket.She

kneltsoshewaslookingthemintheeyes."Onemoretrip,"shesaid."Butthiscouldgetmeinhugetrouble,guys.Iwantyourpromise:Paris,

andthenwegetyouhome.Deal?"Danwasthinkingthattheyhadnohometoreturnto,buthecrossedhisfingersbehindhisbackand

said,"Deal.""Deal,"Amyagreed.

"I'mgoingtoregretthis,"Nelliemuttered."ButImightaswellregretitinParis."Shemarchedbacktothecarandgotinthedriver'sside.Danlookedathissister."Urn...aboutmoney.Ifigurewe'vegotenoughforthreeone-waytickets.114WecangettoParisandhaveenoughleftforhotelsandfoodandstuffformaybeaweek.ButIdon't

knowifwe'llhaveenoughtogetback.IfNelliefindsout--""Let'sworry about thatwhenweget there,"Amy said.And she ran to the car, already takingher

passportoutofherbackpocket.115

CHAPTER10

AlistairOhwasjustleavingcustomswhenhisenemiesambushedhim."Bonjour,Uncle."IanKabraappearedonhisright."Haveagoodflight?"AlistairturnedtotheleftbutNatalieKabracutoffhisescape."Iwouldn'ttrytogetaway,UncleAlistair,"shesaidsweetly."It'samazinghowmanyweaponsIcan

carrythroughanairport."Sheheldupachinadollinabluesatindress.Nataliewastoooldtobecarryingsomethinglikethat,

butnodoubtshecouldcharmthesecurityguardsintothinkingotherwise."Whatisthat?"Alistairasked,tryingtostaycalm."Agun?Abomb?"Nataliesmiled."Ihopeyoudon'thavetofindout.Itwouldbequitemessy.""Keepwalking,Uncle."Ianputasmuchsarcasmintothewordaspossible."Wedon'twanttoarousesuspicion."116They strode through the terminal. Alistair's heart pounded. He could feel the Poor Richard's

Almanackinhisjacketpocket,slappingagainsthischestwitheverystep."So,"Alistairsaid."Whendidyougetin?""Oh,wetookourownjet,"Iansaid."Weuseaprivateairstripwherethesecurityismuchmore...

relaxed.Wejustthoughtwe'dcomewelcomeyou!""Hownice,"Alistairsaid."ButIdon'thaveanythingyouwant.""That'snotwhatwe'veheard,"Nataliesaid."Handoverthebook."Alistair'sthroatwentdry."How...howcouldyoupossiblyknow--""Newstravelsfast,"Nataliesaid."Wehaveinformants--""Natalie,"Iansnapped."I'lldothetalking,thankyouverymuch.Youholdthedoll."Shescowled,whichmadeherfacenotnearlyaspretty."IcantalkifIwantto,Ian!MotherandFathersaid--""Blastwhattheysaid!I'mincharge!"Natalie lookedreadytoyellbackathim,butsheswallowedherrage.Alistairdidn't likethetight

gripshewaskeepingonherdoll.He imagined the thingmusthavea trigger somewhere,andhedidn'twanttofindoutwhatitdid.

"Surelyyoudon'twantanotherwarbetweenourbranches,"Alistairsaid,tryingtosounddiplomatic.117"OnephonecallandIcanmobilizehelpfromTokyotoRiodeJaneiro.""Ascanwe,"Iansaid."AndI'vereadmyfamilyhistory,Alistair.Thelasttimeourbranchesfought,

itdidn'tgoverywellforyourlot,didit?"Alistairkeptwalking,thinkinghard.Agendarmewasstandingbyasecuritycheckpointupahead--

abouttwentymeters.IfAlistaircouldcreateadistraction..."The1908explosion inSiberia,"he said to Ian. "Yes, thatwas impressive.Butwehavemoreat

stakethistime.""Exactly,"Ianagreed."Sohandoverthebook,oldman,beforewehavetohurtyou."Natalielaughed."Ifyoucouldhearyourself,Ian.Honestly."Herbrotherfrowned."Excuseme?"Fivemeterstothegendarme,Alistairthought.Staycalm."Oh, nothing," Natalie told her brother airily. "Just that you're a terrible bore. Without me, you

couldn'tevenfrightenthispatheticoldman."Ian'sexpressionhardened."Imostcertainlycould,youuselesslittle--"NataliesteppedinfrontofAlistair,intentonconfrontingherbrother,andAlistairsawhischance.He

steppedbackwards,thensideways,andbeforetheKabrascouldregroup,Alistairwasstandingnexttothegendarme,talkingasloudlyashecouldinFrench.

118"Merci,nieceandnephew!"heshoutedattheKabras."Butyourparentswillbeworried.Runalongnow,and

tell them I'll be out in a fewmoments. I have some questions for this officer. Imay have forgotten todeclaremyfreshfruitsincustoms!"

"Freshfruits?"theofficersaid."Sir,that'sveryimportant.Comewithme,please!"AlistairshruggedapologeticallytotheKabras."Youmustexcuseme."Ian's eyeswere soangry they looked like theymight catch fire,buthemanageda stiff smile. "Of

course,Uncle.Don'tworry.Wewilldefinitelycatchyoulater.Come,Natalie."Hesaidhernamethroughclenchedteeth."Wehavetotalk.""Ow!"Sheyelpedashegrippedherarm,butheherdedherdownthehallwayandoutofsight.Alistairsighedwithrelief.Hefollowedthegendarmegratefullybacktocustoms,whereaftertwenty

minutesofquestionsandsearchingbags,Alistairrealized--quellesurprise!--hedidnothaveanyfreshfruitinhisluggageafterall.Hepretendedtobeaconfusedoldman,andthe

irritatedcustomsofficiallethimgo.Backintheterminal,Alistairallowedhimselfasmile.IanandNatalieKabramayhavebeendeadly

opponents,but theywerestillchildren.Alistairwouldneverlethimselfbeoutfoxedbyyoungsters likethem--notwhenhisownfutureandthefutureofhisbranchwereatstake.

119HepattedthePoorRichard'sAlmanack,stillsafeinhisjacketpocket.Alistairdoubtedanyotherteamknewmoreaboutthethirty-nineclues

thanhedid.Afterall,he'dbeenspyingonGraceforyears,learningherpurpose.Therewasstillalothe

didn'tunderstand--secretshehopedGracehadgiventohergrandchildren.Butsoonhewouldfindout.Hewasofftoanexcellentstart.Henowunderstoodthetruemeaningofthefirstclue:RichardS___'sRESOLUTION.Hehadtochuckleaboutthat.EvenAmyandDanhadfailedtoseewhatitreallymeant.Hemadehiswaythroughtheterminal,keepinghiseyesopenfortheKabras,buttheyseemedtohave

vanished.Hegotoutsideandwasdragginghisbagstowardthetaxistandwhenapurplevanpulleduptothecurb.

Thesidedoorrolledopen.Acheerfulmalevoicesaid,"Hey,there!"ThelastthingAlistairOhsawwasalargefisthurtlingtowardhisface.120

CHAPTER11

AftergettingthroughcustomsatCharlesdeGaulleAirport,Amyfeltlikeshe'djustlostafightwithatornado.

She'd endured eight hours on the plane, wedged between Dan and Nellie, who both kept theirheadphonevolume too loud.Danwatchedmovies.Nellie listened tomusicandflipped throughFrenchcookbookswith full-color pictures of snails and goose livers.Meanwhile,Amy tried tomake herselfsmallandreadherownbooks.She'dpickedupsixnewonesinPhiladelphia,butshe'donlymanagedtofinish one Benjamin Franklin biography and two Paris guidebooks. For her, that was terrible. Everymuscleinherbodyached.Herhairwasarat'snest.Herclothessmelledlikeairplanelasagna,whichDanhadspilledonhermid-flight.Worstofall, shehadn'tgottenanysleep,because themore she read, themoreanideahadstartedtoforminherheadaboutFranklinandParis--andtheideascaredher.

Inthecustomsline,shewassureshewasgoingtoloseitwhentheofficialaskedaboutherparents,but

121shemuttered the lieDan and shehad rehearsed -- that their parentswere comingover on a later

flight.Nellie's presence seemed to reassure the official, especiallywhenNellie started answering hisquestionsinFrench.Theofficialnodded,stampedtheirpassports,andletthemthrough.

"Nellie!"Dansaid."YouspeakFrench?""Duh.MymomtaughtFrench.Shewas,like,French.""IthoughtyourfamilywasfromMexicoCity.""That'smydad.Igrewuptrilingual.""That'samazing,"Amysaid.Shewasreallyjealous.Shewishedsheknewotherlanguages,butshe

was hopeless at learning them.She couldn't even remember the colors andnumbers fromkindergartenSpanish.

"It'snobigdeal,"Nellieassuredthem."Onceyouknowtwolanguages,learningthreeorfourorfiveiseasy."

Amywasn'tsureifshewasserious,buttheykeptgoingthroughcustoms.Theyreclaimedtheirbags,changedtheirdollarsintoeurosatakiosk,andstraggledontothemainconcourse.

Amy felt completely lost with all the French signs. Morning light slanted through the windows,thoughitfeltlikemidnighttoher.Downthehall,acrowdwasgathering.

PeoplewereflashingcamerasandshoutingquestionsatsomebodyAmycouldn'tsee."Oh,paparazzi!"Nelliesaid."Maybeit's,like,KanyeWest!"122"Wait!"Amysaid,butNelliewasn'tgoingtobediscouraged.Theypushedthroughthecrowdwitha

lotofexcusez-mois.Astheygotcloser,Amystoppedinhertracks."JonahWizard."Hewaswadingthroughthemob,signingautographs,whilehisdadtrailedbehindlikeabodyguard.

Jonahworebaggyjeans,ablackleatherjacketoverawhitetanktop,andhisstandardhalftonofsilverjewelry.Helookedfreshandwell-rested,likehisflighthadbeenalotbetterthanAmy's.

"LeWizard!"Thereporterspepperedhimwithquestions.ToAmy'ssurprise,JonahansweredtheminFrench.ThereweresomanypeopleAmywantedtomeltintothewalls,butJonahlookedrelaxed.Hegave

thecrowdabrilliantsmileandsaidsomethingthatmadethemlaugh,thenscannedthefacesandlockedeyeswithAmy.

"Yo!"hecalled."Mypeeps!"Amywasmortified.Jonahstartedpushinghiswaytowardthemandthewholecrowdturnedtofigure

outwhohewastalkingto."Oh,noway,"Nelliesaid."YouknowJonahWizard?""We'rerelatedtohim,"Dangrumbled."Distantly."Nellielookedlikeshewasgoingtofaint.Suddenly,Jonahwasrightinfrontofthem,shakingAmy's

handandpattingDanonthebackandsigningNellie'sT-shirt,andthecamerasstartedtakingpicturesofthem.Don'tlookatme!Amywantedtoscream.I'mcoveredwithlasagna!Hervoicedidn'twork.Shetriedtobackawaybutherlegswerefrozen.123"Jonah!"hisfathersaid."Weshouldgetgoing.""Yeah,sure."JonahwinkedatAmy."Comewith,cuz.Wegotstufftotalkabout."Jonah'sdadstartedtoprotest,butJonahputhisarmaroundAmyandsteeredherthroughtheterminal,

withDanandNellie andamobof franticpaparazzibehind them, flashingpictures.Amywas sure shewoulddiefromembarrassmentanysecond,butsomehowtheymadeitoutside.Thedaywaswarmandovercast.Stormcloudsweregatheringonthehorizon.Ablacklimousinewaitedatthecurb.

"We--weshouldn't,"Amystartedtoprotest.SherememberedMr.McIntyre'swarning:Trustnoone."Areyoukidding?"Nelliesaid."AlimoridewithJonahWizard?Comeon!"Shepracticallydove

intothelimo.Afewminuteslater,theywereglidingdownVautoroutedeVesttowardtheheartofParis."Man,Ilovethistown,"Jonahsaid.Hislimohadfacingbackseats.Jonahandhisdadsatononeside.Amy,Dan,andNelliesatonthe

other.Jonah'sdadtypednotesonhisBlackBerry,everyonceinawhilelookingupandscowlingatAmy,likehecouldn'tbelieveshewasstillthere.

Outside,rowsofgoldstonebuildingsglidedby,theirwindowsoverflowingwithflowerboxes.Thecaféswerecrowdedwithpeople,allthechairsfacingthestreetliketheywerewaitingforaparade.Theairsmelledlike

124coffeeandbakedbread.Thecloudyskiesgaveeverythingaweirdlight--asifthecityweren'tquite

real."YouknowmyTVratingshereareevenbetterthanintheStates?"Jonahsaid."Eighteenpointshigher,"hisdadpipedin."Andmynewalbum,GangstaLife,isnumberthreeontheFrenchcharts.""Numbertwo,"hisdadsaid."Andclimbing.""Oh,wow,Iloveyouralbum!"Nelliesaid."Thanks,"Jonahsaid."Nowshutup."Nellielookedlikeshe'dbeenslapped.

"Hey!"Dancried."That'snotcool!""What?"Jonahsaid."She'snotaCahill.I'mnottalkingtoher."Amywassoshockedshecouldn'trespond,butJonahjustkeptrightonbragging."LikeIwassaying,Iownthistown.MyartgalleryopenedlastweekonRuedelaPaix.Mywatercolorsaresellingforsix thousandeurosapiece.I'veevengotachildren'sbookcoming

out."Hisdadwhippedoutacopyandshowedthem.Dansquintedashereadthecover."Le...Li'lGangstaLivreInstantane?""Thatmeans'littlegangsterpop-upbook,'"Jonah'sdadsaidproudly.Jonahspreadhishands."SeewhatImean?I'mmorepopularthan"--hesmiledslyly--"BenjaminFranklin."SomethinginsideAmysnapped.She'dspentseveralhoursreadingaboutBenjaminFranklin,andshe125wasmoreconvincedthaneverthathewasthemostamazingpersonwhoeverlived.To thinkshemightbe related tohimmadeher soproud.Now tohear thisconceitedTVstar jerk

comparehimself...shewassoangrysheforgottobeshy."B-BenjaminFranklinwaswaymoreimportantthanyou,Jonah!HewasthemostfamousAmericantoevervisitParis.Whenhecamehere,peopleworehispictureonnecklaces--"

"Likethis?"JonahpulledoutaJonahWizardcommemorativephotonecklace."And...andtheyworeclotheslikehis!""Uh-huh.TheJonahWizardfashionlineisdoinggreatontheChamps-Élysées."Amygrittedherteeth."KingLouisXVIevenputFranklin'spictureonachamberpot!"Jonahlookedathisdad."Dowehavesouvenirchamberpots?""No."Hisdadwhippedouthisphone."I'llmakethecall."Jonahnodded."Soyousee,guys,IamthebiggestthingsinceFranklin,whichiswhyI'mthenaturalpersontofindhissecrets.""Ifyourheadwasanybigger,"Danmuttered,"wecoulduseitasahotairballoon."Jonahignoredhim."Look,Amy,you'reasmartgirl.Youknowthefamily'sgotbranches,right?Good

Cahills.BadCahills.I'm-""Jonah!"Hisfathercoveredhisphonewithhishand."Ithoughtwediscussed--"126"Dad,chill.AllI'msaying:Iusemytalentstocreateart.Whatever this final treasure is? I'll use it to bring more beauty to the world! I'm not like those

Lucians,man.They'revicious!"Amy'smindwasracing."But...BenjaminFranklinwasaLucian.Wesawthesnakecrest--""Okay, so occasionally a Lucian did something right." Jonah waved his hand dismissively. "But

todayI'mthegoodguy.Yougottaseethat,Amy."Dansnorted."Becauseyoumakegangsterpop-upbooks?"

"Exactly!Look,youthinkitwaseasyformegrowinguprichandfamousinBeverlyHills?"Jonahpaused."Actually,itwaseasy.ThepointisIworkhardtostaythatway.

Fameissomethingyougottakeepbuilding,baby.AmIright,dad?""You'reright,son!""IalreadygotalbumsandTVandfashionandbooks...sowheredoIgoforup?I'lltellyouwhere.Ineedtowinthiscontest.It'sasmartcareermove!Ifweworktogether,I'llcutyouinforapercentage.""UncleAlistairofferedtohelpus,too,"Amygrumbled."Thatdidn'tworkout."Jonahsnorted."AlistairOh?Thatoldfoolprobablytoldyouhowheinventedmicrowaveburritos,

huh?Bethedidn'ttellyouhelosthisfortuneonbadinvestments.He'snearlybroke,girl.Heshould've taken themillionbucksandwalked,buthe'sgotsomecrazy

idea127thethirty-ninecluesaregonnarestorehisreputation.Don'tlistentohim.Youjoinme,wecanbeat

everybody.We can even show those backstabbers, Ian andNatalie.You gotta be careful around here,Amy.ParisisaLucianstronghold,youknow.Hasbeenforcenturies."

"Jonah,"hisdadsaid,"youshouldnotbedealingwiththesepeople.Theyhavenostarpowerandthey'regoingtodragdownyourratings.""Chamberpots,Dad.I'llhandlethis."HegaveAmyhismostdazzlingsmile."Comeon,girl.Weboth

knowthenextclueisaboutBenFranklin.Wecouldhelpeachother."What bothered her wasn't that Jonah was an arrogant jerk.What bothered her was that she was

temptedbyhisoffer,anyway.TheideaofshowingupNatalieandIanwashardtoresist.Andshecouldn'thelp feeling flattered that somebody like Jonah Wizard was paying attention to her. Still... sherememberedthewayhe'dtalkedtoNellie,andhownicehe'dbeentothemat theairport,but ithadallbeenanact,liketheywerejuststagepropsforthecameras.

