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Why?”
    Stacy didn’t even pause to think about the answer. She quickly said, “In many ways Shetlands are more like goats than ponies.” Justthen, Stacy’s mom called from upstairs. “I’d better go. We’re leaving to visit my grandparents on the other side of town. I have to change into nicer clothes. See ya at school tomorrow.”
    Back in Nancy’s bedroom, Bess suggested, “Let’s cross her off the suspect list.” Nancy got out her notebook and put a purple line though Stacy’s name. George deleted her name from the computer file.
    â€œOnly two suspects left,” George remarked. “If Stacy isn’t letting Buttons go, who is?”

Monday morning the phone rang at Nancy’s house. Nancy was already awake and ready for school, even though it wasn’t time to leave yet. All night her brain had been working on the mystery. She hadn’t slept very well.
    Nancy was comparing ponies and goats. Buttons made a neighing sound, like a pony. He was short like a goat, but other than that, he looked like a pony. Goats ate anything. So did Buttons. Except hay. Buttons didn’t like hay.
    Her head was spinning from thinking so much.
    When the phone rang, she decided that since she was up, she’d answer it.
    â€œHello, Drew residence,” Nancy said politely, just like Hannah had taught her.
    â€œNancy?” It was Bess. “You aren’t going to believe this!”
    Nancy glanced at the clock. It was really early. “Should I guess? Because I bet I know why you’re calling. There’s a four-legged visitor at your house, right?”
    â€œYes!” Bess confirmed. “Buttons is eating our grass! Right now!”
    â€œI wish I had time to come over,” Nancy said. “It might be early, but Dad would never let me rush over there before school.”
    â€œGeorge’s mom said no too,” Bess replied.
    â€œDid you look around for clues?” Nancy asked. “Like when we found the paint on his hoof at George’s.”
    â€œOf course,” Bess said. Nancy could imagine Bess looking the pony over, searching for something unusual. “I didn’t find anything. Mr. Johnson must have washed off that red paint mark. This morning, nothing looks suspicious.”
    â€œHmmm,” Nancy said, then went silent.
    â€œNancy?” Bess called into the phone. “Nancy? Are you still there? Talk to me. I can hear you breathing. Earth to Nancy.”
    Suddenly, Nancy snapped out of it. “I’m here. Sorry. I was thinking.”
    â€œThink later,” Bess advised. “I’d better go. Mr. Johnson just arrived to pick Buttons up. I’ll see you at school.”
    All day at school, Nancy was thinking about the mystery. She paid attention in class, but between classes and at lunch, she was constantly bumping into stuff, walking into walls, and tripping on the ends of her shoes. By the time recess came, Bess and George were afraid to leave her alone. She might hurt herself.
    â€œOof,” Nancy said as she banged her elbow on the ladder leading up to the monkey bars.
    â€œOkay,” Bess told Nancy. “You’d better tell us what you’re thinking, because school’s almost over and we can’t protect you forever.”
    â€œWhy are you protecting me?” Nancy asked, rubbing her sore elbow. She hadn’t noticed that Bess and George had been following her around all day.
    â€œWe have to save you from yourself!” George answered. “Your head is stuck at Johnson’s Petting Zoo.”
    â€œThat’s not such a bad place to be stuck.” Bess smiled. “It’s superfun there. Did you see the article and photographs in today’s newspaper?”
    Just like Ms. Walton had said, there was a full-page article in the paper. Nancy had seen the picture of herself, Bess, and George with Stacy, Mr. Johnson, and Amanda. Next to that, there was also a