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The Mystery in the Magic Shop
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THE BOXCAR CHILDREN® MYSTERIES
THE BOXCAR CHILDREN
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 SOCCER SNITCH
THE MYSTERY OF THE GRINNING GARGOYLE
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
THE DOUGHNUT WHODUNIT
THE ROBOT RANSOM
THE LEGEND OF THE HOWLING WEREWOLF
THE DAY OF THE DEAD MYSTERY
THE HUNDRED-YEAR MYSTERY
THE SEA TURTLE MYSTERY
SECRET ON THE THIRTEENTH FLOOR
THE POWER DOWN MYSTERY
MYSTERY AT CAMP SURVIVAL
THE MYSTERY OF THE FORGOTTEN FAMILY
THE SKELETON KEY MYSTERY
SCIENCE FAIR SABOTAGE
THE GREAT GREENFIELD BAKE-OFF
THE BEEKEEPER MYSTERY
NEW! THE MYSTERY IN THE MAGIC SHOP
Copyright © 2022 by Albert Whitman & Company
First published in the United States of America
in 2022 by Albert Whitman & Company
ISBN 978-0-8075-0948-7 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-0-8075-0949-4 (paperback)
ISBN 978-0-8075-0950-0 (ebook)
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmi
tted 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 26 25 24 23 22 21
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. A Peculiar Mirror
2. An Unpleasant Interruption
3. The Magician’s Code
4. Missing Magician
5. Retracing Steps
6. A Shattering Crash
7. The Disappearing Trail
8. A Confession
9. Henry’s Theory
10. A New Surprise
A Peculiar Mirror
“It certainly is a fine morning,” said Mrs. McGregor, the Aldens’ housekeeper. She opened the kitchen window to set a cooling pie on the windowsill. The room was bright with sunshine. A small radio on the counter played music.
“Yes, indeed,” said Grandfather. He drank the last of his coffee and set his mug in the sink. His four grandchildren finished their orange juice and began clearing the breakfast table. There was a pleasant clattering of cereal bowls, spoons, and plates.
“I have business in Northport for the next few days,” he said. Though it was summer Grandfather wore a button-down shirt and a tie. His suit jacket matched his navy-blue slacks.
“You look handsome, Grandfather,” Jessie said.
He smiled. “Thank you, Jessie. Do you children need a ride anywhere before I head out?” he asked.
“No thank you, Grandfather,” said fourteen-year-old Henry. “We’re walking to town for my magic lesson.”
“Oh, that’s right,” said Grandfather. “You’ve been hard at work all summer, and the show is this weekend. I can’t wait to see the tricks you’ve learned.”
“Me either!” said Benny. He was six. He peeked under the table where their wirehaired terrier waited with a wagging tail. Benny snuck him a crust of toast. “Good boy, Watch,” he said. “Want to go for a walk?”
Watch jumped and wiggled in a happy circle as Violet went to the back door for his leash. Violet was ten and had used purple ribbons to tie her pigtails today. “Here you go, Watch,” she said, clipping the leash to his collar. “Ready?” she called to the others.
Her older sister, Jessie, was wiping the table with a cloth. “Almost done,” she said. “Mrs. McGregor, do you need anything from the market? We’ll be going that way.” Jessie was twelve and liked to help with the cooking and meal planning.
“No, dear, but thank you,” said Mrs. McGregor.
***
The Alden children were orphans. When their parents died they learned they had to live with their grandfather they had never met, James Alden. The children heard he was mean, so they ran away to the woods, where they hid in an old boxcar. They made friends with a stray dog and named him Watch. Soon their grandfather found them, and it turned out he wasn’t mean at all. He was kind and loving, and he loved their dog too. He brought them to his home in Greenfield, Connecticut, to live as a family. As a special surprise Grandfather arranged for the boxcar to be brought to his backyard so the children could use it for a clubhouse.
Grandfather’s home was a few blocks from town. Shade trees lined the sidewalks. Watch trotted ahead of the children as they walked to the Greenfield Magic Shop. A barrel of bright flowers was out front. Next to it stood a life-size cardboard figure of a famous magician, the Amazing Arthur. He was well-known throughout the state.
Violet said, “Wow, Henry. You’re lucky to take lessons from the Amazing Arthur. That’s a funny name though. Do you know his real one?”
“I asked him once,” replied Henry. “But he wouldn’t tell me. He said he likes to be mysterious.”
While the children lingered under a tree, Benny pointed to a sign in the window. He was learning to read and liked to practice every chance he got. “‘No Dogs Allowed,’” he read, though he had memorized these words weeks ago. He tied Watch’s leash to a tree.
“Good boy,” said Benny. “We’ll be back soon, just like last time.” Watch gave one wag of his tail then curled up in the shade. He rested his head on his paw. As his name suggested, he watched the children go inside.
A little bell jingled over the door. Jessie took a deep breath. “I love coming here,” she said. “There’s always something new.”
“Let’s look around,” said Henry. “My lesson doesn’t start for ten minutes.”
A few customers were in the store. The Alden children wandered the aisles of colorful displays. There were wooden puzzles, magic wands, decks of trick cards, and rubber snakes and mice. There were magnetic rings to wear on your fingers to hide a metal object in your palm. Draped against a wall were costumes for magicians, with capes and wigs. Rainbow scarves hung from a rafter.
