Mystery of the Missing Necklace

8/12/2019 Mystery of the Missing Necklace

1/55

Mystery05Mystery of the Missing Necklace, TheBlyton, Enid.

Oh, for a Mystery!Pip and Bets sat in their garden, in the very coolest place they could find, They had on sun suits andnothing else, for the !ugust sun "as #la$ing hot.%! "hole &onth of the su&&er hols gone already'% said Pip. %!nd e(cept that "e)ve #een a"ay to theseaside for t"o "eeks, a#solutely nothing else has happened. Most #oring.%%The #oringest hols "e)ve ever had,% said Bets. %Not even the s&ell of a &ystery to solve * !nd not even+arry, aisy, -atty, or Buster to play "iththey)ve #een a"ay at the sea for ages'%+arry and aisy "ere friends of Pip and Bets, and so "as -rederickor -atty as everyone called hi&.Buster "as his cottie dog, loved #y all the children.The five children called the&selves the -ive -ind /uters and og, #ecause for the last four holidaysthey had tackled curious &ysteries and solved the& all&uch to the annoyance of the village

police&an, Mr. oon.%But no" it see&s as if you and *, Pip, are the only -ind /uters left,% said Bets. %* don)t feel as if theothers "ill ever co&e #ack' oon the hols "ill #e over, you)ll all #e #ack at #oarding school again,e(cept &e, and "e shan)t solve any &ystery at all these hols.%%There are still four "eeks left, so cheer up, #a#y'% said Pip. %!nd the others co&e #ack this "eekand* #et old -atty "ill have heaps of ne" disguises to tryout on us' 1e)ll #e on the look out for hi& this ti&e, thoughand "e 2olly "ell "on)t #e taken in'%Bets laughed. he re&eered ho" -atty had disguised hi&self as a -rench #oy, and deceived the& all

#eautifully. !nd in the last holidays he had produced all kinds of disguises, "hich he "ore "ith a red "igand eye#ro"s. There "as no kno"ing "hat old -atty "ould #e up to ne(t'%Butthis ti&e he "on)t deceive us,% said Pip again. %* shall #e very suspicious of any peculiar lookingstranger "ho tries to talk to &e, or co&es to call on us. * shall say to &yself, )*t)s you all right, -atty,) and *shan)t listen to a "ord'%% o you think there "ill #e a &ystery for us to solve these hols3% asked Bets. %* do so like looking for clues,and &aking out lists of uspects, and crossing people off the list "hen "e)ve &ade en4uiriesand findingthe real uspect at the end'%%1e)ve #een 2olly lucky so far,% said Pip, sitting up and looking round for the #ottle of le&onade he had

#rought out. %1e)ve #een a#le to solve every single &ystery. 1e can)t al"ays #e successful, though. * don)te(pect even real detectives are al"ays successful. Bets, you pig, you)ve finished the le&onade. o and ask

ladys for so&e iced "ater.%Bets "as too la$y to &ove. he rolled over out of Pip)s reach, and ya"ned loudly. %*)& #ored' * "ant theothers to co&e #ack so that "e can have ga&es "ith the&. * "ant a &ysterya really good one. !nd * "antto solve it #efore /ld lear /rf does'%

/ld lear /rf "as Mr. oon the police&an. 6e told children and dogs to %clear orf% "henever he sa" the&.6e disliked all the -ind /uters intensely, and never had a good "ord to say for the&. Pip and Bets hadn)t seen &uch of hi& in the su&&er holidays, and "erevery glad, for he had often #een to their parents to co&plain of the #ehaviour of the -ive -ind /uters. Bets"as afraid of hi&, #ecause "hen he lost his te&per he shouted, and "as very unpleasant indeed.%Bets, didn)t you hear &e tell you to go in and fetch so&e iced "ater3% said Pip crossly. % o on'%%*)& not going to #e ordered a#out #y you,% said Bets, rolling a #it farther a"ay. %* suppose you order all thelittle #oys a#out in your school, and then "hen you co&e ho&e you think you can order &e a#out too. 1ell,* shall soon #e ten, and you)re not to'%% on)t you cheek &e, young Bets'% said Pip, sitting up. %7ou)re &uch younger than * a&, and you)ve got todo as you)re told' o and get that iced "ateror *8ll catch you and give you a 2olly good s&acking.%

%* think you)re a horrid #rother to have,% said Bets. %*)d &uch rather have -atty. 6e)s al"ays kind to &e'%


2/55

%6e "ouldn)t #e, if you "ere his sister,% said Pip. %6e hasn)t got any sistersif he had, he)d kno" "hat anuisance they are. No"are you going to go and ...%%7es, *8ll get it'% said Bets, getting up, %#ut only #ecause I'm thirsty, and I "ant so&e to drink, see3 * don)t&ind #ringing you out a little too, as *)& going to get so&e for &yself, #ut *)& really going for &yself,and...%

Pip pretended to #e getting up, and Bets fled. *f only the others "ould co&e #ack' he and Pip "ere gettingtired of one another.Bets hadn)t long to "ait #efore the others ca&e #ack. *n t"o days) ti&e +arry, aisy, -atty, and Buster allturned up together, looking so #ro"n that Pip and Betshad to ga$e earnestly at the& to &ake sure they really "ere their friends. Buster "asn)t #ro"n, of course he "as still 2et #lack, and he flung hi&self on Pip and Bets in 2oy and delight, #arking and licking and"hining as if he had gone &ad.%Buster, darling' 7ou)re fatter' /h, +arry, *)& glad you)re #ack' aisy, you)re terri#ly #ro"n. !nd oh, -atty

you)ve grown '%-atty certainly had gro"n in the last four &onths. 6e "as still plu&p, #ut he "as taller, taller even than+arry no", and &uch taller than Pip, "ho didn)t see& to have gro"n at all in the last year.%6allo, every one'% he said, and Bets gave a cry of surprise.%-atty' 7ou)ve got a different voice' *t)s a gro"n up voice' !re you putting it ondisguising it, * &ean3%%No,% said -atty, pulling Bets) hair teasingly. %*t)s 2ust #roken, that)s all.%%1ho #roke it3% said Bets, in alar&, and the others roared at her till their sides ached.% he)ll never #e anything #ut a #a#y'% said Pip. %Never.%Bets looked so upset and pu$$led that -atty put his ar& round her and gave her a s4uee$e. %Bets, don)t #esilly. 7ou kno" that "hen they gro" up, #oys get deep voices like &en)s, don)t you3 1ell, "hen #oys) voiceschange Eke that "e say that their voices break that)s an. 1e don)t &ean #roken in half, or s&ashed to

pieces'%%/h, -atty* don)t kno" you "ith such a deep voice,% said Bets, half alar&ed. %7ou don)t sound the sa&e.7ou look like -atty#ut you don)t sound likehi&' * "ish you had your old voice.%%Bets, you)ve no idea "hat a difference it &akes to &e, no" *)ve got a proper gro"n up voice,% said-atty earnestly. %*t &eans that * can disguise &yself as a gro"n up instead of al"ays like so&e kind of

#oy' *t gives &e &uch &ore scopeand *)ve got so&e fine gro"n up disguises'%Bets i&&ediately changed her &ind a#out not liking -atty)s ne" voice. More disguises * No" life"ould #e e(citing and thrilling and une(pected things "ould happen. -atty "ould disguise hi&self as allkinds of gro"n up peoplethe -ind /uters "ould have a si&ply gorgeous ti&e. he stared at -attyhappily.%/h, -atty' 7ou)ve only #een a#le to dress up as telegraph #oys or #utcher #oys or &essenger #oys

#efore' No" you can #e all kinds of thingsold &en "ith #eardsa post&ana dust&ana "indo"cleaner "ith a laddereven a s"eep' /h, -atty, do #e all those things and let)s see you'9Every one laughed. % ive &e a chance'% said -atty. %*)& going to practise a #it these hols. * didn)t have&uch chance "hilst * "as a"ay, #ecause Mother "ouldn)t let &e take &uch luggage#ut * don)t &indtelling you *)& going to collect a fe" things no"' *)ve got taller too, so * can al&ost "ear gro"n ups)things. By the ti&e our ne(t &ystery co&es along * shall #e a#le to tackle it in "hatever disguise isnecessary.%%7ou do sound gro"n up,% said Bets. % oesn)t he, every#ody3%%1ell, as a &atter of fact,% said -atty, s"elling up a little "ith pride, %*)& the tallest #oy in &y for&no", and you should 2ust see the &uscles in &y ar&s. *)ll sho" you'9% a&e old -atty'% said +arry. %Best in everything, aren)t you3 No#ody to #eat you'%

-atty grinned and peeled off his shirt. 6e #ent his ar& and sho"ed the& ho" his &uscles ca&e up in a #iglu&p. Bets looked on in a"e, #ut +arry and Pip did not see& to #e &uch i&pressed.


3/55

%-air'% said +arry. %*)ve seen #etter ones on a #oy of t"elve'9%6uh' 7ou)re 2ealous'% said -atty, good hu&ouredly. %No" thenlet)s hear any Peters"ood ne"s, Pip andBets. The village see&ed pretty cro"ded "hen * ca&e through it 2ust no".%%Too 2olly cro"ded for anything'% said Pip. %This hot "eather is dra"ing the people to the river in theirhundreds' 1e get &otor coaches all day longand do"n #y the river there are all sorts of sho"s to a&use

the people "hen they get tired of the river, or it)s raining.%%1hat sort of sho"s3% asked -atty, lying do"n on the grass, and tickling Buster on his tu&&y. %!ny good3%%Not &uch,% said Pip. %There)s a 1a("ork ho"pretty dull reallyyou kno", figures &ade of "a(, alldressed upand there are those Bu&ping Motor arsthey)re 4uite fun for the first t"o or three ti&es yougo in the&....%%!nd a 6oopla ga&e,% said Bets. %7ou #uy three "ooden rings for t"opence, and you try to thro" the&over any of the things arranged on a #ig round ta#leand if the ring goes right over anything, you can have"hatever you)ve ringed. * like that ga&e.%%7ou "ould'% said Pip. % he spends a "hole shilling on hiring the "ooden ringsand then "ins a &ouldylittle #rooch "orth a penny, that Mother can)t #ear and "on)t let her "ear'9%1ell, Pip, you spent tenpence once, and you didn)t "in a thing'% #egan Bets hotly. But -atty interrupted.% ounds as if Peters"ood is going 4uite gay'% he said. %1ell have to &ake up a party and go do"n to allthese sho"s one "et afternoon. *f it ever is "et again'%%-atty, "in you go in one of your ne" gro"n up disguises3% asked Bets e(citedly. %/h, do' *t "ould #elovely to see you acting like a gro"n up, and taking every#ody in'%%*ll see,% said -atty. %*)d like to take in /ld lear /rf, * &ust say' 6e)s up to all &y #oy disguises no"he)dsee through the& at once#ut * #et he "ouldn)t see through a gro"n up disguise'%%1hat "ill you go as3% asked aisy.% on)t kno",% said -atty. %!nd listen, all of youif you can get any old things of your fathers)you kno",old hats they don)t "ant, or #oots, or even old coatsthey)d co&e in &ighty useful for &e. *)& afraid if *take too &any of &y father)s things, he)ll #e annoyed. Mother doesn)t let hi& keep any of his old things, shegives the& a"ayso he)s only got rather ne"ish clothes.%%1e)ll do "hat "e can,% pro&ised +arry, and Pip nodded too. !nything to help old -atty to disguise hi&self'Bets sighed "ith 2oy to think that -atty "as #ack again. No" life "ould really #e e(citing once &ore. !ndoh, if only a &ystery turned up, ho" heavenly the rest of the hols "ould #e'

