The Mystery of the Alligator Swamp by Gertrude Chandler Warner Page B

we got back from finding the Aldens here. Then I went inside for pie.”
    “That’s right, you weren’t wearing them,” said Henry. “I noticed.”
    “Were they still there last night after you had pie?” asked Jessie.
    “I thought they were,” said Gaston. “But it could have been just the empty box. That’s what I found this morning when I went out to my garage — an empty box.”
    “So someone could have taken them last night at the restaurant or from your garage,” said Jessie.
    “Not my garage,” said Gaston. “It was locked. The only way in is through the door that leads from my kitchen into the garage, or with a key to the garage door. And no one broke into my house or garage last night.”
    “Maybe someone borrowed them,” said Swampwater. “Did you ask Eve?”
    “Hah. Anybody with any sense knows I’m not going to lend those binoculars to anybody ,” Gaston said. “No, someone’s a binocular thief. And just wait until I get my hands on whoever did it!”
    He turned. “I’ll walk with you down to your boat,” said Swampwater. “You kids can go on into the museum if you like. I’ll be right back.”
    The children were glad to go into the cool room that housed the museum. Benny went from exhibit to exhibit while they all talked about what they had just learned.
    “Whoever stole those binoculars had to have been someone at Billie’s camp,” Jessie said. “If it happened last night, it had to have been at Billie’s, right?”
    “Someone staying at Billie’s,” said Benny. “Travis.”
    “He is the only other guest besides us,” Violet said. “Plus, he left before anyone else did. It would have been easy for him to just reach into Gaston’s car and take them.”
    Benny said, “That makes Travis a chicken thief and a binocular thief.” He sounded pleased at the idea.
    “What do you mean?” asked Henry.
    “Someone’s stealing chickens from Billie’s restaurant. And someone took the binoculars. Two thieves and they are both Travis!” said Benny.
    “Oh, Benny,” said Violet. “We don’t know that. It doesn’t make sense. Why would Travis steal chickens?”
    “To help make Billie go out of business,” said Benny.
    “I don’t think a few missing chickens are going to put Billie out of business,” Henry said. “But I’m willing to believe a sneaky fellow like that Travis could have taken Gaston’s binoculars. But believing isn’t proving. We don’t have proof.”
    “No, we don’t,” said Jessie. “But it has to all fit together somehow. I know it does.”

Chapter 9
An Alligator Trap
    “Hi,” said Violet. Swampwater had just come into the museum.
    “Poor Gaston,” he said in answer. “He just got those binoculars.”
    “Maybe they’ll turn up,” said Violet.
    Swampwater shook his head.
    “When is your next tour?” Jessie said, changing the subject.
    “This afternoon,” said Swampwater. “Gaston came to help me with the morning one, since Eve was out with Beau. But Eve should be back for the afternoon tour.”
    “Is Rose still gone?” Henry asked.
    “She is. She took a couple of vacation days. Wanted to go over to the big city. I guess she misses it,” he said.
    “The big city?” asked Benny.
    “New Orleans,” said Swampwater. “She used to work at the zoo there, before she came here. It’s where she learned so much about the animals that live in the swamp.”
    “New Orleans,” repeated Jessie.
    “I wish I could see a white alligator,” said Benny, who wasn’t very interested in Rose’s old job in New Orleans. He was looking at the little stuffed albino alligator that Swampwater had on display.
    “Lots of people do,” said Swampwater. “But albinos don’t last very long in the wild. Some people breed them in captivity, but it’s not the same.” He paused. “I’ve heard of some white alligators at the zoo that aren’t albinos, though, now that you mention it. I’ve never seen them, but they’re supposed to be very