Chapter 11: Frank's adventure

When the Find-Outers and Frank reached Mrs Steven's teashop, they saw the suspicious man there, chatting to the waitress they suspected worked hand-in glove with him. Zac had stayed home in favour of studying, and Frans, to look after Fatty. After a long wait, the man finally left.

"Right, I'm going to shadow him now," whispered Frank excitedly. "Watch and learn. Follow at a distance, and if I'm caught, do not play the hero and rescue me. You'll only get yourselves in trouble." He then ducked under a pile of crates outside the shop, shielding himself from sight.

When Frank was sure the man would not turn and look back, he slipped out of his hiding place and ran to a nearby wall, pressing himself against it. The man was evidently a suspicious fellow, for he swivelled on his heel and squinted into the shadows, looking for his stalker. It was lucky Frank and the Find-Outers were hiding behind separate walls, or they would have been seen at once. Satisfied, the man turned back and resumed walking once again.

Frank was very swift, following at a distance and ducking into any available spot he could find. Twice, the man had turned back only to be greeted with no one. But alas, the man soon went to a place where nobody had been to before. Though deserted, it was an open space, making it impossible to hide without being seen.

In his spot, Frank panicked. 'What should I do now?' he thought desperately. 'If I follow him, I would get caught. But if I stay put, I'll lose him.' He was in a dilemma.

'I'll just have to risk it,' he decided at last. 'There is a chance that he would not turn around. Besides, it's better than staying here.' Mind made up, Frank ran into the open space, hopping into any shadow he could find.

The Find-Outers were following Frank's example, moving discreetly behind. Now, they stared in horror at Frank's actions.

"What's he doing?" Larry groaned. "Surely he knows he will be caught. Fatty would never do such a thing. Frank really is a dare devil."

"Oh no!" Bets moaned in terror. "We must think of a plan to save him, quick! Frank, you idiot! Whatever shall we do?"

Unfortunately for everyone, Frank was caught. It so happened that there was another guy who was about to meet the teashop man. He spotted Frank from behind and immediately pounced on the boy, clutching his collar. The man was big and burly, and there was no way Frank could fight him off. He didn't stand a chance. Behind them, the Find-Outers stared helplessly at poor Frank. They did not know what to do.

"Let me go you brute!" yelled Frank. He thrashed about, trying to get free. The big man did not loosen his hold, however. He looked at Frank maliciously.

"And why should I listen to you? Tell me, boy, why are you following that man there?" The teashop man had turned around and spotted the captured Frank. Grinning evilly, he made his way over to join his friend.

Bets was nearly in tears and biting on her nails so hard that Pip could hear her teeth grinding. He was sure that she would get into a row because of her nails. "Stop that," he hissed, digging her in the ribs. Bets jumped a mile and would have been seen if Daisy did not pull her down in time. They all strained their ears to hear Frank's response. Pip started to creep closer. In the commotion, no one noticed Larry slip away.

"I wasn't following him," Frank's voice drifted over to the Find-Outers. He sounded put-out. "I just came to explore, so there. My friend told me about this place and I thought it sounded interesting. What's wrong with that? You own this place or something?" The men stared at Frank in astonishment. What a rude and fearless boy! Pip mentally cheered Frank on.

While the men gaped at him, Frank noticed the grip on his wrist loosening. Seizing the opportunity, he kicked his captor hard right where it hurts, yanking his wrist away in the process. The burly man let out a yell and fell to his knees, moaning in agony. Daisy stifled a giggle.

The teashop man growled and tried to stop Frank from escaping. All he got for his efforts was a hard punch in the face and a sharp kick in the shin. The boy fled, stepping on Mr Teashop's toes in the process. Frank could fight quite well. He had had some lessons a few years ago.

The two men soon recovered from their pain and chased after Frank. They never reached him as Frank had a head start and was a better runner. Unfortunately, luck was not on Frank's side. Larry came back bearing Buster who was, of course, as delighted as ever to see one of his masters. He pounced on poor Frank, wagging his tail and barking his head off. In his surprise, Frank stumbled and nearly tripped. The men soon caught up to him.

Giving Buster a vicious kick, the fat man boxed Frank's ears while Mr Teashop delivered another blow to his face. A pained yell was heard as Frank's nose broke and started to bleed.