Mr. Goon is Very Annoying.*t "as lovely to #e all together again, day after day. The -ive #athed in the river, "ent for long #icyclerides, la$ed in the garden, s4ua##led, drank pints of iced drinks, and ate hundreds of ices. Buster liked

#oth le&onade and ices and had his full share. 6e got rather fat and Pip teased hi&.%7ou)re too fat to go after ra##its, Buster'% he said. %1hy, even a &ouse "ould escape you no". 7oudon)t "alk any &ore, you "addle. 7ou don)t #reathe, you "hee$e' 7ou...%%/h, don)t tease hi& so,% said Bets, "ho "as al"ays 4uite certain that Buster could understand everysingle "ord said to hi&. %6e doesn't "addle. * #et if he sa" /ld lear /rf this very &inute he)d #e afterhi& like a shot'%%By the "ay, "hat)s happened to oon3% asked -atty. %* sa" hi& yesterday, in a great hurry and lookingfrightfully i&portant.%%Pro#a#ly solving so&e Mystery "e don)t kno" anything a#out,% said +arry gloo&ily. %There have #eena lot of #urglaries lately, and perhaps oon is getting at the #otto& of the&.%7es#ut the #urglaries haven)t #een in his district,% said -atty. %They)ve &ostly #een &iles a"ay. *)veread a#out the& in the paper. +ady :e(ha&)s 2e"els "ere stolen only last "eekand so&e#ody else)sfa&ous dia&onds the "eek #efore. *t)s a clever gang of thieves #ut they)re not "orking this district, asfar as * kno".%

%* "ish they "ere'% said Bets. %Then "e could catch the&. 7ou could put on one of your ne" disguises,-atty, and track the& do"n.%


4/55

%*t)s not as easy as all that, little Bets, and you kno" it'% said -atty, "ith a laugh. %7ou 2ust think of allthe difficulties "e had in our other &ysteries.%%1e haven)t seen you in any gro"n up disguise yet, -atty,% said aisy. % o put one on, so that "e canspot you in it, if "e can.%%*)ve #een practising in &y #edroo&,% said -atty. %* don)t "ant to try anything out on you till *)& perfect.*)ll try it on you "hen *)& ready, * pro&ise. !nd *)ll give &y second #est propelling pencil to any one ofyou that spots &e first, see3%%/ooh, -attythe pencil that can "rite in lead, or in red, or in #lue3% said Bets. % an you really spareit3%%*)ll certainly give it to any of the -ind /uters if they)re #right enough to spot &e in &y first gro"n updisguise,% said -atty. %*t)s a #argain'9%* #et *8ll spot you first,% said +arry. %The girls "on)t, *)& sure. Pip &ight#ut *)ll #e first'%%1e)ll have to leave Buster #ehind "hen "e try to do the spotting,% said Pip. %/r hell si&ply rush up toyou and #ark &adly to tell every one it)s you'%%7es. Buster)s out of this,% said -atty, and Buster cocked up his ears at his na&e. % orry, Buster, old #oy

#ut to&orro" you &ust stay at ho&e "ith the cat.% %/h, -attyare you going to dress uptomorrow? asked Bets, in delight. %:eally to&orro"3 1ell, you "on)t deceive me! * shall look at everyone "ith an eagle eye'9%:ight,% said -atty. %But all the sa&e* have a feeling that &y propelling pencil "ill still #e safely in &y

pocket to&orro" night' 7ou &ay #e 4uite good -ind /uters#ut *8& a #it cleverer than any of you'%%7ou)re certainly #est at #oasting'% said +arry. %That tru&pet of yours &ust #e 4uite "orn out #y no".%%1hat tru&pet3% said Bets, in curiosity. %*)ve never seen -atty "ith a tru&pet.%%No, #ut surely you)ve heard hi& #lo"ing his o"n tru&pet3 % said +arry. %*t)s deafening at ti&es' *t)s...%!nd then -atty sat up and flung hi&self on +arry and there "as a great deal of shouting and yelling ands4uealing, "ith Buster plunging into the &iddle of the #ra"l and getting "ildly e(cited too.Mrs. 6ilton, Pip)s &other, appeared. % hildren' 7ou do kno" *)ve visitors in the garden, surely3 *f you "antto yell and s4ueal and fight, "ill you go so&e"here else3 1hat a#out a nice "alk3%%/h Mother it)s too hot for a "alk'9 groaned Pip.%1ell, * should have thought it "as &uch too hot to fight,% said Mrs. 6ilton disapprovingly. %:eally, +arryand -rederick, you look very dirty and untidy'%% orry, Mrs. 6ilton,% said -atty &eekly, and +arry tried to s&ooth his hair do"n. %1ell go for a "alk. *forgot you #ad people to tea in the garden. * really do apologi$e.%-atty had &arvellous &anners "ith gro"n up people, and Mrs. 6ilton #egan to s&ile again. % o do"n tothe dairy and get yourselves an ice crea& each,% she said. %That "ill get rid of you for a #it. 6ere)s the&oney, Pip.%%/h thanks, Mother,% said Pip, and they all got up, pleased. *t "as the fourth ice crea& that day, #ut itdidn)t see& "orth "hile &entioning that to Mrs. 6ilton. -atty)s &other had already provided ice crea&s andso had +arry)s, and -atty had generously given the& one each as "ell. No" this "as the fourth lot. oody'They "alked sedately do"n the garden and round the drive to the gates. They "ent to the dairy, "hich &adereal crea& ices that "ere &ost delicious, and sat do"n at the little ta#le in the "indo" to eat the&.Mr. oon passed #y on his #icycle as they sat there. 6e pedalled furiously, his face hot and red.% pot of hard "ork for oon,% said -atty, letting a cold spoonful of ice crea& slide as slo"ly do"n histhroat as possi#le. %+ooks #usy, doesn)t he3%Before they had finished their ices, oon ca&e pedalling #ack again, as furiously as #efore. The policestation "as 2ust opposite the dairy, and the children "atched the police&an go s&artly up the steps. Thenthey sa" his head #ehind the frosted "indo" pane of one of the roo&s in the police station, talking toso&e#ody else. oon "as talking the &ost and "as nodding vigorously.

%Never seen oon so #usy #efore'% said -atty, in astonish&ent. % o you think he)s really got a case to "orkona &ystery to solve that "e don)t kno" anything a#out3%


5/55

% olly, here he co&es again'% said Pip, as oon scuttled out of the police station, #uttoning a #ig sheaf of papers into his #reast pocket. %6e)s si&ply #ursting "ith i&portance.%%6e)s feeling 2olly pleased a#out so&ething,% said -atty. %* sho ld #e &ad if so&ething had cropped up inPeters"ood "hilst *)ve #een a"ay, and "e don)t kno" anything a#out it'9

oon 2u&ped on to his #icycle and pedalled a"ay again. *t "as &addening to sit there and "atch hi& so

#usy and i&portant and not kno" "hy. -atty felt as if he "as #ursting "ith curiosity.%6e)s on to so&ething'% he said. %6e really is. * kno" that look on his face. 1e m st find out "hat it is'%%1ell, you find out then,% said +arry. %!nd if he tells you, you)ll #e lucky' *t)s "hat oon has drea&ed of for&onthsa &ystery all to hi&self, that the -ive -ind /uters don)t kno" anything a#out'9%* can)t #ear it'9 said -atty, and let the last spoonful of ice crea& go do"n his throat. Then he lookeddis&ayed. %/h * saydo you kno", * "as so pu$$led a#out /ld lear /rf and his &ystery that * ate that icecrea& "ithout tasting it. 1hat a fearful "aste. *)ll have to have another.%The others looked at hi&. %There)s no &ore &oney,% said Pip. %1e spent it all.%%*)ve got so&e,% said -atty, and dug his hand into his pocket. 6e al"ays had plenty of &oney, &uch to theenvy of the others, "ho had pocket &oney each aturday and had to &ake that do for the "eek, like &ostchildren. But -atty had plenty of rich relations, "ho see&ed to pour &oney into his pockets in a &ost lavish"ay.%Mother says it)s #ad for you to have so &uch &oney,% said Pip. % he)s al"ays saying that.%%*t pro#a#ly is #ad for &e,% said -atty, %#ut *)& not going round telling &y relations to stop giving &e tips.

No", "ho "ants another ice crea&3 Bets3%%/h, -atty, * couldn)t,% sighed Bets sadly. %*)d love to, #ut * kno" * can)t. * feel a #it sick already.%%1ell, go outside,% said Pip unfeelingly. %No thanks,-atty. * don)t feel sick, #ut * shan)t eat any supper if * have another, and then Mother "ill stop all ice crea&sfor a "eek, or so&ething a"ful.%+arry and aisy said they couldn)t possi#ly eat another either, so -atty had a second one all #y hi&self, andthis ti&e he said he tasted every spoonful, so it "asn)t "asted as the first one had #een.Mr. oon ca&e #ack on his #icycle, 2ust as the children left the shop. %There he is again'% said -attyad&iringly. %*)ve never seen hi& &ove so 4uickly. ood evening, Mr. oon'%Mr. oon "as 2ust getting off his #icycle to go into the police station again. 6e glanced at -atty, and took nonotice of hi&. -atty "as annoyed.%7ou see& e(tre&ely #usy, Mr. oon,% he said. % olving another &ystery, * suppose3 Nice to get the old

#rains to "ork, isn)t it3 * could do "ith a #it of that &yself, after la$ing a"ay &ost of these holidays.%%/h3 7ou got so&e #rains then3% said Mr. oon sarcastically. %That)s good hearing, that is. But *)& #usyno", and can)t stop to talk a#out your #rains, Master -rederick. There)s Big Things going on, see, and *)vegot plenty to do "ithout "asting &y ti&e talking to you.%%Big Things3% said -atty, suddenly interested. %1hat, another Mystery, Mr. oon3 * saythat)s...%%7es, another Mystery,% said Mr. oon, al&ost #ursting "ith i&portance. %!nd *)& *N 6!: E of it, see3

*)& the one that)s tackling it, not you interfering kids. !nd not a "ord do * tell you a#out it, not one "ord. *t)secret and *&portant, and it)s a Matter for the police'%%But Mr. oonyou kno" ho" "e ...% #egan -atty an(iously; #ut the police&an, feeling for once that hehad got the #etter of -atty, interrupted loftily.%!ll * kno" a#out you is that you)re a conceited, interfering kid "hat ought to #e put in his place andkept thereyou and your nasty #arking dog' This here case is &ine, and *)& already getting on "ith it,and "hat)s &ore *8ll get Pro&otion over this as sure as &y na&e is Theophilus oon,% said the

police&an, &arching up the steps to the police station. %7ou clear orf no"'%%1hat a #lo"'% &uttered poor, disappointed -atty, as oon disappeared through the door. 6e and theothers "alked ho&e slo"ly, discussing all that lear /rf had said.)To &ink of that fat police&an at "ork on a perfectly gorgeous ne" &ystery that "e don)t kno" a thinga#out'% said -atty, looking so &isera#le that Bets put her ar& through his. %*t)s &addening. !nd the"orst of it is that * si&ply don)t see ho" "e are going to find out a thing, if oon "on)t tell us.%


