approval as the majestic looking, thick-coated herding dogs rounded up sheep, jumped over barriers, and saved a small boy from a simulated swimming accident. Cherry was not at all surprised to learn that the plucky dogs had long been used to aid mankind during times of national emergency.
“Aren’t they the cleverest dogs you’ve ever seen?” Cherry cried to Nancy as she jumped to her feet and smoothed out the wrinkles in her skirt in preparation for a trip to the cafeteria.
“And so loyal, too,” Nancy exclaimed. “Why, they’re practically famous for their dutiful obedience to their masters!” Nancy put one arm on Cherry’s shoulder and looked her straight in the eye. “Loyalty has always been one of my favorite characteristics in a girlfriend,” she confided. “Don’t you think it’s one of the most important virtues ever?”
Cherry gulped. “Goodness, I’m starved!” she cried. “Is anyone else hungry?”
As they consumed a yummy luncheon of ham salad sandwiches, cabbage slaw and fruit compote, Midge happily read aloud more interesting things about the delightful dogs. She had taken copious notes in her program during the trials and declared herself quite taken with the handsome beasts. Next the girls browsed at a nearby booth offering good bargains on necessary items. Nancy purchased a cute tartan collar for her terrier, Gogo, and Midge picked up a handsome braided red leather collar and leash set for her own dog, Eleanor, a black and white cocker spaniel left at home in Warm Springs, Oregon with close chums.
“Attention ladies and gentlemen!” a voice blared out over the loudspeaker. “The Wiener Dog Races will begin in four minutes’ time in Exhibition Hall C, followed shortly thereafter by the Pageant of Poodles in Exhibition Hall D!”
“I met two poodles who are going to compete,” Midge told her chums. “I promised their owner we’d be there to cheer them on.”
Cherry had to smile. Tough, sarcastic Midge always became a puddle when it came to pooches! The happy group was eagerly making its way down the long corridor connecting the exhibition halls when suddenly a tall, thin man in a dark-colored trenchcoat with an upturned collar stepped right in their path.
“Hey!” Midge cried as the man took an umbrella from under his arm and thoughtlessly shook it out, spraying the hapless girls with rain water before disappearing into the sea of dog lovers. “What the—!” she added as she felt someone jostle her from behind. Midge turned around to find a burly man in a shiny, tight-fitting black sharkskin suit behind her.
“Sorry, sonny,” he grumbled as he slipped something into his jacket pocket and walked briskly away. Midge checked her pocket and was relieved to find her wallet still there.
“How discourteous that trenchcoat-clad man is!” Cherry exclaimed, realizing that he had gotten water on her new ballerina flats. Not only that, he had left a puddle that could prove dangerous on the slick, tile flooring! Cherry opened her purse and whipped out a clean handkerchief so she could mop up the mess, but stopped when she spied the look of astonishment on Midge’s face. By now, Midge had had time to check all her pockets, and had discovered a queer thing.
“That man in the black suit stole my program!” Midge gasped angrily.
“At first I thought he had taken my money,” Midge explained. “I’ve got my wallet, all right, but my program’s missing. Why would he steal a five-cent program?” she cried, more bewildered than angry.
“I’ll bet you just dropped it, Midge,” Cherry piped up. “What possible reason could someone have for stealing your program?”
“You’re right, Cherry, I probably left it in the cafeteria,” Midge sighed after a quick look around. “And it’s got all my notes about my favorite dogs in it!” Midge looked decidedly downcast.
“I’ll get you another,” Cherry cried as she fished a nickel from her coin purse, walked over to a vendor and purchased a crisp new program.
“Thanks, Cherry,” Midge grinned. Then an expression of alarm crossed her face. She checked her watch. “We’ve got just seconds to go before the Pageant of Poodles starts, and I promised Miss Pansy we’d be there!” Quick as a wink, the girls took off for Exhibition Hall D, but as they got close to the room they heard a terrible cry, one that sent a chill through the gay little group.
“Help! Help!” someone cried. “Someone’s—kidnapped—the—miniature—poodles!”
They raced to the Petite Poodle Room, which proved a pandemonious place indeed. People were milling about, talking excitedly. “That’s the third dognapping this summer in Central Illinois!” they overheard one man exclaim.
“So that’s why the police are here,” Midge realized.
“They must have suspected something like this might happen,” Nancy surmised.
Meanwhile, Cherry had begun fussing over Miss Pansy, who was lying flat on her back on the cold tile floor. Cherry noted with approval that the Veterinarian Nurse she had met earlier in the ladies’ lounge had loosened the woman’s garments and had made a pillow for her out of a pile of small woolen dog sweaters. The color was coming back in the elderly woman’s face and soon she was able to sit up and tell the girls the dreadful details of the tragic event.
“It’s the most awful thing,” Miss Pansy said in a shaky voice. Tears welled in her soft brown eyes. “I left Pierre and Patsy alone in their stalls for just a moment so I could purchase a cucumber sandwich and a cup of coffee. In the excitement of the day, I had forgotten to have any breakfast,” she explained weakly.
Cherry kept a cheery expression on her face, but inwardly she frowned. Of all people, a librarian should know that breakfast provides the fuel that powers the human engine! Cherry sent a bystander off for a cup of tea and some dry toast. As soon as Miss Pansy had had some nourishment and regained her strength, Cherry would set her straight about the most important meal of the day!
Miss Pansy continued her story. “When I came through these doors and looked over and saw this, why, I must have fainted,” she said in a tremulous tone. She gestured limply toward a row of tiny stalls, each outfitted with a plush pillow, rubber toy, colorful ribbons, and a gay sign bearing the occupant’s name.
But Tiny, Stella, Precious, Bubbles, Patsy and Pierre were gone!
Tears welled in Cherry’s eyes. She had never seen a sadder sight than those six, small empty beds.
“Oh, Frank, you’ve simply got to do something,” Miss Pansy begged Midge. “Oh, and Nancy Clue, you’re here, too,” the woman sighed in relief as she spotted the well-known girl detective.
Setting aside her own desire to frolic on this gay day, Nancy got right on the case. “Miss Pansy, was there anyone in here when you came through the door? Did you see anyone suspicious milling around earlier?”
But Miss Pansy was too perturbed to pay attention. “Pierre and Patsy have never spent the night away from me,” she cried. “Why, they’ll be petrified!”
“Maybe they’ll escape and find their way home,” Cherry said brightly. “Why just today at the Cavalcade of Collies I overheard a heartwarming story about a dog named—”
Nancy stepped in. “I must question Miss Pansy before she forgets important details that might crack this case,” Nancy told Cherry. Cherry nodded. She made a mental note to tell Miss Pansy the rest of the inspirational story later, for surely she would find comfort in it!
“Miss Pansy, did you see or hear anything