“Yes, business has been pretty slow.” Abby sighed. “What we need is a good Ogopogo sighting.”
Grandfather chuckled. “I imagine that would bring the tourists into town.”
“Oh, yes,” said Abby. “Business always picks up after a report of a strange creature in the water.”
“If I remember right,” said Grandfather, “Peachland holds the record for the most sightings. Doesn’t it?”
“It sure does.” Max reached for the pepper. “Every summer someone around here says they’ve seen Ogopogo.”
“I bet I know why,” piped up Benny. “I bet it’s because Ogopogo makes his home right across the lake.”
“You catch on fast, Benny.” Abby smiled at the youngest Alden. “Would you pass the butter, Adam?”
Adam didn’t answer. He was staring out at the lake.
“Adam?”
Adam still made no reply. When Abby reached out and put a hand gently on his arm, he suddenly jerked his head around. “Oh!” He seemed to have forgotten where he was.
“You’re a million miles away, Adam,” said Abby. “What are you thinking about?”
“I’m … um, not feeling very well,” Adam said quickly. “Guess I got a bit too much sun today. Is it okay if I go back to the cabin?” Adam looked over at his father expectantly.
“Go ahead,” Max answered, a note of concern in his voice. “I won’t be long.”
Jessie couldn’t help noticing that Adam had eaten every bit of food on his plate. Was he really not feeling well?
“I hope Adam’s better by tomorrow,” Benny said, as Adam hurried away. “For the Ogopogo hunt, I mean.”
“I’m sure he’ll be fine,” said Max. “The truth is, Adam hasn’t been himself lately. I’m afraid he’s upset about the resort being sold.”
Abby nodded her head sadly. “Believe me, the last thing I want to do is sell my home.”
“What if you did some advertising, Abby?” Grandfather suggested. “It might bring in more business.”
Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny all paid attention when their grandfather spoke. James Alden knew all there was to know about business.
“Yes,” agreed Abby. “Advertising would help, James. But it takes money to advertise. And the truth is, I’m pinching pennies right now. Besides,” she added, “it’s awfully hard to compete with the fancier resorts. Some of them even have waterslides.” She let out a long sigh. “Waterslides are very popular right now.”
Violet spoke up. “What if we painted the signs out front for you, Abby?” she offered. “Bright colors would really make them stand out.”
Grandfather nodded approvingly. “It would certainly catch a tourist’s eye.”
“That would be wonderful.” Abby looked surprised—and pleased. “Are you sure you wouldn’t mind?”
“It’s fun to paint!” Benny piped up. And Henry and Jessie nodded.
“That’s very kind of you,” said Abby. “Now, there’s a paint store in town, but it’s closed tomorrow. Why don’t you stop by the gift shop on Monday. I’ll give you some money from the cash register, and you can get what you need. Oh!” Abby touched a hand to her mouth. “I almost forgot! I have something for you, Benny.”
“For me?” Benny pointed to himself.
Abby reached into her straw bag and pulled out a stuffed Ogopogo. She held it out to the youngest Alden.
Benny was grinning from ear to ear. “Thank you very much!”
“Ogopogo will be good company for Stockings,” Violet said, smiling over at her little brother. Stockings was a rag bear made from old socks. Violet and Jessie had made the rag bear for Benny when they were living in the boxcar.
Over dessert, Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny took turns telling Abby and Max all about their boxcar days. When they were finished, they gave Abby a hand clearing the picnic table.
After the dishes were finished, Abby led the way into her living room.
“Is that the carving Patch made for you, Abby?” Henry asked. He pointed to the Ogopogo carving beside the fireplace. The carving was attached to a wooden stand.
Abby nodded. “Yes, isn’t it wonderful?” she said with a smile. “Oh, speaking of Patch, why don’t I show you that riddle?”
As they made themselves comfortable on the sofa, Abby reached for the photo album on the coffee table. She began flipping through the pages. “Here it is!” She handed a snapshot to Violet.
