Читать книгу Mini Mysteries - Rick Walton - Страница 22

“We have a new trick,” said Madeleine. “Jump rope.”

“Wow,” Noelle whispered.

After Madeleine finished with the training, she invited Marie

and Noelle to practice jumping with the dog. As the girls shouted out

commands, an excited Ralphie showed his talents.

At the end of class, Madeleine hunched down next to Ralphie.

She removed a blue metal charm from his collar and replaced it with

a silver one. “You’re moving up, Ralphie,” she said, rubbing the dog’s

fur. “Before long, you’ll wear gold!”

“Do you have a tight hold on his leash?” the trainer asked Marie.

“Sure,” said Marie. “Why?”

Madeleine stood, smiled, and waved good-bye to Marie. Then, in

a firm voice, she said, “Go home.” Ralphie turned and raced toward

his house, dragging a giggling Marie on the leash behind him.

Noelle dashed after them. “See you next week!”

Within minutes, the dog had slid onto the Earls’ porch.

“Uh-oh, trouble,” Noelle said, pointing to the garden.

A huge brown mutt sniffed and sifted through Mrs. Earl’s tomato

patch, ignoring the girls. “Think he’ll fight with Ralphie?” asked

Noelle.

“I doubt it,” Marie said, “but we’d better be careful—”

Suddenly, before Marie could finish, Ralphie jerked the leash out

of her hand and charged at the brown dog. The brown dog looked up,

barked, and raced after Ralphie.

“Stop!” Marie shouted. “Ralphie, stop!”

But Ralphie didn’t stop. He leaped at the other dog and put two