The Mystery of the Forgotten Family Read online

  THE MYSTERY OF THE FORGOTTEN FAMILY

  The Boxcar Children are used to finding missing things. But this time they aren’t looking for a lost or stolen object—they’re looking for lost memories!

  After a bad accident, a local shop owner is having a hard time remembering his past. The children are happy to help out until the man’s memory returns. But someone is holding a grudge, and they’re taking it out on the shop! Can the Aldens help the shop owner piece together his past and find out what the person wants?

  Albert Whitman & Co.

  More than 100 Years of Good Books

  www.albertwhitman.com • www.boxcarchildren.com

  Cover art by Anthony VanArsdale

  Copyright © 2020 by Albert Whitman & Company

  Printed in the United States of America

  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 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

  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

  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

  NEW! MYSTERY AT CAMP SURVIVAL

  NEW! THE MYSTERY OF THE FORGOTTEN FAMILY

  Copyright © 2020 by Albert Whitman & Company

  First published in the United States of America in 2020 by Albert Whitman & Company

  ISBN 978-0-8075-0768-1 (hardcover)

  ISBN 978-0-8075-0769-8 (paperback)

  ISBN 978-0-8075-0770-4 (ebook)

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced 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 24 23 22 21 20 19

  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. Past Forgotten

  2. Curious Customers

  3. All Jumbled Up

  4. A Note Full of Mysteries

  5. A Scheduled Surprise

  6. Strange Conversations

  7. A Timely Clue

  8. Break-In, Breakthrough

  9. A Test and a Tree

  10. Family Reunion

  CHAPTER

  Past Forgotten

  The bright summer sun shone warmly on the four Alden children. Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny stood in front of an antique shop on Main Street, looking at a sign on the door.

  “‘Come…in…’” Benny said slowly. He was six and still learning to read. “‘Mul…Muldaur’s Shop has re…re…’”

  “‘Reopened for business,’” said ten-year-old Violet, finishing the sentence.

  Benny squinted at the sign. “Reopened? Do you think that means somebody else is here instead of Mr. Muldaur?”

  The Aldens had been to Muldaur’s Antique Shop a few times, and each time, the shop’s owner, Mr. Muldaur, had been in a bad mood. The last time the children had visited, Mr. Muldaur had gotten upset at Benny for petting the dog that often hung out in the shop.

  “Look here,” said Violet. She pointed to some small writing on the bottom of the sign: “‘Muldaur’s Antique Shop was closed last week due to illness. We apologize for any problems this has caused our customers.’”

  “It sounds like Mr. Muldaur was out sick,” Jessie said. “I’m sure he’s back now.”

  Benny frowned. Although he did not want Mr. Muldaur to be sick, he did not want to be yelled at again either. “I think I’ll stay out here and watch our bikes,” Benny said.

  Henry and Jessie gave each other a look. They knew why Benny did not want to go inside. But they couldn’t leave Benny on his own. At fourteen and twelve, Henry and Jessie knew just what would change Benny’s mind.

  “Suit yourself, Benny,” Jessie said. “That will leave more toys for me to find.”

  Benny looked up. “Toys?”

  Henry nodded. “That’s right. And hidden treasures for me. Who knows what kinds of things we can find to put in the boxcar.”

  Henry opened the door to the shop, and little bells jingled on the doorframe. Slowly, Henry, Jessie, and Violet made their way into the shop.

  A moment later the door jingled again, and Benny came inside. “It’s too hot outside,” he said. Then he whispered, “Do you really think we’ll find treasure for the boxcar?”

  The Alden children loved the old boxcar that sat in their backyard. For a little while, it had been their home. After the children’s parents had died, they’d run away. They had been worried their grandfather would be mean. The children found the boxcar in the forest and used it for shelter. The children had all sorts of adventures in the boxcar. They even found their dog, Watch!

  After a while, Grandfather had found them. He wasn’t mean at all! Grandfather brought the children to live in his big house, and he even brought the boxcar to be the children’s clubhouse.

  Jessie smiled at her little brother. “First we need to find Mrs. McGregor’s gift,” she said.

  Mrs. McGregor was the Aldens’ housekeeper. She was like family to the children, and her birthday was coming up. The children wanted to get her something special.

  “I think it will be near the glassware,” said Violet. Mrs. McGregor loved collecting antiques. She had a whole set of matching serving pieces. The only piece she was missing was a salt server, and Violet had found the perfect one on the Muldaur Antiques website.

  “What is a salt server anyway?” said Benny.

  “It’s a little bowl you put salt into when you serve a fancy dinner,” said Violet. “It comes with a tiny spoon too.”

