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voice down. Behind them, Mr. Benjamin was taking his time gathering his things together.
    “Watch will do a great job,” Violet said.
    Finally, Mr. Benjamin and Ninja left. “Buffalo’s turn,” Ms. Werner called. But Buffalo was over by the door.
    “Um … small problem here. Buffalo needs a quick walk,” Dante told Ms. Werner. “Can we let Watch go next?”
    “That’s fine with us,” Jessie said. Ms. Werner agreed. So Dante took Buffalo outside.
    Jessie took Watch up on stage and waited.
    “Dinner!” Timmy called out. That was the cue for Watch to run into the kitchen and leap toward Timmy. But instead of running to Timmy, Watch ran right past, sniffing the ground. He ran off the stage and went straight to a box tucked in a dark corner of the audition room.
    “No, Watch!” Benny called. He ran over and caught Watch by the collar.
    “Let’s try that again,” Ms. Werner said.
    Jessie led Watch back to the stage.
    Benny covered his eyes with his hands, “Tell me when it’s over, Henry,” Benny said. “I’m too nervous to look.”
    Of course, Benny was peeking between his fingers when the scene began. Again, Watch ran right past Timmy and off the stage. He went straight up to the box. He was sniffing wildly.
    Just then, Dante came back with Buffalo. “Is it our turn yet?” he asked.
    “Yes,” Ms. Werner answered. She turned to the Aldens. “I’m sorry. There is no way I can possibly give Watch any points for this part of the audition,” she told them.
    Lisa spoke up. “There’s still tomorrow. Let’s hope he does better in the morning.” Ms. Werner and Lisa went back to the office to make more notes.
    “I can’t believe it!” Jessie said. “The other dogs aren’t having these kinds of problems.”
    “Jessie,” Benny said. “Something smells fanny.”
    “I don’t smell anything,” Jessie said, taking a whiff.
    “I think Benny means something strange is going on,” Henry said. “It sure does seem like bad things keep happening to Watch.”
    Benny rubbed his belly. “No, Jessie and Henry. This is a real smell. A yummy smell.” Benny followed the scent. It led him right up to the same box that Watch had sniffed out.
    Benny picked up the box.
    “I think my stomach knows what’s inside.” Benny said. “It’s a steak.”
    Henry opened the box. “You’re exactly right, Benny. There is a steak in here!” Jessie got Ms. Werner and Lisa.

    “This is the reason that Watch was distracted,” Jessie said, pointing at the box. Ms. Werner was surprised. “How did a steak get in here?” She looked at Lisa.
    “Don’t ask me,” Lisa said.
    “First there was the broken slide. Now, there’s the steak,” Jessie said. “It appears that someone doesn’t want Watch to win.”
    “But who?” Violet asked.
    “And what should we do?” Henry added.
    “I have never run into a problem like this before,” Ms. Werner said. She turned to Lisa. “See if you can figure out who might be trying to ruin Watch’s audition.” Then she thought for a moment, and said, “Watch can have another try, after Buffalo takes his turn.”
    Dante took Buffalo up to the stage.
    “Dinner!” Timmy called out.
    Buffalo leapt right into Timmy’s open arms. It was a good jump. But when Timmy bent to put Buffalo down, the dog squirmed and knocked Timmy over into the nearby chair. The chair crashed to the floor with a bang.
    “Good job,” Ms. Werner said, coming over to give Buffalo a pat. “Your dog is a good jumper.”
    “Thanks,” Dante said. He put on Buffalo’s leash. “See you tomorrow,” he told everyone. Then he and the dog left.
    It was almost time for Watch to take his turn again. While Ms. Werner and Lisa talked to Timmy, the Aldens gathered together to talk.
    “Watch can jump just as high as Buffalo,” Benny told Henry. “And I bet Watch won’t knock Timmy down, either.”
    “It’s so odd,” Jessie added. “Buffalo’s just not that great a performer. And yet, Ms. Werner loves