Dark clouds covered the sky. Thunder rumbled in the distance.

Boots Seiler had only half of his mind on the smelly old history book in his hands. He glanced at the book then looked up. A waterfall of raindrops was washing down the tall windows of Coaltown’s public library.

“So much for playing kick the can today,” he whispered to his sister as he sat down next to her. He took off his cap and started to page through the book. It smelled like a moldy box in his basement at home.

“And so much for solving mysteries,” Cora added. “Everything is too wet.”

“Look, Cora! There’s something stuck in here!” Boots said. He held up a crinkled brown sheet that had been jammed into the center crease of the musty old book. One of the brittle corners broke off the paper as he smoothed it out on the table.

“Look at this,” he whispered. “This must be an old map. Well, hot dog!"

“With mustard,” Cora said softly. She brushed back her bangs and leaned against Boots. “A map of what?”

“I don’t know,” said Boots, pointing. “But look! Here’s a line with the name ‘Ash Pike’. That must be a road.”

Cora pointed to a large square near the top and ran her fingers down the line. “Look. This road leads from the town of Locust Dale. Ash Pike and Locust Dale are both near Coaltown!”

“I know that,” Boots said. “But what I don’t know is why would a map like this be in a musty old book?”

Cora snuck a peek at the cover and read the title. “Well, it is a book about Pennsylvania history. Only a silly goose would expect to find a map like this in a book about China!”

“Very funny.” Boots chuckled as he studied a corner of the paper. “But this map isn’t. It’s very old. This looks like a date here.”

Cora stood and leaned way over to look at that part of the map. “1870! That was fifty years ago!” she blurted out.

“Look at this,” Boots said. His finger followed another smaller line. It led from Ash Pike to a big blotch of smeared ink.”

“Can you tell where that line is going?” asked Cora.

“It looks like it’s leading to – it can’t be!”

“What? What?” Cora tugged at Boots’ sleeve.

“If you please!” A stern voice spoke directly above the children.

Boots and Cora exchanged glances before looking toward the voice.