The Missing Mitt Read Online Free PDF

don’t think Conor stole your mitt,” Frank told him.
    â€œYou don’t?” replied Jason. “Then if he didn’t, who did?”
    â€œThat’s what we’re trying to figure out. Do you remember anything else—anything that mighthelp us figure out where your mitt went?”
    â€œNo! I already told you everything.”
    â€œThink hard,” said Joe. “Finding that mitt is the only way to get us all back on the team—and the Bandits need us!”
    Jason looked over at the field just as the Bandits’ new first baseman dropped the ball, lettingConor Hound run safely to second. Jason scrunched up his face and tried to remember everything he could.

    â€œLike I told you, nothing really happened. I got here, I dropped off my stuff, that stupid dog jumped on me, I threw my lucky mitt on top of my bag, and then I went to practice. That’s it.”
    â€œWait a second,” said Frank. He was remembering something. “Lucy jumped on you?”
    â€œYeah,” said Jason.
    â€œWas this before or after you threw your mitt down?”
    â€œBefore, I think.”
    Frank looked excited.
    â€œJoe, don’t you remember what Mr. Mack said? He said that Lucy jumped on me because she wanted the stick I was holding. She thought we were going to play fetch. If Jason threw down his mitt right after Lucy jumped on him . . .”
    â€œLucy must have thought Jason wanted to play. That’s why she left her stick behind!”
    â€œLucy took the mitt!” both boys yelled at the same time.
    â€œStrike three!” announced the umpire. The top of the fourth was over. The boys had only a few more innings to get the mitt and save the game!

9
Deep in the Outfield
    Jason,” yelled Frank and Joe. “We know where your mitt is!”
    â€œYou do? Where?”
    â€œFollow us!”
    The boys took off. They had to see Mr. Mack and get the mitt back from Lucy.
    â€œHi again!” said Mr. Mack as the boys ran up to him. “My, you boys sure are running around a lot.”
    â€œMr. Mack,” said Joe. “Lucy took Jason’s mitt!”
    â€œWhat?” asked Mr. Mack.
    â€œLucy must have thought Jason wanted to play fetch when he threw it down with the rest of the gear. She took it!”
    â€œOh no,” said Mr. Mack, looking very concerned. “I’m so sorry! I’m sure she didn’t hurt it. She’s very careful with her toys.”
    â€œBad girl,” he said to Lucy. Lucy whimpered guiltily.
    â€œThat’s all right,” said Jason. “I just want to get it back so we can play in the game! Where do you think she put it?”
    â€œOh, dear,” said Mr. Mack. “I don’t know. She runs too fast for me to keep up with her. She buries sticks and toys out in the woods behind the baseball field, but I don’t know where. Only Lucy knows that.”
    Jason, the Hardys, and Mr. Mack all turned to look at Lucy. Lucy whined and put her headbetween her paws. Frank and Joe had finally found the culprit—but they’d never be able to get her to talk!
    â€œWhat are we going to do now?” asked Jason. “Maybe if you explain everything, Coach Quinn will let you guys play, but I still won’t have my mitt. I can’t play without it.”
    â€œWe’re not giving up yet,” said Joe. “I have an idea.”
    Joe ran back toward the Bandits’ dugout.
    â€œWhere’s he going?” asked Mr. Mack.
    â€œI don’t know,” said Frank.
    Joe returned with his own mitt in hand.
    â€œMr. Mack, can you untie Lucy?”
    Mr. Mack set Lucy free. Joe held the mitt high in the air, above Lucy’s head. She jumped up on Joe, trying to get at the mitt.
    â€œHere, girl,” Joe said. “Go get it!”
    He threw the mitt as hard as he could. Lucy rana few feet. She jumped in the air and grabbed the mitt with her teeth. Then she took off running, past the outfield,