by Pete Johnson
‘He had a long grey coat on and new black boots… I do remember noticing those.’
‘Well, that’s just great,’ muttered Sam. ‘We’ll spend all our time staring at people’s feet.’ He sighed. ‘I’ve got to do something. I mean, I can’t just stay here and go to bed. I want to go out and catch all these dog snatchers.’
‘So Lauren will think you’re wonderful,’ teased Ella.
‘No, of course not,’ said Sam, going red.
‘I believe you, beetroot features.’
Sam gave Patch a last stroke before storming off. He hadn’t liked her saying that about Lauren at all, thought Ella.
Well, good. He deserved it after spoiling tonight. Fancy saying he’d have caught the dog snatcher as well! Sam could be such a show-off sometimes.
Sam Makes a Promise
Next morning Ella and Sam were still pretty unfriendly with each other. But all their disagreements were forgotten later when something dramatic happened at school.
David was a year younger than Ella and Sam, but Sam knew him quite well as they were in the same school football team. Only, David wasn’t at football training after school that day. And Sam soon found out why. David had a West Highland terrier called Jessie. She was a great dog – very friendly. And now she too had been stolen.
David’s mum had just left her tied up outside the post office for a couple of minutes while she popped in to get some stamps. When she came out all that was left was the lead – the dog had gone. No one had seen anything either. Jessie just seemed to have vanished.
Later that evening Sam slipped away to see David and his family. David looked dazed and lost. ‘Jessie was the best dog in the world,’ he said. ‘And I’m never going to see her again.’
‘Yes, you are,’ said Sam. ‘We’ll track this gang down.’
David’s mum nodded. ‘That’s the spirit. We’ve got to stay hopeful.’
David’s family had also made some posters. They’d even offered a reward of £300 to anyone who could help them find Jessie. ‘I know it sounds like a lot of money,’ said David’s mum, ‘but Jessie is like a member of the family… and we’ll do anything to get her back.’
Next day there was a big article in the local paper about the dog thefts. People were urged to keep a close eye on their dog.
Meanwhile every night Lauren and her dad walked around Little Brampton, just to check Spike wasn’t lying hurt or injured somewhere. They carried on asking people if they’d seen Spike too.
But no one ever had, even though posters of the two missing dogs were everywhere, including all over the Jolly Roger. Uncle Mike went mad when he saw them and promptly ripped them down.
‘He just doesn’t care,’ said Sam, pacing up and down Ella’s bedroom. He sighed heavily. ‘He hasn’t even left one poster up, and those dog snatchers are still out there – but where? I was hoping there might have been a ransom note by now. Then I could have lain in wait for the gang to pick up their money – and overpowered them all.’
‘Single-handedly, of course,’ said Ella.
‘Oh, I might have asked you to come along too.’
Ella smiled. ‘You’re so kind.’ Then she said, ‘We need some clues.’
‘We haven’t got any,’ said Sam, ‘except for the fact that one of the dog snatchers was wearing new black boots… and a lot of good that is.’
‘All right,’ said Ella, ‘don’t start on that again.’ She paused. ‘We could go along and interview Mr Westbury and see if he can remember anything else about the dog snatcher at the park.’
‘I suppose we could,’ said Sam unenthusiastically. ‘Yeah, all right then.’
But it was while interviewing the park keeper that they discovered a very important clue.
A Very Important Clue
Next day, before school started, Sam and Ella went to see Mr Westbury. Just inside the park was a cafe. Mr Westbury was setting out the tables when they found him. He took them to his office, which was about the size of a car boot. There were posters of Spike and Jessie all over one window. And underneath them one advertising the Jolly Roger. Mr Westbury said he’d been expecting Sam and Ella, which made them feel rather important.
‘Lauren’s dad told me you two were investigating this case,’ he said. ‘You’re the ones who found that jewel thief, aren’t you?’
‘Yes, that’s right, we did,’ said Ella, darting a glance at Sam.
‘I remember reading about that in the local paper,’ Mr Westbury said. ‘So have you got any clues as to the dog snatcher?’
‘Yes,’ said Ella, ‘but we’d like some more. That’s why we need you to tell us again what happened the morning Spike was stolen.’
‘And don’t miss out a single detail,’ added Sam.