“Somebody sure likes cats,” Violet said, as she studied the photograph of seven cats curled up along a weathered green bench.
“Patch had a real soft spot for them,” said Abby. “He was always taking in strays.”
“What happened to them?” Benny wanted to know. “After Patch died, I mean.”
“Well, I couldn’t take them in myself,” Abby told him. “You see, they always made me sneeze up a storm. But I made sure they all went to good homes.”
Violet passed the photograph to Henry. Henry passed it to Benny. Benny passed it to Jessie. They were each wondering the same thing. What did a snapshot have to do with the riddle?
“Flip it over, Jessie,” Abby instructed.
On the back of the photograph, Jessie found a verse printed in black ink.
“What does that say?” Benny asked, checking it out over her shoulder. He was just learning to read. Jessie read the riddle aloud:
An awesome treasure
you can find
with the clue
I’ve left behind.
“Wow,” said Benny. “That’s not much to go on.”
“You got that right!” agreed Henry. “What clue did he leave behind?”
“I don’t know! I haven’t had any luck figuring it out,” Abby told them.
“None at all?” asked Violet.
“Zero.”
The Aldens looked at one another. How in the world were they going to find the answer to such a strange riddle?
CHAPTER 4
Ogopogo Hunting
It was dark by the time the Aldens headed back to their cabin. They were just climbing the porch steps when Benny stopped so suddenly that Violet almost bumped into him.
“I forgot Ogopogo!” he cried. “The one Abby gave me.”
“Oh, you probably left it by the picnic table,” guessed Jessie. “First thing in the morning, we’ll—” But Benny was gone before she could finish.
Running full speed along the path, Benny made his way to the water’s edge. Sure enough, his stuffed Ogopogo was right where he’d left it—on the bench beside the picnic table. He was just about to hurry back to his brother and sisters when he heard something—a splashing sound. For a long moment, he stood frozen to the spot, his heart pounding. Then, turning slowly, he looked out at the moonlit lake.
“Uh-oh!” The youngest Alden could hardly believe his eyes! In the water, not far from the dock, was the inky outline of a strange creature with three humps, a long neck, and a head like a sheep!
In a flash, Benny wheeled around and raced back along the path. He soon ran smack into Henry, Jessie, and Violet, who were on their way to find him.
Jessie could tell by her little brother’s face that something had happened. “What’s going on, Benny?” she asked in alarm. “Are you okay?”
Benny pointed to the lake. “Ogopogo!” he gasped, trying to catch his breath.
Henry wasn’t having any of that. “There’s no monster out there, Benny,” he said firmly.
Violet glanced over at Henry. She knew her older brother was probably right. But Benny’s words still sent a chill through her.
“There’s only one thing to do,” Jessie said, putting a comforting arm around her little brother. “Let’s go check it out.”
Benny wasn’t too sure about this. Still, he followed his brother and sisters back to the picnic table.
“Where did you see it, Benny?” Henry asked him.
“Over there.” Benny pointed. “Close to the dock.”
But when Henry, Jessie, and Violet looked out at
the moonlit lake, they could see nothing but the old boat at the end of the dock. There was no sign of any monster.
“Whatever you saw, Benny,” said Henry, “it’s gone now.”
“It was Ogopogo,” Benny insisted, as they headed back along the path. “I saw it with my own eyes.”
“Remember what Grandfather told us, Benny?” Jessie reminded him. “When he was growing up, he was sure he’d spotted Ogopogo, too.”
Henry nodded. “But it was just logs floating in the water.”
“I’m sure that’s all it was, Benny,” said Violet. She wasn’t really sure, but wanted her little brother to believe she was.
The next morning at breakfast, the children decided not to say anything about Ogopogo, but they told their grandfather about the strange riddle. Jessie finished by saying, “Patch left a clue behind, but we don’t know where.”
Grandfather helped himself to a few strips of crispy bacon. Then he passed the platter to Benny. “It won’t be long before you figure things out,” he said with a chuckle.
Violet, who was spreading honey on her toast, looked up. “I hope you’re right, Grandfather. We have to find the treasure before Abby sells the resort.”
