Part 9
The Wonder Dog
As the Boggs twins and Buford approached the fairgrounds, it became clear that Duchess was here after all. The large van read Duchess: Wonder Dog of the Movies.
"Well, Holy Moses!" exclaimed Woody. "What do ya think of thet, eh, Buford?"
Buford, his heart thumping wildy, let out a long howl of pure, lovesick joy. The howl lasted a full minute before fading into the night. Then Buford's eyes bulged, as his pupils became two throbbing red valentines. A garland of canine cupids spun round his woozy head, making him even more dizzy.
"Why, thet crazy 'ol lovesick hound." Said Cindy Mae. "Guess 'ol Buford 'ain't gonna be quite himself fer awhile."
"That's fer sure." said Woody. "But what is Duchess doing back here in Fenokee?"
"Search me, Woody. Well, there's only one way to find out."
The twins parked in the grass lot and got out. As the three of them approached, they could see that some of the men were the same ones that had been to Fenokee before when they were shooting one of Duchess' movies. Then Woody recognized Duchess' agent, Mr. Martin. He busily talking to one of the camera men.
"Pardon us, Mr. Martin," said Woody.
Mr. Martin looked at the two teens in surprise, and then especially took note of Buford. "Say, aren't you kids the some folks that saved Duchess' diamond collar at the circus?"
"Well," said Woody, "Ah'd say it was Buford done thet."
"Hey, right." said Mr. Martin. "I know. Got to give the credit where credit's due, eh Buford?"
"Ah, shucks, it weren't nuthin" replied Buford modestly.
"How come ya'all's back?" asked Cindy Mae.
"Well, it's kind of freaky," said Mr. Martin, scratching his balding head. "I don't know quite how to say it.You see, we had Duchess New York tour booked, but she was all depressed, and got so she didn't want to perform when we got there. Oh, a couple nights were okay, but then we had to cancel the rest of her appearances. It was like she was sick."
"Sick?' asked Buford, ears shooting straight up in alarm.
"Golly-gee!" said Woody. "is Duchess okay?"
Mr. Martin chuckled. "No need to worry kids. Duchess is fine now. Her condition really improved once we agreed to fly her back to Fenokee. It's her career I'm more worried about. You see, the reason Duchess wouldn't perform is she kept on thinking about Buford here. She tried to act, but she just wasn't her old self. I figure the love bug had bitten her something fierce. I talked my boss about the possibility of flying back to Fenokee. He said the tour was prearranged of course, and even if we had cause to come back here, we'd just have to leave again. Well, maybe that's so, but I talked to some producers I know, and I told them Fenokee county is a swell place to shoot one of them adventure flicks they're making. I told them that I thought there was a part in it just right for Duchess. And since she's so madly in love with Buford, I thought maybe might be able to work him into the movie too. It took a while, alright, but finally everybody agreed, and that's how come we're here."
Buford's ears were up like radars. He could scarcely credit his good fortune. Duchess was back, and they were making another movie? Duchess was madly in love with him? They might even be able to star in the same movie together? The thoughts caused his head to spin crazily.
"Well, can we see her, Mr. Martin?" asked Cindy Mae. "Ah bet Buford's jest dying to!"
"Surely!" said Mr.Martin "Step right this way, folks." He opened the back of the limosene, and there was Duchess the Wonder Dog, lying curled on a nest of pink silken pillows.
"Duchess!" exclaimed Buford.
Duchess raised her head. "Buford?" she murmured dreamily.
"Buford!" she exclaimed with a rush of sudden overjoyed excitement. Duchess sprang out of the back of the limasine and into Buford's arms.
"Oooooh, Duchess." Buford said. Paws around each other, Buford and his sweetheart began kissing and licking each other in a flurry f joy.
"They shore do like each other," said Cindy Mae.
"It's great you and Duchess bein' back 'an all," said Woody. "But rawt now we've got us another mystery to solve."
"Yeah," said Cindy Mae. "Something's been raiding the Fenokee livestock, 'an we think some rather shady characters are in on it."
"C'mon, Buford," said Woody.
But Buford and Duchess just looked at him with pleading expressions on their faces. Then they looked at each other.
"Buford," said Duchess, "Don't let me keep you from sloving your mystery. But can I come with you?"
Buford was confused at first. He felt worried for Duchess' safety if she went with them. But at the same time, to have Duchess at his side-and to maybe get a chance to protect her if any danger should threaten them. It anyone tried to harm Duchess in any way, he would be there. They both looked up at Woody again, and then at Mr. Martin.
"Do you think she can, Mr. Martin?" Woody asked. "It might be even better with two hounds on the trail."
Mr. Martin scratched his head again, through his sparse gray hair "Wellllll, kids, I really don't know. I know how much Buford means to her, and Buford's done a great job helping her before. But I can't risk Duchess, even if Buford is with her. If you kids are going back into that swamp-"
"We 'bout have to, Mr. Martin." Said Cindy Mae. "it's the only way we can find more clues."
Mr. Martin was silent for a few moments, as he looked at the kids, and then at the two dogs. Then he said, "Tell you what. I'll have a chat with some of the producers here, and I'll see if they can't work something out."
Mr. Martin walked away, then returned after five minutes. Buford, Duchess and the kids remained where they were. "Well, Mr. Martin?" asked Woody.
"We've agreed it's okay if Duchess goes with Buford into Fenokee swamp," he said. "As long as we have two camera men in another boat behind you. The producer of this film says we just might shoot something we could use for this here movie."
"Can you stay far enough behind us sos you won't alert the crooks?" asked Cindy Mae.
Mr. Martin nodded. "We'll just stay close enough to keep an eye on Duchess. And we'll move in if anything exciting happens."
"Great," said Woody. "You guys and Duchess meet us at Boggs Landing. C'mon, Buford."
As he climbed back in the twins' pickup, Buford thought suddenly of Woundfoot, the Swamp Phantom, and of the time he'd met him before. He remembered how the puma had thrashed him, and how embarrassed he'd be if Duchess knew. And what if he were to meet up with Woundfoot again? And suppose Duchess were there? But then the thought of Duchess in possible danger from the cat, caused Buford to bristle in sudden rage. He had been terrified before upon meeting Woundfoot, perhaps rightly so. But with Duchess there for him to protect, Buford's fear diminished. If he and Woundfoot did cross paths again, this time he felt he would be ready.