“Hey, wouldn’t these be fun?” asked Violet. She shook a tray of plastic ice cubes with pretend spiders inside. “Grandfather would be so surprised when he went looking for ice to make lemonade!”
Jessie momentarily felt alarmed when she noticed a spilled glass of grape juice. But when she touched the liquid, she realized it was plastic. She laughed, thinking it would be a good trick to play on someone with a clean white carpet. She ran her fingers through a box of coins and realized they were also plastic. A wad of fifty-dollar bills turned out to be blank on one side.
“I wonder what Mrs. McGregor would do if she found this pretend money around the house,” she said.
“She’d just laugh,” Benny said with confidence.
“You’re right,” said Henry. “Mrs. McGregor loves a good joke. Hey, how about this?” He picked up a rubber tarantula and set it on Violet’s head. She plucked it off and passed it to Benny. Benny wiggled its rubbery legs in front of Jessie’s face. Jessie snatched it and plopped it on his shoulder.
Benny returned the tarantula to the shelf. He said, “I can’t wait to see what tricks you’ll perform, Henry. Will you use rubber spiders or rats or a snake?”
“I’m not telling. I’m keeping it a mystery,” Henry answered.
The children laughed.
“You’re just like the Amazing Arthur,” said Violet. “I bet you’ll surprise a lot of people.”
“Why do you want to learn magic tricks, Henry?” Jessie gave him a quizzical look. “You haven’t told us.”
Henry smiled. “Okay, I can answer that. You know how Mrs. McGregor always tries to cheer us up when we’re grumpy or sad?”
“She makes us popcorn!” said Violet. “She tells funny stories from when she was a little girl. She always makes me feel better. Mrs. McGregor says laughter is the best medicine.”
“That’s what I think too,” said Henry. “Maybe I can visit kids in the hospital and perform some tricks. If I can make them laugh, maybe they’ll feel better.”
Benny, Jessie, and Violet smiled at their older brother. He was tall for his age and had brown hair like theirs.
“Henry, that is very kind of you—” Jessie began, but a voice from behind the counter interrupted her.
“Ahem!” said an older woman with curly gray hair. She stood with her arms crossed and glared at the four children. Her T-shirt said, “Greenfield Magic Shop, Making Magic Since 1915.”
“May I help you with something?” the woman asked. “I’m Mrs. Oliver, the new owner. I haven’t seen you kids before. I hope you know this isn’t a place to just hang around and touch everything you see.”
“Oh, hello,” said Henry. He introduced himself and his siblings. “We’re waiting for my lesson with the Amazing Arthur. I’ve been coming here all summer.”
“And he’s going to be performing in the magic show this weekend,” B
enny said.
“That’s nice, dear. I haven’t seen the Amazing Arthur today,” Mrs. Oliver said. “Ever since I’ve been here, he has always come in late. Honestly I don’t know how he expects to keep students. Or this job.” She sighed with irritation and turned to help a customer.
While the children waited for the Amazing Arthur, they continued to look at the rows of tricks and gags. Jessie noticed a large mirror at the front of the shop. It was as tall as Henry and as wide as her arm. When she glanced at her reflection, she saw a peculiar ripple in the glass.
“What a strange mirror,” she said. “I wonder if it’s for a trick.” She wandered down an aisle of juggling balls, but she looked back, still curious about the mirror. Suddenly the Amazing Arthur appeared in the mirror! Jessie turned around to see him wave his wand, which was a thin black stick. A plume of smoke rose from its white tip. When the smoke cleared, the Amazing Arthur stood in front of her.
“Hello there, children!” he said. “And a very good morning to you.”
The Alden children stepped cautiously toward him. They stared with wide eyes.
The Amazing Arthur smiled at them. He straightened his shoulders, standing as tall as he could. His black satin cape shimmered with tiny stars, and when he waved his arms, the stars sparkled with light. His top hat blinked with colored polka dots.
“Oh!” cried Jessie. “You weren’t there a minute ago.”
Delighted with his surprise entrance, the Amazing Arthur took a small bow. With his wand he tapped each child on the shoulder and said, “I’m glad to see you!”
An Unpleasant Interruption
Benny knew it wasn’t polite to stare, but he couldn’t help it. The magician had appeared out of nowhere. Finally he whispered, “How did you do that? That was amazing.”
The man grinned. “That’s why I’m called the Amazing Arthur.”
“But how?” Benny repeated. “One minute you weren’t there, and then the next minute you were.”
The Amazing Arthur gave the younger boy a wink. “If I told my secrets,” he said, “I wouldn’t be mysterious, would I?”
Henry turned to his siblings. “I told you he’s mysterious.”
Mrs. Oliver called out, “Oh, there you are, Amazing Arthur! I’m trying to keep a schedule here. When you’re done with your lesson, I’ll need you to run the register. Please remember this is a business, not a magic show.”
In a soft voice the magician said, “I’m sorry I’m late again. I’ll try to do better.”
On the wall behind Mrs. Oliver, framed photos hung next to newspaper clippings about the Greenfield Magic Shop. The oldest article announced the store’s grand opening in 1915.