When, last month, we left "The Mystery of the Magic Marble" and the prologue, a large curved black beak had grabbed little Jamie from behind and a black, maggot filled wing had lifted him off to places unknown! So, now let's meet Pierre Perro and Captain Blend, who must find our little friend Jamie as quickly as possible. Or who knows what might happen! (to see the complete prologue, check the archives below, or to buy a really super holiday present for a youngster -- the first book in this series, "Mystery at the Everything Exchange", just scroll down the left side bar)
Chapter One
News at the Ice Cream Parlor
“No, I must respectfully disagree, my friend.”
I, Pierre Perro, a rather handsome poodle in black jacket, striped pants, and bowler hat insisted, “The best, most delicious drink is a rich hot chocolate. But,” I then went on, “The next best, especially on a summer afternoon is a chocolate soda. Ah, yes, dark rich chocolate soda fizzing happily as a large ball of creamy chocolate ice cream is placed on top and gently pushed down into the tall glass.” I sighed with pleasure as I thought about this.
I was walking with my friend and fellow detective Captain Blend, a chameleon who at the moment was a light green. At other times, he could change to the colors around him and become virtually invisible. We had completed another investigation successfully and were on our way to the ice cream parlor to celebrate. Once more, I could humbly but truthfully call myself the world’s best detective.
“Yes, yes, chocolate is very nice,” answered Captain Blend, wearing his usual tan raincoat. “But a root beer float, with a large scoop of vanilla ice cream is nothing to turn your back on.”
Clearly, my friend had no sense of what was truly delicious, but then he was a chameleon and enjoyed food that tended to include insects. But, I thought, I must allow him his fancies.
The town of Meadowlark was at its finest this summer day. Mothers were pushing baby carriages across the town square. Children were running and playing under the green maple trees. The sun shone, the town pond twinkled in the light. A sigh of pleasure escaped my lips as I and my friend walked to the other side of the grassy square. All was happiness, I thought. Nothing could bring unhappiness to such a wonderful day.
On one end of the town square a large red and white tent was being set up. My friend Captain Blend asked me what event would be held in the tent.
“Ah yes,” I answered. Meadowbrook has been chosen this year to host the tri-county Gem and Mineral Show and Contest. For the next two weeks gems and minerals from the surrounding mines will be displayed for sale. Then, on the last weekend a prize will be awarded to the owner of the most special of stones.”
The lovely hills and forests that surround our town are dotted with productive mineral mines and their deposits. I was looking forward to the glorious display of gems and minerals so that I could choose just the right one to be made into a stick pin for my striped dress tie.
Just across the street was a line of shops. Tightly squeezed between the Hat Emporium and the Meadowlark Grocery was our goal, the Sweet Shop, our local ice cream parlor. We crossed the street. But, before we could enter we had to step around a group of youngsters. They had marked a circle with colored chalk in the hard dirt in front of the ice cream parlor. Each was on one knee while one at a time they flicked balls of colored glass at other balls of glass that were placed inside the circle. I watched as a small raccoon in red shorts aimed carefully and spun his ball quickly. The gold and brown ball smacked against another of green and red. The green and red one ricocheted out of the circle. The young raccoon was so pleased with this he jumped up and down yelling, Yes! The other youngster, a beagle pup with white and brown patches of short hair, kneeling across from him, punched his own knee, clearly unhappy. The other youngsters just laughed.
As we entered the shop I asked my friend the Captain, “What is this that the youngsters are playing?”
Captain Blend looked at me with surprise. “You never played marbles, Pierre?”
“Marbles? That is what this game is called? No, I have never played this game.”
The Captain shook his head sadly as he placed a hand on my shoulder, “My friend, you have had a very deprived childhood.” Then he laughed, and I joined him in his little joke.
The shop was empty of customers. Small tables with round white tops circled the room. A long counter with red stools along one wall had piles of napkins and lines of tall and short glasses. We looked around and decided to sit at the counter and order our favorite sodas. I watched lovingly as the graying chimpanzee behind the counter, wearing a white apron that hung from neck to knees, filled a glass with chocolate syrup, mixed in the soda and then pushed the chocolate ice cream into the glass until a small amount of soda spilled over the top. He passed it to me. I added a straw and I took my first sip. Wonderful! The chimp nodded and smiled when he saw my appreciation of his work.
Time passed pleasantly as my friend and I sipped, slurped and licked our spoons.
Just then, the door to the ice cream parlor slammed open and in ran a young rabbit. She was crying loudly. The other youngsters who had been playing outside followed her in.
The young raccoon, who had been so happy just before was now very upset.
“Merri,” called the raccoon to the rabbit. “I saw Jamie yesterday. Didn’t he come home?”
Through her tears and hiccups Merri replied, “No, Timmy, he didn’t and Mom’s really worried. She and Dad went to see Sheriff Sam.”
When the rest of the youngsters heard that Sheriff Sam had been involved they all stood still in shock.
“Wow!” said a worried beagle pup. “This is serious.”
The beagle and the other youngsters turned to each other and then started out the door. I watched them leave. I could tell they were heading home as fast as they could. They all needed to feel the safety and comfort of Mom and Dad.
Timmy, the raccoon in red shorts had decided to stay with Merri. Drying her eyes with the edge of a pink polka dotted blouse she said to him, “You were with Jamie yesterday. Where did you go? What were you doing?”
The Captain and I were sitting near Merri and Timmy as they spoke. I turned slightly so that I could hear more clearly.
“Us guys all went out to the edge of the forest. We made a really neat clearing to play marbles. The ground there is soft and shady. It’s almost like a club house ‘cause nobody else goes out there to play.”
“Of course nobody goes there to play! We aren’t supposed to go out there to play,” Merri said, her voice rising with anger. “Our parents tell us it’s dangerous out there by the forest!”
“Yea, well, we all leave before its dark,” Timmy added defensively. “Nothing ever happens out there.”
“Well, something happened now!” Merrie exclaimed, as tears started to run from her eyes again.
Timmy looked down at his feet, shuffling them back and forth, “ Jamie seemed fine when I left him.”
“What?” Exclaimed Merri as she stared at Timmy. “Well, then we better go see Sheriff Sam to tell him. That’s where my Mom and Dad are now.”
I watched the youngsters leave the ice cream parlor. Merri had taken Timmy’s arm and was dragging him along.
“My friend,” I said as I turned back to Captain Blend. It seems something has happened. One of our young people is missing.”
“It doesn’t sound good, does it, Pierre?” answered the Captain.
“No, it does not sound good.” I thought quietly for few moments as I slowly cleaned the last of the ice cream from the bottom of my glass. “Perhaps we should take a walk over to Sheriff Sam’s office.”
Pushing his own empty glass away, the Captain replied, “Yes, let’s take that walk.”
I used a napkin to clean my moustache, carefully folded and placed it on the counter. I then rose from my stool to join my friend who was holding the door open for me.
As we walked outside I noticed the midday sun that had brightened Meadowlark as well as the spirits of its townspeople, was now hiding behind a large dark cloud. A rumbling in the distance promised a summer thunderstorm. The grassy square had become quiet. Mothers and children had all left for home to stay dry, and safe.
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