The Cup and the Crown by Diane Stanley

Author:Diane Stanley [Stanley, Diane]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2012-07-15T14:00:00+00:00

He could see Tobias inside the house. He was seated across a table from an older man with a large nose, presumably the ratcatcher. Their heads were together, studying something. The raven tapped on the window glass.

Tobias looked up, squinted, then looked down again.

The raven signaled a second time: tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap.

The little dog that rested at their feet jumped up and started barking. The ratcatcher turned in alarm.

“It’s just a raven,” Tobias said, going over to have a look.

“Then leave it be,” the host said. “Stop it, Charley! Come here!”

But Tobias ignored him. He leaned down and stared through the window.

“Richard, hold the dog. I’m going outside.”

The raven flew down from the windowsill and waited. Tobias came out, and for a moment he just stood there staring. Then the raven hopped forward, dropped the ribbon, and hopped back.

Tobias picked it up.

“This is Molly’s,” he said as if speaking to himself. Then he stared at the raven some more.

Oh, come on, Tobias. You can figure it out! He nodded and made another little hop. Please, don’t be such a dullard!

“You brought this to me on purpose.”

The raven dipped his head.

“Talking to birds now, are we?” It was the ratcatcher, standing behind Tobias. Inside, behind the closed door, the dog still barked.

“As you see, Richard.”

“Should I be concerned—for your sanity, I mean?”

“Not at all.” He held up the ribbon; Richard took it.

“Crikes!” he said. “Is this the magical raven that led you here?”

“I’m rather sure it is. Now will you please—?”

“Sorry.” Richard stepped back, but he didn’t go inside. “I’ll let you finish your conversation.”

Tobias ignored the remark. “Did Molly send this to me?” he asked.

The raven thought quickly. The answer was Not really. But he dipped his head anyway to get things started.

“Do you know who I am?”

Dip.

“Am I Matthew?”

Nothing.

“Am I Stephen?”

Nothing.

“Am I Tobias?”

Dip, dip, hop.

“Crikes!” whispered Richard.

“And do you know where Molly is staying?”

Dip.

Tobias turned to Richard, then back to the raven. “If I asked you to take her a message, could you do it?”

Dip, dip.

“Will you wait till we’re ready?”

Dip.

Tobias stood and turned to Richard. “What do you think?”

“I think it’s an amazing stroke of luck, and we should go finish that letter right now.”

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