Sam the Stolen Puppy Read Online Free PDF Page A

said something to the man. Emily was sure she looked guilty.
    Suddenly Emily’s breath caught in her throat. She tugged Dad’s hand urgently. “Look! Look!” she managed to gasp.
    “What is it?”

    “She’s wearing red gloves !” Emily hissed. “Don’t you remember? Jack said the lady who took Sam had red gloves! It all fits, it was them, they’re the dog-nappers !”
    “Emily, I know you’re upset, but you can’t accuse someone of stealing Sam just because of their gloves.” Dad sounded embarrassed. He was pretty sure the man and woman had heard what Emily said.
    Emily watched furiously as the couple neared the gate. How could Dad not understand? It was so obvious!
    The woman smiled sympathetically as they came past. “We heard some of the people from the dog-training class saying that your puppy had been stolen,” she said, looking straight atEmily. “I’m so sorry. He’s a darling. I really hope you get him back.”
    The man shook his head. “I can’t imagine how we’d feel if someone took Bertie.”
    They really sounded as though they meant it. Emily just stared at the ground. She felt so confused. She’d been sure that this was the lady Jack had described, but maybe Dad was right. Was it stupid to decide somebody was a dog-thief, just because they had red gloves?

Chapter Five
    That night, it took Emily ages to fall asleep. She sat up in bed, hugging her knees and worrying to herself. What if it was the suspicious couple who’d taken Sam? It made her shudder, thinking about him being with them. They seemed nice – but then she’d seen them be horrible to Bertie the pointer, and there was just something aboutthem that felt wrong. Sam had definitely sensed it too, and people said dogs always knew. Anyway, shouldn’t she do something? The problem was, what? She wondered about ringing the policeman, but honestly, why would he believe her? She didn’t have any real proof, and she wasn’t absolutely certain herself.
    Eventually Emily dozed off, but she was still worrying in her sleep. She seemed to be able to hear Sam, and he was crying for her! It wasn’t just Sam, either. Lots of dogs were barking and whining and scratching to be let out of their cages. Yes, they were shut up, and they were all so upset. Emily shuddered, kicking the bedclothes off. Those people were there again. They had stolen Sam, she was sure of it. Just at that moment, she woke up, gasping. She felt so scared. Without thinking, she reached down to the end of the bed to call Sam for a cuddle, and of course, he wasn’t there. Emily sat there, shaking and crying quietly. She had to do something. She was certain now that the couple from the park were the dog-nappers. She just knew .
    Now she had to work out what to do about it.

    Somehow, it was easier to sleep once she’d made her decision, and Emily woke up feeling much better. But she wasn’t really any closer to getting Sam back. The only clue she had was that she thought the dog-napping couple must live quite close, because she’d seen them on the way to school, and in the park. But how was that going to help? She couldn’t wander the streets looking for them.
    “I’ve seen them twice at dog-training ,” Emily muttered to herself. Maybe that would be the place to find them? Then she gulped. Of course! She’d seen them at dog-training because that was where they found the puppies they were going to steal! It was the perfect place to find lots of dogs, and have friendly chats with their owners. Most people at dog-training loved to talk about their dogs, and how special they were. They wouldn’t think it was odd that a nice couple with their own dog were interested. They probably went round lots of different dog-training classes, so that people didn’t make the connection.
    A plan began to form in her mind. Maybe if I went back to dog-training, they’ll be there too, and I can follow them home , Emily thought, excitedly. And if I can find out where they’re