10. Mystery Man

Chapter 10 Mystery Man Bradley tried not to stare at the finger. He thought about the picture in his pocket. Did the scar on Mr. Neater's finger match the one in the photo? Bradley decided that they did match. "We found Douglas," Bradley said. Mr. Neater looked at Bradley. Then he sighed and sat in the chair. "And how is my furry friend?" he asked. "We think he's sick!" Lucy said. "We even took him to the vet!" Brian added. "Dr. Henry told us Douglas needs you, Mr. Neater," Bradley said. "You're the mystery man!" Nate said. "You left him in our classroom closet. You covered the cage with a towel that has a Z on it."

"Not a Z, son," Mr. Neater said. "You must have turned it sideways. It's an N, for Neater. How did you find me?" Bradley showed him the three pictures. "We found clues in these," he said. "Ah, yes," Mr. Neater said. "He misses you," Brian said. "He won't eat, and we're afraid he'll die!" "Douglas is at your house?" Mr. Neater asked. "We brought him home for the long weekend," Bradley said. "But he won't eat or drink or play. He just sits there looking sad." "Oh dear, I hadn't counted on that," Mr. Neater said. "Show me where you live." The kids led Mr. Neater back up Bridge Lane and across Main Street. They cut around the elementary school to Eagle Lane. From there they could see Bradley and Brian's house on Farm Lane. The four kids burst through the kitchen door. The twins' mother was sitting at the table. She had

Douglas in her lap, trying to feed him water from a baby bottle. "Mom, this is Mr. Neater!" Bradley said. "He works at the school—" "And he's Douglas's owner!" Brian cut in. "We found him!" "Thank goodness!" the twins' mom said. "I've been trying to get Douglas to eat or drink, but he refuses." "May I?" Mr. Neater got down on his knees. He took Douglas from Mrs. Pinto. He held the rabbit and whispered into his ears. Suddenly Douglas opened his eyes. His ears shot straight up. He began rubbing his nose against Mr. Neater's coat. "He recognizes you!" Lucy cried. Mr. Neater smiled. "Of course he does," the man said. "I've had Douglas for nine years, since he was no bigger than a hamster." Bradley's mother handed Mr. Neater the baby bottle. He touched Douglas's nose with the nipple, and the rabbit began to suck water into his mouth. "Awesome!" Nate cried.

After Douglas was finished drinking, everyone moved to the living room. The kids sat on the floor with Douglas. They took turns rolling a tennis ball across the rug. Douglas hopped after the ball. Each time he caught up with the ball, he batted it with one of his feet. "He seems to be very happy now," Bradley's mother said. "Why did you leave him at the school?" Bradley asked. "Why not just take him with you when you move?" "When I retire, I'll be living at elderly housing on Main Street," Mr. Neater said. "They don't allow pets, so I had to find him a new home. I saw what good care your class takes of your hamster and turtle, so I brought Douglas there." "Mr. Vooray said our class might be able to keep him," Brian said. "But Douglas needs you!" Mr. Neater looked sad. "It seems that Douglas and I have a problem," he said. "I can't take him, and I can't leave him."

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