by Pete Johnson
‘I’m only sorry,’ said Professor Forbes, ‘the fake me pretended that the coin you found, featuring the noble portrait of Augustus, was worth a great deal of money. It is worth about seventy-five pounds though –’
‘Which isn’t bad,’ cut in Sam.
‘No,’ agreed the professor. ‘And I shall make sure you both receive that.’ He glanced sharply at Uncle Mike and Aunt Joy, as if to say, ‘And don’t you two try and take it.’
Then he turned to Sam and Ella again. ‘And now I have one last surprise for you.’
15
Professor Forbes’s Incredible Surprise
The reporter, who’d been scribbling furiously, looked up, and Ella and Sam wondered what the professor was doing.
Professor Forbes gave a little signal and then, walking towards them came Carl, with Patch squirming excitedly in his arms. Carl let Patch go and the dog dived over to Ella and Sam, going absolutely wild with joy at the sight of them both.
‘Patch, how are you?’ cried Sam, patting him as if he was never going to stop.
‘These marvellous children haven’t just rescued an old duffer like me,’ said Professor Forbes. ‘They also saved this dog, which was in a very bad way when they found him. No one’s come forward to claim the poor creature and Ella and Sam have visited him every day –’ Aunt Joy gave a gasp of surprise at this news – ‘and I know they would like to look after Patch for good.’ He turned to Uncle Mike and Aunt Joy. ‘That is, if you have no objection?’
Uncle Mike’s face went all twisted up like a cat’s bottom, while Aunt Joy gave another, even louder, gasp. Of course they had objections: tons and tons of them.
‘I’m sure you wouldn’t deny these brave children their own dog,’ went on Professor Forbes. ‘I think they deserve that, don’t you?’ He was staring intently at Uncle Mike now. And so were the reporter, the photographer and Carl.
Uncle Mike gulped very hard and even managed to conjure up a tiny smile. ‘No, of course you can keep this mutt… I mean, delightful dog.’
Professor Forbes shot a look of triumph at the twins. Only yesterday they had confided in him how much they wanted to look after Patch, but they feared their uncle and aunt would never agree. The professor had known exactly how to get round that.
Ella hugged Patch in delight. ‘Isn’t it great, you’re going to live with us forever.’
Just before leaving, the professor presented them with a lead and collar for Patch. He said, ‘I hope you’ll allow me to visit you two, and Patch, from time to time.’
‘But of course,’ cried Ella and Sam together.
‘Up to now I have just lived for my work,’ he said. ‘But this little adventure has made me realize there are other important things in life too.’
After he’d gone, Uncle Mike insisted the reporter and photographer take some pictures of Ella and Sam’s ‘happy home’, while Aunt Joy cooed, ‘And you two dear children can just go off and play.’
The ‘dear children’ nearly fell over with shock. As they walked away, Sam said to Ella shyly, ‘This has been a wicked day. And I’m glad we’re talking again.’
‘So am I,’ agreed Ella at once. And happiness just exploded inside her head like fireworks.
‘I think,’ Sam went on, ‘we shouldn’t use our special powers for things like cheating,’ he blushed slightly, ‘but to rescue lots more animals… and the odd person.’
‘And to solve more mysteries,’ cut in Ella keenly.
‘Oh yeah, we’ll definitely do that.’ A slow smile spread across his face. ‘It’s going to be so great.’
Sam, Ella and Patch walked along together in the dancing sunlight.
Then they tore down on to the beach, eager to start their next adventure.