"Why...whydoyouwantadealwithus?"sheaskedhesitantly."Whatmakesussospecial?""Nothing!"Jonahlaughed."Isn'tthatawesome?You'repartoftheCahillclan,butyouhavenotalent

atall!Me,ifItrytosneakintosomeplacetocheckoutaclue,I'llhavethemediafollowingme,peopleshootingmypictureandaskingmeforinterviews.

128Ican'tdoanythinginsecret.You--you'resounimportant,youcangoplacesIcan't.Nobodycaresaboutyou.""Thanksalot,"Dangrumbled."What'dIsay?"Jonahlookedbaffled."Hey,ifit'smoney,Igotplentyofthat.Icaneventhrowina

dayonthesetofWhoWantstoBeaGangsta?Youcan'tdobetterthanthat.""Nothanks,"AmyandDansaidtogether."Aw,c'mon.Justthinkaboutit,willyou?Where'syourhotel?I'lldropyouoff."Amywasabout tomakesomethingupwhensheglancedout thewindow.Whatshesawmadeher

bloodturntoice.Itwasimpossible.Whatwasshedoinghere?Andwasshereallycarrying..."Righthere!"shesaid."Pullover,please!"Thedriverdid.Jonahlookedoutthewindowandfrowned.Theywereparkednexttoaseedy-lookinghotelcalled

theMaisondesGordons.Theawningwastatteredandthedoormanlookedlikeawino."Here,huh?"Jonahsaid."Man,youguysliketoroughit.Me,I'mstayingattheRitz.Ifyouchange

yourmind,youknowwheretofindme."AmydraggedNellieandDanoutofthecar.Thedrivertossedouttheirbags,andtheWizards'limo

glidedaway."Whatacreep!"Nelliesaid."Heisn'tlikethatonTV!"129DanlookedupattheMaisondesGordons."Don'ttellmewe'reactuallystayinghere.""Ihadtogethimtostopthecar,"Amysaid."Nellie,getusroomsforthenight.""Here?"sheprotested."But--""Itsays'gardens'inthetitle.Howbadcanitbe?""Urn,thatdoesn'tsay--""Justdoit,please!"Amyfeltweirdactingsobossy,butshedidn'thavetimetoargue."We'llmeetyoubackherein...Idon'tknow,twohours.""Why?"Dansaid."Wherearewegoing?""Ijustsawanoldfriend,"Amysaid."Comeon!"Shedraggedhimacross thestreet,hopingtheyweren't toolate.Withrelief,shespottedher target.

"There!"Shepointed."Inthered!"Halfablockdown,awomaninaredshawlwaswalkingbriskly.Somethingwastuckedunderher

arm--somethingthin,square,red,andwhite.Dan'seyeswidened."Isn'tthat--""IrinaSpasky,"Amysaid."Andshe'sgotourPoorRichard'sAlmanack.FollowthatRussian!"130

CHAPTER12

Danwas tempted tostopabout twenty timesas they trailedIrinaSpaskydowntheRuedeRivoli.(Hewonderedifthatmeant"theStreetofRavioli,"buthedecidedAmywouldlaughathimifheasked.)A few times he wanted to check stuff out -- like the cool glass pyramid at the Louvre and the streetperformerswhowerejugglingfireoutsidetheTuileriesgarden.Therewasalsoavendorsellingcrèmeglacée,andDanwasprettysurethatmeanticecream.Mostly,though,hewantedtostopbecausehisfeethurt.

"Issheevergoingtotakeabreak?"hecomplained.Amydidn'tseemtobegettingtiredatall."DoesitseemoddtoyouthatwehappenedtofindIrina

SpaskyoutoftenmillionpeopleinParis?""Maybetheother9.99millionaren'twearingbrightredscarves!""Shewaswalkingdownamajorstreet,likeshewantedtobespotted.""Youthinkit'satrap?"Danasked."Howcouldsheknowwe'dfindher?Andshehasn'tlooked131backonce.Shedoesn'tknowwe'rehere."Butashesaidthat,Danrememberedtelevisionshowshe'dseenaboutspies--howtheycouldtail

somebodywithouteverbeingseen,orappear"accidentally"inavictim'slineofsightandlurethemintoatrap.CouldIrinahavebeenwaitingforthemattheairport?CouldshehaveseenthemgetinthelimowithJonahandsomehowgottenaheadofthem?

"Look,"Amysaid,"she'sturning!"Irinacrossedtheavenueanddisappeareddownaflightofsteps."TheMétro,"Amysaid."She'stakingthesubway."Theylost timefiguringouthowtouseeurocoins in themachines toget tickets,butwhentheygot

downthestepsIrinawasstillthere--standingononeoftheplatformswiththetatteredalmanactuckedunderherarm.Thetrainwasjustarriving.DanwassureIrinawasgoingtotryoneofthoselast-minuteswitches, so theywaiteduntil the train's doorswere closing, but Irina stayedonboard.AmyandDanjumpedon,too,andthetrainpulledawayfromthestation.

Theychangedtrainstwiceinareallyshorttime.EvenwithIrinainabrightredshawl,itwashardtokeepupwithher.

"Idon'tgetit,"Amysaid."Nowshe'smovingfaster,likeshe'stryingtoloseus."Danwasdaydreamingaboutcrèmeglacée.Thelasagnahe'dhadontheplanewaslonggone,and132hisstomachfeltlikeitwastryingtochewthroughhisshirt.Finally,afterthethirdtrain,Irinaexitedontotheplatform.AmygrippedDan'sarmandpointedtoa

signonthestationwall."Passy,"shesaid."So?""ThisistheneighborhoodwhereBenjaminFranklinlived.""Well,comeon!"Dansaid."RedRidingHood'sgettingaway."Passydidn'tseemascrowdedasTuileries.Thestreetswerelinedwithfour-storybuildings.There

wereflowershopseverywhere,likeaMother'sDayexplosion--tulips,carnations,roses,everythingthatcouldpossiblymakeDansneeze.Inthedistance,theEiffelTowerroseagainstthegrayclouds,butDanwasmore interested in the smell of food.Thewhole city seemed tobemadeupofoutdoor cafés.He

couldsmellchocolate,fresh-bakedbread,meltingcheese--butDandidn'thavetimetogetanyofit.Irinawalkedlikeherdresswasonfire.Theyhadtojogtokeepup.Amytrippedoverabucketof

flowersandaParisiancursedather."Sorry!"Amycalledback.Theyturnedontoatree-linedstreetwithancient-lookingmansions.Halfwayuptheblock,apurple

van133wasparkedcrookedly.Itwaspaintedwithpicturesofballoonsandclownfaces,andthesignread

CrèmeGlacée.Dan'sspiritslifted.Maybehecouldjustgrabaquicktriple-scoopofcherryvanillatogo.Butastheygotcloser,hesawthatthevanwasshut.Thewindshieldwascoveredfromtheinsidewithasilverscreen.Itwasaconspiracy,Dandecided.TheentirecityofPariswastryingtostarvehim.

Attheendoftheblock,Irinacrossedthestreetandduckedinsideawrought-irongate.Shewalkeduptoa largemarblebuildingthat lookedlikeanembassyorsomething.DanhidbehindagatepostandwatchedasIrinapunchedasecuritycodeandwentinside.

"Lookatthegate,"Amysaid.Inthecenterwasagold-letteredsignthatread:INSTITUTDEDIPLOMATIEINTERNATIONALEINSTITUTEFORINTERNATIONALDIPLOMACY[proofreader'snote:theleftsideofthesignshowsaswordwithtwosnakescurledaroundit]"TheLuciancrest!"Dansaid."Butwhat'saninstitutefor,um,whateverthatmeans?""Iguessit'slikeaschoolforambassadors,"Amysaid."Butdon'tyougetit?That'sjustacover.You

rememberwhatJonahsaid?ParisisaLucianstronghold."Dan'seyeslitup."Thismustbetheirsecretbase!"Amynodded."Thequestioniswhatdowedo?""Wegoin,"Dansaid.134"Right.Withoutthesecuritycode?""5910.Iwatchedherpunchitin."Amy stared at him. "How did you -- never mind. Let's go. But be careful. They probably have

camerasandguarddogsandstuff."Theysqueezedinsidethegateandranupthefrontsteps.Danpunchedinthecode.Thedooropenedeasily.Noalarmswentoff.Noguarddogsbarked."Weird,"hemuttered.Butitwastoolateforsecond-guessing.TheyslippedinsidetheLucianbase.The entry hall was bigger than their whole apartment. The floor was polished marble and a

chandelierhungfromtheceiling.Asetofblackdoorsstoodinfrontofthem.Ontheleft,aspiralstaircaseleduptoabalcony.

"Look."Danpointedabovethedoors.Asurveillancecamerawassweepingtheroom.Itwasangledawayfromthem,butitwouldn'tbeforlong.Thenheheardvoicesfrombehindthedoubledoors--someonecomingintheirdirection."Quick!"He ran for the stairs.Amy looked like shewanted to argue, but therewas no time.She

followedhimup.Dan'sheartpounded.He'dalwaysthoughtitwouldbecooltoplayburglarandsneakintosomeone's

house,butnowthathewasdoingitforreal,hishandsweresweating.HewonderediftheFrenchstillthrewburglars135intorat-infesteddungeons.He'dseensomethinglikethatonceinamusicalGracetookthemto.Theysneakedalongasecond-floorhallway.

"Idon'tgetit,"Danwhispered."IrinamustbeaLucian.BenjaminFranklinwasaLucian.DoesthatmeanFranklinwasoneofthebadguys?"

"Maybeit'snotthatsimple,"Amysaid."Look."Paintedportraitshungalongthewalls--NapoleonBonaparte,IsaacNewton,WinstonChurchill,a

fewothersDandidn'trecognize."MorefamousLucians,"Amyguessed."Notnecessarilygoodorbad.Butdefinitelyalotofpowerful

people.""Andwejustinvadedtheirhouse,"Dansaid.Theypassedarowofheavyoakdoors,allofthemclosed.OnewaslabeledLOGISTIQUE.Another

readCARTOGRAPHIE.ThelastdoorontherightreadARSENAL."Sweet!""Dan,no!"Amywhispered,butshewastoolatetointercepthim.Danopenedthearsenaldoorand

slippedinside.Alittlelate,heconsideredthatitmightnotbeagoodideatoenteraroomfullofweaponsifthere

wasalreadysomeoneinthere.Fortunately,therewasn't.Thearsenalwasaboutthirtyfeetsquareandfullof amazingly cool stuff: crates of cannonballs, racks of knives, swords, canes, shields, andumbrellas.Danwasn'tsureabouttheumbrellas,buthefiguredtheydidsomethingbesidesjuststoptherain.

"Weshouldn'tbehere!"Amyhissed.136"Gee,youthink?"Danpickedupashoebox-sizewoodencratefullofglasstubeswithcopperwires

twinedaroundthetops."Hey,it'soneofthoseFranklinbatteries,likeinthemuseum."Amy'seyebrowsfurrowed."What'sitdoinginanarsenal?""Don'tknow,butI'mcollectingit!"DespiteAmy'sprotests,Danstuffedthebatteryinhisbackpack.It

fitbecausethepackwasprettymuchempty.Theonlyother thinghehadintherewasthepictureofhisparents,wrappedinitsplasticsleeve,whichhe'ddecidedtokeepwithhimforgoodluck.

AStyrofoameggcartoncaughthiseye.Heopeneditandfoundasinglesilverorbwithlittleblinkingredlights."Thisiscool,too!"Hedroppeditintohisbackpack.

"Dan,no!""What?They'vegotplentyofotherstuff,andweneedallthehelpwecanget!""Itcouldbedangerous.""Ihopeso."Hewasadmiringtheshurikensandthinkinghemight takesomeof those, too,whena

doorslammedsomewheredownthehall."Betterknowwhatshe'sdoing,"amansaidinEnglish."Ifshe'swrong--"AwomanrespondedinFrench.Bothvoicesfadeddownthecorridor."Comeon,"Amyinsisted."Now."137They poked their heads out tomake sure the hallwas clear, then sneaked out of the arsenal and

deeperintothebuilding.Attheendofthehallwaywasanotherbalcony,thisonelookingdownonabigcircularroom.WhatDansawbelowremindedhimofamilitarycommandcenter.Therewerecomputersalong thewalls,and in themiddleof the roomwasaconference table that seemed tobeonehuge flatscreenTV.IrinaSpaskywasalone,leaningoverthetabletop.Stacksofpapersandfolderssatnexttoher.She was punching commands on the tabletop, making images zoom or shrink. She was looking at asatellitemapofthecity.

Dandidn'tdarespeak,buthelockedeyeswithAmy.Iwantoneofthose,hetoldher.

Amy'sexpressionsaidShutup!They crouched behind the balcony rail andwatched as Irina commanded themap to zoom in on

differentlocations.ShecheckedthePoorRichard'sAlmanackbook,thengotoutapadofpaperandjottedsomethingdown.Shesnatchedupthebookandthepad

andhurriedoutoftheroom--backtowardthemainentrance."Amy,comeon!"Danstraddledtherailing."You'llbreakyourlegs!""Hangfromtheedgeandjustdrop.I'vedoneitofftheroofatschoolamilliontimes.It'seasy."Hedid.Anditwas.Asecondlater,theywerebothattheconferencetable,staringattheimagestill138flickering on the screen: a white targeting icon hovering over one particular spot in Paris. The

addressglowedinredletters:23RuedesJardins.Danpointedtoaribbonofbluesurroundingthedot."That'swater.Whichmeansthatlittleblobshe

wastargetingmustbeanisland.""TheÎleSt-Louis,"Amysaid."It'sontheSeineRiverrightinthemiddleofParis.Canyoumemorize

thataddress?""Alreadydone."ThenDannoticed somethingelse -- aphotograph sittingon topof IrinaSpasky's

files.Hepickeditupandfeltsicktohisstomach."It'shim."DanshowedAmythephoto--anoldermanwithgrayhairandablacksuit,crossingthe

street. The photowas fuzzy, but it must've been taken in Paris. Dan could tell from the yellow stonebuildingsandtheFrenchsigns."Themaninblackishere."

Amypaled."Butwhy--"Avoicecamefromsomewheredownthehall:"--j'entendsdesmouvements.Fouillezlebatiment."Dandidn'tneed to speakFrench toknow thatmeant trouble.HeandAmy ran theotherdirection,

downanotherhallway."Arretez!"amanyelledbehindthem.Immediately,alarmsstartedblaring."Oh,great!"Amysaid."Thisway!"Dan turned a corner.He didn't dare look behind them.He could hear their pursuers

gettingcloser--bootspoundingonthemarblefloor.139"Bars!"Amywarned.Thebuilding's automaticdefensesmusthavebeenactivated.Right in frontof them,a setofmetal

barswasdescendingfromtheceiling,cuttingoffthehallway."Slideintothird!"Danyelled."What?"Amydemanded,glancingbackat thesecurityguards.Danranforwardandhit theground

likeitwasawaterslide,slippingunderthebars."Comeon!"Amyhesitated.Thebarsweregettinglower--threefeetofftheground,twoandahalffeet.Behind

her,twoburlyguysinblacksecurityguardoutfitswereclosingfast,armedwithnightsticks."Amy,now!"

Shedroppedandstartedcrawlingunder thebars.Danpulledher through just as thebarsclangedagainst thefloor.Thesecurityguardsgrabbedat themthroughthebars,butDanandAmywerealreadyrunning.

Theyfoundanopendoorandduckedintoaparlor."Thewindow!"Dansaid.Ametalmeshcurtainwasclosingovertheglass.Itwasalreadyhalfwaydown.Therewasnotimeto

think.DanpickedupabustofNapoleonfromthecoffeetableandthrewitthroughtheglass.CRASH!Hecouldheartheguardsinthehallwayshoutingoverthewailofalarms.Dan kicked the remaining glass shards away. "Go!" he told Amy. She crawled through and he

followed,140pullinghisleftfootoutjustbeforethemetalcurtainclampedagainstthewindowsill.Theyranthroughthegarden,climbedtheirongates,andracedacrossthestreet.Theyduckedbehindthepurpleicecreamvanandslidtotheground,breathinghard.Danlookedback,buttherewerenosignsofpursuit--atleast,notyet."Let'snotdothatagain,"Amysaid.Dan'sbloodwasracing.Nowthathewasoutofdanger,herealizedhowmuchfunhe'djusthad."I

want an arsenal! And one of those computer-screen tables. Amy, we need to make our own secretheadquarters!"

"Oh,sure,"Amysaid,stillbreathinghard.Shepulledsomechangeandbillsoutofherpocket."I'vegotabouttwohundredandfifty-threeeurosleft.Youthinkthat'llbuyasecretheadquarters?"

Dan's heart sank. She didn't have to be somean about it, but she was right. They were burningthroughtheirmoneyfast.Hedidn'thavemuchmorethanshedid.

They'd givenmost of it to Nellie for travel expenses, but it still wasn't much. If they had to flysomewhereelseafterParis...Hedecidednottothinkaboutit.Onethingatatime.

"Let'sgetbacktotheMétro,"hesaid."Yes,"Amysaid."BacktoNellie.She'llbegettingworried."Danshookhishead."Notime,sis.23RuedeJardins.Wehavetofindoutwhat'sonthatisland,and

wehavetogettherebeforeIrina!"141

CHAPTER13

Meanwhile,insidetheicecreamvan,theHoltswerestranglingeachother.MadisonwasonHamilton'sback,hittinghimovertheheadwithaboxofFudgesicles.Their mother, Mary-Todd, was trying to pull them apart. Reagan and Arnold, the pit bull, were

playingtug-of-warwithapackageofEskimoPies.Eisenhower,thewearyleaderofthefamily,bellowed,"Stopit!Company,FALLIN!"

