The 39 Clues Rapid Fire 01- Legacy

7/28/2019 The 39 Clues Rapid Fire 01- Legacy

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UNLOCK A TOP SECRET FILE

ABOUT THE CAHILLS DEADLIEST

ENEMY

THE VESPERS!

1. The seven Rapid Fire storieeach contain a fragment of a

code. Collect the fragments in

order to assemble a complete

ten-digit code.


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2. Go to www.the39clues.com

3. Click on My Cards.

4. Enter the ten-digit Rapid Fire

code to unlock a digital card

and Top Secret Vesper file!

The code fragment for this story is

VE

Are you ready to save the world?


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Contents

Cover

Title

Code

Legacy

Copyright


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Eight Months Before the Clue Hunt

On Christmas morning, Grace Cahill learne

she was dying of cancer.

She watched as Dr. Zimmerman set a thin

older down on the desk. They were in a wid

study in Graces house. She was the kind o

person people made house calls for, even on

Christmas. All that bad news from such a sma


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ile. It struck Grace as strange, though sh

wasnt sure why. She was an accomplished

chemist and knew that the most terrible thing

often came in small doses.

How long? Grace asked, as though th

question were an involuntary reaction. Isn

hat what people ask in this situation?

Dr. Zimmerman sighed, removing he

glasses and pinching the bridge of her nose

Patients at this stage usually have a tim

rame of around six months. Thats abou

where Id put you, Grace.

Six . . . It wasnt enough time. There wa

still too much to prepare, too much that th


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children didnt know. And if they werent ready

he whole world could suffer. Ill take eight,

Grace said.

Grace, said Dr. Zimmerman. Youre a

strong and ambitious woman. I know your

going to fight this, which is why Im telling yo

six months instead of three. But you need t

accept that you are dying. Soon.

Grace found her eyes were locked on he

hands, which were knotted firmly in her lap

They were the only things she could focus o

ight then. She didnt dare meet th

oncologists eyes, in case she betray no

sadness or fear, but anger. Grace was furious


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with herself. Shed spent her whole lif

searching for the 39 Clues, but it still wasn

enough time. Shed failed.

Dr. Zimmerman reached for Graces hands

You need to be thinking about your love

ones right now. Your family. Are they taken

care of? Have you spent the time with them

hat you need to? Its Christmas morning, an

where are they? Now is the moment to mak

sure they understand how much they mean t

you, and ensure that they are provided for.

Provided for. Graces thoughts snappe

back to the legal documents locked in a hidde

compartment in that very desk, right below he


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est results. They would change not only th

ves of her family, but perhaps the very cours

of human history. Grace slowly withdrew he

hands, patting out invisible wrinkles in he

blouse.

Thank you, Barbara. I think youre righ

There are affairs that still must be set in order

Im sorry, Grace. Ill still do everything

can

No, thank you. You said exactly what

needed to hear, I think. Ill come to your office

next week to talk treatments.

Grace led Dr. Zimmerman to the door and

said good-bye, then moved silently to th


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window. She was nearly eighty years old

Death was no stranger to her. Shed seen i

ake many others, including her belove

daughter and son-in-law. Staring death in th

ace now was nothing compared to finding

had sneaked by to claim her only child first.

Grace watched the snow begin to fall ove

he front lawn of her estate like a blanket, or

powder, or any of those soft and comforting

hings snow was supposed to be in moment

ke this. But she didnt need comfort righ

now. She needed to make a decision.

A coughing fit brought her cat, Saladin, int


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he room. Saladin was a large, gray Egyptia

Mau and had been Graces travel companion o

many adventures. When she first starte

getting sick, it had been Saladin who seeme

o sense it. In the week preceding her recen

prognosis, he had barely left her side at all.

Graces cough subsided. Reaching down t

pet Saladin, she noticed his fur was wet wit

melted snow.

Youve been prowling the neighborhood

havent you? she said. Quite a trek throug

he snow, just to fertilize the neighbors yards.

Saladin mewled, as if feigning surprise a

he accusation.


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Well, itll be spring by the time they fin

your little gifts, and by then . . . Grac

paused. By then, theyll have much bigge

hings to worry about. The whole worl

might.

Grace was the matriarch of the Cahills, th

most influential family the world had eve

known. George Washington, Napoleon, Ameli

Earhart nearly every important figure in th

ast five hundred years had belonged to one o

ts five branches. Most of the family member

hemselves didnt know the true extent of th

Cahill legacy or the terrible responsibilit

hat came with it. Only Grace had figured ou


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he truth of the 39 Clues that concealed th

source of the Cahills great power. It had been

he defining goal of her life to find each of th

Clues, and protect them from her ruthles

amily.

