the 39 clues rapid fire 01- legacy
TRANSCRIPT
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in etrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by an
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recordingor otherwise, without written permission of the publisheFor information regarding permission, write to Scholastnc., Attention: Permissions Department, 557 Broadway
New York, NY 10012.
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.
All rights reserved under International and Pan-AmericaCopyright Conventions. By payment of the required feeou have been granted the non-exclusive, nonransferable right to access and read the text of this e
book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced
ransmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reversengineered, or stored in or introduced into any informatiotorage and retrieval system, in any form or by an
means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known oereinafter invented, without the express writte
permission of publisher.
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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