The Mystery on Cobbett's Island Read Online Free PDF Page B

will show where the money is. Several times I’ve thought about giving it to you to keep for me, but I shied away from facing the problem directly. Besides I knew you would get some fun out of figuring out another one of my charts. You’ll
know how to read it even if no one else can because of all the practice we’ve had the last couple of years
.
    If anything should happen to me, “start sailing,” and when you find the money, please see that young Ed gets it
.
    Always your devoted friend
,
Ed
    â€œWell, for goodness’ sake,” cried Trixie, looking around at the other Bob-Whites. “What’s it all about? Is it a joke or was there really an Ed?” Already she was anticipating another mystery.
    â€œWhen was it written?” asked Brian, leaning over to get a better look at the letter.
    â€œThere’s no date or address on it, and the envelope just says, ‘To Mr. C.’ That’s no help,” moaned Trixie.
    â€œRead it again, and see if it makes any more sense, Trix,” suggested Honey.
    When Trixie came to the words
Bunker boat
, Jim interrupted to ask if anyone knew what kind of boat that was.
    â€œNever heard of one,” said Brian. “Let’s look it up in the dictionary. There must be one around here somewhere,” and he started looking among the large volumes on the bottom shelf.
    â€œHere’s one, right under our noses,” cried Honey, pointing to a large book on a stand in the corner of the room. “Bring the lamp over so we can see what it says.”
    â€œJim, you hold the lamp,” said Trixie, “and be careful not to tip it. We don’t want any fires around here. Remember how awful it was when Ten Acres burned!”
    â€œI’ll look it up,” said Brian, opening the dictionary. Reading half to himself, he skipped over some of the definitions which didn’t seem to apply until he came to
Bunker, n. (From MOSSBUNKER). The Mossbunker. See Menhaden
.
    â€œWell, that’s a big help! Anyone know what a menhaden is?” inquired Trixie. No one did, so Brian turned to the dictionary again.
    â€œHere it is,” he said. “Um. Let’s see now. It says the word is of Algonquin origin. ‘A marine fish of the family
Clupeidae
, having a large head, a compressed body, toothless jaws, bluish silvery scales, and attaining a length of twelve to sixteen inches. On the Atlantic coast of the United States it is by far the most abundant of fishes, where scores of millions are taken annually and used for bait or converted into oil or fertilizer. Called also mossbunker or bonyfish.’ ”
    â€œThat’s it all right,” said Trixie, looking over her brother’s shoulder. “Bunker’s short for mossbunker, andEd apparently worked on a boat that went out to get the fish.”
    â€œThat explains
that
, Sherlock Holmes,” said Mart, “but it doesn’t help much in figuring out who Mr. C or Ed really are.”
    â€œOr
were
,” added Trixie, disregarding her brother’s sarcasm.
    â€œWell, personally, I’m too tired to even think straight right now,” said Diana. “Let’s all go to bed, and tomorrow we may have an inspiration.”
    â€œThat’s a good idea,” agreed Honey. “I’m dead for sleep, too. Come on, everybody. Not even the wind, the rain, or a mysterious letter can keep me awake tonight.”
    â€œNow that you mention it, I’m tired, too,” said Trixie, yawning, “and for once in my life I’m going to go to bed and not think about anything, especially that letter.” She paused and a faraway look came into her eyes. “But it sure makes you wonder,” she went on softly, almost as if to herself. “Doesn’t it?”
    Honey offered to sleep by herself in one room, while Di and Trixie occupied the twin beds in the other. As they undressed by the light of the single oil lamp, Trixie