6/55

%Even Buster)s upset a#out it,% said Bets. %6e)s got his tail right do"n. o have you, poor -atty. Never&indyou)re going to try out your gro"n up disguise to&orro"that "ill #e a #it of e(cite&ent foryou, -atty. !nd for us too'%%7es, it "ill,% said -atty, cheering up a little. %1ell*)ll #e getting #ack ho&e no". ot to practise &ydisguise a #it #efore * try it out on you all to&orro". olong'%

"atty #isg ises $imself. Ne(t &orning +arry had a note fro& -atty.% o do"n to the side sho"s #y the river this afternoon. *)ll &eet you so&e"here in disguise. Bet you"on)t kno" &e'%-atty.%+arry sho"ed the note to Pip and Bets "hen he "ent to see the& that &orning. Bets "as thrilled. %1hatwill -atty #e dressed in3 * #et *)ll kno" hi&' /h, * can)t "ait for this afternoon to co&e'%+arry)s &other gave hi& so&e &oney to spend at the side sho"s "hen she heard they "ere all goingthere that afternoon. They set off at t"o o)clock, ready to spot -atty, no &atter ho" "ell he "asdisguised.!s they "alked do"n the village street an old #ent &an ca&e shuffling up to"ards the&. 6e stooped

#adly and dragged his feet, "hich "ere in old #oots, the toes cracked and the heels "orn do"n. 6e "orea straggly sandy grey #eard, and had shaggy grey eye#ro"s, and he looked e(tre&ely dirty. 6is coatsagged a"ay fro& his #ent shoulders, and his corduroy trousers "ere tied up "ith string at the knees.6is hat "as too large for hi& and "as cra&&ed do"n over his head. 6e had a stick in his hand and usedit to help hi&self along. 6e shuffled to a #ench and sat do"n in the sun, sniffing loudly.%That)s -atty' * kno" it is'% said Bets. %*t)s 2ust the sort of disguise he)d put on. *sn)t he clever3 %The old &an took a pipe out of his pocket and #egan to stuff it "ith to#acco.%-ancy -atty even thinking of #ringing a pipe'% said Pip. %* #et he)s "atched his father stuffing to#accointo his pipe. ollydon)t say he)s even going to s&oke it'%

!pparently he "as' reat puffs of rather evil s&elling, strong s&oke ca&e "afting out fro& the old&an. The children stared. %* shouldn)t have thought -atty %o lds&oke,% said +arry. %6e oughtn)t to.6e)s not old enough. But * suppose if he)s in disguise...%The old fello" sniffed loudly and then "iped his hand across his nose. Bets giggled. %/h dear' -atty isreally si&ply &arvellous. * do think he is. 6e &ust have #een practising that a"ful sniffle for ages.%+arry "ent over to the old &an and sat do"n #eside hi&. %6allo, -atty'% he said. %


7/55

% aisy * 1e)ve &ade a frightful &istake' *t)s not -atty. +ook at his ears'9Every one ga$ed at the old fello")s ears. Nonot even -atty could &ake his ears go like that. !nd they "erenot false ears either. They "ere 4uite real, not very clean, and re&arka#ly hairy. *n fact, they "ere &ostunpleasant ears.% olly' *t isn&t-atty'% said Pip, ga$ing at the ears. %1hat m st the old &an think of us3%

%1assat3% said the old &an again, evidently e(tre&ely pu$$led at the children)s fa&iliar #ehaviour to"ardshi&.%1ell, thank goodness the poor old thing is deaf,% said aisy, feeling asha&ed of their &istake. % o&e on+arry, co&e on, Pip, 1e)ve &ade an idiotic &istake' 6o" -atty "ould laugh if he kne"'%%6e)s pro#a#ly hiding so&e"here around and grinning to hi&self like anything,% said Pip. They left the

pu$$led old &an sitting on his #ench and "ent off do"n the street again. They &et the #aker, and Bets gavehi& a long and piercing stare, "ondering if he could #y any chance #e -atty. But he "asn)t. 6e "as &uchtoo tall.Then they &et the "indo" cleaner, and as he "as rather plu&p, and 2ust a#out -atty)s height, they all "entand pretended to e(a&ine his #arro" of ladders and pails, taking cautious glances at hi& to find out "hetheror not he could #e -atty in disguise.%6ere' 1hat)s the &atter "ith you kids3% said the "indo" cleaner. %6aven)t you ever seen ladders and pails

#efore3 !nd "hat are you giving &e the& looks for3 !nything "rong "ith &e today3 %%No,% said +arry hurriedly, for the "indo" cleaner sounded rather annoyed. %*t)s 2ust thaterthese slidingladderserare rather interesting'%%/h, are they3% said the "indo" cleaner dis#elievingly. %1ell, let &e tell you this...%But the children didn)t listen to "hat he had to tell the&. They hurried off, rather red in the face.%* say' 1e shall get into trou#le if "e go s4uinting at every one to find out if they really are -atty,% said+arry. %1ell have to look at people a #it &ore carefully* &ean, "ithout the& kno"ing it.%%There he is*)& sure of it'% said Bets suddenly, as they "ent over the level crossing to the river side,"here the side sho"s "ere. %+ookthat porter "ith the &oustache. That)s -atty, all right'9The porter "as "heeling a #arro" up the platfor&, and the others stood and ad&ired hi&. %6e "heels ite(actly like a real porter,% said Bets. %1hy do porters al"ays "ear "aistcoats and no coats at rail"aystations3*)& sure that)s -atty. *t)s 2ust the "ay he "alks. !nd he)s plu&p like -atty too.%

he raised her voice and hailed the porter. %6ey, -atty * -atty'%The porter turned round. 6e set his #arro" do"n on the ground and "alked to"ards the&, looking angry.%1ho are you calling -atty3% he de&anded, his face red under his porter)s cap. %7ou hold your tongue, youcheeky kids'%The children stared at hi&. %*t is -atty,% said Bets. %+ook, that)s 2ust ho" his hair sticks out "hen he "ears ahat. -atty * 1e kno" it)s you'9%No" you look here'% said the porter, co&ing nearer, %if you "asn)t a little girl *)d co&e over and shake you

good and proper. alling &e na&es' 7ou ought to #e asha&ed of yourself, you did'%%*tisn't -atty, you idiot,% said Pip angrily to Bets. %-atty isn)t as short in the ar&s. ow you)ve got us intotrou#le'%But very luckily for the&, a train ca&e thundering in at that &o&ent and the porter had to run to open andshut doors and see to luggage. The children hastily left the level crossing and ran do"n to the river.%7ou st (id, Bets' 7ou)ll get us all into trou#le if you keep on i&agining every one is -atty,% said Pip.% alling out )-atty) like thatespecially as the porter "as fat. 6e &ust have thought you "ere disgustinglyrude.%%/h dearyes, * suppose it did sound a"fully rude,% said Bets, al&ost in tears. %But * did think it "as -atty.*)ll #e &ore careful ne(t ti&e, Pip.%They ca&e to the side sho"s, "hich &ade a kind of


8/55

-air alongside the river road. There "as a :ounda#out, the 6oopla ga&e, the Bu&ping Motor ars, andthe 1a("ork ho". The children looked at the people cro"ding in and out of the -air, and tried to seeanyone that &ight #e -atty.Bets "as scared no" to recogni$e any one as -atty. he kept seeing people she thought &ight #e -attyand follo"ed the& around till she kne" they "eren)t. The others did the sa&e. o&e people sa" thatthey "ere #eing follo"ed and didn)t like it. They turned and glared.%1hat you doing, keeping on &y heels like this3% one &an snapped at +arry. %Think *)& going to giveyou &oney for the :ounda#out3%+arry "ent red and slipped a"ay. 6e i&agined -atty so&e"here near, tickled to death to see the -ind/uters trying in vain to spot hi&. 1here %o ldhe #e3%* think *)ve found hi&'% "hispered Bets to Pip, catching hold of his ar&. %6e)s the &an selling the:ounda#out tickets' 6e)s 2ust like -atty, only he)s got a #lack #eard and thick #lack hair, and gold earrings in his ears, and an al&ost #lack face.%%1ell, he doesn)t sound )2ust like -atty) to me!% said Pip scornfully. %*)& tired of your spotting the "rong

people, Bets. 1here)s this fello"3%

%* told you. elling :ounda#out tickets,% said Bets, and though Pip felt 4uite certain that not even -atty"ould #e allo"ed to sell :ounda#out tickets, he "ent to see. The &an flashed a grin at hi& and held upa #unch of tickets.%! lovely ride'% he chanted. %! lovely ride on the :ounda#out. /nly si(pence for a lovely ride'9Pip "ent and #ought a ticket. 6e looked hard at the &an, "ho gave hi& another cheeky grin. Pip grinned

#ack.% o itis you' % he said. %


9/55

%7ou didn)t ring it properly, Miss,% said the &an. The other 6oopla &an, that +arry and aisy thought"as -atty, looked on, and said nothing. aisy, certain that it was -atty, appealed to hi&, sorry to seelittle Bets #eing cheated out of the cheap little clock.% hedid "in it, didn)t she3 Make this &an let her have it'9% orry, Miss. he didn)t ring it properly,% said that + too. !nd then Bets "alked off, dragging the others"ith her. ) ow do you think that &an is -atty3% she said fiercely. )$e "ould have let &e have the clock atonce' -atty is never unkind. 6e can)t #e -atty'%%1ellhe &ight ha*e to say a thing like that,% argued +arry. %The other &an &ight have got angry "ith hi&and given hi& a punch. * still think it)s -atty.%They "ent on the :ounda#out, and in the Bu&ping ars. Pip took Bets, and +arry "ent "ith aisy, and"ith &any s4ueals and yells they crashed into one another, and shook the&selves and the little cars al&ost to

pieces. *t really "as fun.%No" let)s go into the 1a("ork ho",% said +arry.%/h, it)s too hot,% said aisy. %:eally it is. Besides, * don)t &uch Eke "a("ork figuresthey scare &e a #it

they look so real, and yet they never even #link'%% I "ant to see the&,% said Bets, "ho had never #een inside a 1a("ork ho" in her life, and "as longing to.%They)ve got =ueen Eli$a#eth in there, all dressed up #eautifully, and Napoleon, "ith his hand tucked intohis "aistcoat, and Nelson "ith one ar& and one eye, and...%%/h "ell, let)s go in and see all these "onderful persons,% said aisy. %But it)s a &arvel to &e they don)t all&elt in this "eather. * feel as if *)& &elting &yself. 1e)d #etter have ice crea&s after this.%They paid their &oney and "ent in. The sho" "as in a s&all hall. ! red headed #oy took their &oney,scratching his head violently "ith one hand as he handed the& tickets "ith the other. Bets stared at hi&.

ould he #e -atty3 -atty had a red headed "ig and eye#ro"s, and he could put freckles all over his face, 2ustlike the ones this #oy had. But -atty had said he "ould #e in a grown+ ( disguiseso he couldn)t #e thisdirty looking #oy. tillBets couldn)t help staring hard at hi&.The #oy put out his tongue at her.

