CHAPTER 8
This adventure of George and Jennifer started in the summer when their two families decided to camp at Lake Ivanhoe for the weekend. They had never camped there before. The children loved camping, and especially this year because they would have many new places to investigate.
Saturday morning George and Jennifer were up early, packed a picnic lunch and were allowed to hike only the safe trail marked by white paint on the trees. As long as the children followed the white paint they would not get lost. What excitement filled their hearts as they put on their back packs and headed down the trail.
"Can you believe it Jennifer? We are explorers. Today, we are going to experience a great adventure." said George.
"I'm ready, George. I think it will be an incredible day."
As the two children headed down the trail which was bordered predominately by pine trees, they came upon a meadow. George became very curious and wanted to know what might lay beyond meadow.
"Hey, Jennifer," said George. " We got to investigate the meadow. Who knows what we might discover, Jennifer."
"But, George, I think we better stay right on this trial and follow the white paint."
"Jennifer, it wouldn't matter if we go off just a little bit. It would be an adventure." George tried to encourage Jennifer to go with him. But, she would not budge. "OK, Jennifer, have it your way". So the two children continued down the path along a bubbling brook.
"Let's wade in the brook George."
" That sounds great Jennifer. My feet are sweating. So, the two children sat down on a rock and took off their sneakers. The water felt so delicious cool on their feet. It wasn't long before George noticed through a grove of pine trees, an old broken down abandoned house.
"Jennifer, do you see that old house over there? We have to investigate"
"It looks pretty haunted to me, George. I think we better stay right where we are. I don't want to get into trouble." Jennifer carefully responded.
"We have to, Jennifer. You know we are explorers, and who knows what we might find. Maybe there is a treasure or something? Come on Jennifer. Just a peek, we will be fine" said George excitedly
"OK George, I will go with you, but we better not stay long. It looks too spooky to me." Jennifer hesitantly replied.
They waded out of the brook, put their sneakers back on, and headed toward the abandoned house. What a mess it was. The paint was peeling off , English ivy grew all over the sides of the house. It did look scary. No one had lived in it for many years, so they thought. But could they be wrong?
Slowly the children started up the old rickety stairs onto the front porch. The porch floor had several broken and missing boards. They had to be how careful how and where they walked.
Slowly with great caution, George opened the front door. What a mess they discovered. Cloths were thrown all over the room. The curtains were filthy and raggedy. The carpet had dirty spots on it and smelled like the barn yard. The beds were not made and the sheets were so dirty. An old suit case sat on the bed. It was very curious why it was there.
In the kitchen, breakfast dishes and cereal were still on the table. The only thing in the refrigerator was half gallon of sour milk and a little orange juice.
"Hey, George we better get out of here, right now." Jennifer said nervously. "I think someone is really living in here.
"Not so fast Jennifer, " George told her. "We got some more exploring to do. What about that suit case sitting on the bed? Aren't you curious about that?"
George went back into the bedroom. When he opened it, inside was thousands of twenty dollar bills.
The children's eyes pooped out of their heads. They had never seen so much money before. "What are we going to do, George?" questioned Jennifer.
George put a couple of twenty dollar bills into his pocket. "We better take this to my Dad now."
The two children ran as fast as they could back to the camp grounds and told their parents about their adventure. Just that morning, George's father had picked up news paper from the camp store. On the front page was a story about a bank being robbed in Gunterville, not very far away.
George showed his dad the two twenties dollar bills. "We better call the police right now. Can you tell them where this house is.?" asked George's Dad anxiously.
"No problem Dad. Jennifer and I know exactly where it is." promised George.
It wasn't long before the police to arrived. George and Jennifer lead the way. When they got near the abandoned house the police spread out and surrounded the house with their guns ready to shoot. The chief of police kicked in the front door, "Don't you move" said the Chief. The robbers were caught by surprise, and didn't know how to respond. Quickly, the police arrested the two robbers and put hand cuffs on them.
George and Jennifer's day of exploration ended with a big surprise. What didn't know was that there was a reward of $1,000 for anyone who know anything about the robbery. Both George and Jennifer got $500.00 a piece for leading the police to the robbers. The next morning their names were in the local newspaper telling everyone about their greatest adventure they experienced.
