Jack & Harry by Tony McKenna Page A

find them. Northam’s not that big and someone will have seen them. With the police looking as well we’ll have them back home safe and sound in no time.’
    The Holden was pushed to its limits as Jack headed toward Northam in the early hours of Thursday morning. He knew he was driving fast but was experienced in travelling on the open road.
    â€˜Need to keep an eye out for roos, Jack.’ Claude concentrated on the road and surrounding bush ahead of the car as dawn broke over the Avon ranges.
    Arriving in Northam they drove to the police station and knocked on the door as it was well before office hours. When there was no answer the two men went to the house next door A man answered their knock with a not too pleased expression on his face. He held a mug of steaming tea in his hand. ‘What can I do for you? I’m Sergeant Mitchell, the office isn’t open yet. I hope this is important.’
    They explained who they were and why they were in Northam and the policeman apologised for being gruff and said he had received a call from the Ashmorton station the night before. He invited them in but they decided to wait until he had breakfasted and then they went into the station when he opened up a short time later.
    The policeman said he would get a couple of his men to make enquiries around the town and see what information they could turn up on the boys. ‘Not too hopeful though,’ He told the two men. ‘We usually know when anyone strange comes into town and is seen around the streets. I’m sure if your boys had spent a couple of days here someone would have seen them by now and my blokes keep a pretty close ear to the ground. Still, we’ll have a look around; what are your plans?’
    â€˜Thought we’d ask some of the shopkeepers if they might have seen them, maybe go to the school. Not sure where to start really but just couldn’t sit at home and do nothing.’
    Claude nodded in agreement with Jack ‘You don’t mind if we ask a few questions around do you?’
    â€˜Not the usual thing to do but under the circumstances I can understand your concern. The more the merrier as they say.’ The sergeant picked up the telephone. ‘I’ll let my senior constable know and he can have a check on his way to the station. Do him good to get an early start too as I’m already up.’ He smiled at the two men. ‘We’ll do our best, I’m sure something will turn up.’ He began to spin the handle on the phone to reach the exchange. ‘Call back here around lunchtime.’
    Jack and Claude drove to the main street, parked the car and stepped onto the footpath. Shopkeepers were opening their doors, placing advertising boards on the street and sweeping paths in front of their shops, readying themselves for the day’s trading.
    â€˜No point doing them all,’ Jack reasoned. ‘They’d only go to places that sell things like food or clothes or such. Waste of time going to all the shops.’ They passed by a furniture retailer and a haberdashery store and went into a bakery enticed by the smell of freshly baked bread and pastries.

    Back at the station just before noon Jack and Claude excitedly told the sergeant that two boys answering their sons’ descriptions had bought a loaf of bread and some rolls at a bakery on the main street and asked for directions as to where the white swans were.
    â€˜Then we went a few doors up the street and went into a fish and chip shop,’ Jack explained. ‘It seems the girl there remembers a couple of young boys, who she didn’t know and carrying bags with them, bought sixpence worth of chips. It had to be them, eh?’ Jack was animated and couldn’t stand still.
    â€˜It’s a possibility, yes.’ The sergeant was non-committal.
    â€˜We went down to the river but of course they weren’t there, but at least it’s a start,’ Jack said hopefully.