by Pete Johnson
Sam threw the ball again. Patch went tearing after it, but this time he bounded into a man arriving in the doorway.
‘I’m very sorry,’ cried Sam, rushing forward. The man brushed himself down, then stared hard at Sam through large, thick glasses.
‘I’m here for the talk. I hope I’m not too late.’
‘No, no,’ said Sam, ‘I’ll show you where it is.’
Still brushing himself down, the man followed Sam along the corridor. After Sam had shown him inside, Patch gave a loud bark.
‘Hey, shh,’ said Sam at once. ‘What’s the matter anyway? And where’s your ball gone?’ Then Sam realized what had happened. ‘Oh, that man must have taken it by mistake. Well, don’t worry, we’ll get it back afterwards… and don’t you dare bark again. OK?’
Meanwhile Ella had slipped out of the Jolly Roger. She’d found Mrs Rice’s cottage at the end of a little cobbled lane. It looked so calm and peaceful with ivy growing all over it. Could Spike really be here? She took Spike’s whistle out of her pocket and blew it right outside the cottage. At once there came a faint, faraway yelp, which she’d never have heard if she hadn’t been online.
Now she too was certain that it was Spike. Her heart thumped excitedly. She was all set to rescue Spike right away. There was just one problem: Mrs Rice was standing in her doorway chatting with another woman. So there was no way Ella could slip past her and investigate the back garden at the moment.
‘Don’t worry,’ said Sam when she told him, ‘just stay online and be ready for your chance.’
Sam was about to say something else when he heard a sound that made him freeze with horror.
It was Patch.
And he was barking very loudly and very angrily.
Ella to the Rescue
Sam thought his head would explode. Uncle Mike and Aunt Joy would never forgive Patch for making all that noise. Sam charged over to the dining hall. The little man with large glasses who’d arrived late clearly wanted to leave early as well. But he couldn’t because Patch was dancing around his ankles and barking furiously.
Uncle Mike strode out of the dining hall, his face twisting with fury. ‘We can’t hear a word in there,’ he said. ‘What’s the meaning of this racket?’
Sam opened his mouth, but not a word came out. And then a woman burst out of the dining hall. ‘My purse has been stolen!’ she shrieked. ‘And I think you know something about it,’ she cried, pointing at the man with the large glasses.
He tried to dart away but Patch began barking madly at him again. Other people were now spilling out of the dining hall, telling each other about things they’d had stolen – so this man had been busy creeping about in the dark, helping himself to anything he could find!
Aunt Joy rushed off to call the police while Mrs Withers said in her booming voice, ‘That dog of yours has saved the day. If it hadn’t been for him, this scoundrel would have got clean away.’
There were murmurs of agreement and even Uncle Mike had to splutter, ‘Yes, he’s a good dog all right.’
After the police had taken the man away and everyone was going back into the hall, Uncle Mike whispered to Sam, ‘You can give that dog, er…’ He struggled to remember his name.
‘Patch,’ prompted Sam.
‘Yes, you can give Patch some extra water tonight.’
‘You’re so generous,’ muttered Sam. Then he gave Patch a massive hug. ‘And you’re so clever.’ Of course, Sam wasn’t completely sure if Patch had barked at the man because he knew he was a thief or because the man still had his ball. It was probably a bit of both, Sam decided. Anyway, Patch was a hero now, all right.
Sam told Ella everything that had happened, and then she hissed, ‘Mrs Rice has finally gone inside – so it’s up to me now.’
‘You’ll be great,’ said Sam unexpectedly.
This gave Ella that extra little burst of confidence as she crept round to the back gate. It was padlocked and it was very high. Normally she wasn’t at all keen on climbing but now that she was online she seemed to get up and over it in seconds. She felt a little glow of pride about that.
Then she looked around her. Although Mrs Rice’s cottage wasn’t very big, her back garden was huge. It seemed to stretch out forever. And right at the bottom of the garden, dwarfed by all the trees surrounding it, was one lone shed.
Ella got out the whistle and gave a little blow. Right away a faint high-pitched yelp came from the shed. She’d found Spike. But Ella knew she mustn’t get too excited yet. She still had to get him out without attracting Mrs Rice’s attention.
