Mystery of the Lost Mine by Charles Tang Read Free Book Online Page A

breakfast. His fingers missed the warm, familiar shape of his lucky rock.
    Violet sensed her brother’s sadness. “Maybe you’ll find another rock like the one you lost,” she said.
    “Maybe.” Benny knew they wouldn’t have much time to search for lucky rocks, not if they had to look for Jake.
    They followed the Peralta Canyon Trail. When the trail ended, they left their horses securely tied and watered them.
    “Let’s try another way to Weaver’s Needle,” Luis said, referring to Violet’s map drawings. “Maybe this time we’ll find Jake’s camp.”
    It was a long, hot climb. The Aldens and Luis stopped often to gulp from their canteens.

    Benny scampered ahead of the others. He had a strong feeling there was something important just beyond that next group of boulders.
    Suddenly Benny shrieked. “Hey, I found it!”
    Jessie looked back at Violet. “Do you think he’s found the mine?”
    “Knowing Benny,” said Violet, “a lost mine wouldn’t stay lost for long.”
    But they were wrong.
    Just beyond an outcropping of rock, a campsite was nestled in a small canyon. A sleeping bag lay unrolled in the dirt. Pans and a tin coffeepot were scattered about.
    Luis hopped down from the rock and looked around.
    “I bet this is Jake’s camp,” he said. “This is a good location—not too far from Weaver’s Needle, yet hidden.”
    “I’m surprised Jake would leave such a mess,” Violet said.
    “He didn’t.” Henry plucked a scrap of fabric from the edge of a rock. “See this? It matches the sleeping bag. I bet Jake tucks his bedroll behind this rock.”
    Luis nodded. “To protect it from the weather. You’re right, Henry. And this flat rock could be where he stores his supplies.”
    “There,” Benny pointed to the ground. Nearly hidden by a rock was Jake’s old felt hat.
    “Either Jake left in a big hurry,” Jessie mused, “or somebody wrecked his camp. On purpose.”
    Henry felt the ashes of an old fire. “Cold,” he said. “If it’s Jake’s camp, he hasn’t built a fire in a while.” He pointed to the ground. “See these footprints? They were made by a man a lot bigger than Jake.”
    Violet examined the dust-filled outlines. “They look like they were made by someone with new boots. See how sharp the lines are? Jake’s boots were old and worn. I’ll bet these prints were made by the person who ruined Jake’s camp.”
    “Maybe that person is here right now,” Benny said in a hushed tone. “Hiding from us.”
    The thought of the boot-heeled stranger watching them made Jessie nervous. “Do you suppose this person did something to Jake?”
    “I think we should go back to the campground and call the authorities,” Henry said decisively. “Jake could be seriously hurt.”
    They all agreed this was the right thing to do. After hiking back to their horses, they rode to the stables.
    “Come back real soon,” Rex said as they left Mountain Shadows.
    When they got back to the trailer park, a strong wind began to gust, kicking up swirls of dust.
    “Ow!” cried Benny, shielding his bare legs with his hands. “That sand stings!”
    They headed for the restaurant. Janine Crawford rushed out, her dark brows drawn together in fury.
    “Skipped out!” she exclaimed. “Skipped out without paying their bill!”
    “Who?” asked Henry.
    “The Clarks, that’s who!” Janine gestured in the direction of Block D. Sure enough, the fancy RV was missing. “Owed four weeks of hookup plus a huge bill for food!”
    “Did they go up into the mountains?” Violet asked. Maybe the fresh bootprint belonged to Mr. Clark.
    “How should I know?” Janine said. “And do you think Tom was around to warn me they were skipping out?”
    “Tom’s missing, too?” Jessie wondered if Tom left with the Clarks.
    Janine went back into the restaurant, still ranting.
    Luis stared at the Aldens. “This is weird. The Clarks, Tom, and Jake are all missing. And nobody knows anything!”
    Henry gazed at the