Creature in Ogopogo Lake Read Online Free PDF Page B

Max, right?” guessed Jessie.
    “I bet he’s the one trying to distract us,” Benny said, nodding. “He wants to beat us to the treasure.”
    Jessie had to admit Benny had a point. “Max did say something about gold when he was talking on the phone.”
    Violet frowned. “We want to be sure he was talking about the treasure.” She liked Max and couldn’t imagine him trying to take Abby’s treasure from her.
    “Oh, Max is up to something, all right,” insisted Henry. “I’m just not sure it has anything to do with the treasure.”
    “But it’s true, Henry,” said Benny, who wasn’t about to let go of his idea. “Max wants the treasure for himself.”
    “If we prove it, it’s true, Benny,” Jessie corrected. “Until then, it’s just a theory.”
    Violet let out a sigh. “It’s hard to know who to trust.”
    “I think we should watch them closely for a while,” suggested Henry. “Max, Adam, and Rilla.”
    “But let’s keep a lid on this for now,” Jessie said with a yawn. “We’ll try to figure out a few things on our own.”
    With that, they put the mystery out of their minds as they went back to bed and drifted off to sleep.
    The four Alden children were up bright and early the next morning. Remembering their promise to Abby to paint the signs, they headed off to town right after breakfast.
    “What do you think of purple for the lettering on the signs?” Violet asked as they browsed around the paint store.
    “Sounds good,” said Jessie, who was looking at a color chart. “How about this one? It’s called Lavender Mist.”
    “Plum Delight is really nice, too,” put in Violet. Purple was her favorite color, and she almost always wore something purple or violet. “There are so many colors, it’s hard to choose.”
    It took awhile, but the four Aldens finally decided on Lavender Mist, Goldenrod Yellow, and Dragonfly Blue.
    “Is it lunchtime yet?” Benny asked as they stood at the check-out.
    Henry looked at his watch. “Close enough,” he said. “I noticed a diner on our way over here.”
    No sooner had they stepped outside than Rilla Washburn came round the corner. She was wearing a green dress and matching earrings. She seemed to be in a big hurry, but when she caught sight of the Aldens, she slowed down.
    “Well, if it isn’t the gold hunters,” she said, “or have you thrown in the towel already?”
    Henry shook his head. “We don’t give up that easily.”
    Rilla’s smile disappeared. “You’re wasting your time,” she said. “Look, I know what I’m talking about. There’s no treasure. End of story.”
    “But we already figured out something,” Benny piped up. “Jessie, show Rilla the photograph of Patch’s cats in your backpack. There’s a clue hidden in the photograph of—” Just then, he noticed Jessie’s warning frown. He’d forgotten they weren’t supposed to talk about the mystery.
    Rilla caught the look. “Oh, come now,” she said. “You can tell me about it. Your secret’s safe with me.”
    “We have to go,” said Jessie, pointing to her watch. “Sorry.”
    “You’re getting Abby’s hopes up for nothing with this little game of yours!” Rilla snapped at them.
    This was too much for Jessie. “We’re trying to help,” she said, looking Rilla straight in the eye.
    “Well, you’re not!” Rilla shot back, getting more annoyed by the minute. “You’re not helping one bit!” With that, she hurried off.

CHAPTER 7
Meow!
    “Can you believe that?” Jessie said as they headed down the street. “Rilla acts like we’re doing something wrong.”
    “She doesn’t want us hunting for the treasure,” Henry added as they stepped inside the diner. “That’s for sure.”
    Violet nodded. “She’s afraid Abby won’t sell the resort if we find something valuable.”
    Jessie nodded. “And that means Rilla would be runner-up again for the top sales award.”
    As they settled into a booth, Benny said, “She was wondering if we gave up