THE SKELETON KEY MYSTERY
The Aldens are visiting the town of Hammond Hills for its fall festival, and this year there’s something new to see—a Halloween escape room!
The Boxcar Children love solving the puzzles to break out of the room, and they don’t mind the old house’s spooky decorations. But as Halloween gets closer, someone—or something—is making things downright scary for the escape room’s customers.
Are the stories about the graveyard behind the old house true?
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 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
NEW! THE SKELETON KEY MYSTERY
NEW! SCIENCE FAIR SABOTAGE
Copyright © 2020 by Albert Whitman & Company
First published in the United States of America in 2020 by Albert Whitman & Company
ISBN 978-0-8075-0789-6 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-0-8075-0790-2 (paperback)
ISBN 978-0-8075-0791-9 (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
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. Time Is Running Out!
2. A Visit in the Night
3. Strangely Similar
4. A Not-So-Grand Opening
5. Carving and a Clue
6. A Warning
7. Up, Up, and Away!
8. Close to the Bone
9. Noises in the Dark
10. Clattering Bones
CHAPTER
Time Is Running Out!
“‘I run all day and never walk. I tell you something, but I don’t talk.’” Benny Alden slowly sounded out each word on the piece of paper.
“Good job, Benny,” said Jessie. She was twelve and knew how much her six-year-old brother loved learning to read.
Violet snapped a picture of the page with her camera. Violet was ten, and she always photographed the children’s adventures—even the spooky ones. “Now we just have to figure out what it means,” she said.
“Something that runs without walking…and tells us something without talking. Those are clues,” said Henry. At fourteen, he was the oldest of the Alden children. He liked solving problems. “The answer must be hidden somewhere in this room.”
Benny looked around with his flashlight. The room had once been a study. But it seemed as though no one had used it in years. There was a clutter of old objects. And plenty of cobwebs. The single window had been painted over, and the only light came from a dim lamp in a corner. In the opposite corner, a wooden box shaped like a coffin leaned against the wall.
Violet searched along a shelf stuffed with old books and trinkets. “There are so many places for things to hide,” she said. “The answer to the riddle could be anywhere.”
Suddenly, Violet jumped. Out of the corner of her eye, she had seen something move.
“Are you okay?” Jessie asked.
Violet turned and let out a sigh of relief. In a large, dusty mirror, she saw her reflection looking back at her. “Yes,” she said. “This room is full of surprises.”
Jessie looked up at the strange clock on the wall. It was a made of metal and shaped like a skull. “We only have ten minutes left,” she said. “We need to hurry!”
“Oh!” said Henry.
“What is it?” asked Violet. “Did something happen?”
Henry shined his light toward the strange clock. “I think I figured out the riddle,” he said. “Something that runs and never walks…”
It took Jessie a moment. Then she understood. “A clock runs but never walks!” she said. “And it tells us the time without saying a word!”
The children gathered around the strange clock. Its eyes glowed red. Cobwebs hung from all sides.
“It’s too high to reach,” said Violet. “Even for you, Henry.”
“Benny, come sit on my shoulders,” Henry said.
Benny looked up at the clock and gulped. “Are—are you sure that’s the answer to the clue?” he asked.
“I’m sure,” said Henry. “Come on. Let’s check it out.”
Benny climbed onto Henry’s shoulders, and Henry lifted him up to the clock.
“I don’t see anything,” said Benny.
“Feel inside the mouth,” said Henry. “There could be something in there.”
“The mouth?!” said Benny. “What if it tries to bite me?”
“The skull isn’t alive,” said Henry. “It can’t bite you.”
Benny closed his eyes and looked away. Slowly, he reached his fingers into the clock. Then he yanked his hand away and squealed.
“What is it?” asked Jessie.
“It felt like a tooth!” said Benny.
“Benny, we need to hurry,” said Violet.
“Okay, I’ll grab it this time.” Benny reached back in, quickly this time, and pulled out a small flashlight. He turned it on, and a purple glow appeared.
“A purple light!” cried Violet. “How pretty!” Violet loved the color purple. She had purple ribbons tied on her pigtails and was wearing purple sneakers.
Benny handed the flashlight to Henry.
“This is called a black light,” said Henry. “Black lights can show things that are fluorescent.”
“What in the world does that mean?” asked Violet.
“Things that are fluorescent absorb ultraviolet light,” said Jessie. “It makes them glow.”