% tare a"ay'9 he said. %Never seen red hair #efore, * suppose'%Bets "ent red and 2oined the others. !ll round the little hall, arranged on steps that raised each ro" offigures up #ehind the others, "ere the "a( people. They stood there, still and silent, fi(ed looks on their

pink faces, staring "ithout #linking.Pip and +arry liked the&, #ut the t"o girls felt unco&forta#le to have so &any strange figures lookingat the&.%There)s =ueen Eli$a#eth'% said Pip, pointing to a very grand looking "a( figure at the end of the littlehall. %!nd there)s ir 1alter :aleigh putting do"n his cloak for her to "alk on. They)re 2olly good.%%1hat grand clothes she "ears,% said Bets, %and * like her #ig ruff. !nd look at all her #eautiful

2e"ellery. *)& surprised people don)t steal it'%%Pooh' !ll #ought at 1ool"orth)s'% said Pip. %* sayhere)s Nelson. * didn)t kno" he "as such a littlechap.%%/hand here)s 1inston hurchill,% said Bets in delight. he had a terrific ad&iration for this greatstates&an, and kept a photo of hi& on her &antelpiece. %1ith his cigar and all. 6e looks the #est of thelot'9%+ookthere)s a girl selling s"eets,% said +arry suddenly, "inking at Pip. %6ere, Bets, go and #uy so&echocolate for us.% 6e gave the little girl so&e &oney and she "ent to the s"eet girl, "ho stood near#y"ith a tray of #ags and #o(es.%*)ll have so&e chocolate, please,% said Bets, and held out her &oney. The girl didn)t take it. he lookedsteadily over Bets) head and said nothing.% /ME 6/ /+!TE, P+E! E,% said Bets loudly,thinking that perhaps the girl "as deaf. The girl took a#solutely no notice at all, and Bets "as pu$$led.


10/55

Then she heard the others e(ploding #ehind her, and guessed in a flash the trick they had played. %/h' Thisgirl is a "a("ork too' 7ou #easts' *)ve #een trying to #uy chocolate fro& a "a("ork figure.%%/h, Bets' !nyone can take you in, si&ply anyone'% said Pip, al&ost crying "ith laughter. To think you)reone of the -ind /uters, too' 1hy, you can)t even spot "hen so&e#ody is a "a("ork'%Bets hardly kne" "hether to cry or to laugh, #ut fortunately she decided to laugh. %/h dear' * really did

think she "as a proper person. +ook at that horrid redheaded #oy over there laughing at &e'%They e(a&ined all the "a( figures closely. There "ere a good &any of the&. !&ong the& "as a police&anrather like Mr. oon, #ut taller and not so fat.%*)d like to stand /ld dear /rf in here'% said Pip, "ith a giggle. %6e looks 2ust a#out as stolid and stupidso&eti&es. !nd * saylook at this post&an. 6e)s 4uite good, e(cept for his idiotic grin.%*t "as really very hot in the 1a("ork ho" and the children "ere glad to go out. The red headed #oy at theentrance put out his tongue at Bets again; and she tried not to look.%1hat a horrid #oy'% she said. %* can)t think ho" * thought he could #e -atty. -atty "ouldn)t #ehave like that,even in disguise.%%+et)s go and have so&e tea,% said aisy. %+ook, this place has got ices and ho&e &ake cakes.%% akes and an iced le&onade for &e,% said Pip. %*)ll have an ice later if * can &anage it. * "ish old -attycould 2oin us. 1onder if he)s looking on at us, in hisdisguise. *8& sure he)s the ticket &an at the :ounda#out. That &an)s &op of curly #lack hair is too good to

#e true.%They had a very nice tea, and ate t"enty four cakes #et"een the&. They finished up "ith ices, "ashed do"n

#y a rather s"eet le&onade, and then felt a#le to go out into the sun once &ore.%+et)s go and sit do"n #y the river,% said Bets. %*t "ill #e cooler there. There)s al"ays a #ree$e #y the"ater'%They &ade their "ay out of the -air. Bets suddenly caught sight of a lovely patch of gay colour, and shestopped. %Pip' +ook at those air #alloons' * do love a #alloon. 6ave you got enough &oney to #uy &e one3%% on)t #e a #a#y,% said Pip. %-ancy "anting a #alloon like any three year old kid'%%1ell, * do,% said Bets o#stinately. They all "ent over to "here the old "o&an sat, holding her #unch of gay

#alloons. he "as a shapeless old da&e, "ith a red sha"l over her shoulders and head, though the day "ashot. >ntidy hair hung in "isps over her #ro"n, "rinkled face, #ut she had surprisingly #right eyes.%Balloon, young sir3% said she to Pip, in a cracked old voice.%No thanks,)) said Pip. But Bets pulled his ar&.%/h, do #uy &e one, Pip. /h, * "ish -atty "as here. $e'd #uy &e one. They)re so pretty'%%1ell, #ut they)re si(pence each'% said Pip, looking at the price la#el hanging fro& the string of #alloons.% i(pence' *t)s ro##ery. No, * can)t lend you si(pence for that. Mother "ould think * "as &ad.%% he can have one for half price,% croaked the old "o&an kindly. Bets looked at Pip.%/h, all right,% he said, and pulled out three pennies. %But &ind you give &e the &oney #ack "hen you getho&e, Bets.%

%/h thank you, Pip,% said Bets, and took the &oney. he looked at all the gay #alloons, s"aying gently inthe #ree$e, and couldn)t &ake up her &ind "hich one to #uy. The reds "ere so nice and #right, the greens"ere so pretty, the #lues "ere like the sky, the yello"s "ere like sunshineoh, "hich should she have3%1ell, co&e on after us "hen you)ve &ade up your &ind,% said Pip i&patiently. %1e)re not going to standhere all evening "aiting for you, Bets.%The others "ent off to the river #ank. Bets stared at the lovely #alloons.%Pretty, aren)t they, young &iss3% said the old "o&an. %7ou take your ti&e in choosing. * don)t &ind'%Bets thought "hat a kind old "o&an she "as. %*t "as so nice of you to let &e have one at half price,% shesaid. %:eally it "as. o you &ake a lot of &oney, selling #alloons3%%Not &uch,% said the old da&e. %But enough for an old lady like &e.%Bets chose a #lue #alloon and the old "o&an held out her hand for the &oney. *t "as a very dirty hand, and

it closed over the &oney 4uickly. Bets "ondered "hy all the -air people had such dirty hands and faces.


11/55

Then she noticed so&ething that &ade her stare. The old "o&an)s hand "as certainly e(tre&ely dirty#utthe nails on it "ere re&arka#ly clean' Much cleaner than Bets) o"n nails'%6o" 4ueer'% thought Bets, still staring at the clean, "ell kept nails. %1hy should this old "o&an keep her nails so clean, and her hands so dirty3%Bets then looked hard at the old "o&an)s dirty #ro"n face, all "rinkled up. he looked into the surprisingly

#right, t"inkling eyesand she sa" that they "ere -atty)s eyes' 7es, there "asn)t an ato& of dou#t a#out it they "ere -atty)s o"n #right, intelligent eyes'%%/h, -atty'% "hispered Bets. %/h, it really is you, isn)t it3 /h, do say it is3%The old "o&an looked round 4uickly to &ake sure no one "as listening.%7es. *t)s &e all right,% said -atty, un"rinkling his face as if #y &agic, and straightening his #ent #ack. %


12/55

But it "as, of course. !s soon as -atty %unscre"ed% his face, as Bets called it, and got rid of his lines and"rinkles, every one could see 4uite "ell it "as -atty.+arry and aisy "ere speechless. o -atty hadn)t #een the 6oopla &an, or the :ounda#out &an either. 6e"as the old Balloon "o&an instead. Trust -atty to think out a disguise that no#ody "ould guess'/r had little Bets guessed it3 The others looked at her s&iling face. +arry dragged the Balloon "o&an to a

"ayside seat, and they all sat do"n.%*s it really you, -atty3% said +arry. The old "o&an nodded.%/f course' olly, this disguise &ust #e super if * could take you all in as "ell as that'9% id Bets guess3 % de&anded Pip.% he did,% said -atty. % he suddenly guessed "hen she "as #uying her #alloon, and you had all gone off"ithout her.%%But ho" did she guess3% said Pip, annoyed.% oodness kno"s'9 said -atty. %6o" did you guess, young Bets3%%/h, -attyit "as such a silly thing* don)t really like to tell you,% said Bets. %*)& sure you)ll think it "as asilly "ay to guess.%% o ontell &e,% said -atty, "ith &uch interest.%1ell, -attyyou see, you had very dirty hands, like all the rest of the -air people,% said Bets. %But *couldn)t help seeing that you had nice, clean nailsand it did see& to &e a #it funny that so&e#ody "ithdirty hands should #other to keep their nails so clean.%%1ell, *)& #lessed'% said -atty, looking do"n at his dirty hands, and e(a&ining the "ell kept nails. %1ho"ould have thought of any one noticing that3 @ery very careless of &e not to get so&e dirt into &y nails"hen * &ade &y hands filthy. * never thought of it. Bets, you are very clever. Most intelligent.%%/h, -attynot really,% said Bets, glo"ing all over her face at such generous praise.%1ell, * &ust say * think it "as 2olly cute of young Bets to notice a thing like that,% said +arry. %* really do.1e all had a chance of noticing, #ecause "e all stood in front of you. But it "as Bets "ho spotted it.


13/55

%1hat did you say, sir3% said -atty, in a "hining voice. %1ant to #uy a #alloon, sir3 1hat colour do youfancy3%%* don)t "ant a #alloon,% said oon angrily. %* "ant to see your licence.%%/h, ah, &y licence3% said -atty, and #egan to pat all over his e(tre&ely volu&inous skirts, as if to find"here a licence "ould possi#ly #e hidden. % o&e"here a#out, sir, so&e"here a#out. *f you can 2ust "ait a

fe" &inutes, kind sir, *)ll find it in the pocket of one of &y petticoats. !n old "o&an like &e, sir, she "ants plenty of petticoats. leeping out under hedges is cold, sir, even on a su&&er night.%% ah'% said oon rudely, &ounted his #icycle and rode off, ringing his #ell furiously at a s&all dog thatdared to run across the road in front of hi&. 1as he, the reat oon, in charge of a -irst lass ase, goingto "ait "hilst an old pedlar "o&an fished for ages in her petticoats for a licence he didn)t really "ant to see3

ah'1hen oon "as safely out of sight the others "ent #ack to -atty, a&used and half alar&ed. %/h, -atty'6o" %anyou act like that "ith oon3 *f only he)d kno"n it "as really you'%%* en2oyed that,% said -atty. % ood thing oon didn)t "ait to see &y licence though, #ecause * haven)t gotone, of course. o&e onlet)s get #ack ho&e. *)&dying to take off these hot clothes' *8ve got layers of petticoats on to &ake &e fat and shapeless'9/n the "ay up the village street they passed the #ench "here they had spoken to the old &an on their"ay to the -air that afternoon. Bets pointed hi& out to -atty.%-atty. o you see that old fello", sleeping on that #ench over there3 1ell, "e thought he "as yo ! !nd"e "ent and called hi& -atty, and Pip gave hi& a poke in the ri#s'9-atty stood and looked at the old chap. %7ou kno", it "ould #e 4uite easy to disguise &yself like hi&,%he said. %*)ve a good &ind to try it. 6onestly, * #elieve * could.%%But you couldn)t &ake your ears like his,% said Bets. %6e)s got a"ful ears.%%No, * couldn)t. But * could pull &y cap do"n lo"er &an he does, and hide &y ears a #it,% said -atty.%7es, that "ould #e a very good and easy disguise indeed. *)ll try it one day. id Pip really .poke hi& inthe ri#s3%

