Abe Lincoln at Last!: A Merlin Mission

man
, thought Jack. That was what the book said, too: the White House was considered to belong to all the citizens of the country, as well as to the president.
    “I’m sorry, but this tree house is not like the White House,” Jack called. “It doesn’t belong to the citizens of the country. It’s ours!”
    “No, it’s not!” yelled Tad. “I’m coming up!”
    “No, you’re not!” Jack yelled back. He reached for the rope ladder to pull it up. But Tad had already started climbing.
    “Hide our stuff!” Jack said to Annie.
    Jack quickly pushed the Lincoln book into his leather bag. Annie stuck their note and the tiny bottle into her apron pocket.
    “Tad, come back!” called Willie. “Leave them alone!”
    Tad scrambled into the tree house. He grinned at Jack and Annie, his dark eyes gleaming. “I’m apirate captain, and I’m taking over your ship!” Tad shook his small fists in Jack’s face. “Fight me!” he shouted.

    “Cut it out,” said Jack, waving him away.
    “Tad!” Willie shouted from below.
    The boy just laughed like a maniac and danced around the tree house, trying to box with Jack. “This is my ship now, matey!”
    “Quit it!” said Jack.
    “Tad!” his brother yelled again.
    “Your brother’s calling you,” Annie said firmly to Tad. “Go! Now!”
    “Who are you to boss me, missy?” Tad said, jutting out his chin.
    Annie laughed. “I’m not a
missy
, shrimp,” she said. “I’m Annie. And this is my brother, Jack.”
    Tad lowered his fists. “Oh! Hello, Annie, I’m Tad.” He put out his hand, and Annie shook it. “Pleased to meet you,” said Tad, completely dropping his role as pirate captain. “What are you and Jack doing today?”
    “Actually, we’re hoping to meet with President Lincoln,” Annie said.
    “Really?” said Tad. “Me and Willie know asecret.…” He gave them a sly grin. “If you come with us, we’ll take you straight to the president. I give you my word.”
    “Thanks, but we can handle it ourselves,” said Jack. The last thing he wanted was for this kid to get in their way.
    “But I
want
to help you. Come with me,” said Tad. He started down the ladder.
    “Should we go with him?” Annie whispered.
    “No, he’s just making stuff up,” said Jack.
    “Are you coming down?” called Tad. “Or should I come back up so we can play?”
    “Darn,” said Jack under his breath. “Let’s go, just to get him away from the tree house.” Jack grabbed his bag.
    Suddenly Tad poked his head back into the tree house. “Are you coming or not?” he said.
    “Yes! Go!” said Annie.
    “What’s in your bag?” asked Tad.
    “Nothing,” said Jack. “Go back down!” He didn’t want Tad to see their Lincoln book.
    “Let me see,” said Tad, climbing into the tree house again. “What’s inside?”
    “Nothing, he told you nothing,” said Annie.
    “Then why is he bringing it with him?” Tad asked her.
    “Fine, I’ll leave it!” Jack said crossly. He dropped the leather bag to the floor. “Happy? Let’s go!”
    “Yes! Let’s go!” said Tad, and he disappeared down the ladder again.
    Jack reached into his bag, grabbed his small notebook and pencil, and stuck them into the back pocket of his pants. “I’ll come back later and get the book,” Jack whispered, “after we get rid of this kid.”
    Annie smiled. “If we can,” she said. Then she and Jack started down the rope ladder.

CHAPTER THREE
Hide! Hide!
    W illie was waiting at the bottom of the ladder. “Hello,” he said.
    “Willie, this is Jack and Annie,” said Tad. “I told them that you and I have a secret.” He gave Willie a meaningful look. “I told them we’d take them to meet the president. I gave them my word.”
    “Oh, you did, did you?” said Willie. “Hello, Jack and Annie.” He shook hands with them. “I apologize for Tad,” he added. “My brother is very high-spirited.”
    “And Willie’s sweet as pie,” said Tad, making a face. “Come on, you all! To the White House!” He saluted, then took huge marching steps across the lawn.
    “So does Tad really know the president?” Annie asked as she and Jack walked with Willie.
    “He does,” said Willie with a smile, “and so do I.”
    “Oh. Cool,” said Jack. He liked Willie’s kind, mature manner. He wouldn’t mind if
Willie
introduced them to the president. “Do you think you could introduce us?”
    “If Tad doesn’t introduce you first,” said Willie, “then I’d be happy