Eulalia! Read Online Free PDF Page B

Maudie? I’ve known her since she was a mite, the daughter of my old comrade Colonel Thropple. I used to bounce her on my lap when she was nought but a babe.”
    The Badger Lord could not explain his next statement. The words tumbled unbidden from him. “I think there’s a lot of good in you, Maudie Thropple, so in memory of your father’s fine name, I’m going to give you one last chance. The Major and I have decided that you shall go on a most important mission. It will be both dangerous and demanding. Are you willing to go?”
    Mad Maudie scrubbed the tears from her eyes with a floury paw. “Oh, rather, sah, say the bally word an’ I’m off like a flippin’ lark after a ladybird!”
    Major Mullein was still registering surprise at Asheye as he spoke to the haremaid. “Right, off y’go, pack a light kit an’ weapon, apologise to the Corporal and those others you biffed, then report back here for instructions.”
    As the forge room door slammed shut, Mullein wheeled upon the Badger Lord. “What’n the name o’ blue blazes made y’say that, sah?”
    Asheye shrugged. “I don’t know, Mull, but I think Mad Maudie’s the one who’ll get the job done. Don’t you see yet? She’s the maid who will fulfill my dream!”

4
    Abbot Daucus was a brisk, energetic mouse in his mid-seasons. On this particular afternoon his energy was being sorely taxed, as he searched Redwall Abbey high and low, accompanied by Granspike Niblo, the plump, old hedgehog who was Abbey Beekeeper. Daucus paused at the foot of the attic stairs, waiting for Granspike to catch up with him. Both creatures, panting heavily, sat down together on the stairs. Daucus scratched at his scrubby, ginger-tinged beard.
    â€œWell, marm, apart from these attics, that’s the whole of the Abbey building we’ve been through, from the wine cellars to the dormitories. I don’t think we’ve missed anything, have we?”
    Granspike stared enquiringly at the Abbot. “The kitchen larders, he could’ve hid himself there?”
    Daucus discounted the suggestion. “No, I searched them myself, whilst you were going through Cavern Hole. Confound that young Prink, where does he get to? More important, where do our goods and chattels go, where does he hide them?”
    Granspike rose wearily, dusting her apron off. “Dearie me, Father Abbot, I was wrong an’ you were right. We should never have taken Orkwil Prink into Redwall. Both his parents were a bad lot, ramblin’ an’ thievin’ like wild-beasts. ’Tis true enough, what was said about ’em, a Prink’d steal the eyes out o’ yore head if’n you didn’t watch ’em. Four seasons of that rascal is more’n enough for any Abbey. Aye, an’ Master Prink has sorely tried everybeast within Redwall. I think he’s run out o’ sympathy from all, includin’ meself!”
    Daucus patted the good hedgehog’s spines carefully. “It’s not our fault, Gran. We couldn’t refuse a young ’un a roof over his head and food. It’s his mother and father I blame, deserting him and running off like they did. Ah well, no use going over all that again, come on, let’s go and take a look through the attics.”
    He picked up the lantern they had brought along and began climbing the spiral staircase. They had ascended only a few steps, when a deep, rumbling voice echoed up to them from the lower dormitory floor.
    â€œBee’s you’m up thurr, zurr h’Abbot, wull ee bestest cumm daown. Oi’ve founded ee likkle scallywagger!”
    Daucus immediately recognised the caller, Foremole Burff, the leader of Redwall’s quaintly spoken moles.
    Granspike Niblo’s voice went squeaky with relief. “Thankee, Mister Burff, we’ll be right down!”
    Foremole Burff was waiting on the dormitory landing. He tugged his