The next day there was a loud knock at the door of Wizard’s House.

“It must be Baron Bricknoze!” said Freddy and he dived behind the sofa.

“Don’t worry,” said Odds–and–Ends, as he peered out of the window. “It’s only Gordon Gribble.”

Freddy went to the door and let him in.

“I’m so sorry, Gordon,” said Freddy. “It was my fault that the tournament was a disaster yesterday.”

“It wasn’t really your fault,” said Gordon. “I know my dad put you up to it. The guards told me. Now I’ve come to ask if you will use your magic to get Dad out of the dungeon in Bricknoze Castle.”

“I can’t do that, I’m afraid,” said Freddy. “That’s really Big Magic. I’m no good at it.”

“Then Dad will have to stay there for a month – maybe even more,” said Gordon with a big sigh. “The Baron’s men have already taken over our castle and my mum has gone off to stay with her sister Mildred.”

“Wait! I think I ought to help you out of this mess,” said Freddy. “A clever plan has just come into my head!”

Odds–and–Ends wiggled his ears in dismay. “I hope it’s better than the last one.”

“This is what we’ll do,” said Freddy. “Firstly, we’ll deal with the guards. Odds, you will fly into Baron Bricknoze’s castle with the sleeping potion I made for the owl in Mistress Marble’s tree. Scatter it on the floor of the guard room. That will put the guards at the gate out of action. Then Gordon and I will climb over the castle wall… ”

“How on earth do we do that?” asked Gordon.

“Don’t worry, I know a spell for making a rope do tricks. Once we’re inside, we’ll get your dad out of the dungeon somehow.”

“Oh, Master Freddy!” said Odds–and–Ends, blowing out a hot puff of smoke. “It’s very dangerous, but I’ll help.”

They waited until it was nearly dark before they set out for the castle. They crossed the drawbridge over the moat and, when they reached the gates, Odds–and–Ends flew up and over the castle wall. The guards were in the guard room, sitting round a table having their supper. They were making so much noise they didn’t notice the little dragon flying low under the table. Odds–and–Ends scattered the sleeping potion between their feet.

A minute later, the guards began to yawn. A minute after that, their eyelids began to droop. In another minute, all the guards fell face down into their plates and were soon snoring their heads off.

“It’s done, Master Freddy!” said Odds–and–Ends, as he appeared over the castle wall again.

“Right!” said Freddy. “Into the castle we go! “

He laid the long rope he had brought with him on the ground. He pulled his wand from his belt and cast a spell.

The rope gave a twitch then one end shot up to the top of the castle. Freddy grabbed the other end and began to climb.

“Quickly! Follow me before the spell fades!” he called to Gordon.

The rope swayed and swooped as the two climbed.

Odds–and–Ends sat on a nearby windowsill and watched anxiously. Unfortunately, he was sitting outside the window of Baron Bricknoze’s bedroom.

Now there were three things that terrified the Baron:

1. Scratchy rat noises

2. Flattery bat wings

3. Creatures with pointy claws

Just as the Baron slipped into bed beside his wife, he heard a horrible scratching noise over by the window. By the light of the moon he saw a creature on the windowsill flapping its wings and waving its pointy claws.

The Baron let out a terrified gurgling noise. His wife screamed and the pair of them leapt out of bed and down the stairs.