“But in my store I’m sure you said it was your deer,” insisted the confused old lady.
“Well,” explained Teddy, “I meant we sort of called it our deer. We sort of feel we have to solve the mystery about it.”
“Oh, well, then I guess I can’t blame you,” said Mrs. Traddle. “I’m sorry I made any trouble,” she went on. “But my poor garden is ruined.”
“If we find the man who owns the deer we’ll make him pay for the damage,” promised Teddy.
“Thanks,” murmured Mrs. Traddle as she turned and went back to her store.
Teddy and Lucy started toward the house to finish their breakfasts. Mr. Benson returned to cutting the grass, saying:
“So you have a new mystery, have you?”
“Maybe it will be a mystery and maybe it won’t,” admitted Teddy. “I’m going over to see Fatty Nolan as soon as the fellows come.”
A little later, when Dick and Joe arrived at Teddy’s house, they were told of what had happened to Mrs. Traddle’s garden.
“Let’s go have a look,” suggested Dick.