Adam and the Arkonauts by Dominic Barker Page B

alarm,’ continued the Doctor. ‘Whoever built it would have done so far from the view of prying human eyes, but he would not have thought it necessary to conceal it from parrots. Yet again, the Arkonauts have discovered something humans could not. We will head up there immediately.’
    â€˜We haven’t finished yet,’ squawked Gogo.
    â€˜The parrots told us the edge of the wood is patrolled by guards. And they all have guns.’
    â€˜Guns?’ gulped Adam.
    Both parrots nodded.
    â€˜Hmm,’ said the Doctor.
    â€˜And now,’ said Gogo, ‘time for a joke.’
    â€˜Did you say it’s time for a joke?’ said Pozzo.
    â€˜I say, I say, I say! What’s the difference between a large bird of prey and a dog with mange?’
    â€˜One’s a golden eagle and the other’s a mouldy beagle!’
    Neither the Doctor nor Adam laughed.
    â€˜I told you nobody was going to find mouldy dogs funny,’ Gogo remarked.
    â€˜We’ve got to be more edgy or we’ll get stale,’ Pozzo insisted.
    The parrots flew up to the crow’s nest, squabbling about new directions for their act.
    â€˜We must go to Tibidabo,’ announced the Doctor, ‘armed guards or not. If we’re to switch off the alarm, that is where we must go.’
    â€˜But how will that help Mum?’ said Adam, unable to hide his frustration.
    â€˜I have a theory about that. I’ll explain on the way,’ the Doctor replied mysteriously.
    â€˜And how will we get past the guards with guns?’
    But his father had already disappeared below deck. Adam was left alone. He thought sadly about his mother, possibly so close, but whom he might now never see if things went wrong in the woods. He felt exhausted – so much had already happened today. He slumped down on a chair and covered his face, only to be interrupted by a wet tongue licking his hands.
    â€˜Sniffage! You’re back!’
    Sniffage was indeed back and as cheerful as ever, with a large stick in his mouth.
    â€˜What took you so long?’
    â€˜Yeah! Got distracted by some dead things. Whatcha doing?’
    The spaniel stood in front of him, wagging his tail for all it was worth.
    â€˜I was feeling sad,’ admitted Adam.
    â€˜Sad?’ said Sniffage. ‘Don’t do that! Not when there’s sticks to throw!’ And he helpfully dropped his stick at Adam’s feet. ‘Yeah! Yeah! Throw it!’
    Reluctantly, Adam picked up the stick and threw it for Sniffage. The dog was right – he did feel better.
    But not for long.
    Adam turned towards the harbour and saw what looked like the entire Buenos Sueños Police Force, headed by Chief Grivas, descending on to the dock. The Chief of Police stomped up to the gangplank, flanked by all his officers.
    Adam gulped.
    The noise of their arrival brought the Doctor swiftly back up on deck.
    â€˜This young hooligan is going to pay us 1,920 pesos or he is going to prison for a long time,’ Chief Grivas informed him. ‘Two more offences have been committed: “Escaping without permission” and “Riding a bike through a house during mealtimes.” Both are criminal acts according to the Buenos Sueños Crime and Punishment Code.’
    The Doctor rushed across to Adam and stuffed some notes in his hand.
    â€˜That’s almost all our money,’ he said furiously. ‘Whatever you do, don’t commit any more crimes.’
    So, beneath the burning sun and under the harsh, watchful eyes of the Buenos Sueños Police Force, Adam walked down the gangplank, stood on the large red spot and handed over the money. Chief Grivas did not seem particularly happy to receive it. It was obvious that he would have preferred to put the boy in jail. As Adam was about to move off the spot, Grivas grabbed his elbow.
    â€˜Not so fast. We are going to require you to hand over your wild dog.’
    â€˜Sniffage!’ said Adam. ‘But