by Andrew Cope
The lady checked his collar. ‘Well, how do you do, Spud,’ she smiled. ‘Know what?’ she grinned. ‘Dogs aren’t allowed in my kitchen. You’ll be in big trouble if they catch you.’
Well, I could just have some secret roast beef and be on my way, wagged the puppy.
‘So let me lock you in here for the afternoon. And then you can come home with me later.’
Star’s eyes bulged with horror as her brother was carried to the pantry. ‘Let’s get you some dinner,’ she said. ‘And then you can have a snooze.’
Dinner, thought Spud. You mean pie? Brilliant idea. And a snooze. Perfect!
The cook turned towards the plates stacked up near the sink.
Star groaned. That’s why he can’t squeeze through tight gaps, she thought. Run for it, bro! While her back’s turned. Quick!
But Spud just sat and wagged as the lady scraped some food into a saucer and placed it on the floor. His eyes beamed as brightly as his torch.
‘See you later, Spud,’ she said, closing the door on the puppy. ‘You’re my little secret, don’t you worry.’
Star smacked her paw to her forehead. No way! she thought. Now the Roast Beef Kid’s got himself trapped!
She stayed hidden while the kitchen staff hurried about their business.
‘Get that apple crumble ready, please!’ shouted the cook, who had hidden Spud.
A man shuffled past Star as she shrank back into the corner. But she realized too late as he bent down to pick up the crate of apples that was holding the dungeon door open.
Stop it, buddy! That’s our way out! But there was nothing she could do as the man picked up the box and let the door slam closed behind him. Spud, your stomach’s got us in real trouble now, she panicked, trying to think of another way out of the kitchen. She checked for other exits. All shut. How many people do we have to get past? she wondered, counting the staff. Two cooks, one helper, she spied, and a butler. She noticed the second cook put hot food into a small cupboard, then press a button and it disappeared. I think that’s called a ‘dumb waiter’, she remembered from her history homework. The food is hauled upwards in a kind of lift until it reaches the dining hall. Then there’s a waiter at the other end who serves it to the guests. The dumb waiter is probably our best way out.
The puppy sat carefully watching the pattern of work in the kitchen, waiting for a chance to free Spud and escape. She crept from under the table and dodged a few clumsy feet. Careful not to wag, she thought. Or the light will give me away. The puppy tiptoed closer to the larder door. Still closed. She cocked her head and pricked her ears to their full height. Her brother was slurping away inside. Totally ruled by his stomach, she tutted.
Star watched for a moment and leapt up on to the draining board. She jumped into a big saucepan that had been washed. Good job I’m small, she thought, peering over the top of the pan. Star remembered one of the rules of spying that her mum had taught her. Chaos, she thought. Create chaos and then keep your head when all around are losing theirs. She waited for the right moment.
The kitchen assistant picked up the pan, tea towel in hand. Star popped her head out of the pan and barked her loudest bark. Boo! she thought, putting her paws in her ears and sticking her tongue out at the woman. There was a scream and the pan went into the air. Star jumped for her life and the pan hit the tiled floor with a clatter.
‘A dog!’ yelled the lady. ‘There’s a dog in the pan.’
The cook came over to see. ‘What do you mean “a dog”?’ she asked, thinking of Spud locked safely in the pantry. ‘A puppy!’ yelled the woman. ‘A horrible rat of a dog. With a silly hat on!’
The cook looked alarmed. She knew about a puppy with a hat on, but she’d locked it in the pantry. She went to the pantry door and opened it to peep inside, imagining Spud might have escaped.
Star jumped on to a kitchen shelf, dislodging as many pots and pans as she could. The noise was deafening. She did a flying leap at a huge bag of flour, which split open and the contents puffed out and filled the kitchen like a snowstorm.
Star barked at the top of her voice. ‘Come on, Spud!’ she yelled. ‘This is a distraction and the door’s open. Run for it!’
Spud’s tummy was finally full so his ears were working again. That’s Star! Oops, better get a move on! He looked at the crack in the doorway and went for it.
‘Hey, Spud, come back here!’ shouted the cook as he dived between her legs.
The other kitchen staff were in a mad panic, arms flapping wildly. The cloud of flour made it difficult to see but Spud wagged hard, his torch picking a way through the floury fog. The butler came at him with a broom, which the puppy dodged as he raced in the direction of his sister’s yapping.
