A to Z Mysteries: The Deadly Dungeon

The
series!

The Absent Author

The Bald Bandit

The Canary Caper

The Deadly Dungeon

Dink squirmed in his seat. He, Josh, and Ruth Rose had been riding the bus since seven that morning.

They were on their way to Maine to visit their friend Wallis Wallace, a famous mystery writer. The three of them had met her when she came to Green Lawn. Dink smiled when he remembered how they had rescued Wallis from a “kidnapper.”

Dink glanced over at Josh, asleep in his seat. His sketch pad was open on his lap.

Behind Josh, Ruth Rose was looking at a map. She liked to dress in one color. Today it was green, from her T-shirt to her high-tops.

Dink moved into the seat next to Ruth Rose. “Where are we?” he asked.

“Almost there.” She pointed to Belfast, Maine, on her map. “We just passed a Welcome to Belfast sign.”

Dink nodded. That was where Wallis was picking them up.

Ruth Rose tucked her map into her pack. “I’m so excited!” she said. “Do you think her castle has a moat and a dungeon?”

“I just hope it has food,” Dink said. “I’m starving!”

Josh’s head popped up in front of them. “Me too! Are we there yet?”

Just then the bus driver called out, “Belfast!”

“All right!” Josh said, leaping into the aisle.

The bus stopped in front of a small gray-shingled building. Through the window, Dink could see the water.

“Do you see Wallis?” Ruth Rose asked.

Dink grabbed his pack. “No, but let’s get off. I think I’m allergic to buses!”

The kids headed for the front. They followed an elderly couple down the steps.

They were squinting into the blinding sunlight when they heard someone say, “Hi, kids!” A tall man with curly blond hair was walking toward them. His face was tanned and smiling.

“I remember you. You’re Wallis’s brother!” Ruth Rose said.

“Call me Walker, okay?” said the
man. “Wallis is buying groceries, so she asked me to get you.”

Walker Wallace picked up Dink’s pack. It clunked heavily against his leg.

“What’s in here, your rock collection?” he asked.

Dink grinned. “Books. My mom said it rains a lot in Maine, so I came prepared.”

Walker laughed. “We’ve planned perfect weather for you guys. Sun every day! Come on, that’s my Jeep over there.”

Walker’s dusty brown Jeep had no top. The leather seats were worn and split in places.

He swept a pair of boots and a tool belt onto the floor, making room in the backseat. “Pile in!”

The boys climbed into the back. Ruth Rose sat next to Walker. “How far is the castle?” she asked.

“Not far.” Walker pointed. “About a mile past those trees.”

He drove up the coast. “You guys hungry? Sis is buying everything in the store for you.”

“I’m
always
hungry,” Josh said, leaning back and crossing his legs. He took a deep breath of the ocean air. “What a smell!”

“I’ll say,” Dink said. “Get your smelly foot out of my face!”

“It’s not smelly,” Josh said, wiggling his sneaker under Dink’s nose.

“What’s this?” Dink plucked a bright green feather off the sole of Josh’s sneaker.

Josh shrugged. “I must’ve picked it up on the bus.”

Dink slipped the feather into his pocket.

“There’s Moose Manor!” Walker called. He pointed through the trees.

Dink stared at the tall castle. It was built of huge gray stones. Its small dark windows looked like watching eyes. An iron fence surrounded the building.

“Cool,” Dink said softly.

“Look, guys, a moat!” Ruth Rose said.

“And a drawbridge!” cried Josh.

Walker pulled up in front of the gate. The kids hopped out with their packs.

“I have to get back to my boat,” Walker said. “Sis should be here soon. Have fun!” He waved and sped back through the trees.

Up close, the castle towered over the kids. The battlements on top reminded Dink of giant’s teeth.

Josh pushed the gate, and it creaked open. They peered down into the moat. Ruth Rose let out a laugh. “Look, guys!”

The bottom of the empty moat was planted with flowers!

“Hey, guys!” Josh called. “Check this out!” He had crossed the drawbridge and was standing in front of an enormous wooden door. He tugged on the handle, but the door wouldn’t budge. “How the heck does Wallis get in?”

Just then Dink heard a car. A red Volkswagen convertible zoomed up to the gate. The horn tooted, and a hand waved wildly.

“It’s Wallis!” shouted Dink.

“Welcome!” Wallis yelled.

She looked the same as Dink remembered: happy smile, curly brown hair, mischievous eyes.

“What do you think of Moose Manor?” she asked. “Isn’t it fun?”

“I love it!” said Ruth Rose.

“It’s awesome!” Josh said.

Wallis laughed. “It is something, isn’t it? Help me with these groceries, and I’ll take you on the grand tour!”

The entrance to the castle turned out to be a regular-sized door around
the corner. Wallis and the kids carried bags of groceries into a large room. Dink saw a washer and dryer, wooden pegs for hats and coats, and a pile of sneakers and boots.

“This is my mud room,” Wallis said. “The kitchen is through here.” She shoved open another door with her hip.

Dink had to tip his head back to see the high ceiling. The usual kitchen stuff was there, with a long wooden table in the middle. A black chandelier hung over the table.

“This place is humongous!” Dink said.

“That’s why I love it,” Wallis said. “Let’s put the food away and I’ll show you around.”