“Why, it’s gone! Our lovely tree is gone!” cried Eileen in a shrill voice.
The Brownies were so stunned they hardly said a word. They could not believe a mistake had been made in the tree’s location, for in the snow nearby were bits of ribbon and string and a pine cone with food still pressed into it.
“Oh, how could anyone be so mean?” demanded Connie.
“Especially when the woods is filled with nice evergreens,” added Rosemary, stooping to pick up the pine cone. “Why couldn’t Mr. Jeffert have cut down another tree?”
“I don’t believe Mr. Jeffert did it,” said Connie soberly. “Our tree probably was chopped down by that same thief who has been sneaking onto his property.”
“And I agree,” commented Miss Gordon. “Mr. Jeffert never would have cut down our tree.”
Behind them, the girls heard footfalls in the snow. Whirling around, they saw Mr. Jeffert himself striding toward them.
“Who speaks my name?” he called cheerily.
“Oh, Mr. Jeffert!” cried Connie. “You didn’t take our tree, did you?”
She pointed to the stump and told the land owner what had happened. Mr. Jeffert’s round face became as dark as a late afternoon sky.