THE BOXCAR CHILDREN MYSTERIES
THE BOXCAR CHILDREN
SURPRISE ISLAND
THE YELLOW HOUSE MYSTERY
MYSTERY RANCH
MIKE’S MYSTERY
BLUE BAY MYSTERY
THE WOODSHED MYSTERY
THE LIGHTHOUSE MYSTERY
MOUNTAIN TOP MYSTERY
SCHOOLHOUSE MYSTERY
CABOOSE MYSTERY
HOUSEBOAT MYSTERY
SNOWBOUND MYSTERY
TREE HOUSE MYSTERY
BICYCLE MYSTERY
MYSTERY IN THE SAND
MYSTERY BEHIND THE WALL
BUS STATION MYSTERY
BENNY UNCOVERS A MYSTERY
THE HAUNTED CABIN MYSTERY
THE DESERTED LIBRARY MYSTERY
THE ANIMAL SHELTER MYSTERY
THE OLD MOTEL MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE HIDDEN PAINTING
THE AMUSEMENT PARK MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE MIXED-UP ZOO
THE CAMP-OUT MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY GIRL
THE MYSTERY CRUISE
THE DISAPPEARING FRIEND MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE SINGING GHOST
THE MYSTERY IN THE SNOW
THE PIZZA MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY HORSE
THE MYSTERY AT THE DOG SHOW
THE CASTLE MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE LOST VILLAGE
THE MYSTERY ON THE ICE
THE MYSTERY OF THE PURPLE POOL
THE GHOST SHIP MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY IN WASHINGTON, DC
THE CANOE TRIP MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE HIDDEN BEACH
THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING CAT
THE MYSTERY AT SNOWFLAKE INN
THE MYSTERY ON STAGE
THE DINOSAUR MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE STOLEN MUSIC
THE MYSTERY AT THE BALL PARK
THE CHOCOLATE SUNDAE MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE HOT AIR BALLOON
THE MYSTERY BOOKSTORE
THE PILGRIM VILLAGE MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE STOLEN BOXCAR
THE MYSTERY IN THE CAVE
THE MYSTERY ON THE TRAIN
THE MYSTERY AT THE FAIR
THE MYSTERY OF THE LOST MINE
THE GUIDE DOG MYSTERY
THE HURRICANE MYSTERY
THE PET SHOP MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE SECRET MESSAGE
THE FIREHOUSE MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY IN SAN FRANCISCO
THE NIAGARA FALLS MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY AT THE ALAMO
THE OUTER SPACE MYSTERY
THE SOCCER MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY IN THE OLD ATTIC
THE GROWLING BEAR MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE LAKE MONSTER
THE MYSTERY AT PEACOCK HALL
THE WINDY CITY MYSTERY
THE BLACK PEARL MYSTERY
THE CEREAL BOX MYSTERY
THE PANTHER MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE QUEEN’S JEWELS
THE STOLEN SWORD MYSTERY
THE BASKETBALL MYSTERY
THE MOVIE STAR MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE PIRATE’S MAP
THE GHOST TOWN MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE BLACK RAVEN
THE MYSTERY IN THE MALL
THE MYSTERY IN NEW YORK
THE GYMNASTICS MYSTERY
THE POISON FROG MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE EMPTY SAFE
THE HOME RUN MYSTERY
THE GREAT BICYCLE RACE MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE WILD PONIES
THE MYSTERY IN THE COMPUTER GAME
THE HONEYBEE MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY AT THE CROOKED HOUSE
THE HOCKEY MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE MIDNIGHT DOG
THE MYSTERY OF THE SCREECH OWL
THE SUMMER CAMP MYSTERY
THE COPYCAT MYSTERY
THE HAUNTED CLOCK TOWER MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE TIGER’S EYE
THE DISAPPEARING STAIRCASE MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY ON BLIZZARD MOUNTAIN
THE MYSTERY OF THE SPIDER’S CLUE
