The Happy Hollisters and the Castle Rock Mystery

The Happy Hollisters and the Castle Rock Mystery — page 5
Something’s dangling underneath Pete observed Crickets It looks like a box The parachute swayed in the breeze coming lower and lower over the houses on the outskirts of Shoreham For a moment it seemed as if the wind might carry it into Pine Lake on the shore of which the Hollister home was situated But another puff straightened its course Suddenly the children were startled by the shouts of another boy racing his bicycle into the driveway Ugh Joey Brill Ricky said as the husky rider flung his bike to one side and ran beneath the billowing orange-colored chute Like Pete Joey was twelve but unlike the Hollister boy he wore a frown on his face and seemed to take pleasure in annoying others It’s mine I saw it first Joey cried out greedily as he reached for the prize But while Joey shouted his claim Pete leaped up and grabbed the parachute before it could touch the ground As he wrapped his arms around the dangling white box Joey gripped the top of the chute made of paper You’ll tear it Give it to me the bully protested Let go exclaimed Pete Can’t you see it’s only It’s not yours Joey said hotly Nor yours either Pam retorted Pete examined the box which dangled from the white cords of the parachute Sticking out of the bottom was a tube made of plastic and rounded on the end 8