If you press links we provide, we may receive compensation.
The Ghosts of Greenglass Housegoes on sale Oct. 3.
Get a first look at the books cover and read an exclusive chapter excerpt below.
TWO
The Bachelorette Party
Everybody froze.
There was a distinct rattle of dishes in the kitchen: Mrs. Caraway had dropped something in shock.
Milo turned slowly to look warily at his parents.
Was that what I think it was?
The bell rang again.
It had a slightly tinny, buzzing edge to its tone.
I guess Id better go.
Does that mean someone wants to come up?
Not up, Milos father said as he headed for the door.
Thats not the railcar bell.
Ill come, too, Milo said, darting for his boots and coat.
Greenglass House had two bells these days.
Usually this was the bell that announced guests, since most of them arrived by boat.
But there was a second, newer bell, one that Milos father had put in only this year.
The Pines hadnt heard it since theyd tested it back when it had first been installed.
Milo and his father bundled up and marched out into the cold.
You know what this means, Mr. Pine said thoughtfully.
Yeah, Milo replied.
I wonder whos with him.
In actuality, it was a train station.
Hey, Milo, he said as they approached.
Bell worked, I take it.
Like a charm, Mr. Pine said, shaking Brandons gloved hand.
Was this a test?
Got a couple dubious characters looking for a place to lie low.
Wanted to verify the coast was clear.
Meanwhile, Mr. Pine made a face.
Hes leaving day after tomorrow.
He craned his neck to peer over Brandons shoulder.
Its a surprise, Brandon said drily.
He leaned back into the station.
You guys catch all that?
Want to chance it?
Like we have anywhere else to go, Brandon.
Can we just go in?
Im freezing my tail off here!
Milos dad recognized them, too.
Come on out, you two, he laughed.
Brandon stood aside, and two women in their twenties burst out of the station.
sang the one with a fringe of red curling out from under her black stocking cap.
Merry Christmas, said the other, who wore a black beret over bright blue hair.
With apologies for the lack of notice.
Despite how little Milo relished the idea of more guests at the house, these two were different.
Now, it seemed, theyd come as friends.
Hi, Georgie, Milo said, raising a hand in greeting.
Its nice to see you.
Whats this waving stuff?
red-haired Clem Candler demanded.
Next youre going to take a stab at shake hands.
She wrapped him in a big hug.
It was cold, but notthatcold.
Is your hair wet?
And my shoes, Georgie grumbled.
And my clothes, which is why Im drowning in Brandons.
For which I am extremely grateful, she added as they all started walking toward the house.
Whyis your hair wet?
And what are you doing here?
Not that we arent delighted to see you, obviously.
Obviously, Clem said, grinning.
Then her usual good humor faded.
These two questions are not unrelated.
Were on the lam, Georgie said grimly.
But if anyone asks, this is Clems bachelorette weekend and Im treating her to a cozy winter getaway.
Mr. Pine repeated dubiously.
Is this just a clever cover, or is there some truth to it?
The best covers always have some truth to them, Clem said.
Yes, Owen and I are getting married.
Just before New Years.
Her voice trailed off.
If I didnt just go and screw it all up beyond repair, Georgie finished.
Clem touched her shoulder.
I wasnt going to say that.
I know you werent.
Milo glanced at his father.
They had reached the lawn.
Clearly theres more to this than were going to have time to hear just now, Mr. Pine said.
But hes staying until day after tomorrow, so until then, what do we call you?
Georgie and Clem glanced at each other.
Real names are fine, Georgie said.
Aliases arent going to help us out of this one.
They know who we are and what we look like.
Georgie and Clem shouted hellos and took off at a trot for the warmth of the indoors.
Apparently it was going to be a full house for a while.
Neither had much in the way of luggage.
Clem had a smallish backpack and a short document tube, and Georgie had a messenger satchel.
Halfway up the stairs, Milo remembered his manners.
Want me to take those?
Thanks, Milo, but theres glass in mine again, Georgie said with a half smile.
