as two men and a dog raced out of the mist directly toward the Hollisters Oh my goodness Mrs Hollister exclaimed Stop that man Catch him cried the pursuer who slipped and slid on the snowy path several yards behind the fellow he was trying to catch All the while the dog a beautiful large gray poodle nipped at the fugitive’s heels The man wore a dark topcoat with the collar turned up and his face was half concealed by a plaid cap pulled low over his eyes As he weaved among the startled Hollisters Pete reached for him but the boy’s fingers slipped from the man’s coattails At the same moment the pursuer and his dog crashed headlong into the family Pam seized four-year old Sue and whirled out of the way as Mrs Hollister nimbly stepped aside But Pete and Holly were knocked into the snow The big poodle bowled Ricky over in a double somersault The pursuer too lay sprawled on the ground Is anybody hurt asked Pam We’re all right replied Pete as he and the other children scrambled to their feet The man rose with a sheepish look I’m sorry he said with a Swiss accent but it is so slippery underfoot Pete looked admiringly at the tall stranger who was slender had a long straight nose and brown eyes with laugh crinkles in the corners Pam picked up his hat from the snow brushed it off and handed it to him 8
Thank you he said Shaking his head he looked fugitive had trail where the along the disappeared foggy Why were you chasing him Pete asked That’s a long story the stranger replied and looked down at the poodle who sat obediently at his feet Biffi it’s your fault I told you not to bark You frightened him away Then as Ricky wiped the snow from his red hair and Holly shook the damp white flakes from her coat the man said My name is Johann Meyer Come to the inn with me for hot cocoa I can guarantee you that Swiss chocolate is the best in the world On the way along the trail the Hollisters introduced themselves one by one We flew to Europe with our father Pete explained when he came over to buy toys for The Trading Post That’s his store in Shoreham It’s in the United States Ricky put in When Daddy finished his business he went home Pam said but we stayed and came to see Switzerland We just got here yesterday Holly chimed in I hope you will have a very exciting visit Johann Meyer said as they reached a small restaurant perched high on a ridge overlooking the deep valley below He opened the heavy oak door and ushered them into the cheerful eating place Mm it smells so good Pam said They found seats around a table and loosened their coats Biffi lay down quietly between Pam and his master Meyer ordered hot chocolate and sandwiches 9
The waitress brought the brimming cups of cocoa on each of which there was a big blob of whipped cream Oh yummy Holly murmured Biffi sat very straight and cocked his head as the cocoa was served Maybe you can have some later Pam whispered Then she said to Meyer Why did you give up the chase when you nearly had that fellow I knew that the cable car left a few seconds later he said and that Blackmar would be on it But he got too far ahead of me when I fell down so it was no use to go on Blackmar Ricky asked Who is he Meyer smiled heaved a long sigh and sat back in his chair Maybe I shouldn’t bore you he said because it has to do with detective work Detectives Holly blurted We’re detectives Mr Meyer Honest we are Pete said We love to solve mysteries In Germany we were cuckoo detectives Sue piped up The children giggled and Pam quickly told Meyer about the strange cuckoo-clock riddle the Hollisters had solved a short time before Their host was deeply interested Then you might like to hear about my case the man said I’m not exactly a detective I’m an investigator for an insurance company 10
While the children and their mother sipped the hot chocolate and nibbled on their sandwiches they listened fascinated to what their Swiss host had to say If you will keep it a secret he went on in a lowered voice I will tell you that I am investigating the theft of a large diamond from Holland Really Mrs Hollister said Yes A very valuable rough gem was stolen from a factory and along with it a small diamond-cutting machine Not only that but an expert diamond cutter vanished from the place at the same time He has been traced to the borders of Switzerland It is my job to find him Is Blackmar the diamond cutter asked Pete No Meyer answered But he is a well-known international jewel thief and I think he may be the brains behind the theft I spotted him in Zurich and followed him here thinking he might meet another member of his gang When I saw no one suspicious I approached Blackmar to question him Then Biffi barked The scoundrel knows me and he set off like a bolt of lightning We’re sorry we got in your way Mrs Hollister apologized Perhaps you could have caught up with him Oh yes it was our fault little Sue spoke up so we’ll help you find the bad man I think Biffi feels sorry about it too Pam said May he sit on a chair beside us if we wipe his feet Yes Meyer replied He’d like that 11
