Im next, said Fatty. Im thirteen next week. Youre not thirteen until the New Year, Pip.
He signed his name, Frederick Algernon Trotteville.
I bet you never sign your full initials, Fatty, said Pip, taking the pen next - F.A.T.
Well, I dont, said Fatty. You wouldnt either, if you had my initials and were fat. It would be just asking for trouble.
Pip signed his name, Philip Hilton. Then Daisy signed hers, Margaret Daykin.
Now you, little Bets, said Fatty, handing her the pen. Best writing, please.
Sticking her tongue well out, Bets signed her full name in rather straggling writing, Elizabeth Hilton, but after it she wrote, Bets.
Just in case he forgets that Elizabeth is me, she explained.
He wouldnt, said Fatty. I bet he never forgets a thing. Hes very clever. You arent made an inspector of police unless youve got brains. Were lucky to have him for our friend.
They were - but the Inspector liked and admired the Five Find-Outers too. They had been of great help to him in two difficult cases.
I hope we can be Find-Outers again, said Bets.
I think we ought to find a better name, said Fatty, putting the cap back on his fountain-pen. Its a silly name, I think - the Find-Outers. Nobody would know that we were first-class detectives.
Well,were not, said Larry. Were not really detectives at all, though we like to think we are. The name we have is just right - were only children who find out things.
Fatty didnt like that. Were more than that, he said, settling down at the table. Didnt we beat old Goon twice? I dont mind telling you Im going to be a famous detective when Im grown up, I think Ive got just the mind for it.
The conceit to think so, you mean, said Pip, grinning. You dont really know much about detectives and the way they work, Fatty.
Oh, dont I! said Fatty, beginning to wrap up the book on fishing together with the Christmas card. Thats all you know, see? Ive been studying hard. Ive been reading spy books and detective books all the term.
Well, I bet you were bottom of the form then, said Larry. You cant do that sort of thing and work, too.
I can, said Fatty. I was top of the form in everything. I always am. You wont believe my maths marks - I only lost -
Hes off again, said Pip to Larry. Hes like a gramophone record, isnt he?
Fatty subsided and glared at Pip. All right, he said. Say what you like - but I bet you dont know how to do invisible writing, or get out of a locked room when the key isnt your side!
The others stared at him. You dont know how either, said Pip disbelievingly.
Well, I do then, said Fatty. Those are two of the things Ive learnt already. And I could teach you a simple code, too, a secret code.
This sounded exciting. Bets stared at Fatty with eyes wide.
Teach us all those things, she begged. Oh, Fatty, I would so like to do invisible writing.
You have to learn the art of disguising yourself too. said Fatty, enjoying the rapt attention of the others.
Whats disguising? asked Bets.
Oh, dressing yourself up in such a way that people dont know its you, said Fatty. Putting a wig on and perhaps a moustache or different eyebrows, wearing different clothes. For instance, I could disguise myself quite well as a butchers boy if I had a striped apron, and a knife or something hung down from my belt. If I wore an untidy black wig too, I bet none of you would know me.
This was really too exciting for words. All the children loved dressing up and pretending.
This business of disguising seemed a glorified dressing-up.
Are you going to practise disguising yourself next term? asked Bets.
Well - no, not in term-time, said Fatty, thinking that his form master would soon see through any disguise. But I thought I might these hols.
Oh, Fatty! Can we too? said Daisy. Lets all practise being proper detectives, in case another mystery crops up. We could do it much better then.
And if another mystery doesnt crop up, well have the fun of practising for it anyway, said Bets.
Right, said Fatty, but I think if I am going to teach you all these things I ought to be the head of the Find-Outers, not Larry. I know Larrys the oldest - but I think I know more about these things now.
There was silence. Larry didnt want to give up being head, though in fairness he had to admit that Patty was really the cleverest at spotting things when they had a mystery to solve.
Well, what about it? said Fatty .I shant give away my secrets if you dont make me head.
Let him be head, Larry, said Bets, who admired Fatty tremendously. Head of the next mystery anyway, whatever it is. If he isnt as clever as you at solving it, then we could make you head again.
All right, said Larry. I do think Fatty would make a good head, really. But if you get conceited about it, Fatty, well sit on you hard.
You neednt tell one that, said Patty, with a grin.
Right-o! Ill be head. Thanks, Larry, that was sporting of you. Now I can teach you some of the things I know. After all, you simply never know when they might come in useful.