Dear Ned,

I know you'll be home from school in a couple of days, but I couldn't wait to tell you – I just solved a mystery! I figured out that Emily Crandall's guardian was really an imposter named Marion who intercepted the letter Emily wrote to Jane Willoughby after her mom died. She pretended to be Jane not only so she could steal Emily's valuables, but so she could convince Emily that she was incapable of running Lilac Inn, and that she should sell it and split the money with her.

On top of that, I found Josiah Crowley's real will! In it he left Emily so much money that she'll be able to hire all the people she needs to keep the inn going. 

He left Jim Archer a ton of money, too, which means he won't have to close the bank, and from now on he'll be able to buy his wife a new dress any time she wants.

As for Richard Topham, Josiah left him nothing. Although Topham still refuses to admit that he forged the first will, and insists that he's going to contest the will I found, Dad says it's highly doubtful he'll succeed, and that he'd better stick to spoon tricks.

Anyway, when you get home I'll give you all the details over a nice big slightly damaged cherry pie. Wait'll you hear that part of the story!

As always,
Nancy