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
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 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 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 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 Mystery of the Fallen Treasure
A Boxcar Children Mystery
Gertrude Chandler Warner
ALBERT WHITMAN & COMPANY
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 1
A New Adventure
“Look, that plane is flying awfully low!” Six-year old Benny Alden pointed out the window of the minivan. A small plane glided down past the mountains and disappeared in the distance.
“It’s landing at the little Sunriver Airport,” said Grandfather. “Lots of people have small planes there.”
“I bet that plane is too small to hold all of us and our suitcases,” Benny’s ten-year-old sister, Violet, said. “Especially since we also have Watch with us!” She petted the wire-haired dog that sat next to her.
The Aldens had landed at the airport just before noon and rented the minivan. Grandfather’s friend Victor Gonzales had invited the family to spend a week in beautiful Sunriver in central Oregon. They had traveled across the country from Greenfield, Connecticut.
“Dogs are welcome in Sunriver,” said Henry, Benny and Violet’s older brother. He was reading from a brochure that he had downloaded from the Internet. Henry was fourteen and liked to look things up on the computer. “It says that dogs just have to be on a leash or be very well behaved.”
Twelve-year-old Jessie reached past Violet to pet Watch. He turned to nuzzle her hand. “Watch is very well behaved, aren’t you, Watch?”
Watch was really Jessie’s dog, but Jessie was happy to share him with her sister and brothers. Jessie had found Watch in the woods. When their parents died, Jessie, Violet, Henry, and Benny had run away. They were supposed to live with their grandfather whom they had never met. They had heard that he was mean so they decided to hide from him. They discovered an abandoned boxcar in the woods and made it their home, which they shared with Watch. Their grandfather found them and they learned that he was not mean at all, but kind and loving. The Aldens became a family and Grandfather moved them all to his home in Greenfield. The boxcar was set up in the yard so the children could play there anytime they liked.
“The brochure also says that we can see the foothills of the Cascades from here,” said Henry. “We are surrounded by wooded hills, mountains, and lakes.”
Henry and the other children looked out the window at the scenery that surrounded them.
“What’s a foothill?” asked Benny.
“It’s a low hill at the base of a mountain or a mountain range,” said Henry.
“They don’t look like feet to me,” said Benny.
Violet and Jessie laughed. “I bet they’re called foothills because they are fun to walk on!” suggested Violet.
“That could be, Violet,” said Henry. “Foothills are easier to hike up than mountains!”
“I hope we’ll go hiking!” said Benny.
“I’m sure we will,” said Jessie. “Watch will make sure that we do!”
“Grandfather, you’ll want to turn right at the next street,” Henry said. “Mr. Gonzales’s house is just a few blocks away.”
“Did you Google it on your cell phone?” Grandfather asked.
“Yes, I did,” said Henry. The other children giggled. They knew that Henry loved high-tech devices.
They passed a small village with shops and restaurants and turned right.
“Are we there yet?” asked Benny. “I’m hungry—it must be past lunchtime!”
“We’ll eat soon,” promised Jessie. “We need to get our things put away first.”
Grandfather steered the minivan into a circular driveway and pulled up next to a large log cabin. A woman waved at them from the front door and walked to the van as everyone got out. She had dark, curly hair and a friendly face.
“Greetings, Aldens!” she said as she helped grab suitcases.
“Oh my goodness, Marianella, you have grown up,” said Grandfather. “Children, this is Victor’s daughter, Marianella.” Mr. Alden introduced Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny.
“We’re pleased to meet you, Marianella,” said Henry. The children all shook her hand.
“We’re pleased to have you stay with us,” said Marianella.
Watch sniffed at Marianella’s hand and wagged his tail. “And this is Watch!” said Benny. “He smells something good on your hand.”
“That’s what he does when he thinks we have a treat for him,” said Violet.
“That’s funny and very smart of Watch,” said Marianella. “Actually my father and I were just preparing lunch for everyone. Watch probably smells beef stew and cornbread!”
“Oooh! I love beef stew!” cried Benny. “And cornbread too.”
“You love all food,” laughed Jessie.
“I’ll say hello to Victor,” said Grandfather. He headed into the house.
Just then a huge brown-and-black dog charged up and sniffed excitedly at the Aldens.
“Goyo, how did you get loose?” asked Marianella. The dog ran to her side. “Don’t worry, he is very friendly.”
“We’re very glad to meet you, Goyo,” said Jessie. “Watch is also very friendly!”
Watch and Goyo sniffed noses and wagged their tails.
“I think lunch is ready,” said Marianella. “Let’s head inside and eat.”
Benny was the first through the door. The rest of the family and Marianella carried in the baggage. After lunch the children helped wash and put away the dishes. Then Marianella showed them their room.
The large guest room had four bunk beds and plenty of space. The children put down the blankets they had brought from home for Watch. The dog settled on the blankets and Goyo joined him.
“This is almost like our boxcar,” said Violet.
“Only this has real bunk beds instead of pine needle beds,” said Benny.