Star swept her paw across the shelf, firing a couple of eggs towards the butler. Direct hit! Then she jumped off the shelf on to the scales, sending a lump of butter high into the air. Splat! Gotcha! she thought, landing a hit on the cook.
The butler skidded on the broken eggs and trod in a saucepan, his heavy foot clanging towards the puppies.
‘Follow me, bro!’ yelled Star, bounding on to the table and heading for the small lift. Spud’s heavy tummy was slowing him down.
The flour fog was clearing and the butler’s broom crashed down again, millimetres from his head. It gave him the extra surge of adrenalin to leap towards the dumb-waiter lift.
Star hit the button and slammed the door shut. ‘Bye bye, everyone!’ she barked as the puppies were hauled upwards into the castle.
13. Castle Inn
The Cook children wandered into the village, their heads spinning after the encounter outside the castle.
‘Let’s grab a drink and a snack while we figure things out,’ suggested Ben, pointing to the Smugglers’ Cafe across the road. ‘Look,’ he smiled, ‘it’s got a sign saying dogs are welcome. Perhaps we can get Lara a hot drink too.’
And a cake, she thought, wagging hard. Then I’d better get back and check on the pups. I don’t want them causing any mischief for Aunt Aggie.
The children and Lara sat down and peered at the menu. The waiter arrived and Ben ordered four hot chocolates. The man looked surprised. ‘But there are only three of you,’ he said.
Lara wagged hard and winked at the man. Think again, she panted. I’m not missing out.
‘Um, I really like chocolate,’ said Sophie, giving him her sweetest smile.
The children looked around at the cafe as they waited. There were all sorts of ancient pictures on the walls. ‘Lots of paintings of ships,’ pointed Sophie. ‘On the high seas. I bet one of those is the galleon that had the gold.’
‘And portraits like in haunted houses,’ noted Ollie. ‘They might be the smugglers and pirates.’
‘And check out that suit of armour,’ said Sophie. ‘You’d hardly be able to walk if you wore that!’
Four hot chocolates arrived and the waiter chatted to the children. ‘On your holidays?’ he asked cheerily.
‘Yes,’ said Ben. ‘We’re staying at Smugglers’ Cottage with our Aunt Aggie.’
The man smiled. ‘I know your aunt. A bit spooky up there, I bet,’ he said. ‘Have you heard the tales?’
‘Of the gold?’ asked Ollie. ‘Yes, we think the man in the castle’s digging it up.’
The cafe owner laughed. ‘Many have searched,’ he said, ‘but nobody’s ever come close. They reckon there are tunnels carved below the town. Ancient walkways where the smugglers stashed their loot. Quite a network down there, I reckon.’
‘And what was this place in the old days?’ asked Ben looking around the room.
‘Oh, this cafe has been in my family for generations,’ said the man. ‘My wife and I took it over five years ago and have brightened it up a bit. And given it a more exciting name. Smugglers’ Cafe sounds better than the old name.’
‘What was it called before you took it over?’ asked Sophie.
‘The “Castle Inn”,’ nodded the man. ‘We thought it was a bit boring. It’s the
oldest building in town, almost as old as the castle itself. This inn was where the smugglers and pirates used to come for a drink and a room for the night. Check out that armour,’ he said, pointing to the fireplace. ‘That’s been here forever. A relic from olden times. Too heavy to move!’
The owner wandered off to serve some other customers and Ollie quickly put the last hot chocolate on the floor beside Lara.
The castle, thought the spy dog, slurping the whipped cream from the top of her drink. Where smugglers and pirates used to hang out. Hmmm.
Ben picked the marshmallows from his mug, his eyebrows almost meeting in the middle. ‘The “Castle Inn”… I wonder… Lara, are you thinking what I’m thinking?’
I think so, buddy, nodded Lara, lapping up the sweet drink.
‘Thinking what?’ asked Sophie.
‘For the last hundred years people have been searching for gold,’ said Ben, looking around at the relics on the wall.
‘Yes,’ nodded Sophie. ‘In the castle.’
Ben swept his hand around the room. ‘What if, for all these years,’ suggested her brother, ‘everyone’s been looking in the wrong castle?’
