The Mystery of Fitzjames Manor

©2015 Richard Humphreys

The Find-Outers visit Fitzjames Manor and are very quickly embroiled in a new mystery that has its roots in the distant past. With the help of a couple of old friends, Fatty and the Find-Outers piece together the clues and are led finally to an astonishing discovery.

Chapter 6: The Maze

Back | Index | Next

Daisy, Ern and Buster had made it along the path to the entrance of the maze and were now standing in front of it surveying its tall privet hedges that stretched some considerable distance on either side of the entrance.

'Cor, it's massive,' Ern said looking from one side to the other. 'Better than Hampton Court, and we've got it all to ourselves. Mind you, these could do with a good clipping,' he added looking at the rather overgrown hedging. 'They can't have been touched for months.'

Daisy nodded. 'Yes, it's very straggly and untidy. Not like I remember it at all. When I was here last it was all very neat and well looked after.' She looked at Ern. 'Do you still want to go inside?' she asked doubtfully.

Ern peered into the entrance. The narrow gravel path inside looked dark and gloomy. 'Well, Daisy,' he said. 'I never got to go in the maze at Hampton Court and I've always wanted to go in one, so I s'pose we may as well. We can't get lost as we've got Buster and he'd find his way out, no problem. All we'd have to do is tell him to find Fatty.'

'Yes, I never thought of that,' Daisy said feeling a little reassured. 'All right, then,' she continued rather reluctantly, 'you go first and I'll follow with Buster. From what I remember, in the centre is a shelter with a bench. A good place to have our lunch.'

The hedges seemed even more unkempt inside the maze, with branches growing out sideways almost meeting in the middle of the paths. Ern had to continuously push them aside as he went along and on more than one occasion a branch sprang back and hit the unfortunate Daisy who was walking close behind.

'Sorry Daisy,' Ern said over his shoulder. 'Only it's a bit difficult as they're all sticking out.'

'It's all right, Ern,' Daisy said. 'Try taking the path to the right up ahead, I think that should take us in the direction of the centre.'

They took the path, but unfortunately it led to a dead-end, so they had to turn and retrace their steps. They had only gone a few paces, when Buster suddenly stiffened and began to growl.

'What is it, Buster?' Ern said. 'You heard something?'

Buster continued growling and then cocked his head on one side and listened. From somewhere close by they heard the rustle of bushes and then a strange grating noise. Buster began to bark furiously and pull at the lead.

'Loveaduck, Daisy, what was that?' Ern whispered and bent down to calm the agitated Scottie.

'There must be someone in here,' Daisy whispered back. 'We'll have to be careful, Ern, it might be your Uncle.'

At this suggestion, Ern paled. 'Lummie, I don't want to bump right into Uncle,' he said nervously. 'Not in here, he'd have me trapped!'

They stood perfectly still for a couple of minutes, listening, but there were no more unusual noises.

'I can't hear anything else,' Ern whispered, 'and Buster's quiet, so probably, whoever it was has gone.'

Very cautiously, they made their way out of the dead end path and stood still once again. All was now quiet.

'Which way shall we go?' Ern asked in a hushed voice, looking first one way and then the other. 'I already feel like I'm lost.'

'Let's go on to the next turning to the right,' Daisy said. 'From what I remember, you have to keep turning right.'

They took the turning, but before they had gone very far, Ern suddenly stopped.

'Crumbs, that's strange,' he said pointing up ahead. 'Look, the overgrown branches are all broken and bent.'

Daisy looked over his shoulder. 'We can't have been along here,' she said, 'so they must have been broken by whoever it was we heard.'

'Yes, I s'pose you're right, so there was definitely someone in here, then,' Ern said. 'I'd better take Buster, he's so desperate to get past me, he's nearly tripped me up a couple of times.' Daisy handed him the lead. 'All right Buster,' Ern said crouching down and talking very seriously to the little Scottie. 'Now you be a good dog and find the centre of the maze.'

Daisy laughed. 'Buster's a clever dog, but he's not that clever,' she said.

'S'pity,' Ern replied standing up. He looked along the path and then scratched his head. 'But how did they get to here?'

'What do you mean?' Daisy asked.

Ern turned to face her. 'Well, there's only one way in, right, and none of the branches were broken until we got to this point here. So how did they get to here from the entrance without bending or breaking any of the overgrown branches?'

