ChapterOne

ATTHESTABLES

‘We’vebeenhereaweekandI’vebeenboredeverysingleminute!’saidGeorge.

‘Youhaven’t,’saidAnne.‘You’veenjoyedalltherideswe’vehad,andyouknowyou’veenjoyedmessingaboutthestableswhenwehaven’tbeenoutriding.’

‘Itellyou,I’vebeenboredeverysingleminute,’saidGeorge,quitefiercely.‘Ioughttoknow,oughtn’tI?ThatawfulgirlHenriettatoo.Whydowehavetoputupwithher?’

‘Oh-Henry!’saidAnne,withalaugh.‘Ishouldhavethoughtyou’dfindalotincommonwithanothergirllikeyourself,whowouldratherbeaboy,andtriestoactlikeone!’

Thetwogirlswerelyingbyahaystackeatingsandwiches.Roundtheminafieldweremanyhorses,mostofwhichthegirlseitherrodeorlookedafter.Somewayoffwasanoldramblingbuilding,andbythefrontentrancewasagreatboard,

CaptainJohnson’sRidingSchool

AnneandGeorgehadbeenstayingthereforaweek,whileJulianandDickhadgonetocampwithotherboysfromtheirschool.IthadbeenAnne’sidea.Shewasfondofhorses,andhadheardsomuchfromherfriendsatschoolwhatfunitwastospenddayafterdayatthestables,thatshehadmadeuphermindtogoherself.

Georgehadn’twantedtocome.ShewassulkybecausethetwoboyshadgoneoffsomewherewithoutherandAnne,forachange.Gonetocamp!George

offsomewherewithoutherandAnne,forachange.Gonetocamp!Georgewouldhavelikedthat,butgirlswerenotallowedtogocampingwiththeboysfromJulian’sschool,ofcourse.Itwasacampjustfortheboysalone.

‘You’resillytokeepfeelingcrossbecauseyoucouldn’tgocampingtoo,’saidAnne.‘Theboysdon’twantusgirlsroundthemallthetime.Wecouldn’tdothethingstheydo.’

Georgethoughtdifferently.‘IcandoanythingthatDickandJuliando,’shesaid.‘Icanclimb,andbikeformiles,canwalkasfarastheycan,Icanswim,Icanbeatawholelotofboysatmostthings.’

‘That’swhatHenrysays!’saidAnne,withalaugh.‘Look,theresheis,stridingaboutasusual,handsinherjodhpurpockets,whistlinglikethestableboy!’

Georgescowled.AnnehadbeenverymuchamusedtoseehowHenriettaandGeorgehatedoneanotheratsight-andyetbothhadsoverymuchthesameideas.George’srealnamewasGeorgina,butshewouldonlyanswertoGeorge.Henry’srealnamewasHenrietta,butshewouldonlyanswertoHenry,orHarrytoherverybestfriends!

ShewasaboutasoldasGeorge,andherhairwasshorttoo,butitwasn’tcurly.‘It’sapityyoursiscurly,’shesaidtoGeorge,pityingly.‘Itlookssogirlish,doesn’tit?’

‘Don’tbeanass,’Georgesaid,curtly.‘Plentyofboyshavecurlyhair.’

ThemaddeningpartwasthatHenriettawasawonderfulrider,andhadwonallkindsofcups.Georgehadn’tenjoyedherselfabitduringthatweekatthestables,becauseforonceinawayanothergirlhadoutshoneher.Shecouldn’tbeartoseeHenriettastridingabout,whistling,doingeverythingsocompetentlyandquickly.

Annehadhadmanyaquietlaughtoherself,especiallywhenthetwogirlshadeachmadeuptheirmindsnottocalloneanotherHenryandGeorge,buttousetheirfullnames,HenriettaandGeorgina!Thismeantthatneitherofthemwouldanswertheotherwhencalled,andCaptainJohnson,thebigburlyowneroftheriding-stables,gotverytiredofbothofthem.

‘Whatareyoubehavinglikethisfor?’hedemandedonemorning,seeingtheirsulkylooksatoneanotheratbreakfast-time.‘Behavinglikeacoupleofidiotic

sulkylooksatoneanotheratbreakfast-time.‘Behavinglikeacoupleofidioticschoolgirls!’

ThatmadeAnnelaugh!Acoupleofidioticschoolgirls.Mygoodness,howannoyedbothgirlswerewithCaptainJohnson.Annewasabitscaredofhim.Hewashot-tempered,out-spoken,andstoodnononsenseatall,buthewasawonderwiththehorses,andlovedagood,heartylaugh.Heandhiswifetookeitherboysorgirlsfortheholidays,andworkedthemhard,butthechildrenalwaysenjoyedtheirstayimmensely.

‘Ifithadn’tbeenforHenry,you’dhavebeenperfectlyhappythisweek,’saidAnne,leaningbackagainstthehaystack.‘We’vehadheavenlyAprilweather,thehorsesarelovely,andIlikeCaptainandMrsJohnsonverymuch.’

‘Iwishtheboyswerehere,’saidGeorge.‘TheywouldsoonputthatsillyHenriettainherplace.IwishI’dstayedathomenow.’

‘Well,youhadthechoice,’saidAnne,rathercross.‘YoucouldhavestayedatKirrinCottagewithyourfatherandmother,butyouchosetocomeherewithme,tilltheboyscamebackfromcamp.Youshouldn’tmakesuchafussifthingsaren’texactlytoyourliking.Itspoilsthingsforme.’

‘Sorry,’saidGeorge.‘I’mbeingapig,Iknow,butIdomisstheboys.Wecanonlybewiththemintheholsanditseemsfunnywithoutthem.There’sjustonethingthatpleasesmehereyou’llbegladtoknow…’

‘Youneedn’ttellme,Iknowwhatitis!’saidAnne,withalaugh.‘You’regladthatTimmywon’thaveanythingtodowithHenry!’

‘WithHenrietta,’correctedGeorge.Shegrinnedsuddenly.‘Yes,oldTimmy’sgotsomesense.Hejustcan’tstickher.Here,Timmyboy,leavethoserabbit-holesaloneandcomeandliedownforabit.You’verunformilesthismorningwhenwetookthehorsesout,andyou’vesnuffleddownaboutahundredrabbit-holes.Comeandbepeaceful.’

Timmylefthislatestrabbit-holereluctantlyandcametoflopdownbesideAnneandGeorge.HegaveGeorgeaheartylickandshepattedhim.

‘We’rejustsaying,Timmy,howsensibleyouarenottomakefriendswiththatawfulHenrietta,’saidGeorge.ShestoppedsuddenlyatasharpnudgefromAnne.Ashadowfellacrossthemassomeonecameroundthehaystack.

Anne.Ashadowfellacrossthemassomeonecameroundthehaystack.

ItwasHenrietta.BytheannoyedlookonherfaceitwasclearthatshehadheardGeorge’sremark.SheheldoutanorangeenvelopetoGeorge.

‘Atelegramforyou,Georgina,’shesaid,stiffly.‘IthoughtI’dbetterbringitincaseitwasimportant.’

‘Oh,thanks,Henrietta,’saidGeorge,andtookthetelegram.Shetoreitopen,readitandgroaned.

‘Lookatthat!’shesaidtoAnneandpassedittoher.‘It’sfromMother.’

Annetookthetelegramandreadit.‘Pleasestayanotherweek.Yourfatherisnotwell.LovefromMother.’

‘Whatbadluck!’saidGeorge,afamiliarscowlonherface.‘JustwhenIthoughtwe’dbegoinghomeinadayortwo,andtheboyswouldjoinusatKirrin.Nowwe’llbestuckherebyourselvesforages!What’sthematterwithFather?Ibethe’sonlygotaheadacheorsomething,anddoesn’twantusstampingaboutinandoutofthehouseandmakinganoise.’

‘Wecouldgotomyhome,’saidAnne.‘That’sifyoudon’tminditsbeingabitupsidedownbecauseofthedecoratingwe’rehavingdone.’

‘No.Iknowyouwanttostayherewiththehorses,’saidGeorge.‘Anywayyourfatherandmotherareabroad,we’donlybeintheway.Blow,blow,blow!Nowwe’llhavetodowithouttheboysforanotherweek.They’llstayonincamp,ofcourse.’

CaptainJohnsonsaidyes,certainlythetwogirlscouldstayon.Itwaspossiblethattheymighthavetodoabitofcampingoutifoneortwoextrachildrencame,buttheywouldn’tmindthat,wouldthey?

‘Notabit,’saidGeorge.‘Actuallywe’dratherliketobeonourown,AnneandI.We’vegotTimmy,yousee.Solongaswecouldcomeintomealsanddoafewjobsforyou,we’dlovetogooffonourown.’

Annesmiledtoherself.WhatGeorgereallymeantwasthatshewantedtoseeaslittleofHenriettaaspossible!Still,itwouldbefuntocampoutiftheweatherwasfine.TheycouldeasilyborrowatentfromCaptainJohnson.

‘Badluck,Georgina!’saidHenry,whowaslisteningtoallthis.‘Verybadluck!Iknowyou’reterriblyboredhere.It’sapityyoudon’treallylikehorses.It’sapitythatyou-’

‘Shutup,’saidGeorge,rudelyandwentoutoftheroom.CaptainJohnsonglaredatHenrietta,whostoodwhistlingatthewindow,handsinpockets.

‘Youtwogirls!’hesaid.‘Whydon’tyoubehaveyourselves?Alwaysapingtheboys,pretendingyou’resomannish!GivemeAnnehere,anyday!Whatyouwantisyourearsboxing.Didyoutakethatbaleofstrawtothestables?’

‘Yes,’saidHenrietta,withoutturning.

‘Yes,sir,’saidCaptainJohnson.‘Ifyouwanttoactlikeaboy,beone,andsay“sir”whenyouspeaktome,ifyoucan’tbothertorememberI’vegotaname.It’s…’

Hebrokeoffasasmallboycamerunningin.‘Sir,there’sagypsykidoutsidewithahorse,askewbald,amangylookingthing.Hesayscanyouhelphim-thehorsehasgotsomethingwrongwithitsleg.’

‘Thosegypsiesagain!’saidCaptainJohnson.‘Allright,I’llcome.’

HewentoutandAnnewentwithhim,notwantingtobeleftalonewiththeangryHenrietta.ShefoundGeorgeoutsidewithasmalldirtygypsyboyandapatientlittleskewbaldhorse,itsbrownandwhitecoatlookingveryflea-bitten.

‘Whathaveyoudonetoyourhorsethistime?’saidCaptainJohnson,lookingatitsleg.‘You’llhavetoleaveithere,andI’llseetoit.’

‘Can’tdothat,sir,’saidtheboy.‘We’reofftoMysteryMooragain.’

‘Well,you’llhaveto,’saidCaptainJohnson.‘It’snotfittowalk.Yourcaravancan’tgowiththeothers,thishorseisn’tfittopullit.I’llgetthepolicetoyourfatherifyoutrytoworkthishorsebeforeit’sbetter.’

‘Don’tdothat!’saidtheboy.‘It’sjustthatmyDadsayswe’vegottogoontomorrow.’

‘What’sthehurry?’saidCaptainJohnson.‘Can’tyourcaravanwaitadayortwo?MysteryMoorwillstillbethereintwodaystime!Itbeatsmewhyyougo

two?MysteryMoorwillstillbethereintwodaystime!Itbeatsmewhyyougothere,adesolateplacelikethat,notevenafarmoracottageformiles!’

‘I’llleavethehorse,’saidtheboy,andstrokedtheskewbald’snose.Itwasclearthathelovedtheuglylittlehorse.‘Myfatherwillbeangry,buttheothercaravanscangoonwithoutus.We’llhavetocatchthemup.’

Hegaveakindofhalf-salutetothecaptainanddisappearedfromthestableyard,askinnylittlesunburntfigure.Theskewbaldstoodpatiently.

‘Takeitroundtothesmallstable,’saidCaptainJohnsontoGeorgeandAnne.‘I’llcomeandseetoitinaminute.’

Thegirlsledthelittlehorseaway.‘MysteryMoor!’saidGeorge.‘Whataqueername!Theboyswouldlikethat,they’dbeexploringitatonce,wouldn’tthey?’

‘Yes.Idowishtheywerecominghere,’saidAnne.‘Still,Iexpectthey’lllikethechanceofstayingonincamp.Comeon,youfunnylittlecreature,here’sthestable!’

Thegirlsshutthedooronthegypsy’sponyandturnedtogoback.William,theboywhohadbroughtthemessageaboutthehorse,yelledtothem.

‘Hey,GeorgeandAnne!There’sanothertelegramforyou!’

Thetwohurriedintothehouseatonce.‘Oh,IhopeFatherisbetterandwecangohomeandjointheboysatKirrin!’saidGeorge.ShetoreopentheenvelopeandthengaveayellthatmadeAnnejump.

‘Look,seewhatitsays.They’recominghere!’Annesnatchedthetelegramandreadit.

‘Joiningyoutomorrow.We’llcampoutifnoroom.Hopeyou’vegotanicejuicyadventurereadyforus!JulianandDick.’

‘They’recoming!They’recoming!’saidAnne,asexcitedasGeorge.‘Nowwe’llhavesomefun!’

‘It’sapitywe’venoadventuretoofferthem,’saidGeorge.‘Still,yousimplyneverknow!’

ChapterTwo

JULIAN,DICK-ANDHENRY

Georgewasquiteadifferentpersonnowthatsheknewhertwocousinswerecomingthenextday.ShewasevenpolitetoHenrietta!

CaptainJohnsonscratchedhisheadwhenheheardthattheboyswerearriving.‘Wecan’thavetheminthehouse,exceptformeals,’hesaid.‘We’refullup.Theycaneithersleepinthestablesorhaveatent.Idon’tcarewhich.’

‘Therewillbetenaltogetherthen,’saidhiswife.‘Julian,Dick,Anne,George,Henry-andJohn,Susan,Alice,RitaandWilliam.Henrymayhavetocampouttoo.’

‘Notwithus,’saidGeorge,atonce.

‘Ithinkyou’reratherunkindtoHenry,’saidMrsJohnson.‘Afterall,youandsheareveryalike,George.Youboththinkyououghttohavebeenboys,and…’

‘I’mnotabitlikeHenrietta!’saidGeorge,indignantly.‘Youwaittillmycousinscome,MrsJohnson.Theywon’tthinkshe’slikeme.Idon’texpectthey’llwantanythingtodowithher.’

‘Ohwell,you’lljusthavetoshakedowntogethersomehow,ifyouwanttostayhere,’saidMrsJohnson.‘Letmesee,I’dbettergetsomerugsout.Theboyswillwantthem,whethertheysleepinthestablesorinatent.Comeandhelpmetolookforthem,Anne.’

Anne,GeorgeandHenrywereagoodbitolderthantheotherfivechildrenstayingatthestables,butallofthem,smallorbig,wereexcitedtohearaboutthecomingofJulianandDick.ForonethingGeorgeandAnnehadrelatedsomanyoftheadventurestheyhadhadwiththem,thateveryonewasinclinedtothinkofthemasheroes.

Henriettadisappearedafterteathatdayandcouldnotbefound.‘Whereverhave

Henriettadisappearedafterteathatdayandcouldnotbefound.‘Whereverhaveyoubeen?’demandedMrsJohnsonwhensheatlastturnedup.

‘Upinmyroom,’saidHenrietta.‘Cleaningmyshoesandmyjods,andmendingmyriding-jacket.Youkeeptellingmeto,andnowI’vedoneit!’

‘Aha!Preparingfortheheroes!’saidCaptainJohnson,andHenryimmediatelyputonascowlveryliketheoneGeorgeoftenwore.

‘Nothingofthesort!’shesaid.‘I’vebeenmeaningtodoitforalongtime.IfGeorgina’scousinsareanythinglikeherIshan’tbeveryinterestedinthem.’

‘Butyoumightlikemybrothers,’saidAnne,withalaugh.‘Ifyoudon’tthere’llbesomethingwrongwithyou.’

‘Don’tbesilly,’saidHenrietta.‘Georgina’scousinsandyourbrothersarethesamepeople!’

‘Howcleverofyoutoworkthatout,’saidGeorge.Butshefelttoohappytokeepupthesillybickeringforlong.ShewentoutwithTimmy,whistlingsoftly.

‘They’recomingtomorrow,Tim,’shesaid.‘JulianandDick.We’llallgoofftogether,likewealwaysdo,thefiveofus.You’lllikethat,won’tyou,Timmy?’

‘Woof,’saidTimmyapprovinglyandwavedhisplumytail.Heknewquitewellwhatshemeant.

NextmorningGeorgeandAnnelookedupthetrainsthatarrivedatthestationtwomilesaway.‘Thisistheonethey’llcomeby,’saidGeorge,herfingeronthetimetable.‘It’stheonlyonethismorning.Itarrivesathalfpasttwelve.We’llgoandmeetthem.’

‘Right,’saidAnne.‘We’llstartattenminutestotwelve-we’llbeinplentyoftimethen.Wecanhelpthemwiththeirthings.Theywon’tbringmuch.’

‘TaketheponiesuptoHawthornField,willyou?’calledCaptainJohnson.‘Ganyoumanageallfourofthem?’

‘Ohyes,’saidAnnepleased.ShelovedthewalktoHawthornField,upalittlenarrowlanesetwithcelandines,violetsandprimroses,andthefreshgreenofthebuddinghawthornbushes.‘Comeon,George,let’scatchtheponiesandtake

buddinghawthornbushes.‘Comeon,George,let’scatchtheponiesandtakethemnow.It’saheavenlymorning.’

Theysetoffwiththefourfriskyponies,Timmyattheirheels.Hewasquiteahelpwiththehorsesatthestable,especiallywhenanyhadtobecaught.

NosoonerhadtheyleftthestablesandgoneontheirwaytoHawthornFieldthanthetelephonerang.ItwasforAnne.

‘Oh,I’msorry,she’snothere,’saidMrsJohnson,answeringit.‘Whoisitspeaking?Oh,Julianherbrother?CanIgiveheramessage?’

‘Yes,please,’saidJulian’svoice.‘Tellherwearearrivingatthebus-stopatMillingGreenathalfpasteleven,andistherealittlehand-cartsheandGeorgecouldbring,becausewe’vegotourtentwithusandotheroddsandends?’

‘Oh,we’llsendthelittlewagon,’saidMrsJohnson.‘Theonethatalwaysgoestomeetthetrainorthebus.I’llgetGeorgetomeetyouwithAnne,theycandriveitin.We’repleasedyouarecoming.Theweather’sverygoodandyou’llenjoyyourselves!’

‘Rather!’saidJulian.‘Thanksawfullyforputtingusup.Wewon’tbeanytrouble,infactwe’llhelpallwecan.’

MrsJohnsonsaidgood-byeandputdownthereceiver.ShesawHenriettapassingoutsidethewindow,lookingmuchcleanerandtidierthanusual.Shecalledtoher.

‘Henry!WhereareGeorgeandAnne?JulianandDickarearrivingatthebus-stopatMillingGreenateleven-thirtyandI’vesaidwe’llmeettheminthelittlewagon.WillyoutellGeorgeandAnne?TheycanputWinkieintothecartandtrothimdowntothebus-stop.’

‘Right,’saidHenry.ThensherememberedthatGeorgeandAnnehadbeensentuptoHawthornFieldwiththefourponies.

‘Isay,theywon’tbebackintime!’shecalled.‘ShallItakethewagonandmeetthem?’

‘Yes,do.Thatwouldbekindofyou,Henry,’saidMrsJohnson.‘You’dbetterhurry,though.Time’sgettingon.Where’sWinkie?Inthebigfield?’

‘Yes,’saidHenryandhurriedofftogethim.Soonhewasinthewagonshafts,andHenrywasinthedriving-seat.Shedroveoffsmartly,grinningtoherselftothinkhowcrossGeorgeandAnnewouldbetofindtheyhadmissedmeetingthetwoboysafterall.

JulianandDickhadalreadyarrivedatthebus-stopwhenHenrydroveup.Theylookedhopefullyatthewagon,thinkingthatperhapsoneofthegirlswasdrivingintomeetthem.

‘Nogo,’saidDick.‘It’ssomebodyelse,drivingintothevillage.Iwonderifthegirlsgotourmessage.Ithoughttheywouldmeetusatthebus-stophere.Well,we’llwaitafewminutesmore.’

Theyhadjustsatdownonthebus-stopseatagainwhenthewagonstoppednearby.Henrysalutedthem.

‘AreyouAnne’sbrother?’shecalled.‘Shedidn’tgetyourtelephonemessage,soI’vecomewiththewagoninstead.Getin!’

‘Oh,jollyniceofyou,’saidJulian,dragginghisthingstothewagon.‘Er-I’mJulian-andthisisDick.What’syourname?’

‘Henry,’saidHenrietta,helpingJulianwithhisthings.Sheheavedtheminvaliantly,thenclickedtoWinkietostandstillandnotfidget.‘I’mgladyou’vecome.Thereareratheralotofsmallkidsatthestables.We’llbegladofyoutwo!Isay,Timmywillbepleasedtoseeyou,won’the?’

‘GoodoldTim,’saidDick,heavinghisthingsin.Henrygavethemashovetoo.Shewasn’tveryfatbutshewaswiryandstrong.Shegrinnedroundattheboys.‘Allset!Nowwe’llgetbacktothestables.Ordoyouwanttohaveanice-creamoranythingbeforewestart?Dinner’snottillone.’

‘No.We’llgeton,Ithink,’saidJulian.Henryleaptintothedriver’sseat,tookthereinsandclickedtoWinkie.Theboyswerebehindinthewagon.Winkiesetoffataspankingpace.

‘Niceboy!’saidDicktoJulian,inalowvoice,astheydroveoff.‘Decentofhimtomeetus.’

Juliannodded.HewasdisappointedthatAnneandGeorgehadn’tcomewithTimmy,butitwasgoodtobemetbysomeone!Itwouldn’thavebeenvery

Timmy,butitwasgoodtobemetbysomeone!Itwouldn’thavebeenveryfunnytowalkthelongroadtothefarmcarryingtheirpacksbythemselves.

TheyarrivedatthestablesandHenryhelpedthemdownwiththeirthings.MrsJohnsonheardthemarrivingandcametothedoortowelcomethem.

‘Ah,thereyouare.Comealongin.I’veamid-morningsnackforyou,becauseIguessedyou’dhavehadbreakfastearly.Leavethethingsthere,Henry.Iftheboyssleepinoneofthestables,there’snosenseinbringingthemintothehouse.Now,areGeorgeandAnnestillnotback?Whatapity!’

Henrydisappearedtoputawaythewagon.Theboyswentintothepleasanthouseandsatdowntolemonadeandhome-madebiscuits.TheyhadhardlytakenabitebeforeAnnecamerunningin.‘Henrytoldmeyou’dcome!Oh,I’msorrywedidn’tmeetyou!Wethoughtyou’dcomebytrain!’

Timmycameracingin,histailwavingmadly.Heleaptatthetwoboys,whowerejustgivingAnneahugeach.ThenincameGeorge,herfaceonebigbeam.

‘Julian!Dick!Iamsogladyou’vecome!It’sbeendullasditch-waterwithoutyou!Didanyonemeetyou?’

‘Yes.Anawfullyniceboy,’saidDick.‘Gaveusquiteawelcomeanddraggedourpacksintothewagon,andwasveryfriendly.Younevertoldusabouthim.’

‘Oh,wasthatWilliam?’saidAnne.‘Well,he’sonlylittle.Wedidn’tbotherabouttellingyouofthejuniorshere.’

‘No,hewasn’tlittle,’saidDick.‘Hewasquitebig,verystrongtoo.Youdidn’tmentionhimatall.’

‘Well,wetoldyouabouttheothergirlhere,’saidGeorge.‘Henrietta,awfulcreature!Thinksshe’slikeaboyandgoeswhistlingabouteverywhere.Shemakesuslaugh!You’lllaughtoo.’

AsuddenthoughtstruckAnne.‘Didthe-er-boywhometyou,tellyouhisname?’sheasked.

‘Yes,whatwasitnow,Henry,’saidDick.‘Nicechap.I’mgoingtolikehim.’

Georgestaredasifshecouldn’tbelieveherears.‘Henry!Didshemeetyou?’

‘No-notshe-he,’correctedJulian.‘Fellowwithabiggrin.’

‘Butthat’sHenrietta!’criedGeorge,herfaceflamingredwithanger.‘TheawfulgirlItoldyouabout,whotriestoactlikeaboy,andwhistlesandstridesaboutallovertheplace.Don’ttellmeshetookyouin!ShecallsherselfHenry,insteadofHenrietta,andwearsherhairshort,and…’

‘Gosh,shesoundsverylikeyou,George,’saidDick.‘Well,Inever!Itneveroccurredtomethathewasagirl.Jollygoodshowsheputup.ImustsayIlikedhim-her,Imean.’

‘Oh!’saidGeorgereallyfurious.‘Thebeast!Shegoesandmeetsyouandneversaysawordtous,andmakesyouthinkshe’saboy-and-and-spoilseverything!’

‘Holdyourhorses,George,oldthing,’saidJulian,surprised.‘Afterall,you’veoftenbeenpleasedwhenpeopletakeyouforaboy,thoughgoodnessknowswhy.Ithoughtyou’dgrownoutofitabit.Don’tblameusforthinkingHenrywasaboy,andlikinghim-her,Imean.’

Georgestampedoutoftheroom.JulianscratchedhisheadandlookedatDick.‘Nowwe’veputourfootinit,’hesaid.‘WhatanassGeorgeis!Ishouldhavethoughtshe’dhavelikedsomeonelikeHenry,whohadexactlythesameideasasshehas.Well,she’llgetoverit,Isuppose.’

‘It’sgoingtobeabitawkward,’saidAnne,soberly.

Shewasright.Itwasgoingtobeveryawkward!

ChapterThree

SNIFFER

AssoonasGeorgehadgoneoutoftheroom,ascowlonherface,Henrywalkedin,handsinjodhpurpockets.

‘Hallo!’saidDick,atonce.‘Henrietta!’

Henrygrinned.‘Oh,sothey’vetoldyou,havethey?Iwastickledpinkwhenyoutookmeforaboy.’

‘You’veevengotyourridingjacketbuttonsbuttoningupthewrongway,’saidAnne,noticingforthefirsttime.‘Youreallyareafathead,Henry.YouandGeorgeareapair!’

‘Well,IlookmorelikearealboythanGeorgedoes,anyway,’saidHenry.

‘Onlybecauseofyourhair,’saidDick.‘It’sstraight.’

‘Don’tsaythatinfrontofGeorge,’saidAnne.‘She’llimmediatelyhaveherscutlikeaconvictorsomething,allshavenandshorn.’

‘Well,anyway,itwasjollydecentofHenrytocomeandmeetusandlugourthingsabout,’saidJulian.‘Haveabiscuit,anyone?’

‘Nothanks,’saidAnneandHenry.

‘Arewesupposedtoleaveanyforpolitenesssake?’saidDick,eyeingtheplate.‘They’rehome-madeandquitesuper.Icouldwolfthelot.’

‘Wearen’tfrightfullypolitehere,’saidHenry,withagrin.‘Wearen’tfrightfullycleanandtidy,either.Wehavetochangeoutofourjodsatnightforsupper,whichisanawfulnuisance,especiallyasCaptainJohnsonneverbotherstochangehis.’

‘Anynews?’askedJulian,drinkingthelastofthelemonade.‘Anythingexcitinghappened?’

‘No,nothing,’saidAnne.‘Theonlyexcitementisthehorses,nothingmore.Thisisquitealonelyplace,really,andtheonlyexcitingthingwe’veheardisthenameofthebig,desolatemoorthatstretchesfromheretothecoast.MysteryMoorit’scalled.’

‘Why?’askedDick.‘Somelong-agomysterygaveitthatname,Isuppose?’

‘Idon’tknow,’saidAnne.‘Ithinkonlygypsiesgotherenow.Alittlegypsyboycameinwithalamehorseyesterday,andsaidhispeoplehadtogotoMysteryMoor.WhytheywantedtogotosuchadesertedstretchoflandIdon’tknow-nofarmsthere,notevenacottage.’

‘Gypsieshavepeculiarideassometimes,’saidHenry.‘ImustsayIlikethewaytheyleavemessagesforanygypsyfollowing-patrins,they’recalled.’

‘Patrins?Yes,I’veheardofthose,’saidDick.‘Sticksandleavesarrangedincertainpatterns,orsomething,aren’tthey?’

‘Yes,’saidHenry.‘Iknowourgardenerathomeshowedmeanarrangementofsticksoutsideourbackgateonce,whichhesaidwasamessagetoanygypsyfollowing.Hetoldmewhatitmeant,too!’

‘Whatdiditmean?’askedJulian.

‘Itmeant“Don’tbeghere.Meanpeople.Nogood!”’saidHenry,withalaugh.‘That’swhathesaid,anyway!’

‘Wemightaskthelittlegypsyboywhocamewiththeskewbaldhorse,’saidAnne.‘He’llprobablyshowussomemessages.I’dliketolearnsome.Youneverknowwhenanythinglikethatcouldcomeinuseful!’

‘Yes.Andwe’llaskhimwhythegypsiesgotoMysteryMoor,’saidJulian,gettingupanddustingthecrumbsoffhiscoat.‘Theydon’tgotherefornothing,youmaybesure!’

‘Where’soldGeorgegone?’askedDick.‘Idohopeshe’snotgoingtobesilly.’

Georgewasinoneofthestables,groomingahorsesovigorouslythatitwas

Georgewasinoneofthestables,groomingahorsesovigorouslythatitwasmostsurprised.Swish-swish-swish-swish!Whatabrushing!Georgewasworkingherintenseannoyanceoutofherself.Shemustn’tspoilthingsfortheboysandAnne!Butoh,thathorribleHenrietta,meetingthemlikethat,pretendingtobeaboy.Heavingtheirluggageabout,playingajokeonthem!Butsurelytheymighthaveguessed!

‘Oh,thereyouare,George,oldthing,’saidDick’svoiceatthestable-door.‘Letmehelp.Gosh,aren’tyoubrown!Justasmanyfrecklesasever!’

Georgegrinnedunwillingly.ShetossedDickthebrush.‘Hereyouare,then!DoyouandJuwanttogoridingatall?Thereareplentyofhorsestochoosefromhere.’

DickwasrelievedtoseethatGeorgeappearedtohavegotoverherrage.‘Yes.Itmightbefuntogoofffortheday.Whatabouttomorrow?WemightexplorealittleofMysteryMoor.’

‘Right,’saidGeorge.Shebegantoheavesomestrawabout.‘ButnotwithThatGirl,’sheannounced,frombehindthestrawshewascarrying.

‘Whatgirl?’askedDick,innocently.‘Oh,Henry,youmean?Ikeepthinkingofherasaboy.No,wewon’thaveherwithus.We’llbejustthefiveasusual.’

‘That’sallrightthen,’saidGeorgehappily.‘Oh,here’sJulian.Giveahand,Ju!’

Itwaslovelytohavethetwoboysagain,joking,laughing,teasing.Theyallwentoutinthefieldsthatafternoonandheardthetalesofthecamp.Itwasjustlikeoldtimes,andTimmywasaspleasedasanyoneelse.Hewentfirsttooneofthefour,thentoanother,lickingeachoneashewent,histailwaggingvigorously.

‘That’sthreetimesyou’vesmackedmeinthefacewithyourtail,Timmy,’saidDick,dodgingit.‘Can’tyoulookbehindyourselfandseewheremyfaceis?’

‘Woof,’saidTimmyhappily,andturnedroundtolickDick,wagginghistailinJulian’sfacethistime!

Somebodysqueezedthroughthehedgebehindthem.Georgestiffened,feelingsurethatitwasHenrietta.Timmybarkedsharply.

