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The Day of the Dead Mystery

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 978-0-8075-0737-7 (hardcover)

  ISBN 978-0-8075-0738-4 (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

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  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. Two Celebrations

  2. Too Much Candy

  3. One Thing Missing

  4. A Surprising Assessment

  5. Little to Go On

  6. Breakfast Breakthrough

  7. Another Theft?

  8. A Sweet Surprise

  9. Family First

  10. Celebrate!

  Two Celebrations

  “Come on, you two!” Jessie Alden called to Violet and Benny. It was the evening of October 31: Halloween. The streetlights were just starting to come on, and trick-or-treating was about to begin.

  Jessie didn’t want her younger sister and brother to miss out on the fun. Henry, the oldest of the Alden children, stood with Jessie and Grandfather on the front porch. Their dog, Watch, waited patiently at their feet, his chin resting on his paws. Now that Henry was fourteen and Jessie was twelve, they had decided they were too old to dress up for Halloween, but they were excited to see the costumes Violet and Benny had been working on.

  “Almost ready,” Violet called from the front hall. “Making a last-minute change to a sesame seed!”

  Henry and Jessie looked at each other in confusion, and Grandfather laughed.

  “This surprise is going to be well worth the wait,” Grandfather said. A moment later, Violet burst onto the porch.

  “Voilà!” she cried. Ten-year-old Violet wore a black wig adorned with flowers and a colorful dress with a band of white lace running along the hem. She had long, dark eyebrows and held a paintbrush in her hand.

  “Wow, Violet—you’re an artist!” Henry said. Watch sat up and barked his approval.

  “Not just any artist. Right, Violet?” Grandfather said with a knowing smile.

  “That’s right,” Violet said. “I am dressed as Frida Kahlo, one of Mexico’s great painters.”

  “I remember learning about her in art class,” Jessie said. “She was famous for painting self-portraits. You look just like her, Violet! But…what does this have to do with a sesame seed?”

  Violet laughed. “That wasn’t for me—it was for Benny. Speaking of which…” Violet cleared her throat. “Ahem. We’re ready for the, uh, the main course!”

  Benny stepped outside. He was moving a little more slowly than Violet had. For one thing, he was only six years old. For another, he was wearing a giant, round costume stuffed with newspaper.

  “Benny, you’re a cheeseburger!” Jessie said.

  “A deluxe one too,” Henry added, as he noticed all the ingredients Benny’s costume included. There was a brown bun strapped to his front and back, then a layer of meat made from brown felt, a slice of yellow paper cheese, a red satin tomato, and a layer of ketchup made from ribbon. Benny, who wore a green hat, appeared to be the pickle. White circles of paper were taped to the front of the bun to look like sesame seeds.

  “You know what they say,” Benny said. “You are what you eat!”

  Grandfather laughed. “Well done, you two!” He asked the children to stand together on the front steps with Watch and snapped a picture of them. “This is going to make a great memory someday. Now, you had better get going before it gets any later!”

  The Aldens started down the street to the house of Violet and Benny’s new friends, Gloria and Mateo Hidalgo. The children planned to trick-or-treat together. When they arrived at the Hidalgo house, a cozy stone cottage with a heavy oak front door, Benny tried to ring the doorbell. He couldn’t quite reach because of his costume, so Jessie gave him a boost.

  Mateo, who was seven, answered the door. Normally, Mateo was a quiet boy with straight, dark hair and glasses, but tonight he wore a spiky red wig and glitter around his eyes. A guitar hung over his shoulder.

  “You’re a rock star!” Benny said.

  Mateo smiled shyly and nodded. “And wait until you see Gloria.”

  The kids stepped into the Hidalgos’ living room just as Gloria was coming out of the kitchen. Violet knew from school that Gloria had an energetic personality and a joyful laugh. So it was a surprise to see her wearing a very serious face and a judge’s black robe, with her long, straight hair pulled into a tight bun.

  “Order in the court!” she said when she saw the Aldens. She held up her gavel. The children all laughed. It was fun that on Halloween you could pretend to be someone so different from yourself.

  Mrs. Hidalgo followed her daughter out of the kitchen. She had the same dark eyes as Gloria, but she was taller and had a little gray hair. She wore bright red earrings and an apron with a dusting of flour on the front.

  “Kids, you look fantastic!” Mrs. Hidalgo said.

  “Are the trick-or-treaters here?” asked a voice coming from the den. Mr. Hidalgo soon emerged and joined them in the living room. The house was full of striking and colorful artwork, and he was making his way around to each painting and whisking it with a feather duster. As soon as he saw Benny, he clapped his hands. “Now that’s a great costume,” Mr. Hidalgo said to his wife.