And only Grace knew that the Cahill

werent alone in the search for the Clues. A

shadowy organization, the Vespers, lurke

somewhere in the dark places of the world

and crept into her thoughts now.

Grace produced a small key seemingly from

nowhere, and moved quickly from the window

o the large, carved cherrywood desk at th

center of the room. She opened a drawer i


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he desk, then felt around within it. There wa

a soft clicking noise as a smaller, hidden

compartment descended into place. Sh

unlocked the secret drawer and pulled it open

Splayed within, like an open deck of cards

were the legal documents that would set int

motion a deadly serious scavenger hunt for th

very Clues shed worked her whole life t

protect. But she was dying, and someone mus

come forward who was strong enough to stan

against the Vespers.

Now that the moment had finally arrived

however, she found that she was hesitating.

She picked up the small pen that lay besid


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he documents. Just a bit of ink to paper, and

she would drop her only grandchildren into th

ray. Such terrible things from such sma

doses.

Grace set the pen down.

All her life, Grace had been tormented b

he worry that someone with selfish or ev

aims would find the 39 Clues. But for fiv

hundred years, the Clues had remained safel

hidden.

Saladin approached cautiously, watching

Grace tuck the documents back into the secre

desk drawer.


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No one had ever been able to locate all th

Clues. Soon Grace would be dead, and her

she was on Christmas morning, laying plans t

protect them from her grave. She wouldn

place such a heavy burden on the two peopl

she loved most Amy and Dan Cahill, he

grandchildren.

Grace locked the drawer once more, an

moved hurriedly to the phone on the other sid

of the room. Saladin scampered out of he

path as she crossed, now completely obliviou

o him.

The world was safe enough withou

eccentric old Grace Cahill shaking things u


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one last time. The Vespers hadnt been hear

rom in over a decade, and Grace pushed them

irmly out of her mind. It was decided.

The secrets of the Clues would die with her

t was Christmas, and Dan Cahill was not in

good mood.

Sit down, dweeb, Amy said. Youre

making me nervous.

Whats taking her so long? Dan said

pacing back into the cramped living room from

he bathroom. Grace was supposed to call tw


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hours ago! Dan was dressed in his usua

Christmas outfit: a black ninja costume

complete with plastic throwing stars stuffe

nto his pockets.

I cant imagine why shed be trying to dela

he inevitable, said Amy, looking back down

at the Tchaikovsky biography she had open on

her lap. Maybe it has something to do with th

neighbors seeing an eleven-year-old ninj

being driven up to her house.

Grace has way weirder people than m

coming in and out all the time, Dan said

You, on the other hand, are about as borin

as it gets. If Grace is worried about anyon


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cramping her style, Id point to the gloom

nerd reading about Chucklesky.

Tchaikovsky. He composed the score fo

he ballet The Nutcracker.

Dan threw his hands up. How am

supposed to get any better at making yo

sound like a loser if you just do all the work fo

me?

Amy cocked her arm back to throw he

book at her brother. Dan yelped and bolted

nto his room, slamming the door. A

handwritten sign on the front read FORT NO

NERDS.

Amy sighed and lowered the book bac


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onto her lap. At this point she was jus

pretending to read she couldnt actuall

concentrate on the sentences in front of he

while she waited for Graces call. In her pocket

her cell phone felt like it weighed a thousan

pounds, and she kept imagining she felt

inging. But it never did.

Dan was always a little exasperating th

ime of year even more than his usual day

o-day annoying but this holiday had bee

especially trying for the two Cahill siblings.

Amy looked around, taking in the tin

apartment. Paper Christmas decorations an

streamers were strewn along half the room


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They cut off abruptly, though, the streamer

alling limply to the carpet. Frida, their mos

ecent au pair, had been hanging them when

Amy and Dans guardian called to lay her off.

Amy and Dan were orphans. Their parent

had died in a fire years ago. Though they wer

egally in the care of their great-aunt Beatrice

she opted to have the siblings housed apa

rom her, hiring a constant and varied stream

of live-in au pairs to watch over them. The

never lasted very long. Beatrice had a habit o

quickly firing them, often for no reason at all.

Dan emerged from his room after a few

minutes. Hed switched out the ninja getup fo


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a sweater, jeans, and his backpack, but he sti

had the mask hanging around his neck. H

held a plastic throwing star up in a defensiv

position.

Try anything with the book, and your

getting this right between the eyes, he said.

If you throw that anywhere near my face

dweeb, theyll be burying you in that goof

costume.

Dan narrowed his eyes. You are a worth

ival, nerd-san.

