Mystery07 Mystery of the Pantomime Cat, The Blyton, Enid.

At the Railway Station.

Larry and Daisy were waiting for Fatty to come and call for them with Buster the Scottie. They swung on the gate and kept looking down the road.

"Nice to he home for the hols, again." said Daisy. "I wish Fatty would buck up. We shan't be in time to meet Pip and Bets' train if he doesn't buck up. I'm longing to see them again. It seems ages since the Christmas hols."

"There he is!" said Larry, and jumped off the gate. "And there's Buster. Hallo, Fatty! We'll have to hurry or we won't be in time to meet Bets and Pip."

"Plenty of time," said Fatty, who never seemed in a hurry. "I say, it'll be fun to be all together again, won't it�the Five Find-Outers, ready to tackle the next super-colossal mystery!"

"Woof," said Buster, feeling a bit left out. Fatty corrected himself. "The Five Find-Outers and Dog. Sorry, Buster."

"Come on," said Daisy. "The train will be in. Fancy, we've had almost a week's holiday and haven't seen Bets and Pip. I bet they didn't like staying with their Aunt Sophie�she's frightfully strict and proper. They'll be full of pleases and thank-yous and good manners for a few days!"

"It'll wear off," said Fatty. "Any one seen old Clear-Orf these hols.?"

Clear-Orf was the name the children gave to Mr. Goon, the village policeman. He couldn't bear the five

children, and he hated Buster, who loved to dance round the fat policeman's ankles in a most aggravating way. The children had solved a good many mysteries which Mr. Goon had tried to puzzle out himself, and he was very jealous of them.

"He'll say 'Clear-orf!' as soon as ever he spots one of us anywhere," said Larry, with a grin. "It's sort of automatic with him. I say�I wonder if there'll be any more mysteries these hols. I feel I could just use my brains nicely on a good juicy mystery!"

The others laughed. "Don't let Daddy hear you say that," said Daisy. "You had such a bad report that he'll wonder why you don't use your brains for Latin and Maths., instead of Mysteries!"

"I suppose he had 'Could use his brains better,' or 'Does not make the best use of his brains,' on his report," said Fatty. "I know the sort of thing."

"You couldn't ever have had those remarks put on your report, Fatty," said Daisy, who had a great admiration for Fatty's brains.

"Well," said Fatty, modestly, "I usually have 'A brilliant term's work,' or 'Far surpasses the average for his form' or . . ."

Larry gave him a punch. "Still the same modest but conceited old Fatty! It's marvellous how you manage to boast in such a modest tone of voice, Fatty. I..."

"Stop arguing; there's the train's whistle," said Daisy, beginning to run. "We simply must be on the platform to meet Pip and Bets. Oh, poor Buster�he's getting left behind on his short legs. Come on, Buster!"

The three children and Buster burst through the door on to the platform. Buster gave a delighted bark, and sniffed at the bottom of a pair of stout dark-blue

trousers, whose owner was standing by the book-stall.

There was an exasperated snort. "Clear-orf!� said a familiar voice. "Put that dog on a lead!"

"Oh�hallo, Mr. Goon!" chorused Fatty, Larry. and Daisy, as if Mr. Goon was their dearest friend.

"Fancy seeing you?" said Fatty. "I hope you are quite well, Mr. Goon�not feeling depressed at this weather, or . . ."

Mr. Goon was getting ready to be very snappish when the train came in with a thunderous roar that made it impossible to talk.

"There's Pip!" yelled Larry, and waved so violently that he almost knocked off Mr. Goon's helmet. Buster retired under a platform seat and sat there looking very dignified. He didn't like trains. Mr. Goon stood not far off, looking for whoever it was he had come to meet.

Bets and Pip tumbled out of the train in excitement. Bets ran to Fatty and hugged him. "Fatty! I hoped you'd come and meet us! Hallo, Larry, hallo Daisy!"

"Hallo, young Bets," said Fatty. He was very fond of Bets. He smacked Pip on the back. "Hallo, Pip! You've just come back in time to help in a super-colossal mystery!�

This was said in a very loud voice, which was meant to reach Mr. Goon's ears. But unfortunately he didn't hear. He was shaking hands with another policeman, a young, pink-faced, smiling fellow.

"Look!" said Larry. "Another policeman! Are we going to have two in Peterswood now, then?"

"I don't know," said Fatty, looking hard at the second policeman. "I rather like the look of Goon's friend�he looks a jolly sort of chap."