Free Secret at Mystic Lake by Carolyn Keene Page B

name is Robert,” Dagger said mildly. “Way back when, I was a very different person than I am today. I did some things I’m not exactly . . . proud of. Found myself behind bars at one point.” He took a breath and continued. “A few years ago, I was coming out of a very difficult time and decided to start my life over. So I chose the name I always wanted. Dagger—it sounds very powerful, no?” He stepped closer to Henry. “Can I ask you a question? Why do you insist that you didn’t fight with Caitlin before she disappeared?”
    Henry glared at him. “Because I did not fight—”
    â€œWhat were you involved in,” Dagger went on, “that disturbed her so much? What was the text message—”
    Henry suddenly leaped at Dagger, grabbing his shirt. “Caitlin doesn’t approve of anything I do,” hesaid in a gravelly voice. “Okay? I don’t know what you’re talking about. But she would snipe at me constantly.”
    Dagger stared at him warily but didn’t say more. After a few seconds Henry let him go. We were all silent for a few minutes, not knowing what to say. The afternoon sun pounded down on us, and I remembered my shoes and gear were still by the stream. Not that it mattered. We weren’t going anywhere, at least not via bike.
    â€œLook, we can’t turn on each other now,” George said. “In a few hours it will be dark. We’re lost in the woods without food, and Henry’s sister is still missing. What will we do?”
    Everyone was quiet. From the expressions we wore, I think we were all running through possibilities in our heads, but nobody wanted to voice our options, because they were all terrible. Stay here with no supplies? Just start walking and hope we found civilization before we all starved?
    Finally Henry spoke up. “I’d like to suggest a plan,” he said.
    â€œGo ahead,” said Zoe.
    Henry took a deep breath, as though he were bracing himself for our reactions. “Me and Dagger take the map and try to hike to the ranger station. Failing that, maybe we would at least find an area with cell service.”
    George shook her head. “I thought this entire area had no cell service,” she said. “I mean, I haven’t gotten a single message since we’ve been here.”
    Henry nodded. “Yeah, I know, it’s very sketchy out here, but there are a few places where you can get a bar or two of service,” he said. “I got a couple of messages yesterday. So if we can just find one of those places, maybe we can make a call.”
    Suddenly Zoe squealed. “Wait a minute. If you and Dagger leave, that means you’re leaving us girls here alone? In the woods? With no food, and when it’s probably one of you guys who’s been harassing us this whole time?”
    Henry looked at Dagger, and Dagger looked back warily.
    Suddenly George spoke up. “That’s what makes it the perfect plan,” she said. “Don’t you see? Dagger andHenry go together; they’ll keep each other honest. If one of them tries anything, the other will squelch it right away.”
    â€œYeah, or the bad guy kills the good one and then circles back to kill us,” Zoe pointed out, shooting George a skeptical look.
    Henry sighed. “Do you have a better plan?” he asked. “Maybe we should all stay here and sleep with one eye open until we starve or whoever’s doing this stuff shows himself? I don’t think so. My sister is still missing! We have to do something.”
    Zoe sighed. George, Bess, and I all shared a sympathetic glance.
    â€œAll right,” said Bess. “All in favor of Henry’s plan?”
    Dagger raised his hand right away. Then George and me, then Bess, and then finally Zoe.
    â€œYou guys better walk fast,” she said, still not looking at all happy about this.

    It wasn’t raining—in fact,