The Secret of the Puzzle Box

by Penny Warner

  Cody tapped her right fist against her left palm, the ASL sign for “money.”

  “Ooks-lay ike-lay ots-lay of-yay oney-may!” Quinn whispered in Pig Latin as he stared at the two men.

  Code Busters Solution found here.

  Luke frowned. “Yeah, that’s weird,” he said. “Let’s sneak over and see if we can find out what they’re doing.”

  “No way,” M.E. said. “If he catches us, he’ll probably want to throw us off the tram like he did Matt the Brat.”

  “But I think Quinn’s right,” Luke said. “He seems nervous, and he keeps looking around. I definitely think he’s up to something”

  “Maybe,” Mika said, “but I think we should stay away from him.”

  “Well, I’m going over there,” Luke said. He turned to the others. “Anyone coming with me?”

  “I’ll come,” Cody said. “But we have to be careful. If he catches us, he’ll make sure we get in trouble.”

  “And I don’t want to miss the immigration station,” Mika added.

  Quinn nodded. “You two stay here,” he told Mika and M.E. “We’ll go find out what’s up.”

  Luke gestured for Quinn and Cody to follow him. Hunkering down, they ducked behind a row of shrubs and crept along until they reached some trees. They inched closer until they were within hearing distance. Then Luke held up his hand—a military signal meaning “stop.” He put his finger against his lips and peered out from behind the tree.

  “This is all you’re giving me?” Schnikey said to the other man, whose back was to the kids. “After the risks I took to get you all this stuff? If I get caught in that restricted area, I could get fired, you know.”

  “Yeah, well, I need you to keep it up,” the man said. “I’m not making enough money on the stuff you give me. And you’re not the only one taking a risk.”

  Cody leaned forward to hear better and accidentally rustled the bushes.

  The two men turned toward the sound where the kids were hiding.

  The Code Busters remained frozen to the spot.

  “What was that?” said the other man.

  Schnikey shrugged. “Just critters. Most likely raccoons or deer. Don’t worry, that school group is doing some kind of scavenger hunt. I wouldn’t have signaled you to meet me here if I didn’t think it was safe.”

  Cody remembered the blinking light she’d seen from the ferry as it neared Angel Island. So that was a signal! Morse code! What were these guys up to? Whatever it was, it sure didn’t sound good.

  Cody peeked out from the tree again. The mystery man turned around—and Cody almost gasped when she saw the tattoo on the man’s arm. She’d seen it before!

  “Look, I have to get back now,” said Schnikey. “Those brats expect me to finish driving them around the island.”

  Luke signaled frantically to the others.

  Code Busters Key and Solution found here and here.

  Following Luke’s lead, Cody and Quinn crept back along bushes until they were out of sight of Mr. Schnikey. They met up with M.E. and Mika, who looked relieved to see them.

  “What happened?” M.E. asked. “We couldn’t see you guys after you disappeared behind those trees. We thought maybe you got caught!”

  Mika added, “Did you find out anything?”

  “There’s definitely something going on between Schnikey and some other guy,” Luke said as they headed for the tram. “Schnikey gave this other dude something, and then the guy gave him a wad of money. And they were acting really suspicious.”

  “You’re lucky they didn’t see you,” Mika said. “If they had, you could have been in real trouble.” She turned to Quinn and smiled shyly. “I’m glad you didn’t get caught.”

  “Me too,” Quinn said, standing up a little straighter.

  Cody glanced at M.E., trying not to smile. Did Mika have a crush on Quinn? Cody didn’t know whether to be more surprised at that or at what she’d discovered about the man Schnikey had been talking to.

  By the time the Code Busters got back on the tram, Delbert Schnikey was in his seat, frowning, as usual. As the kids sat down, he scanned the passengers in his mirror. Suddenly he focused on Cody. Cody quickly looked away. Maybe it was just her imagination. Or did Schnikey know the Code Busters had been spying on him?

  The tram pulled away and continued its journey to their final destination. Cody turned in her seat and signed to the others so Schnikey wouldn’t know what she was saying:

  Luke and Quinn signed at the same time, circling their mouths with their index fingers.

