Creature in Ogopogo Lake Read Online Free PDF

out what’s really out there on Okanagan Lake.”
    “ Ogopogo Lake!” insisted Benny.
    “We’ll go with you, Henry,” said Violet. Jessie and Benny were quick to agree.
    Henry slipped quietly out of the room. So did everyone else. Henry grabbed a flashlight from the kitchen, then led the way outside. Everything was quiet and still. The only sound was the chirping of the crickets.
    After tiptoeing quietly down the creaky porch steps, they hurried past the line of cabins. With the flashlight beam sweeping across the path, they headed single file down through the trees to the beach. The Aldens peered out at the dark lake. There wasn’t a ripple. The strange creature had vanished.
    Henry was about to say something when Benny grabbed his arm. The youngest Alden had seen something the others hadn’t.
    “There’s somebody over there,” he whispered, pointing.
    Sure enough, a shadowy figure was standing near the boat.
    As Henry beamed his flashlight towards the dock, Benny called out, “Who’s there?”
    Suddenly the figure was racing full-speed along the dock towards the water’s edge. The Aldens gave chase, but it was too late. Whoever it was quickly disappeared into the trees.
    They headed back to the cabin. “I don’t understand it. Somebody’s going to a lot of trouble to make us think there’s a monster out there,” said Henry.
    The children had gathered in the room that Jessie and Violet were sharing. “Are you cold, Benny?” Jessie asked.
    Benny, who was sitting beside Jessie on the quilted bed, was shivering. “You don’t think there’s really a monster out there? Do you?”
    “No, that wasn’t a monster, Benny.” Henry sounded very sure.
    “But how come it looked just like Ogopogo?” Benny asked as Jessie pulled a pine needle from his hair.
    “I don’t know how it’s being done,” Henry admitted. “But I’m certain it’s a hoax.”
    Jessie agreed. “Somebody’s trying to fool us.”
    “What I can’t figure out,” said Violet, perched on a trunk at the foot of the bed, “is why someone would want us to believe it was Ogopogo out there.”
    “I’m not sure, but I have a feeling Adam set it up,” said Jessie. “This hoax, I mean.”
    Violet looked over at her sister. “Why would he do something like that?”
    “I think I know what Jessie’s getting at,” said Henry. “A report of an Ogopogo sighting always brings the tourists into town, remember?”
    Violet nodded her head in understanding. “You think he’s hoping Abby won’t sell the resort if business picks up?”
    “Could be,” said Jessie. “Max and Adam get a free cabin for the summer in exchange for giving boat tours. A new owner might not be willing to go along with that.”
    “His whole attitude changed,” Jessie went on, “right after Abby said they needed a good Ogopogo sighting. Did you notice?”
    Benny nodded. “He said he wasn’t feeling well and hurried away.”
    “Exactly,” said Jessie. “And then on the boat ride, he was suddenly talking as if a monster really existed.”
    “You know, Adam isn’t the only suspect,” said Violet. “I think we should add Rilla Washburn to our list.”
    Benny looked confused. “But … Rilla wants Abby to sell. Doesn’t she?”
    “Yes,” said Violet. “But that won’t happen if we find the treasure.”
    “You think Rilla’s trying to distract us?” asked Henry. “Is that what you mean, Violet?”
    “It’s possible,” said Violet. “Maybe she figures we’ll start hunting for Ogopogo and forget all about the treasure.”
    “But Rilla doesn’t believe that Patch left a treasure,” Benny pointed out, looking even more confused.
    “Maybe that’s just what she wants us to believe,” Henry said. He was leaning against the pine dresser, his arms folded. “Maybe she’s afraid the treasure might be worth enough to save the resort.”
    Benny spoke up. “I know somebody we should put at the top of our list of suspects.”
    “You’re thinking of