The shadow on the wall loomed large again.
My heartbeat quickened as I chased the mysterious shape.
The shadow turned another corner. I hurried to the turn as quietly as I could. And stopped.
Whoever it was—stood right there. Just beyond the turn.
I took a deep breath—and peeked around the corner.
And saw Grandpa Eddie.
Grandpa Eddie—carrying a huge platter stacked high with blueberry pancakes.
How did Grandpa get up here? I wondered. I thought I saw him go outside.
Grandpa came in through another door, I decided. That has to be it. This house is huge. It probably has lots of doors and halls and stairways I haven’t discovered yet.
But what was he doing up here carrying an enormous tray of pancakes? Where was he taking them?
What a mystery!
Grandpa Eddie carefully balanced the big silver tray between his hands as he made his way down the hall.
I have to follow him, I thought. I have to see where he’s going.
I padded down the hallway. I wasn’t too worried about being quiet now. After all, Grandpa didn’t hear too well.
I walked only a few yards behind him.
When I heard the sounds, I froze.
Sniffing. Behind me. Furious sniffing.
Oh, no! Charley!
Charley bounded down the hall toward me. Sniffing. Sniffing furiously. Then the dog spotted me—and stopped.
“Good dog,” I whispered, trying to shoo him away. “Go back. Go back.”
But he broke into a run. Barking his head off.
I grabbed for his collar as he tried to dodge me—to race down the hall to Grandpa.
I grasped the collar tightly. He barked even louder.
“Rose?” Grandpa Eddie called out. “Is that you, Rose?”
“Come on, Charley,” I whispered. “Let’s get out of here.”
I dragged Charley around the corner—before Grandpa could catch me spying on him. Tugging the dog, I ducked into my room.
I sat down on the scratchy blanket for a second to catch my breath. Then I quickly rummaged through my suitcase for Grandma and Grandpa’s mystery books.
Where was Grandpa going with those pancakes? I wondered as I hurried down the stairs with the presents.
Why was he creeping along so silently?
It was a mystery I had to solve.
If only I had minded my own business….
“Why don’t you two go out and play while I clean up these dishes?” Grandma suggested after breakfast. “Then you can help me make my sweet-as-sugar rhubarb pie!”
“Play?” Clark grumbled. “Does she think we’re two years old?”
“Let’s go out, Clark.” I pulled him through the back door. Hanging out in a swamp wasn’t exactly my idea of fun. But anything was better than sitting around that creepy old house.
We stepped into the bright sunlight—and I gasped. The hot, steamy air felt like a heavy weight against my skin. I tried to breathe deeply—to shake the smothered feeling I had.
“So what are we going to do?” Clark grumbled, also drawing in a deep breath.
I glanced around and spotted a path. It started at the back of the house and trailed into the swamp.
“Let’s explore a little,” I suggested.
“I am not walking through a swamp,” Clark declared. “No way.”