Amy smirked and shook her head. Listen,

wouldnt worry, she said, as a sort of peace


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offering. Im sure Grace is busy wit

something important. Maybe shes getting us

eally incredible present . . . a little bit late.

She wished there was more she could d

or Dan. Her little brother would never adm

how sad he was, but she knew. Earlier in th

day shed presented him with his Christma

present to try to cheer him up, a huge pack fu

of bottle rockets. It had taken her months t

save up for the gift and convince Frida to d

he actual purchasing for her. Still, it was wort

t to see Dan get excited about something

even if just for a little while. She knew tha

presents werent everything. Every holida


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story since holiday stories began had drille

hat point home. But they didnt hurt, either.

Dan shrugged and lowered the throwin

star. He shook his backpack off and dug

hrough it, pulling out the pack of bottl

ockets.

Can we shoot some of these off while w

wait?

Amy thought about it for a moment. Yo

wouldnt rather do it at Graces house, with a

hat space in the yard?

I have some ideas I want to try out, Da

said with a grin. Like, what happens if you ti

wo, or even three rockets together, end to


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end, so theyre all pulling in opposit

directions?

Someone gets hurt, probably, Amy said

doubtfully.

Or something even cooler than that.

We should probably just wait for Grace,

Amy said, looking back down at her biography

Dan crossed his arms. You know what? Im

ired of waiting. If we arent important enoug

or her to pick us up on time on Christmas,

dont see why she should keep me from havin

un. Im going out. He replaced the rockets in

his backpack and slipped it over his shoulders

hen stalked over to the apartment door an


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opened it.

Wait, what? Amy said, looking up from

he book. No! What should I say to Grace?

Tell her Im busy with something

mportant.

Slam.

Suddenly, Amy was alone in the apartment

Alone with Tchaikovsky.

Fine. If Dan wanted to act like a brat, tha

wasnt her problem. She lifted the book to he

ace and stared at it intently.

All of ten seconds passed before she haule

herself up with a sigh of resignation, grabbe

her coat from the hanger by the door, and


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ollowed her brother out.

Dan, wait!

Amy huffed as she ran carefully along the slic

Boston sidewalks.

Stupid . . . dweeb . . . , she said to no on

n particular.

Dan had broken into a run as soon as h

noticed his sister was following him, and th

werp was smaller and way faster than her

What did he think he was accomplishing b

shooting off like this, anyway?


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Hes going to give himself an asthma attack

Amy thought.

It was especially embarrassing when the

passed the odd jogger or dog walker who wa

out that day. Dan had pulled the ninja mas

back up over his face, and Amy wasnt so fa

behind that she couldnt see the looks o

confusion and then amusement that cam

over strangers faces as they watched a pint

sized ninja run by. Or the looks of pity tha

ollowed as she came panting after.

Everything okay? one woman asked a

she passed.

Amy was sure her face was Christmas


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ornament red from the exertion already, but

t wasnt, she would have blushed furiously.

Mm . . . hm! she wheezed, lowering he

head and sprinting forward.

Eventually, Dan curved left, hitting Hyd

Park Avenue.

Oh, dweeb, where are you going? Am

pleaded internally.

He surprised her when he curved again, th

ime onto a road Amy didnt recognize. Th

scenery changed drastically as she followed

The apartment-filled street gave way to large

decrepit warehouses. The area was a gray an

white mix of cement, stone, and the occasiona


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bare, skeleton-thin tree.

Between the holiday and the weather, Amy

expected that such a sparse industrial stree

would be completely empty, but was surprised

o see three figures in dark motorcycle outfit

standing near the entrance of a warehouse. A

hree wore jet-black helmets with the visor

down. One of the three, the tallest an

broadest by far, had a bright red stripe that cu

across his jacket like a bloody wound. Am

ried not to look, but could see from the corne

of her eye three helmets turning as she passed

She found herself holding her breath


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Something about their faceless visors creepe

her out.

She picked up her speed.

About a block down, she spotted Dan. He

pulled the ninja mask up from his mouth an

was leaning against the side of a brick building

Amy could tell that his breathing was a littl

agged.

Not that she was in great shape herself, bu

Dan had asthma, and almost neve

emembered to bring his inhaler anywher

with him.

Amy came to a stop a few feet from Dan

and nearly doubled over.


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You . . . are such . . . a child, she panted.

Dan didnt respond. He just leaned agains

he wall, trying to suck in air.

Amy fumbled through her coat pocke

Shed taken to keeping a spare inhaler on he

whenever she went anywhere with her brother

She pulled it out now and handed it to him.