Daisy looked behind her nervously. 'It is a bit strange, isn't it? I don't think I'm enjoying this much, Ern,' she said. 'Let's get to the centre quickly, we can't be far away, surely.'

'We could try following the paths with the broken branches,' Ern suggested. 'Whoever was in here might have known how to get there.'

'Yes, well try that,' Daisy said a little impatiently as she was beginning to feel rather hemmed in between the high overgrown hedges and was longing for a bit of space.

They carefully followed the paths where the branches had been bent and broken and sure enough, within five minutes found themselves in the centre of the maze.

'That's a relief,' Daisy said and looked around. 'Yes, this is it, though it looks a lot shabbier than I remember it being. There's the shelter,' she added pointing. 'Last time I was here it was freshly painted, now it's all faded and uncared for.'

'Cor, and what's that?' exclaimed Ern.

'Oh, I forgot,' Daisy said. 'It's a fountain, or rather it was. It's all dry now.'

They went over to the fountain. Above a small dirty old white marble basin was the black figure of a kneeling boy with a tilted pitcher on his shoulder. 'That's where the water came out,' Daisy said pointing at the pitcher. 'But you couldn't drink it.'

'Why's that?' asked Ern as he ran his hand along the marble basin.

'Well, because it's made of lead and lead's poisonous,' Daisy replied picking some dead leaves out of the basin. 'It's a shame it's so neglected, it was very pretty with water running from it, now it just looks sad.'

Ern walked over to the shelter and looked inside. 'Lummie, Daisy,' he called urgently, 'have a look at this. It's full of junk.'

Daisy joined him, and immediately saw dumped on the ground inside the shelter a pile of assorted items. Boxes, books, small pieces of furniture, vases, ornaments of all description, dozens of things, all smashed and broken.

'What do you think's happened?' Ern said.

'I don't know, Ern,' Daisy replied, 'but I do know that these things are not junk, as you call it, but must have come from Fitzjames Manor. They're all lots from the auction. Look, some have still got their lot numbers on them.'

Ern had no idea what lots or lot numbers were, so Daisy explained to him.

'I remember seeing those lovely vases yesterday,' Daisy said. 'They were perfect then, now look at them.'

Ern bent down to pick up the broken piece of one, but Daisy stopped him. 'Better not touch them, Ern,' she said. 'This must be what was stolen last night and there may be fingerprints. You don't want your uncle to find your prints on anything.'

Ern withdrew his hand quickly. 'No, he'd give me a thick ear and lock me up, for sure.' He looked at Daisy. 'What'll we do?'

Daisy thought for a moment. 'Before we tell anyone, we ought to let Fatty know. He'll want to have a good look around before your uncle does. This is a mystery, Ern, and we need to get as many clues as we can before your uncle tramples over everything. We'll go back to the manor and find Fatty and the others.'

Ern looked rather uncomfortable with this suggestion. 'I don't want my uncle to see me,' he said and then looked around nervously. 'But I don't fancy staying here on my own, either, it's a bit, well, creepy. I'll just have to watch out for him and hide if I see him.'

'Let's see if you were right about Buster being able to find the way out,' Daisy said crouching down and patting the little Scottie on the head. 'Find Fatty, Buster,' she said. 'Go on Buster, find your master, find him.'

Buster cocked his head on one side then turned and began to pull on the lead.

'I think it's worked,' Ern said. 'He's pulling like a right little traction engine.'

With Buster's help, they were out of the maze in just a few minutes. It was lovely to be out in the open once more. The inside of the maze had been shaded and dim, now it was lovely to feel the warmth of the April sun on their faces.

'Well done, Buster,' Ern said, patting the excited Scottie. 'You'd best take him now, Daisy, and I'll follow behind. And keep your eyes peeled for my uncle,' he added looking about as though half expecting to see Mr. Goon jump out from behind a tree.

'Don't worry, Ern, I will,' Daisy said and they set off along the path back towards the drive with Buster still pulling hard on the lead.

As they got to the forecourt of the manor, they saw the others talking to Lady Fitzjames by the front door. Buster began barking joyously at the sight of Fatty. Ern held back and slipped behind a large bush in case Mr. Goon appeared.

Fatty and the others said goodbye to Lady Fitzjames and joined Daisy.

'Hello,' said Fatty petting a very excited Buster. He looked around. 'Where's Ern?'

