by Jenny Nimmo
At the other end of the dormitory Billy Raven lay wide awake. When he was quite sure that everyone else was asleep, he got out of bed. it was time to see Mr. Ezekiel. He knew it was no use waiting for Blessed . The old dog was an enemy now and Billy was a little sorry about this. "Couldn't be helped," he muttered, wrapping himself in his new blue bathrobe.
The powerful beam from his new flashlight helped him to find his way quickly through the building, but once he was in the gaslit passages of the west wing, Billy turned off his flashlight. Almost as soon as he did this, he tripped over an empty jam jar. Something else lived in Ezekiel's shadowy regions, and occasionally it threw jam jars down the rickety steps that led to the attic. Billy wasn't sure if it was a ghost, or something worse. He ran toward Ezekiel's room, but as he approached it, he heard several angry shouts. Billy put his ear to the door.
"Someone's hiding it!" screeched Ezekiel. "One of those wretched children."
"The children were all at home," said a voice, "except for Billy of course."
Billy stiffened. He recognized the voice of Miss Yewbeam , the matron.
"I want it," growled the old man. "I must have it."
"Calm down, Ezekiel. There are other ways of getting rid of the boy"
"Has Charlie got the painting?"
"Oh, yes," said the matron. "We made sure of that."
"You think he'll be tempted to go in?" Ezekiel's voice had turned sly and eager.
"I'm sure of it. But who knows if he'll fetch the dagger."
"Of course he will," said Ezekiel. “Any boy would choose a dagger; all sharp and shiny."
"We had a bit of trouble with Paton," said Lucretia . "I think he knows more than he should."
"You'll have to do something about that brother of yours. He reads too much."
The matron gave a nasty laugh. "Oh, yes, he reads," she sniggered. “And that will be his downfall. Leave it to us."
Miss Yewbeam's laugh was infectious and soon they were both swept into a bout of unrestrained giggling.
Billy chose this moment to knock.
"Who is it?" said Ezekiel, still chuckling.
"Billy Raven, sir," said Billy
"Ah, I want a word with you," said Ezekiel.
Billy entered the room. He was feeling hopeful. Surely he was due for a reward. He was in for a nasty shock.
When the old man saw Billy he screamed, "You wretch. You kicked my doggie."
"But I helped to catch the boy from nowhere," said Billy taken aback.
Ezekiel ignored this. "Why did you kick my Percy?"
"He wouldn't talk to me." Billy was beginning to lose hope. "When am I going to get new parents,
sir ?"
"You don't hurt my doggie. No parents for you. You'll have to do better. Now get out!"
As Billy turned to go he saw a look of scorn cross Matron Yewbeam's face. It was quite obvious that she didn't like children one bit.
RUN OVER!
Charlie couldn't remember when he'd had such a horrible week.
It took Fidelio several days to recover from being hypnotized. He wandered along beside Charlie, hardly talking. Sometimes he forgot Charlie's name, and sometimes even his own.
During the day it was impossible to get into the ruin because Mr. Weedon was always there.
"Clear out!" the gardener would shout. "Go on. Buzz off!"
At night, whenever Charlie tried to leave the dormitory Lucretia Yewbeam was always lurking around a corner, ready to pounce on him. In the end he just gave up. But Henry was on his mind all the time. Where was he? Was he being starved to death?
It suddenly dawned on Charlie that Henry had no parents to come looking for him. No one would miss him because he shouldn't really exist. There was Cook, of course, and Mrs. Bloor. But what could they do, and who would believe poor Mrs. Bloor?
"It's up to me," Charlie murmured.
"What's up to you?" asked Fidelio.
It was Friday afternoon and they were packing their bags, ready to go home.
Charlie looked up. "Fidelio, that's the first sensible thing you've said all week. Are you feeling better?"
Fidelio nodded, "It's wearing off. But I've still got a headache. I'd like to give Manfred a taste of his own medicine."
"One day we'll get our own back," muttered Gabriel.
Billy Raven came in and Fidelio whispered, "It's all his fault. He's a spy."
But Charlie felt almost sorry for Billy he looked so lonely and fed up.
"Don't be deceived," Fidelio muttered. "He's still dangerous."
The three boys ran down to the hall and out through the great oak doors.
“Another weekend of freedom!" cried Gabriel. "Gerbils, here I come!"
They leaped on the blue school bus and were soon on the move. Filbert Street was one of the last stops and Charlie could hardly wait to get home. He wanted to ask his uncle what to do about Henry
As soon as Charlie got off the bus he saw Benjamin and Runner Bean racing toward him. From the look on Benjamin's face, Charlie knew that something was wrong.
"What's happened?" he asked when Benjamin stood panting beside him.
"Oh, Charlie, it's awful. Your uncle was run over!"
"What?" Charlie dropped his bag. "When? How? Is he . . . ?"
"No, he's not dead." Benjamin paused to get his breath back. "He's in the hospital. It was up near the cathedral," Benjamin panted. "Someone saw your uncle step into the road while he was reading a book. A car came around the corner and went straight into him. It didn't stop, it just sped off."
