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The Khipu and the Final Key
The Khipu and the Final Key Read online
A trip to the salt flats turns into a footrace!
Henry and Anna raced across the flats while all the visitors watched. The sun glared off the salt, and Henry’s legs began to ache. Anna was running right toward the edge of the flat. He watched her silhouette, hoping that any moment she would start to slow down so he could gain on her. Suddenly, Anna’s form disappeared. Henry frowned and ran onward. Then he tried to skid to a halt—but it was too late. He tripped on a mound of salt, almost invisible in the white daylight, and went tumbling over the other side…
THE BOXCAR CHILDREN MYSTERIES
THE BOXCAR CHILDREN
SURPRISE ISLAND
THE YELLOW HOUSE MYSTERY
MYSTERY RANCH
MIKE’S MYSTERY
BLUE BAY MYSTERY
THE WOODSHED MYSTERY
THE LIGHTHOUSE MYSTERY
MOUNTAIN TOP MYSTERY
SCHOOLHOUSE MYSTERY
CABOOSE MYSTERY
HOUSEBOAT MYSTERY
SNOWBOUND MYSTERY
TREE HOUSE MYSTERY
BICYCLE MYSTERY
MYSTERY IN THE SAND
MYSTERY BEHIND THE WALL
BUS STATION MYSTERY
BENNY UNCOVERS A MYSTERY
THE HAUNTED CABIN MYSTERY
THE DESERTED LIBRARY MYSTERY
THE ANIMAL SHELTER MYSTERY
THE OLD MOTEL MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE HIDDEN PAINTING
THE AMUSEMENT PARK MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE MIXED-UP ZOO
THE CAMP-OUT MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY GIRL
THE MYSTERY CRUISE
THE DISAPPEARING FRIEND MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE SINGING GHOST
THE MYSTERY IN THE SNOW
THE PIZZA MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY HORSE
THE MYSTERY AT THE DOG SHOW
THE CASTLE MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE LOST VILLAGE
THE MYSTERY ON THE ICE
THE MYSTERY OF THE PURPLE POOL
THE GHOST SHIP MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY IN WASHINGTON, DC
THE CANOE TRIP MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE HIDDEN BEACH
THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING CAT
THE MYSTERY AT SNOWFLAKE INN
THE MYSTERY ON STAGE
THE DINOSAUR MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE STOLEN MUSIC
THE MYSTERY AT THE BALL PARK
THE CHOCOLATE SUNDAE MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE HOT AIR BALLOON
THE MYSTERY BOOKSTORE
THE PILGRIM VILLAGE MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE STOLEN BOXCAR
THE MYSTERY IN THE CAVE
THE MYSTERY ON THE TRAIN
THE MYSTERY AT THE FAIR
THE MYSTERY OF THE LOST MINE
THE GUIDE DOG MYSTERY
THE HURRICANE MYSTERY
THE PET SHOP MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE SECRET MESSAGE
THE FIREHOUSE MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY IN SAN FRANCISCO
THE NIAGARA FALLS MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY AT THE ALAMO
THE OUTER SPACE MYSTERY
THE SOCCER MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY IN THE OLD ATTIC
THE GROWLING BEAR MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE LAKE MONSTER
THE MYSTERY AT PEACOCK HALL
THE WINDY CITY MYSTERY
THE BLACK PEARL MYSTERY
THE CEREAL BOX MYSTERY
THE PANTHER MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE QUEEN’S JEWELS
THE STOLEN SWORD MYSTERY
THE BASKETBALL MYSTERY
THE MOVIE STAR MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE PIRATE’S MAP
THE GHOST TOWN MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE BLACK RAVEN
THE MYSTERY IN THE MALL
THE MYSTERY IN NEW YORK
THE GYMNASTICS MYSTERY
THE POISON FROG MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE EMPTY SAFE
THE HOME RUN MYSTERY
THE GREAT BICYCLE RACE MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE WILD PONIES
THE MYSTERY IN THE COMPUTER GAME
THE HONEYBEE MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY AT THE CROOKED HOUSE