'I'm over here, Fatty,' came a voice from behind the bush. 'I'm keeping under cover in case my uncle sees me.'

'It's all right, Ern,' Fatty said with a laugh. 'Goon and Pippin are around the other side of the house. It's safe to come out.'

'Fatty, listen,' Daisy said urgently. 'Ern and I have found a lot of things which I think were stolen in the burglary last night, in fact I'm sure of it.'

'Really?' Fatty said and the others crowded round. 'What things?'

'All sorts,' said Ern who had now emerged from his hiding place. 'All smashed up, they are. Terrible shame.'

'All smashed up, you say?' Fatty said. 'Whereabouts?'

'In the maze,' Daisy said. 'Right in the centre, a great pile of broken ornaments and dolls and things.'

'Was my puzzle box there?' Eunice asked.

'Oh, I don't know,' Daisy said with an irritated glance at Eunice. 'There were so many things it was difficult to see exactly what was there.'

'Right, now Lady Fitzjames said that Goon's got this idea that the burglar may have got in round the back somewhere and has dragged poor old Pippin off with him to check it out,' Fatty said. 'We need to get to the maze and have a good look at what's there and find any clues before Goon or Pippin take it into their heads to look there themselves.'

'Oh good,' said Bets her eyes shining. 'I like looking for clues.'

'Correction, you like looking for glues,' Pip said remembering that his little sister had once mixed up the words clues and glues.

Bets glared at him.

'And that's not all,' Daisy added as they began to make their way back to the maze. 'Ern and I heard someone in there. We thought it may have been Goon, but it can't have been if he's round the other side of the house.'

'Buster heard him first,' said Ern. 'Then we heard rustling and this odd sort of creaking sound.'

'An odd creaking sound?' Larry said. 'What do you mean?'

'Just that,' Daisy said. 'A creaking noise.'

'You mean like the sound a creaking floorboard makes?' asked Pip.

'No,' Daisy said thoughtfully, 'more like something rusty being moved. What would you say, Ern?'

Ern nodded. 'That's just what it sounded like.'

'Could it have been a wheelbarrow?' Fatty asked. 'After all, the things had to have been taken to the maze in something.'

'I suppose it could have been,' Daisy said.

'And you didn't see anyone?' Larry asked.

Daisy shook her head. 'We saw no-one, but there was definitely someone there.'

'Right, well, we're here now,' Fatty said as they approached the maze. 'Let's have a good look round.'

'Are we looking for clues?' Bets asked getting excited. She thought that one of the best parts of a mystery was finding the clues that would lead to the solution.

'We certainly are,' Fatty said. 'So everyone fan out and keep your eyes peeled.' He peered into the entrance. 'I assume this is the only way in.' he said, thoughtfully.

'Do mazes usually have more than one entrance, then?' Pip asked doubtfully. 'I should have thought that more than one way in and out would defeat the purpose of a maze.'

'Probably,' Fatty said, still sounding thoughtful. He was looking carefully at the ground around the entrance. 'You see, I can't see any evidence that a heavy wheelbarrow was pushed this way. I should have thought a wheelbarrow would make some kind of mark,' he continued, 'especially as it's been raining on and off for days and the ground is rather soft, but there's nothing that I can see.'

'Perhaps it wasn't a wheelbarrow we heard, then,' said Ern.

'Well, what else could it have been?' asked Pip.

'Can we go inside,' said Eunice impatiently. 'I want to see if the puzzle box is there.'

'Yes, lets,' said Fatty. 'Goon may arrive at any moment and that really would put the kybosh on things.'

Ern looked behind him. 'Ooh, do you think so, Fatty?' he said.

'Look, I'll go first and the rest of you follow,' Fatty said. 'And everyone keep your eyes peeled for anything unusual.'

With Fatty leading, they made their way carefully along the narrow, overgrown path inside the maze. It was easier going this time as Ern had already bent back the worst of the overgrown branches. He kept close behind Fatty, giving him directions.

'And this is where I noticed that the branches had been bent and broken by someone else,' Ern said, when they had gone quite a way into the maze.

'Good,' said Fatty. 'We'll come back here and have a good look round once we've been to the centre.'

'Keep going and turn right at the top,' Ern said over Fatty's shoulder. 'Then I think it's another right turn and that should take us to the middle.'

Ern was absolutely right, and within a few minutes they reached the centre of the maze.

