The Little Bandit
Early the next morning the three met and there laughed as they saw the raccoon.
"There is your thief!" Topaz laughed.
"I will go get Steve," Willie laughed.
"You have that kite string?" Topaz asked Skeeter.
"Sure, but . . ." Skeeter started handing the ball of string to her.
Quickly and carefully she made a noose and tested it, it would only close snugly without choking the animal, she tested it and then put it around the animal which almost seemed friendly.
"I am not sure this is a wild raccoon," Topaz said.
Steve arrived and looked wide eyed at the raccoon on it’s very long leash.
"This is your thief, and she is going to lead us to where she hid the loot, we wanted you as a witness." Topaz said.
"A raccoon stole those things?" Steve said with disbelief."It seems tame."
"All but the four chairs those should be back this morning," Topaz said grinning.
"They are but how did you . . ." Steve started as they followed the raccoon.
"She is a kid detective," Willie said proudly.
"I guess so," Steve said.He was struck by the fact that these kids were not like the run of the mill camper.
After years of dealing with brats and average kids Steve was still good with kids but he had underestimated Skeeter and his friends.
Steve also amazed the kids, they were used to adults balking at something the kids wanted to show them, or not having the time.
"Nice morning for a hike," Steve said in almost a jovial voice.
The little bandit, which obviously at least to Skeeter and Topaz, was tame, had traveled far in her nightly visits.
"As soon as I saw the tracks I knew it was a racoon," Topaz explained, "But I knew no one would believe me. What kid steals retainers and hamster food? Even the meanest kid would be too grossed out to steal a retainer. Most wouldn't think of taking hamster food."
"But a racoon would. I never thought of that. Last year we had some items missing and found the thief in short order," Steve said.
Soon they were led to what looked like a deserted cabin.
Steve smiled as the Skeeter said, "Wow that place looks old."
"Cornish, probably built in 1890s," Topaz added.
"Does someone live there I wonder?" Willie asked.
"No power lines," Topaz said looking around.
"That does not look very safe, we aren't on camp ground any more but we have permission to be on the ranchers property except in hunting season," Steve said, he had not known about this place. But then he had only been camp director here for part of last summer and this.
They watched the raccoon went inside and up and up the rickety stairs to the attic.
"I think you three should stay here," Steve said, thinking if they got hurt on the ranchers property it would be a problem.
The three agreed. Steve was honest, Topaz and Skeeter were 100% sure of that and Willie was almost as sure, but he was slower to trust.
Cautiously Steve climbed the stairs, they seemed steadier then they looked. The rancher had stored hay down stairs, and other castoffs here. Everything was covered by a soft patina of dust, but the clean blue blanket that the racoon went to.
There under the blanket Steve found the missing items except for the edibles. There was everything that had been stolen. Racoons and ravens loved shiny things.Steve had always loved nature, kids, and animals and knew a lot about them. But he had never thought about a racoon taking things.
"Well I’ll be, I think many owe Skeeter a big apology and Skeeter, I can understand why you missed your friends so much if these two are any example they are the kind of friends most people can only hope for." Steve said.
"Apology accepted, they are the best friends ever!" Skeeter said.
Willie and Topaz laughed.
Steve was curious, why they had laughed.
"Skeeter always says that Steve, everything is the best ever," Topaz said smiling as they walked along.
"I like a positive attitude," Steve said smiling at the kids. Topaz didn't hear what the man and boys were talking about she was listening to other things and watching the racoon cock her head and listen to something.
Topaz was almost sure they were being watched. It was someone the racoon did not like she bolted and hurried towards camp.
Topaz hurriedly scrawled a note on the dog eared note pad she always carried in her back pocket.
"We need to hurry to catch that bus Topaz," Steve said.
"Yes I don't want to miss it," Topaz agreed. But part of her wished she would.
Ricky had been following them wondering what they were up to, he now had made sure they were going back to camp, and hurried back to the little house.
This would be great for card games, they would never find them. Steve knew no one had been here but the racoon he guessed.
He looked around then he found a jar, and inside was a treasure map.He almost had money for the bike of his dreams. This would give him a car maybe.
"I will sure miss her," Willie sighed, as the bus pulled away from the curb.
"Me and you both," Skeeter said, Topaz was one of a kind.
"She slipped me a note," Willie said and they looked at it together.
"I think she is right, but we better keep this under our hats." Skeeter said.
"We don't have hats," Willie said, almost sounding like Sid.
Skeeter smiled, although he wanted to cry.
"We better go take care of the racoon." Skeeter said.
They went to where they had left the racoon. Karli was standing there crying.
"What’s wrong Karli?" Skeeter said, thinking except for Topaz he didn't get girls.
"She’s my pet my dad dumped her in the woods when he brought me here, said we are moving into an apartment and can’t have her, when the stuff was missing I knew it was her but couldn’t tell because I was afraid the forest rangers would kill her thinking she is rabid and now what will they do?" she sobbed.
"We won’t let anyone harm her, we will go to Steve he will help he is a good guy and he said she seemed tame," Willie said.
"Well, I tell you what if someone can find a home for her I won’t call the forestry department," Steve said. The kids all looked up at him, he had a fresh bowl of water for the animals.
"We will call Chuck, he is the one who lent us the cage, maybe he can keep her the summer while we figure out a home for her, he is a really good guy Karli, he loves animals," Skeeter said.
So it was solved the thief’s who’s real name was Misty would be going to stay with Chuck at Poldarke’s for the summer.
Summer camp was not so bad after all, now if he could figure out what Ricky was up to, Topaz was right, he was one to watch.