The Junior Detectives

Twelve year old twins Peter and Julie were once again visiting their Aunt Mary in Mendocino. Each time they visited

they had a hand in solving a mystery. Aunt Mary called them “The Junior Detectives."

One morning as rode their bikes toward a market in town two teenage boys leaped suddenly from an alley and

grabbed a purse from the arm of an elderly lady. Before the victim could scream for help the two thieves took off down the

alley. The twins glanced at each other and without a word being spoken turned into the alley to chase the robbers. They

knew they could go faster on their bikes than the others could on foot.

By the time the twins reached the alley the miscreants were turning the corner at the far end. Peter and Julie peddled

faster to make sure they would keep their quarry in sight. At the same time they didn’t want it to appear they were in

pursuit.

The thieves made many turns, down side streets and through other alleys, before arriving at an old, unkempt house at

the edge of town. The twins stopped a short distance away and, for the first time talked about what they should do next.

“One of us has to stay here and watch the house in case they leave again,” said Peter. “Perhaps I should do that, a boy

on a bike isn’t as noticeable as a girl. While I watch you can go get the police.”

“That sounds like a good idea,” Julie replied. She got back on her bike and rode off.

As soon as Julie left Peter turned to his bike and pretended to examine it as if something was wrong. At the same time

he kept his eye on the house.

In ten minutes Julie returned with the news that she had reported the incident to a woman at a nearby gas station. The

woman had called the police.

A few minutes later a police car drove up and stopped next to the twins. Peter pointed to the house and described the

teenagers to the two police officers. One of the officers then walked around to the back of the house while the other walked

up to the front door.

As soon as he knocked a woman came to the door with a questioning look on her face. When she saw the police

officer she showed alarm and looked over her shoulder.

“Are there two teenage boys here?” he asked.

“Yes, they are upstairs. I will call them.”

The woman retreated to the foot of the stairs the officer could see at the rear of the hall and called, “Johnny and

Eugene, there’s a policeman here to talk to you.”

The boys immediately bolted down the stairs and out the back door only to come face to face with the other officer. He

was able to grasp one of them by the shirt but the other eluded him and dashed away.

When Julie saw one of the boys running her first reaction was to give chase. By this time, however, the officer at the

front door cautioned her that it wouldn’t be necessary. “We have one of the boys, we’ll soon have the other.”

When the police searched the house later that day they found not only the stolen purse but many other items that had

been stolen during a recent rash of burglaries in Mendocino. Both boys, who were brothers, and their mother, were placed

under arrest.

A few days later Julie and Peter ech received a commendation from the chief of police and the mayor for their

vigilance.

Aunt Mary beamed.