06-AH, GRAYFUR!

AH, GRAYFUR! I cleared my throat. My sister would go on all day if no one stopped her. So what if she went skydiving or won a marathon? I didn't care. Well, OK, maybe I was a little envious of Thea. The one time I tried to do a walkathon, I got so nervous that I fainted when they blew the start whistle. "So, Auntie, can you explain why you asked us here?" I said now, interrupting my sister's rambling. Aunt Sweetfur CLOSED the door. "Well, the other day," she began, "I was tidying up uncle Grayfur's papers... ah, what a mouse!" She sighed and smacked a kiss on the heart-shaped locket. Then she went on: "As I was saying, while tidying up his

papers, I found a journal. It told about a treasure and a ship that was sunk near the Retlapagos Islands. That's where Uncle Grayfur was sailing to on his last voyage. He was looking for this treasure." Trap pricked up his ears. "Did someone say treasure?" he cried. "Well, you have certainly come to the right mouse, dear Aunt. I'll handle this!" As he spoke, he reached for the journal. But Thea BEAT him to it. "Hold on, Cousin, our aunt needs all three of us to help. Am I right, Auntie?" Aunt Sweetfur nodded. "That's right, dear," she agreed. Then she pulled out the ancient journal. This is what it said.

From the logbook of Admiral Sea Snout: Alas, what an unfortunate day this has turned out to be! Today, friday, february 13, 1713, at 1300 hours, my ship, The Golden Rind, has sunk. thirteen leagues northeast of Cream Cheese Island in the "Rgtlapagos region, after hitting a claw-shaped rock. I, Admiral Don Sea Snout, escaped with the thirteen members of my crew. Alas, the ship's precious cargo—a chest containing thirteen diamonds as big as a mouse's fist—now lies at the bottom of the sea. Signed, Admiral Don Sea Snout III

"Grayfur left in search of this very treasure. He told me that if he could find it we would be rich, and he would never have to sail again. I miss him so!" Aunt Sweetfur squeaked, wiping away a tear. I squeezed her paw. Thea kissed her cheek. Trap burst out in a fit of sobs. "Dear Auntie, I feel your pain," he choked. "You could have been rich. You could have been rolling in the cheese!" Can you tell my cousin loves money? "Oh, I don't care about the treasure," Aunt Sweetfur said. "But I do want to go to the Ratlapagos Islands. I want to visit the same places that my beloved Grayfur saw on

his last journey. Will you come with me?" Trap jumped to his paws. "Say no more, Auntiloo. I'M READY to SCAMPER!" he announced. The idea of finding a treasure had put a sparkle in his eyes. My sister checked her calendar. "For you, dear Auntie, I will cancel all of my appointments!" she declared. Everyone turned to me. I had a TON of work to do. Plus, I absolutely hate sailing. But what could I do? "When do we leave?" I mumbled. Aunt Sweetfur twirled her umbrella. "How wonderful!" she sang. Right then, the door flew open.