%7es. !nd the old fello" kept on saying, )1assat3 1assat3)% said Pip, "ith a giggle. %6e)s deaf, poor oldthing.%The old &an suddenly opened his eyes and sa" the children looking at hi&. 6e thought they &ust havespoken to hi&. 6e cupped one of his ears in his hand and croaked out his favourite "ord, %1assat3%The old Balloon "o&an "inked at the children and sat do"n #eside the old fello". %-ine evening,% shesaid, in the cracked voice the children "ere #eginning to kno" "ell.%1assat3% said the old &an. Then #e sniffed, and "iped his nose deftly "ith the #ack of his hand. -atty dide(actly the sa&e, "hich &ade Bets giggle in delight.%-*NE E@EN*N ,% said -atty. %!N ! -*NE M/:N*N T//'%% on)t kno" nothing a#out &ornings,% said the old &an surprisingly. %!l"ays sleep till &idday, * do. Then *gets up, has &y #it of dinner, and co&es out into the sun. Mornings don)t &ean nothing to &e.%6e sniffed again, and then took out his pipe to fill it. -atty "atched all he did. 7es, it "ould #e a &arvellousthing to do, to disguise hi&self as this old fello". Pipe, sniffs, deafness, and all-atty could do it'%% o&e on, -atty'% said Pip, in a lo" voice. %1e really "ill have to get #ack. *t)s getting late.%-atty got up and 2oined the&. They soon parted and "ent their different "ayPip and Bets do"n their lane,and +arry and aisy up theirs. -atty "ent in at his #ack gate, and his &other caught sight of the old Balloon"o&an, as she stood in the garden, cutting s"eet peas for the ta#le.%! friend of ook)s, * suppose,% she thought; %or is she trying to sell #alloons here3%

he "aited for the Balloon "o&an to co&e #ack again, #ut she didn)t. o, rather curious, Mrs. Trotteville"ent to the kitchen door and looked in. There "as no Balloon "o&an to #e seenonly ook, red in theface, cooking the dinner.


14/55

%1here did that old Balloon "o&an go3% said Mrs. Trotteville, in "onder. But ook didn)t kno". he hadn)tseen any old "o&an at all. !nd no "onderfor at that &o&ent the old Balloon "o&an "as stripping offlayers of petticoats do"n in the shed at the #otto&of the gardento co&e forth as a very hot and rather untidy -atty.%1hat a peculiar thing for a Balloon "o&an to vanish into thin air'% thought Mrs. Trotteville. !nd so it "as.

A Visit to Ins(e%tor /enks.-atty had &uch en2oyed his fun as the old Balloon "o&an, and so had the others. 6e gave Bets the silver

propelling pencil and she "as really delighted.%*)ve never had such a lovely pencil,% she said. %*t "rites in red and #lue, as "ell as in ordinary lead. Thankyou a"fully, -atty.%%The holidays are going too fast,% said Pip, rather gloo&ily. %!nd "e still haven)t got a &ystery to solve,though "e kno" that oon has.%%7es, * kno",% said -atty, looking "orried. %* can)t #ear to think of oon getting #usy on his &ystery, and "ehaven)t the least idea "hat it is. Though it may #e all those #urglaries that are cropping up all over the place,you kno"* e(pect &ost of the police are keeping their eyes skinned for the gang that is operating such #igthefts.%% an)t "e keep our eyes skinned too3% said Bets eagerly. %1e &ight see the gang so&e"here.%%*diot' o you suppose they go a#out in a cro"d together, all looking like #urglars3% said Pip scornfully.%They)re too 2olly clever. They have their o"n &eeting places their o"n "ay of passing on &essages, theiro"n"ays of disposing of the 2e"els they stealhaven)t they, -atty3 !nd they are not "ays we "ould #elikely to find out, even if "e did keep our eyes skinned'%%/h,% said Bets, disappointed. %1ellcan)t "e ask *nspector


15/55

The police&an opened a door "ith a glass top to it, and announced the&. %The children fro& Peters"ood,sir.%The *nspector "as sitting at an enor&ous desk, piled "ith papers. 6e "as in unifor& and looked very #igand grand. 6is eyes t"inkled, and he s&iled his nice s&ile.%1ell, "ell, "ell'% he said. %The "hole lot of you at onceand Buster too, * see * 1ell, ho" are you3 o&e

to tell &e you)ve solved the &ystery that)s #een "orrying us for &onths, * suppose'%6e shook hands "ith the& all, and put Bets on hisknee. he #ea&ed at hi&. he "as very fond of this #ig 6igh >p Police&an.%No, sir, "e haven)t co&e to tell you "e)ve solved any &ystery, unfortunately,% said -atty. %These are thefirst hols for ages that "e haven)t had a &ystery to solve. But sir, "e kno" that Mr. oon has got one he)s"orking on, and "e thought perhaps "e could "ork on it too. But "e don)t kno" "hat it is.%%7es, oon)s on it,% said the *nspector. %*n fact, &ost of the police force of the country see& to #e on it too'But it)s not one that you can #e &i(ed up in. * don)t think you could help at all, first rate detectives thoughyou are'9%/h'9 said -atty, disappointed. %*s itis it all these #ig #urglaries, sir3%%7es, that)s right,% said the *nspector. %@ery clever, they are. The thieves kno" 2ust "hat 2e"els to steal,"hen to get at the&, and lay their plans very carefully. !nd "e don)t kno" one single one of the &en' Notone. Though "e have our suspicions, you kno"' 1e al"ays have')A6e t"inkled at the listening children. -atty felt desperate. urely the *nspector could tell the& &ore thanthat. urely oon kne" &ore3 Else "hy "as he so #usy and i&portant these days3%Mr. oon looks as if he kne" 4uite a lot, sir,% said -atty. %*s there anything going on in Peters"ood at all3%The *nspector hesitated. %1ell,% he said at last, %as * said, this is not a thing for children to #e &i(ed up in.

efinitely not, and * a& sure you "ould agree "ith &e if you kne" "hat * kno". Peters"ood is not e(actly&i(ed up in it#ut "e suspect that so&e of the ganggo thereto &eet perhapsor to pass on &essages"e don)t kno".%The children)s eyes #rightened i&&ediately. % ir'% said -atty, at once, %can)t "e 2ust keep our eyes open,then3 Not snoop round too &uch, if you don)t "ant us to#ut "atch and see if "e hear or spot anythingunusual. hildren can often see and hear things that gro"n ups can)t, #ecause people suspect other gro"nups, #ut they don)t notice children &uch.%The *nspector tapped "ith his pencil on his desk. -atty kne" that he "as "eighing up "hether or not to letthe& keep a "atch on things in Peters"ood, and his heart #eat an(iously. 6o" he hoped they "ould #eallo"ed 2ust to have a little hand in this Mystery' *t see&ed a pretty hopeless one, and Mr. oon "as sure todo #etter than they could, #ecause he kne" so &uch &ore#ut -atty si&ply couldn)t bear to #e left out of italtogether'%!ll right,% said the *nspector at last, and put his pencil do"n. %7ou can keep your eyes open for &e#utdon)t plunge headlong into anything foolish or dangerous.


16/55

They all thought hard. But no#ody could think of anything in the least suspicious. Things see&ed to #e pretty &uch as usual, e(cept that the hot "eather had #rought cro"ds of people into the little riversidevillage.%* can)t think of a thing,% said +arry.%*t)s not a veryeasy Mystery,% said aisy, fro"ning. %There doesn)t see& any"here to #egin.%% an)t "e do it the usual "ayfind clues, and &ake a list of uspects3 % said Bets.%:ight'% said Pip scornfully. %7ou tell us "hat clues to look for, and "ho to put do"n on a list of

uspects'%%There are no clues to look for, and "e don)t even kno" "here to look for uspects,% said +arry&ournfully. %* "onder "hat oon kno"s.%%6e)s pro#a#ly got a list of &en he)s suspicious of,% said -atty thoughtfully. %!nd he)s also pro#a#ly gotall details of all the #urglaries co&&itted lately. *)d #etter get so&e #ack nuers of the ne"spapers andread the& up. Not that it "ill help us very &uch, really.%There "as a long pause. %1ell,% said Pip, at last. %1hat)s the plan3 1hat are "e going to do3%There si&ply didn)t see& anything to do' !ll they kne" "as that it "as possi#le that the thieves

so&eti&es &et in Peters"ood.%* think it "ouldn)t #e a #ad idea for &e to disguise &yself as that old deaf fello", "ho sits on that sunny

#ench in the &iddle of the village,% said -atty. %1e kno" he isn)t there in the &ornings, so that "ould #e theti&e for &e to go and sit there. * &ight #e a#le to spot so&ething suspicious. Men passing notes to oneanother as they &eetor &aking re&arks in lo" voicesor even sitting on that #ench and talking.%Every one looked dou#tful. *t didn)t see& at all likely, really. Bets guessed that -atty "anted the fun ofdisguising hi&self again. %7ou had certainly #etter not #e there in the afternoon'% she said. %People "ould

#egin to "onder, if they sa" two old fello"s, e(actly alike, sitting on the sa&e #ench'%%7es. oon "ould have a fit'% said +arry, and every one laughed.% on)t you think it "ould #e #etter if you chose so&e other disguise, not disguise yourself like that oldfello"3% said Pip. %


17/55

6e dragged the shirt in the dirt, and it "as soon as filthy as the old &an)s. 6e dirtied the &uffler a little &oretoo.%1hat a#out the shoes3% he said. %1e "ant frightfully old ones. That old &an)s "ere all cracked open at thetoe.%The shoes "ere a real pro#le&. No#ody8s father had shoes as old as that. The children "ondered if they

could #uy a pair fro& so&e tra&p, #ut "hen they "ent out to find a tra&p, the only one they &et had perfectly good shoes on.Then aisy had a #rain "ave. %+et)s look in all the ditches "e pass'% she said. %There are al"ays old #ootsand shoes in ditches, * don)t kno" "hy. 1e &ight find so&e there.%

ure enough they did' +arry ca&e across a dirty, da&p old pair, open at the toes and "ell "orn at the heels.6e tossed the& to -atty.%1ell, if you think you really do "ant to "ear such horri#le things, there you are' But you)ll have to drythe& or you)ll get a"fully da&p feet, and have a strea&ing cold.%%6e)ll #e a#le to sniffle properly then,% said Bets. he too had #een practising the old &an)s sniff, &uch toher &other)s annoyance.%*ll put the& under the tank in the hot cup#oard,% said -atty. %They)ll soon dry there. They)ll a#out fit &e. *don)t at all like "earing the&, #ut, after all, if it)s i&portant to solve the Mystery, it)s i&portant to put up "ithlittle things like this'%The trousers see&ed 4uite i&possi#le to get. No#ody)s father "ore the kind of coarse corduroy that the old&an "ore. ould they possi#ly #uy a pair inthe village shop and &ake the& torn and dirty for -atty to "ear3%Better not #uy the& in Peters"ood, in case the ne"s gets round,% said -atty. %* "ouldn)t "ant old oon tokno" *)d #ought "ork&an)s corduroyshe)d #e sure to snoop round and find out "hy. 6e)s got &ore #rainslately, so&eho".%%1e)ll "alk across the fields to heepridge,% said aisy. %1e &ight #uy a pair there.%6alf "ay across the fields Pip gave a shout that &ade every one 2u&p. 6e pointed to an old scarecro"standing forgotten in a field. *t "ore a hat "ithout a #ri&, a ragged coatand a pair of dreadful old corduroytrousers'%


18/55

%1e)ll all co&e,% said Pip. %But "ell not sit near you. 1ell go and have le&onade in that little s"eetshopopposite the #ench. 1e can keep an eye on you then, and see "hat happens.%-atty, after sending +arry do"n his garden path to the #ack gate, to see if the coast "as clear, shuffled do"n,hoping that no#ody in his house "ould spot hi&. 6e didn)t "ant his &other to get curious a#out the odd old&en and "o&en that see&ed to haunt her #ack entrance.

