"Blyton, Enid - The Five Find-Outers 15 - The Mystery of Banshee Towers 1.1" - читать интересную книгу автора (Blyton Enid)

Out shot something at sixty miles an hour, gave one horrified look at the crowd of children, and disappeared at top speed through the gate.

"That's him!" said Ern, proudly, as Bingo shot down the road. "What do you think of him, Fatty?"

"Well, I really only caught sight of his tail," said Fatty. "But that certainly looked fine. Look out, here comes old Goon - your uncle, Ern. He looks pretty bad-tempered too."

Mr Goon had opened his front door, and was standing there in his uniform, helmet and all, glaring in his best manner.

"ERN! What's the matter with that dog of yours, barking like that? Has he gone mad or something? Where is he?"

"I don't know, Uncle," said Ern, truthfully. "He shot off at top speed. I only hope he hasn't gone back to my home. He might catch measles, and come out in nasty spots."

"You and your measles!" snorted Mr Goon. "I said you could have that dog if he behaved himself - and if I could borrow him at nights when I go down into the rough part of the town; but I tell you this straight, Ern - if he's going to act silly, and bark at nothing, and rush off like a mad thing, I won't have him. And you might tell him to keep away from my feet. He's tripped me up twice already."

"Oh, I'm very sorry about that, Uncle," said Ern. "Er - I just brought my friends to see him."

"Well, you can take them away again," said Goon, ungraciously. "They may be your friends, but they're not _mine_ - especially Master Frederick Algernon Trotteville - pah!"

"Who's he talking about?" said Ern, in wonder, as Goon went indoors and slammed the door.

"Me, I'm afraid," said Fatty. "Those are my real names, you know, Ern. I try to forget them, though I can't say I like my nickname either. Now - what about your dog Bingo, Ern? Where do you suppose he's gone?"

"I don't know," said Ern, suddenly looking desperate. "I can't think why he went off like that. I suppose my uncle went and shouted at him in the shed and gave him a lamming or something. Let's go and look for him."

But before they had gone more than a few steps, Mr Goon was at his door again, shouting for Ern.

"Ern! You come back! What about those jobs I gave you to do? You come back, I tell you."

"Better go, Ern," said Fatty. "Cheer up. We'll have a look for old Bingo. He won't have come to any harm."

Ern went slowly back through the gate, looking angry and troubled. His thoughts were full of Bingo, his beloved dog. He might get run over! He might get lost! He might even be stolen. "He's so friendly and good-natured, he would go with anyone," thought poor Ern, and began to run as he heard a stentorian shout from inside the house.

"ERN! You come on IN! I've got to go to the police station, and I want you to peel the potatoes for supper and get things tidy. ERN!"

Poor Ern disappeared into the house. He longed to slam the door, just as Goon had done, but he didn't dare.

The others walked slowly through the village, talking about Ern, and keeping a look-out for Bingo. There was no sign of him. Fatty thought he must have gone to find his way back to Ern's own home. They decided to go to the bun-shop and have tea there. Buster was pleased. He knew that this usually meant a few tit-bits for him!

Just as they reached the bun-shop they heard a little whine - a very small and pathetic one. It seemed to come from the hedge nearby. Buster went at once to investigate. He slipped through the hedge and then gave a sharp bark.

"Buster - what is it? Come back!" called Fatty. Buster appeared again - with something trotting behind him - Bingo!

"BINGO!" said everyone, in astonishment, and Bingo wagged his long tail, went flat on his tummy, and began to crawl anxiously towards them, in a most humble manner.

"Poor Bingo!" said Bets, in her gentle voice, and at once Bingo shot over to her, pressed himself against her and gave a funny little high whine. He wagged his long tail so hard that it slapped against Bets' legs, but she didn't mind. She patted him and stroked him, and he went nearly mad with joy. Buster stood nearby and watched gravely.

"Well - you're a bit of a comic, Bingo, I must say," said Fatty, looking at him from all angles. "What a tail! Pity you didn't have legs to match, old boy! But my word, you've real doggy eyes!"

Yes, Bingo had good, bright, faithful eyes, and a tongue always ready to lick any friend. The children decided that Ern was lucky. "What do you think of him, Buster?" said Fatty, seeing Buster standing and watching everything, his eyes, bright, his tail wagging just a very little.