Chapter 9 Summary

In time, Jamie and Claudia arrive at the home of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, and are immediately in awe of the scope of her property. The house is large and imposing and Jamie remarks that it looks like another museum. After they pay the driver for the taxi ride, giving the driver a tip as well, Jamie advises Claudia that they are now officially broke.

They ring the bell of the old house and are greeted by Mrs. Frankweiler's butler, Parks. He shows them into the reception hall and requests they wait while he talks with Mrs. Frankweiler. The house is filled with antiques very much like the Met. After waiting what seems to be a lifetime, Parks returns and escorts Jamie and Claudia to Mrs. Frankweiler's "office."

The office looks nothing like Mrs. Frankweiler's home; it is filled with Formica, steel, and...