  Benny thought that sounded boring. But he was excited to look at all of the items in the crowded shop. The room was filled with shelves and shelves of old objects, large and small. There were lamps, books, toys, jewelry, framed pictures, and clocks. There were birdcages, musical instruments, dolls, hats, and umbrellas. There seemed to be too many things to name or count.

  Violet found shelves with silver plates and other serving pieces. “I think I see it!” she said. She walked over and took down a small bowl with a lid. A tiny silver spoon was nestled inside. “Mrs. McGregor’s salt server!” said Violet. “I’m glad it’s still here.”

  “Great,” said Henry, taking out his wallet. “Though I don’t see anyone to pay.”

  “Hello?” a voice called from the back of the shop. “Is someone here?”

  A tall man with curly black hair came down the aisle where the Aldens were standing. Benny hid behind his older brother. He thought for sure Mr. Muldaur was going to yell at them for something.

  But the shop owner spoke in a cheery voice. “Ah, there you are! What can I do for you children today?”

  “Good morning, Mr. Muldaur,” said Henry. “Are you feeling all right? We saw on the sign that you were sick.”

  Mr. Muldaur put his hand up to a white bandage wrapped around his head. “Yes, I had a bit of an accident, but I’m doing better now. Today is my first day back—just trying to get things sorted out.”

  A big golden retriever trotted over to the children, wagging her tail.

  “Mitzy!” said Violet. She bent down. Then she stopped. “Can we pet her, Mr. Muldaur?”

  “Of course you may!” said Mr. Muldaur. Then a confused look came across his face. “But how do you know her name? Do I know you children?”

  For a moment, no one spoke. “We’re the Aldens, Mr. Muldaur,” Henry said finally. “You know us, and we know you and Mitzy too. We’ve been in your store a few times.”

  Mr. Muldaur sighed. “Is that so?” For the first time, his smile faded. “I’m afraid I’ve forgotten quite a bit since the accident.”

  “What happened?” asked Violet.

  Mr. Muldaur sat down in an old rocking chair. Then he continued: “I only remember one thing from that day last week. I was climbing up my ladder to get something on a high shelf.” The man shook his head. “I must have fallen because I woke up in the hospital the next morning with a terrible headache. The doctors kept me there for three days.”

  “That’s horrible!” said Jessie. “How did they find you?”

  Mr. Muldaur reached down to pet Mitzy. “My wonderful dog saved me,” he said. “I was unconscious, and Mitzy barked and barked until someone came. What a good girl, Mitzy!”

  The children had never seen Mr. Muldaur so happy before. “You seem…different,” said Henry. “Are you sure you’re ready to come
back to work?”

  “I feel great!” said Mr. Muldaur. “It’s just my memory…The doctors told me it would return, but they don’t know how long it will take. I can’t seem to make much sense out of anything in my store.”

  “You did know an awful lot about your antiques,” said Jessie. She thought back to the times they had visited the shop. It always seemed like Mr. Muldaur had a story for every little thing.

  Mr. Muldaur smiled as he looked all around his shop. “And I remember that it’s my job to know about all these things,” he said. “That’s what people in the antique business do. We learn about each item so we can tell customers where, when, and how it was made. We try to learn about the journey each item has taken, from its being made all the way to this store.”

  “Do you remember any stories about this?” asked Violet. She held out the salt server.

  Mr. Muldaur sighed and shook his head. “I’m sorry, I don’t. But maybe I’ll have a story soon,” he said.

  Benny had found the toy area and came back with an old mechanical windup bear. “What do you mean about journeys? Did this bear march here?”

  Mr. Muldaur chuckled. “That would be a very interesting journey indeed!” Mr. Muldaur took the bear in his hands. “I am talking about a different kind of journey. This might have been passed down from one family member to another over many years. Or it might have gone from child to child, crossing the country, maybe even the world! I’m sure this bear has had a very interesting journey…It’s part of what makes it special.”

  Mr. Muldaur turned the bear on its side. He began winding it up with the key that stuck out from the side.

  “Could this bear be really old then?” asked Benny. “Like, even older than Grandfather?”

  Mr. Muldaur laughed. “Yes, it may be, though I don’t remember your grandfather, or any stories about the bear anymore.” He set the bear down on a table, where it slowly walked along on all fours, moving its head from side to side. Benny laughed as he watched the bear lumber ahead.

  “Well, you do know our grandfather,” said Violet. “Maybe when you meet him, you’ll remember him.”

  “I sure hope so,” said Mr. Muldaur. “And I hope my memory hurries up and comes back. If not, I won’t be very helpful in selling these wonderful antiques.”

  The Alden children looked at one another. When they had first come into the shop, they had wanted to get in and out as quickly as possible. But they could tell Mr. Muldaur needed help. Jessie and Henry nodded at each other.