Mystery of Tally-Ho Cottage by Enid Blyton Page B

was amused to see the apron waiting on a chair for him. Pip chuckled. ‘It must be nice to be you, Fatty,’ he said. ‘Getting your favourite cake because you can imitate our hot-tempered old gardener - getting the finest oranges at the green-grocer’s because you do a bit of ventriloquism there, and make a cow moo at the back of the shop just to please the shop-boy - and getting…’
    ‘That’s enough,’ said Fatty. ‘You make it sound like bribery but it’s merely good bargaining! Now, let’s go down and do the Parsley Act straightaway, so that your cook has got plenty of time to make a smashing plate of gingerbread!’
    They all went down, Ern following behind. Ern was like Bets - he thought Fatty was a wonder - there couldn’t be anyone like him. He considered that he was very very lucky to be made welcome by every one of the Five. For the hundredth time he made up his mind to serve Fatty faithfully. ‘Or die!’ thought Ern dramatically, as he watched Fatty doing his ridiculous Parsley Act, croaking in the old gardener’s voice, and flapping his apron at the enraptured cook, who was almost dying with laughter.
    ‘Oh bless us all!’ she said, wiping her eyes. ‘I never saw such a thing in my life. You’re old Herbert to the life. He flapped at me just like that! Stop now, I can’t bear any more!’
    They had their gingerbread - a magnificent pile - and old Herbert, the gardener, was immensely surprised to see Pip coming out with a very large piece for him. He took it in astonished silence.
    ‘As a mark of gratitude from us all,’ said Pip solemnly and Herbert was even more mystified.
    The evening paper came just as they were all in the hall, saying goodbye to Pip and Bets. It was pushed through the letter-box and fell on to the mat. It lay there, folded in half, with the top half showing clearly. Fatty gave an exclamation as he picked it up.
    ‘Look here! See what it says! “The Lorenzos reported in Maidenhead!” Why, that’s quite near here!’ He read the paragraph quickly. ‘Oh well - apparently it’s only just a guess by someone. Anyway, surely the Lorenzos wouldn’t be foolish enough to travel about undisguised. I expect we’ll keep on getting these reports from all over the country, just to keep interest alive.’
    ‘Coo,’ said Ern. ‘Maidenhead! If it was them, they might visit Tally-Ho House - or the Larkins’ cottage to get Poppet.’
    ‘Will Goon be watching the place tonight, do you think?’ asked Larry.
    ‘I don’t know. Possibly, if there is anything in the report,’ said Fatty. ‘Ern, keep your eyes skinned tonight, will you?’
    ‘Oooh, I will,’ promised Ern, thrilled. ‘I wouldn’t mind scouting round a bit myself - but Uncle may be about, and I wouldn’t dare. I’d be sure to bump into him.’
    ‘I’ll be along before midnight,’ said Fatty, making up his mind. ‘Just in case.’
    ‘Right,’ said Ern, more and more thrilled. ‘I’ll be up in the treehouse, watching, Fatty. I’ll hoot like an owl to let you know I’m there.’
    He put his shut hands to his mouth, with the thumbs on his lips and blew softly. Immediately the hall was filled with the sound of quavering owl-hoots.
    ‘Jolly good,’ said Larry admiringly. ‘It’s all right, cookie - we haven’t got an owl in the hall!’
    The cook, who had run out in surprise, went back into her kitchen. ‘Master Frederick again I expect,’ she said to her friend sitting there. ‘What a one!’
    But it was Ern this time, and he hooted again, pleased to have such an admiring audience.
    ‘Right,’ said Fatty. ‘You be up in the treehouse - and I’ll be scouting around till midnight. I don’t really expect anything to happen, but I won’t leave anything to chance. I’ll look out for Goon, of course.’
    ‘Goodbye!’ said Larry, hearing seven o’clock strike. ‘Thank you for a lovely time. Buck up, Daisy!’
    They all went off, and Pip shut the door. Ern left the others at the corner and rode back to his aunt’s, full of excitement over his night’s plan. The treehouse at night!