"Tell me, Paxton," Diesel 10 murmured to the green diesel in question from inside the Dieselworks. "I need to know if you can shake like you've got a fever, turn pale all of a sudden, and stop speaking in the middle of a word—as if you were driven mad with fear."
Paxton was puzzled by this abrupt request, but nonetheless he smiled broadly.
"Oh Diesel 10, sir, I'm the best diesel actor around!" He giggled excitedly. "I can speak and then look all around, and tremble! I can start at a mere piece of straw as if I were paranoid. Frightening looks are also at my service, as are fake smiles. Anytime I need them, they're waiting to be used, you know." He paused as he remembered something. "Have Arry and Bert come back, sir?"
"Speak of the devil, my dear Paxton," Diesel 10 smiled evilly, as the two diesel in question oiled into the Dieselworks. Out in front, the destroyed frame of their former comrade, Sidney, lay ripped apart on a rusty flatbed. The rest of the diesels slowly lit up at the horrendous sight- like a hungry cat who had just spotted a plump mouse for dinner.
"Here's the frame of that notorious traitor, the dangerous and unsuspected Sidney." Arry announced proudly, pushing the flatbed in front of their leader.
Paxton winced at the sight, and a timid "bleh!" left his mouth. But for his master's sake, he kept it together.
"Oh! I loved this diesel so much it makes me weep!" Diesel 10 sighed dramatically, crying some fake tears and stifling some unauthentic sobs. "I took him to be the plainest, most harmless Diesel on earth. He was the book in which I recorded all of my most secret thoughts! He was so slick in covering over his plans that if it hadn't been for his love affair with that wretched Lady, I would never have suspected him. OH! Poor engine!" He sobbed, loudly.
It was then that Paxton noticed something else. It seemed that, as quickly as this tirade started, Diesel 10 abruptly stopped crying, and took about two short seconds to survey his audience, before weeping again.
Perhaps...this was all a...charade? Maybe not. Paxton wasn't sure at all, but he definitely did not forget this action. He did, however, choose to keep the matter quiet-at least for the time being.
"Well, well, he was the most covert traitor who ever lived." The teal diesel spoke at last. "Would you believe, if we hadn't caught him, this subtle traitor would have murdered the Diesel 10 and I in the Dieselworks today?" He piped up, in defense of his master.
"He would have?" Norman asked, surprised.
"What? Do you think we're savages, instead of pure, strong, diesels?" Diesel 10 countered. "You think we would have disobeyed the law and proceeded to kill this villain if Sodor's peace and our own lives hadn't been at stake?"
"Oh, I hope nothing else like this ever happens to you- or us!" Norman replied, shocked at the thought of such imagery. "That Sidney deserved his fate. I suspected his treachery beforehand, Diesel 10, sir, and you, my good diesels, were right to warn other potential traitors from trying the same." He motioned to the other diesels, who responded with murmurs of agreement.
"Well, I didn't expect any better from him once he got involved with those steamies," Paxton joined in again. "But we had decided that he shouldn't die until you lot were able to come witness his... execution."
"Which- was prevented by the haste of our friends, Arry and Bert here, who went against what we intended somewhat in their hurry to protect us." Diesel 10 interrupted, flatly yet carefully.
The other diesels were pleased, yet in awe of this revelation.
"And, if you could have heard the traitor speak for himself and confess the exact way he and those steamies planned to murder us, you could have told the island what terrible intentions they had, though now they're likely to misconstrue what we did and wail over his death." The ochre diesel finished.
"My dear Diesel 10, the words of you and Paxton are as trustworthy to me as if I had seen and heard him speak myself. " Norman replied. "And do not doubt, you two, that I'll let our citizens know how fairly you proceeded in this matter."
Diesel 10 smiled broadly at his loyal minion. "That is exactly why I wanted you here, Norman—to avoid the public carping and complaints." Norman grinned back, eager and please to serve his evil master.
"But since you've come too late to see the execution as we intended, at least let the island know what you hear we intended. Be off now, Norman!" And Norman sped off from the Dieselworks to bring the news.
...
One by one, the other diesels dropped out to go do their work for the day, until Diesel 10 and Paxton were alone. At last, Diesel 10 broke the silence.
"Follow Norman, Paxton." He spoke, sharply, as if to make his instructions perfectly clear for the young diesel. "He's traveling to Knapford to meet Lady Hatt and the inspector. There, as soon as you have a chance, drop the hint that James and Percy had...some plans." This piqued Paxton's interest.
"Tell the other engines how James and Percy had plans to be rid of their fellow engines. How they...have said some...rather foul comments about their fellow female engines. How they...never really...had respect for the worthy Topham Hatt when the poor man was ill-but only hint at this, Paxton- those two engines are still alive-and still trapped in the Smelter's Yards."
"Aye, aye, Diesel 10, sir!" Paxton grinned loyally. "Don't worry, sir, I'll be as eloquent as if the golden crown I'm pleading for were for myself!"
"And, if things go well, bring the crowd to Lord Callan's castle-I'll be surrounded by priests and learned bishops." Diesel 10 added quickly.
"Got it!" The teal diesel affirmed. "Expect me back at around tea time, sir." He beamed, and left.
Diesel 10 watched his faithful compatriot go, before chortling evilly to himself.
"Now I'll go in my shed and plan a secret order to keep James and Percy out of sight and to forbid anyone whatsoever from seeing those tea kettles," He oiled to himself, and with that, he resigned himself to the darkness of the Dieselworks, evil chuckles ringing out from its large walls.