Excerpt



That scalawag just robbed us, thats whats the matter. Aunt Biddie rose and started down the street after the man. Sandi and David raced down the street, also.

No! Hes dangerous! Come back! Miss Christy squealed. He has a knife!

Miss Abigail turned to Meredith who had run out of the shop behind her. Merry, help me bring the ladies inside. Sandi! David! Come back at once! She clutched Aunt Biddies arm before she got more than a few paces away. No, Biddie, you mustnt. It isnt safe.

The children slowed their pace at Miss Abigails order then sprinted ahead once more when they saw the robber cross the street.

The man ran half a block then jumped into a car parked beside Sallys Diner. He was gone before the children reached the spot where the vehicle was parked. David slid to a stop beside a telephone pole. Aw! Weve lost him, Sandi. If we didnt have to slow down back there we maybe couldve stopped him.

Sandi was disappointed too. She gasped for breath after their brisk run in the winter cold. But he did have a knife, David, so I guess its best. Besides, we do have to listen to Miss Abigail. Did you see what he looked like?

Not very well.

I guess wed better go back to the shop and figure out what we can remember. Last year the policemen wanted us to give a description of the sailors, and theyll probly ask us to tell them about this man.

They returned to the Antique Shop to find Aunt Biddie and Miss Christy were sipping hot tea and shivering from their shock.

Meredith waited by the door for the children. That was very foolish, you two. Dont you know how dangerous it is to chase a robber? What if he had turned on you with his knife?

The children squirmed, shifting their feet side to side. I guess we didnt think Sandi said.

Yeah, David stared at his shoes.

Come in by the fire. I guess it happened pretty fast, but be more careful next time. Meredith led them back to Miss Abigail and the ladies.

Thank God you children are all right, Aunt Biddie said, smothering them in a strong embrace.

Oh, my, yes, Miss Christy reached out and took them each by the hand. Come over here by me. If anything happened to either one of you, what would we do?

And what would we tell your parents? Aunt Biddie added.

But we saw where he went, David said.

And what he was wearing, Sandi added. Shall we call the police?

Weve already called them, dear, Miss Abigail told them. And your grandfather.

The door swung open and Grandpa Mick entered. Well, kiddos, what have you got yourselves into this time?

Oh, Grandpa Mick. Sandi ran and hugged him. We saw a man hold a knife to Miss Christys throat

And he took her money and Aunt Biddies David jumped up and swung around the chair hed been sitting on to embrace his grandfather. And we chased them and

Hold it, young man. Did you say you chased them?

David shifted his feet and looked at Sandi for help. You tell him, Sandi.

Grandpa, it happened so very fast. We were not in any danger; we just wanted to see which way he went so we could tell the police. He was way far ahead of us.

Just then the police arrived. Halloo!

Miss Abigail went to the door to greet them. Come right in, officers. I dont know what the world is coming to, when a body cant walk down the street in their own home town without being attacked. She led the way to the break area where the others clustered around the stove.

Two very large officers followed her through the crowded shop, careful not to knock down her treasures.

Watch out! Sheriff Hansen warned as Lieutenant Rick Rogers brushed against a table full of china. Itd take all your salary for a year to pay for that stuff if you broke em.

Lieutenant Rick pulled back, trying to shrink his giant frame so as not to destroy Miss Abigails pretty arrangements. Youre right. I dont think this place was designed with large people in mind.

Hi, Sheriff Hansen and Lieutenant Rick. Sandi and David were glad to see their old friends. They remembered how the two policemen helped them in previous adventures.

Well, Sandi and David, what have you got for us now?

David jumped off the stepstool hed been sitting on. Aunt Biddie was robbed and a man almost killed Miss Christy!

What? The sheriff turned to the ladies. Whats this all about?

Well, Sheriff Hansen, Aunt Biddie said. Its too bad we cant walk about the streets of our town in safety anymore. This brute of a man just grabbed Christy

And put a knife to my throat, Miss Christy interrupted. If I hadnt been so shocked, Id have given him my elbow, she said, brave now that the danger was far away.

Christy, I was talking. Well, I got him with my purse and Im sure my zipper must have scratched his face, Aunt Biddie said with satisfaction.

Miss Abigail, do you have a place where we might interview each one in private? We need to get statements from everyone involved, Sheriff Hansen told them.

Yes, in my office right over there. Miss Abigail indicated an open door nearby. They caught a glimpse of a crowded room containing a cluttered desk and three chairs.

Wheeler Davis sat at the desk going through Miss Abigails books. He seemed out of breath, as if hed just lifted some more heavy boxes or pushed furniture around. Miss Abigail introduced him to the two policemen and asked him to vacate the room as the sheriff would be using it.

Thats okay, well start with you, the sheriff told him.

What do you mean with me? Wheeler growled. I wasnt out there.