They all went straight to the shelter. Fatty shook his head and whistled. 'Well Daisy and Ern, you were certainly correct, this is a real mess.'

'Is the puzzle box there?' asked Eunice pushing Pip out of the way to get a closer look. 'I can't see it.'

'No more can I,' said Fatty moving some of the items around with his foot. He turned to the others. 'Look, we have to move quickly. I think Goon will be here soon, so have a really good look around to see if you can find anything. We've had lots of practice so you should know what to look for.'

Eunice got down on her knees and began rummaging around looking for the puzzle box.

'Now you've put your fingerprints on everything,' Fatty said with disgust. 'You really are a fathead, Eunice.'

'I doubt very much that that ridiculous policeman will think I'm the burglar,' Eunice replied turning everything this way and that. 'And anyway,' she said standing up. 'It's not here.'

Pip and Larry were also on their hands and knees examining the ground around the shelter.

'It's difficult to tell whether a wheelbarrow's been used here,' Larry said, 'because of this gravel.'

Fatty joined him. 'No wheelbarrow would make much of a track in this gravel. Or if it did, it could easily be erased,' he said. 'But something else has been bothering me,' he continued.

'And what's that?' Larry asked.

'Well Ern and Daisy said that the overgrown branches had been bent back and broken halfway along one of the paths.' He paused to rub his chin. 'And that must mean that there's another way into the maze.' He turned to the others. 'It's not very likely we'll find anything to go on here,' he said. 'So I say we go back and try and find if there's another way into the maze.'

'Another way in?' Bets said.

'Well, I'm not sure,' Fatty said, 'but I wouldn't be at all surprised if there was a second entrance hidden somewhere. There might even be more than one, maybe for the use of gardeners when they're clipping the hedges. Anyway, we'd best get a move on.' He looked around. 'Where's Buster?' he asked suddenly.

They all looked around for him.

'There he is just coming out of the shelter,' Bets said pointing. 'He's got something in his mouth.'

'It's the puzzle box,' Eunice squealed.

Buster trotted over to Fatty and dropped the box at his feet, then wagged his tail and sat down.

'You clever dog,' Fatty said picking up the box and examining it. 'I'd handled this on the viewing day, so he probably smelt my scent on it. It's not damaged at all.' He passed it to Eunice who was itching to get a good look at it.

'I bet it had rolled under the bench when everything was tipped onto the ground,' Bets said, 'and the robber didn't notice it. What a stroke of luck.'

'Yes,' Eunice confirmed, 'it's perfectly all right, not damaged at all.' She looked at Fatty. 'I don't see why we have to mention this to that policeman,' she said. 'I'd like to take it back to Lady Fitzjames and tell her that I still want to buy it.'

Fatty thought for a moment. 'Well, technically, it is interfering with evidence,' he said cautiously. 'We don't want to give Goon any ammunition to use against us.'

Eunice looked crest-fallen. 'Do you mean to say that you expect me to hand this over to that awful policeman or put it back where we found it?' she said. 'I shan't do it. There's piles of other things there, this is hardly an important piece of evidence.' So saying, she stuffed the puzzle box into her shoulder bag.

Fatty shrugged. 'Have it your own way,' he said. 'But don't blame me if you get charged with being an accessory after the fact or perverting the course of Justice and banged up in gaol for years.' He winked at Larry who was standing nearby. 'But I'll come and visit you, Eunice old thing, and I'll remember to bring you a cake with a file hidden in it.'

'Very funny, I'm sure,' Eunice replied.

Ern was looking agitated. 'Don't you think we ought to go and look for this other entrance, Fatty, before my uncle arrives?' he asked. 'If he comes and catches me here, he'll have a fine old time boxing my ears.'

'Yes, Ern, we better had,' Fatty said. 'Now you and Daisy show me again where you noticed the branches had been broken and bent.'

With Ern leading, the children made their way back along the narrow overgrown paths.

Eventually Ern stopped. 'I think it was here,' he said. 'What do you think Daisy?'

Daisy squeezed past Eunice and Fatty to join Ern at the front. 'Yes, I think it was,' she said looking around. 'I remember that peculiar branch sticking out there.' She pointed to a rather gnarled branch poking out from the privet hedge.

'Good,' said Fatty. 'Right everyone, start feeling around in the hedges.'

'And what exactly are we supposed to be feeling for, Frederick?' Eunice asked in a bored voice.