Itwasn’tHenrietta.Itwasthelittlegypsyboy.Hecameuptothem.Therewerepalestreaksdownhisdirtylittleface,madebytearsthathadrunthroughthe

palestreaksdownhisdirtylittleface,madebytearsthathadrunthroughthedirt!

‘I’vecomeforthehorse,’hesaid.‘Doyouknowwhereheis?’

‘He’snotreadyforwalkingyet,’saidGeorge.‘CaptainJohnsontoldyouhewouldn’tbe.What’sthematter?Whyhaveyoubeencrying?’

‘Myfatherhitme,’saidtheboy.‘Hecuffedmeandknockedmerightover.’

‘Whateverfor?’askedAnne.

‘BecauseIleftthehorse,’saidtheboy.‘Myfathersaidallitwantedwasabitofointmentandabandage.Hehastostartoffwiththeothercaravanstoday,yousee.’

‘Well,youreallycan’thavethehorseyet,’saidAnne.‘Itisn’tfittowalk,letalonedragacaravan.Youdon’twantCaptainJohnsontotellthepoliceyou’reworkingitwhenit’snotfit,doyou?Youknowhemeanswhathesays?’

‘Yes.ButImusthavethehorse,’saidthesmallgypsy.‘Idaren’tgobackwithoutit.Myfatherwouldhalfkillme.’

‘Isupposehedoesn’tcaretocomehimself,sohesendsyouinstead,’saidDick,indisgust.

Theboysaidnothing,andrubbedhisdirtysleeveacrosshisface.Hesniffed.

‘Getyourhanky,’saidDick.‘Don’tyoueverwashyourface?’

‘No,’saidtheboy,lookingquitesurprised.‘Letmehavemyhorse.Itellyou,I’llbehalfkilledifIgobackwithouthim.’Hebegantocryagain.

Thechildrenfeltsorryforhim.Hewassuchathin,skinnymiseryofaboy,andgoodness,howhesniffledallthetime!

‘What’syourname?’askedAnne.

‘Sniffer,’saidtheboy.‘That’swhatmyfathercallsme.’

Itwascertainlyagoodnameforhim;butwhatahorridfatherhemusthave!

Haven’tyougotapropername?’askedAnne.

‘Yes.ButI’veforgottenit,’saidSniffer.‘Letmehavemyhorse.Itellyou,myfather’swaiting.’

Juliangotup.‘I’llcomeandseeyourfatherandputsomesenseintohim.Whereishe?’

‘Overyonder,’saidSnifferwithabigsniff,andhepointedoverthehedge.‘I’llcometoo,’saidDick.IntheendeveryonegotupandwentwithSniffer.Theywalkedthroughthegateandsawadark-faced,surly-lookingmanstandingmotionlessnotfaroff.Histhick,oilyhairwascurly,andheworeenormousgoldringshangingfromhisears.Helookedupasthelittlecompanycamenear.

‘Yourhorseisn’tfittowalkyet,’saidJulian.‘Youcanhaveittomorroworthenextday,theCaptainsays.’

‘I’llhaveitnow,’saidtheman,inasurlytone.‘We’restartingofftonightortomorrowoverthemoor.Ican’twait.’

‘Butwhat’sthehurry?’saidJulian.‘Themoorwillwaitforyou!’

Themanscowledandshiftedfromonefoottoanother.‘Can’tyoustayforanothernightortwoandthengoaftertheothers?’saidDick.

‘Listen,Father!Yougowiththeothercaravans,’saidSniffer,eagerly.‘GoinMoses’caravanandleaveourshere.Icanputourhorseintotheshaftstomorrow,ormaybethenextday,andfollowafter!’

‘Buthowwouldyouknowtheway?’saidGeorge.

Sniffermadeascornfulmovementwithhishand.‘Easy!They’llleavemepatrinstofollow,’hesaid.

‘Ohyes,’saidDick,remembering.Heturnedtothesilentgypsyfellow.‘Well,whataboutit?ItseemsthatSnifferherehasquiteagoodidea,andyoumostcertainlycan’thavethehorsetodayanyway.’

ThemanturnedandsaidsomethingangryandscornfultopoorSniffer,whoshrankawayfromthewordsasiftheywereblows.Thefourchildrencouldn’tunderstandaword,foritwasallpouredoutinsomegypsytalkthattheycould

understandaword,foritwasallpouredoutinsomegypsytalkthattheycouldnotfollow.Thenthemanturnedonhisheelandwithoutsomuchasalookatthem,slouchedaway,hisear-ringsgleamingashewent.

‘Whatdidhesay?’askedJulian.

Sniffergaveoneofhiscontinualsniffs.‘Hewasveryangry.Hesaidhe’dgowiththeothers,andIcouldcomeonwithClipthehorse,anddriveourcaravan,’hesaid.‘I’llbeallrighttheretonightwithLiz.’

‘Who’sLiz?’askedAnne,hopingthatitwassomeonewhowouldbekindtothispoorlittlewretch.

‘Mydog,’saidSniffer,smilingforthefirsttime.‘Ileftherbehindbecauseshesometimesgoesforhens,andCaptainJohnson,hedoesn’tlikethat.’

‘Ibethedoesn’t,’saidJulian.‘Allright,that’ssettledthen.YoucancomeforClip,orClop,orwhateveryourhorseiscalled,tomorrow,andwe’llseeifit’sfittowalk.’

‘I’mglad,’saidSniffer,rubbinghisnose.‘Idon’twantCliptogolame,see?Butmyfather,he’sfierce,heis.’

‘Sowegather,’saidJulian,lookingatabruiseonSniffer’sface.‘Youcometomorrowandyoucanshowussomeofthepatrins,themessages,thatyougypsiesuse.We’dliketoknowsome.’

‘I’llcome,’promisedSniffer,noddinghisheadvigorously.‘Andyouwillcometoseemycaravan?Ishallbeallalonethere,exceptforLiz.’

‘Well,Isupposeitwouldbesomethingtodo,’saidDick.‘Yes,we’llcome.Ihopeit’snottoosmelly.’

‘Smelly?’saidSniffer,surprised.‘Idon’tknow.IwillshowyoupatrinsthereandLizwillshowyouhertricks.Sheisveryveryclever.Onceshebelongedtoacircus.’

‘WemustcertainlytakeTimmytoseethiscleverdog,’saidAnne,pattingTimmy,whohadbeenhuntingforrabbitsandhadonlyjustcomeback.‘Timmy,wouldyouliketogoandvisitaverycleverdogcalledLiz?’

‘Woof,’saidTimmy,wagginghistailpolitely.

‘Woof,’saidTimmy,wagginghistailpolitely.

‘Right,’saidDick.‘I’mgladyouapprove,Tim.We’llalltryandcometomorrow,Sniffer,afteryou’vebeentoseehowClipisgettingon.Idon’tsomehowthinkyou’llbeabletohavehimthen,though.We’llsee!’

ChapterFour

ABEDINTHESTABLE

Theboyssleptinoneofthestablesthatnight.CaptainJohnsonsaidtheycouldeitherhavemattressessentout,orcouldsleepinthestraw,withrugs.

‘Oh,strawandrugs,please,’saidJulian.‘That’sfine.We’llbeassnugasanythingwiththose.’

‘IwishAnneandIcouldsleepinastabletoo,’saidGeorge,longingly.‘Weneverhave.Can’twe,CaptainJohnson?’

‘No.You’vegotbedsthatyou’repayingfor,’saidtheCaptain.‘Anyway,girlscan’tdothatsortofthing,notevengirlswhotrytobeboys,George!’

‘I’veoftensleptinastable,’saidHenrietta.‘Athomewhenwe’vetoomanyvisitors,Ialwaysturnoutandsleepinthestraw.’

‘Badluckonthehorses!’saidGeorge.

‘Why?’demandedHenryatonce.

‘Becauseyoumustkeepthemawakeallnightwithyoursnoring!’saidGeorge.

Henrysnortedcrosslyandwentout.Itwasmaddeningthatsheshouldsnoreatnight,butshesimplycouldn’thelpit.

‘Nevermind!’Georgecalledafterher.‘It’sanicemanlysnore,Henrietta!’

‘Shutup,George,’saidDick,rathershockedatthissuddendisplayofpettinessonGeorge’spart.

‘Don’ttellmetoshutup,’saidGeorge.‘TellHenrietta!’

‘George,don’tbeanass,’saidJulian.ButGeorgedidn’tlikethateither,and

‘George,don’tbeanass,’saidJulian.ButGeorgedidn’tlikethateither,andstalkedoutoftheroominjustthesamestiff,offendedwaythatHenryhaddone!

‘Ohdear!’saidAnne.‘It’sbeenlikethisallthetime.FirstHenry,thenGeorge,thenGeorge,thenHenry!Theyreallyareacoupleofidiots!’

Shewenttoseewheretheboysweretosleep.Theyhadbeentoldtouseasmallstable,emptyexceptforthegypsy’shorsethatlaypatientlydown,itsbandagedlegstretchedoutonthefloor.Annepatteditandstrokedit.Itwasanuglylittlethingbutitspatientbrowneyeswerelovely.

Theboyshadheapsofstrawtoburrowinto,andsomeoldrugs.Annethoughtitalllookedlovely.‘Youcanwashandeverythingatthehouse,’shesaid.‘Thenjustslipoverheretosleep.Doesn’titsmellnice?Allstrawandhayandhorse!Ihopethatgypsy’shorsewon’tdisturbyou.Hemaybeabitrestlessifhisleghurtshim.’

‘Nothingwilldisturbustonight!’saidJulian.‘Whatwithcamp-lifeandopen-airandwind-on-the-hillsandallthatkindofthing,we’resuretosleeplikelogs.Ithinkwe’regoingtoenjoyithere,Anne,veryquietandpeaceful!’

Georgelookedinatthedoor.‘I’lllendyouTimmy,ifyoulike,’shesaid,anxioustomakeupforherdisplayoftemper.

‘Oh,hallo,George!Nothanks.Idon’tparticularlywantoldTimclimbingovermeallnightlong,tryingtofindthesoftestpartofmetosleepon!’saidJulian.‘Isay,look,he’sshowingmehowtomakeagoodoldburrowtosleepin!Hey,Tim,comeoutofmystraw!’

Timmyhadflunghimselfintothestrawandwasturningvigorouslyroundandroundinitasifheweremakingabedforhimself.Hestoodandlookedupatthem,hismouthopenandhistonguehangingoutatoneside.

‘He’slaughing,’saidAnne,anditdidindeedlookasifTimmywashavingagoodoldlaughatthem.Annegavehimahugandhelickedherlavishly,andthenbegantoburrowroundandroundinthestrawagain.

Someonecameup,whistlingloudly,andputherheadinatthedoor.‘I’vebroughtyouacoupleofoldpillows.MrsJohnsonsaidyou’dbetterhavesomethingforyourheads.’

‘Ohthanksawfully,Henry,’saidJulian,takingthem.

‘Ohthanksawfully,Henry,’saidJulian,takingthem.

‘Howkindofyou,Henrietta,’saidGeorge.

‘It’sapleasure,Georgina,’saidHenry,andtheboysburstoutlaughing.Fortunatelythesupperbellwentjustthenandtheyallwentacrosstheyardatonce.Somehoweveryonewasalwayshungryatthestables!

Thegirlslookedverydifferentintheevening,becausetheyhadtochangeoutoftheirdirty,smellyjodhpursorbreechesandputondresses.Anne,HenryandGeorgehurriedtochangebeforeMrsJohnsonrangthesupperbellagain.Shealwaysgavethemtenminutes’grace,knowingthattheymightsometimeshaveajobtofinishwiththehorses,buteveryonewassupposedtobeatthetablewhenthesecondsupperbellhadfinishedringing.

Georgelookednice,becausehercurlyhairwentwithaskirtandblousequitewell,butHenrylookedquitewrong,somehow,inherfrillydress.

‘Youlooklikeaboydressedup!’saidAnne,andthispleasedHenry,butnotGeorge.ThetalkatthesuppertablewasmainlyaboutallthewonderfulthingsthatHenryhaddoneinherlife.Apparentlyshehadthreebrothersanddideverythingwiththem,andaccordingtoherowntales,shewasconsiderablybetterthantheywere!

TheyhadsailedashipuptoNorway.TheyhadhikedfromLondontoYork.

‘WasDickTurpinwithyou?’inquiredGeorge,sarcastically.‘Onhishorse,BlackBess?Iexpectyougottherelongbeforehim,didn’tyou?’

Henrytooknonotice.Shewentonwithwonderfultalesofherfamily’sexploits,swimmingacrosswiderivers,climbingSnowdontothetop,goodness,therewasn’tasinglethingshedidn’tseemtohavedone!

‘Youcertainlyoughttohavebeenaboy,Henry,’saidMrsJohnson,whichwasexactlywhatHenrywantedeveryonetosay!

‘Henry,whenyou’vetoldusthestoryofhowyouclimbedMountEverestandgottherebeforeanyoneelse,perhapsyouwouldfinishyourplateful,’saidCaptainJohnson,whogotverytiredofHenry’stongue.

Georgeroaredwithlaughter,notthatshethoughtitwasveryfunny,butbecause

Georgeroaredwithlaughter,notthatshethoughtitwasveryfunny,butbecauseshelovedanychancetolaughatHenry.Henrytackledtherestofherfoodattopspeed.Howshedidlovetoholdeveryonespellboundwithherextraordinarytales!Georgedidn’tbelieveaword,butDickandJulianthoughtitquitelikelythatthistall,wirygirlcoulddothingsjustaswellasherbrothers.

Therewereafewjobstobedoneaftersupper,andHenrykeptwellawayfromGeorge,knowingquitewellthatshewouldhaveafewcuttingthingstosay.Well,shedidn’tcare!Everyoneelsethoughtshewasmarvellous!Shetoreoffherfrillydressandputonjodhpursagain,althoughitwouldonlybeashorttimebeforetheyallwenttobed.

GeorgeandAnnewentwiththeboystotheirstable.Theywereinpyjamasanddressing-gowns,bothyawningastheywent.‘Gotyourtorches?’saidGeorge.‘We’renotallowedtohavecandlesinthestables,becauseofthestraw,youknow.Goodnight!Sleepwell!AndIhopethatthatfatheadofaHenrydoesn’tcomealongearlyinthemorning,whistlinglikeapaper-boy,andwakeyouup!’

‘Nothingwillwakemeuptonight,nothingatall!’saidJulian,withahugeyawn.Helaydowninthestrawandpulledanoldrugoverhim.‘Oh,whatabed!Givemestablestraweverytimetosleepin!’

Thegirlslaughed.Theboysreallydidlookverycomfortable.‘Sleeptight,’saidAnne,andwalkedoffwithGeorgetothehouse.

Soonallthelightswereouteverywhere.Henrywasasleepandsnoringasusual.Shehadtohaveaseparateroom,otherwiseshekepteveryoneawake!Butevenso,AnneandGeorgecouldhearher,snoringaway-rrrumph-rrrumph!rrrumph-RRRRUMPH!

‘BlowHenrietta!’saidGeorge,sleepily.‘Whatarowshemakes.Anne,she’snottocomewithuswhenwegoridingtomorrow.Doyouhear,Anne?’

‘Notverywell,’murmuredAnne,tryingtoopenhereyes.‘G’night,George!’

TimmywasonGeorge’sfeetasusual.Helaysnuggledthere,eyesshutandearsasleeptoo.Hegotastiredaseveryoneelse,runningoverthehillsallday,scrabblingatscoresofrabbit-holes,chasingdozensofremarkablyfleet-footedrabbits.Butatnighthetoosleptlikealog.

Outinthestablethetwoboyssleptpeacefully,coveredbytheoldrug.Nearby

Outinthestablethetwoboyssleptpeacefully,coveredbytheoldrug.Nearbythelittleskewbaldhorsemovedrestlessly,buttheyheardnothing.Anowlcameswoopingoverthestable,lookingformicedownbelow.Itscreechedloudly,hopingtoscareamouseintosuddenflight.Thenitwouldswoopdownandtakeitintoitstalons.

Noteventhescreechawakenedtheboys.Theysleptdreamlessly,tiredout.

Thedoorofthestablewasshutandlatched.Clip,thehorse,suddenlystirredandlookedroundatthedoor.Thelatchwasmoving!Someonewasliftingitfromtheoutside.Clip’sprickedearsheardthesoundofalittleshuffle.

Hewatchedthedoor.Whowascoming?HehopeditwasSniffer,theboyhelikedsomuch.Snifferwasalwayskindtohim.Hedidn’tlikebeingawayfromSniffer.Helistenedforthesniff-sniffthatalwayswentwiththelittlegypsyboy,buthedidn’thearit.

Thedooropenedveryslowlyindeed.Itgavenocreak.Clipsawthenightskyoutside,setwithstars.Hemadeoutafigureoutlinedagainstthedarknessofthestarrynight,ablackshadow.

Someonecameintothestable,andwhispered‘Clip!’

Thehorsegavealittlewhinny.Itwasn’tSniffer’svoice.Itwashisfather’s.Clipdidnotlikehim,hewastoofreewithcuffsandkicks,andslasheswiththewhip.Helaystill,wonderingwhythegypsyhadcome.

ThemanhadnoideathatDickandJulianweresleepinginthestable.Hehadcomeinquietlybecausehehadthoughttheremightbeotherhorsesthere,andhedidnotwanttostartlethemandmakethemstampaboutinfright.Hehadnotorch,buthiskeengypsy’seyesmadeoutClipatonce,lyinginhisstraw.

HetiptoedacrosstohimandfelloverJulian’sfeet,stickingoutfromthestrawbedhewaslyingon.Hefellwithathud,andJuliansatupverysuddenlyindeed,awakeatonce.

‘Who’sthere!Whatisit?’

ThegypsyshrankdownbesideClip,keepingsilent.Julianbegantowonderifhehadbeendreaming.Buthisfootdistinctlyhurthim.Surelysomebodyhadtroddenonit,orfallenoverit?HewokeDick.

‘Where’sthetorch?Hello,look,thestabledoorisopen!Quick,Dick,whereonearthisthetorch?’

TheyfounditatlastandJulianclickediton.Atfirsthesawnothing,forthegypsywasinClip’sstall,lyingdownbehindthehorse.Thenthetorchpickedhimout.

‘Hallo!Lookthere-it’sthatgypsy,Sniffer’sfather!’saidJulian.‘Getup,you!Whatonearthareyoudoinghere,inthemiddleofthenight?’

ChapterFive

GEORGEGETSAHEADACHE!

Themangotupsullenly.Hisear-ringsshoneinthelightofthetorch.‘IcametogetClip,’hesaid.‘He’smyhorse,isn’the?’

‘Youweretoldhewasn’tfittowalkyet,’saidJulian.‘Doyouwanthimtogolameforlife?Yououghttoknowenoughabouthorsestoknowwhenonecanbeworkedornot!’

‘I’vegotmyorders,’saidtheman.‘I’vegottotakemycaravanwiththeothers.’

‘Whosaidso?’saidDick,scornfully.

‘BarneyBoswell,’saidtheman.‘He’sbossofourlothere.We’vegottostartofftogethertomorrow.’

‘Butwhy?’saidJulian,puzzled.‘What’ssourgentaboutallthis?What’sthemystery?’

‘Thereain’tnomystery,’saidtheman,stillsullen.‘We’rejustgoingtothemoor.’

‘Whatareyougoingtodothere?’askedDick,curiously.‘Itdoesn’tseemtometobetheplacetotakealotofcaravansto.There’snothingthereatall,isthere?OrsoI’veheard.’

Themanshruggedhisshouldersandsaidnothing.HeturnedtoClipasiftogethimup.ButJulianrappedoutathimatonce,

‘Ohno,youdon’t!Ifyoudon’tcareaboutinjuringahorse,Ido!You’veonlygottobepatientforadayortwomore,andhe’llbequiteallright.You’renottotakehimtonight.Dick,goandwakeCaptainJohnson.He’llknowwhattodo.’

‘No,’saidtheman,scowling.‘Don’tgowakinganybody.I’llgo.Butjustyou

‘No,’saidtheman,scowling.‘Don’tgowakinganybody.I’llgo.ButjustyouseethatClipisgiventoSnifferassoonasit’spossible,orI’llknowthereasonwhy!See?’

HelookedatJulianinathreateningway.

‘Takethatscowloffyourface,’saidJulian.‘I’mgladyou’veseensense.Clearoutnow.GooffwiththeotherstomorrowandI’llseethatSnifferhasthehorseinashorttime.’

Themanmovedtothedoorandslidoutlikeashadow.Julianwenttowatchhimacrosstheyard,wonderingwhether,outofspite,themanmighttrytostealahen,oroneoftheduckssleepingbesidethepond.

Buttherewasnosuddenclucking,noloudquack.Themanhadgoneassilentlyashehadcome.

‘Mostpeculiar,allthis!’saidJulian,latchingthedooragain.Hetiedapieceofthickstringoverithisside,sothatitcouldnotbeliftedfromoutside.‘There!Nowifthegypsycomesagain,he’llfindhecan’tgetin.Whatanerve,cominghereinthemiddleofthenightlikethat!’

Hegotbackintothestraw.‘Hemusthavefallenrightovermyfoot,’hesaid,snugglingdown.‘Hewokemeupwithanawfuljump.GoodthingforClipthatweweresleepingoutheretonight,orhe’dbedraggingalongaheavycarttomorrow,andgoinglameagain.Idon’tlikethatfellow!’

HefellasleepagainandsodidDick.Clipslepttoo,hislegfeelingeasier.Howgladhehadbeenthatdaynottohavetodragalongtheheavycaravan!

TheboystoldCaptainJohnsonnextmorningaboutthegypsy’smidnightvisit.Henodded.‘Yes,Ioughttohavewarnedyouthathemightcome.They’renotalwaysverygoodtotheirhorses.Well,I’mgladyousenthimoff.Idon’treckonClip’slegwillbereadyforwalkingontillthedayaftertomorrow.There’snoharmingivingthepoorcreatureafewdays’rest.Sniffercaneasilytakethecaravanonaftertheothers.’

Itlookedasifthatdaywasgoingtobefun.Afterallthehorseshadbeenseento,andmanyoddjobsdone,thefour,withTimmy,plannedtosetoutforaday’sride.CaptainJohnsonsaidhewouldletJulianridehisownsturdycobandDicktookabonnychestnuthorsewithfourwhitesocks.Thegirlshadthehorsesthey

tookabonnychestnuthorsewithfourwhitesocks.Thegirlshadthehorsestheyusuallyrode.

Henryhungabout,lookingverymournful.Theboysfeltquiteuncomfortable.‘Wereallyoughttotellhertocomealongtoo,’saidDicktoJulian.‘Itseemsjollymeantoleaveherbehindwiththoselittlekids.’

‘Yes,Iknow.Iagreewithyou,’saidJulian.‘Anne,comehere!Can’tyousuggesttoGeorgethatwetakeHenrytoo?She’slongingtocome,Iknow.’

‘Yes.Sheis,’saidAnne.‘Ifeelawfulaboutit.ButGeorgewillbemadifweaskHenry.Theyreallydogetacrossoneanother.Isimplydaren’taskGeorgetoletHenrycome,Ju.’

‘Butthisissilly!’saidJulian.‘Tothinkwedon’tdaretoaskGeorgetoletsomebodycome!Georgewillhavetolearnsense.IlikeHenry.She’sboastful,andIdon’tbelievehalfthetalesshetells,butshe’sasportandgoodfun.Hey,Henry!’

‘Coming!’yelledHenry,andcamerunning,lookingveryhopeful.

‘Wouldyouliketocomewithus?’saidJulian.‘We’reallgoingoff’fortheday.Haveyougotanyjobstodo,orcanyoucome?’

‘CanIcome!Rather,’saidHenry,joyfully.‘But-doesGeorgeknow?’

‘I’llsoontellher,’saidJulian,andwentinsearchofGeorge.ShewashelpingMrsJohnsontogetsaddle-bagsready,fulloffood.

‘George,’saidJulian,boldly.‘Henryiscomingtoo.Willtherebeenoughfoodforeveryone?’

‘Oh!Howniceofyoutoaskher!’saidMrsJohnson,soundingverypleased.‘She’sdyingtocome.She’sbeensogoodthisweek,too,whilewe’vebeenshorthanded.Shedeservesatreat.Isn’tthatnice,George?’

Georgemutteredsomethingpeculiarandwentoutoftheroom,herfacescarlet.Julianstaredafterher,hiseyebrowscockedinacomicalmanner.

‘Idon’tsomehowfeelthatGeorgethinksit’snice,’hesaid.‘Ifeelasifweareinforanawkwardday,MrsJohnson.’

‘Oh,don’ttakeanynoticeofGeorgewhenshe’ssilly,’saidMrsJohnson,comfortably,fillinganotherpaperbagwithdelicious-lookingsandwiches.‘Anddon’ttakeanynoticeofHenry,either,whenshe’sidiotic.There!Ifyougetthroughallthisfood,Ishallbesurprised!’

William,oneoftheyoungerones,cameinjustthen.‘Whatalotoffoodyou’vegiventhem,’hesaid.‘Willtherebeenoughleftforustohavetoday?’

‘Goodgracious,yes!’saidMrsJohnson.‘Youthinkofnothingbutyourtummy,William!GoandfindGeorgeandtellherthefoodisreadyforhertoputintothesaddle-bags.’

Williamdisappearedandthencameback.‘Georgesaysshe’sgotaheadacheanddoesn’tthinkshe’llgoontheride,’heannounced.

Julianlookedstartledandupset.‘Nowyoulistentome,Julian,’saidMrsJohnson,beginningtoinserttheparcelsoffoodcarefullyintothesaddle-bags,‘justyouleavehertoherimaginaryheadache.Don’tgofussingroundher,andbegginghertocomeandsayingyouwon’thaveHenry.Justbelievequitefirmlyinherheadache,andgooffbyyourselves.It’sthequickestwaytomakeGeorgeseesense,believeme!’

‘Yes.Ithinkyou’reright,’saidJulian,frowning.TothinkthatGeorgeshouldbehavelikeasulkylittlegirl,afteralltheadventurestheyhadbeenthroughtogether!JustbecauseofHenry.Itreallywasabsurd.

‘WhereisGeorge!’hesaidtoWilliam.

‘Upinherroom,’saidWilliam,whohadbeenengrossedinpickingupandeatingallthecrumbshecould.Julianwentoutoftheroomandintotheyard.HeknewwhichwindowbelongedtotheroomwhereGeorgeandAnneslept.Heyelledup.

‘Isay,George!Sorryaboutyourheadache,oldthing!Sureyoudon’tfeellikecoming?’

‘No!’camebackanansweringshout,andthewindowwasshutdownwithaslam.

‘Righto!Awfullydisappointedandallthat!’shoutedJulian.‘Dohopeyourheadwillsoonbebetter!Seeyoulater!’

willsoonbebetter!Seeyoulater!’

Nootherreplycamefromthewindow,but,asJulianwentacrosstheyardtothestables,averysurprisedfacewatchedhimgo,frombehindthebedroomcurtains.Georgewasextremelyastonishedtohavebeentakenatherword,shockedatbeingleftbehindafterall,andangrywithHenryandeveryoneelseforputtingherintothisfix!

JuliantoldtheothersthatGeorgehadaheadacheandwasn’tcoming.AnnewasmostconcernedandwantedtogoandcomfortherbutJulianforbadeherto.

‘No.She’supinherroom.Leaveheralone,Anne.That’sanorder-see?’

‘Allright,’saidAnne,half-relieved.ShefeltsurethatGeorge’sheadachewasmostlytemper,andshedidn’tatallwanttogoandarguewithherforhalfanhour.Henryhadn’tsaidaword.ShehadflushedwithsurprisewhenJulianhadannouncedthatGeorgewasnotcoming,andsheknewatoncethattherewasnorealheadache!ShewasGeorge’sheadache,sheknewthat!

ShewentuptoJulian.‘Look,Iguessit’sbecauseyou’veaskedmetocome,thatGeorginawon’tcomewithus.Idon’twanttospoilthings.YougoandtellherI’mnotgoingafterall.’

JulianlookedatHenrygratefully.‘That’sjollyniceofyou,’hesaid.‘Butwe’retakingGeorgeatherword.Anyway,wedidn’taskyououtofpoliteness.Wewantedyoutocome!’

‘Thanks,’saidHenry.‘Well,let’sgobeforeanythingelsehappens!Ourhorsesareready.I’llfixthesaddle-bags.’

Soonallfourwereontheirhorses,andwerewalkingovertheyardtothegate.Georgeheardtheclippity-clop-clippity-clopofthehoovesandpeepedoutofthewindowagain.Theyweregoingafterall!Shehadn’tthoughttheyreallywouldgowithouther.Shewashorrified.

WhydidIbehavelikethat?I’veputmyselfinthewrong!thoughtpoorGeorge.NowHenriettawillbewiththemalldayandwillbeasniceaspossible,justtoshowmeup.WhatanassIam!‘Timmy,I’manassandanidiot,andagreatbigfathead!Aren’tI?’

Timmydidn’tthinkso.Hehadbeenpuzzledtoheartheothersgoingoffwithout

Timmydidn’tthinkso.HehadbeenpuzzledtoheartheothersgoingoffwithouthimandGeorge,andhadgonetothedoorandwhined.NowhecamebacktoGeorgeandputhisheadonherknee.HeknewGeorgewasnothappy.

‘Youdon’tcarehowIbehave,doyou,Tim?’saidGeorge,strokingthesoft,furryhead.‘That’sthebestofadog!Youdon’tcareifI’minthewrongornot,youjustlovemeallthesame,don’tyou?Well,youshouldn’tlovemetoday,Tim.I’vebeenanidiot!’

Therewasaknockatherdoor.ItwasWilliamagain.‘George!MrsJohnsonsays,ifyourheadacheisbad,undressandgetintobed.Butifit’sbetter,comedownandhelpwithClip,thegypsy’shorse.’

‘I’llcomedown,’saidGeorge,flingingawayhersulksatonego.‘TellMrsJohnsonI’llgotothestableatonce.’

‘Allright,’saidthestolidWilliam,andtrottedofflikeareliablelittlepony.

GeorgewentdownstairswithTimmy,andintotheyard.Shewonderedhowfartheothershadgone.Shecouldn’tseetheminthedistance.Wouldtheyhaveagooddaytogether,withthathorridHenry?Ugh!

Theotherswerealmostamileaway,canteringeasily.Whatfun!Awholedaybeforethem,onMysteryMoor!

ChapterSix

AGRANDDAY

Ithinkit’sgotajollygoodname,MysteryMoor,’saidDick,asthefourofthemwentalong.‘Lookatitstretchingformiles,allblazingwithgorse.’

‘Idon’tthinkitlooksatallmysterious,’saidHenry,surprised.

‘Well,it’sgotasortofquietnessandbroodiness,’saidAnne.‘Asifsomethingbighappenedlongagointhepastandit’swaitingforsomethingtohappenagain.’

‘Quietandbroody?Itsoundslikeoneofthefarmyardhenssittingonhereggs!’saidHenrywithalaugh.‘Ithinkitmightbeabitfrighteningandmysteriousatnight,butit’sjustanordinarystretchofcountryintheday-time,fineforridingover.Ican’tthinkwhyit’scalledMysteryMoor.’

‘We’llhavetolookitupinsomebookthattellsaboutthispartofthecountry,’saidDick.‘Iexpectitwascalledthatbecauseofsomequeerhappeningsorother,hundredsofyearsago,whenpeoplebelievedinwitchesandthingslikethat.’

Theyfollowednoroadorpath,butrodewheretheypleased.Thereweregreatstretchesofwirygrass,massesofheatherspringingupafresh,and,blazingitsgoldeverywhereonthislovelyAprilday,wasthegorse.

Annesniffedcontinuallyastheyrodepastthegorsebushes.Dicklookedather.

