Free The Mystery of the Pirate's Treasure by Penny Warner Page A

probably has germs.” Quinn grabbed the bottom of his T-shirt and used it to grasp the tip of the sharp object. He held it up.
    A toothpick.
    The kids looked at one another.
    Then Quinn said aloud what they were all thinking: “Longbeard was here.”
    Luke nodded. “He was chewing on a toothpick when we saw him. Remember, he spat one out at the museum.”
    â€œGross,” M.E. said, making a face.
    Cody shivered, creeped out by the thought that the angry old man who’d been hassling Chad was the one hiding in the dark trees while she and her friends slept. What was he doing out here? Whowas he signaling to?
    The camp bell rang, calling the kids to breakfast. The Code Busters returned to Quinn’s tent to drop off the puzzling toothpick, but as they were about to leave, Cody saw Quinn staring at his backpack.
    â€œWhat’s the matter?” Cody asked.
    â€œMy backpack. It was on the bed, and now it’s on the floor.” Quinn began rummaging through the pack. After pulling out all of his stuff, he sat back, frowning. “The map I copied … you know, the one the treasure hunter made?”
    â€œYeah?”
    â€œIt’s gone!”
    â€œBoys and girls,” Ms. Stad called after the students had finished their buckwheat pancakes, bacon, and strawberries. “Gather ’round, please.”
    Over breakfast the Code Busters had discussed the missing map. Who had gotten into Quinn’s backpack? Longbeard and Jolly? How had they gotten in without being seen? Was that the map they’d referred to in Morse code? And why would they want to steal it?
    â€œIt’s time for another day at the mission,” Ms.Stad continued, interrupting Cody’s thoughts. The students mumbled under their breath, excited about more map puzzles. Cody hoped they’d see Chad so she could ask him about Longbeard and Jolly. Maybe he knew why the old couple might want the map.
    Each student was handed another of Ms. Stad’s maps for a return trip to the mission. This time they were given a list of objects to find when they reached the mission itself.
    M.E. smiled. “This should be easy.”

    Code Buster’s Key and Solution found on this page , this page
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    â€œLet’s search the area fast,” Quinn said, eager to find each of the objects in the puzzle. The Code Busters headed for the flower garden and jotted down the location on their maps, using the codes they’d been taught. Next, they headed for the courtyard fountain and marked it on the map. Finding all nine bells took some time, but Cody had kept an eye out for them earlier, since Ms. Stad had told them they’d be searching for the bells. They found the last one in the courtyard on top of a circular cement pedestal. Cody noticed this bell appeared to be cracked.
    One of the docents had told the students that the bells were made out of bronze because they produced a nicer sound. But if the mixture of softer metals—tin, copper, lead—wasn’t accurate, the bell could crack.
    Cody leaned in and ran her finger along the crack, wondering why the mission employees didn’t fix it. She thought she saw a glint of something bright deep within the crack. Could that be tin or copper?
    â€œCome on, Cody,” Quinn said, interrupting her thoughts. “We still have a few more to find.”
    Cody nodded, and they set off in search of the stone wall. By the time they were finished with the search, they realized they were the first ones to complete the challenge.
    Quinn looked at his military-style watch.
    â€œWe’ve got some time before the rest of the kids are done. Cody, let me see the picture you took of the treasure hunter’s map.”
    Cody got out her phone, tapped the picture, and handed it to Quinn. The map filled the small screen. Enlarging it with his fingers, he pointed to a section of the map. “What’s that?”
    â€œEnlarge it again,” Luke