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tricking us, by making us think we have to work out which is the strongest, but actually there isn’t an answer to that question. After all, if you think about it, water can put out fire, can’t it? I think theanswer to which apple to leave is somewhere else in the riddle. Look at the fifth line: “
one stands alone
”. I bet that’s a big clue. And look,’ he pointed at the eighth line. ‘It says, “
The answer’s in the grassy square
.” ’
    They looked outside at the square of grass. The dog was still asleep. ‘Maybe you’re right,’ Finlay said uncertainly. ‘Well, there’s air in the square, because there’s air everywhere. And there’s water from the fountain. There isn’t fire or stone. Though…’ He frowned thoughtfully. ‘There
was
stone when the dog was a statue. So, the only thing that isn’t there is fire! Fire
has
to be the answer to the riddle!’
    â€˜No, hang on. If fire’s not in the square, it
can’t
be right!’ Max protested.
    â€˜I reckon that bit of the riddle just doesn’t make sense,’ said Finlay impatiently. ‘Let’s ignore it.’
    â€˜You can’t just ignore a bit of a riddle,’ Max argued. ‘Riddles don’t work like that. Look, we have to think this through. We have to be logical…’
    â€˜Pants to logic!’ Finlay said. ‘It’s fire, Max!’ He lunged forward. Max tried to grab his arm to stop him but this time he was too late. Finlay’s fingers closed around the apple with the stone symbol.
    Crack!
There was a loud snapping noise.
    â€˜What’s that?’ Max gasped as Finlay charged out into the courtyard with the apple.
    â€˜My hands!’ yelled Finlay, stopping dead.
    Max stared. The apple was still golden but Finlay’s fingers were turning grey – grey and hard like stone.
    â€˜Fin!’ Max gasped as the grey stone spread up Finlay’s arms and down over his body.

    Finlay tried to move towards him but he couldn’t move. He looked at Max with horrified eyes. ‘I’m…’ His voice choked and stopped as his head turned grey.
    He had turned to stone!

CHAPTER SEVEN

THE CHERUB’S TRUMPET
    â€˜No!’ Max yelled. Finlay stood in front of him like a stone statue. The golden apple glittered evilly in his hands.
    A great wave of sickness welled up inside Max. Finlay couldn’t be stone!
    He walked unsteadily towards the statue of Finlay. ‘Fin,’ he whispered helplessly. He felt dizzy with shock.
    What was he going to do? What were Finlay’s mum and dad going to say?
    He looked into Finlay’s grey face. With a gasp he jumped back. Finlay’s eyes were still normal!
    â€˜What-what…’ he stammered as Finlay looked at him frantically, his eyes darting from side to side. ‘You’re not dead!’ Max exclaimed, relief hitting him like a sledgehammer.
    Finlay couldn’t say anything – he couldn’t speak or move.
    Max’s thoughts whirled. He touched Finlay’s arm but it was as cold and hard as a stone pillar. Finlay might not be dead but he really
had
turned to stone!
What am I going to do?
Max thought.
Help!
    A savage snarl rang out.
    Max’s gaze flew to the grassy square. The dog was lifting its heads from the floor. Its six burning eyes fixed on him and an even louder, more vicious growl ripped through the silence.

    Silence!
    Max’s heart sank.
    The batteries of the keyboard must have finally run out.
    Barking furiously, Cerberus leapt to his feet and charged towards Max and the stone statue of Finlay.
    Max leapt back just in time. The beast was pulled up short just in front of Finlay. One set of jaws crashed closed around Finlay’s leg. As its teeth met the rock-hard surface, the dog howled in pain. Its sleep didn’t seem to have done anything to improve its temper.
    Max ran forward. Finlay might be