Mystery Mutt Read Free Page A

sweeper. “I’m coming,” she called. And she dashed to the door.
    There stood Jason Birchall, carrying a cardboard box. “Hi, Stacy,” he said.
    â€œHi.” She was very surprised to see him.
    â€œI’ve got something to show you,” he said. He looked down at whatever was in his box.
    She stepped back, away from the door. Jason was known to collect strange pets. Things like tarantulas and croaking bullfrogs.
    â€œUh . . . I don’t know,” she said. “Maybe not.”
    â€œCome on. Just take a look,” he said. “This box won’t bite.”
    â€œBut what’s inside might, right?” She didn’t trust Jason. Not one bit!
    He shoved the cardboard box at her. “Surprise!”
    â€œYikes!” she gasped.
    But it wasn’t really so bad when she looked inside.
    There was no scary, furry spider. Not even a green frog with blinking eyes!
    Instead, a shabby little puppy looked up at her from the box.
    â€œPee-uu-wee,” she said, backing away. “Whose dog?”
    â€œThat’s what I’d like to know,” he said. “This pooch needs a little kindness. Wanna help me hunt for its owner?”
    Stacy was shocked. “What did you just say?”
    It sounded like Jason had picked a fruit, after all.
    â€œI asked if you wanted to help me findthe dog’s owner?” he repeated.
    â€œThat’s very kind of you,” she replied.
    He smiled and set the box down. “I knew you’d think so. But don’t get any fruity ideas about . . . well, you know.”
    She knew, all right.
    Still, she hoped Jason would change his mind.
    Before New Year’s Eve!

SEVEN
    â€œSure, I’ll help,” Stacy agreed. She stooped down and looked into the box. “The poor thing’s shivering.”
    â€œAnd that’s not all,” Jason said. “He needs a bath, too. And I’m not fooling!”
    The closer Stacy’s nose got to the homeless dog, the more she agreed with Jason. “Bring him inside a minute,” she said. “He could get frostbite out here.”
    Jason nodded. He lifted the box and heaved it into the entryway. “Someone left him on my front step,” he explained.
    â€œYou’re kidding! They dropped a puppyoff at your house?” Stacy said.
    She hated to think of someone being so cruel. She also wondered about the deserted dog. Did it have something to do with her feeling earlier today? That something wonderful was going to happen to Jason?
    â€œI never saw anyone anywhere,” Jason explained. He seemed very upset. “Muffie just appeared out of nowhere.”
    â€œMuffie? You named the dog?” Stacy asked.
    Jason pushed up his glasses. “Well, I had to call him something. You can’t go around with a poor little dog, calling him nothing. Can you?”
    â€œYeah, I guess you’re right,” Stacy replied.
    She could hardly believe her ears.
    Jason was being very kind! So kind she was sure he’d picked the kindness fruit for the year.
    Stacy smiled back at him. “I was justcleaning house,” she told him. She eyed the box. “Better keep Muffie in there till I get my jacket.”
    Jason stooped down and petted the dog. “Hurry, Stacy, it’s getting late. My mom said I couldn’t be out long,” he urged.
    Stacy glanced at the window. The sun was setting fast.
    Jason was right. They’d have to hurry.

EIGHT
    Stacy rang the doorbell at the first house.
    A tall man came to the door. “Hey, kids, what’s in the box?” the man asked.
    Jason didn’t waste any time. “Is this your dog, mister?”
    The man shook his head. “Sorry,” he said and shut the door. Slam!
    Just up the street from Blossom Hill Lane, they came to the next house.
    â€œYou ring, and I’ll talk,” Stacy said.
    â€œOK,” Jason replied. “But get right to the point. People don’t wanna stand attheir