HamiltonandMadisonseparatedandsnappedtoattention,droppingtheFudgesicles.Mary-Toddbrushedherselfoff,glaredatherchildren, thenfell into line.Reaganheld theEskimo

Piesinpresentarmsstance.Arnoldrolledoverandplayeddead."Right!" Eisenhower growled. "I will not have this family killing each other over frozen dairy

products!"Reagansaid,"But,Dad-""Silence!Isaidyou'dgeticecreamafterwefinishthemission.AndwearenotfinisheduntilIgetareport!"Madisonsaluted."Dad,permissiontoreport!""Goahead."142"Thesurveillancemicrophoneworked.""Excellent.Didthebratstakethebook?"Madisonshifteduncomfortably."Idon'tknow,sir.But they'regoing to23RuedesJardins, ÎleSt-

Louis.""Ifyougotthenumberrightthistime,"Hamiltongriped.Madison'sfaceturnedbrightred."Thatwasn'tmyfault!""WedrovetherentalcarintotheSeine!""Oh,andyouhaveallthegreatideas,Hammy.Likethatstupidexplosionthathitthewrongteamin

themuseum!OrburningdownGrace'smansion!""Stopyelling!"Mary-Toddyelled. "Children,wecan'tkeeparguingwitheachother. Ithurts team

morale.""Yourmotherisright,"Eisenhowersaid."Thefireatthemansionandthemuseumbombwereboth

badideas.Weshould'vepulverizedtheCahillbratsinperson!"ArnoldbarkedexcitedlyandtriedtobiteEisenhower'snose.Reaganknithereyebrows.Sheshifteduncomfortablyfromfoottofoot."But,um,Dad...""Problem,Reagan?""Well,theexplosion...Imean,itcould'vekilledthem,right?"Madisonrolledhereyes."Oh,herewegoagain!You'regoingsoft,Reagan!"Reagan'sfaceturnedbrightred."Amnot!"143"Aretoo!""Quiet!" Eisenhower bellowed. "Now look, everybody.We're going to have to use some drastic

measurestowinthiscontest.Ican'thaveanybodygoingsoft!Understood?"HeglaredatReagan,whostaredglumlyatthefloor."Yessir.""WeknowDanandAmywereGrace'sfavorites,"Eisenhowercontinued."OldMcIntyreisprobably

givingtheminsideinformation.Nowthey'vebeatusinsidetheLucianstrongholdwhileweweretryingtodosurveillance,whichwas

alsoabadidea!Arewegoingtotolerateanymorebadideas?""No,sir!"thekidsshouted."Theythinkwe'renotclever,"Eisenhowersaid."Theythinkallwecandoisflexourmuscles.Well,

they'reabouttofindoutwecandomorethanthat!"Eisenhowerflexedhismuscles."Teamwork!"Mary-Toddcried."Right,children?""Yessir!Teamwork!""Arff!"Arnoldsaid."Now,"Eisenhowersaid."Wehavetogetthatbook.We'vegottoassumethosebratshaveit,orthey

knowwhat'sinit.WeneedtogettotheÎleSt-Louis,withoutdrivingtheicecreamvanintotheriver!Who'swithme?"ThekidsandMary-Toddcheered.Thentheyrememberedtheicecream,andthekidswentbackto

stranglingeachother.144Eisenhowergrunted.Hedecidedhe'dletthemwrestleforawhile.Maybeitwouldbuildcharacter.Allhislife,peoplehadlaughedbehindEisenhower'sback.They'dlaughedwhenheflunkedoutof

WestPoint.They'dlaughedwhenhefailedtheentranceexamfortheFBI.They'devenlaughedthetimehewasworkingasasecurityguard,whenhe'dchasedashoplifterandaccidentallyTaseredhimselfintherearend.Asimplemistake.

Anyonecould'vemadeit.Oncehewonthiscontest,hewouldbecomethemostpowerfulCahillofalltime.Noonewouldever

laughathimagain.Hepoundedhisfistintothevan'scashregister.ThoseCahillkidswerestartingtogetonhisnerves.

Theyweretoomuchliketheirparents,ArthurandHope.Eisenhowerhadknownthemalltoowell.HehadanoldscoretosettlewiththeCahills.Soon,AmyandDanCahillwouldpay.145

CHAPTER14

AmywasallinfavorofrushingtotheÎleSt-Louis,butherstomachhadotherideas.Theypassedaboulangerie,whichmust'vemeantbakeryjudgingbytheyummysmells,andDanandsheexchangedlooks."Justonestop,"theysaidtogether.Afewminuteslatertheyweresittingonthequayoftheriver,sharingthebestmealthey'deverhad.It

wasonlyaloafofbread,butAmyhadnevertastedanythingsogood."Seethat?"Amypointedtothetopofanearbychurch,whereablackironspikerosefromthebell

tower."Lightningrod.""Umm,"Dansaidwithhismouthfull."The Frenchwere the first ones to test Franklin's theories about lightning rods. A lot of the old

buildingsstillhaveoriginalFranklinmodels.""Mmm!"Dansaidenthusiastically,butAmywasn'tsurewhetherhelikedthestoryorthebread.Thesunwasgoingdownbehindabulkheadofblackclouds.Thunderrumbledinthedistance,butthe146Parisiansdidn'tseemtooconcerned.Joggersandskaterscrowdedtheriverside.Asightseeingboat

loadedwithtouristshummedalongontheSeine.AmytriedtousetheStarlings'cellphonetocallNellie,butthephonewasdead.Apparently,itwasn'tsetuptogetasignalinFrance.Hernerveswerestillbuzzing from their raidon theLucianstronghold.Despiteall thesecurity, it

stillseemedlikethey'dgotteninandoutprettyeasily,andshewasn'tsurewhy.Shealsodidn't likethestuffDanhadtaken--theFranklinbatteryandthatweirdmetalsphere.Sheknewbetterthantoarguewithhimaboutit,though.Oncehegothishandsonsomething,hehardlyeverletitgo.

Shewonderedhow IrinaSpaskyhadgotten thebook fromUncleAlistair, andwhy shewouldbeinterestedintheÎleSt-Louis.Itfeltlikeatrap,butitwasAmy'sonlylead

-- or at least, the only lead she wanted to think about. Her mother's note in the Poor Richard'sAlmanack--theMazeofBones--

stillgaveherchills.ShetriedtoimaginewhathermotherorGracewoulddoinherplace.Theywouldbebraver.They'd

seewhattodomoreclearly.Hermotherhadoncesearchedforthesesameclues.Amywassureofthatnow.GracehadintendedAmytotakeupthechallenge,butwhatifAmywasn'tuptoit?

Sofarshefeltlikeshe'ddoneaterriblejob.Everytimeshe'dneededtospeakup,shefailed.Theotherteamsprobablythoughtshewasamumblingloser.

147Ifitwasn'tforDan,shewould'vebeenlost.Justthinkingaboutitmadealumpforminherthroat.Theyfinishedthebread.Amyknewtheyneededtogetmoving.Shestaredatthedarkeningskyand

triedtorememberdetailsfromherParisguidebooks."Therearen'tanyMétrolinestoÎleSt-Louis,"shesaid."We'llhavetowalk."

"Let'sdoit!"Danhoppedtohisfeet.Amy couldn't believe how quickly his spirits had rebounded. A few minutes ago, he'd been

complainingabouthisfeetandhisheavybackpack.Now,ahunkofbreadlater,hewasasgoodasnew.Amywishedshewaslikethat.Shefeltlikelyingdownandsleepingforacentury,butshewasn'tgoingto

tellthattoDan.ItwasfulldarkbythetimetheygottothePontLouis-Philippe.Theoldstonebridgewaslinedwith

streetlampsthatglowedagainstthewater.Ontheoppositesideroseaclusteroftreesandmansions--theÎleSt-Louis.Tothenorthwasalargerisland,withahugecathedrallitupyellowinthenight.

"That'stheÎledelaCitéoverthere,"Amysaidastheywalkedacross,mostlytokeepherselfcalm."Andthat'sNotreDameCathedral."

"Cool,"Dansaid."Youthinkwecanseethehunchback?""Urn ...maybe later."Amy decided not to tell him that the hunchback ofNotreDamewas just a

characterinabook."Anyway,thesmallerislandwe'regoingto--theÎleSt-Louis--thetourbookshardlysaid

148anythingaboutit.Mostlyoldhousesandshopsandstuff.Idon'tknowwhyIrinawouldbelooking

there.""NoBenFranklinhistory?"Amyshookherhead."ItusedtobecalledtheIslandoftheCows,becausethat'sallthatlivedthere.

Thentheyturneditintoaneighborhood.""Cows,"Dansaid."Exciting."AftertheotherpartsofParisthey'dseen,theÎleSt-Louisfeltlikeaghosttown.Thenarrowstreets

werelinedwithelegantoldapartments--fivestoriestallwithblackgabledroofs.Mostofthewindowsweredark.Alotoftheshopswereclosed.

Streetlamps castweird shadows through the branches of the trees,makingmonster shapes on thewalls.Amywastoooldtobelieveinmonsters,buttheshadowsstillmadeheruneasy.

Anelderlycouplecrossedthestreetinfrontofthem.Amywonderedifitwasherimagination,orifthecouplereallyglancedathersuspiciouslybeforetheydisappearedintoanalleyway.Onthenextblock,aguyinaberetwaswalkingaLabradorretriever.

HesmiledashepassedAmyandDan,buthisexpressionremindedAmyofIanKabra--likeheknewasecret.You'rejustgettingparanoid,shetoldherself.Orwasitpossibletherewereotherpeopleseekingtheclues,peoplethatweren't

evenpartoftheseventeams?SheglancedatDanbutdecidednottosayanythingaboutthis...notyet.Thecontestwasalreadyoverwhelmingenough.

149Afteranotherhundredyards,theyfoundtheRuedesJardins.Itwasnarrowerthanthestreetsaround

it,withcrumblingstonebuildingsthatmight'vestoodthereforcenturies.Amycountedthestreetnumbers.Shestoppedabruptly."Dan...23RuedesJardins.Areyousure?""Yeah.Why?"Amypointed.Therewasnobuildingat23RuedesJardins.Instead,ringedwitharustyironfence,

was a tiny cemetery. At the back stood amarblemausoleum. In front, a dozenweathered headstonesslantedeverydirectionlikecrookedteeth.

Thecemeterywassandwichedbytallbuildingsoneitherside.TheoneontherightsaidMUSÉE.Theoneon the leftmust'vebeensomekindofshoponce,but thewindowswerepaintedblackand thedoorboardedup.Theonly lightcamefromthedimorangeglowof thecitysky,whichmade theplaceseemevencreepier.

"Idon'tlikethis,"Amysaid."Therecan'tbeanyconnectiontoFranklinhere.""Howdoyouknow?"Danasked."Wehaven'tevensearched.Andthosetombstoneslookcool!""No,Dan.You

cannotdocharcoalrubbings.""Aw..."Hewalkedthroughthecemeterygates,andAmyhadnochoicebuttofollow.Thetombstonestoldthemnothing.Onceuponatime,theymight'vehadinscriptions,butthey'dbeen

wornsmoothoverthecenturies.Amy'spulsewasracing.Somethingwasn'tright.Sherackedherbrain,trying

150to figure out why this place might be important to Ben Franklin, but she couldn't come up with

anything.Cautiously, she approached themausoleum. She'd always hated aboveground burial places. They

madeherthinkofdollhousesfordeadpeople.The iron doors stood open.Amywas hesitant to get close. From ten feet away, she couldn't see

anythingspecialinside--justoldnameplatesliningthewalls--butaslabofmarblelayonthegroundinfront of the doorway.With a start, Amy realized the inscription was a lot newer than the rest of thecemetery.Itlookedfreshlycarved:SETROUVEICI

AmyetDanCahillILSONTCOLLÉLEURSNEZDANSLESAFFAIRESDESAUTRES"Whoa,"Dansaid."Whyareournames--""Somekindofmessage..."Amy desperately wished she could read French. If she ever got back to the hotel, she promised

herselfshewouldmakeNelliegiveherlessons.151"Inside,right?"Dansaid."No,it'satrap!"Buthesteppedforwardandthegroundcollapsed.Themarbleslabdroppedintonothingness,taking

Danwithit."Dan!"Sherantotheedgeofthehole,butthegroundhadn'tfinishedcrumbling.Stoneanddirtgavewaylike

clothunderherfeetandAmytumbledintodarkness.Forasecond,shewastoodazedtothink.Shecoughed,herlungsfillingwithdust.Shewassittingon

somethingsoftandwarm...."Dan!" In a panic, she scrambled off him and shook his arms, but it was too dark to see. "Dan,

please,bealive!""Ugh,"hegrunted."Areyouokay?""Mysisterjustsatonmewithherbonybutt.OfcourseI'mnotokay."Amybreathedasighofrelief.Ifhewasbeingannoying,hemustbefine.Shegotupunsteadily,dirt

andstonesshiftingbeneathherfeet.Lookingup,shecouldsee themouthof theraggedpit they'dfalleninto.Theywereinsomekindofasinkhole.

"The ground was hollowed out," she muttered. "The earth here is limestone. Lots of caves andtunnelsunderParis.Iguesswefellintooneaccidentally."

"Accidentally?"Dansaid."Irinaluredushereonpurpose!"152Amyknewhewasprobablyright,butshedidn'twanttothinkaboutit...orwhatmighthappennext.

Theyhadtogetout.Shesweptherarmsaroundtheedgesoftheirpit,butitwasjustthat--apit.Nosidetunnels,noexitsexceptforstraightup,andthey'dfallenovertenfeet.Itwasamiracletheyhadn'tbrokenanybones.

Suddenly,alightblindedherfromabove."Well,well,"saidaman'svoice."Arf!"adogyapped.WhenAmy'seyesadjusted,shesawfivefiguresinpurplewarm-upsuitssmilingdownatthem,and

oneveryexcitedpitbull."TheHolts!"Dansaid."Itfigures.YouhelpedIrinasetusup!""Oh,getoverit,runt,"Madisoncalleddown."Wedidn'tsetupanybody.""Yeah,"Reagansaid."Youfellinallbyyourselves."SheandMadisongaveeachotherhighfivesandstartedlaughing.Amy'shandsstartedtotremble.Thiswasjustlikehernightmares...stuckinapit,acrowdofpeople

laughingather.Butthiswasreal."So."EisenhowerHoltcalleddown."Is thiswhatyoubratswere lookingfor?Is this theMazeof

Bones?"Herheartfluttered."What--whatdoyoumean?""Oh,comeon,missy!WeknowallabouttheMazeofBones.WereadtheAlmanack."153"Youhavethebook?But,Irina--""Stoleitfromus,"Eisenhowergrowled."AfterwestoleitfromtheKoreandude.Sowestakedout

herheadquarters,butyougotinsidebeforewecouldlaunchanassault.Nowyou'vegotthebook,andyoucamehere,which

meansyouknowsomething.""Butwedon'thavethebook!"Amysaid."Wedidn'tevengetachanceto--""Oh,comeon,"Hamiltonsaid.Hisgreasedblondhairgleamedin thenight."Itwasright thereon

pagefifty-two--BF:MazeofBones,coordinatesinthebox.Itwasyourmom'shandwriting.Dadrecognizedit."Amy'swholebodywastrembling.Shehatedit,butshecouldn'tstop.TheHoltshadreadfartherin

thebookthanshehad.They'dfoundanothermessagefromhermother:MazeofBones,coordinatesinthebox.SheunderstoodtheMazeofBonespart,atleastshefearedthatshedid...butcoordinatesinabox?"I--Idon'tknowwhatitmeans,"shesaid."Wedon'thavethebook.Butifyouletusoutofhere,

maybeIcould--""Yeah,right!"Madisonsneered."Likewe'dhelpyou!"Theystartedlaughingagain--theentireHoltclan,makingfunofher."Please,stop,"shewhispered."Don't...""Aw,she'sgonnacry."Hamiltongrinned."Man,youtwoarepathetic.Ican'tbelieveyougotpastthe

fireandthebomb."154"What?"Danyelled."YouburnedGrace'smansion?Yousetoffthatbombinthemuseum?""Toslowyoudown,"Eisenhoweradmitted."Weshould'vebeatenyouupinperson.

Sorryaboutthat."Dan threw a rock, but it sailed harmlessly betweenReagan's legs. "Youmorons!Get usOUT of

here!"Reaganfrowned,butMadisonandHamiltonstartedyellingbackatDan.Arnoldbarked.Amyknewthiswasgetting themnowhere.Theyhad toconvince theHolts to let themout,butshe

couldn'tmakehervoicework.Shewantedtocurlintoaballandhide.Thenthegroundshook.Therewasarumblingsoundlikealargeengine.TheHoltsturnedtowardthe

streetandlookedastonishedbywhatevertheysaw."You--little--tricksters!"Eisenhowerglareddownatthem."Thiswasanambush,wasn'tit?""Whatareyoutalkingabout?"Danasked."Atruckisblockingthegates!"Mary-Toddsaid."Acementtruck.""Dad,look,"Reagansaidnervously."They'vegotshovels."Amy'sdangersensestartedtingling.Danturnedtowardher,andshecouldtellhewasthinkingthe

samething."They'regoingtofillthehole,"Dansaid."Aren'tthey?"Shenoddedweakly."Mr.Holt!"DanstartedjumpinglikeArnoldthedog,buthecouldn'treachthetopofthepit.155"Comeon,you'vegottogetusout!We'llhelpyou!"Mr.Holtsnorted."Youledusintothis!Besides,youruntscan'tfight.""Dad,"Reagansaid."Maybeweshould--""Shutup,sis,"Hamiltongrowled."Wecanhandlethis!""Reagan!"Danyelled."Comeon!Telthemtoletusout."Reaganjustknithereyebrowsandstaredattheground.DanlookedatAmydesperately."Yougottadosomething.Tellthemyoucanfigureoutthebook!"Butthewordswouldn'tcome.Amyfeltlikeshewasalreadybeingcoveredincement.Herbrotherneededher.Shehadtosaysomething.Butshejuststoodthere,frozenandhelplessand

hatingherselfforbeingsoscared."HEEEY!"Danyelledup."Amyknowswhatthecluemeans!She'lltellyouifyouletusout!"Mr.Holtscowled.Amyknewhewouldn'tgoforit.They'dbestuckdownhereforever,cementedin.

