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
Copyright © 2018 by Albert Whitman & Company
First published in the United States of America in 2018 by Albert Whitman & Company
ISBN 978-0-8075-0731-5 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-0-8075-0732-2 (paperback)
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 22 21 20 19 18
Illustrations by Anthony VanArsdale
Visit the Boxcar Chil
dren online at www.boxcarchildren.com. For more information about Albert Whitman & Company, visit our website at www.albertwhitman.com.
Contents
1. Double Doughnut Trouble?
2. Stranger with a Rolling Pin
3. Closed!
4. Doughnuts for the Troops
5. Where Is the Proof?
6. Suspects
7. A Night Prowler
8. The Missing Tin
9. The Written Proof
10. A New, Old Shop
Double Doughnut Trouble?
“Brr! It’s colder than I thought,” said Benny as he zipped up his jacket.
It was the first day of spring break, and Benny, Violet, Jessie, and Henry Alden were enjoying their new freedom by going on a walk through downtown Greenfield, Connecticut. The morning air was just beginning to warm.
“Aren’t you glad I made you wear your coat?” Jessie asked. She was twelve and always looking out for her six-year-old brother.
“It definitely doesn’t feel like summer yet, but it sure is a beautiful day,” said Violet, who was ten.
All around them, the green in bushes, trees, and grass was starting to show. The sun was warming the dew off of the grass.
“Where should we go first?” asked Henry. He was fourteen and the oldest of the Alden children.
“I’d love at least one new book to read,” said Jessie. “Why don’t we go to the library? We could all get books.”
Benny huffed. “Going to the library is almost like going to school,” he said. “We just got done with school yesterday!”
Jessie smiled. “All right, Benny. What do you want to do?”
“I don’t know. Something fun—and tasty!” Benny said.
Henry chuckled. “We just finished breakfast. Maybe you can wait a little while to eat.”
Benny shrugged and hopped from foot to foot down the sidewalk, ahead of the others.
“What if we decorate the boxcar?” asked Violet. “It’s been a long winter, and it could use some attention.”
The Aldens really liked the boxcar. It had played an important part in their lives. After the children’s parents died, the children had run away. They were afraid of their grandfather, whom they had never met. They worried he would be mean to them, so they hid in the woods, where they found the boxcar. For a while, the children lived in the boxcar. They had lots of adventures and even found their dog, Watch, in the woods. Later they learned that Grandfather was very kind and had been looking for them. He brought the Aldens and Watch to live with him, and he had the boxcar put in the backyard, to use as a clubhouse.
“Good idea, Violet,” said Jessie. “Let’s be on the lookout for decorating ideas for the boxcar.” Jessie patted her pocket where she kept her notebook and pen. She usually took those things wherever she went.
“And I’ll start thinking of projects to work on,” said Henry. “I’ve been meaning to—”
“Woah! Look at that!” said Benny, who had stopped ahead of them. He pointed across Main Street, where people were standing in a line that stretched far down the sidewalk.
“I wonder what they’re waiting for,” said Jessie.
“What does the sign say?” asked Benny. “The letters are all funny shaped. I can’t read them.”
Jessie read aloud from the colorful sign. “‘The Donut Dispensary.’ That place wasn’t here the last time we came into town.”
“What’s a disp…a dispens…a whatever it’s called?” asked Benny. “And did they spell doughnut wrong?”
“A dispensary’s a place that gives out things to people,” Jessie explained. “I don’t think anyone uses that word much anymore. But a lot of people spell doughnut d-o-n-u-t. I think it’s okay to spell it either way.”
“Another doughnut shop!” said Benny. “That makes two in Greenfield!”
The Aldens crossed the street. But when they got to the store, they couldn’t see very much. The crowd of people was too thick to see into the window or doorway.
“Maybe we should come back later when the line isn’t so long,” said Henry.
Violet agreed. “Even if people think this place is so great, I can’t believe their doughnuts are better than the ones they make at Delilah’s Doughnut Shop. And there’s never a line like this there.”
“These doughnuts look crazy!” said Benny, coming out of the crowd. “I ducked down and got close to the window, and I saw one that had bacon and syrup on it!”
“I don’t know if that sounds great or terrible.” Jessie chuckled. “But I am curious what other kinds they have.”
As the children watched, people strolled out of the busy doorway carrying small bags and paper coffee cups.
“It’s really full in there,” Henry said, standing on his tiptoes. “It doesn’t look like there’s any place to sit.”
“That’s weird,” said Violet. “I like to sit down and enjoy my food, like we do at Delilah’s.”
“I agree,” said Jessie. “Why don’t we go see what’s going on there?”
“And get some doughnuts!” said Benny. “Do you think they have ones with bacon and syrup?”
