Free The Dashing Dog Mystery by Carolyn Keene Page B

to jump up on me.” He pointed to the Doberman.
    â€œLucas, that is what dogs do,” Mrs. Vanderpool said sharply. “They jump up on people. All you had to do was to tell the nice Doberman to get his paws off you and go play somewhere else. It’s very simple.”
    â€œBut, Grandma—” Lucas protested.
    Just then two tiny Yorkies ran up to Mrs. Vanderpool. They were wearing matching red sweaters, and they had little red bows on their heads.
    â€œMy babies!” Mrs. Vanderpool cried out. She scooped them up and clasped them to her chest. “Hello, Muffy. Hello, Buffy. Aren’tyou the most precious babies in the world? Yes, you are! Does your mommy love you? Yes, she does!” The Yorkies began yipping and squirming in her arms.
    â€œIs your grandson okay, Mrs. Vander-pool?” Rex called out.
    â€œYes, he’s fine, thank you,” Mrs. Van-derpool said, waving one hand. She frowned at Lucas and added, “I’m going to personally apologize to Mr. Rumford for your behavior.” Then she turned and marched up to the front counter. The Yorkies were still yipping and squirming in her arms.
    â€œAnkle biters,” George muttered.
    Nancy glanced at Lucas. He had blond hair and big brown eyes. He seemed to be the same age as Nancy and her friends.
    â€œHi, Lucas, I’m Nancy. And these are my friends Bess and George,” Nancy said. “Hey, are you okay?”
    Lucas stared down at the ground and kicked a doggie ball with his foot. “I guess so.”
    â€œThat mean Doberman!” Bess said sympathetically.“I’d scream, too, if he jumped up on me.”
    Lucas smiled shyly. “I don’t like dogs,” he admitted. He stole a quick glance at his grandmother. She was across the room talking to Rex. “Don’t tell
her
that, though,” he added. “I like cats. I have two of them back home.”
    â€œWhere do you live?” Nancy asked him.
    â€œChicago. I’m visiting Grandma for a week,” Lucas replied.
    Rex rang the loud bell again. “Ahem. Excuse me, everyone. Now, as I was saying. At four o’clock, which is in just ten minutes, we will be raffling off a beautiful jeweled doggie collar. It’s made by local artist Stella Sipowitz. Here’s Stella now, with the collar!”
    A tall, dark-haired woman dressed in a red velvet cape joined Rex. She held up a red leather collar that was studded with rhinestones shaped like bones.
    â€œThis collar is part of a new line of special things for today’s dashing dog,” Stella announced. “More of my collars, coats, andleashes are on sale here at the Dashing Dog Pet Salon. But this particular collar is one of a kind. So if
you’re
the lucky raffle winner, your pooch will be the proud owner of a completely unique and original work of art!”

    â€œWow!” Nancy whispered excitedly to Bess and George. “That collar would look really great on Chip.”
    Rex raised his hands and clapped. “Thank you, Stella. Ladies and gentlemen, if you haven’t already filled out your entry slips, please do so right now. The slips are right here on the counter. Fill out your name and phone number. Then put the slip in the jar. And remember—one slip per person, please. No exceptions!”
    Everyone began rushing up to the front counter. “Did you fill out your entry slip yet?” Bess asked Nancy.
    Nancy shook her head. “Not yet. Let’s do that now.”
    Nancy, Bess, and George walked over to the front counter. Nancy filled out her entry slip with a black pen that was lyingnext to the raffle jar. When she was done, Bess took the pen from her. She started filling out an entry slip, too.
    â€œBut you don’t have a dog, Bess,” Nancy said, surprised.
    Bess shrugged. “I know. But if I win, I could always give the collar to Chip as a Christmas present.”
    â€œOh, that is so sweet!” Nancy exclaimed.