"Well, I'm glad you children didn't take them, at all events," said their
mother. "Run along and play now. Aunt Lettie has made some molasses
cookies, with corn meal and raisins on top, and you may have some of
them."

So Lulu and Alice and Jimmie went out to play, but all the while they were
thinking of the missing eggs. It was very strange. Their mamma and Aunt
Lettie hunted all over the duck pen for them, but the eggs couldn't be
found, any more than you can find a penny after you drop it down a crack
in the board walk.

Well, when Papa Wibblewobble came home, he was told about the three
missing eggs. He was much surprised, but he said at once:

"Why, a burglar has taken them; that's what! I remember now I heard a
suspicious noise last night. It was some one sneezing. That was the
burglar taking the eggs. I thought of getting up and going down to catch
him, but I was too sleepy, so I stayed in bed."

"No, it wasn't a burglar who sneezed," said Aunt Lettie. "It was I. I left
my window open, and I caught a little cold."

"Then who did sneeze and take the eggs?" asked Papa Wibblewobble.

But no one could tell him, and it was more mysterious and wonderful than
ever, yes indeed. Not a trace of those eggs could be found, and Mamma
Wibblewobble felt terribly.

[Illustration]