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The Beekeeper Mystery
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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
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
NEW! THE GREAT GREENFIELD BAKE-OFF
NEW! THE BEEKEEPER MYSTERY
Copyright © 2021 by Albert Whitman & Company
First published in the United States of America in 2021 by Albert Whitman & Company
ISBN 978-0-8075-0823-7 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-0-8075-0824-4 (paperback)
ISBN 978-0-8075-0826-8 (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 informatio
n 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. The Honeybee Emergency
2. Missing!
3. Secrets in the Storeroom
4. Combing Honey, Brushing Bees
5. Stolen!
6. Four Eggs-pert Detectives
7. The Spinning Spaceship
8. Flashlight in the Dark
9. Connecting the Clues
10. Noah’s Surprise
The Honeybee Emergency
Benny Alden lay on his back, staring at the living room ceiling. Watch, the family’s wirehaired terrier, was curled next to him. It was the last week of summer vacation. Benny was wondering what he and his siblings would do this week when the phone rang.
“Can somebody please get that?” called Grandfather.
Benny scrambled up and answered the phone. “Hello?” he said.
“Benny?” asked a woman. Benny thought the voice sounded familiar. “It’s Laura,” she said. “Laura Shea. I know we’ve talked about a visit to the farm, and I wondered if you and your siblings could come this week. Are you busy?”
“No,” said Benny. “We’re just waiting for school to start.”
“Perfect,” said Laura. “I could really use your help with an emergency. A honeybee emergency!”
“I’ve never heard of a honeybee emergency,” said Jessie Alden. The twelve-year-old girl rode in the back seat of the car with her six-year-old brother, Benny, and ten-year-old sister, Violet. They were on their way to Laura’s farm. Her big brother, Henry, sat up front with Grandfather. “What exactly is a honeybee emergency?” Jessie asked.
“I don’t know,” said Benny. “But Laura needs our help.”
“Well,” said Violet, “it sounds really important.”
Up front, Henry looked at the road map. The fourteen-year-old was telling Grandfather which roads to take to the farm.
The children liked taking road trips to new places. Laura and David Shea used to live near the Aldens in Greenfield. They owned the children’s favorite restaurant, Applewood Café. Laura let the children help care for the restaurant’s vegetable garden. Then the Sheas bought a farm and moved from Connecticut to New York.
“I miss Applewood’s hamburgers with honey-barbeque sauce,” said Henry.
Violet retied the purple bow on one of her ponytails. “I miss their pancakes with honey and powdered sugar,” she said.
“I miss everything,” said Benny.
“Look,” said Grandfather. A big highway sign ahead said: Welcome to New York—The Empire State.
Soon they were passing open country fields. “I wish Watch could’ve come,” said Benny. “He could run around without a leash.”
“That,” said Jessie, “is exactly why Laura asked us to leave Watch at home with Mrs. McGregor.” Mrs. McGregor was their housekeeper. She took care of Watch when the family was away. “Bees and dogs just don’t mix,” Jessie said. “Watch would get into all sorts of trouble. Remember the time he chased that skunk?”
“P U!” said Benny, holding his nose.
“Take the next exit,” Henry told Grandfather. “Then turn right.”
Grandfather turned off the highway onto a narrow country road. Benny bounced in his seat. “Are we there, are we there?”
“Almost,” said Henry.
The children once lived near a small road like this. After their parents died, they were scared to go live at their grandfather’s house. They’d never met him before. What if he was mean? They ran away and hid in the woods. One night they found shelter from a thunderstorm in an old railroad car hidden among the trees. That boxcar became their new home. Then one day their grandfather found them. Grandfather turned out to be a kind, loving man. He asked them to live with him, and they’d lived together happily ever since.
“We’re here,” said Henry. They drove under a sign that said: Applewood Farm. Grandfather pulled up to an old farmhouse and everyone scrambled out. Henry unloaded their bags from the trunk.
“You can’t park there!” A tall gray-haired woman marched toward them. “This is private property. Parking for the store is down the road.”
“Oh,” said Grandfather. “Laura asked us—”
An old red truck rumbled up. Benny’s eyes grew wide. The driver was dressed in all white—almost like an astronaut! Their head was even covered by a hat and veil. The person in the white spacesuit climbed out, calling, “Hello! Welcome!” As the hat with the veil came off, long black hair tumbled out.
“Laura!” cried Jessie.
Laura spread her arms wide for a group hug. “I am so happy to see you all,” she said.
The gray-haired woman crossed her arms, frowning. “You know these people?” she asked.
“The Aldens are dear friends,” said Laura. “They’ve come to help harvest our honey.” She turned to the children, saying, “Everyone, this is my new neighbor, Zelda. She moved here from the city and took my beekeeping class last month. She’s volunteered to help with our honey harvest too.”
