Mr. Goon came slowly towards them. The children watched him. Buster growled. Mr. Goon pretended not to notice any of them. He did not feel at all friendly towards the children since they had solved a mystery he had been unable to solve himself.
Buster suddenly flew round Mr. Goon and barked madly at his ankles. He did not attempt to bite him or snap at him, but he startled Mr. Goon all the same.
"Clear orf!" said Mr. Goon to Buster, in a threatening tone. "Do you hear? Clear orf!"
"Buster, come here!" said Fatty, but not in a very commanding voice. Buster took no notice. He was having a lovely day. First Mr. Tupping and now Mr. Goon to frighten. Oh, what a treat for a little black Scottie!
"Clear ORF," said Mr. Goon. Luke gave one of his loud laughs as Buster jumped nimbly out of the way of a kick. The policeman looked at him.
"Ho, you!" he said, "you'll get into trouble, you will, if you laugh at the Law. What you doing here? You clear orf!"
"He's our friend," said Fatty. "Come here, Buster!"
Mr. Tupping, hearing the noise of barking and shouting, appeared at the other gate of the drive. He knew Buster at once.
"You'd better report that there dog," remarked Mr. Tupping to the policeman. "Tore a bit out of me trousers today — look here! Vicious dog, that's what he is. Right-down vicious."
He caught sight of Luke. "What you doing hanging about here instead of going home?" he asked. Luke disappeared at once, going off up the lane quickly. He wanted no more trouble from either Mr. Tupping or Mr. Goon.