Mystery of Banshee Towers Read Free Page A

Theo - Mr Goon, you know - because one of my sisters has measles and I haven’t had it - at least, Mum can’t remember me having it. Can I come in?”
    “Of course I Come along in, Ern, we’re all here,” said Fatty, and opened the door. Ern stood there, shock-headed as ever and as plump as Fatty, grinning in delight to see his friends again. Buster at once made a great fuss of him.
    “Coo, it’s nice to see you all again,” said Ern, sitting down on the floor and hugging the little Scottie. “I didn’t want to come and stay with my uncle - I don’t like him and he doesn’t like me - but I don’t mind putting up with him if you’ll let me be with you now and again. Any mysteries going?”
    “Not so far, Ern,” said Fatty. “Help yourself to the chocolate biscuits, but DON’T give Buster any. He’s slimming.”
    “Luvaduck - is he really?” said Ern. “I must say he feels a bit solid-like. You look a bit balloony too. Fatty.”
    “Ern - please remember your manners,” said Fatty, in a shocked voice. “You must not refer to people as ‘balloony’. You might easily get a smack on the nose.”
    “Oooh, I’m sorry, Fatty, reeeely sorry,” said Ern. “Maybe I’ll pick up a few good manners now I’m with you again. I seem to lose them, like, at ‘ome. Er - I mean HOME.”
    “It’s good to see you, Ern,” said Fatty. “We are planning to go on some interesting rambles - and you shall come with us, if you like - if your uncle will let you.”
    “Coo - I’d like that!” said Ern. “Well. Uncle says I’ve got to Turn To and Look Nippy, and Not Get Under His Feet, and Use my Loaf…”
    “Your loaf ?” said Bets, in surprise. “Do you have a loaf of bread of your own, then?”
    “You don’t know much, do you?” grinned Ern, so delighted to be with his old friend again that his eyes shone like stars. “Using your ‘Loaf’ means using your brains, see?”
    “Ah yes,” said Fatty, gravely. “Well if we all intend to go sightseeing and learning about Banshees and Old Musical Instruments, and Roman Remains, we must ALL use our - er - loaves. Are we allowed any butter with them, Ern?”
    But dear old Ern didn’t see the joke, though the others roared in delight. Ern didn’t mind. It was sheer happiness to him to be with Fatty, Bets, and the rest. They could pull his leg, correct him, laugh at him - they were his friends and he was theirs. Let them do whatever they liked, as long as he could be with them!

3 - BINGO - AND BUSTER!
    It was fun to have Ern again. He enjoyed the company of the five friends so much, and entered into everything with the greatest delight. He sat listening intently as they went on discussing their plans for the next two or three weeks.
    “I suppose I couldn’t come with you sometimes?” he said, at last. “I daresay Uncle would let me off now and again. So long as I do the jobs he sets me, of course.”
    “Yes, if he’s kind enough to have you to stay, you must certainly help him in any way you can,” said Fatty “His garden, for instance. I passed it the other day - shocking! Full of weeds!”
    “That’s what my uncle said,” agreed Ern, mournfully. “Trouble is - I dunno weeds from flowers. Oh, and there’s another thing - he’s letting me have my dog with me while I’m here. What do you think of that ?”
    “ Dog ? I didn’t even know you had one, Ern,” said Pip surprised.
    “Well, he’s a bit new, like,” said Ern. “I’ve had him for three weeks. I’m trying to train him good and proper - like you’ve trained old Buster there, Fatty.”
    “Good!” said Fatty. “Very good. An untrained dog is a nuisance - nobody likes him. Where is this dog of yours - and what’s he called? What kind is he?”
    “I don’t rightly know what kind he is,” said Ern. “He’s a bit of a mixture really; he’s not very big - but he’s got a mighty long tail with a mighty big wag in it - and nice ears that prick up like Buster’s here - and rather