So, slowly and carefully, she made her way down the garden. Every footstep she took sounded deafening to her. And it took a while edging down such a long garden but Ella didn’t want to ruin anything now by getting over-hasty.
At last she reached the shed. There were no windows, but she could hear the dog scratching at the door. ‘Don’t worry, Spike,’ she whispered. ‘I’ll get you out.’
‘What’s happening? Come on, tell me everything,’ demanded Sam in her ear.
‘I’ve found Spike.’
‘I knew you’d do it,’ yelled Sam.
‘I’ve just got to get him out of the garden now.’ And then Ella heard another voice calling out.
‘Who’s there? Come on – show yourself. I’m not afraid.’ It was Mrs Rice. Ella stopped dead. Mrs Rice walked around her garden, but luckily she didn’t come as far as the shed. Finally, still muttering, she walked back inside. Ella heaved a great sigh of relief.
She waited a few seconds, and then she heard Spike whimpering inside the shed. ‘Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten you,’ she whispered. Ella saw the shed was locked with a great, fat padlock. So no chance of opening that.
There was only one thing to do. ‘I’m just going to have to smash my way into the shed,’ she told Sam.
‘All right,’ said Sam. ‘Now take your time; don’t panic.’
Ella took a breath, then closed her eyes and ran at the shed. But at the last moment she swerved away. She just lost all her confidence.
‘Have you done it yet?’ asked Sam.
‘Not quite,’ she replied.
This was silly. She was super powerful now and she could ram that door open. Why couldn’t she believe that?
Ella took another run. ‘You can do this,’ she whispered to herself. And this time she didn’t hesitate. She charged right at the door. It gave a splintering, cracking sound. And then the door just flew open. It was a fantastic moment.
Ella wasn’t even out of breath. She gaped in amazement at what she’d done. Then she saw a little dog cowering in the corner of the shed. It was a corgi, but Lauren had described Spike as quite chubby – this dog looked pitifully thin to Ella. And Spike was supposed to be very lively; the small dog just stared anxiously at her. Maybe the poor thing had been drugged. She picked him up gently. ‘Are you Spike or another stolen dog altogether? I’m not sure. But it’s not right you should be kept in here, you poor little thing. I bet you’re hungry as well.’
Then Ella stealthily began the journey out of the huge garden. She kept close to the fence. She just hoped Mrs Rice hadn’t heard the shed door being smashed open. It was a very long way from the cottage.
At last Ella saw the back gate in front of her. Once she opened that she and this dog could escape from here forever. ‘So far, so good,’ she said to Sam. But then something shot out of the deep shadows by the gate. Ella couldn’t even make out what it was at first. Her stomach lurched, terrified. Then she realized it was a very long stick. And holding it, right in front of her as if it were a gun, was Mrs Rice.
‘What do you think you’re doing?’ she demanded. The stick hovered right in front of Ella’s face now.
‘I’m not doing anything,’ cried Ella, ‘except rescuing a stolen dog.’
‘What are you talking about? That’s a little stray I’ve been looking after.’
‘In a padlocked shed at the bottom of your garden? I don’t think so,’ sai
d Ella.
‘You’re trespassing and I shall call the police,’ said Mrs Rice.
‘Go on then,’ cried Ella.
Mrs Rice hesitated.
‘Either call the police or let me go,’ said Ella.
Mrs Rice lowered her stick, but, suddenly, she started talking very loudly. This was so Ella wouldn’t hear the person creeping up behind her. Only Ella, with her super hearing, did realize someone was moving towards her. She whirled round defiantly, the dog in her arms.
But then she saw who the person was and gave a gasp of total shock.
Finding the Dog Snatchers
‘Mr Westbury,’ gasped Ella, as she recognized the little park keeper. ‘What on earth are you doing here?’
He took a deep breath and said quickly, ‘Well, Mrs Rice asked me to look in. She’d found a stray dog roaming about the streets and wondered what she should do with it.’
‘It’s not a stray,’ said Ella. ‘It’s a stolen dog. I think it’s Spike.’ She clutched the poor little dog even tighter.
‘Oh, I don’t think so,’ said Mr Westbury. ‘But let’s go inside and talk about this.’ His voice was so reasonable and calm. ‘I’m sure we can sort this out. Why don’t you make us a cup of tea, Mrs Rice?’
