The Deptford Mice 3: The Final Reckoning Read Online Free PDF Page B

the air and his face was stricken with terror. He dropped the unfinished biscuit and covered his face. Piccadilly watched as four claws came over the edge of the platform. Then two great ugly rat heads leered over and glared at the whimpering Barker.
    One of the rats was brown in colour with matted, slimy fur from which a terrible smell issued. He had low, prominent brows and a slightly piggish snout from which two snotty rivers ran. The other rat was very fat and his black fur was dusty. He was chewing the piece of fluff-covered nougat and so did not speak for some time.
    The brown, smelly one scowled threateningly at Barker and gave a sneering grin to Piccadilly. ‘Evenin’ Greyboots,’ he said, pausing to snort the two green lines back up his nostrils. ‘Has barmy Barker been botherin’ ya?’
    Piccadilly did not like the look of these rats – they were far too sure of themselves. Still, he was not prepared to let them frighten him.
    ‘What’s it to you Stinky?’ he asked cheekily.
    The rat blinked his red-rimmed eyes and chose to ignore the insult. Instead he turned back to Barker ‘Now then you old poxbag, what’ve you been sayin’ to your young friend ’ere?’ Barker backed away and yowled, ‘I ain’t said nuffin’ – ’onest lads. Barker he never says nuffin’ to nobody.’
    The brown rat snarled and Barker yelped with fright.
    ‘Now then pretty boy,’ sneered the rat, turning his attention back to Piccadilly, ‘whatever that old sot has been sayin’ you’d best forget it pronto.’
    Piccadilly was not intimidated and replied airily, ‘Why should I Pongo?’
    The rat growled and his claws scraped along the platform making an unpleasant screeching sound on the concrete. ‘The name’s Smiff boy – you’d do well to remember that.’
    ‘Whose the lardy stuffin’ his face?’ inquired Piccadilly, smiling.
    ‘He’s known as Kelly. He don’t talk much, only opens his gob when there’s summat tasty to eat.’ At this point Kelly opened his mouth and proudly showed his sharpened teeth. He looked at Piccadilly in a most disturbing, hungry way.
    The city mouse began to feel uncomfortable but he knew that he must not show it. ‘A fine pair you are,’ he laughed rudely, ‘Smelly and Belly
    Smiff gnashed his teeth and a murderous light shone in his eyes but he controlled himself. ‘You should be more polite, Laddy’ he spat. ‘Not only that, you shouldn’t go believing what Barker tells you.’
    ‘Why not Bog-features?’
    ‘’Cos he ain’t all there, are you Barker old chum?’ Barker looked across at Smiff with tearful eyes. ‘Tell this nice young mousey why we call you Barker’ continued the brown rat nastily.
    Barker dithered, not knowing what to do.
    ‘Tell him!’ snapped Smiff. ‘We calls you Barker because . . .’
    ‘Because . . .’ Barker’s nose dribbled with his tears as he wept,’ . . . because . . . I’m barking mad.’
    Both Kelly and Smiff guffawed. Kelly showed his teeth once more and all his nougat-coloured saliva oozed down his chin.
    Piccadilly watched them with a face like stone. ‘I don’t think that was very funny’ he said sternly. ‘Tormenting someone weaker than yourself – why it’s downright cowardly.’
    Smiff drew his breath sharply and wrinkled his pug nose in anger. Through gritted teeth he said, ‘Well, you are a nasty, rude little mouse ain’tcha? I think we oughta teach you a few manners. Like to take me on would ya, freckle face?’ He pulled himself up on the platform and licked his teeth in anticipation.
    Piccadilly sprang to his feet and his paw flew to the small knife around his waist. ‘Just try it,’ he replied in deadly earnest.
    Smiff edged closer but just then Kelly spoke for the first time. ‘Leave the toe-rag Smiff. You know our orders – none of that stuff till He says so.’
    Smiff whirled round. ‘I’m not letting this cursed kid go after what he’s been sayin’ to me.’
    Kelly hauled himself up next to the