The Deptford Mice 1: The Dark Portal Read Online Free PDF Page A

chains. Arthur loved it. He knew that outside the mice were pulling strings, wailing down tubes and operating sticks. But when something flapped unseen past his face he still jumped back and gasped. Then he laughed and plodded through the gnashing cardboard cat’s mouth and entered the second room.
    This was the Chamber of Spring and Summer. Smiling faces beamed benignly from the floor, fresh blossom garlanded the walls and heady scent filled the air. On one side there was a large golden image of the sun that blazed brilliantly. Above his head, corn dollies hung amidst various samples of cheese and grain. At these Arthur gazed, wondering if he could reach any of them. But a stern voice called to him.
    ‘Master Arthur Brown. Why have ye come?’
    Arthur collected himself quickly and replied correctly. ‘To receive that which is now mine by right and to call down upon me my destiny.’
    ‘Be it great or small, tall and dangerous, meek and futile?’
    ‘Let it be as the Green Mouse wills it.’
    ‘Then roll away the sun,’ demanded the voice.
    Arthur stepped up to the golden picture of the sun and rolled it to one side. Beyond stood Master Oldnose, resplendent in the Green Mouse costume and surrounded by small candles.
    He looked out from the leafy cage. ‘Take it Arthur,’ he said, holding out a black bag.
    Arthur closed his eyes and picked out the first brass he touched as was the custom. When he opened his eyes he gasped in surprise.
    ‘Why, it’s like my father’s,’ he said, pleased.
    ‘The sign of life and your own family,’ nodded Master Oldnose. ‘Good one that – reliable.’
    ‘Three tails together,’ Arthur agreed. ‘Thank you.’
    ‘Well go on, tell your sister she’s next and don’t touch any of that cheese on your way out.’
    Audrey admired her brother’s mousebrass when he showed it to her and once again wondered what hers would be. Eagerly she entered the first room.
    As her eyes grew accustomed to the dismal light, she could see the masks painted with evil faces all around her. A faint wind seemed to be stirring them and as she looked their eyes turned to her.
    There. She heard a laugh. Audrey knew that there were mice outside having fun working the strings and rods, but that laugh was unlike any voice that she had ever known. It was thin and sneering.
    For some time she stood by the entrance, unwilling to go any further. Gradually the noise of her friends died down but not into silence. Rather, it was as if she had drifted far from them and although they were still rowdy, the distance between them was too great for them to be heard clearly.
    Audrey tried to get a grip on herself. ‘This is ridiculous,’ she told herself. ‘Something is very wrong in here.’
    A strange, cold blue light rose around her. What was happening? The masks seemed to hang lower now, the faces almost animated. Yes, they were moving in horrid scowls and greedy twists, the various mouths writhing. Audrey was surrounded by them; they pressed in closely blinking their pale, narrow eyes and licking pointed fangs. She could feel the breath from them beating upon her face.
    ‘Stop it!’ she wailed and waved her arms madly.
    Something touched her.
    The streamers that Arthur had felt were twig-like hands to Audrey. They clawed at her hair, raking her head with sharp nails.
    Voices called her name, telling her to go back; the masks gathered in front mouthing threats and barring the way.
    Audrey knew that this was more than just her imagination. Little figures darted in and out of the shadows; starved creatures which pinched her painfully when they ran past. A cold wind was blowing incessantly now – winter was howling in. It battered and gripped her with a malevolent chill until she shivered and trembled.
    ‘Go back,’ the voices in the gale called.
    ‘Return!’ the mouths hissed.
    Audrey would not listen: She had seen countless eyes watching her from the darkness – eyes that were hungry.
    This was the heart of