‘YousoundlikeSniffer!’hesaid.‘Haveyougotacold?’

Annelaughed.‘No,ofcoursenot.ButIdosolovethesmellofthegorse.Whatdoesitsmellof?Vanilla?Hotcoconut?It’salovelywarmsmell!’

‘Look!What’sthatmovingoverthere?’saidJulian,suddenlyreininginhishorse.Theyallstrainedtheireyestosee.

horse.Theyallstrainedtheireyestosee.

‘Why,it’scaravans!’saidJulian,atlast.‘Ofcourse!Theyweresettingouttoday,weren’tthey?Well,theymustfinditveryroughgoing,that’sallIcansay.There’snorealroadanywhere,asfarasIcansee.’

‘Wherecantheybegoing?’wonderedAnne.‘What’soverinthatdirection?’

‘They’llcometothecoastiftheykeeponthewaytheyaregoing,’saidJulian,considering.‘Let’srideoverandhavealookatthem,shallwe?’

‘Yes.Goodidea!’saidDick.Sotheyturnedtheirhorses’headstotheright,androdetowardsthefarawaycaravans.Thesemadequiteasplashofcolourastheywentalong.Therewerefourofthem-tworedones,ablueoneandayellowone.Theywentveryslowlyindeed,eachpulledbyasmall,wiryhorse.

‘Theyalllooklikeskewbalds,brownandwhite,’saidDick.‘It’sfunnythatsomanygypsieshaveskewbaldhorses.Iwonderwhyitis?’

Theyheardshoutingastheycamenearthecaravans,andsawonemanpointingthemouttoanother.ItwasSniffer’sfather!

‘Look,that’sthefellowwhowokeusupinthestablelastnight,’saidJuliantoDick.‘Sniffer’sfather!Whatanastybitofworkheis!Whydoesn’thegetahaircut?’

‘Goodmorning!’calledDick,astheyrodeuptothecaravansontheirhorses.‘Niceday!’

Therewasnoanswer.Thegypsiesdrivingtheircaravansandthosewalkingalongside,lookedsourlyatthefourriders.

‘Whereareyougoing?’askedHenry.‘Tothecoast?’

‘It’snaughttodowithyou,’saidoneofthegypsies,anoldmanwithcurlygreyhair.

‘Surlyfolk,aren’tthey?’saidDicktoJulian.‘Isupposetheythinkwe’respyingonthem,orsomething.Iwonderhowtheymanageaboutfoodonthismoor,noshopsoranything.Isupposetheytakeitallwiththem.’

‘I’llaskthem,’saidHenry,notatallputoffbythesurlylooks.Sheroderightup

‘I’llaskthem,’saidHenry,notatallputoffbythesurlylooks.SheroderightuptoSniffer’sfather.

‘Howdoyoumanageaboutfood,andwater?’sheasked.

‘Wegotfoodthere,’saidSnifler’sfather,jerkinghisheadbacktowardsoneofthecaravans.‘Asforwater,weknowwherethespringsare.’

‘Areyoucampingonthemoorforalongtime?’askedHenry,thinkingthatagypsy’slifemightbeafineone,foratime!Fancylivingouthereonthislovelymoorwithgorseblazinggoldallaround,andprimrosesbythethousandintheshelteredcorners!

‘That’snaughttodowithyou!’shoutedtheoldmanwithcurlygreyhair.‘Youclearoffandletusalone!’

‘Comeon,Henry,’saidJulian,swingingroundtogooff.‘Theydon’tlikeusaskingthemquestions.Theythinkit’sprying,notinterest.Maybetheyhavelotsofthingstohide,anddon’twantuspokingaround-oneortwochickensfromafarm,aduckorsofromsomepond.Theylivefromhandtomouth,thesefolk.’

Somedark-eyedchildrenpeeredfromthevansastheywentby.Oneortwowererunningoutside,buttheysheeredofflikefrightenedrabbitswhenHenrycanteredtowardsthem.

‘Ohwell,theysimplydon’twanttobefriendly,’shesaid,andwenttojointheotherthree.‘Whatastrangelifetheylead,intheirhousesonwheels!Neverstayinganywhereforlong,alwaysonthemove.Getup,there,Sultan.Goaftertheothers!’

Herhorseobedientlyfollowedtheotherthree,takingcarenottostepintoanyrabbit-holes!Whatfunitwastobeouthereinthesunshine,joggingupanddownonahorse’sback,withoutacareintheworld!Henrywasveryhappy.

Theotherthreewereenjoyingtheirday,buttheywerenotquitesohappy.TheykeptwonderingaboutGeorge.TheymissedTimmytoo.Heshouldbetrottingbesidethem,enjoyingthedayaswell!

Theylostsightofthecaravansafteratime.Juliankepttrackofthewaytheywent,half-afraidofbeinglost.Hehadacompasswithhim,andcheckedtheirdirectioncontinually.‘Itwouldneverdotohavetospendanightouthere!’he

directioncontinually.‘Itwouldneverdotohavetospendanightouthere!’hesaid.‘Nobodywouldeverfindus!’

Theyhadamagnificentlunchabouthalf-pasttwelve.Really,MrsJohnsonhadsurpassedherself!Eggandsardinesandwiches,tomatoandlettuce,ham-thereseemednoendtothem!Greatslicesofcherrycakewereaddedtoo,andalarge,juicypeareach.

‘Ilikethiskindofcherrycake,’saidDick,lookingathisenormousslice.‘Thecherrieshaveallgonetothebottom.Theymakeaverynicelastmouthful!’

‘Anydrinks?’saidHenry,andwashandedabottleofginger-beer.Shedrankitthirstily.

‘Whydoesginger-beertastesoniceonapicnic?’shesaid.‘Muchnicerthandrinkingitsittingdowninashop,evenifit’sgoticeinit!’

‘There’saspringorsomethingnearby,’saidJulian.‘Icanhearitbubbling.’

Theyalllistened.Yes,therewasalittlebubbling,tinklingnoise.Annegotuptotraceit.Shefounditinafewminutesandcalledtheothers.Therewasaroundpool,coolandblue,lyingtwoorthreefeetdown,andintoit,fromoneside,fellacrystalclearspringofwater,tinklingasitfell.

‘Oneofthespringsthatthegypsiesuse,whentheytravelthisdesertedmoor,Iexpect,’saidJulian.Hecuppedhishandsunderthefallingwaterandgothispalmsfull.Hecarriedthewatertohismouthandsippedit.

‘Delicious!Coolasanice-box,’hesaid.‘Tasteit,Anne.’

Theyrodealittlefarther,butthemoorseemedthesameeverywhere,heather,wirygrass,gorse,aclearspringfallingintoapoolortinystreamhereandthere,andafewtrees,mostlysilverbirch.

Larkssangallthetime,soaringhighintheair,almosttoofaruptosee.

‘Theirsongfallsdownlikeraindrops,’saidAnne,holdingoutherhandsasiftocatchthem.Henrylaughed.Shelikedthisfamily,andwasverygladtheyhadaskedhertocomeoutwiththem.ShethoughtGeorgewassillytohavestayedatthestables.

‘Ithinkweoughttogohome,’saidJulianatlast,lookingathiswatch.‘We’rea

‘Ithinkweoughttogohome,’saidJulianatlast,lookingathiswatch.‘We’reagoodwayaway.Letmeseenow.Wewanttomakemoreorlessforthesettingsun.Comeon!’

Heledtheway,hishorsepickingitsownpathovertheheather.Theothersfollowed.Dickstoppedafterawhile.

‘Areyousurewe’requiteright,Ju?Idon’tsomehowfeelthatweare.Themoorisdifferenthere,rathersandyandnotsomuchgorse.’

Julianstoppedhishorseandlookedroundandabout.‘Yes,itdoeslookabitdifferent,’hesaid.‘Butyetweseemtobegoingintherightdirection.Let’sgoabitmoretothewest.Ifonlytherewassomethingonthehorizontoguideus.Butthismoorhasn’tathingthatstandsoutanywhere!’

Theywentonagain,andthenHenrygaveanexclamation.‘Isay!What’sthis?Docomehere.’

ThetwoboysandAnneswervedovertoHenry.Shewasnowoffherhorse,andwasbendingover,scrapingawayattheheather.

‘Look,itseemslikerails,orsomething,’saidHenry.‘Veryoldandrusty.Buttheycan’tbe,surely?’

Everyonewasnowdownontheirknees,scrapingsandandheatheraway.Juliansatbackandconsidered.

‘Yes,it’srails.Oldones,asyousay.Butwhatintheworldwererailslaiddownherefor?’

‘Ican’tthink,’saidHenry.‘Ionlycaughtsightofthembychance,they’resoovergrown.Icouldn’tbelievemyeyes!’

‘Theymustleadfromsomewheretosomewhere!’saidDick.‘Perhapstherewasaquarry,orsomethingonthemoorandtheyranlittleengineswithtrucksthere,tofetchthesand,andtakeitbacktotowntosell.’

‘That’saboutit,’saidJulian.‘It’sverysandyhere,aswenoticed.Good,finesand.Maybethereisaquarryonthemoor.Well,thatway,behindusgoesrightoutonthemoor,sothiswaymustleadbacktosometownorvillage,probablyMillingGreenorsomewherelikethat.’

MillingGreenorsomewherelikethat.’

‘Yes.You’reright,’saidDick.‘Inwhichcase,ifwefollowthelinesalong,we’llgetbacktocivilizationsoonerorlater!’

‘Well,seeingthatweseemtobemoreorlesslost,thatwouldbequiteagoodidea!’saidHenry.Shemountedherhorseagainandrodealongthelines.

‘They’refairlyeasytosee!’shecalled.‘Ifyouridebetweenthem,thatis,becausetheygosostraight.’

Thelinesransteadilyoverthemoor,sometimesveryovergrown,andinabouthalfanhour’stimeHenrygaveacryandpointedforward.‘Houses!Ithoughtwe’dsooncometosomeplace!’

‘ItisMillingGreen!’saidJulian,astherailscametoasuddenend,andtheyrodeoutintoasmallcart-road.

‘Well,wehaven’tfartogonow,togettothestables,’saidHenry,pleased.‘Isay,wouldn’titbefuntofollowthoselinesallacrossthemoorandseewheretheyreallyleadto?’

‘Yes.Wemightdothatoneday,’saidJulian.‘Gosh,it’sgettinglate.IwonderhowoldGeorgehasbeengettingontoday!’

Theywalkedquicklyalongtothestables,thinkingofGeorge.Wouldshehaveretiredtobed?Wouldshestillbecross,orworsestill,hurtandgrieved?Itwasanybody’sguess!

ChapterSeven

GEORGE,SNIFFERANDLIZ

Georgehadhadquiteaninterestingday.FirstshehadgonedowntohelpCaptainJohnsondoClip’slegagainandbandageitup.Thelittleskewbaldstoodverypatiently,andGeorgefeltasuddenlikingfortheuglylittlecreature.

‘Thanks,George,’saidCaptainJohnson,who,toherrelief,hadsaidnothingabouthernothavinggoneridingwiththeothers.‘Nowwouldyouliketocomeandputjumpsupfortheyoungsters?They’relongingtodosomemorejumping.’

Georgefoundthatitwasquiteamusingtoteachtheyoungeroneshowtojump.Theyweresoveryveryproudofthemselveswhentheywentoverevenafoot-highjumpontheirlittleponies.

AfterthatSnifferarrived,accompaniedbyapeculiarlittlemongrelcalledLiz.Lizwasabitofaspaniel,abitofapoodle,andoddbitsofsomethingelse-andlookedratherlikeasmall,walkinghearthrugofblackcurlyfur.

Timmywasamazedtoseethiswalkingmat,andsatandwatchedLizsniffinghereandthereforsometime,beforehecametotheconclusionthatitreallywassomekindofdog.Hegaveasharplittlebarktoseewhatthiscomicalcreaturewoulddowhensheheardit.

Liztooknonoticeatall.Shehadunearthedasmallbone,whichsmeltextremelyinteresting.Timmyconsideredthatallboneswithintheradiusofatleastamile,belongedtohimandhimalone.SoheranovertoLizatonceandgaveasmall,warninggrowl.

Lizimmediatelydroppedthebonehumblyathisfeet,thensatuponherhindlegsandbegged.Timmyeyedherinastonishment.ThenLizstooduponherhindlegsandwalkeddaintilyallroundTimmyandbackagain.

Timmywasastounded.Hehadneverseenadogdothatbefore.Couldthishearthrugaffairbeadogafterall?

LizsawthatTimmywasreallyimpressed,andwentonwithyetanothertrickshehadlearntduringthetimeshehadbeenwiththecircus.

Sheturnedhead-over-heels,yappingallthetime.Timmyretreatedafewstepsintothebushes.Thiswasgoingtoofar!Whatwasthisanimaldoing?Tryingtostandonitshead?

Lizwentonturninghead-over-heelsveryrapidlyandendedupalmostonTimmy’sfrontpaws.Hehadnowbackedintothebushasfarashecould.

Lizremainedonherback,pawsinair,tonguehangingout,panting.Shegaveaverysmall,beseechingwhine.

Timmybenthisheaddownandsniffedatherpaws.Behindhimhistailbegantomovealittle,yes,ithadawaginit!Hesniffedagain.LizleaptontoherfourfeetandprancedallroundTimmy,yappingasiftosay‘Comeonandplay!Docome!’

AndthensuddenlyTimmyfellupontheabsurdlittlecreatureandpretendedtoworryit.Lizgaveadelightedvolleyofyapsandrolledoverandover.Theyhadamarvellousgame,andwhenitwasallover,Timmysankdownpantingforbreath,inasunnycorneroftheyardandLizsettledherselfbetweenhisfrontpaws,asifshehadknownhimallherlife!

WhenGeorgecameoutofthestablewithSniffer,shecouldhardlybelievehereyes.‘What’sthatTimmy’sgotbetweenhispaws?’shesaid.‘It’ssurelynotadog!’

‘It’sLiz,’saidSniffer.‘Shecangetroundanydogthereis,MasterGeorge!Liz!You’reamonkey,aren’tyou!Walk,then,walk!’

LizleftTimmyandranovertoSniffer,walkingdaintilyonherhindlegs.Georgelaughed.‘Whatafunnylittlecreature,likeabitcutoutofafurryhearthrug!’

‘She’sclever,’saidSnifferandpattedLiz.‘Well,MasterGeorge,whencanIhaveClip,doyonthink?Myfatherhasgoneoffwiththeothercaravansandhe’sleftmewithours.Soitdoesn’tmatterwhetherit’stodayortomorrow,oreven

leftmewithours.Soitdoesn’tmatterwhetherit’stodayortomorrow,oreventhenextday.’

‘Well,itwon’tbetoday,that’scertain,’saidGeorge,pleasedthatSniffercalledherMasterGeorgenotMiss.‘Itmightperhapsbetomorrow.Haven’tyougotahanky,Sniffer?Ineveronmylifeheardanyonesniffasoftenasyoudo.’

Snifferrubbedhissleeveacrosshisnose.‘Ineverhadnohanky,’hesaid.‘ButI’vegotmysleeve,see?’

‘Ithinkyou’requitedisgusting,’saidGeorge.‘I’mgoingtogiveyouoneofmyownhankies,andyou’retouseit.You’renottokeepsniffinglikethat.’

‘Didn’tknowIdid,’saidSniffer,halfsulkily.‘What’sitmatter,anyway?’

ButGeorgehadgoneindoorsandupthestairs.Shechosealargehanky,inredandwhitestripes.ThatwoulddonicelyforSniffer!Shetookitdowntohim.Helookedatitinsurprise.

‘That’sascarfformyneck!’hesaid.

‘No,itisn’t.It’sahankyforyournose,’saidGeorge.‘Haven’tyouapockettoputitin?That’sright.Now,useitinsteadofsniffing,forgoodness’sake!’

‘Wherearetheothers?’askedSniffer,puttingthehankycarefullyintohispocket,almostasifitweremadeofglass.

‘Goneriding,’saidGeorge,shortly.

‘Theysaidtheywouldcomeandseemycaravan,’saidSniffer.‘Theysaidso!’

‘Well,theywon’tbeabletotoday,’saidGeorge.‘They’llbebacktoolate,Iexpect.I’llcomeandseeit,though.There’snobodyinit,isthere?’

GeorgewasnotkeenonmeetingSniffer’sfatheroranyotherofhisrelations!Heshookhishead.‘No,it’sempty.Myfather’sgone,Itoldyou,andmyauntandmygrandmatoo.’

‘Whatdoyoudoonthemoor?’askedGeorge,asshefollowedSnifferacrossthefieldandupthehilltowherethecaravanshadstood.Nowonlyonewasleft-Sniffer’s.

‘Playaround,’saidSniffer,andgaveanenormoussniff.Georgegavehimashoveintheback.

‘Sniffer!WhatdidIgiveyouthehankyfor?Don’tdothat!Itgetsonmynerves!’

Snifferusedhissleeveatonce,butfortunatelyGeorgedidn’tnotice.Shehadnowcometothecaravanandwasstaringatit.ShethoughtofSniffer’sanswertoherquestionaminuteortwoback.

‘Yousaidyoujustplayedaroundonthemoor.Butwhatdoesyourfatherdo,andyouruncleandgrandadandalltherestofthemen?There’snothingtodothereatall,asfarasIcansee,andnofarmhousetobegeggsormilkoranythingfrom.’

Sniffershutuplikeaclam.Hewasjustabouttosniffandthoughtbetterofit.HestaredatGeorge,hismouthsetinanobstinateline.

Georgelookedathimimpatiently.‘CaptainJohnsonsaidyouandyourcaravanswentthereeverythreemonths,’shesaid.‘Whatfor?Theremustbesomereason?’

‘Well,’saidSniffer,lookingawayfromher,‘wemakepegs,andbaskets,and…’

‘Iknowthat!Allgypsiesmakethingstosell,’saidGeorge.‘Butyoudon’tneedtogointothemiddleofadesertedmoortomakethem.Youcandothemjustaswellinavillage,orsittinginafieldnearafarmhouse.Whygotosuchalonelyplaceasthemoor?’

Sniffersaidnothing,butbentoveraqueerlittlearrangementofstickssetonthepathbesidehiscaravan.Georgesawthemandbentoverthemtoo,herquestionforgotten.

‘Oh!Isthatapatrin?Agypsymessage!Whatdoesitmean?’

Thereweretwosticks,onelongandoneshort,neatlyarrangedintheshapeofacross.Alittlefartheruponthepathwereafewsingle,straightsticks,allpointinginthesamedirection.

‘Yes,’saidSniffer,verygladtohavethesubjectchanged.‘It’sourwayoftellingthingstothosewhomaycomeafterus.Seethesticksintheshapeofthecross?

thingstothosewhomaycomeafterus.Seethesticksintheshapeofthecross?That’sapatrinthatsayswe’vebeenalongthiswayandwe’regoinginthedirectionthatthelongstickpoints.’

‘Isee,’saidGeorge.‘Howsimple!Butwhataboutthesefourstraightsticks,allpointingthesamewaytoo.Whatdotheymean?’

‘Theymeanthatthetravellerswentincaravans,’saidSniffer,givingasuddensniff.‘See,foursticks,fourcaravans,goingthatway!’

‘Isee,’saidGeorge,makinguphermindthatsheherselfwouldevolvequiteafew‘patrins’foruseatschoolwhentheywentforwalks.‘Arethereanymore“patrins”Sniffer?’

‘Plenty,’saidtheboy.‘Look,whenIleavehere,Ishallputapatrinlikethis!’hepickedalargeleaffromanearbytree,andthenasmallone.Heplacedthemsidebyside,andweightedthemdownwithsmallstones.

‘Whatintheworlddoesthatmean?’saidGeorge.

‘Well,it’sapatrin,amessage,tosaythatmeandmylittledoghavegoneinthecaravantoo,’saidSniffer,pickinguptheleaves.‘Supposemyfathercamebacktofindme,andhesawthoseleavesthere,he’dknowI’dgoneonwithmydog.It’ssimple.Bigleafforme,littleleafformydog!’

‘Yes.Ilikeit,’saidGeorge,pleased.‘Nowlet’slookatthecaravan.’

Itwasanold-fashionedkindofcaravan,notverybig,andwithhighwheels.Thedoorandthestepsdownwereinfront.TheshaftsrestedonthegroundwaitingforCliptocomeback.Thecaravanwasblack,withreddesignsonithereandthere.

Georgewentupthesteps.‘I’vebeeninsideafewcaravans,’shesaid.‘Butneveronequitelikethis.’

Shepeepedincuriously.Itcertainlywasn’tveryclean,butitwasn’tasdirtyassheexpectedeither.

‘It’snotsmelly,isit?’saidSniffer,quiteanxiously.‘Itidiedituptoday,seeingashowIthoughtyouwereallvisitingme.That’sourbedattheback.Weallsleeponit.’

Georgestaredatthebigbunk-likebedstretchedattheendofthecaravan,coveredwithabrightquilt.Sheimaginedthewholefamilysleepingthere,closetogether.Wellatleasttheywouldbewarminthewinter.

‘Don’tyougethotinthesummer,sleepinginthissmallcaravan?’askedGeorge.

‘Ohno,onlymygrandmasleepsherethen,’saidSniffer,swallowingasniffinahurry,beforeGeorgecouldhearit.‘Meandtheotherssleepunderthecaravan.Thenifitrainsitdon’tmatter.’

‘Well,thanksforshowingmesomanythings,’saidGeorge,lookingroundatthecupboards,thelittlelocker-seats,andtheover-bigchestofdrawers.‘Howyouallgetinhereisamiracle.’

Shedidn’tgoin.EventhoughSnifferhadtidiedup,therewasstilladistinctlypeculiarsmellhangingabout!

‘Comeandseeustomorrow,Sniffer,’shesaid,goingdownthesteps.‘Clipmaybeallrightbythen.AndSniffer,don’tyouforgetyou’vegotahankynow!’

‘Iwon’tforget,’saidSniffer,proudly.‘I’llkeepitascleanascanbe,MasterGeorge!’

ChapterEight

SNIFFERMAKESAPROMISE

Georgewasfeelingverylonelybythetimetheeveningcame.Howhadtheothersgotonwithouther?Hadtheymissedheratall?Perhapstheyhadn’teventhoughtofher!

‘Anyway,theydidn’thaveyou,Timmy!’saidGeorge.‘Youwouldn’tgooffandleaveme,wouldyou?’

Timmypressedagainsther,gladtoseethatshewashappieragain.Hewonderedwheretheotherswere,andwheretheyhadgonetoallday.

TherewassuddenlyaclatteringofhoovesinthestableyardandGeorgeflewtothedoor.Yes,theywereback!Howshouldshebehave?Shefeltcrossandrelievedandratherhumbleandgladallatonce!Shestoodthere,notknowingwhethertofrownortosmile.

Theothersmadeuphermindforher.‘Hallo,George!’shoutedDick.‘Wedidmissyou!’

‘How’syourhead?’calledAnne.‘Ihopeit’sbetter!’

‘Hallo!’calledHenry.‘Yououghttohavecome.We’vehadasuperday!’

‘Comeandhelpusstablethehorses,George,’shoutedJulian.‘Telluswhatyou’vebeendoing!’

Timmyhadspedovertothem,barkingindelight.Georgefoundherlegsrunningtowardsthemtoo,awelcomingsmileonherface.

‘Hallo!’shecalled.‘Letmehelp!Didyoureallymissme?Imissedyoutoo.’

TheboyswereveryrelievedtoseethatGeorgewasherselfagain.Nothingmorewassaidaboutherheadache!Shebusiedherselfunsaddlingthehorsesand

wassaidaboutherheadache!Shebusiedherselfunsaddlingthehorsesandlisteningtotheirstoryoftheday.ThenshetoldthemaboutSnifferandhispatrins,andhowshehadgivenhimabrand-newhandkerchief.

‘ButI’msurehethinkshe’sgottokeepitspotlesslyclean!’shesaid.‘HeneveruseditoncewhenIwaswithhim.There’sthesupperbell,we’llonlyjustbeintime!Areyouhungry?’

‘Youbetweare!’saidDick.‘ThoughafterMrsJohnson’ssandwichesIneverthoughtI’dbeabletoeatanysupperatall.How’sClip?’

‘Nevermindnow.I’lltellyoueverythingatsupper,’saidGeorge.‘Doyouwantanyhelp,Henry?’

HenrywassurprisedtohearGeorgecallherHenryinsteadofHenrietta.‘Nothanks-er-George,’shesaid.‘Icanmanage.’

Itwasaveryjollysupper-timethatevening.Theyoungstersweresetatatablebythemselves,sotheolderonestalkedtotheirhearts’content.

CaptainJohnsonwasveryinterestedtohearabouttheoldrailwaytheyhadfound.‘Ineverknewtherewasanythinglikethatonthemoors,’hesaid.‘Though,ofcourse,we’veonlybeenhereaboutfifteenyears,sowedon’tknowagreatdealofthelocalhistory.YouwanttogoandaskoldBentheblacksmithaboutthat.He’slivedhereallhislife,andalonglifeitis,forhe’sovereighty!’

‘Well,we’vegottotakesomeofthehorsestobeshodtomorrow,haven’twe?’saidHenry,eagerly.‘Wecouldaskhimthen!Why,hemightevenhavehelpedtomaketherails!’

‘Wesawthecaravans,George,whenwehadgotprettyfaroutonthemoor,’saidJulian.‘Goodnessknowswheretheywereheadingfor,towardsthecoast,Ishouldthink.What’sthecoastlikebeyondthemoor,CaptainJohnson?’

‘Wild,’saidtheCaptain.‘Great,unclimbablecliffs,andreefsorrocksstretchingouttosea.Onlythebirdslivethere.There’snobathing,noboating,nobeach.’

‘Well,itbeatsmewherethosecaravansaregoing,’saidDick.‘It’samystery.Theygoeverythreemonths,don’tthey?’

‘Aboutthat,’saidCaptainJohnson.‘I’venoideawhattheattractionofthemoor

‘Aboutthat,’saidCaptainJohnson.‘I’venoideawhattheattractionofthemoorisforthegypsies.Itjustbeatsme!Usuallytheywon’tgoanywherewheretherearenotafewfarms,oratleastasmallvillagewheretheycanselltheirgoods.’

‘I’dliketogoafterthemandseewheretheyareandwhatthey’redoing,’saidJulian,eatinghisthirdhard-boiledegg.

‘Allright.Let’s,’saidGeorge.

‘Buthow?Wedon’tknowwherethey’vegone,’saidHenry.

‘Well,Sniffer’sgoingtojointhemtomorrow,orassoonasClipisallrightforwalking,’saidGeorge.‘Andhe’sgottofollowthepatrinsleftonthewaybytheothers.Hesaysthathelooksattheplaceswherefireshavebeenmadeontheway,andbesidethemsomewherehewillseethepatrins,thesticksthatpointinthedirectionhemustfollow.’

‘He’ssuretodestroythem,’saidDick.‘Wecouldn’tfollowthem!’

‘We’llaskhimtoleavehisownpatrins,’saidGeorge.‘Ithinkhewill.He’snotabadlittleboy,really.Icouldaskhimtoleaveplentyofpatrins,sothatwecouldeasilyfindtheway.’

‘Well,itmightbefuntoseeifwecouldreadtherightroadtogo,justaseasilyasthegypsiesdo,’saidJulian.‘Wecouldmakeitaday’sride.Itwouldbeinteresting!’

Henrygaveamostenormousyawn,andthatmadeAnneyawntoo,thoughherswasaverypoliteone.

‘Henry!’saidMrsJohnson.

‘Sorry,’saidHenry.‘Itjustcamealmostlikeasneezedoes.Idon’tknowwhy,butIfeelalmostasleep.’

‘Gotobedthen,’saidMrsJohnson.‘You’vehadsuchadayofairandsunshine!Youalllookverybrowntoo.TheAprilsunhasbeenashotasJunetoday.’

Thefiveofthem,andTimmy,wentoutforalastlookatthehorses,andtodooneortwosmalljobs.Henryyawnedagain,andthatseteveryoneelseoff,evenGeorge.

‘Meforthestraw!’saidJulian,withalaugh.‘Oh,thethoughtofthatwarm,comfystrawbedistoogoodforwords!Yougirlsarewelcometothebeds!’

‘IhopeSniffer’sPadoesn’tcomeinthemiddleofthenightagain,’saidDick.

‘Ishalltieupthelatch,’saidJulian.‘Well,let’sgoandsaygoodnighttoMrsJohnson.’

Itwasn’tlongbeforethethreegirlswereinbedandthetwoboyscuddleddowninthestrawofthestable.Clipwastherestill,buthenolongerfidgeted.Helaydownquietly,anddidnotoncemovehisbadleg.Itwasgettingmuchbetter.Hewouldcertainlybeabletogoaftertheothersthenextday!

JulianandDickfellasleepatonce.Noonecamecreepinginatthestabledoorthatnight.Nothingdisturbedthemuntilthemorning,whenacockgotintothestablethroughawindow,satonarafterjustabovethem,andcrowedloudlyenoughtowakebothboyswithajump.

‘What’sthat!’saidDick.‘Thatawfulscreechinginmyear!Wasityou,Ju?’

Thecockcrowedagainandtheboyslaughed.‘Blowhim!’saidJulian,settlingdownagain.‘Icoulddowithanothercoupleofhourssleep!’

ThatmorningSniffercameslippinginatthegateagain.Henevercameboldlyin,heslidthroughthehedge,orcreptinatthegate,orappearedroundacorner.HesawGeorgeandwentovertoher.

‘MasterGeorge,’hecalled,muchtoJulian’samusement.‘IsClipbetter?’

‘Yes!’calledbackGeorge.‘CaptainJohnsonsaysyoucantakehimtoday.Butwaitabit,Sniffer,Iwanttoaskyousomethingbeforeyougo.’

Snifferwaspleased.Helikedthisgirlwhohadpresentedhimwithsuchamagnificenthandkerchief.Hetookitcarefullyoutofhispocket,hopingtopleaseher.

‘See,’hesaid.‘Howcleanitis!Ihavekeptitverycarefully.’Hesniffedloudly.

‘You’reafathead,’saidGeorge,exasperated.‘Igaveittoyoutouse,nottokeepcleaninyourpocket.It’stostopyoursniffing.Honestly,you’reabitofamutt,Sniffer.Ishalltakethathankyawayifyoudon’tuseit!’

Sniffer.Ishalltakethathankyawayifyoudon’tuseit!’

Snifferlookedalarmed.Heshookitoutcarefullyandthenlightlytouchedhisnosewithit.Hethenfoldeditupconscientiouslyintherightcreasesandputitbackintohispocketagain.

‘Now,NOsniffing!’commandedGeorge,tryingnottolaugh.‘Listen,Sniffer,youknowthosepatrinsyoushowedmeyesterday?’

‘Yes,MasterGeorge,’saidSniffer.

‘Well,willtheothergypsieswhohavegoneinfront,leaveyoupatrinstofollow,sothatyouwillknowtheway?’saidGeorge.

Sniffernodded.‘Yes,butnotmany,becauseIhavebeenthatwaytwicebefore.TheywillonlyleavetheminplaceswhereImightgowrong.’

‘Isee,’saidGeorge.‘NowSniffer,wewanttohaveasortofgame.Wewanttoseewhichofuscanfollowpatrins,andwewantyoutolaypatrinsforusquiteoften,onyourwaytoyourfamilytoday.Willyou?’

‘Ohyes,Iwill,’saidSniffer,quiteproudtohaveafavouraskedofhim.‘IwilllaytheonesIshowedyou,thecross,thelongsticks,andthebigandlittleleaf.’

‘Yes,do,’saidGeorge.‘Thatwillmeanthatyouhavepassedinacertaindirectionandyouareaboyandadog.That’sright,isn’tit?’

