Me: What’s going on?
Nell: The puppies are Investigating.
Me: What?
Nell: Mole hills.
Me: Is Dave doing what I think he’s doing?
Nell: Marking the spot?
Me: You could call it that.
Nell: Yes. It’s important work and David is the best dog for the job.
Me: If you say so.
Nell: It’s not me doing the saying. It’s Sally. These Instructions have come straight from the top.
Me: Do we know why?
Nell: Let’s just say that we have reason to believe the moles are involved.
Me: Really?
Nell: An extremely suspicious line of mole hills has been detected in the fields.
Me: Gosh.
Nell: And they are all leading down to the sea.
Me: Do you think it has something to do with the mysterious clippings?
Nell: There’s been another incident. A long haired poodle woke up to find itself short haired.
Me: So it was clipped in its sleep?
Nell: Yes, and no sign of hair anywhere.
Me: Was it a Standard clip, or more of a Continental?
Nell: That’s not the point. I just wish Terry wasn’t involved.
Me: He’s not the clipper, is he?
Nell: Don’t be ridiculous.
Me: But he’s been meeting up with Squawk secretly and he’s a Beefy.
Nell: Yes. I know.
Me: Does Sally?
Nell: Of course she does. I told her.
Me: What did she say?
Nell: She tapped her nose with her paw.
Me: Itchy nose?
Nell: No. It was a sign.
Me: Do you think Sally let Squawk go on purpose?
Nell: I’m sure she did.
Me: And Terry is going undercover by pretending to be Squawk’s friend?
Nell: It’s possible.
Me: Why are you tapping your nose?
Nell: Good grief.
Me: Oh, I see. You’re giving me a sign.
Nell: Well spotted, Sherlock Martin.
Me: Sorry.
