8. They’re Really Gone!

Chapter 8 They're Really Gone! "But I saw them running away," Bradley said. "Besides, who'd kidnap a pony and a big, fat basset hound?" "This guy would!" Nate said. He tapped one of the wanted pictures. "He's big enough to pick up both of them and carry them away!" "But you're forgetting one thing," Brian said. "That guy's not in Green Lawn."

"How do you know he's not?" Nate whispered. "He could be hiding in your basement! He could be waiting for you to go to sleep so he can creep up—" Just then Officer Fallon walked back into the room. All four kids jumped. "What's the matter?" Officer Fallon asked. "You look like you've seen a monster." "We have," Bradley said, grinning at Nate. "Here's a bunch of pictures," Officer Fallon said, handing the pile to Bradley. "I added some stuff on the bottom." Bradley read from the top photo: "Polly the pony and Pal the pooch are LOST! If you see them, call the police chief for a reward. 860-555-1007." "We don't have any money for a reward," Brian said. "I do," Officer Fallon said. He winked. "Now go out and paper the town with those pictures." The kids thanked Officer Fallon and hurried back outside. Bradley handed each of them some pictures and kept the rest for himself. "Let's walk

up Main Street and hand one to everybody we see," he said. "All the stores, too. We'll meet in front of the library when we run out of pictures, okay?"

"Nate, you and I will take this side of Main Street," Brian said. "Brad, you and Lucy hit the other side." With a plan and a pile of pictures, the kids took off. Bradley and Lucy walked to the gas station first. They found the owner, Mr. Holly, fixing a flat tire. His face was smudged with grease marks. "Hey, kids, what's up?" the jolly man said. "Our pony and dog ran away and we're looking for them," Bradley said. He handed Mr. Holly a picture of Polly and Pal. "Golly, Polly is lost?" Mr. Holly said. "If they stop in, I'll give the police a call!" The kids thanked him and ran next door to the Book Nook. Mr. Paskey took a picture as well, and hung it in his front window. He promised to keep an eye peeled for the missing pets.

Across the street, Bradley could see Nate and Brian coming out of the Green Lawn Savings Bank. He waved and they waved back. "Howard's Barbershop is next," Lucy said. "Good," Bradley said. "Howard can hand pictures out to his customers."

Pretty soon Bradley and Lucy were almost out of pictures. Bradley had given his last one to Ron Pinkowski. Mr. P, as the kids called him, owned Ron's Bait Shop. He promised to watch out for Polly and Pal. "Well, I guess we go to the library and wait for the other guys," Bradley said. "I can't believe no one saw Polly!" "I saved one picture for the library," Lucy said. "The librarian can show it to everyone who checks out a book!" "Great idea," Bradley said. When they reached the library, Lucy went inside with the picture. Bradley sat on the steps. While he waited, he thought about Polly and Pal. Where would they go? Were they hiding on purpose? Had they been kidnapped, as Lucy had suggested? Did they decide to go off on an adventure, like that mouse Stuart Little? Lucy came out of the library and sat next to Bradley. "She's going to show the picture to all her patrons," she said.