The Midnight Mystery Read Free Page B

found her? How would a beautiful, smart dog like Honey feel locked up with mangy mutts?
    â€œHey, mister!” Dunkum called. “Have you seen a golden Lab around the neighborhood?”
    The Cul-de-sac Kids stopped pedaling.
    Jimmy Hunter’s eyes were wide as saucers. His older brother, Shawn, looked very worried. Carly and Dee Dee whispered to each other. Abby and Stacy were silent. Eric pulled his bike up next to Jason’s.
    The dogcatcher walked toward them, mopping his forehead. “Sorry, kids. No dogs like that around here.”
    â€œThanks anyway,” Dunkum said. He felt kind of sad. But glad, too, that Honey wasn’t considered a stray.
    The kids pushed on, past the corner store. When they came to the post office, Dunkum spotted Adam Henny. He was mailing a letter, wearing one of his Ratty R Us outfits.
    Dunkum sped up. He hoped Adam wouldn’t see him. Because Adam Henny was the last person Dunkum wanted to talk to today.
    â€œYo, Dunkum! Wait up!” It was Adam shouting at him.
    The Cul-de-sac Kids slowed down. Abby waved to Adam. So did Eric and Jason. Jimmy and Shawn rode their bikes over to Adam.
    Dunkum gripped his handlebars, watching his friends. He felt too tense. He did not want shabby Adam in their club!
    â€œWhere’s everyone going?” Adam asked Abby.
    Dunkum took a deep breath. He wanted to say, “Get lost.”
    But Abby said, “Ellen’s dog is missing. We’re putting an ad in the newspaper.”
    Adam looked surprised. “Honey’s missing?”
    â€œUh, we better get going,” Dunkum interrupted. He wanted to get away from Adam. Fast.
    So he led the group, speeding off and leaving the dirty boy behind. Once again.
    â€œDunkum, wait!” Adam called after them. But Dunkum would not look back.

    At the newspaper office, Abby shoved her kickstand down. She glared at Dunkum. “What’s your problem?” she asked. “You were rude to Adam. Why?”
    â€œI don’t want him in on our plans,” Dunkum shouted back at her.
    â€œWhat’s the big deal? Nobody said it was a secret about Honey,” Abby said. Her hands were on her hips. She seemed angry.
    Eric stepped between them. “Don’t yell at her, Dunkum. Abby didn’t do anything wrong.”
    â€œYeah, who cares if Adam knows?” Jason asked.
    Dunkum was no dummy. Eric and Jason were sticking up for Abby. “Adam Henny isn’t a Cul-de-sac Kid. That’s all,”Dunkum muttered. “He’s not in our club.”
    â€œWell, so what?” Stacy spoke up. “He’s a human being, isn’t he?”
    The kids stared at her, surprised. Stacy hardly ever raised her voice.
    â€œIt doesn’t matter if Adam is in our club or not,” Abby shot back. “He can help us find Honey, can’t he?”
    Dunkum was afraid Abby might say that. No way should Adam get the reward money.
    Eric shrugged his shoulders. “Adam’s not so bad.” He turned and followed Abby up the steps to the newspaper office.
    The Cul-de-sac Kids were close behind.
    Dunkum stomped his foot. His summer was off to a rotten start. Thanks to a kid who needed a two-hour bath!

EIGHT
    When Dunkum arrived home, Ellen was reading her Braille joke book. “Listen to this,” she said.
    Dunkum sat down. He was glad Ellen couldn’t see his face. He was also glad she couldn’t see into his heart.
    â€œWho was the world’s first banker?” she asked.
    â€œI don’t know,” said Dunkum, trying to sound interested.
    â€œPharaoh’s daughter. She found a little prophet in the rushes to the banks.” Ellenbegan to laugh. “Isn’t that funny?”
    â€œYeah, real funny,” Dunkum said, pouting.
    â€œWhat’s wrong with you?” Ellen asked, facing him.
    â€œHow can you read jokes and laugh when Honey’s missing?”
    â€œGod will take care of Honey,” she said.
    Dunkum