Free Backyard Bandit Mystery by Beverly Lewis Page B

care if we make some money. It would be a good surprise!”
    â€œWhen the cat’s away, the mice’ll pay,” Jason said.
    Dee Dee giggled.
    Stacy didn’t laugh. “So, is it settled?” she asked everyone.
    Five heads nodded yes .
    â€œWell, are we gonna vote?” Dunkum asked.
    â€œGo for it!” shouted Jason.
    â€œOK,” said Stacy. “How many in favor of a yard sale?”
    Five hands went up.
    â€œHow many want the yard sale to start today?” she asked.
    Same five hands.
    â€œYes!” said Dunkum. “We’re in business.”
    â€œYay!” Stacy said. “Let’s start gathering up our old loot. Anything we don’t want.”
    â€œHey! Your trash could be my treasure,” Jason teased.
    Dunkum and Eric agreed.
    So did the girls.
    â€œThis’ll be so-o cool,” Dee Dee said.
    â€œI’m gonna search for hidden treasure,” Eric said. And he went right home.
    So did everyone else.

    Stacy hurried into the house. “Do we have anything to sell?” she asked her mom.
    â€œLike what?” her mom said, smiling.
    â€œYou know, trash or treasures. For a yard sale,” Stacy said.
    Her mother thought for a moment. “Idon’t think so,” she said.
    â€œPle-e-ease, will you look?” Stacy pleaded.
    â€œWhat’s the sale for?” asked her mother.
    â€œMoney for Flag Day,” answered Stacy. “The Cul-de-sac Kids wanna buy flags for every house on the block.”
    â€œFlags?” said Grandpa. “What a nice idea.”
    Stacy smiled. “I thought so, too.”
    â€œWhere will you put the flags?” asked her granny.
    â€œOn all the porches,” Stacy explained.
    Grandpa got off the couch and headed down the hall.
    â€œWhere are you going, dear?” asked Granny.
    â€œTo scout around,” Grandpa said.
    â€œWhere?” Granny asked.
    â€œIn the suitcase,” Grandpa answered.
    Granny’s eyebrows flew up. “Oh no!”
    â€œIt’s OK,” Stacy said. “I’m sure he’ll find something.”
    â€œThat’s what I’m afraid of,” replied Granny.
    â€œI’ll go help him,” Stacy offered.
    Now her mother was frowning. “Better let Grandpa do his own looking,” she said.
    Stacy glanced at Granny. She was really frowning now.
    â€œOh, sorry,” Stacy said quietly.
    She knew she better stay out of it.
    So she went to the attic.
    It was time for some scouting of her own.

FOUR
    Later, Stacy and Grandpa hid out in the attic.
    Some of their old treasures were piled on the bed.
    â€œDon’t let Granny catch you with these,” Grandpa whispered.
    Stacy looked through her grandpa’s things.
    There was a bottle of men’s cologne, nearly full.
    Stacy twisted the cap and gave a sniff. “Don’t you want this?” she asked.
    â€œNever liked the smell,” he said with agrin. “Granny’s the one who bought it.”
    Stacy shrugged. “Won’t she be upset?”
    â€œAh, she’ll get over it.” He waved his hand.
    â€œWhat if she doesn’t?” Stacy asked.
    â€œShe’ll just have to buy it back.” He was laughing.
    Next he held up his pajama top.
    â€œI think you might need that, Grandpa,” said Stacy.
    He laughed. “In this heat? No chance!”
    It was hot for June. Especially June in Colorado.
    â€œJust skip the pajama top and sleep in your undershirt,” Stacy suggested.
    â€œHallelujah!” said Grandpa.
    And he went downstairs.
    I don’t wanna get in trouble, thought Stacy.
    But she wasn’t too worried. She remembered what Grandpa said. If Granny missed his stuff, she could just buy it back.
    Hallelujah!

    Before lunch, Dee Dee came over.
    Stacy showed off some of her treasures. She showed some of her not-so-great treasures, too.
    There was an old fish bowl.
    Used magazines.
    Some baby books with thick pages.
    A beanbag