The Golden Acorn - Catherine Cooper [72]
Jack nodded. He was a bit nervous and anxious but at the same time curious and excited. He was just wondering how to explain his feelings when they saw something move by the gap in the hedge.
‘It’s them!’ Camelin cawed excitedly.
Jack watched the procession as it made its way towards the house. Motley marched proudly at the front with his head in the air. The rest of the Night Guard surrounded the Bogie. It looked like Peabody, with the same mean pinched look, only this Bogie still had a long, sharp, pointed nose. He wore a green jacket and red hat which had a beautiful white feather tucked under the hatband. His brown trousers looked more like shorts and his green and red striped stockings came over his knees. His feet were the longest Jack had ever seen, longer than Peabody’s, and his flat, narrow shoes ended in points. A chestnut ferret brought up the rear and a small bat, with a purple sheen to its wings, flitted around the Bogie’s head. Jack and Camelin swooped down and circled the group. As they passed the tunnel opening Timmery joined them.
‘Halt,’ Motley commanded when they reached the patio door.
Nora stepped out.
‘The Bogie,’ Motley announced as he and the Night Guard bowed low.
‘I believe you’ve got something to return,’ Nora said loudly.
The Bogie looked annoyed. His eyes were cold and Jack felt a shiver run down his spine as Pycroft glowered at Nora. Eventually he reluctantly fished into his waistcoat pocket and brought out the golden acorn. But instead of giving it to Nora he wrapped his fingers around it.
‘I’d like to know what you wanted it for?’ Nora asked.
The Bogie planted his feet firmly apart in a defiant gesture.
‘I haven’t got time for this,’ continued Nora and quickly withdrew her wand. ‘If I don’t get an answer in the next couple of seconds I’m going to shrink your nose so it matches your brother’s.’
Unlike Peabody he didn’t protest or squeal or bob up and down. Instead he continued to scowl angrily at Nora.
‘I wanted it for my collection.’
‘You had no right of ownership to my golden acorn.’
‘Why not? I saw one of those birds bounce it off a boy’s head a while back and presumed nobody wanted it.’
Camelin coughed and looked embarrassed when Nora gave him a cross look but she soon turned back to Pycroft as he continued to explain.
‘If I’d been quicker I’d have grabbed it then and there but the boy picked it up.’
‘So you got the Spriggans to steal it for you?’ continued Nora.
‘Not at first. I followed the boy and then told my brother about him. He had him cornered in Newton Gill Forest but somehow the boy got away so I got him to search the boy’s room, but he couldn’t find the acorn. Then he followed the boy here. I had a look at this place from the bell tower and realised that getting in without being seen would be a problem. That’s when I got my brother to go and see the Spriggans. I knew they’d be able to get in and out again.’
Jack realised he hadn’t imagined someone watching him that morning on the back lane. It must have been Pycroft behind the trees. Jack shuddered again.
‘So you involved Peabody in your scheme.’
‘Yes, yes.’ Pycroft replied gruffly. ‘I’m very busy. Peabody runs a lot of errands for me. I knew Chief Knuckle would send a band of Spriggans here once he’d seen the torch I had to trade. Peabody got them to dig under the hedge. They were happy to go and get it. Saved both of us a lot of effort. They don’t mind digging and they had no problem finding the acorn. Spriggans can sniff out gold quite easily’
Nora folded her arms. Pycroft still looked cross and defiant.
‘And is that all you’ve got to say?’ asked Nora.
‘Nothing else to tell,’ Pycroft replied rudely, ‘so I’ll be keeping the gold then.’
‘I don’t think so,’ Nora said sternly.
‘Don’t see why not. Finders keepers. If the acorn was important or belonged to anyone why was it being thrown away?’
‘That is none of your business. Besides, you didn’t find the acorn, you got others to steal it for you. Give it to me.’
Everyone held their breath expectantly and looked at Nora as she held out her hand.