THE HOCKEY MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE MIDNIGHT DOG
THE MYSTERY OF THE SCREECH OWL
THE SUMMER CAMP MYSTERY
THE COPYCAT MYSTERY
THE HAUNTED CLOCK TOWER MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE TIGER’S EYE
THE DISAPPEARING STAIRCASE MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY ON BLIZZARD MOUNTAIN
THE MYSTERY OF THE SPIDER’S CLUE
THE CANDY FACTORY MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE MUMMY’S CURSE
THE MYSTERY OF THE STAR RUBY
THE STUFFED BEAR MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF ALLIGATOR SWAMP
THE MYSTERY AT SKELETON POINT
THE TATTLETALE MYSTERY
THE COMIC BOOK MYSTERY
THE GREAT SHARK MYSTERY
THE ICE CREAM MYSTERY
THE MIDNIGHT MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY IN THE FORTUNE COOKIE
THE BLACK WIDOW SPIDER MYSTERY
THE RADIO MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE RUNAWAY GHOST
THE FINDERS KEEPERS MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE HAUNTED BOXCAR
THE CLUE IN THE CORN MAZE
THE GHOST OF THE CHATTERING BONES
THE SWORD OF THE SILVER KNIGHT
THE GAME STORE MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE ORPHAN TRAIN
THE VANISHING PASSENGER
THE GIANT YO-YO MYSTERY
THE CREATURE IN OGOPOGO LAKE
THE ROCK ’N’ ROLL MYSTERY
THE SECRET OF THE MASK
THE SEATTLE PUZZLE
THE GHOST IN THE FIRST ROW
THE BOX THAT WATCH FOUND
A HORSE NAMED DRAGON
THE GREAT DETECTIVE RACE
THE GHOST AT THE DRIVE-IN MOVIE
THE MYSTERY OF THE TRAVELING TOMATOES
THE SPY GAME
THE DOG-GONE MYSTERY
THE VAMPIRE MYSTERY
SUPERSTAR WATCH
THE SPY IN THE BLEACHERS
THE AMAZING MYSTERY SHOW
THE PUMPKIN HEAD MYSTERY
THE CUPCAKE CAPER
THE CLUE IN THE RECYCLING BIN
MONKEY TROUBLE
THE ZOMBIE PROJECT
THE GREAT TURKEY HEIST
THE GARDEN THIEF
THE BOARDWALK MYSTERY
THE MYSTERY OF THE FALLEN TREASURE
THE RETURN OF THE GRAVEYARD GHOST
THE MYSTERY OF THE STOLEN SNOWBOARD
THE MYSTERY OF THE WILD WEST BANDIT
THE MYSTERY OF THE GRINNING GARGOYLE
THE MYSTERY OF THE SOCCER SNITCH
THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING POP IDOL
THE MYSTERY OF THE STOLEN DINOSAUR BONES
THE MYSTERY AT THE CALGARY STAMPEDE
THE SLEEPY HOLLOW MYSTERY
THE LEGEND OF THE IRISH CASTLE
THE CELEBRITY CAT CAPER
HIDDEN IN THE HAUNTED SCHOOL
THE ELECTION DAY DILEMMA
JOURNEY ON A RUNAWAY TRAIN
THE CLUE IN THE PAPYRUS SCROLL
THE DETOUR OF THE ELEPHANTS
THE SHACKLETON SABOTAGE
THE KHIPU AND THE FINAL KEY
Copyright © 2017 by Albert Whitman & Company
Published in 2017 by Albert Whitman & Company
ISBN 978-0-8075-0681-3 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-0-8075-0682-0 (paperback)
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprod
uced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
THE BOXCAR CHILDREN® is a registered
trademark of Albert Whitman & Company.
Printed in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 LB 22 21 20 19 18 17
Illustrations by Anthony VanArsdale
Visit the Boxcar Children online at www.boxcarchildren.com.
For more information about Albert Whitman & Company,
visit our website at www.albertwhitman.com.
Contents
1. The City of Fair Winds
2. An Unexpected Arrival
3. The Great Salt Plain
4. A Clue and a Coordinate
5. The Orange Orchid
6. A Knotty Puzzle
7. Into the Andes
8. At Aguas Calientes
9. The Other Silverton
10. We Return
The City of Fair Winds
Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny sat in their hotel room and stared at a small glass jar. The label on the jar read dulce de leche, and the syrupy substance inside had the thickness and color of caramel. The hotel clock read almost midnight where they were in Christchurch, New Zealand. It was very late for the four of them, especially six-year-old Benny, who let out a big yawn. Normally they would all be in bed, but a recent discovery kept them all awake.
