Boxcar Children 64 - Black Pearl Mystery by Warner Gertrude Chandler

Author:Warner, Gertrude Chandler [Warner, Gertrude Chandler]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-4532-1406-0
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company
Published: 2011-07-05T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 6

Shark Warning!

That night, Jessie had trouble sleeping. She awoke several times. Finally she decided to get some fresh air. She stepped onto the back porch of the guest cottage. The moon was high in the sky, casting its silvery light over Pineapple Bay.

Jessie walked over to the telescope Cousin Mary had left on the porch for the children. She turned the telescope this way and that, trying to find stars, but the moonlight made most of them too faint to see.

A shooting star!” Jessie said when she spotted a light moving across Pineapple Bay. “Oh, it’s just a boat,” she whispered to herself. “It’s stopping.”

Jessie couldn’t see much else. She was tired again, so she went back inside and climbed into her warm, cozy bed.

Slip-slap. Slip-slap.

What’s that sound?” Jessie called out as she packed a duffel bag with snorkels, masks, and fins the next morning. When she turned around, she started to laugh. “Oh, it’s you, Benny, in your snorkeling fins! You sounded funny coming into the room.”

Benny stood in the doorway of Jessie’s bedroom. A snorkeling mask covered his eyes, nose, and mouth. On his feet were big yellow swimming fins.

I’m ready,” he said after he took off his snorkel and mask.

I’m ready, too,” Jessie said. “Henry asked us to meet him in Cousin Mary’s office. We’re going to pick up those underwater maps she told us about. Are Soo Lee and Violet ready?”

They were ready. The Aldens had learned all about snorkeling on a trip to Florida with Grandfather Alden. They knew how to breathe through a snorkel. They knew how to keep their masks from getting fogged. Best of all, they knew how much fun snorkeling could be. They couldn’t wait!

I’m glad I ran into you. Just go right in my office for those maps,” Cousin Mary said. “I’m heading into town on errands this morning. I had Joseph set out bag lunches for you and the Pierces on the porch. I told the Pierces I’d be out all morning and that all of you should just help yourselves.”

Something was still bothering Henry about the night before. “Did Joseph say anything about last night? I mean about seeing Norma Kane or anything?”

A shadow seemed to pass over Cousin Mary’s face. “He told me he didn’t see her. I’m still concerned that she’ll hire him away from Pineapple Place. I gave him the next few days off when he asked me. Maybe he needs some time to think. Oh, dear. Here I am gabbing on and on about my troubles. Now off you go to my office for those maps. I left them right on top of my desk for you yesterday afternoon.”

The children headed for Cousin Mary’s office. First they checked her desk, but the maps were nowhere to be seen.

Let’s check underneath the desk and behind the furniture in case the maps slipped off,” Henry suggested.

The Aldens got on their hands and knees behind the desk. That’s when they heard the office door squeak open. They all popped up at the same time.

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