Mystery Of The Missing Necklace Read Free Page A

tell you about it, not one word. It's Secret and Important, and it's a Matter for the police!"
    "But Mr. Goon — you know how we ..." began Fatty anxiously; but the policeman, feeling for once that he
    had got the better of Fatty, interrupted loftily.
    "All I know about you is that you're a conceited, interfering kid what ought to be put in his place and kept there — you and your nasty barking dog! This here case is mine, and I'm already getting on with it, and what's more I’ll get Promotion over this as sure as my name is Theophilus Goon," said the policeman, marching up the steps to the police-station. "You clear-orf now!"
    "What a blow!" muttered poor, disappointed Fatty, as Goon disappeared through the door. He and the others walked home slowly, discussing all that Clear-Orf had said.
    'To mink of that fat policeman at work on a perfectly gorgeous new mystery that we don't know a thing about!" said Fatty, looking so miserable that Bets put her arm through his. "It's maddening. And the worst of it is that I simply don't see how we are going to find out a thing, if Goon won't tell us."
    "Even Buster's upset about it," said Bets. "He's got his tail right down. So have you, poor Fatty. Never mind — you're going to try out your grown-up disguise tomorrow — that will be a bit of excitement for you, Fatty. And for us too!"
    "Yes, it will," said Fatty, cheering up a little. "Well — I'll be getting back home now. Got to practise my disguise a bit before I try it out on you all tomorrow. Solong!"
    Fatty Disguises Himself.
    Next morning Larry had a note from Fatty.
    "Go down to the side-shows by the river this afternoon. I'll meet you somewhere in disguise. Bet you won't know me!
    "Fatty."
    Larry showed the note to Pip and Bets when he went to see them that morning. Bets was thrilled. "What will Fatty be dressed in? I bet I'll know him! Oh, I can't wait for this afternoon to come!"
    Larry's mother gave him some money to spend at the side-shows when she heard they were all going there that afternoon. They set off at two o'clock, ready to spot Fatty, no matter how well he was disguised.
    As they walked down the village street an old bent man came shuffling up towards them. He stooped badly and dragged his feet, which were in old boots, the toes cracked and the heels worn down. He wore a straggly sandy-grey beard, and had shaggy grey eyebrows, and he looked extremely dirty. His coat sagged away from his bent shoulders, and his corduroy trousers were tied up with string at the knees.
    His hat was too large for him and was crammed down over his head. He had a stick in his hand and used it to help himself along. He shuffled to a bench and sat down in the sun, sniffing loudly.
    "That's Fatty! I know it is!" said Bets. "It's just the sort of disguise he'd put on. Isn't he clever ? "
    The old man took a pipe out of his pocket and began to stuff it with tobacco.
    "Fancy Fatty even thinking of bringing a pipe!" said Pip. "I bet he's watched his father stuffing tobacco into his pipe. Golly — don't say he's even going to smoke it!"
    Apparently he was! Great puffs of rather evil-smelling, strong smoke came wafting out from the old man. The children stared. "I shouldn't have thought Fatty could smoke," said Larry. "He oughtn't to. He's not old enough. But I suppose if he's in disguise..."
    The old fellow sniffed loudly and then wiped his hand across his nose. Bets giggled. "Oh dear! Fatty is really simply marvellous. I do think he is. He must have been practising that awful sniffle for ages."
    Larry went over to the old man and sat down beside him. "Hallo, Fatty!" he said. "Jolly good, old boy! But we all recognized you at once!"
    The old man took absolutely no notice at all. He went on puffing at his pipe and clouds of the smoke floated into Larry's face.
    "Fatty! Stop it! You'll make yourself sick if you smoke like that!" said Larry. The others joined him and sat there, giggling. Pip gave the old man a punch in the ribs,
    "Hey,