Zelda walked away, muttering, “Beekeeping is much too difficult for children.”
Laura grinned at the children. “Oh, how I’ve missed you.”
“You told Benny you have an emergency,” said Henry. “How can we help?”
“Actually,” said Laura, “I have two emergencies.” She pulled off her gloves. “First, I’m starting a beekeeping class in two weeks for local children. But I’ve never taught children before. I thought since I know you all so well, I could practice my teaching on you. My second emergency is that David was called away on business. He’ll be gone all week. I really, really need your helping hands to harvest our honey.”
Jessie twirled a lock of her straight brown hair around and around her finger. “Will we work with real live honeybees?” she asked.
“Of course,” said Laura.
“Will we wear spacesuits like yours?” asked Benny.
Laura ruffled Benny’s hair. “Absolutely!” she said. “Except these are beekeeping suits.”
“Count us in!” said Henry.
Laura gave them high-fives. “Thank you, thank you, thank you,” she said. “You’ll start after lunch. Right now, I have to check a few things in the pasture. You can go inside and unpack. There’s a room at the top of the stairs with bunk beds that I fixed up for you. I’ll send Walt over to give you a tour. He knows this farm better than anyone. We’ll meet back here for lunch.”
Grandfather smiled. “I can see you don’t need me. Laura, it’s wonderful to see you again. I know the children are in good hands.” He hugged his grandchildren good-bye. “I have work to do back home,” he said. “I’ll see you all at the end of the week.”
After Grandfather left, the children quickly unpacked. Then they went back outside. They were eager to see more of the farm. A man wearing faded-blue overalls and scuffed work boots stood waiting for them. His bushy white eyebrows and wavy white hair reminded Benny of Santa Clause. “I’m Walt,” he said in a booming voice. “Laura asked me to show you around. Let’s go.”
Walt took long strides. They hurried to catch up. “Do you work here?” asked Henry.
Walt grunted. “This was my farm for fifty years,” he said. “’Til I got too old. Laura and David came along and bought the place. I tried sittin’ around my house all day doin’ a whole lot of nothin’. But I got bored.”
“I hate being bored,” said Benny.
Walt looked at the little boy with the brown hair as if noticing him for the first time. Walt grunted, then said, “I
asked the Sheas if they needed help. And here I am.”
Walt showed them Applewood’s vegetable garden, tall rows of corn, pumpkin patch, and fields of wildflowers. In the distance stands of colored boxes stood along a fence. “Those are some of our beehives,” said Walt. “There’s more in the next pasture.” He looked at the children. “Can’t say I approve of putting kids and bees together.”
“Didn’t your children help with your bees?” Henry asked.
“Never did have kids,” said Walt. “Don’t know much about ’em.”
“Oh!” Violet clasped her hands. “What’s that?” A little white building with purple trim and a purple door stood near the road. Purple flowers grew all around. Purple was Violet’s favorite color in the whole world.
“Gift shop,” said Walt.
“It’s so pretty,” said Violet. “Can we see inside? Please?”
A bell tinkled as they entered. The children walked slowly around the small shop. There were jars of honey, baskets with honey-made soaps, honey body creams and lip balms, and boxes of honey granola, trail mix, and cereal bars.
A heavyset teenage boy was stacking cookbooks on a shelf. His bee-shaped name tag said: NOAH. “Can I help you?” he asked.
“Is everything here made with honey?” asked Benny.
Noah looked around. “Not the cookbooks,” he said. “Or the tee shirts. Are you taking Walt’s farm tour?”
“We are,” said Violet. “This shop is my favorite so far.”
“Have…” Noah’s voice grew shaky, “have you seen the bees?”
“We’re seeing them after lunch,” said Henry.
Benny grinned. “We get to wear spacesuits! Um, bee suits.”
Noah gulped. “Be careful…you don’t want to get stung.”
“We’ll be careful,” Jessie said. She wondered why Noah worked so close to bees when he was obviously afraid of them.
Walt lifted a bushy white eyebrow. “Good grief, Noah,” he said. “Don’t go making people afraid of bees. Honeybees are just about the most amazing insects on the whole planet. You’ve never even visited our hives.” Walt turned to the Aldens. “Let’s go,” he said, “time for lunch.”
They reached the farmhouse just as Laura drove in from the field. Her face looked tight with worry. “There’s a tear in the fence near the hives,” she said, climbing out of the truck.
“Are the hives okay?” asked Walt.
Laura nodded. “They look okay.”
The old farmer scratched his chin. “Could be a branch fell on the fence during that storm last night.” He climbed into the red truck. “I’ll go mend it.”