70 “It isn’t our deer at all,” Teddy explained.

70

“Is there a deer?” his father wanted to know.

“Oh, yes!” exclaimed Lucy. “I saw it. I was chased by it and so was Margie, yesterday.”

“This is the first I have heard of any deer,” said Mr. Benson. “Where is it, Teddy?”

“That’s what we don’t know. But we are going to find out. It is a mystery deer,” Teddy answered.

Mr. Benson smiled at this. He had often heard his children speak of “mysterious” animals. But sometimes the animals were just that.

“The reason we didn’t tell you about the deer last night,” went on Teddy, “is that you and mother were over to the church supper, and it was so late when you got home I forgot it.”

“So did I,” added Lucy.

71 “Well, tell me about it now,” suggested Mr. Benson.

71

He was told the story of the deer—as much as Teddy and Lucy knew—and Teddy explained that he and his chums were going to try to get on the trail of the mysterious animal that day.

“First we have to find Fatty Nolan,” said Teddy.

“Is that the deer’s name?” asked Mr. Benson.

“No. It’s the name of a new fat boy,” Teddy went on, laughing. “His father works part of Mr. Mason’s farm. Fatty saw a man with a lasso running across the fields. After the deer, maybe. We’re going to see if he caught the deer.”

“Well, if he has,” said Mr. Benson, “you might tell the owner of the deer that Mrs. Traddle wants damages for her garden. All her corn and beans are gone.”

“No, no!” hastily exclaimed Mrs. Traddle. “I didn’t say the deer sang a song. He just72 trampled and ate my garden. I didn’t even see the deer. He came during the night.”

72

“Well, it wasn’t our deer,” Teddy stated, taking pains to speak in a loud voice so Mrs. Traddle could understand.

“But in my store I’m sure you said it was your deer,” insisted 

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