Charlie Bone and the Time Twister Part 21

"Hi, Sander!" said Tancred.

"Am I glad to see you," said Lysander, and his huge smile almost split his face in two. " You coming You coming to school, then?" to school, then?"

"You bet," said Tancred.

Charlie didn't know Tancred was back until he went to the King's room that evening. He had just put his homework on the table when Gabriel came running in.

"Guess what?" said Gabriel. "I've seen Tancred!"

Charlie could hardly believe it. "That's fantastic!" He said happily Asa limped into the room. His bandages were off but the scars on his hands were still red and painful. "What are you two smirking about?" he snarled. limped into the room. His bandages were off but the scars on his hands were still red and painful. "What are you two smirking about?" he snarled.

"Just a bit of good news," said Charlie.

The room began to fill up. Emma took her place next to Charlie, and Billy came hopping in after Manfred. Dorcas Dorcas was next, and then, at last, Lysander and Tancred arrived. was next, and then, at last, Lysander and Tancred arrived.

"Hi, Tanc Tanc !" said Gabriel and Charlie. !" said Gabriel and Charlie.

"Good to see you back," Emma added quietly Before Tancred could reply Manfred said, "Shut up, and get on with your homework. Tancred and Lysander, you're late!"

"Sorry pal," said Tancred with a grin.

"I'm not your pal," snapped Manfred.

This seemed to annoy Manfred even more. He scowled at Tancred, but couldn't think of anything else to say Billy Raven gazed sadly at Manfred. "So sorry to hear your girlfriend's ill," he said, obviously hoping to earn a few sweets. Unfortunately it had the opposite effect.

"What?" Manfred glared at Billy "Zelda," said Billy nervously "She's not my girlfriend," barked Manfred. "And I'd advise you to mind your own business, Billy Raven."

"Yes, Manfred."

Everyone put their heads down and began to work. In spite of the intense concentration in the room, Charlie was aware that, somehow, a weight had been lifted. There was a fresh and hopeful atmosphere. Now there are five of us, he thought. And only three of them. And only three of them. Dorcas Dorcas was a puzzle. No one knew what her endowment was. Even when she was doing homework there was a smile on her face. Charlie liked to think that she was neither on one side or the other, but placed firmly in the middle. was a puzzle. No one knew what her endowment was. Even when she was doing homework there was a smile on her face. Charlie liked to think that she was neither on one side or the other, but placed firmly in the middle.

He looked up at the painting of the Red King. Would the tree appear again? And could he go into this painting? Would he hear the Red King speak?

Manfred's voice cut into Charlie's thoughts. "Daydreaming won't get you anywhere, Bone. Get on with your work!"

"Yes, Manfred." Charlie was about to look away from the painting when he noticed a shadow fall behind the figure of the king. Gradually the shadow took shape. It became a face beneath a dark hood. And Charlie became convinced that this dark figure was blocking him. It would never let him hear the King's voice, or step any closer. Charlie was about to look away from the painting when he noticed a shadow fall behind the figure of the king. Gradually the shadow took shape. It became a face beneath a dark hood. And Charlie became convinced that this dark figure was blocking him. It would never let him hear the King's voice, or step any closer.

"Do you want detention, Bone?" shouted Manfred.

"No . . . no. Sorry Manfred. I was just thinking. My homework's a bit difficult today" Charlie fumbled with his books. Sorry Manfred. I was just thinking. My homework's a bit difficult today" Charlie fumbled with his books.

"Just get on with it," grunted Manfred.

Charlie kept his head down until the clock struck eight, and they were all released.

Tancred and Lysander caught up with him as he hurried away from the King's room.

"Sander's told me everything," Tancred Tancred told Charlie. "I hope I can help with your cousin's problem." told Charlie. "I hope I can help with your cousin's problem."

"You bet you can," said Charlie. "Somehow I've got to get into the ruin. It must be on Sat.u.r.day when I'm not being watched."

"That means you'll have to get in from the other side." Lysander looked doubtful. "It's very dangerous, Charlie. There's a deep gorge with a river at the bottom. You'll have to scale the cliffs and they're almost sheer."

Charlie didn't like the sound of it. "Maybe I could get in through a window in one of the towers, if there was a distraction." He looked at Tancred.

"A storm?" asked Tancred.

"That would be great."

"Do you want me to keep the wand, Charlie?" Lysander made a sweeping movement in the air.

"I think it would be safer with you," said Charlie.

