Free The Case of the Three Rings by John R. Erickson Page A

was about to collapse.
    A rabid skunk had entered the room.
    It sounds pretty grim, doesn’t it? But you should always remember the wise old saying: “It’s always darkest before it gets any darker.”
    Hang on.

Chapter Eleven: The Second Ring

    O kay, maybe I cheated a little bit. See, I listed some awful things that could have happened, but not the one that did happen. Here’s what actually happened.
    Somebody was knocking on the door!
    My eyes and Slim’s eyes met. “Hank, don’t let ‘em leave! Bark, let ‘em know we’re in here!”
    Aye aye, sir! I flew out of the…BONK…ran into the door frame, I mean, my back legs were moving so fast on the limoleun floor, I lost control there for a second, but I’m no quitter. I got things straightened out and headed for the front door. There, I fired off several blasts of barking that said, “Hey, we’re trapped in here and have a man down, repeat, MAN DOWN!”
    The knocking stopped. I cocked my ear and listened. The doorknob squeaked and began to turn, and you know, up until that very moment, I hadn’t considered the possibility that whoever was out there might be…well, a burglar or even a Charlie Monster. Don’t forget, those guys are clever beyond our wildest dreams and they use all kinds of disguises to…
    The hinges gave an eerie squeak and the crack in the door widened, and all at once, there stood A MAN. Evening shadows concealed his face…or maybe he didn’t have a face. You know, vampires can erase their faces and…huge fangs, dripping with fresh blood?
    Fellers, my hair bristled up and I began…
    â€œWhere’s Slim? Slim? Hey, what happened to the hood of my pickup?”
    Holy smokes, it was Loper! Oh happy day! You thought he was a vampire, right? Ha ha. Even I was fooled there for a second. Boy, those shadows and a squeaky hinge will play tricks on your mind.
    Slim’s voice boomed from the back of the house. “I’m in here!”
    Loper brushed past me and headed for the bathroom. In the doorway, he stopped and stared at the scene inside. “What in the world…”
    â€œLoper, I’m in a mess and I’ll tell you all about it later, but right now, go down to the shed. There’s a hacksaw hanging on the wall. Bring it and that package of fresh blades too. You’ll need a bunch of sharp blades.”
    A smirkle ripped across Lippers lopes…Loper’s liver…Liver’s lips…phooey. A smirk rippled across Loper’s lips, and he said, “Your toe’s stuck in the spigot?”
    â€œWhat do you think? Yes! Get the saw and hurry!
    Loper studied the situation for a moment, rubbing his chin and narrowing his eyes. Then he left the room. He came back with a squeeze bottle of liquid soap. “Before I tear up the plumbing and cut off your toe, let me try something else.”
    â€œIt won’t work. Hurry up! I’m supposed to be somewhere and I’m an hour late.”
    Loper removed his hat and brought a finger to his lips. “Shhh. We have a great mind at work in this house. Try to keep your big mouth shut and let me concentrate.” He leaned over the edge of the tub and squeezed soap up into the faucet. “Try it now.”
    Slim tugged with his foot and shook his head. “It’s swole up. Get the saw.”
    Loper set the bottle on the floor and placed both hands on Slim’s ankle. “Close your eyes and think about the first time you ate chocolate ice cream.”
    â€œUh uh! Loper, don’t…” In a flash, Loper shoved down on the foot, hard and fast. There was a crunching sound and a big splash Slim squawled in pain. “OW! You tore it plumb off!”
    He raised his foot out of the water, and by George, the toe was still attached, and it had a real pretty red ring around it.
    Loper straightened up and shook his head. “You are such a baby. Now tell me how it