Free Fennymore and the Brumella by Kirsten Reinhardt Page B

dignified look.
    â€˜Correct,’ she said, with marked politeness. ‘And whom have I the pleasure of addressing?’
    Dr Hourgood looked at her for a moment, at a loss for words. Then he twirled his moustache and said, ‘Most amusing. I see that the desperate financial situation of your clan is out of step with your manners. All the better. It’ll be easier to put in the hours until evening.’
    Fizzy felt like jumping up angrily, but then the cat stood up, arched her back and farted.
    â€˜It’s all right,’ said Dr Hourgood, looking menacingly at Fizzy. ‘It’s all right, Merle.’ He stroked the cat’s enormous back. ‘Our guest knows what’s what.’
    Fizzy gave the cat a wary look. Not only was the creature fat, but it had incredibly sharp teeth. She’d better change tack.
    â€˜Could I please have a glass of orange juice?’ she asked politely. ‘I’m terribly thirsty. And I have a headache.’
    The doctor laughed mirthlessly. ‘Of course. The chloroform,’ he said quietly to himself. But then he did actually get up. He went to the glass cabinet and poured Fizzy a drink.
    She took a quick look around the room. There were heavy striped curtains at the windows. Everything was big and expensive-looking – the light-blue armchairs, the table, the sideboard, on which stood an enormous crystal bowl full of fruit. The cabinet was almost hidden by Dr Hourgood’s body, but Fizzy could see that it contained bottles and lots of silver trophies.
    The doctor noticed her looking.
    â€˜All awards from the city,’ he said, and his already enormous body swelled even more with pride. ‘Chairman of the Union of Business People, mayor for life, honorary doctorate, Executive Chairman of the Council of Rain-hat Retailers and’ – he paused dramatically – ‘Honorary Member of the Sports Association.’
    Fizzy gave a snort. The cat looked threatening and laid back its ears.
    Dr Hourgood cleared his throat, handed her the glass and went on talking.
    â€˜And there’ll be another honour to add to those shortly,’ he whispered meaningfully, and his light eyes became even lighter for a moment. ‘An honour that is far more important than any of the others. One that will ensure that the name of Dr Rufus Hourgood will forever be enshrined in the chronicles of the city.’
    Ooh, I’m dying to know , thought Fizzy, gulping down the cool juice greedily. Honorary Chairman of the Association of Owners of Fat Cats?
    â€˜So, this evening, my endeavours of the last three years will finally be rewarded. It was a bitter disappointment that I found nothing in the flat of Elisabeth Grosskornschroth … but now it’s all starting to come right. Your little friend will come ambling in here and hand over the necessary information on a plate, all to rescue you, you little brat.’
    And then Dr Hourgood laughed so hard that his belly wobbled up and down. The cat gave him a horrified look for a moment, but then noticed Fizzy’s face and nestled dutifully against its master.
    â€˜Well, I have things to do. And so that you won’t be bored in my blue salon’ – he gave Fizzy a meaning look – ‘I have something for you. Merle likes this very much. Don’t you?’
    And with that he handed her a large silver brush.

CHAPTER 19
    In which Fenibald Teabreak puts a carefully thought-out plan into action
    Boris Muckenthaler had just said goodbye to Fennymore in the twilight in his front garden and now he took a deep breath. He went back into his house and shut the door. It smelt a bit musty. That must be because of his guest’s socks.
    It was an unbelievable story that his pupil had just served up to him. But he had the feeling that he had to take it seriously. Very seriously indeed. It wasn’t just the bold handwriting of the doctor on the ransom note, but the story of the silvery grey