ThenMr.Holtstrippedoffhiswarm-upjacketandlowereditintothepit."Grabthesleeve."Withinseconds,AmyandDanwereoutofthepit.Sureenough,acementtruckhadblockedthegates

ofthecemetery.Sixthugsincoverallsandhardhatswerelinedupatthefence,heftingshovelsliketheywerereadytofight.

"Allright,team,"Mr.Holtsaidwithrelish."Let'sshow'emhowit'sdone--Holtstyle!"156Thewholefamilyrushedforward.Mr.Holtgrabbedthefirstthug'sshovelandswungit,withtheguy

stillattached,intothesideofthecementtruck.CLANG!Thegirls,MadisonandReagan,plowedintoonethugsohardheflewacrossthestreetandcrashed

throughthewindowofaflowershop.Arnoldbitthethirdthuginthelegandheldonwithjawsofiron.Mary-ToddandHamiltontackledafourththugagainstthechuteonthebackofthetruck.Hisheadhitaleverandcementstartedspillingalloverthestreet.

Unfortunately,twothugsremained,andtheyranstraightforAmyandDan.FearclosedaroundAmy'sthroat.Sherecognizedtheirfaces--theywerethesecurityguardsfromtheLucianstronghold.Beforeshecouldeventhinkofaplan,Danunzippedhisbackpackandtookouthisblinkingsilversphere.

"Dan,no!"Amysaid."Youcan't--"Buthedid.Asmuchashelovedbaseball,Danwastheworld'sworstpitcher.Thespheresailedrightpastthe

twoguyswhowerechargingthemandexplodedunderMr.Holt'sfeetwithablindingyellowflash.Thenoisewasliketheworld'slargestsnaredrumbeingsmashedwithasledgehammer.Amywentcross-eyed.Whensheregainedhersenses,shesawtheentireHoltfamilyandtheguysthey'dbeenbattlingflatontheground,knockedunconscious--exceptforthetwothugsDan

meanttohit.Theywereonlydazed,stumblingaroundandshakingtheirheads.AmyturnedtoDaninhorror."Whatdidyoudo?"157Danlookedsurprised."Um,concussivegrenade,Ithink.Liketheoneinthemuseum!Iknockedthem

out."The two thugswhowere still on their feetblinkeda few times, then refocusedonDanandAmy.

Theydidn'tlookhappy."Run!"Dan pulledAmy behind themausoleum, but therewas nowhere to go -- just another iron

fence,andafewyardsbehindthat,thebackofabuilding--brickwalls,thirtyfeethigh.Desperately,theyclimbedthefenceanyway.Amy'sshirtgotstuckonthetop,butDanpulledherfree.

Togethertheypressedagainstthebackwall.Therewasnoalley.Noexit.Theyweretrapped.Ifonlytheyhadaweapon...andthenAmyrealizedherbrainwasn'tparalyzedbyfearanymore.Theexplosionhadsnappedherbacktohersenses.

Sheknewwhattheyneeded."Dan,theFranklinbattery!""Whatgoodwilthatdo?"Sherippedopenhisbackpackandtookoutthebattery.Thetwothugsadvancedwarily--probably

wonderingwhetherDanhadanymoregrenades.Amyuncoiledthebattery'scopperwiresandmadesuretheendswerestripped."Ihopeithasacharge."

"Whatareyoudoing?"Danasked."Franklinusedtodothisforfun,"shesaid."Tostartlehisfriends.Maybeifit'sgotenoughjuice..."Themenwereat the fence.Oneof themsnarled something inFrench. It sounded likeanorder to

surrender.Amyshookherhead.158Themenbegantoclimb,andAmyleapedforward.Shetouchedthewiresagainstthefenceandthe

menyelpedinsurprise.Bluesparksflewoffthemetalbars.Smokecurledfromthemen'shandsandtheyfellbackwards,stunned.Amythrewdownthebattery.

"Comeon!"sheyelled.Inaheartbeat,theywereoverthefence.Theyracedoutofthegraveyard,pasttheunconsciousHolts,

thethugs,andtheoverturnedcementtruck.AmyfeltatwingeofguiltleavingtheHoltsbehindunconscious,buttheyhadnochoice.Theydidn'tstoprunninguntiltheywerehalfwayacrossthePontLouis-Philippe.Amydoubledover,

gaspingforbreath.Atlasttheyweresafe.They'dsurvivedthetrap.Butwhenshelookedback,shesawsomethingthatscaredherworsethanthegraveyard.Standingin

theshadowsatthefootofthebridge,ahundredyardsbackthewaythey'dcome,wasatallgray-hairedmaninablackovercoat.

AndAmywassurehewaswatchingthem.159

CHAPTER15

DanthoughtNelliewasgoingtokillthem.He'dneverseenherfacethatshadeofredbefore."Youdidwhat?"Shepacedtheirtinyhotelroom."Twohours,yousaid.Twohours.AndIwasstandingoutsidethehotelfor,like,ever,andyoudidn'tcome.Youdidn'tcall.Ithoughtyouweredead!"SheshookheriPodforemphasisand

thelooseearbudsdancedaround."Ourphonedidn'twork,"Amysaidsheepishly."Wegot sidetracked,"Danadded. "Therewas this concussivegrenade, andacement truck, anda

battery.Andaloafofbread."Dan was pretty sure that covered all the important details, but Nellie looked like she didn't

understand."Startfromthebeginning,"shesaid."Andnolies."Maybeitwasjustbecausehewastootiredtolie,butDantoldherthewholestory--evenaboutthethirty-nineclues--withAmyfillinginthestuffheforgot."Soyoualmostdied,"Nelliesaidinasmallvoice."Thosejerksweregoingtopourcementonyou."160"Maybealittlecement,"Dansaid."Whatdidtheinscriptionsay?"Nellieasked.Dandidn't knowanyFrench,buthe'd automaticallymemorized thewordson themarble slab.He

repeatedthemtoNellie."'Here lieAmy andDanCahill,'" she translated, '"who stuck their noses into thewrong people's

business.'""It was Irina Spasky's fault!"Dan said. "She tricked us into going there. Thewhole thingwas a

setup.""Andwe can't evenpayyou,"Amyaddedmiserably. "Wedon't have enoughmoney for the flight

home.I'm...I'mreallysorry,Nellie."Nellie stood very still. Her glitter eye shadow was red today, which made her eyes look even

angrier.HerarmswerecrossedoverherT-shirt,whichshowedapictureofascreamingpunkrocker.Allinall,shelookedprettyscary.ThenshegrabbedAmyandDanandhuggedthemfiercely.

Shekneltdownsoshewaslookingthemintheeyes."I'vegotsomecreditleftonmyMasterCard.We'llbefine."

Danwasconfused."But...you'renotgoingtokillus?""I'm going to help you, stupid." Nellie shook his shoulders gently. "Nobody messes with my

babysitees.""Aupairees,"Dancorrected."Whatever!Nowgetsomesleep.Tomorrowwe'regoingtoslapsomepeoplesenseless."161MaisondesGordonsdidnotmeanthehouseofgardens.Apparently,gardons

meant roaches.Danfound thisoutbecauseNellie toldhim,andbecauseheheardscuttlingsoundsalongthefloorallnightlong.HewishedSaladinwerethere.Thecatwould'vehadagreattimeplayingjunglestalker.

Inthemorning,everybodylookedbleary-eyed,buttheyshoweredandchangedclothes.Nelliecamebackfromthecornercaféwithcoffeeforherself,hotchocolateforDanandAmy,and

painauchocolatforalofthem.Danfiguredanycountrythatatechocolateforbreakfastcouldn'tbeallbad."So,"Dansaid,"canIgetsomemoregrenadestoday?""No!"Amysaid."Dan,you'reluckyitwasonlyconcussive.Youcould'vewipedoutthewholeHolt

family.""Andthatwould'vebeenbadbecause...?""Okay,knockitoff,"Nelliesaid."Theimportantthingisyouguysaresafe."Amypickedathercroissant.Shelookedpalethismorning.Herhairwasatangledmess."Dan...I'm

sorryaboutlastnight.I--Ipanicked.Ialmostgotuskilled."Danhadprettymuchforgottenthatpart.He'dbeenannoyedwithheratthetime,butitwashardto

staymadwhenAmylookedsomiserableandapologized.162Plusshe'ddonethatcoolthingwiththebattery,whichhadkindofmadeupforherfreakingout."Don'tworryaboutit,"hesaid."Butifithappensagain--""Hey,ifweletIrinalureusintoatrapagain,we'restupiderthantheHolts."Amydidn'tlookverycomforted."WhatIdon'tunderstandisthemaninblack.Whywashetherelast

night?AndiftheHoltsstartedthefireatthemansionandsetupthemuseumexplosion--""Thenwhatwasthemaninblackdoinginbothplaces?"Danfinished."AndwhydidIrinahavea

photoofhim?"HewaitedforAmytocomeupwithoneofher"oh-I-did-a-book-report-on-that-last-year"answers,butshejustkeptfrowningatherbreakfast."Maybeyouguysshouldconcentrateonwherewegonext,"Nellieadvised.Amytookadeepbreath."IthinkIknowwheretogo.Dan,canIuseyourlaptop?"Hestaredather,becauseAmydidn'tlikecomputers.ButfinallyhebroughtitoverandAmystarted

searchingtheInternet.Innotime,shegrimacedandturnedthescreenforthemtosee.Thepictureshowedapileofbonesin

adarkstoneroom."I'vesuspectedforawhile,"Amysaid,"butIwashopingIwaswrongbecauseit'srisky.TheMazeofBones.That'swhatMom'snotesaidinPoorRichard's163Almanack.WehavetoexploretheCatacombs.""Isthatwheretheykeepthecats?"Danasked.Itseemedlikeaperfectlyreasonablequestiontohim,butAmygavehima"you're-such-a-dummy"look."TheCatacombs are anundergroundmaze," she said. "I toldyouParis is riddledwith caves and

tunnels, right?Al the limestone they used to build the city, ever since theRoman days, they dug fromunderground,anditleftawholenetworkofemptyspaces.

Somearejustpits,liketheonewefellinlastnight."

"Andsomearenetworksoftunnels,"Nelliesaid."Yeah,Irememberhearingaboutthis.Andthey'refilledwithbones,right?"

"Iwantaroomdecoratedwithbones!"Dansaid."Where'dtheycomefrom?""Cemeteries," Amy said. "Back in the 1700s, the cemeteries were getting overcrowded, so they

decidedtodiguptonsofoldbodies--alltheirbones--andmovethemintotheCatacombs.Thethingis...lookatthedates.SeewhentheystartedmovingbonesintotheCatacombs?"

Dansquintedatthescreen.Hedidn'tseewhatshewastalkingabout."Isitmybirthday?""No,doofus.Look.1785.Theydidn'tofficiallydeclareitopenuntilthenextyear,buttheystartedplanningtheproject,

andmovingthebones,in1785.WhichwasalsothelastyearBenjaminFranklinwasinParis.""Whoa.Youmean--"164"Hehidsomethingdownthere."ItgotsoquietDancouldhearroachesscuttlinginthecloset."So,"Nelliesaid,"wehavetogounderground,intoamazefilledwithbones,andfind...whateveritis."Amynodded."ExcepttheCatacombsarehuge.Wedon'tknowwheretolook.TheonlythingIcan

think--there'sonepublicentrance.Itsayshereit'sacrossfromtheDenfert-RochereauMétrostation,inthe14tharrondissement."

"But if that's the only public entrance," Dan said, "then the other teams might head there, too.Everybody's been stealing that almanac from each other. They'll figure out the Maze of Bones thingeventually,iftheyhaven'talready."

"Goodenoughforme."Nelliebrushedthechocolateandbreadcrumbsoffhershirt."Let'sgomeetyourfamily."Dan'sbackpackwasalotlightertoday,butbeforetheylefthemadesurethephotoofhisparentswas

stillsafeinthesidepocket.Hismomanddadwererightwherehe'dleftthem:intheirplasticphotoalbumsheet,smilingfromthetopoftheirmountainliketheyhadn'tmindedsharingspacewithaFranklinbatteryandagrenadeatall.

He wondered if they'd be proud of him for getting out of that pit last night, or if they'd be allprotective

165likeAmy:Youalmostgotyourselfkilled,blah, blah, blah. He decided they would've been cooler than that. They'd probably had tons of

dangerousadventures.Maybetheirhousehadanarsenal,too,beforeitburneddown."Dan!"Amycalled."Getoutofthebathroomandlet'sgo!""Coming!"heshouted.Helookedathisparentsonemoretime."ThanksforthenoteabouttheMaze

ofBones,Mom.Iwon'tletyoudown!"HeslippedthephotobackintohispackandwenttojoinAmyandNellie.They weren't out of the Denfert-RochereauMétro station twominutes before they spotted Uncle

Alistair.Hewaskindofhardtomissinhischerry-redsuitandcanary-yellowascot,hisdiamond-tippedcane swinging in one hand.Theoldman sauntered toward them, smilingwith his armsout.As he gotcloser,Dannoticedhehadablackeye."Mydearchildren!"

Nelliewhoppedhimupsidetheheadwithherbackpack."Ow!"UncleAlistaircurledover,cuppinghishandoverhisgoodeye."Nellie!"Amysaid.

"Sorry,"Nelliemuttered."Ithoughthewasoneofthebadguys."166"Heis,"Danagreed."No,no."Alistairtriedtosmile,butallhecoulddowaswinceandblink.Danfiguredhisothereyewasgoingtobeblacknowthankstothatpop.Nellie'sbackpackwasnotlight."Children,please,youmustbelieveme,Iamnotyourenemy!""Youstolethebookfromus,"Dansaid,"andleftusfordead!""Children,Iadmitit.Ithoughtyouwerelostinthefire.Ibarelymadeitoutmyself.Fortunately, I found a latch that opened the door. I called for you, but youmust have discovered

anotherwayout.Ihadthealmanac,yes.Icouldn'tleaveitbehind.IadmitIpanickedwhenIgotoutside.Ifearedourenemieswerestillabout,orthatIwouldbeblamedfortheterriblefire.SoIfled.Forgiveme."

Amy'sscowlsoftened,butDandidn'tbelievethisguyatall."He'slying!"Dansaid."Trustnoone,'remember?""ShouldIhithimagain?"Nellieasked.UncleAlistairflinched."Please,listen.TheCatacombsarerightthere."Hepointedacrossthestreet

toasimplebuildingwithablackfacade.WhitelettersabovethedoorreadEntréedesCatacombes.Thestreetaround it looked likeanormalneighborhood-- townhouses,apartments,pedestrianson

theirwaytowork.Itwashardtobelieveamazeofdeadpeoplelayrightunderneath.167"Imustspeakwithyoubeforeyougoin,"Alistairinsisted."AllIaskistenminutes.Youareingravedanger.""Gravedanger,"Dangrumbled."Thatsupposedtobeajoke?""Dan..."Amyputherhandonhisarm."Maybeweshouldlistentohim.Tenminutes.Whatdowehavetolose?"Dancouldthinkofalotofthings,butAlistairsmiled."Thankyou,mydear.Thereisacaféjusthere.

Shallwe?"Alistairwasbuying,soDanorderedanearlylunch--aturkey-and-cheesesandwichwithchipsand

alargeCoke,whichforsomeweirdreasonwasdeliveredinaglasswithnoice.Nelliespokewiththewaiter inFrench fora long timeandorderedsomeexoticgourmet thing.Thewaiter looked impressedwithherchoice,butwhenitcameDancouldn'ttellwhatitwas.ItlookedlikegobsofSillyPuttyingarlicbutter.

Inasadvoice,AlistairexplainedhowtheHoltshadambushedhimoutsidedeGaulleAirportandtakenthe

PoorRichard'sAlmanack."Thebarbarianshitmeinthefaceandcrackedoneofmyribs.Ireallyamgettingtoooldforthissort

ofthing."Hetouchedhisbruisedeyes."But ...why iseveryone trying tokill eachotherover thatbook?"Amyasked. "Aren't thereother

ways168tofindtheclue?LiketheinvisiblemessagewefoundinPhiladelphia--""Amy!"Dansaid."Keepsecretsmuch?""It'sallright,myboy,"Alistairsaid."You'recorrect,ofcourse,Amy.Therearemanypossiblepaths

towardthenextclue.Forinstance,Ifoundamessageencodedinafamousportraitby--well,here,seeforyourself."

