Enid Blyton

The Circus of Adventure

Chapter 1

HOME FROM SCHOOL

THE quiet house was quiet no lon er! The four children were "ac# fro$ "oardin %school& and were even now dra in in their trun#s& shoutin to one another' (i#i the )arrot *oined in the eneral e+cite$ent& of course& and screeched loudly' ,Aunt Allie! -e.re "ac#!. yelled /ac#' ,Be quiet& (i#i! 0 can.t hear $yself shout!. ,Mother! -here are you1. called 2inah' ,-e.re ho$e a ain!. Her $other a))eared in a hurry& s$iles all over her face' ,2inah! 3hili)! 0 didn.t e+)ect you quite so soon' -ell& Lucy%Ann& you.ve rown! And 3hili)& you loo# "urstin with health!. ,0 don.t #now why&. rinned 3hili)& ivin Mrs' Cunnin ha$ a "i hu ' ,The food at school is so fri htful 0 never eat any of it!. ,Sa$e old story!. said Mrs' Cunnin ha$& lau hin ' ,Hallo& (i#i! Say how do you do!. ,How do you do1. said the )arrot& sole$nly& and held out her left foot as if to sha#e hands' ,4ew tric#&. said /ac#' ,But wron foot& old thin ' 2on.t you #now your left fro$ your ri ht yet1. ,Left& ri ht& left& ri ht& left& ri ht&. said (i#i at once& and "e an $ar#in ti$e re$ar#a"ly well' ,Left& ri ht& left ' ' '. ,That.s enou h&. said /ac#' He turned to Mrs' Cunnin ha$' ,How.s Bill1 0s he here& too1. ,He $eant to "e here to welco$e you all&. said Mrs' Cunnin ha$& Bill.s wife' ,But he had a sudden ,)hone call this $ornin & too# the car& and went racin off to London all in a hurry'. The four children roaned' ,0t isn.t so$e *o" that.s turned u) *ust as we.re ho$e for the Easter hols& is it1. said Lucy%Ann' ,Bill.s always ot so$e secret wor# to do *ust at the wron ti$e!. ,-ell& 0 ho)e it isn.t&. said Mrs' Cunnin ha$' ,0.$ e+)ectin hi$ to tele)hone at any $o$ent to say if he.s oin to "e "ac# toni ht or not'. ,Mother! Shall we un)ac# down here and ta#e our thin s u) strai ht away1. called 2inah' ,Four trun#s lyin a"out the hall leave no roo$ to $ove'. ,5es' But leave two of the trun#s downstairs when they.re e$)ty&. said her $other' ,-e.re oin off on a holiday to$orrow& all of us to ether!. This was news to the children' They clustered round Mrs' Cunnin ha$ at once' ,5ou never said a word in your letters! -here are we oin 1 -hy didn.t you tell us "efore1. ,-ell& it was really Bill.s idea& not $ine&. said Mrs' Cunnin ha$' ,He *ust thou ht it would $a#e a nice chan e' 0 was sur)rised $yself when he arran ed it'. ,Arran ed it! And never said a word to us!. said 3hili)' ,0 say6is anythin u)1 0t see$s funny that Bill did it all of a sudden' Last ti$e 0 saw hi$& when he ca$e down to school to see us& he was tal#in a"out what we.d all do at home in the four wee#s. Easter hols'. ,0 don.t really thin# there.s anythin peculiar a"out it&. said his $other' ,Bill ets these sudden ideas& you #now'. ,-ell6where are we all oin to& then1. as#ed /ac#& )ushin (i#i off the side"oard& where she was tryin to ta#e the lid off the "iscuit%*ar' ,0t.s a )lace called Little Broc#leton&. said Mrs' Cunnin ha$' ,7ery quiet' 0n the $iddle of the country' /ust the #ind of )lace you all li#e' 5ou can $ess a"out in old thin s all day lon '. ,Little Brockleton&. said 3hili)' ,Broc# $eans "ad er' 0 wonder if there are "ad ers there' 0.ve always wanted to study "ad ers' 8ueer little "ear%li#e "easts'.

,-ell& you.ll "e ha))y then&. said 2inah' ,0 su))ose that $eans you.ll "e #ee)in a cou)le of "ad ers for )ets "efore we #now where we are! 9 h!. ,Bad ers are very nice ani$als&. "e an 3hili)' ,Clean and $ost )articular in their ha"its& and ' ' '. Lucy%Ann ave a little squeal of lau hter' ,Oh dear6they don.t sound a bit li#e you then& 3hili)!. ,2on.t interru)t li#e that and don.t $a#e silly re$ar#s&. said 3hili)' ,0 was sayin & a"out "ad ers ' ' '. But no"ody wanted to listen' /ac# had a question he wanted to as#' ,Are there any decent "irds round a"out Little Broc#leton1. he said' ,-here is it1 By the sea1. /ac# was as $ad as ever a"out "irds' So lon as he could do "ird%watchin of so$e #ind he was ha))y' Mrs' Cunnin ha$ lau hed at hi$' ,5ou and your "irds& /ac#& and 3hili) and his "ad ers! 0 can.t tell you anythin a"out the "irds there6the sa$e ones as usual& 0 su))ose' 4ow6what a"out these trun#s1 -e.ll un)ac# the lot: ta#e the "oys. trun#s u)stairs& and leave the irls. to ta#e with us to Little Broc#leton6they are not quite so hard%used as yours!. ,Can we have so$ethin to eat after we.ve un)ac#ed1. as#ed 3hili)' ,0.$ fa$ished' The school food& you #now& is so ' ' '. ,5es60.ve heard all that "efore& 3hili)&. said his $other' ,5ou.ll have a fine lunch in half an hour6yes& your favourite6cold $eat& salad& "a#ed "eans in to$ato sauce& )otatoes in their *ac#ets& hea)s of to$atoes' ' ' '. ,Oh& ood!. said everyone at once& and (i#i ho))ed sole$nly fro$ one le to another' ,;ood!. she said' ,;ood! ;ood $ornin & ood ni ht& ood!. The un)ac#in "e an' ,(i#i was dreadful in the train ho$e&. said /ac#& stru lin with an ar$ful of clothes& and dro))in half of the$' ,She ot under the carria e seat to )ic# over so$e old toffee )a)ers there& and such a nice old $an ot in' (i#i stuffed the toffee )a)ers into the turn%u) of his trousers6you should *ust have seen his face when he "ent down and saw the$!. ,And then she "e an to "ar# li#e a do &. said Lucy%Ann& with a i le& ,and the )oor old $an lea)t off his seat as if he.d "een shot'. ,Ban %"an &. )ut in (i#i' ,3o)%)o)' 3o) oes the weasel' -i)e your feet and shut the door'. ,Oh& (i#i! 0t.s nice to have you a ain with your silly tal#&. said Mrs' Cunnin ha$& lau hin ' (i#i )ut u) her crest and sidled over to her' She ru""ed her head a ainst Mrs' Cunnin ha$.s hand li#e a cat' ,0 always e+)ect you to )urr& (i#i& when you do that&. said Mrs' Cunnin ha$& scratchin the )arrot.s head' The un)ac#in was soon done' 0t was very si$)le really' 2irty clothes were )itched into the enor$ous linen%"as#et& the rest were )itched into drawers' ,Can.t thin# why )eo)le ever $a#e a fuss a"out )ac#in or un)ac#in &. said /ac#' ,(i#i& ta#e your head out of $y )oc#et' -hat.s this sudden cra<e for toffees1 2o you want to et your "ea# stuc# so that you can.t tal#1. (i#i too# her head out of /ac#.s )oc#et& and screeched triu$)hantly' She had found a toffee' 4ow she would have a )erfectly lovely ti$e unwra))in the )a)er& tal#in to herself all the while' ,-ell& that.ll #ee) her quiet for a "it&. said 2inah& than#fully' ,(i#i.s always so noisy when she.s e+cited'. ,So are you&. said 3hili) at once' 2inah lared at hi$' ,Shut u)& you two&. said /ac#' ,4o s)arrin on the first day of hols' ;osh& loo# at Lucy%Ann oin u) the stairs dro))in a )air of soc#s on every ste)!. The tele)hone "ell ran ' Mrs' Cunnin ha$ ran to answer it' ,That will "e Bill!. she said' 0t was' There was a short conversation which consisted $ostly of ,5es' 4o' 0 see' 0 su))ose so' 4o& of course not' 5es' 5es' 4o& Bill' Ri ht' 5es& 0.ll e+)lain' See you toni ht then' ;ood"ye'.

,-hat.s he say1. as#ed Lucy%Ann' ,0s he co$in soon1 0 do ,want to see hi$'. ,5es& he.s co$in this evenin & a"out half%)ast five&. said Mrs' Cunnin ha$' The four children didn.t thin# she loo#ed very )leased' She o)ened her $outh to say so$ethin & hesitated& and then closed it a ain' ,Mother& what was it you said you.d e+)lain1. said 3hili) at once' ,-e heard you say& =5es& 0.ll e+)lain>' -as it so$ethin you had to tell us1 -hat is it1. ,2on.t say it.s anythin horrid&. said Lucy%Ann' ,Bill is co$in away with us& isn.t he1. ,Oh yes&. said Mrs' Cunnin ha$' ,-ell60 ho)e you won.t $ind& $y dears6"ut he "adly wants us to ta#e so$eone else with us'. ,-ho1. as#ed everyone at once& and they all loo#ed so fierce that Mrs' Cunnin ha$ was quite sur)rised' ,4ot his old aunt1. said 2inah' ,Oh& Mother& don.t say it.s so$eone we.ve ot to "e on our "est "ehaviour with all the ti$e'. ,4o& of course not&. said her $other' ,0t.s a s$all "oy6the ne)hew of a friend of Bill.s'. ,2o we #now hi$1 -hat.s his na$e1. as#ed /ac#' ,Bill didn.t tell $e his na$e&. said Mrs' Cunnin ha$' ,-hy can.t he o to his own ho$e for the holidays1. as#ed 2inah in dis ust' ,0 don.t li#e s$all "oys' -hy should we have to have hi$1 He.ll )ro"a"ly s)oil everythin for us!. ,Oh no he won.t&. said 3hili)& at once' ,S$all "oys have to toe the line with us& don.t they& /ac#1 -e et enou h of the$ and their fatheadedness at school6we #now how to deal with the$ all ri ht'. ,5es& "ut why has he ot to co$e to us1. )ersisted 2inah' ,Hasn.t he ot a ho$e1. ,Oh yes6"ut he.s a forei ner&. said her $other' ,He.s "een sent to school in En land to have a ood En lish education' 0 should i$a ine his fa$ily want hi$ to have a few wee#s in a British fa$ily now& and e+)erience a little of our ho$e%life' Also& 0 ather& there is so$e difficulty at his ho$e at the $o$ent6illness& 0 should thin#'. ,Oh well6we.ll have to $a#e the "est of it&. said Lucy%Ann& )icturin a very little& ho$esic# "oy& and thin#in that she would co$fort hi$ and $a#e a fuss of hi$' ,-e.ll )ar# hi$ with you& then& Lucy%Ann&. said 2inah& who didn.t li#e s$all "oys at all& or s$all irls either' ,5ou can wheel hi$ a"out in a )ra$ and )ut hi$ to "ed at ni ht!. ,2on.t "e silly& 2inah' He won.t "e as s$all as that!. said her $other' ,4ow6have you finished1 0t.s al$ost lunch%ti$e& so o and wash your hands& and "rush your hair'. ,-ash your hands& "rush your hair& wi)e your feet& "low your nose&. shouted (i#i' ,Brush your hands& "low your feet& wi)e your6your6your ' ' '. ,5es6you.ve ot a "it $uddled& old thin &. said /ac#& with a lau h' (i#i flew to his shoulder& and "e an to )ull at /ac#.s ear lovin ly' Then& as she heard the sound of the on suddenly "oo$in out& she ave a loud screech and flew into the dinin %roo$' She #new what that sound $eant! ,/ac#! (i#i will )ec# all the to$atoes if you don.t #ee) an eye on her&. called Mrs' Cunnin ha$' ,;o after her& quic#ly!. But there was no need to say that6everyone had rushed to the dinin %roo$ at the first sound of the on !

Chapter 2

ARR07AL OF ;9STA79S
THE afternoon was s)ent in loo#in all over the house to see if any chan es had "een $ade& and in e+)lorin the arden fro$ end to end to see what flowers were out& what edi"le thin s there were ?only lettuces& alas!@ and to introduce (i#i to si+ new hens'

,There.s a new car)et in the uest%roo$&. said Lucy%Ann' ,But that.s all the chan es there are' 0.$ lad' 0 don.t li#e to co$e ho$e and find anythin chan ed' 0 su))ose this s$all "oy will slee) in the uest%roo$& Aunt Allie1. ,5es&. said Mrs' Cunnin ha$' ,0.$ ettin it ready in a $inute or two' ;o and *oin the others in the arden' 5ou can )ic# a few daffodils& if you li#e6we want so$e in the hall'. Lucy%Ann wandered off ha))ily' The very first day of the holidays was always heavenly' All the first few days went slowly& and the thou ht of days and days ,of holiday ahead was one to dwell on contentedly al$ost every $inute' ,Lucy%Ann! Co$e here! (i#i.s havin the ti$e of her life!. called /ac#' ,Loo# at her showin off in front of the new hens!. (i#i was sittin on a )ost in the hen%run' The si+ hens were athered ad$irin ly round her' ,Cluc#%cluc#%cluc#&. they said to one another& and one stretched herself on ti)toe and fla))ed her win s as if tryin to fly' (i#i )ut her head on one side& stretched herself on ti)toe too& s)read her win s wide and too# off' She sailed down to the sur)rised hens' ,Cluc#%luc#%luc#& urrrrrr#!. she said& earnestly' ,Cluc#%luc#%luc#& urrrrrr#!. ,Cluc#%uc#%uc#& cluc#!. said the hens& in ad$iration& and went nearer' One hen darin ly )ec#ed at one of the )arrot.s tail%feathers' This was insolence! (i#i danced round the alar$ed hens& $a#in a noise li#e an aero)lane in trou"le' The hens too# to their heels and fled into the hen%house& al$ost tu$"lin over one another as they tried to squee<e in at the narrow doorway two at a ti$e' (i#i waddled after the$& cluc#in a ain' Mrs' Cunnin ha$ called fro$ a window' ,Children! The hens will never lay us e s if you let (i#i scare the$'. ,(i#i.s one into the hen%house6she.ll )ro"a"ly sit in a nestin %"o+ and try to lay an e li#e the hens!. called /ac#' ,Co$e out& (i#i'. (i#i ca$e "ac# and loo#ed inquirin ly out of the little doorway' ,3olly )ut the #ettle on&. she said& )eacea"ly' ,Cluc#%luc#%luc#& urrrrrrk!. She flew to /ac#.s shoulder& and the hens loo#ed at one another in relief' -as it safe to o out and wander round yet1 ,There.s the ne+t%door cat&. said 2inah' ,Co$e to see what all the fuss is a"out& 0 e+)ect! Han on to (i#i& /ac#'. ,Oh& she.ll "ar# li#e a do if the cat co$es any nearer&. said /ac#' ,Co$e on6let.s see what the ardener has ot in the reenhouse'. 0t was a )leasant sunny afternoon& and the four really en*oyed the$selves ,$oochin a"out. as /ac# called it' They all lon ed for Bill to arrive' Then the fa$ily would "e co$)lete6e+ce)t& of course& that it would have one too $any& if he really "rou ht the une+)ected "oy with hi$! ,0.$ oin to watch at the ate for Bill&. announced Lucy%Ann after tea' ,-e all will&. said 3hili)' ,;ood old Bill! -hat luc# for us that he.s not on one of his hush%hush *o"s *ust now& and can co$e away with us!. They went to han over the front ate to ether' (i#i #e)t )uttin her crest u) and down e+citedly' She #new quite well that Bill was co$in ' ,Bill! 3ay the "ill!. she #e)t sayin ' ,-here.s Bill1 3o) oes Bill!. ,5ou.re a silly%"illy&. said Lucy%Ann& stro#in the )arrot.s soft nec#' ,That.s what you are!. ,Thats an idiotic thin to call her&. said 2inah' ,/ust as we.re e+)ectin Bill! She.ll screech out =Silly%Billy> to hi$ now& 0 "et you she will!. ,Silly%Billy& Billy%Silly!. shouted (i#i' She always loved words that sounded the sa$e' /ac# ta))ed her on the head' ,4o& (i#i& sto) it' Loo#& here.s a car co$in ' 3erha)s it.s Bill.s'. But it wasn.t' As it went "y& (i#i hooted loudly6)ar)%)ar)%)ar)6e+actly li#e a car' The driver was astonished' He could see no car in si ht' He sounded his horn& thin#in there $ust "e a hidden corner so$ewhere'

And then Lucy%Ann ave a squeal' ,Heres Bill!. she said' ,A "i "lac# car& very slee# and shiny! Bill& Bill!. She was ri ht' 0t was Bill.s car' 0t drew u) at the front ate& and Bill.s *olly face rinned at the$ as he loo#ed out of the window' So$e"ody sat "eside hi$' -as it the "oy1 Bill o)ened the door and lea)t out' The four children )ounced on hi$' ,Bill! ;ood old Bill! How are you& Bill1. ,Silly%Billy!. screeched a voice' ,Ah6 ood evenin & (i#i&. said Bill& as the )arrot landed full on his shoulder' ,Still the sa$e rude old "ird' Aha! 5ou want $e at ho$e to teach you a few $anners!. (i#i cac#led li#e an e+cited hen' ,4ow then6don.t you lay e s down $y nec#!. said Bill' ,-hat are you cac#lin a"out1 -here.s your $other& 2inah1. ,There she is&. said 2inah& as Mrs' Cunnin ha$ ca$e runnin to the ate' Bill was a"out to call to her when an e+tre$ely loud cou h ca$e fro$ the car6a cou h that was $eant to "e noticed' ,Oh60 co$)letely for ot for the $o$ent&. said Bill' ,0.ve "rou ht a visitor' 2id you tell the$& Allie1. ,5es& 0 did&. said Mrs' Cunnin ha$' ,-here is he1 Oh& in the car' Brin hi$ out& Bill'. ,Co$e on out&. said Bill& and in the $idst of a dead silence the owner of the loud cou h slid out of the car in as di nified a $anner as he could' Everyone stared at hi$' He was a"out eleven& and certainly very forei n%loo#in ' His "lue%"lac# hair was curly and too lon ' His eyes were as "lac# as his hair& and he had thic#er lashes than either of the irls' And he certainly had $a nificent $anners' He went to Mrs' Cunnin ha$& and too# the hand she held out to hi$' But instead of sha#in it he "owed over it and touched it with his li)s' Mrs' Cunnin ha$ couldn.t hel) s$ilin ' The four children stared in a$use$ent' ,My than#s to you& dear lady&. he said& in a very forei n accent' ,That.s all ri ht&. said Mrs' Cunnin ha$' ,Have you had any tea1. But "efore the "oy chose to answer this question he had to $a#e a further dis)lay of $anners' He went to 2inah& and "efore she #new what he $eant to do& he too# her hand and "ent over it' She ave a squeal and snatched it away' ,2on.t!. she said' Lucy%Ann )ut her hands fir$ly "ehind her "ac#' She didn.t want the$ #issed either' -hat an e+traordinary "oy! ,;us& old fellow6we *ust sha#e hands& you #now&. said Bill& tryin to hide his a$use$ent at the si ht of the two irls. indi nant faces' ,Er6this is ;ustavus Bar$ilevo& Allie' He will "e with us for the ne+t few wee#s& as his uncle has as#ed $e to #ee) an eye on hi$'. ;ustavus Bar$ilevo "owed very low& "ut did not atte$)t any $ore hand%#issin ' Bill introduced the rest' ,2inah6Lucy%Ann6/ac#6and 3hili)' 06er6ho)e you.ll soon all "e ood friends'. The two "oys shoo# hands with ;us& eyein hi$ with $uch disfavour' ;oodness! -ere they to )ut u) with this little forei ner all the holidays1 ;us did a funny little "ow each ti$e he shoo# hands' ,3li<<ed to $it you&. he said' ,-hat is <is "ird1 How you call it1. ,0t.s a (i#i%"ird&. said /ac#& sole$nly' ,;us& $eet (i#i' (i#i& $eet ;us!. (i#i held out her left foot as usual& to sha#e hands' ;us loo#ed e+tre$ely sur)rised& "ut his $anners re$ained )erfect' He held out his hand to (i#i.s foot' 9nfortunately (i#i du her talons into his rin ers& and he ave a loud yell' ,-hat a noise& what a noise!. said (i#i& severely' ,-i)e your feet and "low your nose' Fetch the doctor!. ,My fin er.s "liddin &. said the "oy& with tears in his voice' ,0t "lids& loo#'.

,Fetch the doctor& 3olly.s ot a cold& fetch the doctor&. chanted (i#i& en*oyin herself' The "oy suddenly realised that it was the )arrot who was tal#in ' He for ot his ,"liddin . and stared at (i#i in a$a<e$ent' ,0t s)i#s!. he announced in awe' ,0t s)i#s' 0t s)i#s words' 0t sees $y "liddin fin er& and s)i#s to fetch the doctor' 0 never haf seen a (i#i%"ird "efore'. ,Co$e alon in& and 0.ll )ut a "it of "anda e on your fin er&. said Mrs' Cunnin ha$& ettin tired of all this' ,5es' 0t "lids&. said ;us& $ournfully& watchin a $inute dro) of "lood fall to the round' He loo#ed as if he was oin to cry' Then he said a $ost e+traordinary thin ' ,This "ird&. he said& loo#in at (i#i suddenly& ,this "ird6it $ust "e in a ca e' 0 order it'. ,2on.t "e a fathead&. said /ac#& after a $o$ent.s silence of astonish$ent' ,Co$e on& Aunt Allie 6let.s o indoors' ;us $i ht ="lid> to death!. This was a $ost alar$in thou ht& and ;us rushed into the house at once' The others followed slowly' -hat an e+traordinary "oy! ,Bit di))y&. said 2inah in a low voice& and they all nodded' Bill.s voice hailed the$' ,Hey! -hat a"out a s)ot of hel) with the lu a e1. ,Oh& Bill' Sorry& we weren.t thin#in &. said /ac#& and ran "ac# at once' ,;us rather too# our "reath away' -hat nationality is he1. ,Oh& he.s a "it of a $i+ture& 0 thin#&. said Bill' ,2on.t "other hi$ a"out his fa$ily or his ho$e& or he.ll )ro"a"ly "urst into tears' Sorry to inflict hi$ on you li#e this' He.ll "e "etter when he.s sha#en down a "it' 0 "elieve he ot on quite all ri ht at the En lish school he was at' Anyway60.ll ta#e hi$ off your hands as $uch as 0 can& 0 )ro$ise you& as it.s my friend who as#ed $e to #ee) an eye on hi$!. ,-e.ll hel)& Bill&. said Lucy%Ann' ,0 e+)ect he.s shy' Oh dear60 was so afraid he.d #iss $y hand! -hat would the irls at school say1. ,-ell& 0 should hardly thin# they.d #now anythin a"out it&. said Bill' ,5ou ta#e that "a & /ac#6 and you that "o+& 3hili)' -ell6it.s nice to see you all ho$e a ain! And (i#i& too& you old rascal' How dare you call $e Silly%Billy1. ,3o) oes Billy& )o) oes Billy!. screeched (i#i in deli ht& and flew down to his shoulder to ni""le his ear' ,3o)%)o)%)o)!.

