Nate the Great and the Big Sniff

Nate the Great and the Big Sniff

Chapter One The Long Wait My name is Nate the Great. I am a detective. My dog, Sludge, is a detective too. Today I had my biggest case ever. But Sludge couldn't help me. Because looking for Sludge was the case! Sludge was missing. Lost, Gone. I had to find him! This morning Sludge and I went out to shop. We went to my favorite store, Weinman Brothers. Sludge isn't allowed in stores.

I go in and Sludge waits outside. Sludge is great at waiting. He likes to watch people go by. He always finds a few he likes to sniff. “ I am going to buy one thing, ” I said to Sludge. “ I will be right back. ” Sludge wagged his tail and sat down.

I walked into the store. I was looking for a present for Sludge. I went straight to the pet department. I found a nice dog bowl. And a long line of people. They were all waiting to buy things. I went to the end of the line.

Then I, Nate the Great, counted. I was waiter number twenty-one. I could grow old waiting in this line. The seasons could change. The world could change. Pancakes could disappear. And Sludge would still be waiting. I put down the bowl. I walked away. I went outside.