Catquickly! he whispered, closing and barring it behind them.
Built about the same time as the cottage, the shed had gradually become lopsided over the years and now resembled an old barn. Doubling as a storage area, there were pieces of furniture, planks of wood, tiles, and all manner of bits and bobs that someone had once thought might one day be useful, piled up against two of the walls. In the centre was a large, heavy, wooden work bench. Arthur placed the box on top of it.
Ready? he asked, rummaging about in a rusty toolbox and producing a hammer and chisel from it.
Only if youre sure you know what youre doing, said the cat, jumping up next to him.
Whats that supposed to mean? I thought you wanted to open it?
I did! I do! I definitely did, for sure!
Whats that supposed to mean?
I dont know. What if its just not meant to be opened? Maybe theres a reason that it fell into the lake and all those men came looking for it.
Arthur frowned at him. Placing the sharp end of the chisel into the faint line, he picked up the hammer. OK, here goes nothing, he said and struck it gently but firmly. When nothing happened, he struck it again a little bit harder.
I dont get it. Ive hit it twice and theres not even a mark on it.
See. Thats what I was saying. Maybe its not meant to be opened.
No not a chance! It just needs a bit more effort, thats all.
And raising the hammer high into the air, he brought it down with such an almighty whack that he lost his grip completely, allowing it to fly out of his hand, narrowly missing his head and ricocheting off the roof. The chisel, launching in an entirely different direction, embedded itself into the far wall with a loud cracking sound.
You okay? Arthur whispered, having thrown himself on to the floor.
I think my whiskers have gone grey, meowed the cat, poking his head around the corner of the wood pile in the corner.
Really?
Could be. Shocks like that can definitely age a cat!
Taking a deep breath, Arthur raised his head up to see what had happened to the box. But it was just sitting there in the middle of the work surface, exactly where hed put it.
But how? Thats not possible. I hit it really hardyou saw me, right?!
At that moment, the latch on the door rattled, followed by a loud banging.
Arthur! You open this door immediately, do you hear me?!
O-o, Cat! he said. Now were in for it.
No, not me, my friend, Im just an innocent cat. And dont forget to hide the box!
Quick as a flash, Arthur stuffed it into the little pack which he always took fishing with him and put the hammer back. Attempting to retrieve the chisel from the wall, he found that it was in too deep and was forced to leave it.
Arthur! Open this door right now!
With a last look around, he straightened his T-shirt and unbarred the door.
His mother was even more cross with him than hed expected. Not only because going into the tool shed was expressly forbidden; but also, because, as luck would have it, she also spotted the chisel. The fact that he couldnt give her a reasonable explanation as to how itd gotten there only made matters worse.
So, youre telling me that you have no idea how that chisel came to be stuck so far into the side of the tool shed wall that it cant even be pulled out?
Yes, Mama I must have fallen over, and it flew out of my hand, I guess.
You guess?
Yes, Mama.
And what were you doing with it in the first place?
Trying to fix my backpack.
Your backpack? With a chisel?
Yes, well, I thought
Just you wait until Sasha hears about this. And what do you think your grandfather is going to say when he learns what youve done to his chisel, not to mention his tool shed. Again!
I dont know, said Arthur hanging his head, catching sight of the cat, who he was sure was grinning at him.
I dont know, either! Now, get out of my sight while I decide what to do with you.
And without needing to be told twice, Arthur grabbed his things and hurried back to the house.
So maybe you were right, Cat. Maybe it really cant be opened, whispered Arthur, having crept up to the attic to avoid being seen.
A box that cant be opened. It doesnt sound very likely, or very useful, does it?
What? Youve gone and changed your tune.
I never said it couldnt be opened. I said that maybe we shouldnt be trying to open it. Also, the more I think about the inscription on it, the more I think it sounds like a riddle.
A riddle?
Yep. And as you know, theres nothing us cats love more than a good riddle. Especially when its raining and a small group of us have gotten together to pass the time.
Arthur glanced at him in amazement.
What? Dont tell me that you didnt know that.
Um, well I
Seejust goes to show how much you dont know about cats.
Actually, I always thought that cats didnt like each other much, said Arthur, recalling all the times hed watched his cat seeing off the neighbours cat.
Ah well now, theres an interesting theme for a discussion. Im guessing that it also never occurred to you that weve had to come up with ways to amuse ourselves over the years? No offence intended of course, but you humans arent exactly the most interesting creatures to be around most of the time. I bet, for instance, you never knew that cats just adore theatre; re-enactments of legendary battles between cats and dragons, or the exploits of the great Catiators of Roman times. And yes, thats right, it was us cats who invented the whole gladiators idea and all that stuff. You just copied us as usual.
