Felix and Saffy crunched through the snow towards the prefect, while Jasper hung back. Jasper hoped that Saffy had some more of the cancel cards with her. Students weren’t supposed to venture this far from the school unsupervised. If the prefect turned out to be anyone other than Boris, Saffy and Felix would get in trouble – but Jasper would be delivered straight back to Señor Hermes.
The coast was clear.
Saffy stuck two fingers in her mouth and whistled loudly for Jasper. He emerged from the trees, and Boris strode purposefully towards him.
Jasper smiled. ‘Thank goodness it’s you.’
Boris sighed. ‘Sorry, mate,’ he said, then threw Jasper into the snow, knocking the wind out of him.
‘You are now under prefect arrest. You don’t have to say anything, but anything you do say may be given in evidence. You don’t have the right to do anything except what you’re told. If you do not comply, this may be a painful experience,’ Boris recited.
‘Boris, listen!’ Jasper wheezed. ‘I can explain! But you have to let me go!’
Saffy and Felix were standing with their mouths hanging open.
Boris shook his head. ‘I’m afraid I can’t do that. As much as I would like to help you out, I have my orders. And my orders clearly state to apprehend you and take you back to the mansion using any force necessary.’