  Mrs. Hidalgo nodded. “And I love Violet’s too,” she said. “Frida Kahlo has always been an inspiration to me. I studied her work in art school.” She leaned down and kissed each of her children on the head. “Now, I expect you two to bring me lots of chocolate bars.”

  Mateo smiled. “We will, Mamá.”

  “Won’t you be able to join us for trick-or-treating?” Henry asked.

  “We wish we could, Henry,” said Mrs. Hidalgo. “But we have a lot to do at home.”

  “It’s only two days until Day of the Dead,” Mr. Hidalgo explained.

  Benny’s eyes got big. “What’s that?” he asked.

  “Day of the Dead, or Día de Muertos in Spanish, isn’t anything to be afraid of, Benny,” said Gloria. “It’s a day of celebration in Mexico—a time to honor our ancestors.”

  “Wow, that sounds important,” Violet said. She loved learning about history and hearing stories of the past. She turned to Mrs. Hidalgo. “Are you baking something for the celebration?”

  Mrs. Hidalgo nodded. “Yes, the pan de muerto—the bread of the dead. I’m mixing up the dough today and will bake it tomorrow so that it’s ready in time.”

  “And I am cleaning the house,” Mr. Hidalgo said. He pointed to the vacuum cleaner in the corner. “We want everything to be perfect as we welcome the spirits for their visit.”

  Jessie noticed that Benny was looking a little nervous with all the talk of spirits. She cleared her throat and asked as politely as she could, “Mrs. Hidalgo, why is it called the bread of the dead?”

  Mrs. Hidalgo smiled. “It is part of the way we honor the people who have died. It is a sweet bread, and we only make it at this time of year.”

  “We take some for ourselves,” Mateo added, “and we leave some of the offering for the spirits to eat.”

  “Offering?” Benny asked.

  Gloria nodded. “The offering is the most important part of Day of the Dead, and this is the first year that I got to help set it up,” she said proudly. “In Spanish, we call it ofrenda. It’s a special altar where we place things that help us remember loved ones who have died. Pictures, their favorite foods and drinks, and other things they loved when they were alive.”

  Henry and Jessie exchanged a glance, each of them remembering how much their lives had changed when their parents died in a car accident. After it happened, the Alden children were supposed to go live with their grandfather, but they thought he was mean and that they wouldn’t like living with him. So Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny ran away to the woods where they found an abandoned boxcar. They made it their home and even found their dog, Watch.

  Eventually, Grandfather discovered where they were, and they realized he was not mean at all. He took the children home to live with him and
his housekeeper, Mrs. McGregor. Even better, Grandfather brought the boxcar home too. He put it in his backyard for the children to use as a clubhouse.

  Gloria must have noticed that her friends looked a little sad. “Don’t worry,” she said. “Offerings are happy things, I promise.” She waved her gavel in the direction of the back porch. “Come on—I’ll show you.”

  Mr. and Mrs. Hidalgo went back to their work, and the children tromped through the kitchen and out the sliding door to a screened-in porch. There was a table with two tiers covered in a beautiful cloth. It held framed pictures of family members, some of them from many generations ago. Four brass candlesticks sat in the form of a cross, and orange marigold petals were sprinkled around them.

  “Wow,” Violet said. “I love how colorful this is. You’re right, Gloria—the altar doesn’t feel sad at all.”

  “It’s really a celebration of the people we love,” Gloria said. “And we have the important job of honoring them. We want to welcome the spirits to visit. Besides the bread my mom is baking, we will also put out a pitcher of water to quench the spirits’ thirst after their long journey. And we put out the things they loved in life. That’s why we have my great-uncle’s baseball cards—he loved baseball. And it’s why we have this.”

  Gloria picked up a delicate ivory jewelry box. She opened the lid and showed it to the Aldens. “This bracelet belonged to my great-grandmother Luisa.”

  “It’s beautiful,” Jessie said. The bracelet was a chain of delicate silver flowers with charms hanging off each one. There was a tiny water jug, a marigold, and a sunbonnet. Jessie realized these charms must have marked some of their great-grandmother Luisa’s favorite memories.

  Gloria shook the box, and the charms on the bracelet made a jingling sound. She smiled. “That sound always makes me think of the few times I was with her. She lived so far away that we didn’t get to see her much.”

  Mateo carefully took the jewelry box from his sister to get a closer look. “I am glad we have this,” he said. “Because I was so little when she died, I don’t really have a memory of her.”

  Henry smiled at Mateo and Gloria. “Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Family traditions are very important.”

  After a moment Jessie said, “You know, we had better get going if we want to celebrate Halloween before it gets too dark.”

  “Yes,” Benny said, “and before the candy runs out!”

  “Rock on,” Mateo said, back in character.

  Gloria laughed and adjusted her bun. “Everybody got their bags? Let’s go!”

 

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