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As if announcing the arrival of sohtning and a rumble of thunder caused the boys to look toward the stairwell, leading down to the second floor of the house

Far below, someone cleared his throat

Douglas pricked his ears, moved to the stairwell, and intuitively called down

‘Grandpa?’

‘Seems to be,’ a voice said froood at covering your tracks You left footprints in the grass all the way across town I followed along, asking questions along the way, getting directions, and here I am’

Doug sed hard and said again: ‘Grandpa?’

‘There seems to be a small coht

‘Commotion?’

‘So like that,’ said Grandpa’s voice

‘You co up?’

‘No,’ said Grandpa ‘But I have a feeling you’re coonna have a little talk And then you’ve got to run an errand because so has been purloined’

‘Purloined?’

‘Mr Poe used that word If need be, you can go back and check the story and refresh your memory’

‘Purloined,’ said Douglas ‘Oh, yeah’

‘Whatever was purloined – and right now I’m not quite sure what it was,’ said Grandpa, far away, ‘–but whatever it was, I think, son, that it should be returned to where it belongs There are rumors that the town sheriff has been called, so I think you should hop to it’