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wasn’t lost,” said Jessie, “she was stolen. But you should still get her a collar and identification tags.”
    â€œYes,” said Benny. “Dr. Scott said they even make special stretch collars for cats so they can’t get them caught in trees or anything.”
    Mr. Woods listened to what Benny and Jessie were saying, then answered, “I’ll do that. First thing tomorrow morning Spotzie will get a new collar and I’ll order her some identification tags. Would you like that, Spotzie?”

    Spotzie purred even more loudly and Mr. Woods grinned. When he smiled, he seemed like a different person. “But what is this about her being stolen?”
    The Aldens were just about to explain what had happened, when the doorbell rang again. A moment later, Professor Madison walked in with a cat carrier in one hand. Henry introduced Professor Madison to Mr. Woods and Grandfather Alden.
    â€œSpotzie was stolen,” said Mr. Woods to Professor Madison.
    â€œAh, yes. You had thought she might be,” said Professor Madison to the Aldens and Soo Lee. “What happened?”
    â€œWell, you see,” began Jessie. But she didn’t get to finish her sentence before the doorbell rang again!
    â€œWho can it be now?” wondered Violet. She didn’t have long to wait for an answer. Whitney came bounding into the living room, dressed in her jogging clothes.
    â€œI stopped by to visit my aunt and she told me you guys had found the lost cat. Good work,” said Whitney. “So, what’s the story?”
    The five children looked at one another and began to laugh. Then Jessie said, “Well, you see . . .”
    This time, no doorbell interrupted Jessie. She got to finish her story, with the help of Henry, Violet, Benny, and Soo Lee, and an occasional bark from Watch.
    â€œSo you’re a very valuable cat, eh?” Mr. Woods said to Spotzie. “I knew that already!”
    â€œWhat are you going to do with her?” asked Whitney. “Are you going to sell her for a lot of money?”
    Mr. Woods shook his head. “Oh, no,” he said. “But I am going to take her into Dr. Scott tomorrow and see if it is true about her being a rare cat, and to make sure she is in good health after being gone so long. But whether Spotzie is a rare cat or not, she’s worth more than any money in the world to me!” He looked over at the five Aldens. “Thank you so much for finding her.”
    â€œI didn’t think you kids could do it,” said Whitney, “but I see I was wrong.”
    â€œYou did an excellent job,” said Professor Madison. “Well, I guess I better take that other little cat home. Unless you want to keep her?”
    Just then, the little cat came strolling into the living room.
    â€œWoof!” said Watch, and leaped toward her.
    â€œWhoa, Watch!” cried Benny, catching Watch’s collar.
    The little cat flattened her ears, then looked all around.
    â€œMeow!” said Spotzie and jumped out of Mr. Woods’s arms. She trotted lightly over to the little cat and they touched noses. A moment later they were racing around the room playing.
    â€œI wish we could keep her,” said Grandfather Alden. “But Watch doesn’t seem to want a cat in his house.”
    â€œToo bad,” said Professor Madison. “I can see you would give her a good home, and I have too many cats as it is.”
    Mr. Woods thoughtfully watched the two cats racing around and around the room. Then he said, “Well … maybe Spotzie would like someone to play with. And for that matter, what could it hurt to have another little cat in the house?”
    Professor Madison said, “That’s how I started: one cat, then another . . .”
    Then Mr. Woods did an unexpected thing. He laughed aloud!
    The five children looked at one another in amazement. This wasn’t the same grumpy Mr. Woods they’d first