Atticus Claw Lends a Paw by Jennifer Gray Page B

inside the real one.’ She pointed at Atticus. ‘If anyone can find it, he can.’
    Atticus picked his way amongst the statues. He stopped at one and sniffed. He circled it for moment then kicked the others out of the way with his hind legs.
    ‘He’s got it!’ Mrs Tucker said.
    Atticus looked keenly at the statue. He raised a paw and popped out his claws. He reached towards it and tinkered with one of the ears.
    The statue sprang apart.
    Atticus felt inside and pulled out an old leather-bound book.
    Suddenly there was a loud moan from somewhere up above.
    ‘MYAAAAAWWWW!’

    ‘What was that?’ Callie looked round.
    ‘It’s Biscuit!’ Mrs Cheddar cried.
    ‘Chaka-chaka-chaka-chaka-chaka!’
    ‘And those mangy magpies!’ Mr Tucker shouted.
    ‘Quick! Mimi! Get Atticus!’ Mrs Tucker ordered.
    Mimi leapt out of the basket.
    ‘Be careful!’ Mrs Tucker warned. ‘He’s still in a trance.’
    The beat of wings grew louder. There was a rush of air as the magpies swooped into the secret chamber behind them.
    ‘Chaka-chaka-chaka-chaka-chaka!’ An orange one with hairy legs flew at Mr Tucker.
    ‘You’re the beast that stole me notebook!’ Mr Tucker swiped at Thug.
    ‘Atticus!’ Mimi hissed. ‘Wake up!’ She touched him on the shoulder.
    Atticus jumped. ‘Mimi?’ He looked round in surprise. ‘Where am I?’
    ‘You mean you don’t know?’ Mimi said.
    ‘I …’
    ‘MYYAAAAWWWW!’
    ‘Biscuit!’ Atticus cried. He snatched up the bookin his teeth.
    Mr Tucker scooped Atticus and Mimi up in his arms. ‘Come on, youze twooze,’ he said. ‘There’s no time to lose.’
    ‘Chaka-chaka-chaka-chaka-chaka!’
    Mrs Tucker was fighting the magpies off with her basket.
    Mrs Cheddar, Callie and Michael hurled fake statues at Ginger Biscuit.
    SMASH! SMASH! SMASH!
    The statues shattered against the walls and floor.
    Biscuit turned and twisted, hissing and spitting like an old kettle. He was cornered.
    ‘Retreat!’ Mr Tucker roared.
    They hurried back up the steps.
    ‘Somebody close the trapdoor!’ Mr Tucker yelled. ‘I’ve got me arms full of cats.’
    BANG!
    Mrs Tucker slammed it shut.
    THUD!
    The trapdoor juddered as something heavy smashed into it from below.
    ‘Biscuit!’ Mrs Cheddar screamed. ‘Come on. It won’t hold him for long!’
    ‘MMYYYAAAWWWW!’
    They raced back past Howard Toffly’s coffin.
    CRASH! Mrs Tucker pushed the door to the tomb shut. She braced herself against it. ‘Get the padlock!’
    CRUNCH!
    Biscuit bashed into the door from the other side.
    Mrs Tucker staggered.
    CLICK!
    Mrs Cheddar locked the padlock. ‘That’ll keep him busy for a while!’
    ‘MMYYYAAAWWWW!’
    They ran out into the night towards the jetty.
    ‘Get into the boat!’ Mrs Tucker puffed. ‘Klob won’t be far away.’
    They cast off. Mr Tucker grabbed the oars and steered them out into the lake. Just then they heard the chug of a motorboat.
    ‘Is that her?’ Michael whispered.
    Callie’s face was white with fear.
    ‘Now what do we do?’ Mrs Cheddar held the kids’ hands tight.
    ‘Leave this to me!’ Mrs Tucker told her. ‘We’ve got the book, Klob!’ she shouted.
    Chug, chug, chug.
    ‘If you come any closer we’ll chuck it in the lake.’
    The chugging stopped.
    ‘And your evil animal pals need some help,’ Mrs Tucker yelled. ‘We’ve locked them in the crypt.’
    There was silence.
    ‘And don’t even think about hairpinning me!’ Mrs Tucker took the book from Atticus’s clenched teeth and held it over the water. ‘Or I’ll drop this in the drink.’
    ‘I’ll get you for this, Velk!’ a voice screeched through the darkness. ‘Just you vait!’
    The chugging started up again and faded away.
    ‘She’s gone!’ Callie whispered. ‘Are you all right, Atticus?’
    Atticus was trembling violently. Both his ears drooped. Callie picked him up and cuddled him. She buried her face in his fur. Michael tickled his chin.
    Atticus began to purr weakly.
    ‘He’s feeling better, thank