‘Well, as you know, the man I saw was bald and extremely tall.’ Mr Westbury gave a little chuckle. ‘Still, most people look tall to me.’ He was very small and round. ‘But I’d say he was well over six foot, a fast walker all right… and, oh yes… shortly after the incident I found a handkerchief right by the scene of the crime. Of course I don’t know for certain that it was dropped by the dog thief – but it’s possible, isn’t it?’
‘It certainly is,’ said Sam eagerly.
Mr Westbury leant forward. ‘And right in the corner of the handkerchief were these tiny initials – M. R.’
‘M. R.’ repeated Sam. ‘Well, they could be the dog snatcher’s initials.’
‘I think they are,’ said Mr Westbury.
‘Can we see the handkerchief?’ asked Sam.
‘It’s rather dirty,’ said Mr Westbury.
‘Oh, a few bogeys don’t bother me,’ replied Sam.
‘No.’ Mr Westbury grinned. ‘I mean it’s a bit grubby, that’s all.’ Then he went over and brought out an expensive-looking blue handkerchief with the initials in black in the corner.
‘He’s obviously quite rich,’ said Ella.
Sam asked, ‘Could we borrow this handkerchief just for a day or two, please?’
Mr Westbury looked a bit doubtful.
‘I really think this could be a significant clue,’ said Sam.
‘Well, the police don’t seem at all interested in it,’ said Mr Westbury. ‘So, all right then… I’ll put it in a little bag for you. And, if this helps track down our dog thief, well, I’ll be very happy indeed.’
On the way to school Ella asked, ‘Why on earth did you want to borrow that smelly handkerchief?’
‘Ella, who do we know with those initials?’
His sister shrugged.
‘And you’re supposed to be the clever one – Uncle Mike, of course.’
Ella stopped walking and stared at Sam. ‘You’re not serious.’
‘He’s got the same initials. And the man Mr Westbury saw was very tall and bald. Well, Uncle Mike’s very tall and could easily be mistaken for a boiled egg.’
‘I still don’t think he’s the dog snatcher,’ said Ella.
‘I do,’ said Sam firmly. ‘And, don’t forget, he has been away a lot recently.’
‘Handing out flyers about the Jolly Roger,’ said Ella.
‘He could be doing that and stealing dogs,’ said Sam. ‘No, we should see if Uncle Mike recognizes this hankie. If he does – well, we’ve got one of the dog snatchers.’
Ella gasped.
Sam grinned. ‘I’ve really shocked you with my amazing intelligence, haven’t I?’
‘Let’s just say you’ve shocked me,’ said Ella.
At school Sam even went up and told Lauren, ‘I think I’m about to track down one of the dog snatchers.’
‘Oh, but that’s brilliant,’ she cried, all excited, ‘especially as the police say they haven’t anything new to tell us.’
‘Just leave it all to me,’ said Sam.
News of Mrs Rice
When they got back from school they saw Uncle Mike standing behind the reception desk at the Jolly Roger. He scowled at the two children. ‘Can’t you come into my hotel a little more quie
tly?’
‘Sorry, Uncle Mike,’ said Sam, sidling up next to him.
‘I’m always having to remind you,’ said Uncle Mike.
‘I know, but from now on we’ll tiptoe in and out of here. I promise,’ said Sam. ‘So how are the bookings?’
‘Improving, no thanks to you,’ grunted Uncle Mike.
Then Sam crouched down. ‘Oh, by the way, you dropped this.’
Uncle Mike squinted at the blue hankie in Sam’s hand while Sam and Ella waited breathlessly. Then he snatched it up. ‘Hmm, so I did,’ he muttered.
A little shiver ran up Ella’s back. She didn’t like Uncle Mike very much – but she’d never imagined him as a dog snatcher.
Then something really alarming happened. A hideous smile appeared on Uncle Mike’s face out of nowhere, and he asked Sam, ‘So, lad, did you have a good day at school today?’ This total change of character could only mean one thing: Uncle Mike had spotted someone else coming into the hotel.
Sam turned and saw who it was – David with his mum.
‘Guess what, Sam,’ yelled David across the entrance. ‘I think Jessie’s been found.’
‘What!’ exclaimed Sam and Ella together.
