“Who are you talking about?” Doris snapped impatiently.
“Those awful campers,” Andy said. “The litter everywhere. They don’t care about the forest. They just come here to make noise and mess things up.”
“He stole a lantern from the Aldens,” Hildy piped up.
“But our lantern is at your cabin,” Henry said.
“Mine’s broken,” Hildy explained. “There’s no electricity in my cabin. Without a lantern it gets awfully dark. Andy gave me one to use. When I saw your name on it, I began to wonder how he got it.”
“So you came over here to question him?” Doris asked.
“I did,” Hildy answered. “But when I started asking questions, Andy pushed me into the bathroom and locked the door. I knew then that he was the guilty party.”
“When did you take the lantern?” Henry asked. “It was there in the morning and, later, it was missing. But Grandfather was at the camp the whole time.”
Andy Watts shrugged. “I just waited until he fell asleep. Then I sneaked over and … took it. I figured without a lantern, you’d go home.”
“You played the loud music, too?” Violet asked.
“Yes, yes,” Andy said. “For years, I’ve had to listen to it. Loud music, loud voices—any time of the night. The forest is a quiet place. People should respect that. I just wanted to let people know how it sounded. But I never meant to cause Mr. Alden’s accident. That made me feel real bad!”
“And the lights?” Jessie asked. “Why did you do that?”
“To scare people away,” Andy explained. “That’s why I took the food. People get edgy when strange things like that happen. It worked, too. Word got around. Campers have been staying away.”
“But how could you take our food when we were right there?” Jessie asked.
“You were difficult,” Andy admitted. “I dropped the honey when I heard someone rustling around in the tent.”
“That was me,” Violet said. “I thought I heard something. I came out to look.”
“I just got away in time,” Andy said. “And the morning when I took the stew—”
“I saw you!” Jessie interrupted. She turned to Henry. “Remember, Henry? Watch woke me up and then I saw something moving in the mist.”
“I was sure you’d catch me that time,”Andy said.
“And the arrows? Did you do that, too?” Benny asked.
“That’s the first thing I did: turn the wooden arrow that pointed to the ranger’s station in a different direction. A few people got so confused, they left. But most people figured it out,” Andy said.
“I mean the arrow in the maple tree,” Benny persisted.
“Yes,” Andy admitted. “I did that, too. When I returned from your campsite, you children were at my cabin.”
“That was the morning we found Grandfather in the ravine,” Henry said putting the pieces together.
“I only meant to scare you … nothing more,” Andy said.
“You know, you weren’t the first to complain about strange things happening,” Hildy said to the Aldens. “I never believed it. Thought it was nonsense. Imagine my surprise when I realized the lantern was yours. And then to find out that Andy Watts of all people was causing so much trouble!”
“She wanted to tell the authorities what I’d done,” Andy said. “I couldn’t let her do that, could I? They’d put me in jail!”
“And that’s why you locked her in your bathroom,” Doris concluded.
“I would’ve let her out,” Andy said. “I decided to pack up—get out of here. Go someplace where no one could find me. I would’ve let her out when I was ready to go.” He looked from one to the other. His eyes were sad. “I didn’t mean any harm,” he said. “Please, believe me.”
“Mean it or not, Andy Watts, you did cause harm,” Doris said. “You ruined people’s camping trips and the park’s reputation. Something has to be done about it.”
“Oh, I know,” Andy said. “It was foolish of me to think of running away. I knew that even while I was packing to go. This is my home. I’d never be happy anywhere else— especially after what I’ve done.” He sighed deeply. “I’ll go turn myself in to the ranger.”
CHAPTER 17
A Problem Solved
The next night, Doris and Hildy joined the Aldens around the campfire.
“It’s hard to believe that Andy Watts caused so much trouble,” Doris said.
“I think I understand what he did,” Hildy said. “I’ve felt the same way about some campers. So many of them just don’t appreciate the beauty around them.”