Chapter 3

;9SS5 A42 (0(0

THERE really wasn.t very $uch ti$e that evenin to et to #now ;ustavus Bar$ilevo' As they were all oin off a ain the ne+t day there was )ac#in to do& and all #inds of ar u$ents arose as to what was or was not to "e ta#en' ;ustavus was "ewildered "y the noise of so $any )eo)le tal#in at once' He sat starin at the$ all& nursin his "anda ed fin er' (i#i a"solutely fascinated hi$' He watched her continually& "ut would not allow her near hi$' As soon as she ca$e near& he fla))ed his hands at her as if she was a hen' ,;o off!. he cried' ,Clear away!. ,He.s as $uddled as (i#i so$eti$es ets&. said /ac#& with a rin' ,(i#i can.t $a#e hi$ out' 4ow& where did 0 )ut that "oo#1 Aunt Allie& did 0 )ac# that "i "oo#1. ,5ou did&. said Aunt Allie' ,And 0 have un)ac#ed it' For the third ti$e& /ac#& you are 4OT oin to ta#e a score of "oo#s a"out "irds' Two is $ore than enou h& so $a#e your choice'. ,5ou.re so hard%hearted&. roaned /ac#' ,-ell& 0 su))ose you will allow $e to ta#e $y field% lasses1 0n fact& if they don.t o& 0 shan.t o either'.

,5ou can carry those round your nec#&. said Mrs' Cunnin ha$' ,2o try and re$e$"er that there will "e seven of us in the car and all the lu a e& too' -e really $ust ta#e the least lu a e )ossi"le' (i#i& "rin that strin "ac#' (0(0! /ac#& if you don.t sto) (i#i runnin off with a"solutely everythin 0 )ut down for a $o$ent& 0 shall o $ad'. ,-here is the ca e1. suddenly de$anded ;ustavus& in a co$$andin voice' ,3ut hi$ in the ca e'. ,She.s a her& not a hi$&. said /ac#& ,and sto) tal#in a"out ca es' 4o orderin a"out& )lease!. ;ustavus a))arently did not follow this& "ut he resented /ac#.s fir$ voice' He sat u) stiffly' ,This "ird iss6iss6wic#et!. he said' ,4ot ood' -ic#et' 0 will not haf hi$ wi<<out a ca e'. ,4ow& /ac#& now!. said Mrs' Cunnin ha$ warnin ly& as she saw /ac#.s furious face' ,He.s not used to (i#i yet' Or to our ways' ;ive hi$ a chance to settle down' 2on.t ta#e any notice of hi$' ;ustavus& the "ird is not wic#ed' She is ood' Sit still and "e quiet'. ,-here is the ca e1. re)eated ;ustavus& in a $ost $addenin $anner' ,A "ee & BEE; ca e' For a wic#et "ird'. /ac# went over to hi$ and s)o#e slowly and loudly with his face close to the sur)rised "oy.s' ,0 have a "ee & BEE; ca e&. he said& $ost dra$atically' ,But 0 #ee) it for s$all& silly "oys' 0 will "rin it for you& ;us' 0f you want a "ee & BEE; ca e you shall have it for yourself' 5ou shall sit in it and "e safe fro$ that wic#et& wic#et "ird'. To /ac#.s enor$ous sur)rise ;ustavus "urst into tears! All four children loo#ed at hi$ a hast' How could a "oy of eleven "e so incredi"ly silly1 Even Lucy%Ann was dis usted' Mrs' Cunnin ha$ hurried over to hi$' ,He.s tired out&. she said to the others' ,0t.s all stran e to hi$ here& and he.s never seen a )arrot li#e (i#i "efore' 4or have any of us& co$e to that! Cheer u)& ;ustavus' /ac# didn.t $ean what he said& of course'. ,0 *olly well did&. "e an /ac#' ,(i#i.s old ca e is enor$ous and ' ' '. Mrs' Cunnin ha$ fir$ly led the wee)in ;us fro$ the roo$' The others stared at one another in co$)lete dis ust' ,-ell! To thin# we.ve ot to )ut u) with that these hols!. "e an /ac#' ,All 0 can say is that 0.$ oin to ta#e hi$ fir$ly in hand6and he won.t en*oy it one "it!. ,0.ll ta#e hi$ in hand& too&. said 2inah& quite fiercely' ,-ho does he thin# he is6layin down the law a"out (i#i and a ca e! Oh& /ac#60 do wish you.d ot that old ca e and "rou ht it in' 0.d have loved to see ;ustavus.s face'. ,3oor old ;ussy!. said Lucy%Ann' ,-ouldn.t he have howled! 3oor ;ussy!. ,;ussy!. said (i#i& at once' ,Fussy%;ussy! Fussy%;ussy!. Everyone lau hed' ,5ou.ve hit it off a ain&. said 3hili) to (i#i' ,Fussy6that.s e+actly what we.ll have to )ut u) with6fuss and ru$"les and silliness all the ti$e' -hy don.t forei ners "rin u) their #ids )ro)erly1 Fussy%;ussy! -e shall et *olly tired of hi$'. ,Fussy%;ussy!. screa$ed (i#i& dancin to and fro& to and fro on her "i feet' ,-i)e your feet& ;ussy!. ,2ry your eye& you $ean&. said 3hili)' ,0 ho)e ;ussy.s not oin to "urst into tears too often' 0 thin# 0.ll "orrow one of Mother.s afternoon%tea%cloths and ta#e it with $e to offer hi$ every ti$e he loo#s li#e "urstin into tears'. Mrs' Cunnin ha$ ca$e "ac#& and overheard this' ,0 thin# you.re "ein a "it un#ind&. she said' ,He.s a silly little "oy& 0 ad$it6"ut it $ust "e rather nerve%rac#in for hi$ to "e )lun ed into the $idst of a co$)any li#e this when he doesn.t s)ea# the lan ua e )ro)erly& and everyone lau hs at hi$' 0 thin# you should )lay fair and ive hi$ a chance'. ,All ri ht& Mother&. said 3hili)' ,All the sa$e6it isn.t li#e Bill to thrust so$eone li#e ;ussy on us at a $o$ent.s notice& *ust at the "e innin of the hols'. ,-ell& you see&. said his $other& ,it.s li#e this' Bill was saddled with this youn ster6and he #new you wouldn.t li#e havin hi$' So he su ested to $e that he should o off with hi$ alone

so$ewhere' 0 couldn.t "ear that& "ecause a holiday without Bill would "e horrid6and so we thou ht it would "e "est if ;ustavus ca$e with us all& and we tried to )ut u) with hi$' 0t.s either that or oin without "oth ;ussy and Bill'. ,0 see&. said 3hili)' ,-ell& 0.d rather )ut u) with ;ussy than have no Bill'. ,That.s what I thou ht&. said his $other' ,So don.t $a#e Bill feel too "ad a"out it& will you1 He.s quite li#ely to vanish with ;ussy for the rest of the holidays if you $a#e too $uch fuss' All the sa$e60 thin# you can quite safely $a#e youn ;ustavus toe the line' That won.t do hi$ any har$ at all' He see$s a s)oilt little cry%"a"y to $e'. ,-e.ll soon show hi$ e+actly where he stands&. said /ac#' ,But 0 really can.t thin# how Bill was soft enou h to ta#e hi$ on' -here.s the cry"a"y now1. ,0.ve )o))ed hi$ into "ed with a "oo#&. said Mrs' Cunnin ha$' ,There.s such a lot of thin s to do this evenin and 0 really felt 0 couldn.t co)e with so"s and tears and "ic#erin s the very first day you were ho$e6so 0 thou ht everyone would "e ha))ier if he was in "ed'. ,How ri ht you were!. said /ac#' ,-ell& now dear ;ussy is safely out of the way& let.s et on with thin s' 0 su))ose you don.t want any hel) with the su))er& Aunt Allie1. ,0 i$a ine that.s a rounda"out way of sayin you are hun ry a ain1. said Aunt Allie' ,All ri ht 6the irls can see to su))er' 5ou "oys co$e and hel) $e finish )ac#in the reatest nu$"er of thin s into the s$allest )ossi"le "a s! 0.$ leavin "ehind )ractically everythin "elon in to ;ustavus6he.s ot the $ost ridiculous thin s6)y*a$as $ade of real sil#& for instance! And $ono ra$s on everythin '. ,He $ust have one throu h an awful lot of ra in at school then&. said 3hili)' ,3ity they didn.t have his hair cut' He.d $a#e a lovely irl with all that lon curly "lac# hair' Couldn.t we et his hair cut& Mother1. ,3ossi"ly&. said his $other' ,Let.s not tal# a"out hi$ any $ore' 0.$ tired of hi$ already'. The )ac#in was finished "y su))er%ti$e' Mrs' Cunnin ha$ was deter$ined not to ta#e $ore than a chan e of clothes for everyoneA shirts& *erseys& "la<ers and $acs' Once $ore she had to ta#e /ac#.s enor$ous "oo# on "irds fro$ where he had hidden it yet a ain under so$e shirts in a suit% case' She loo#ed at hi$ in e+as)eration' He rinned "ac# a$ia"ly' ,Oh& sorry& Aunt Allie! 5ou don.t $ean to say it.s ot itself )ac#ed a ain!. ,0.$ lockin the cases now&. said Aunt Allie& with deter$ination' ,Really& /ac#& 0 so$eti$es feel you want a ood s)an#in !. Su))er was a hilarious $eal' ;ustavus& havin a tray of food in "ed& listened rather enviously' He was tired& and lad to "e in "ed6"ut it did sound very *olly downstairs' He didn.t so$ehow feel that he had $ade a very ood i$)ression& thou h' That "ird6it was that ,wic#et. "ird who had $ade thin s o wron ' -hen he ot (i#i alone he would sla) her hard6"iff! ;ustavus "rou ht his hand down s$artly as he )ictured hi$self sla))in (i#i' The tray *er#ed and his le$onade s)ilt over the traycloth' There6that was thin#in of (i#i a ain' He was so en rossed in tryin to $o) u) the $ess he had $ade that he didn.t notice so$eone rather s$all sidlin in at the door' 0t was the )arrot& co$e to find out where ;ustavus was' (i#i.s shar) eyes had $issed hi$ at su))er%ti$e' Then where was he1 9)stairs1 (i#i went under the "ed and e+)lored the sli))ers and "o+es there' She )ec#ed at one of the "o+es& tryin to et off the lid' She loved ta#in off lids' ;ustavus heard the noise' -hat was it1 He loo#ed round the roo$' 3ec#%)ec#%)ec#! The lid wouldn.t co$e off' ,-ho.s there1 -ho iss it1. said ;ustavus& in an an+ious voice' (i#i de"ated what noise to $a#e' She had a rand store of noises of all #inds' There was the screech of a railway train oin throu h a tunnel' 4o6that would "rin Mrs' Cunnin ha$ u)stairs&

and she would "e an ry' There was the lawn%$ower6a $ost successful noise& "ut also not very )o)ular indoors' And there was quite a variety of cou hs6little short hac#in cou hs6dee) hollow ones6and snee<es' -hat a"out a snee<e1 (i#i ave one of her $ost realistic snee<es' ,A6-OOOOOSH%oo!. 0t sounded very )eculiar indeed& co$in fro$ under the "ed' ;ussy was )etrified' A snee<e6and such an enor$ous one6and under the "ed! -HO was under the "ed1 So$eone lyin in wait for hi$1 He "e an to tre$"le& and the le$onade s)ilt a ain' (i#i "e an to cou h6a dee)& hollow cou h& $ournful and slow' ;ustavus $oaned' -ho was it cou hin under his "ed now1 He didn.t dare to et out and see' He was sure that whoever was there would catch hold of his an#les as soon as his feet a))eared on the floor' (i#i ne+t did a very fine rowl& and )oor ;ussy shivered so $uch in fri ht that his tray nearly slid off the "ed alto ether' He *ust clutched it in ti$e' But a )late fell off& hit one of his shoes standin near"y and rolled slowly under the "ed' 4ow it was (i#i.s turn to "e sur)rised' She ho))ed out of the way and lared at the )late& which flattened itself and lay still' ,Hel)! Hel)!. suddenly yelled ;ussy& findin his voice at last' ,So$eone.s under $y "ed' Hel)! Hel)!. Bill was u) in a trice& stridin over to ;ustavus' ,-hat is it1 8uic#& tell $e'. ,9nder the "ed&. said ;ussy& wea#ly& and Bill "ent down to loo#' There was no"ody there' (i#i had decided that the *o#e was over& and was now safely inside the near"y wardro"e& her head on one side& listenin ' ,5ou $ustn.t i$a ine thin s& old cha)&. Bill was sayin #indly' ,There.s no"ody under the "ed6 and never was' 4o"ody at all! 0.ll ta#e your tray and you can settle down to slee)!.

Chapter !

OFF TO L0TTLE BROC(LETO4

4EBT day was "ri ht and sunny& with "i )iled%u) clouds racin over the A)ril s#y' ,Li#e )uffs of cotton%wool&. said 2inah' ,0 ho)e it.s oin to "e li#e this all the hols'. ,0.$ oin to et the car&. said Bill' ,-hen 0 hoot 0 shall e+)ect you all to "e ready' Allie& you can sit in front with $e& and Lucy%Ann $ust squee<e there too& so$ehow' The other four can o at the "ac#' Lu a e in the "oot' And if anyone wants to "e du$)ed on the road and left to wal#& he or she has only ot to "ehave "adly& and 0.ll du$) the$ with )leasure'. ,0 really "elieve you would too& Bill&. said Lucy%Ann' ,Oh& not a dou"t of it&. said Bill& )uttin on such a ri$ face that )oor ;ussy was really alar$ed' He $ade u) his $ind that he would "ehave su)erlatively well& and he i$$ediately )ut on his finest $anners' He o)ened doors for everyone' He "owed' He tried to ta#e whatever Mrs' Cunnin ha$ was carryin & and carry it for her' -hen he ot into anyone.s way& which he did al$ost every $inute& he s)ran aside& "owed& and saidA ,E+cuse& )li<<' 0 )olly i<e'. ,3olly )ut the #ettle on&. said (i#i& at once' ,3olly& 3olly63olly% i<e'. Then she went off into an alar$in cac#le of lau hter' ,How.s your fin er& ;us1. as#ed /ac#& )olitely' ,0t has sto))ed "liddin &. said ;us' ,-ell& 0 warn you6don.t try and )lay tric#s with old (i#i&. said /ac#& ,or she.ll o for you6 $a#e you "lid a ain6$uch& $uch "lid!. ,Ah& wic#et&. said ;us' ,0 thin# that "ird is not nice'.

,0 "et (i#i thin#s the sa$e of you!. said /ac#' ,5ou.re standin in $y way' 5ou.d "etter $ove unless you want this suit%case "iffin you in the $iddle'. ,E+cuse& )li<<' 0 )olly i<e&. said ;ussy& hurriedly& and s#i))ed out of the way' At last everythin was ready' Mrs' Cunnin ha$.s charwo$an ca$e to see the$ off& )ro$isin to loc# u) after the$& and co$e in every day to clean and dust' Bill was hootin loudly' ;ussy was so terri"ly afraid of "ein left "ehind that he shot down the front )ath at to) s)eed' Bill& Mrs' Cunnin ha$ and Lucy%Ann squee<ed the$selves into the lon front seat' The other four ot into the "ac#' ;ussy shran# "ac# when he saw that (i#i was oin with the$& a))arently on /ac#.s shoulder& ne+t to hi$' (i#i $ade a noise li#e a cor# "ein )ulled out of a "ottle63O3! ;ussy *u$)ed' (i#i cac#led& and then )o))ed another cor#' ,3O3! 3o) oes the weasel' ;ussy' Fussy%;ussy& ;ussy%Fussy' 3O3!. ,-hat do you thin# you.re doin & ;ussy1. said /ac#& seein the "oy sli))in fro$ the seat down to the floor' ,E+cuse& )li<<' 0 )olly i<e' The (i#i%"ird& he s)its in $y ear6he oes 3O3!. e+)lained ;ussy& fro$ his seat on the floor' Everyone roared' ,2on.t "e an ass& ;ussy&. said /ac#' ,Co$e on u) to the seat' Squee<e in at the other end if you li#e& ne+t to 2inah' But 0 warn you6(i#i will wander all over the car when she.s tired of sittin on $y shoulder'. ,Blow your nose&. said (i#i sternly& loo#in down at the sur)rised ;ussy' ,All ready& "ehind1. called Bill& )uttin in the clutch' He )ressed down the accelerator& the en ine roared a little and the car $oved off down the road' ,Heavy load we.ve ot&. said Bill' ,-hat a fa$ily! This car is oin to runt and roan u) every hill!. 0t did& thou h it was a )owerful car& and one that Bill used in his wor#' 0t swallowed u) the $iles easily& and Mrs' Cunnin ha$ was )leased to thin# they would arrive at their destination "efore dar#' ,-hat is the na$e of the )lace we are oin to& Aunt Allie1. as#ed Lucy%Ann' ,Oh yes& 0 re$e$"er6Little Broc#leton' Are we havin a cotta e& or what1. ,5es&. said Aunt Allie' ,0t.s called 8uarry Cotta e& "ecause an old quarry is near"y' 0t.s a"out a $ile fro$ the villa e& and 0 "elieve only a far$house is near' -e can et e s and "utter and $il# and "read fro$ there& which is luc#y'. ,0 shall as# a"out "ad ers as soon as 0 et there&. said 3hili)& fro$ the "ac#' ,0 wish 0 could et a youn "ad er' 0.ve heard they $a#e wonderful )ets'. ,There! 0 #new you.d start huntin out )ets of so$e #ind&. said 2inah' ,-e never can have a holiday without your "rin in in $ice or "irds or insects or even worse creatures'. ,0.ve "een thin#in of studyin spiders these hols&. said 3hili)& seriously' ,A$a<in creatures& s)iders' Those reat "i ones& with hairy le s& are ' ' '. 2inah shivered at once' ,Let.s chan e the su"*ect&. she said' ,0 don.t #now why& "ut whenever anyone even mentions s)iders 0 see$ to feel one crawlin down $y "ac#'. ,Oh& osh6don.t say $y s)ider.s esca)ed!. said 3hili) at once& and )retended to loo# throu h his )oc#ets' ;ussy watched hi$ in alar$' He didn.t li#e s)iders either' 2inah ave a s$all shrie#' ,2on.t "e $ean& 3hili)6)lease& )lease' 5ou haven.t really ot a "i s)ider& have you1. ,3hili)!. called his $other& warnin ly' ,5ou.ll "e du$)ed in the road' Re$e$"er what Bill said'. ,All ri ht' 0 haven.t ot a s)ider&. said 3hili)& re retfully' ,5ou can sit in safety& 2i' 0 say& ;us& aren.t you unco$forta"le down there& on the floor& a$on our feet1 0 #ee) for ettin you.re there' 0 ho)e 0 haven.t wi)ed $y feet on you yet'. ,That is not a nice thin to s)i#&. said ;ussy& with di nity' ,0 will "e an ry to have your feets wi)ed on $e'.

