They weren’t wolves, but Max didn’t relax. He knew better by now than to trust an organized group of dogs without getting to know them first.
The largest of the seven dogs marched a few steps forward. His back and snout were deep black, and the rest of him was a red-tinged gold.
“Whoa there,” the lead dog barked. “We saw you coming up the road. Where are you headed?”
“What’s it to you?” Rocky asked.
“Rocky,” Max whispered in warning. He took a step forward. “We’re trying to get as far away as we can from the swamp. We don’t want to cause any trouble.”
Rocky darted in front of Max, growling. “The four of us just scared off a bunch of monsters back there. I’m not in the mood for any more animals getting in our way.”
Georgie whimpered. Max looked behind him to see the big dog lying in the street, sniffling. And just beyond Georgie, Max saw why.
Five more German Shepherds had appeared from the nearby trees, coming to stand behind them.
“It’s fate,” Georgie moaned. “No matter what we do, we’re stuck!”
Gizmo licked the center of Georgie’s forehead. “It’ll be all right,” she said.
The lead dog cleared his throat, and Max turned to meet his eyes.
“I think you might be misunderstanding our intentions,” the leader said. “We heard the Mudlurker, and we came to aid a fellow dog in distress.”
“You knew the Mudlurker was a dog?” Max asked.
The German Shepherd nodded. “Of course. We’ve all heard the rumors about some giant underground beast, but we know a dog howl when we hear one. Right, team?”
A chorus of voices barked in unison. “Yes, sir!”
“The name is Julep,” the leader said.
Gizmo came to stand beside Max and Rocky. “Well, we managed to escape the alligators with the help of some possums, but it’s nice you came anyway! I’m Gizmo. This is Max and Rocky, and back there is our friend Georgie.”
With his snout held high, Julep marched purposefully around Max, Rocky, and Gizmo to study Georgie, who lay in a depressed heap on the asphalt, a puddle of drool and tears forming beneath his wide jaw.
“I know,” Georgie mumbled. “I’m the biggest mess you’ve ever seen.”
“Actually,” Julep said, “I was just thinking that you must be the famed Mudlurker. Only a dog as big as you could possibly produce so glorious a howl. It’s a pleasure to meet the dog behind the legend.”
“But he isn’t the Mudlurker anymore,” said Gizmo. “Now that he’s not sad and alone, he’s going to be himself again. Right, Georgie?”
Groaning, Georgie hefted himself up onto his paws. “No more Mudlurking for me,” he said. “At least, I hope not.”
“Well, I’m right sorry to hear of your retirement, sir,” Julep said. “We spun many a tall tale about you to keep the worst of the swamp animals from trying to get into our town.”
“Is your town close?” Max asked.
“Sure is!” Julep said. “And our lady is there, too. We would be delighted to escort you.”
“A lady!” Rocky leaped in the air.
His tail wagging, Max darted forward. “Is your lady an old woman with a big hat?”
Julep nodded. “She came through some weeks back, and life has never been better. Do you know her?”
“Not yet,” Max said. “But I can’t wait to!”
Julep’s jaws opened in a happy pant. “Well, let’s get going. It sounds like you four are ready to get back to civilization!”
After a single bark of command, the eleven other German Shepherds formed a loose, protective circle around Max, Rocky, Gizmo, and Georgie. Then the four companions and their new guards started north down the small road.
It wasn’t long before the trees began to thin out. Max spotted a few small houses abandoned among the fields. The farther north they walked, though, the bigger and nicer the houses became. One was painted a buttery yellow, and its curtains were patterned with red-and-purple flowers. Another was made of brick and dark wood, with a pair of rocking chairs on its porch.
Though the landscapes were different from the countryside where Max grew up, he couldn’t help but be reminded of home. Something about the comfortable, lived-in state of the houses felt familiar.
Of course, now the grass was overgrown, and there was a silent darkness around each house. These homes were empty, just like Max’s farm, which had once been alive with the sound of farmers wrangling the cows and the delighted screeches of Charlie and Emma. Now it sat silent, like the houses on this street.
It was a sad, distressing thought, and Max looked away from the empty homes. Ahead was Madame Curie’s owner, and after they’d met her, they’d find Georgie’s town, where Belle lived. Then maybe they’d even find Charlie and Emma, his pack leaders.
