The Portalmatch was a strange-looking doorway indeed.

For a start, it looked miles too small to get through. It was a silver oval, hanging in the net-sky as if by magic. There was nothing to be seen on either side of it. In its centre it had a kind of shimmering curtain - like a waterfall, with the “water” constantly falling down it but never going outside the oval shape containing it.

“We are meant to go though zat?” said Fromage, twirling his whiskers in a worried way. “Oof!”

“Oh, we'll a just have to mini a bit” said Hombellyton, winking at the little mouse. “Breathe in! You know!”

“Incroyable!” * muttered Fromage.

Suddenly, the waterfall gave a little hiss, as if to say it knew they were there, and a voice spoke from it.

“Welcome!” it said in a kind of bubbly way. “Welcome to Portalmatch Zbigniew!” **

And then a head poked through the “water”!

“Barkbark!” went Wiz. “What is that? Watch out!”

Because, looking out at them with kindly eyes, big lips and a tufty head rather like an American Indian's head dress, was a fish.

Only, not like any fish Dot had ever seen before.

This one had sweeping lines of all the colours you could think of going back from its head: red, green, purple, gold and black.

Under its chin it had a couple of spiky bits that would have looked like a beard if there hadn't been only two of them.

“Oh NO” groaned Eldenbeam. “We've come when the Riddlefish is on duty! ”

“That's me!” said the strange fish. “Now, then - ”

“This could take AGES!” groaned Hombellyton.

Lucia the Tracboat gave herself a little shake, as if to agree.

The fish grinned and winked one of its deep green eyes. “Just a few simple questions!” he said. “Soon have you on your way!”

“What's a riddlefish?” whispered Wiz to Carmeramalita.

“He's one of the Portalmatchers” whispered Carmeramalita back. “You can only get out if they agree. This one is the trickiest of them all to get past.” “Why?” whispered Dot.

“You'll see!” muttered Eldenbeam grimly.

Honestly, thought Dot. Can't get into places... can't get out... BOR - RING!!!!!!

“Ready?” beamed the Riddlefish. “Just a teasy little question or two and I'll have you on you way!” He seemed very jolly anyway!

“Yes, all right” said Walpurgis gloomily.

“What's green and short and rhymes with corn?”

“Green... and short... rhymes with corn...” said Walpurgis, looking completely baffled.

Oh well that's obvious, thought Dot.

“Lawn!” she said.

The Riddlefish beamed at her, “Excellent!” he chuckled, “25 points!”

“How do you know an elephant's going on holiday?”

“Elephant...? Holiday...?” said Katzilow. “Really, this is ridiculous! Elephants don't go on holiday!”

“I know that one!” said Wiz. “Because he packs his trunk!”

“50 points!” said the Riddlefish. “Well done, doggy! Halfway there!”

He looked at them all again and a slow smile spread over his face. He blew a bubble at them. Then:

“Now” he said “I'm going to give you a chance to get out in one. Mmmm!” he smacked his big fishy lips. “BUT” he went on “if you get it wrong, you have to start ALL OVER AGAIN! All right?” He gave his head a shake, so that the waterfall around him sprayed out - but immediately, the droplets of water returned to the cascade.

“Give us a moment” said Walpurgis wearily. “Hoddle-huddle, everyone!”

The five TricTRucTrackers formed a circle, so that all their beaks touched. They put their arms and paws on each other's shoulders. Then, suddenly, they began making clack-clacking noises by waggling their beaks against each other - clacketa-clacketa-clacketa-clacketa.

Faster and faster the sound went, till it was just a blur of clacking.

“What are zey DOING?” asked Fromage, hopping down onto a terminal table next to them and putting his head on one side in astonishment.

“I think they're trying to make their minds up!” said Dot.

And so they were. Suddenly the clacketa-clacketa came to an end and Walpurgis turned and marched up top the bow of Lucia.

“All right!” he said, “We'll try it!” His shoulders slumped. “And may the data be dear to us!” he murmured sadly.

“Very good, VERY good!” beamed the Riddlefish. “Very well! Here it is!”

He paused, and blew another bubble.

“Constantinople is a difficult word” he said, smiling round at all of them.

“How do you spell it?”


* “Incredible!”