The children stared at her. She seemed an entirely different person than she was before.
She smiled at them. “Are you having trouble believing old Hildy likes nature?”
“We didn’t think you liked anything!” Benny said.
“Now, Benny, mind your manners,” Grandfather warned, but he said it lightly, and Benny knew he was amused.
“Hush, James Henry,” Hildy said. “I deserved that. I wasn’t very nice to your grandchildren—or to anybody for that matter. But I’ve learned my lesson. These children taught me. Independence is important, but so is knowing people care.”
“You know, Hildy,” Doris said, “for a while I was afraid you were the one causing all the trouble.”
Hildy chuckled. “My own sister!” she teased. “You should have known better. My way of dealing with the campers was to ignore them. Keep my distance.”
“Well, things will be different now,” Grandfather said.
“They sure will be,” Doris said. “Andy did a good thing by turning himself in. Things went easier for him because of it.”
“I hope they aren’t going to put him in jail,” Benny said. “He might have done bad things, but he’s a good man.”
“That’s exactly what the ranger said,” Doris told him. “He came up with a plan to have Andy educate and help campers. It’ll accomplish a lot more than a jail sentence would.”
“What exactly will he teach the campers?” Violet asked.
“He knows all about the forest,” Doris answered. “He’ll take people on nature hikes, and teach new campers about safety procedures and anything else they might want to know.”
“I hope he teaches them about neatness,” Benny piped up. “This place was a mess when we got here.”
“I wish we could help,” Jessie said.
“You already have,” Doris reminded her. “You solved the mystery. Now, campers won’t be afraid to come here.”
“But we’d like to do more,” Violet said.
“Maybe we can,” Grandfather said. “Andy mentioned the need for more trees to keep the soil from eroding. I’ll donate some.”
“We could come weekends and help plant them,” Henry suggested.
“That’s a fine idea, Henry,” Grandfather said. “I’m sure the ranger would approve.”
“And the park needs more garbage cans,” Jessie said. “That would help people to be neater.”
Mr. Alden nodded. “We’ll get those, too.”
“Maybe we could set up a recycling center with different bins for bottles and cans,” Henry said.
“I’ll talk to the county officials,” Doris offered. “They have special trucks to collect recyclable material.”
“I have another idea,” Benny said. “Something we can do right now to help some campers.”
They all looked at him.
“Roast marshmallows and have some more s’mores,” he said.
They all laughed.
“Now, that’s what I call an excellent idea!” Grandfather said.
And everyone agreed.
About the Author
GERTRUDE CHANDLER WARNER discovered when she was teaching that many readers who like an exciting story could find no books that were both easy and fun to read. She decided to try to meet this need, and her first book, The Boxcar Children, quickly proved she had succeeded.
Miss Warner drew on her own experiences to write e
ach mystery. As a child she spent hours watching trains go by on the tracks opposite her family home. She often dreamed about what it would be like to set up housekeeping in a caboose or freight car—the situation the Alden children find themselves in.
When Miss Warner received requests for more adventures involving Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny Alden, she began additional stories. In each, she chose a special setting and introduced unusual or eccentric characters who liked the unpredictable.
While the mystery element is central to each of Miss Warner’s books, she never thought of them as strictly juvenile mysteries. She liked to stress the Aldens’ independence and resourcefulness and their solid New England devotion to using up and making do. The Aldens go about most of their adventures with as little adult supervision as possible—something else that delights young readers.
Miss Warner lived in Putnam, Connecticut, until her death in 1979. During her lifetime, she received hundreds of letters from girls and boys telling her how much they liked her books.
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 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 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
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this ebook onscreen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
copyright © 1992 by Albert Whitman & Company
ISBN: 978-1-4532-1253-0
This 2011 edition distributed by Open Road Integrated Media
180 Varick Street
New York, NY 10014
www.openroadmedia.com
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The Camp-Out Mystery Page 6