Free Mr. and Mrs. Bunny—Detectives Extraordinaire! by Polly Horvath Page B

meeting. She carried her cake out to the car, put it carefully on the floor and then put her paws firmly over her eyes as Mr. Bunny drove her to the hat shoppe.
    After Mrs. Bunny got out, he drove on to the manor house to collect Madeline, who was waiting by the gate.
    â€œHow is your uncle?” asked Mr. Bunny.
    â€œHe’s still in a coma,” said Madeline.
    â€œThat’s dreadful,” said Mr. Bunny. “Gosh, I hope he doesn’t die!”
    â€œWell, that’s not very tactful!” wailed Madeline. “Is that supposed to make me feel better?”
    â€œOh dear, I’m afraid not. If Mrs. Bunny were here shewould stuff a sock in my mouth,” said Mr. Bunny, looking remorseful. “I’m sure he won’t die. Don’t worry. I had a coma once for three years and woke up very refreshed. Mrs. Bunny even suggested to a travel agency that they offer bargain vacations along those lines. The ad campaign could read, CAN’T AFFORD THE BAHAMAS THIS YEAR? TRY A COMA!”
    â€œTHREE YEARS!” said Madeline. “If we can’t find Flo and Mildred ourselves, we’ll need Uncle out of his coma and decoding that file card sooner than that. I’m sure there must be a clue there. A clue that starts with
r
. I need more time to brainstorm such things with you, so I thought maybe we could put up a tent for me at your hutch. I already told Uncle’s butler I was going to stay with the Bunnys. I think he may have thought that was the last name of someone human. Well, of course that’s what he thought. And you see, this way we can devote all our energies to the search.”
    â€œOur idea exactly. Except we thought you and I should spend the morning building you a guest cottage while Mrs. Bunny is in her hat club meeting.”
    â€œIsn’t that a waste of time? Wouldn’t a tent be easier and quicker? I really think we need to find Flo and Mildred
soon
!”
    â€œI think if the plan is to drag Mrs. Bunny out of the firstclub meeting she has ever gone to, it is going to take more than two of us,” said Mr. Bunny, looking speculative.
    â€œOh, all right, but I hope it won’t be a
long
meeting,” said Madeline, nervously twisting the corner of her shirt.
    Mrs. Bunny’s hat club meeting was a howling success. There was some milling about and chitchat before it began, and Mrs. Bunny was quite the social maven.
    Then the proprietress, whose name was Mrs. Ruskeebunny, started the meeting by saying, “I have the most wonderful idea! Next week is the annual parade of bonnets. We had planned to be hopping down Main Street as usual.
However
, I have just overheard some news that could change everything! Mrs. Bunny has been telling Mrs. Hopbunny that Prince Charles is coming to Comox Elementary! Suppose we take the parade to Comox? To hop in front of the school as the prince arrives? What greater honor can we rabbits bestow upon him than to grace him with our bonnety presence?”
    There was a great buzz of excited noise as the ladies considered this.
    â€œAll in favor say ‘Aye,’ ” said Mrs. Ruskeebunny.
    It was unanimously decided to go.
    â€œExcellent. Then we will hire some Greyhound Explorers,” she began.
    There was a shrill shriek from the back. “Greyhounds! Run for your lives!”
    â€œThank you, Mrs. Sneepbunny, but not all greyhounds are dogs. Some of them are buses.”
    Several bunnies had fainted, but Mrs. Ruskeebunny paid no attention. There were always a few drama queen bunnies.
    â€œAnd thank you, Mrs. Bunny, for bringing us this wonderful information. And at your very first meeting!”
    There was a rousing round of applause. Mrs. Bunny blushed and blushed.
    â€œNow, we must make our bonnets extra-special. As you know, in years past we have lined the bonnets with silk, but if it rained, our furry heads got drenched. So this year it has been suggested that we make our bonnets more