“I can’t believe Mr. Ganert is a spy,” said Violet, who was eight years old. “Just think. Our pilot! He’s traveled to every stop with us and has been telling the Argents our every move. No wonder Anna Argent was able to find us.”
“At least it was Mr. Ganert and not Emilio,” said Benny, thinking of the second of their two pilots. “I like Emilio’s jokes. If he was the spy, we wouldn’t get to hear any more of them.”
Henry, who was fourteen years old and the oldest, agreed.
“We should call Trudy,” he said. “Jessie, will you get your laptop and see if you can reach her on Skype? Do you think she’s awake?”
Jessie nodded and unzipped her backpack. She was twelve years old, and she was the best among her siblings at using the laptop. Her skills had come in handy many times during their recent worldwide travels.
“Hmm, let’s see,” Jessie said. “If it’s midnight here, it’ll be six o’clock in the morning in Connecticut. We might wake her up, but I think this is important.”
Jessie opened Skype and clicked on Trudy Silverton’s name. She crossed her fingers and clicked the green button to start the call.
“Let’s just hope Trudy has some good advice,” Jessie said. “We only have one artifact left, and we’re not going to let Mr. Ganert get in the way of returning it.”
Violet glanced at the hotel dresser. Sitting on top was a small, plastic box. It was safely locked, just like the other five had been. If the previous boxes were any clue, the last box would hold a precious artifact that had been lost. The Aldens had been sent by Trudy Silverton to return the boxes. She worked for a secret organization called the Reddimus Society—which made sense, because reddimus was Latin for “we return.” So far, the Aldens had successfully returned six other artifacts. They had only one left, and the Aldens were determined to finish their task, even if one of their pilots was a spy.
“Hello, Jessie! Hello, Henry, Violet, and Benny!” Trudy’s cheerful voice was a welcome sound. The Aldens gathered around Jessie’s laptop so they could all see her and wave hello. It was very early in the morning where Trudy was, and her purple hair was a little disheveled. She was still in her pajamas.
“Good morning!” Jessie said. “We’re so glad you’re awake. We have something important to tell you.”
Even though Trudy looked tired, she seemed to be lively and alert.
“Do you?” she asked. “Very interesting. I wonder if it’s related to the important thing I have to tell all of you. Why don’t you go first.”
Henry lowered his voice even though Mr. Ganert wasn’t anywhere nearby.
“You remember back in Thailand when we found out one of our pilots was telling the Argents about our travels?” Henry asked.
“Yes, you were all very clever!” replied Trudy.
“We were clever again,” Jessie said. “We found out which one of the pilots is the spy. Henry came up with a great plan while we were flying back to New Zealand from Antarctica. We—”
“It’s Mr. Ganert!” Benny blurted. “Mr. Ganert’s the spy!”
“I guess the explanation will have to be a story for another day.” Henry chuckled.
“That’s great!” Trudy said. Then she tilted her head. “Well, it’s not great that he’s a spy, but it’s great that you figured it out. Now we know he can’t be trusted.”
“And it helps Tricia too, right?” Jessie asked. The children had recently learned that there was an investigation going on into thefts around the world. Because Tricia had been seen in the areas of thefts in Kenya, Italy, and Japan, the investigators thought she might be secretly working with the Argents. But now the Aldens could prove otherwise.
“Yes, I will let Agent Carter know,” Trudy said. “We now have evidence showing it’s Mr. Ganert who is working for the Argents, not Tricia. Tricia will be so relieved to hear the news, if I can ever get ahold of her.”
“What are we going to do about Mr. Ganert?” Jessie asked. “Can you send another pilot to take his place? If he stays as our pilot, he could make trouble for us when we try to return the last box.”
Trudy shook her head.
“I’m sorry. I can’t. That brings me to the thing I have to tell all of you. I received a message last night about the final artifact. According to the message, it’s important that the seventh artifact is delivered quickly and to the right place. Even if he is a spy, Mr. Ganert is the best pilot Reddimus has. That’s why we sent him with you…So unfortunately, we don’t have time to find another pilot as skilled as he is.”
