The Terror Time Spies by David Clement-Davies Read Free Book Online Page B

the…”
    “No,” snapped Hal, “I’m the leader.  I thought of it first.”
    Armande scowled, but the boys really were so impressed with Henry Bonespair, in the eerie moonlight, and besides he had been the leader of the Rat Catchers, that they all swore. 
    At last Spike added her little oath to the group too.
    “Will there be lots of disguises though?” she asked hopefully. 
    “Course, silly.  Trouble too.  And we never betray each other.  Right?”
    “Then we’re all in it togever,” said Spike, determined never to be excluded from anything again, “ The Pimple Club .”
    The boys blinked at Nellie in surprise, but smiled indulgently too.  She was only seven. 
    It was done then, as the brand new members of the one day hugely famous Pimpernel Club, stood in silence in the moonlit English barn.   
    “It’ll be very dangerous,” Hal said rather guiltily.  “Against these agents.”
    “Like Pa,” said Spike.
    “No, stupid.  Pa’s just a Land Agent.  These are professionals, Spike.  Spies.  But we must pick up Francis on the way too.  He’s expecting us.  We’ll be a day late, but they must be making allowances.”
    “And we’ve got that,” said Spike, looking longingly at the Silver Chronometer.  “It’s magic, Hal, I know it is.  It’ll help save us all, one day.”
    William Wickham’s Chronometer was glowing rather strangely, and for a moment those mysterious symbols around the dial seemed almost to flicker like fire, right in front of their eyes. 
    “Oh, that’s just the light,” said Henry, snatching the thing out of the moon.  “And we’ve got to be realistic now, Spike.  Adult and scientific.  Modern and grown up.  That’s what Francis always says.”
    “You’ll see,” said Spike firmly.
    “But let’s get moving,” said Henry, “Skipper and Armande, go up to the stables and harness the horses right away.”
    The boys both stiffened, side by side, and Armande St Honoré couldn’t help but look disapprovingly at the huge country ruffian, who a noble Count was supposed to work with now. 
    Armande wondered if he would have to touch anything grubby and he blushed as he saw his shirt was torn.
    “I’ll get the itinerary,” said Hal, “some food and some things to wear.  Disguises.  We all have to be as silent as the…”
    “Grave,” said Spike, “But what’ll I do, H? Can I sit on top with…”
    “You?  You’re going straight to bed, Nellie Bonespair.”
    “Bed?” cried the horrified little girl, looking desperately at Skipper and Count Armande, “But I’m coming to Dover too.”
    “Rubbish, Spike.  If you think we’re taking a little English girl to Dover, to confront murderous Frenchie Terrorists, then you’ve got another thing coming.”

THREE –THE BLACK SPIDER
     
    ‘Where we meet our first villain, are not sure whether it’s a boy or his uncle, and learn of the French Revolution, and the REASON behind everything…’
     
    Under that very same fat full moon, a tall and wiry Frenchman, with an especially straight Roman nose, was gazing out to sea in the French darkness, in the distant Port of Calais, just across the English Channel, or ‘La Manche’ as the Frenchies liked to call it. 
    The very suspicious looking adult was wearing shiny black leather gloves and peering keenly through a long brass telescope on a stand, at a boat just drawing into the great harbour, lit by swinging lanterns.
    The evil faced watcher was dressed very sombrely indeed, in a stiff black coat, with the Tricolour tied neatly at his belt; a sash with the French revolutionary colours of Red, White and Blue. 
    The man was in his forties, and had slick, greased black hair, greying now, and something of the look of an angry priest, or what might have looked like that, if he hadn’t dedicated his entire life to the destruction of the Church.  Just like the great Maximillian Robespierre himself, the Jacobin’s leader in Paris now, who had always attacked