6. Everyone Loves Lucky

Chapter 6 Everyone Loves Lucky "Someone swiped them again?" Nate asked. "We don't know what to do!" Ben said. "Our mom is upset, Lucky is in jail, and everyone's crying all over the house!" "You really should tell Officer Fallon that you did it," Lucy said. "We want to!" Ralphie said. "But the leprechauns are gone. How can we explain that?" "There's something I don't understand," Bradley said. "How could Mrs. Wong or Mr.

Paskey report that Lucky stole their leprechauns when he didn't do it? You guys took them." "I don't get that, either," Ben said. "Maybe Mrs. Wong or Mr. Paskey saw one of you and thought you were your big brother," Nate suggested. "You sort of all look alike." "Let's go ask them," Brian said. "Good idea!" Bradley said. He put Pal in the house. "Why can't we bring Pal?" asked Lucy. "Because he'll bark at all the pets in Mrs. Wong's shop," Bradley explained. The kids headed down Eagle Lane. They cut through Center Park and crossed Main Street in front of the Furry Feet Pet Shop. A bell tinkled when they opened the door. Mrs. Wong was cleaning a tropical fish tank. A box of bunny rabbits stood on a table. Parakeets and canaries sang from a row of cages. "Hi, kids," said Mrs. Wong. She wiped her hands on a cloth. "How can I help you today?"

"We heard about your stolen leprechaun," Brian said. "Ours got taken, too!" "No!" Mrs. Wong said. "And Officer Fallon told us Mr. Paskey's disappeared, too!" Nate said. "Goodness!" Mrs. Wong said. "Green Lawn has a leprechaun thief!" "Officer Fallon thinks it's my brother Lucky," Ben O'Leary said. Mrs. Wong laughed. "Lucky wouldn't steal a penny!" she said. "He's the most honest kid I know." Bradley felt even more confused. "You mean you didn't tell Officer Fallon you thought Lucky took your leprechaun?" "Heavens no," Mrs. Wong said. "I simply told him someone had taken it. I didn't name any names. I have no idea who took my leprechaun." "Um, it was us, Mrs. Wong," Ralphie admitted. "Ben and I took yours and two others to play a trick on Lucky. We're really sorry." Then they explained how they hid the statues in Lucky's

closet, only to find them missing later. "But we'll get yours back before the contest, honest!" Mrs. Wong grinned. "I accept your apology," she said. "But this whole thing is very strange. Let me know what happens." "Thanks, Mrs. Wong," Bradley said. "Now we're going to talk to Mr. Paskey." The bell tinkled again as the six kids left. They crossed Main Street and passed Howard's Barbershop. They all waved to Howard. He was cutting the mayor's hair.

The kids walked up the steps to the Book Nook. Mr. Paskey was on a ladder, dusting a row of books. "Hello, young readers!" he said. "Hi, Mr. Paskey!" all six kids said. The bookseller stepped down from the ladder. "What can I do for you today?" he asked. "We heard that your leprechaun got stolen," Nate said. "It did indeed!" Mr. Paskey said. "One moment it was on my sidewalk, and the next, it was gone!" "Mrs. Wong's got swiped, too," Bradley said. "And ours, too!" Brian said. "It's a real-life mystery," Mr. Paskey said. "Who would steal leprechauns right before the contest?" "We did. My brother and I took them all," Ben said. He and Ralphie blushed as red as Mr. Paskey's bow tie. They explained about the trick they were trying to play on Lucky. They told him how Lucky had gotten arrested.

"Lucky arrested? What utter nonsense!" Mr. Paskey said. "I know Lucky. He worked here parttime a few summers ago. I saw him pick up a nickel off the floor one day. Instead of slipping it in his pocket, he gave it to me. Lucky would never steal leprechauns!" "You mean you didn't tell Officer Fallon you thought it was Lucky?" Bradley asked. Mr. Paskey shook his head. "Never." Bradley looked at the other kids. He knew they were all thinking the same thing he was thinking: none of them had told Officer Fallon that Lucky was the thief. Mrs. Wong hadn't, either. Nor had Mr. Paskey. So if no one was blaming Lucky, why had Officer Fallon arrested him?