In anger, Frank lashed out a landed a hit on the teashop man's stomach. Grabbing his companion's arm, Frank bit on it as hard as he could. When he released the appendage, the boy was pleased to note that it was bleeding slightly and bruising fast.

The big man countered by twisting Frank's left wrist so hard that a crack was heard. Frank screamed a scream that cut through the air like a knife. It echoed in Bets's heart and the frightened girl whimpered, sniffling and using her brother's sleeve as a hanky. Pip didn't have the heart to push her away. He stared out at the fight and prayed that help would come soon.

The fight went on for a while, with Frank obviously weakening. He could handle one opponent fairly well, but to face two, and both obviously stronger than him, was a nightmare. His luck took a turn for the tide at last, as Buster dashed into the fray, determined to help Frank.

The brave dog rushed in, barking loudly and nipping any bare places he could find. He always knew fighting Mr Goon would come in handy one day! Baring his teeth menacingly at the worn out men, Buster watched in satisfaction as they hurriedly ran away.

Staring at the ground in exhaustion, Frank noticed a cigar lying on the ground where he was first captured. It must have fallen out of the big man's pocket. Picking it up with his uninjured hand, Frank stowed it away in his pocket to examine later. He felt his legs give way and collapsed quite suddenly. The coast clear, the Find-Outers ran over to him at once.

"Are you alright?" asked Daisy anxiously. "You're bruised all over. Your right eye's black and blue."

Frank lay on the ground limply, looking quite battered. He was feeling weak from the fight. Pip chose this moment to examine his sleeve.

"Gosh, Bets!" he said in disgust. "Look what a mess you made of my sleeve! It's all wet! You didn't have to do that!"

"I'm s-sorry!" Bets howled, clutching Frank like she would never let go. "I was s-scared! Oh F-Frank! Are you a-alright?" Pip stared at his sister like she had gone mad. How could anyone burst into tears so easily and so fast?

"What a question!" he scoffed. "Anyone can see he isn't."

That caused Bets to wail louder. Frank sighed. He could feel a headache coming on. How does one deal with a sobbing Bets? Thank goodness Rachel did not cry so easily.

"Don't worry," croaked Frank weakly, his lips suddenly dry. "I'm feeling fine. It was just a small fight. I think I sprained my wrist, though." He held out his bruised left wrist and, with Daisy's help, bound it up tightly in her handkerchief. The pain soon receded to a dull throb.

Frank sat up with much difficulty and took off the fake eyebrows and wig. He noted with relief that the items did not come off during the fight. The eyebrows were no worse for the wear and the wig was only slightly askew.

The blood from his nose was now dripping onto his shirt. Bets gave him her handkerchief to stop the bleeding and Frank took it thankfully, pressing it gingerly to his nose. He stuffed the shades she had picked up into his now-bulging pocket, and prayed that nothing would fall out.

"This is what happens when you risk stuff," Frank told the others. His voice came out funny because of his nose and the handkerchief covering it.

"At least the men didn't knock me out or carry me away. Now I just hope mother won't be too shocked or ask too many questions. Gosh, I feel so tired!" Frank stood up shakily on unsteady legs that soon recovered. He walked slowly home with the others, leaning on Larry. Buster trailed behind.

"Getting Buster was a good idea, Larry," praised Frank when they reached the Trottevilles' residence at last. Larry reddened slightly and looked down, mumbling something about "It was no problem," "Everyone would have done it," and "I just thought of it first."

"What was it that you picked up just now Frank?" piped up Daisy suddenly.

"It was a cigar," he answered. "There might be a message inside or something. We'll find out tomorrow. You four had better go home first. It's getting late. You will get into a row if you're late for dinner."

The five exchanged goodbyes and parted.

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Yay! It's finally updated. Sorry to keep y'all waiting. Hee hee… All your questions have been answered in our profile. We have also replaced the chapters in front that made you confused.

Thanks to sn0zb0z, Christine and 5 Find-Outer Fan for reviewing, especially to 5 Find-Outer Fan for pointing out so many mistakes. Please review on this chapter too!

This is our first attempt on a mystery. So please comment or criticize if the plot goes out of place!

If you think this story might be abandoned sooner or later, you are WRONG! We promise you this story WILL be completed, no matter how long it takes (bags it won't!). Actually, we have the rough copy of our story right till the end.

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