‘Of course I will,’ said Mrs Rice, twinkling at Ella now. ‘I think we all need to calm down, including me. It’s just I get so worried about intruders. But don’t worry, dear, I shan’t file a complaint against you for trespassing.’
They were both acting so nice and friendly. But as Mr Westbury wiped his new black boots on the mat before strolling inside the house Ella gasped in amazement. She suddenly realized that he was the short plumpish figure she’d seen stealing Patch that night. Why hadn’t she noticed that before? He even had on the same long grey coat.
So that other morning at the park there hadn’t been any tall, bald thief. Mr Westbury had just made that up. No, he’d stolen poor little Spike himself. Then, when he heard that she and Sam were investigating the dog snatchers, he needed to send them on a totally false trail: he’d found Uncle Mike’s handkerchief by chance and then pretended it had been dropped at the scene of the crime. Of course, he’d worked out who it belonged to and was certain she and Sam would as well.
Ella followed them through the back door of Mrs Rice’s cottage. ‘Take a seat, my dear. I’ll make that tea,’ said Mrs Rice, smiling at Ella, ‘and I’m sure we can sort out this little misunderstanding.’
Ella heard Mrs Rice bustling about in the kitchen. She called out, ‘Mrs Rice, this little dog could do with some water urgently.’
‘Oh, of course,’ she cooed, rushing in with a bowl of water.
Ella put the dog down. ‘Go on then, have something to drink.’ The little corgi gazed sleepily at her, wagged its tail weakly and then lapped up the water.
Inside the kitchen Mr Westbury and Mrs Rice were whispering, quite unaware that Ella, with her super powers, could hear every word.
Mr Westbury hissed, ‘I don’t like it.’
Mrs Rice replied, ‘I know what I’m doing. This will give us time to think. Stupid little brat could ruin everything. What’s she doing now?’
‘Oh, she’s just patting that dog that you said you’d look after,’ Mr Westbury hissed back.
‘And I have. It’s not my fault if it won’t eat anything I give it.’
‘I knew we shouldn’t have kept it here,’ said Mr Westbury.
‘Shut up moaning,’ cried Mrs Rice, ‘and leave it all to me.’
As well as listening to their whispered conversation Ella was also talking to Sam. ‘Wow, I never, ever suspected Mr Westbury,’ he said. ‘Well, look, I’m going to call the police, so they should be there soon, but meanwhile be very careful. They’re obviously planning to do something to you. Stay online.’
‘Oh, don’t worry about that – I will,’ replied Ella. She felt a sudden welling of panic when Mrs Rice came clattering in with a tray of tea, smiling away.
Ella sensed danger very close to her now.
Danger!
Mrs Rice pulled up a little table and placed the tray on it. There were just two cups.
‘Mr Westbury isn’t a great tea drinker,’ she explained. Then she added, ‘Your cup is the one nearest to you.’
An idea burst into Ella’s head. A moment later she looked round and pointed. ‘Who’s that in the garden?’
Both adults shot to their feet. They even stepped outside for a few moments. While they were away, Ella swapped Mrs Rice’s cup of tea with her own.
‘I can’t see anyone,’ said Mr Westbury, stomping back inside.
‘Oh, sorry,’ said Ella, ‘I thought I saw a shape rushing past the window… but then I’m always imagining things.’
‘Hmm.’ Mrs Rice gave a grim little smile and sat down slowly on the edge of her chair. She picked up what had been Ella’s cup of tea and started drinking quickly, as if to encourage Ella to do the same. And all the time Ella drank her tea she could sense them both watching her intently.
Ella drained her cup. ‘That was delicious,’ she said.
‘My own special recipe,’ said Mrs Rice, with a dry laugh. Her eyes were still fixed on Ella. Mr Westbury’s face was wet with sweat.
‘So tell me how this little dog ended up at your house,’ Ella asked Mrs Rice, wondering what lies she would cook up.
‘Well, dear, I just found it roaming about in the fields one day, all by itself. I looked everywhere for its owner. No sign of anyone, so in the end I took it home.’
‘And kept it locked up in a shed at the bottom of your garden,’ said Ella.
