Free Enid Blyton by Mr Pink-Whistle's Party

them. He rides nearly all the way to his home on them, then jumps off, throws them into a-hedge and walks the rest of the way home."

    MR. PINK-WHISTLE OFFERED GERALDINE ANOTHER BUN.
    "I see. And whoever owns the bicycle he has taken has to catch the bus home," said Pink-Whistle.
    "Well, no—because usually we haven't the bus-money if we ride bicycles,"
    said Geraldine. "So we have to walk home and we're late and get scolded. We get scolded about our bikes, too. But nobody can stop Peter. We don't like to tell tales of him to the teacher, or to our mothers—you see, Mr. Pink-Whistle, he's very big and strong."
    "I see," said Mr. Pink-Whistle again. "Do have another bun. Sooty will think you don't like them if you leave any. I suppose this Peter does quite a lot of other things besides taking people's bicycles."
    "Oh yes," said Geraldine. "But I needn't bother you with those. You can guess them."
    "I think I can," said Pink-Whistle. "Pulling hair—slapping— pushing and pinching—all the things a big boy does when he's a bit of a bully. But I suppose what you want my help for is about this bicycle business."
    "Yes, please," said Geraldine. "Last week Jimmy was given a lovely new bike for his birthday, and promised to keep it clean—and two days ago Peter borrowed it, and left it out in the rain all night in a hedge. Now Jimmy's father has taken his bike away for a month because it looks dreadful!"
    "Well, I think I can cure Peter," said Pink-Whistle. "Tell me the address of your school, please. And do have another bun. Don't waste them!"
    "I've NEVER tasted such lovely buns," said Geraldine. "But I'm not going to take the last one, thank you very much."
    She said good-bye and shook hands. Pink-Whistle took her to the gate, thinking how nice it was to meet children with good manners. You just couldn't help liking them!
    Next morning Pink-Whistle made himself invisible, as he often did, and went along to find Geraldine's school. Ah—there it was—and there was the bicycle shed. Pink-Whistle looked at the bicycles—what a lot!
    Plenty for that bad boy Peter to choose from!
    Pink-Whistle went down the row of bicycles rubbing each back wheel and muttering something. Ah, he knew plenty of useful spells! He stood up straight and smiled. Now Peter, look out! If you take a bicycle to-day, you'll be sorry!
    Well, Peter did, of course. He was out before any of the other children and ran to the shed. He picked out Benny's because it was nice and shiny. He was out of the school gate before anyone could stop him, riding at top speed!
    He went down this road and that, on his way home—and then suddenly he looked astonished. He ought to be in Hacking Road—but he wasn't. He was in a road he didn't know at all. How could he have taken a wrong turning? He turned round and rode back to the corner. There was a sign-post there that Peter didn't remember at all. He stared at it in surprise.
    It pointed four ways.
    One way said "TO MR. WHACK." 
    Another said "TO HARD WORK VILLAGE." 
    A third said "TO THE DRAGON" 
    And the fourth said "TO THE CROSSPATCH WITCH."
    Peter couldn't understand it. He had never in his life seen the sign-post before. He didn't want to go to any of the people or places it pointed to. Good gracious! What was he to do? Had he lost his way?
    He couldn't stay by the sign-post all day so he got on his bicycle again and rode off in the direction of Mr. WHACK. He didn't like Hard Work—he didn't want to meet a Dragon—and he certainly didn't like the sound of the Crosspatch Witch! He didn't much like Mr. Whack's name, either!
    He was not at all pleased with Mr. Whack when he found him! He rode down the lane, round a corner, and came to a small house. He jumped off, meaning to ask his way home.
    He knocked at the door—and out came a big man with a whippy little cane!
    "Ha! " he said, "I'm Mr. WHACK, and I'm glad you've come to see me.

    PETER DIDN'T REMEMBER THE SIGN-POST AT ALL.
     I've heard about you. You take