Jesse Steam Mysteries: The Clue in the Painted Pattern
A Giant Trunk Some Speciala Tools and One Connjving Cat
Chapter 1 It was a hot summer afternoon and the sun beamed in through Jesse’s window like a gold doubloon Ahh she said to Mr Stubbs It’s the fi rst day of summer break and I’m ready for a full week in the great outdoors Stubbs glanced at her smugly with one eye open as he slept in the sunbeam Ahead of me lie seven exhilarating days and six tranquil nights at beautiful Camp Tealahatchee without a care in the world she told the lazy cat Too bad ya can’t go with me old man Jesse teased Just hang here with the fam and I’ll be back before ya know it Stay out of trouble and maybe I’ll bring you a surprise Jesse lifted the heavy lid on her camp trunk and began sorting through all of the things she needed to pack for her week-long 9
excursion Well let’s see here Stubby Dude she said to the still-snoozing cat Besides boots and sleeping bags and the normal camp stuff I think I’ll add a few extra items to my trusty old messenger bag Jesse never went anywhere without her bag It contained all of the things any amateur sleuth would need to solve great puzzles and mysteries Along with the other things I always keep in my bag like my spyglass my disguise and my journal and stuff I’m going to bring a small shovel a pick and some other archaeological tools she explained Being out in the forest for a week presents a terrifi c opportunity for me to do some excavating for fossils rocks and minerals Maybe I’ll even fi nd an old Spanish coin Guess I can’t bring my favorite blanket she said kind of sadly Even though she was excited about going this was Jesse’s fi rst 10