UncleAlistairreachedintohiscoatandpulledoutapaper.Heunfoldedacolorprintofapainting.ItshowedBenjaminFranklinasanoldmaninaredflowingrobe,sittinginathunderstorm,whichseemedkindofdumb.Abunchofbabyangelshoveredaroundhim--twoathisfeet,workingonbatteries,andthreemorerightbehindhim,holdingupakitewithakeyonthestring.LightningzappedfromthekeyintoBen'supraisedhand.Bendidn'tlookupsetbythis.Hislonggrayhairwaswildandfrizzedout,somaybehewasusedtogettingshocked.

"Nowaydidithappenlikethat,"Dansaid."Withtheangelsandall.""No,Dan,"Alistairagreed."It'ssymbolic.Thepainter,BenjaminWest,meanttoshowFranklinasa

herofordrawinglightningoutofthesky.ButthereismoresymbolismthanIrealized--signshiddensodeeponlyaCahillcoulddiscoverthem.LookatFranklin'sknee."

Dandidn'tseeanythingexceptaknee,butAmygasped."Thatshapeinthefabric!"Dansquinted,andhesawwhatshemeant.PartofFranklin'skneewaspaintedinalightershadeof

red,169butitwasn'tjustarandomblotch.Itwasasilhouettehe'dseenmanytimesbefore."Whoa,"hesaid."TheLuciancrest."Nelliesquinted."That?Thatlookslikeoneofthoseladiesonatrucker'smudflaps.""No, it's two snakes around a sword,"Amy said. "Trustme, if you'd seen theLucian crest, you'd

recognizeit.""There'smore,"Alistairsaid."LookatthepaperFranklinisholding.Turnitupsidedown.There-

brushedoverwithwhitepaint,almostimpossibletoread."Danneverwould'venoticedifAlistairhadn'tsaidsomething,butwhenhelookedclosely,hecould

seethefaintshadowofwordsonthedocumentinFranklin'shand."'Paris,'"heread."'1785.'""Exactly,mydearboy:apaintingofFranklinwithakey,theCahillfamilycrest,andthewordsParis,1785.Asignificanthint.""Ineverwould'vefoundthis,"Amysaidinamazement.Alistairshrugged."Asyousaid,mydear,therearemanypossiblehints,allleadingusalongthepath

to thesecondclue.Unfortunately,weCahillswouldrather fighteachother,steal information,andkeepeachotherfromgettingahead"--heshiftedhisweightandwinced--"asmycrackedribandblackeyeswilltestify."

"Butwhoburiedallthesehintsinthefirstplace?"Amydemanded."Franklin?"170Alistairsippedhisespresso."Idon'tknow,mydear.IfIweretoguess,I'dsayitisahodgepodge,a

collectedeffortbymanyCahillsoverthecenturies.DearoldGraceseemstobetheonewhowovethemalltogether,thoughwhyorhow,Idon'tknow.

Whateverthefinaltreasureis,thegreatestCahillmindshavegonetoagooddealoftroubletohideit.Orperhaps,asinthecaseofBenjaminFranklin,someofthemaretryingtoleadus

towardit.Isupposewewillonlyknowforcertainwhenwefindthetreasure.""We?"Dansaid."Istillbelievewemusthaveanalliance,"Alistairsaid."Uh-uh."Nellieshookherhead."Don'ttrustthisguy,kiddos.He'stoosmooth."Alistairlaughed."Andyou'reanexpertonsmooth,

myteenagebabysitter?""Aupair!"Nelliecorrected.Alistair looked likehewanted tomakeanother jokeatherexpense.Thenheglancedather lethal

backpackandapparentlychangedhismind."Thepointis,children,ourcompetitorshavedecidedyouaretheteamtobeat.""Butwhyus?"Amydemanded.Alistairshrugged."You'vebeenaheadofthegamesofar.Youhaveescapedeverytrap.Youwere

alwaysGrace'sfavorites."Hiseyesglittered,likeastarvingmanlookingataBigMac."Let'sbehonest,eh?WeallbelieveGracegaveyouinsideinformation.

Shemusthave.Tellmewhatitis,andIcanhelpyou."171Dan clenched his fists. He remembered that video of Grace, how stunned he'd felt when she'd

announcedthecontest.Graceshouldhavegiven them inside information. If she'd really loved them, shewouldn't have left them in the

dark.Theother teamswereafter themnowbecause they thoughtAmyandDanwereGrace's favorites.ButapparentlyGracehadn'tcaredaboutthem.Theywerejustanotherteaminthisbigcruelgameshe'dcookedup.Themorehethoughtaboutit,themorebetrayedhefelt.HelookedatthejadenecklacearoundAmy'sneck.

Hewantedtoyankitoffandthrowitaway.Hiseyesstartedtoburn."Wedon'thaveinsideinformation,"hemumbled."Comenow,myboy,"Alistairsaid."Youareindanger.Icouldprotectyou.WecouldsearchtheCatacombstogether.""We'llsearchbyourselves,"Dansaid."Asyouwish,myboy.Butbe aware:TheCatacombsarehuge.There aremilesof tunnels.Most

aren'tevenmapped.Youcaneasilygetlostdownthere.Specialpolicepatrolittokeepouttrespassers.Someofthetunnelsareflooded.Otherscollapsefromtimetotime.SearchingforFranklin'sclueintheCatacombswillbedangerousandfutileunless"--heleanedforwardandraisedhiseyebrows--"unlessyoudo

knowsomethingyouhaven'ttoldme.Thealmanachadanoteinthemargin.Itmentionedcoordinatesinabox.Youwouldn'thappentoknowwhatthisboxmightbe?"

"Evenifweknew,"Dansaid,"wewouldn'ttellyou."172Amytouchedthejadenecklaceathercollar."Sorry,UncleAlistair.""Isee."Alistairsatback."Iadmireyourspirit.ButwhatifIwereto...tradeinformation?I'msure

you are wondering about those notes your mother made. I knew your parents. I could explain a fewthings."

Danfeltasiftheairhadturnedtoglass.Hewasafraidtomoveorhemightgetcut."Whatfewthings?"Alistair smiled, like he knewhe'd hooked them. "Yourmother's interest in the clues, perhaps.Or

whatyourfatherreallydidforaliving.""Hewasamathprofessor,"Amysaid."Mmm."Alistair's smilewas so irritatingDanwas tempted to tellNellie towhack himwith the

backpackagain."Maybeyou'dliketoknowaboutthenighttheydied?"

Theturkey-and-cheesesandwichchurnedinDan'sstomach."Whatdoyouknowaboutthat?""Manyyearsago,yourmother--"Alistairstoppedabruptly.Hiseyesfixedonsomethingacrossthe

street."Children,wemustcontinuethislater.IbelieveyoushouldlookintheCatacombsbyyourselves.I'llstaybehind,asashowofgoodfaith.""Whatdoyoumean?"Dandemanded.Alistairpointedwithhiscane.Ahundredyardsdownthestreet,IanandNatalieKabrawerepushing

throughthecrowd,hurryingtowardtheCatacombsentrance."I'llholdthemoffaslongasIcan,"Alistairpromised."Nowgetundergroundquickly!"173

CHAPTER16

Amy hated crowds, but the idea of plunging into themiddle of sevenmillion dead people didn'tbotherher.

Nellie,Dan,andshehurrieddownametalstaircase.Theyfoundthemselvesinalimestonecorridorwithmetalpipesrunningoverheadanddimelectriclights.Thewarmairsmelledofmildewandwetrock.

"Onlyoneexit,guys,"Nelliesaidnervously."Ifwegetcaughtdownhere--""Thetunnelshouldbranchoutsoon,"Amysaid,tryingtosoundmoreconfidentthanshefelt.Thestonewallswereetchedwithgraffiti.Somelookedrecent,someancient.Oneinscriptionwas

engravedonamarbleslabrightabovetheirheads."Stop,mortals,"Nellietranslated."Thisistheempireofdeath.""Cheerful,"Danmuttered.They kept walking. The floor under Amy's feet was slushy gravel. Amywas still thinking about

UncleAlistair.Hadhereallyknownsomethingabouttheir174parents,orwashejustmanipulatingthem?Shetriedtoputitoutofhermind."Wherearethebones?"Danasked.ThentheyturnedacornerintoalargeroomandDansaid,"Oh."Itwas the creepiestplaceAmyhadever seen.Against thewalls, humanboneswere stacked like

firewoodfromthefloortoaboveAmy'shead.Theremainswereyellowandbrown--mostlylegbones,butskullsstaredouthereandtherelikepatchesonaquilt.Alineofskullstoppedeachstack.

Amy walked in awed silence. The next room was the same as the first -- wall after wall ofmolderingremains.Dimelectriclightscasteerieshadowsoverthedead,makingtheiremptyeyesocketslookevenscarier.

"Gross,"Nelliemanaged."There's,like,thousands.""Millions,"Amysaid."Thisisonlyonesmallpart.""Theydugallthesepeopleup?"Danasked."Whowouldwantthatjob?"Amydidn'tknow,butshewasamazedhowtheworkershadmadepatternswithskullsinthestacksof

femurs--diagonals,stripes,connect-the-dotshapes.Inaweird,horribleway,itwasalmostbeautiful.Inthethirdroom,theyfoundastonealtarwithunlitcandles."Weneedtofindtheoldestsection,"Amysaid."Thesebonesaretoorecent.Lookattheplaque.It's

from1804."175Sheledtheway.Eyelesssocketsofthedeadseemedtostareatthemastheypassed."Thesearecool,"Dandecided."MaybeIcould--""No,Dan,"Amysaid."Youcan'tcollecthumanbones.""Awww."Nelliemumbled something that sounded likeaprayer inSpanish. "WhywouldBenjaminFranklin

wanttocomedownhere?""Hewasascientist."Amykeptwalking, reading thedateson thebrassplaques. "He likedpublic

worksprojects.Thiswould'vefascinatedhim.""Millionsofdeadpeople,"Nelliesaid."Realfascinating."Theyturneddownanarrowcorridorandfoundthemselvesfacingametalgate.Amyshookthebars.

Thegatecreakedopenlikeithadn'tbeenusedinhundredsofyears."Areyousureweshouldgodownthere?"Nellieasked.

Amy nodded. The dateswere getting older.On the other hand, therewere nometal pipes on theceilingupahead,whichmeantnoelectriclights.

"Anybodygotaflashlight?"sheasked."Yeah,"Nelliesaid."Onmykeychain."ShepulledoutherkeysandhandedthemtoAmy.Therewasalittlepush-buttonpinlight.Notmuch,

butbetterthannothing.Theykeptgoing.Afterahundredfeet,theyemergedinasmallroomwithonlyoneotherexit.

176Amyshonetheflashlightonanoldplaqueframedinskulls."1785!Thesehavetobethefirstbones

putdownhere."Thewalltheywerelookingatwasinbadshape.Theboneswerebrownandcrumbly,andsomehad

scatteredacrossthefloor.Theskullsalongthetophadbeencrushed,thoughtheonesquiltedintothewalllookedfairlyintact.Theyweredoneinasquarepattern--nothingexciting.

"Searcharound,"Amysaid."Ithastobehere."Danstuckhishandsintosomeofthegapsinthebonewall.Nelliecheckedthetopofthestack.Amy

lookedintotheskulls'eyesocketswiththeflashlight,butshesawnothing."It'shopeless,"shesaidatlast."Iftherewasanythinghere,anotherteammust'vefoundit."Danscratchedhishead.Thenhescratchedaskull'shead."Whyaretheynumbered?"Amywasn'tinthemoodforhisgames."Whatnumbers?""Hereontheforehead."Dantappedoneoftheskulls."Thisguywasnumberthree.Weretheyonafootballteamorsomething?"Amy leaned in closer. Dan was right. The number was very faint, but scratched into the skull's

forehead,likesomeonehadcarveditwithaknife,wastheRomannumeralIII.She examined the skull below it. XIX. A square pattern. Skulls with numbers. "Check them all.

Quick!"177Itdidn't take long.Thereweresixteenskullswoven into thepileofbones,done in four rowsand

fourcolumns.Threeoftheskullsdidn'thavenumbers.Therestdid.Theylookedlikethis:[proofreader'snote:thenumbersontheskullsareXVIIIIIIVIIVXIXXIIXVIXXVIIIVIIIXIIIAfewoftheskullshavenonumbersonthem.]AchillwentdownAmy'sback."Coordinatesinabox.Amagicbox!""What?"Dansaid."Whatmagic?""Dan,canyoumemorizethesenumbersandtheirplacement?""Ialreadyhave."

"Weneedtogetoutofhereandfindamap.Thisistheclue--well,thecluetotherealclue,whateverFranklinwashiding."178"Waitasec,"Nelliesaid."Franklinscratchednumbersonskulls.Why?""It'samagicbox,"Amysaid."Franklinusedtoplaywithnumberswhenhegotbored.Like when he was sitting in the Philadelphia Assembly and he didn't want to listen to the dull

speeches, he would create magic boxes, number problems for himself. He would fill in the missingnumbers.Thesumshadtomatch,horizontallyandvertically."

Nelliescowled."You'retellingmeBenjaminFranklininventedsudoku?""Well,yeah,inaway.Andthese--""Arecoordinates,"Dansupplied."Themissingsumsshowthelocationofthenextclue."Clappingechoedthroughtheroom."Bravo."Amyturned.StandingintheentrancewereIanandNatalieKabra."Itoldyoutheycoulddoit,"Iansaidtohissister."Oh,Isuppose,"Natalieconceded.Amyhatedthatevenundergroundinaroomfullofbones,Natalie

managed to look glamorous. She was wearing a black velour catsuit, so she looked eleven going ontwenty-three.Herhairhungloosearoundhershoulders.Theonlypartofheroutfitthatdidn'tmatchwasthetinysilverdartguninherhand."Perhapsitwasn't

albadthatIrinafailedus."179"You!"Dan yelled. "You convinced Irina to set us up at the Île St-Louis. You almost got us buried in

cement!""Ashameitdidn'twork,"Nataliesaid."Youwould'vemadeafinewelcomematforthemausoleum.""But--butwhy?"Amystammered.Iansmiled."Toputyououtofcommission,ofcourse.Andtogiveusextratimetofindthisplace.We

neededtomakesurethiswasn'tsomeclevermisdirectionbyourdearcousinIrina.Ishould'venoticedthemagicboxearlier.Thanksforyourhelp,Amy.

Now,ifyou'llmoveaside,we'lljustcopydownthosenumbersandbeoff."Amytookashakybreath."No."Ianlaughed."Isn'tshecute,Natalie?Actinglikeshehasachoice.""Yes."Nataliewrinkledhernose."Cute."Amyblushed.TheKabrasalwaysmadeherfeelsoawkwardandstupid,butshecouldn'tletthemget

the clue. She snatched up a leg bone. "Onemove and I'll -- I'll crush the skulls. You'll never get thenumbers."

It didn't sound like avery convincing threat, even toher, but Ianpaled. "Now let's notbe stupid,Amy.Iknowhownervousyouget,butwewon'thurtyou."

"Not at all,"Natalie agreed. She pointed her dart gun atAmy's face. "I think poison sixwill beadequate.Nothinglethal.Justadeep,deepsleep.I'msuresomeonewillfindyoudownhere...someday."

A shadow loomed up behind the Kabras. Suddenly, Uncle Alistair charged into the room andknocked

180Natalietotheground.HerdartgunskitteredawayandIandoveafterit."Run!"Alistairyelled.Amydidn'targue.She,Nellie,andDanracedthroughtheotherexit,intothedarkness--deeperintotheCatacombs.Theyranforwhatseemedlikehours,withnothingbutthepinlighttoguidethem.

Theyturneddownonecorridorandfounditblockedbyamoundofrubble.Theydoubledbackandfollowedanother tunneluntil it submergedcompletely inmurkyyellowwater.Soon,Amyhadno ideawhichdirectiontheywereheading.

"Alistairsaidtherearepolicedownhere,"shemurmured."Iwishonewouldfindus."Buttheysawnoone.Thelittleflashlightstartedtodim."No,"Amysaid."No,no,no!"Theyforgedahead.Fiftyfeet,sixtyfeet,andtheirlightwentoutcompletely.AmyfoundDan'shandandsqueezedittight."It'sgoingtobefine,kiddos,"Nelliesaid,buthervoicewasquavering."Wecan'tbelostdownhere

forever."Amydidn'tseewhynot.TheCatacombswentonformilesandhadneverbeenmappedcompletely.

Therewasnoreasonanyonewouldcomelookingforthem."Wecouldshoutforhelp,"Dansaid.181"Itwon'tdoanygood,"Amysaidgloomily."I'msorry,guys.ThisisnothowIwantedthingstoend.""It'snottheend!"Dansaid."Wecouldfollowonewalluntilwefindanotherexit.Wecould--""Shhh!"Amysaid."I'mjustsaying--""Dan,seriously!Bequiet!IthoughtIheardsomething."Thetunnelwassilentexceptforthedistantdripofwater.ThenAmyhearditagain--afaintrumbling

fromsomewhereinfrontofthem."Atrain?"Nellieasked.Amy'sspiritslifted."WemustbenearaMétrostation.Comeon!"Sheshuffledforwardwithherhandsoutstretched.Sheshudderedasshetouchedawallofbones,but

she followed the corridor as it twisted to the right.Gradually, the rumbling sounds grew louder.Amygropedtotheleft.Herhandtouchedmetal.