‘That was just to keep the little thing safe until I could consult Mr Westbury about what to do next. He’s such a dog lover himself.’
Ella couldn’t listen to these lies for another second. So, instead, she gave a little yawn. Instantly they both leant forward. Yes, this was what they had been waiting for.
‘I’m sorry,’ said Ella, ‘I just feel so sleepy… you drugged my tea, didn’t you?’
Mr Westbury said apologetically, ‘Just a little sleeping draught. There’ll be no harmful side effects. And it does give us time to disappear.’
‘You are the dog snatcher, aren’t you?’ asked Ella.
It was Mrs Rice who replied. ‘I’m the brains of this operation.’ Her voice was quite different now, cold and boastful. ‘He’s just the muscle. He’s also my nephew.’
Ella sat there looking from one to the other, gulping. ‘How could you be so cruel as to steal dogs?’
A wild gleam came into Mrs Rice’s eyes. ‘Money,’ she snapped.
‘You’d be surprised how little a park keeper earns,’ added Mr Westbury, a sulky, angry look now on his face.
‘But that’s no excuse for stealing people’s dogs,’ cried Ella, rage thumping inside her.
‘Oh, if any owners offer big rewards we always try and reunite them with their dogs,’ said Mr Westbury. ‘That’s why we still had Spike. We were sure his family would offer a reward soon.’
‘And, if the owners don’t, you just sell them on,’ said Ella scornfully.
‘After the fuss has died down, yes. Have a good refreshing sleep now, won’t you, dear?’ said Mrs Rice. She tried to get to her feet, but then gave a shocked gasp. ‘I feel very strange,’ she said.
Meanwhile Ella heard Sam say in her right ear, ‘The police car is about to pull into the drive. How are you doing?’
‘Just fine,’ replied Ella. She sprang to her feet.
Mr Westbury and Mrs Rice gaped at her.
‘Oh, sorry,’ said Ella, ‘did I not mention that I switched the teacups?’
Mrs Rice gave another strangled gasp.
‘And the police are about to join us,’ said Ella.
‘The police!’ echoed Mr Westbury.
‘She’s bluffing…’ began Mrs Rice in an odd, slurred voice.
At that moment the doorbell rang. ‘Shall I answer it as you’re looking a bit sleepy?’ said Ella to Mrs Rice.
/> Mr Westbury looked around desperately. Then he jumped up, put his head down and sprang towards the back door, obviously deciding to make a run for it. But Ella leapt forward and, not knowing what else to do, grabbed him by the shoulder. He shouted with surprise as she did so. She really didn’t think she’d grabbed him very hard, but the effect was dramatic. He staggered and fell down with a big crash on to his chair again, clutching at his shoulder. He gazed up at her. ‘How – how did you do that?’ he spluttered.
‘Oh, I eat my greens every day,’ Ella smiled.
The doorbell rang again.
Mrs Rice was now snoring loudly and Mr Westbury was still looking dazed and very shocked, so Ella, with the corgi at her heels, opened the door to Sam and two policemen.
‘You’ll find the two dog snatchers in there,’ she announced. ‘One’s a little injured and the other’s fast asleep.’
The Very Best Part of All
Later, when Sam and Ella talked about the end of the dog-snatching mystery, there were lots of good moments to remember.
Like the time they were interviewed by the local paper about how they helped defeat the dog snatchers. Patch had his picture taken too: the dog who trapped a thief.
All this publicity helped the Jolly Roger get so many more bookings that Uncle Mike and Aunt Joy even smiled at the twins – once a week. Meanwhile, at school, a big fuss was made of Sam and Ella there. They even had to tell their story (missing out all the parts about their magic powers, of course) in assembly.
But both Sam and Ella agreed on what was the very best part of all. After Mr Westbury and Mrs Rice had been arrested, the twins took the little corgi round to Lauren’s house.
They’d spoken to Lauren’s dad first and said they weren’t certain if this very miserable, very shy dog was Spike or not. So he’d told Lauren not to get her hopes up. She sat waiting anxiously for them up in her bedroom. Sam and Ella rushed inside. Sam was carrying the dog. ‘This is who we found tonight. Could he possibly be yours?’ he asked.
