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Dooley reluctantly followed right behind me, and as we slipped into the shack, we found ourselves in a small space that can only be described as a bachelor’s den, if said bachelor had been living rough for a number of years, and had been piling up junk in the meantime. I saw a small pile of books and magazines in the corner, a cot that had seen better days, but also different cell phones, a stack of cans, and some pots and pans and a washbasin, perhaps all pilfered from the cabins that dot these woods, and are rented out to the discerning tourist.

I couldn’t find anything to ascertain the man’s identity: no passport or names written down on a piece of paper.

“I don’t think he’s a ghost, Max,” said Dooley after we’d been checking some of the guy’s stuff. “Just a bum.”

“A bum who’s been out here for quite a while,” I said as I checked a copy ofTime Magazine from ten years ago.“Okay, let’s go. Nothing for us to see here.”

I must admit I felt a little disappointed. This man obviously had no connection whatsoever with Addie Dexter. He was just a person who’d fallen through the cracks of society, and had made himself a new life out here as best as he could.

But just as we were about to slip back out, the door opened, and the man walked in!

We scuttled underneath the cot, and hoped he wouldn’t take a seat or see us.

“Whatever happens, don’t look into his eyes, Max!” said Dooley, clearly not having shaken his conviction that this man was an evil spirit.

And of course as luck would have it, the man did sit down on his cot!

“What is he doing?” I murmured as no sound reached our ears, and all we could see was the bottom of the man’s very dirty pants and even dirtier old shoes.

Just then, his voice boomed through the small space.

“What do you want?” he growled, and I assumed he must have been speaking into one of those cell phones I’d seen lying around.

But how did he manage to recharge them if he didn’t have any electricity?

“Just leave me alone,” the man intoned. “No, I’ve got nothing more to say to you.” He listened for a moment, and I could hear a person speak on the other side, but it was too faint to understand the words. “I don’t care. Leave me alone!” And he must have disconnected, for he threw the phone on the floor, and got up.

For a few moments he paced up and down his shack, muttering strange oaths under his breath, then finally his feet moved out of view, and I had the impression he’d left again.

So poked my head from underneath that cot, even as Dooley said,“No, Max, wait!”

But too late.

A powerful hand grabbed me by the scruff of the neck, and I was lifted up into the air.

The man brought me face to face with him, and I couldn’t help but look into his eyes. They were a clear blue, and somehow looked familiar. But I soon forgot about that, as he bared yellowed teeth, and said, “Looks like dinner is served!”

CHAPTER 30

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“They say cat tastes like chicken,” the man announced. “And I happen to like chicken.”

“You’re not really going to eat me, are you?” I said. “I’m not very nutritious. Too much flab, and we all know that flab isn’t good for your cholesterol, not even when it’s roasted over…” I gulped. “A slow fire!”

“You’re a talkative fella, aren’t you?” said the man. “Maybe I should wring your neck right now, just to shut you up!”

I got the message, and immediately lapsed into silence.

“Let him go, evil spirit!” suddenly a voice screamed.

It came from under the cot, and as even as I hissed,“Dooley, shut up!” Dooley wasn’t deterred, but emerged from his hiding place, giving the man a kick against the leg.

“Let my friend go!” he repeated. But of course the man didn’t understand what he was saying, and simply grabbed him by the neck and hoisted him up, effectively giving Dooley the same treatment he’d given me!

“Looks like it’s my lucky day!” said the guy. “Two cats, if you please.” He turned Dooley this way and that, and seemed disappointed with his catch. “Little skinny, aren’t you? Lots of fur but no meat on those bones. Oh, well, beggars can’t be choosers, I guess. And I’m not one tolook a gift horse in the mouth.”

“I’m not a horse! Let me go!” Dooley said, and tried to scratch the man’s arm. Unfortunately it’s very hard to really give of our best when they grab us by the neck like that. It’s one of our weaknesses, but don’t tell anyone I said that!

“Come on, Max, give this guy a punch in the snoot!” Dooley said.

“I would, if I could only reach his snoot!” I said.

“Feisty little creatures, aren’t you,” the man said with a wicked grin. “You’ll pipe down soon enough. Now where am I going to keep you for the time being?”

“Unhand those cats, you brute!” suddenly a voice yelled.

We all turned—or at least the man turned, and as a consequence, so did we. And much to my surprise—and I imagine also to the bum—Gran was standing there, and behind her I could see Scarlett and Tex!

“Those are my cats,” said Gran, “and if you don’t put them down right this minute, I’ll sue you for damaging my personal property!”