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suddenly remembering.
    “Then that’s where the Tattletale’s clues are leading us,” Jessie concluded, looking back over her shoulder toward the Mona Lisa Gallery.
    “But why?” Benny wanted to know.
    It was a good question. But none of them had the answer.

CHAPTER 7
The Invitation
    It was the Mona Lisa ” Henry told Grandfather that evening at dinner. “She’s the lady with the famous smile.”
    “And thanks to Violet,” added Jessie, helping herself to the roasted potatoes, “we finally figured it out.”
    Benny, who was pouring gravy onto his roast beef, suddenly looked up. “I helped, too,” he reminded them.
    “You sure did.” Henry nodded. “You figured out that Josiah Wade was the one standing guard.”
    Violet lifted green beans onto her plate. “We stopped in to tell Mrs. Spencer about it. But she wasn’t home.”
    “What I can’t understand,” put in Henry, “is what the Mona Lisa Gallery has to do with a snapdragon mystery.”
    “Milly Manchester’s the key,” said Benny. “I just know it.”
    The others had to admit Benny was right. All the clues had something to do with Milly.
    Jessie started adding everything up on her fingers. “There’s the message on the paper airplane. Didn’t Milly and Mrs. Spencer pass messages like that in school? And how about the snapdragon in Mrs. Spencer’s pansy bed? Milly became an artist because of a snapdragon.”
    “She even put them in her paintings,” Benny reminded them.
    “Don’t forget about Leonardo da Vinci,” put in Violet. “He was Milly’s favorite artist.”
    “Even the Mona Lisa Gallery has a connection,” Henry pointed out. “Mrs. Spencer always wanted Milly to enter their contest.”
    Jessie nodded. “I bet that’s where we’ll find the missing piece of this puzzle.”
    “Speaking of the gallery,” said Grandfather, as he reached into his pocket, “I have something you might find interesting.” He pulled out a square white envelope and handed it to Violet.
    Curious, Violet put down her fork and opened the flap of the envelope. Pulling out a white card, she read aloud the words in fancy gold script: “ ‘To James Alden and Guests, You are invited to the opening-night exhibit of works by Margaret Longford, winner of the annual art contest sponsored by the gallery. Mona Lisa Gallery. Greenfield Town Square.’ ”
    “I’m on the gallery’s mailing list,” explained Grandfather.
    “Oh, Grandfather!” cried Violet. “That’s tonight! Are you going?”
    “Well, I just might,” said Grandfather, his eyes twinkling. “If I have some company, that is.”
    Violet clasped her hands together. “It would be wonderful to go to an art show.”
    “And we can look for clues while we’re there!” Benny was so excited, he was bouncing in his seat.
    James Alden smiled at the children’s eager faces. “I’m not sure you’ll get a chance to do much detective work,” he warned them. “I have a hunch the gallery will be packed to the rafters tonight. From what Edmund tells me, Margaret Longford’s paintings have caused quite a sensation.”
    Henry lifted an eyebrow. “Edmund?”
    “Edmund Rondale’s the owner of the Mona Lisa Gallery,” Grandfather told Henry. “He takes great pride in discovering new artists.”
    “Oh, I can’t wait to go!” cried Violet. She sounded very excited.
    Soon enough, the children were coming down the stairs, ready for their night out. Jessie was wearing a pale pink skirt and a white blouse. Violet had a lavender ribbon in her hair that matched her frilly lavender dress. Benny had changed into a gray blazer and navy trousers. And Henry was wearing a maroon blazer and gray trousers.
    “My, what a fine-looking group!” said Mrs. McGregor, smiling fondly at the children.
    “We wanted to look especially nice for the art show.” Benny gave his neatly combed hair a little pat.
    James Alden was adjusting his tie in the hall mirror. “No one will ever guess you’re on the trail of a