THE CANDY FACTORY MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE MUMMY’S CURSE
THE MYSTERY OF THE STAR RUBY
THE STUFFED BEAR MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF ALLIGATOR SWAMP
THE MYSTERY AT SKELETON POINT
THE TATTLETALE MYSTERY
THE COMIC BOOK MYSTERY
THE GREAT SHARK MYSTERY
THE ICE CREAM MYSTERY
THE MIDNIGHT MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY IN THE FORTUNE COOKIE
THE BLACK WIDOW SPIDER MYSTERY
THE RADIO MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE RUNAWAY GHOST
THE FINDERS KEEPERS MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE HAUNTED BOXCAR
THE CLUE IN THE CORN MAZE
THE GHOST OF THE CHATTERING BONES
THE SWORD OF THE SILVER KNIGHT
THE GAME STORE MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE ORPHAN TRAIN
THE VANISHING PASSENGER
THE GIANT YO-YO MYSTERY
THE CREATURE IN OGOPOGO LAKE
THE ROCK ’N’ ROLL MYSTERY
THE SECRET OF THE MASK
THE SEATTLE PUZZLE
THE GHOST IN THE FIRST ROW
THE BOX THAT WATCH FOUND
A HORSE NAMED DRAGON
THE GREAT DETECTIVE RACE
THE GHOST AT THE DRIVE-IN MOVIE
THE MYSTERY OF THE TRAVELING TOMATOES
THE SPY GAME
THE DOG-GONE MYSTERY
THE VAMPIRE MYSTERY
SUPERSTAR WATCH
THE SPY IN THE BLEACHERS
THE AMAZING MYSTERY SHOW
THE PUMPKIN HEAD MYSTERY
THE CUPCAKE CAPER
THE CLUE IN THE RECYCLING BIN
MONKEY TROUBLE
THE ZOMBIE PROJECT
THE GREAT TURKEY HEIST
THE GARDEN THIEF
THE BOARDWALK MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE FALLEN TREASURE
THE RETURN OF THE GRAVEYARD GHOST
THE MYSTERY OF THE STOLEN SNOWBOARD
THE MYSTERY OF THE WILD WEST BANDIT
THE MYSTERY OF THE SOCCER SNITCH
THE MYSTERY OF THE GRINNING GARGOYLE
THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING POP IDOL
THE MYSTERY OF THE STOLEN DINOSAUR BONES
THE MYSTERY AT THE CALGARY STAMPEDE
THE SLEEPY HOLLOW MYSTERY
THE LEGEND OF THE IRISH CASTLE
THE CELEBRITY CAT CAPER
HIDDEN IN THE HAUNTED SCHOOL
THE ELECTION DAY DILEMMA
JOURNEY ON A RUNAWAY TRAIN
THE CLUE IN THE PAPYRUS SCROLL
THE DETOUR OF THE ELEPHANTS
THE SHACKLETON SABOTAGE
THE KHIPU AND THE FINAL KEY
THE DOUGHNUT WHODUNIT
THE ROBOT RANSOM
NEW! THE LEGEND OF THE HOWLING WEREWOLF
NEW! THE DAY OF THE DEAD MYSTERY
Copyright © 2018 by Albert Whitman & Company
First published in the United States of America in 2018 by Albert Whitman & Company
ISBN 978-0-8075-0740-7 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-0-8075-0741-4 (paperback)
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
THE BOXCAR CHILDREN® is a registered trademark of Albert Whitman & Company.
Printed in the United
States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 LB 22 21 20 19 18
Illustrations by Anthony VanArsdale
Visit the Boxcar Children online at www.boxcarchildren.com. For more information about Albert Whitman & Company, visit our website at www.albertwhitman.com.
Contents
1. A Strange Rumor
2. Sounds in the Night
3. Odd Shoes
4. Claw Marks
5. A Pile of Bones
6. Unanswered Questions
7. Not Normal Footprints
8. Close Encounter
9. Pumpkin Guts
10. A Big Announcement
A Strange Rumor
Grandfather Alden pulled his rental car onto the interstate. He looked over his left shoulder, waiting for traffic to pass. Then he sped up. “Couple more hours until we get to Mrs. Riley’s house,” he told his four grandchildren.
Ten-year-old Violet was in the backseat. Her pigtails bounced as she turned to see the road signs. “‘Welcome to Idaho,’” she read aloud. Another sign whizzed by. “Famous Potatoes.’”