/nce out in the road, the other four children kept near to -atty, #ut not near enough to &ake any one suspectthey "ere "ith hi&. 6e shuffled along, dragging his feet, #ent and stooping, his hat "ell do"n over his ears.%6e)s 2uste3a%tlylike that old fello" "e sa"'% "hispered Bets to aisy. %*)d never kno" the difference,"ould you3%-atty did a loud sniff and the others grinned. 6e ca&e to the sunny #ench and cautiously sat hi&self do"n,giving a little sigh as he did so. %!aaah'%6e "as certainly a &arvellous actor. 6e sat there in the sun, #ending over his stick, the very picture of a

poor old &an having a rest. The others &ade their "ay to the little le&onade shop, and sat do"n at the ta#lein the "indo" to "atch hi&.


19/55

%That there dog'% he said, dusting his trousers do"n violently. %*)ll report hi&, * "ill. *nterfering "ith &edoing &y duty, that)s "hat he did. !nd no" "here are the& t"o fello"s gone3 * "anted to put a fe"4uestions to the&'%%They)ve disappeared,% said aisy. Mr. oon did one of his snorts.%No need to tell &e that. *)ve got eyes in &y head, haven)t *3 * &ay have lost a Most *&portant lue' ee3

1here)s that fat #oy that)s al"ays "ith you3 * #et he)s at the #otto& of this'%%6e isn)t here,% said +arry truthfully. %7ou)ll pro#a#ly find hi& at ho&e if you #adly "ant to see hi&, Mr.

oon.%%* "ouldn)t care if * never set eyes on hi& again, the cheeky toad'% said Mr. oon, &ounting his #icyclerather ponderishly and "o##ling a little. %No, nor any of you neither. !s for &at dog'%6e "as a#out to ride off, "hen he stopped, "o##led again, and spoke to +arry.%1here "ere you 2ust no"3%%*n the s"eet shop, having le&onade,% said +arry. %6o,% said Mr. oon. %!nd did you see that old fello"sitting on that #ench3%%7es, "e did,% said +arry. %6e see&ed half asleep and 4uite har&less.%%!nd did you see that other fello" talking to hi&3% de&anded Mr. oon.%1ellhe &ay have spoken to hi&. * don)t kno",% said +arry, "ondering "hy the police&an "as asking allthese 4uestions.%7ou)d #etter co&e alonga &e,% said Mr. oon, at last. %*)& going to call on that old fello", see, and * "antyou to #ack &e up "hen * tell hi& * "ant to kno" a#out the other fello".%The children felt distinctly alar&ed. 1hat' Mr. oon "as going to visit the real old &an"ho "ould

pro#a#ly #e in #edand ask hi& 4uestions a#out the other &an, "ho& he hadn)t #een there to see'1hatever "ould the poor old fello" say3 6e "ouldn)t in the least kno" "hat Mr. oon "as talking a#out'

he "irst 4l e.%* don)t think "e)ve got ti&e to ...% #egan +arry. But Mr. oon pooh poohed hi&.%*t)s &y orders,% he said po&pously. %7ou &ay #e "itnesses. 7ou co&e alonga &e.%

o the children "ent "ith Mr. oon, Buster struggling "ildly against the lead to get at the police&an)sankles. They turned one or t"o co&ers and ca&e to a dirty little pair of cottages at one end of a lane. Mr.oon "ent to the first one and knocked.

There "as no ans"er at all. 6e knocked again. The children felt unco&forta#le and "ished they "ere atho&e. No ans"er. Then Mr. oon pushed hard at the door and it opened into a roo& that "as plainly halfsitting roo& and half #edroo&. *t "as very dirty and s&elt horrid.*n the far corner "as a s&all #ed, piled high "ith dirty #edclothes. *n it, apparently asleep, his grey hairssho"ing a#ove the #lanket, "as the old &an. 6is clothes "ere on a chair #eside hi&old coat, corduroytrousers, shirt, &uffler, hat, and shoes.%6ey, you'% said Mr. oon, &arching in. %No good pretending to #e asleep, see3 * sa" you a fe" &inutesago in the village street, on the #ench.%

The old &an a"oke "ith a 2u&p. 6e see&ed to #e e(tre&ely surprised to see Mr. oon in his roo&. 6e satup and stared at hi&. %1assat3% he said. *t really did see& to #e a#out the only thing he could say.%*t)s no good pretending to #e in #ed and asleep,% roared Mr. oon. %7ou "ere on the #ench in the &iddle ofthe street 2ust no". * sa" you'%%* ain)t #een out of this roo& today'% said the old &an, in a cracked voice. %* al"ays sleeps till dinner, * do.%%7ou don)t,% shouted Mr. oon. %7ou didn)t today. !nd * "ant to kno" "hat that fello" said to you "hen heca&e and sat #eside you on the #ench. No" you tell &e, or it)ll #e the "orse for you'%Bets felt sorry for the old &an. he hated it "hen Mr. oon shouted so. The old fello" looked &ore and&ore pu$$led.%1assat3% he said, going #ack to the "ord he loved.% ee these children here3% said Mr. oon, #eside hi&self "ith annoyance at the old &an)s stupidity. %1ell,they sa" you there too. peak up no", you kids.7ou sa" hi&, didn)t you3 %


20/55

%1ell,% said +arry, hesitating. %"ell ...% 6e really didn)t kno" "hat to say. 6e kne" 4uite "ell it hadn)t #eenthe old &an on the #enchand yet ho" could he say so "ithout giving -atty a"ay3Pip sa" his difficulty and rushed in "ith a fe" clever "ords. %7ou see, Mr. oon, it)s difficult to say, isn)t it,

#ecause an old &an in #ed and an old &an dressed don)t look a #it the sa&e.%%1ell, look at his clothes then,% said Mr. oon, pointing to the clothes. %!ren)t those the very clothes he "as

dressed in3%%They &ight not #e,% said Pip. % orry, Mr. oon, #ut "e can)t help you in the &atter.%+arry thought it "as a#out ti&e to go, for Mr. oon)s face "as turning a fa&iliar purple. o he and theothers hurriedly "ent #ack up the lane and &ade their "ay to -atty)s, longing to tell hi& all that hadhappened.They found -atty in the "ood shed at the #otto& of his garden, trying to &ake hi&self a #it respecta#le. !llhis old &an clothes "ere in a sack, ready for use again. 6e "as 2ust s&oothing do"n his hair "hen theothers poured in.%* say'% #egan -atty, his eyes #right. %That "as a #it 4ueer, "asn)t it3 * &eanthat &an #eing so surprised tosee &eand sitting do"n and saying things to &e. * al&ost forgot * "as deaf and shouldn)t hear the&'%%1hat did he say3% asked Pip, and -atty told hi&. The others listened #reathlessly.%!nd then up co&es oon, spots this fello", and &akes an a"ful to do a#out ad2usting his #ike chain, inorder to have a good s4uint at the chap,% said +arry.

+ooks suspicious to &e. * &eanit looks as if oon kne" the fello" and "anted to kno" "hat he "asup to.%%*s it a clue3% asked Bets eagerly.%7ou and your clues'% said Pip scornfully. % on)t #e silly, Bets.%%* don)t think she is silly,% said -atty thoughtfully. %* think it is a cluea clue to so&ething that)s goingon&ay#e even so&ething to do "ith the Mystery. 7ou kno" "hat the *nspector saidthat it isthought that Peters"ood &ay #e the &eeting place of the thief gangthe place "here &essages are

passed on, perhaps, fro& one &eer to another.%

%!nd perhaps the old &an is the fello" "ho takes the &essages and passes the& on'% cried aisy. %/h,-atty' *s he the chief #urglar, do you think3 %% ourse not,% said -atty. % an you i&agine a poor fee#le old thing like that doing anything violent3 No,he)s 2ust a convenient &essage #earer, * should think. No#ody "ould ever suspect hi&, sitting out therein the sun, half asleep. *t "ould #e easy enough for any one to go and "hisper anything to hi&.%%But he)s deaf,% o#2ected aisy.% o he is. 1ell then, &ay#e they slip hi& &essages,% said -atty. % olly* feel "e)re on to so&ething'%%+et)s think,% said +arry. %1e shall get so&e"here, * feel, if "e think'%They all thought. Bets "as so e(cited that not a single sensi#le thought ca&e into her head. *t "as -attyas usual "ho ca&e out "ith everything clear and si&ple.%*)ve got it'% he said. %Pro#a#ly Peters"ood is the head4uarters of the gang, for so&e reason or other,and "hen one &eer "ants to get into touch "ith another, they don)t co&&unicate "ith each otherdirectly, "hich "ould #e dangerous, #ut send &essages #y that old fello". !nd, -ind /uters, if * go andsit on that #ench day in and day out, *)ve no dou#t so&e of the &eers of the gang "ill co&e along, sit

#y &e, and deliver &essages in so&e "ay, and...%%!nd you)ll learn "ho they are, and "e can tell the *nspector, and hell have the& arrested'% cried Bets,in great e(cite&ent.%1ell, so&ething like that,% said -atty. %The thing isthe old &an al"ays sits there in the afternoon,and that)s really "hen * ought to sit there, #ecause it)s then that any &essages "ill co&e. But ho" can *sit there, if he's there3%%That)s "hy that &an "as so surprised this &orning,% said aisy. %6e kne" the old &an never "as therein the &orningsand yet it see&ed as if he "as, this &orning * 6e never guessed it "as you. 7ourdisguise &ust have #een perfect.%


21/55

%*t &ust have #een,% said -atty &odestly. %The thing iscan "e possi#ly stop the old fello" fro& goingthere in the afternoons3 *f "e could, * could sit on that #ench, and you could all sit in the s"eet shopand "atch.%%1e can)t drink le&onade for hours,% said Bets.%7ou could take it in turn,% said -atty. %The thing is, "e m st take notice of "hat the &essengers arelike, so that "e should recogni$e the& again. * shan)t dare to look at the& too closely, in case theysuspect so&ething. o you "ould have to notice very carefully indeed. * shall take "hatever &essagesthey pass on to &e, and leave it to you to see e(actly "hat the &en are. * kno" ho" "e could do it too'1e could go round a corner and toot a hooter' Then oon "ould think to hi&self, )6a, hooter on a #ike'May#e the &an * "ant') and go scooting round the corner.%%7es, that)s 4uite "ell "orked out,% said -atty. %The thing is oon .pro#a#ly hasn)t noticed the hooter onthe &an)s #ike.%%1ell, tell hi& then,% said +arry. %6ell #e a"fully #ucked at that. +et)s go and tell hi& no".%% o&e on then. 1ell go and look for hi&,% said -atty. But 2ust then +arry looked at his "atch and gave ane(cla&ation. % olly' 1e)ll #e frightf lly late for lunch * 1ell have to tell oon this afternoon.%

