Computer Clues (7 page)

Molly screamed, “I found it!” She ran outside, right into the arms of Dr. Meyers!

“Yes, you did!” he said. “We watched you because we thought you were on to something!”

The other Pee Wees came running.

“How did you know it was here?” asked Jody, who reached her first because the carousel was close by.

“My report on barns,” she said. “I knew this snack bar was once a farmer’s barn.”

“Well, congratulations, Molly,” said Mr. Peters. “You really followed the clues! There’s something else in the chest,” he added.

Sure enough, there was an envelope at the bottom of the chest. Molly took it out and opened it. Inside was a piece of paper that said, “Gift certificate for any Halloween costume at Sanders’ Department Store.”

“Wow!” said Roger. “That means you can get the most expensive one. Like that Batman suit with the wings that really fly.”

“How come you didn’t tell me you knew where the treasure was?” grumbled Mary Beth. “We’re best friends, you know. You should have shared your ESP with me.”

“It wasn’t ESP after all,” said Molly. “It just came to me when I read the clue that said ‘Barn.’ remembered some of the stuff I found on the computer. I put two and two together and there it was, in the old barn!”

“Hey, I didn’t know this building used to be a barn!” said Tim.

“I didn’t find out important stuff like that when I did my report,” said Kenny.

“I thought barns were really boring,”
laughed Molly. “Until now! I’m really glad I got that subject for my report.”

Mr. Peters dusted off the chest and carried it to the van for Molly. Everyone was patting her on the back and congratulating her. They were all asking her questions at once.

“It didn’t take many clues before it was found,” said their leader. “I still had about three days’ worth of clues to go!”

“Darn,” said Sonny, kicking a rock. “I wanted to find that treasure.”

“We can’t all be winners,” said Mr. Peters. “As Scouts, we have to learn to be happy for others.”

“Pooh,” said Sonny, sticking out his tongue in Molly’s direction. “See if I’m ever your secret admirer again!” Then Sonny covered his mouth quickly. “Oops!”

“So you’re the letter writer!” said Molly.

“No I’m not,” Sonny lied.

“You are too!” said Molly. “I have proof. Mary Beth heard you say it too!” Mary Beth nodded. Sonny ran off and hid.

“Sonny is not your model Pee Wee Scout,” said Mary Beth in disgust. “Didn’t I tell you it was Sonny who sent those E-mails?”

“But why? He doesn’t even like me!” said Molly.

“Maybe he does,” said Mary Beth. “My grandma told me that boys always tease the girls they like the best. Love and hate are cousins.”

Rat’s knees, could this be true? Out of all the Pee Wees, why did Sonny have to be the one to like her? Sticking out his tongue was a funny way of showing it! Well, at least not many of the Pee Wees
knew about the things he had said to her. And Molly didn’t need ESP to know she had seen the last of the E-mail letters from her secret admirer!

“Next Tuesday is going to be a big day,” called Mrs. Peters as the Pee Wees got out of the van. “It is badge day!”

Rat’s knees, thought Molly. Pee Wee Scouts was more fun every day! This had been a great week! She had realized she didn’t need ESP in order for good things to happen.

She had learned a lot about computers.

She had found the treasure.

She’d have one of the best Halloween costumes in town.

And she would soon have a brand-new badge to add to her collection.

There was no doubt about it. She was one lucky girl!

      (to the tune of         
“Old MacDonald Had a Farm”)

   
Pee Wee Scout Pledge