14. View from the Top
The dumb-waiter lift stopped and Star and Spud popped the door open. They both peered out of the hole in the wall.
‘Wow!’ gasped Spud. ‘It’s huge!’ They had ended up in the main castle dining suite, where two men were seated at the longest table they’d ever seen. One was dressed like a policeman and the other had bright pink trousers and was shouting in an American accent.
‘I can’t wait any longer!’ he yelled. ‘We’ve done just about as much digging as we can and there’s nothing. Not a single gold coin. Not even a brass farthing! The gold’s not here, PC Winkle. I think it must be hidden in Smugglers’ Cottage.’
Star and Spud jumped silently from the lift and hid behind a vase. Their ears pricked. ‘That’s Aunt Aggie’s cottage,’ murmured Spud.
‘Well, the lady won’t sell to us,’ replied PC Winkle. We’ve even cut off the electricity to make life uncomfortable but she won’t budge. There’s not much more we can do, Lord Burlington.’
‘There’s always more!’ bellowed the lord. ‘I’ve ploughed everything into this castle. My personal fortune has gone. I need to find that gold.’ There was a munching sound as he shovelled some lemon meringue pie into his mouth. ‘I have to find that gold!’ he drawled, spitting pastry on to the table.
‘Well the investigation hasn’t been a complete waste,’ offered the policeman. ‘We found the tunnel. Shall I go down it again tonight, boss?’ More pie was shovelled. ‘It’s a bit difficult because she’s got those horrid brats staying. But I can creep around and see what I can find.’
‘No point messing about,’ shouted Lord Burlington, wiping his mouth with a napkin. ‘It’s too slow.’
‘What shall we do, then?’ asked PC Winkle.
‘You’re a copper, ain’t you? You’ll have to take the law into your own hands,’ smirked the American. ‘Maybe Agatha knows more than she’s letting on. Let’s pay her a visit and see if she’ll talk.’
The policeman looked unsure. ‘What do you mean?’ he asked hesitantly.
‘What do you think I mean, you idiot?’ snarled the lord. ‘I’ve got everything resting on this treasure.’ He stood up and marched towards the vase. Star and Spud shrank as small as they could. The man went over to a glass display box and pulled out an ancient flint pistol. ‘Maybe this will jog her memory,’ he glared.
‘That’s a bit, er, d-d-drastic, Your Lordship,’ stuttered PC Winkle.
‘There’re millions at stake,’ barked the American. ‘Gee whizz, man, you’re one of the boys in blue. You’re supposed to be brave.’ Lord Burlington examined the gun and cocked the trigger with a satisfying click. He waved it at the policeman. ‘Are you in?’
PC Winkle looked down the barrel of the ancient weapon and gulped. ‘Most definitely in,’ he mumbled.
‘OK,’ said the lord. ‘Let’s go and pay Agatha a visit.’
Spud was open-mouthed in horror. Yikes, he thought, tapping his sister on the shoulder. He’s got a gun, he pointed. Spud peered back out from behind the vase and accidentally caught it with his large behind. The vase wobbled. The puppies looked up and Spud let out a woof of alarm.
‘Whoops,’ he yapped. ‘That was clumsy of me.’ The vase wobbled dangerously. I hope it’s not expensive, he thought as the priceless pot crashed to the ground.
The policeman jumped to his feet in alarm. ‘What’s that?’
‘That’s my antique vase!’ bellowed Lord Burlington.
‘Spud! You’ve done it again,’ hissed Star, the puppies now on display.
Maybe I can fix it? offered Spud, looking at the thousands of pieces of china scattered across the floor. Then again, maybe not!
‘Dogs!’ yelled the lord. ‘How did they get in here?’
At that moment the butler burst into the room, covered in eggs and flour. ‘Sorry, Your Lordship,’ he stammered, ‘but have you seen some dogs? With helmets. There’s chaos in the kitchen.’
PC Winkle pointed at the puppies, cowering in the corner.
Hi, smiled Spud, his torch shining in the butler’s eyes. Thanks for the dinner. But I think we’d better be going now.
‘Get them!’ yelled the American. ‘I’ll release the guard dogs,’ he shouted, hitting an alarm button on the wall. ‘That’ll be the end of them.’