%* "ill,% said -atty. % ee you later'%That afternoon Mr. oon, en2oying a #rief afternoon dinner nap, "as surprised to see -atty co&ing in at thedoor, and even &ore surprised "hen the #oy presented his #it of infor&ation a#out the hooter on the #icycle.%* don)t kno" if it "ill #e of any use to you, Mr. oon,% he said, earnestly. %But "e thought you ought tokno". !fter all, it)s a clue, isn)t it3%%6o' ! clue to "hat3% de&anded Mr. oon. %7ou aren)t interfering again, are you3 !nd any"ay, * noticedthat there hooter &yself. !nd if * hear it tooting, *)ll soon #e after the cyclist.%%1hat do you "ant hi& for3% asked -atty innocently.Mr. oon stared at hi& suspiciously. %Never you &ind. !nd look here, ho" is it you kno" all a#out this herehooter, "hen you "asn)t "ith the others3 7ou tell &e that.%%/h, they told &e,% said -atty. %*)& afraid you)re angry "ith &e for trying to give you a clue, Mr. oon.

*)& sorry. * didn)t kno" you had already noticed the hooter. * "on)t trou#le you "ith any of ourinfor&ation again.%%No" look here, there)s no har& in ...% #egan Mr. oon, afraid that perhaps -atty &ight "ithhold furtherinfor&ation that &ight really #e of use. But -atty "as gone. 6e visited a shop on the "ay ho&e and

#ought a very nice little ru##er hooter. Mr. oon "as going to hear it 4uite a lot' *n fact, he heard it afe" &inutes later, 2ust outside his "indo", as he "as finishing his nap. 6e shot upright at once, andraced to the door.But there "as no cyclist to #e seen. 6e "ent #ack slo"lyand the hooter sounded again. rat it' 1here"as it3 6e looked up and do"n the road once &ore #ut there really "as no sign of a #icycle. There "asonly a #oy a good "ay do"n, sauntering along. But he hadn)t a #icycle.6e had a hooter, though, under his coat, and his na&e "as -atty'

"atty #eli*ers $is Message.The ne(t afternoon -atty did not dress up as the old &an, #ut instead, put on his Balloon "o&an)s

petticoats and sha"ls again. The others "atched hi&, do"n in the shed at the #otto& of -atty)s garden.Bets thought she could "atch hi& for days on end, &aking hi&self up as different people. There "as nodou#t at all that -atty had a perfect gift for dressing up and acting.%*)ll go and sit on the seat #eside the old &an,% said -atty. %6e)s sure to #e there this afternoon, "aiting forany possi#le &essagesand you can snoop round and see if oon is any"here a#out. *f he isn)t, *)ll take thechance of telling the old &an not to appear for a fe" afternoons as the police are "atching. That should&ake hi& scuttle a"ay all right if he)s in "ith the%*8ll co&e and #uy another #alloon fro& you,% said Bets eagerly. %That "ill &ake it all see& real.%%/h, it)ll #e real enough,% said -atty. %!ll * hope is that oon "on)t co&e and ask &e for &y licence again.%


22/55

%6e "on)t, if you are sitting in the &iddle of the village street, and he thinks you)ve got to hunt all throughyour petticoats for it, and &ake hi& look silly,% said +arry. %6e can)t #ear to #e &ade to look silly. !ndany"ay, he "on)t "ant to dra" attention to hi&self if he)s "atching for any possi#le gang &eers. 6e"on)t think yo 're one.%%=uite right,% said -atty. %1ell reasoned out, +arry. No"a& * ready3%

%7ou look si&ply &arvellous,% said Bets ad&iringly. %7ou really do. * can)t think ho" you &anage to &akeyour face go so different, -atty. *t doesn)t look a #it like you.%%/h, * practise in front of a &irror,% said -atty. %!nd %*)ve got so&e &arvellous #ooks a#out it. !nd, ofcourse, *)ve got the gift you see...%%/h, shut up, -atty,% said +arry good hu&ouredly. %1e all kno" you)re &arvellous, "ithout yo telling us'%The Balloon "o&an suddenly scre"ed up her face, and her &outh "ent do"n at the corners in a &ost

pathetic &anner. he fished out a #ig red handkerchief, decidedly dirty, and #egan to "eep &ost realistically.% on)t #e so unkind to &e,% she "ept, and the others roared "ith laughter. -atty peeped out at the& fro& thecorner of his hanky. %! pore old "o&an like &e'% he "ept. % leeping out under hedges at night...%%1ith layers of petticoats to keep you "ar&'% chuckled +arry. Then he stopped and looked 4uickly out ofthe "indo" of the shed.%=uick' There)s your &other, -atty. 1hat shall "e do3%There "asn)t ti&e to do anything. Mrs. Trotteville "as even then looking in at the door. he had co&e tospeak to the children, #ut "hen she sa" the old Balloon "o&an, she "as very &uch astonished.%1hat are you doing here3% she asked sharply. %* sa" you going do"n the garden path the other day.%Bets spoke up #efore -atty could ans"er.% he sells lovely #alloons,% she said. %* "ant to #uy one, Mrs. Trotteville.%%There)s a#solutely no need to #uy one in the garden shed,% said Mrs. Trotteville. %7ou can #uy one in thestreet. * don)t "ant pedlars or tra&ps in the garden. * a& surprised that Buster did not #ark.%Buster "as there, of course, sitting at the Balloon "o&an)s feet. 6e looked as if she "as his #est friendasindeed she "as, if only Mrs. Trotteville had kno"n it.%1here)s -rederick3% asked Mrs. Trotteville, looking all round for -atty.%Ernot far a"ay,% said +arry truthfully. %Ershall * go and look for hi&, Mrs. Trotteville3 %%/h no. * suppose you are all "aiting for hi&,% saidMrs. Trotteville, %1ell, *)& afraid this "o&an and her #alloons &ust goand please do not co&e intothe garden again'%%No, Mu&,% said the Balloon "o&an, and #o##ed a funny little curtsey that nearly sent Bets into fits oflaughter. They all "ent out of the shed and up the path to the front gate.%That "as a narro" s4ueak,% said +arry, "hen they "ere safely out in the road.%Narro" s4ueaks are e(citing' % said Pip.They &ade their "ay to the &ain street of the village. There, on the sunny #ench, "as the old &an asusual, #ent over his stick, looking half asleep.%*)ll go and sit do"n #y hi&,% said -atty, s"inging his volu&inous skirts out around hi& as he "alked.%7ou "alk #ehind &e no", and keep a "atch out for oon. Bets can tell &e if he)s any"here a#out"hen she co&es to #uy a #alloon. 7ou can all go and have le&onade in that shop, to #egin "ith.%The Balloon "o&an sat do"n on the #ench "ith her #unch of gay #alloons. The old &an at the end ofthe seat took no notice of her at all. The #alloons #o##ed in the "ind, and passers #y looked at the&"ith pleasure. ! &other stopped to #uy one for her #a#y, and the four "atching children giggled as theysa" -atty #end over the #a#y in the pra& and tickle its cheek.%6o" does he kno" ho" to do things like that3% chuckled +arry. %*)d never think of those things.%%But it)s those little touches that &ake his disguises so real,% said aisy, in ad&iration. They "ent intothe le&onade shop and sat do"n to have a drink. ! &an "as sitting at a ta#le near#y, lost in a #ig

ne"spaper. +arry glanced at hi&, and then gave Pip a kick under the ta#le. Pip looked up and +arry "inked at hi&, and nodded his head slightly to"ards the &an.


23/55

The others lookedand there "as old lear /rf, in plain clothes, pretending to read a ne"spaper, andkeeping an eye on the #ench across the road, 2ust as they too intended to do'% ood &orning, Mr. oon,% said +arry politely. %6aving a day off3%Mr. oon grunted #ad te&peredly. Those children again' They see&ed to turn up every"here.%7ou having a le&onade too3% said Pip. %6ave one "ith us, Mr. oon. o.%

Mr. oon grunted again, and returned to his ne"spaper. 6e "as in plain clothes and looked rather strange.The children couldn)t re&eer ever having seen hi& in anything #ut his rather tight fitting unifor& #efore.6e "ore flannel trousers, a crea& shirt open at the neck, and a #elt that he had pulled too tight. Bets thoughthe didn)t look like Mr. oon at all.

he finished her le&onade. %*)& going to #uy a #alloon,% she said. %The one * #ought at the -air has gone pop. /rder &e an ice, Pip, and *)ll #e #ack to have it soon. 1e are all going to have ices, aren)t "e3%%1here)s that fat #oy3% asked Mr. oon, as Bets got up.%-at #oy3 1hat fat #oy3% said +arry at once, pretending to #e pu$$led.Mr. oon gave a snort. %That #oy -rederick. -atty, you call hi&. 7ou kno" 4uite "ell "ho * &ean. on)t actso daft.%%/h, "atty! 6e)s not far off,% said +arry. % o you "ant to see hi&3 *)ll tell hi&, if you like.%% I don)t "ant to see hi&,% said Mr. oon. %But *kno" he)s al"ays up to so&ething. 1hat)s he up to no"3%)Is he up to so&ething no"3% said +arry, a surprised look on his face. %6o" &ean of hi& not to tell us'%Bets giggled and "ent out. he crossed the road to "here the old Balloon "o&an sat, her skirts al&ostfilling half of the #ench.%May * have a #lue #alloon, please3% she said. he #ent over the #unch of #alloons and "hispered to -atty.%Mr. oon is in the le&onade shopin plain clothes. 6e looks so funny. * think he)s "atching the old &an.7ou)ll have to "atch till you see Mr. oon go off, and then give your &essage.%%6ave this #alloon, little Miss'% said the Balloon "o&an, "inking at Bets to sho" that her &essage had

#een heard. %This is a fine strong one. +ast you for "eeks'%Bets paid for it, and "ent #ack to the shop. +arry had 2ust ordered ices. 6e raised his eye#ro"s at Bets to askher if she had delivered the &essage all right. he nodded. They #egan to eat their ices slo"ly, "ondering ifthe police&an &eant to stay in the shop all the afternoon.They had al&ost finished their ices "hen the telephone "ent at the #ack of the shop. The shop "o&anans"ered it. %-or you, please, Mr. oon,% she said.Mr. oon got up, "ent to the dark corner at the #ack of the shop, and listened to "hat lie telephone had tosay. +arry took a look at hi&. oon could not possi#ly see across the street to the #ench fro& "here hestood. No" "ould #e -atty)s chance to give his &essage to the old &an'%*t)s hot in here,% said +arry, suddenly standing up.%*)& going out for a #reath of air. 7ou co&e "hen you)ve finished your ices.%6e "ent out of the shop and shot across to the #ench. 6e sat do"n #eside the Balloon "o&an. % oon)s

telephoning,% he said. %No")s your chance. 6e can)t see across the street fro& "here the telephone is.%%:ight,% said -atty. 6e &oved nearer to the old &an and nudged hi&. The old fello" looked round at once.-atty slipped a note to hi& and then &oved #ack to his end of the #ench.The old &an deftly pocketed the note and sat for a fe" &inutes &ore. Then, "ith a grant, he got up andshuffled off round the corner. +arry follo"ed hi&, at a sign fro& -atty. !s soon as he "as safely round thecorner the old fello" opened the slip of paper and looked at it. Then he took a &atch, lighted the paper, andlet it drop to the ground, "here it #urnt a"ay.6e did not go #ack to his #ench. *nstead, he shuffled off in the direction of his ho&e. +arry "ent #ack to the

