| Quote from the story |
| ""It's jolly decent of you," he said for the thousandth time" |
| - William |
|---|
This story begins with Jumble running out into the road to chase a rat he's
spotted on the far bank. He gets hit by a car, however the woman driver, who
we later discover is Miss Bryce, far from displaying the indignation of other
drivers, takes them immediately to the vets. She acts lovingly towards Jumble
and pays the bill. Before she can take them home, she needs to her home in
Hadley, telling William and Jumble to stay in the car and she'll be as quick
as she can.
Almost as soon as she is in the front door, a man, Mr Faversham appears
from the side door. Commanding William to follow him, he then proceeds to
draw him; with William responding "I say, I don't want to be
drawn". The feeling between the two is mutual.
When the girl returns to the artist exclaiming that she can't find the boy,
the artist replies that he is here. However, it becomes clear that another
boy, named Freddie, was supposed to be having his portrait drawn for an aged
aunt in America. The artist is at first annoyed that he has wasted his time,
but friendly relations are formed when William simply says "It's jolly
well been wastin' my time as much as yours". As the aunt has never, and likely will
never, see Freddie, the artist wants to send his William sketch and not waste
any additional time on this job.
Miss Bryce is Freddie's mother's help and is likely to gain the wrath of
said mother is the sketch isn't done by the time she returns.
We re-join the story several months later, with the Outlaws in the woods
near Marleigh. They are discussing Sir Gerald Markham's new groundskeeper for
Marleigh Manor, a Muggeridge. The Outlaws have of necessity become enemies
with "Chief Mugface" due to their incessant fires, tree climbing,
and general running wild through the woods. Recently, Victor Jameson had been
caught in place of the Outlaws and Sir Markham had written home to his
parents - the letter delivered in one hand by Mr Muggeridge, while still
holding Victor's ear in the other.
Of course, William, as Chief Hawkeye feels that Chief Mugface wouldn't try
such a thing with them! Which gives them confidence, until they hear Mr
Muggeridge make his way towards them, making the leap to their feet and
scamper. Unfortunately, William has tripped on a tree root and become
ensnared in Mr Mudderidge's grasp. William tries to convince him that he's
from Scotland Yard, here to trap a few trespassers for him, however, this
quickly leads to an attempted bribe, which leads to William becoming the head
of the gangsters.
Mr Muggeridge is silent until they reach Sir and Lady Markham. Sir Markham
is threatening a letter to William's father when an old lady pipes up that
it's Freddie. As Freddie, William is released by Muggeridge. Tea with his
'great aunt' and the Markham's follow. William tries to excuse himself, but
Freddie's great aunt insists on taking him home. William agrees as he doesn't
want Miss Bryce to get in trouble. He then says that he's staying with
William Brown's family, but his great aunt want to speak to Mrs Brown about
him staying with her instead.
While Mrs Shoreham goes to speak to Mrs Brown, William hides in his room. There
is a great confusion and Mrs Brown seeks William out, who says that he just
looks like Freddie and is often confused with being him. Just then newly
married Mr and Mrs Faversham pop by to see William as it was the portrait
that started off their relationship. William points to Mr Faversham saying
that he can explain everything, taking the former Miss Bryce to see Jumble.
| Characters |
Places |
| William |
Freddie's home |
| Jumble |
Marleigh Woods |
| Miss Bryce (then Mr Faversham) |
Marleigh Manor |
| Mr Faversham |
|
| Mr Muggeridge |
|
| Sir Gerald Markham |
| Lady Markham |
Gangs |
| Mrs Shoreham (Freddie's great aunt) |
Indians (William as Chief Hawk Eye, Mr Muggeridge as Chief Mugface) |
| Mrs Brown |
|