"No," Charlie moaned. "I was afraid this would happen."
When they reached number nine, Benjamin didn't come in with Charlie. "You'll want to be alone with your family" he said. "I expect they'll be going to the hospital."
Maisie opened the door and squeezed Charlie with a violent hug. "Oh, Charlie," she cried. "What a catastrophe. Did Benjamin tell you?"
"Yes." Charlie twisted himself out of Maisie's arms "Is Uncle Paton . . . ? Is he OK? I mean, is he talking?"
"He wasn't yesterday" said Maisie . "His head was all wrapped up and so were his ribs. Poor Paton. He looked awful."
"Do they know who did it?"
"Hit and run," said Maisie grimly "There were a couple of witnesses, but they didn't get the number. The car just raced away."
Maisie led Charlie into the kitchen where his mother was laying three places at the table.
"We're going to see your uncle later," she said, pecking Charlie's cheek. "Do you want to come, Charlie?"
"You bet," said Charlie.
After tea they took a taxi up to the hospital It was a large building and they spent a long time looking for the right ward. As they walked down the long aisle between the rows of beds, they recognized two people sitting beside one of the patients: Emma and Miss Ingledew .
"I'd like to give that woman a piece of my mind," Maisie muttered. "It's all her fault. She's been horrible to Paton."
When it came to it, Maisie couldn't say a word, because as soon as she saw them, Mss Ingledew jumped up and said in a tearful voice, "I'm so, so sorry for what's happened. I blame myself entirely Paton was coming to see me, and I. . . Oh, he shouldn't have put himself at risk like that. I feel so guilty." She blew her nose very loudly.
"It's not your fault, Julia," said Amy Bone, putting an arm around her shoulders. "Paton was just trying out a little experiment. One of us should have been with him, but he just slipped out without our knowin
g."
All that could be seen of Paton was his white face. He had a black mask over his eyes and a bandage around his head.
"Is he conscious?" Charlie asked in a whisper.
"Yes," said a thin voice that was still unmistakably Paton's.
Charlie bent closer to his uncle. "How do you feel, Uncle Paton?" he asked. "You are going to get better, aren't you?"
"Of course." His voice dropped to a whisper. "It was one of them, Charlie."
"One of who ?"
"My sisters. She was wearing a wig. I can't tell them apart without seeing the hair, but I know"
Charlie was so shocked he sat down heavily on the side of the bed.
Miss Ingledew got up to leave, but before she went she handed Charlie a small, battered-looking book. "I found it in the gutter after your uncle's accident," she said. "He asked me to give it to you. That's right, isn't it, Paton?"
"Yes," he said weakly
"Good-bye, Paton dear. I'll be back tomorrow."
As Miss Ingledew turned away Paton gave a very slight smile.
Emma came around to Charlie's side of the bed and said, "I'm sorry Charlie. I haven't been very nice just lately. But I want to help."
"OK," said Charlie awkwardly
"I mean, I will help."
"Thanks," he said. "See you on Monday"
Emma could fly and that could be useful.
Miss Ingledew and her niece walked away and Maisie began to tell Paton all the news she could remember, both public and personal. While she talked, Charlie looked at the small brown book. The name Geiriadur was printed in faded gold on the cover. Inside there were columns of words in a strange language.
After a while Paton gave a huge yawn and murmured, "I'm wearing the mask because of the lights. I told them they hurt my eyes. It could've been nasty.”
"It certainly could," said Mrs. Bone, gazing up at the rows of fluorescent lights.
"Good night, everyone," said Paton with another yawn .
Taking the hint, Mrs. Bone and Maisie got up to leave, but leaning closer to his uncle, Charlie said, "Uncle Paton, the book's in a foreign language."
"Welsh," muttered Paton. "You'll need it for Skarpo .”
"Why?"
Paton didn't answer. He merely said, "Keep it safe.”
Charlie wanted to ask his uncle's advice about Henry but he didn't see how he could while Paton was so ill.
A nurse appeared with a cart full of pills and, promising to return next day the three visitors said good night to Paton and left the hospital.
At number nine they found Grandma Bone in the kitchen eating cake.
"You haven't been to see Paton," Maisie said accusingly.
"I've been busy," grunted Grandma Bone.
" Grizelda ! Your own brother!" Maisie turned away in disgust. "You've got a heart of stone."
Grandma Bone ignored her. She took a large bite of cream cake and then noticed the book Charlie was holding.
"What's that you've got?" She stared at Charlie's hand.
A book," said Charlie.
"I can see that," she said irritably "What sort of book? Give it here." "No. It's private."
Charlie ran upstairs. He didn't trust Grandma Bone. She was bound to come snooping in his room as soon as she got the chance. He found that the book just fit into his pants pocket. He would keep it with him wherever he went. Tomorrow they would pay another visit to the hospital and he could have a private chat with his uncle.
It was not to be. Next day when Charlie asked to visit the hospital, Maisie looked glum. "Grandma Bone and the Yewbeams are going today" she said. “And I’m not traveling up there in Eustacia's car. She drives like a maniac."