,Let.s )lay a a$e&. said /ac#& seein an ar u$ent develo)in ' ,-e.ll loo# out for "lac# do s6 white cats6)ie"ald horses6red "icycles6and ice%crea$ vans' The one who is last to reach a hundred $ust sto) at the ne+t ice%crea$ van and "uy ices for us all!. This sounded e+citin to ;ussy' He scra$"led u) fro$ the floor at once& and squee<ed hi$self "eside 2inah' Bill and Mrs' Cunnin ha$ heaved a si h of relief' 4ow there would "e quite a "it of )eace6everyone would "e loo#in out and countin hard' ;ussy was not at all ood at this a$e' He $issed any a$ount of "lac# do s and white cats& and #e)t countin ordinary horses instead of )ie"ald ones' He loo#ed very $isera"le when he was told that he couldn.t )ut all the "rown and white horses he had seen into his score' ,He.s oin to cry!. said 3hili)' ,-ait& ;us& wait' Ta#e $y han#y'. And he )ulled out one of the #itchen ta"lecloths& which he had neatly )urloined *ust "efore co$in away& in s)ite of his $other.s threats' ;ussy found the ta"le%cloth )ushed into his hands' He loo#ed at it in astonish$ent6and then he "e an to lau h! ,Ha ha! Ho ho! This is cloth& not han#y! 0 will not wee) in this' 0 will lau h!. ,;ood for you& ;ussy!. said /ac#& ivin hi$ a )at on the "ac#' ,Lau h away' -e li#e that!. 0t was quite a sur)rise to everyone to find that ;ussy could actually lau h at a *o#e a ainst hi$self' They "e an to thin# he $i ht not "e so "ad after all' He sto))ed )layin the countin a$e after that& "ut dis)layed even $ore sur)risin "ehaviour at the end of the a$e' Lucy%Ann was last to reach a hundred' She felt in her little )urse for her $oney& #nowin that she $ust "uy ice%crea$s for everyone& "ecause she had lost the a$e' ,3lease& Bill& will you sto) at the ne+t ice%crea$ van1. she said' So Bill o"li in ly sto))ed' But "efore Lucy%Ann could et out& ;ussy had o)ened the door at the "ac#& shot out and raced to the ice%crea$ van' ,Seven& )li<<&. he said' ,-ait! I lost& not you!. shouted Lucy%Ann& half indi nant' Then she stared' ;ussy had ta#en a wallet out of his )oc#et6a wallet& not a )urse! And fro$ it he too# a wad of )ound notes6 ood racious& however $any had he ot1 He )eeled off the to) one and ave it to the ice%crea$ van& who was as sur)rised as anyone else' ,5ou co$e into a fortune& $ate1. as#ed the ice%crea$ $an' ,Or is your dad a $illionaire1. ;ussy didn.t understand' He too# his chan e and )ut it into his )oc#et' Then he carried the ice% crea$s "ac# to the car& and handed round one each& "ea$in all over his face' ,Than#s& ;us&. said Bill& acce)tin his' ,But loo# here& old cha)6you can.t carry all that $oney a"out with you& you #now'. ,0 can&. said ;ussy' ,All the ter$ 0 had it here in $y )oc#et' 0t is $y )oc#et%$oney& 0 thin#' They said 0 could have )oc#et%$oney'. ,H$& yes' But a hundred )ounds or so in notes is hardly pocket%$oney&. "e an Bill' ,5es& yes60 #now you #e)t it in your pocket& "ut real )oc#et%$oney is6is6oh& you e+)lain& "oys'. 0t )roved to "e very difficult to e+)lain that all those )ound notes were not )oc#et%$oney $erely "ecause ;ussy #e)t the$ in his )oc#et' ,5ou ou ht to have handed the$ in at your school&. said 3hili)' ,They said 0 could have )oc#et%$oney&. said ;ussy& o"stinately' ,My uncle ave it to $e' 0t is $ine'. ,5our )eo)le $ust "e *olly rich&. said /ac#' ,0 "et even Bill doesn.t wander round with as $any )ound notes as that' 0s ;us a $illionaire or so$ethin & Bill1. ,-ell6his )eo)le are well%off&. said Bill' He sli))ed in the clutch a ain and the car slid off' ,All the sa$e& he.ll have to hand over those notes to $e' He.ll "e ro""ed sooner or later'. ,He.s oin to cry&. re)orted 2inah' ,3hili)& quic#6where.s that ta"le%cloth1. ,0 a$ not oin to wee)&. said ;ussy& with di nity' ,0 a$ oin to "e sic#' Always 0 a$ sic# in a car' 0 was yesterday' 3li<<& Mr' Cunnin ha$& $ay 0 "e sic#1.

,;ood racious!. said Bill& sto))in very suddenly indeed' ,;et out of the car& then& quic#! 3ush hi$ out& 2inah' -hy& oh& why did 0 let hi$ have that ice%crea$1 He told $e yesterday he was always car%sic#'. Mrs' Cunnin ha$ ot out to co$fort )oor ;ussy& who was now reen in the face' ,He would "e car%sic#!. said 2inah' ,/ust the #ind of thin he.d have6car%sic#ness'. ,He can.t hel) it&. said Lucy%Ann' ,Anyway& it.s all over now' He loo#s fine'. ,3li<<& 0 "etter a$&. announced ;ussy& cli$"in "ac# in the car' ,(ee) the cloth&. said 3hili)& )ushin it at hi$' ,0t $i ht co$e in useful if you feel ill a ain'. ,Everyone ready1. called Bill' ,-ell& off we o a ain' -e.ll sto) for lunch at one o.cloc#& and then we.ll "e at Little Broc#leton "y tea%ti$e& 0 ho)e' ;ussy& yell if you feel queer a ain'. ,0 a$ only sic# one%ti$e&. said ;ussy' ,3li<<& 0 have lost $y ice%crea$' -ill you sto) for another1. ,0 will not&. said Bill& fir$ly' ,5ou.re not havin any $ore ice%crea$s in the car' 2oesn.t anyone want a na)1 0t would "e so nice for $e to drive in )eace and quietness! -ell6ne+t sto)& lunch!.

Chapter "

89ARR5 COTTA;E
L0TTLE BROC(LETO4 was a dear little villa e' The car ran throu h it& scatterin hens and a line of quac#in duc#s' Bill sto))ed at a little )ost%office' ,Must *ust send off a $essa e&. he said' ,-on.t "e a $inute' Then we.ll o and call at the far$house to as# the way to 8uarry Cotta e& and to )ic# u) e s and thin s& and order $il#'. He rea))eared a ain after a $o$ent' The children #new that Bill had to re)ort where he was each day& "ecause ur ent *o"s $i ht co$e his way at any $o$ent6secret tas#s that only he could do' They went off to the far$%house' The far$er.s wife was deli hted to see the$' ,4ow& you co$e away in&. she said' ,0.ve "een e+)ectin you this last half%hour& and 0.ve ot tea for you' 5ou won.t find anythin ready at the cotta e& 0 #now& and a ood tea will hel) you alon '. ,That.s very #ind of you&. said Mrs' Cunnin ha$& ratefully' ,My oodness6what a s)read!. 0t certainly was' 0t wasn.t an ordinary afternoon tea& it was a hi h%tea' A fresh ha$& listenin )in#' A veal%and%ha$ )ie s$othered in reen )arsley& li#e the ha$' 5ellow "utter in lass dishes' A "lue *u of thic# yellow crea$' Honey' Ho$e%$ade straw"erry *a$' Hot scones' A lar e fruit%ca#e as "lac# as a )lu$ )uddin inside' E sandwiches' Tea& cocoa and crea$y $il#' ,0.$ a"solutely deter$ined to live on a far$ when 0.$ rown u)&. said /ac#& loo#in a))rovin ly at all the food on the "i round ta"le' ,0 never saw such food as far$%houses have' 0 say& isn.t this s$ashin 1. ;ussy felt lad that Mrs' Cunnin ha$ had insisted that he should eat very little at lunch%ti$e' He felt sure he had an a))etite three ti$es "i er than anyone else.s' ,-hat will you have1. as#ed the far$er.s wife& #indly& seein his hun ry loo#' ,0 will have so$e6so$e )i %$eat&. said ;ussy' ,And so$e )ie%$eat with it' And 0 will have so$e crea$ with it& and ' ' '. ,He.s a little forei ner& isn.t he1. said the far$er.s wife& with a lau h' ,3i %$eat! 2oes he $ean ha$1 And surely he.ll "e sic# if 0 )our crea$ over it all1. ,Cut hi$ a little ha$& if you will&. said Mrs' Cunnin ha$' ,4o )ie' He can.t )ossi"ly eat "oth' And of course not the crea$!. ,0 have ordered $y $eal&. said ;ustavus& in a very hau hty voice& starin at the sur)rised far$er.s wife' ,0 will have what 0 say' 3li<<&. he added as an afterthou ht' ,Shut u)& ;us&. said Bill' ,5ou.ll do as you.re told' 5ou.re for ettin yourself'. ,0 have not for ot $yself&. said ;us& )u<<led' ,0 have re$e$"ered $yself& and 0 want ' ' '.

,Shut u)&. said Bill& and ;us shut u)' The others rinned' 0t was nice to see Bill squashin ;ussy' ;ussy was very an ry' He lared at Bill& and see$ed a"out to say so$ethin ' But Bill loo#ed across at hi$& and he didn.t say it' Bill win#ed at the others& and they win#ed "ac#' ,Fussy%;ussy&. re$ar#ed (i#i& fro$ /ac#.s left shoulder' ,2in %don %"ell& ;ussy.s in the well'. ,3ussy.s in the well& not ;ussy&. corrected /ac#' ,Oh& you )est6you.ve na""ed a straw"erry out of the *a$!. The far$er.s wife too# (i#i in her stride& and was not unduly sur)rised at her& nor annoyed' ,My old aunt had a )arrot once&. she said' ,One li#e yours here' She didn.t tal# as well as yours thou h'. ,0s she alive1. as#ed /ac#& thin#in that it would "e fun to )ut the two )arrots to ether and see the$ eyein one another' -hat #ind of conversation would they have1 ,0s who alive1 My aunt or her )arrot1. as#ed the far$er.s wife& )ourin out cu)s of crea$y $il#' ,The )arrot.s dead' 0t was su))osed to "e over a hundred years old when it died' My old aunt is still alive& thou h' There she is& sittin "y the fire over in that corner' She.s $y reat%aunt really& and shell "e $ore than a hundred if she lives another ten years'. The five children stared in awe at the old wo$an in the corner' She loo#ed rather li#e a witch to the$& "ut her eyes were faded "lue& instead of reen' She s$iled a di$ s$ile at the$& and then "ent her white head to her #nittin a ain' ,She.s a real worry so$eti$es&. said the far$er.s wife' ,She wanders round and falls a"out& you #now' And the doctor.s off on a wee#.s holiday soon& and what 0 shall do if old Aunt 4ao$i falls and hurts herself then& 0 don.t #now! There.s no nei h"ours near "ut you6and you.re a ood "it away!. ,5ou send a $essa e to us if you want us at any ti$e&. said Mrs' Cunnin ha$ at once' ,0.ll certainly co$e' 0 a$ quite ood at first%aid and nursin ' So don.t worry a"out the doctor oin ' Send a $essa e if you want us'. ,Ah& yes60 could do that&. said the far$er.s wife' ,Than# you #indly' 4ow6who wants a "it of that fruit%ca#e1 0t.s ood& thou h 0 shouldn.t say it& seein that 0 $ade it $yself'. ,0f 0 eat any $ore 0 shan.t "e a"le to $ove a ste)&. said Bill& at last' ,-ill you #indly $a#e u) your $inds to finish& you #ids1 -e.ll et alon to 8uarry Cotta e& and settle in' 2id you $ana e to send a wo$an in to clean u) the )lace for us& Mrs' Ellis1. ,Oh yes&. said the far$er.s wife' ,And she too# e s& $il#& a )ie& so$e ho$e%$ade cheese& ha$ and "utter and new "read for you' Oh yes& and a side of "acon' 5ou won.t do too "adly down there! Co$e alon to $e when you want anythin ' 0 ho)e you have a ood& restful holiday'. They left the cosy far$%house reluctantly' /ac# eyed ;ussy sus)iciously& as they ot into the car' ,5ou loo# a "it reen&. he said' ,Sure you.ll "e all ri ht in the car1. ,He.ll "e all ri ht&. said Mrs' Cunnin ha$& hurriedly' ,0t.s not very far6he.ll "e quite all ri ht'. ,-ishful thin#in & Aunt Allie!. said /ac#' ,(i#i.s very quiet' (i#i& youve $ade a )i of yourself too6a little )i & eatin such a "i tea!. (i#i ave a "i hiccu)' 4o"ody ever #new if her hiccu)s were real or )ut on' Mrs' Cunnin ha$ always felt quite certain that they were )ut on' ,(i#i!. said /ac#& severely' ,Manners& $anners!. ,3ardon&. said (i#i' ;ussy stared at her in a$a<e$ent' 0t was sur)risin enou h for a )arrot to hiccu)& "ut even $ore sur)risin that she should a)olo i<e! He quite for ot to feel sic# "ecause of his astonish$ent at (i#i' 2own a windin lane6u) a little hill6down another lane whose hed es were so hi h that the children felt they were in a reen tunnel' Round a shar) "end& and then there was 8uarry Cotta e& standin a little way "ac# fro$ the lane' 0t was a )retty )lace& its arden full of )ri$roses& wallflowers and daffodils' The )eo)le who owned it had one to the South of France for a holiday& and had "een )leased to let it to Bill'

The windows were rather s$all& as they always are in old cotta es' The door was stout& $ade of oa# dar#ened "y the years& and was )rotected "y a s$all )orch& thatched with straw li#e the slo)in roof of the cotta e' ,A thatched cotta e6how lovely!. said Lucy%Ann' ,0 don.t #now why& "ut thatched houses always loo# as if they "elon to fairy%tales& not to real life' 0t.s a dear little )lace'. They went u) the )ath' Bill had the #ey and unloc#ed the door' 0n they all went& e+clai$in over everythin ' ,0 need hardly re$ind you that this house& and everythin in it& "elon s to so$eone else&. said Mrs' Cunnin ha$' ,So that we.ll have to "e e+tra careful6"ut as you will )ro"a"ly "e out of doors $ost of the day you won.t have ti$e to do much da$a e!. ,-e shouldn.t anyway&. said /ac#' ,4ot with Bill here ready to *u$) on us!. The cotta e was *ust as )retty inside as out& and very cosy and co$forta"le' The three "oys had a "i attic& the two irls had a s$all "edroo$ over the sittin %roo$& and Bill and his wife had a lar er one ne+t to it' The larder was full of food! Mrs' Ellis& the far$er.s wife& had certainly re$e$"ered the$ enerously' Mrs' Cunnin ha$ heaved a si h of relief as she loo#ed at the ha$ and "acon& e s and $il#' House#ee)in was not oin to "e the ni ht$are she had e+)ected! ,5ou two irls un)ac# everythin &. she said' ,-e.ve not "rou ht $uch with us& so it won.t ta#e you lon ' Arran e the "oys. thin s in the "i chest in their roo$6there.s enou h roo$ for the clothes of all three there'. ,0 cannot sli) with others&. announced ;ustavus& co$in down the stairs into the hall& where the irls and Mrs' Cunnin ha$ were undoin the suit%cases' ,4ever have 0 sli)t with others'. ,-hat are you tal#in a"out1. said 2inah' ,4o"ody wants you to sli)' -hy should you1. ,He $eans sleep&. said Lucy%Ann' ,2on.t you& ;ussy1. ,0t is what 0 said&. said ;ussy' ,0 $ay not sli) with others' At school 0 sli)t "y $yself' Here 0 will sli) "y $yself also' 0t iss the rule of $y fa$ily'. ,-ell& it isn.t the rule here&. said 2inah' ,;et off those shirts& ;us' And don.t "e an ass' There are only three "edroo$s& anyway'. ,-hat.s the ar u$ent1. said Bill& co$in in after )uttin the car into a shed& and seein ;ussy.s frownin face' ,0t.s ;us&. said 2inah& )ilin her ar$s full of clothes' ,He.s *ust announced he wants to slee) "y hi$self' Says it.s the rule of his fa$ily' -ho does he thin# he is1 A )rince'. ;ussy o)ened his $outh to re)ly& and Bill hurriedly interru)ted what he was oin to say' ,;us& you.ll slee) with the two "oys here' 9nderstand1. ,0 sli) alone&. said ;us& o"stinately' ,4ever have 0 ' ' '. ,There.s a tiny little "o+%roo$ he could have&. said 2inah& suddenly& a lea$ in her eye' ,0 saw it *ust now& when 0 was u)stairs' He could =sli)> there' 0.$ sure he won.t $ind the do<ens of colossal s)iders there6u h& they.ve all ot hairy le s' And 0 heard a $ouse6or it $i ht have "een a rat6 scuttlin "ehind the cistern6and ' ' '. ;us loo#ed horrified' ,4o' 0 do not sli) with s)iders and $ouses&. he said' ,But still it is not ri ht that 0 should sli) with 3hili) and /ac#' And 0 will not sli) with that wic#et "ird'. ,Co$e in here a $inute& ;us&. said Bill& and he too# the "oy fir$ly "y the shoulder& led hi$ into the sittin %roo$ and shut the door' The two irls heard a $ur$ur of voices& and loo#ed at one another in sur)rise' ,Mother& what.s all the fuss a"out1. said 2inah& )u<<led' ,-hy doesn.t Bill )ut that silly youn ;us in his )lace1 0f he.s oin to "e hi h%and%$i hty all the ti$e& and ive his orders& and act in such an idiotic way& we.re all oin to hate hi$'. ,Leave it to Bill&. said her $other& and then chan ed the su"*ect' ,Ta#e those thin s u)& 2inah6 and Lucy%Ann& )ut these thin s in $y roo$& will you1 4ow& did 0 )ac# Bill.s set of )i)es& or didn.t 01.

The irls went u)stairs' ,Mother.s as $ysterious a"out ;us as Bill is&. said 2inah& crossly' ,0s there so$e $ystery a"out hi$1 Can he "e a 3rince in dis uise& or so$ethin 1. ,-hat! A silly little "oy li#e hi$!. said Lucy%Ann& in dis ust' ,Of CO9RSE not!.

Chapter #

MOSTL5 ABO9T ;9SS5

0T was fun settlin in at 8uarry Cotta e' Mrs' Cunnin ha$ was )leased and ha))y' She hadn.t "een loo#in forward to a holiday for seven )eo)le& five of the$ children& #nowin that she would have to do everythin for the$& and that )erha)s the sho))in would "e difficult' But it was easy' The villa e was not too far away& even for wal#in )ur)oses' The far$house was willin to su))ly a wonderful selection of ood food' Mrs' ;u$)& the tiny little charwo$an& ca$e every day& and was cheerful and hard%wor#in ' She also li#ed children& which was a reat "lessin ' She didn.t li#e ;ussy& thou h' ,He orders $e a"out& that one&. she co$)lained' ,He even wanted $e to o u)stairs and fetch his hand#erchief for hi$& Ma$' He.s a little forei ner& isn.t he1 -ell& 0.$ not oin to "e ordered a"out "y forei ners& s)ecially not little ni))ers li#e that'. ;ussy was very difficult those first days' He didn.t li#e this and he didn.t li#e that' He co$)lained if he was iven a crac#ed )late' He a"solutely refused to $a#e his "ed& thou h it was a rule in the house that everyone should $a#e their own' ,0 do not $a#e "eds&. he announced& in his hau htiest $anner' ,Mrs' ;u$) shall $a#e $y "ed'. ,Mrs' ;u$) shall not&. said 2inah& fir$ly' ,5ou o and $a#e your own6and for oodness. sa#e don.t $a#e such a $uss& ;ussy'. ,Fussy%;ussy& Fussy%;ussy!. chanted (i#i& in deli ht' ,Fussy%;ussy& Fussy ' ' '. ;us cau ht u) a "oo# and flun it at (i#i' The "ird dod ed easily& sat on the "ac# of a chair and cac#led with lau hter' ;us was *ust a"out to )ic# u) another "oo# when he found hi$self on his "ac# on the floor' 2inah had )ut u) with enou h fro$ ;ussy' She had now lost her te$)er& and was showin hi$ how well she could do it! She "an ed his head on the floor& and he yelled the )lace down' Mrs' Cunnin ha$ ca$e in at once' ,2inah! -hat are you thin#in of1 ;et u) at once' ;o u)stairs and stay there till 0 co$e to you'. ,He flun a "oo# at (i#i&. )anted 2inah& risin u) red and an ry' ;ussy still lay on the floor& and the tears ran down his chee#s' ,;et u)& ;ussy&. said Mrs' Cunnin ha$' ,0.$ *ust as cross with you as 0 a$ with 2inah' ;o u) to your roo$ too& and stay there'. ,5ou cannot order $e&. said ;ussy& with as $uch di nity as he could $ana e throu h his tears' ,Send this irl "ac# ho$e' And that wic#et "ird'. ,;O TO 5O9R ROOM!. said Mrs' Cunnin ha$ in such a furious voice that ;ussy lea)t to his feet& tore u) the stairs& went into his roo$& sla$$ed the door and turned the #ey! Bill ca$e in' ,0t.s ;ussy a ain&. said his wife' ,He.s such a little $athead' 0 ho)e this is oin to wor# out all ri ht& Bill' 0 thin# we should have thou ht of so$e other idea' The others don.t understand& you see' Can.t we tell the$1. ,0.ll have a word with ;ussy a ain&. said Bill' ,0f he doesn.t co$e to heel 0.ll ta#e hi$ away "y $yself6"ut 0 thou ht it would "e so $uch safer if he was here with all of us'. He went u)stairs' Mrs' Cunnin ha$ also went u) to 2inah' Lucy%Ann was with her& arran in the clothes in the drawers' 2inah was very $utinous' ,0t.s all very well&. she said& when her $other scolded her& ,"ut why should ;ussy s)oil everythin for us1 He.s always interferin & always orderin us a"out& always wantin the "est of everythin for hi$self6and fancy 2AR04; to try and hurt (i#i!.

