Mole Hill Mysteries

A Visitor Has Arrived


Our story begins one morning. The sun is rising over a wonderful place known as the Grand Wood. There are tall trees as far as the eye can see. Grassy areas are dotted in amongst them. A snaking path leads to a large oak tree, now fallen. The stump forms the roof to a small house. Inside this house lives a mole, whom we will meet in a moment. His name is Talpa europea (Tal-pa your-oh-pea-ah). That is Latin. Knocking upon the door, it opens and there, standing before us, is Talpa himself. He is a minute, stout little creature, with clawed hands and a pink nose, a thick moustache and silver spectacles. Talpa is a detective in the great wood, and it appears a new case has come to his attention.
Walking through the front door into a tunnel, a cramped room appears from the shadow. It is lit by a chandelier of bone and candles, and furniture is scattered around the room. There is a regal vanity carved from an old log, a writing desk made from an old match box, a wardrobe and chest set in stone and finally, a carpet of dog hair lining the floor. The walls of mud have paintings hanging on them, Wrenbrandt to Van Goat. It is quite the collection.
A letter arrives and is placed in a box. His receptionist is a garden spider. We will meet her shortly. Talpa dresses himself in a fine black suit with cross-shaped cufflinks, small black Oxford shoes and a tie. Placing his bowler hat atop his head, his cane beneath his arm and turning toward us, Talpa is ready to accept guests. “Oh, hello there. I did not see you without my glasses. Let me look at you. Ah yes, a fine helper you are. I have a case which merits my attention. Will you be of assistance to me? You will? That is good news.”
Talpa extends his finger, preparing to knock upon the door to the other room. “It is always polite to knock before entering a room,” says Talpa, receiving a response.
“Hello there, Talpa. Please come in. Ah, I see you have a guest? Welcome. Please make yourself at home.” Araneus Diadematus (Ar-ane-ee-us Di-ah-dee-mah-tus) is her name.
“Araneus, might there be a letter for me and my helper?” Talpa enquires with a grin.
“Of course. Ah yes, here we are, Talpa. Have a good case,” she replies, waving her little leg as Talpa leaves. Araneus is dressed in a feather-like headband, a long golden pearl necklace, a short, wavy black dress and three pairs of gold, sparkling, strapped high-heel shoes. A large feathered pen lies atop her desk.



One More Assistant


Closing the door gently, Talpa adjusts his glasses and polishes them, breathing over each lens individually, wiping them with a clean handkerchief and placing them upon his face. “Let us go and meet our colleague and friend, Pipistrellus pipistrellus (Pip-ist-rell-us). He is an untidy sort but fun to have around,” Talpa remarks. Walking through a doorway hollowed from a dirt wall and passing up a spiral staircase toward the upper room, Talpa prepares to awaken Pipistrellus – if he has not woken up already. “Pipistrellus? Are you awake?” Talpa asks.
“I am awake, Talpa, thank you. Do you have news?” he responds.
“Yes – a new case and a helper as well,” Talpa adds.
“That is good news, Talpa. It is a pleasure to meet you, dear reader,” Pipistrellus assures. He opens the door, ensuring decency before doing so. “I do not wish to greet you unclothed. That would be shocking!” Pipistrellus jokes. Pipistrellus is a bat with a grey-buttoned and baggy shirt, a dark brown, slightly striated waistcoat, a red cloth tied around his neck and brownish-white Oxford shoes. His wings are tucked into his sleeves, and there is a scruffy patch of hair atop his head. Caused by sleeping upside down, I would gather.
“Pipistrellus, have you had breakfast? It is the most important meal of the day,” Talpa enquires.
“Why yes, Talpa. I have. Now, shall we look to preparing for this case? I am sure our guest is eager to begin?” Pipistrellus estimates.
“Of course; how silly of me to keep you waiting. This way please, dear reader,” Talpa instructs. You follow both Talpa and Pipistrellus back down the staircase toward the front room. Talpa opens the writing desk and retrieves a small black leather bag, placing it upon the floor in front of Pipistrellus. “This is my bag of hopes and dreams. It contains all of the tools we will need to solve this case and maybe even help people along the way. Would that not be fun?” Talpa asks.
“Talpa, I have tickets for the train booked already. I just need a location,” Pipistrellus indicates.
“Preparation is key, Pipistrellus, and knowing a plan of action before going somewhere new is always a good idea. We are expected at Poison Ivy Grove,” Talpa informs Pipistrellus.
“Then we haven’t a moment to lose. Do you have everything, Talpa?” Pipistrellus checks.
“Let us see. We have our guest, the pair of us and the bag. Yes, I believe we are ready for the case,” Talpa assures with a smile upon his face.
“Then let us be off,” Pipistrellus adds.



