
Ken Armstrong’s ordinary summer evening turns into a quiet scramble when his five‑year‑old sister, Betty, vanishes from the house just as dinner is about to begin. Determined to keep his mother from worrying, Ken darts from neighbor to neighbor—checking the Smiths, the Karliners, the Morrisons, and even the nearby park—only to find each familiar spot empty of his sister. His father joins the search, and together they begin piecing together the small clues left behind in the neighborhood they all know so well.
As the sun sets, the Armstrongs realize that finding Betty may require more than a simple stroll; the clues hint at a hidden pattern among the children’s playtimes and the local Boy Scout troop’s activities. The mystery deepens, inviting listeners to follow Ken’s methodical, heartfelt quest while the quiet town’s secrets slowly surface. This gentle, suspense‑filled tale captures the warmth of community and the urgency of a sibling’s love.
Language
en
Duration
~4 hours (284K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Giovanni Fini, Roger Frank and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2016-08-15
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

Best known for fast-paced boys' adventure stories from the early 1900s, this American writer filled his books with scouts, mystery, outdoor exploits, and a strong sense of teamwork. His tales were written to be lively, wholesome, and easy for young readers to race through.
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