Mystery of Banshee Towers Read Free Page B

short legs. Pity about his legs, really - he looks comic when he runs, you see, and all the other dogs laugh at him.”
    “They don’t!” said Bets disbelievingly.
    “Well they stand and stare at him, and sort of wink at one another when he comes scuttering by,” said Ern. “His name is Bingo - good name, isn’t it? It suits him too - you wait till you’ve seen him. I like him an awful lot - it’s the first time I’ve had a dog of my own. He’s potty on me you know - thinks I’m the world’s wonder!”
    “Just like old Buster then,” said Bets. “He thinks Fatty’s the world’s wonder, don’t you Buster?”
    “Woof!” said Buster, agreeing heartily. He went to Fatty and licked his chin, and then put his head on Fatty’s knee, looking up at him adoringly.
    “Loving old thing,” said Fatty, and patted him. “Well Ern, I’m awfully glad you’ve a dog of your own. Good for the dog - and good for you, too. You’ll like having someone who looks up to you and thinks that everything you do is right! But look after him well, won’t you?”
    “Where is this Bingo?” asked Larry.
    “I’ve locked him in the wood-shed at Uncle’s,” said Ern. “You see - well, I didn’t know if you’d like me to bring him along. Buster mightn’t like him.”
    “Rubbish!” said Fatty, getting up. “Any dog is a friend of Buster’s if he belongs to one of us. Let’s go and visit this dog of yours and take him for a walk.”
    “You’re a real sport, Fatty,” said Ern, his face glowing. “Come on, then.”
    They all went out of the shed and made their way to Peterswood Village, Buster dancing round in joy, sniffing along the hedges, barking at a sparrow, wagging his tail without a stop.
    “Is your uncle in a good temper today?” enquired Larry.
    “So-so,” said Ern, with a grin. “He smiled when I cleaned his big boots for him - and he frowned when I upset the milk. He doesn’t know I’ve come to see you.”,
    “Why didn’t you tell him?” asked Bets. “You’re not scared of him, are you?”
    “Oh, I’m proper scared of Uncle all right,” said Ern. “Bit too free with his hands, he is. I’d like to have sixpence for every slap he’s given me - I’d be rich by now - swimming in sixpences! I don’t think he’ll be too pleased if I go about with you too much, so I shan’t tell him anything.”
    They came to Goon’s little house, which stood not far from the police station. As soon as they opened the gate a terrific volley of blood-curdling howls greeted them, and something hurled itself against the wood-shed door.
    “That’s him - that’s Bingo,” said Ern, in pride. “I hope Uncle’s out. He wouldn’t like that noise at all. Hey, Bingo! I’ve brought friends to see you.”
    Buster the Scottie was astonished and rather alarmed to hear the extraordinary noise from the shed. He put his head on one side and pricked up his ears to sharp points. He gave a little growl.
    “It’s all right. Buster,” said Ern. “That’s my dog in there. Hey, Bingo, come along out!” And he slipped the catch of the door and opened it.
    Out shot something at sixty miles an hour, gave one horrified look at the crowd of children, and disappeared at top speed through the gate.
    “That’s him!” said Ern, proudly, as Bingo shot down the road. “What do you think of him, Fatty?”
    “Well, I really only caught sight of his tail,” said Fatty. “But that certainly looked fine. Look out, here comes old Goon - your uncle, Ern. He looks pretty bad-tempered too.”
    Mr Goon had opened his front door, and was standing there in his uniform, helmet and all, glaring in his best manner.
    “ERN! What’s the matter with that dog of yours, barking like that? Has he gone mad or something? Where is he?”
    “I don’t know, Uncle,” said Ern, truthfully. “He shot off at top speed. I only hope he hasn’t gone back to my home. He might catch measles, and come out in nasty spots.”
    “You and your measles!”