Honeybee Mystery
Authors: Gertrude Chandler Warner
The Boxcar Children Mysteries
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H
ONEYBEE
M
YSTERY
THE HONEYBEE MYSTERY
created by
GERTRUDE CHANDLER WARNER
Illustrated by Hodges Soileau
ALBERT WHITMAN & Company
Chicago, Illinois
Contents
CHAPTER 1
An Unpleasant Surprise
“I
have to admit,” Grandfather confessed as he drove along, “I've been thinking about it all week.”
“We know you have,” Jessie told him, watching the green farmland roll by her window. “We're almost as excited as you are.”
“This is the best honey in the world,” he said for about the hundredth time, looking at Benny and Violet in the little mirror. Henry was belted into the seat next to him. “The very best.” Grandfather actually licked his lips. “Oh, I can't wait.”
Visiting the small roadside stand at the front of Sherman Farm had become a yearly tradition for James Alden. He had noticed it coming home one evening and decided to check it out. It was only a few miles from his house.
Grandfather, who had always loved honey, decided to buy a jar of their homemade brand. He put it on toast that night and enjoyed it so much that he came back the next day and bought another jar. He made a promise never to miss the first harvest in early summer, when the season's honey was fresh.
He pulled alongside the stand and parked the car. All four doors opened, and James Alden and his four grandchildren filed out.
“Boy, it sure is hot today,” Henry remarked. “Really hot.” At fourteen, Henry was the oldest of the Alden children. He was a handsome dark-haired boy who kept a careful watch on his younger brother and sisters.
“It sure is,” Jessie agreed. “When we get home, maybe we should mix a big pitcher of lemonade. It'll be good for all of you on a day like this.” Jessie, at twelve, was the second oldest child. She was always thinking about everyone else.
“Lemonade, yum!” Benny exclaimed as they made their way toward the front of the white-painted stand. Six-year-old Benny was the youngest Alden, but he had the biggest appetite in the family. Benny loved good food â and in Benny's eyes, good food meant
any
food. “Lemonade and honey! What a day!”
Violet, the second youngest Alden at ten, reached the front of the stand before everyone else. She was a pretty girl with long dark hair and a calm, pleasant face. Her name suited her perfectly, for violet was her favorite color. But she was attracted to all things colorful. She loved to paint and draw and had a keen eye for beauty.
“Lemonade sounds like a great idea, Jessie,” she said with a smile. “I think I'd like â oh, no!”
She stopped suddenly, and the rest of the Alden crew hurried up behind her. Then they saw what she saw, and their mouths dropped open.
The stand was shut tight, and at the front someone had thumbtacked a hastily made sign:
NO HONEY THIS YEAR SORRY
“No honey â¦?” Jessie said. “Oh, no.”
All the children turned to their grandfather, who was staring at the sign.
“I can't believe it. No honey?”
Violet came up alongside him and patted him on the back. “Sorry, Grandfather.”
“We can get some at the store,” Henry suggested weakly.
“Supermarket honey?” Grandfather asked. “No, Henry, that wouldn't be the same.”
“Maybe we can make some for you!” Benny suggested.
“Not unless we turn into bees we can't,” Henry said.
“Bees? Bees make the honey?”
