J. P. Martin by 6 Uncle; The Battle For Badgertown

Author:6 Uncle; The Battle For Badgertown
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2011-08-21T18:25:33+00:00

TEN

Witch Pit

Wizard Blenkinsop came to see Uncle next day. He is an efficient wizard, but very vain. He doesn't like competition of any kind. His office is in Wizard Glen, which isn't really far from Homeward, but is difficult to get to, all the same.

You have to take a little railway which runs through several towers and get out at a station called Cake Loop.

"Well, Blenkinsop," said Uncle, "I haven't seen you for some time. How are things with you?"

"Very bad indeed," said Blenkinsop. He is a small man with strange cloudy eyes. He always wears old-fashioned breeches and stockings, and a blue coat embroidered with curious symbols.

"I'm sorry to hear that," said Uncle. "What's the trouble?"

Goodman once worked for the wizard, and didn't want to meet him. So he had hidden under the table. Uncle could see him looking anxiously out of the shadows.

"My assistant Joey Beadle is an idle, slovenly, dirty rascal," said Wizard Blenkinsop.

"I seem to remember," said Uncle, severely, "that you once spoke about my friend Goodman in just those terms."

"Goodman wasn't really dishonest. Just very, very occasionally he helped himself to fish that wasn't strictly his. I never missed anything from my office. But Beadle--nothing is safe from him! You know I once took him on when he had been exposed as a fraud. You'd think he'd be grateful, but not a bit of it!"

Joey Beadle had once tried to run a false school for wizards, using the letters M.W.W.A., which stood for Member of World Wizard Association, after his name.

"I hope you pay him good wages?" said Uncle.

"Excellent! The highest allowed by the World Wizard Association. No, he's shiftless, silly and dishonest! Why, he even has the cheek to pretend he's me when I'm out!"

"Was it Beadle you came to see me about?"

"No. He's only one of my troubles. A witch has come to live at the top of Wizard Glen, in a little house with a large pit outside it. A place that has been empty for a long time."

"Well, everybody has to face competition in business," said Uncle. "Even wizards."

"Oh, I agree, sir, but I do like to know what I'm up against. She has a great number of visitors, while my trade recently has shrunk to nothing. I don't like to go and see her myself. Could you go and bring me an account of just what branch of wizard-work she specializes in? It would be a great help."

"I'd like to oblige you," said Uncle. "You have often been a help to me in the past."

"Oh, thank you, sir! You wouldn't have far to walk. Witch Pit is quite close to Cake Loop Station."

"Very well," said Uncle, "I'll try and fit in a visit this afternoon."

"I know you will give me a fair account," said Blenkinsop. "Just ring me when you've been. You've got my number, haven't you? Wizard Glen 8888. Where's Goodman, by the way?"

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