“Does everyone have their flashlights?”

It was dark now and the class was getting ready for the night walk. Dexter was sitting next to Joe, fidgeting and scratching. Every so often, he’d stop to ask if Joe had thought of a plan yet.

“No!” he muttered. “Stop asking!”

Lizzy called for quiet. “I’m going to split you into two teams. Mr. Hill and I will take one group,” she said. “And the other group will go with Miss Bruce and James. Let’s see whose team can spot the most wildlife tonight!”

Leonie nudged Abby as Lizzy divided them into two teams. “We’ll spot tons with our new headlamps!” They started dazzling each other with the beams.

“Remember,” said Mr. Hill sternly. “Stick together and don’t go wandering off on your own. I don’t want to spend the rest of the night looking for you!”

Joe froze. An idea erupted in his brain. If he got himself lost near Tom’s cottage, then Mr. Hill would have to come and find him. If he did, then maybe he’d meet the pups!

Joe looked over at the dark forest. Could he really find his way to the cottage in the dark, all by himself? Maybe not—but surely Dexter could.

“All ready?” asked Lizzy.

Joe put up his hand. “I need to go to the bathroom!”

Everyone groaned. Mr. Hill shook his head despairingly.

“I’m really desperate,” pleaded Joe. He had to tell Dexter his plan. And the bathroom was the only place where no one else would hear.

“Go on then,” Mr. Hill said with a sigh. “But make it quick!”

As he turned to go, Joe beckoned to Dexter to follow him.

“So, are you sure you’ll be able to find the cottage again?”

“Mmm?” Dexter was concentrating on scratching his ear.

“Have you listened to anything I’ve been telling you?” Joe puffed out his cheeks. “I’ve explained this three times, and you still don’t look like you’ve heard a word.”

“Of course I have!” growled Dexter.

“And you’re sure you’ll find your way?”

“I’m part bloodhound! Bloodhounds can smell really well.”

Joe looked skeptical. Wasn’t this the dog that always got lost when he went out with Mr. Hill? But it was too late to worry. Joe could hear Lizzy calling him. He hurried back to his group, and they set off.

“Remember to be quiet and keep your eyes open,” she said as she led them down the path into the woods.

The night air felt cold on their faces and their flashlight beams bounced off trees and bushes.

“Will we see any badgers?” whispered Simon.

“Maybe,” Lizzy whispered. “But we’ll have to be extra quiet to stand a chance. Keep a lookout for bats and foxes, too.”

“And ghost wolves!” cackled Spiker, as he and Harry pushed past to get closer to the front.

Joe tried to stay at the back, but Mr. Hill had the same idea. He was making sure no one got left behind.

“Don’t you go wandering off again!” he whispered to Joe and Matt. “And stop dawdling!”

“Sorry, Mr. Hill,” Joe mumbled. “I just don’t want to miss anything.” He flashed his beam into the undergrowth, but the principal didn’t look convinced. Joe sighed. Getting lost was going to be difficult.

Dexter was scampering along by Joe’s side, but suddenly he veered off the path, disappearing into a clump of ferns.

“Hurry up, you two!” snapped Mr. Hill, shooing him along again. “You don’t want to get left behind!”

Yes I do, thought Joe glumly. At this rate he was never going to get away!

But just then there was a ruckus farther down the line.

“Hey!” hissed Mr. Hill. “What’s going on?” He moved forward to investigate.

Suddenly something cold and damp brushed the back of Joe’s hand. It was Dexter.

“That way,” he growled, nodding to the left. “That’s the way to the cottage.”

Joe scanned the area with his flashlight. He didn’t recognize anything. He definitely couldn’t see the path with the tree stumps that he’d been on earlier. “Are you sure?” he whispered.

But Dexter was already heading off.

Joe was about to follow, when he saw Mr. Hill coming back down the line. “Drat!” he muttered.

Just then there was a whisper from the front of the line. “Badgers up ahead, everyone turn off their flashlights and be quiet!”

As the beams went out, Joe inched away from the group. He nudged Matt. “I think I saw a fox. I’m going to take a look.”

“But you’ll miss the badgers!”

“Back in a minute . . .” And then he crept away.

“Joe!” Matt called.

“Quiet!” Mr. Hill hissed.

And Joe was free. He moved quietly through the underbrush, following Dexter. But the dog was going much too fast—bounding ahead, leaping over ferns and fallen branches, leaving Joe behind.

“Wait for me!” Joe whispered. He shone his flashlight around a bit, but he didn’t recognize anything from the afternoon. “Are you sure this is the right way?”

“Yes,” barked Dexter. “Come on!” He bounded off into the forest ahead of Joe.

“Dexter?” Joe searched the trees with his flashlight. “Dexter? Where are you?” He listened. But all he could hear was the sound of the wind rustling the leaves above him. Joe shivered. Suddenly the dark woods felt slightly spooky. He was entirely on his own. He was also totally and utterly lost!