9 Collecting clues

Chapter 9 Collecting clues They rushed to their room and picked up the book. It fell open at the last page of writing. "Lord Midnight's diary," said Sally, in excitement.

Adam noticed the date. "That's the day the midnight accidents happen," he said, quietly. Sally gasped. "It's also today!" Adam looked at his watch. "In less than two hours it will be midnight," he said. "The curse may strike us next..." Not if we find the stone first...

"It says in the diary that the stone is hidden in a room that isn't there..." That doesn't make sense! Maybe he means the secret room. Their hearts beating fast, Sally and Adam raced back to the secret room. There was so much stuff, the stone could be anywhere.

With a sudden icy gust, two candles lit up an oil painting. Sally looked at the painting, then looked again. A man with a funny hat on was moving his arm. "He's pointing at something," she realized. "Only the picture frame," said Adam.

"Then let's look there," said Sally. With trembling hands, she lifted down the painting... pulled the canvas away from the frame... ...and spotted a folded-up piece of paper. Adam unfolded it and read a scribbled clue.

Before the clock begins to chime, You must find the key to time. Open the box, watch dancers glide. The key to time is safe inside. "What key?" puzzled Adam. "What box?" asked Sally. Time crept on as they searched the cluttered room.