,0 understand how you all feel&. said her $other' ,So does Bill' But he.s )ro$ised to #ee) an eye on ;ussy for the ne+t few wee#s& and he $ust' 0 thin# )erha)s it would "e "est if he too# ;ussy off so$ewhere& and left us here "y ourselves'. ,Oh& no&. said Lucy%Ann at once' ,4o& Aunt Allie! 5ou.ve $arried hi$& and he "elon s to us now' 3lease don.t let hi$ do that! 2inah& say so$ethin !. ,-ell60 thou ht 0 could )ut u) with ;ussy& rather than have Bill leave us&. said 2inah' ,But6 "ut6oh dear& 0 cant )ro$ise not to o for ;ussy' 0 don.t thin# 0.ll "e a"le to sto) $yself! And 0 can.t )ossi"ly let Bill o away either'. ,-ell& stay here "y yourself for an hour and $a#e u) your $ind&. said her $other& losin )atience' ,Lucy%Ann& co$e downstairs with $e'. 4o"ody told /ac# or 3hili) a"out ;ussy flin in a "oo# at (i#i' (i#i didn.t for et thou h! She )la ued the life out of )oor ;ussy! He never #new when she was under the ta"le ready to twea# his toes at the end of his sandals' He never #new when she would hide in his "edroo$ and wait for hi$ to co$e u)' Then she would )roduce one of her e+traordinary noises and send hi$ downstairs in a )anic at to) s)eed! ,-ell& if Bill didn.t )unish hi$6and 0 don.t thin# he did6 %ikis doin it all ri ht!. said 2inah to Lucy%Ann' ,Anyway& ;ussy is certainly "etter' 0 wish he wasn.t co$in on the )icnic with us today& thou h'. A )icnic had "een arran ed for everyone on Su ar%Loaf Hill' 0t was really the na$e that had attracted the children6Su ar%Loaf Hill! -hat a lovely na$e! They set off to ether& Bill and the "oys carryin the food in satchels on their "ac#s' ;us had $ade a fuss& of course' He see$ed to thin# that it was a reat indi nity to carry so$ethin on his "ac#' ,4ever haf 0 done this "efore&. he )rotested' ,0n $y country it is the6how do you call it16 don#eys who carry for us' -hy do you not haf don#eys1 0 will not "e a don#ey'. He was )u<<led at the shouts of lau hter that reeted this s)eech' ,Oh& ;us6you.ll "e the death of $e&. said /ac#' ,2o you $ean to say you didn.t know you were a don#ey1. ,0t is "ad to call $e that&. said ;ussy& frownin ' ,0n $y country you would ' ' '. ,Oh& ee%u)& don#ey& and sto) "rayin &. said 3hili)& ivin ;ussy a shove' ,Leave your satchel "ehind& if you li#e' 4o one will $ind' 0t.s ot your lunch in& "ut no"ody else.s! -e.re carryin the irls. lunch& and Bill.s ot Mother.s' 5ou.ve only ot your own'. ,So chuc# it into the "ushes& then you won.t have to carry it li#e a don#ey&. said 2inah& with a squeal of lau hter' ,;o on& ;us!. But ;us didn.t' He thou ht "etter of it& and too# the satchel of food on his "ac#& thou h he loo#ed e+tre$ely sul#y a"out it' Su ar%Loaf Hill was *ust li#e its na$e6it was very li#e a su ar%loaf& cone%sha)ed "ut flat at the to)& and was covered with )ri$roses& cowsli)s and do %violets' ,-e ou ht to "e a"le to see quite a ood way fro$ the to)&. said /ac#& as they toiled u)' 0t was a stiff )ull u) "ut at last they were at the to)' A stron "ree<e "lew round the$& "ut the sun was hot& so it was very )leasant to feel the wind "lowin "y' ,0 say! ;ussy carried his lunch after all!. said /ac#& )retendin to "e sur)rised' ,My word& 0.$ hun ry'. They all were' They ate every sin le thin they had "rou ht& and (i#i had a ood share too& es)ecially of the "ananas' She loved holdin a "anana in one foot and "itin "i )ieces off it' ;ussy snee<ed' (i#i i$$ediately snee<ed too& a $uch "i er snee<e than ;ussy.s' Then ;ussy sniffed& a little ha"it he had which annoyed Mrs' Cunnin ha$ very $uch' (i#i sniffed too' ,Sto) it& (i#i&. said Mrs' Cunnin ha$' ,One sniffer is quite enou h'. ,3olly.s ot a cold&. said (i#i& and sniffed a ain& e+actly li#e ;ussy' ;ussy too# no notice "ut after a $inute he suddenly sniffed a ain' ,Blow your nose!. shouted (i#i' ,-here.s your han#y! ;ussy.s ot a cold& send for ' ' '.

,Be quiet& (i#i&. said /ac#' ,;ussy& don.t #ee) sniffin ' 0f you do& you.ll set (i#i off and she.ll do nothin "ut sniff too'. ,0 do not sniff&. said ;ussy' ,That "ird is wic#et and too clever' 0t should have a ca e'. ,Shut u)& ;us&. said Bill& who was now leanin "ac#& en*oyin a )i)e' ,Re$e$"er what 0 said to you'. ;us a))arently re$e$"ered' He su"sided and lay "ac# and closed his eyes' The others sat and loo#ed at the view' 0t was $arvellous& for they could see a reat way off' ,That.s the villa e over there&. said 3hili)& )ointin ' ,And there.s the far$%house' And you can *ust see the to)s of the chi$neys and a "it of one end of the thatched roof "elon in to 8uarry Cotta e' 0n those trees& loo#'. ,And there.s the road we ca$e "y6the $ain road&. said /ac#' ,-here are $y field% lasses1 3ass the$& 2i' ;osh& 0 can see $iles with these' 0 can see the way the $ain road twists and turns: 0 can see the traffic on it6loo#in *ust as s$all as the toy cars we used to have& 3hili)' Have a loo#'. 3hili) )ut the lasses to his eyes' They really were $a nificent ones' He could see for $iles& *ust as /ac# had said' ,5es6it.s queer to see the cars and the lorries loo#in li#e toys& oin alon those ri""ony roads&. said 3hili)' ,4ow6there.s a "lac# car6rather li#e Bill.s' 0.$ oin to watch it and see how far 0 can follow it'. The others lay "ac#& half aslee)& listenin to 3hili).s voice' The sun was hot now& and they didn.t feel inclined to o wal#in after such a "i )icnic' ,5es6it.s on the $ain road still&. said 3hili)& starin throu h the lasses' ,There it oes6a ood s)eed too' /olly ood s)eed' May "e a )olice car& )erha)s'. ,5ou can.t tell a )olice car so far away&. said /ac#' Bill loo#ed u) fro$ his news)a)er' He #new a lot a"out )olice cars! ,Tell $e its nu$"er and 0.ll tell you if it.s a )olice car&. he said' The "oys lau hed' ,That.s clever of you& Bill&. said /ac#& ,"ut you #now *olly well you.re safe6we can.t )ossi"ly read the nu$"er at this distance' Still ot the car& 3hili)1. ,Lost it for a "it&. said 3hili)' ,0t.s one "ehind so$e "uildin s6no& there it is a ain' 0t.s co$e to cross%roads6it.s& one across' 4ow it.s sto))ed'. ;ussy ave a little snore which (i#i i$$ediately co)ied' 3hili) went on with his car story' ,A $an ot out60 thin# he $ust have one "ac# to loo# at the si n%)ost' He.s ot into the car a ain' 5es& they $issed their way& they.re "ac#in ' Ah& 0 thou ht so6they.ve turned down the other road6the road that leads to our villa e'. ,5ou.ll tell us it.s at 8uarry Cotta e ne+t&. said /ac#& slee)ily' ,5ou.re $a#in all this u) now& I "et!. ,0.ve lost it a ain' 4o& here it co$es&. said 3hili)& )leased' ,5es& it.s oin throu h the villa e6 down into the lane' 0t.s sto))ed a ain' 0 thin# they.re as#in the way fro$ so$eone6a la"ourer )ro"a"ly' Can.t see fro$ here' On they o a ain6and they.ve turned u) the far$%road! They.re oin to the far$%house' 3ro"a"ly rich relations of Mrs' Ellis'. Bill )ut down his )a)er a"ru)tly and reached out for the lasses' He focused the$ on the far$house and saw the car i$$ediately6a "i one& o"viously e+)ensive' He studied it intently for a $inute and then handed "ac# the lasses without a word' ,2o you #now the car& Bill1. as#ed /ac#& curiously& seein Bill.s e+)ression' ,4o&. said Bill' ,0 don.t' But6it *ust $a#es $e thin# a "it& that.s all' Sorry 0 can.t tell you any $ore' 0.ll wander u) to the far$%house toni ht and as# a few questions6then 0.ll #now a "it $ore!.

Chapter &

A S9R3R0S04; A44O94CEME4T

3H0L03 and /ac# were $ore interested in the car& after Bill.s re$ar#s' They too# it in turns to #ee) an eye on it& "ut it si$)ly stayed where it was for twenty $inutes& and then went away& ta#in the sa$e route as it ca$e' ,0t.s one& Bill&. said 3hili)' ,0 e+)ect it was only so$e visitor' 0 say& loo# at ;ussy! His $outh is wide o)en' Let.s )ut so$ethin into it'. ,Let slee)in don#eys lie!. said /ac#' ,And don.t )ut ideas into (i#i.s head! She.ll hunt around for so$ethin now to )o) into ;ussy.s $outh'. 3hili) loo#ed round at everyone' Only Bill and /ac# were awa#e "esides hi$self' He )ut his hand into his )oc#et and "rou ht out so$ethin 6so$ethin s$all and "rown and )retty' 0t sat u) on his hand' ,0 say! 5ou.ve ot a dor$ouse! -hat a )et!. said /ac#' ,2on.t let 2inah see it6she.ll have a fit'. ,0 ot it on the way here&. said 3hili)' ,0 saw it sittin on a "ranch& and it let $e )ic# it u)'. ,0t would!. said /ac#& enviously' ,5ou.ve ot so$e $a ic a"out you& 3hili)' 0.ve never seen an ani$al yet that didn.t co$e under your s)ell' 0sn.t he a )retty little fellow1. ,0.ve called hi$ Snoo<y&. said 3hili)& stro#in the tiny creature& whose lar e "lac# eyes shone li#e $irrors in his head' ,2or$ice are very do<y& snoo<y thin s' 0 $ust re$e$"er to "uy so$e nuts fro$ the rocer.s ne+t ti$e we o to the villa e' Snoo<y will li#e those' -e won.t tell 2inah' He.ll live co$forta"ly in $y )oc#et' 0.ve had dor$ice "efore6they.re very ta$e'. ,How nice to #ee) )uttin your hand in your )oc#et and feelin a furry dor$ouse there!. said /ac#' ,Hallo6do 0 hear voices1. The "oys loo#ed in the direction of the voices' They saw two $en& o"viously far$%la"ourers& ta#in a )ath near the foot of the hill& tal#in to ether' ,0 thin# 0.ll *ust scoot down and as# the$ if they #now anythin a"out "ad ers here&. said 3hili)' ,Co$in & /ac#1. The two "oys ran down the hill' The $en heard the$ co$in and loo#ed round' ,;ood afternoon&. )anted /ac#' ,2o you $ind if 0 as# you a question or two1 0t.s a"out "ad ers'. ,Bad ers6what $ay they "e1. said the youn er $an' ,Eee& $an6you #now "ad ers&. said the older $an' ,Broc#s& they "e'. ,Oh& the "roc#s&. said the youn er fellow' ,4o& 0 don.t #now nothin a"out them' 4ever seed one in $y life'. ,That.s a%cause you slee)s in your "ed every ni ht!. said the other $an& with a lau h' ,Broc#& he co$es out at ni ht' 0 sees hi$ $any a ti$e'. ,5ou.re an old )oacher& you are& /e"&. said the youn er $an' ,Out at ni hts when honest fol# are aslee)' That.s how you see the "roc#s!. ,May"e& $ay"e&. said the older $an& with a twin#le in his "ri ht eyes' He turned to the "oys' ,-hat are you wantin to #now a"out the "roc#s1. he said' ,-ell60.d li#e to watch the$&. said 3hili) at once' ,0.$ #een on wild creatures6all #inds' 0.ve not had $uch chance of seein "ad ers& thou h' -here can 0 see the$ around here1 -e.re at 8uarry Cotta e'. ,Ah& so that.s where you "e&. said the old $an' ,Then you.ll find old Broc# not far away fro$ you& little $aster' 5ou $ay see hi$ in the woods on the east side of the cotta e6that.s the $ost li#ely )lace6or you $ay see hi$ down in the old quarry' 0 saw a "ad er.s sett there6his den& you #now6last year' 0 #new he had his hole down there "y the "i )ile of earth he.d ta#en out of it'. ,5es6that.s ri ht' He always does that&. said 3hili)& wishin he could et to #now this old fellow' He felt sure that he would "e a"le to tell hi$ $any tales' ,-ell& than#s very $uch' -e.ll watch in "oth )laces'. ,There.s owls in the quarry too&. said the old $an' ,Little owls& and "arn%owls and tawnies' They o there for the rats and $ice' 0.ve heard the$6the "arn%owls6screechin their heads off' Fri hten the life out of you& they do!.

,0 #now&. said /ac#& $a#in u) his $ind at once that he would o and watch in the quarry' He li#ed owls very $uch' 3erha)s he could et a youn one and ta$e it' But he.d have to "e careful not to let it see Snoo<y the dor$ouse' That would "e the end of Snoo<y! The "oys wal#ed off to ether& e+)lorin the cone%sha)ed hill' A shout fro$ a"ove attracted their attention' ,/ac#! 3hili)! -e.re oin "ac# in a $inute' Are you co$in with us& or do you want to follow so$eti$e later1. ,-e.ll co$e now&. shouted /ac#& and he and 3hili) "e an to cli$" u) towards the others' They found ;ussy awa#e "ut scowlin ' He s)at so$ethin out of his $outh as they ca$e u)' ,Manners& $anners!. said /ac#& re)rovin ly' ,He says so$e"ody )o))ed "its of rass into his $outh&. said 2inah& with a i le' ,So he #ee)s on s)ittin the$ out' 2id you )ut the$ in& /ac#1. ,4o&. said /ac#' ,And 3hili) didn.t either'. ,There you are!. said 2inah& triu$)hantly& turnin to the sul#y ;ussy' , 'o"ody )ut anythin in your $outh when you were aslee)' 5ou.re *ust $a#in it all u)' 0 "et you chewed a "it of rass yourself'. ,0 did not&. said ;ussy' ,0t was a wic#et thin to do' 0t nearly choc#ed $e' 0 was choc#ed'. ,Cho#ed& you $ean&. said Lucy%Ann' ,-ell& it.s a $ystery' 4o"ody did it6and yet you were nearly =choc#ed> with rass' 2on.t s)it any $ore' 5ou cant have any left in your $outh now'. /ac# and 3hili) threw a quic# loo# at one another' They #new quite well who had )layed this tric# on )oor ;ussy' ;ussy saw the loo# and rounded on the$' ,5ou #now who did it! 0 saw you loo#!. ,All ri ht' -e #now who did it&. said /ac#' ,A *olly ood tric# too' -e thou ht of doin it ourselves& you loo#ed so silly with your $outh wide o)en& snorin '. ,0 do not snore&. said ;ussy' ,And tell $e who did it'. ,Co$e on&. said Bill' ,0 e+)ect it was old (i#i' She.s done it "efore6to $e! Can.t you see a *o#e& ;us1. ;us suddenly e+)loded into his own lan ua e' He stood there& sha#in his lon hair "ac#& his face scarlet& and a strin of inco$)rehensi"le words co$in fro$ his $outh' 4o"ody understood a thin ' (i#i was intensely interested with this strin of what sounded li#e i""erish' She sat herself on /ac#.s shoulder& near to the an ry ;us& and listened intently' -hen he sto))ed for "reath& she continued on her own' ,;i""erollydoc#ery"lowy#ettlefussy% ussy&. she "e an& and )oured out strin s of nonsense into which she wove $any of the words she #new& $i+ed u) with ones she didn.t! Everyone roared' 0t sounded e+actly as if (i#i was tal#in to ;us in his own lan ua e' ;us was silenced' He stared at (i#i& a$a<ed' ,2oes she s)i# En lish now1. he de$anded' ,-hat does she s)i#1. ,She.s s)i##in a lot of nonsense& li#e you!. said /ac#' ,Be quiet& (i#i' 2on.t show off!. Bill and Mrs' Cunnin ha$ had already set off down the hill' The irls followed& i lin ' ;us was annoyin "ut he really did )rovide the$ with a lot of a$use$ent' ;us followed the$ at last& sha#in "ac# his lon hair defiantly' He s)at now and a ain as if he still had rass in his $outh& and (i#i co)ied hi$ with *oy& oin off into cac#les of lau hter every now and a ain' 0t was a"out half%)ast five when they ot "ac# to 8uarry Cotta e' ,0f any of you want tea after that enor$ous lunch& will you )lease et yourself a lass of $il#& and so$e "iscuits1. said Mrs' Cunnin ha$' ,Or a "it of fruit%ca#e if you feel real )an s of hun er1. All the five children a))arently felt real )an s& for they raided the larder and reduced the fruitca#e to a $ere fra $ent of itself' They also dran# all the $il#& $uch to Mrs' Cunnin ha$.s dis$ay'

,4ow we.ve none for your cocoa toni ht or for "rea#fast to$orrow!. she said' ,0.ll et so$e at the far$ when 0 sli) u) this evenin &. said Bill' ,0t will "e a ood e+cuse to o u) and as# a few questions'. ,Any $ystery on1. enquired 2inah' ,0.$ never sure a"out you& Bill! Even in the $iddle of a holiday 0 always wonder if you.ve ot a hush%hush *o" on as well'. ,Mystery or not& Bill always #ee)s his eyes o)en!. said 3hili)' ,0t.s )art of your *o"& isn.t it& Bill1. ,Let.s )lay a a$e&. said 2inah' ,-here are the cards1 Let.s )lay Racin 2e$on' 2o you )lay it& ;us1. ,0 )lay it&. said ;us' ,0 )layed it at school last ter$' 0 a$ ood with this a$e' 7ery ood' 0 o as fast as this'. He )retended to "e )uttin cards down& and was so vi orous that his hair fell over his eyes' He )ushed it "ac#' He was always doin that& and it ot on 2inah.s nerves' ,5our awful hair!. she said' ,5ou ou ht to "e a irl'. ,4ow don.t start anythin &. said /ac#' ,A s)ar# is enou h to set hi$ off' Tal# a"out "ein touchy! 2on.t lare li#e that& ;us& you $a#e $e sha#e at the #nees!. ,3oof!. said ;us& rudely' ,3oof!. said (i#i at once' ,3oof& )oof& )oof!. ,That.ll do&. said /ac#' ,One )oofer is quite enou h in the fa$ily' ;ot the cards& 2i1 Oh& ood!. They were soon sittin in a rin on the floor& )layin Racin 2e$on' (i#i couldn.t understand the a$e at all and wandered off into a corner "ecause /ac# wouldn.t let her )ic# u) any of the cards' ,3oof!. they heard her say to herself quietly' ,3oof!. Sur)risin ly enou h ;ussy was ood at Racin 2e$on' He was very deft with his cards& and very shar) to see which )ile he could )ut the$ on' He ot very e+cited& and )anted loudly' His hair fell over his eyes& and he )ushed it "ac#' /ac# cal$ly )ut a card on a )ile that ;us was *ust a"out to )ut one on& and ;us e+clai$ed in annoyance' ,0 was oin to )ut $ine there6"ut $y hair fell over $e!. ,-hy do you have hair li#e that then1. said 2inah' ,5ou loo# li#e a irl' -hy don.t you et it cut1. ,5es& that.s a ood idea&. said 3hili)& )uttin a card down' ,-e.ll o into the villa e to$orrow and see if there.s a "ar"er' He.ll cut it nice and short for you& ;us' 5ou.ll et a cric# in your nec#& tossin your hair a"out li#e that!. ,5es' ;ood idea! -e.ll have it cut to$orrow&. said /ac#& rinnin at ;us' ;us sur)rised the$' He flun down his cards& stood u)& and went scarlet in the face' ,Short hair is for "oys li#e you&. he said& scornfully' ,0t is not for $e' 4ever $ust 0 have $y hair short' 0n $y country always it is the custo$ for such "oys as $e to wear their hair lon !. ,Such "oys as you!. echoed /ac#' ,-hat do you $ean1 5ou.ve ot a very hi h o)inion of yourself& $y lad' 5ou $ay co$e fro$ a rich fa$ily& "ut you act li#e royalty& and it won.t do' 5ou.re not a 3rince& so don.t try and act li#e one' 0t only $a#es you ridiculous'. ;us drew hi$self u) to his last inch' He threw "ac# his hair once $ore' ,0 am a 3rince!. he said& dra$atically' ,0 a$ the 3rince Aloysius ;ra$ondie Race$olie Torquinel of Tauri%Hessia!.

