Free Mystery of the Secret Room by Enid Blyton Page B

you could do it better than any one, Fatty.”
    “Well, I could,” said Fatty, not very modestly. “But then I’ve been training myself for this kind of work all last term. Anyway, it will be quite easy.”
    They decided to bike over and see Miss Crump that afternoon. Buster could ride in Fatty’s bicycle basket as it wasn’t very far.
    “And for goodness’ sake, Buster, don’t try baling out from my basket,” said Fatty. “You did that last time I took you - saw a rabbit or something, and jumped out of my basket and nearly caused an accident.”
    “Woof!” said Buster, looking upset. He always knew when Fatty was telling him not to do something or other.
    “Good dog,” said every one at once, and patted Buster. They coutdn’t bear it when he looked sad.
    They set off on their bicycles immediately after dinner, meeting at the corner at the top of Pip’s lane. Off they went, ringing their bells at everything they saw, with Buster sitting up straight in Fatty’s basket, his tongue hanging out in excitement.
    They got to Little Minton in just under twenty minutes, and began to look for Hillways. An errand-boy directed them.
    It was a nice house, old and beautiful, with leaded windows and tall chimneys. The garden was beautifully kept.
    “Well, I don’t wonder Miss Crumpet preferred to live here rather than in that desolate, ugly old house,” said Fatty, getting off his bicycle. “Now - what’s our plan?”
    Nobody had a plan. It suddenly seemed unexpectedly difficult to find a way to go and talk to Miss Crump about Milton House.
    Fatty lifted Buster down from the bicycle basket. Buster was glad to stretch his legs. He ran into the gate of the garden.
    Then things happened. A large dog suddenly rushed up the path, barking, and flew at Buster. Buster, astonished, growled and swung around. The big dog growled too and all the hairs on the back of his neck rose up.
    “They’re going to fight!” shrieked Bets. “Oh, get Buster, Fatty!”
    But before Fatty could get hold of Buster, the big dog pounced on him, and a fight began. Bets howled. The dogs barked angrily and growled furiously. All the children yelled at Buster.
    “Come here, Buster - come here, sir! BUSTER, come here!”
    But Buster was not going to turn tail and run away in the middle of a fight. He enjoyed a fight, and he hardly ever got one. He didn’t mind about the other dog being bigger than he was - he could bite as hard as he did!
    The front door opened and someone came out. It was a pleasant, plump, middle-aged lady, looking very worried. She ran up the path.
    “Oh dear! is Thomas attacking your dog?” she said. “Thomas, stop it!”
    But neither Thomas nor Buster took the slightest notice. This was their own enjoyable, private fight, and they were going on with it.
    Bets cried bitterly. She was very upset at the noise and scuffling, and terribly afraid that Buster might be killed. The plump lady was distressed to hear Bets’ sobs.
    “Half a minute, dear - I know how to stop them!” she said to Bets. “Don’t cry any more!”
    She rushed indoors and came out again with a large pail of water. She threw it over both the snarling dogs.
    They had such a shock as the icy water drenched them that they both leapt back from one another in horror. Miss Crump at once caught hold of Thomas, and Fatty made a grab for Buster.
    “You bad dog, Thomas!” scolded the plump lady. “You shall be locked in your kennel yard all day.”
    She turned to the children. “Just wait whilst I put him into his kennel,” she said, “then I’ll be back.”
    She went off round the house, leading a cross and disappointed Thomas.
    “Is that Miss Crump?” whispered Larry.
    Fatty nodded. “I expect so. I say - look at poor old Buster. He’s been bitten on this leg. He’s bleeding.”
    Bets sobbed with shock and misery. She couldn’t bear to see Buster bleeding. Buster was the only one who didn’t seem to mind about his bite. He licked his leg, then wagged his tail hard as if to say, “Jolly good fight, that. Pity