Arthur stared at him, more than a bit confused.
Catiators? So what about that big ginger next door, then?
Fluffy? What about him?
Fluffy? Hes not called Fluffy. Hes called Brutus.
You call him Brutus, yes, but his name is actually Fluffy. Fine fellow, actually.
Fluffy! repeated Arthur, trying not to laugh.
Sure, what else would it be?
What, and hes really your friend?
Of course he is, and a very fine riddler, too.
Woah! Hang on a second. If the cat next door is called Fluffy by other cats, what do they call you?
That my dear fellow, I will never tell!
Oh, come on! It cant be that bad.
No, its not at all bad, but its my business, and my name is private to me.
Oh, come on, Cat. You cant be serious. Youre really not going to tell me?
Nopenot for all the roast chicken in China!
Fine, suit yourself, then, Arthur said, not even trying to disguise how offended he felt at that moment. Im sure its very silly, anyway. I bet they call you Biffy, or Mini Mouse or something.
Ha! Nice try, but no.
Whatever, not that interested anyway.
Yeah, sure youre not.
So, anyway, if youre so good at riddles, what do you think this one means? To open what is both known yet unknown, speak this word times three.
Well, replied the cat, stretching himself out full-length on the floor. I didnt exactly say that I was really good at them. I mean, Im not bad, and now that you mention it, Im pretty good, but not the best No, probably not the best.
Soooo?
So, hold your horses. These things take time. I need to think about it.
Oh, Cat!
Arthur? Who are you talking to?
His mothers head had just appeared at the top of the stairs. She was still looking angry, her long dark hair tied back, only serving to emphasise her stern look even more.
Hmm? he asked, not having a clue how he was supposed to answer that.
I asked who you were talking to? The cat again, I suppose?
I guess.
Right, well, that settles it then. Im going to call your friend Lizzys mother and invite them over at last. Youve really been spending too much time running wild by yourself this summer. I always thought she was very sensible for her age.
Wild? he mumbled after shed gone. All he ever did was go fishing at the lake. There was nothing wild about that. As for Lizzy though, well, maybe it wouldnt be such a bad thing. She was smart. She might even be able to help them figure out this box thing.
So, what about Lizzy, then? he whispered.
I know what youre thinking, but we dont need any help.
But I thought you liked her? You always sit with her when she comes.
Thats because shes warm and scratches my ears very nicely. Which, incidentally, is something you could learn to do better. Now, if youll excuse me, I need to go and see a cat about a riddle.
And getting up, Cat sauntered off in the direction of the stairs.
3
Speak This Word
When Arthur awoke the next morning, the first thing he noticed was that the cat wasnt anywhere to be found. Guessing it probably meant that he was still riddling with the big ginger next door, and having caught wind that Aunty M was readying a long list of things for him to do, hed fled upstairs to the attic to try and delay the inevitable.
Hiding in a part of the room that couldnt be seen from the stairs, he placed the box on the floor in front of him and sat staring at it.
You know, I bet you turn out to be a whole lot of nothing, he said, finally picking it up. The longer he gazed at it, the more foolish he started to feel for wantingto believe that it could be anything more than just some ordinary little box. Feeling annoyed with himself, he was about to throw it in a drawer but stopped.
No, wait! What about everything that has already happened? It cant all be coincidental, can it? That weird white light; my hands; suddenly being able to talk to the cat; the hole in the tracks; the fish; the box; the reports of the men looking for it.
Theyve all got to be connected somehow. But how? he asked out loud.
You do know, right, that talking to yourself is the first sign of madness? meowed the cat, strolling into the room at that moment.
Ha ha, whereve you been?
Busy solving the greatest riddle that never actually was.
And whats that supposed to mean?
Youll see when I tell you the answer. Fluffy and I have solved it. Well, it was more me than Fluffy. Im sure even he would agree.
So?
Well, it was really just staring us right in the whiskers the whole time.
Great, but Ive been staring at it all morning, and I didnt feel it staring at my whiskers.
Thats because youve been looking without really looking.
Arthur rolled his eyes. Brilliant! OK, and?
Hmm? asked the cat, distracted by a small beetle scurrying across the floor.
Cmon, whats the answer?
Oh, that. Just say open three times.
Whatthats it?!
I told you it was simple.
Just a bit! Could it really be so simple? he wondered, shaking his head. Well, I guess we should try it, at least.
