Dot and the dogs of Dendringham Hall – and Wiz – have followed Mr Holmes as he dashes out in the dark after the ghostly mystery sound is heard again as darkness falls. They catch up with him in the woods around the Hall – but find they’ve put themselves in danger!
“No!” yelled Dot. “Mr Holmes, it’s us! Don’t shoot!”
Mr Holmes peered forward in the ghostly light of the moon over Dendringham Park.
“Great Scott!” he cried, lowering the gun and making it safe by gently releasing the firing pin. “Miss Dorothea! What on earth are you doing here?”
“We… we thought you might need some help” said Dot in a shivery voice, scared at what had nearly happened. (Oops she thought – mustn’t let him know I can talk to the dogs! And the horses too!)
“My dear young lady” said Mr Holmes, swallowing hard. “This is no place for a girl!” (He made it sound like “gel” – they used to speak like that in those days.) “I might have shot you with this infernal thing of Watson’s! And in any case - ”
“Who were you shooting at?” said Dot, butting in. She really didn’t want Mr Holmes to get into a grown-up’s “why-aren’t-you-indoors-at-this-time-of-night” thing – not if she could help it!
“Ah!” said Mr Holmes and an angry gleam appeared in his dark eyes. He gestured towards the thick woodland beyond the gate. “I VERY nearly had him, the rogue!”
KNEW it would work, thought Dot. Just like when Dad’s told me to go to bed and I ask him about his latest gadget!
“Where?” she asked. She moved her feet a bit on the thick grass of the haha – it was all damp and she could feel the water starting to seep in through the silly little buttons that did her old-fashioned girls’ boots up.
“Come, and I’ll show you” said Mr Holmes excitedly. Then he stopped, “No, wait now – you should go back to the Hall! I shall get into terrible trouble with Miss Walsingham! You must be cold, and look at your dress!”
Dot looked down. Even with the moonlight, it wasn’t easy to see, so she turned slightly towards the Hall, where the yellow light coming from the windows helped a bit.
Oh NO! The blue sailor skirt was all splashed and muddy – it really showed up, especially on the two narrow white bands near the hem.
“Off you go!” said Mr Holmes kindly. “But I’m glad you came – I can use the dogs to try and track my man! It’s just what I need! But we’ll have to hurry or the scent will go cold!”
Wiz looked at Dot and Dot looked at Wiz. He knew what she wanted – and so did Victor and Angharad! Together, they all lay down.
“Yes, Mr Holmes sir!” said Dot. And she turned to walk back to the hall.
And the dogs got up and followed her.
“No, wait!” said Mr Holmes. “Victor, Angharad, what’s the spaniels’s name - ”
“Wizard!” said Dot, stopping and turning round with her sweetest smile.
“Wizard, then! Come on boys!”
“And girl!” muttered Angharad in her Welsh Terrier beard.
“Seek now!” said Mr Holmes, waving through the gate into the woodland. A chilly breeze ruffled the leaves on the trees and a cloud scudded across the moon. “Go seek!”
The dogs all sat down again and looked up at Dot.
“Off you go my dear!” said Mr Holmes impatiently. “We’ve no time to lose! Come along you dogs!”
And he tried a whistle. A sound like the last bit of air coming out of a six-week old party balloon (you know, when it’s all flabby and wrinkly) came out of his lips.
Not a chance! Victor rolled his eyes and yawned and Angharad put her curly head down on her front legs and sighed. Dot could see Wiz was trying not to laugh. Because Mr Holmes wasn’t getting those three dogs to go ANYWHERE without her!
Pthsssssssssssssss… it was that whistle again. Really pathetic!
“Confound it!” muttered Mr Holmes angrily. He could see what was happening, though of course he didn’t know why!
Then he made a decision. “Very well!” he said, pushing the big pistol into his pocket. “I suppose you’ll have to come too!!” His face relaxed and he smiled. “The first girl assistant I’ve ever had! Come on then, but stay close to me!”
And together, they all plunged into the wood!