Dan pressed it to his lips and pushed dow

on the canister, breathing in the aerosol. Hi

gasping breaths evened out. Then, slowly, the

eturned to normal.

Thanks, he said meekly.

Amy sighed. Its okay, dweeb.

Im sorry. Dans voice cracked a bit, and i


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wasnt from being out of breath. Underneat

he ninja mask, Amy could see that his eye

were red and moist. She realized now why he

kept it on.

I know, she said more softly. Its okay.

Dan looked away, embarrassed.

Amy decided to give him a bit of room an

urned around to survey the area. It wa

snowing heavily now. She and Dan had neve

been to this part of Hyde Park before, and th

neighborhood looked especially unfamilia

covered in white. It was also eerily quiet.

Lets get out of here, okay? I dont like thi

place.


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Its not so bad, Dan said, sniffing and

standing up straight. I dont see a singl

brary.

Im serious, Dan, Amy said.

Amy heard the sound of snow crunchin

underfoot behind her. Turning around, she

could just make out three figures approachin

hrough the snowfall. She realized they wer

he same three men from before.

Amy took a step back. I think we shoul

go.

The biggest of the figures, the one with th

bright red stripe on his jacket, reached into h

pocket and pulled out a brown glass bottle. H


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uncapped it and held a white cloth to the lip.

It took a moment before Amy recognize

what she was seeing. The action was familiar

but she couldnt place from where.

Whats he doing? Dan said, his voice now

serious.

Then it hit her. Shed read a spy nove

earlier in the year, where some terrorists tried

o bring down an agent by kidnapping h

amily. So theyd followed his daughter from

school one day and . . .

Thats chloroform! Amy gasped.

Why would


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Suddenly, the men sprinted forward

heading straight for Amy and Dan.

Run! Amy screamed, grabbing Dans arm

and turning in the other direction. Sh

scrambled forward with her brother in tow

The snow was making visibility difficult, not t

mention running.

Dan pulled on his sisters arm, slowing he

pace. In there! he said, pointing to a fenced

n side lot. The fence enclosing the lot wa

ocked with a thick chain and padlock, bu

here was a gap between the chain and th

gate that might just be wide enough for th

wo of them to squeeze through.


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Amy curved toward the fence and moved t

he side, pushing Dan in through the gap first

He was smaller, and slid through easily.

Dan turned once he was on the other sid

and grabbed Amys arm. Amy glanced over he

shoulder. Though obscured by snow, the three

men couldnt have been more then twenty fee

away. Amy tried slipping in through the bar

while Dan pulled.

But she didnt fit. She was trapped outsid

with the kidnappers.

Oh, no, she rasped. Oh, no, no, no.

She wiggled around, trying desperately t

squeeze through the gap. Dan groaned as h


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pulled.

Come on, Amy! he said. Come on!

I cant! Amy said in a panic.

Then, as if just to contradict her, Amy fel

her body moving. Before she had a chance t

eel relieved, she was suddenly through th

ence, crashing onto Dan and sending them

both spilling into the snow.

Amy was up in a flash and searchin

around the lot while Dan scrambled to his feet

Oh, no, she said. The lot was surprisingly

arge, but it had no outlet besides the gate. A

he doors to the warehouse were closed an


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bolted shut.

Amy, Dan said, look. He nodded in the

direction of one of the doors. Positioned righ

next to the doorway was a series of five larg

metal dumpsters.

No, Amy said, shaking her head. No

way.

How long do you think itll take those guy

o climb a fence? Dan said. We have to hide!

Dan raced to the farthest dumpster, lifted

he lid, and shimmied inside. Get in! h

hissed, peeking his head out. It doesnt sme

thatbad.

Amy whimpered slightly as she put he


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hands on the metal lip of the dumpster, then

scrambled ungracefully in beside her brother

owering the lid behind her. She had to crouch

nto an awkward perching position once inside

t smelled exactlythat bad.

Ugh, Amy gagged. This smells wors

han the fort in your room.

Shh!

They could just make out the sounds o

hree gravelly voices coming from outside.

. . . they go?

Prob . . . to . . . out.

No . . . saw . . . here.

There was a loud, metallic noise, followe


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by the sound of a chain falling away. They

heard the gate swing open.

Whats going on? Dan whispered. Hi

voice was shaking, and Amy could feel him

shivering beside her. Why would anyone be

after us, of all people? Amy wanted to take h

hand, but was terrified she might lose he

balance and make a noise.

The voices were getting louder.

. . . sure these are Grace Cahill

grandkids? one of the voices said. . . . woul

hey be out alone?

Amy and Dan stopped breathing

Something was very wrong.


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Who knows . . . saved us the trouble . . .