Yep, rightoff you go then! said the cat, forgetting about the insect all of a sudden, and beating a hasty retreat towards the stairs.
Watching him from the corner of his eye, Arthur cupped the box in his hands and held them out in front of him.
So, Im just going to say open three times, then.
Yep. Three times ought to do it.
OK, here we go. Open!
The cat had reached the top.
Open! he said again.
Arthur could feel his hands beginning to shake with excitement and his heart racing.
Open! Cat! Why are you
Suddenly, the little box shot into the air, freezing halfway between the floor and the ceiling. Snapping open, a bright white light like hed seen the night of the storm spilled out of it, filling the room instantly. Coloured spheres began to materialise everywhere. And between them, countless shining points. Arthur, mesmerised by what was happening, ducked as a small green-and-blue sphere appeared just above his head.
Cat
Im here I see them! he meowed dreamily.
What are they?
I have no idea. But theyre soooo pretty.
A moment later, the room was plunged into darkness. The coloured spheres, the points of light, continuing to shine, now appeared to be grouped into clusters.
Cat! I think Ive got it! I know what this is! Theyre planets, suns, and stars. I saw something like this when I was at the planetarium. Its got to be a mapa star map! And look over there, theres some kind of writing near one of the groups. See?
Yes, yes, I see. Whats it say? he whispered, coming closer and trying to catch one of the spheres with a paw.
I dont know, but they look like symbols of some sort. I reckon it must mean that theres something special about those planets.
You mean like a warning not to ever go there.
Thatd be weird, dont you think?
Not really.
But, if it is a map, then where did it come from? And how did it get to Earth?
And who put it at the bottom of a lake?
Or on that weird train that blew up?
If it really was on that train!
What? Of course it was on the train. Dont you think its a bit of a coincidence that it fell into the lake exactly on the night of the bright light, which was also when it looks like it blew up?
Maybe. Or perhaps it actually fell out of a passing aircraft blinded by that exact light.
An aircraft? laughed Arthur. And I suppose that whoever it was who happened to be flying it also happened to be holding the box out of the window at that exact moment?
Why not? Or maybe it also blew up. And before you say its not possible, dont forget that I talked to a fish yesterday.
Sure, but it definitely came from the train.
Or a plane which blew up.
Train!
Plane!
And whilst they were arguing, the slow spinning planets and otherworldly symbols began to fade. Snapping shut, the box fell with a thud to the floor, making them both jump.
Prodding it to make sure it wasnt hot, Arthur picked up the box just in time to catch a faint pattern of light visible around its edges.
I wonder what we should do with it. It looks like it might really be important. What do you reckon?
I vote that we give it to your mum. We can say that its magic and that its hers if she agrees to start feeding me better.
To my mumare you mad? Wed be in trouble for having found it in the first place.
Rats!
Listen, we need to find out who that train belongs to and give it to them, maybe.
Yeah, well, good luck with that. You do remember the size of that hole, right? Im not liking our chances of still finding anyone who was onboard.
Oh cmon, we dont know that. And anyway, someone came looking for it afterwards. Remember what the fish said? That has to mean that somebody knows something.
I guess.
So, lets get out of here and come up with a plan. I cant be made to be doing chores before weve sorted this out.
Creeping down the narrow, ladder-like stairs, Arthur stopped at the bottom and peered round the door frame. He was in luck. His mother and aunt were talking in the kitchen, which meant hed be able to leave unseen. Opening the front door and just about to make a run for it, he suddenly turned and dashed back up into the attic.
Hey, where are you going? meowed the cat, scampering after him. I thought we were going out?
No way It cant be! exclaimed Arthur, running over to the window. Cat! Therelook! he cried, as three helicopters flew into view just over the tops of the trees. You dont think they know, do you?
What are you on about? the cat meowed, jumping onto the window sill and standing on his hind legs to get a better view.
Im on about them! It cant be a coincidence, can it? Theyre coming right for us. They must know that we opened it But how!?.
Yikes! cried the cat, jumping down and making a run for the stairs. Every cat for himself thenthats what I say!
Nice one, coward! Arthur shouted after him.
Arthur continued to watch in horror as two of the helicopters set down in the field next to the neighbours house, while the third took up a position right over their cottage, causing the whole roof to rattle and vibrate heavily.
Not good! he mumbled, creeping over to the top of the stairs. He could hear his mother and Aunty M frantically shouting something about seeing soldiers with guns coming into the garden. A few seconds later, the helicopter above them moved off, and a male voice boomed out, followed by the sound of footsteps going into the kitchen.