Charlie Bone and the Shadow of Badlock (Children of the Red King, Book 7) by Jenny Nimmo Read Free Book Online

time for Uncle Paton. He had emerged onto High Street, where lights blazed in every store window. Paton pulled the brim of his black hat well down over his face, trying vainly not to glance at the windows. But today was Saturday and High Street teemed with shoppers. Leaden clouds had covered the sun and raindrops were beginning to fall, softly at first, and then with a vengeance. Umbrellas were hastily put up, and being so tall, Paton was immediately at risk. "Watch it!" he gasped as he nearly lost an eye. Leaning sideways he found himself looking into a window full of prancing mannequins.
    Bang! The plate glass window shattered.
    Amid screams of shock and disbelief, Paton hurried on. He failed to notice a red light as he sailed through the intersection, and a blue Volvo almost ran him down. "Sorry, sorry," called Uncle Paton, glancing at the car's fog lights. This time the explosion was quieter, a mere pop. The driver didn't even notice, and Uncle Paton was able to reach the curb undetected.
    Unfortunately, another car, unable to brake fast enough, had crashed into the back of the Volvo. Both drivers leaped out and ugly words rose into the damp air.
    Suspecting that Uncle Paton might have something to do with the broken window, the two boys pushed their way through the crowd and were just in time to see Paton, bent almost double, running away from the scene of his latest "accident." He had nearly reached number nine Filbert Street by the time they caught up with him.
    "Was that you, Mr. Yewbeam?" asked Benjamin. The window thing, I mean."
    "Fraid so, Benjamin. I'd be grateful for your silence in the matter."
    "Of course, Mr. Yewbeam."
    They ascended the steps of number nine, Uncle Paton leading the way. As he opened the door, he raised a finger to his lips and whispered harshly, "Not a sound. My sister may be at home."
    "She is," Benjamin whispered back.
    There was a shriek from the street, and Olivia came flying up to them, the basket swinging wildly from her hand. "Wait for me!" she called.
    "Shhh!" hissed the boys.
    "Sorry," said Olivia, catching her breath. "Is the demented grandma around?"
    Benjamin nodded. Olivia scrambled up the steps and hopped into the hall with the others. Uncle Paton quietly closed the door, and Olivia plunked her basket beside the coat stand.
    They tiptoed into the kitchen, where Maisie was waiting anxiously. "Nothing's happened," she said. "Not a sign. I keep taking a look, but the wretched picture just sits there, looking back at me. D'you know what? I can feel a kind of smugness coming from it."
    "We'll take a look." Uncle Paton removed his hat.
    Benjamin's stomach gave a loud bleat.
    "Goodness," Maisie exclaimed. "I've even forgotten lunch. That's a first. I'll get a bit ready while you all go down the cellar."
    Uncle Paton thought it unnecessary for them all to visit the cellar. Telling Fidelio and Olivia to wait in the kitchen, he chose just Benjamin to accompany him. Benjamin had, after all, seen Runner Bean vanish, and he could tell if the painting had changed at all.
    Paton lit three candles in a tall candelabra that stood on the shelf. "Don't, whatever you do, turn the light on in the cellar," he told Benjamin.
    "Of course not, Mr. Yewbeam," Benjamin said emphatically.
    Paton made his way down the steps backward with the candelabra in his right hand. Benjamin followed.
    "Ye gods, what a grim place!" Paton declared, as the flickering candlelight played over the surface of the painting.
    Benjamin shuddered. Badlock had looked sinister before. But in candlelight it looked terrifying. He could hardly bear to think what might have become of Runner Bean in such an awful place. And then he saw it. At the bottom of the painting, peeking around the corner of one of the towers, was a dog. Runner Bean. His mouth was open in a silent howl.
    Benjamin screamed.
    "What the... ?" Uncle Paton almost dropped the candelabra.
    "Look, look, Mr. Yewbeam!" Benjamin pointed a shaking finger at Runner