"What about Mom?" asked Charlie.
"She can't get away from work until after visiting hours."
Charlie didn't know what to do. At length he decided he must see his uncle, so at three o'clock when Eustacia's black car pulled up outside number nine Charlie got in the back with Grandma Bone. Aunt Venetia was in the passenger seat.
"What a treat," exclaimed Aunt Venetia. "We're going to have little Charlie with us."
"Not little, if you don't mind," muttered Charlie.
"Sensitive about our size, are we?" Venetia giggled.
Charlie didn't think there was any point in replying
As soon as they reached Paton's ward, Charlie realized that any conversation with his uncle would be impossible. When Paton heard his sisters' voices his face took on a blank, shuttered look, and he refused to speak.
"He doesn't appear to be conscious," said Grandma Bone. She raised her voice, "Paton, it's US. Your SISTERS. Aren't you going to talk to us?"
Paton's face remained blank.
"We've bought grapes," said Eustacia , plonking a bag on the bedside table.
“And Charlie's here," added Venetia .
Paton gave no sign that he'd heard them. Charlie didn't blame him. The three sisters sat around the bed discussing the weather and the national news as if their brother were not there.
After half an hour they stood up, and Charlie took his chance. Leaning over his uncle, he whispered. "See you next weekend, Uncle P"
"You're on," murmured Paton.
"He spoke!" cried Venetia . "Charlie, what did he say?"
"Nothing," said Charlie. "He was just breathing."
They frowned at him suspiciously On the drive back to Filbert Street , the three sisters ignored Charlie and chattered away to one another. He had never known Grandma Bone to be in such a good mood, but then poor Henry had been caught and was probably locked up in some dark, secret place. No wonder the Yewbeams were happy
By the time he got home, Charlie was desperate to discuss Henry with someone. He decided to have a talk with his mother.
When Mrs. Bone got home, Charlie followed her to her small room at the back of the house.
"I've got a problem, Mom," he said. "Can we talk?"
"Charlie, of course."
Mrs. Bone took a bundle of clothes out of the armchair and made Charlie snuggle into it. Then she swung another chair around so that she could sit close to him.
Charlie's mom was a very good listener. She never interrupted or exclaimed, but when she heard the extraordinary story of Henry Yewbeam , her eyes widened and her expression changed from curiosity to amazement and then horror.
"That poor boy," she said when Charlie had told her everything. "What can we do? And Paton — his own sisters! But I suppose that shouldn't surprise me."
"Why Mom?" asked Charlie.
"Because of your father. I know they had something to do with his accident. And Grandma Bone, removing all his photos. As if he didn't exist."
"One day he will exist, Mom," said Charlie.
She shook her head and smiled sadly "I'm afraid not, Charlie. But I've had an idea. Miss Ingledew knows something about the little book. She found it, and she was talking to Paton before we got to the hospital. Why don't you go and see her?"
Charlie thought this was a very good idea. "I'll take Benjamin," he said. “And Runner Bean." He didn't like to admit it to his mother, but he always felt nervous in the narrow streets around the cathedral.
Benjamin was, as always, very happy to join Charlie on an expedition. So was Runner Bean. On Sunday afternoon, all three set off for Ingledew's bookshop while Grandma Bone was taking a nap.
Dark clouds hung over the city and there was st
ill a hint of snow in the air. By the time they reached the bookshop, the boys were ready for a hot drink and a bite to eat.
"I hope they're in," Benjamin muttered as Charlie rang the bell.
They were in luck. Emma answered the door.
"Come in," she said with a bright smile. "But excuse the mess."
She led them into the cozy room behind the shop A large sketchbook lay on Miss Ingledew's desk Emma had apparently been working there. The drawing of a huge bird covered both pages of the open book. It looked like a golden eagle and yet there was something far more menacing and powerful about it.
Apart from Miss Ingledew's piles of books the room seemed to be full of feathers. Black, white, blue, and gray they covered the floor and lay on every table and chair in the room.
"I've been copying them," said Emma, sweeping a pile of feathers off the sofa. "Watch where you sit."
The boys perched on the sofa where there were less feathers than anywhere else. Runner Bean was confused. He started hunting for the birds that must surely be hiding somewhere in the room.
"What's that?" asked Charlie, nodding at Emma's drawing.
A tollroc ," she said.
"Never heard of it," said Charlie.
"No, you wouldn't have. I invented it." Emma held up the book. "It's supposed to be like the 'roc in "Sinbad the Sailor." You know, the giant bird whose egg was fifty paces around."
"Wow! Some egg!" said Benjamin.
"Some bird!" added Charlie.
"It has to be strong," said Emma. "Very strong. And fierce. See its talons! Each one will be the size of my hand."
"Nasty." said Benjamin.
It dawned on Charlie that this bird wasn't just a drawing made for fun. It had a very special purpose "Emma," he said, "is that how you . . . ? I mean do you have to be a bird before you can — fly?"
"Yes. But I have to think of the bird first. I see it in my mind, and then — it happens."
The boys stared at her in awe.
"Wow. That must be awesome," Benjamin said at last.
