Petoony P Pinemore in the Mystery of the Old Man in the Woods — Bill Thompson

Petoony P. Pinemore is a ten year old girl and her best friend Crystel. They loved to hike on the trail by the lake, across the road from the Pinemore's home. One day they found an expensive bracelet, while hiking on the trail, which turned out to be stolen from a jewelry store robbery. While hiking, they met an old homeless man that lived in a cardboard shack by the lake, obscured by trees and bushes. Petoony and Crystel befriended the old man and his dog, and brought him food as they felt sorry for them. Smokey Joe, the old man, was accused of the burglary and sent to jail. The old man's faithful dog has a big part in the stolen jewelry. Petoony and Crystel do not believe that the old man is guilty and set out to prove it. Some of the stolen jewelry starts showing up on the Pinemore's front porch. As the Pinemores work with the police to find the real crooks, the old man has to stay in jail. Finally, through some detective work on the part of Petoony and Crystel, the real thieves are caught, and the old man is released. Shortly after, while the Pinemores' returned from visiting family and friends in Washington, the girls discovered Smokey Joe had passed away. The whole town came out to attend Smokey Joe's funeral, and his faithful companion found a new home.