. . . Vesper, and get some more people ou

here. Search the area until you find them. . .

whatever force is necessary.

The voices and sound of crunching snow

began moving farther away. Soon the lot wa

quiet.

He said Graces name, Dan whispered.

They must be trying to get a ransom out o

her, said Amy. A deep, terrible panic was

setting in. It seemed to pulse through her lik

a heartbeat, so intense it made her light

headed.

What was that other thing he said? Da


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said. About a Vespa?

They w-werewearing helmets, Amy said

Her vision was slowly adjusting to th

darkness. She couldnt see much, but she coul

see that Dans eyes were wide with fear. She

had to keep it together for her brother. Amy

pulled her cell phone out of her pocket. Th

ght from the screen illuminated the content

of the dumpster around them. It was blessedl

un-full, but Amy couldnt help imagining th

vermin that probably made the place the

home at night. Under the blue light of th

phone, Dans face was pale and serious


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Huddled up in the corner of the dumpster, he

ooked as terrified as she felt.

Im calling the police, Amy said. Mak

sure they arent right outside.

Espionage is what ninjas do best, Da

said, with a weak grin. He tried to soun

ough, but his voice was thin and shaky. Dan

ose up to risk a slow, careful look out from

small hole chewed out of the top corner b

ust.

Two dark-clad figures stood near the

entrance to the lot. The gate was wide ope

now, and Dan could just see that one of th

igures had the handles of what he assume


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were bolt cutters hanging out of his jacke

pocket.

Two of them are watching the exit, he

whispered. It looks like the third one left, th

big one with the red stripe on his jacket. Thes

guys really came prepared. They cut open th

chain on the fence.

Cut the chain? Amy whispered. Sh

swallowed, attempting desperately to shove th

ear down into some manageable compartmen

of her brain. She needed to think. She neede

o get help.

Im calling the p-police now, Amy said.

Oh, no, she thought. Her stammer wa


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starting, as it always did when she was nervou

and had to talk to people. And she was mor

han just nervous now. She was delirious wit

ear.

Amy looked down and took a deep breath

Somehow she managed to dial 911 into th

phone with her shaking fingers. She placed

o her ear, and was startled when an operato

answered after only a single ring.

Nine-one-one, the woman said coolly

Whats your emergency?

H-hi, Amy said, trying to remain calm.

Dont stammer, dont stammer, don

stammer.


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He-hello, y-yes. My b-brother and I ar

near H-Hyde Park and these m-men are t-t

rying to hurt us.

Can you tell me where you are exactly?

he operator said, her voice becoming serious.

Im n-not sure, Amy said. We got a little

-l-lost.

Dan peeked out of the dumpster again, the

mmediately shot back down. Hang up, quick

In a panic, Amy ended the call. Second

ater she heard the snow crunch as feet passe

n front of the dumpster, then stopped.

Then the whistling began.

Amy and Dan sat in silence, not daring t


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breathe, barely daring to think. Just abov

hem, one of the kidnappers casually an

deliberately whistled a creepy old children

song called Alouette that Amy recognize

rom school. The song was about plucking th

eathers from a small bird.

This was it, Amy realized. They wer

caught. Dead, maybe. The guy was toying wit

hem.

They waited for what seemed like a

eternity. The whistling sounded like it was righ

n Amys ear. Her lungs burned with the effor

of holding her breath.


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Then the song suddenly finished. Am

expected the dumpster lid to go shooting up

o see that terrible black visor staring down a

hem. Instead, the crunching footsteps slowl

moved off.

Amy breathed in the rank air of th

dumpster, and it felt like a miracle. It was a

she could do not to break into tears.

Theyre going to check the dumpster

eventually, Dan whispered, after a few

moments. And they said more guys were o

he way. His voice was shakier than Amy had

ever heard it.

What do we do? Amy said. I cant kee


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calling the police and hanging up. I dont eve

know where we are.

Amy jumped when she heard a lou

metallic bang coming from the far end of th

ot.

Whats that? she whispered.

Dan looked at her with round eyes. Theyv

started, he said. It was the sound of

dumpster lid being thrown open.

In the darkness, Amy heard Dan unzippin

his backpack. I have an idea, he said. But w

have to be prepared to run.

Bang!

Whats your idea?


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Suddenly, a light flared in the dumpster. In

one hand Dan held a sterling Zippo lighter. In

he other was the pack of bottle rockets Am

had gotten him for Christmas.

Whered you get that lighter? sh

demanded.

Frida, Dan said, closing it. She left

behind. Remember how she was always talkin

about camping and outdoorsy stuff? She sai

she kept a water-resistant lighter on her at a

imes, in case she needed emergency fire.

