The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey

Katie laid the thick book on the floor, and everyone knelt for a closer look. The dictionary was a tattered old thing with warped covers- evidence of some long-ago water spill- and a hopelessly ruined spine. Gingerly, so as not to damage it further, Reynie opened it and began turning pages. Some were irrevocably stuck together; some fell out at the merest touch. An odor of must and mildew filled the room.

“He should have thrown this away years ago” Constance said, wrinkling her nose at the mildew smell. “It isn’t even usable.” Reynie turned a page to reveal a deep, rectangular space cut out of the dictionary pages. Nestled inside the cut-out space was another book. “Not usable as a dictionary, maybe. But as a hiding place it’s perfect”.

The second book had brown leather covers and was rather large itself. Reynie quickly turned to the first page, which was blank except for the following inscription:

Travelers should always keep journals, and journals should always keep secrets. This journal is no exception. I have taken the liberty of writing the first entry. Read it quickly and move on. Bon Voyage! – Mr. Benedict