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

said.
    â€œLooks like a drawing of a big rock,” Quinn said. They took turns studying it up close.
    â€œYeah? What’s so special about that?” Luke asked.
    â€œWhy would a big rock be noted on the map?” Quinn asked.
    Before anyone could answer, Cody said, “Guys, look over there.” She pointed to the cemetery several yards away, where they’d found their last clue.
    â€œI don’t see anything except a couple of gardeners.”
    â€œThose aren’t gardeners,” Cody said. “Look at that beard!”
    Finally, the others saw what she had: Longbeard and Jolly standing near a big rock. Each held a shovel.
    â€œWhat are they doing?” M.E. asked.
    â€œIt looks like they’re planning to dig in the cemetery,” Cody said. “I’m pretty sure they shouldn’t be doing that.”
    â€œMaybe that’s why they’re acting like gardeners. Did you see their matching shirts?” Luke said.
    â€œDo you think they’re digging up old bones?” M.E. asked, watching them from behind a large bush.
    â€œI’ll bet it’s the treasure they’re after, not bones,” Quinn said. “That’s probably why they stole our map. Come on. Let’s go get a closer look.”
    The Code Busters headed for some nearby bushes, keeping out of sight of the two treasure hunters. When they reached their hiding place, Quinn turned around and finger-spelled:
    After a few minutes, they inched closer to the cemetery. Cody held her breath and stepped carefully,not wanting to make a noise. Quinn stopped a few yards away from the couple, behind another large bush, and finger-spelled:
    Code Buster’s Key and Solution found on this page , this page
.
    Hidden behind the hedge, the kids stood still, straining to hear what the two suspicious characters were talking about.
    â€œIt has to be here!” Longbeard said to Jolly, swinging the shovel around the area that surrounded the large rock.
    â€œWe’ve been all over this place!” Jolly snapped back. “We can’t go digging up everything in broad daylight. We’ll be arrested.”
    â€œWe’re not digging up the ground. We’re planting flowers, remember?” Longbeard nodded toward a half-dozen marigolds in little cartons. “That’s why we’re wearing these stupid shirts and using that stupid sign on our van.”
    Cody took a closer look at the shirts. She could see the lettering more clearly now: GREEN THUMB GARDNERS .
    Wait a minute. It didn’t say “gardeners.” It said“gardners!” They’d probably made their own shirts and had misspelled the word!
    She was about to finger-spell to the Code Busters when she heard a crack from behind her. She turned to see M.E. biting her lip and looking down at a twig she’d just stepped on.
    The kids ducked and froze. Cody didn’t dare breathe as she peered through the leafy wall of the shrubbery.
    Longbeard’s and Jolly’s heads shot up. They listened for a few seconds, not moving.
    â€œWhat was that?” Jolly asked Longbeard.
    The grizzled old man shrugged. “Probably some animal creeping around.”
    â€œOr one of them kids,” Jolly said, scanning the area. “There’s too many of them here.”
    Longbeard laughed. “That’s just it. They’re the perfect distraction. No one’s going to notice us with all them rug rats running all over the place. Now start digging.”
    â€œMaybe we better go check on our ‘guest’ first,” Jolly said, glancing toward a parking lot a few yards beyond the cemetery.
    Longbeard threw his shovel down. “Jeepers, you’re such a worrywart! Go on and check if you have to, but hurry back. We don’t have much time. And try not to attract too much attention, will ya?”
    Cody and her friends remained still and watched Jolly head for a small panel truck parked in the otherwise empty