“Can we fly with one pilot?” Jessie asked.
“I’m afraid you’ll need two pilots to make a trip of any real distance.”
Henry sighed in frustration. “In order to return the box, we have to fly with a pilot who’s trying to steal it! This won’t be easy.”
“No, it won’t,” Trudy agreed. “But you have outsmarted Mr. Ganert and Anna Argent up until now, and you didn’t even know there was a spy traveling with you. I know you will be able to outsmart him one last time.”
“He might be extra grumpy because this will be his last chance to steal a Reddimus artifact,” Henry said. “What if he tries something desperate?”
“Desperate people make more mistakes than patient ones,” Trudy said. “Remember that and focus on yourselves. Take your time making good decisions. If you do, I’m sure you will have the last artifact returned in no time, and then we will deal with Mr. Ganert.”
They said their good-byes, and Jessie closed the laptop with a big yawn.
“We had better get some rest,” she said.
“Yes,” said Henry. “Tomorrow will be another big day.”
“I hope we find out our next destination soon,” Violet added. Jessie’s sleepiness was contagious, and Violet yawned too.
Benny would have agreed, but he had already fallen asleep.
The next morning, the Aldens got ready for a day of travel. They had been traveling for so long that it had become habit to expect a plane ride on the Reddimus jet.
Benny was ready first, and he inspected the jar of dulce de leche while he waited for his brother and sisters. The liquid in the jar was thick like honey. It reminded Benny of the topping on Mrs. McGregor’s caramel apple pie. His stomach growled.
“Jessie, can I please try some of the dulce de leche?” he asked. “The jar wasn’t in the Reddimus box, so it’s not the artifact we have to return. It should be okay to taste just a little bit, right?”
Jessie laughed. “You’re r
ight. The jar is probably a treat for us to try. But I don’t want you to eat too much. It will spoil your appetite.”
The lid was on tight, so Jessie helped Benny open it. They didn’t have any spoons in the hotel room, so Benny just used his finger. The topping inside was thick enough to spread, but drippy enough that Benny had to put his finger in his mouth quickly to keep from making a mess. The dulce de leche was sweet and sticky, with a flavor like caramel and butterscotch.
“You know, this jar is probably our next clue,” Jessie remarked. Henry and Violet were ready to go now too, and all four of them took turns tasting the delicious topping. “Aside from the tag that says ‘Fair Winds,’ we don’t know anything else about it.”
“Since it’s a food, maybe we should ask a chef,” Violet suggested. “Someone who knows a lot about food might be able to tell us something that will help us.”
Henry thumbed his chin and nodded. “The hotel restaurant was pretty nice. I’ll bet the chefs there know about this sort of thing. Let’s start there. We could use some breakfast anyway!”
The Aldens left their room and went down to the hotel restaurant. The night before, the restaurant was where they had figured out which of their pilots was the spy. Now the restaurant had a more relaxed feel, with bright windows and quiet hotel visitors having their morning coffee. The Aldens got a table and ordered the New Zealander’s breakfast that was pictured on the menu.
“Cereal and toast with juice!” Benny said. “Just like breakfast back home. We should let Mrs. McGregor and Grandfather know we’ve been eating like people from New Zealand this whole time!”
After breakfast, Henry asked the waiter if they could speak with a chef, and soon someone came out of the kitchen. He was a lean man with dark hair and a well-groomed mustache.
“Good morning! Is there a problem?” The man spoke with a Spanish accent.
“Oh no, not at all. The food is very good,” Henry assured him. “We were just wondering if we could ask you some questions. We’re trying to solve a riddle. Can you tell us anything about dulce de leche?”
Benny, who had been holding the jar, showed it to the chef. The chef looked over the jar with a twinkle in his eye.
“There is a lot to tell about dulce de leche,” he said. “I’m not sure where to start. It’s a dessert topping first used in my home country, Argentina. The name means ‘candy of milk.’ It’s very popular! In fact, I’m using it for a dessert on our menu right now.”
“Argentina?” asked Jessie.
“Dessert?” added Benny.