Cereal Box Mystery Read Online Free Page A

They were going to work on the party decorations there.
    But as they reached the boxcar, their steps slowed. Watch growled softly and the hair on his neck stood up.
    “What is this?” Jessie asked.
    “It looks like Benny’s cereal,” Violet said.
    Benny ran forward. “It is!” he cried. “Someone has sprinkled Stars all over the ground.”
    The Aldens bent to examine the spilled cereal. Watch trotted around the corner of the boxcar. A moment later, he trotted back with something in his mouth. It was the empty cereal box.
    “The thief must have dropped the box while he was running away last night,” said Henry. “Good dog, Watch.” Watch cocked his head and panted.

    Jessie looked puzzled. “But why did he open it before he dropped it?”
    “Why did he take it if he didn’t want to eat the cereal?” Violet wondered.
    “Hmmm,” said Jessie. “If you ask me, the cereal box mystery is even harder than the jewelry mystery — we know why someone would steal valuable jewelry. But why would anyone steal a box of cereal?”
    When Soo Lee arrived, the Aldens told her what had happened. She was just as puzzled as they were. “But if we scatter the cereal in the grass,” she said, “at least the birds can eat it.”
    “Good idea, Soo Lee,” said Jessie.
    Soo Lee and Violet and Benny scooped up the cereal that was spilled near the boxcar and scattered it across the lawn for the birds. Watch helped by eating pieces of the cereal.
    “Oh, Watch!” Soo Lee laughed. “You’re a silly dog.”
    Watch wagged his tail.
    “It’s good cereal, isn’t it, Watch?” asked Benny.
    Watch wagged his tail again.
    “I’ve never had any,” said Soo Lee.
    “You’ve never had Silver Frosted Stars?” Benny’s eyes widened. “Wait right here.”
    He hurried away and returned with his opened box of cereal. Going into the boxcar, he returned with the old cracked pink cup that had been his when he and his sisters and brother had lived in the boxcar. He poured some of the cereal into the cup.
    “Here,” he said. “You can eat it without milk. We’ll eat Stars while we make decorations for Grandfather’s party.”
    The Aldens worked all afternoon. Benny and Soo Lee made a big poster that said HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDFATHER in bright letters. They painted a rainbow behind the words.
    Violet painted a bouquet of purple flowers with green leaves and drew a frame around it for Grandfather Alden. Jessie and Henry gathered branches of greenery to make into birthday wreaths.
    “We can pick flowers on his birthday and make a big birthday bouquet,” said Jessie.
    “We could paint pinecones different colors and put them in a big glass bowl,” said Soo Lee. “That would be pretty.”
    “I know, I know! I know an even better idea,” cried Benny, bouncing up and down in excitement.
    “What is it, Benny?” asked Violet.
    “We can get Grandfather a special tree and decorate it. Then we can plant it and he will have it forever and ever,” Benny said.
    “That’s a terrific idea, Benny,” said Jessie admiringly. “We’ll put all our money together and go pick out a perfect tree tomorrow.”
    Violet suddenly turned her head and frowned.
    “What is it, Violet?” asked Soo Lee.
    “I don’t know,” said Violet. She looked around uneasily. Then she said, “I must be imagining things. But I just had the strangest feeling that someone was watching us.”
    The other Aldens looked around, too. But they couldn’t see anyone.
    Then Watch jumped up and raced toward the woods behind the house, barking as loudly as he could!

CHAPTER 6
A Spy in the Woods
    “W atch, come back!” shouted Henry. He ran after Watch. So did all the others.
    As they reached the edge of the woods, they heard crashing sounds and heavy footsteps. A shadowy figure ran between two big trees and then disappeared.
    The Aldens ran after the figure. But they had to stop at a steep bank leading down to a wide stream. Watch ran up and down the bank, barking