The Mudhole Mystery by Beverly Lewis Page A

old buddy?”
    Stacy giggled. “Since when do frogs understand English?”
    â€œCroaker does,” Jason said. He knelt beside Dunkum in the mud. “Where’s the bone? Is it a T-Rex T-bone?”
    Dunkum shook his head. “I don’t know yet. But whatever it is, it’s big. Very big.”
    Stacy stared into the sloppy mudhole. “Icksville,” she said.
    Suddenly, Dunkum saw a flash of gold. His eyes bugged out. “Hey, did you see that?”
    Jason spotted it, too. “It’s definitely gold!”
    Stacy stepped closer. Her eyes were round as quarters.
    â€œHere, hold my frog,” Jason said to Stacy.
    Stacy held her hands up. “No . . . uh, not today.”
    â€œHe’s not slimy, and he doesn’t bite,” Jason joked.
    â€œI know that,” Stacy said.
    â€œHere, just take him. You’ll be fine,” Jason said. And he handed Croaker to Stacy.
    Stacy took the bullfrog. She held him far away from her body. Croaker’s skin felt smooth and thin, like a balloon filled with air. She felt his lungs moving. In and out. Out and in.
    Stacy shivered. She thought she was going to drop Croaker. His body felt so weird.
    Then she glanced at the muddy mess. The mudhole.
    Dunkum was covered with muck. Jason dived into the mudhole. Hands first.
    Stacy looked at the bullfrog. Croaker’s round eyes blinked back at her.
    She smiled. “Frog-sitting is much better than mess-making!”
    Squooshy squish , the mudhole blubbered.
    Out of the spurting muddy custard came something shiny. It really was gold.
    â€œHey, we’re rich!” Jason shouted.
    â€œWe aren’t rich,” Dunkum said. “Our treasure is stuck in the mud.”
    Stacy looked at the shiny gold. “Looks like a lock.”
    Dunkum nodded. “It’s connected to something much bigger. But I don’t know what.”
    Stacy inched closer for a better look.
    Croaker blinked his froggy eyes. Hislungs breathed in and out.
    Dunkum and Jason kept working. They pulled and tugged. They grunted and groaned.
    â€œIt’s in there for keeps,” Dunkum said. “I can’t lug it out.”
    Jason began scooping handfuls of mud out of the hole.
    When more mud was removed, the boys tried again. They jerked and yanked. They fussed and yelped.
    But the mudhole wouldn’t let go.
    Jason was tired. He stood up all muddy.
    â€œWell, I’m not quitting,” Dunkum announced.
    Stacy headed for the gate. “I’ll get the rest of the Cul-de-sac Kids. Maybe all of us can pull the mystery out.”
    â€œHurry!” Dunkum said, looking at the mudhole. “I think our gold is sinking!”

THREE
    Something huge was in the mudhole!
    Dunkum wondered, Can it be a mummy?
    He went back to digging.
    After several minutes, Jason said, “It’s no use. We can’t get it out.” And he let go.
    â€œPlease, don’t quit,” Dunkum pleaded. “My fingers are slipping. I need your help.”
    Jason leaped back toward the hole. He grabbed on to the giant lump. He held it with all his might.
    â€œYou’re pushing it down!” shouted Dunkum.
    Jason crawled away. His face was caked with mud. Even his nose. He tried to brush it off. It smeared.
    â€œJust pretend it’s beef gravy,” Dunkum laughed.
    Jason pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket. He blew his nose. Now the handkerchief was yucky brown.
    â€œGross,” Dunkum said.
    Jason was wound up. He licked his muddy fingers. “Yummy chocolate pudding.” Then he spit out the dirt.
    Dunkum glared at him. “Excuse me,” he said. He was still hanging on to the muddy lump. “Do you have a shovel?”
    â€œI’ll go home and check,” Jason said. He stood up. Thick mud stuck to his arms and legs. It was in his hair. Splashes of mud spotted his glasses.
    Dunkum scolded. “Wait till your mom sees you!”

    â€œI’ll be right back,” Jason