‘Yes,’saidSniffer,noddinghishead.‘Youhaveremembered!’

‘Right.Andwe’regoingtohaveakindofgame,tryingtopretendwearetravellinggypsiesfollowingotherswhohavepassed,’saidGeorge.

‘Youmustnotshowyourselveswhenyoucomeuptoourcaravans,’saidSniffer,lookingsuddenlyalarmed.‘Ishouldgetintotroubleforlayingpatrinsforyou.’

‘Allright.We’llbecareful,’saidGeorge.‘Nowlet’sgoandgetClip.’

Theyfetchedthepatientlittleskewbaldwhocameoutgladly.Henolongerlimped,andhisrestseemedtohavedonehimgood.HewentoffatagoodpacewithSniffer.ThelastGeorgeheardofthemwasaveryloudsniffindeed!

‘Sniffer!’sheshouted,warningly.Heputhishandinhispocketandpulledoutthehanky.Hewaveditgailyintheair,asuddengrinlightinguphisface.

Georgewenttofindtheothers.‘SnifferhastakenClip,’shesaid.‘Whataboutgoingdowntotheblacksmith,andtakingthosehorsesthatwantshoeing?’

‘Goodidea,’saidJulian.‘WecanaskhimallaboutMysteryMoorthen,andthestrangelittlerailwayline,orwhateveritis!Comeon.’

Theytookthehorsesthatneededshoeing.Thereweresixofthem,sotheyeachrodeone,andJulianledthesixth.Timmyranhappilyalongbesidethem.Helovedthehorses,andtheyregardedhimasarealfriend,bendingtheirlongnosesdowntosniffathim,wheneverhecamenear.

Theywentslowlydownthelonglanetotheblacksmith’s.‘Thereitis!’saidGeorge.‘Aproperoldsmithywithalovelyfire!Andthere’sthesmith!’

OldBenwasamightyfigureofaman,eventhoughhewasovereighty.Hedidn’tshoemanyhorsesnow,butsatinthesun,watchingallthatwasgoingon.Hehadagreatmaneofwhitehair,andeyesthatwereasblackasthecoalhehadsomanytimesheatedtoafieryflame.

‘Goodmorning,youngmastersandMiss,’hesaidandJuliangrinned.ThatwouldpleaseGeorgeandHenry!

‘We’vegotsomequestionstoaskyou,’saidGeorge,dismounting.

‘Askaway!’saidtheoldman.‘Ifit’saboutthisplace,there’snothingmucholdBencan’ttellyou!GiveJimyourhorses.Now,askaway!’

ChapterNine

THEBLACKSMITHTELLSATALE

Well,beganJulian,‘wewentridingonMysteryMooryesterday,andforonethingwe’dliketoknowifthereisanyreasonforthecuriousname.Wasthereeveramysteryonthatmoor?’

‘Oh,therebeplentyofmysteriesawaythere,’saidOldBen.‘Peoplelostandnevercomebackagain,noisesthatnoonecouldfindthereasonof…’

‘Whatkindofnoises?’saidAnne,curiously.

‘Ahnow,whenIwereaboy,Ispentnightsuponthatmoor,’saidoldBen,solemnly,‘andthenoisesthatwentonthere!Screechesandhowlsandthelike,andmoansandthesweepofbigwings…’

‘Well,allthatmighthavebeenowlsandfoxesandthingslikethat,’saidDick.‘I’veheardabarn-owlgiveascreechjustovermyheadwhichmademenearlyjumpoutofmyskin.IfIhadn’tknownitwasanowlI’dhaverunformiles!’

Bengrinnedandhisfaceranintoascoreofcreasesandwrinkles.

‘WhyisitcalledMysteryMoor?’persistedJulian.‘Isitaveryoldname?’

‘WhenmyGrandadwasaboyitwerecalledMistyMoor,’saidtheoldblacksmith,remembering.‘See,Misty,notMystery.Andthatwerebecauseofthesea-fogsthatcamestealinginfromthecoast,andlayheavyonthemoor,sothatnomancouldseehishandinfrontofhisface.Yes,I’vebeenlostinoneofthemmists,andrightscaredIwastoo.Itswirledroundmelikealivething,andtouchedmealloverwithitscolddampfingers.’

‘Howhorrid!’saidAnnewithashiver.‘Whatdidyoudo?’

‘Well,firstIranformylife,’saidBen,gettingouthispipeandlookingintotheemptybowl.‘Iranoverheatherandintogorse.Ifelladozentimes,andallthe

emptybowl.‘Iranoverheatherandintogorse.Ifelladozentimes,andallthetimethemistwasfeelingmewithitsdampfingers,tryingtogetme,that’swhattheoldfolkusedtosayofthatmist,itwasalwaystryingtogetyou!’

‘Still,itwasonlyamist,’saidGeorge,feelingthattheoldmanwasexaggerating.‘Doesitstillcomeoverthemoor?’

‘Ohay,’saidBen,rammingsometobaccointohispipe.‘Autumn’sthetime,butitcomessudden-likeatanymomentoftheyear.I’veknoweditcomeattheendofafinesummer’sday,creepinginstealthy-like,andmy,ifyoudon’thappentoseeitsoonenough,itgetsyou!’

‘Whatdoyoumean,itgetsyou?’saidGeorge.

‘Well,itmaylastfordays,’saidoldBen.‘Andifyou’relostonthemmoors,you’relostproper,andyounevercomeback.Ah,smileifyoulike,youngsir,butIknows!’Hewentoffintomemoriesoflongago,lookingdownathispipe.‘Let’sseenow,therewasoldMrsBanks,whowentbilberry-pickingwithherbasketonasummer’safternoon,andnooneeverheardofheragain,afterthemistcamedown.AndtherewasyoungVictorwhoplayedtruantandwentofftothemoors,andthemistgothimtoo.’

‘Icanseewe’dbetterwatchoutforthemistifwegoridingthere,’saidDick.‘ThisisthefirstI’veheardofit.’

‘Yes.Youkeepyoureyesskinned,’saidoldBen.‘Lookawaytothecoast-sideandwatchthere,that’swhereitcomesfrom.Buttherebaintmanymistsnowadays,ldon’tknowforwhy.No,nowIthinkonit,therehaven’tbeenamist,notaproperwickedone,fornighonthreeyears.’

‘WhatI’dliketoknowiswhywasthenamechangedtoMysteryMoor,’saidHenry.‘IcanunderstanditsbeingcalledMistyMoor,butnoweveryonecallsitMystery,notMisty.’

‘Wellnow,thatmusthavebeenaboutseventyyearsago,whenIwereabitofaboy,’saidBen,lightinghispipeandpuffinghard.Hewasenjoyinghimself.Hedidn’toftengetsuchaninterestedaudienceasthis,fiveofthem,includingadogwhosatandlistenedtoo!

‘ThatwaswhentheBartleFamilybuiltthelittlerailwayoverthemoor,’hebegan,andstoppedattheexclamationsofhisfivelisteners.

began,andstoppedattheexclamationsofhisfivelisteners.

‘Ah!Wewantedtoknowaboutthat!’

‘Oh!Youknowabouttherailwaythen!’

‘Dogoon!’

Theblacksmithseemedtogetsometroublewithhispipeandpulledatitforanexasperatinglylongtime.Georgewishedshewasahorseandcouldstampherfootimpatiently!

‘Well,theBartleFamilywasabigone,’saidBenatlast.‘Allboys,butforoneailinglittlegirl.Bigstrongfellowstheywere,Irememberthemwell.Iwasscaredofthem,theyweresofreewiththeirfists.Well,oneofthem,Dan,foundamightygoodstretchofsandoutthereonthemoor…’

‘Ohyes,wethoughttheremighthavebeenasand-quarry,’saidAnne.Benfrownedattheinterruption.

‘AndastherewerenineortengoodstrongBartles,theyreckonedtomakeafinedoofit,’saidBen.‘Theygotwagonsandtheywenttoandfromthequarrytheydug,andtheysoldtheirsandformilesaround,good,sharpsanditwere…’

‘Wesawsome,’saidHenry.‘Butwhatabouttherails?’

‘Don’thurryhim,’saidDick,withafrown.

‘Theymadeamortofmoney,’saidBen,remembering.‘Andtheysettoworkandbuiltalittlerailwaytocarryaninjinandtruckstothequarryandback,tosavelabour.My,my,thatwereaninedays’wonder,thatrailway!Usyoungstersusedtofollowthelittleinjin,puffingalong,anditwerethelongingofusalltodriveit.Butweneverdid.ThemBartleskeptabigstick,eachoneofthem,andtheywhippedthehideoffanyboythatgottoonearthem.Fiercetheywere,andquarrelsome.’

‘Whydidtherailwayfallintoruin?’askedJulian.‘Therailsareallovergrownwithheatherandgrassnow.Youcanhardlyseethem.’

‘Well,nowwecometothatthereMysteryyoukeeponabout,’saidBen,takinganextrabigpuffathispipe.‘ThemBartlesfellfoulofthegypsiesuponthemoor…’

moor…’

‘Oh,weretheregypsiesonthemoorthen?’saidDick.‘Therearesomenow!’

‘Ohay,there’salwaysbeengypsiesonthemoor,longasIcanremember,’saidtheblacksmith.‘Well,it’ssaidthemgypsiesquarrelledwiththeBartles,anditwasn’thardtodothat,mostpeopledid!Andthegypsiespulledupbitsoftheline,hereandthere,andthelittleinjintoppledoverandpulledthetruckswithit.’

Thechildrencouldquitewellimaginethelittleenginepuffingalong,comingtothedamagedrailsandfallingover.Whatato-dotheremusthavebeenuponthemoorthen!

‘TheBartlesweren’tonestoputupwithathinglikethat,’saidBen,‘sotheysetabouttodriveallthegypsiesoffthemoor,andtheysworethatifsomuchasonecaravanwentthere,they’dsetfiretoitandchasethegypsiesovertothecoastandintothesea!’

‘Theymusthavebeenafiercefamily,’saidAnne.

‘You’rerightthere,’saidBen.‘Allnineortenofthemwerebigupstandingmen,withgreatshaggyeyebrowsthatalmosthidtheireyes,andloudvoices.Nobodydaredtocrossthem.Iftheydid,they’dhavethewholefamilyontheirdoor-stepwithsticks.Theyruledthisplace,theydid,andmy,theywerehated!Uschildrenranoffassoonaswesawonecomingroundacorner.’

‘Whataboutthegypsies?DidtheBartlesmanagetodrivethemoffthemoor?’askedGeorge,impatiently.

‘Nowyouletmegomyownpace,’saidBen,pointingatherwithhispipe.‘YouwantaBartleafteryou,youngsir,that’swhatyouwant!’Hethoughtshewasaboy,ofcourse.Hedidsomethingtohispipeandmadethemallwaitalittle.Julianwinkedattheothers.Helikedthisoldfellowwithhislong,longmemories.

‘Now,youcan’tcrossthegypsiesforlong,’saidBen,atlast.‘That’safact,youcan’t.AndonedayallthemBartlesdisappearedandnevercamebackhome.No,notoneofthem.AllthatwasleftofthefamilywaslittlelameAgnes,theirsister.”

EveryoneexclaimedinsurpriseandoldBenlookedroundwithsatisfaction.Ah,hecouldtellastory,hecould!

‘Butwhateverhappened?’saidHenry.

‘Well,noonerightlyknows,’saidBen.‘Ithappenedinaweekwhenthemistcameswirlingoverthemoorsandblottedeverythingout.NobodywentupthereexcepttheBartles,andtheyweresafebecausealltheyhadtodowastofollowtheirrailwaylinesthereandback.Theywentuptothequarryeachdaythemistwasthere,andworkedthesameasusual.NothingstoppedtheyBartlesfromworking!’

Hepausedandlookedroundathislisteners.Hedroppedhisvoicelow,andallfiveofthechildrenfeltlittleshiversuptheirbacks.

‘Onenightsomebodyinthevillagesawtwentyormoregypsycaravansslinkingthroughthevillageatdeadofnight,’saidBen.‘Uponthemoortheywentinthethickmist.Mebbetheyfollowedtherailway;nobodyknows.Andnextmorning,uptothequarrywenttheBartlesasusual,swallowedupinthemist.’

Hepausedagain.‘Andtheynevercameback,’hesaid.‘No,notoneofthem.Neverheardofagain!’

‘Butwhathappened?’saidGeorge.

‘Search-partiesweresentoutwhenthemistcleared,’saidoldBen.‘ButneveroneoftheBartlesdidtheyfind,aliveordead.Neveraone!Andtheydidn’tfindanygypsycaravanseither.They’dallcomecreepingbackthenextnight,andpassedthroughthevillagelikeshadows.IreckonthemgypsiessetupontheBartlesinthemistthatday,foughtthemanddefeatedthem,andtookthemandthrewthemoverthecliffsintotheroaringsea!’

‘Howhorrible!’saidAnne,feelingsick.

‘Don’tworrityourself!’saidtheblacksmith.‘Itallhappenedamortoftimeago,andtherewasn’tmanythatmournedthemBartles,Icantellyou.Funnythingwas,theirweaklylittlesister,Agnes,shelivedtobeahaleoldwomanofninety-six,andonlydiedafewyearsago!Andtothinkthemstrongfiercebrothersofherswentalltogetherlikethat!’

‘It’samostinterestingstory,Ben,’saidJulian.‘SoMistyMoorbecameMystery

‘It’samostinterestingstory,Ben,’saidJulian.‘SoMistyMoorbecameMysteryMoorthen,didit?Andnobodyeverreallyfoundoutwhathappened,sothemysterywasneversolved.Didn’tanyoneworktherailwayafterthat,orgetthesand?’

‘No,notasoul,’saidBen.‘Wewasallscared,yousee,andyoungAgnes,shesaidtherailwayandthetrucksandinjincouldrot,forallshecared.Ineverdaredtogonearthemafterthat.ItwasalongtimebeforeanyonebutthegypsiessetfootonMistyMooragain.Nowit’sallforgotten,thetaleoftheBartles,butthemgypsiesstillremember,I’venodoubt!They’vegotlongmemories,theyhave.’

‘DoyouknowwhytheycometoMysteryMooreverysooften?’askedDick.

‘No.Theycomeandtheygo,’saidBen.‘They’vetheirownqueerways.Theydon’tbelonganywhere,themfolk.Whattheydoonthemooristheirownbusiness,andIwouldn’twanttopokemynoseintoit.I’drememberthemoldBartles,andkeepaway!’

Avoicecamefrominsidethesmithy,whereJim,theblacksmith’sgrandson,hadbeenshoeingthehorses.‘Grandad!Youstopjabberingawaythere,andletthechildrencomeandtalktome!I’veshodnearlyallthehorses.’

Benlaughed.‘Yougoalong,’hesaidtothechildren.‘Iknowyouliketobeinthereandseethesparksfly,andtheshoesmade.I’vewastedyourtime,Ihave,tellingyoulong-agothings.Yougoalongintothesmithy.Andjustyouremembertwothings-watchoutforthatmist,andkeepawayfromthegypsiesonthemoor!’

ChapterTen

SNIFFER’SPATRINS

Itwasfuninthesmithy,workingthebellows,seeingthefireglow,andwatchingthered-hotshoesbeingshaped.Jimwasquickandclever,anditwasapleasuretowatchhim.

‘YoubeenhearingGrandad’soldstories?’hesaid.‘It’sallhe’sgottodonow,sitthereandremember,thoughwhenhewantstohecanmakeahorse-shoeaswellasIcan!There,that’sthelastone.Standstill,Sultan.That’sright!’

Thefivechildrenweresoonontheirwaybackagain.Itwasalovelymorning,andthebanksandditchestheypassedwerebrightgoldwiththousandsofcelandines.

‘Allbeautifullypolished!’saidAnne,pickingtwoorthreeforherbutton-hole.Itdidlookasifsomeonehadpolishedtheinsideofeachpetal,fortheygleamedlikeenamel.

‘Whataqueertaletheoldmantold,’saidJulian.‘Hetolditwell!’

‘Yes.HemademefeelIdon’twanttogouponthemooragain!’saidAnne.

‘Don’tbefeeble!’saidGeorge.‘Itallhappenedagesago.Jollyinterestingtoo.Iwonderifthegypsieswhoaretherenowknowthestory.Maybetheirgreat-grand-parentsweretheoneswhosetontheBartlesthatmistyday!’

‘Well,Sniffer’sfatherlookedslyenoughtocarryoutaplanlikethat,’saidHenry.‘Whataboutushavingashotatfollowingthewaytheywent,andseeingifwecanmakeoutthepatrinsthatSniffertoldGeorgehewouldleave?’

‘Goodidea,’saidJulian.‘We’llgothisafternoon.Isay,what’sthetime?Ishouldthinkitmustbehalf-pastdinner-time!’

Theylookedattheirwatches.‘Yes,we’relate,butwealwaysarewhenweget

Theylookedattheirwatches.‘Yes,we’relate,butwealwaysarewhenwegetbackfromtheblacksmith,’saidGeorge.‘Nevermind,IbetMrsJohnsonwillhaveanextraspecialmealforus!’

Shehad!Therewasanenormousplateofstewforeveryone,completewithcarrots,onions,parsnipsandturnips,andadatepuddingtofollow.GoodoldMrsJohnson!

‘Youthreegirlsmustwashupformeafterwards,’shesaid.‘I’vesuchalottodotoday.’

‘Whycan’ttheboyshelp?’saidGeorgeatonce.

‘I’lldoallthewashing-up,’saidAnnewithasuddengrin.‘Youfourboyscangoouttothestables!’

Dickgaveheragood-naturedshove.‘Youknowwe’llhelp,evenifwe’renotgoodatit.I’lldry.Ihatethosebitsandpiecesthatfloataboutinthewashing-bowl.’

‘Willitbeallrightifwegouponthemoorsthisafternoon?’askedGeorge.

‘Yes,quiteallright.Butifyouwanttotakeyourtea,you’llhavetopackityourselves,’saidMrsJohnson.‘I’mtakingthesmallchildrenoutforaride,andthere’soneontheleading-reinstill,asyouknow.’

Theywerereadytosetoffatthreeo’clocktheirteapackedandeverything.Thehorseswerecaughtinthefieldandgotreadytoo.Theysetoffhappily.

‘Nowwe’llseeifweareascleveraswethinkweare,atreadinggypsypatrins!’saidGeorge.‘Timmy,don’tchaseeveryrabbityousee,oryou’llbeleftbehind!’

Theycanteredupontothemoor,passingtheplacewherethecaravanshadstood.Theyknewthedirectiontheyhadtaken,andhereandtheretheysawwheel-marks.Itwasfairlyeasytofollowtheirtrail,becausefivecaravansmadequiteapathtofollow.

‘Here’swheretheycampedfirst,’saidJulian,ridinguptoablackenedspotthatshowedwhereafirehadbeenlighted.‘Weoughttofindamessageleftsomewherehere.’

Theysearchedforone.Georgefoundit.‘It’shere,behindthistree!’shecalled.‘Outofthewind.’

TheydismountedandcameroundGeorge.Onthegroundwasthepatrin,theshapeofacross,thelongstickpointingforwards,inthedirectiontheyweregoing.Othersinglestickslaythere,toshowthatacaravanhadgonethatway,andbesidethemwerethelargeandthesmallleaf,weightedwithtinystones.

‘Whatdidthoseleavesshownow,ohyes,Snifferandhisdog!’saidDick.‘Well,we’reontherightway,thoughwe’dknowthatanyhow,bythefire!’

Theymountedagainandwenton.Itprovedquiteeasytofindandfollowthepatrins.Onlyoncedidtheyfindanydifficultyandthatwaswhentheycametoaplace,markedbytwotrees,wheretherewasnoapparentsignintheheatherofanycaravanmarks.

‘Theheather’ssojollythickherethatit’stakenthecaravansasifitwereafeather-bed,springingupwhentheyhadgone,andgivingnosignofwheretheyhadpassed,’saidJulian.Hedismountedandhadagoodlookround.No,therewasnosign.

‘We’llgoonalittleway,’hesaid.‘Wemaycometoacampingplace,thenwe’llknow.’

Buttheycametonooldcampingplace,andstoppedatlastinbewilderment.‘We’velostthetrail,’saidDick.‘We’renotsuchgoodgypsiesafterall!’

‘Let’sgobacktothosetwotrees,’saidGeorge.‘Wecanstilljustseethem.Ifit’ssoeasytolosethewaythere,theremightbeapatrin,althoughtherearenocamp-marks.Afterall,apatrinislefttoshowtheway,incasetheonesfollowingtakethewrongroute.’

Sobacktheyrodetothetwotrees,andthere,sureenough,wasSniffer’spatrin!Henryfounditsetcarefullybetweenthetrees,sothatnothingcoulddisturbit.

‘Here’sthecross,andthesinglesticks,andtheleaves!’shesaid.‘Butlook,thelongstickofthecrosspointstotheeastandwewentofftothenorth.Nowonderwefoundnosignsofthecaravans!’

Theysetofftotheeastthistime,acrossthethick,springyheather,andalmostatoncefoundsignsofthepassingofcaravans,twigsbrokenoffthebushes,a

oncefoundsignsofthepassingofcaravans,twigsbrokenoffthebushes,awheelrutonasoftpieceofground.

‘We’rerightnow,’saidJulian,pleased.‘Iwasbeginningtothinkitwasalltooeasyforwords!Butitisn’t!’

Theyrodefortwohours,andthendecidedtohavetea.Theysatdowninalittlegladeofsilverbirches,withanunexpectedcopseofpaleprimrosesbehind.Timmyhadtomakeuphismindwhichtochoose,arabbit-chase,ortitbitsfromthechildren’stea!

Hechoseboth,racingafteranimaginaryrabbit,andthencomingbackforasandwich!’

‘Youknow,it’salotbetterforuswhenMrsJohnsonmakessandwichesoftomatoorlettuceorsomethinglikethat,’saidHenry.‘Wedogetthemallthen,butwhenwehavemeatorsardineoreggsandwichesTimmygetsasmuchaswedo!’

‘Well,surelyyoudon’tmindthat,Henrietta,’saidGeorgeatonce.‘YoumakeTimmysoundverygreedy.Afterall,youdon’tneedtogivehimanyofyoursandwiches!’

‘Now,Georgina!’murmuredDick,inherear,

‘Sorry,Georgina,’saidHenry,withagrin.‘Ijustcan’thelpgivinghimasandwichortwowhenhecomesandsitsdownandlooksatmesolongingly.’

‘Woof,’saidTimmy,andatoncesatdowninfrontofHenry,histongueout,andhiseyesfixedunblinkinglyonher.

‘Hesortofhypnotizesme,’complainedHenry.‘Makehimgoaway,George,Ishan’tbeabletokeepasinglesandwichorbitofcakeformyself.Goandstareatsomeoneelse,Timmy,forgoodness’sake!’

Julianlookedathiswatch.‘Idon’tthinkweoughttospendtoolongovertea,’hesaid.‘Iknowwe’vegotsummertimenow,andtheeveningsareniceandlight,butwehaven’treachedthegypsycampyet,andafterthatwe’vegottogoallthewayback.Whataboutstartingoffagain?’

‘Right,’saideveryoneandremountedtheirhorses.Theysetoffthroughtheheather.Soontheyfounditunexpectedlyeasytofollowthecaravanroute,

heather.Soontheyfounditunexpectedlyeasytofollowthecaravanroute,becausethesoilbecamesandy,andthereweremanybarepatchesonwhichthemarksofthewheelscouldplainlybeseen.

‘Goodness,ifwegototheeastmuchmore,we’llcometothesea!’saidDick.

‘No,it’sstillsomemilesaway,’saidJulian.‘Hallo,there’salittlehillorsomethinginthedistance.Firsttimewe’veseenanythingbutcompleteflatness!’

Thewheel-marksledsteadilytowardsthelittlehill,which,astheycamenear,seemedtogrowconsiderablybigger.‘Ibetthecaravansarethere,’saidGeorge.‘Thathillwouldgiveanicebitofshelterfromthewindthatcamefromthesea.IbelieveIcanseeone!’

Georgewasright.Thecaravanswerethere.Theyshowedupwellagainstthehill,intheirbrightcolours.

‘They’veevengotupawashing-lineasusual!’saidAnne.‘Clothesflappinginthewind!’

‘Let’sgoandaskifClipisallright,’saidJulian.‘Itwillbeaverygoodexcuseforgoingrightuptothecamp.’

Sotheycanteredstraightuptothelittlegroupoffivecaravans.Fourorfivemenappearedassoonastheyheardthesoundofhooves.Theylookedsilentandratherforbidding.Snifferranoutandshouted.

‘Hallo!Clip’sfine!Quiteallrightagain!’

Hisfathergavehimapushandsaidsomethingsharptohim.Hedisappearedunderthenearestcaravan.

JulianrodeuptoSniffer’sfather.‘DidIhearSniffersaythatClipwasquiteallright?’heasked.‘Whereishe?’

‘Overthere,’saidtheman,withanodofhishead.‘Noneedforyoutoseehim.He’smendedfine.’

‘Allright,allright!I’mnotgoingtotakehimawayfromyou!’saidJulian.‘Thisisaniceshelteredplaceyou’vegot,isn’tit?Howlongareyoustaying?’

‘What’sthattodowithyou?’saidanoldgypsy,unpleasantly.

‘Nothing,’saidJulian,surprised.‘Justapolitequestion,that’sall!’

‘Howdoyougetwater?’calledGeorge.‘Isthereagoodspringhere?’

Therewasnoreplyatall.Thefourorfivemenhadnowbeenjoinedbyothers,andtherewerethreemangy-lookingdogsgrowlinground.Timmywasbeginningtogrowlback.

‘You’dbettergobeforeourdogsgetatyou,’saidSniffer’sfather,sourly.

‘Where’sLiz?’saidGeorge,rememberingSniffer’sdog,butbeforeshegotananswerthethreedogssuddenlymadeanattackonTimmy!Theypouncedonhimandhehadhardworktokeepthemoff.Hewasfarbiggerthantheywere,buttheywerenippylittlethings.

‘Calloffthosedogs!’yelledJulian,seeingthatGeorgewasdismountingtogotoTimmy’shelp.Shewouldgetbitten.‘Doyouhearme?Calloffthosedogs.’

Sniffer’sfatherwhistled.ThethreedogsreluctantlyleftTimmyandwentovertothemen,theirtailsdown.GeorgehadreachedTimandhadnowgotherhandonhiscollartostophimfromchasingtheotherthreedogs.

‘Mountyourhorse,whistleTimmy,andwe’llgo,’shoutedJulian,notatalllikingthesilent,sour-lookinggypsies.Georgedidasshewastold.Timmyranbesideher,andtheyallcanteredawayfromtheunpleasantcamp.

Themenstoodwatchingthemincompletesilence.‘What’supwiththem?’saidDickpuzzled.‘AnyonewouldthinktheywereplanninganotherBartleaffair!’

‘Don’t!’saidAnne.‘They’replanningsomething,allaloneouthere,farawayfromanywhere!Ishan’tgonearthemagain.’

‘Theythoughtwewerepryingandspying,’saidDick.‘That’sall.PooroldSniffer.Whatalifehehas!’

‘Wecouldn’teventellhimthatwefoundhispatrinsuseful,’saidGeorge.‘Ohwell,there’sprobablynothinginit,notevenanadventure!’

Wassherightorwrong?JulianlookedatDickandDicklookedback,his

Wassherightorwrong?JulianlookedatDickandDicklookedback,hiseyebrowsraised.Theydidn’tknow.Ohwell,timewouldtell!

ChapterEleven

ANICELITTLEPLAN

ThefiveofthemtoldCaptainandMrsJohnsonabouttheirafternoon’sexperience,astheywerehavingsupper.

‘Patrins!’saidMrsJohnson.‘SoSniffertoldyouaboutthose?ButIreallydon’tthinkyoushouldvisitthegypsycamp.Thoseparticulargypsiesareasurly,bad-temperedlot.’

‘DidyoueverhearthetaleoftheBigBartles?’saidHenry,gettingreadytorelateit,andaddlittlebitsofherown,hereandthere!

‘No.Butitcanwait,I’msure,’saidMrsJohnson,knowingHenry’shabitofleavingherfoodquiteuneatenonceshebeganonsomemarvelloustale.‘Isitoneofyourtales?Youcantellitaftersupper.’

‘It’snotHenry’stale,’saidGeorge,annoyedthatHenryshouldgetallthelimelightagain,andtaketheblacksmith’staleforherown.‘It’soneoldBentoldus.Ju,youtellit!’

‘Nobodyistotellitnow,’saidCaptainJohnson.‘Youcameinlateforsupper,wewaitedforyou,andtheleastyoucandoistogetonwithyoureating.’

Thefivejuniorsattheothertableweredisappointed.TheyhadhopedtohearanotherofHenry’smarvellousstories.ButCaptainJohnsonwashungryandtired.

‘OldBenisagreatage,asyousaid,’beganHenry,afterafewmouthfuls.‘He-’

‘Notanotherword,please,Henrietta,’saidthecaptain,curtly.HenrywentredandGeorgegrinned,kickingatDickunderthetable.UnfortunatelyshekickedHenryinstead,andthegirlglaredatherforawholeminute.

‘Ohdear!’thoughtAnne.‘Justaswe’dhadsuchalovelyday!Isupposewe’re

‘Ohdear!’thoughtAnne.‘Justaswe’dhadsuchalovelyday!Isupposewe’realltiredandscratchy.’

‘Whydidyoukickme’?’beganHenryinacrossvoice,assoonassheandGeorgeleftthetablewiththeothers.

‘Shutup,youtwo,’saidJulian.‘SheprobablymeanttokickmeorDick,notyou.’

Henryshutup.Shedidn’tlikeJuliantotickheroff.GeorgelookedmutinousandwentoffwithTimmy.

Dickyawned.‘Whatjobsaretheretodo,ifany?’hesaid.‘Don’tsaythere’swashing-upagain.IfeelImightbreakafewthings.’

MrsJohnsonheardhimandlaughed.‘No,there’snowashing-up.Thewomanhascomeintodoittonight.Havealookatthehorses-andseethatJennythemareisnotwithFlash,youknowshedoesn’tlikeherforsomereason,andwillkickoutather.Shemustalwaysbekeptinanotherfield.’

‘That’sallright,MrsJohnson,’saidWilliam,suddenlyappearing,stolidandcompetentasever.‘I’veseentothat.I’veseentoeverything,really.’

‘You’rebetterthananystable-boy,William,’saidMrsJohnson,smilingathim.‘Iwishyou’dtakeapermanentjobhere!’

‘Iwishyoumeantthat,’saidWilliam,earnestly.Therewasnothinghewouldhavelikedbetter!Hewentofflookingpleased.

‘Ithinkyou’dbetterallgotobedthen,asWilliamappearstohavedoneeverythingnecessary,’saidMrsJohnson.‘Anyplansfortomorrow?’

‘Notyet,’saidJulian,tryingtostopayawn.‘Soifyouwantanythingdone,we’lldoit.’

‘We’llseewhattomorrowbrings,’saidMrsJohnsonandsaidgoodnight.Theboyssaidgoodnighttothethreegirlsandwentofftothestable.

‘Gosh,we’veforgottentoundressandwashandeverything,’saidJulian,half-asleep.‘What’sthematterwithusatthisplace?Ican’tseemtokeepmyeyesopenafterhalf-pasteight!’

openafterhalf-pasteight!’

Thenextdaycertainlybroughtafewthings.ItbroughtaletterforHenrythatfilledherwithdisgust.ItbroughttwolettersforMrsJohnsonthatmadeherstartfussingandworrying.ItbroughtatelegramforCaptainJohnsonthatsenthimdowntothestationatonce.

Henrietta’sletterwasfromtwoofhergreat-aunts.Theyannouncedthatastheywouldbenearthestablesthatdayandthefollowing,theywouldliketofetchherandtakeheroutwiththem.

