The Legend of the Howling Werewolf

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The Legend of the Howling Werewolf Page 1

by Gertrude Chandler Warner




  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?”

 

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