‘Why didn’t Buster bark?’ said Bets.
‘Well, he knows Mrs. Moon all right and wouldn’t bark if she came by,’ said Fatty. ‘And I don’t expect he bothers about anyone in the next garden. Do you, Buster, old fellow?’
‘Woof,’ said Buster lazily. He was lying in a patch of sun and it was pleasantly warm on him. He cocked his ears up, hoping to hear the magic word ‘Walk.’
He soon heard it. ‘I vote we go for a walk,’ said Larry. ‘It’s getting stuffy here. Let’s go down to the river and watch the swans. We’ll take some bread.’
Pip asked Mrs. Moon for some bread. She seemed sulky and upset. ‘No wonder,’ thought Pip, ‘after having Mr. Goon bellowing at her!’
They had a lovely time by the river. They sauntered back to tea, but parted at Pip’s, because each had to get back home for tea that afternoon.
‘See you tomorrow,’ said Fatty. ‘We seem to be rather stuck again, don’t we? This mystery wants oiling a bit! Well - maybe something will happen tomorrow!’
Fatty was quite right. Plenty happened - and it was very exciting too!
MR. GOON IS PUZZLED
Fatty thought he would wear his butcher-boy disguise the next morning, in case he had to go and do a bit more snooping or interviewing. It was a simple disguise, and very effective. He put on his red wig, with no cap. He adjusted the black eyebrows and made his face red. Then, with his striped apron tied round his middle, he set off to Pip’s.