CHAPTER 1 Yellow Sands The four Alden children could hardly wait to get back to Mystery Ranch. Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny had planned for weeks what they would do. Well go on that dear old train! said Violet. Remember Mr. Carter who helped us ca...
Its the Mystery Man! shouted Benny, looking out the window the next day. I hope the guard will let him in. It was John Carter, the tall young man with the brown hair and brown eyes. He went first to Aunt Jane and thanked her for asking him to come. T...
Boy, look at that car! said Benny, looking out the window. It was long and low. It was painted yellow and black. A man got out of the car. A guard spoke to him and nodded, and the man came to the back door. Henry opened the door, and the man said, Ja...
Mr. Carter spoke, I think your grandfather will be glad to help. I can go to Greenfield and tell him the whole story. He looked at his watch and got up quickly. Good-by, children, and the best of luck. In one minute he was gone. Benny said, Mystery m...
Early the next morning, the four Alden children climbed into Mr. Ponds car. He had come to take them to Stony Creek. They were going to see the sheriff, Mr. Bates. Mr. Pond was very quiet. He was worried about these nice children. He liked them, even...
That night Henry did not sleep very well. He kept thinking of the men who had tried to buy Aunt Janes ranch. He decided to talk with Jessie alone. But it was not easy for the older children to get away from Benny. He wanted to do first one thing and...
When Sam came with the milk next day, he was surprised to see all four children on the back steps. They were waiting for him. Well, well! Early birds! he said. Why did you get up so early? We wanted to see you, Sam, said Henry. Here I am, but Im not...
Now that the children were together, they were very happy. Aunt Jane seemed to be getting more cheerful every day. One morning Jessie heard her aunt call her. I want to see all four of you children, Aunt Jane told Jessie. Get the others in here befor...
The next day was one of Aunt Janes bad days. The boys went off gladly to look at the ranch, when they saw how cross she was. Now, Jane, the girls heard Maggie say, You let me wash your hands and face. No! was the sharp answer. Watch looked at the doo...
Two days passed before Maggie finally spoke her mind. She was feeling much better now with three delicious meals a day. And she enjoyed having someone to talk to. Maggie and the two girls were sitting on the back steps, enjoying the cool evening bree...