Star looked at Spud. ‘Yikes!’ she yelped. ‘Guard dogs! Mum warned us about them.’
‘What did he mean that’ll be the end of us?’ gulped her brother.
‘Let’s not wait to find out,’ she yapped. ‘We need an escape plan. And fast!’ Star scanned the room looking for the best exit.
The butler tried the softly softly approach, tempting the puppies with some roast beef. Luckily, Spud’s tummy was full so he resisted. Star darted for the door but PC Winkle had jumped up to guard it. He reached for one of the swords hanging on the wall and held it in both hands. ‘Diced puppy,’ he snarled, swishing the blade at Star.
Her little legs turned and ran, her tail tucked in, protecting it from the chop.
Spud was working on a plan of his own. He leapt at the huge curtain and hung on with his teeth. He growled through the side of his mouth. ‘Come on, come on,’ he urged. He heard a tear and the huge drapes fell to the floor, snaring the butler in a velvet trap. ‘Curtains for you!’ woofed Spud, pleased with his handiwork. ‘One down, two to go.’
PC Winkle was waving the sword dangerously.
‘Careful with that thing!’ yelled Lord Burlington, jumping out of the way. ‘Come here, puppies. I have something for you.’
Yes, thought Spud, something horrible. The little dog backed away from the man, snarling as viciously as he could. ‘And I’ve got something for you! See these teeth?’ he growled. ‘They’re going to end up in your bottom if you’re not careful. My mum’s a spy dog, you know!’
The lord crept forward, arms out wide, trapping the dog into a corner.
‘Get away from my brother!’ yelled Star, leaping at the man and sinking her teeth into his pink trousers. ‘You’re a baddie and I hate baddies,’ she snarled, hanging on to the man’s backside for dear life.
Lord Burlington flapped at the dog. ‘Get off my butt, mutt!’ he yelled.
PC Winkle swung his sword and another priceless vase hit the floor. He lashed out at Spud and the sword ripped through an oil painting.
Behind them all the heavy wooden door creaked open and there stood two snarling Rottweilers. They were straining at their leashes, choking themselves in their enthusiasm to enter the mayhem.
The head of security pointed to Star and Spud. ‘There they are, fellas,’ he said. ‘Kill!’
‘Kill?’ yapped Spud. ‘Don’t much like the sound of that!’
Star gulped. ‘What are we going to do?’
The security guard fiddled with the dogs’ collars and the huge black animals catapul
ted from their leads.
15. Dogs on a Wire
Heads down, the Rottweilers pelted across the dining room, their claws hammering on the tiles. Star and Spud had no time to think.
‘Follow me!’ yelled Star, her tiny puppy legs sprinting for the stairs.
Spud was slower, his heavy tummy acting like a handbrake. Up the stone stairs they went. Round and round, up the castle turret.
‘These steps go on forever,’ barked Star.
She could hear her brother panting behind her. She could also hear heavy paws galloping up the stairs. The Rottweilers were in hot pursuit, their long legs bounding effortlessly upwards.
Star burst out at the top of the tower. It’s a shame there’s no time to look at the view, she thought. I bet you can see the whole town from here.
Spud joined his sister, his tongue lolling out of his mouth. ‘Too… many… stairs!’
Together they slammed the door. ‘Get that stone,’ said Star, ‘and stick it under the door. It’ll buy us some time, like Mum taught us.’
Spud nosed the stone towards his sister and they shoved it under the door just as the Rottweilers arrived. They hurled themselves at the door, barking and scratching furiously.
‘It won’t hold them for long,’ she woofed. ‘We need a way out. And quick!’
‘Check the view,’ said Spud. ‘You can see for miles! And look down there,’ he pointed. ‘All those yellow diggers in the castle grounds. What a mess!’
Star had a quick look. ‘I guess that’s the lord digging for treasure,’ she woofed. ‘But we haven’t got time to admire the scenery!’
‘Hey, there’s Mum and the kids,’ waved Spud. ‘I wonder if they can see us. Hi, guys!’
Star tutted with frustration. Her brother could be so stupid sometimes. Doesn’t he realize the seriousness of the situation? ‘We have to find a way out of this mess and get a message to Mum. Aunt Aggie could be in trouble. That baddie has a gun, remember?’