There was a short beat of silence in th

dumpster.


54/82

Huh, said Dan. Except probably now.

Are you s-sure about th-this? said Amy

Bottle rockets?

Bang!They were getting closer.

No, said Dan. But were out of time. Jus

get ready to run, okay?

Amy swallowed, and nodded at her brother

Dan pulled two rockets from the pack. H

stood up and peeked out from under the lid

The kidnappers were near the fence, checkin

a dumpster two down from them. So far s

good. He aimed one of the rockets for th

other end of the lot, away from both th

entrance and the dumpster.


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Here goes, he said. Dan opened the Zippo

and lit the fuse.

It hissed for half a second, then the rocke

shot screaming away.

Crack!

Over there! one of the kidnapper

shouted.

Amy started to rise. Lets go!

Wait, Dan said, aiming the second rocket

Its a two-part plan. He lit the fuse and the

ocket shot off in the direction of the would-b

kidnappers.

Auuuurrrrgghh!

Run now! Dan said.


56/82

Amy and Dan burst from the dumpster an

scrambled for the entrance of the lot. Lookin

behind him, Dan saw that one of th

kidnappers was frantically fanning his butt

which was smoking slightly.

Part two was completely unnecessary

wasnt it? Amy yelled as they ran.

Yup! shouted Dan.

There they go! The kidnappers ha

spotted them.

Amy grabbed Dans arm and surge

orward. They made it out of the lot an

urned left, heading back in the direction they


57/82

come from. They ran as fast as they could bac

oward home, but the snow continued to fa

heavily and the pair kept stumbling. Am

ooked behind her and gasped. The men wer

ust a few yards away, and gaining.

Follow me, she said, still tightly gripping

Dans arm. She shot to the right, turning dow

a small side road. About halfway down, sh

urned right again.

Wait, what? Dan said. Were going bac

he other way!

Exactly, said Amy. Its unpredictable

Hopefully the kidnappers wont think we

double back, either.


58/82

The street theyd backtracked onto was jus

as deserted, but Amy spotted a battere

plywood fence farther down in front of them

She ducked behind it, pulling Dan with her

After a few seconds, she could hear the slap o

he kidnappers feet as they ran past.

It worked, Amy thought. I cant believe

worked!She pulled Dan in closer to her.

Suddenly, Amys phone started vibrating

She reached into her jacket pocket, fumbling t

pull it out. On the screen was the name Grac

Cahill.

Amy hit answer and placed the phone t

her ear. Grace, were in t-trouble, Amy


59/82

stammered.

Whats happened? her grandmother

voice answered from the other end, wasting n

ime.

Were in Hyde Park. These m-men ar

ollowing us, Amy whispered as loudly as sh

dared. They said your n-n-name and theyr

bringing more guys to try and f-find us.

Tell her about the Vespas, Dan said.

Shush! Amy hissed.

What did Dan just say? Grace said, he

voice rising. Amys heart almost stopped. She

never heard her grandmother sound afrai

before.


60/82

A voice from their left, getting louder. The

kidnappers were returning. There was no time

She looked around her. The place was littered

with garbage, including glass bottles, a larg

piece of tarp, and . . . twine.

She made a decision. If Dan could be brav

n this awful situation, so could she. She didn

have any other choice.

Dan, she whispered. Get the bottl

ockets out.

Amy, do not engage these men, Grac

said from the phone. Do you understand me

m calling the police.

Grace . . . Amy sobbed.


61/82

Amy? said Grace.

We love you.

Amy, no! Do no

Amy hung up the phone. She looked ove

o Dan, who was holding a fistful of bottl

ockets, his eyes wide.

Im going to get us out of this, Amy said

Dont worry, d-dweeb. It wasnt exactly

comforting.

Dan was shaking like the last leaf of winter

his face completely serious. If only you

brought that book about Chucklesky. Tha

huge thing would scare these guys away fo


62/82

sure.

Tchaikovsky, Amy said with a small smile

She grabbed one of the bigger glass bottle

nearby. How many rockets can we fit into

his?

Five safely, Dan said. Lets try fifteen.

Do it, Amy said, handing the bottle to

him. She picked up a bit of twine from th

ground. Okay, Dan, ready to see wha

happens when you tie three bottle rocket end

ogether so they all pull in different directions?

Dan looked up at his sister. A huge grin

spread across his face.


63/82

Two faceless, black-clad figures stalked bac

along the side street, methodically searchin

he area. They kicked over every trash can

crumpled every box, checked every doorway

and smashed in every window. They move

with ruthless precision. The chase had gone o

ong enough.