'Anything that in any way resembles a gate, Eunice,' Fatty replied groping around in the bushes in front of him.

'There is something in the middle,' Larry said. 'It's a kind of low fence.'

'Yes,' said Pip. 'And it's made of wrought iron.'

He and Larry pulled the bushes apart and there, right in the centre, was a very old and very rusty fence standing about three feet high.

'It must have been put here when the maze was first planted,' Larry said. 'Probably to support the young bushes.'

Eunice, who was at first reluctant to plunge her hands into the rather damp bushes, followed the fence along until she felt something different. It was a bolt.

'It's here, I've found it,' she called.

Fatty and Larry parted the branches, and there was the gate. It was rusty wrought iron, like the fence.

'You were right, Fatty,' Larry said. 'I'll try the bolt.' He easily slid the bolt to one side and the gate could be pushed open. It opened with a grating sound.

'That's what we heard,' Ern and Daisy both said at the same time and then laughed.

'Well that clears that up, then,' Fatty said. 'So somebody was here.' He felt the hinge and the bolt. 'These have been oiled,' he said, 'and quite recently, I should think. He wiped his oily fingers on his handkerchief. 'Let's see what's on the other side.'

One by one, the children forced their way through the bushes and found themselves outside the maze.

'This is the side of the maze nearest the manor,' Larry said looking around.

Fatty instantly examined the ground. 'I can't find any tracks that a wheelbarrow would have left,' he said. 'But look at these.' He knelt down and pointed to some marks in the ground. 'Something has been wheeled along here,' he said tracing some ridges on the grass.

The others crouched down around him. 'Oh yes,' said Daisy. 'They're definitely marks left by wheels.'

'There are four distinct tracks,' Pip said and looked at Fatty. 'Something with four wheels, not a barrow, then.'

'No, Pip,' Fatty said. 'Most barrows only have the one wheel at the front. And what else can you tell from the tracks?'

They all stared at the tracks. 'They're all going in the same direction,' Ern said.

'Well they would wouldn't they,' Larry said. 'I don't think Fatty means that.'

Fatty sighed. 'And apart from the fact that they all go in the same direction,' he said, 'what else do they tell us?'

The others looked even closer. 'The two back wheels are set a little more closely together than the front wheels,' Eunice said. And then added: 'Or vice versa, depending on which way the thing was being pushed or pulled.'

'A gold star to Eunice,' Fatty said and patted her on the back.

Fatty then dashed first one way and then the other examining the grass.

'I think this trolley or whatever it was, was pushed as far as this probably from the drive and the tracks stop right by the hidden gate,' he said.

'But the wheels are quite far apart,' said Larry. 'It couldn't have been pushed through that little gate, it's too narrow. So where are the tracks it made when it left?'

'That's a good question,' Fatty said. 'And there are more tracks, look.' He indicated some very faint marks. 'They point in the direction it came from.'

'Oh yes,' said Bets kneeling down again. 'You're absolutely right, Fatty.'

'Now why are the tracks it made on its arrival deeper than those it made on its departure,' Fatty asked and looked around at the others. 'Come on Find Outers, it's not hard to work out.'

'Because it was heavy when it arrived and lighter when it left,' said Larry.

'Exactly,' said Fatty. 'We can imagine someone wheeling the stolen goods here in some type of trolley, emptying it, carrying them into the maze and then leaving after they've done their bit of vandalism, with one now empty and much lighter trolley.'

'But why were they smashed up?' Bets asked. 'It seems such a mad thing to do.'

Fatty rubbed his chin thoughtfully. 'Well, Bets, I think there's method in this madness. Unless this was a completely malicious act of vandalism, and I don't think that for one moment,' Fatty said, 'then it's been done for a very good reason.'

Just then Buster began to growl and the children picked up the sound of voices. They were approaching from the direction of the manor.

Ern turned pale and edged towards the gate in the hedge. 'If Uncle sees me, I'm done for and that's a fact.' He backed through the opening into the maze and the bushes closed over the gate completely concealing it.

Suddenly, Fatty had an idea. 'Look,' he said quickly, 'I'm going back inside the maze. When Goon arrives, look concerned and tell him I'm in the maze. Larry, you take Buster.' He handed Buster's lead to Larry and rubbed his hands together. 'Now we'll have a bit of fun, ' he giggled.