  Quinn pointed to Cody, then moved his index finger out from his chin, the signs for “You sure?”

  Code Busters Key and Solution found here and here.

  The Code Busters exchanged glances.

  “Well,” Luke said aloud, “this is getting weirder and weirder.”

  It was a short ride to the immigration station, an old building that had once housed hundreds of families who wanted to live in America. Cody was eager to see inside the place and find the poems left by former residents.

  As soon as the tram came to a stop, Delbert Schnikey hopped off, while Ranger Yee stood up and began the last part of her talk.

  “The immigration station was built in 1905 here in China Cove. Believe it or not, immigrants came from eighty-four different countries, but most were Chinese, and many others were Japanese. The building was actually more of a detention center, since many Chinese people were not welcome in the country. When the first immigrants arrived here around 1848, about the time gold was discovered in California, they were not allowed to look for gold. Instead, they were forced to do difficult, dangerous jobs like building the Central Pacific Railroad. Then in 1882, a new law made it very hard for Chinese people to come here at all.”

  Wow, thought Cody. It was hard to believe that some people weren’t let into the country just because they were Chinese. If that were still true, Quinn and several of her other friends might not be here.

  “After the law was passed,” the ranger continued, “you could only enter the country if your father was already a US citizen. Even then, many of those people had to go through difficult interrogations that could last for hours, days, even weeks. While they waited, they often carved poems into the wooden walls to kill time and express their feelings. You’ll see some of these poems as we tour the building.”

  “I think my great-great-grandfather left some poems,” Mika whispered to Cody and M.E. “I hope I can find them.”

  Ranger Yee pointed down the hill to the two-story building. “That’s where the immigrants were kept.”

  Cody spotted the building, a short steep walk down a wide cement path.

  “After World War II,” Ranger Yee said, “the station was supposed to be demolished, but instead, the building was restored and turned into a museum. When you go inside, you’ll get to see how the immigrants actually lived. They were crammed together in beds only a foot apart, stacked three high, with no privacy at all.”

  Cody couldn’t imagine living that way. She was lucky to have her own bedroom where she could keep all her stuff, read, listen to music, and be alone if she wanted some space.

  “Now, if you’ll follow me, we’ll head down the hill to the immigration station,” Ranger Yee announced.

  The students disembarked the tram—all but Matt and his chaperone-buddy—and took the steep path to the building that overlooked some steps, a courtyard, and a sweeping view of the bay. Once everyone was assembled at the front of the building, Ms. Stad and Mr. Pike handed each student another sheet of paper.

  “All right, students, this is your final set of coded clues,” Ms. Stad said. “Once you’ve solved the message, take a picture of the item. Then hand in your materials to us when we return to camp. Remember to stay with your buddy while on the tour, and don’t leave the building.”

  The Code Busters looked at their papers. If this was a code message, it was completely new to Cody.

  2-3 2-4 2-7 2-10 2-12 2-13 2-14

/>   3-2 3-5 3-7 3-10 3-13

  4-2 4-7 4-8 4-9 4-10 4-13 4-16 4-17 4-18

  5-2 5-5 5-7 5-10 5-13

  6-3 6-4 6-7 6-10 6-12 6-13 6-14

  8-2 8-5 8-7 8-8 8-9 8-12 8-13 8-14 8-16 8-17 8-18

  9-2 9-3 9-5 9-7 9-11 9-16

  10-2 10-4 10-5 10-7 10-8 10-9 10-12 10-13 10-16 10-17 10-18

  11-2 11-5 11-7 11-14 11-16

  12-2 12-5 12-7 12-8 12-9 12-11 12-12 12-13 12-16 12-17 12-18

  14-2 14-3 14-4 14-8 14-9 14-12 14-13 14-14 14-16 14-20

  15-2 15-5 15-7 15-10 15-12 15-16 15-17 15-19 15-20

  16-2 16-3 16-4 16-7 16-10 16-12 16-13 16-14 16-16 16-18 16-20

  17-2 17-7 17-10 17-12 17-16 17-20

  18-2 18-8 18-9 18-12 18-13 18-14 18-16 18-20

  Code Busters Solution found here and here.