Chapter (

B0LL EB3LA04S
THERE was a dead silence after this dra$atic announce$ent' 4o"ody said a word& not even (i#i' They all stared in astonish$ent at ;us& not #nowin whether to "elieve a word of what he had said'

Then his li)s "e an to sha#e& and he tried to )ress the$ to ether fir$ly' Lucy%Ann was sure he wanted to cry a ain! ,0 have "ro#e $y word!. suddenly wailed ;us' ,0 a$ a 3rince and 0 have "ro#e $y word!. A voice ca$e fro$ "ehind the$' 0t was Bill.s' ,5es& you have "ro#en your word& Aloysius ;ra$ondie Race$olie Torquinel' And your uncle told $e you would never do that' How a$ 0 to #ee) you safe if you "rea# your word1. Bill ca$e forward& his face stern' Everyone stared at hi$ in alar$' -hatever was u)1 ,Bill6he.s not really a 3rince& is he1. said /ac#' ,Believe it or not& he is&. said Bill' ,His uncle is the (in of Tauri%Hessia'. ,-ell! That e+)lains his )eculiar "ehaviour&. said 2inah' ,His orderin )eo)le a"out6and his hi h%and%$i hty airs6and all his $oney and "oastin '. ,And his lon hair too&. said Bill' ,The 3rinces in his country never have their hair cut short as ours do' They wear it a certain len th& as you see' 0t.s "ad luc# on hi$& really& "ecause he ets teased' Still& the "oys at his school #new who he was and #new he couldn.t hel) it& and he didn.t have too "ad a ti$e'. There was a )ause while the four too# a loo# at 3rince Aloysius' He shoo# "ac# his hair and 2inah roaned' ,0 wish you wouldn.t do that& ;ussy' 0 can.t call you Ally6Ally%so$ethin or other' 5ou.ll have to o on "ein ;ussy'. ,Oh& he $ust&. said Bill& at once' ,0 ave hi$ the na$e of ;ustavus Bar$ilevo for a s)ecial reason' Thin s6rather serious thin s6are ha))enin in his country at the $o$ent& and it.s essential that he should o under another na$e here'. ,-hat serious thin s are ha))enin 1. said /ac#' ,Revolts or so$ethin 1. ,-ell& 0.ll tell you&. said Bill' ,His uncle is (in & and as he has no children& ;ussy is the heir to the throne' 4ow there are certain )eo)le in Tauri%Hessia who don.t li#e his uncle or the fir$ way in which he overns the country' 0ncidentally he overns it very well& and our own ;overn$ent thin# hi$ a very sound ruler'. ,0 can uess what.s co$in &. said /ac#' ,Those who don.t li#e the stron uncle thin# it would "e a ood thin to et a wea# youn ster& who.ll have to do what they tell hi$& and )ut him on the throne' Then they can do as they li#e!. ,E+actly&. said Bill' ,And so they are on the loo#%out for ;ussy here' 0f they can et hold of hi$ and )ut him on the throne& he will have to do e+actly what he.s told' His uncle will "e i$)risoned or #illed'. ,And ;ussy #nows all this& does he1. as#ed 3hili)' ,He #nows all ri ht!. said Bill' ,Everythin was e+)lained to hi$' He.s fond of his uncle: he doesn.t want to "e used as a #ind of )awn "y his uncle.s ene$ies6and so he was )ut in $y #ee)in & and told to "e $erely a forei n school"oy called ;ustavus' And here he is'. ,0 have "ro#e $y word to you&. said ;ussy& soundin very doleful' ,Mr' Bill& 0 as# you to )ardon $e'. ,-ell& don.t do it a ain& that.s all&. said Bill' ,4o"ody here is li#ely to ive you away& fortunately 6we are all your friends6or would li#e to "e if only you.d "ehave yourself a "it "etter'. ,0 "ehave "etter at once i$$ediately&. said ;ussy& e$)hatically' ,H$' -ell& we.ll see&. said Bill& drily' ,0t would hel) considera"ly if you could try to "ehave li#e the others so that if any stran er co$es han in round he.ll thin# you are an ordinary school%"oy stayin with friends' At )resent 0 thin# you.re "ehavin li#e a s)oilt "a"y& not li#e a 3rince at all' 0n fact& if 0 were a Tauri%Hessian citi<en& 0.d "e sorry to thin# 0.d have you as a (in when you rew u)'. ,Bill6is it the Tauri%Hessian ;overn$ent or ours that has as#ed you to have char e of ;ussy1. said 2inah'

,Both&. said Bill' ,0t.s i$)ortant to "oth ;overn$ents that there should "e a sound& stron ruler in Tauri%Hessia' 0 can.t tell you why at )resent' 0 thin# it.s )ossi"le that all this will "low over in a few wee#s& and then ;ussy can o "ac# to school in safety' 0n the $eanti$e& we.ve ot to $a#e the "est of all this'. ,5es' 0 see everythin now&. said 2inah' ,5ou should have told us at first& Bill' -e.d have understood "etter'. ,0 had orders not to say a word e+ce)t to your $other&. said Bill' ,She had to "e in on this& of course' 0 too# this cotta e "ecause it was well hidden and no"ody would uess that ;ussy would "e here' And 0 thou ht if you all ca$e too& he would "e even "etter hidden6hidden in the $idst of you& one of $any& so to s)ea#'. ,5ou.re clever& Bill&. said Lucy%Ann& sli))in her hand in his' ,-e.ll loo# after ;ussy' -e won.t let hi$ out of our si ht' ;ussy& we.re your friends'. ,0 than# you&. said ;ussy& with a funny little "ow' ,0t is an honour'. ,That.s the way to tal#&. said Bill& and ave hi$ a cla) on the "ac#' ,4ow then& everyone6 you.ve ot to for et all a"out Aloysius ;ra$ondie and Tauri%Hessia' ;ot that1. ,5es& Bill&. said everyone' They loo#ed rather sole$n' 0t was queer to have serious and unusual )ro"le$s suddenly )resented to the$ candidly in the $iddle of a a$e of Racin 2e$on' The ordinary and the e+traordinary didn.t really $i+' They turned with relief to their a$e a ain& as Bill went out of the roo$ to find his wife and tell her what had ha))ened' ,)ook what (i#i.s "een doin while we.ve "een tal#in !. said /ac#& in e+as)eration' ,Mi+in u) all the cards' 3ut down the ones you.re holdin & (i#i!. ,She.s "een )layin a quiet little a$e "y herself&. said Lucy%Ann& with a lau h' ,And she.s holdin two cards in her foot e+actly as if she was waitin for her turn to o' 3ut the$ down& (i#i'. ,One& two& three& si+& ei ht& four& one&. said (i#i& ettin her nu$"ers $uddled u) as usual' ,Three& four& "uc#le $y shoe'. ,One& two& "uc#le $y shoe&. said Lucy%Ann' ,5our $e$ory.s oin & (i#i!. (i#i ave a Hiccu)& as she often did when she thou ht she had $ade a $ista#e' ,Enou h& (i#i&. said /ac#' ,Anyone want another a$e1. 4o"ody really felt li#e one after all the revelations Bill had $ade' They didn.t li#e to discuss the$ in front of ;ussy& thou h they were lon in to tal# a"out the$' Mrs' Cunnin ha$ )ut her head in at the door' ,Bill.s oin u) to the far$ for $il#' Anyone want to o with hi$1 4ot ;ussy& he says'. ,0.ll o&. said Lucy%Ann& scra$"lin u)' ,0.d li#e a wal#' 5ou "oys stay with Aunt Allie& and loo# after her'. ,Ri ht&. said /ac#& thin#in it was *ust as well to do so& with )ros)ective #idna))ers and revolutionaries a"out& even althou h they $i ht "e as far away as Tauri%Hessia' ,0.ll stay "ehind too&. said 2inah' ,0.ve ot a "lister on $y foot'. So Lucy%Ann went off ha))ily with Bill' She li#ed ettin hi$ alone' He was always *olly and full of fun when they were all to ether& "ut Lucy%Ann thou ht he was even nicer alone' She sli))ed her hand throu h his ar$& and they wal#ed off in the dus# to ether' ,0n case you want to say anythin a"out ;ussy& 0.ll *ust warn you not to&. said Bill& in a low voice' ,0 don.t want the sli htest sus)icions to et a"out that he.s not all he see$s' 0t would "e a very serious thin for hi$ if he were forced to "e (in at his a e'. ,0 won.t say anythin &. said Lucy%Ann in a whis)er' ,Let.s tal# a"out /ac#'. ,5ou.re always ready to tal# a"out /ac#& aren.t you1. said Bill& a$used' ,-ell& 0 $ust say that /ac# has ot so$ethin 0.d dearly li#e to have $yself'. ,-hat.s that1 (i#i1. as#ed Lucy%Ann' ,4o6a very nice little sister&. said Bill' ,0t.s ood to see a "rother and sister so fond of one another'.

,-ell& our $other and father died when we were very youn &. said Lucy%Ann& ,so we only had each other' But now we.ve ot you and Aunt Allie& and we.ve ot 3hili) and 2inah as well' -e.re luc#y!. ,0.$ luc#y too&. said Bill' ,A nice ready%$ade fa$ily for $e! Har# at the owls hootin round' -hat a collection of hoots!. ,That was the little%owl&. said Lucy%Ann& who had "een well trained in "ird calls "y /ac#' ,That =tvit%tvit%tvit> noise' And that lovely lon quaverin hoot is the tawny%owl'. ,And what in the world is that1. said Bill& suddenly startled "y a loud screech near his head' Lucy%Ann lau hed' ,The screech%owl6the old "arn%owl!. she said' ,He does that to fri hten the $ice and the rats'. ,-ell& he scared $e too&. said Bill' ,Ah6is that the far$%house loo$in u)1 0t is' 5ou co$e in with $e& Lucy%Ann& and don.t "e sur)rised at $y conversation with Mrs' Ellis!. They #noc#ed at the door and went into the "i & cosy #itchen' Althou h it was a war$ ni ht there was a fire in the chi$ney corner& and old Aunt 4ao$i sat there& #nittin & huddled u) in a shawl' Mrs' Ellis hurried to $eet the$' ,-ell& it.s ood to see you! And how are you ettin on1 Settled in nicely1 That.s ri ht' 4ow& what can 0 do for you1 Sit you down& do!. They sat down' Lucy%Ann found a roc#in %chair and "e an to roc# to and fro' A "i ta""y ca$e and *u$)ed into her la)& settled down and went to slee)' Lucy%Ann felt quite honoured' Mrs' Ellis "rou ht her a )iece of ca#e& and she ni""led at it and listened la<ily to Bill' He ave Mrs' Ellis all the news first' Then he went on to tal# a"out 8uarry Cotta e' ,0t.s a lovely& )eaceful s)ot&. he said' ,0 shouldn.t thin# stran ers ever co$e alon here& do they& Mrs' Ellis1 E+ce)t )eo)le li#e ourselves who want to stay for a "it'. ,4ow& it.s funny you should say that&. said Mrs' Ellis& ,"ecause two stran ers ca$e to our far$% house this very afternoon6in a lovely "lac# car' Rather li#e yours& Mr' Cunnin ha$'. ,0 su))ose they lost their way&. said Bill' Althou h he s)o#e in his ordinary voice Lucy%Ann #new that he had )ric#ed u) his ears at once' ,4o& they hadn.t lost their way&. said Mrs' Ellis' ,They.d "een huntin round for a nice far$% house to stay in for a few days6the $an.s wife has "een ill& and si$)ly lon ed to "e in a quiet far$%house& with ood food' So$e"ody ,told hi$ of our far$& and they ca$e to inquire'. ,0 see&. said Bill' ,And6er6did you say you would ta#e the$& Mrs' Ellis1. ,0 did&. said Mrs' Ellis& ,thou h $y hus"and scolded $e for it' He says $y #ind heart runs away with $e! They.re co$in to$orrow' They said their na$e was /ones6"ut it.s $y "elief they.re forei ners!. ,Forei ners&. said Bill& slowly' ,5es60 had an idea you were oin to say that!.

Chapter *

A4 AFTER4OO4 O9T
L9C5%A44 sto))ed roc#in the chair& and her heart san# into her shoes' Forei ners! 2id that $ean they were fro$ Tauri%Hessia& or whatever the country was6and had they trac#ed down ;ussy1 Oh dear6surely& surely another adventure wasn.t "e innin ! This had see$ed as if it would "e such a nice )eaceful holiday' ,Blow!. whis)ered Lucy%Ann to the cat on her #nee' ,Blow ;ussy! Blow his uncle!. Bill as#ed a few $ore cautious questions& "ut Mrs' Ellis had nothin else to tell hi$ of any interest' He ot u)& too# the $il# she had "rou ht hi$ fro$ the dairy& and )aid her' He than#ed her& said ood ni ht& and out he and Lucy%Ann went& into the starry ni ht' ,0 fear60 very $uch fear6that so$e"ody is on ;ussy.s trac#&. said Bill& in a half%whis)er as they went alon to ether' ,4ow how could they have uessed he was with us1 0t.s a )ity he.s so

stri#in %loo#in & and so easily reco ni<a"le' 0 su))ose so$eone $ust have s)otted hi$ with $e& $ade enquiries a"out $e6and as soon as they #new who 0 was& the rest would "e easy' H$! 0 don.t li#e it very $uch'. ,-ill you and ;ussy have to disa))ear fro$ here1. whis)ered Lucy%Ann& so softly that Bill could hardly hear' ,3lease don.t o away& Bill'. ,0.ll have to discuss thin s with your aunt&. said Bill' ,2on.t say a word to ;ussy' He.ll et the wind u) )ro)erly& if 0 #now anythin a"out hi$' And on no account $ust any of you leave hi$ alone anywhere6always #ee) hi$ in your $idst'. ,5es& Bill&. said Lucy%Ann' ,Oh dear60 do wish those )eo)le weren.t oin to the far$' Bill& they mi ht "e ordinary )eo)le& $i htn.t they1 They haven.t ot to "e ene$ies& have they1. Bill squee<ed Lucy%Ann.s hand' ,4o' 0 $ay "e wron ' But 0 et hunches a"out these thin s& Lucy%Ann' And 0.ve ot a hunch this very $inute' 5ou needn.t worry' 0 shan.t let anythin ha))en'. ,-ell6so lon as you.re with us&. said Lucy%Ann' ,But )lease don.t o away& Bill'. ,0 won.t&. said Bill' ,4ot unless 0 ta#e ;ussy with $e& which would really "e the safest thin to do'. They reached 8uarry Cotta e& and went in' ;ussy and 2inah had one to "ed' Aunt Allie and the "oys were still u)& readin ' Bill )ut the $il# in the larder and ca$e "ac#' He sat down and told the three of the$ what Mrs' Ellis had said' Mrs' Cunnin ha$ loo#ed rave' ,How did they #now he was down here1. she wondered' ,Oh& Bill6what shall we do now1 Shall we leave here at once6all of us1. ,4o' That would tell the ene$y too $uch&. said Bill' ,0 don.t see that two )eo)le6a $an and a wo$an6can do very $uch "y the$selves60 $ean they can.t fall on us and wrest ;ussy away fro$ our $idst! As lon as there are only the two of the$ we haven.t $uch to fear6and Mrs' Ellis will soon tell us if any $ore arrive' One of the "oys can o u) each day for $il#& and et the latest news'. ,Ri ht' -e.ll o on as we are then&. said his wife& and Lucy%Ann heaved a si h of relief' ,5ou.ll tell ;ussy of course& Bill6)ut hi$ on his uard1 He.s ot to "e very sensi"le now6#ee) with us all& not wander away6and 0.$ afraid the "oys $ust fasten their window at ni ht'. ,Blow!. said /ac#& who hated a shut window at ni ht' ,(i#i.s enou h of a sentinel& Aunt Allie' She would screech the )lace down if anyone ca$e'. ,0.d feel safer with your window shut&. said his aunt' ,0 thin# (i#i would screech' Still60 don.t want to run any ris#s'. ;ussy was told ne+t $ornin & and so was 2inah' 3hili) was )osted u) "y the far$ to watch the new )eo)le arrive' They ca$e in the sa$e "lac# car that 3hili) had seen throu h his field% lasses the day "efore' 0t was lon and low and lar e6and very e+)ensive%loo#in ' ,A 2ai$ler&. said 3hili)' ,0 "et that can et alon ! 4ow6can 0 s)ot what the visitors are li#e1. There were two' One was a s)ruce& tall& lean $an& wearin a very well%cut suit& an eye lass in one eye& and hair s$oothly "rushed "ac#' The other was a wo$an6)retty& youn and with a very forei n voice' The $an s)o#e En lish well& "ut he was o"viously a forei ner too' He handed the wo$an out very carefully indeed' Then she leaned on his ar$ as they wal#ed u) the )ath to the far$%house door' They went very slowly' ,Either she.s "een ill or she.s )retendin to "e&. thou ht 3hili)' ,0.d "etter o "ac# and tell Bill6 and ;ussy too' He $ay reco ni<e the$ fro$ $y descri)tion'. But ;ussy didn.t' He shoo# his head' ,4o& 0 don.t #now the$'. ,0 wouldn.t "e sur)rised if they co$e alon here so$eti$e today&. said Bill' ,/ust to have a snoo) round' 0 feel sure they #now 0.$ at this cotta e6and that ;ussy $ay "e with you all on holiday!. Bill was ri ht' That afternoon& while /ac# was "ird%watchin near the house& he heard the sound of voices' He )ee)ed throu h the "ushes' 0t $ust "e the visitors fro$ the far$! The $an had an

eye lass in his eye& as 3hili) had descri"ed6and the wo$an was wal#in slowly& leanin on his ar$' /ac# s)ed indoors "y the "ac# way' ,Bill!. he called' ,They.re co$in ' -here.s ;ussy1 He could )ee) at the$ as they o "y and see if he #nows the$!. ;ussy ran to a front window and hid "ehind the curtain& waitin ' But the cou)le fro$ the far$ didn.t o "y! They turned in at the front ate and ca$e ri ht u) to the cotta e door' A shar) sound ca$e on the afternoon air' ,Rat%a%tatta%TAT!. Mrs' Cunnin ha$ *u$)ed' She was havin a rest on her "ed' Bill o)ened her door and went in' ,Allie! 0t.s the cou)le fro$ the far$' -hat nerve to co$e ri ht to the house! They o"viously don.t thin# that we sus)ect anythin at all' -ill you o down and o)en the door1 0 shan.t a))ear6 and ;ussy $ustn.t either' The others can& of course'. Bill went to tell ;ussy to #ee) out of the way and Mrs' Cunnin ha$ ran down the stairs to the front door& )attin her hair tidy' She o)ened it' Two )eo)le stood on the ste)& a $an and a wo$an' The $an raised his hat )olitely' ,For ive this sudden visit&. he said& ,"ut $y wife and 0 were ta#in a short wal#& and she has "e un to feel faint' A cu) of water would hel) her& 0 thin#6if you would "e so #ind1. ,Oh6do co$e in&. said Mrs' Cunnin ha$& ho)in that ;ussy wouldn.t co$e runnin down the stairs' ,0.ll et so$e water'. She too# the$ into the little sittin %roo$' The wo$an san# down into a chair and closed her eyes' ,My wife has "een ill&. said the $an' ,0 have "rou ht her down to the far$ for a few days6 ood air& and ood food& you #now6"etter than any hotel! But 0 should not have ta#en her so far on her first day'. ,0.$ so sorry&. said Mrs' Cunnin ha$& )layin her )art as "est she could' ,2inah! -here are you1 ;et a *u of water and a lass& will you& dear1. 2inah s)ed to the #itchen& and ca$e "ac# with a lass *u of ice%cold water& and a lass on a little tray' She )ut the$ down on the ta"le and loo#ed curiously at the cou)le' They loo#ed "ac# at her' ,And is this your dau hter1. said the wo$an' ,-hat a nice child! Have you any other children1. ,Oh yes&. said Mrs' Cunnin ha$' ,Another of $y own and two ado)ted ones' Fetch the$& 2inah'. 2inah went to fetch the others' They ca$e in )olitely& Lucy%Ann& 3hili) and /ac#' The wo$an screa$ed when she saw (i#i on /ac#.s shoulder' ,A )arrot! 2on.t let it co$e near $e& 0 "e of you!. ,-i)e your feet&. ordered (i#i' ,Shut the door' ;rrrrrrrrr!. The wo$an ave an e+cla$ation in a forei n lan ua e& and said so$ethin to the $an' He lau hed' ,My wife says that )eo)le who co$e to visit you should have ood $anners& or your )arrot will soon teach the$&. he said' ,So these are your four children' But have you not a fifth1. ,4o&. said Mrs' Cunnin ha$' ,Only these four "elon to $e'. ,0 thou ht Mrs' Ellis said there was another little "oy&. said the wo$an& si))in the water' Mrs' Cunnin ha$ reached for a "o+ of ci arettes and handed it to the wo$an& ho)in that she would not )ursue the su"*ect of the ,other little "oy.' But the wo$an )ersisted' ,3erha)s you have a little "oy stayin with you1. she said& sweetly& s$ilin at Mrs' Cunnin ha$' ,Oh& 0 e+)ect Mrs' Ellis $eans ;ussy&. said Mrs' Cunnin ha$' ,Little ;ussy is stayin for a while6till his fa$ily can ta#e hi$ ho$e'. ,And $ay we not see the little ;ussy1. said the wo$an' ,0 love children' 2o not leave this little ;ussy out'.

,Anyone #now where he is1. said Mrs' Cunnin ha$& in a voice that $ade the four children quite certain that she didn.t want the$ to #now' They didn.t #now& anyway! ;ussy was at that $o$ent in the wardro"e u)stairs& where he had )ut hi$self strai ht away at the first sound of the #noc# on the door' Bill had thou ht he $i ht as well stay there! ,0.ve no idea where ;us is&. said /ac#' ,2oin so$ethin on his own& 0 e+)ect' 2o you #now where he is& 3hili)1. ,4o idea&. said 3hili)' ,Messin a"out so$ewhere& )ro"a"ly out in the woods'. ,Ah6he li#es to wander a"out& does he1. said the $an' ,-ell6we $ay see hi$ when we o "ac# to the far$' Than# you& Mada$& for "ein so #ind to $y wife' May 0 )lease ive your four nice children so$ethin to "uy ice%crea$s with1 And here is so$ethin for the little $issin ;ussy also'. To the children.s sur)rise he )ut down five new ten%shillin notes on the ta"le in front of Mrs' Cunnin ha$' She )ushed the$ "ac# at once& quite horrified' ,Oh no6)lease! 0 couldn.t hear of it' -e only ot you a lass of water' 4o& no6ta#e this "ac#' 0 couldn.t )ossi"ly allow the children to have it'. The $an loo#ed sur)rised and rather unco$forta"le' He )ut the notes "ac# in his )oc#et' ,/ust as you )lease&. he said' ,0n my country it is only a courtesy to return a #indness'. ,-hat is your country& sir1. as#ed /ac#& at once' ,Aha!. he thou ht' , 'ow we.ll "rin you out into the o)en'. The $an hesitated& and the wo$an ave hi$ a quic# lance' ,My country6oh& 0 co$e fro$ 0taly&. he said' ,A "eautiful land' Co$e& $y dear& we $ust o'. He too# his wife.s ar$ and led her to the door& his eyes searchin everywhere for the $issin ;ussy' He "owed to Mrs' Cunnin ha$ and went down the )ath' She called a sentence after hi$& and he turned' ,-hat do you say1. he said' ,0 didn.t understand'. Mrs' Cunnin ha$ re)eated it' He loo#ed )u<<led& "owed a ain& and went out of the ate' He disa))eared with his wife u) the lane' ,-ell& hes not fro$ 0taly!. said Mrs' Cunnin ha$' ,0 called out to hi$ in 0talian to say that he was to ive $y "est wishes to Mrs' Ellis6and he didn.t understand a word!.

Chapter 1+

A4 9R;E4T ;ALL
/AC( sli))ed out to $a#e sure that the cou)le went "ac# to the far$' He ca$e "ac# to re)ort that they had and Bill held a conference at once' ;ussy had "een hauled with difficulty out of the wardro"e' He had reco ni<ed the wo$an "ut not the $an' ,She is Mada$e Tatiosa&. he said' ,The wife of the 3ri$e Minister' 0 hate her! She is clever and shar) and cruel'. ,-hat6that )retty youn wo$an!. said Mrs' Cunnin ha$ in astonish$ent' ,5es&. said ;ussy& noddin his head vi orously' ,Once she was a s)y for our country' My uncle told $e' A very clever s)y' And she $arried the 3ri$e Minister& and tells hi$ what to do'. ,H$&. said Bill' ,And you didn.t #now the $an& ;ussy1 4ot that that $atters' 5ou.ve reco ni<ed one of the$ and so we #now for certain that they.re after you' 0 al$ost thin# we.d "etter clear out' 0 really don.t #now what to do for the "est! 0 thin# 0.d "etter ta#e you and hand you over to the #ee)ers in the Tower of London! 5ou.d at least "e safe there!. ,But you said& Bill& that if there were only two of the$& the $an and the wo$an& they couldn.t very well do anythin to ;ussy&. said /ac#' ,-hy not let one of us #ee) watch each day to $a#e sure no other car co$es down to the far$6or no other visitor1 0 can easily o and s)end the day at the far$& and watch6and 3hili) can watch the ne+t day'.