“Oh, Benny,” said Jessie. “You know the real attraction is our friends, Dawn and Steve. I wonder how they feel about the new doughnut shop in town.”
The children turned to leave, but a tall, thin delivery man in a brown uniform was right behind them. He had a two-wheeled hand truck loaded with boxes and was trying to get through the crowd.
“Sorry, folks,” he said. “Sorry. I need to get in the door. Thanks for moving aside.”
As the Aldens stepped to the side, one of the boxes started to fall and Henry caught it.
“Woah, nice reflexes, young man,” the delivery man said. “Thanks for the help.”
“No problem,” said Henry, setting the box back onto the stack. “Do you need help getting that inside?”
The delivery man shook his head. “I should be able to weave my way in. Thanks again.”
As the man disappeared into the crowd, the Aldens continued on their way. It was only a few blocks to Delilah’s.
When the four children stepped inside the shop, they breathed in the wonderful smell of freshly made doughnuts. There were plenty of tables in the large, open room. Customers sat, chatting and enjoying themselves. A few people stood at the counter, ordering.
“Aldens!” called a friendly voice. “How nice to see you.” A short, dark-skinned woman with big, smiling eyes came around the corner, wiping her hands on her apron. She gave each of the children a quick hug.
“Hi, Dawn,” said Jessie. “We came to see you and your husband.”
“And your doughnuts,” said Benny.
Dawn laughed. “Of course you did!” she said. “Please, take a table and come up and order what you’d like. Steve is really busy right now, but I’m sure he’ll say hello when he sees you.”
It looked like both Steve and Dawn were extra busy, even though the shop wasn’t full of customers. The children could easily see Steve because he towered over most of the customers. He had wavy silver hair and broad shoulders. He came hurrying out from the back room with a large tray of doughnuts to put onto the racks behind the counter. Then he turned quickly to help the next customer at the counter. Dawn rang up orders, brought customers their doughnuts, and refilled coffee cups for people at tables. She barely seemed to have time to say hello to customers.
“I’ve never seen Dawn and Steve so busy,” said Jessie. “Dawn usually loves chatting with people. Sometimes she sits right down at the table!”
“You’re right, Jessie,” said Henry. “I wonder what’s going on.”
The Aldens left their jackets at a table and went up to the counter. On the racks were signs with the names of each kind of doughnut: glazed, powdered sugar dunkers, chocolate dunkers, jelly doughnuts, and Delilah’s Classic Buttermilk Dollie Doughnuts.
“They all look so good,” said Jessie. “I don’t think I can decide. The chocolate dunkers are kind of gooey i
n a great way. And the buttermilk ones are so puffy and tasty. And then there are the glazed ones that practically melt in your mouth. Mmmm.”
“We could each order a different one and share them,” suggested Violet.
“You guys can do that,” said Benny. “I want one of each!”
Henry, Violet, and Jessie laughed. “You can order one, Benny,” said Henry. “We can each pick our own favorite. And let’s get some milk too.”
All this time, Steve hurried to and fro, carrying trays of doughnuts from the back room. When he saw the Aldens, he smiled and waved at them, and then he hurried away.
“Poor Steve,” said Dawn, after she took the children’s orders. “Our apprentice baker quit last week, and we don’t have a replacement yet. We have more work than we can keep up with right now.”
“What’s an apprentice?” asked Violet.
“It’s someone who’s training for a job,” said Dawn. “Nathan had been with us for a year. He was really getting to know the business.”
“Why did he quit?” asked Benny. “I think it would be fun to work here.”
Dawn sighed and looked down. “I wish I knew why he quit. Nathan was such a good worker, even though he and Steve sometimes disagreed. He told us he was leaving only three days before he went. That’s not enough time to find a good replacement.” Dawn looked frustrated and a little sad.
“We can help, Dawn,” offered Henry. “We’re on spring break now. We can do lots of things for you this week.” The other children nodded.
“That would be such a big help!” said Dawn. “But are you kids sure you want to be helping out here while you’re on break?”
“What could be better than being surrounded by doughnuts?” asked Benny.
Dawn broke into a smile. “Let me think of some jobs that you children could help me with, and you can get started tomorrow.”
“We can help you with that too,” said Jessie, pulling out her notebook and pencil. “I’ll make a list of the jobs you want us to do.”
“Great!” said Dawn. “But first, have your doughnuts. I’ll come over to your table when things quiet down.”
While they waited, the children ate their doughnuts and looked around the familiar shop. The walls were covered with old-fashioned, tan wallpaper that had tiny, pale flowers on it. There were knickknacks on shelves and hanging black-and-white photographs from old times. Brown ruffled curtains hung from the middle to the bottom of each window. The floor was made of dark, square tiles. The tables, chairs, and even the counter where the doughnuts were sold were all made of dark, smooth wood.