  Cody read the name of the puzzle written at the top of the worksheet. “It’s called a nonogram.”

  “Never heard of it,” Luke said.

  “I have!” Mika spoke up. “These are popular puzzles in Japan. Usually the numbers on the top and side tell you how many squares to fill in, but not where, so they’re kind of hard. But this one seems easier. It looks like you just blacken the squares that match the numbers. See the first number on the list—two dash three?”

  The kids nodded.

  “That means row 2, line 3,” Mika said. “Blacken the square that matches those coordinates.”

  Cody did as directed.

  “Just keep going, matching the numbers to the squares, and see what appears. Usually it’s a picture of something, probably the thing we’re supposed to take a snapshot of.”

  The Code Busters worked on their puzzles, filling in the grid according to the numbers. For a few minutes, Cody didn’t recognize anything, but after blackening a few more squares, she realized what the puzzle meant.

  “Cool!” Cody said, holding up the finished solution. The others compared their puzzles to hers. All of them had gotten the same answer. “I guess we’re supposed to take a picture of one of these. Now we have to find one.”

  “And maybe we’ll find my great-grandfather’s puzzle box while we look!” said Mika.

  As the students entered the building, Mika could barely contain her excitement. The group passed the rangers’ office, where an elderly man in a brown suit sat behind a desk, working on some papers. In a corner of the room, drinking a soda, was Delbert Schnikey.

  That was fast, Cody thought. He must know every shortcut on the island since he beat us here.

  The old man at the desk smiled, rose slowly, and followed the group into a large empty room beyond the office.

  “Students,” Ranger Yee began as soon as everyone quieted down. “I’d like you to meet Mr. Edward Chan. He’ll be your guide through the museum.”

  Cody noticed Mr. Chan was very short—shorter than most of the kids. His straight, graying hair was neatly combed, and he wore frameless glasses.

  “Mr. Chan arrived on the island with his parents when he was a small child,” the ranger continued, “so he’s very familiar with what life was like here. Please welcome him.”

  The students clapped, and Mr. Chan bowed.

  Folding his hands in front of him, he began. “Thank you for visiting the immigration station on Angel Island.” His voice was soft, and he pronounced his words carefully. “Please follow me to the next room, where you’ll find the living quarters. That is where hundreds of men, women, and children were housed—although the men were kept separate from the women and children. Once we’re all there, I’ll tell you stories about what it was like living here in those days.”

  The students quietly entered the men’s dormitory. Cody was surprised to see the room filled nearly to the ceiling with cots that looked like triple bunk beds. Mr. Chan explained that each man was given a cot, a pillow, and a blanket. Cody spotted some other random items on the cots too—a pair of worn shoes, eyeglasses, a few faded snapshots of family members, and articles of clothing. She raised her hand and asked about them.

  “Those are items the immigrants left behind when they finally left the island,” Mr. Chan answered. “We kept them and put them on display so you could see some of the things they brought with them to America.”

  Cody wondered how the immigrants could have forgotten these important items. Maybe they never had a chance to collect their things before they left the island. After all, Mika’s great-great-grandparents hadn’t had time to retrieve the last hidden puzzle box.

  Mr. Chan continued to share stories of life on the island. Once he was finished, he told the kids to look around if they wished but to stay behind the rope barrier, touch nothing, and not leave the room.

  Mika pointed at some carved characters on one of the walls. Cody squinted at them. The symbols looked as if they had been covered with several layers of thick paint.

  “I see you have found some of the poems left behind by the immigrants,” Mr. Chan said, noticing Mika and Cody staring at the poem.

  “As you can see,” Mr. Chan explained, “the poems were once covered over in paint, but they were discovered after renovations began. We quickly learned that people had written poems about their experiences and feelings while they were confined on the island, separated from their loved ones.” He turned to the poem Mika had been looking at and translated it:

  This is a message to those who live here not to worry too much.