,0 thin# )erha)s you.re ri ht&. said Bill& )uffin at his )i)e' ,Anyway6we.ll stay )ut for the ne+t two days& and wait for the ene$y to $a#e the ne+t $ove' There.s no dou"t that they thin# ;ussy.s the "oy they want' 0 e+)ect Mrs' Ellis has descri"ed hi$ carefully to the$6and he.s easily descri"ed!. ,5es6lon hair& for one thin &. rinned /ac#' ,Shall 0 ni) alon to the far$ now& Bill& and #ee) watch for the rest of the day1 0 can o and as# for so$e "utter or so$ethin & and then han round& hel)in with a few *o"s' 0.d li#e that& anyway'. ,Ri ht' 5ou o&. said Bill& and /ac# s)ed off with (i#i on his shoulder' The others ot u) to o for a wal#& well away fro$ the far$! ,Ta#e your tea&. said Mrs' Cunnin ha$' ,4o"ody will #now where you are& if you o off for a wal#& so no"ody will "e a"le to find you! 5ou should "e quite safe& ;ussy!. So ;ussy& 3hili) and the two irls went off with a )icnic "as#et' They wal#ed for a"out two $iles and then found a lade that was olden with )olished celandines' They sat down& hot with their wal#' ,This is heavenly&. said Lucy%Ann' ,0 do love celandines' They loo# as if so$eone )olished the$ every sin le $ornin ' /olly ood wor#$an he $ust "e6he never $isses a )etal!. 2inah ave a screa$' ,Oh6what.s that on your shoulder& 3hili)! Oh& it.s a $ouse!. 3hili).s dor$ouse had decided that the )oc#et he lived in was ettin too hot for his li#in ' So he had squee<ed his way out& run u) 3hili).s vest& and a))eared throu h the o)enin of his collar' There he was now& sittin u) on the "oy.s shoulder' ,Oh6a dor$ouse!. cried Lucy%Ann& in deli ht' ,-hat.s his na$e& 3hili)1 -ill he let $e hold hi$1. ,His na$e is Snoo<y and it suits hi$&. said 3hili)' He felt in a )oc#et and "rou ht out a nut' He ave it to Lucy%Ann' ,Here& ta#e this' Offer it to hi$ on the )al$ of your hand and he.ll run over to you'. Lucy%Ann "alanced the nut on her )al$ and held it out to the tiny $ouse& "ein careful not to $ove too quic#ly' The dor$ouse watched her hand co$in close to 3hili).s shoulder& and his whis#ers quivered as his nose twitched' ,He can s$ell the nut&. said 3hili)' ,(ee) quite still& Lucy%Ann' There he oes! How do you li#e the feel of his tiny feet1. ,Oh& lovely!. said Lucy%Ann' ,0sn.t he a dear& 3hili)' 0 wish 0 had one too'. ,0.ll try and et you one&. said 3hili)' But 2inah ave a squeal at once' ,4o! She slee)s with $e& and 0.$ not havin $ice in the "edroo$'. ,But this is a dor$ouse& not a house%$ouse&. said Lucy%Ann' ,0t doesn.t s$ell& or anythin ' 0t.s *ust )erfectly sweet'. Snoo<y ni""led daintily at the nut' A "it "ro#e off and he too# it into his front )aws& sittin u) *ust li#e a squirrel' He loo#ed at Lucy%Ann out of his "ri ht eyes' ,He.s ot such "i "lac# eyes that they really are li#e $irrors&. she said' ,0 can see $y own face& very tiny& in each of the$'. ,Can you1. said ;ussy& in sur)rise and )ut his face close to Lucy%Ann.s to loo# into the "i eyes of the dor$ouse' 0t fled at once& disa))earin down 3hili).s nec# at to) s)eed' ,5ou idiot& ;ussy&. said Lucy%Ann& in dis ust' ,5ou would do a thin li#e that'. ,E+cuse& )liss' 0 )olly i<e&. said ;ussy' ,0 "e your )ardon& Lucy%Ann'. ,All ri ht' But 0 do ho)e Snoo<y will co$e "ac#&. said Lucy%Ann& rather cross' He )ee)ed out of 3hili).s nec# once or twice& "ut he wouldn.t co$e ri ht out' ,He.s not absolutely ta$e yet&. e+)lained 3hili)' ,0.ve not had hi$ lon enou h' But he soon will "e' He.ll "e co$in out at $eal%ti$es soon and ni""lin his little nut on $y "read%)late'. ,4ot if 0 can hel) it&. said 2inah' ,2on.t "e silly&. said 3hili)' ,5ou si$)ly don.t try to li#e dor$ice' 5ou ' ' '.

,So$eone co$in &. said Lucy%Ann& suddenly' Her shar) ears had cau ht the sound of voices' ,;et under that "ush& ;ussy&. ordered 3hili)' ,;o on& quic#!. ;ussy vanished at once& and the "ush closed over hi$' 0t was a )ity it was a orse "ush& "ut ;ussy didn.t have ti$e to thin# of )ric#les' Two $en ca$e "y& tal#in in the "road accent of the countryside' One was the $an who had told 3hili) so $uch a"out "ad ers' He waved to hi$' ,0t.ll "e a ood ni ht for "ad ers toni ht!. he called' ,Moonli ht6and that.s what they li#e'. ,Co$e out& ;us&. said 3hili)& when the $en had )assed' ,False alar$'. ;ussy crawled out& scratched on face& hands and #nees "y the orse )ric#les' He was nearly in tears' ,He "lids&. said 2inah un#indly' ,;us& you are "liddin all over'. ,0t.s nothin $uch&. said 3hili)& ta#in out his hand#erchief and scru""in the dro)s of "lood away here and there' ,Everyone ets )ric#ed "y orse sooner or later' Cheer u)& ;us' And for oodness. sa#e don.t "e a "a"y'. ,0 don.t li#e "liddin &. said )oor ;ussy& in a woe"e one voice' ,0t $a#es $e feel sic#'. ,-ell& "e sic# then&. said hard%hearted 2inah' ,But don.t $a#e a F9SS'. ;ussy $ade a valiant effort and swallowed hard' He didn.t cry after all' -hat a victory! After they had eaten every cru$" of their tea& they decided to o "ac#' 3hili) wanted to have a loo# at the quarry on the way to see if he thou ht that "ad ers $i ht really $a#e that their haunt' He wandered round the "i deserted )lace& e+a$inin the hed es round for si ns of a "ad er.s sett' The irls and ;ussy ran the few hundred yards that lay "etween the quarry and the cotta e' Lucy%Ann thou ht they ou ht to& in case any ene$y was lyin in wait! ,Any news1. she as#ed& as they went indoors& )antin ' ,Has /ac# co$e "ac# fro$ the far$ yet1. He hadn.t' 4o"ody had any news at all& it see$ed' /ac# had none either& when he ca$e' ,4ot a soul ca$e to the far$&. he said' ,And 0 didn.t even see the $an and the wo$an' They $ust have "een in their roo$ all the ti$e' Once 0 heard a =tin >6as if so$e"ody was usin the tele)hone' 0t $i ht have "een the$'. ,Can.t tell&. said Bill' ,-ell60 see$ to have had a la<y day' 0.ve ot so$e )a)ers to read and then 0 su))ose it will "e su))er%ti$e' There.s oin to "e a fine $oon toni ht!. ,/ust ri ht for "ad ers&. 3hili) whis)ered to /ac#' ,Li#e to co$e out and see if we can find any1. ,Rather&. said /ac#' ,-e can sli) out when the others are in "ed' ;ussy always slee)s so soundly& he.ll never hear!. Su))er%ti$e ca$e' ;old ha$& a salad& *un#et and crea$' ,/ust the ri ht #ind of $eal&. said 3hili)' ,-hy can.t we have this #ind of food at school1. ,2on.t let.s start u) the su"*ect of school $eals a ain& 3hili)&. said his $other' ,5ou.re yawnin ' ;o to "ed!. ,0 thin# 0 will&. said 3hili)' ,Co$in & /ac#1. /ac# re$e$"ered that they had )lanned an outin in the $oonli ht& and he nodded' They $i ht as well et a little slee) first' ;ussy went u) with the$' The irls stayed down to finish their "oo#s and then went u) too' ,0.ll set $y little alar$ cloc# for eleven&. said 3hili) to /ac#& in a low voice& not wantin ;ussy to hear' ,0.ll )ut it under $y )illow and it won.t wa#e anyone "ut $e' ;osh& 0.$ slee)y'. 0n ten $inutes all the five children were fast aslee)' 2ownstairs Bill and his wife sat listenin to the radio' ,-e.ll hear the ten o.cloc# news and then o to "ed&. said Bill' But& *ust as the ten o.cloc# news was a"out to co$e on& there ca$e a cautious ta))in at the front door' Bill stiffened' -ho was that1 He loo#ed at his wife& and she raised her eye"rows' -ho could that "e at this ti$e of ni ht1 Bill went quietly to the door' He didn.t o)en it& "ut s)o#e with his $outh close to the crac#' ,-ho.s there1.

,Oh& sir& Mrs' Ellis has sent $e down to "e you to co$e u) to the far$&. said an an+ious voice' ,0t.s her old aunt' She.s fallen down and "ro#en her hi)' Can you co$e1 Mrs' Ellis is in such a way! She sent $e to as# you& "ecause the doctor.s away'. Bill o)ened the door' He saw a "ent fi ure& wra))ed round in a shawl' 0t $ust "e Alice& the old wo$an who hel)ed Mrs' Ellis in the #itchen' ,Co$e in&. he said' ,4o& sir& 0.ll "e ettin "ac#&. said the old wo$an' ,5ou.ll co$e& won.t you1. ,5es& we.ll co$e&. said Bill' He shut the door and went "ac# to tell his wife' ,0t.s a $essa e fro$ Mrs' Ellis a"out the old aunt' A))arently she has fallen and "ro#en her hi)&. he said' ,-ill you o& Allie1 0.ll ta#e you there& of course& and then 0 $ust leave you and co$e "ac# here& "ecause of ;ussy' But Mr' Ellis will "rin you "ac#& unless you stay for the ni ht'. ,5es& 0.d "etter o at once&. said Mrs' Cunnin ha$' ,3oor Mrs' Ellis! /ust what she was afraid $i ht ha))en!. She ot her thin s on& and Bill and she went out of the door' ,0t.s not worth wa#in u) the children and tellin the$&. he said' ,They.re sound aslee)' Anyway& 0.ll "e "ac# here in a few $inutes. ti$e'. He shut the door quietly& $ade sure he had the #ey with hi$ to o)en it when he ca$e "ac#& and then set off with his wife' -hat a wonderful $oonli ht ni ht! Really& he would quite en*oy the wal#!

Chapter 11

HA33E404;S 04 THE 40;HT

THE $oonli ht strea$ed down over the countryside as Bill and his wife set out' ,-hat a lovely ni ht!. said Bill' ,As li ht as day& al$ost!. They went u) the tiny lane& hurryin as $uch as they could' ,0.ll as# at the far$ if Mr' Ellis can "rin you "ac#&. Bill said& ,0 won.t stay even a $inute' 0.$ worried a"out ;ussy' 0 $ay et a li$)se of Mada$e Tatiosa and her co$)anion6"ut 0 don.t )articularly want the$ to see me'. They were )assin a little co)se of trees& a )atch of dense "lac# shadow in the surroundin $oonli ht' Bill and his wife wal#ed "y& not seein a s$all $ove$ent in the shadows' Then thin s ha))ened very quic#ly indeed' Four shadows ca$e fro$ the co)se of trees& runnin silently over the rass' Bill turned at a sli ht sound6"ut al$ost as he turned so$eone lea)t on hi$ and "ore hi$ to the round' Mrs' Cunnin ha$ felt an ar$ round her& and a hand )ressed over her $outh' She tried to screa$& "ut only a s$all sound ca$e fro$ her' ,2on.t stru le&. said a voice' ,And don.t screa$' -e.re not oin to hurt you' -e *ust want you out of the way for a short ti$e'. But Bill did stru le& of course' He #new what these $en were after6;ussy! He roaned in an er at hi$self' This was a tric#& of course! Old Aunt 4ao$i hadn.t had a fall! There had "een no real $essa e fro$ the far$' 0t was all a ruse to et the$ out of the house& so that it would "e easy to #idna) ;ussy' So$eone a ed his $outh "y wra))in a cloth fir$ly round his face' He could hardly "reathe! He wondered how his wife was ettin on& "ut he could see and hear nothin ' He sto))ed stru lin when at last his ar$s were )inned "ehind hi$& and tied to ether with ro)e' There was nothin he could do' 0t was four a ainst two& and as they had "een ta#en "y sur)rise they were at a reat disadvanta e' 3erha)s he would "e a"le to undo the ro)e that "ound hi$ when his ca)tors had one to et ;ussy' He $i ht still )revent the #idna))in ' Mrs' Cunnin ha$ was scared& and did her "est to et away& "ut one $an was quite sufficient to hold her and "ind her hands and feet' She too was a ed so that she could not screa$'

,-e are sorry a"out this&. said a $an.s voice& quite )olitely' ,0t is i$)ortant to us to ta#e the little 3rince out of your hands' His country needs hi$' -e shall not har$ hi$ in any way6and we have not har$ed you either' -e have $erely )ut you to so$e inconvenience' Once we have the 3rince one of us will co$e to untie you& if it is )ossi"le' 0f not6well& you will "e found "y so$e far$% la"ourer early in the $ornin '. The $en left Bill and his wife a ainst a haystac#& )rotected fro$ the wind' One of the$ had one throu h Bill.s )oc#ets first& and had ta#en out the #ey of the cotta e' Bill listened as the $en went off' -ere they one1 He ru""ed his head a ainst the round tryin to et off the cloth "ound round his face' -as his wife all ri ht1 He was furious with hi$self' To wal# into a tra) as easily as all that! The wo$an with the $essa e $ust have "een one of the an & of course' 4o wonder she wouldn.t co$e in' He should have "een sus)icious a"out that' An ordinary $essen er would have waited for the$ and then wal#ed to the far$ in their co$)any' He re$e$"ered the ,tin . of the tele)hone that /ac# said he had heard that afternoon' That $ust have "een Mada$e Tatiosa or her co$)anion tele)honin to their headquarters to say that they #new where the 3rince was& and requestin hel) to ca)ture hi$' Another car $ust have co$e down that evenin with other $e$"ers of the an ' 0t all fitted in so well6"ut )oor Bill saw the )lot after it had "een carried out& instead of "efore! He wondered what was ha))enin at 8uarry Cotta e' He "elieved the $an who had said that he was not oin to har$ the little 3rince' All they wanted to do was to de)ose his uncle and set ;ussy u) in his )lace' 3oor ;ussy! He would "e $ade to do all that the an wanted& and his life would "e very $isera"le' 4othin was ha))enin *ust then at 8uarry Cotta e' All the five children were fast aslee)& and so was (i#i' The window of the "oys. "edroo$ was shut& as Bill had ordered6"ut of what use was that when the ene$y had the #ey to the front door! Ti$e cre)t on6and eleven o.cloc# ca$e' 3hili).s alar$ cloc# went off under his )illow& whirrin in a $uffled way that wo#e hi$ u) with a *u$)' At first he didn.t #now what the noise was& then he re$e$"ered' ,Eleven o.cloc#!. he thou ht& and slid his hand under his )illow to sto) the alar$ rin in ' He sat u)' Moonli ht )oured into the roo$& and $ade everythin silvery' /ust the ni ht for "ad ers! He )added across the roo$ and shoo# /ac#' ,-a#e u)! Eleven o.cloc#!. he whis)ered& ri ht into his ear' He did not $ean to wa#e ;ussy& and have hi$ cla$ourin to o with the$! But ;ussy was very sound aslee) indeed' The $oonli ht strea$ed on to his face& and showed u) the lon loc# of hair that had fallen as usual over his forehead' (i#i awo#e as soon as the alar$ went off' But she was used to $uffled alar$ cloc#s& and $erely ave a little yawn& and stretched her win s' 0f the "oys were oin out& she was quite ready! 4othin would )ersuade her to "e left "ehind' The two "oys dressed quic#ly in shorts& *erseys and ru""er%soled shoes' They too# a last lance at ;ussy' His $outh was wide o)en a ain' /ac# rinned as he re$e$"ered the "its of rass that (i#i had )o))ed into it on Su ar%Loaf Hill' They cre)t downstairs& )ausin outside Bill.s "edroo$ door to $a#e sure all was quiet& and that Bill and his wife were aslee)' ,Can.t hear a thin &. whis)ered /ac#' ,They $ust "e very sound aslee)! 4ot even a snore fro$ Bill!. This wasn.t very sur)risin & of course& as Bill was at that $o$ent stru lin with his ro)es as he lay in the shelter of the haystac#' ,-e.ll o out the "ac# way&. whis)ered 3hili)' ,The front door crea#s a little' 2on.t "u$) into anythin in the hall& for oodness. sa#e'. (i#i was on /ac#.s shoulder& as quiet as the dor$ouse in 3hili).s )oc#et' She could always "e de)ended on to #ee) silent when it was necessary' She #new quite well that the "oys were tryin

not to "e heard' She )ec#ed /ac#.s ear affectionately& wonderin what he was u) to on this $oonli ht ni ht' The "oys went out of the "ac# door& and then stood still& de"atin which way to o' ,0 thin# 0.ll co$e u) to the little wood with you first&. said /ac#' ,0 $i ht )o) down to the quarry later& to hear the owls there& and see if 0 can watch the$ swoo)in on $ice or rats'. So they went silently to the wood on the east side of the cotta e& $a#in no noise in their ru""er%soled shoes' They #e)t to the shadows of the hed es& afraid that so$eone $i ht see the$& even in this deserted s)ot' The $oonli ht was so very "rilliant! They ca$e to the wood' 3hili) #new what ty)e of )lace "ad ers would visit& and he led /ac# to a hed e overshadowin a "i "an#' ,This is the sort of )lace to wait a"out in&. he said' ,Let.s squee<e into that "ush there'. They crouched down in the "lac# shadows' An owl suddenly hooted near"y& and (i#i at once hooted "ac#& co)yin the lon & quaverin hoot e+actly& and $a#in /ac# *u$)' ,Shut u)& (i#i&. he whis)ered fiercely' ,5ou.ll "rin all the owls down on us with your hootin ' ;osh& here co$es the one you $i$ic#ed!. An owl swoo)ed "y his head& and he duc#ed' So did (i#i! (i#i lon ed to hoot a ain' She loved )u<<lin any other "ird' She #e)t silent& half%sul#y' The "oys listened with their shar) ears& watchin for any $ove$ent' Suddenly /ac# ave 3hili) a nud e' A lon & sna#e%li#e ani$al was hurryin "y' ,Stoat&. whis)ered 3hili) in /ac#.s ear' ,And what.s this1 A hed eho !. The hed eho was curious a"out the "lac# shadows sittin under the "ush' He ca$e fearlessly u) to investi ate' 3hili) )ut out his hand slowly& and the hed eho sniffed it over' /ac# quite e+)ected to see hi$ cli$" on to 3hili).s #nee! 4o creature was ever afraid of hi$' But the hed eho was hun ry and he ran off to find the slu s he li#ed "est' The "oys thou ht he went alon as if he was a little cloc#wor# ani$al' They waited for the ne+t ni ht%creature to a))ear' And this ti$e it was a "ad er! 0t really was' 3hili) drew in his "reath shar)ly' He had hardly ho)ed to see one so soon' 0t was a "i ish creature& with a curiously stri)ed "lac# and white face' 0t stood a"solutely still in the $oonli ht& sniffin & wonderin if it could s$ell a dan er%s$ell6a s$ell of hu$ans1 But the wind "lew fro$ the "ad er to the "oys& and he could s$ell nothin ' He could hardly "e seen as he stood in the full $oonli ht& "ecause the "lac# and white stri)es down his face were so e+actly li#e the "lac# and white shadows of this $oonlit ni ht' ,3erfect ca$oufla e!. whis)ered 3hili)& and /ac# nodded' Then he nud ed 3hili)' So$ethin else was co$in ' ,,oun "ad ers!. thou ht 3hili)& in deli ht' ,A fa$ily )arty6yes& there.s $other "ad er at the "ac#' -hat a "it of luc#!. The youn "ad ers were s#ittish little "ear%li#e thin s' They "e an to )lay a"out& and the two "oys watched their curious a$es& quite fascinated' The little "ad ers "e an to "ounce' They really did "ounce& on all four le s& *u$)in u) and down in the sa$e )lace& loo#in li#e fat& furry "alls' They "ounced at one another! One #noc#ed another over& "ut in a flash he turned a so$ersault& ca$e u) under the first "ad er and #noc#ed him over! This head%over%heels a$e see$ed a favourite one& and the youn "ad ers )layed it for so$e ti$e' Then the )arents ave a little call& and went off into the wood: the youn ones sto))ed their a$e and followed' /ac# ave a little lau h' ,-hat an a$usin si ht! 0.ve never seen ani$als )lay that a$e "efore! 2o all "ad ers turn head%over%heels li#e that1. ,0.ve heard so&. said 3hili)' ,A #ee)er once told $e that a rown "ad er will s)rin tra)s that way6he *ust turns hi$self head%over%heels on the tra)& sets it off& and then ta#es the "ait! All he loses is a few hairs off his "ac#'.

An owl hooted a ain& so$e way off' 0t was a tawny owl callin ' Then there was a screech fro$ a "arn%owl' (i#i stirred on /ac#.s shoulders' She was lon in to do a "it of hootin and screechin herself! ,0 thin# 0.ll o "ac# now&. said 3hili)& ettin u)' ,0.d li#e to stay and watch for a few $ore creatures to co$e "y& "ut 0.$ afraid 0 shall fall aslee)' 5ou co$in & /ac#1. ,-ell60 rather thin# 0.ll o and wander round that quarry a "it&. said /ac#' ,0.d li#e to see what owls are there6and 0.d li#e to ive old (i#i the chance of callin the$& to see if she really can "rin the$ to her' 0 #now she.s lon in to try' Aren.t you& (i#i& old "ird1. (i#i $uttered so$ethin into his ear& afraid of s)ea#in out loud' /ac# ot u) and stretched' ,-ell& you et to "ed& and 0.ll co$e when 0.$ ready&. he said' ,0.ll "e a"out half an hour& 0 e+)ect' 2on.t "e sur)rised if you hear thousands of hoots in a little while& once (i#i ets oin !. 3hili) went "ac# to the cotta e& and /ac# $ade his way to the quarry' Little did they uess what a shoc# they were "oth oin to et in the ne+t ten $inutes!

