For the next few hours, the Aldens weaved their way through the trees, trudged through brush, and climbed over rocks. They weren’t sure what kind of clue they were looking for, but they kept an eye out for anything unusual. When they came to a creek, Benny pointed to a fallen tree that made a perfect bridge across the water.
“I bet that’s the spot Amanda was talking about,” he said.
Violet looked over. “You mean, where she’d sit with her grandfather?”
Benny nodded. “And they’d dangle their feet in the water.”
“That doesn’t sound like a bad idea,” said Henry. “Why don’t we have our picnic right here?”
With that, the children pulled off their socks and shoes, then made their way to the middle of the log. As they sat side by side, Jessie passed out the sandwiches, while Henry opened the thermos and poured the lemonade.
“We’ve been all over Fudge Hollow,” Benny said, as he dipped his toes into the cool water. “What’s next?”
“I haven’t the slightest idea,” Jessie admitted.
“Maybe we missed something,” said Violet. She tore a piece of crust from her bread and tossed it in the water for the ducks.
“Maybe,” said Henry. But he didn’t sound as if he believed it.
Nobody said anything for a while. They were each thinking the same thing. Had Steve been right? Was this a mystery they couldn’t solve? Finally, Benny spoke up.
“I wonder how Amanda knew,” he said thoughtfully
Jessie looked over at him. “Knew what, Benny?”
“That this tree was over a hundred years old,” said Benny.
Henry had an answer. “Amanda probably counted the tree rings.”
“Tree rings?” Violet gave her older brother a puzzled look.
“I read somewhere—in school, maybe—that there’s a ring around the trunk for every year a tree’s been alive,” said Henry. “I’ll show you.”
He scrambled off the log with Benny close behind, then pointed to the bottom of the fallen tree where it had been cut down long ago.
Violet hurried over to take a look for herself. So did Jessie.
“See how the rings go round and round?” Henry said. “If you count each ring, you can figure out how much time—” He suddenly drew in his breath, surprised by his own words.
“What’s wrong, Henry?” Benny asked.
“That’s … that’s it!” Henry cried. “‘The rings of time.’”
Violet’s eyes widened. “Then the riddle must mean—”
“A tree!” finished Henry. “We should be looking for a tree in Fudge Hollow!”
Jessie couldn’t help laughing. “Finding the right tree around here is like looking for a needle in a haystack.”
Just then, the children whirled around when they heard a familiar voice. It was coming from the path behind the trees.
“Of course I know what a treasure I’ll be getting,” the voice was saying. It was Steve Kooner. He was talking on a cell phone.
The Aldens didn’t mean to eavesdrop. But from where they were standing, they couldn’t help overhearing bits and pieces of the conversation.
“No, no, no!” Steve was saying on the phone.
“I have to find the ring first.”
“Did you hear that?” Benny whispered.
Jessie nodded. None of them liked the sound of this.
“What?” Steve went on. “Of course, I know there’s a deadline … Don’t worry … I’m telling you, we have it all plotted out.”
As Steve’s voice faded away, the children looked at each other in disbelief.
“Can you believe that?” Violet said, keeping her voice low. “Steve must be looking for the rings of time, too.”
Benny looked around to make sure no one could hear him. Then he whispered, “He’s supposed to be Amanda’s friend!”
Jessie frowned. “Well, he’s not much of a friend if he’s trying to steal her gold.”
“Oh, Jessie!” Violet’s eyes widened. “You don’t really think that’s true, do you?”
Jessie frowned. “I don’t know what to think. But that would explain why Steve was trying to stop us from solving the mystery.”
“He’s afraid we’ll beat him to the gold,” guessed Benny. “Do you think we should warn Amanda?”
“Maybe we shouldn’t be too hasty,” said Henry. “Amanda would never believe her friend was a thief—not unless we had evidence.”
Everyone agreed Henry had a point. It was one thing to suspect someone; it was another thing to have proof.
“Let’s just keep a close eye on him for now,” Henry went on. “If Steve is up to no good, we’ll have to—”
“Solve the mystery,” Benny cut in. “And fast!” |