“‘Where are all the potatoes, Grandfather?” she asked.
He nodded toward the windows. “See all those bare fields out there? Desert, really. Miles and miles of crops have already been harvested. It’s October, so potatoes are being sent to all parts of the country by train and truck.”
“For French fries and hash browns, right, Grandfather?” six-year-old Benny, who was sitting next to Violet, said.
Grandfather smiled at Benny in his rearview mirror. “That’s right,” he said. “When we get to Townsend, you’ll see that sugar beets are another important crop in Idaho. They’re part of a fun event this weekend.”
“That’s exciting,” said Benny. “When will we get there?”
“Soon,” said Grandfather for the fifth time that hour. “Try to enjoy the view, Benny. Do you know those mountains in the distance?”
“Uh, no, not really,” Benny said. He looked to his brother in the front seat for an answer.
“Those are the Rockies,” said fourteen-year-old Henry. “They go all the way from Canada down to New Mexico. They’ll be covered with snow all winter.”
After a while, they passed some hills with steep sides and flat tops.
“They look like tables,” said Jessie.
“Those are called buttes,” Grandfather explained. “They are actually volcanic cones. See their black sides?”
“Lava!” said Henry. “We studied buttes in science class. Volcanoes used to bubble up here. And when the lava dried, it made the buttes. But I think these volcanoes have sleeping for a long time.”
“That’s right, Henry,” said Grandfather.
“What if they wake up while we’re here?” asked Violet.
“The last eruption was about two thousand years ago,” Grandfather said. “No need to worry. And here we are.” He slowed the car, clicked on his turn signal, and took the exit.
“Look, Benny, we’re almost there,” said Henry. He pointed to a sign out the window.
“‘Welcome to Townsend. Home of the Sage Hen,’” Benny read slowly. “What’s that mean, Grandfather?”
“It looks like a chicken,” said Violet, who was looking at the bird shown on the sign.
“It does, I suppose,” Grandfather said with a chuckle. “Sage hens are also called sage grouse. Strange creatures. The males do this funny dance to attract the females. It’s quite the sight. That’s one reason a lot of tourists come to up to places like Townsend.”
“I hope we can get a close look,” said Jessie. “And I want to see some lava.” She was twelve, and she loved animals. She rolled down the window for her dog, Watch, so he could sniff the cool autumn air.
“I hope we see them too,” said Henry. As the oldest, he liked to take charge. “Maybe I can lead us all on a hike. And hopefully we’ll come across an old volcano.”
“You’ll have plenty of time to explore in the next few days,” said Grandfather. “When I was a boy, I went to summer camp here. The area is rich in geology and Native American history.”
As Grandfather drove down Main Street, he said, “I’m excited for you to meet my friend Mrs. Riley. She has a big project I think will interest you all.”
“I can’t wait to meet her,” said Jessie.
Violet looked over at her grandfather. “We love projects!”
“Yes, I know, dear.” Grandfather gave her a friendly wink.
The Alden children were orphans. After their parents died, they had learned they must go live with a grandfather they had never met. They heard he was mean, so they ran away to the woods, where they found shelter in an old boxcar. That’s where they found their wire fox terrier, Watch. Soon their grandfather found them. He wasn’t mean at all! He brought them to his home in Greenfield, Connecticut, to live as a family. He even had the boxcar brought to his backyard. Now the Aldens used it as their clubhouse.
Grandfather traveled often. When possible, he brought his grandchildren with him so they would have new experiences. This trip had brought him to Boise, Idaho. And now he and the children were on their way across the state to visit his friend Mrs. Riley.
Trees along Townsend’s Main Street were gold and crimson with fall leaves. Grandfather turned up a gravel driveway just outside of town. A single-story ranch house sat in a field of sagebrush. Wide windows faced the foothills of the mountains.
A woman in jeans and a plaid shirt came from the front porch to greet the Aldens. Her long dark hair hung in a braid over her shoulder. She wore turquoise earrings and a turquoise bracelet. She shook hands with Grandfather and smiled at the children. “I’m Susan Riley,” she told them. “I’m very happy to meet you. And James, it’s wonderful to see you again.”
“Thank you for inviting us, Susan,” said Grandfather.