David rushed on, ‘This woman called Mrs Rice rang up, saying she’s sure she bought Jessie at an agricultural show yesterday. She was a bit suspicious at the time but it was only today she saw one of our notices and recognized Jessie right away.’
‘That’s the best news I’ve heard for centuries,’ cried Sam.
David grinned and nodded. ‘She said we can call round any time after five o’clock today to collect Jessie and it’s nearly that now… so we just wondered if you’d like to come with us.’
‘Would we!’ said Sam eagerly.
But then he remembered Uncle Mike, who normally would have snapped, ‘No, of course you can’t go – you’ve got far too much work to do here.’ But in front of other people Uncle Mike had to put on a bit of an act, so he displayed all his brown teeth and said, ‘Now I think it might be a bit crowded with both of you there, but, Sam, you certainly may go along.’
Ella tried hard not to look too disappointed. Sam whispered to her before he left, ‘I’ll tell you everything that happens.’ She knew he would, but meanwhile Ella had to do her least favourite job: cleaning the kitchen floor.
‘Can I go and see Patch first?’ she asked.
‘No, you can’t,’ snapped Uncle Mike, back to his usual self. ‘That wretched dog started howling and yelping after you went back to school this afternoon. Well, he’d better behave himself tomorrow night.’
‘Tomorrow night?’ asked Ella.
Uncle Mike stamped his foot impatiently. ‘How many times do I have to remind you? That’s when we have all these important people coming to watch a film in the dining hall about the history of Little Brampton.’
‘Oh yes, sorry – I’d forgotten,’ whispered Ella.
‘Well, if your germ-carrying mutt barks just once tomorrow, we’re going to sell him.’
‘Don’t worry, he won’t. He’s a good dog really,’ said Ella hastily.
Uncle Mike pulled the blue handkerchief with his initials on out of his pocket and proceeded to blow his nose very loudly. ‘Wretched cold,’ he muttered. ‘Just can’t shake it off.’ Ella watched him, horrified. So it really was his handkerchief that had been found at the crime scene. She still couldn’t believe it.
‘What are you staring at?’ demanded Uncle Mike suddenly. ‘You haven’t got time to stand gawping at me, especially as your aunt’s got one of her headaches. Now get cleaning that kitchen floor.’
But, after he’d gone, Ella carried on wondering about Uncle Mike’s secret life of crime. And then she heard a buzzing in her ear. She instantly cleared her mind and heard Sam saying triumphantly, ‘So what about Uncle Mike admitting that hankie belonged to him? I was right, wasn’t I?’
‘Yes,’ she agreed, ‘you were.’
‘This is to let you know what’s happening. We found Mrs Rice. She lives in a cottage a little way on from the park. She’s dead old and very smiley. And guess what – the dog is Jessie all right.’
‘Oh, I’m really pleased,’ cried Ella.
‘Jessie went mad when she saw David. His mum is writing Mrs Rice a cheque now. She paid one hundred and fifty pounds for the dog and David’s mum is insisting on paying her that back, as well as the three hundred pounds reward.’
‘Wow,’ gasped Ella. ‘So she’s getting a cheque for four hundred and fifty pounds.’
‘But she said she’s very sorry to say goodbye to Jessie, as her own dog died six months ago and she’s been very lonely ever since.’
‘I can imagine… still, with all that money she can buy another one,’ said Ella.
‘That’s true. I’m going to ask Mrs Rice a few questions now.’
‘Well, don’t go offline,’ said Ella. ‘It’s very lonely here on my own.’
‘All right, I’ll stay online… and keep you posted.’
And Sam did. He repeated everything Mrs Rice had told him about buying the dog at the agricultural show. The person who’d sold Mrs Rice the dog did give her a phone number. But, of course, it was a false one.
‘I wonder,’ said Ella, ‘how Jessie ended up at that agricultural show. Did the gang take her there?’
‘Well, I suppose it’s a good place to sell dogs,’ said Sam. He added, ‘And I bet the chief dog snatcher is Uncle Mike.’
‘We need a bit more proof than one hankie,’ replied Ella.
‘And we’ll get it,’ said Sam, ‘but now we’re all leaving. Jessie and David have charged off into the car already. But David’s mum is still talking to Mrs Rice at the door…’ All at once Sam’s voice stopped.
Ella actually tapped her ear. ‘Sam, Sam… are you still there?’
