The Camp-out Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner Page A

things.”
    â€œThat’s what Andy Watts said,” Violet piped up. “He told us we should go home.”
    Doris got to her feet. “Maybe it would be best if you left,” she said. “I’ll be happy to help you pack up right now.”
    â€œOh, no, thank you, Doris,” Grandfather said. “We’re staying.”
    â€œWell, I was just thinking of you,” Doris said firmly. “It can’t be much fun putting up with all that noise and such.”
    â€œCan you stay and have breakfast with us?” Jessie asked.
    â€œI have to get back,” Doris answered. “I have some … business to take care of.” At the edge of the camp she turned to face them. “I wish you’d change your mind about leaving, James.”
    Grandfather laughed. “An Alden doesn’t change his mind easily,” he said.
    Doris frowned. “All right,” she said, “but you may be sorry.”
    â€œWhat did she mean by that ?” Violet asked when Doris had gone.
    â€œOh, that’s just Doris’s way,” Grandfather said. “She was always very serious.”
    â€œWe should put her on our list,” Benny said.
    â€œList?” Grandfather asked.
    â€œWe were trying to decide who could be doing all those strange things,” Henry explained.
    â€œWe forgot about Doris,” Jessie added.
    â€œWell, you can keep her off your list,”Grandfather told them.
    â€œBut she did act strangely,” Henry said.
    â€œShe didn’t sound at all surprised about the missing pancake mix or any of the other things,” Violet said.
    Mr. Alden shook his head. “It’s not Doris,” he said. “She would never think of such things.”
    The children had a wonderful time playing in the forest and taking care of Grandfather that day. Only at night when the music sounded and the lights appeared did they think about solving the mystery. But, by then, they were too tired to try to figure things out.
    The next morning, Jessie noticed they were low on bread. “That’s strange,” she said. “I was sure we had enough for a few more days.”
    â€œSomeone must have taken it,” Benny said.
    Henry said, “I guess we’ll just hike to the store for more.”
    â€œNot me,” Benny said. “I want to stay here. Grandfather promised to read me a story.”
    â€œYou and Violet go,” Jessie suggested. “Benny and I will stay with Grandfather.”
    She made a grocery list, and Violet and Henry set off toward the store. They met the Changs in the parking lot. They were packing their van.
    â€œAre you leaving already?” Henry asked.
    â€œYes, we are,” Mr. Chang answered.
    â€œAnd none too soon,” Mrs. Chang added. “With all that loud music, we haven’t had a decent night’s sleep since we’ve been here.”
    Violet was surprised. “But I thought you hadn’t heard the music.”
    â€œWe didn’t hear it the night you mentioned,” Mr. Chang told them. “We were too tired to hear anything that night.”
    â€œThere were those mysterious lights in the forest,” Mrs. Chang said. “And our food is missing. It’s been no picnic; that’s for sure!”
    â€œThe last straw was finding an arrow holding a message in a tree at the edge of our camp,” Mr. Chang said.
    â€œThe same things have happened to us!” Violet told them.
    â€œWell, we’ve had enough,” Mr. Chang said. “Be careful. Something is very wrong here.”

CHAPTER 14
    Hildy Disappears
    A t the store, Doris was pacing the floor. “You didn’t see Hildy anywhere along the way, did you?” she asked Violet and Henry when they arrived.
    â€œNo, we didn’t,” Henry said. “Were you expecting her?”
    â€œThis is her shopping day,” Doris answered. “She always comes in early so she won’t run into any