Read Online Mystery in the Sand by Gertrude Warner - Free Book Online

a table and a beach umbrella. There was even a little breeze off the water, and it was very comfortable.
    Benny threw himself on the sand and said, “Let’s eat, Jessie.”
    “Right, Ben. I was just going to ask you to help bring out the things. You get right up. Take a plate of sandwiches in each hand, Benny, and then come back.”
    Benny said, “Do I have to take one in each hand, Jessie? Suppose I carry one on my head.”
    “Oh, Benny, just don’t drop them,” Jessie answered.
    Benny said, “You see, ladies, there is a toothpick and a little sign telling you what kind of sandwiches we have today. This one says Ham, and this says Tuna, and of course mine says Peanut Butter and Jelly.”
    Benny’s nonsense was good for the two visitors. They had to laugh, and when they saw the sandwiches, they forgot to feel stiff and shy.

    Miss Lane and Miss Smith sat at the table where they could see the blue water and the Aldens. They could not see the crowd of people behind them. They could hear, but the noise seemed far away.
    Miss Smith said quietly, “This pink lemonade reminds me of picnics when I was a little girl.”
    Miss Lane had taken her fourth sandwich. She said, “I had forgotten how lovely a picnic can be. Sandwiches and sweet pickles and hardboiled eggs seem to go with a picnic.”
    Benny said, “I forgot how swell they are myself. And you haven’t been on the beach for years.”
    There was a long silence. Nobody said a thing. At last Miss Lane looked up and said, “Benny, that isn’t quite right. Mary and I were on this beach last night.”
    Everyone was too surprised to speak.
    Finally Jessie said, “Last night? Why?”
    “We come almost every night,” replied Miss Lane. “Don’t we, Mary?”
    Mary nodded yes.
    “Why?” asked Benny again.
    “Never mind, Ben,” said Jessie. “It really isn’t our business.”
    “I know it isn’t,” Benny said. “But I’m making it my business. I really want to know. I know it isn’t polite to ask.”
    Miss Smith suddenly said, “I don’t blame you a bit. I think you are a very polite boy.”
    Miss Lane nodded this time. “I don’t blame you, either. We don’t want to see people or talk to people so we walk on the beach at night. We like the middle of the night. That way we get some exercise and fresh air, and we can sleep in the daytime if we want to.”
    “You might call us night people, just like our cats,” Miss Smith said.
    Miss Lane said, “It was on one of those nights that I lost my locket.”
    “Oh, your locket with R.L. on the cover!” Benny exclaimed. “Wait and I will get it for you. I put it in a safe hiding place inside.” In a moment Benny dropped the gold locket into Miss Lane’s hand. “We know now the R.L. is for Ruth Lane.”
    “No,” said Miss Lane, shaking her head. “It really doesn’t stand for Ruth Lane. It just happened that way. It first belonged to my grandmother and her name was Rachel Lester. Then my mother had the locket and her name happened to be Rose Lawrence. Then I got it, and my name happened to be Ruth Lane.”
    “Isn’t that a surprising story!” Benny said.
    “Yes, three generations and all R.L., but for three different names. I always thought it was very strange. And I am so glad to have the locket back. It belongs on this gold chain I am wearing.”
    Sure enough, Miss Lane had a thick braided gold chain hanging almost to her waist. She took it off and slipped the chain through the locket.
    “Found in the sand,” said Benny. “When do you think you lost it?”
    “Oh, just before you came to the trailer. We looked for it the night your aunt and uncle went away and before you came. But every night we walk the beach.”
    “Our midnight walkers!” Benny exclaimed. “You walk very fast.”
    “Indeed yes.”
    “Does anyone ever follow you?” asked Benny.
    “Oh, yes, many times somebody follows us. We probably look like men because we wear old jackets and pants. Only just the other night a man