‘Blow!’saidHenrietta,ungratefully.‘Great-AuntsHannahandLucywouldchoosethisveryweektocomealongandseeme!JustwhenJulianandDickarehere,andeverythingissuchfun.Can’tIphoneandsayI’mtoobusy,MrsJohnson?’

‘Certainlynot,’saidMrsJohnson,shocked.‘Thatwouldbeveryrude,Henry,andyouknowit.You’rehavingthewholeoftheEasterholidayshere,andyetyouthinkyoucan’tsparetwodays.AsamatteroffactIshallbegladifyourauntsdotakeyouoffmyhandsforacoupleofdays.’

‘Why?’askedHenry,astonished.‘HaveIbeenanuisance?’

‘Ohno,butI’vehadtwolettersthismorningtellingmethatfourchildrenarecomingunexpectedly,’saidMrsJohnson.‘Theywerenotsupposedtocometillthreeoftheothersleftthisweek-end,butthereyouare!Thesethingshappen.WhereIamtoputthemIreallydon’tknow!’

‘Ohdear!’saidAnne.‘DoyouthinkDickandJulianoughttogohome,MrsJohnson?Youdidn’tplanforthem,youknow,theyjustcame.’

‘Yes.Iknow,’saidMrsJohnson.‘Butwe’remoreorlessusedtothat,andIdolikehavingbiggerboys,Imustsay,they’resuchahelp.Nowletmesee.Whatcanwedo?’

CaptainJohnsoncamein,lookinghurried.‘I’vejusthadatelegram,dear,’hesaid.‘I’vegottogodowntothestation.Thosetwonewhorseshavearrived.TwodaysbeforeIwantedthem-whatanuisance!’

‘Thisisoneofthosedays!’saidMrsJohnson,desperately.‘Goodgracious,howmanyshallwebeinthehouse?Andhowevermanyhorsesshallwehave?No,Ican’tcountthismorning.I’mallmuddle-headed!’

can’tcountthismorning.I’mallmuddle-headed!’

AnnefeltthatitwasapitythatsheandGeorgeandtheboyscouldn’timmediatelypackandgohome.Afterall,poorMrsJohnsonhadthoughtthatsheandGeorgewouldhavegonehomethreeorfourdaysago,andinsteadofthattheyhadstayedonandtheboyshadarrivedaswell!

AnnehurriedtofindJulian.Hewouldknowwhattodo.ShefoundhimwithDick,carryingstrawforthestables.

‘Julian!Listen!Iwanttotalktoyou,’saidAnne.Julianlettheloadofstrawsliptotheground,andturnedtoAnne.

‘What’sup?’hesaid.‘Don’ttellmeit’sarowbetweenGeorgeandHenryagain,becauseIshan’tlisten!’

‘No.Nothinglikethat,’saidAnne.‘It’sMrsJohnson.She’sgotfourchildrencomingunexpectedly,beforetheothersgo.She’sinagreatstateaboutit,andIwonderedwhatwecoulddotohelp.Yousee,shedidn’texpectanyofusfourtobeherethisweek.’

‘No.That’strue,’saidJulian,sittingdownonhisstraw.‘Let’sthinkhard.’

‘It’seasy!’saidDick.‘We’llsimplytakeourtents,somefood,andgoandcampoutonthemoorbysomespring.WHATcouldbenicer?’

‘Ohyes!’saidAnne,hereyesshining.‘OhDick,that’samarvellousidea!MrsJohnsonwillgetridofusallandTimmytoo,then,andwewouldhavealovelytimeallbyourselves!’

‘Killingquitealotofbirdswithonestone!’saidJulian.‘We’vegotacoupleoftentsinourkit,Anne.Verysmallones,butthey’lldo.Andwecanborrowrubbersheetstoputontheheather,thoughit’sasdryasabone,asfarasIcansee!’

‘I’llgoandtellGeorge!’saidAnne,joyfully.‘Let’sgotoday,Julian,andbeoutofthewaybeforethenewchildrencome.CaptainJohnson’sgottwonewhorsescomingtoo.He’llbeverygladtohaveafewofusoutoftheway!’

SheflewofftotellGeorge.Georgewasbusypolishingsomeharness,ajobshelikedverymuch.ShelistenedtoAnne’sexcitedtale.Henrywastheretoo,

likedverymuch.ShelistenedtoAnne’sexcitedtale.Henrywastheretoo,lookinggloomy.Shelookedgloomierstillattheend.

‘It’stoobad,’shesaid,whenAnnehadfinished.‘Icouldhavecomewithyouifithadn’tbeenforthesegreat-auntsofmine.WHYdidtheyhavetocomejustatthisverymoment!Don’tyouthinkit’smaddening?’

NeitherAnnenorGeorgethoughtitwasmaddening.Theyweresecretlyverypleasedindeedtothinkthattheycouldoncemoregooffentirelyontheirown,withTimmy,astheyhadsooftendonebefore.ButtheywouldhavehadtoaskHenryifherauntshadn’twrittenatthisveryluckymoment!

Georgedidn’tliketoshowhowdelightedshewastothinkofgoingoffcampingonthemoor.SheandAnnedidalittlecomfortingofpoorHenryandthenwentofftomakearrangementswithMrsJohnson.

‘Well,that’saverybrightideaofDick’s!’shesaidindelight.‘Itsolvesawholelotofproblems.AndIknowyoudon’tmind.You’rethrilledatthechance,aren’tyou!It’sreallyveryhelpful.IonlywishpoorHenrycouldgotoo,butshemustgooutwithheroldgreat-aunts.Theyadoreher!’

‘Ofcourseshemust,’saidGeorge,solemnly.SheandAnneexchangedalook.PoorHenry.Butreally,itwouldbeverynicetobewithoutherforalittlewhile.

Everyonebegantobesuddenlyverybusy.DickandJulianundidtheirpackstofindoutexactlywhatwasinthem.MrsJohnsonlookedoutrubbersheetsandoldrugs.Shewasawonderatproducingthingslikethat!

Williamwantedtogowiththemandhelptocarrythethings,butnobodywantedhishelp.Theyjustwantedtobeoffandawaybythemselves,justtheFiveandnobodyelse!Timmycaughttheexcitementtooandhistailthumpedandwaggedthewholemorning.

‘You’llbeprettywellloaded,’saidMrsJohnson,doubtfully.‘It’sagoodthingthatfineweatherisforecast,oryou’dhavetotakemacsaswell.Still,Iimagineyouwon’tgoveryfaronthemoors,willyou?Youcaneasilygetbacktothestableifyouhaveforgottenanything,orwantmorefood.’

Theywerereadyatlast,andwenttofindHenrytosaygood-bye.Shestaredatthemmournfully.Shehadchangedintoasmartlittlecoatanddress.Shelookedcompletelydifferentandverygloomy.

‘Whatpartofthemoorareyougoingto?’sheaskedeagerly.‘Uptherailway?’

‘Yes.Wethoughtwewould,’saidJulian.‘Justtoseewhereitgoesto.Andit’sanicestraightwaytofollow.Wecan’tloseourwayifwekeepneartherailway!’

‘Haveagoodtime,Henry,’saidGeorge,withagrin.‘DotheycallyouHenrietta?’

‘Yes,’saidpoorHenry,puttingonapairofgloves.‘Well,good-bye.Forgoodness’sakedon’tstayawaytoolong.Thankgoodnessyou’reallsuchahungrylot.You’llsimplyhavetocomebackandgetmorefoodinacoupleofdays!’

Theygrinnedandlefther,Timmyattheirheels.Theymadetheirwaytothemoor,intendingtocutoutthepartoftherailwaythatrantoMillingGreen,andjoinitsomewaybeforethat.

‘Nowwe’reoff,’saidGeorge,contentedly.‘WithoutthatchatterboxofaHenry.’

‘She’sreallynottoobad,’saidDick.‘Allthesame,it’sfinetobeonourown,justtheFamousFivetogether!’

ChapterTwelve

THELITTLERAILWAY

Itwasaveryhotday.Thefivehadhadtheirlunchbeforetheystarted,asMrsJohnsonsaiditwouldbeeasiertocarrythatinsidethanoutside!

EvenTimmycarriedsomething.Georgesaidthatheoughttodohisshare,andhadneatlyfastenedabagofhispetbiscuitsonhisback.

‘Therenow!’shesaid.‘You’vegotyourloadtoo.No,don’ttryandsniffthebiscuitsallthetime,Timmy.Youcan’twalkwithyourheadscrewingroundlikethat.Yououghttobeusedtothesmellofbiscuitsbythistime!’

Theysetofftotherailwayline,orwheretheyhopeditwouldbe.Ittookalittletimetodiscoveritrunningundertheheather.Julianwasglad.Hedidn’twanttowalkrightintoMillingGreentofindthebeginningofitandthenwalkallthewayupagain!

Annefounditbytrippingoverit!‘Oh!’shesaid,‘hereitis!Icaughtmyfootinabitofrustyline.Lookyoucanhardlyseeit!’

‘Good,’saidJulian,andsteppedinbetweenthenarrowpairofold,rustylines.Insomeplacestheyhadrustedaway,andthereweregaps.Inotherplacestheheatherhadgrowncompletelyoverthelines,andunlessthechildrenhadknownthattheymustkeepstraightforward,theywouldhavelostthemcompletely.Asitwastheysometimesmissedthemandoncehadtodoquiteabitofscrabblingaboutintheheathertoseeiftheycouldfeelthem.

Itwasveryhot.Theirpacksbegantofeeldistinctlyheavy.Timmy’sbiscuitsbegantoslideroundhisbodyandeventuallyhungbelowhistummy.Hedidn’tlikethat,andGeorgesuddenlyspiedhimsittingdowntryingtopriseopenthebagwithhisteeth!

SheputdownherownpackandadjustedTimmy’s.‘Ifonlyyoudidn’tkeep

SheputdownherownpackandadjustedTimmy’s.‘Ifonlyyoudidn’tkeepchasingrabbits,andmakingyourpackswingabout,itwouldn’tslip,’shesaid.‘Therenow,it’sallrightagain,Tim.Walktoheelanditwon’tslipanymore.’

Theywentonandonuptherailwaylines.Sometimestherailstookacurveroundanunexpectedrock.Soonthesoilbegantolooksandy,andtheheatherdidnotgrowsothickly.Itwaseasiertoseethelines,thoughinsomeplacesthesandhadsiftedoverthemandhiddenthem.

‘Ireallymusthavearest!’saidAnne,sittingdowninsomeheather.‘IfeelIwanttopantandhangmytongueoutlikeTimmy!’

‘Iwonderhowfartheselinesgo,’saidDick.‘It’ssoverysandynowunderfootthatIfeelwemustbegettingnearthequarry!’

Theylaybackintheheatherandfeltverysleepy.Julianyawnedandsatup.

‘Thisreallywon’tdo!’hesaid.‘Ifwefallasleepwe’llneverwanttostartoffwithourheavypacksagain.Stiryourselves,lazy-bones!’

Theyallgotupagain.Timmy’sbiscuitshadslitheredroundtohistummyoncemore,andGeorgehadtoputthemrightagain.Timmystoodquietly,panting,histonguehangingout.Hethoughtthebiscuitswereagreatnuisance.Itwouldbemucheasiertoeatthem!

Thesandgotdeeperandsoontherewerebigsandypatcheswithnoheatherorgrassatall.Thewindblewthesandupintheair,andthefivefoundthattheyhadtoshuttheireyesagainstit.

‘Isay!Thelinesendhere!’saidJulian,stoppingsuddenly.‘Look,they’rebroken,wrenchedoutofplace,theenginecouldn’tgoanyfarther.’

‘Theymayappearagainabitfartheron,’saidDick,andwenttolook.Buthecouldn’tfindany,andcamebacktolookatthelinesagain.

‘It’sfunny,’hesaid.‘Wearen’tatanyquarryyet,arewe!Iquitethoughtthatthelinewouldrunrighttothequarry,thetruckswouldfillupthere,andtheenginewouldpullthembacktoMillingGreen.Whereisthequarry?Whydothelinesstopsosuddenlyhere?’

‘Yes.Thequarryshouldbenearhere,shouldn’tit?’saidJulian.‘Well,theresimplymustbemorelinessomewhere!Onesthatgotothequarry.Let’slookfor

simplymustbemorelinessomewhere!Onesthatgotothequarry.Let’slookforthequarryfirst,though.Weoughttoseethateasilyenough!’

Butitwasn’treallyveryeasytofindbecauseitwasbehindagreatmassofthicktallgorse-bushes.Dickroundedthemandstopped.Behindtheenormousspreadofbusheswasagreatpit,asandypit,quarriedandhollowedforitsbeautifulsand.

‘Hereitis!’calledDick.‘Comeandlook!Myword,there’sbeensomequarryinghereforsand.Theymusthavetakentonsandtonsoutofit!’

Theotherscametolook.Itcertainlywasanenormouspit,deepandwide.Theyputtheirpacksbesideitandleaptdown.Theirfeetsankintothefinesand.

‘Thesidesarepittedwithholes,’saidDick.‘Ibethundredsofsand-martinsnesthereinMay!’

‘Thereareevensomecaves,’saidGeorge,insurprise.‘Sand-caves!Well,wecaneasilyshelterhereifwehaverain.Someofthesecavesseemtogoquitealongwayback.’

‘Yes.ButI’dbeabitafraidofthesandfallinginandburyingme,ifIcrawledin,’saidAnne.‘It’squiteloose,look!’Shescrapedsomedownwithherhand.

‘I’vefoundthelines!’calledJulian.‘Here,look.Thesandhasalmostcoveredthem.Itrodonarailanditwassorottenitbrokebeneathmyfoot!’

Theotherswenttosee,Timmytoo.Hewasquitedelightedwiththisplace.Therabbit-holesinit!Whatfunhewasgoingtohave!

‘Let’sfollowtheselines,’saidJulian.Sotheykickedawaythesandfromtherailsandfollowedthemslowlyoutofthequarryandtowardstheendsoftheotherbrokenlines.

Abouttenyardsfromthesethelinestheywerefollowingwerewrenchedapart.Somewereflungintonearbyheather,andcouldbeseenthere,bentandrusty.

Thechildrenstaredatthem.‘Iguessthegypsiesdidthat,whentheBartleswerehereyearsago,’saidDick.‘Thedaytheyattackedthemperhaps.Isaylook,whatever’sthatgreatlumpoverthere,withgorsegrowingoverit?’

Theywenttosee.Timmysawthelumpandcouldn’tmakeitout.Hegrowled

Theywenttosee.Timmysawthelumpandcouldn’tmakeitout.Hegrowledwarninglyatit.

Juliantookupabrokenpieceofrailandforcedbackthegorsebushthathadgrownoverandaroundthegreatlump,almosthidingit.

‘Seewhatitis?’hesaid,startled.

Theyallstared.‘Why,it’stheengine!Thelittle“injin”oldBentheblacksmithtoldusabout!’saidDick.‘Itmusthaverunrightoffthebrokenlinesandoverturnedhere,andthroughtheyearsthesegreatgorse-bushesgrewupandhidit.Pooroldengine!’

Julianforcedthegorsebackalittlemore.‘Whatafunnyold-fashionedaffair!’hesaid.‘Lookatthefunnel,andthefatlittleboiler.Andsee,there’sthesmallcab.Itcan’thavehadmuchpower,onlyjustenoughtopuffalongwithafewtrucks!’

‘Whathappenedtothetrucks?’wonderedAnne.

‘Well,theywouldbeeasyenoughtosetuprightagainandputontherails,andhand-pushedtoMillingGreen,’saidDick.‘Butthisenginecouldn’tbelifted,exceptbysomekindofmachinery.Notevenadozenmencouldliftitandsetitontherails!’

‘ThegypsiesmusthavesetontheBartlesinthemist,havingfirstbrokenupthelinessothattheenginewouldrunoffandoverturn,’saidJulian.‘Theymayevenhaveusedthebrokenrailstoattackthemwith.Anyway,theywonthebattle,becausenotoneoftheBartleseverreturned.’

‘SomeofthevillagersmusthavegonetoseewhatbecameofthemandhavegotthetrucksbackonthelinesandpushedthemtoMillingGreen,’saidGeorge,tryingtoreconstructthelong-agohappeningsinhermind.‘Buttheycouldn’tdoanythingabouttheengine.’

‘That’saboutit,’saidJulian.‘Myword,whatashockfortheBartleswhentheysawthegypsiescreepingoutatthemfromthemist,likeshadows!’

‘Ihopewedon’tdreamaboutthistonight,’saidAnne.

Theywentbacktothequarry.‘Thiswouldn’tbeabadplacetocampin,’said

Theywentbacktothequarry.‘Thiswouldn’tbeabadplacetocampin,’saidDick.‘Thesandissodryandsosoft.Wecouldmakelovelybedsforourselves.Wewouldn’tneedthetentsup,either,becausethesidesofthequarryshelterusbeautifullyfromthewind.’

‘Yes.Let’scamphere,’saidAnne,pleased.‘Therearequitealotofniceholestostoreourthingsin.’

‘Whataboutwater?’askedGeorge.‘Wewanttobefairlynearit,don’twe?Timmy,findsomewater!Drink,Timmy,drink!Aren’tyouthirsty!Yourtonguelooksasifitis,thewayyouarehangingitoutlikeaflag!’

TimmyputhisheadononesideasGeorgetalkedtohim.Water?Drink?Heknewwhatboththosewordsmeant!Heranoff,sniffingtheair.Georgewatchedhim.

Hedisappearedroundabushandwasawayforabouthalfaminute.WhenhecamebackGeorgegaveapleasedshout.

‘He’sfoundsomewater!Look-hismouthisallwet!Timmy,whereisit?’

Timmywaggedhistailvigorously,gladthatGeorgewaspleasedwithhim.Heranroundthebushagainandtheothersfollowed.

Heledthemtoalittlegreenpatchandstopped.Aspringbubbleduplikeasmallfountain,dancingalittleinthesunshine.Thewaterfellfromitintoalittlechannelithadmadeforitselfinthesand,ranawayforashortdistance,andthendisappearedundergroundagain.

‘Thankyou,Tim,’saidGeorge.‘Julian,isthewaterallrighttodrinkhere?’

‘WellIcanseesomethatis!’saidJulian,pointingtotheright.‘TheBartlesmusthaveputapipeinthatbank,look,andcaughtanotherspringthere,amuchbiggerone.It’sasclearascanbe.Thatwilldofmeforus!’

‘Good,’saidAnne,pleased.‘It’shardlyanywayfromthequarry.It’sascoldasice,too-feel!’

Theyfelt,andthentheydrankfromtheirpalms.Howcoldandpure!Themoormustbefulloftheselittlebubblingsprings,wellingupfromunderground.Thatexplainedthebrilliantgreenpatcheshereandthere.

‘Nowlet’ssitdownandhavesometea,’saidAnne,unpackingthebagshehadcarried.‘It’stoohottofeelreallyhungry.’

‘Ohno,itisn’t,’saidDick.‘Speakforyourself,Anne!’

Theysatinthesunnyquarry,thesandwarmtotheirlegs.‘Farawayfromeverybody!’saidAnne,pleased.‘Nobodynearusformiles!’

Butshewasn’tquiteright.Therewassomebodymuchnearerthanshethought!

ChapterThirteen

ANOISEINTHENIGHT

ItwasTimmywhofirstknewtherewassomebodynotfaroff.Heprickeduphisearsandlistened.Georgesawhim.

‘Whatisit,Tim?’shesaid.‘Nobodyiscominghere,surely?’

Timmygaveatinygrowl,asifhewerenotquitesureofhimself.Thenheleaptup,histailwagging,andtoreoutofthequarry!

‘Where’shegoneto?’saidGeorgeastonished.‘Gosh,hereheis,backagain!’

Sohewas,andwithhimwasafunnylittlehearthrugofadog-yes,Liz!Shewasnotquitesureofherwelcomeandcrawleduptothechildrenonhertummy,lookingmorelikeahearthrugthanever!

Timmyleaptroundherindelight.Shemighthavebeenhisverybestfriend,hewassodelighted!GeorgepattedthefunnylittledogandJulianlookedthoughtful.

‘Ihopethisdoesn’tmeanthatweareanywherenearthegypsycamp,’hesaid.‘It’squitelikelythatthelinesmightendsomewherenearthem.I’veratherlostmysenseofdirection.’

‘Ohgoodness,IdoHOPEwe’renotneartheircamp!’saidAnne,indismay.‘Thoseold-timegypsiesmusthavecampedprettyneartotheBartles’quarrybeforetheyattackedthem,soperhapsthepresentcampisneartoo.’

‘Well,what’sitmatterifitis?’saidDick.‘Who’safraidofthem?I’mnot!’

Theyallsatstill,thinkinghard,LizlickingAnne’shand.Andinthesilencetheyheardanall-too-familiarsound.

Sniff!Sniff!

Sniff!Sniff!

‘Sniffer!’calledGeorge.‘Comeonout,whereveryouarehiding.Icanhearyou!’

Apairoflegsstuckoutfromagreatclumpofheatherattheedgeofthequarry,andthenthewholeofSniffer’swirylittlebodyslitheredoutanddownintothesand.Hesatthere,grinningatthem,half-afraidtocomeanynearerincasetheywerecrosswithhim.

‘Whatareyoudoinghere?’saidDick.‘Notspyingonus,Ihope?’

‘No,’saidSniffer,‘Ourcampisn’tveryfaraway.Lizheardyou,Ithink,andranoff.Ifollowedher.’

‘Ohblow.Wehopedweweren’tnearanyoneelse,’saidGeorge.‘Doesanyoneatyourcampknowwe’rehere.’

‘Notyet,’saidSniffer.‘Butthey’llfindout.Theyalwaysdo.Iwon’ttell,though,ifyoudon’twantmeto.’

Dicktossedhimabiscuit.‘Well,keepyourmouthshutifyoucan,’hesaid.‘We’renotinterferingwithanyoneandwedon’twantanyoneinterferingwithus.See?’

Sniffernodded.HesuddenlyputhishandinhispocketandpulledouttheredandwhitehankythatGeorgehadgivenhim.Itwasstillcleanandbeautifullyfolded.

‘Notdirtyyet!’hesaidtoGeorge.

‘Well,itoughttobe,’saidGeorge.‘It’sforyoursniffs.Nodon’tuseyourcoat-sleeve.’

Sniffersimplycouldnotunderstandwhyheshoulduseabeautifulcleanhankywhenhehadadirtycoat-sleeve.Heputthehankycarefullybackintohispocket.

Lizrantohimandfawnedonhim.Snifferfondledthepeculiarlittlecreature,andthenTimmywentoverandplayedwiththemboth.Thefourfinishedtheirtea,threwSnifferonelastbiscuit,andgotuptoputtheirthingsawaysafely.NowthatSnifferwasabout,andthegypsycampnear,theydidn’tfeelitwasterriblysafetoleaveanythingunguardedorunhidden.

terriblysafetoleaveanythingunguardedorunhidden.

‘Scootoff,now,Sniffer,’saidJulian.‘Andnospyingonus,mind!Timmywillknowimmediatelyyouarriveanywherenear,andcomehuntingforyou.Ifyouwanttoseeus,giveawhistlewhenyougetnear.Nocreepingorslippingintothequarry.Understand?’

‘Yes,’saidSniffer,standingup.Hetookthehankyfromhispocketagain,waveditatGeorge,anddisappearedwithLizathisheels.

‘I’mjustgoingtoseeexactlyhowneartothegypsycampweare,’Juliansaid.Hewalkedtotheentranceofthequarryandupontothemoor.HelookedinthedirectionthatSnifferhadgone.Yes,therewasthehillintheshelterofwhichthegypsieshadtheircaravans.Itwasn’tmorethanaquarterofamileaway.Blow!Still,itwasfarenoughforthegypsiesnottodiscoverthem,unlessbychance.

‘OrunlessSniffergivesthegameaway,’thoughtJulian.‘Well,we’llspendthenighthere,anyway,andwecanmoveoffsomewhereelsetomorrowifwefeellikeit.’

Theyfeltratherenergeticthateveningandplayedaballgameinthequarry,inwhichTimmyjoinedwholeheartedly.Butashealwaysgottheballbeforeanyoneelsedidtheyhadtotiehimupinordertogetagamethemselves.Timmywasverycross.Heturnedhisbackonthemandsulked.

‘Helookslikeyounow,George,’saidDick,grinning,andgottheballbangonthesideofhisheadfromanangryGeorge!

Nobodywantedmuchsupper.Juliantookalittlealuminiumjugtothespringandfilleditonceforeveryone.Itreallywaslovelywaterfromthatbubblingspring!

‘IwonderhowHenry’sgettingon,’saidAnne.‘Spoilttobitsbyhergreat-aunts.Iexpect.Didn’tshelookoddinproperclothes,glovesandall!’

‘Yes,sheoughttohavebeenaboy,’saidDick.‘Likeyou,George,’headdedhastily.‘Bothofyouarerealsports,pluckyasanything.’

‘HowdoyouknowHenry’splucky?’saidGeorge,scornfully.‘Onlybyhersillytales!Ibetthey’reallmade-upandexaggerated.’

Julianchangedthesubject.‘Shallwewantrugstonight,doyouthink?’hesaid.

Julianchangedthesubject.‘Shallwewantrugstonight,doyouthink?’hesaid.

‘Rather!Itmaybewarmnow,andthesandishotwiththesun,butitwon’tbequitesonicewhenit’sgonedown,’saidAnne.‘Anywaywecanalwayscreepintooneofthosecosylittlecavesifwefeelchilly.They’reaswarmastoast.Iwentintoone,soIknow.’

Theysettleddownquiteearlytosleep.Theboystookonesideofthequarry,thegirlstheother.Tim,asusual,wasonGeorge’sfeet,muchtoAnne’sdiscomfort.

‘He’sonminetoo,’shecomplainedtoGeorge.‘He’ssolong,hestretchesovermyfeetaswell.Movehim,George.’

SoGeorgemovedhim,butassoonasAnnewasasleephestretchedoutagainandlayonbothgirls’legs.Hesleptwithoneearopen.

Heheardascurryinghedgehog.Heheardalltherabbitsoutforanighttimegame.Heheardthefrogsinafar-offpoolcroakinginthenight.Hissharpearevenheardthetinkleofthelittlespringoutsidethepit.

Nobodymovedinthequarry.Therewasasmallmoonbutitgaveverylittlelight.Thestarsthatstuddedtheskyseemedtogivemorelightthanthemoon.

Timmy’soneopenearsuddenlyprickeditselfrightup.Thentheotherearstooduptoo.Timmywasstillasleepbuthisearswerebothlisteningveryhard!

Alow,hummingsoundcameslowlyoverthenight.Itcamenearerandnearer.Timmyawokeproperlyandsatup,listening,hiseyeswideopennow.

Thesoundwasnowveryloudindeed.Dickawokeandlistened.Whatwasthatnoise?Anaeroplane?Itmustbejollylow!Surelyitwasn’tabouttolandonthemoorinthedark!

HewokeJulianandtheybothgotupandwentoutofthequarry.‘It’sanaeroplaneallright,’saidDick,inalowvoice.‘What’sitdoing?Itdoesn’tseemtobegoingtoland.It’sgoneroundinalowcircletwoorthreetimes.’

‘Isitintrouble,doyouthink?’askedJulian.‘Hereitcomesagain.’

‘Look,what’sthatlightoverthere?’suddenlysaidDick,pointingtotheeast.‘See,thatsortofglow.It’snotveryfarfromthegypsies’camp.’

‘Idon’tknow,’saidJulian,puzzled.‘It’snotafire,isit?Wecan’tseeanyflamesanditdoesn’tseemtoflickerlikeafirewould.’

‘Ithinkitmaybesomesortofguidetothatplane,’saidDick.‘Itseemstobecirclingroundandaboutovertheglow.Let’swatchit.’

Theywatchedit.Yes,itdidseemtobecirclingroundtheglow,whateveritwas,andthen,quitesuddenlyitroseintheair,circledroundoncemoreandmadeofftotheeast.

‘Thereitgoes,’saidDick,straininghiseyes.‘Ican’ttellwhatkinditis,exceptthatit’sverysmall.’

‘Whatcanithavebeendoing?’saidJulian,puzzled.‘Ithoughttheglowmighthavebeentoguideitinlanding,thoughwhereitcouldlandhereinsafetyIsimplydon’tknow.Butitdidn’tlandatall,itjustcircledandmadeoff’

‘Wherewouldithavecomefrom?’saidDick.‘Fromthecoast,Isuppose,fromoverthesea,doyouthink?’

‘Isimplydon’tknow,’saidJulian.‘Itbeatsme!Andwhyshouldthegypsieshaveanythingtodowithit?Gypsiesandplanesdon’tseemtomix,somehow.’

‘Well,wedon’tknowthattheydohaveanythingtodowiththeplane,exceptthatwesawthatglow,’saidDick.‘Andthat’sgoingnow,look.’

Evenastheywatched,thebrightglowdiedcompletelyaway.Nowthemoorlayindarknessagain.

‘Funny,’saidJulian,scratchinghishead.‘Ican’tmakeitout.It’struethatthegypsiesmaybeuptosomething,thewaytheycomeoutheresecretly,apparentlyfornopurposeatall,andalsotheydon’twantussnoopinground,that’sclear.’

‘Ithinkwe’dbettertryandfindoutwhatthatglowis,’saidDick.‘Wecouldhaveabitofasnooptomorrow.OrperhapsSniffercouldtellus.’

‘Hemight,’saidJulian.‘We’lltryhim.Comeon,let’sgetbackintothequarry.It’scoldouthere!’

Thequarrystruckquitewarmtothemastheywentdownintoit.Thegirlsweresoundasleepstill.Timmy,whohadbeenwiththem,didnotwakethem.Hehad

soundasleepstill.Timmy,whohadbeenwiththem,didnotwakethem.HehadbeenaspuzzledasJulianandDickoverthelow-flyingplane,buthehadnotbarkedatall.Julianhad

beengladaboutthat,Timmy’sbarkmighthavecarriedrightovertothegypsycampandwarneditthatsomeonewascampingnear.

Theygotbackundertheirrug,keepingclosetooneanotherforwarmth.Buttheysoonlosttheirshivers,andDickthrewoffhisshareoftherug.Inafewminutestheywereasleep.

Timmyawokefirstandstretchedhimselfoutinthewarmmorningsunshine.Annesatupwithalittlescream.‘OhTimmy,don’t!Younearlysquashedmetobits.DothattoGeorgeifyoumuststretchyourselfalloversomebody!’

Theboysawokethen,andwenttothespringtosplashtheirfacesandbringbackajugfulofwatertodrink.Annegotthebreakfast,andoverittheboystoldthegirlsoftheaeroplaneinthenight.

‘Howqueer!’saidAnne.‘Andthatglowtoo.Itmusthavebeenaguideofsomesorttotheplane.Let’sgoandseewhereitwas.Itmusthavebeenafireofsomekind!’

‘Right,’saidDick.‘Ivotewegothismorning,butwe’lltakeTimwithusincasewemeetthosegypsies!’

ChapterFourteen

THEGYPSIESARENOTPLEASED

JulianandDickwenttostandwheretheyhadstoodthenightbefore,tryingtoseeexactlyinwhatdirectiontheglowhadbeen.

‘Ithinkitwasbeyondthegypsies’camp,totheleft,’saidJulian.‘Whatdoyouthink,Dick?’

‘Yes.That’saboutit,’saidDick.‘Shallwegonow?’Heraisedhisvoice.‘We’regoing,GeorgeandAnne.Areyoucoming?Wecanleaveourstuffhere,tuckedawayinthecavesbecauseweshan’tbeverylong.’