"What are you three doing?" Dr. Bloor came marching up to them. "You shouldn't be lurking about here. Hurry along now."

"Yes, sir," said the three boys.

They dared not say anything more to one another. With a quick grin, Charlie left the older boys and walked up to his dormitory That night Charlie found it difficult to sleep. He was haunted by thoughts of falling down steep cliffs and drowning in fast-flowing rivers. Next morning he was so preoccupied he nearly went clown to breakfast in his pajamas. Luckily Fidelio was waiting for him.

"You'll be in trouble if you go down like that."

"I can't think properly I keep wondering what'll happen to Henry if we don't get him out."

"We will get him out," said Fidelio, though he sounded much less confident than usual.

Later that day something happened that changed their mood entirely When When they went to the cafeteria for lunch, they were surprised to see Cook behind the counter. they went to the cafeteria for lunch, they were surprised to see Cook behind the counter.

As Charlie came up to get his portion, Cook bent her head over a pan of macaroni and said in an undertone, "I've had a message from Mr. Onimous Onimous . You're to go to the Pets' Cafe at two o'clock on Sat.u.r.day" . You're to go to the Pets' Cafe at two o'clock on Sat.u.r.day"

"Why?" said Charlie.

"Move up, Charlie," Billy Raven whined from the line. "We're hungry."

Fidelio stepped back onto his foot.

"Ouch!" yelled Billy "So sorry Billy," said Fidelio in a loud voice.

Taking advantage of the noise, Cook murmured quickly "It's going to be all right. Mr. Onimous Onimous has the answer." She raised her voice and said, "Here you are, Charlie. has the answer." She raised her voice and said, "Here you are, Charlie. Macaroni without the peas." Macaroni without the peas."

"Yippee!" said Fidelio, joining Charlie at his table. "Something for us veggies, at last." "Something for us veggies, at last." He lowered his voice. "I heard what Cook said, so cheer up, Charlie! All will be revealed on Sat.u.r.day." He lowered his voice. "I heard what Cook said, so cheer up, Charlie! All will be revealed on Sat.u.r.day."

The next day was Friday During the first break, Charlie and Fidelio managed to pa.s.s on Cook's message to Tancred and Lysander. Gabriel had already been told, and he pa.s.sed the news on to Emma and Olivia. After all, it was they who had found Henry "You'll have to bring a pet," Gabriel warned the girls. "I can lend you a gerbil each; I've got plenty to spare."

"Actually" said Olivia. "I've got some very nice rabbits."

Emma accepted the offer of a gerbil.

That evening, Charlie wrapped the painting of Skarpo Skarpo in his pajamas. He put it carefully at the bottom of his bag and then piled the rest of his clothes on top. in his pajamas. He put it carefully at the bottom of his bag and then piled the rest of his clothes on top.

Billy Raven sat on his bed watching Charlie pack. The others had already left and the two boys were alone.

"Why are you taking that painting home again?" asked Billy "Because I want to," said Charlie. He used to feel sorry for Billy all on his own in the creepy academy every weekend. But he was sure that spying had brought the orphan a great many rewards; bars of chocolate, late-night hot cocoa, fur-lined boots, and powerful flashlights, to name but a few "I'll be off, then," said Charlie, zipping up his bag. "Have a good weekend, Billy"

"I don't think you will," said Billy What did he mean? Charlie was too distracted by his own plans to worry about Billy's spiteful little digs. He rushed down to the hall where Fidelio was waiting for him. The two boys were the last to leave.

On Friday afternoons, Dr. Bloor and Manfred always waited in the hall until the last pupil left the building. As Charlie and Fidelio walked toward the tall double doors, Dr. Bloor stepped in front of them.

"I want to see what's in your bag," the headmaster said to Charlie.

"My bag, sir?" Charlie was very glad he'd given Charlie was very glad he'd given Skarpo's Skarpo's wand to Lysander. wand to Lysander.

"Your bag, Bone. Empty it!" Empty it!"

"Here, sir?"

"Right here!"

"He'll miss the bus, sir," said Fidelio.

"This is none of your business, Gunn," barked Dr. Bloor. "Run along."

Fidelio didn't move. "I'll wait for Charlie, sir," he said.

Charlie opened his bag and turned it upside down. Clothes, shoes, and books lay in a pile on the floor. Manfred bent down and shook out every item of clothing and every book. Even Charlie's sneakers were investigated. As the head boy picked up Charlie's pajamas, the painting fell out.

"There's only this!" Manfred held the painting out to Dr. Bloor.