Fatty pushed his way through the hedge to the interior of the maze and joined Ern.

Ern looked worried. 'Lummy, Fatty, Uncle'll give me a right lamming if he finds me,' he said nervously. 'He hates it when I come to Peterswood without telling him. And he hates it even more when I get involved with you and the others. And he hates it even more than that when I involve myself in a mystery.'

Fatty patted him on the shoulder. 'Yes, your uncle seems to hate most things. But don't worry, Ern,' he said, 'I won't let him get you. Goon's a bully, but he doesn't scare me.'

Ern let out a sigh of relief and grinned. 'You ain't afraid of nothing or no-one, Fatty, straight up. I reckon if there was a grizzly bear after you, you'd stand your ground and send it packing.'

Fatty held up his hand and put his finger to his lips as outside the maze, just a few feet away on the other side of the hedge, was the unmistakable voice of P.C. Goon.

'Oh, here we go, what are you lot doing here?' Goon asked sarcastically when he saw the children.

'Just waiting, that's all,' Larry said. 'There's no law against just waiting, is there?'

'I haven't decided yet,' Goon replied in a threatening tone.

PC Pippin, smiled at the children.

'And exactly what are you waiting for, may I ask?' Goon sneered, looking around. 'Oh, of course,' he continued nodding vigorously. 'Don't tell me, that fat boy. So, he's in there is he?' he said pointing at the maze. 'Up to no good as per usual.' He turned to Pippin. 'See, Pippin, these kids are nothing but trouble. Oh, they may suck up to the Superintendent and you, but that's only so they can get at me. They're pests, that's what they are.' He looked straight at Bets, the smallest of the Find Outers, whom he knew was a little afraid of him. 'This is a crime scene, young lady, and you,' he pointed his fat finger at her, 'are interfering with the due process of the law. What would your parents have to say about that, eh?' Goon knew that Mr. And Mrs. Hilton were particularly strict with Bets and Pip and didn't like them upsetting the village policeman.

Rather startled and with a concerned look on her face, Bets backed away and edged behind Eunice who seemed to be completely unperturbed by Goon's threats.

'Oh, stop being so dramatic, Constable,' Eunice said rather pompously. 'We thought we'd look at the maze, that's all. I'm sure Lady Fitzjames would have absolutely no objections to us doing so.'

At the mention of Lady Fitzjames, Goon let out a contemptuous snort. 'What Lady Fitzjames might or might not object to is neither here nor there. This is a crime scene and I decide who's allowed to poke around in it, not Lady Fitzjames, understand?' He looked along the hedge of the maze. 'So, what's he doing in there, anyway?' he snapped.

'Just looking around, I should imagine,' Larry replied. 'You never know what you might find in a maze.'

'Come out I'd like a word with you,' Goon bellowed. Buster strained at the lead and began barking furiously at his old enemy, almost slipping from Larry's grasp.

Goon turned to the children. 'You sure he's in there?' he asked suspiciously. 'If you're lying it'll be the worst for you.'

'We're not lying, Mr. Goon,' Daisy said. 'Fatty is definitely in the maze. In fact we're a bit concerned, for all we know, he may be lost and unable to find his way out.'

Goon sniggered. 'Serves him right if I don't leave him in there to rot,' he said with malicious relish. He turned to Pippin. 'We'll go round to the front, you stand guard at the entrance and I'll flush the pest out. And you lot,' he said addressing the children. 'CLEAR ORF!'

These last two words were bellowed so loudly that even Buster was momentarily startled, but quickly regained his composure and barked again till he was fit to burst.

Having snarled a heartfelt 'Gertcha!' at Buster, whom he had observed was safely on a lead, Goon strode haughtily away with a highly amused Pippin in his wake.

Larry immediately approached the hedge. 'You there Fatty?' he asked.

'Certainly am,' Fatty replied. 'I heard everything. So Goon thinks he can flush me out, does he? Well, we'll soon see about that.'

There was a rustling of leaves and a creaking of hinges and Fatty and Ern emerged from the hedge.

'Let's see who flushes who out. Wait here a moment.' Fatty said and hurried off to the far corner of the hedge. He carefully peered round it and saw Pippin standing by the entrance looking very bored. He was kicking his heels and looking at his watch.

Fatty giggled quietly and sped back to the others.

