"Did he get away from you?" Mr. Coyote inquired.
Benny Badger had to admit that that was exactly the case. He explained how he had found the Ground Squirrel's bed warm, but empty, when he reached the snug bedroom.
"I don't see how it happened," he told Mr. Coyote mournfully.
That crafty fellow gave a short laugh. He rather believed he knew where the trouble lay. And he said to himself—under his breath—that Benny Badger was even more stupid than he had supposed.
"Did you keep an eye on the Ground Squirrel's back door?" he inquired. And he was so amused by something or other that he began to giggle.
Benny Badger was afraid that Mr. Coyote was going to burst into song again. And he couldn't help shuddering.
"Are you going to sing?" he asked hastily.
"I hadn't intended to," Mr. Coyote answered. "But of course if you want me to——"
"No! no!" Benny cried. "Please don't!"
"Very well!" his musical friend replied. And then he returned to his question. "What about the back door? Did you watch it carefully?" he inquired.