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 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
THE LEGEND OF THE HOWLING WEREWOLF
THE DAY OF THE DEAD MYSTERY
NEW! THE HUNDRED-YEAR MYSTERY
NEW! THE SEA TURTLE MYSTERY
Copyright © 2019 by Albert Whitman & Company
First published in the United States of America in 2019 by Albert Whitman & Company
ISBN 978-0-8075-0753-7 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-0-8075-0746-9 (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
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Illustrations by Anthony VanArsdale
Visit the Boxcar Children online at www.boxcarchildren.com.
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Contents
1. What’s in the Water?
2. Not a Bird’s Nest
3. A Clue in the Night
4. Real Writing, Real Clue
5. Rangers on Patrol
6. Too Many Suspects
7. The Expert at the Restaurant
8. Turtles Everywhere
9. Seaweed Marks the Spot
10. They’re Off!
What’s in the Water?
Six-year-old Benny Alden was confused. He tilted his head to the side and looked at the map in his sister Violet’s hands. Violet was ten, and she was helping teach Benny how to read the map. The two were in the back seat of Grandfather’s car on their way to a place called Padre Island. Benny pointed. “I know this word says island, but I thought islands were round. This one looks like a big line on the map.”
“Padre Island is a barrier island,” said Henry from the front seat. Henry was the oldest of the Alden children. At fourteen, he had learned about different land formations in school. “Most barrier islands are long and narrow and not very far from land. They’re kind of like big sandbars.”
Benny’s twelve-year-old sister Jessie spoke up next. “Look out the window! We’re about to cross the bridge to the island!”
Within just a few minutes, Grandfather pulled into a parking lot and stopped the car. It had been a long journey. But the view was worth it.
Behind them, seagrasses and flowering vines covered the sand dunes. The beach and the ocean were right in front of them. The four children jumped out and ran down to the water. Grandfather followed with Watch, the Aldens’ wirehaired terrier.
Violet couldn’t believe what she saw. “There are millions and millions of shells here!” she said, picking up a couple. “All different kinds too.” She was so excited about the shells she didn’t even notice when a big blue heron flew overhead.
“It’s such a wide-open space. We can see for miles,” said Jessie. “I’m going to take lots of pictures.”
“Where are all the buildings?” asked Benny.
“There aren’t any houses or shops on this part of the island,” said Grandfather. “This is a national seashore, which is a lot like a national park. The land has been set aside so it can be protected.”
Henry walked back toward the car to a sandy area in front of the dunes. “Jessie, don’t you think this is a good place for the tent?” he asked. “It’s close to the visitor center and the ranger station.”
“Yes, it’s perfect,” said Jessie.
The children piled everything at the spot Henry had chosen. When they were finished and Grandfather was closing up the back of the car, a truck sped past them. It drove right off the road and onto the sand. Then it sped down the beach.
“I didn’t know people could drive on the beach,” said Henry. “That looks like fun.”
“This seashore is very long,” said Grandfather. “It would take a lot of time to travel all the way down it on foot. Vehicles help people get there faster. There are speed limits, but you’ll have to watch out for cars on the beach.”
“We will,” said Jessie.
“Are you sure you don’t want to camp with us, Grandfather?” Benny asked.
Grandfather smiled. “I’m sure. I’ll be happy sitting in a rocking chair on the porch of the inn back on the mainland. But when I see you in the evenings, you’ll have to tell me all about your adventures.”
The children promised they would, then said good-bye. After Grandfather had gone, the Aldens got to work setting up the tent and organizing the supplies. When they were done, Jessie looked over everything. She liked to keep things organized. “It looks like we have everything we need,” she said.
“It’s a lot more than we had when we lived in the boxcar,” said Henry.
“That seems like such a long time ago,” Violet said. “I can’t believe we didn’t even want to meet Grandfather back then.”
After the Aldens’ parents had died, the children had run away. They hadn’t wanted to live with their grandfather because they were afraid he would be mean. They found an old boxcar in the woods and had lived in it until their grandfather found them. He turned out not to be mean at all! Now they lived with Grandfather back in Greenfield, Connecticut, and the boxcar was their clubhouse.
Jessie picked up her camera and put the strap around her neck. “It was nice of Grandfather to arrange this vacation for us. I don’t know about everyone else, but I’m ready to explore the beach.”
“Yay!” Benny yelled, running down to the ocean. “The water is so warm!” he called to the others. He jumped up and down, splashing. Then all of a sudden he stopped and looked down. Then he looked back up at the others. Jessie could see that he was scared as he ran back to the beach.
“There’s something in there!” he yelled. “It’s after me!”
