Read Online Mystery of the Missing Man by Enid Blyton - Free Book Online Page B

at the roundabout boy, as if wondering if he might be a disguised prisoner. Then he looked sharply at a man going by wheeling a barrow.
    “He’s feeling very important, wearing a disguise and peering at everyone,” said Larry to Daisy. “I can’t say his disguise is a very good one. He looks exactly what he is - a policeman in disguise!”
    They gazed at him, and then saw him give a slight start, as if he were surprised. He was looking at the roundabout, staring hard at Mr. Tolling.
    “Why is he staring at Eunice’s father?” wondered Daisy. She leaned over to where Fatty was riding an absurdly large duck that rose and fell as soon as the roundabout began. “Fatty - look at old Goon. He’s staring at Mr. Tolling as if he’s seen a ghost.”
    Fatty looked at Goon and then at Mr. Tolling. “Well - he’s never seen Mr. Tolling in out-door clothes before,” he said, “and honestly he looks a bit queer, doesn’t he? Perhaps old Goon thinks he’s the escaped prisoner!”
    “Oh, Fatty! I believe he really does think that!” said Daisy, with a little squeal of laughter. “He can’t take his eyes off him!”
    Fatty gazed at Mr. Tolling again. He suddenly saw why Mr. Goon might possibly be thinking that Eunice’s father was the man they were looking for! Yes - the right height - a moustache and beard - intelligent eyes - knobbly hands. Good gracious - he couldn’t be that escaped prisoner, could he?
    Fatty pulled himself together. “Don’t be an ass!” he said to himself. “You know jolly well he’s your father’s friend and Eunice’s parent. But gosh, I might have thought the same as Goon is thinking, if I didn’t know who he was!”
    The roundabout had now begun its usual journey, and the raucous music rang out all over the Fair. Every time that Mr. Tolling and his giraffe came round in front of Mr. Goon’s eyes, the policeman stared and stared. Fatty began to laugh.
    Now what would Goon do? Arrest poor Mr. Tolling? Oh no - that would never do. Eunice would be really shocked and upset.
    The roundabout slowed down again, and at last stopped. Mr. Tolling was on the opposite side to Mr. Goon and got off there. He called to Eunice, who was nearby waiting for him.
    “I’m going back now. I told Mrs. Trotteville I’d be in to tea, and I see it’s late. You go back to your friends, Eunice.”
    Eunice went off at once to join the others, who were now all getting off the roundabout. Fatty looked for Mr. Goon, who was nowhere to be seen. And then he spotted him. Yes - there he was, trailing Mr. Tolling across the Fair towards the gate. Good gracious - so he really did think that Mr. Tolling was the escaped prisoner!
    “I say!” said Fatty, pulling Larry and Daisy aside from Eunice and the others. “I say - I think old Goon has somehow got the idea that Mr. Tolling is the man we’re after! I’ll follow him to see what happens, and you two stay here with the others. Goon might notice three of us behind him - I’ll see that he doesn’t spot me! I may have to rescue Mr. Tolling from the clutches of the law!”
    Daisy laughed. “All right - you follow them. I’ll go back to the others, but we won’t say a word to Eunice, or she’ll be after you like a shot.”
    Fatty started off across the Fair field, and soon saw Goon not far in front of him. There wasn’t much fear of the disguised policeman looking round and seeing Fatty, because he was obviously so intent on his own prey. Mr. Tolling was hurrying along - he must be hungry for his tea, thought Fatty!
    And then Mr. Tolling unfortunately lost his way! He took the wrong turning, and went off towards Maidenhead instead of Peterswood. Fatty felt cross. Now they would go miles out of their way!
    Mr. Tolling suddenly realized that he was on the wrong road and stopped. He looked up and down the street, hoping to see someone from whom he might ask the right way. He was short-sighted, and peered into the distance, delighted to make out someone at last. It was Mr. Goon, of course, sauntering up behind him.
    “Oh,