Last year hed smashed a bottle of perfume while helping with Georgies luggage.
Im fine, Clem said.
he asked as they reached the third-floor landing.
Three E.
Lets go up to five, Clem said tiredly.
So you might get your runs in again?
When shed been a guest here last year, Clem had spent a lot of time running the stairs.
But she shook her head.
Just looking for privacy.
I dont know if Im going to feel much like running.
This was totally unlike the Clem Candler he knew.
They trooped up to the fifth floor, above which there was nothing but attic.
Wait, he huffed.
Clem and Georgie leaned warily out their doors, still holding their bags.
Can I justthere are two windows on this floor I havent sketched yet.
Can I take some pictures before you settle in?
Which ones do you still need to get?
Emmett took one last deep breath and pointed at Clems room.
The enameled windows in there, right?
I need that one.
And the one in five E, I think.
Clem stepped aside and waved an arm.
I picked a different room anyway.
I was just having a look at the enameled glass myself.
Emmett glanced at Georgie.
Will I be in your way if I take some pictures?
Nope, Georgie replied breezily.
Were both staying on four, but Milo said we shouldnt miss the windows up here.
And without waiting to hear his reply, they headed back downstairs again.
Emmett watched them go, looking a little confused.
Guess you dont have to rush after all, Milo said.
Yeah, Emmett agreed.
Its pretty dark already anyway.
Still, as long as Im up here .
He shrugged and disappeared into 5W.
He knocked on the door of 4W.
What was that all about?
he asked when Georgie peered out.
Probably unnecessary, but just in case.
She glanced at Clem.
What do you think?
About young Mr. Syebuck?
Clem considered, then gave Milo a gentle push into 4W.
She followed him and closed the door behind her.
She looked at Milo, then around him, as if there might be someone else in the room.
Milo turned to see if somebody had somehow managed to follow him without his noticing.
Is it just you, Milo?
Yeah, its just me.
It wouldve been useful to have extra eyes and ears on things right about now.
Clem perched on the desk and clapped her hands on her knees.
I dont get any particular vibe from him.
She glanced at Georgie, who sat cross-legged on the bed, still engulfed in Brandons coveralls.
Georgie made a noncommittal noise.
What else do you know about him, Milo?
Hes a student at City University, and hes been sketching and photographing everything glass in the house.
If hes at the university, then Gowervine would know him, right?
I mean, since he studies glass and whatnot.
How many stained glass nerds could there be at one institution?
Ill venture to get hold of the professor, Georgie said.
Ill feel a lot better if we can verify that this guy is who he says he is.
She stood and started to pace.
Milo looked from one to the other.
They both seemed so troubled.
Georgie was clearly worried, and Clem .
Clem looked concerned, too, but mainly she seemed sad.
Sadness looked totally wrong on her face.
The two girls hesitated.
Dont you trust me?
Milo demanded, indignant.
Of course we do, Milo.
well, you know what we do for a living.
Yeees, Milo said slowly.
And that its not always legal, strictly speaking?
Yourethieves, Milo said pointedly.
When is that ever legal?
The point is, we dont want to get you in trouble.
Or your parents, either.
Isnt that how it usually works around here?
Usually, Milo admitted.
Greenglass Houses clientele was, to be accurate, mostly made up of smugglers.
Everybody involved knew not to ask questions.
Clem and Georgie were their friends.
And they were obviously in trouble.
I know, Milo, Clem said, ruffling his hair.
She looked to Georgie.
And Milo did figure pretty much everything out last time we were here.
Nobody wouldve found what they were looking for if not for him.
Thats the truth, Georgie admitted.
Let me think about it.
She looked at Milo for a long minute.
Wheres Meddy these days?
I dont know, Milo said, his frustration about his friends absence bubbling right up to the surface.
I havent seen her since last Christmas Eve!
Milo shook his head.
If she is, she isnt showing herself.
I dont know why.
But if sheisnthere, maybe that means Emmett Syebuck is who he says he is.
Ghosts, Clem said, shaking her head.
Who can figure em?