She turned to the children. “This is a good weekend to be here, because it’s our very first Harvest Festival. I’m on the City Council and am one of the festival organizers.”
“That sounds like fun,” said Jessie. “Do you need any help?”
“Actually, yes,” the woman said. “There is much to do, and it would be nice to have some help. Would that interest you?”
“Yes!” Violet replied quickly.
“I love to help,” Benny said.
“We all do,” Jessie said. “The middle school Henry and I go to will give us extra credit for community service. But even if they didn’t, we would still want to help you.”
“That’s right,” Henry agreed.
“Well come on in,” Mrs. Riley said. “I’ve set out some snacks in case anyone’s hungry.”
Benny’s face lit up. His family laughed. “Benny’s always hungry,” Jessie explained.
“Then you’re in the right place,” their hostess said. She waved them inside, and they went to the kitchen. A table in the center of the room had plates of sliced apples, cheese, and crackers. “Sit, please,” she said, pouring each child a glass of milk. She brought Grandfather a steaming mug of tea. Watch curled up under the table, waiting for any dropped food.
“What is the Harvest Festival?” Benny asked. “Is it for the potatoes your town planted?”
“Good question, Benny,” the woman replied. “Idaho certainly is famous for potatoes, but the big crop around Townsend is sugar beets.”
“Sugar beets?” Jessie said. “Do people make a pie or cake with those?”
“In a way, yes,” Mrs. Riley said. “But first the beets are sent to factories. They’re processed into the type of sugar used for baking. Soda companies also use it to sweeten soft drinks.”
“But can you eat a sugar beet like one of these apples?” Benny asked.
Mrs. Riley laughed. “I’ll let you find out tomorrow, Benny. Meanwhile, I’ll show you all to where you are staying so you can settle in.”
When the children were done eating, they took their plates to the sink. Then they went and got their bags from the car. After picking where they
would sleep, they joined Grandfather and Mrs. Riley on the back deck. She was looking at the foothills, now golden in the afternoon sun.
“Are there any sage grouse out there?” Henry asked.
“Probably,” she replied. “Not only are they becoming rare, but they’re hard to spot. Their feathers are camouflaged in the brush.”
Jessie opened her notebook and clicked her pen. “Mrs. Riley, what do you need help with to get ready for the Harvest Festival? Just tell us, and we’ll get started.”
“That’s very kind, Jessie. Thank you.” Mrs. Riley continued to stare at the hills. “Something’s been troubling me though.”
“What is it, Susan?” Grandfather asked.
She sighed. “I’m worried no one will show up on Sunday. Especially for the evening parade.”
“Why is that?” asked Henry.
“For the past few months, a rumor has been going around town,” Mrs. Riley said. “A strange and upsetting rumor.”
The Alden children exchanged glances. They looked at their host with concern.
“What rumor?” Violet asked. She suddenly felt cold and rubbed her arms to warm up.
Mrs. Riley motioned toward the foothills. “Someone posted on our website that a werewolf lives up there,” she said.
Benny gulped. He said, “A werewolf?”
Mrs. Riley nodded. “Yes,” she said. “And when the harvest moon gets full, as it will this weekend, the creature supposedly sneaks into town. Some people are afraid of going outside.”
The children were quiet for a moment. Then Henry said, “But there’s no such thing as a werewolf. Isn’t that right, Grandfather?”
“I’m certain they don’t exist,” said Grandfather.
Violet looked up at Grandfather. In a quiet voice she said, “But what if they do exist?”
Sounds in the Night
As the sun set, Mrs. Riley led the Aldens back into the house. She invited them to hang their sweatshirts on the rack by her back door. The kitchen was cozy from the warm stove.
“I’ll show you what has caused such alarm,” she said. She brought her laptop to the kitchen table and sat on one of the bench seats. After a few clicks, a cheerful photo of jack-o’-lanterns appeared on the screen. She scrolled down and paused at a video of dancing sage grouse.
“These are the birds that made our town famous,” she explained. “I’m from the Shoshone-Bannock tribe. Our elders tell stories about long ago. There were thousands of these birds. They darkened the sky when they took flight. The sound of their wings was like wind. Can you imagine?”