“You dogs seem so organized,” Gizmo said to Julep as they walked. “And very well trained! Did you do this yourself?”
“No, ma’am,” Julep said. “We were all once police officers in our great town.”
Rocky narrowed his eyes. “That doesn’t sound right. Only humans can be police officers.”
“But it’s true!” a female Shepherd called out.
The Shepherd behind her snapped, “Don’t speak out of turn.”
“Hey!” Julep barked. “I’m in charge; I give the reprimands. Got it?”
“Yes, sir!” barked the dog who’d snapped.
“May I speak freely, sir?” the female Shepherd asked.
Julep nodded. “Go ahead, Dixie.”
Dixie left the circle of dogs and ran to join the group at the center. She was a little smaller than Julep, but she exuded just as much confidence as her leader. While her face was almost fully black, the rest of her body was the color of honey.
“A pleasure to make your acquaintance,” Dixie said. To Rocky, she added, “I didn’t mean to start a row with you. I just didn’t want to be taken for a fibber.”
“Well, you have to admit, the story seems a little far-fetched,” Rocky said.
Dixie shook her head. “It’s true; I guarantee it. We were raised as puppies to be part of the K9 unit in this town. We worked side by side with the human officers of the law to sniff out criminals and keep every citizen safe. Once all the people left, we figured it was up to us to keep order.”
“That’s amazing!” Gizmo said. “We met some Dalmatians who were trained to be firefighters, so it makes perfect sense that there would be dogs brave enough to be police officers, too!”
“Why, thank you,” Dixie said.
“Yeah, yeah,” Rocky muttered. “I was wrong, I can admit it.”
Ahead of them, Julep jerked to a halt and barked, “Stop! Perimeter, face out. Keep your noses high.”
The circle of Shepherds did as they were told, and Dixie darted back to her place. The dogs in front kept staring forward, but the rest of them turned to face the side or back the way they’d come.
Max and his friends huddled together. “Oh, something bad is happening,” Georgie moaned.
“What’s going on?” Max asked Julep, but the leader of the police dogs didn’t respond.
Max looked on either side of the road. They were well out of the woods, in a residential neighborhood. Unlike the houses on the outskirts of town, these were built close together, though they still had big yards. Remnants of people’s lives could be seen—a tricycle nearly hidden by the grass, a tire swing, gardening tools near tangled rosebushes. The neighborhood had been abandoned so quickly that some people hadn’t even closed their windows, and white curtains drifted on the breeze.
Once again Max’s heart swelled with longing, but the sight of the empty homes couldn’t be why the pack of German Shepherds had stopped. No, something was afoot.
Max spun in a slow circle, catching sight of another of the orange-and-white barriers with its flashing beacon. He sniffed at the air, hoping to catch the woman’s scent—but instead he smelled something else.
Wolves.
“Officers!” Julep finally barked. “Have we determined the location of the smell?”
“Sir!” one of the dogs at the rear called. “The wolves are coming up from the south and the east, through the swamp.”
“How soon do you reckon they’ll reach the town limits?”
“Sir!” Dixie barked. “If they get past the alligators, they’re bound to reach here within a day or two.”
Julep nodded. “Well, we’re safe for the moment. Let’s get to the square, then it’s back on patrol.”
“Yes, sir!” the eleven Shepherds barked in unison.
“Sorry about that,” Julep said to Max. “We have to be cautious. But there’s nothing to worry about for now.”
“Thanks,” Max said.
As the group resumed walking, Rocky and Gizmo leaned in close to Max.
“Wolves!” Rocky said. “Can’t we ever get away from wolves?”
“I bet you it’s Dolph again,” Gizmo said with a growl.
Max sighed. “Whoever the wolves are, we’re still at least a day ahead of them. So let’s just worry about finding Madame’s pack leader. She’ll be able to help.”
The dogs didn’t have to walk much farther before they reached a giant, open square meadow that was, to Max’s surprise, recently mowed.
Bits of shaved grass and ragweed wafted off the lawn and swirled into Max’s nose, tickling his nostrils. He sneezed, but not before he got a good whiff. It was a smell that was both fresh and irritating at the same time, an unusual mix that he hadn’t inhaled since before the people were gone.