To the Station


Locking the door behind them, Talpa and Pipistrellus prepare their canes, beginning to stroll and kicking leaves from the path. “I do not want anyone to slip and fall,” Talpa informs.
“It is a lovely day, Talpa, and the fresh air always does me good,” Pipistrellus states, gasping in a lungful of air, almost bursting the buttons on his waistcoat.
“Indeed, Pipistrellus, and we are just in time arriving at the station.” Avoiding panic by planning ahead for their journey. They both take a seat upon a bench overlooking the railway track.
“Talpa?” Pipistrellus asks.
“Yes, Pipistrellus?” Talpa replies.
“What do you suppose this line is for?”
Talpa stands up and comes over to inspect it. “Oh my. The words are covered in dirt. I cannot see them properly, even with my glasses.” Talpa worries.
“Perhaps we should look round for a guard?” Pipistrellus suggests.
“I believe he is on his lunch break,” Talpa informs.
“At this time?” Pipistrellus remarks, shocked.
“Indeed; they start their day very early, Pipistrellus, so an early lunch is called for,” Talpa informs Pipistrellus, whilst scratching his head.
“Perhaps we can solve this case before the train arrives?” Pipistrellus suggests.
“An excellent idea, Pipistrellus. Dear reader, will you help? Oh grand, you will. What do you think we should do? What is that? Look for something to clean the dirt away with? Of course,” Talpa expresses.
Looking around at the platform there appears to be a mop and bucket, a brush and cloth and a paint brush with a bottle. “Tell me, reader, which one should we use?” Talpa questions.
“the bottle, could be poured over the dirt and the paint brush will wipe it away,” Pipistrellus suggests, a smug look appearing upon his face.
“I dare say the brush and cloth will make a tidier job of it, Pipistrellus. Although, it will only spread the dirt. What is that, dear reader? The mop and bucket? Let us see.”
Talpa grabs the mop and hands it to Pipistrellus. The bucket is filled with soapy water and suds, which slosh back and forth as Pipistrellus dunks the head, splashing Talpa in the process. “Pipistrellus! Do be careful, old chap. We do not want the ground to become slippery when the guard returns,” advises Talpa.
“Sorry, Talpa, I will be careful. Look – the mud is coming off and revealing words beneath,” Pipistrellus shouts in excitement.
“Hmm; the words read ‘Please stand behind the line for your safety.’” Talpa reveals.
“Sounds like a safety message,” Pipistrellus confirms.
“Indeed, and we should follow its rules, because it’s there to keep us safe. To ignore it could mean danger!” Talpa warns. “How, are we to act to stay safe, Talpa?” Pipistrellus enquires.
“We turn to our bag of hopes and dreams,” Talpa assures, opening the bag and revealing golden stars, each with words upon them. He picks one up and places it on his belt. “This one is responsibility. The state of being responsible,” Talpa explains.
“You mean being wise about your surroundings and paying attention to hazards? Acting like an adult?” Pipistrellus asks further.
“Exactly. Now, Pipistrellus. Dear reader. The train is coming, so we stand behind the line and wait. The train will stop, and the guard will blow his whistle. Once all of the passengers have left, we may board the train. Be sure to mind the gap as you enter the train,” Talpa instructs.
“Stay close, reader, or you may get lost,” Pipi­strellus warns.
“Grand thinking, Pipistrellus. You have both demonstrated responsibility. Here, put these on your belts. Oh yes, that suits you well. Both of you,” Talpa reassures, a smile returning to his face as he removes his glasses to polish them.



The Journey Onward


The train grinds to a halt, steam pouring from its sides and top. The carriages are hollow tin cans pulled along by an old shoe. The driver pulls on a cord and blows the whistle. There is steam bellowing from the chimney the white plume rising high into the air.
The guard allows the passengers to exit the carriages, each minding their step as they descend to the platform below. Checking around him, the guard calls “All aboard,” blowing upon his whistle whilst moving his hand up and down.
Talpa enters the carriage and places his bag into the compartment. Pipistrellus joins last and sits closest to the door. The guard whistles upon checking his watch, blowing a second time. The driver pulls away from the platform, tooting his whistle as he does. The guard steps into the carriage and asks, “May I see your tickets, please?”
Talpa replies, “Certainly, my good fellow. Here you are. I am sure they are all in order.” The guard, looks over them, checking the details to ensure a safe journey. “That is perfect. Thank you.” the guard says.
“Talpa europea, and this is my party. My esteemed guest here and Pipistrellus pipistrellus.”