Missing Person [antikvár]

Cassie Ford watched with great interest as a taxi drew up outside the house in Caulfield Place. Taxis didn't venture into Walworth ali that often. Two men, a woman, and a lot of luggage emerged from the cab. "Elio,' said Cassie. "Ave you come to visit, only we don't get many people in taxis.' 'No/ said the woman. She seemed quite friendly. 'Me and me 'ubby and brother-in-law 'ave come to live 'ere. I'm Mrs Harper.' 'Oh, you're welcome of course,' said Cassie. She had dreamy brown eyes, the deceptive smile of an ángel, and a vivid imagination that frequently got out of hand. 'Me dad used to drive a royal taxi once,' she began, at which point the taxi drove off. It was then that Cassie saw the covered birdcage on the pavement. 'What's that?' she asked, liking to know about every-thing. 'That's Percy, me parrot,' said Mrs Harper, taking the cover off the cage and revealing a bird of brilliant colours. 'Hello, saucy!' said Percy. 'Oh, ain't he lovely,' replied Cassie. 'A talking parrot. I* wouldn't mind changing 'im for my cat.' 'Sorry, love,' said Mrs Harper, and she picked up the cage and went into the house. It was some time later that the parrot began to say other things - things that seemed very odd, and that finally helped Boots and the Adams family solve a mystery of their own.