They decided not to tell Grandfather about the missing stew and the arrow in the tree.
“It’ll only worry him,” they all agreed.
Jessie and Benny made sandwiches instead of stew.
After lunch, Grandfather said, “Why don’t you children run along. I’m sure you have some more exploring to do.”
They wanted to go, but they didn’t like the idea of leaving Grandfather alone.
“I’ll be fine,” he assured them.
Since their return to camp, Watch had stayed by Mr. Alden’s side. That gave Jessie an idea. “Watch can stay with you, Grandfather,” she suggested.
“There’s no need for that,” Mr. Alden said. “I’m sure he’d like to be with you children.”
Watch pricked up his ears and cocked his head. He looked at the children and then at Mr. Alden. He seemed to be deciding what to do. Finally, he yawned and put his head back on Grandfather’s chest.
Everyone laughed.
“I guess that settles that,” Grandfather said.
Waving to Grandfather and Watch, the children started off.
Not far from camp, Henry said, “Let’s stop here.”
“Why?” Benny asked.
“We should talk about what’s been happening,” Henry explained. “Maybe we can figure out who’s responsible.”
They made themselves comfortable on a broad stone ledge.
“First we should go back over what’s happened,” Jessie suggested.
“We’ve heard music and seen strange lights,” Benny piped up.
“The honey wasn’t in the box where I’d put it,” Jessie said.
“Food’s been missing,” Henry added. “And our lantern, too.”
“Now, my note’s been changed and pinned to the tree with an arrow,” Violet concluded.
“That about sums it up,” Henry said.
“Except for the loud music that startled Grandfather and caused him to fall,” Violet said.
“We have to figure out who’s doing these things,” Jessie said.
“I think it’s Hildy,” Benny said.
“She could be the one,” Henry agreed. “She doesn’t like people so she might be trying to scare everyone away.”
“But there are other people who could be doing it,” Jessie said. “The Changs maybe.”
“They do have a radio,” Henry said.
“And they said they liked this campground because it wasn’t crowded,” Violet reminded them. “Maybe they wanted it empty.”
“But they have the children,” Jessie said. “They wouldn’t leave them alone to sneak around stealing food.”
“How about Andy Watts?” Henry suggested.
“Not Mr. Watts!” Benny objected. “He’s too kind.”
“Well, you never know,” Jessie argued forcefully.
“He seemed anxious for us to leave,” Violet said.
“Only because of Grandfather,” Henry said.
“Well, how about the ranger?” Violet suggested. “He probably knows the forest better than anyone. He could get around without being detected.”
Henry shook his head. “I don’t think he could be the one. If there were no campers, he might lose his job.”
Jessie sighed. “It could be someone we don’t even know.”
“That’s right,” Henry said. “Maybe there are campers we don’t know about.” He got to his feet. “Let’s find out.”
They followed the map to all the campsites. No one was at any of them. Finally, they came to the Changs’ spot. Their equipment was there, but the family was not.
“They’re probably out hiking,” Henry said. “Let’s head over toward Hildy’s and Andy’s. Maybe we’ll find some clues.”
They doubled back, stopping to check on Grandfather. He was asleep, Watch at his side.
A short distance down the stream trail, Benny saw something. He ran ahead to see what it was. Partially hidden in a clump of bushes was the wheelbarrow.
“Why would Mr. Watts leave that here?” Violet wondered aloud.
“Maybe it’s not his,” Henry said. “It could belong to the park staff.”
“Or maybe he was too tired after helping Grandfather to wheel it all the way back to his cabin,” Jessie suggested.
Benny sighed. “Well?” he asked. “Is it a clue or not?”
Everyone laughed.
When they were nearly at Hildy’s cabin, Andy Watts came up the path toward them. He looked worried. “Well, hello,” he said. “I hope there hasn’t been another accident.”
“Oh, no,” Henry said. “We’re just … exploring.”
“We’re looking for clues,” Benny piped up.
“Clues?” Mr. Watts repeated.
Benny nodded. “All kinds of strange things have been happening.”
Mr. Watts listened attentively as the children told him everything that had happened. Then, he said, “My, oh, my! How awful!”
“It’s not that awful,” Benny said. “We like mysteries.”
“This is one you may not solve,” Mr. Watts said. “It’s been going on a while. Other campers have complained about the same things.”
“Except for the Changs, we haven’t seen any other campers,” Jessie said.
Mr. Watts nodded. “Yes, that’s what I mean,” he said. “No one stays long. They’re afraid to stay.”
“Oh, we’re not afraid,” Benny said.
Mr. Watts edged away. “I have to be going,” he said. “Remember, if your grandfather decides to leave, I’ll be happy to help. He should be home where he can get his proper rest.”
After he had gone, Violet said. “Maybe Mr. Watts is right.”
“If Grandfather wanted to go home, he’d say so,” Henry reminded her.
“Let’s ask Hildy if she knows what’s been happening,” Jessie suggested.
“She probably won’t even talk to us,” Benny said.
Hildy was outside her cabin, bent over something on an old table. The children called out to her. She didn’t look up. They moved closer to her. She was fiddling with an old kerosene lantern.
“May we speak to you?” Henry asked politely. “Some strange things have been going on—”
“Loud music and lights and missing food,” Benny put in.
“We thought you might have seen or heard something that would help us figure it out,” Jessie said.
Hildy glared at them. “Imagination pure and simple,” she said. “As if it isn’t bad enough that my lantern is broken—”
“At least you have a lantern,” Benny interrupted. “Someone took ours.”
Hildy grabbed the lantern off the table. “Stop pestering me with your silliness,” she snapped. She marched to her cabin door. “Go back to the city where you belong! I don’t want you here!” She slammed the door behind her.
“You see?” Benny said. “She doesn’t want us here.”
“Mr. Watts said we should go home, too,” Jessie reminded him.
“That’s different,” Benny argued. “He was thinking about Grandfather.”
“We should be, too,” Violet said. “We’ve been away a long time. He might need us.”
Grandfather was reading when they returned to camp. “Something happened while you were away,” he said.
The children looked at each other. What now? they wondered. They looked all around, but they didn’t see anything different.
Grandfather laughed and pointed to the maple tree.
Violet caught her breath. “It bloomed!” she exclaimed.
Earlier, the tree was full of buds. Now, it was full of small tight clusters of green flowers. Other trees seemed to be blooming, too.
“Spring has sprung!” Benny commented.
The night was beautiful, too. The sky was clear and the stars were bright.
After supper, Violet got out her violin. She played several pieces. The one everyone liked best was “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.”
Finally, everyone went to bed. They were so tired that they fell asleep quickly. No one heard the loud music that sounded through the still night or saw the lights that cut through the surrounding darkness. |