The Camp-out Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner Read Free Book Online

surprised to see him back so soon.
    â€œWe’ll push you back to camp, Mr. Alden,” Andy said. “That will make the trip easier for you.” He helped Mr. Alden into the barrow.
    Grandfather’s legs stuck out in a funny way. The children laughed. The men laughed, too.
    Henry and Mr. Watts pushed the wheelbarrow along the trail.
    â€œWatch out for bumps!” Grandfather said.
    At camp, Benny brought Grandfather’s sleeping bag out into the sun. Mr. Watts eased the man onto it. Then he carefully removed his shoe and sock.
    â€œShall I get an ice pack?” Violet asked.
    â€œThat’s a good idea,” Mr. Watts said.
    Violet dashed off to the kitchen tent. There she took ice from the cooler and wrapped it in a plastic bag.
    Mr. Watts wrapped the ankle with the elastic bandage. “Keep it elevated,” he said. “And stay off of it. It’ll probably be fine in a few days.”
    Violet propped up Grandfather’s ankle with folded clothes and placed the ice pack on it.
    â€œThe ice feels good,” Mr. Alden said. “Thank you, Violet.” He looked around at the others. “Thank you, all!”
    Mr. Watts said, “If you need help packing up to leave, just let me know.”
    â€œOh, my ankle will be fine by the time we break camp,” Grandfather assured him.
    Andy Watts looked surprised. “You mean you aren’t going home now?” he asked.
    The children looked at Grandfather. They, too, thought he would want to leave. As much as they wanted to stay, they would gladly cut their trip short if Grandfather would be more comfortable at home.
    â€œOh, no,” Mr. Alden said. “My grandchildren are having too good a time. They’ll take good care of me, and I can stay off my ankle here as well as at home.”
    Andy looked doubtful. “Well, I have a feeling you might change you mind,” he said. “If you do, you know where to find me.” He walked off, pushing the wheelbarrow.

CHAPTER 11
    The Note on the Tree
    â€œT here goes a good-hearted man,” Grandfather said as Andy Watts disappeared into the trees.
    â€œWe were lucky to find him,” Henry said.
    â€œIf it weren’t for Doris’s sister, we wouldn’t have,” Jessie said.
    Grandfather chuckled. “So you met Hildy.”
    Benny made a face. “She’s so crabby!” he said. “If I were Mr. Watts, I wouldn’t live so close to her.”
    â€œAndy loves this forest,” Grandfather told them. “There aren’t many private cabins in it.”
    â€œHow do you know so much about him, Grandfather?” Violet asked.
    â€œDoris told me,” Mr. Alden explained. “Andy works at the sporting goods store in town. It’s a long way, but he likes living close to nature.”
    â€œDid Doris tell you anything more about Hildy?” Henry asked.
    Grandfather shook his head. “No, not a thing.” His eyes closed.
    â€œGrandfather?” Violet said. “Are you all right?”
    â€œJust a little tired.”
    â€œI’ll bet you’re hungry, too,” Benny said. “I sure am.”
    Mr. Alden smiled. “Why don’t you children run along and make lunch?” He yawned. “I’ll just rest my eyes a bit.”
    The children ran off to the kitchen tent.
    â€œMr. Watts said we might change our minds about leaving,” Henry commented. “I wonder what he meant.”
    â€œMaybe he thinks Grandfather won’t be comfortable here,” Violet offered. “His ankle is painful.”
    â€œBut Grandfather wants to stay,” Benny put in. “He said so.”
    â€œMr. Watts doesn’t know Grandfather,” Jessie said.
    â€œThat’s for sure,” Henry added. “He doesn’t know that once Grandfather makes up his mind, he doesn’t change it easily.”
    â€œHenry, you light the fire,” Jessie said. “We’ll warm up the