to let him go and get murdered. He wants to take on your dare, don't you, Alexandra?'
Amy was about to stand up in her brother's defense, when Ben warned her off with a glance and Alex replied.
'I'll go. But if I do, are you willing to take on a dare in return? That's fair enough, isn't it? Dare for dare?'
A ready murmur of agreement came from the gang: It sounded good enough to them. Wilf was their leader, he
was a big, strong lad, nobody had ever questioned his courage.
Wilf realized he would lose face if he refused in front of his own gang. Fancy backing down from a mousy little
runt like Alex Somers! Wilf sneered. 'All right then, but like your pal said, provided it's nothing stupid, I'll take your
dare. What is it, jellylegs?'
There was laughter and approval from the Grange Gang. Wilf swelled his chest and grinned to show them he
was fearless.
The younger boy drew in a deep breath, as if gathering his courage. 'The dare is this. If I'm in the almshouse
more than two minutes, you've got to come in and get me out.'
Regina spoke out scornfully. 'Huh, anything you can do, Wilf can do as well. If you're not scared, he certainly
isn't!'
More murmurs of approval arose from the gang: They had every confidence in their leader. Unfortunately Wilf
did not share their belief. He found himself wishing he had not started the whole business of silly dares.
Ben interrupted his thoughts. 'It's almost midnight. Shouldn't we all get over to the almshouse?'
Regina cast him a wilting glance. 'We? You and your dog can do what you like. Coward!'
The Labrador shot his master a thought. 'Shall I nip her ankle?'
The boy patted his faithful friend. 'No need to, things are working out quite nicely, pal. Alex is a great actor.'
They crouched to one side of the rickety iron gate behind a lilac that grew over the fence. Regina looked at her
watch. 'It's turned twelve. Get moving, you!'
The young boy opened the gate and crept hesitantly toward the door of the almshouse. There was a titter from
the gang as Regina called out in a loud whisper. 'Go on, he won't eat you, I don't think!'
Reaching the almshouse door, Alex paused, then raising his hand, he knocked faintly twice.
The door flew open and there was Jon, looking like something out of a nightmare. He had a blanket wrapped
about his shoulders like a flowing cloak, flour on his face, lampblack underneath his eyes, and two Brazil nuts
hanging down from his upper lip like fangs. Laughing madly, he grabbed Alex and pulled him inside, slamming the
door shut. The effect was startling. Led by Wilf and Regina, the Grange Gang fled screaming across the square. Ned
went around the back like a dark streak, cutting off their way through Evans Tea Shoppe's alley by blocking off the far
end. Ben and Amy came dashing across the square in the gang's wake, effectively penning them in the narrow alley.
Ben tipped Amy the wink. 'You tackle Wilf. Leave Regina to me!'
Amy pushed her way through the melee of milling gang members and found Wilf standing paralyzed in front of
a snarling Ned. She grabbed the big boy by his shirtfront and shook him. 'Get back to the almshouse and help my
brother!
You were the one who thought all this up and dared him. Come on, I'm going to see that you carry out your end
of the dare!' She began to drag Wilf away from the wall that he was huddled against.
Everyone saw it, Wilf Smithers collapsed to the ground, clutching his bandaged hand and blubbering like a
baby. 'Waahahaah! I'm sick, my hand's hurting, let go of me, please, I want to go home. Waaaaahh!'
Regina had been scrambling her way to the back of the gang, intent on escaping into the square, when Ben
grabbed her hand. 'What about you going to help Alex? You were the one calling all the names. Why don't you take
the dare for Wilf?'
She broke out in tears. 'It wasn't anything to do with me! It was all Wilf's idea, he said we should do it!'
Ben called to the others. 'Amy and I are going back to the almshouse. You lot run and get some help. Fetch a
policeman, quick!'
The mention of police involvement sent them all stumbling past the big black Labrador and off into the
darkness, crying.
'My dad doesn't even know I'm out!'
'I'm not going to any police station!'
'Nothing t'do with us, it was Wilf!'
Ned let them go. Amy planted her shoe firmly against Wilf's bottom and shoved him on his way. 'Get out of my
sight, coward!'
Ben released Regina, and she shot off sobbing. In a trice the alley was deserted, save for Amy, Ben, and his dog.
The sound of bolts being withdrawn from Evans's side door caused Ned to melt back into the shadows. A light went
on, throwing a golden shaft across the alley. Bludwen Evans's huge night-gowned figure appeared in the open
doorway. She was holding a hooked window-blind pole and holding on to her mobcap, squinting at Ben.
'Indeed to goodness, what's all the row out here, boyo, eh?'
Ben flicked at his tousled hair and smiled disarmingly. 'Sorry about the noise, Miz Evans. My dog's got loose
and I was out calling for him. I don't suppose you've seen him?'
A gruff bark from nearby sent the boy running off, followed by Amy, who was calling. 'Here, Ned! Good dog!
Here, boy!'
Mrs. Evans shook her head as she closed the door. 'I 'opes they get him, I need my sleep!'
30.
THE OLD SHIP'S CARPENTER AND ALEX had cocoa made for Ben, Amy, and Ned as they entered the
almshouse through the back window. They related what had happened in the alley, the younger boy and Jon roaring
with laughter at Amy's impression of Wilf sobbing and wanting to go home, hugging his injured hand.
Ben sipped his cocoa and winked at Alex. 'Wait'll they find out tomorrow that you faced the Mad Professor and