'Let's lead our fearless Police Constable Goon on a bit of a wild goose chase, or should I say 'wild Goon chase'?' he said and putting his face to the hedge of the maze shouted: 'I can't find my way out. Can somebody help me?'

Fatty raised his hand to stop anyone from speaking and mouthed the word 'listen'. They all strained their ears and eventually heard the rustle of foliage from inside the maze.

Mr. Goon was squeezing his way along the narrow paths. 'So you're lost are you? Serves you right,' he called back in response to Fatty's shout.

Gesturing to the others to follow, Fatty hurried along the hedge, before stopping and calling again: 'Is that you, Mr. Goon? Can you help me, I'm lost.'

They listened. 'Yes, you pest of a boy, it is me. I want you out of this maze, now. Do you hear me?' Goon shouted.

'But I can't find the way out,' Fatty replied plaintively. 'If you keep calling, Mr. Goon, I may be able to find you.'

'I'm over here,' Goon shouted.

'What did you say?' Fatty shouted back, barely suppressing a giggle.

'I said, I'm over here,' Goon's exasperated voice yelled.

Fatty and the others then sped round to the back hedge of the maze where once more they stopped and Fatty put his face to the hedge. 'Help, Mr. Goon, can you hear me, I can't get out?'

Goon was feeling rather hot and bothered by now. The overgrown paths inside made it difficult for his ample bulk to progress very easily, and he was beginning to wonder why he hadn't sent the much slimmer and fitter Pippin into the maze.

'Drat that accursed boy,' he muttered and then yelped as a branch dug him in the side. He found that he had blundered into a path that went to a dead-end and was particularly overgrown. His face and hands were scratched, he felt hot and he was angry, very angry. He cursed as his helmet was knocked off for the third time and in bending down to retrieve it, a sharp branch caught the seat of his trousers. Mr. Goon's heart sank as he heard a rip on straightening up. Swearing under his breath, he unhooked the offending branch from his trousers and began to fight his way back along the path, comforting himself with the thought of skinning Fatty alive when he finally got his hands on him.

'Mr. Goon, are you still there?' Fatty called. 'I can't hear you. I'm over here.'

Mr. Goon now found himself on a long path of the maze that was dense with branches and choked with weeds. It was unlike the paths he had initially followed where the branches had been broken and bent back, probably by that fat boy, he reasoned. And to make things worse, he couldn't work out which way to turn.

'Mr. Goon,' Fatty called. 'Mr. Goon, where are you?'

'Whereabouts are you,' Goon yelled back. 'You pest, you nuisance.'

'I'm over here,' Fatty shouted. 'Where are you?'

'Where is 'over here', you imbecile?' Goon shouted.

'What did you say, Mr. Goon, I didn't catch that last bit, could you repeat it please?' Fatty called.

Mr. Goon was now beside himself with rage, and using his helmet to knock aside the branches, he literally charged along the narrow path in what he considered was the direction of Fatty's voice, puffing and wheezing with the effort. It was all in vain, however, as the path ended in a dead-end! Barely suppressing a scream, he slumped to the ground to get his breath back, noting as he did the ominous and sickening sound of his trousers splitting even wider.

Fatty turned to the others. 'I think Goon's got lost' he said and everyone giggled. 'Time you went round to Pippin, whilst I sneak back into the maze through the hidden gate and make for the exit. Ern, I don't want Pippin to see you, so you'd best cut across to the main gate of the estate and wait for us there. And keep well hidden just in case your uncle leaves before we do.'

'Certainly will, Fatty,' Ern said. 'See you later.'

They watched Ern go, and then went round to the side of the maze where the hidden gate was and having located it, Fatty slipped inside whilst the others continued on round to the entrance.

Inside the maze, Fatty waited and listened. All was quiet. Had Goon managed to find his way out? he wondered. Then dismissed the idea. He's probably given up and is just waiting to be rescued. 'Poor old Goon,' he thought, 'what would we do without him, he's absolutely priceless?' Just then his eyes settled on something hanging from a branch a few inches away. It was a strange looking caterpillar. Fatty, hadn't seen one quite like it before and he reached out and gently lifted it from the branch. It lay motionless in the palm of his hand as he examined it closely. A broad smile slowly spread across the boy's face. He nodded and carefully placed it into the breast pocket of his jacket.

'Our first clue, I believe,' he muttered, before turning and making his way back along the paths to the main entrance.

Back | Index | Next