Henry agreed. “We’ll get started on it the minute we get back from the boat tour.”
“Don’t forget to wear your hats,” Grandfather reminded them. “The sun can get pretty hot on Okanagan Lake.”
“You mean, Ogopogo Lake!” Benny corrected.
Grandfather nodded and smiled.
“Don’t worry, Grandfather,” Jessie assured him. “We’ll be careful.”
After leaving the kitchen spic and span, the four Alden children said good-bye to their grandfather, then raced down to the dock. True to their word, Max and Adam were waiting for them by the boat.
“Glad you remembered your camera, Violet,” Max told her. “It’s a beautiful day for taking pictures.”
As Max untied the boat from the rings on the dock, everyone put on their life jackets. Henry and Violet perched on the padded bench seat along one side of the boat. Jessie and Benny sat down across from them.
Max hopped aboard. “Ready to head out?”
Henry gave him the thumbs-up. “We’re ready!”
Max started up the motor, sending the seagulls scattering. The Seven Seas was soon speeding across the water. For a while, no one said a word. They were all too busy enjoying the warm sun on their faces and the wind in their hair. Every now and again, passing boaters waved as they went by. The Aldens were quick to wave back.
When Jessie looked up, she noticed an airplane trailing a banner behind it. The banner read: FUN IN THE SUN AT THE OGOPOGO RESORT. With that kind of advertising, Jessie realized, it was no wonder Abby’s resort was overlooked.
“That’s Rattlesnake Island over there,” Max told them. “According to local legend, Ogopogo makes its home in an underwater cave somewhere between Rattlesnake Island and Squally Point. Native tribes once called the creature N’ha-a-itk, or ‘lake demon,’”
Jessie spoke up. “How did it get the name Ogopogo?”
“Somebody wrote a song about the creature years ago,” Max explained, “calling it Ogopogo. I guess the name just caught on.”
“Grandfather thought he saw Ogopogo once,” Benny said, peering through his binoculars. “But it was just logs.”
“Just about anything can play tricks on the eye,” Max told them. “Even waves from a passing boat or a school of fish. And, of course, there’s always the occasional hoax.”
Benny frowned. “Hoax?”
Henry explained, “A hoax is when somebody tries to fool people.”
“That’s right,” said Max. “I’m afraid fake Ogopogos crop up every now and again.”
Benny said, “It’s not nice to trick people.”
“No, it isn’t,” agreed Violet.
Adam, who was sitting up front beside his father, said, “Still, it’s possible Nessie’s cousin might be living in the lake.”
“Nessie’s cousin?” Benny frowned again.
“That’s the name of Scotland’s famous monster,” Max explained. “Nessie’s supposed to live in a lake called Loch Ness.”
“Wow,” said Benny. “You mean there’s more than one leftover dinosaur?”
Adam shrugged. “Anything’s possible.”
Jessie looked at him in surprise. At dinner the night before, Adam had made it clear he didn’t believe in the monster. Had he changed his mind?
“There’s no proof that Nessie exists, Benny,” said Henry. “And there’s no proof that Ogopogo exists, either.”
As Max turned the boat around, Adam looked back at Henry. “If Ogopogo doesn’t exist, then why would the government give Ogopogo wildlife status?”
“Wildlife status?” Henry echoed in surprise.
Max nodded. “Ogopogo was given protected wildlife status in 1989. It’s illegal to capture or harm it in any way.”
Violet looked relieved. “I’m glad.”
They were all lost in thought as they made their way back to the dock.
“Thank you so much for the tour,” Jessie said, as they scrambled out of the boat. Henry, Violet, and Benny echoed her words.
“You’re welcome aboard the Seven Seas anytime,” Max told them. “I wish we could have stayed out longer, but I’m afraid Adam and I have some errands to run.”
“No problem,” said Henry, waving goodbye.
As they headed back up the path, Violet said, “How about a swim before lunch?” The others were quick to agree.
