The Clue in the Papyrus Scroll
Gertrude Chandler Warner
A camel ride becomes a chase through the desert!
Jessie found herself clinging to the saddle so she wouldn’t fall off. The camels drew closer to the running figure. “I’m going to try to get in front of him,” their friend Tareq called back over his shoulder. “He’ll have to turn back then.”
The person turned to run the other way, but he tripped and fell just as Henry caught up to him. Jessie could see Henry grabbing for the thief’s bag as the camels drew closer. Tareq and Jessie were only a few feet away when the thief got to his feet and then took off running again…
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 978-0-8075-0698-1 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-0-8075-0699-8 (paperback)
All r
ights 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
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Illustrations by Anthony VanArsdale
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visit our website at www.albertwhitman.com.
Contents
1. A Cat, a Collar, and a Clue
2. Where Is Tricia?
3. A Riddle and a Ride
4. Chase through the Desert
5. Inside the Great Pyramid
6. An Unsettling Accusation
7. Not an Owl but a Crow
8. The Giant’s Dance
9. A Brush with the Enemy
10. Where All Roads Lead
A Cat, a Collar, and a Clue
Ten-year-old Violet Alden looked out the plane window as the private jet climbed high in the air. Her sister, Jessie, who was twelve, joined her.
“Good-bye, New Mexico,” Jessie said as the desert landscape disappeared beneath the clouds.
“I’m glad we left Anna Argent behind.” Violet shivered.
“I’m glad too,” Jessie agreed. “She can’t get in a plane and chase us.” She patted the duffel bag on the seat beside her. “And we have all the artifacts safe in here. We’ll deliver them just like we promised the Reddimus Society. Anna won’t be able to get them.” The Reddimus Society returned stolen art and artifacts to their rightful owners. The head of the society, Mrs. Silverton, who was Grandfather’s friend, had asked the Alden children to help them out.
“I can’t believe Anna Argent tried to stop our plane from taking off,” fourteen-year-old Henry said. Anna had driven a jeep right at their jet as it sat on the runway. A young woman by the name of Christina Keene, who was originally going to deliver the artifacts, had gotten in a jeep to chase after Anna. That meant Christina couldn’t get on the plane, and the Aldens had to go in her place. Thanks to the quick action of the Reddimus Society pilots, Mr. Ganert and Emilio, the plane took off before Anna could steal the artifacts.
“Since Anna hid on our train to New Mexico and chased us once we got off there, I’m not surprised,” Violet said.
“We’re safe now though, aren’t we?” six-year-old Benny asked. He didn’t like Anna. She had tried to take the pottery turtle they were returning to Acoma Pueblo in New Mexico. It had been stolen from the museum where it belonged, and the Reddimus Society had recovered it.
“We’re safe,” Jessie assured him. “She can’t follow us.”
“But where are we going next?” Benny asked.
“You tell us and we’ll work out a flight plan,” Emilio, the Reddimus Society copilot, said as he opened the refrigerator in the plane’s tiny galley. He got out some fruit and cheese and put them on a tray with some crackers. After he set it down on the table in front of Benny, he pointed at the black cat statue that Henry held. “The clue is right here.” A messenger had delivered the cat statue right before the plane took off, but there wasn’t a note or anything else with it.
“The Reddimus Society asked us to help them because we are good at solving mysteries, so I’m sure we can figure this out,” Henry said. The Aldens had been solving mysteries for a long time, ever since they had come to live with their grandfather. After their parents died, the children had been scared to go live with him at first, thinking he might be mean. They had run away and lived in a boxcar in the woods until he found them. He had turned out not to be mean at all and had even bought the boxcar and put it in their new backyard.
Henry examined the statue more carefully. The cat sat upright staring straight ahead. It was all black except for some gold coloring on the inside of its ears. It also wore a fancy collar that looked more like a necklace. It had rows of red, blue, gold, and black beads strung together to make a broad band. “I’m not sure how this can be a clue.” He turned it upside down and inspected the base. “No message written on it that I can see.”
Jessie got out her laptop. “Since we figured out how to deliver the turtle by researching that type of art, let’s do the same with the cat. We’ll see if it matches any pictures.” She typed in cat statue. Dozens of images appeared on the screen.
“Can I see if I can find any that match?” Benny asked. He liked to play matching games.
“Sure,” Jessie said. “Just scroll through them, and show us what you find.” She handed the laptop to Benny. It took him only a moment.
“I found one!” he said, excited.
Jessie looked over his shoulder as he pointed at the screen. “Yes, that one does match. Good job, Benny!”
She clicked on the picture, and some information came up. “Our statue is like the statues they made in ancient Egypt of cats,” she told the others. “Cats were worshiped there.”
Violet’s face fell. “We can’t go to ancient Egypt though. There is no such thing as a time-traveling machine.”