Ah. A very fine work," said Dr. Bloor. "Nothing else? "Nothing else? Look in the bag, Manfred!" Look in the bag, Manfred!"

Manfred felt inside Charlie's bag. He ran his hands along the lining, shook the pockets, and lifted the board at the bottom.

"Please, sir. We're going to miss the bus," Fidelio said bravely "Then you'll have to walk, won't you?" snapped Manfred. "Nothing here, Dad." "Nothing here, Dad." He threw the bag at Charlie. He threw the bag at Charlie. "All right, you two. "All right, you two. Get out of here." Get out of here."

The two boys just managed to catch their bus, but as it traveled around the city Charlie suddenly began to have doubts about his uncle. Suppose he were still in the hospital? Suppose his sisters had done something even worse? Paton had looked so ill when Charlie last saw him. How could he possibly recover in time to help Henry?

Charlie ran down Filbert Street Filbert Street dreading more sad news. dreading more sad news.

When his mother opened the door of number nine, Charlie's worst fears were confirmed.

"What's happened?" breathed Charlie.

"Nothing, love." His mother kissed his cheek. "I just took the day off. His mother kissed his cheek. "I just took the day off. Had some shopping to do." Had some shopping to do."

Charlie stepped into the hall. "Is Uncle Paton . . . ?"

"He's up in his room. A bit sore, but nothing serious." A bit sore, but nothing serious."

"Wow!" Charlie dropped his bag and rushed upstairs.

For the first time in his life, he burst into his uncle's room without knocking. Paton was sitting at his desk.

"h.e.l.lo, Charlie!" said Paton.

For a moment Charlie didn't know what to say He was so relieved, so overjoyed, in fact, to see his uncle. A hug would have been appropriate, he thought, but Uncle Paton might be embarra.s.sed.

"I'm so, so glad you're better," said Charlie at last.

"Me, too. You should see my bruises. They're very impressive." You should see my bruises. They're very impressive."

Charlie could see a cut and a large bruise on his uncle's forehead where the bandage had been. "Your head looks very er er , colorful." , colorful."

Paton laughed. "That's nothing. The others are works of art!" He patted the arm of his rather shabby velvet jacket. Lowering his voice, he added, "They didn't finish me off, though."

"Do you think they really meant to?" asked Charlie.

Paton shrugged. "Who knows? With sisters like mine, anything is possible."

"Uncle Paton, I've got a lot to tell you," Charlie said gravely "I'll bet you have. Run along and have your tea and then we'll discuss!"

Charlie went down to the huge Friday spread Maisie Maisie provided to make up for the academy's meager rations. provided to make up for the academy's meager rations.

"Doesn't your uncle look grand? Considering," said Maisie Maisie . .

"Did they find out who did it?" Charlie asked tentatively "I mean , , will they be sent to prison?" will they be sent to prison?"

"It was a hired car," Amy Bone told him. "And the driver was a blonde in dark gla.s.ses. That's all they know."

A wig, thought Charlie. Uncle Paton knows, but he can't prove a thing.

He bolted his tea as fast as he could and ran up to see his uncle again. Paton had actually cleared a s.p.a.ce on his bed for Charlie to sit down. He had never been invited to sit in his uncle's room before. The candles had been lit and the oil lamp gave the room a cozy glow Charlie told his uncle everything from the moment he'd discovered Henry's capture, to his escape from the sorcerer. Paton did not interrupt, though he gave a low whistle when Charlie described Olivia's night with the giant tollroc tollroc . .

"And a friend of yours now keeps the wand you found?"

"Lysander," said Charlie. "I trust him. He saved me from Skarpo Skarpo ." ."

"But you have the book? You'll have to use Welsh to command that wand, wand, you know It's the only language it will understand." you know It's the only language it will understand."

Charlie nodded. He'd already learned some words, and repeated them to his uncle. " " Symuda'r Symuda'r gareg gareg yma yma !" !"

"Move that rock." Uncle Paton nodded approvingly "But it's p.r.o.nounced like this, Charlie . . " " Sumidar Sumidar gareg gareg umma umma !" !"

"I'll practice," said Charlie. "It's lucky that Miss Ingledew Ingledew found the Welsh dictionary. It was lying in the gutter after your accident." found the Welsh dictionary. It was lying in the gutter after your accident."

"It was very lucky. She's She's a remarkable woman, Miss a remarkable woman, Miss Ingledew Ingledew ." ."

"Are you . . . friends again?" Chadie Chadie asked tentatively. asked tentatively.