“We’re here!” Julep announced. “Welcome to the town square.”
It was as though the humans had never left. The road branched into a perfect square around the stretch of lawn. Tall metal lampposts rose from the clean-swept sidewalks, and benches were evenly spaced.
Stately buildings of red-and-tan bricks lined the square. On one, a blue-painted sign read POLICE DEPARTMENT. Next door was a firehouse with a gleaming red truck inside. Across the square was a post office, and next to it, a small courthouse.
On the great lawn, a bronze statue of a man in a funny coat and hat stood on a concrete pedestal. Behind the statue, in the center of the grass square, was a fountain that gushed crystal-clear water. Surrounding it were plots of flowers in full bloom, without a weed in sight.
And at the back of the square, opening up onto the lawn, was the biggest building of all. From its steepled roof rose a tower that was open on top to reveal a big brass bell. Above the doors, a sign read TOWN HALL.
Everything was pristine and perfect. Though no humans walked the sidewalks, the touch of human hands had clearly been here recently.
“All right, back to patrol!” Julep barked to his pack. “Except you, Dixie. Come over here.”
“Yes, sir!” Dixie barked.
She raced over to join Julep while the other German Shepherds tore off in different directions to continue their job of protecting the town.
Julep nodded to Max. “I’m afraid that I must supervise,” he said. “I leave you in the capable paws of Dixie. She’ll take you to our lady. She’s not very far.”
“Thanks for everything,” Max said, offering a friendly wag of his tail. “We appreciate you coming for us.”
“Even though we didn’t really need it,” Rocky said.
“Rocky!” Gizmo scolded. To Julep, she said, “You’ve been great! I hope we see you again soon.”
“I’m sure you will, little lady,” the Shepherd said. “Do enjoy your stay.”
With that, Julep galloped off toward the post office.
“Come with me,” Dixie said. “It’s near feeding time!”
She turned and raced onto the grass, and Max and the others followed. In seconds, Max’s paws left the sidewalk and met soft, squishy grass and earth. He couldn’t help but drop down and roll around on his back.
“Oh, these flowers smell wonderful!”
Max looked up to see Gizmo and Rocky tromping through the garden. Dixie watched, panting happily, as the dogs played. Even Georgie seemed to enjoy himself, standing ankle deep in the fountain and lapping up the water as it cascaded past his snout.
Max shook himself, then trotted over to rejoin the group. As he neared them, however, Dixie went stiff and spun to face the town hall. Gizmo did the same.
“Squirrel!” Gizmo echoed.
On the lawn near the fountain, a gray-and-brown squirrel stood frozen in place, its tiny black eyes fixed on the gang of dogs. Its fluffy tail twitched, ever so slightly.
And then the squirrel raced off.
Max knew there were more important things to do than roll in the fresh-mowed grass and chase a squirrel. His orderly, Praxis-enhanced brain told him to focus on finding the old woman.
But instinct proved to be stronger. Without thinking, the dogs tore into a run. Georgie leaped out of the fountain with a splash, and Gizmo and Rocky left behind a flurry of soil and colorful petals. Max’s hind legs kicked up a cloud of dirt and grass as he followed Dixie.
The squirrel squealed angry insults as it ran over the lawn, but Max couldn’t understand its chittery words. Not that it mattered. That little fluffball needed chasing!
They zigzagged around the flower beds before circling back to the fountain. Realizing it couldn’t lose its pursuers, the squirrel made a mad dash toward a white building near the town hall. The building was round, with open walls and a roof that rose to a point.
“It’s going to the gazebo!” Dixie cried.
“Flank it, Rocky!” Gizmo yipped. “It’s getting away!”
The Dachshund’s legs were a blur as he tried to reach the angry squirrel. “I’m trying!” he yelped. “It’s too quick!”
The squirrel reached the gazebo steps moments ahead of the dogs. It leaped onto a bench, then a railing, and finally scrambled up one of the posts. After another round of unintelligible insults, it vanished into the eaves.
The five dogs collapsed onto their bellies, all eyes on the hole through which the squirrel had disappeared. They panted and heaved for air.