Halfway down the street, one of the figure

stopped in place, and motioned for the other t

be quiet. His partner slowly lowered th

ecycling bin hed been looking under.


64/82

There. Yes. Definitely the sound o

whispering. He moved, slowly and silently, to

he corner of a side street. Peering around, h

spotted a shadow hidden behind a bit o

dilapidated wooden fencing. A long section o

arp hung out from behind the fence. Th

Cahill brats were clearly trying to hide unde

he tarp.

The man and his partner sneaked up ver

slowly to the fence, treading carefully onc

hey were on the tarp. Turning, the ma

nodded to his partner, who nodded back. They

unged around the fence.

There stood Dan alone, with a ninja mas


65/82

pulled over his face. Fifteen hissing bottl

ockets were pointed right at them.

Screaming bottle of death-jutsu! Da

yelled.

The rockets exploded into the air just as th

men turned to run. Behind them, Amy burs

out from under a section of tarp. She made

noise that was part battle cry and part scream

of terror, and pulled hard on it.

Amy was no Wonder Woman, but the men

panic and the slick, snow-covered surface o

he tarp were enough. The two kidnappers fe

on top of each other, under a shower o

ireworks. Amy threw the tarp over th


66/82

kidnappers. Dan lit the bottle rocket daisy chai

and tossed it in after them, then tied the end

of the tarp in a quick, messy knot. Inside, ther

was a series of screeches and cracks, and th

kidnappers started shrieking.

Amy grabbed Dans hand and ran.

That whole thing would have been muc

cooler in my ninja costume, Dan puffed.

No, it wouldnt, said Amy. She rounded

he corner that led back the way they came, i

oward town.

And slammed right into the third kidnapper

Things seemed to happen in slow motion


67/82

Both Amy and the kidnapper were knocke

back. Dan let go of Amys hand, and before h

even realized what he was doing he charge

orward, pushing the off-balance figure with a

his strength.

Somehow the shove worked, and the ma

ell over into the snow. Dan grabbed Amy

pulling her back into a run.

But the kidnapper was up fast, and chasin

hem down. Looking back, Amy realized tha

he was gaining on them with incredible speed

even in the snow. His shining, blank visor gav

no clue as to the person inside, but he wa

close enough that Amy could see herse


68/82

eflected in the helmet, running, her face

contorted mask of fear. In the quiet of the

snowy street, Amy could hear the mans heavy

growling breaths under his helmet as he ran.

Then he reached into his jacket pocket an

pulled out a gleaming steel knife.

For a brief second, the blade caught th

eflection of the red stripe in the kidnapper

acket, and Amy imagined it covered in blood.

No, no, no, no, she pleaded, straining

orward. Though she ran desperately, it wa

difficult to get any traction in the snow. He

egs were burning, but she willed them to kee

going. Snow whipped past her face, but Am


69/82

couldnt feel it anymore. All she could thin

about was the gleam of the knife and the blan

visor of the kidnapper behind her.

Hes gaining! Dan screamed. Hes got

knife!

I know!

Amy didnt dare look behind her again h

sounded too close. Any second now shed b

wrenched back and feel the edge of that knif

pushed against her neck.

Then she saw it.

The route shed taken from the populate

street was right in front of them. It glowe

with a shifting white and blue light, like som


70/82

magical pathway home in a fairy tale. An

below the noise of her ragged breathing, of th

slap of the mans feet just behind them, sh

heard a sound more wonderful than all th

Tchaikovsky scores combined a car engine.

Amy made a hard left turn, practicall

dragging Dan with her. There, idling on the

side of the road, was a police car flashing it

ghts. Amy had never seen anything mor

beautiful.

Its them! said a nearby voice. The kid

who made the call!

Two police officers rushed over to Amy and

Dan. Huffing and wheezing, Dan turned aroun


71/82

o point to their pursuer, but the street wa

empty of anything except soft, white snow.

This cant possibly all be for us, Dan said, hi

mouth hanging open long after hed finishe

speaking. The parlor of Graces mansion wa

illed wall to wall with Christmas decorations

Enormous, ornate wreaths hung on the walls

dressed in shimmering white ribbons, an

almost every surface in the room was covere

n flickering red and gold candles. A warm fir

crackled conversationally from the fireplace i


72/82

he back of the room, where two beautifu

stockings were hanging, full to bursting.

At the center of the parlor, a giant tre

owered over piles and piles of gifts in shinin

ed and green wrapping paper, all of which

was encircled by what looked like a functionin

oy train set. It was as if a city of presents ha

been built into the side of a jolly gree

mountain.

