The Hunt for the Missing Spy Read Online Free PDF

She held up a large sign written in Morse code. “All right, let’s see if you can decipher this message. If you need help, just look at the poster on the wall.”

    Code Busters’ Key and Solution found on pp. 150, 155.
    The students began cracking the coded message. Quinn and Cody were the first to raise their handswhen they finished. Ms. Bishop called on Quinn and he recited the answer.
    â€œGreat job!” Ms. Bishop said. “Did you know that Morse code was developed in the 1800s by an artist and inventor named Samuel F. B. Morse? He worked with a physicist to create an electrical telegraph system which was used to send encrypted messages between warships, naval bases, and railroads. Sometimes Morse code was used to send distress signals. The most famous one sounds like this.” Ms. Bishop gave three rapid knocks on the nearby wall, then three knocks spaced a second apart, then three more quick knocks.

    Code Busters’ Key and Solution found on pp. 150, 155
    â€œDoes anyone know what that means?”
    Hands shot up. Cody and her friends immediately recognized the distress signal from when Ms. Stad taught them Morse code. Ms. Bishop called on a boy named Ty from Mr. Pike’s class.
    â€œS.O.S.,” Ty said.
    â€œAnd what does S.O.S. stand for?” Ms. Bishop asked.
    â€œSave our ship!” a girl named Tessa called out.
    â€œSave our souls!” another boy named Max offered.
    â€œSave our shoes!” Matt the Brat yelled, then laughed at his own joke.
    Ms. Bishop ignored Matt’s contribution. “Yes, it’s come to mean ‘save our ship’ or ‘save our souls’. But do you know what that
really
means?” she asked, grinning.
    â€œHELP!” called out several students, including the Code Busters.
    â€œCorrect!” Ms. Bishop said. “S.O.S. is not really an acronym. The letters S and O were chosen because they’re easy to use and remember in Morse code—just three dots and three dashes. So, if you’re ever in trouble, just tap out S.O.S. and, hopefully, someone will come rescue you!”
    Cody heard several students tapping the S.O.S. code on nearby walls.
    â€œAll right, everyone,” Ms. Stad called out, “Quiet down, please.”
    Ms. Bishop smiled. “At the end of the tour, you’ll get to learn about the history of espionage and how spying was used in the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and both World War I and II. When you leave the exhibits, you’ll have a chance to go to the Spy Store and pick out some spy gear. Once you’re finished shopping, find your teachers, because you’re going on your very own Spy Hunt mission. In groups, you and your chaperones will explore the Washington Mall seeking out mystery locations with the help of GPS-guided clues.”
    Once Ms. Bishop finished talking, it was time to get started. Cody and M.E. buddied up. So did Quinn and Luke. Even Matt the Brat had a buddy—a girl named Sadie who was his next-door neighbor.
    Cody noticed that the new girl, Mika, was by herself. She remembered what it was like when she was new and didn’t know anyone. It took a while to make friends, and she felt lucky to have her Code Busters Club friends.
    Cody went over to her teacher. “Ms. Stadelhofer? Mika doesn’t have a partner. Can she come with M.E. and me?”
    Ms. Stad looked around to see if anyone else needed to pair up, but all of the students had partners. “Well, I suppose she could be my buddy, but she’d probably have more fun with you girls. Thanks, Cody. That’s very nice of you.”
    Mika was standing at the back of the line next to her mother, who was one of the chaperones.
    â€œHey, Mika. Ms. Stad said you could join M.E. and me if you want.”
    Mika smiled widely. “Thanks!” She turned to her mother, who nodded, and then followed Cody to where M.E. stood in line.
    â€œHey! No cuts,” Matt the Brat called