Mystery of the Missing Cat Read Free Page A

can.”
    â€œThank you,” said Jessie. She took the sign over to the bulletin board and put it up right in the middle.
    â€œThat’s a good sign. Very simple and clear,” said the shelter attendant. “If we get any cats fitting that description, we’ll call you.”
    â€œThank you,” said Jessie again, and the other Aldens echoed her words.

    â€œIt’s funny that there are two lost cats who look alike,” said Benny, as the Aldens went outside.
    â€œUnless it’s the same one,” Jessie said, lost in thought.
    The day was getting hot, and they began to push their bicycles slowly up the hill outside the shelter.
    â€œHey, Jessie, slow down!” Henry called out.
    But Jessie didn’t seem to hear. She just kept walking faster and faster.
    â€œJessie?” said Henry.
    Abruptly, Jessie stopped. “Let’s turn here,” she said.
    â€œBut that’s not the way to Dr. Scott’s office,” said Violet.
    â€œLet’s go a new way,” said Jessie mysteriously.
    Puzzled, her brother and sister agreed and turned down the street Jessie had suggested.
    â€œCan’t we go more slowly?” panted Benny.
    Jessie looked back over her shoulder and stopped again.
    â€œWe’re being followed,” she said.
    â€œWhat?” said Henry.
    â€œDon’t look,” Jessie said quickly. “But there’s a man back there. He started following us as soon as we came out of the animal shelter!”

CHAPTER 4
    The Mysterious Stranger
    â€œW hat should we do?” asked Violet.
    â€œLet’s keep walking,” said Henry. “But not so fast.”
    The four children began to walk down the street, trying to act as if nothing was wrong.
    Jessie glanced quickly over her shoulder. “He’s still there.”
    â€œWhy is he following us?” Benny asked.
    â€œI don’t know, Benny,” Jessie answered.
    â€œWhy don’t we ask him?” suggested Benny.
    Jessie looked down at Benny. Suddenly she smiled. “You know, Benny, that’s not a bad idea. I think we should ask him.”
    â€œOh, Jessie!” gasped Violet. “Really?”
    â€œWhat could happen? It’s the middle of the day and we’re on a street in the middle of town,” Jessie pointed out sensibly.
    â€œYou’re right,” said Henry.
    The four stopped again and looked at one another.
    â€œOkay,” said Jessie, “let’s go.”
    The Aldens turned around and began walking back toward the man who was following them.
    For a moment, he stood in the middle of the sidewalk as if he didn’t know what to do. Then abruptly, he turned and began to run.
    â€œCome on!” shouted Jessie. She jumped on her bicycle and began to pedal after the stranger. The other children did the same.
    But it was no use. The man turned up a narrow alley, leaped over a low fence, and disappeared.
    The Aldens stopped by the fence, breathing hard. After they’d gotten their breath, they turned around and went back the way they’d come, heading for Dr. Scott’s office.
    â€œDid anybody recognize him?” asked Henry.
    Nobody had. It had been hard to tell anything about the mysterious stranger. He’d been too far away, and even though the day had gotten hot, he was wearing a hat, a coat, dark glasses, a scarf, and baggy pants. They couldn’t even tell whether he was fat or thin!
    â€œMaybe he has something to do with Spotzie,” said Jessie thoughtfully.
    â€œBut what?” asked Violet.
    â€œI don’t know,” said Jessie. “I’ve just got a funny feeling.”
    The Boxcar children walked in silence for a while, thinking about what Jessie had said.
    The Aldens kept a careful watch for the mysterious stranger all the way to Dr. Scott’s office, but he never reappeared. When they got to the veterinarian’s office, her assistant said, “Dr. Scott is very busy right