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Chapter 8 continued...

XL turned to the shopkeeper to answer. "Look here," he said, "it's none of your business why we're asking. Just tell us where to go."

"I'll tell you where to go, all right," said the shopkeeper. "It's a hot place, guarded by man in a red suit, with a long tail and horns."

"Do you suppose he'll tell us where to find Fred?" Beeba asked XL.

XL didn't answer, but Max did. "You have an odd sense of humour," he said to Beeba. Then he turned to face the shop keeper.

"Please excuse my son," he said. "Sometimes kids don't act as politely as they should. They can be a bit silly sometimes."

"Well, we don't mind a little silliness in Blarney Island Town," replied the man.

"I'm glad of that," continued Max. "We're visiting from a town next to where Fred's mother lives. We need to find Fred to deliver a message from his mother. She has been unable to reach him."

"Well, that's not surprising, because Fred moved away a few months ago," said the shop keeper. "But if you go to the post-office at the end of the street, they can probably check if he left a forwarding address."

"OK, thanks," said XL.

"Just one more thing," said the shop keeper, "remember that you are in Blarney Island town, and the post office is part of that town. Don't necessarily believe the first thing that someone tells you."

"O.K., thanks again," said XL, as he, Beeba, and Max walked out the door.

"Do you think he's telling the truth?" asked XL to Max as they walked down the sidewalk.

"If you are open and honest with someone, they are more likely to respond in the same manner" answered Max. "As you see, we didn't have to give a long explanation. My guess is that he is telling the truth. But it wouldn't hurt to double-check."

"O.K. Let's go to the post office," said XL.

Copyright Arthur de Leyssac, 2017. All rights reserved.