Chapter 12

CA3T9RE!
3H0L03 $ade his way to the "ac# door of the cotta e& "ut *ust as he was a"out to o in& he sto))ed' -hat noise was that1 0t sounded li#e so$eone oin to the front door6so$eone ti)toein u) the )ath& surely1 The "oy hesitated' Could it "e so$eone after ;ussy1 He.d "etter warn Bill then6 o in and wa#e hi$' He ti)toed quietly& throu h the "ac# door& into the hall and u) the stairs' He sto))ed at the to) and loo#ed "ac#& hearin a s$all sound' The front door was o)enin quietly& "ut with the little crea# it always ave' Then a torch was flashed on and off very quic#ly' 5es6so$e"ody was ettin in' 3hili) yelled at the to) of his voice' ,Bill! B0LL! B0LL! -a#e u)& Bill' There.s so$eone ettin in'. He was standin *ust outside the irls. door as he yelled& and they wo#e u) at once' ;racious!6 who was shoutin li#e that1 ,So$eone.s ettin in' 8uic#& Bill& quic#!. shouted 3hili) a ain& wonderin why there was no answerin shout fro$ Bill.s roo$ near"y' The irls. door o)ened and 2inah loo#ed out& scared' ,-hat is it1 -ho is it1 -here.s Bill1. ,(ee) where you are&. said a voice suddenly& and a torch was flashed on to the three of the$& for Lucy%Ann had now a))eared& tre$"lin ' 3hili) )ushed the irls violently& and they al$ost fell into their "edroo$' Then he rushed into Bill.s roo$& yellin a ain' ,B0LL! 2o wa#e u)!. The $oonli ht showed hi$ a co$)letely e$)ty "ed6a "ed not even sle)t in! Then where was Bill1 And his $other6where was she1 3hili) was astounded' ;ussy was now awa#e& u) in the attic "edroo$' He sat u)& "ewildered' -hat was all this shoutin 1 He suddenly noticed that /ac# and 3hili) were not in their "eds& and he lea)t out of his& afraid' 2ownstairs& in Bill.s "edroo$& 3hili) was still yellin ' Bill must "e so$ewhere a"out6"ut where1 ,Bill! 0 say& B0LL!. A torch flashed into the roo$& and two fi ures loo$ed u) "y the door' ,5ou won.t find Bill&. said a voice' ,Or his wife either' -e.ve ot the$' And now we want the 3rince Aloysius' -e do not intend to har$ hi$ in any way6"ut he $ust co$e with us' His country needs hi$'.

,-hat have you done with $y $other1. de$anded 3hili)& fiercely' ,0.ll et the )olice! -hat do you thin# you.re doin & ca)turin )eo)le& and co$in after the 3rince! 5ou can.t do that #ind of thin in Britain!. ,Oh yes& we can&. said the forei n voice& s$oothly& and the $an ste))ed into the $oonli ht' 3hili) saw that it was the $an who had co$e with the wo$an that afternoon' Behind hi$ were other )eo)le6how $any1 3hili) wished that /ac# was with hi$' One "oy wasn.t $uch a ainst all these )eo)le' He didn.t count ;ussy as a "oy! One of the $en "ehind called out so$ethin in a lan ua e that 3hili) didn.t understand& and received a shar) order in return' There was the sound of feet on the stairs leadin u) to the attic "edroo$' They were after ;ussy& who had done quite the wron thin & and had a))eared at the to) in the "ri ht $oonli ht! He had "een seen at once& of course' ;ussy fled into the "edroo$& sla$$ed the door and loc#ed it' He leaned a ainst it& tre$"lin ' Then he ran to the window' Could he et out1 4o' ;ussy was no cli$"er& and althou h /ac# and 3hili) would certainly have had a shot at cla$"erin down the cree)er& ;ussy was afraid he $i ht fall' ,9nloc# this door!. cried a voice& "ut ;ussy did not o"ey' Then two of the $en flun the$selves a ainst it& and it "ro#e down easily' They cla$"ered over the "ro#en )anels and went to ;ussy' He screa$ed' One of the $en "owed to hi$' ,5our Hi hness& we have not co$e to har$ you' -e have co$e to ta#e you "ac# to Tauri%Hessia to "e crowned (in in the )lace of your uncle' He is not li#ed& your uncle' The )eo)le want you instead'. ,0t.s a lie!. shouted ;ussy& tre$"lin ' ,0.ve "een told all a"out it' My uncle is too stron a ruler for you& and you want a "oy instead who will do as he is told' 0 will not co$e!. All this was said in his own lan ua e& so that the irls& listenin fearfully in their roo$ "elow& did not understand a word' 3hili) )ushed "y the $en at the door of Bill.s roo$ and ran u) to ;ussy' ,Loo# here&. he said fiercely to the two $en there' ,5ou #now that the British ;overn$ent and your own ;overn$ent won.t let you $a#e ;ussy (in ' 5ou.ll et into trou"le with our ;overn$ent& you #now' 5ou.ll "e cla))ed into )rison either here or in your own country'. The $en& *oined "y the other two "elow& had a quic# conference' 3hili) didn.t understand a word' Then the tall $an with the eye lass "owed sli htly to 3hili)' ,5ou too will co$e with us&. he said& ,and the other children as well' 5ou will6er6"e co$)anions for our little 3rince6and we do not thin# your ;overn$ent will "e too an ry when they #now we hold you also!. ,Oh! So you thin# you.ll ta#e us and $a#e us a #ind of hosta e& do you1. said 3hili)& quite "eside hi$self with ra e' ,5ou thin# you can "ar ain with our ;overn$ent *ust "ecause you.ll hold us )risoners! My word& you don.t #now the British )eo)le' 5ou.ll "e sorry for this! Holdin us to ranso$! 0 never heard such a fatheaded idea in $y life' 5ou aren.t livin in the Middle A es& you #now!. The $an heard hi$ out to the end& quite )olitely' Then he $ade a $otion with his hand& and two of the $en )ounced on 3hili) and ;ussy and held the$ in such a vice%li#e ri) that it was quite ho)eless to et away' ,Run& you two irls& run!. yelled 3hili) at the to) of his voice& ho)in that 2inah and Lucy%Ann would have the sense to rush into the woods and et away' But althou h they did $ana e to tear downstairs& they found a $an in the hall& and he was quite a"le to hold the two #ic#in & yellin irls until yet another fellow ca$e to his hel)' Shar) orders were iven "y the $an with the eye lass& who see$ed to "e in co$$and' One $an detached hi$self and went u)stairs' He ca$e down with an assort$ent of clothes for the irls and ;ussy& who was& of course& still in his "eautiful sil# )y*a$as' The irls were in )y*a$as and dressin % owns& "ut had no sli))ers on' The $an was sent "ac# to fetch shoes'

,-here.s Bill1. said Lucy%Ann& with chatterin teeth' ,0 want Bill' -hat have they done with hi$1 And where.s Aunt Allie1. ,2on.t "e fri htened&. said the $an with the eye lass& )attin her' ,-e shall treat you very #indly' -e shall not hurt you' 0t will "e nice for the little 3rince Aloysius to have his friends with hi$' 5ou will have a fine ti$e in Tauri%Hessia'. Lucy%Ann suddenly reali<ed that /ac# was $issin ' She loo#ed round wildly for hi$' ,-here.s /ac#1 -hat have you done with /ac#1. ,Ah& yes6there was another "oy' 0 re$e$"er now&. said the chief $an' ,-here is he1. ,Out "ird%watchin &. said 3hili)& sullenly' His only ho)e now was that /ac# would see and hear this distur"ance and o to fetch hel) "efore they were all whis#ed away' He had iven u) stru lin ' -hat was the use1 He would only et hurt& and he could see that if the irls were oin to "e ca)tured& he certainly $ust o with the$ to loo# after the$ as "est he could' ,Bird%watchin ! At this ti$e of ni ht!. said the $an' ,-hat stran e ha"its you Britishers have! -e will not wait for this "oy /ac#' -e do not need hi$'. They o)ened the front door a ain& and )ushed the four children out in front of the$& holdin their ar$s ti htly' ,0t is of no use to screa$&. said the chief& still very )olitely' ,There is no one to hear you6and we should a you if you did screa$'. ,3hili)6what shall we do1. as#ed 2inah& scarlet with ra e at "ein ca)tured li#e this' ,4othin &. said 3hili)' ,/ust6er6ho)e for the "est'. 2inah uessed what he $eant' 3erha)s even at this very $inute /ac# was "rin in hel)! Lucy%Ann stu$"led alon $isera"ly in her dressin % own' She had "een allowed to )ut on her shoes& and so had the others' She was worried a"out Bill and her aunt& and very very worried a"out /ac#' -ould she "e ta#en off to Tauri%Hessia and have to leave /ac# for $onths and $onths1 -here was /ac#1 /ac# was down in the quarry with (i#i' He had found )lenty of owls hootin and screechin there& for& as the old far$%hand had said& it was a wonderful huntin %)lace for owls of all #inds' (i#i had "een havin the ti$e of her life' She had hooted and screeched and twitted& and had "rou ht a crowd of owls al$ost down to /ac#.s shoulders' One owl& a "arn%owl& had screeched deafenin ly in his ear& and had struc# hi$ with a win ' /ac# decided that he was too easily seen where he stood' He $ust et under a "ush so$ewhere& or else the ne+t owl $i ht scratch his face with a shar) talon or two! He $oved to the other side of the quarry and $ade his way to a "i hed e there' As he drew near& the $oonli ht linted on so$ethin under the hed e' So$ethin that shone "ri htly' /ac# sto))ed' -hat could it "e1 He went cautiously forward& and saw that so$ethin dar# and lon and very "i was under the tall hed e& as close to it as )ossi"le' The $oonli ht cau ht its )olished surface here and there' ,;osh! 0t.s a car!. said /ac#& in the reatest astonish$ent' ,A car e+actly li#e the one the cou)le have at the far$6it $ust "e the sa$e one' -hat.s it doin here1. He went over to it' 0t was e$)ty' 4o"ody was in it at all' The #ey had "een ta#en out so that it could not "e driven away' ,Has so$e"ody )ar#ed it here to o and s)y round 8uarry Cotta e1. wondered /ac#' He went to the "ac# of the car' 0t had an enor$ous lu a e "oot' /ac# o)ened it and )eered inside' 0t was e$)ty e+ce)t for an e+tra inner tu"e and a few tools' (i#i hooted a ain& and an owl answered her' ,Be quiet now& (i#i&. said /ac#' ,-e.ve ot to do a "it of s)yin ' -e.ll cree) "ac# to 8uarry Cotta e and see if there.s anyone snoo)in round there'. But "efore he could do that& he heard the sound of footste)s co$in into the quarry& and he dived into so$e "ushes' The footste)s $ade quite a lot of noise& "ecause there were ei ht )eo)le co$in into the deserted quarry& where the car had "een )ar#ed' /ac# )eered out of his "ush and saw& to his reat

alar$& that 3hili)& 2inah& Lucy%Ann and ;ussy were all "ein held very fir$ly indeed! He stared& "ewildered& una"le to thin# what to do' (i#i suddenly screeched6"ut it was not an owl%screech& it was a real )arrot screech6and 3hili) reco ni<ed it at once' 0t was (i#i! Then /ac# $ust "e so$ewhere in the quarry still! He ave a shout' ,They.re ta#in us away! Tell Bill!. The $an holdin hi$ ave hi$ a shove' ,5ou were told not to shout! -hat.s the use of shoutin here1 There.s no one to hear you!. But there was& of course' There was /ac#' But what was /ac# to 2O1

Chapter 13

THE EBTRA 3ASSE4;ER

/AC( stared in distress at the four children "ein "undled into the car63hili) and 2inah at the "ac# with three $en& and ;ussy and Lucy%Ann in front with the driver' -hat a crowd! 0f anyone saw the car oin alon with such a nu$"er of )eo)le in& surely it would "e noticed and sto))ed1 ,5es& it would&. thou ht /ac#& ,so that $eans they can.t "e oin very far6they will arrive at their destination "efore dayli ht' Are they oin to ta#e the$ to so$e hidin %)lace fairly near then1 -hy in the world have they ot 3hili) and the irls as well as ;ussy1. Everyone was now in the car' The doors were shut as quietly as )ossi"le' The en ine was started u)6and *ust at that very $o$ent /ac# had an idea! He ran& crouchin & to the "ac# of the car' He hadn.t had ti$e to shut the lu a e "oot )ro)erly when he had o)ened it to loo# inside' Could he et into it "efore the car drove off1 0t was such a fine "i one' The car "e an to $ove very slowly out of the quarry& "u$)in over rou h )laces' /ac# flun hi$self at the "ac# of it& and cla$"ered u) on to the lu a e "oot' 0t swun ri ht o)en& and /ac# half%fell into it' (i#i was astounded& and flew off his shoulder at once' /ac# stared at her an+iously' He dared not call her "ac#' But& as soon as she saw /ac# settled in the "oot& she flew down a ain& and found his shoulder' She tal#ed sole$nly into his ear& in a very low voice& tryin to tell hi$ in )arrot lan ua e that she thou ht these oin s%on were e+tre$ely )eculiar& "ut that so lon as /ac# a))roved of the$& she did too6and she was co$in with hi$& even in this dar#& s$elly car "oot! /ac# felt co$forted to have her' He )u<<led over everythin ' -here was Bill1 And Aunt Allie1 How was it these fellows had "een a"le to et into 8uarry Cotta e so easily and ca)ture every one1 But what had they done with Bill1 -as he lyin #noc#ed out in the cotta e1 Ou ht /ac# to have one to see& instead of cli$"in into the "oot1 The car had now athered s)eed and was oin down country lanes very fast' 0t drew u) once& at so$e dar# little house& where a $an ca$e out' There was another car there and one of the $en in the first car than#fully ot out and went to the second car' This went on ahead& as if uidin the other' /ac# was lad' He didn.t want "ri ht head%li hts "ehind hi$& showin hi$ sittin in the "oot! ,0 ou ht to close the "oot and shut $yself in' But su))ose 0 can.t et it o)en a ain1. he thou ht' ,0 si$)ly must see what )lace they.re ta#in the others to' 0f 0 can do that& 0 can soon raise the alar$& have the )lace surrounded& and everyone rescued! 0 ho)e no one sees $e here'. Another hour.s run in the s$ooth%runnin )owerful car6then it sto))ed' There was a shar) e+chan e of words& a li ht flashed& and a ate crea#ed o)en' ,Hallo! -e.re here already& wherever that $ay "e!. thou ht /ac#' ,Had 0 "etter et out now& while the car has sto))ed1 Blow6it.s too late' They.re oin on a ain'. The car "u$)ed over a dar# field' And then suddenly a stran e& e+traordinarily loud noise started u) not far ahead' /ac# *u$)ed violently& and (i#i ave a loud screech& which fortunately couldn.t )ossi"ly "e heard in the enor$ous noise oin on'

,An aero)lane!. said /ac#' ,So thats what they.ve )lanned' They.re oin off to Tauri%Hessia! They $ust "e' And they.ll hide ;ussy so$ewhere till their )lans are all ready& and the irls and 3hili) with hi$' 4o"ody will #now where they are'. He felt the car co$e to a sto) with a "u$)' He crawled out of the "oot at once& and ran to a "i sha)e loo$in u) near"y' 0t was a lorry' /ac# crouched "eside it& watchin ' He saw an aero)lane not far off& its )ro)ellers whirrin ' 0t hadn.t all its li hts on yet& "ut $en were round it with la$)s' 0t was o"viously soon oin to ta#e off' -hat was this )lace1 A )rivate airfield1 /ac# had no idea at all' He watched all the )assen ers in the "i "lac# car tu$"lin out& one after the other' He thou ht he heard Lucy%Ann cryin & and his heart san#' She would hate all this! She wasn.t tou h& li#e 2inah' -here would she "e to$orrow1 Everyone was hurried towards the )lane' /ac# left his hidin %)lace and hurried too' He had had another idea! Could he hide in the )lane1 He had hidden in the car& and no%one had sus)ected it' -ould there "e any )lace to hide in the )lane1 He thou ht of the )lanes he had flown in' The lu a e%s)ace would "e the only )lace' There )ro"a"ly wouldn.t "e $uch there' 0t was a ris#& "ut he.d ta#e it' 0f he was discovered& well& at least he.d "e with the others' ,But 0 mustnt "e discovered!. he thou ht des)erately' ,0f 0 a$ 0.ll "e hidden away so$ewhere too6and 0 si$)ly must find out where the others are "ein ta#en& so that 0 can so$ehow et word to Bill'. (i#i ca$e to his hel)& quite une+)ectedly' She didn.t see why she shouldn.t tal# to the others& whose voices she had reco ni<ed as soon as she heard the$ ettin out of the car' She left /ac#.s shoulder and flew towards Lucy%Ann' ,3o) oes the weasel!. she cried' ,;od save the (in ! Send for the doctor!. The four children in front turned round in utter a$a<e$ent' ,(i#i! (0(0! How did you et here1. The $en )ushin the$ forward sto))ed at once' They had no idea that (i#i was only a )arrot& and had not even s)otted her in the dar#ness' They thou ht she $ust "e so$eone co$in after the children& on the airfield& so$eone quite une+)ected& who had followed the$! Orders were shouted' La$)s flashed here and there' (i#i was fri htened and flew "ac# to /ac#' ,-i)e your feet!. she called& $uch to the a$a<e$ent of the $en with the la$)s' /ac# ran round the other side of the lorry& for the $en were co$in too near hi$' Then he saw his chance' Everyone.s attention was on the $en who were searchin the field with la$)s' 4o"ody was watchin the )lane' /ac# ran to it in the dar#ness& stu$"lin as he went' Than# oodness the $oon had conveniently one "ehind a re$ar#a"ly "lac# cloud' He felt a dro) of rain' 3erha)s the $oon wouldn.t co$e out till he was safely in the )lane' He reached the )lane& and than#fully saw the ste)s u) to it' He ran u) and found hi$self in the )lane' 4o one was there' He ro)ed his way to the "ac#& where he ho)ed to find the lu a e%s)ace' He felt so$ethin that was sha)ed li#e a crate' 5es6this $ust "e where they )ut the lu a e! He felt round a ain& and ca$e across a "o+' 0t had a lid& and he lifted it u)& ho)in that the "o+ was e$)ty' 0t wasn.t' 0t was full of so$ethin soft& that $i ht "e clothes& or $aterial of so$e #ind' 0t felt li#e sil#' /ac# )ulled $ost of it out and stuffed it into a corner& "ehind the "i crate' Then he hurriedly ot into the "o+ and )ulled the lid down' Only *ust in ti$e! (i#i was with hi$& of course& silent and astonished' /ac# had ta))ed her "ea# to tell her she $ust "e a"solutely quiet' He heard the sound of voices and the noise of feet oin u) the ste)s into the )lane' He heard shouts& and "an s and whirs' The )ro)ellers& which had sto))ed& were started u) a ain& and the aero)lane shoo# violently' The wheels "u$)ed very slowly over the field and then the "u$)in sto))ed'

,-e.ve ta#en off&. thou ht /ac#& than#fully' ,And 0.$ here with the others& thou h they don.t #now it' 4ow will $y luc# hold1 Shall 0 et to wherever they.re oin without "ein discovered1 0 do ho)e so! 0f only 0 can find out where they will "e hidden& thin s will "e easy'. 0t was unco$forta"le in the "o+& "ut as /ac# had left so$e of the soft $aterial at the "otto$& at least he had so$ethin soft to crouch on' (i#i didn.t li#e it at all' She ru$"led in his ear& and then suddenly )roduced a tre$endous snee<e' 0t sounded very loud indeed to /ac#' He sat as quiet as a $ouse& waitin for so$eone to co$e and loo# round the lu a e%s)ace' But no"ody did' The noise of the en ines was too loud for (i#i.s snee<e to "e heard' 0t was a real snee<e& not a )retend one& and (i#i was *ust as sur)rised as /ac# was when it ca$e' The children in the front of the )lane tal#ed in low voices& sure that the en ines would drown what they were sayin ' 0t see$ed queer to "e sittin in a )lane dressed in ni ht%clothes6all "ut 3hili)& of course' ,-as that (i#i we heard out on the field1. said Lucy%Ann' ,0t $ust have "een' 0.$ sure 0 heard =3o) oes the weasel>!. ,0 "elieve it was&. said 3hili)' ,0 wouldn.t "e sur)rised if old /ac# hun on to that car so$ehow' After all& we #now he was in that quarry6he )ro"a"ly saw what was ha))enin & and $ana ed to han on "ehind so$ewhere'. ,0 wish he was with us now&. si hed Lucy%Ann' ,0 shan.t li#e "ein without hi$' -here are we oin & 0 wonder1 To so$e horrid old castle6or )erha)s a )alace1 ;ussy& have you ot a )alace1. ,5es&. said ;ussy' ,But only a s$all one' -e shan.t o there& "ecause the )eo)le #now $e' They would see $e' 0 have heard these $en tal#in & and they do not want $e to "e seen yet' First they $ust deal with $y uncle' 0 ho)e they will not #ill hi$' He is nice& $y uncle'. ,0 sincerely ho)e they wont do anythin of the sort&. said 3hili)' ,5ou.d have to "e (in then& ;ussy' How 0.d hate to "e a (in ! Always havin to "e on $y "est "ehaviour& never to lose $y te$)er or do a thin that was wron or i$)olite& havin to "e nice to )eo)le 0 hated& and ' ' '. ,-hy isn.t your father (in 1. as#ed 2inah' ,-hy are you the heir to the throne1. ,My father is dead&. said ;ussy' ,There is only $y $other& and in our country wo$en are not allowed to rule' So one day 0 $ust "e (in ' 0 shall li#e it'. ,-ell6you li#e orderin )eo)le a"out& and showin off&. said 2inah' ,So 0 su))ose it.ll suit you' But 0 can.t say you.re $y idea of a (in ' Oh dear60 wish this hadn.t ha))ened' All our Easter hols s)oiled!. ,0 hate all this&. said Lucy%Ann& dis$ally' ,0.$ cold& and now 0.$ slee)y'. ,Cuddle u) to $e&. said 2inah' ,After all& it.s the $iddle of the ni ht& so we ou ht to feel slee)y' 0 do too' Let.s o to slee)' 0t will $a#e the ni ht see$ shorter'. ,0 could o to slee) at once if 0 didn.t #ee) thin#in of Bill and Aunt Allie&. said Lucy%Ann& shuttin her eyes& and ettin close to 2inah for war$th' ,0 #ee) on thin#in a"out6a"out60 #ee) on ' ' '. 3hili) s$iled at 2inah over Lucy%Ann.s head' She was aslee) already& in s)ite of her ,thin#in .' 3oor Lucy%Ann6she fell into adventures as readily as the others& "ut she didn.t en*oy the$ nearly so $uch! /ac# fell into an unco$forta"le slee) too& in his "o+ in the lu a e%s)ace' (i#i tuc#ed her head under her win and sle)t )eacefully' The )lane went on and on in the ni ht& throu h a rain%stor$& and then out into clear weather a ain& with a $oon still "ri ht in the s#y' 4one of the children saw that it was flyin over the "rilliant& $oonlit sea' 4one of the$ a<ed down to see the towns that loo#ed li#e toy villa es far "elow' The en ines droned on and on& and the rhyth$ lulled the slee)ers for $ile u)on $ile' And then the )lane "e an to circle over a s$all airfield' 0t had arrived! 3hili) wo#e in a hurry and shoo# the irls' ;ussy wo#e too and loo#ed down fro$ the window' ,Tauri%Hessia!. he said& )roudly' ,My country& Tauri%Hessia!.