"Adoor!"shecried."Dan,there'ssomekindoflockmechanismhere.Comehereandfigurethisout.""Where?"Shefoundhiminthedarkandguidedhishandstothelock.Withinseconds,thehatchcreakedopen

andtheywereblindedbyelectriclight.IttookAmyafewmomentstocomprehendwhatshewasseeing.Thehatchwasmorelikeawindow

thanadoor--asquareopeningaboutfivefeetofftheground,justbigenoughtocrawlthroughifthey182climbeduptoit.Theywereeyelevelwiththesideofsomerailroadtracks--metalrailsonwooden

ties.Andsomethingbrownandfurrywasscamperingoverthegravelbed.Amyjumped."Arat!"Therodentregardedher,clearlyunimpressed,thenscurriedonitsway."It'sarailpit,"Dansaid."Wecanclimboutand-"The light got brighter. Thewhole tunnel rumbled.Amy fell back and cupped her ears against the

sound--likeaherdofdinosaurs.Atrainblastedpastinablurofmetalwheels.Itsuckedtheairrightoutoftheirtunnel,pullingherclothesandhairtowardthehatch.Then,justassuddenly,itwasgone.

Whenshewassurehervoicewouldworkagain,shesaid,"Wecan'tgooutthere!We'llgetkilled!""Look,"Dansaid."There'saserviceladderaboutfivefeetdown.We'llcrawluptotherails,runto

theladder,andclimbtotheplatform.Easy!""That'snoteasy!Whatifanothertraincomes?""Wecantimeit,"Nelliesuggested."I'vegotaclockonmyiPod...."Shepulleditoutofherpocket,butshe'dhardlypressedthewheelbeforeanothertrainroaredby.

Nellie'sglitteryeyeshadowmadeher face lookghostly in thedim light. "Thatwas less than fiveminutes.Therailsmustbeforexpresstrains.We'llhavetohurry."

183"Right!"Dansaid,andjustlikethathescrambledupandoutofthehatch."Dan!"Amyshouted.Heturned,crouchingonthetracks."Comeon!"Inadaze,AmyletNelliegiveheraboost.WithDan'shelp,shecrawledout."Nowhelpmewith

Nellie!"Dansaid."Butwatchthethirdrail."Amystiffened.Twofeetawaywastheblackelectricrailthatranthetrains.Sheknewenoughabout

subways to understand that one touchwould beworse than a thousand Franklin batteries. She helpedNellieoutof thehatch,but itwasa tightsqueeze.Theylost time.Therailshissedandclickedbeneaththem.

"I'mokay!"Nelliesaid,brushingoffherclothes."Let'sgettotheladder."Danstartedtofollow,buthelurchedwhenhetriedtostand,likehewascaughtonsomething."Dan?"Amysaid."It'smybackpack,"hesaid."It'swedged..."Hetuggedat ithelplessly.Somehow,onestraphadgottenloopedaroundametalrail,andtherail

hadshifted,clampingthepackintoplace."Leaveit!"Amycried.Nelliewasalreadyattheladder,yellingatthemtohurry.Passengersontheplatformwerestartingto

noticethem,too.Theywereyellinginalarm,shoutinginFrench.Danslippedthebackpackoffhisshoulder,butitwasstillstucktotherail.Hetuggedatit184andtriedtoopenit,buthewasn'thavinganyluck."Now!"Nellieyelled.Amycouldfeelafaintrumblinginthetracksatherfeet."Dan!"shepleaded."It'snotimportant!""Icangetit.Justanothersecond.""Dan,no.It'sjustabackpack!""Itwon'topen!"Thefarendofthetunnellitup.Nelliewasrightabovethemontheplatform,reachingoutherhand.A

lotofotherpassengersweredoingthesame,imploringthemtograbhold."Amy!"Nelliecried."Youfirst!"Shedidn'twantto,butmaybeifshewentfirst,Danwouldseereason.ShegrabbedNellie'shandand

Nelliehauledherfromtherailpit.Immediately,AmyturnedandstuckherhandouttoDan."Dan,please!"shecalled."Now!"Thetrain'sheadlightflashedintosight.Windrushedthroughthetunnel.Thegroundtrembled.Dangavethebackpackanothertug,butitwouldn'tbudge.Helookedatthetrain,andAmysawhe

wascrying.Shedidn'tunderstandwhy."Dan,take-MY-HAND!"She leanedout as far as shecould.The trainbarreleddownon them.Witha cryof anguish,Dan

grabbedherhand,andwithmorestrengththanAmyknewshehad,sheyankedhimoutofthepitsohardtheytumbledovereachother.

185Thetrainrushedon.Whenthenoisedied,thepassengersontheplatformallbrokelooseatonce--

scoldingtheminFrenchwhileNellietriedtoexplainandapologize.Amydidn't carewhat theywere saying.Sheheldherbrother,whowascryingharder thanhehad

sincehewaslittle.Shelookedovertheedgeofthepit,butthebackpackwasgone,sweptawayintothetunnelsbythe

force of the train. They sat for a long time while Dan shivered and wiped his eyes. Eventually, thepassengers lost interest in them. They drifted away or stepped onto other trains and disappeared. Nopolice came. Pretty soon it was just Nellie, Amy, and Dan, sitting in a corner of the platform like ahomelessfamily.

"Dan,"Amysaidgently."Whatwasinthere?Whatdidyouhaveinthebackpack?"Hesniffledandrubbedhisnose."Nothing."ItwastheworstlieAmyhadeverheard.Usually,shecouldtellwhathewasthinkingjustbylooking

athisface,buthewashidinghisthoughtsfromher.Shecouldonlytellthathewasmiserable."Forgetit,"hesaid."Wedon'thavetime.""Areyousure--""Isaidforgetit!WeneedtofigureoutthatnumberboxbeforetheKabras,don'twe?"Shedidn'tlikeit,buthewasright.Besides,somethingtoldherthatiftheystayedheremuchlonger,

thepolicewouldcomeandstartaskingquestions.She186took one last look at the rail pitwhereDan had almost died and the dark hatch that led into the

Catacombs.Fearstillcoursedthroughherbody,butthey'dbeenthroughtoomuchtogiveupnow."Let'sgo,then,"shesaid."We'vegotacluetofind."Outsideithadstartedtorain.By the time they found a café,Dan seemed back to normal -- or at least they'd come to a silent

agreementthattheywouldactlikeeverythingwasnormal.Theysatunder theawningtodryoffwhileNellieorderedfood.Amy

didn'tthinkshecouldeat,butshewashungrierthanshe'drealized.Itwasfiveintheafternoon.They'dbeenintheCatacombsalongtime.She shuddered as she thought about Ian and Natalie and the poison dart gun. She hoped Uncle

Alistair was all right. She still didn't trust him, but there was no denying he'd saved them in theCatacombs.Shehadterriblethoughtsoftheoldmanlyingaloneandunconsciousinthemaze.

Astheyatebrie-and-mushroomsandwiches,DandrewskullsandRomannumeralsonanapkin."Twelve,five,fourteen,"hesaid."Thosearethemissingnumbers."Amydidn'tbothercheckinghismath.Henevermesseduponnumberproblems."Maybeit'sanaddressandanarrondissement,"shesaid.187NelliewipedoffheriPod."Wouldn'ttheaddresshavechangedintwohundredyears?"Amy got a hollow feeling in her gut. Nellie was probably right. Paris might not have had the

arrondissementsystemwhenFranklinlivedhere.Andstreetaddressesdefinitelywould'vechanged--inwhichcaseFranklin'scluewasnogoodanymore.

WouldGracehavesentthemonasearchthatcouldn'tbefinished?Whynot?aresentfulvoicesaidinsideofher.Grace didn't care enough to tell you about the quest in person. IfDanhaddied in that rail pit, it

would'vebeenGrace'sfault.No,shedecided.Thatwasn'ttrue.Gracemust'vehadareason.Thenumbersmustrefertosomething

else. Amy could only think of one way to find out -- the same thing she did whenever she had anunsolvableproblem."Weneedtofindalibrary."

NellietalkedtothewaiterinFrench,andheseemedtounderstandwhattheywanted.

"Pasdeproblème,"hesaid.HedrewamaponafreshnapkinandscribbledthenameofaMétrostation:ÉcoleMilitaire."Wehavetohurry,"Nelliesaid."Hesaysthelibraryclosesatsix."Halfanhourlater,soggyandstillsmellingliketheCatacombs,theyarrivedattheAmericanLibrary

inParis.188"Perfect,"Amysaid.Theoldbuildinghadblackmetalsecuritybarsoverthedoorway,buttheywere

open.Peeringinside,Amysawstacksofbooksandplentyofcomfortableplacestoread."Whyshouldtheseguyshelpus?"Danasked."Imean,wedon'thavealibrarycardoranything."ButAmywasalreadyclimbingthesteps.Forthefirsttimeindays,shefeltabsolutelyconfident.This

washerworld.Sheknewwhattodo.The librarians came to their aid like soldiers responding to a battle cry.Amy told them shewas

researching Benjamin Franklin, andwithinminutes Amy, Dan, andNellie were sitting at a table in aconferenceroom,examiningreproductionsofFranklindocuments

--somesorare,thelibrarianstoldher,theonlycopiesexistedinParis."Yeah,here'sararegrocerylist,"Danmuttered."Wow."HewasabouttotossitasidewhenAmygrabbedhiswrist."Dan,youneverknowwhat'simportant.Backthenthereweren'tmanystores.Ifyouwantedtobuy

something,youhadtosendthemerchantanorderandhaveyourstuffshipped.WhatdidFranklinbuy?"Dansighed.'"Pleasetosendthefollowing:3--TreatiseonCyderMakingbyCave;2--NelsonontheGovernmentofChildren,8vol.,byDodsley;1Qty.--IronSolute;LettersfromaRussianOfficer--'"189"Holdit,"Amysaid.'"IronSolute.'WherehaveIheardthatbefore?""Itwasonthatotherlist,"Dansaidwithouthesitation,"inoneoftheletterswesawinPhiladelphia."Amyfrowned."Butironsoluteisn'tabook.Thiswholelistisbooksexceptforthat.""What'sironsolute,anyway?"Danasked."Oh,guys,Iknowthis!"Nelliechimedin.Sheheldupherhandsandclosedhereyeslikeshewas

rememberingtheanswerforatest."It'slikeachemicalsolution,right?Theyuseitformetalworkingandprintingandabunchofotherstuff."Amystaredather."Howdidyouknowthat?""Hey,I tookchemistrylastsemester.Iremember 'causetheprofessorwastalkingabout, like,how

theymake high-end cooking equipment. Franklin probably used iron solute for his inkwhen hewas aprinter."

"That'sgreat,"Danmuttered."Exceptforthefactthatit'scompletelyunimportant]Nowcanwegetbacktothemagicboxcoordinates?"Amystillfeltsomethingnagginginthebackofherhead,likeshewasmissingaconnection,butshe

rifledthroughtherestofthepapers.Finally,sheunfoldedahugeyellowingdocumentthatturnedouttobeanold-fashionedmapofParis.Hereyeswidened.

"Thisisit."Amyputherfingerproudlyoveraspotonthemap."Achurch.St-PierredeMontmartre.

That'swhereweneedtogo.""Howcanyoubesure?"Nellieasked.190"Thenumbersformagrid, see?" She pointed to the margins. "This is an old surveyor's map by a couple of French

scientists,ComptedeBuffonandThomas-FrancoisD'Alibard.Irememberreadingaboutthem.Theywerethe first to test Franklin's lightning rod theories. After they proved the rods worked, King Louis XVIorderedthemtodrawupaplantooutfitallthemajorbuildingsinParis.Thatchurchwasthefourteenthinstallation,atcoordinatesfivebytwelve.Franklinwould'veknownaboutthework.HewasreallyproudofhowtheFrenchtooktohisideas.That

hastobeit.I'llbetyouaboxofFrenchchocolatewe'llfindanentrancetotheCatacombsatthechurch."Danlookeddoubtful.Outside,therainwasreallycomingdown.Thundershookthewindowsofthe

library."WhatiftheKabrasgettherefirst?""Wehavetomakesurethatdoesn'thappen,"Amysaid."Comeon!"191

CHAPTER17

DanfeltlikeoneoftheCatacombskulls--hollowedoutinside.Hewasdeterminednottoshowit.Hewasembarrassedenoughthathe'dcriedonthetrainplatform.

But he kept reaching for his backpack and itwasn't there.He couldn't stop thinking about his parents'picture,whiskedawayandlostintheMétrotunnels.

Maybeithadbeenrippedtoshreds,ormaybehisparentswouldbesmilinginthedarknessforeverwithnocompanybut the rats.Allhe'dwanted todowasmake themproud.Nowhedidn'tknowifhisparentswouldeverforgivehim.

The rain was still coming down. Thunder boomed across the sky. Every fewminutes a flash oflightningwouldilluminatetheParisskyline.

IfDanhadbeeninabettermood,hewould'vewantedtoexploreMontmartre.Itlookedlikeacoolneighborhood.Thewholeareawasonebighill,toppedwithamassivewhite-domedchurchthatglowedintherain.

192"That'swherewe'regoing?"Danasked.Amyshookherhead."That'stheSacré-CoeurBasilica.Thesmallerchurch,St-Pierre,isjustbelow

it.Youcan'tseeitfromhere.""Twochurchesrighttogether?""Yeah.""Whywouldn'tFranklinchoosethebigfancyone?"Amyshrugged. "Wasn't his style.He liked simple architecture.Hewould've thought it amusing to

chooseasmallplainchurchintheshadowofabigfancyone."Thatdidn'tmakemuchsensetoDan,buthewastoowetandtiredtoargue.Theyhikedupthenarrow

streets,passingnightclubswithmusicblaringandneonsignsthatgleamedagainstthewetpavement."Iusedtohaveanightlife,"Nelliesighed.Astheyclimbedtowardthetopofthehill,Amytoldthemwhatsheknewabouttheneighborhood--

howfamousartistsusedtoliveherelikePicasso,VincentvanGogh,andSalvadorDali.Nelliepulledherraincoattighter."Mymomtoldmeanotherstory--whyit'scalledMontmartre,the

HilloftheMartyr.ShesaidSaintDeniswasbeheadedatthesummit,rightwherewe'regoing."Thatdidn'tsoundlikeaverygoodomen.Danwonderediftheystillkepttheheadinthechurch,and

whethersaints'headsreallyhadhaloes.Afewminuteslatertheystoodinamuddygraveyard,lookingupatthedarksilhouetteofSt-Pierre193deMontmartre.Thechurchwasprobablytallerthanitseemed,butwiththewhitebasilicatowering

onthehillbehindit,St-Pierrelookedshort.Itwasmadeofgraystoneslabs.Asinglesquarebelltowerrosefromtheleft-handside,toppedwithalightningrodandcross.Danthoughtthebuildinglookedangryandresentful.Ifchurchescouldfrown,thisonewould.

"Howdoweknowwheretolook?"heasked."Insidethesanctuary?"Nellieaskedhopefully."Atleastwe'dbeoutoftherain."BOOM!Thunderrolledacrosstherooftops.Lightningflashed,andinthatsecond,Dansawsomething."There,"hesaid."Thattombstone.""Dan,"Amycomplained,"thisisnotimeforyourcollection!"Butherantoamarblemarker.Ifhehadn'tbeenatombstoneadmirer,heneverwould'venoticedit.

Therewerenodates.Noname.At first,Dan thought the figurecarvedat the topwasanangel,but theshapewaswrong.Itwasweatheredandworn,buthecouldstilltell-

"Entwinedserpents,"Amygasped."TheLuciancrest.Andthere--"Shekneltandtracedanarrowcarvedatthebaseofthemarker--anarrowpointingdownintothe

earth.AmyandDanlookedateachotherandnodded."Oh,you'rekidding,"Nelliesaid."You'renotreallygoingto--""Digupagrave,"Dansaid.194Theyfoundatoolshedaroundthesideofthechurch.Theyborrowedashovel,acoupleofgardening

spades,andaflashlightthatactuallyworked.Soontheywerebackatthegraveside,digginginthemud.Therainmadeithardgoing.Innotime,theywerecompletelyfilthy.ItremindedDanofthegoodolddayswhenAmyandhewereyoung.Theyusedtohavemudbattlesandtheiraupairwouldshriekinhorrorandmakethemspendtheeveninginabubblebath,gettingcleanedup.

Dandidn'tthinkNelliewasgoingtomakethemabubblebathtonight.Slowly, the hole got deeper. It kept filling with water, but finally Dan's shovel struck stone. He

scrapedawaythemudandfoundamarbleslababoutfourfeetlongbythreefeetwide."Toosmallforacoffin,"Amysaid."Unlessit'sforakid,"Dansaid."Icouldfitinthere.""Don'tsaythat!"Danwipedthemudoffhisface,whichjustmadeitmuddier."Onlyonewaytofindout."Heworked

thespadeundertheedgeoftheslabuntilhefoundacrackandthenstartedtopry."Ineedhelp."Amyjoinedhim.Nelliegottheshovelintothecrackandtogethertheyheavedtheslabaside.Beneath

wasasquarehole,butitwasn'tagrave.Stairsleddown,intothedarknessoftheCatacombs.195As soon as they reached the bottom, Dan swept the flashlight around the room. It was a square

chamberhewnfromlimestone,withatunnelexitingtotheleftandtheright.Therewerenostacksofbones,butthewallswerepaintedwithfadedmurals.Inthecenterwasan

ornatelycarvedstonepedestalaboutthreefeethigh.Onthetopsataporcelainvase."Don'ttouchit!"Amysaid."Itmightbebooby-trapped."Danedgedclosertothevase."It'sdecoratedwithlittleFranklins."HecouldmakeoutBenholdingakiteinastorm,Beninafurcap,Benwavingacaneovertheocean

likehewasdoingsomekindofmagictrick."It'sasouvenirvase,"Amysaid."Thekindtheymadeinthe1700stocelebrateFranklin'sarrivalin

Paris.""Twentybuckssayssomething'sinside,"Danoffered."Nobet,"Amysaid."Guys,"Nelliesaid."Lookatthis."Shewasstandingatthebackwall.Dancameoverandshonethelightonthemural.Thecolorswerefaded,butDancouldmakeoutfourfigures:twomenandtwowomen,dressedin

old-fashioned clothes -- even older than from Franklin's time, like from the Middle Ages or theRenaissanceorsomething.

