many of the caves are still under here.”
“Hmmmm,” Jupiter muttered. “But this is the first time you’ve ever seen or heard a dragon, and yet you’ve been living here for years. Is that correct?”
The old man nodded and smiled. “Once is enough. And I might not even have seen this one if I hadn’t been out looking for my dog, Red Rover.”
The boys exchanged glances, smiling. One of their secret entrances into Headquarters was called Red Gate Rover.
“I guess it’s time we discussed your missing dog and the circumstances, sir. Bob, take notes,” Jupiter said.
Bob, in charge of Records and Research, took out his pad and pencil.
Mr. Allen started, then smiled at this example of the business-like proficiency of The Three Investigators.
“I’ve been abroad for the past two months,” he said. “Even though I am no longer actively working in films, I am still very much interested in them, and their development. As a rule I tour Europe every year, going to most of the major film festivals in different foreign cities. This year was no different. I went to the festivals in Rome, Venice, Paris, London and Budapest, and also visited old friends.
“As usual, when abroad, I boarded my dog at a local kennel. I returned a week ago, got Red Rover out — he’s an Irish setter, by the way — beautiful animal. Friendly, too.
“Red Rover likes to run. As I can’t keep up with him, I let him loose at night. Two nights ago he didn’t return. Although I’ve had him three years, I thought he’d picked up new habits and returned to the kennel. I called and he wasn’t there. I waited for him to come back and he didn’t.
“I was out looking for him — when I saw —
“You didn’t go down to the beach?” asked Jupe.
The old man shook his head. “No. It was an eerie sensation. I’d spent most of my life making pictures to shock and scare people out of their wits, and now it had happened to me. There’s no way I can describe the feelings I had. Panic, first, that this awesome creature might have attacked and devoured my dog. Then the fear that I might be losing my mind. To admit openly that you have seen a dragon takes some doing, believe me!”
“You took no other steps then,” pursued Jupiter, “but phoned your friend Alfred Hitchcock.”
The old man mopped his brow again. “Alfred is an old and dear friend, with much experience in the field of mystery. I knew if anybody could help me, he was the one. Now it will be up to you boys. The entire matter is in your hands.”
“Thank you, Mr. Allen,” Jupiter said, “for your confidence. There have been other incidents of missing dogs in this town. Five of them, at last report, not including yours.”
Mr. Allen nodded. “I heard that on the news after my dog had disappeared. If I had heard of it before, I might not have let Red Rover run on his own as I did.”
“Have you spoken to the other dog owners?” Jupiter asked.
The old man shook his head. “No. Not yet. I didn’t want to mention what I’d seen.”
“Do all the people round here own dogs?”
Mr. Allen smiled. “Not all. Not the man across the street, Mr. Carter. Nor my next-door neighbour on the right, Arthur Shelby. I don’t know many of my neighbours. I live a quiet life with my books and paintings. And my dog.”
Jupiter stood up. “We’ll be going then, Mr. Allen, and I promise you a full report of any progress we make.”
Mr. Allen shook hands and saw them out, thanking them again. The boys went out through the wooden gate, and Jupiter closed it behind them.
Pete smiled as Jupiter set the hook in place. “Keeping out the dragon, Jupe?”
“I doubt very much that a mere locked gate, or even a locked door, would stop a dragon, Pete,” said Jupiter.
The Second Investigator gulped nervously. “I don’t like the way you said that,” he declared. He looked up the street, and then glanced at his watch. “Where’s Hans?”
“It’s much too early,” Jupiter said. “We still have plenty of time.”
He started to walk across the street.
Bob and Pete looked at him.
“Time for what?” Bob asked.
“To call on Mr. Carter,” Jupiter said. “After him, Mr. Arthur Shelby. Aren’t you curious about men who live in this lonely section and don’t need dogs to protect them?”
“No, I’m not,” Pete said. “As a matter of fact, I’m wondering why I haven’t bought a dog yet to protect me! A large one that’s not afraid of dragons!”
Jupiter smiled and the boys followed him to the other side of the narrow street. Mr. Carter’s grounds were well kept up and his house was freshly painted.
“Notice,” Jupiter told his friends as they went up the path, “that the hedges are evenly clipped and the lawn neatly mowed. His trees are pruned and his flower beds are well tended. Mr. Carter must be a neat man.”
Jupiter pressed the bell. Almost immediately the front door was flung open and a heavyset man stood there glowering down at them.
“Yes? What do you kids want?” he demanded loudly.
“I beg your pardon, sir,” Jupiter said politely. “We’ve just visited your neighbour, Mr. Allen, across the street. His dog, Red Rover, is missing, as you may know. We were wondering if you knew anything about its disappearance.”
The man’s eyes narrowed and his thick eyebrows rose, then lowered. His mouth twisted into a snarling line.
“So Allen’s lost his dog, has he? Like the others up the street, eh? Well, good riddance to them. Good riddance and let’s hope they stay lost. I hate dogs!”
His eyes blazed furiously at them, with an almost insane glint. His hands clenched and for a moment the boys thought he was going to attack them.
Jupiter managed to keep his voice calm, and his placid-looking exterior unruffled. “I’m sure you must have a good reason for disliking the animals, sir,“ he said. “Perhaps if you could tell us what they’ve done — ”
“What they’ve done?” the man echoed sarcastically. “Done what they’ve always done. Barked and howled at the moon all night. Trampled my flower beds. Ripped up my lawn. Upset my dustbins, littering the path. That enough for you?”
“I’m sorry,” Jupe said sympathetically. “We’re new to the neighbourhood. It’s Mr. Allen’s dog we’re trying to find. If it’s damaged your property, I’m sure Mr. Allen would pay for it. He misses his dog terribly and I’m sure he’d do anything — ”
“Do anything, would be?” the man asked. “Well, so would I. Wait here!”
He ducked inside behind the door. The boys hardly had time to exchange baffled glances than the door was flung open again and Mr. Carter was back.
He was holding a large shotgun.
“Here’s what I’d do,” he said, raging. “Fill him with lead! This one carries double ought. That’s the largest ammunition made for this weapon. And if I set eyes on that dog of Allen’s or any other pesky beast hereabouts on my property, here’s what they’ll get.”
He raised the gun threateningly.
The angry man tightened his finger on the trigger. “I’m a good shot and I never miss. Any more questions?”
Jupiter shook his head, trying not to look unnerved by the gun a foot from his face. “No, sir,” he said. “I’m
