Mystery Ranch by Gertrude Warner

Author:Gertrude Warner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company
Published: 2010-06-15T04:00:00+00:00

Sam shook his head. “Just the same,” he went on, “I’d like to have a chance to fix up this old place! Now, if we had some money, I could start a good egg business for you.”

Sam stopped and shook his head again. “But I still can’t believe it,” he said.

“You’ll just have to believe it, Sam,” said Henry. “Aunt Jane said the ranch is ours right now. All she has to do is sign some papers.”

Sam picked a blade of grass and chewed on it. He was upset at this strange news.

“What would we do after we got the egg business started?” asked Jessie.

“Well, I’d raise wheat. There are about five hundred acres on this ranch that would grow wheat.”

“How big is this ranch?” asked Henry.

“The fields go way over to the mountains. Your aunt owns all that land.”

“We never thought anything like this would happen when we came to see Aunt Jane,” said Jessie.

The children and Sam sat looking at the big ranch that would soon be theirs.

“There’s another surprise!” Sam said. “I’ve seen your Mystery Man!”

“Oh, where is he?” asked Jessie.

“He is still in town, but no one knows why. We never have strangers in Centerville, and everyone wonders why he is there.”

“Haven’t you any police in Centerville?” asked Henry. “I think this man ought to be watched.”

“Oh, no, Henry,” said Jessie quickly. “If you ever saw him, you wouldn’t think that!”

“Well, we never had a policeman here, anyway,” said Sam. “No need of one. But there is a sheriff in Stony Creek. That’s the next town. His name is Bates.”

“Look what’s coming!” cried Benny. “A car!”

“It’s Mr. Pond, sure as I live!” said Sam. “I guess this story of yours must be true.”

“Mr. Pond is certainly early,” said Jessie, laughing. “We haven’t had breakfast.”

Watch got to his feet and stood still, looking at the stranger. Then he began to wag his tail a very little.

“Good morning, Sam!” called Mr. Pond. He came slowly toward the barn.

Watch did not bark. He walked slowly toward the strange man, wagging his tail more and more.

“Well, hello. What’s your name?” Mr. Pond asked the dog. “Are you a good dog?”

Benny said, “His name is Watch, and he is a very good dog. But he almost always barks at strangers.”

“Well, see that you don’t bark at me, old boy,” said Mr. Pond. He patted Watch. Then he looked at the children with a nice smile.

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