#ench and stood #eside the old Balloon "o&an, pretending to choose a #alloon.% id he read the note3% said -atty, in a lo" voice.%7es. !nd he)s gone off ho&e no", * think,% said +arry. %1hat did you put in the note3%

%* 2ust put that he)d #etter not co&e to this seat for three afternoons as the police "ere "atching it,% said-atty. %6e)ll think it "as fro& a &eer of the gang, * e(pect. 6e "ill think they)d asked &e to pass the


24/55

&essage to hi&, as they "ouldn)t "ant to #e seen doing it the&selves, if the seat "as "atched. 1ell, let)shope "e)ve got hi& out of the "ay for a fe" days'%%*)ll have this #alloon,% said +arry, as so&e people passed. %6o" &uch3%Taking the #alloon "ith hi&, he "ent #ack to the door of the shop. Mr. oon "as still telephoning. ood'The others got up and "ent out. They all sauntered do"n the road, thinking ho" cross Mr. oon "ould #e

"hen he stopped telephoning and found that the old &an "as gone.The Balloon "o&an "ent too. *t had #een decided that she should go to Pip)s garden, in case Mrs.Trotteville, -atty)s &other, should spot her again, going do"n her garden path, and &ake trou#le. Pip)s&other "as out for the day, so it "ould #e safe for -atty to go there and change #ack to hi&self.

oon all the -ind /uters, and Buster, "ere in Pip)s su&&er house. -atty changed as 4uickly as he could.%* shan)t use this disguise &ore than * can help,% he said, pushing all the petticoats and skirts into the sack hekept the& in. %*t)s too hot. * shall get as thin as a rake if * keep getting so &elting hot'%%/h, don)t do that'% said Bets, in alar&. %7ou "ouldn)t #e -atty any &ore, if you "ere thin. !nd * do likeyou 2ust e(actly as you are'%

5*erybody #oes 0omething.Plans "ere laid for the ne(t fe" days. %These &ay #e very i&portant days,% said -atty. %1e &ay #e a#le tolearn a lotright under oon)s nose, too, if he)s going to do this "atch dog act of his'%%1hat e(actly are "e going to do3% said aisy, thrilled. %7ou)re going to disguise yourself as that old &an,"e kno", and take his place, hoping for a &es sage fro& one of the gang. But "hat are we to do3 1e &usthave so&ething interesting so that "e can do our share as -ind /uters.%%1oof,% said Buster.%6e "ants a 2o# too,% said Bets, "ith a laugh. %Poor Buster' 6e can)t understand "hy you have to dressup as so&e#ody different, -atty. 7ou don)t look or sound the sa&e to hi&you only smell the sa&e.!nd "hen you go out as the Balloon "o&an or the old &an, "e have to lock Buster up and leave hi&

#ehind, and he hates that.%%Poor old Buster og,% said -atty, and at once Buster rolled hi&self over on his #ack to #e tickled. 6is

tongue ca&e out, and his tail "agged so violently that it "agged his "hole #ody and &ade it shake fro&end to end.%No",% said -atty, taking out his note #ook and opening it. %+et)s 2ust have a look at "hat "e kno".Then "e)ll &ake our plansand you shall each have so&ething to do.%% ood,% said +arry. %* kno" you)ve got to do all the i&portant "ork, -atty, #ecause you really are a #orndetective#ut "e do "ant so&ething as "ell.%%1e don)t kno" very &uch yet,% said -atty, looking at his notes. %1e kno" that oon is "atching theold &an #ecause he suspects "hat "e dothat he receives &essages to pass onand "e feel certainthat for so&e reason or other the head4uarters are here in Peters "ood. 1e have also seen one of the&eers of the gangthe fello" "ith a hooter on his #ike#ut that)s a#out all "e do kno".%

%*t)s not very &uch,% said +arry. %Not a scrap &ore than "e kne" the other day.%%1e also kno" that the old fello" is likely to keep a"ay fro& that seat for a "hile,% said -atty. % oondoesn)t kno" that. 1e)re ahead of hi& there. e kno" that the old &an "ho "ill #e sitting on the #ench thisafternoon, and to&orro" and pro#a#ly the ne(t day too, "ill #e me and not that old fello".%%7es, that)s one up to us,% said Pip.%No",% said -atty, shutting his note #ook and looking round, %to&orro" afternoonin fact, each afternoonthat * sit out on that #ench, one or &ore of you &ust #e in that s"eet shop, "atching carefully to see if anyone gives &e a &essageand it)s your 2o# to notice every single detail a#out hi& very carefully indeed.

ee3 That)s &ost i&portant.%%:ight,% said +arry.%!nd the other thing for you -ind /uters to do is to try and discover "hich cyclists have hooters on their

#ikes, instead of #ells,% said -atty. %*t "ould #e a help if "e could discover "ho that &an "as that ca&e and


25/55

spoke to &e on the #ench the other &orning. 1e could "atch hi&, and find out "ho his friends "ere, forinstance.%%* don)t see ho" "e can possi#ly find out "ho has a hooter on his #icycle,% said Pip. %1e can)t go and lookinto every one)s #icycle sheds'%%7ou could go to the shop that sells hooters and get into talk "ith the shopkeeper, and ask hi& if he sells

&any hooters, and &ay#e even get hi& to tell you the na&es of the #uyers,% said -atty.%/h yes,% said Pip. %* hadn)t thought of that.%%* thought of it the other day "hen * "ent to #uy that hooter,% said -atty. %But * hadn)t ti&e to talk to the &anthen"ell, actually it)s a #oy in the shop * "entto. * should think he)d love to have a good old 2a" "ith you.%%*)d like to go and talk to hi&,% said Bets. %1ith aisy.%%7ou and aisy and Pip can go, if you like,% said +arry. %!nd *8ll "atch the seat fro& the s"eet shop. Then,"hen you co&e #ack "ith all the infor&ation you can get you can take your turn at sitting in the shop andhaving le&onade, and *)ll go and try and find out so&ething else.%%Buster can go "ith the ones "ho are going to the hooter shop,% said -atty. %But he &ustn)t go to the s"eetshop. 6e "ould s&ell &e all across the road, and co&e #ounding out, #arking. oon "ould soon think there"as so&ething funny a#out Buster &aking up to a dirty old &an'%The ne(t afternoon +arry "ent out to the s"eet shop opposite the #ench, and ordered a le&onade. Mr. oon"as there again, reading his ne"spaper. 6e "as once &ore in plain clothes, and he sco"led at +arry "hen heca&e in.%1hy, Mr. oon' 6ere again'% said +arry, pretending to #e &ost surprised. %7ou are having a nice holiday'

o you spend all your ti&e in here3%Mr. oon took a#solutely no notice. 6e felt very angry. 6ere "as he, forced to spend his afternoons in a hot,s&elly, little shop, "atching a #ench out there in the sunand he couldn)t even have peace' Those childrenhad got to co&e and poke fun at hi&. Mr. oon eyed +arry)s #ack gri&ly, and thought of all the things he"ould like to do to hi& and the other -ind /uters.Then Mr. oon straightened up a little, for the old &an "as co&ing shuffling along to his #ench. +arry"atched hi&. 6e kne" it "as -atty, of course, #ut Mr. oon didn)t. +arry &arvelled at the "ay -attylo"ered hi&self slo"ly do"n on to the #ench. That "as 2ust e(actly the "ay #ent old people did sitdo"n' -atty never &ade a &istake in his acting.-atty took out a pipe and #egan slo"ly to fill it. Then he coughed. *t "as a horri#le, hollo" cough, and

#ent hi& dou#le. +arry grinned. The cough "as ne". 6e supposed -atty &ust have heard the old &an,and had practised the cough till it "as 4uite perfect.The old &an put his pipe a"ay "ithout s&oking it. Evidently he "as afraid of its &aking hi& cough too&uch * +arry turned to Mr. oon.%There)s that old &an you &ade us go and see the other day, Mr. oon. -unny a#out hi&, "asn)t it3 idyou ever find out "hat you "anted to kno"3%Mr. oon again took no notice, #ut rustled the paper noisily. +arry "inked at the shop "o&an. %Musthave got a cold,% he said sy&pathetically. % one 4uite deaf'%%No", you look )ere'% said Mr. oon, going red and rising 4uite suddenly, %if you don)t...%But 2ust then t"o &en ca&e along, stopped #y the #ench and sat do"n. !t once Mr. oon su#sided, and

#egan to "atch the &en "ith &uch concentration. o did +arry. 1ere they going to pass a &essage to-atty3The &en had papers. They opened the& and #egan to discuss so&ething. /ne of the& lighted a pipe.They stayed there for 4uite a ti&e, #ut neither oon nor +arry could spot any &essage #eing given orreceived. The old fello" at the end of the #ench still leaned over his stick, his head noddingoccasionally.

Then he sat upright, gave a loud sniff and "iped the #ack of his hand across his nose. +arry "as a&usedto


26/55

see the t"o &en give hi& a disgusted look. They folded their ne"spapers, got up, and, still talking, "alkedoff do"n the street.Mr. oon leaned #ack and "rote do"n a fe" notes. +arry "ondered if he thought they "ere the &eers ofthe gang. 6e "as certain they "eren)t. -or one thing he "as sure that one of the& "as a friend of his father)s.+arry #egan to #e #ored. 6e had finished his le&onade. 6e really didn)t "ant another, and he felt that he

couldn)t possi#ly eat an ice at that &o&ent. The shop "o&an ca&e up to hi&.%!nything else, sir3% she asked. +arry said no thank you.%1ell, you go, then,% said Mr. oon)s voice. %No need for you to hang a#out here if you)ve finished youreverlasting le&onade, see3%This "as a"k"ard. +arry "as supposed to "atch the #ench and -atty until the others ca&e #ack. 6ecouldn)t very "ell leave his post. But 2ust at that &o&ent the others did co&e #ack * They clattered in,chattering.+arry stood up at once. %6allo, you others' *)& glad you)ve co&e for &e. * suppose Pip "ants to stay andhave a le&onade as usual. 1ell, you girls and * "ill go and leave hi& gu$$ling'%-or a "onder even Bets sensed that +arry "anted to leave only one of the& #ehind. o the girls "ent off"ith +arry, and left Pip to seat hi&self at the "indo" ta#le, "ith a glo"ering Mr. oon near#y. 1as hene*er going to get rid of these children'+arry took the girls off, and "hen they "ere safely round the corner, he told the&

Documents

Mystery of the Missing Necklace