“I didn’t notice it if he had,” said Mrs. Nixon.
“And did he say why he was looking for a deer?” asked Dick.
“No, he didn’t say that. I probably would have asked him more about the critter only I was busy. And up to then our melon patch hadn’t been raided.
“Now you’d better sit down and rest until Mrs. Benson gets here. And wouldn’t you like a nice glass of cool milk and some molasses cookies?”
“Yes’m, I would,” said Dick. “Thanks a lot.”
He had finished his little lunch, and was telling Mrs. Nixon more about the hunt for the mystery deer, when Mrs. Benson drove into the yard. The auto contained blankets, food and other items needed for the night camp Teddy had planned on.
After a brief talk with Mrs. Nixon and Dick, Mrs. Benson, with Dick on the seat beside her, started for Bailey’s Corners. There they found Teddy and Joe had just arrived.
“Thanks a lot, mother, for helping this way,” Teddy panted.
“I think you boys are rather silly to make this fuss and take all this trouble about a deer,” said Mrs. Benson, smiling.
“Oh, we just can’t let this deer beat us at the mystery game!” Teddy exclaimed. “We can’t have our Mystery Club beaten!”