“So some things might glow if we point the black light at them?” asked Violet.
“That’s right,” said Henry. “Benny, reach back in there. Maybe there is a clue about the black light.”
Benny sighed and reached into the skull’s mouth once more. This time, he pulled out a folded piece of paper and handed it to Jessie. Henry lowered him to the floor.
“That was very brave,” said Jessie. “Because you faced your fears, we found two clues to help us get out of here.”
“Fears?” said Benny, blushing. “I wasn’t afraid. I just—I didn’t want to upset the cobwebs.”
Jessie smiled at her little brother. She quickly unfolded the paper and handed it to him. “Well, either way, you get to tell us what the next clue says.”
Benny sounded out the words on the page. “‘I’m like a garden of blossoms bright. That only blooms in dark of night.’”
“I wonder what that could be,” said Violet.
The Aldens shined their lights around the room, and Henry started listing what he saw. “There are books, an old lamp, a desk, a vase—”
“A coffin,” said Benny, turning back to the big box in the corner. “And there’s probably a skeleton inside of that.”
“Oh Benny, don’t let your imagination get the best of you,” said Jessie. “It’s just for show. There’s nothing inside.” Jessie knocked on the box to prove that it was hollow, but Benny still wasn’t so sure.
“I have an idea,” said Violet. “What if the answer is flowers?”
“Good thinking, Violet,” said Henry. “Let’s turn off our flashlights and see if the flowers in the vase shine in the black light.”
Benny was still eyeing the coffin in the corner of the room. “Are you sure we have to turn off our lights?” he said. “Maybe it’s not the flowers after all.”
“It will be fine,” said Jessie. She grabbed Benny’s hand, and all the children shut off their lights. Henry held up the black light to the vase.
“It’s all dark.” Violet frowned. “No bright blooms anywhere.”
“Maybe we should turn our flashlights back on and think some more,” said Benny.
“Let’s look around the room first,” said Jessie, squeezing Benny’s hand. “According to the clue, something should be glowing.”
The children looked all around. Violet was the first to look up. “There are stars on the ceiling!” she said.
Sure enough, with the black light, the ceiling was glowing like the night sky.
“A garden that blooms at night—stars!” said Jessie. “Good eyes, Violet.”
Henry panned the light across the ceiling. “They must be made of some kind of special paint,” he said.
“We need to figure out what the clue means,” said Jessie. “We only have a few minutes before we’re stuck in here!”
Henry studied the glowing stars. With his finger, he traced the shape that the brightest ones made. “It’s like a constellation,” he said.
“What’s that?” asked Benny.
“A constellation is a shape made by the brightest stars,” Jessie explained.
Benny tilted his head. “Oh, I see. It looks like the letter T!”
“Does that mean we need to look for something that starts with that letter?” asked Violet. She studied the room. “T could stand for table, tray, teacup, typewriter. Now that I think of it, there are a lot of things that start with T.”
Henry squinted at the shape. “I don’t think it’s a T. I think it’s an arrow!”
Benny clicked on his light and guided it along the arrow and across the room. The beam came to rest on the coffin in the corner. “I knew there was something in there!” he said. Benny stepped behind Jessie.
The other children turned on their flashlights and pointed them at the wooden box. Slowly, Henry walked over. As he pulled on the cover, the hinges gave an eerie creak. Finally, Henry yanked open the cover and shined his flashlight inside.
“There’s nothing here!” he said.
“See, Benny? Nothing to worry about,” said Jessie.
“Except we need to figure out how to get out of here!” said Violet. “We don’t have much time left.”
Henry, Jessie, and Violet searched around the old coffin. The inside was smooth and lined with silk. Henry felt along the edges. “I don’t feel anything hidden inside,” he said.
“Maybe we misread the clue,” said Jessie.
Benny was still standing away from the coffin. He noticed something on the open cover. “There’s a pocket!” he said.
Jessie looked at the lid, where there was a small pouch. “Good eyes, Benny,” she said, reaching inside.
“Hurry!” said Benny, wringing his hands. “We have less than a minute to get out!”
“There’s something in here!” said Jessie. She pulled out a long, metal object with a fancy-looking handle.
“It’s the skeleton key!” Benny cried.
The children ran to the entrance. Jessie jiggled the key into the lock, and the heavy door swung open. The Aldens rushed out as the room went black.
“Just in time!” said a tall man standing on the other side of the door. James Alden smiled at his four grandchildren.