Georgecalledback.‘Julian,IthinkTimmy’sgotathorninhisfootorsomething.He’slimping.AnneandIthinkwe’llstayherewithhimandtrytogetitout.Yougo,butforgoodness’sakedon’tgetintotroublewiththegypsies!’

‘Weshan’t,’saidJulian.‘We’veasmuchrightonthismoorastheyhaveandtheyknowit.Allright,we’llleaveyoutwoherethenwithTimmy.Sureyoudon’twantanyhelpwithhispaw?’

‘Ohno,’saidGeorge.‘Icanmanage,thankyou.’

Thetwoboyswentoff,leavingAnneandGeorgefussingoverTimmy’spaw.Hehadleaptintoagorsebushafterarabbitandathornhadgonerightintohisleftfore-paw.Thenithadbrokenoff,leavingthepointinpoorTimmy’spad.Nowonderhelimped!Georgewasgoingtohavequiteatimetryingtoeaseoutthebitofthorn.

JulianandDicksetoffoverthemoor.Itwasadaylikesummer,fartoowarmforApril.Therewasnotasinglecloudtobeseeninthesky,whichwasasblueasforget-me-nots.Theboysfelttoohotintheirpulloversandlongedtotakethemoff.Butthatwouldmeancarryingthem,whichwouldbeanawful

themoff.Butthatwouldmeancarryingthem,whichwouldbeanawfulnuisance.

Thegypsycampwasnotreallyfaraway.Theysooncameneartothecurioushillthatstoodupfromtheflatnessofthemoor.Thecaravansstillstoodinitsshelter,andtheboyssawthatalittlegroupofmenweresittingtogether,talkingearnestly.

‘Ibetthey’rehavingajawaboutthataeroplanelastnight,’saidDick.‘AndIbetitwastheywhosetthatlightorfire,orwhateveritwas,toguideit.Iwonderwhyitdidn’tland.’

Theykeptintheshelterofbiggorsebushes,astheyskirtedthecamp.Theywerenotparticularlyanxioustobeseen.Thedogs,sittingroundthegroupofmen,apparentlydidnotseeorhearthem,whichwaslucky.

Theboysmadetheirwaytowardstheplacewheretheythoughttheyhadseentheglow,somewaytotheleftofthecamp,andbeyondit.

‘Doesn’tseemtobeanythingoutoftheordinaryanywhere,’saidJulian,stoppingandlookinground.‘Iwasexpectingtoseeabigburntpatch,orsomething.’

‘Wait-what’sinthatdipoverthere?’saidDict,pointingtowherethegroundseemedtodipdownwards.‘Itlookslikeanotheroldquarry,ratherliketheonewe’recampingin,butsmaller,muchsmaller.Ibetthat’swherethefirewas!’

Theymadetheirwaytothequarry.Itwasmuchmoreovergrownthantheirswas,andwasevidentlyonethathadbeenworkedatanearliertime.Itdippeddowntoquiteapitinthemiddleandsettherewassomethingunusual.Whatwasit?

Theboysscrambleddownintothepit-likequarryandmadetheirwaytothemiddle.Theystaredatthebigthingthatwassetthere,pointingtothesky.

‘It’salamp,apowerfullampofsomekind,’saidDick.‘Likethoseweseemakingaflare-pathatanaerodrome,guidingplanesintoland.Fancyseeingonehere!’

‘Howdidthegypsiesgetit?’wonderedDick,puzzled.‘Andwhysignaltoaplanethatdoesn’tland?Itlookedasifitwantedto,circlingroundlowlikethat.’

‘Maybethegypsiessignalledthatitwasn’tsafetolandforsomereason,’saidJulian.‘Orperhapstheyweregoingtogivesomethingtothepilotanditwasn’tready.’

‘Well,it’sapuzzle,’saidDick.‘Ican’timaginewhat’sgoingon.Somethingis,that’scertain.Let’ssnooproundabit.’

Theyfoundnothingelse,exceptatrailthatledtothelampandback.Justastheywereexaminingit,ashoutcametotheirears.Theyswunground-andsawthefigureofagypsyattheedgeofthepit.

‘Whatareyoudoinghere?’heshouted,inaharshvoice.Hewasjoinedbyafewothers,andtheyalllookedthreateninglyatJulianandDickastheyclimbedoutofthepit.

Juliandecidedtobehonest.‘We’recampingoutonthemoorforanightortwo,’hesaid,‘andweheardaplanelastnight,circlinglow.Wealsosawaglowthatappearedtobeguidingit,andwecamealongtoseewhatitwas.Didyouheartheplane?’

‘Mebbewedidandmebbewedidn’t,’saidthenearestgypsy,whowasSniffer’sfather.‘Whatofit?Planesflyoverthismooranyday!’

‘Wefoundthatpowerfullamp,’saidDick,pointingbackatit.‘Doyouknowanythingaboutthat?’

‘Nothing,’saidthegypsyscowling.‘Whatlamp?’

‘Well,asfarasIcanseethere’snochargeforlookingatit,’saidJulian.‘Goandhaveasquint,ifyoudon’tknowanythingaboutit!ButIcan’tbelievethatyoudidn’tseethelightitgavelastnight!It’sajollygoodplacetohideit,Imustsay.’

‘Wedon’tknowanythingaboutanylamp,’saidanothergypsy,theoldonewithgreyhair.‘Thisisourusualcamping-place.Wedon’tinterferewithanythingoranybody-unlesstheyinterferewithus.Thenwemakethemsorryforit.’

Theboysatoncethoughtofthelong-agomysteryofthedisappearanceoftheBartles.Theyfeltquiteuncomfortable.

‘Well,we’regoingnow,sodon’tworry,’saidJulian.‘We’reonlycampingfora

‘Well,we’regoingnow,sodon’tworry,’saidJulian.‘We’reonlycampingforanightortwo,asIsaid.Wewon’tcomenearhereagain,ifyouobjecttous.

HesawSniffercreepingupbehindthemen,withI.iz,whoforsomereasonofherown,waswalkingsedatelyonherhindlegs.Snifferpulledathisfather’sarm.

‘They’reallright,’hesaid.‘YouknowourClipgothislegmadebetteratthestables.They’reallright!’

Allhegotwasasavagecuffthatsenthimtotheground,whereherolledoverandover.Lizdroppeddownonallfoursandwenttolickhim.

‘Here,Isay!’saidJulian,shocked.‘Leavethatkidalone!You’venorighttohithimlikethat!’

Sniffersetupsuchayellingthatsomeofthewomenleftthecaravansnotfaroffandcamerunningtoseewhatwasup.OneofthembegantoshoutatSniffer’sfatherandheshoutedback.Soontherewasquitearowgoingonbetweenthemenandtheangrywomen,oneofwhomhadpickeduppoorSnifferandwasdabbinghisheadwithawetcloth.

‘Comeon,it’sagoodtimetogo,’saidJuliantoDick.‘Whatanunfriendlylottheyare,exceptpoorSniffer,andhewasdoinghisbestforus,poorkid.’

Thetwoboyswentoffquickly,gladtobeawayfromthemenandtheirdogs.Theywerepuzzledabouteverything.Themensaidtheyknewnothingaboutthelamp,buttheymustknowsomethingaboutit.Nobodybutagypsycouldhavelighteditlastnight.

Theywentbacktothegirlsandtoldthemwhathadhappened.‘Let’sgetbacktothestables,’saidAnne.‘There’ssomethingqueergoingon.We’llbeinthemiddleofanadventurebeforeweknowwhereweare!’

‘We’llstayonemorenight,’saidJulian.‘Iwanttoseeifthatplanecomesagain.Thosegypsiesdon’tknowwherewe’recampingandthoughSnifferknows,I’mprettysurehewon’ttell.Itwaspluckyofhimtotryandstickupforustohisfather.’

‘Allright.We’llstay,’saidGeorge.‘I’mnotparticularlyanxiousforTimmytohavethatlongwalkhometoday.IthinkI’vegotmostofthatthornoutofhispad,buthestillwon’tputhisfoottotheground.’

‘He’sjollycleveratrunningaboutonthreelegs,’saidDick,watchingTimmytearingroundthequarry,sniffingasusualforrabbits.

‘TheamountofquarryingthatTimmyhasdoneinthispitalreadyiscolossal!’saidJulian,staringroundattheplaceswhereTimmyhadtriedtogetinatsomerabbit-holeandscrabbledoutbigheapsofsand.‘HewouldhavebeenagreathelptotheBartleswhentheydugoutsand!PooroldTim-yourbadfoothasstoppedyouscrapingforrabbits,hasn’tit!’

Timmyranoveronthreelegs.Heenjoyedallthefussinghegotwhenanythinghappenedtohim.Hemeanttomakethemostofhisbadfoot!

Theyhadaverylazydayindeed.Itreallywastoohottodoanythingmuch.Theywenttothelittlespringandsatwiththeirfeetintherivuletitmade-itwasdeliciouslycool!Theywentandhadalookattheoldengineagain,lyingonitsside,half-buried.

Dickscrapedawayalotofthesandthathadseepedintothecab.Soontheywereallhelping.Theyuncoveredtheoldhandlesandleversandtriedtomovethem.Buttheycouldn’tofcourse.

‘Let’sgoroundtotheothersideofthegorsebushandseeifwecanseethefunnelagain,’saidDick,atlast.‘Blowthesethorns.I’mgettingprickedallover.Timmy’sverysensible,sittingthere,notattemptingtoexaminethisoldPuffingBilly!’

Theyhadtocutawaysomeofthegorsebeforetheycouldexaminethefunnelproperly.Thentheyexclaimedinwonder.

‘Look!It’sverylikethelongfunnelthatPuffingBillyhad,youknow,oneofthefirstenginesevermade!’

‘It’sfilledwithsand,’saidDick,andtriedtoscrapeitout.Itwasfairlyloose,andsoonhewasabletopeerdownthefunnelquitealongway.

‘Funnytothinkofsmokepuffingoutofthisqueeroldfunnel,’saidDick.‘Pooroldengine,lyinghereforyears,quiteforgotten.I’dhavethoughtsomeonewouldrescueit!’

‘Well,youknowwhattheblacksmithtoldus,’saidGeorge.‘TheBartlesister

‘Well,youknowwhattheblacksmithtoldus,’saidGeorge.‘TheBartlesisterthatwasleftwouldn’thaveanythingmoretodowiththerailwayortheengineorthequarry.Andcertainlynobodycouldmovethisgreatthingontheirown.’

‘Ishouldn’tbesurprisedifwe’retheonlypeopleintheworldwhoknowwheretheoldengineis,’saidAnne.‘It’ssoovergrownthatnobodycouldseeitexceptbyaccident!’

‘Ifeeljollyhungry,allofasudden,’saidDick,stoppinghisworkofgettingsandofftheengine.‘Whataboutsomethingtoeat?’

‘We’vegotenoughtolastforadayortwomore,’saidAnne.‘Thenwe’llhavetogetsomethingelse-orgobacktothestables.’

‘Imustspendonemorenighthere,’saidJulian.‘Iwanttoseeifthatplanereturnsagain.’

‘Right.We’llallwatchthistime,’saidGeorge.‘Itwillbefun.Comeon,let’sgoandgetsomethingtoeat.Don’tyouthinkthat’sagoodidea,Timmy?’

Timmycertainlydid.Helimpedoffattopspeedonthreelegs,thoughreallyhisrightfore-pawnolongerhurthim.Timmy,you’reafraud!

ChapterFifteen

ASTARTLINGNIGHT

Nogypsiescamenearthemthatday,notevenSniffer.Theeveningwasaslovelyasthedayhadbeen,andalmostaswarm.

‘It’sextraordinary!’saidDick,lookingupintothesky.‘WhatweatherforApril!Thebluebellswillberushingoutsoonifthesungoesonbeingashotasthis!’

Theylayonthesandinthequarryandwatchedtheeveningstarshineinthesky.Itlookedverybigandbrightandround.

Timmyscrabbledroundinthesand.‘Hispawismuchbetter,’saidGeorge.‘ThoughInoticethathestillsometimesholdsitup.’

‘Onlywhenhewantsyoutosay“PoorTimmy,doesithurt!”’saidDick.‘He’sababy,likestobefussed!’

TheytalkedforawhileandthenAnneyawned.‘It’searly,Iknow-butIbelieveI’mgoingtosleep.’

Therewassoonatrektothespring,andeveryonesluicedthemselvesinthecoolwater.Therewasonlyonetowelbetweenthem,butthatdidverywell.Thentheysettleddownintheirsandybeds.Thesandwasbeautifullywarmandtheydidnotbotheraboutputtingdowntherubbersheets.Therecouldnotpossiblybeanydampnessinthatquarryafterithadbeenbakedsomuchbythehotsun!

‘Ihopewewakewhenthatplanecomes,ifitdoescome,’saidJuliantoDick,astheylaywithoutanycoveringintheirsoft,sandybed.‘Mygoodness,isn’tithot!NowonderTimmy’spantingoverthere!’

Theywenttosleepatlast,butDickawokesuddenly,feelingmuchtoohot.Phew!Whatanight!Helaylookingupatthebrilliantstars,andthenshuthiseyesagain.Butitwasnouse,hecouldn’tgotosleep.

Hesatupcautiously,soasnottoawakeJulian.IthinkI’lljustgoandhaveasquinttoseeifthatbiglampislightedagain,downinthatpitbythegypsycamp,hethought.

Hewenttotheedgeofthequarryandclimbedup.Helookedtowardsthegypsycampandgaveasuddenexclamation.Yes!hethought.It’sglowingagain!Ican’tseethelamp,ofcourse,butitslightissojollypowerfulthatIcaneasilyseetheglowitmakes.Itmustbeverybright,lookeddownonfromthesky.Iwonderiftheplaneisduetocomenowthatthelampislighted.

Helistened,andyes,hecoulddistinctlyhearalowhummingnoisefromtheeast.Itmustbetheplanecomingagain?Woulditlandthistime,andifso,whowasinit?

HerantowakeJulianandthegirls.Timmywasalertatonce,wagginghistailexcitedly.Hewasalwaysreadyforanything,eveninthemiddleofthenight!AnneandGeorgegotuptoo,verythrilled.

‘Isthelampreallyalightagain?AndIcanheartheplanetoonow!Oh,Isay!Thisisexciting!George,Timmywon’tbarkandgiveusaway,willhe?’

‘No.I’vetoldhimtobequiet,’saidGeorge.‘Hewon’tmakeasound.Listen,theplaneiscomingnearer!’

Thenoisewasnowloudenoughforthemtosearchthestarryskyfortheplane.JuliangaveDickanudge.‘Look,youcanjustseeit,straightoverwherethegypsycampis!’

Dickmanagedtopickitout.‘It’sverysmall,’hesaid.‘SmallereventhanIthoughtitwaslastnight.Look,it’scomingdown!’

Butitwasn’t.Itmerelysweptlow,andthenwentroundinacircle,asithaddonethenightbefore.Itrosealittleagainandthencameinlowoncemore,almostovertheboys’heads.

Thensomethingextraordinaryhappened.SomethingfellnotfarfromJulian,somethingthatbouncedandthencametorest!Itmadeathudasitfell,andallfourjumped.Timmygaveastartledwhine.

Thud!Somethingelsefell.Thud,thud,thud!Annegaveasqueal.‘Aretheytryingtobombusorsomething.Julian,whataretheydoing?’

tryingtobombusorsomething.Julian,whataretheydoing?’

Thud!Thud!Julianduckedatthelasttwothuds,theysoundedsonear.HetookholdofAnneandpulledherdownintothequarry,callingtoDickandGeorge.

‘Getdownhere,quickly!Forceyourselvesintothecavessomewhere!Weshallgethit!’

Theyranacrossthequarryastheplaneswoopedroundinacircleoncemoreandthenagainbegandroppingthethingsthatwent‘thud!thud!’.Someevenfellintothequarrythistime.Timmygottheshockofhislifewhenonebouncedinfrontofhisnoseandrolledaway.HeyelpedandtoreafterGeorge.

Soontheywereallsafelysqueezedintothelittlecavesthatlinedthesidesofthequarry.Theplanesweptroundoncemore,upandthenround,andthethud-thuddingbeganagain.Thefourcouldhearthatsomeofthethudswereactuallyinthequarryagainandtheywerethankfultheywerewellsheltered.

‘Well,nothingisexploding,’saidDick,thankfully.‘Butwhatonearthistheplanedropping?Andwhy?Thisisamostpeculiaradventuretohave.’

‘It’sprobablyadream,’saidJulian,andlaughed.‘No,notevenadreamcouldbesomad.Hereweare,snugglingintosandycavesinaquarryonMysteryMoor,whileaplanedropssomethingallroundusinthemiddleofthenight!Quitemad.’

‘Ibelievetheplane’sgoingawaynow,’saidDick.‘It’scircledroundbuthasn’tdroppedanything.Nowit’sclimbing,it’sgoingaway!Theenginedoesn’tsoundnearlysoloud.Goodness,whenwewerestandingoutthereattheedgeofthequarry,Ialmostthoughttheplanewouldtakemyheadoff;itwassolow!’

‘Ithoughtthattoo,’saidAnne,verygladthattherewastobenomoreswoopingdownanddroppingdozensofunknownthings.‘Isitsafetogoout?’

‘Ohyes,’saidJulian,scramblingoutofthesand.‘Comeon.Weshalleasilyheariftheplanecomesbackagain.Iwanttoseewhatithasdropped!’

Ingreatexcitementtheyrantogettheparcels.Thestarsgavesomuchlightonthatclearnightthatthefourdidnotevenneedatorch.

Julianpickedupsomethingfirst.Itwasafirm,flattishparcel,doneupwell,sewnintoacanvascovering.Heexaminedit.

sewnintoacanvascovering.Heexaminedit.

‘Noname.Nothing,’hesaid.‘Thisismostexciting.Let’shavethreeguesseswhat’sinside.’

‘Baconforbreakfast,Ihope!’saidAnneatonce.

‘Idiot,’saidJulian,gettingoutaknifetoslitthestringthreadsthatsewedupthecanvas.‘Iguessit’ssmuggledgoodsofsomesort.That’swhatthatplanewasdoing,Ishouldthink,flyingoverfromFrance,anddroppingsmuggledgoodsinapre-arrangedplace,andIsupposethegypsiespickthemup,andtakethemaway,wellhiddenintheircaravans,todeliverthemsomewhere.Veryclever!’

‘OhJulian,isthattheexplanation?’saidAnne.‘Whatwouldbeintheparcelsthen,cigarettes?’

‘No,’saidJulian.‘Theparcelswouldn’tbesoheavyiftheyonlycontainedcigarettes.There,I’veslitthethreadsatlast!’

Theotherscrowdedroundtosee.Georgetookhertorchoutofherpocketsothattheycouldseereallywell.Sheflashediton.

Julianrippedoffthecanvascovering.Nextcamesomestrongbrownpaper.Herippedthatofftoo.

Thencamestrongcardboard,tiedroundwithstring.Thatwasundoneaswell,andthecardboardfelltotheground.

‘Now,whathavewegot?’saidJulian,excited.‘Thinsheetsofpaper,dozensanddozensofthempackedtogether.Shineyourtorchnearer,George.’

TherewasasilenceasallthefourcranedoverJulian’shands.

‘Whew!Isay!Gosh,doyouseewhattheyare?’saidJulian,inawe.‘Americanmoney,dollarnotes.Butlookwhattheyare,onehundred-dollarnotes!Andmywordtherearescoresandscoresoftheminthisonepacket.’

ThefourstaredinamazementasJulianriffledthroughthepacketofnotes.Howevermuchwouldtheybeworth?

‘Julian,howmuchisahundred-dollarnoteworthinourmoney?’askedGeorge.

‘Julian,howmuchisahundred-dollarnoteworthinourmoney?’askedGeorge.

‘AboutfortypoundsIthink’saidJulian.‘Yes,justaboutthat.Gosh,andtherearescoresinthisonepacket,andweknowtheydroppeddozensofthepacketstoo.Whateverisitallabout?’

‘Well,theremustbethousandsandthousandsofdollarslyingaroundus,hereinthequarryandoutsideit,’saidGeorge.‘Isay!Surelythisisn’tadream?’

‘Well,Imustsayit’saveryextravagantkindofdream,ifso,’saidDick.‘Adreamworththousandsofpoundsisn’tveryusual.Ju,hadn’twebettergetbusypickinguptheseparcels?’

‘Yes.Wecertainlyhad,’saidJulian.‘I’mbeginningtoseeitallnow.ThesmugglerscomeoverinaplanefromFrance,say,havingpreviouslyarrangedtodropthesepacketsinalonelyspotonthismoor.Thegypsiesareintheplottotheextentthattheylighttheguidinglampandpickuptheparcels.’

‘Isee,andthentheyquietlypackthemintotheircaravans,slipoffthemoor,anddeliverthemtosomebodyelse,whopaysthemwellfortheirtrouble,’saidDick.‘Verysmart!’

‘That’saboutit,’saidJulian.‘ButIcan’tforthelifeofmeseewhydollarnoteshavetobesmuggledhere.Theycanbebroughtfreelyenoughintothecountry-whysmugglethem?’

‘Stolenones,perhaps?’saidGeorge.‘Ohwell,itsquitebeyondme.Whatathingtodo!Nowonderthegypsiesdidn’twantusaround.’

‘Betterbuckupandcollectalltheseparcelsandclearoffbacktothestableswiththem,’saidJulian,pickinguponenearhim.‘Thegypsieswillbeafterthem,there’snodoubtaboutthat!Wemustbegonebeforetheycome.’

Thefourofthemwentaboutlookingfortheparcels.Theyfoundaboutsixtyofthem,andtheymadequiteaheavyload.

‘We’llputthemsomewheresafe,Ithink,’saidJulian.‘Whataboutstuffingthemintooneofthesand-caves?Idon’tverywellseehowwecancarrythemlikethis.’

‘Wecouldputthemintherugsandtieuptheendsandcarrythemlikethat,’saidGeorge.‘Itwouldbemadtoleavethemhiddensomewhereinthisquarry.It’s

George.‘Itwouldbemadtoleavethemhiddensomewhereinthisquarry.It’sthefirstplacethegypsieswouldsearch.’

‘Allright.We’llfollowyouridea,’saidJulian.‘Ithinkwe’veaboutcollectedallthepacketsthereare.Gettherugs.’

George’sideaprovedtobeagoodone,Halftheparcelswererolledintoonerug,andtiedup,andhalfintotheother.

‘Goodthingtherugsareniceandbig,’saidDicktyinghisupstrongly.‘NowIcanjustaboutmanageminenicelyonmyback.Youallright,Ju?’

‘Yes,comealong,yougirls,’saidJulian.‘Followbehindus.We’llgodowntherailwayline.Leaveeverythingelsehere.Wecaneasilygetitanothertime.Wemustleavebeforethegypsiescome.’

Timmybegantobarksuddenly.‘Thatmustmeanthegypsiesarecoming,’saidDick.‘Comeon,quick!YesIcanheartheirvoices-forgoodness’sake,HURRY!’

ChapterSixteen

THETERRIBLEMIST

Yes,thegypsieswerecertainlycoming!Theirdogswerewiththem,barking.ThefourchildrenhurriedoutofthequarrywithTimmyattheirheels,quitesilent.

‘Thosefellowsmaynotknowwewerecampinginthequarry,’pantedDick.‘Theymayjustbecomingtofindtheparcels,andwhiletheyarehuntingaround,wemaybeabletogetagoodstart.Buckup!’

Theysetofftowherethelinesended,nearwheretheoldenginelayhalf-buried.Thegypsydogsheardthemandsetupayelpingandhowling.Thegypsiesstoppedtoseewhathadexcitedthem.

Theyspiedshadowsmovinginthedistance,thefourchildrenslippingawayfromthequarry.Oneofthemenshoutedloudly.

‘Heyyou-stop!Whoareyou?Stop,Isay!’

Butthefivedidn’tstop.Theywerenowstumblingbetweentherailwaylines,gladofGeorge’storch,andAnne’s.Theboyscouldnothaveheldoneforitwasalltheycoulddotohangontotheheavy-ladenrugs.

‘Quick,ohquick!’whisperedAnne,butitwasimpossibletogoveryquickly.

‘Theymustbecatchingusup,’saidJulian,suddenly.‘Lookroundandsee,George.’

Georgelookedround.‘No,Ican’tseeanyone,’shesaid.‘Julian,everywherelookspeculiar.What’shappening?Julian,stop.Somethingqueerishappening!’

Julianstoppedandlookedround.Hiseyeshadbeenfixedonhisfeet,tryingtoseewherehewasgoingwithoutstumbling.Annehadshonehertorchdownforhimbutitwasstilldificulttogetalongproperly.Juliangazedallround,

himbutitwasstilldificulttogetalongproperly.Juliangazedallround,wonderingwhatGeorgemeant.

Thenhegaveagasp.‘Gosh!Howqueer!There’samistcomeup,look.It’sevenblottedoutthestars.Nowonderitseemssojollydarkallofasudden.’

‘Amist!’saidAnne,scared.‘Notthatawfulmistthatsometimescoversthemoor!OhJulian,isit?’

JulianandDickwatchedtheswirlingmistinastonishment.‘It’scomefromthesea,’Juliansaid.‘Can’tyousmellthesaltinit?It’scomejustassuddenlyaswe’vebeentolditcomes,andlook,it’sgettingthickereveryminute!’

‘Whatagoodthingwe’reontherailwaylines!’saidGeorge.‘Whatshallwedo?Goon?’

Julianstoodandthought.‘Thegypsieswon’tcomeafterusinthismist,’hesaid.‘I’veagoodmindtohidethismoneysomewhere,andthenwalkbacktogetthepolice.Ifwekeeponthelineswecan’tgowrong.Butwemustbesurenottoleavethem,orwe’llbecompletelylost!’

‘Yes,let’sdothat,’saidDick,whowasheartilysickalreadyofluggingalonghisheavyload.‘Butwheredoyouproposetohidethem,Ju?Notinthequarry!We’dhavetowalkthroughthisawfulmisttodothat,andwe’dgetlostatonce.’

‘No.I’vethoughtofafineplace,’saidJulian,andheloweredhisvoice.‘Rememberthatoldengine,fallenonitsside?Well,whataboutstuffingthesepacketsallthewaydownthatgreatlongfunnel,andthenstoppingthetopofitupwithsand?Ibetyouanythingyoulikethatnobodywouldfindthepacketsthere.’

‘Grandidea!’saidDick.‘Thegypsieswillbesurewe’vegoneoffcarryingthemoney,andthey’llnothuntaboutforitlong,oncetheyfindthedroppedpacketsareallgone.We’llbehalf-wayhomebythetimetheytrytocatchus,iftheydaretobravethismist.’

AnneandGeorgethoughtJulian’sideawasfirst-rate,astrokeofgenius.‘I’dnever,neverhavethoughtoftheenginefunnel!’saidAnne.

‘Now,there’snoneedforyoutwogirlsandTimmytowalkallthewaytotheenginewithus,’saidJulian.‘Yousitdownhereonthelines,andwaitforusto

enginewithus,’saidJulian.‘Yousitdownhereonthelines,andwaitforustocomeback.Weshan’tbelong.We’llwalkstraightuptherailway,findtheengine,packthemoneyintothefunnel,andwalkback.’

‘Right,’saidGeorge,squattingdown.‘Bringtherugsbackwithyou,though.It’scoldnow!’

JulianandDickwentofftogether,withAnne’storch.Georgekepthers.Timmypressedcloseagainsther,astonishedatthethickmistthathadsosuddenlyswirledupandaroundthem.

‘That’sright.Keepclosetousandkeepuswarm,Tim,’saidGeorge.‘It’sjollycoldnow.Thismistisdamp!’

Julianstumbledalong,keepingalook-outforthegypsies.Hecouldseenothingofthem,butthen,iftheyhadbeenonlytwofeetawayhecouldnothaveseenanythingoftheminthemist!Itseemedtogetthickerandthicker.

IknowwhatoldBenmeantnow,whenhesaidthatithaddampfingers,thoughtJulian,feelinglittletoucheslikefingersonhisface,handsandlegsasthemistwreatheditselfroundhim.

Dicknudgedhim.‘Hereweare,’hesaid.‘Thelinesarebrokenhere.Theengineshouldbejustoverthere,ayardortwoaway.’

Theysteppedcautiouslyawayfromthelines.Thebiggorse-bushcouldnotbeseen,butitcouldbefelt!Julianfeltthornsprickinghislegs,andknewhewasbesideit.

‘Shineyourtorchhere,Dick,’hewhispered.‘That’sright.There’sthecaboftheengine,see?Nowlet’scirclethebush,andwe’llcometothefunnel.’

‘Hereitis,’saidDick,inafewmoments.‘Look!Nowthen,let’sdoabitofwork,shovingthesepacketsdown.Gosh,whatalotofthemthereare!Ihopethefunnelwilltakethemall.’

Theyspenttenminutesrammingthepacketsintothewidefunnel.Downtheywenttothebottom!Moreandmorefollowedandthen,atlast,thefinalonewasshovedinandrammeddown.

‘That’sthelot,’saidDick,relieved.‘Nowwe’llpacksomesandin.Gosh,isn’tthisbushfullofprickles!It’sreallyspiteful!’

thisbushfullofprickles!It’sreallyspiteful!’

‘Thepacketsalmostfillthefunnel,’saidJulian.‘Hardlyanyroomforsand.Still,wecanputinenoughtohidethemoneyallright.Therethat’sdone.Nowpullthisgorse-branchoverthetopofthefunnel.Myword,Ineverknewabushsosetwithspines!I’mscratchedtobits!’

‘Canyouhearanythingofthegypsies?’askedDick,inalowvoice,astheypreparedtogobacktothelines.

Theylistened.‘Notathing,’saidJulian.‘It’smybeliefthey’rescaredofthismist,andarelyinglowtillitclears.’

‘Theymaybeinthequarry,’saidDick.‘Waitingthereinsafety.Well,longmaytheybethere!Theywon’tgetthemoneynow!’

‘Comeon,’saidJulian,andwalkedroundthebush.‘It’sjustaboutherethatwestepouttogettothelines.Takemyarm.Wemustn’tgetseparated.Didyoueverseesuchamistinyourlife?It’sthethickestfogIeverknew.Wecan’tevenseeourfeetinthelightofthetorchnow.’

Theytookafewstepsandthenfeltaboutfortherails.Theycouldn’tfeelevenone.‘Abitfarther,Ithink,’saidJulian.‘No,thisway.’

Buttheystillcouldn’tfindtherailwaylines.Wherewerethewretchedthings?AsmallfeelingofpaniccameintoJulian’smind.Whichwayshouldtheystepnow,tofindtherails?Howhadtheygonewrong?

Nowbothboyswereonhandsandknees,feelingforthebrokenrails.‘I’vegotone,’saidDick.‘No,blow,itisn’t.It’sabitofwood,orsomething.Forgoodness’sake,keepclosetome,Ju.’

Aftertenminutes’search,thetwoboyssatbackontheirheels,thelittletorchbetweenthem.

‘Somehowwe’vejustmissedthosetwoorthreecorrectstepsfromthegorse-bushtotherails,’saidJulian.‘Nowwe’redone!Idon’tseeanythingforitbuttowaittillthemistclears.’

‘Butwhataboutthetwogirls?’saidDick,anxiously.‘Let’stryabitlonger.Look,themistisclearingalittlethere.Let’sgoforwardandhopewe’llstumble

Look,themistisclearingalittlethere.Let’sgoforwardandhopewe’llstumbleoverthelinessoon.Ifthemistdoesclear,weshallsoonbeabletogetourbearings.’

Sotheywentforwardhopefully,seeingthemistclearalittleinfrontofthem,sothatthetorchmadealongerbeamforthemtoseeby.Nowandagain,whentheirfeetknockedagainstsomethinghard,theyfeltfortherails.Buttheycouldnotfindevenone!