  Instead, you must cast your useless worries to the flowing stream.

  Experiencing a little trouble is not hardship.

  Cody felt sorry for the person who’d written the poem. Even though it sounded hopeful, there was a feeling of sadness. She wished she could read the Chinese characters so she could understand all the poems written on the walls. They were beautifully carved and perfectly square, and they looked more like artwork than poetry.

  “This has to be the last item on the scavenger hunt,” Cody told the others. They got out their smartphones and took pictures.

  Mika raised her hand. “Have you ever heard of a poet named Senjin?” she asked Mr. Chan.

  He shook his head. “I’m sorry. I have not. Did you have a relative on the island at one time?”

  Mika nodded. “My great-great-grandfather. He was Japanese, and he was on Angel Island for a while. I just wondered if he might have written a poem on one of these walls too.”

  “Most of these poems are Chinese,” Mr. Chan said. “But you never know. I’m sure other immigrants wrote poems or messages that were eventually covered up as well. I’ve seen some Japanese characters on the baseboards, but I can’t make them out.”

  Mika began to walk around the room, looking down at the baseboards that lined the walls close to the floor. Cody figured she was searching for some kind of clue that her great-great-grandfather might have left for his wife while they were here.

  “Find anything?” Cody asked Mika after she’d finished touring the room.

  “No,” Mika said, looking disappointed, “but since this dormitory was just for men, I don’t think Hiraku would have left a message for his wife here.” She looked off to the side where a staircase led to the second floor. A rope strung across it read NO ADMITTANCE.

  “I wonder what’s upstairs,” Mika said.

  “None of your business,” came a gravelly voice behind the Code Busters. Delbert Schnikey stood with his hands on his hips, looking as crabby as usual. “You’re not allowed anywhere but this floor, so stay with your group or you’ll have to leave. That goes for the basement as well.”

  “She wasn’t going up there,” Quinn spoke up. “She was just wondering, that’s all.”

  Mika gave Quinn a shy smile.

  Schnikey made a guttural noise that sounded like a dragon clearing its throat. Before he could say anything else, Mr. Chan called the students to attention. “Please follow me to the community room.”

  Delbert Schnikey eyed the kids as they headed for the next room. When the unpleasant tram driver was out of sight, Cody turned to Mika. “Maybe we�
�ll find something in here.” Cody glanced around at the large, windowless room, sparsely furnished with only a couple of rickety wooden tables and chairs. A tattered deck of cards sat on one of the tables, along with some old newspapers written in what Cody guessed was Mandarin. Along the wall was a row of well-worn, graffiti-covered benches. With so little in the room, Cody wondered what the immigrants did in here, other than play cards and read the newspaper.

  “As you can see,” Mr. Chan began, “the community room didn’t have much to offer, but it gave the immigrants a chance to escape their cramped dormitories and perhaps play a game of mah-jongg, read, or talk about the old country.”

  Cody spotted Mika roaming the room again. She appeared to be checking out the walls, baseboards, and even the floor. Finally, she sat down on one of the worn wooden benches, looking glum. The other Code Busters joined her.

  “No luck?” Cody asked.

  Mika shook her head.

  “Hmmm,” Quinn said. “If I wanted to send a message to someone but didn’t want anyone else to see it, where would I leave it?”

  The kids thought for a moment and then Luke said, “How about under something, like one of the benches?”

  The kids checked under each of the benches but found nothing.

  “Or one of the tables?” M.E. suggested.

  Mika headed for the large table where a deck of cards lay. She bent over and looked underneath the table, then covered her mouth and straightened up.

  “Did you find something?” Cody asked, feeling the hairs on her neck tingle as she joined her.

  “It’s a haiku in Japanese!” Mika whispered breathlessly. “And it’s signed Senjin! I think I’ve found a message from my great-great-grandfather!”

  “What does it say?” M.E. asked.

  Mika translated the Japanese characters into English.

  Seek the place that nourishes

  Body but not soul.

  Find, behind the flame, my gift.

  “What the heck is that supposed to mean?” Luke said.