Violet was looking at the photos on the wall. “Who is this?” she asked.
“Those are pictures of my sister, Adelita,” said Marianella. “She’s an airplane pilot.”
“Wow, that’s exciting,” said Henry. “I would love to learn how to fly an airplane.”
“Yes, Adelita has always been the adventurous one,” said Marianella. She studied the photos and sighed. “Father and I never know what she will do next. She has been acting strange lately.”
Just then Goyo hopped up and came over to lick Marianella’s hand. “Oh, you smart boy,” she said, ruffling his head. “It’s almost time to go, isn’t it?”
“Where are you and Goyo going?” Benny asked.
“Oh, Benny, you’re so nosy!” said Violet.
“It’s okay,” said Marianella. “We have a search-and-rescue training session in the foothills this afternoon.”
“Goyo is a search-and-rescue dog?” Henry asked. “I’ve read about how dogs help find victims of disasters like earthquakes and avalanches. It sounds like dangerous work.”
“It can be dangerous work, Henry,” said Marianella. “And most SAR teams—as we’re called—don’t do it for money or glory.”
“Wow,” said Violet. “Have you and Goyo ever saved someone?”
“Goyo and I mostly look for lost hikers,” said Marianella. “Sadly a lot of people get lost in this area. Some people don’t tell anyone where they’re going, and often they aren’t prepared for an emergency. We have to act fast.”
“If Goyo already knows how to search, how come you still practice?” Benny asked. He was eye level with the big dog. Goyo slipped over and licked Benny’s face.
“We never stop practicing and training,” said Marianella. “SAR requires handlers and their dogs to be in tip-top shape.” Watch sniffed at Marianella and she bent down to pet him. “Say, let’s see what kind of search dog Watch might be. If he can sniff out beef stew and cornbread, I bet he can sniff out a lost hiker!”
Marianella and the children headed to the huge, fenced-in backyard. “Okay, here’s what we’ll do,” said Marianella. “Jessie and Violet can hold Watch and cover his eyes while Henry and I hide Benny.”
Jessie and Violet carefully covered Watch’s eyes with Violet’s scarf as Marianella, Henry, and Benny raced to the end of the yard and disappeared around the corner of a shed. Henry and Marianella returned without Benny.
“Okay, Benny is ready,” said Marianella. “Watch already knows his scent, so just tell him to find Benny.”
“Watch, find Benny!” said Jessie. She followed Watch as he ran around the yard. He sniffed the ground and sometimes stopped to sniff the air. He looked back at Jessie after a few minutes. “I think Watch is confused,” said Jessie.
“Just encourage him,” said Marianella. “Tell him to find Benny. Dogs often need encouragement to keep searching.”
“Find Benny!” said Jessie. “You can do it! I know you can!” Watch circled back around the yard then stopped and sniffed again. He suddenly yipped and ran around the shed with Jessie following. He stopped at a tru
ck that was parked there. Watch jumped up on the tailgate and barked.
“You found me!” yelled Benny as he stood up. The other children and Marianella joined them and helped Benny out of the truck bed.
“Watch did great, didn’t he?” Benny said as he hugged the dog close. The other children also petted and praised Watch.
“Yes, Watch did very well,” said Marianella. “Hey, would you all like to come with me?” Marianella looked at the children crowded around their dog.
“To a real search-and-rescue training session?” Henry asked.
“Yes, you will be my special guests,” said Marianella. “You can work with Watch on some object-searching skills. Plus we can always use new bodies to hide. Benny is a champ at playing the part of a lost hiker.”
“As long as you don’t forget where you hide me,” said Benny.
“Who can forget you?” laughed Jessie. “You always make your presence known.”
“Then it’s settled. Let’s go,” said Marianella.
“This will be fun,” said Violet. “I’ll bring my camera. Maybe Watch will find something exciting!”
Marianella and the Alden children drove out of Sunriver and into the Cascade foothills close by. Marianella parked her jeep in a gravel parking lot surrounded by woods.
Benny noticed a bumper sticker on the back window of the jeep. “SAR means search and rescue!” he read aloud. Benny was just learning to read. He liked to try to read signs everywhere he went.
“That’s right, Benny,” said Marianella. She led the children to a trail into the woods. “Hey, we’re here and I brought some help!” she called.
“Over here,” said a voice. They all walked over to a campsite where a man and a dog were standing. Marianella introduced the Alden children to Jason and his dog, Bounce.
“This is our dog, Watch,” said Jessie. “He is just learning about search and rescue.”
“And I know how to get lost!” added Benny.
Everyone laughed. Watch was off his leash and running around in the woods. Suddenly he started barking.
“What’s the matter with Watch?” Benny asked.
“We need to go see!” said Jessie.
The children ran to catch up with their dog. Watch was standing in a small clearing and wagging his tail. A bright yellow backpack lay in front of him. It was muddy and partly open.
“It looks like a backpack, but what’s inside?” asked Violet. Something in the backpack was glinting in the sun that streamed through the trees.