"Arthur, Robert - The Three Investigators 002 - The Mystery of the Stuttering Parrot" - читать интересную книгу автора (Arthur Robert)

dreamed them up in a burst of inspiration. They were
terrific for getting people interested.
“The question mark, otherwise known as the interroga-
11
tion mark,” Jupiter said, “stands for things unknown,
questions unanswered, riddles unravelled. Our business is
answering the questions, unravelling the riddles, investi-
gating any mysteries that may come our way. Hence, the
question mark is the symbol of The Three Investigators.”
“I see, I see,” Mr. Fentriss replied, slipping the card
into his pocket. “And you were coming to investigate the
mystery of my missing parrot. Ah.”
He smiled at them. For the first time Pete’s spirits rose.
And then, at his next words, Pete’s spirits sank deeper
than ever.
“I wish I could believe that. You’re such likeable lads.
I’m sure your families are going to miss you,” the fat man
said.
Very deliberately he took a cigar from his pocket and
clamped it between his teeth. Then he levelled the pistol at
them and pulled the trigger.
There was a loud click. A bright blue flame appeared
at the muzzle of the pistol. Mr. Fentriss held the flame to
his cigar, took a deep puff to light it, then blew out the
flame and put the pistol down on a table.
Gleeps, Pete thought, a cigar lighter! And all of his
blood, which for that awful moment seemed to be drained
out of him, came back and started to circulate again.
“Congratulations, boys!” Mr. Fentriss said jovially.
“You passed the test with flying colours. In the face of my
efforts to intimidate you. you held firm! Let me shake
your hands.”
He strode over and shook their hands. The grip in his
pudgy hand was terrific. He chuckled as he helped them
to their feet
“I’m proud of you,” he said. “Many a grown man
would have quailed in the face of my hostility. I shall
have to telephone my friend Alfred that you lads are not
mere boys playing at being detectives, but are serious
about your chosen profession.”
“You mean”—Jupiter said, and only Pete could tell
that he was having a little trouble speaking as calmly as
usual—“you mean Mr. Hitchcock telephoned you we were
coming and wanted you to test our nerve?”
12
“Exactly, exactly!” Mr. Fentriss rubbed his hands to-
gether. “He said to expect you and to give you a little
surprise that would test your mettle. But you have dis-
played rare courage. I’m only sorry I have no case for you
to investigate.”