"Of course, Bets would go and give everything away!" said Pip sulkily. "That's what comes of having her in the Find-Outers. Little idiot! She goes and tells everything to Mr. Hick, he rings up Clear-Orf, and now we're all in the soup!"
"What are you muttering about. Pip?" said his mother. "Who is Clear-Orf?"
"Mr. Goon," said Pip defiantly. "He's always telling us to clear-orf."
"Ho!" said Mr. Goon, swelling himself out like an angry frog, his blue eyes bulging fiercely. "Ho! Didn't I always find you hanging about, you kids? Regular pests you are. Now you just listen to me for a few minutes."
There was absolutely nothing to be done but listen to Mr. Goon. The five children stood there, red and angry, Bets still sobbing. Only Buster didn't seem to care, but sniffed happily round Clear-Orf, who fended him off every now and again.
Clear-Orf had a lot to say about "nosey children" and "little nuisances" and "interfering with the law." He ended up with a threat.
"And if I come across any of you nosing about again, or if Mr. Hick reports you to me, you'll all get into Very Serious Trouble," he said. "Ho yes - VERY SERIOUS TROUBLE. You keep out of matters that don't concern you. And as for you, Master Laurence and Miss Daisy, and you Master Frederick, your parents are going to hear about this as well. You mark my words, you'll be sorry you ever interefered with the Law."
"We didn't," said Pip desperately. "We only tried to help."
"Now, no back-chat!" said Mr. Goon majestically. "Children can't help in these things. They only get into trouble - Very Serious Trouble."
And with that Mr. Goon departed with Pip's mother, a burly, righteous-looking figure in dark blue.