196Eachwaspaintedlargerthanlife.Onthefarleftwasathin,cruel-lookingmanwithdarkhair.He

heldadaggerthatwasalmosthiddeninhissleeve.FadedblacklettersathisfeetreadL.CAHILL.Nexttohimstoodayoungladywithshortblondhairandintelligenteyes.Sheheldanold-fashionedmechanismwithbronzegears--likeanavigationinstrumentoraclock.Theinscriptionunderthehemofherbrown

dressreadK.CAHILL.Toherrightwasahugedudewithathickneckandbushyeyebrows.Hehadaswordathisside.Hisjawandhisfistswereclenched,likehewasgettingreadytoslam

hisheadintoabrickwall.TheinscriptionreadT.CAHILL.Finally,onthefarright,wasawomaninagolddress.Herredhairwasgatheredinabraidoveroneshoulder.Sheheldasmallharp--likeoneofthose IrishharpsDanhadseen in theSaintPatrick'sDayparadebackhome inBoston.Her inscriptionreadJ.CAHILL.

Dan got the strangest feeling all four were watching him. They seemed angry, like he'd justinterrupted them in themiddleofa fight...but thatwasstupid.Howcouldhe tell that just fromawallpainting?

"Whoarethey?"Nellieasked.AmytouchedthefigureofL.Cahill,themanwiththeknife."L...forLucian?""Yeah,"Dansaid.Hewasn'tsurehow,butheknewimmediatelythatAmywasright.Itwaslikehe

couldreadtheexpressionsofthepaintedfigures,thewayhe197couldsometimesdowithAmy."Lucianbranch.Thatguywasthefirst.""AndK.Cahill..."Amymovedtotheladywiththemechanicaldevice."MaybeKstoodforKatrina

orKatherine?LikeEkaterinabranch?""Maybe."Danlookedattheguywiththesword."ThenTforTomas?Hey,helooksliketheHolts."ThepictureofT.Cahillseemedtoglareathim.Dancouldtotallyseehiminapurplerunningsuit.

ThenDanturnedhisattentiontothelastpicture--theladywiththeharp."And...JforJanus.YouthinkhernamewasJane?"

Amynodded."Couldbe.ThefirstoftheJanus.Look,she'sgot--""JonahWizard'seyes,"Dansaid.Theresemblancewaseerie."Thesefour,"Amysaid."Theylookalmostlike--""Brothers and sisters," Dan said. It wasn't just their similar features. It was their postures, their

expressions.Danhadbeen inenough fightswithAmy to recognize the look:Theseguyswere siblingswho'd spent years annoying each other. The way they were standing -- like they knew each otherintimatelybutwerealsotryingreallyhardnottothrottleeachother.

"Somethingmust'vehappenedbetweenthem,"Amysaid."Something..."Hereyeswidened.Shemovedtothemiddleofthemuralandbrushedawaysomecobwebsbetween

K.andT.Cahill.There,smallbutclearonthepainted198horizon,wasaburninghouseandadarkfigurerunningawayfromit--someoneshroudedinablack

cloak."A fire." Amy clutched her jade necklace. "Like Grace's mansion. Like what happened to our

parents.Wehaven'tchangedinallthesecenturies.We'restilltryingtodestroyeachother."Danranhisfingersacrossthemural.Itmadenosensethattheycouldknowwhothesepeoplewere,

buthewassureAmywasright.Hejustknewit,somewhereinside.Hewaslookingatfoursiblings--thebeginningsoftheCahillbranches.Hestudiedtheirfacesthe

wayheusedtodowithhisparents'photograph,wonderingwhoheresembledmost."Butwhathappened?"Nelliesaid."Whatwasinthathouse?"Danturnedtowardthestonepedestal."Idon'tknow,butI'mthinkingit'stimetoopenthatvase."Danvolunteered.AmyandNelliestoodbackasheslowlyliftedthevaseoffthepedestal.Nopoison

arrowsflewout.Nospikesshotfromtheceilingandnosnakepitsopenedup,whichDanfoundkindofdisappointing.

HewasabouttoopenthelidwhenAmysaid,"Wait."Shepointedtothebaseofthepedestal.Danhadnoticedthecarvings,buthehadn'trealizedexactly

whattheywere.

199"Isthat...sheetmusic?"heasked.Amynodded.Notes, lines, and stanzas were etched in the rock -- a complicated song. It brought back bad

memoriesofDan'spianoteacher,Mrs.Harsh,who'dquitgivinghimlessonslastyearafterhepaintedherminorkeyswithCrazyGlue.

"Whatdoesitmean?"heasked."Idon'tknow,"Amysaid."Franklinlikedmusic--""Probablyjustdecoration,"Dansaidimpatiently.Somethingwasrattlingaroundinsidethevase,and

hewasitchingtoopenit.Heputhishandonthelid."Dan,no!"Amysaid.Butheopenedit.Nothingbadhappened.Danreachedinsideandpulledoutacorkedglasscylinder

wrappedinpaper."Whatisthat?"Amyasked."Liquid,"Dansaid."Avialofsomething."Heuntiedthepaperandtosseditaside."Hey!"Amysaid."Thatcouldbeimportant.""It'sjustawrapper."Shepickeditupandunfoldedit.Shescannedwhateverwasonitandquicklytuckeditinhershirt

pocket.Dandidn'tcareaboutthat.Hewastryingtodecipherthewordsetchedontheglassvial.Insidewasathickgreenliquid,liketheslimeheusedtoplaywithandthrowathisfriends.Theinscriptionread:

200[proofreader'snote:printedonthevial is"Saothugearchsith,osIgearchethe.Sueyhtslslkihet

urthtotefre."]"Whatisthat?"Nelliesaid."German?"Amyasked."Uh-uh,"Nelliesaid."That'snolanguageI'veeverseen."Suddenly,Dan'swholebodytingled.Thelettersstartedrearrangingthemselvesinhishead."It'sone

ofthosewordpuzzles,"heannounced."Wheretheyscrambletheletters.""Ananagram?"Amysaid."Howcanyoutell?"Dancouldn'texplain.Itjustmadesensetohim,thesamewaynumbersdid,orlocks,orbaseballcardstats."Givemeapieceofpaperanda

pen."Amyfishedaroundinherbag.Theonlypapershecouldfindwasapieceofcrèmecardstock--their

originalclueaboutPoorRichard --butDandidn'tcare.HegaveAmy thevialand took thepaper.Heturneditoverandwroteontheback,unscramblingtheanagramwordbyword:

Asthouchargethis,soIchargethee.Usethyskillsthetruthtofree.201Nelliewhistled."Okay,I'mimpressed.""It'sthesecondclue,"Dansaid."Thesecond

bigone.Thishastobeit."Amyfrowneddoubtfully."Maybe.Butwhatdoesitmean--Asthouchargethis?"Suddenly,lightfloodedtheroom."Goodjob,cuz!"Atthefootofthestairs,drippingwetbutlookingquitepleasedwithhimself,was

JonahWizard.Hisfatherstoodbehindhimwithavideocamera."Man, this'llmakegreatTV."Jonahsmiledwickedly."This is thepartwhere I swoop in,bust the

lightweights,andganktheclue!"202

CHAPTER18

ArushofdesperateenergyfilledAmy'sbody,likeithadwhenshe'dpulledDanoutoftherailpit.Shehadn'tcomealthiswaytodealwithaconceitedjerklikeJonahWizard.SheimaginedGrace'svoiceinherhead,speakingwithtotalconfidence:Youwillmakemeproud,Amy.

Sheraisedthevial."Backoff,Jonah,or...orI'llsmashit!"Helaughed."Youwouldn't."Buthesoundednervous."Awesomefootage!"Jonah'sdadsaid."Keepitrolling,son.Greatchemistry.""Andputdownthatcamera!"Amyshouted.DanandNelliestaredather inamazement,butAmydidn'tcare.Shedidn'tcarehowvaluable the

vialmightbe,either.She'dhadenoughoftheCahillfamily'sbackstabbing.Shewassoangryshedidfeellikethrowingtheglasscylinderagainstthefloor.Apparently,Jonahsensedit,too."Allright,cuz.Takeiteasy.We'reallfriendshere,right?"203"Thecamera!"Amysteppedforwardlikeshewasgoingtochargehim.Jonahflinched."Dad,stopthecamera.""But,son-""Justdoit!"Reluctantly,Jonah'sdadstoppedfilming."Okay,Amy."Jonahputonhisdazzlingsmile."We'regoodnow,right?Youknowthat'sthesecond

clue.Ifyoudestroyit,thewholequestends.Nobodygetsanything.Thatwhatyouwant?""Backup,"sheordered,"intothecorner.GostandbyJane."Jonahfurrowedhiseyebrows."Who?""Themural.Gostandbytheladyintheyellow--yourgreat-great-great-great-great-grandmother."Jonahclearlydidn'tknowwhatshewastalkingabout,buthewentalong.Heandhisdadbackedinto

thecorner.Danwhistled."Nicejob,sis.""Getupthestairs,"shetoldhim."Youtoo,Nellie.Hurry!"Assoonastheywereup,Amyfolowed,butsheknewJonahandhisdadwouldn'tstayputforlong."Thatwasawesome!"Danwasbouncingupanddownwithexcitement. "Canweseal themdown

there?""Dan,listen,"shesaid."TheinscriptionAsthouchargethis.Ithinkthestuffinthisvialisinert.""What'sanert?"204"Inert!Likeinactive.Itneedsenergytocatalyzeit.Franklinmessedaroundwithchemistry.Whenhe

saysa'charge'..."Dangrinned."Ofcourse!""It'sdangerous.""Nochoice.""Whatareyouguystalking--"Nellieglancedtowardthestreet."Oh,poop.Look!"

A purple ice cream truckwas barreling toward them. It swerved to a stop in front of the gates.EisenhowerHoltscowledbehindthewheel.

"Insidethechurch!"Amysaid."Quick!"Theyracedupthepath.Amytuggedopenthesanctuarydoorsandcrashedstraightintoacherry-red

suit."Hello,mydearchildren."UncleAlistairsmileddownatthem.Helookedlikearaccoonwithhis

twoblackeyes.StandingnexttohimwasIrinaSpasky.Amy'sheartcrawledintoherthroat."You...youandher?""Now, now," the old man said. "I saved your life in the Catacombs. I told you alliances are

important.I'msimplymakingfriendswhereIcan.Isuggestyouhandoverthatvial,mydear.IwouldhateforCousinIrinatouseherpersuasivetechniques."

Irinaextendedherfingernails.Atinyneedlesproutedfromeachone.Amy turned to run, but her eyeswidened.Somethingwashurtling towardher from the street -- a

largewhitecube.205"Duck!"sheyelled.Nellie,Dan,andshehitthefloorasacrateoficecreamsailedovertheirheads.

Thecratemust'vebeenfromthebackofthefreezer,becauseitcrashedintoAlistairandIrinalikeablockofcementandknockedthembothflat.

"Revengetime!"EisenhowerHoltyelled,pullingmorefrozenammunitionfromthebackofhisvan.Arnoldthepitbullbarkedexcitedly.ThewholeHoltfamilychargedupthesidewalk,eachholdingacrateofcrèmeglacée.

"Amy,"Dansaidnervously."Areyou..."Hedidn'tfinish,butsheknewwhathewasasking.Thelasttimethey'dencounteredtheHolts,Amy

had panicked. This time she couldn't afford to. That Cahill mural in the secret room had steeled herwillpower.

"Nellie,getoutofhere,"sheordered."Theydon'twantyou.Gocallthepolice!""But-""That's the bestway you can help us.Go!"Amy didn'twait for an answer. She andDan dashed

insidethechurch,leapingoverthegroaningformsofAlistairandIrina.Theyrantowardthebackofthesanctuary.Amydidn'thavetimetoadmirethechurch,butshefeltlikeshe'dplungedintotheMiddleAges.Gray

stonecolumnssoareduptoavaultedceiling.Endlessrowsofwoodenpewsfacedthealtar,andstainedglasswindowsglintedinthedimlightofprayercandles.Theirfootstepsechoedonthestonetiles.

206"There!" Dan yelled. A door stood open on their left -- a steep flight of stairs leading up. Amy

latchedthedoorbehindthem,butsheknewitwouldn'tholdtheHoltsforlong.Theyscrambledupthestairs.Danstartedwheezing.Amyputherarmaroundhimandhalfcarried

him.Up,up,up.Shehadn't realized thebell towercouldbesohigh.Finally, she founda trapdoorand

threwitopen.Rainpoureddownonherface.Theyclimbedintothebelfry,whichwasopentothestormonallsides.Abronzebellthesizeofafilecabinetsatinonecorner.Itlookedlikeithadn'tbeenrungincenturies.

"Helpme!"Amycried.Shecouldhardlymovethebell,buttogether,theymanagedtodragitontopofthetrapdoor.

"That-should-hold,"Danwheezed."Little-while."Amyleanedoutthesideofthetower,intotherainanddarkness.Thegraveyardlookedimpossibly

farbelow.ThecarsonthestreetlookedliketheMatchboxtoysDanusedtoplaywith.Amygropedalongthestonewalloutsidethewindow.Herfingersclosedaroundacoldmetalbar.Atinysetofrungswasembeddedinthesideofthetower,leadinguptothesteeple,abouttenfeetaboveher.Ifshefell...

"Stayhere,"sheorderedDan."No!Sis,youcan't--"207"Ihaveto.Here,takethis."Shegavehimthepaperthathadbeenwrappedaroundthevial."Keep

thatdryandhidden."Danstuffeditintohispants."Sis..."Helookedterrified.Amyrealizedmorethaneverhowalonetheywereintheworld.All theyhad

waseachother.Shesqueezedhisshoulder."I'llmakeitback,Dan.Don'tworry."BOOM!Thebellshudderedassomeoneunderneath,someoneverystrong,slammedintothetrapdoor.BOOM!Amyslippedtheglassvialintoherpocketandswungonelegoutthewindow,intoopendarkness.Shecouldbarelyhangon.Rainstunghereyes.Shedidn'tdarelookdown.Sheconcentratedonthe

nextrungoftheladder,andslowly,shepulledherselfupontotheslantedtileroof.Finally,shewasatthepeak.Anoldironlightningrodpointedintothesky.Atitsbasewasametal

ringlikeatinybasketballhoop,andbelowthatagroundingwire,justlikeFranklinhadrecommendedinhisearlyexperiments.Amylashedthewirearoundherwrist,thentookoutthevial.Itwassoslipperyshealmostlostit.Carefully,sheslippeditintotheironring--aperfectfit.

Sheinchedbackdowntheroof."Please,"shethought,holdingontighttotherungs.208Shedidn'thavetowaitlong.Thehairstooduponthebackofherneck.Shesmelledsomethinglike

burningaluminumfoil,andthen,CRACCCCK!Theskyexploded.Sparksraineddownallaroundher,hissingonthewettiles.Dazed,shelosther

balanceandskittereddowntheroof.Shegrabbedfranticallyandcaughtarungsohardpainshotupherwrist.Butsheheldonandbegantoclimbbacktothetop.

Theglassvialwasglowing.Thegreenliquidinsidewasnolongermurkyandslimy.Itseemedtobemadeofpuregreenlight,trappedinglass.Carefully,Amytouchedit.

Therewasnoshock.Itwasn'tevenwarm.Sheslippedthevialoutofitsbraceandputitbackinherpocket.

Asthouchargethis,soIchargethee.Thehardestpartwasstilltocome.Shehadtogetawaysafelyandfigureoutwhatshe'djustcreated."Dan! Idid it!"Sheclimbedback into thebell tower,buthersmilemelted.Danwas lyingon the

floor,boundandgagged.Standingoverhim,inblackcombatfatigues,wasIanKabra."Hello,cousin."Ianheldoutaplasticsyringe."I'lltradeyou.""MMMM!"Danstruggledandtriedtosaysomething."MMMM!MMMM!""Let--lethimgo!"Amystammered.Shewassureherfacewasbrightred.Shehatedthatshewas

stuttering209again.WhydidIanKabraturnhertonguetolead?The bronze bell shuddered. TheHoltswere still pounding away below, trying to get through the

trapdoor."Youonlyhaveafewsecondsbeforetheycomeup,"Ianwarned."Besides,yourbrotherneedsthe

antidote."Amy'sstomachclenched."Wh-whathaveyoudonetohim?""Nothingthatcan'tbereversedifyouactinthenextminuteorso."Iandangledtheantidote."Give

meFranklin'svial.It'safairtrade.""MMM!"Danshookhisheadviolently,butAmycouldn'trisklosinghim.Nothingwasworththat.Notaclue.

