The Green Tent Mystery at Sugar Creek

On a sweltering summer night the Sugar Creek gang—three adventurous friends and their trusty dog—are hauling home a fresh catch of fish when they spot a flickering lantern over an old graveyard. Hidden behind a thicket, they watch a lone figure shovel the dark soil around the tomb of Sarah Paddler, his movements nervous and hurried. The sight sends a shiver down their spines, and the friends exchange whispered doubts about whether to stay silent or investigate.

The mystery quickly becomes personal. Having already solved a buried‑treasure case on a northern camping trip, the kids feel a mix of excitement and caution, recalling Pop’s advice to let good sense lead bravery. As the shovel strikes something hard—perhaps metal, perhaps a hidden clue—the gang debates their next move, aware that any noise could alert the stranger.