‘Let’sshout,’saidJulian,atlast.Sotheyshoutedloudly.‘George!Anne!Canyouhearus?’

Theystoodandlistened.Noanswer.

‘GEORGE!’yelledDick.‘TIMMY!’

Theythoughttheyheardafar-offbark.‘ThatwasTimmy!’saidJulian.‘Overthere!’

Theystumbledalongandthenshoutedagain.Butthistimetherewasnobarkatall.Notasoundcameoutofthatdreadfulmist,whichhadnowclosedtightlyroundthemagain.

‘We’llbewalkinginitallnightlong,’saidJulian,desperately.‘Whydidweleavethegirls?Supposethisfrightfulfogdoesn’tclearbytomorrow?Sometimesitlastsfordays.’

‘Whatahorribleidea,’saidDick,lightly,soundingmuchmorecheerfulthanhefelt.‘Idon’tthinkweneedworryaboutthegirls,Ju.Timmy’swiththemandhecaneasilytakethembacktothestablesacrossthemoor,inthemist.Dogsdon’tmindfogs.’

Julianfeltmostrelieved.Hehadn’tthoughtofthat.‘Ohyes,I’dforgottenoldTim,’hesaid.‘Well,seeingthatthegirlswillprobablybeallrightwithTimmytoguidethem,let’ssitdownsomewhereandhavearest.I’mtiredout!’

‘Here’sagoodthickbush,’saidDick.‘Let’sgetintothemiddleofitifwecan,andkeepthedampoutofus.Thankgoodnessit’snotagorse-bush!’

‘IwishIknewifthegirlshadhadthesensenottowaitforusanylonger,buttotrytofindtheirwaybackdownthelines,’saidJulian.‘Iwonderwheretheyarenow?’

now?’

AnneandGeorgewerenolongerwhereJulianandDickhadleftthem!Theyhadwaitedandwaited,andthenhadbecomeveryanxiousindeed.

‘Something’shappened,’saidGeorge.‘Ithinkweoughttogoandgethelp,Anne.Wecaneasilyfollowtherailwaydowntowherewehavetobreakoffforthestable.Timmywillknow,anyway.Don’tyouthinkweoughttogobackandgethelp?’

‘Yes,Ido,’saidAnne,gettingup.‘ComeonGeorge.Gosh,thismistisworsethanever!We’llhavetobecarefulwedon’tlosethelines!EvenTimmymightfindithardtosmellhiswayinthisfog!’

Theygotup.AnnefollowedGeorgeandTimmyfollowedbehind,lookingpuzzled.Hecouldn’tunderstandthisnighttimewanderingaboutatall!

AnneandGeorgekeptcloselytotherailwaylines,walkingslowlyalong,shiningthelightofthetorchdownwards,andfollowingcarefully.

AfteratimeGeorgestopped,puzzled.‘Thisline’sbrokenhere,’shesaid.‘There’snomoreofit.That’sfunny,Idon’trememberitbeingasbadlybrokenasthis,Thelinessimplystop.Ican’tseeanymore.’

‘OhGeorge!’saidAnne,peeringdown.‘Doyouknowwhatwe’vedone.We’vecomeallthewayupthelinesagain-insteadofgoingdownthem,homewards!Howcouldwehavebeensomad?Look,thisiswheretheybreakoff;sotheoldenginemustbesomewherenear,andthequarry!’

‘Blow!’saidGeorge,quiteindespair.‘Whatassesweare.Itshowshowwecanloseoursenseofdirectioninamistlikethis.’

‘Ican’tseeorhearanythingoftheboys,’saidAnne,fearfully.‘George,let’sgotothequarryandwaittheretilldaylightcomes.I’mcoldandtired.Wecansqueezeintooneofthosewarmsand-caves.’

‘Allright,’saidGeorge,verymuchdowninthedumps.‘Comealong,andforgoodness’sakedon’tlet’sloseourwaytothequarry!’

ChapterSeventeen

PRISONERSTOGETHER

ThetwogirlsandTimmymadetheirwaycarefully,hopingtocomeacrossthelinesthatledtothequarry.Theywerelucky.Theywentacrossthegapinthelineswhereoncelongagothegypsieshadwrenchedouttherails,andcametowheretheybeganagain,andledtotheedgeofthequarry.

‘Heretheyare!’saidGeorge,thankfully.‘Nowwe’reallright.We’veonlyjustgottofollowtheseandwe’llbeinthequarry.Ihopeitwillbewarmerthanhere.Brrrr!Thismististerriblycoldandclammy.’

‘Itcameupsosuddenly,’saidAnne,shininghertorchdownwards.‘Icouldn’tbelievemyeyeswhenIlookedroundandsawitcreepinguponus.I…’

Shestoppedsuddenly.Timmyhadgivenalowgrowl.‘What’sup,Tim?’whisperedGeorge.Hestoodquitestill,hishacklesupandhistailmotionless.Helookedsteadfastlyintothemist.

‘Ohdear.Whatcanbethematternow?’whisperedAnne.‘Ican’thearathing,canyou?’

Theylistened.No,therewasnothingtohearatall.Theywentonintothequarry,thinkingthatTimmymighthaveheardarabbitorhedgehog,andgrowledatitashesometimesdid.

Timmyheardasoundandrantotheside,lostinthemistatonce.Hesuddenlyyelpedloudly,thentherewasaheavythud,andnomoresoundfromTimmy!

‘Timmy!What’shappened!Timmy,comehere!’shoutedGeorge,atthetopofhervoice.ButnoTimmycame.Thegirlsheardthesoundofsomethingheavybeingdraggedaway,andGeorgeranafterthesound.

‘Timmy!OhTimmy,what’shappened!’shecried.‘Whereareyou?Areyouhurt?’

hurt?’

Themistswirledround,andshetriedtobeatagainstitwithherfists,angrythatshecouldnotsee.‘Tim!Tim!’

Thenapairofhandstookherarmsfrombehindandavoicesaid,‘Nowyoucomewithme!Youwerewarnednottosnoopaboutonthemoor!’

Georgestruggledviolently,lessconcernedforherselfthanforTimmy.

‘Where’smydog?’shecried.‘Whathaveyoudonetohim?’

‘Iknockedhimonthehead,’saidthevoice,whichsoundedverylikeSniffer’sfather.‘He’sallright,buthewon’tfeelhimselfforabit!Youcanhavehimbackifyou’resensible.’

Georgewasn’tsensible.Shekickedandfoughtandwriggledandstruggled.Itwasnouse.Shewasheldinagriplikeiron.SheheardAnnescreamonceandknewthatshehadbeencaughttoo.

WhenGeorgewastootiredtostruggleanymore,shewasledfirmlyoutofthequarrywithAnne.

‘Where’smydog?’shesobbed.‘Whathaveyoudonewithhim?’

‘He’sallright,’saidthemanbehindher.‘ButifyoumakeanymorefussI’llgivehimanotherblowonthehead.NOWwillyoubequiet.’

Georgewasquietatonce.ShewastakenwithAnneacrossthemoorforwhatseemedlikemiles,butwasreallyonlythefairlyshortdistancebetweenthequarryandthegypsies’camp.

‘Areyoubringingmydog?’askedGeorge,unabletocontainherfearsaboutTimmy.

‘Yes.Somebody’sgothim,’saidhercaptor.‘Youshallhavehimbacksafeandsound,ifyoudowhatyou’retold!’

Georgehadtobecontentwiththat.Whatanight!Theboysgone,Timmyhurt,sheandAnnecaptured,andthishorrible,wreathingmistallthetime!

Themistclearedalittleastheycameneartothegypsycamp.Thehillbehind

Themistclearedalittleastheycameneartothegypsycamp.Thehillbehindseemedtokeepitoff.GeorgeandAnnesawthelightofafire,andofafewlanternshereandthere.Moremenweregatheredtogether,waiting.AnnethoughtshecouldseeSnifferandLizinthebackgroundbutshecouldn’tbesure.

‘IfonlyIcouldgetholdofSniffer,’shethought.‘HewouldsoonfindoutifTimmyisreallyhurt.OhSniffer,docomenearerifit’syou!’

Theircaptorstookthemtothelittlefire,andmadebothgirlssitdown.Oneofthementhereexclaimedinsurprise.

‘Butthesearenotthosetwoboys!Thisisaboyandagirl,notastallastheotherswere!’

‘We’retwogirls,’saidAnne,thinkingthatthemenmighttreatGeorgelessroughlyiftheyknewshewasnotaboy.‘I’magirlandsoisshe.’

ShegotascowlfromGeorge,buttooknonotice.Thiswasnotthetimetopretendanything.Thesemenwereruthless,andveryangry.Theythoughttheirplanshadgonewrong,allbecauseoftwoboys.Perhapswhentheyfoundtheyhadgottwogirls,theywouldletthemgo.

Themenbegantoquestionthem.‘Wherearetheboysthen?’

‘We’venoidea!Lostinthemist,’saidAnne.‘Weallwentouttogobackhome,andgotseparated,soGeorge,ImeanGeorgina,andIwentbacktothequarry.’

‘Didyouheartheplane?’

‘Ofcourse!’

‘Didyouseeorhearitdroppinganything?’

‘Wedidn’tseeanythingdrop,weheardit,’saidAnne.Georgestaredatherfuriously.WhywasAnnegivingallthisaway?PerhapsshethoughtthatTimmywouldbegivenbacktothemiftheyprovedhelpful?GeorgeimmediatelychangedhermindaboutfeelingcrosswithAnne.IfonlyTimmywereallright!

‘Didyoupickupwhattheplanedropped?’ThemanrappedoutthequestionsosharplythatAnnehumped.Whatshouldshesay?

‘Ohyes,’sheheardherselfsaying.‘Wepickedupafewqueerparcels.Whatwasinthem,doyouknow?’

‘Neveryoumind,’saidtheman.‘Whatdidyoudowiththeparcels?’

GeorgestaredatAnne,wonderingwhatshewasgoingtosay.Surely,surelyshewouldn’tgivethatsecretaway?

‘Ididn’tdoanythingwiththem,’saidAnne,inaninnocentvoice.‘Theboyssaidtheywouldhidethem.Sotheywentoffintothemistwiththem,buttheydidn’tcomeback.SoGeorgeandIwenttothequarryagain.That’swhenyoucaughtus.’

Thementalkedamongthemselvesinlowvoices.ThenSniffer’sfatherturnedtothegirlsagain.

‘Wheredidtheboyshidethesepackets?’

‘HowdoIknow?’saidAnne.‘Ididn’tgowiththem.Ididn’tseewhattheydidwiththem.’

‘Doyouthinktheywillstillhavegotthemwiththem?’askedtheman.

‘Whydon’tyougoandfindtheboysandaskthem?’saidAnne.‘Ihaven’tseenorheardoftheboyssincetheyleftusandwentintothemist.Idon’tknowwhatbecameofthemortheparcels!’

‘They’reprobablylostsomewhereonthemoors,’saidtheold,grey-hairedgypsy.‘Withthepackets!We’lllookfortheboystomorrow.Theywon’tgethomeinthis!We’llfetchthembackhere.’

‘Theywouldn’tcome,’saidGeorge.‘Assoonastheysawyou,they’drun.You’dnevercatchthem.Anywaythey’dgetbackhomeassoonasthemistcleared.’

‘Takethesegirlsaway,’saidtheoldgypsy,soundingtiredofthem.‘Puttheminthefarcave,andtiethemup.’

‘Where’smydog?’shoutedGeorge,suddenly.‘Youbringmemydog!’

‘Youhaven’tbeenveryhelpful,’saidtheoldgypsy.‘We’llquestionyouagain

‘Youhaven’tbeenveryhelpful,’saidtheoldgypsy.‘We’llquestionyouagaintomorrow,andifyouaremorehelpful,youshallhaveyourdog.’

Twomentookthegirlsawayfromthefireandovertothehill.Alargeopeningledintothequeerhill.Oneofthemenhadalanternandledtheway,theothermanwalkingbehind.

Apassageledstraightintothehill.Therewassandunderfoot,anditseemedtoAnneasifeventhewallsweremadeofsand.Howstrange!

Thehillwashoneycombedwithpassages.Theycriss-crossedandforkedlikeburrowsinarabbit-warren.Annewonderedhoweverthemencouldfindtheirway!

Theycameatlasttoacavethatmusthavebeenrightintheheartofthehill,acavewithasandyfloor,andapostthatwasdrivendeeplyintotheground.

Ropeswerefastenedfirmlytoit.Thetwogirlslookedatthemindismay.Surelytheywerenotgoingtobetieduplikeprisoners!

Buttheywere!Theropeswerefastenedfirmlyroundtheirwaistsandknottedattheback.Theknotsweregypsyknots,firm,tightandcomplicated.Itwouldtakethegirlshourstounpickthose,evensupposingtheycouldmanagetoreachrightroundtotheirbacks!

‘Thereyouare,’saidthemen,grinningatthetwoangrygirls.‘Maybeinthemorningyouwillrememberwherethosepacketswereput?’

‘Yougoandgetmydog,’orderedGeorge.Buttheyonlylaughedloudlyandwentoutofthecave.

Itwasstuffyandhotinthere.GeorgewasworriedtodeathaboutTimmy,butAnnewasalmosttootiredtothink.

Shefellasleep,sittingupuncomfortablywiththeropesroundherwaist,andtheknotsdiggingintoherback.Georgesatbrooding.Timmy-wherewashe?Washebadlyhurt?Georgewasverymiserableindeed.

Shedidn’tgotosleep.Shesatthere,worrying,wideawake.Shemadeanattempttogetattheknotsbehindher,butitwasnouse,shecouldn’t.

Suddenlyshethoughtsheheardanoise.Wasthatsomeonecreepingupthe

Suddenlyshethoughtsheheardanoise.Wasthatsomeonecreepingupthepassagetothecave?Shefeltfrightened.Oh,ifonlyTimmywerehere!

Sniff!Sniff!

‘Graciousgoodness,itmustbeSniffer!’thoughtGeorge,andatthatmomentshealmostlovedthedirtylittlegypsyboy!

‘Sniffer!’shecalledquietly,andputonhertorch.Sniffer’sheadappearedandthenhisbody.Hewascrawlingquietlyupthepassageonallfours.

Hecamerightintothecave,andstaredatherandthesleepingAnne.‘I’vesometimesbeentiedupheretoo,’hesaid.

‘Sniffer,howisTimmy?’askedGeorge,anxiously.‘Tellme,quickly!’

‘He’sallright,’saidSniffer.‘He’sjustgotabadcutonhishead.Ibatheditforhim.He’stieduptoo,andhe’smadaboutit!’

‘Sniffer,listen,goandgetTimmyandbringhimtome,’saidGeorge,breathlessly.‘Andbringmeaknifetoo,tocuttheseropes.Willyou?Canyou?’

‘Oooh,Idunno,’saidSniffer,lookingfrightened.‘Myfatherwouldhalfkillme!’

‘Sniffer,isthereanythingyouwant,anythingyou’vealwayswanted?’saidGeorge.‘I’llgiveittoyouifyoudothisforme.Ipromiseyou!’

‘Iwantabike,’saidSniffer,surprisingly.‘AndIwanttoliveinahouse,andridemybiketoschool.’

‘I’llseethatyouhavewhatyouwant,Sniffer,’saidGeorge,wildly.‘Only,do,dogoandgetTimmy,andaknife!Yougotherewithoutbeingseen,youcansurelygetbackagainsafelywithTimmy.Thinkofthatbike!’

Snifferthoughtofit.Thenhenoddedanddisappeareddownthepassageassilentlyashehadcome.

Georgewaitedandwaited.WouldhebringdearoldTimmytoher,orwouldhebecaught?

ChapterEighteen

GEORGE’STRICK

Georgesatinthedarknessofthecave,hearingAnne’speacefulbreathingnearby,waitingforSniffertocomeback.ShewaslongingtoseeTimmyagain.Wasthecutonhisheadverybad?

Athoughtcameintohermind.ShewouldsendTimmybacktothestableswithanote!Hewasveryclever,heknewwhattodowhenhehadanotetiedtohiscollar.Thenhelpwouldcomeveryquicklyindeed.Timmywouldknowhiswayallrightoutofthishill,oncehehadbeeninit!

Ah,herewasSniffercomingbackagain.WasTimmywithhim?SheheardSniffer’ssniff-sniff-sniff,butnosoundofTimmy.Herheartsank.

Snifferappearedcautiouslyinthecave.

‘Ididn’tdaretotakeTimmy,’hesaid.‘Myfatherhashimtieduptooneartohim,andI’dhavewakedhim.ButI’vebroughtyouaknife,look.’

‘Thankyou,Sniffer,’saidGeorge,takingtheknifeandputtingitintoherpocket.‘Listen,there’ssomethingimportantI’mgoingtodoandyou’vegottohelp.’

‘I’mscared,’saidSniffer.‘I’mrealscared.’

‘Thinkofthatbicycle,’saidGeorge.‘Aredone,perhaps,withsilverhandles?’

Snifferthoughtofit.‘Allright,’hesaid.‘Whatareyougoingtodo?’

‘I’mgoingtowriteanote,’saidGeorge,feelinginherpocketforhernote-bookandpencil.‘AndIwantyoutotieitontoTimmy’scollar,underhischin,andsethimfreesomehow.Willyoudothat?He’llrunoffbacktothestableswiththenote,andthenAnneandIwillberescued,andyouwillgetthemostbeautifulbicycleintheworld!’

‘Andahousetolivein,’saidSniffer,atonce.‘So’sIcanridemybiketoschool?’

‘Allright,’saidGeorge,hopingthatsomehowhecouldhavethattoo.‘Now,waitaminute.’

Shescribbledthenote,butshehadhardlywrittenmorethanafewwords,whenasoundcameupthepassage.Someonewascoughing.

‘It’smyfather!’saidSniffer,infright.‘Listen,ifyoucutyourropesandescape,canyoufindyourwayoutfromhere?It’sverytwistyandturny.’

‘Idon’tknow.Idon’tthinkIcan!’whisperedGeorge,inapanic.

‘I’llleavepatrinsforyou!’saidSniffer.‘Lookoutforthem!NowI’mgoingtoslipintothecavenextdoor,andwaittillmyfather’sfinishedtalkingtoyou.ThenI’llgobacktoTimmy.’

Heslippedoutjustintime.ThelanternshoneintoGeorge’scaveandSniffer’sfatherstoodthere.

‘HaveyouseenSniffer?’heasked.‘ImissedhimwhenIwokejustnow.IfIcatchhiminhereI’llwhiphimtillhesqueals.’

‘Sniffer?He’snothere,’saidGeorge,tryingtosoundsurprised.‘Lookroundthecaveandsee!’

Themancaughtsightofthenote-bookandpencilinGeorge’shand.‘What’sthatyou’rewriting?’hesaidsuspiciouslyandtookitfromher.

‘Soyou’rewritingforhelp,areyou!’hesaid.‘Andhowdoyouthinkyou’regoingtogethelp.I’dliketoknow?Who’sgoingtotakethisnotehomeforyou?Sniffer?’

‘No,’saidGeorge,truthfully.

Themanfrownedashelookedagainatthenote.‘Lookhere,’hesaid,‘youcanwriteanothernote,tothosetwoboys.AndI’lltellyouwhattosay.’

‘No,’saidGeorge.

‘Ohyes,youwill,’saidtheman.‘I’mnotgoingtohurtthoseboys.I’mjustgoingtogetbackthosepacketsfromwherevertheyarehidden.Doyouwantyourdogbacksafely?’

‘Yes,’saidGeorge,withagulp.

‘Well,ifyoudon’twritethisnoteyouwon’tseehimagain,’saidtheman.‘Nowthen,takeyourpencilandwriteinthatnote-bookofyours.’

Georgetookupherpencil.‘Thisiswhatyoumustwrite,’saidtheman,frowningashethoughthard.

‘Waitaminute,’saidGeorge.‘Howareyougoingtogetthisnotetotheboys?Youdon’tknowwheretheyare!Youwon’tbeabletofindthemifthismiststillgoeson.’

Themanscratchedhisheadandthought.

‘Theonlywaytogetthenotetothemistotieitonmydog’scollarandsendhimtofindthem,’saidGeorge.‘IfyoubringhimheretomeIcanmakehimunderstand.HealwaysdoeswhatItellhim.’

‘Youmeanhe’lltakethenotetowhoeveryoutellhimtotakeit?’saidtheman,hiseyesgleaming.‘Well,writeitthen.Saythis:

‘“Weareprisoners.FollowTimmyandhewillbringyoutousandyoucansaveus.”Thensignyourname,whateveritis.’

‘It’sGeorgina,’saidGeorge,firmly.‘YougoandgetmydogwhileIwritethenote.’

Themanturnedandwent.Georgelookedafterhimhereyesbright.HethoughthewasmakingherplayatrickonJulianandDick,tobringthemheresothattheycouldbethreatenedandquestionedaboutthepackets,andwheretheywerehidden!

‘ButI’mgoingtoplayatrickonhim,’thoughtGeorge.‘I’mgoingtotellTimmytotakethenotetoHenry,andshe’llbesuspiciousandgetCaptainJohnsontofollowTimbackhere,andthatwillgivethegypsiesanawfulshock!IexpecttheCaptainwillbesensibleenoughtogetthepoliceaswell.Aha,I’mplayingatricktoo!’

tricktoo!’

Intenminutes’timeSniffer’sfatherreturnedwithTimmy.ItwasarathersubduedTimmy,withaverybadcutonhishead,whichreallyneededstitching.HepatteredsoberlyacrosstoGeorge,andsheflungherarmsroundhisneckandcriedintohisthickhair.

‘Doesyourheadhurtyou?’shesaid.‘I’lltakeyoutothevetwhenIgetback,Tim.’

‘Youcangetbackassoonaswe’vegotthosetwoboyshereandthey’vetolduswherethosepacketsarehidden,’saidtheman.

TimmywaslickingGeorgeasifhewouldneverstop,andhistailwavedtoandfro,toandfro.Hecouldn’tunderstandwhatwashappeningatall!WhywasGeorgehere?Nevermind,hewaswithheragain.Hesettleddownonthefloorwithathumpandputhisheadonherknee.

‘Writethenote,’saidtheman,‘andtieitontohiscollar,onthetop,sothatitcaneasilybeseen.’

‘I’vewrittenit,’saidGeorge.Thegypsyheldoutadirtyhandforitandreadit.

‘Weareprisoners.FollowTimmyandhewillbringyoutousandyoucansaveus.

Georgina.’

‘Isthatreallyyourname,Georgina?’askedtheman.Georgenodded.Itwasoneofthefewtimessheeverownedtoagirl’sname!

ShetiedthenotefirmlytoTimmy’scollar,onthetopofhisneck.Itwasquiteplainlytobeseen.Thenshegavehimahugandspokeurgentlytohim.

‘GotoHenry,Tim,gotoHENRY.Doyouunderstand,Timmydear,takethisnotetoHENRY.’Shetappedthepaperonhiscollarashelistenedtoher.Thenshegavehimapush.‘Goalong.Don’tstayhereanylonger.GoandfindHENRY.’

HENRY.’

‘Hadn’tyoubettertellhimtheotherboy’snametoo?’saidtheman.

‘Ohno,Idon’twanttomuddleTimmy,’saidGeorgehastily.‘Henry,Henry,HENRY!’

‘Woof,’saidTimmy,andGeorgeknewthatheunderstood.Shegavehimanotherpush.

‘Go,then,’shesaid.‘Hurry!’

Timmygaveherratherareproachfullookasiftosay,‘Youhaven’tletmestaywithyouverylong!’Thenhepaddedoffdownthepassage,thenoteshowingclearlyonhiscollar.

‘I’llbringtheboysuphereassoonastheycomewiththedog,’saidtheman,andheturnedonhisheel,andwentout.GeorgewonderedifSnifferwasstillaboutandshecalledhim.Buttherewasnoanswer.Hemusthaveslippedawaydownthepassagesbacktohiscaravan.

Annewokeupthen,andwonderedwhereshewas.Georgeswitchedonhertorchagainandexplainedallthathadhappened.

‘Youshouldhavewakenedme,’saidAnne.‘Ohblowtheseropes.They’resouncomfortable.’

‘I’vegotaknifenow,’saidGeorge.‘Sniffergaveittome.ShallIcutourropes?’

‘Ohyes!’saidAnne,indelight.‘Butdon’tlet’stryandescapeyet.It’sstillnighttimeandifthatmistisabout,we’llonlygetlost.Wecanpretendwe’restilltiedupifanyonecomes.’

GeorgecutherownropeswithSniffer’sexceedinglybluntknife.ThenshecutAnne’s.Oh,whatarelieftoliedownproperly,andnottohavetositupallthetimeandfeeltheknotsattheback!

‘Nowdoremember,ifwehearanyonecoming,wemusttietheropeslooselyroundus,’shesaid.‘Wewillstayheretillweknowit’sday,andperhapswecanfindoutifthemistisstillabout,orifit’sgone.Ifit’sgone,we’llgo.’

Theyfellasleeponthesandyfloor,bothgladtoliedownflat.Nobodycametodisturbthem,andtheysleptonandon,tiredout.

Whereweretheboys?Stillunderthebush,half-sleeping,half-waking,fortheywerecoldanduncomfortable.Theyhopedthegirlswerenowsafelyathome.Theymusthavegonerightdowntherailway,andmadetheirwaybacktothestables,thoughtJulian,everytimeheawoke.Idohopetheyaresafe,andTimmytoo.Thankgoodnessheiswiththem.

ButTimmywasn’twiththem,ofcourse.Hewaspaddingacrossthemistymoorallbyhimself,puzzled,andwithabadly-achinghead.WhyhadGeorgesenthimtoHenry?Hedidn’tlikeHenry.Hedidn’tthinkthatGeorgedid,either.Andyetshehadsenthimtofindher.Verystrange!

Still,Georgehadgivenhimhisorders,andhelovedherandalwaysobeyedher.Hepaddedovertheheatherandgrass.Hedidn’tbotheraboutkeepingtotherailwayline.Heknewthewaybackwithouteventhinkingaboutit!

Itwasstillnight,thoughsoonthedawnwouldcome.Butthemistwassothickthateventhedawnwouldnotbeabletobreakthroughit.Thesunwouldhavetoremainhiddenbehindthethickswathesofmist.

Timmycametothestables.HepausedtorememberwhichwasHenry’sbedroom.Ahyes,itwasupstairs,nexttotheroomthatAnneandGeorgehadhad.

Timmyleaptintothekitchenthroughawindowleftopenforthecat.HepaddedupstairsandcametoHenry’sroom.Hepushedatthedooranditopened.

Inhewentandputhispawsonherbed.‘Woof,’hesaidinherear.‘Woof!Woof!Woof!’

ChapterNineteen

GOODOLDTIM!

Henryhadbeenfastasleepandsnoring.SheawokewithatremendousjumpwhenshefeltTimmy’spawonherarmandheardhissharplittlebark.

‘Oooh!Whatisit?’shesaid,sittingupstraightinbedandfumblingforhertorch.Shewasquitepanic-stricken.SheswitchedonthetorchwithtremblingfingersandthensawTimmy,hisbigbrowneyeslookingatherbeseechingly.

‘Why,Timmy!’saidHenry,inamazement,‘Timmy!Whateverareyoudoinghere?Havetheotherscomeback?No,theycouldn’thave,notinthemiddleofthenight!Whyhaveyoucomethen,Timmy?’

‘Woof,’saidTimmy,tryingtomakeherunderstandthathewasbringingamessage.Henryputoutherhandtopathishead,andsuddenlycaughtsightofthepapertiedtohiscollarattheback.

‘What’sthisonyourcollar?’shesaid,andreachedoutforit.‘Why,it’spaper.Tiedon,too.Itmustbeamessage!’

Sheuntiedthepieceofpaperandunrolledit.Shereadit.

‘Weareprisoners.FollowTimmyandhewillbringyoutousandyoucansaveus.

Georgina.’

Henrywasastounded.ShelookedatTimmyandhelookedback,wagginghistail.Hepawedatherarmimpatiently.Henryreadthenoteagain.Thenshepinchedherselftomakesureshewasnotdreaming.

pinchedherselftomakesureshewasnotdreaming.

‘Oooh,no,I’mawakeallright,’shesaid.‘Timmy,isthisnotetrue?Aretheyprisoners?Andwhodoes“we”mean?GeorgeandAnne,orthewholefour?Oh,Timmy,Idowishyoucouldspeak!’

Timmywishedthesame!HepawedenergeticallyatHenry.Shesuddenlysawthecutonhisheadandwashorrified.

‘You’rehurt,Timmy!Oh,youpoor,poorthing.Whodidthattoyou?Yououghttohavethatwoundseento!’

Timmycertainlyhadaveryoutsizeheadache,buthecouldn’tbothertothinkaboutthat.Hegavealittlewhineandrantothedoorandback.

‘Yes,Iknowyouwantmetofollowyou,butI’vegottothink,’saidHenry.‘IfCaptainJohnsonwashereI’dgoandfetchhim.Buthe’sawayforthenight,Timmy.AndI’msureMrsJohnsonwouldhavethefrightofherlifeifIfetchedher.Isimplydon’tknowwhattodo.’

‘Woof,’saidTimmy,scornfully.

‘It’sallverywelltosay“Woof”likethat,’saidHenry,‘butI’mnotasbraveasyouare.IpretendIam,Timmy,butI’mnotreally.I’mafraidoffollowingyou!I’mafraidofgoingtofindtheothers.Imightbecaughttoo.Andthere’saterriblemist,Timmy,youknow.’

Henryslidoutofbed,andTimmylookedsuddenlyhopeful.Wasthissillygirlgoingtomakeuphermindatlast?

‘Timmy,there’snogrown-upheretonightexceptMrsJohnson,andIreallycan’twakeher,’saidHenry.‘She’shadsuchaveryhard,busyday.I’mgoingtodress,andthengetWilliam.He’sonlyeleven,Iknow,buthe’sverysensible,andhe’saboy.He’llknowwhattodo.Ionlypretendtobeaboy.’

ShedressedquicklyinherridingthingsandthensetofftoWilliam’sroom.Hesleptbyhimselfacrossthelanding.Henrywalkedinandswitchedonhertorch.

Williamawokeatonce.‘Who’sthere?’hedemanded,sittingupatonce.‘Whatdoyouwant?’

‘It’sme.Henry,’saidHenry.‘William,amostextraordinarythinghashappened.

‘It’sme.Henry,’saidHenry.‘William,amostextraordinarythinghashappened.Timmyhasarrivedinmyroomwithanoteonhiscollar.Readit!’

Williamtookthenoteandreadit.Hewasmostastonished.‘Look,’hesaid,‘GeorgehassignedherselfGeorgina.Shewouldn’tdothatunlessthingswereveryurgent.Shenever,neverletsherselfbecalledanythingbutGeorge.We’llhavetofollowTimandgo,atonce,too’

‘ButIcan’twalkmilesinamistoverthemoor,’saidHenry,inapanic.

‘Wedon’tneedto.We’llsaddleourhorsesandgoonthose,’saidWilliam,beginningtodress,andsoundingverysensibleindeed.‘Timmywillleadtheway.Yougoandgetthehorsesout.Dobuckup,Henry.Theothersmaybeindanger.You’reactinglikeaHenrietta!’

ThatmadeHenrycross.Shewentoutoftheroomatonceanddownintotheyard.WhatapityCaptainJohnsonhappenedtobeawayjustthatnight.Hewouldhavedecidedeverythingatonce.

Couragecametoherwhenshegotthehorses.Theyweresurprisedbutquitewillingtogoforanighttimeride,eveninthisthickmist!WilliamcameupinaveryshorttimewithTimmybehindhim.TimmywasdelightedtohaveWilliamwithhim.Helikedhim,buthewasnotveryfondofHenry.