Notatreasure.Nothing.Sheheldout theglowinggreenvial. Ian took itandshesnatched theantidoteoutofhishand.She

kneltnexttoDanandstartedtuggingatthegaginhismouth.Ianchuckled."Nicedoingbusinesswithyou,cousin.""You'll--you'llnevermakeitoutofthetower.You'retrappedupherethesameas--"Thensomethingoccurred toher.HowhadIangottenuphere in thefirstplace?Shenoticedstraps

runningacrosshischest,likeaclimbingharness.Athisfeetlayabundleofmetalpolesandblacksilk."Another thingFranklin loved." Ianpickeduphisbundleandbegan fastening theblacksilk to the

metalframe."Kites.HepulledhimselfacrosstheCharlesRiverwithone,didyouknow?"210"Youcouldn'thave--""Oh,yesIdid."Hepointedtotheglowingdomeofthelargerchurchatthetopofthehill."Isailed

rightdownfromSacré-Coeur.AndnowI'mgoingtosailrightoutagain.""You'reathief,"Amysaid.Ianhookedhisharnesstothehugeblackkite."Notathief,Amy.ALucian,thesameasBenjaminFranklin.Whatever is in thisvial, itbelongs to theLucians. I thinkoldBen

wouldappreciatetheironyofthis!"Andjustlikethat,Ianjumpedoutofthebelfry.Thewindtookhim.Thekitemust'vebeenspecially

designed tosupportahuman'sweight,becauseIansailedsmoothlydownover thegraveyardandfenceandlandedatacontrolledrunonthesidewalk.

Somewhereoutinthestorm,policesirensscreamed.ThebellshudderedastheHoltfamilypoundedagainstthetrapdoor.

"MMMM!""Dan!"Amyhadcompletelyforgottenhim.Sherippedoffhisgag."Ow!"hecomplained."Justholdstill.I'vegottheantidote.""Ianwasbluffing!"Dangroaned."Iwastryingtotellyou.Hedidn'tgivemeanything!I'mnotpoisoned.""Areyousure?"211"Positive!Thatstuffhegaveyouisuseless.Ormaybeit'spoison."Disgustedwithherselfforbeingsostupid,Amythrewdownthesyringe.SheuntiedDanandhelped

himstand.Thebronzebellshudderedoncemoreandlurchedaside.Thetrapdoorburstopen.EisenhowerHoltclimbedintothebelfry."You'retoolate,"Dantoldhim."Iantookit."Hepointedtowardthestreet.AcabhadjustpulledupwithNatalieKabrainback.Ianclimbedin

andtheytookoffthroughthestreetsofMontmartre.Mr.Holtgrowled."I'llmakeyoubothpayforthis.I'll-"Sirenswailedlouder.Thefirstpolicecarappearedaroundthecorner,bluelightsflashing."Dad!"Reagan'svoicecalledupfromthestairs."What'sgoingon?"Asecondpolicecarappeared,racingtowardthechurch."We'releaving,"Eisenhowerdecided.Heshouteddowntohisfamily:"Everybody,aboutface!"He

tookonelastlookatAmyandDan."Nexttime..."HeletthethreathangintheairandleftAmyandDanaloneinthetower.Amy looked out into the rain. She spotted Uncle Alistair hobbling away down a side street, a

Fudgesiclestucktothebackofhischerry-redsuit.IrinaSpasky212staggeredoutthefrontofthechurch,sawthepolice,andbrokeintoarun."Arretez!"apolicemancried,andtwoofthemstartedafterher.Nelliewasstandingonthesidewalkwithafew

moreofficers.ShewasyellingfranticallyinFrench,pointingtothechurch.Despiteallthechaos,Amyfeltstrangelycalm.Danwasalive.They'dsurvivedthenight.She'ddone

exactlywhatsheneededtodo.Asmilecreptoverherface."Whyareyousohappy?"Dancomplained."Welostthesecondbigclue.We'vefailed!""No,"Amysaid."Wehaven't."Danstaredather."Didthatlightningfryyourbrain?""Dan,thevialwasn'ttheclue,"shesaid."Thatwasjust...well,I'mnotsurewhatitwas.Agiftfrom

BenjaminFranklin.Somethingtohelpinthesearch.Buttherealclueisthatpieceofpaperyoustuffedinyourpants."

213

CHAPTER19

Danwasthrilledthatthesecondcluehadbeensafelysmuggledoutofthechurchinhispants."So,really,Isavedtheday,"hedecided."Waitaminute,"Amysaid."Iclimbedontotheroofinthemiddleofathunderstorm.""Yeah,butthecluewasinmypants."Amyrolledhereyes."You'reright,Dan.Youaretherealhero."Nelliecrackedasmile."Youbothdidprettygood,ifyouaskme."TheyweresittingtogetheratacaféontheChamps-Élysées,watchingthepedestriansandenjoying

morepainauchocolat.Itwasthemorningafterthestorm.Theskywasblue.They'dalreadypackedtheirbagsandchecked

outoftheMaisondesGordons.Allthingsconsidered,Danfeltlucky.He still had somedoubts aboutwhat they'dgone through. Inparticular, hedidn't like that Ian and

Nataliehadgottenaway.He'dhatedbeingtiedup,andhewantedtogetbackatIan.Butitcould'vebeen214worse.Atleasttheyhadn'tgottenlostforeverintheCatacombsorslammedinthefacewithaboxof

icecream."Istillwanttoknowwhatwasinthatvial,though,"hesaid.Amy twirled her hair thoughtfully. "Whatever it is, it's supposed to give one team an advantage

freeingthetruth--thathastomeanthefinaltreasureofthecontest.SinceIanandNataliehavethevial...well,I'vegotabadfeelingwe'llfindoutwhatitdoesprettyquick."

"If these Lucian dudes created it," Nellie said, chewing on her croissant, "maybe it's like somespecialkindofpoison.Theyseemtolovepoisons."

"Maybe,"Dansaid,thoughtheanswerfeltwrong.Hestilldidn'tliketheideathatBenFranklinwasrelatedtoIanandNatalie.He'dstartedtoadmireFranklin--whatwiththefartessaysandthelightningandall.Nowhewasn'tsureifoldBenwasagoodguyorabadguy."Butwhatwouldpoisonhavetodowithapieceofsheetmusic?"

Amytooktheparchmentoutofherbackpackandspreaditonthetable.Danhadalreadystudieditadozentimes.Heknewitwasanexactcopyofthesongthey'dseenengravedonthestonepedestalinthesecret room, but he didn't know why it was important. When he'd woken up that morning, Amy hadalreadybeenresearchingonhislaptop.Usuallyshedidn'tliketheInternet.Forsomeweirdreason,shesaidbookswere

215better,soDanknewshemust'vebeenreallydesperateforinformation."Ifounditonline,"Amysaid."How?"Dansaid."IdidasearchforBenjaminFranklinplusmusic.Itcameuprightaway.That'sanadagioforarmonica.""BenFranklin'sinstrument,"Danremembered."Thewaterontheglassrimsthing."

"Yeah, but I have a feeling this ismore than amusical score."Amy sat forward.Her eyeswerebright,likesheknewasecret."Wefoundthesonganddownloadedit.

Listen."NelliehandedoverheriPod."Notmykindofmusic.Butwhatever."Danlistened.Hefeltlikehewasbeingfilledwithhelium.Themusicwassofamiliarandbeautifulit

madehimwant to floatacrossParis,but it alsoconfusedhim.Usuallyhehadno trouble rememberingthings,buthecouldnotrecallwherehe'dheardthismusicbefore."Iknowthissong..."

"Dadusedtoplayit,"Amysaid."Inhisstudy,whenhewasworking.Heplayeditallthetime."DanwantedtorememberwhatAmywastalkingabout.Hewantedtolistentothesongoverandover

untilhecouldseetheirdadinhisstudy.ButNellietookbacktheiPod."Sorry,kiddo.You'vestillgot,like,mudinyour

ears.""Thenotesareacode,"Amysaid."Thewholepieceofmusicissomekindofmessage."216"Andourparentsknewaboutit,"Dansaidinamazement."Butwhatdoesitmean?""Idon'tknow,"Amyadmitted."But,Dan,yourememberhowMr.McIntyresaidthethirty-nineclues

arepiecesofapuzzle?""Yeah.""Istartedthinkingaboutthatlastnight,afteryoudecodedthatmessageonthevial.Istartedwondering...whywasn'tthefirstcluelikethat?"Shebroughtoutthecrèmepaperthey'dpaidtwomilliondollarsfor.Dan'sscrawlednotesfilledthe

backside.Onthefrontsidewastheirfirstclue:RESOLUTION:Thefineprinttoguess,SeekoutRichardS___Nelliefrowned."ThatledyoutoFranklin,right?Wasn'tthattheanswer?""Onlypartly,"Amysaid."It'salsothefirstpieceofthepuzzle.It'sacluetoanactualthing.Thatclickedformelastnightwhenyoumentionedanagrams,Dan."217Heshookhishead."Idon'tgetit."ShetookoutapenandwroteRESOLUTION."Youaskedmewhythiswordwaspartoftheclue.I

didn'tunderstanduntilnow.We'resupposedtoguessthefineprint."ShepassedthepaperandpentoDan."Solvetheanagram."

Danstaredattheletters.Suddenly,hefeltlikehe'dbeenzappedbyaFrankinbattery.Thelettersrearrangedthemselvesinhismind.Hepickedupthepenandwrote:IRONSOLUTE"Idon'tbelieveit,"Nelliesaid."Thiswholethingwasaboutironsolute?""It's thefirstpieceofthepuzzle,"Amysaid."It'saningredient,oracomponent,orsomethinglike

that.""Forwhat?"Danasked.Amypursedher lips. "Ironsolutecouldbeused forchemistry,ormetalworking,orevenprinting.

There'snoway to tell,yet.Andwedon'tknowhowmuchwe'resupposed touse.Every timeFranklinmentionedironsolute,hejustwrote'1quantity.'"

"We'vegottofindout!"

"Wewill,"Amypromised."Andthesheetmusic..."Shespreadherhandsovertheadagioscore."It'saningredient,too,"Nellieguessed."Ithinkso,"Amysaid."That'showyoucantellthebigclues.Theygiveyouanactualingredient.Wejustdon'tknowhowtoreadthisoneyet.""Buthowdowefindout?"Danprotested.218"ThesamewaywedidwithFranklin.Wefindoutaboutthepersonwhowroteit.Thecomposerwas

--"Amystoppedabruptly.Comingdownthestreetwasafamiliarfigure--athinbaldingmaninagraysuit,carryingacloth

suitcase."Mr.McIntyre!"Dancried."Ah,thereyouare,children!"Theoldlawyersmiled."MayI?"Amyquicklyfoldedthefirstandsecondcluesandputthemaway.Mr.McIntyresatwiththemand

orderedacoffee.He insistedonpaying for theirbreakfast,whichwasokaybyDan,butMr.McIntyreseemed nervous.His eyeswere bloodshot.He kept glancing across theChamps-Élysées as if hewasafraidhewasbeingwatched.

"Iheardaboutlastnight,"hesaid."I'msosorry.""It'snobigdeal,"Dansaid."Indeed.I'msureyou'llbeabletobacktrack.Butisittrue?DidtheKabrasreallystealthesecond

cluefromunderyournoses?"Dangotannoyedalloveragain.Hewantedtobragaboutthesheetmusicthey'dfoundandtheiron

solutething,butAmycutin."It'strue,"shesaid."Wehavenoideawheretogonext.""Alas."Mr.McIntyresighed."Ifearyoucan'tgohome.SocialServicesarestillonalert.Your aunt has hired a private detective to find you. And you cannot stay here. Paris is such an

expensivecity."219HiseyesfixedonAmy'snecklace."Mydear,Idohavefriendsinthecity.Iknowthiswouldbea

desperatemeasure,butIcouldpossiblyarrangeasaleforyourgrandmother's--""No,thankyou,"Amysaid."We'llgetbyjustfine.""Asyouwish."Mr.McIntyre's tonemadeitclearhedidn'tbelieveher."Well, if there'sanythingI

cando.Ifyouneedadvice--""Thanks,Mr.McIntyre,"Dansaid."Butwe'llfigureitout."Theoldlawyerstudiedthemboth."Verygood.Verygood.Ifearthere'sonemorethingImustaskof

you."Hereacheddownforhisclothbag,andDannoticedtheclawmarksonhishands."Whoa,whathappenedtoyou?"Theoldmanwinced."Yes,well..."Heploppedthebagonthetable.Somethinginsidesaid,"Mrrrp!""Saladin!"Amy andDan cried together.Dan grabbed the bag and unzipped it. The big silver cat

slinkedout,lookingindignant."I'mafraidwedidn'tgetalong."Mr.McIntyrerubbedhisscarredhands."Hewasnothappywhenyoulefthimwithme.HeandI...well,hemadehisfeelingsquiteclearthathewantedto

bereturnedtoyou.Itwasquiteataskgettinghimthroughcustoms,Idon'tmindtellingyou,butIreallyfeltIhadnochoice.Ihopeyou'llforgiveme."

220Dancouldn'thelpgrinning.Hehadn'trealizedjusthowmuchhe'dmissedtheoldcat.Somehow,havinghimheremadeupfor losing thevial. Itevenmadehimfeela littlebetterabout

losinghisparents'photograph.WithSaladinaround,he felt likehis familywascomplete.For the firsttimeindays,hethoughtmaybe,justmaybe,Gracewasstilllookingoutforthem."He'sgottocomewithus.Hecanbeourattackcat!"

Saladinstaredathimasiftosay,Showmesomeredsnapper,kid,andI'llthinkaboutit.Dan expected Amy to argue, but she was smiling as much as he was. "You're right, Dan. Mr.

McIntyre,thankyou!""Yes,er,ofcourse.Nowifyou'llexcuseme,children.Iwishyougoodhunting!"Heleftafifty-eurobillonthetableandhurriedoutofthecafé,stilllookingaroundlikeheexpected

anambush.ThewaiterbroughtmilkinasaucerandsomefreshfishforSaladin.Nobodyatthecaféseemedto

thinktherewasanythingstrangeaboutsharingbreakfastwithanEgyptianMau."Youdidn'ttellMr.McIntyreaboutthemusic,"Nelliesaid."Ithoughthewasyourfriend.""Mr.McIntyretoldustotrustnoone,"Amysaid."Yeah,"Dansaid."Andthatincludeshim!"221Nelliecrossedherarms."Doesthatincludeme,too,kiddo?Whataboutouragreement?"Danwasstunned.He'dcompletelyforgottenthatNelliehadonlypromisedtocomewiththemonone

trip.Hisheartsank.He'dstarted takingNellie forgranted.Hewasn'tsurewhat theywoulddowithouther.

"I...Itrustyou,Nellie,"hesaid."Idon'twantyoutoleave."Nelliesippedhercoffee."Butyou'renotgoingbacktoBoston.WhichmeansifIgoback,I'llgetin

hugetrouble."Danhadn'tthoughtofthat,either.Amystaredguiltilyatherbreakfast.Nellieinsertedherearbuds.Shewatchedacoupleofcollege-ageguyswalkingdowntheroad."This

hasn'tbeenabadjob,Iguess--Imean,ifIhavetoworkwithtwoannoyingkids.Maybewecouldmakeadifferentdeal."Danshifteduncomfortably."Adifferentdeal?""Somedaywhenyoufindyourtreasure,"Nelliesaid,"youcanreimburseme.Fornow,I'llworkfor

free.BecauseifyoukiddosthinkI'dletyouflyaroundtheworldandhavefunwithoutme,you'recrazy."AmythrewherarmsaroundNellie'sneck.Dangrinned."Nellie,you'rethebest.""Iknowthat,"shesaid."C'mon,Amy,you'remessingupmystreetcred.""Sorry,"Amysaid,stillgrinning.Shesatdownagainandbroughtoutthemusicscore."Now,asIwassaying--"222"Oh,right,thecomposer,"Danremembered.Amypointedatthebottomofthepaper."Look."Intheright-handcornerbelowthelaststanza,Danmadeoutthreescrawledlettersinfaded

blackink:W.A.M."Wam,"Dansaid."Wasn'tthataband?""No,dummy!Thoseareinitials.ItoldyousomefamouspeoplemademusicforBenjaminFranklin's

armonica.Thisguywasoneofthem.TowardtheendofFranklin'slife,hemust'vemetthiscomposer.I

thinktheywerebothCahills.Theymust'vesharedsecrets.Anyway,Ilookeditup.Thiswasthecomposer'slastpieceof

chambermusic.ItsofficialnameisKV617.""Catchytitle,"Nelliemuttered."Thethingis,"Amysaid,"therearelotsofcopiesofthisadagio.Andthere'sstilltheversioncarved

instoneonthatpedestal.Theotherteamswillfigureouttheclueeventually.WehavetohurryandgettoVienna."

"Whoa,holdon,"Dansaid."Vienna,Austria?Whythere?"Amy'seyestwinkledwithexcitement."Becausethat'swhereWolfgangAmadeusMozartlived.And

that'swherewe'llfindthenextclue."223

CHAPTER20

WilliamMcIntyremadehisappointmentjustintime.HesteppedoutontotheobservationdeckoftheEiffelTower.Thedayafteraheavyrain,theairwas

cleanandfresh.Parisglistenedbelowasifallitsdarksecretshadbeenwashedaway."Theydidn'ttrustyou,"themaninblacksaid."No,"Williamadmitted.Hiscolleaguesmiled."Theylearnquickly."WilliamMcIntyrekepthisannoyanceincheck."Thingscouldhavegoneworse.""Theycouldhavegonemuchbetter.Wewillhavetowatchthemmoreclosely,don'tyouthink?""Already taken care of."WilliamMcIntyre took out his cell phone.He showed his colleague the

screen--thelastnumberhehaddialedinVienna,Austria.Themaninblackmadealowwhistle."Areyousurethat'swise?""No,"Williamadmitted."Butnecessary.Nexttime,therecanbenomistakes."224"Nomistakes," theman in black agreed.And together, theywatched the city of Paris spread out

belowthem,tenmillionpeoplecompletelyunawarethatthefateoftheworldhunginthebalance.