One False Note (The 39 Clues, #2)

by Gordon Korman

The au pair was bug-eyed. “What happened back there?” “It’s not our fault!” Dan babbled. “Those guys are crazy! They’re like mini–Darth Vaders without the mask!” “They’re Benedictine monks!” Nellie exclaimed. “They’re men of peace! Most of them are under vows of silence!” “Yeah, well, not anymore,” Dan told her. “They cursed us out pretty good. I don’t know the language, but some things you don’t have to translate.” “We found a clue,” Amy explained breathlessly, “and they didn’t want us to take it. I’m positive it’s something important!” She thrust the parchment into Nellie’s arms. “Can you tell us what it says?” “Why don’t we put some distance between ourselves and the abbey first,” the au pair advised, wheeling through the narrow streets of Salzburg. “How’d you like to have to explain to the rental company that their car was trashed by an army of deranged monks?” Dan was impatient. “We’ll buy the rental company and the abbey, too! This time, we scored the big enchilada!” By skirting downtown, Nellie was able to avoid most of the traffic and get over the bridge quickly. They made a few twists and turns and pulled over on a quiet street. “Okay, let’s have a look at this ‘clue.’ “ She picked up the parchment. “We think it might be some kind of formula,” Amy put in excitedly. Nellie pored over the calligraphy, her eyes widening in amazement. “Oh, my God! I can’t believe it!” Dan grinned. “That good, huh?” “But what’s it the formula for?” Amy persisted. The au pair read the p...