Free Mystery of the Pantomime Cat by Enid Blyton Page B

giving a concert at Hetton Hall to about a hundred people.
Seems hardly necessary to check that."
    "Well, don't let's," said Larry.
    "The thing is—a really good detective always checks
everything," said Fatty. "Even if he thinks it really isn't
necessary. So I suppose we'd better check that too. Bets, you can come with me
and check it. We'll find some one who attended the show, and ask them about it
and see if Alec Grant really was there."
    "Right," said Bets, who never minded what she did with
Fatty. She always felt so safe with him, as safe as if she was with a grown-up.
    "That only leaves one more," said Fatty, looking at his
list. "And that's John James who says he went to the cinema all the
evening.
    "Yes—and we thought it was a pretty poor alibi," said
Pip. "Who's going to check that one up''"
    "Oh—Larry and I could tackle that, I think, or you and
Larry," said Fatty.
    "But how?" asked La try.
    "Have to think of something," said Fatty. "Well,
there you are, Find-Outers—plenty for us to find out! We've got to see Boysie,
got to get autographs from all the cast, and have a look at them—and got to
check up all the alibis Pretty stiff work."
    "And, Fatty,
we've got to meet that train tomorrow and lead old Goon a dance," Bets
reminded him. "Don't let's forget that!"
    "Oh no—we really must do that," grinned Fatty.
"I'll use my new cheek-pads for that."
    "Whatever are those?" said Bets in wonder, and screamed
with laughter when Fatty told her. "Oh yes, do wear those. I hope I don't
giggle when I see you "
    "You'd better not, young Bets," said Fatty, getting hold
of her nose and pulling it gently. "Now what time's that train we
underlined?"
    "Half-past three tomorrow afternoon," said Pip.
"We'll all be there, Fatty. What will you do—go to the next
station, catch the train there, and arrive here at 3.30?"
    "I will," said Fatty. "Look out for me. So long,
every one. I've just remembered that my mother told me to be home an hour ago,
to meet my great-aunt. What a memory I've got!"
    Treat for Mr. Goon.
    Fatty worked out the time-table for putting the Plan into action,
that evening. They couldn't do much the next day, Sunday, that was certain.
Daisy had better buy a present for Zoe's sister's child on Monday and take it
in with Bets. The next day perhaps she and Larry could go and see Miss Adams
and find out about Lucy White.
    He and Larry would go to The Turret on Monday and have coffee and
sandwiches and see if they could find out anything about Peter Watting and
William Orr. They could leave Alec Grant till last, because it really did seem
as if his alibi was unshakable, as it consisted of about a hundred people. He
would not dare to give an alibi like that if it were not true.
    "I can't think how to find out about the last fellow's
alibi—what's his name—John James," said Fatty to himself. "Can't very
well go and talk to a cinema and ask it questions! Still, I'll think of
something."
    He paused and looked at himself in the mirror. He was thinking out
his disguise for the next day—something perfectly reasonable, but peculiar, and
with red hair so that it would attract Goon's attention. He would wear dark
glasses and pretend to be shortsighted. That would make the children want to
laugh.
    "We'll go and see Boysie—what a name—on Monday morning,"
thought Fatty, drawing a line round both his nostrils to see what effect it
gave.
    "Gracious! Don't I look bad-tempered! Grrrrr! Gah!"
    He removed the lines and experimented with different eyebrows,
thinking of his Plan all the time.
    "We'll all go and ask for autographs after the afternoon
performance at the Little Theatre on Monday." thought Fatty. "And
dear me—why shouldn't we go to the performance and see every one in
action. It mightn't tell us anything—but on the other hand, it might I That's a
jolly good idea. Well—Monday's going to be pretty busy, I can see, what with
interviewing and asking for autographs and checking up alibis. Now, what about
that