this club to sodas,” Teddy answered. “We’ve had a hard day. A soda will be good for us.”

“Fine!” chorused his chums.

“Do you mean us, too?” asked Margie.

“Of course,” laughed Lucy’s brother.

“What club is this?” asked Mr. Mason when they were all in his car.

“Oh, the deer mystery club,” Teddy explained. “You know. The deer that was in your meadow.”

“Oh, yes. Well, he’d better keep out of my garden! Did you see the deer again?”

“No but we saw a man with a rope who was running after him, I guess,” Joe said.

“Hum! Just as I thought! A stray deer got out of a railroad car,” said the farmer. “Well, I hope they catch him.”

62 “Who is this new boy, Fatty Nolan?” asked Teddy.

62

“Nolan? A fat lad? Why, he’s the son of Samuel Nolan who is a farmer I hired to work part of my place on shares. The Nolan family just moved here yesterday. Came from over Portchester way. They’re occupying that little old house where Mr. Huntley used to live. So you’ve met the fat boy, eh?”

Teddy told of the meeting and something of the stout lad.

“Yes, he is quite a talker, I noticed that,” said Mr. Mason. “Well, here you are at Mrs. Traddle’s.”

“Thanks for the ride,” Teddy said. “Won’t you come in and have a soda?”

“Thanks, no. I’ve got to get along. But if you see that deer, I hope you capture him, or help that man to do it. I don’t want a deer messing up my garden and cornfields.”

The boys and girls crowded into Mrs. Traddle’s small store.

63 “I’m glad Mr. Mason didn’t accept my invitation,” said Teddy in a low voice to Joe. “I only have enough money to treat this crowd. I’d have had to charge Mr. Mason’s soda.”

63

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