The Maze of Bones (The 39 Clues #1)(9)

Still... he thought if he could just accomplish something amazing -- even cooler than making the ultimate basebal card collection or becoming a ninja lord -- his parents would somehow know. And they'd be proud. This competition to become the greatest Cahill sounded like the perfect chance.

Plus he liked treasure. And it was a real bonus that Aunt Beatrice's face turned completely purple as she stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

Now the Great Hall was empty except for the seven teams and Mr. McIntyre.

After a tense silence, the old lawyer said, "You may open your envelopes."

RIP, RIP, RIP.

The clue was written in black calligraphy on crème paper. It read:

RESOLUTION:

The fine print to guess,

Seek out Richard S___

"That's it?"

Mary-Todd Holt screeched. "That's all we get?"

"Ten words," Eisenhower Holt muttered. "That's -- " He started counting on his fingers.

"Roughly $500,000 per word," Alistair Oh supplied, "since your family gave up five million dollars. I got a bargain. Each word only cost me $100,000."

"That's stupid!" Madison Holt said. "We need more clue!"

"Richard S -- ," Ian mused. "Now who could that be?" He looked at his sister, and they both smiled like they were sharing a private joke. Dan wanted to kick them.

"Wait a minute." Jonah Wizard's dad scowled. "Did everyone get the same clue?

Because my son insists on exclusive material. It's in his standard contract."

"The thirty-nine clues," Mr. McIntyre said, "are the major stepping stones to the final goal. They are the same for each team. The first one, which you have received, is the only one that will be so simple."

"Simple?" Alistair Oh raised his eyebrows. "I'd hate to see the difficult ones."

"However," Mr. McIntyre continued, "there are many paths to each clue. Hints and secrets have been buried for you to find -- clues to the clues, if you will."

"I'm getting a headache," Sinead Starling said.

"How you proceed is entirely up to you," Mr. McIntyre said. "But remember: You all seek the same end, and only one team will succeed. Speed is of the essence."

Irina Spasky folded her clue, stuck in it her purse, and walked out the door.

Alistair Oh frowned. "It seems Cousin Irina has an idea."

The Starling triplets put their heads together. Then, as if they'd gotten a collective brain flash, they stood up so fast they knocked over their chairs and ran outside.

Jonah Wizard's dad pulled him into the corner. They had a heated discussion and his dad typed some stuff into his BlackBerry.

"Gotta jet," Jonah said. "Later, losers." And off they went.

That made three teams already out the door, and Dan still had no idea what the clue meant.

"Well." Ian Kabra stretched lazily, like he had all the time in the world. "Are you ready, dear sister?"

"To make fools of our American cousins?" Natalie smiled. "Anytime."

Dan tried to trip them as they walked past, but they nimbly stepped over his leg and kept going.

"All right!" Mr. Holt announced. "Team, form up!"

The Holt clan shot to their feet. Their buff little pit bull, Arnold, barked and leaped around them like he was trying to bite their noses.

"Where we going, Dad?" Hamilton asked.

"I don't know. But everybody else is leaving! Follow them!"

They marched double-time out of the Great Hall, which left only Amy, Dan, Alistair Oh, and William McIntyre.

"Dear me," Alistair sighed. With his black suit and silk cravat, he reminded Dan of a butler. A butler with a secret. His eyes seemed to be smiling, even when he wasn't. "I think I'll have a stroll around the grounds and think about this."

Dan was thankful to see him leave. Alistair seemed like the nicest of their competition, but he was still competition.

Dan stared at the clue again, more frustrated than ever. "Resolution. Fine print.

Richard S -- . I don't get it."

"I can offer you no help with the clue." Mr. McIntyre managed a faint smile. "But your grandmother would be pleased you accepted the challenge."

Amy shook her head. "We don't stand a chance, do we? The Kabras and the Starlings are rich. Jonah Wizard's famous. The Holts are like steroid monsters. Alistair and Irina seem so -- I don't know -- worldly.

And Dan and I -- "

"Have other talents," Mr. McIntyre finished. "As I'm sure you'll find out."

Dan reread the clue. He thought about baseball cards, and letters, and autographs.

"We're supposed to find this guy Richard," he decided. "But why is his last name just S___?"

Amy's eyes widened. "Wait a minute. I remember reading that back in the 1700s, people used to do that. They would use only one letter if they wanted to disguise their names."

"Huh," Dan said. "So, like, I could say A -- has a face like a baboon butt, and you wouldn't know who I'm talking about?"

Amy boxed him on the ear.

"Ow!"

"Children," Mr. McIntyre interrupted. "You will have enough enemies without fighting each other. Besides" -- he checked his gold pocket watch -- "we don't have much time, and there is something I must tell you, something your grandmother wanted you to know."