Henry grinned. “No, but it means we’re going to modern-day Egypt. I think one of the artifacts we have to return is Egyptian.”
“Egypt is a country, right? Where is it?” Benny knew it was a long way away, but he couldn’t remember exactly where.
“It’s in the northern part of Africa,” Jessie said. “I’ll show you on a map.” She brought a map of Africa up on the screen and pointed to Egypt.
“Egypt, here we come,” Emilio said. “Did you hear that, Mr. Ganert?” he called up to the cockpit.
A cranky voice barked out, “Yes!” The Aldens hadn’t known Mr. Ganert for very long, but they had figured out he never seemed to be in a pleasant mood.
“So just like that, you’ll take us to Egypt?” Violet asked Emilio.
“That’s what we do,” Emilio said. He tipped his pilot’s hat at her and bowed. “We are at your service, madam.”
Violet giggled. Emilio could be very silly. “We don’t often have plans too far in advance,” he said. “Plus, we don’t want to give the Argents time to figure out where we are going. It’s a long way though, and we will have to stop at certain points for fuel and other supplies. It should give you plenty to time to figure out where in Egypt we should land. We’ll contact Trudy Silverton as soon as you know.” Trudy, Mrs. Silverton’s granddaughter, worked for the Reddimus Society too. She handled all the travel arrangements and helped the Aldens with anything they needed.
“Right,” Henry said. “I forgot about that. Egypt is a big country.”
“Yes, it is.” Jessie typed in some other search terms into her computer. “This site says it’s bigger than Texas and Colorado combined.” She read off some other facts. “The main language is Arabic. Football, or what Americans call soccer, is the most popular sport. Tourists from all over the world travel there to see pyramids and other ancient Egyptian sites and artifacts.”
“I hope we get to see pyramids.” Benny picked up a piece of cheese and popped it into his mouth. Thinking about pyramids made him hungry.
“Me too,” Violet said. “Now we just have to figure out exactly where we are going. I really like the colors in the collar on the statue. Maybe there’s a clue underneath it. Does it come off?”
Henry found a clasp. He took the collar off and looked at the back of it. “Nothing here.” He handed it to Violet.
“I don’t think a real cat would want to wear something so big,” Violet said. “But it’s very pretty. It could be a bracelet for a person.” She wrapped it around her wrist. “If I had made it, I would have kept all the beads in the pattern red, gold, black, blue. I don’t know why they broke the pattern with these extra blue beads in different places.” She fastened the collar back around the cat’s nec
k.
“You put it on upside down,” Benny said.
Violet stared at it. “Are you sure? How do you know?”
Benny pointed at one part of the necklace. “Because those blue beads looked like a backwards C to me before. Now it looks like a C that is facing the right direction.” Benny was learning to read and was very interested in letters.
“It does look like a C.” Jessie picked up the statue again and traced her finger along the blue beads. “And these other beads that don’t follow the pattern look like letters too.”
“I see them!” Benny spelled them out. “C…A…I…R…O. Is that a word?”
“Cairo!” Henry said. “It’s a city in Egypt.”
“That’s our clue. Cairo, here we come,” Emilio said. “Last time I was there I got to ride a camel. Maybe you will too.” He snapped his fingers. “Say, have I got a joke for you. What is a camel’s favorite nursery rhyme?” He looked around at all of them, grinning.
When no one could come up with the answer, he shouted, “Humpty Dumpty!” and then broke out in laughter. The Aldens had learned Emilio liked to tell silly jokes, and he liked to laugh at them too.
A loud snorting sound came from the cockpit. “Do you think you could come up here and do some work?” Mr. Ganert called back into the cabin. Emilio made a silly face at the children but then went back into the cockpit.
Benny wished they could go to Egypt without Mr. Ganert. When Benny had first seen him, he thought the man looked like a vampire with his pale skin, thin face, and dark hair that he wore slicked back so that it stuck to his head.
Mr. Ganert also acted like he thought the Aldens couldn’t be trusted to work for the Reddimus Society. Benny thought he was probably extra cranky because he had to fly them such a long way.
It was a very long way, even though the plane was comfortable. Emilio showed them how to make the big seats into beds, how to play movies on the television, and how to play music they wanted to hear.
He also showed them his bag of disguises. When they had first seen Emilio on the plane, they hadn’t recognized him as the man who had been on the train with them to New Mexico. Jessie was the one who realized it was Emilio under a big fake nose and a wig. Emilio claimed he needed all the disguises to do the work for the Reddimus Society, but the children had talked about it while he was in the cockpit and decided he probably just liked to dress up. It was fun to have him put mustaches and hats and wigs on them. He tried to teach them to speak in different accents, but none of them were very good at it. Mr. Ganert ignored the Aldens most of the time, either staying in the cockpit or sleeping in a seat in the back while Emilio flew the plane.