Heranforward,justinfrontofthehorses,andtheyfollowedbehind.BothHenryandWilliamhadexcellenttorches,andkeptthemshiningdownwards,sothattheyshouldnotmissTimmy.Hedidgooutofsightonceortwice,butcamebackimmediately,whenheheardthehorsesstopping.

Overthemoortheyrode.Theydidn’tfollowtherailway,ofcourse.Timmydidn’tneedto.Heknewthewayperfectly!

Oncehestoppedandsniffedtheair.Whathadhesmelt?HenryandWilliamhadnoidea,butTimmywaspuzzledbywhathehadsmeltonthemistyair.

Surelyhehadsmeltthesmellofthetwoboys,JulianandDick?Ithadcomeontheairforamomentortwo,andTimmywashalf-inclinedtofollowitandseeifthesmellwasright.ThenherememberedGeorgeandAnneandwentonthroughtheswirlingmist.

TheboyswereactuallynotveryfarawaywhenTimmysmeltthem.Theywere

TheboyswereactuallynotveryfarawaywhenTimmysmeltthem.Theywerestillinthemiddleofthebush,tryingtokeepwarm,andsleep.IfonlytheyhadknownthatTimmywasnear,withHenryandWilliam!Buttheydidn’t.

Timmyledtheway.Soontheycametothequarry,butdidnotseeitbecauseofthemist.Theywentroundit,ledbyTimmy,androdetowardsthegypsycamp.Timmysloweddown,andtheytookwarning.

‘He’sgettingnearwhereverhewantstotakeus,’whisperedWilliam.‘Hadwebetterdismountandtiethehorsesup,doyouthink?Theirhoovesmaygiveawarningthatwearenear.’

‘Yes.Yes,William,’saidHenry,thinkingthattheboywasreallyverysensible.Theydismountedquietlyandtiedthehorsestoanearbybirchtree.

Theywerequitenearthehillinfrontofwhichwasthegypsycamp.Themistwasnotsothickhere,andthetwosuddenlycaughtsightofadark,shadowycaravan,outlinedagainstacampfire,leftburningnearby.‘We’llhavetobeveryquiet,’whisperedWilliam.‘Timmy’sbroughtustothegypsycamponthemoor.Ihadanideathathewould.Theothersmustbeheldprisonersomewherenear-beasquietasyoucan.’

Timmywatchedthemdismount.Hehunghishead,panting,histaildown.Hisheadwashurtinghimverymuch,andhefeltdecidedlyqueerandgiddy.ButhemustgettoGeorge,hemust!

Heledthewaytotheopeninginthehill.WilliamandHenryweremostastonished.TheyfollowedTimmythroughthemazeofpassages,wonderinghowheknewthewaysosurely.ButTimmydidn’tfalter.Heonlyneededtogosomewhereonce,andafterthatheneverforgottheway!

Hewasgoingveryslowlynow,andhislegsfeltqueerandshaky.Hewantedtoliedownandputhisachingheadonhispaws.Butno,hemustfindGeorge.HemustfindGeorge.

GeorgeandAnnewerelyinginthelittlecave,asleep.Theywereuncomfortable,andthecavewashot,sotheywererestless,wakingupeveryfewminutes.ButbothwereasleepwhenTimmywalkedslowlyintothecave,andfloppeddownbesideGeorge.

GeorgeawokewhensheheardWilliamandHenrycomeintothecave.She

GeorgeawokewhensheheardWilliamandHenrycomeintothecave.ShethoughtitmightbeSniffer’sfathercomingback,andshehastilyputtheropesroundherwaistsothatshewouldlookasifshewerestilltiedup.ThensheheardTimmypanting,andswitchedonhertorcheagerly.

ItshowedherTimmy,andHenryandWilliam!HenrywasfullofamazementwhenshesawGeorgeandAnnewithropesroundtheirwaists.Shegapedatthem.

‘OhTimmydarling,youfetchedhelp!’saidGeorge,puttingherarmsroundhisneck.‘OhHenry,I’msogladyou’vecome.Butdidn’tyoubringCaptainJohnsontoo?’

‘No.He’saway,’saidHenry.‘ButWilliam’shere.Werode,andTimmyguidedus.Whatever’shappened,George?’

Anneawokejustthen,andcouldn’tbelievehereyeswhenshesawthevisitors!Therewasahastydiscussion,andthenWilliamspokefirmly.

‘Ifyouwanttoescape,you’dbettercomenow,whilethegypsycampisasleep.Timmycanguideusoutofthisrabbit-warrenofahill.We’dneverbeabletofindourwayoutalone.Comeon!’

‘Comeon,Tim,’saidGeorge,shakinghimgently.ButpooroldTimmywasfeelingverypeculiar.Hecouldn’tseethingsproperly.George’svoicesoundedblurredtohim.Hisheadfeltasheavyaslead,andsomehowhislegswouldn’tcarryhim,Theblowonhisheadwastakingrealeffectnow,andthehurriedjourneyoverthemoorandbackwasmakingitworse.

‘He’sill!’saidGeorge,inapanic.‘Hecan’tgetup!OhTimmy,what’sthematter?’

‘It’sthatcutonhishead,’saidWilliam.‘Itsprettybad,andhe’swornoutwithcomingtofetchusandrunningallthewaybackagain.Hecan’tpossiblyguideusback,George.We’llhavetodothebestwecanbyourselves.’

‘Oh,poor,poorTimmy!’saidAnne,horrifiedatseeingthedogstretchedoutquitelimp,onthefloorofthecave.‘George,canyoucarryhim?’

‘Ithinkso,’saidGeorge,andsheluggedhimupinherarms.‘He’sawfullyheavy,butIthinkIcanjustmanagehim.Perhapsthefreshairwillrevivehimwhenwegetoutside.’

whenwegetoutside.’

‘ButGeorge,wedon’tknowourwayoutofhere,’saidAnne,fearfully.‘IfTimmycan’tleadus,we’relost!We’dendupbywanderingmilesandmilesinsidethishillandnevergettingout!’

‘Well,we’llsimplyhavetomakeashotatit,’saidWilliam.‘Comeon,I’llleadtheway.WereallyMUSTgo!’

Hewentoutofthecaveanddownapassage;theothersfollowed.GeorgecarryingthelimpTimmy.ButverysoonWilliamcametoaforkandstopped.

‘Ohdear-dowegototheleftortheright?’hewondered.

Nobodyknew.Georgeshonehertorchhereandthere,tryingtoremember.Thebeamoflightpickedupsomethingonthegroundnearby.

Itwastwosticks,oneshortandonelong,intheshapeofacross!Georgegaveanexclamation.

‘Look-apatrin!LeftbySniffertoshowusthewayout.Wehavetotakethepassagethatthelongstickpointsto!Oh,IhopethatSnifferhasleftpatrinsateverycornerandeveryfork!’

Theytooktheright-handwayandwenton,theirtorchesmakinglongbeamsinthedarkness,andateveryplacewheretheymightgowrong,theysawapatrin,amessageleftbySniffertoshowthemtherightwaytogo.

‘Anothercross,wegothisway,’saidAnne.

‘Here’sapatrinagain,wetakethisfork!’saidGeorge.Andsoitwentonuntiltheycamesafelytotheentranceofthehill.Howthankfultheyweretoseethemist.Atleastitmeantthattheywereintheopenair!

‘Nowtogettothehorses,’saidWilliam.‘Theywilleachhavetocarrytwoofusatonce,I’mafraid.’

Andthen,justastheyweremakingtheirwaytowheretheyhadleftthehorses,thegypsies’dogsbegantobarktheplacedown!

‘They’veheardus!’saidWilliam,desperately.‘Buckup!We’llbestoppedifwedon’tgetoffatonce!’

don’tgetoffatonce!’

Thenavoiceshoutedloudly.‘Icanseeyouoverthere,withyourtorches!Stopatonce!Doyouhearme?STOP!’

ChapterTwenty

EXCITEMENTINTHEMORNING

Thedawnwascomingnow.Themistwasnolongerfullofdarkness,butwaswhite,andthinningrapidly.Thefourchildrenhurriedtothehorses,whichwerestampingimpatientlybythetrees.Georgecouldn’tgoveryfastbecauseofTimmy.Hereallywasveryheavy.

Suddenlyhebegantostruggle.Thefresh,coolairhadrevivedhimandhewantedtobesetdown.Georgeputhimdownthankfully,andhebegantobarkdefiantlyatthegypsieswhowerenowcomingoutoftheircaravans,theirdogswiththem.

Thefourchildrenmountedhurriedlyandthehorsesweresurprisedatthedoubleweight.Williamswunghishorse’sheadroundandsetoffwithGeorgesittingbehindhim.HenrytookAnne.Timmy,feelingmuchbetter,ranafterthem,hislegsnolongerfeelingsoshaky.

Thegypsiesrantoo,shakingtheirfistsandshouting.Sniffer’sfatherwasamazedbeyondmeasure.Why,therewerethetwogirlshehadtiedup-andthatdoghehadsentofftotricktheothertwoboysonthemoor.

Thenwhoweretheseonhorse-back,andhowhadtheyfoundtheirwaytothehill?Howhadtheprisonersbeenabletofindtheirwayoutofthehill,too?ThatwasarealpuzzletoSniffer’sfather.

Thegypsiestoreafterthehorses,butthedogscontentedthemselveswithexcitedbarks.NotoneofthemdaredtogoafterTimmy.Theywereafraidofhim.

Thehorseswentoffasfastastheydaredinthemist,Timmyrunninginfront.Heseemedverymuchbetter,thoughGeorgewasafraiditwasonlytheexcitementthatnowkepthimgoing.Sheglancedbackatthegypsies.Theywouldnevercatchupnow,thankgoodness!

Somewherebehindthemistthesunwasshining.Soonitwoulddispersethestrangefogthathadcomeupsosuddenlyfromthesea.Sheglanceddownatherwatch.Goodgracious,coulditreallybealmostsixo’clockinthemorning.Itwastomorrownow!

ShewonderedwhathadhappenedtoJulianandDick.

ShethoughtofSniffergratefully,andallthosepatrinshehadleftinthehill.Theywouldneverhavegotoutbutforthose.ShethoughtofHenryandWilliam,andgaveWilliamasuddentighthugroundthewaistforcomingoutinthemiddleofthenightandrescuingthem!

‘WhereareJulianandDick,doyousuppose?’shesaidtoWilliam.‘Doyouthinktheyarestilllostonthemoor?Oughtwetoshout,andlookforthem?’

‘No,’calledbackWilliamoverhisshoulder.‘We’regoingstraightbacktothestables.Theycanlookafterthemselves!’

DickandJulianhadcertainlytriedtolookafterthemselves,thatcold,mistynight,butnotverysuccessfully.Bythetimethattheirtorchshowedthemthatitwasaquartertofivebytheirwatches,theyhadhadenoughofthebushtheywerein.Ifonlytheyhadknownit,HenryandWilliam,withTimmy,werejustthenridingoverthemoor,notagreatdistancefromwheretheywere!

Theygotoutofthebush,dampandstiff.Theystretchedthemselvesandlookedintothedarknight,stillfullofmist.

‘Let’swalk,’saidJulian.‘Ican’tbearkeepingstillinthismist.I’vegotmycompass.Ifwewalkduewestweshouldsurelycometotheedgeofthemoor,notfarfromMillingGreen.’

Theysetoffstumblinginthenowdimlightofthetorch,whosebatterywasgettinglow.‘Itwillgiveoutsoon,’groanedDick,givingitashake.‘Blowthething!Ithardlygivesusanylightnow,andwesimplymustkeeplookingatthecompass.’

Juliantrippedagainstsomethinghardandalmostfell.HesnatchedthetorchfromDick.‘Quick,letmehaveit!’

Heshoneitonwhathadtrippedhimandgaveadelightedexclamation.‘Look,it’sarail!We’reontherailwaylineagain.Whatabitofluck!’

it’sarail!We’reontherailwaylineagain.Whatabitofluck!’

‘Ishouldthinkso!’saidDick,relieved.‘Thistorchisjustaboutfinished.Now,forGOODNESS’sakedon’tlet’slosethisrailwayline.Stopatonceifyoucan’tfeelitwithyourfoot.’

‘Tothinkweweresojollynearthelineafterall,anddidn’tknowit!’groanedJulian.‘Wecouldhavebeenbackatthestablesagesago.Idohopethegirlsgotbacksafelyanddidn’talarmanyoneaboutus.They’dknowwewouldcomebackassoonasitwasdaylight,anyhow,ifwecouldfollowthelines!’

Theystumbledinatthestables’entranceaboutsixo’clock,tiredout.Nobodywasyetup,itseemed.Theyfoundthegardendooropen,leftajarbyWilliamandHenry,andwentuptothegirls’room,hopingtofindtheminbed.

Butthebedswereemptyofcourse.TheywenttoHenry’sroom,toaskherifshehadheardanythingofthegirls,butherbed,thoughsleptin,wasemptytoo!

TheywentacrossthelandingtoWilliam’sroom.‘He’sgoneaswell!’saidDick,ingreatastonishment.‘Wherearetheyall?’

‘Let’swakeCaptainJohnson,’saidJulian,whohadnoideathattheCaptainwasawayforthenight.SotheyawakenedaverystartledMrsJohnson,andalmostscaredthelifeoutofher,forshethoughttheywerefaraway,campingonthemoor!

ShewasevenmorestartledwhensheheardtheirtaleandrealizedthatGeorgeandAnneweremissing.‘Wherearethegirls,then!’shesaid,flingingonadressing-gown.‘Thisisserious,Julian.Theymightbecompletelylostonthemoor,orthosegypsiesmighthavegotthem!Imusttelephonemyhusband,andthepolicetoo.Ohdear,ohdear,whydidIeverletyougocampingout!’

Shewasinthemiddleoftelephoning,withJulianandDickbesideher,lookingveryanxiousindeed,whenthesoundofhorses’hoovescameintheyardbelow.

‘Nowgoodnessme!Who’sthat?’saidMrsJohnson.‘Horses!Who’sridingthematthistimeofthemorning!’

Theyallwenttothewindowandlookeddownintotheyard.DickgaveayellthatalmostmadeMrsJohnsonfalloutofthewindow!

‘Anne!George!Look,theretheyare,andTimmytoo.Andgosh,there’sHenry,andWilliam!Whatisallthis!’

Anneheardtheyellandlookedup.Tiredasshewas,shegaveacheerfulwaveandagrin.Georgegaveashout.

‘OhJulian!OhDick,you’rebackthen!Wedidhopeyouwouldbe.Afteryouleftuswewentbackupthelinesthewrongwayandarrivedatthequarryagain!’

‘Andthegypsiestookusprisoners’yelledAnne.

‘But-but-howdoHenryandWilliamcomeintothis?’saidpoorMrsJohnson,thinkingshemustreallystillbeasleep.‘Andwhat’sthematterwithTimmy?’

Timmyhadsuddenlyfloppedontheground.Theexcitementwasover,theywerehome,nowhecouldputhispoorachingheadonhispawsandsleep!

Georgewasoffherhorseimmediately.‘Timmy!DarlingTimmy!BraveTimmy!Helpme,William.I’lltakehimupstairstomyroomandseetothatcut.’

BythistimealltheotherchildrenwereawakeandtherewassuchapandemoniumgoingonthatMrsJohnsoncouldn’tmakeherselfheard.

Childrenindressing-gownsandwithout,childrenshoutingandyelling,childrenpouringintotheyardandaskingquestions;Williamtryingtoquietthetwohorseswhichweregettingveryexcitedatallthissuddenclamour;andallthecocksroundaboutcrowingtheirheadsoff!Whatanexcitement!

Thesunsuddenlyshoneoutbrilliantly,andthelastwispsofmistdisappeared.‘Hurrah!Thatmisthasgone!’shoutedGeorge.‘Thesun’sout.Cheerup,Timmy.We’llallbeallrightnow!’

Timmywashalf-carried,half-draggedupthestairsbyWilliamandGeorge.GeorgeandMrsJohnsonexaminedhiscutheadcarefully,andbathedit.

‘Itreallyshouldhavebeenstichedup,’saidMrsJohnson,‘butitseemstobehealingalready.Howwickedtohitadoglikethat!’

Soontherewasthesoundofhorse’shoovesagainintheyard,andCaptainJohnsonarrived,lookingveryanxious.Atalmostthesamemomentacarslidinatthegates,apolicecar,withtwopolicemenwhohadbeensenttoinquireabout

atthegates,apolicecar,withtwopolicemenwhohadbeensenttoinquireaboutthemissinggirls!MrsJohnsonhadforgottentotelephoneagaintosaytheyhadarrived.

‘Ohdear,I’msosorrytohavebotheredyou,’saidMrsJohnsontothepolicesergeant.‘Thegirlshavejustarrivedback,butIstilldon’tknowwhathasreallyhappened.Still,they’resafe,sopleasedon’tbotheranymore.’

‘Wait!’saidJulian,whowasintheroom,too.‘Ithinkweshallneedthepolice!Somethingverypeculiarhasbeenhappeninguponthemoor.’

‘Really,sir?What’sthat?’saidthesergeant,takingoutanote-book.

‘Wewerecampingthere,’saidJulian.‘Andaplanecameover,verylow,guidedbyalampsetinasandpitbythegypsies.’

‘Alampsetbythegypsies!’saidthesergeant,surprised.‘Butwhyshouldtheyneedtoguideaplane?Isupposeitlanded?’

‘No.Itdidn’t,’saidJulian.‘Itcameagainthenextnight,anddidexactlythesamething,swoopinglowandcircling.Butthistimeitdroppedpackages,sir!’

‘Oh,itdid,didit?’saidthesergeant,moreinterested.‘Forthegypsiestopickup,byanychance?’

‘Yes,sir,’saidJulian.‘Buttheplane’saimwasn’tverygood,andthepacketsfellallroundusandalmosthitus.Weranforshelter,becausewedidn’tknowiftherewereanyexplosivesornot!’

‘Didyoupickupanyofthepackages?’askedthesergeant.Juliannodded.

‘Yes,wedid,andIopenedone.’

‘Whatwasinit?’

‘Papermoney,dollars!’saidJulian.‘Inonepacketalonetherewerescoresofnotesandeachnotewasforahundreddollars,aboutfortypoundsatime!Thousandsofpounds-worththrownallaroundus!’

Thesergeantlookedathiscompanion.‘Ha!Nowweknow!Thisexplainsalotthathasbeenpuzzlingus,doesn’tit,Wilkins?’

Wilkins,theotherpoliceman,noddedgrimly.‘Itcertainlydoes.Sothat’swhathappens!That’showtheganggetthedollarsoverhere,fromthatprinting-pressinNorthFrance.Justanicelittleruninaplane!’

‘Butwhydotheythrowthepacketsdownforthegypsiestocollect?’askedJulian.‘Isitsothattheycangivethemtosomeoneelse?Whydon’ttheybringthemopenlyintothecountry?Surelyanyonecanbringdollarshere?’

‘Notforgedones,mylad,’saidthesergeant.‘Thesewillallbeforged,youmarkmywords.TheganghavegotaheadquartersnearLondon,andassoonasthosepacketsarehandedovertothembyoneofthegypsies,theywillsettoworkpassingthemoffasrealones,payinghotelbillswiththem,buyingallkindsofgoodsandpayingfortheminnotesthataren’tworthapenny!’

‘Whew!’saidJulian.‘Ineverthoughtofthembeingforged!’

‘Ohyes.We’veknownofthisgangforsometime,butallweknewwasthattheyhadaprinting-presstoprintthenotesinNorthFrance,andthatsomehowtherestoftheganghere,nearLondon,receivedthemandpassedthemoffasrealones,’saidthesergeant.‘Butwedidn’tknowhowtheywerebroughthere,norwhotookthemtothegangnearLondon.’

‘Butnowweknowallright!’saidWilkins.‘Myword,thisisaprettyscoop,Sergeant.Goodkidsthese,findingoutwhatwe’vebeenmonthstryingtodiscover!’

‘Wherearethesepackages?’saidthesergeant.‘Didyouhidethem?Didthegypsiesgetthem?’

‘No,wehidthem,’saidJulian.‘ButIguessthegypsieswillbehuntingallovertheplaceforthemtoday,sowe’dbettergetonthemoorsquick,Sergeant.’

‘Wheredidyouhidethem?’saidthesergeant.‘Inasafeplace,Ihope!’

‘Ohvery!’saidJulian.‘I’llcallmybrother,Sergeant.He’llcomewithus.Hey,Dick!Comeoninhere,andyou’llhearaveryinterestingbitofnews!’

ChapterTwenty-one

THEENDOFTHEMYSTERY

MrsJohnsonwasamazedtohearthatthepolicewantedJulianandDicktogooutonthemoorsagain.

‘Butthey’retiredout!’shesaid.‘Theyneedsomethingtoeat.Can’titwait?’

‘I’mafraidnot,’saidthesergeant.‘Youneedn’tworry,MrsJohnson.Theseboysaretough!’

‘WellactuallyIdon’tthinkthatthegypsiescanpossiblyfindthepackets,’saidJulian.‘Soitwouldn’tmatterifwehadabitetoeat.I’mravenous!’

‘Allright,’saidthebigpoliceman,puttingawayhisnote-book.‘Haveasnackandwe’llgoafterwards.’

Well,ofcourse,George,AnneandHenryallwantedtogotoo,assoonastheyheardabouttheproposedjauntoverthemoors!

‘What!Leaveusoutofthat!’saidGeorge,indignantly.‘Whatahope!Annewantstocometoo.’

‘SodoesHenry,’saidAnne,lookingatGeorge,‘eventhoughshedidn’thelptofindthepackagesofnotes.’

‘OfcourseHenrymustcome,’saidGeorgeatonce,andHenrybeamed.GeorgehadbeenverystruckindeedwithHenry’scourageincomingwithWilliamtorescueherandAnne,andverypleasedthatshehadn’tboastedaboutit!ButHenryknewthatWilliamwastheonemostlytopraise,andshehadbeenunexpectedlymodestaboutthewholeaffair.

Itwasquitealargepartythatsetoffaftereveryonehadmadeaverygoodbreakfast.MrsJohnsonhadsettoworkcookinghugeplatefulsofbaconandegg,exclaimingeverynowandagainwhenshethoughtofallthathadhappenedup

exclaimingeverynowandagainwhenshethoughtofallthathadhappeneduponthemoors.

‘Thosegypsies!Andfancythatplanecominglikethat-droppingmoneyallovertheplace!AndthegypsiestyingupAnneandGeorgeinthathill.Ineverheardanythinglikeitinmylife!’

CaptainJohnsonwentwiththepartytoo.Hecouldhardlybelievetheextraordinarytalethatthefourhadtotell,five,witholdTimmy!Timmynowhadabeautifulpatchonhishead,andwasfeelingextremelyimportant.WaittillLizsawthat!

Tenpeoplesetout,includingTimmy,forWilliamhadbeenincludedinthepartytoo.HetriedtoguesswhereJulianhadhiddenthenotes,buthecouldn’t,ofcourse.Julianfirmlyrefusedtotellanyone.Hewantedittobearealsurprise.

Theycametothequarryatlast,havingwalkedallthewayuptheoldrailwayline.Julianstoodontheedgeofthequarryandpointedoutthegypsycamp.

‘Look,they’releaving,’hesaid.‘Ibettheywereafraidwe’dspreadthenewsoftheirbehaviour,afterthegirlsescaped.’

Sureenough,thecaravansweremovingslowlyaway.

‘Wilkins,assoonasyougetback,givewordtohaveeverygypsywatchedifheleavesthecaravans,’saidthesergeant.‘Oneofthemissuretohavearrangedameeting-placetogivethegangthepacketsdroppedfromtheplane,andifwewatchthosecaravans,andeverygypsyinthem,we’llsoonbeabletoputourhandsonthegangthatspendstheforgednotes.’

‘Ibetit’sSniffer’sfather,’saidDick.‘He’stheringleader,anyway.’

Theywatchedthecaravansmoveawayonebyone.AnnewonderedaboutSniffer.SodidGeorge.Whathadshepromisedhimlastnight,ifhewouldhelpthem?Abicycle,andtoliveinahousesothathecouldrideittoschool!Well,itwasn’tlikelyshewouldeverseethedirtylittleboyagain,butifshedidshewouldcertainlyhavetokeepherword!

‘Now,where’sthiswonderfulhiding-place?’askedthesergeant,asJulianturnedfromwatchingthecaravans.HehadtriedtomakeoutSnifferandLiz,butthevansweretoofaraway.

vansweretoofaraway.

‘Followme!’saidJulian,withasuddengrinandledthewaybackupthelinestowheretheybrokeoff.Thegorse-bushwasthere,andtheoldenginelayonitssideasbefore,almosthidden.

‘Whatever’sthat?’saidthesergeant,surprised.

‘It’stheoldPuffingBillythatusedtopullthetrucksofsandfromthequarry,’saidDick.‘Apparentlytherewasaquarrellongagobetweentheownersofthequarryandthegypsies,andthegypsiespulledupthelinesandtheengineranoffandfellover.Thereit’sbeeneversince,asfarasIcansee!’

Julianwentroundtothefunnel-end,andbentbackthepricklygorse-branchthathidit.Thesergeantlookedoninsurprise.Dickscrapedthesandoutofthetopofthefunnelandthenpulledoutoneofthepackages.Hehadbeenafraidtheywouldnotbethere.

‘Hereyouare!’hesaid,andtossedthepackettothesergeant.‘Thereareplentymore.I’llcometotheoneweopenedinaminute-yes-hereitis.’

ThesergeantandWilkinswereamazedtoseethepackageshauledupfromsuchapeculiarhiding-place.Nowonderthegypsieshadn’tfoundthem.Nobodywouldeverhavelookeddownthefunneloftheoldengine,eveniftheyhadspottedit,half-buriedasitwas.

Thesergeantlookedatthehundred-dollarnotesintheopenedparcelandwhistled.‘Myword,thisisit!We’veseenthesebefore,beautifulforgeriestheyare!Iftheganghadgotridofthislot,agreatmanypeoplewouldhavesuffered.Themoneyisworthnothing!Howmanypacketsdidyousaytherewere?’

‘Dozens!’saidDick,andpulledmoreofthemoutofthefunnel.‘Gosh,Ican’treachtheonesatthebottom.’

‘Nevermind,’saidthesergeant.‘PutsomesandintohidethemandI’llsendamantopoketherestoutwithastick.Thegypsieshavegoneandtheyaretheonlypeoplelikelytohuntforthem.Thisisawonderfulscoop!Youkidshavecertainlyputusontosomething.’

‘I’mglad,’saidJulian.‘Isay,we’dbettercollectallthethingswelefthereyesterday,hadn’twe?Wewentoffinratherahurry,yousee,Sergeant,andleftourthingsinthequarry.’

ourthingsinthequarry.’

HeandGeorgewentintothequarrytocollectthethingstheyhadleftthere.Timmywentwiththem.Hesuddenlygrowled,andGeorgestopped,herhandonhiscollar.

‘What’sup,Tim?Ju,theremustbesomebodyhere!Isitoneofthegypsies,doyouthink?’

ThenTimmystoppedgrowlingandwaggedhistail.HedraggedawayfromGeorge’shandandranovertooneofthelittlecavesinthesandywalls.Helookedmostpeculiarwiththepatchonhishead.

OutofthecavecameLiz!AssoonasshesawTimmyshebegantoturnhead-over-heelsasfastasshecould.Timmystaredinwonder-whatadog!Howcouldsheturnsomersaultslikethat?

‘Sniffer!’calledGeorge.‘Comeonout.Iknowyou’rethere!’

Apale,worriedfacelookedoutofthecave.ThenSniffer’sthin,wirylittlebodyfollowed,andsoonhewasstandinginthequarry,lookingscared.

‘Igotawayfromthem,’hesaid,noddinghisheadtowardswherethegypsycamphadbeen.HewentuptoGeorge,andgaveasniff.

‘YousaidIcouldhaveabike,’hesaid.

‘Iknow,’saidGeorge.‘Youshallhaveone,Sniffer.Ifyouhadn’tleftuspatrinsinthathill,we’dneverhaveescaped!’

‘AndyousaidIcouldliveinahouseandridemybiketoschool,’saidSnifferurgently.‘Ican’tgobacktomyfather,he’dhalf-killmenow.HesawthosepatrinsIleftinthehillandhechasedmealloverthemoorformiles.Buthedidn’tcatchme.Ihid.’

‘We’lldothebestwecanforyou,’promisedJulian,sorryforthislittlewaif.Sniffersniffed.

‘Where’sthathanky?’demandedGeorge.Hepulleditoutofhispocket,stillcleanandfolded.Hebeamedather.

‘You’requitehopeless,’saidGeorge.‘Listen,ifyouwanttogotoschool,you’llhavetostopthatawfulsniffanduseyourhanky.See?’

Sniffernodded,butputthehankycarefullybackintohispocket.ThenthesergeantcameintothequarryandSnifferfledatthesightofhim!

‘Funnylittlething,’saidJulian.‘Well,Ishouldimaginethathisfatherwillbesenttoprisonforhisshareinthisaffair,soSnifferwillbeabletogethiswishandleavethecaravanlifetoliveinahouse.Wemightbeabletogethimintoagoodhome.’

‘AndIshallkeepmyword,andtakesomemoneyoutofmysavings-bankandbuyhimabicycle,’saidGeorge.‘Hedeservesit!Oh,dolookatLiz-simplyadoringTimmyandhispatch.Don’tlooksoimportant,Tim-it’sonlyapatchonyourcut!’

‘Sniffer!’calledJulian.‘Comeback.Youneedn’tbeafraidofthispoliceman.Heisafriendofours.He’llhelpustochooseabicycleforyou.’

Thesergeantlookedextremelysurprisedatthisremark,butatanyrateitbroughtSnifferbackatonce!

‘Well,we’llgobacknow,’saidthesergeant.‘We’vegotwhatwewant,andWilkinshasalreadystartedbacktogetsomebodyontowatchingthegypsies.Oncewefindoutwhotheyhavetoreporttoaboutthisforgedmoneyweshallfeelhappy.’

‘IhopeWilkinswentalongdowntherailway,’saidJulian.‘It’ssoeasytogetlostonthismoor.’

‘Yes.Hehadthesensetodothat,afterhearinghowyougotlost!’saidthesergeant.‘It’swonderfuluphere,isn’tit,sopeacefulandquietandcalm.’

‘Yes,you’dneverthinkthatmysteriescouldhappenuphere,wouldyou?’saidDick.‘Oldones,andnewones!Well,I’mgladwehappenedtobemixedupinthenewestone.Itwasquiteanadventure!’

Theyallwentbacktothestables,tofindthatitwasnowalmostdinner-timeandthateveryonehadaverylargeappetitetomatchtheverylargedinnerthatMrsJohnsonhadgotready.Thegirlswentupstairstowash.GeorgewentintoHenry’sroom.

Henry’sroom.

‘Henry,’shesaid,‘thanksmostawfully.You’reasgoodasaboyanyday!’

‘Thanks,George,’saidHenry,surprised.‘You’rebetterthanaboy!’

Dickwaspassingthedoorandheardallthis.Helaughed,andstuckhisheadinatthedoor.

‘Isaydoletmeshareinthesecompliments!’hesaid.‘JusttellmeI’masgoodasagirl,willyou?’

Butallhegotwasawell-aimedhair-brushandashoe,andhefledaway,laughing.

Annegazedoutofherbedroomwindowoverthemoor.ItlookedsopeacefulandsereneundertheAprilsun.Nomysteryaboutitnow!

‘Allthesame,it’sagoodnameforyou,’saidAnne.‘You’refullofmysteryandadventure,andyourlastadventurewaitedforustocomeandshareit.IreallythinkI’dcallthisadventure“FiveGoToMysteryMoor”.’

It’sagoodname,Anne.We’llcallitthattoo!