“Whoa, Benny, don’t be scared,” Henry said. “The water is too shallow for a big fish.”
Jessie waded in and looked down at the water. “Sometimes the way the waves move over the sand makes it look like something is moving in the water. It’s just a trick on your eyes.”
“But I did see something,” Benny said. He stretched his arms out as wide as he could. “Something this big.”
Henry and Watch came to the edge of the water as a big wave came in and then rolled back. Watch barked and stepped back a few steps.
“There!” yelled Benny.
Where Benny pointed, a big clump of sand seemed to rise up from the sandy bottom. Watch barked again at the strange shape. Then another wave washed some of the sand away, revealing a strange-looking creature. Benny was right. There was something in the shallows. Something big!
Not a Bird’s Nest
“A giant sea turtle!” said Violet. The turtle was much bigger than any she had seen. It had a smooth, light gray shell and long flipper arms, which it was using to pull itself up onto the beach.
“It’s moving so slow,” said Benny. “Even for a turtle. Is it sick?”
“I think it’s moving so slowly because it doesn’t have legs like a land turtle,” Jessie said. “I’ve seen these kinds of turtles on TV. It’s amazing how they use their flippers to glide through the water and ride the currents.”
“Should we help it?” Violet asked. “I think it’s confused.”
“Silly turtle. Go back to the water,” Benny called.
“Even if it is confused, we can’t pick it up,” Henry said. “It’s too big.”
As they watched the turtle crawl up the sand, they heard a voice call, “Don’t go any closer! Stay back! Stay back!”
Violet jumped. She hadn’t noticed anyone nearby, but a man got out of a white van near the dunes and ran toward them waving his arms. “Stay away! Keep your dog away!”
The man sounded upset, and the Aldens stepped back.
“We weren’t going to hurt it,” Henry told him. “We were just wondering why it was out of the water.”
The man glared at them. “This whole area is a sea turtle nesting ground. This particular species is endangered, so we have to protect them as best we can.”
“What does endangered mean?” Benny asked.
“It means there aren’t many of them still living in the wild,” the man said.
“Are you a park ranger?” Violet asked him. The man wasn’t wearing a uniform, but he wasn’t wearing normal beach clothes either, except for a big straw hat. His tan pants and white shirt looked like the clothes Grandfather wore to his office in the summer.
“No, I’m not a ranger, but I am a turtle expert.” The man motioned at t
he beach. “You should go play somewhere else.”
“So this turtle is going to its nest?” asked Violet. She didn’t see anything that looked like a nest.
“It digs a hole in the sand,” the man said. “That is its nest.”
Just as the man said this, the turtle stopped crawling. It started using its flippers to wiggle down into the sand.
“I’ll go get my sandcastle shovel and help it dig!” said Benny.
“No!” the man shouted. “You might scare it. Turtles always dig nests like this. It knows what it’s doing and doesn’t need any help.”
Other beachgoers started to notice the turtle. Soon at least a dozen people were gathered. The man with the straw hat kept telling the crowd to leave the turtle alone. As more people stopped to look, the man’s face started to get red with frustration.
Then a shaggy brown dog wearing a red scarf around its neck ran up. It was panting and dragging a leash. The man grabbed the end of the leash and pulled the dog away just before it got to the turtle.
“Sandy, no!” a woman called as she ran toward the crowd. She was struggling to hold on to several beach bags as she ran. The woman was wearing a bandanna made of the same fabric as the one around the dog’s neck.
“Martina, keep better hold of your dog!” the man snapped at her. “I’ve seen him running loose more than once now. If you can’t keep him on a leash, I’ll see that he gets banned from the beach.”
The woman named Martina took the end of the leash from the man. “He won’t hurt the turtles or the eggs,” she said. “He’s just curious. I know you don’t like dogs, Mr. Chatman, but don’t assume Sandy is a bad dog because of that.”
The man in the straw hat glared at her. “Even if he doesn’t mean to hurt the turtle, he might scare it. That could make it go back to the water without laying its eggs. Keep him away!”
“Come on, Sandy,” said Martina. The woman led the dog down the beach and then stopped at a distance to watch the turtle.
As more people joined the crowd, Mr. Chatman’s face turned even redder. Violet heard him mumble, “It’s no use. There are too many people here now.” He took out his cell phone and made a call. “We’ve got one. Right past mile marker six.”
As Mr. Chatman was on the phone, Henry noticed a silver truck coming fast down the beach. Too fast. As it got closer, the driver slowed a little, but only to honk at people to get out of the way. Then it sped away. As the truck passed, Henry noticed a picture on its side door of a fish leaping out of the water. Underneath were the words Fischer’s Custom Fishing Trips.