3. The Big Blue House

Chapter 3 The Big Blue House Bradley stared at the phone. "Who was that?" his mother asked. "I don't know," Bradley said. "But whoever it was said Lucky O'Leary took our leprechaun." "Lucky?" said the boys' mother. "That's absurd. He's such a nice boy." "It can't be Lucky," Josh said. "He's away at college." "He comes home for weekends sometimes," Brian said. Just then someone knocked on the door. Bradley let Nate and Lucy in.

They sat at the table while Bradley told them about the phone call. "Who is Lucky O'Leary?" Lucy asked. "He's this college kid we know," Josh said. "Trust me, he'd never steal anything." "And he's rich!" Nate said. "Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose helped him find a million-dollar lottery ticket!" "Wow!" Lucy said. "And you don't know who called you?" Bradley shook his head. "He had a hoarse voice, though," he said. "Could it have been a girl?" Lucy asked. Bradley shrugged. He tried to remember the voice. "It was so hoarse I couldn't tell. It could have been a girl, I guess," he said. Bradley took the last bite of his oatmeal. "Come on, let's go to Lucky's house." "What are we gonna say to him?" Brian asked. "We can't just accuse him."

"I won't," Bradley said. "I'll tell him about the phone call." The kids all wore sweaters. The day was windy but not too cold. Pal was on his leash. He trotted along happily, sniffing the ground. "Where does Lucky live?" Lucy asked as they cut through the school playground. "On Robin Road," Nate said. "He's got about a hundred brothers and sisters. And every one of them has red hair!" The kids hiked down Main Street. They took a right on Bridge Lane, next to the fitness center. When they came to Robin Road, Bradley pointed. "That's where Lucky lives." It was a big blue house. The front yard was covered with bikes, balls, and other toys. Three boys with red hair were kicking a soccer ball. A short girl with red hair was sitting on the porch steps. A leprechaun statue stood next to her. It was exactly like Bradley's statue, except it wore a dress, a blond wig, and lipstick. Cardboard

wings were glued to its back. The wings were shiny with silver glitter. "Don't look!" the girl yelled when she saw Pal and the kids. She stood up to block her fairyprincess leprechaun. The kids walked toward the blue house. "Hey, guys!" one of the redheaded boys shouted. Bradley let Pal off his leash. Pal trotted over to a red wagon and began sniffing. "Is your brother Lucky home?" Bradley asked. "He's in the house," the girl said. Her face was all freckles and a big smile. She walked over to pet Pal. "He came home from college for the leprechaun contest," one of her brothers said. Nate nudged Bradley on the arm. Just then the door opened. A tall guy with red hair stepped onto the porch. He looked at all the kids. Then he glanced at his watch.

"Hi, Lucky," Bradley said. All of a sudden he felt foolish. Was it possible that Lucky would steal a silly leprechaun? But what about that phone call? "Yo, Bradley, or is it Brian?" Lucky said. "Bradley," he said. "Um, I got a phone call this morning, and—" Suddenly they all heard a siren. Seconds later a police cruiser turned the corner and parked in front of the blue house. Two police officers got out.

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