blyton, enid - famous five 13 - five go to mystery moor
TRANSCRIPT
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!