After splashing around in the lake for almost an hour, the Aldens went back to the cabin to make lunch.
“I have an idea,” said Jessie. “Why don’t we eat by the water?” She got out the cold cuts, bread, lettuce, and mustard.
“Sure!” said Benny, washing a handful of cherries under the tap. “I love picnics.”
“Maybe we should invite Adam to join us,” Violet suggested.
Benny shook his head. “Adam and Max are running errands. Remember?”
“Oh—right,” said Violet.
“Speaking of Adam,” said Jessie, “the way he was talking today, it sounded as if he believed the monster just might exist. But last night he said he didn’t believe in it at all.”
“Yeah, that was kind of weird, wasn’t it?” said Henry.
“Maybe Adam saw Ogopogo, too.” Benny’s eyes were wide. “Last night, I mean.”
“Maybe,” said Jessie. “But I doubt it.”
“I think we should concentrate on one mystery at a time,” Violet suggested. “Let’s work on finding that treasure before it’s too late.”
Nobody argued. They knew it would take all their detective skills to solve Patch O’Brien’s riddle.
CHAPTER 5
Strike One
“Read it again Jessie, okay?” said Benny.
Jessie pulled the photograph of Patch O’Brien’s cats from her backpack. She read the riddle on the back aloud. An awesome treasure, / you can find, / with the clue, / I’ve left behind. The four Alden children were sitting cross-legged on a small raft tied to the dock.
Benny was puzzled. “How can we find the treasure,” he said, “if we don’t even know how to find the first clue?”
“It must be somewhere on the property,” Violet said thoughtfully.
“But where?” Jessie passed around the napkins. “It’ll take forever to search every inch of the resort.”
“It isn’t much to go on,” said Benny. “Just a clue left behind … somewhere.” He swallowed the last bite of his sandwich, then washed it down with lemonade.
Jessie looked at Benny in surprise. A funny look came over her face.
“Is anything wrong, Jessie?” asked Violet.
Jessie didn’t answer. As she stared down at the riddle, an idea began to form in her mind. Then her face suddenly broke into a smile. “That’s it!” she said, more to herself than anyone else.
“Jessie?” said Henry. “What’s up?”
The others stared at Jessie. They looked totally confused.
“Patch left the clue behind,” said Jessie, hoping they would catch on. Seeing their puzzled faces, she added, “What’s behind the riddle?”
Henry looked even more confused. “I’m not following you, Jessie.”
“Wait a minute,” said Violet. “Are you talking about the photograph of Patch O’Brien’s cats?”
Nodding, Jessie flipped the riddle over. “I have a hunch the clue’s hidden somewhere in this photograph.”
“But … where?” asked Benny.
“I haven’t the slightest idea,” Jessie admitted. “But if we put our heads together, maybe we can figure it out.”
They took turns studying the photograph—first Jessie, then Benny, then Violet, and finally Henry. On the second time around, Henry said, “That bench looks familiar.”
“Really?” Jessie took a closer look. “I don’t remember seeing a green bench around anywhere.”
“Maybe it isn’t green anymore. Take a look at that crack along the back,” said Violet, who had an artist’s eye for detail. “It’s just like the one on that yellow bench by the gift shop.”
“You might be on to something,” said Henry. “That’s good detective work, Violet.”
“Now we’re getting somewhere!” put in Benny.
They quickly finished their lunch, then hurried over to the gift shop to take a closer look at the bench.
“No doubt about it,” said Jessie, looking from the photograph to the bench and back again. “That’s the same one, all right.”
They weren’t really sure what they were looking for, but they set to work checking out every inch of the old bench. They found the names of tourists carved into the wood, and wads of gum stuck under the seat. But they found nothing that would help them find Patch’s treasure.
Finally, Violet let out a sigh. “Looks like we struck out.”
As they headed back to their cabin, Jessie said, “Never mind, Violet. It was a good try.”
“If we’re on the wrong track with the bench,” Henry said thoughtfully, “that can mean only one thing.”
Boxcar Children Spooky Special Page 8