Chapter 10

Chapter 10 Ruth Rose let out a small gasp. "He's the one who got poison ivy on Squaw Island! The calamine lotion was for him!" "But Mr. Pinkowski bought it," Josh said. "I still say they're in it together!" Dink peeked through the garage door crack again. "Mr. Bent's reading a newspaper," he whispered. "Mrs. Bent's cooking hamburgers." "Is the dog there?" Josh asked. "Yep."

"If we try to leave, the dog will probably start barking again," Ruth Rose said. "Those hamburgers smell so good!" Josh said. He let out a little groan. "Don't think about food," Dink said. "Think about a way to get us out of here!" "Okay I will!" Josh said. He shoved Dink aside and put an eye to the crack. "I have a plan," he said after a minute. "Tell us!" Ruth Rose said. Josh grinned. "Let's invite the Bents into the garage!" Ruth Rose shook her head. "The poison ivy has finally gotten to his brain," she said to Dink. "No, listen," Josh said. "We'll make a lot of noise. The Bents and poochie will hear it. They'll come flying in here to find out what's going on and—" "And catch us in their garage!" Dink interrupted. Josh smiled devilishly. "Nope, because we'll be hopping out the window. They'll never see us!"

Dink nodded thoughtfully. "It could work," he said. "But I think we need to figure out a way to keep them in here long enough for us to get away." "I have an idea!" Ruth Rose walked over to the workbench. "There must be something to write with," she muttered. "What're you gonna write?" Josh asked. "Aha!" Ruth Rose pulled a hunk of carpenter's chalk out of a toolbox. She kneeled on the floor and printed in large letters: I know about your counterfeit money. Let's talk on I go to the cops. Meet me on Squaw Island in an hour. "Oh, my gosh!" Josh yelped. "But what if they just go out to the island, take the money and leave town?" Dink asked. "Exactly! When they do, Officer Fallon will be waiting for them!" Ruth Rose said. Josh found a hammer in the toolbox. "Find me something to bang on," he told Dink. "Then get ready to move!"

"I'll keep an eye outside!" Ruth Rose said, heading for the garage door. Dink glanced around the garage, then walked over to the tarp he'd hidden under. He yanked the tarp away and let out a low whistle. "Guys, look!" Josh and Ruth Rose hurried over. Dink had uncovered four Happy Heart Dog Food boxes. Dink tore open one flap and peeked inside. "Just cans of dog food," he said. "He must use the empty boxes to carry the fake money," said Ruth Rose. Josh spotted an empty pail. "I bet I can get their attention with this!" he said. Dink opened the window. Ruth Rose came over to stand beside him. "Okay, Josh," Dink said. "Do it!" Josh took a deep breath, then started pounding the bottom of the pail with the hammer. The noise boomed through the garage like thunder. "Now!" Josh said. He dropped the hammer and pail and bolted for the window.

The kids hopped out and crouched in the weeds. A few seconds later, they heard the garage door creak open and Mr. Bent say, "Stay, Shorty!" Then Dink heard Mrs. Bent say, "Warden, someone's been in here. Something's written on the floor!" That was all the kids needed to hear. They raced toward the trees on the other side of the house. In two minutes, they had crossed the high school playing field and were heading down Main Street. "I sure hope Officer Fallon is in," Dink said, out of breath. He was. The kids burst through his door with red faces. Officer Fallon looked up. "What are you —" "We found the counterfeiter!" all three kids yelled.