Mystery of Banshee Towers Read Online Free PDF Page A

to finish my tea in peace and quiet. Clear orf, all of you! I’m sick of the sight of you. You get indoors, Ern - and take that dog to the wood-shed. Tripping me up like that. You can consider him arrested and put into a cell, see? And there he’ll stay out in the wood-shed, night and day!”
    “Oh no , Uncle - that would be cruel!” said Ern, upset. “Fatty, tell him. He might listen to you. You can’t lock up a dog, night and day.”
    “All right then, you go home!” stormed Mr Goon. “I do a kindness and take you in - and that fatheaded dog too - and this is what happens. Go on home! Catch the measles!”
    Ern didn’t know what to do - but Fatty did. He whispered something in Erns ear, and Ern’s face broke into a delighted smile. He took hold of Fatty’s hand and shook it hard. “You’re a friend, Fatty - yes, that’s what you are, a friend,” said Ern warmly. “I’ll go and get my things straightaway. Would you mind Bingo for me, till I come out? Uncle’s in such a temper, he might whip him. WHAT a pity he tripped over Bingo!”
    Bets and Daisy had been very scared by all the upset, but the boys had rather enjoyed it. Fatty couldn’t help feeling a little sorry for Mr Goon. The policeman did not shine when things went wrong; but Fatty felt sure he would be sorry and feel guilty when he had had time to ponder over things. That was the worst of a hot temper - it led you into doing silly, rash things you were sorry for afterwards - and then it was probably too late.
    Ern had disappeared into his uncle’s bouse. He was there about three minutes and then came out again, carrying a canvas bag. Bingo trotted joyfully over to him. Ern was beaming all over his round face.
    “Where are you going, Ern?” asked Bets, in surprise. “Home? But you can’t go there, with measles about!”
    They all went out of the gate together, leaving Mr Goon staring after them. He was just beginning to wish that he hadn’t lost his temper.
    “Ern, come back! You come and apologize and I’ll let you stay!” he shouted.
    “Sorry, Uncle,” shouted back Ern. “I can’t stay where I’m not wanted - or where my dog will be locked up night and day. Sorry, Uncle!”
    “Where’s Ern going?” asked Pip.
    “He’s going to stay in my workroom till his family are clear of the measles,” said Fatty. “ And Bingo as well. Nice dog, Bingo. Be good for Buster to have company too. The workroom is nice and warm, and I can put a camp-bed there. But nobody is to know, see? You are all to Keep Your Mouths Shut. Ern is our friend, and we’ve got to stand by him.”
    “Oh good , Fatty! You always think of some fine way out of things when they go wrong.” said Bets, squeezing Fatty’s arm. “Ern, are you pleased?”
    “Pleased? I feel like a tail with two dogs,” said Ern, looking down at Buster and Bingo trotting amicably together. “No, I mean a dog with two tails. Coo luvaduck - wasn’t poor old Uncle in a temper - all because he fell over Bingo! To think I’m going to stay in your workroom. Fatty - I feel honoured, straight I do! You’re a friend - and I can’t say more than that, can I?”
    “No, that’s about the best thing anyone can say about anyone else,” said Fatty, with one of his grins. He gave Ern a little punch in the back. “I bet I’ll say that about you someday, Ern!”
    Ern glowed. He looked round gratefully at the little bunch of friends walking with him. Yes, that was about the best thing that could happen to anyone - to Have Friends, whether they were two-legged or four-legged.
    “And to BE a friend to someone is just as good,” thought Ern. “Well - maybe it’s even better. I’ll have to ask Fatty about it sometime. He’s sure to know!”

5 - FATTY IS A REAL FRIEND!
    The little company went in at the back gate of Fatty’s garden, and trooped down to the shed - Fatty’s cosy little workroom. The two dogs trotted along amicably together, Bingo occasionally giving Buster a friendly lick.