And then, Georgie laughed.
It was a sound almost as loud as his howl, a deep laugh that burst from his mouth and enveloped the entire lawn in good cheer. His tail slapped the grass.
It was impossible for the other dogs not to join in, and soon all five of them were rolling on their sides, guffawing.
“I haven’t had so much fun in a long time,” Georgie said.
“Yay!” Gizmo cried. “I’m glad!”
Max nudged Georgie’s side with his nose. “See? Everything is going to be all right. We’re about to meet the old lady in the hat, and it won’t be long before we’re off to see Belle in Baton Rouge.”
Dixie narrowed her eyes. “Did you say Belle? In Baton Rouge?”
“He sure did,” Rocky said. “Why?”
Before Dixie could answer, a loud, metallic bong echoed above them.
Rocky scrabbled backward. “What was that?” he asked.
Dixie pointed her snout at the tower atop the town hall. Another bong rang out, and Max saw the shining brass bell vibrate.
“When it’s daylight, it rings on the hour, every hour,” Dixie explained. “When it rings six times in the afternoon, that means it’s feeding time!”
The dogs all looked up at the gleaming bell, counting silently. When the sixth bong reverberated through the streets, Dixie started toward the road that ran past the post office.
“This way,” she said. Max, Rocky, Gizmo, and Georgie followed her.
“Say, Dixie,” Max asked as he trotted at her side. “Why did you react that way when we mentioned Belle and Baton Rouge?”
The police dog’s ears twitched, and she finally said, “It’s just I’ve heard the name, is all. Some dogs ’round town must have spoken of her. You can ask them more, if you’re curious.”
“I think I will,” Max said as they reached the sidewalk in front of the post office. Other dogs and cats slipped from behind bushes and out of darkened doorways, making their way to the sidewalk. Just like the German Shepherds, their fur was shiny and recently groomed. Each one wore a brand-new, brightly colored collar with a little silver tag dangling beneath it.
“Afternoon,” a black cat said, nodding cordially at the newcomers.
“Afternoon to you, too, Minerva,” Dixie said. “How are things?”
“Same ol’,” Minerva yowled. “That little dog Beth Ann keeps trying to sleep in my foyer. I tell her she lives two houses down, but she always forgets, bless her heart. I try not to get too mad at her, though.”
“Well, you just let me know if she causes any real problems, you hear?”
Minerva flicked her tail. “I can handle it, dear. But thank you for the offer.” The black cat nodded once more at Max and his friends, then darted ahead.
Other pets soon surrounded the dogs, none apparently concerned by the new arrivals. In fact, they were friendlier than most animals Max and his friends had met, saying, “How do?” before breaking off to chat with their friends.
The parade of pets stretched in a line past a general store and a gas station before finally halting in front of a single-story building. The air was filled with gentle laughter and friendly conversation as the animals waited patiently for whatever was about to happen. Dixie motioned that they should do the same, so Max and his companions sat on the sidewalk, looking every which way, their ears alert.
Max focused on the building. There was a sign in the front window, but it was too far away to read. He could barely see a cartoon drawing of a dog and a cat. A vet’s office? That would make sense, though he’d never heard of animals lining up to get in!
On the north side of the building, Max saw the front end of a large white van parked in a driveway. He also thought he could hear the sounds of a farm, which seemed strange—who would keep a farm in town? A quick sniff told him it was true, though. Over the musky scents of pet fur was the gassy stench of cows and pigs, goats and chickens.
“I can hear her!” a dog near the door barked.
All the pets fell silent. Max held his breath even as his heart pounded a happy beat inside him. Could this finally be it?
With a creak, the front door opened. A woman emerged wearing loose pants and a flowing blouse patterned with purple roses. Just like the beach animals had said, she had on a straw hat tied with a purple ribbon.
The woman knelt to scratch the ears of the animals on the porch, then stood up to survey her visitors.
Max could see her clearly now. She had a pale, wrinkled face with friendly eyes and white hair.
And when she smiled, Max knew for certain.
This was the woman in the photograph back at the laboratories where Praxis was made.
This was Madame Curie’s owner, who would help reunite him with his family.
After all the dangers of the long road here, they’d finally found her.