The Secret of the Scarecrow Read Online Free PDF Page B

admitted. “I just know there is no such thing as a walking scarecrow.”
    But as the girls walked slowly to the Marvins’ yard, Nancy glanced back at the hedge.
    Â . . . At least I hope there isn’t, Nancy thought.

    â€œDaddy, do you believe in scary stories?” Nancy asked as she set the table for dinner later thatday. “You know, like witches . . . werewolves . . . walking scarecrows?”
    â€œSure, I believe in scary stories, Nancy,” Mr. Drew said, throwing her a wink. “But only on Halloween!”
    Nancy did the math. Halloween was over three weeks away. Not only was it getting dark early—it was getting spooky.
    â€œAnd speaking of Halloween,” Mr. Drew said. “How about a trip to Granny Apple Farms tomorrow morning? You can ask Bess and George to come along too.”
    â€œThanks, Daddy, but we can’t,” Nancy said. “The Clue Crew is working on a special case.”
    Hannah smiled as she carried a bowl of veggies into the dining room. “When isn’t the Clue Crew working on something special?” she teased.
    â€œThis case is different, Hannah,” Nancy said. “We have to solve it by Monday . . . or else.”
    â€œHmm,” Mr. Drew said. “I guess that is more important than a hayride.”
    â€œHayride?” Nancy asked. She loved hayrides!
    â€œAnd picking out the perfect pumpkin,” Mr. Drew added.
    â€œPumpkin?” Nancy asked. She loved pumpkin picking!
    Nancy thought about the farm as she folded another napkin in half.
    â€œI guess the Clue Crew could use a break, Daddy,” Nancy decided. “And maybe some yummy caramel apples too!”

    Sunday morning Mr. Drew drove Nancy, Bess, and George to Granny Apple Farms. The three friends sat in the backseat whispering about what they saw the day before. . . .
    â€œI didn’t sleep all night,” Bess said. “I kept thinking of that thing we saw outside my house.”
    â€œYou mean Jake McStuffings?” George said.
    Nancy heaved a sigh. “There is only one scarecrow we’re going to talk about today,” she said. “And her name is Autumn.”
    Mr. Drew pulled into the parking lot.
    â€œWhy don’t you girls go ahead to the pumpkin patch while I pick up some apple cider?” he said as they climbed out of the car.
    â€œSure, Daddy,” Nancy said.
    Nancy, Bess, and George headed across the farm toward the pumpkin patch. On the way they passed stands selling apples, fresh veggies, and cider that smelled like cinnamon. Nancy was about to check out some colorful Indian corn when she heard the clip-clopping sound of horses’ hooves.
    Turning, Nancy smiled. It was a hay wagon being pulled by a horse. A bunch of smiling kids sat swinging their feet over the sides. Two girls wore identical pumpkin-colored jackets. Nancy recognized one of them from school.
    â€œThere’s Leanne!” Nancy pointed out.
    â€œShe’s with her little sister, Trixie,” Bess said. “I guess Leanne likes hayrides too.”
    â€œHow can she?” Nancy said. “She told Mrs. Ramirez she’s allergic to hay.”
    â€œMaybe the wagon is filled with straw,” Besssaid. “Leanne never said she was allergic to straw.”
    â€œYou’re probably right,” Nancy said. “Now let’s check out the pumpkins before the perfect ones are taken.”
    The friends hurried to the patch. It was filled with pumpkins and kids trying to lift them.
    â€œHow about that one?” George asked, pointing one out.
    â€œToo big,” Nancy said.
    â€œHow about that one?” Bess asked, pointing to another.
    â€œToo small,” Nancy said.
    â€œOkay, Goldilocks,” George joked. “Which one is just right?”
    â€œHow about that one?” a voice said.
    The girls spun around. Standing right behind them was Harvey Mueller.
    â€œHi,