Read Online Arnie Jenks and the House of Strangers by Tim Bradley - Free Book Online Page B

along the edge until he was able to flip the end round and then down onto the carpet.
    â€˜Hurry!’ said Thomas, as Arnie inserted it into the lock and with a sharp twist – the door fell open. A moment later they were both inside.
    â€˜Don’t turn on the light!’ whispered Thomas. They shared a look before Arnie dashed to the window and stole a glimpse through the rotten net curtains.
    â€˜What can you see?’
    â€˜Nothing,’ said Arnie warily.
    â€˜Maybe they’ve given up?’ whined Thomas.
    â€˜Can’t take that chance.’ Arnie stared hard outside looking for any signs of life.
    â€˜If they find me – I’ll be shot!
    â€˜We’re not going to let that happen,’ said Arnie defiantly.
    â€˜But how?’
    â€˜Quiet! I need to think,’ hushed Arnie, looking around. ‘Now where would you hide a hole?’
    The room appeared unexceptional. A slender bed and a washbasin on rusty metal legs huddled against one wall, while a tiny wardrobe and side table stood against another. Nearby, several childish sketches were dotted around a peeling cork pin board together with a faded chart showing large and small letters of the alphabet.
    Arnie started his search by crawling over the unpainted wooden floorboards on his hands and knees but could find no evidence of a trapdoor. Then he moved to the walls. In one corner where the plaster dissolved into stone, Arnie traced his hand across the rough surface that curved in the middle before flattening out.
    â€˜This could be part of the tower,’ said Arnie. ‘I saw it from the outside earlier today.’
    â€˜What good is that to me?’ Thomas hissed.
    â€˜Well, there might be a way in,’ Arnie hoped, as he spread his palms outwards and pushed firmly to check for weakness but he could find none. He moved to the bed positioned hard up against some painted wooden panels into which smaller squares with individual patterns were carved. Moons, stars, suns and lightning were depicted but if there was a clue here, Arnie couldn’t see it.
    He started by trying combinations of the shapes, individually at first and then together, attempting to discover a hidden switch or key but luck seemed not to be with him.
    â€˜Thomas! Any sign of anyone?’ he called over his shoulder.
    No answer came.
    Arnie turned to see Thomas knelt in the middle of the room – praying.
    â€˜Thomas! Cover the window! We must know what’s happening out there!’
    Thomas dragged himself up and risked a look.
    â€˜One of ‘em is watchin’ the ‘ouse! Why is he doin’ that? Is he goin’ to come in? Arnie!’
    But Arnie was too busy concentrating on the cryptic puzzle. A symbol that was different from all the others – an image of an eye slightly eroded – had drawn his attention. He put his thumb onto it and pressed hard. He felt it move.
    â€˜I think I’ve found something,’ whispered Arnie excitedly.
    Thomas dashed over as a section of wall swung open exposing a dark recess. He stepped quickly past Arnie and climbed inside.
    â€˜I’ll be back for you as soon as they’ve gone – promise,’ said Arnie.
    â€˜You do understand don’t you?’ Thomas said, peering out from the dark, ‘Why I couldn’t go on fightin’?’
    â€˜Get back in! There isn’t much time…’
    â€˜Once I’d got to France…’
    â€˜You should never have gone,’ croaked Arnie. ‘It’s not your fault what happened.’
    â€˜I wanted to do my bit but there ain’t no rules – no one teaches you ‘ow to survive. Nobody knows that back ‘ome.’
    â€˜I didn’t either before I met you,’ said Arnie, and he stuck out his hand. ‘But I do now.’ He felt Thomas’s palm brush his for a second before it retreated into the void. The panel closed up and all was as before.
    â€˜Are you all