"You mean that Christmas Drifter?" Maroney responded. Together they passed close by the old wooden crib in the manger. The doll was gone. So were the animals. So was everyone else. The electric star atop the obelisk glimmered brightly. Left in the crib were some old burlap rags. The policeman picked them up and held them gently in his hands. He lifted them to his nose, sniffing them. The dank smells were gone. "I'm not sure, but I think I saw him hand that doll over to little Julie Stevens," said the officer. "I guess he figured Jimmy wouldn't need it anymore."

"Seems that fella was a whole lot bigger than he looked," the minister said.