"Blyton, Enid - Barney Junior Mystery 02 - The Rilloby Fair Mystery" - читать интересную книгу автора (Blyton Enid)

Up on the landing, half-hidden by the open cupboard door, was a most astonished Mrs. Lynton. She had overheard the extraordinary conversation and couldn't understand a word of it. What was all this talk of Green Hands and all the shushings and warnings she had heard? She was filled with amazement.

"What's Snubby up to now? And how does he know Uncle Robert? And what is this talk of Green Hands?" she thought, shutting the cupboard door impatiently. An agonised yowl made her jump. She opened the door hurriedly and Sardine jumped out.

"Silly cat! Why put your tail in the door when you know I'm going to shut it?" said Mrs. Lynton. "You're always doing things like that. There now, I'm sorry I hurt your tail. And just look out for Loony, because I don't want you streaking across the dining-table as soon as you see him!"

Loony was downstairs with the others He had attached himself to Great-uncle Robert, much to Diana's surprise. He was sniffing round his feet and pawing at his legs in a most friendly manner.

"He's acting just as if he's met you before," said Diana.

"Er — is he?" said Uncle Robert, not knowing quite what to say. "Snubby — call him off, will you? I don't particularly want his fleas, you know."

"How do you know he's got fleas?" asked Roger, surprised. "Has he. Snubby?"

It looked as if the conversation was now going to be awkward. Snubby pulled Loony away and shoved him firmly under the table.

"Of course he hasn't got fleas," he said. "You'd jolly well know if he had. Why, a chap at school had a dog that had about three hun . . ."

Mrs. Lynton came in, still looking puzzled. "What are you talking about?" she asked, sitting down at the head of the table.

Nobody told her. She didn't encourage subjects of that sort at meal-times. Uncle Robert took his place gingerly, looking under the table to see exactly where Loony was.

"What's that noise?" inquired Mrs. Lynton, hearing a thump-thump-thump on the floor under the table.

"Oh, just Loony scratching himself," said Diana.

"Oh dear, Snubby — and I hope you haven't brought Loony here with . . ." began Mrs. Lynton.

"No Aunt Susan, I haven't," said Snubby hurriedly. "I say — is that chops — and chip potatoes — and ONIONS! Golly, how smashing!"

The subject was safely changed. Mrs. Lynton served the meal, still wondering about such curious things as Green Hands. She glanced at Uncle Robert. He seemed such a nice, harmless old fellow. What did he mean, whispering about running away and Green Hands up on the landing with Snubby?

It was really most extraordinary!





CHAPTER 4

GREAT-UNCLE TELLS HIS STORY



AFTER the meal Snubby escaped into the garden with Roger and Diana, Loony at their heels. They all went into the little summer-house, which faced south and was very warm in the April sun.

"Gosh! It's as hot as summer," said Roger. "I'll really have to take off my coat. I say — Great-uncle is rather an old stick, isn't he? We'll have to mind our manners a bit now, or he'll get going on the 'good old days when children knew their manners, and were seen and not heard,' and all the rest of it."

"I've got something to tell you," said Snubby, rather awkwardly. "About Great-uncle."