Mugs of steaming chocolate, eggnog, an

cider were laid out on a table, as well as a feas

of meats, cheeses, and candy. Dan noted wit

approval that there were plenty of re

gummies.


73/82

Well, it isnt for Beatrice, said Grace

crossing her arms and smiling. Christmases a

her mansion had always been elaborate. Afte

everything Amy and Dan had been through, a

he loss, she felt they deserved it. But this yea

Grace had gone all out.

This is incredible, Amy said, shaking he

head. It must have taken weeks to put all th

ogether.

Grace gave her an odd smile. I had

eeling wed want a big Christmas this year. A

day to remember.

When Amy and Dan had arrived at he

house in a police car, Grace had ushered them


74/82

nside quickly. The police said they wanted

statements from the two, but Grace insiste

hey leave her grandchildren to enjoy what wa

eft of their Christmas. In the end, the officer

elented, so long as Grace promised to brin

hem to the station the next day. No one could

stand up to Grace when shed made up he

mind.

Dan rushed over to the tree and lifted a bo

with his name on it, tearing into the wrappin

paper.

Amy grabbed a cup of cider and sat dow

n one of the parlors plush leather chairs wit

a sigh of pleasure.


75/82

My legs are killing me, she said. Im

never exercising again.

Baseball cards! Dan shouted. His eye

widened as he pulled one out. Do you know

how much this one is worth?!

Amy plugged her ears. If you dont b

quiet, Im going to tell Grace to take it back.

Dan answered by turning the train set on. I

attled to life and chugged forward with

pleasant whistle.

I have my own questions for the two o

you about what happened, said Grace. You

must be exhausted and half-starved, though

Get to work on the chocolate and cider. I have


76/82

a few calls to make, but when I get back yo

can unwrap the rest of your presents and te

me everything.

Okay, said Dan, not even looking up from

he cards fanned out in his hand.

Thanks, Grace, said Amy, sinking even

deeper into the chair. But can I take a showe

irst? We kind of had to spend a little time in

dumpster today.

Grace smiled. Ive hidden in my fair shar

of trash cans before. Nothing to b

embarrassed about. Ill bring back som

owels.


77/82

Grace stepped from the parlor into a long

dark hallway and closed the door. The warm

ght of the fire and candles cut off abruptly

eaving only the light of the darkening twiligh

o guide her. Still, she moved surely down the

hallway, stopping in front of a door and

urning on a light in the room inside, where

phone was set out on a small side table.

Grace picked it up, and dialed a numbe

rom memory.

Good afternoon. Yes, I know what day

s, so spare me the dramatics. I need you t

begin preparations to hire Nellie Gomez righ

away. Beatrice wont be a problem. I will insist


78/82

Thank you.

Grace hung up, staring out at nothing for

moment. When she broke into a sma

coughing fit, Saladin entered the room

watching her from afar.

So, Grace said softly, after the coughs

subsided. The Vespers are back.

Her fingers clenched into tight fists. Th

pain of her regret was almost physical. Thoug

t agonized her more than they would eve

know, there was no choice. The Clue hun

would go on, and Dan and Amy would be righ

n the middle of it. If they only understoo

what theyd actually accomplished today


79/82

escaping the clutches of perhaps the mos

errifying organization the world had ever seen

f they only . . .

Theyre onlychildren!Grace lifted her fist

and pounded them into the side table. Saladi

an from the room in terror.

She exhaled softly. This was their las

Christmas together. The last simple

uncomplicated one the two might ever have

She wouldnt spoil it.

Just one more call to make, Grace said

She picked up the receiver, and her hand

ngered over the buttons.


80/82

Then, slowly and deliberately, she dialed

number she thought she would never have t

call. After three rings, a voice answered.

Hello, Professor Astrid Rosenbloom? M

name is Grace Cahill. Professor, its imperative

hat you listen to me with an open mind. Th

ate of the world may well be at stake.


81/82

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ibrary of Congress Control Number: 2011943441

Copyright 2011 by Scholastic Inc.All rights reserved. Published by Scholastic Inc., Publishersince 1920. SCHOLASTIC, THE 39 CLUES, and associateogos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks oScholastic Inc.

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Clifford Riley would like to acknowledge Zachary Clark.

Cover design by Keirsten Geise; Rapid Fire logo design bCharice SilvermanFirst edition, December 2011

Scholastic US: 557 Broadway New York, NY 10012Scholastic Canada: 604 King Street West Toronto, ON M5V 1E1Scholastic New Zealand Limited: Private Bag 94407

Greenmount, Manukau 2141Scholastic UK Ltd.: Euston House 24 Eversholt Street ondon NW1 1DB

e-ISBN 978-0-545-45197-0

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