Without assistance from Inspector Clouseau of “Pink Panther” fame, Colby the Cougar has returned to his fourth grade classroom at Congin School in Westbrook. “He’s back on our shelf,” said teacher Craig Forrest on Tuesday.

Colby, the school’s mascot, had been missing since early last week. But Colby showed up in the gym on Friday at a school pep rally. He was behind the stage and he jumped on to Student Council President Kevin Bois’s lap, Forrest said.

When he was returned, Colby was wearing a Congin t-shirt, a blue baseball cap, and roller skates. There was still no word as to who Colby had been with, where he had been, or where he went on vacation, according to Forrest.

Fourth graders in Forrest’s class spent last week tracking suspects following Colby’s disappearance. A student in Colby’s homeroom, Micaela Lebeau, wore a sign she made on Tuesday and Wednesday. “Whoever took him is in for some serious trouble,” the sign read.

The mystery unfolded early last week. When Forrest and his students got to school on Feb. 28, they saw Colby was missing. According to Forrest, the mascot usually sits on a windowsill known as “Colby’s Habitat.”

Colby lives in the classroom that is represented by the most parents attending each of the school’s monthly PTO meetings. Colby has been in Forrest’s classroom since September.

The classroom received three anonymous ransom notes with requirements that needed to be met if they wanted to see Colby again. A third grader delivered one note.

The first demanded that homework be turned in at 8:25 a.m. on Thursday, March 2. “What is the reward for the safe return of Colby?” the note asked.

After meeting the homework demand, a following note said they’d have to sing the Congin School song over the intercom or at Friday’s pep rally. The notes were posted on the classroom bulletin board.

Some of the student investigators believe suspects tried to throw them off the trail. “Two of the notes spelled Forrest wrong,” said Paige Turcotte.

In their investigation, students interviewed teachers and have developed a list of suspects. Madison Drew got some clues following the PTO meeting on Feb. 27 when her mom apparently overheard a conversation between two women. “There are two leading suspects,” Drew said.

And Nicole Miranda guessed Colby’s age. “I think he’s about two,” she said.

There were reports that Colby had been sighted twice in the area since his disappearance. One source said Colby was seen at the Portland Jetport and another said Colby had been snowshoeing at nearby Wescott Junior High School.

Forrest said his class, hoping to solve the case, posted flyers around the school. “The cougar misses his home. He has been very comfortable in his habitat this year, please return him to Mr. Forrest’s room. We are looking for any information that may help with his return,” read a poster near the office of Principal Peter Lancia.

(Colby Congin kids) – Teacher Craig Forrest and his fourth grade students at Congin School are excited that Colby, their school’s mascot, is back on his shelf in their classroom.(Colby) – Colby the cougar is back after his disappearance caused a stir at Congin School.