Then she heard Sam’s voice again but it sounded hushed and shocked.
‘Ella, I’ve picked up a sound that neither David’s mum nor Mrs Rice have heard. It was a high-pitched yelping. It has to be Spike!’
Ella gasped. ‘But where was it coming from?’
Sam paused, and then said, ‘From Mrs Rice’s garden.’
Patch in Trouble
Later that night it looked as if Sam and Ella were sitting in Ella’s room without saying a word to each other. Certainly their lips didn’t move once. But, actually, they were talking away like crazy. Sam had decided it was too dangerous to even whisper about the dog snatcher, now that Uncle Mike was a top suspect. So they were talking online.
Patch sat up and watched them with his black-and-white ears sharply pricked, as if he sensed something magical were going on.
Ella’s ear was scalding hot tonight. In fact, it felt just as if it had sunburn. Touching it was really quite painful. She supposed this was because she’d been online so much with Sam lately.
Still, Sam’s discovery could be a real breakthrough. He was convinced Mrs Rice’s house was where they were keeping Spike.
‘What I don’t understand,’ said Ella, ‘is how the tall, bald dog snatcher Mr Westbury saw, or the short one I saw, fit in with Mrs Rice.’
‘They’re all members of this dognapping gang. And don’t forget Uncle Mike as well. I bet they have a secret hiding place where they plot which dog to steal next. I’d love to find out where they’re meeting and send a poisonous snake in there that would…’
‘Yes, all right,’ interrupted Ella. Sometimes Sam got a bit carried away and needed bringing back to earth. ‘But what are we going to do next?’
‘Tomorrow night we’ve got to go to Mrs Rice’s house and rescue Spike.’
‘If it is Spike you heard.’
‘I’m sure it’s him this time,’ said Sam firmly.
‘And, once we’ve got Spike, we’ll tell the police where we found him and then Mrs Rice will have to talk,’ said Ella.
‘And give the reward money back,’ said Sam. ‘Talk about cheeky – you steal the dog yourself, and then ring up to claim the reward for returning h
im.’
‘There’s just one problem with tomorrow night,’ said Ella. ‘Uncle Mike and Aunt Joy are putting on this big do…’
‘Oh, that’s right,’ groaned Sam. ‘So there’s no way we can both disappear. But it’s OK – I’ll go on my own.’
‘Oh yes, and why has it got to be you?’ demanded Ella at once.
‘Because,’ began Sam, then he grinned. ‘Well, because I’m just the best. Everyone knows that.’
‘Ha, ha,’ cried Ella, ‘and ha, ha, again.’
In the end they flipped a coin; the winner could go and save Spike.
And Ella won.
Sam frowned. ‘We did say the best of three?’
‘No, we didn’t,’ said Ella gleefully. ‘I win but, don’t worry, I’ll think of you often, doing all that lovely washing up.’ Then she added, ‘Keep an eye on Patch. Uncle Mike says, if he makes one sound tomorrow night, then he will have to go.’ Suddenly Patch twitched in his sleep and gave a little groan.
‘Don’t worry,’ said Sam, stroking Patch, ‘I’ll keep an eye on him all right.’
The following evening Sam took Patch for a long walk. Then he settled their dog in a basket just outside the kitchen with a nice juicy bone.
Uncle Mike and Aunt Joy had been rushing about greeting all the guests. They were all dressed up tonight. Uncle Mike was wearing a stripy jacket, which made him look like a walking deckchair.
Then the speaker, Mrs Withers, arrived: a large, confident woman with a voice that boomed even through into the kitchen, where Sam was busily setting out trays of tea, coffee and biscuits for the end of her talk. No one would know that he was also talking away to Ella, as they were already online.
Suddenly Sam heard a loud thumping noise by his feet. He looked down to see Patch, his tail beating excitedly against the ground. He crouched down. ‘Now you know you’re not supposed to be in here.’ Then he noticed that Patch had brought his ball in with him too.
‘Sorry, I can’t play with you right now,’ he began. But Patch looked so hopeful of a game that Sam’s heart melted and he hurled the ball into the reception area. This time, to Sam’s delight, Patch not only retrieved the ball – but he brought it back to him. ‘Clever boy, you’re getting it at last! I knew you would.’
