The Midnight Mystery Read Free

and rushed upstairs. He opened Ellen’s door without making a sound. Peering into Ellen’s room, he said, “Are you in there, Honey?”
    Ellen made a squeaky little sound in her sleep.
    He didn’t want to awaken and worry her. So he closed the bedroom door and flew back downstairs.
    He looked everywhere for Honey. In the living room, under the coffee table. He looked in the dining room, under the dinner table. He even looked in the garage.
    â€œWhat’s happened to Ellen’s dog?” Dunkum whispered. He felt sick inside.
    Honey was missing!
    He sat on a kitchen chair and stared at the floor where Honey had slept. Where was she?
    Ellen would need Honey first thing tomorrow. And Ellen’s father was coming for her next week!
    Dunkum had to find Honey.
    Soon!

FIVE
    Dunkum’s heart pounded.
    He grabbed a flashlight and headed to the dimly lit basement. Slowly, he shone his flashlight into the darkest corners. Light zigzagged across boxes of Christmas ornaments.
    Flash! He shined the light on rows of canned goods. But Honey was nowhere in sight.
    Dashing upstairs, Dunkum ran outside, past the party ants. He spotted something lying in the grass. At first it lookedlike a fake red snake. He leaned down. “What’s this?” he said softly.
    It was a leather collar. Just like Honey’s collar. Dunkum read the tags. It was Honey’s collar!
    His eyes caught the swarm of ants. He’d forgotten again! But instead of going inside for paper towels, he marched to the outside faucet. He would hose down the ice-cream drippings, ants and all!
    Just as Dunkum turned on the hose, a light flashed on above his head. He looked up to see his parents’ bedroom, filled with light.
    Oh, rats , he thought.
    Turning off the hose, he ran toward the house.
    But his father met him at the door. “What’s going on, son? Why are you outside at midnight?”
    Dunkum opened his mouth to speak.
    â€œDon’t you know what time it is?” Hisfather tapped on his watch.
    â€œIt’s late,” Dunkum blurted, trying to explain. “I think Honey left the house.” He held up her collar.
    â€œYou think ?”
    Dunkum’s mother was coming down the stairs. He stood in the doorway, hoping to block her view of the ants.
    Dad told Mom the bad news. “Dunkum says Honey’s missing, dear.”
    â€œWhat?” Mom let out a little wail. “Are you sure? Have you searched the house and the yard?”
    Dunkum nodded. “I’ve looked everywhere.”
    â€œWho was the last person to see Honey?” Dad asked.
    Dunkum wasn’t sure. “I think Ellen was the last person to see Honey.” It sounded dumb because Ellen couldn’t see at all.
    â€œYou know, I had a real strange feelingabout Honey sleeping downstairs tonight.” Dunkum’s mom pushed the front door shut. “By the way, this door was standing wide open when I went to bed.”
    â€œIt was?” Dunkum had forgotten that, too.
    â€œWell, that’s it, then,” his father said. “Honey took off sometime after Ellen went to bed.”
    Dunkum felt horrible. Guide dogs were special. Lots of time went into training them. Lots of money, too. Besides that, Honey was part of the family.
    A lump the size of a scoop of ice cream filled his throat.
    Dunkum’s mother pushed her bangs back. “Honey will probably come home when she’s hungry.”
    â€œHungry? That’s it!” Dunkum shouted.
    His parents watched in amazement as Dunkum led them out the front door. “Ithink I just remembered!” He pointed to the sidewalk.
    His mom gasped. “Oh, look at those horrid ants!”
    Dunkum tried to explain. “After the party, Carly’s cone was dripping onto the sidewalk.”
    Suddenly, Dad seemed to understand. “And we all know how much Honey loves vanilla ice cream,” he said. The lines in his forehead grew deeper.
    â€œHoney