Chapter 1!

/AC( 0S O4 H0S O-4

THE sun was u)& *ust a"ove the hori<on& when the )lane landed ently on the runway' The s#y was olden& and in the distance s$all whitewashed houses lea$ed "ri htly' /ac# awo#e when the en ines sto))ed' He lifted u) the lid of his "o+ sli htly& listenin ' Had they arrived1 Then he heard ;ussy.s voice' ,Tauri%Hessia!. ,So we.ve arrived&. thou ht /ac#' ,4ow6what do 0 do ne+t1 0t.s dayli ht6thou h 0 should uess it.s only *ust sunrise'. The four children in front were hustled out' The little airfield was co$)letely deserted e+ce)t for a few $echanics' A lar e car stood waitin ' The children were )ushed into it without a $o$ent.s )ause' O"viously they were to "e hurried so$ewhere secret as fast as )ossi"le' /ac# ot out of the "o+ and $ade his way cautiously to a window' He saw the children *ust "elow& ettin into a "i car' The $an with the eye lass a))eared to "e in co$$and& and ave an order to the chauffeur as he ot in' The $an was holdin o)en the door and "owed' He saluted too& and re)eated so$ethin after the $an with the eye lass' ,Bor#en!. Then he ot into the drivin %seat and drove swiftly off the field to a lar e ate in the distance' ,Bor#en!. said /ac# to hi$self' ,4ow would that "e the na$e of a )lace6or *ust a Hessian word for =Than# you> or so$ethin 1 -ell6they.ve one' (i#i& you and 0 are on our own in a stran e land whose lan ua e we don.t #now' And we have only ot a few En lish coins in our )oc#et6so what do you su))ose is the "est thin to do1. ,Send for the doctor&. said (i#i& )uttin u) her crest and loo#in very wise' ,Send for the doctor' 3ut the #ettle on'. /ac# went on loo#in out of the window' 0t see$ed to hi$ that everyone had wal#ed off to a little wooden "uildin at one end of the airfield6to et refresh$ents& )erha)s1 /ac# felt that he would li#e so$e too! He went cautiously into the other )art of the )lane' 4ot a soul was there' 0n fact& not a soul was to "e seen anywhere& even on the field or in the distance' ,0 thin# the ti$e has co$e for us to o& (i#i&. said /ac#' ,Ready for a s)rint1 0 hardly thin# we.ll et away without "ein noticed6"ut at any rate we.ll have a ood start& if the $en have to co$e fro$ that wooden "uildin ri ht over there'. He went to the landin %ste)s and ran down the$' Then he s)rinted at to) s)eed across the field to the entrance' 4othin ha))ened for a $inute or two& and then two $en a))eared at the door of the distant "uildin ' They shouted loudly& and then "e an to run after /ac#' But he had a wonderful start& and the $en ave u) al$ost at once& and returned to the "uildin ' ,/ust a "oy lon in for a close loo# at an aero)lane!. they said to one another' /ac# ran out of the entrance and found hi$self on a wide& deserted road' 4o one was in si ht' He could not even see any houses' This $ust "e a very lonely airfield! He "e an to wal# alon the road& (i#i on his shoulder' He was very hun ry indeed "y now' ,-hy isn.t anyone a"out1. he thou ht' ,4ot a car to "e seen so 0 can.t et a lift' 0 wonder where the others are "y now1 -ish 0 was with the$!. He suddenly re$e$"ered that it was very early in the $ornin ' Of course no one would "e a"out yet' The sun had only *ust risen' 3ossi"ly he $i ht $eet a wor#$an or two soon' He $et a $an cyclin alon the road after a while and held u) his hand to sto) hi$' The $an )ut one foot on the road& and sto))ed his "icycle' ,E linoota1. he said' At least& that is what it sounded li#e to /ac#' He loo#ed astonished to see (i#i'

,0.$ En lish&. said /ac#& tryin to s)ea# slowly and clearly' ,-here is the )olice station1. ,E linoota1. said the $an a ain& loo#in "ewildered' ,Oota1 Oota1. ,3ar)%)ar)&. said (i#i& suddenly' ,3ar)%)ar)!. 0t sounded e+actly li#e the hooter of a car! /ac# lau hed' ,2id you thin# the $an #e)t sayin =hooter =1. he as#ed (i#i' ,-ell& he wasn.t' ;oodness #nows what he was sayin ! 0 wish 0 #new what =food> was in the Hessian lan ua e!. ,3ow#e)oto)lin#1. said the $an& tryin a ain' He )ointed to the )arrot' ,3ow#e)oto)lin#1 Ai& ai!. He suddenly too# out a note"oo# and a )encil and "e an drawin so$ethin on a )a e' /ac# wondered what it was' The $an tore out the )a e and ave it to hi$' The drawin loo#ed li#e a s$all $a) showin various roads' There was so$ethin that loo#ed li#e a )ond also& and so$ethin else that loo#ed li#e a church s)ire' At the "otto$ of the $a) the $an had drawn what loo#ed li#e a tent' He *a""ed at it with his )encil' ,3ow#e)otot)lin#&. he said a ain& very loudly& as if that $i ht hel) /ac# to understand' ,3lin#%)lon#& )lin#%)lon#&. said (i#i& at once& and went off into a cac#le of lau hter' The $an loo#ed at her in ad$iration' He undid a "a and too# out a s$all su ared ca#e' He )resented it to (i#i& who too# it with her ri ht foot& $a#in a sudden cluc#in noise li#e a hen' /ac# loo#ed at it with hun ry eyes and the $an noticed the loo#' He delved in his "a a ain and "rou ht out an enor$ously thic# sandwich with so$e #ind of "ri ht red $eat in it' He )resented this to /ac#& who was thrilled' ,Than# you&. said the "oy' ,Than# you very $uch'. ,Chee)ali##le&. said the $an& inco$)rehensi"ly& and rode off& wavin ' /ac# wal#ed on& $unchin the hu e sandwich' (i#i )ut out her )arrot%ton ue and lic#ed the ca#e' She didn.t li#e it and ave it to /ac#' 0n return he ave her so$e of her favourite sunflower seeds& of which he always #e)t a su))ly in his )oc#et' She sat ha))ily on his shoulder& crac#in the$' /ac# loo#ed at the $a)' -hat did it $ean1 -hy had that $an drawn it1 He $ust have thou ht there was so$e )articular )lace /ac# wanted to o to6"ut /ac# hi$self didn.t #now of any )lace in Tauri%Hessia that he wanted to find& e+ce)t the )lace where the others had one' And that $i ht "e Bor#en and it $i ht not' Bor#en $i ht $ean anythin in this )eculiar Hessian lan ua e! He wal#ed on and on for $iles& feelin $uch "etter for the sandwich' He decided that he $ust loo# for a )olice%station if ever he ca$e to the end of this wide& deserted road' 0t loo#ed as if it had only "een "uilt to lead to the airfield! E+ce)t for the $an on the "icycle he $et no"ody at all' But at last he saw houses in the distance' Anne was co$in to a villa e6no& a town& "ecause as he ca$e nearer he saw that it was far too "i to "e called a villa e' ,0f 0 could *ust find so$e"ody who s)o#e En lish& it would "e such a hel)&. thou ht /ac#' ,0 could as# for a )olice%station then& and et a tele ra$6or ca"le6sent to Bill' 0 wish he.d co$e out here and hel)' 0 wonder what ha))ened to hi$' 0 "et those fellows #noc#ed hi$ out'. He ca$e into the town and loo#ed around hi$ with interest' The sho)s were s$all and dar#& the houses were white%washed or )in#%washed& and see$ed to run to curls and squi les and $uch decoration6rather ,fretwor#y.& /ac# decided' Curly roofs& squi ly "its of woodwor# here and there& and windows whose sills were covered with decorated flower%"o+es' The )eo)le loo#ed li#e )easants& and were dressed in ay& si$)le clothes' 4o wo$an wore a hat& "ut $any wore shawls' The $en wore rather ti ht trousers& and had so$e #ind of sash round their waists' Their waistcoats were aily e$"roidered& and so$ehow they re$inded /ac# of "ull%fi hters thou h he didn.t quite #now why' The children were very dirty and "adly dressed' Even the little irls wore lon & rather ra edy s#irts& and the "oys wore ti ht trousers li#e their fathers "ut had no ay waistcoats' 0nstead they had very dirty red& "lue or yellow shirts' They soon saw /ac#& and ran to hi$' The )arrot fascinated the$'

,3ow#e& )ow#e!. they yelled& )ointin at (i#i& who was deli hted at "ein the centre of attention' She )ut u) her crest and lowered it& and even did a little ho))itty dance on /ac#.s shoulder' ,3ow#e6that $ust $ean )arrot&. thou ht /ac#' ,Hey& you #ids6where.s the )olice%station1. They didn.t understand a word& of course' They followed /ac#& tal#in to ether& still entertained "y (i#i& who was showin off tre$endously' Then a s$all "oy with a little wooden un ran u)' He )ointed it at /ac#& and shouted ,3o)%)o)% )o)!. That was quite enou h for (i#i' She stood u) on her toes and shouted at the to) of her voice' ,3o)! 3O3! BA4;%BA4;%BA4;! 3o) oes the weasel! 3ow#e& )ow#e& )ow#e'. There was an awed silence after this effort of (i#i.s' Everyone stared& still trottin after /ac#' (i#i went off into one of her idiotic "outs of lau hter& and the children all "e an to lau h too' ,-i)e your feet& "low your nose!. shouted (i#i& and then $ade a noise li#e an e+)ress train in a tunnel' This $ade a tre$endous i$)ression' The children fell "ac# a little& startled' But they soon cau ht u) a ain& yellin ,3ow#e& )ow#e& )ow#e ,& and soon the crowd was considera"ly "i er& and /ac# "e an to feel li#e the 3ied 3i)er of Ha$elin with so $any children followin hi$' Then a )eculiar%loo#in )erson sto))ed hi$ at a cross%roads& and addressed hi$ quite sternly& )ointin to the crowd that had now athered round hi$' /ac# didn.t understand a word' ,0 a$ En lish&. he said' ,En lish' 5ou s)ea# En lish1 5es1 4o1. ,Ha! 0n leeeeesh!. said the )erson& and too# out a "lac# note%"oo# which i$$ediately told /ac# what he was' Of course6a Hessian )olice$an! ,5ou s)ea# En lish1. said /ac#& ho)efully' The )olice$an rattled off so$ethin at hi$& and held out his hand' He still had the note%"oo# in the other one' /ac# hadn.t the faintest idea what he wanted' He shoo# his head& )u<<led' The )olice$an rew annoyed' He sla))ed his hand with the note%"oo# and shouted a ain' /ac# shoo# his head once $ore' (i#i shouted "ac# at the )olice$an' ,3o) oes the weasel& )ut the #ettle on& 3O3!. All the children lau hed' There were a ood%$any rown%u)s around now& watchin ' One suddenly )ut his hand into his )oc#et and drew out a dirty& dou"led%over card' He showed it to /ac#& and $ade hi$ understand that that was what the )olice$an was as#in hi$ for' /ac# saw that it was a #ind of )ass)ort or identity card' He hadn.t ot one on hi$& of course& so once $ore he shoo# his head' (i#i shoo# hers too& and the children roared' The )olice$an shut his note%"oo# with a sna) and )ut his hand on /ac#.s shoulder' He fired a sentence at hi$ in shar) Hessian and )ushed hi$ in front of hi$ s$artly' ,4ow where do we o1. thou ht /ac#' ,-hat a co$ic )olice$an6"lue trousers& red shirt& "lue sash& a co$ic #ind of flower%)ot hel$et6really!. But he didn.t thin# thin s were quite so co$ic when he saw where the )olice$an was ta#in hi$' There was no dou"t a"out it at all' 0t was a )olice%station& a s$all& square& white%washed )lace& so"er%loo#in and severe& with a ood $any $ore of the co$ic )olice$en standin a"out' ,Loo# here! 5ou can.t )ut me into )rison!. cried /ac#& stru lin away' ,0.ve done nothin wron ! 5ou let $e o!.

Chapter 1"

THE MA3 COMES 04 9SEF9L

/AC( was )ushed fir$ly into a s$all& square roo$ with one "ench in it a ainst the wall' He was $ade to sit down on this& and the )olice$an went to re)ort at a "i & untidy des#' He s)o#e very quic#ly& and it all sounded li#e a lot of 2ou"le 2utch to /ac#'

0t did to (i#i too& and she sat on /ac#.s shoulder and sent out such a strea$ of unendin nonsense that every )olice$an in the )lace stared in ad$iration' 4o"ody was standin in /ac#.s way to the door' He loo#ed at it' He thou ht he would $a#e a dash for freedo$& and try to et away fro$ these co$ic )olice$en' He was half%afraid he $i ht "e loc#ed u) for wee#s' 3erha)s they thou ht he was a "e ar or a tra$)1 3erha)s it was a reat cri$e not to have so$e #ind of card to say who he was1 He saw his chance& when no"ody was loo#in at hi$& and raced for the door' He was down the ste)s and into the street "efore a )olice$an stirred! He heard shouts "ehind hi$ "ut he didn.t loo# "ac#' 2own the dusty street he ran at to) s)eed& turned a corner& ran down an alley& and ca$e to a "i door' He ran inside and loo#ed round' 4o one was there' A squaw# attracted his attention& and $ade (i#i loo# round in interest' /ac# saw a )arrot in a ca e& a very ay one with "lue and reen and yellow feathers' (i#i flew to the ca e and stood on the to)' She "ent her head down and loo#ed inside e+citedly' Another )arrot! ,How%do%you%do& how%do%you%do!. said (i#i' ,;ood $ornin & ood ni ht! 3o) oes the weasel!. The other )arrot ave another squaw#' 0t see$ed rather scared' Then /ac# heard the sound of footste)s& and "efore he could $ove& a voice s)o#e6a entle voice& soft and #ind' A irl stood there& a ed a"out twelve' She was "eautifully dressed in ay sil#s& and her lon dar# hair was woven in and out with "ri ht ri""ons' She stared at /ac# in sur)rise' ,E linoota1. said the irl' ,Oota1. /ac# wished he #new what this ,oota. word $eant' He really didn.t #now what to say' He )ointed to the )arrots and s$iled cheerfully' ,3ow#e& )ow#e!. he said' The irl loo#ed at the two )arrots and lau hed' Then& to his deli ht& she slowly s)o#e a few words in En lish' ,-here6you6 o1. she said' ,5ou6En lish6yes1. /ac# fished out the "it of )a)er the $an on the "icycle had drawn hi$' 0t would loo# as if he really was oin so$ewhere& if he showed her that! She too# it and nodded her head' ,Co$e&. she said& and too# hi$ to the door' ,Listen6do you #now anyone who s)ea#s En lish well1. as#ed /ac#& ea erly' The irl didn.t understand& thou h he re)eated it several ti$es' Then she heard a voice fro$ so$ewhere in the house& and she ave hi$ a )ush& )ointin down an alley& and then to the ri ht' /ac# than#ed her& called (i#i and went out' He ran down the alley and ca$e to the end' Then he turned to the ri ht and went quic#ly alon a narrow& dusty street with hi h walls each side' He sto))ed at the end and loo#ed at his $a)' He su))osed he $i ht as well follow it' O"viously the "icyclist $ust have had so$e reason for drawin it' 0t $i ht lead so$ewhere useful! 0n front of hi$ was what would "e& in En land& a villa e reen' But this reen was )arched and dusty& and three s#inny hens wandered over it loo#in thorou hly $isera"le' At the side was a "i round )ond in which do<ens of s$all children were )addlin ' /ac# loo#ed at his $a) a ain' ,Ah6the )ond! 5es& 0 $ust "e on the ri ht road' 0.ll o down here& and see if 0 can s)ot the thin that loo#s li#e a church tower'. He went on for so$e way without seein anythin li#e a church tower' At last he sto))ed a #indly%loo#in old wo$an and showed her the $a)' He )ointed to the drawin that loo#ed li#e a church' She nodded her head at once' She too# his ar$ and )ointed across a field' There was a )ath there' 0t led u)wards towards a hill' On the hill /ac# saw a "uildin with a reat tower' He couldn.t i$a ine what it was& unless it was a Tauri%Hessian church' He went on a ain& over the field and u) to the tower' He loo#ed at the $a) a ain6it showed a windin road fro$ the tower and this road led to the drawin on the $a) that loo#ed rather li#e a

tent' /ac# loo#ed u) fro$ the $a) and reco ni<ed the windin road& oin down the other side of the hill on which the tower stood' But what could the tent%li#e drawin "e1 An old $an sat on a "ench& do<in ' /ac# went cautiously u) to hi$ and sat down' The old $an o)ened an eye& saw the )arrot and sat u) at once' ,;ood' He.s awa#e&. thou ht /ac#& and )ushed the $a) in front of hi$& )ointin to the tent%li#e drawin & and tryin to $a#e the $an understand that he wanted to et there' ,Ahhhh&. said the old fellow& in a hoarse voice' ,3i##atioratyfor ' Ahhhhhh!. ,7ery hel)ful!. thou ht /ac#' The old $an ot u) and tottered a little way down the )ath' Then he )ointed with his stic#' ,Sur#ytalar&. he said' ,Sur#y'. ,Sur#y&. re)eated /ac#& and loo#ed where he was )ointin ' Then he stared hard' He #new why the "icyclist had drawn the tent now! 0n a "i field were crowds of tents and vans! 0t $ust "e a circus of so$e #ind6a travellin circus! ,Of course! Sur#y6he $eans circus&. thou ht /ac#' ,0t.s a circus' That.s why that fellow on the "i#e directed $e there' He thou ht 0 wanted the circus6thou ht 0 was tryin to $a#e $y way to it& "ecause 0.d ot a tal#in )arrot' -ell& well& well! 0.ve solved that )u<<le!. He than#ed the old $an and thou ht he $i ht as well $a#e his way to the circus' So$e"ody there $i ht )ossi"ly s)ea# En lish' Circus )eo)le #new all #inds of lan ua es' Anyway they were usually #indly fol#& they $i ht ive hi$ a $eal and hel) hi$ a "it' So /ac#& suddenly feelin very hun ry a ain& went down the lon windin road to the field where the circus was' 0t too# hi$ a"out half an hour to reach it and when he ot there he saw that it was )ac#in u) to $ove on' The tents were "ein ta#en down& horses were "ein )ut into so$e of the vans and there was a reat deal of shoutin and noise' /ac# leaned over the ate' A "oy ca$e "y& carryin a load of "o+es that loo#ed very heavy' As he )assed& the )ile to))led over& and he dro))ed a"out four of the$' /ac# lea)t over the ate and went to hel)' The "oy was a"out his own a e& swarthy and "lac#%eyed' He rinned at /ac#& and said so$ethin he couldn.t understand' He said it a ain& in another lan ua e' Still /ac# didn.t understand' ,Merci "eaucou)&. said the "oy& tryin a ain this ti$e in French' Ah6/ac# understood that! ,Ce n.est rien!. he answered' The "oy loo#ed at (i#i and rattled off so$ethin in French a ain& as#in /ac# if he was a circus "oy and had co$e to as# for a *o" there' /ac# answered as "est he could& for his French was not really very ood' ,0 should li#e a *o"&. said /ac#& in French' ,Better still& 0 should li#e a $eal!. ,Co$e with $e then&. said the "oy& a ain in French& and /ac# followed hi$ to a van' A wo$an sat there& )eelin )otatoes' ,Ma!. said the. "oy& in En lish' ,Here.s a hun ry #id' ;ot anythin for hi$1. /ac# stared at the "oy in astonish$ent' -hy& he was s)ea#in En lish! ,Hey!. said /ac#& ,why didn.t you s)ea# En lish "efore1 0.$ En lish!. ,My 2ad.s En lish&. said the "oy& rinnin ' ,My Ma.s S)anish' -e don.t $ind what lan ua e we s)ea#& really' -e.ve )ic#ed the$ all u) in our wanderin s around' Ma& ive this "oy so$ethin to eat' 2o you thin# he can et a *o" with us1 -here do you want to o1. he as#ed /ac#' ,-ell6is there a )lace called Bor#en anywhere a"out1. as#ed /ac#& ho)efully' ,Bor#en! 5es& we.re on the way there&. said the "oy& and /ac# felt suddenly cheerful' ,0t.s a "i town& and outside there.s the Castle of Bor#en on a hill'. /ac# dran# all this in' A castle6would that "e where the others had "een ta#en1 This was a "it of luc# after all his set%"ac#s' He would certainly o with this travellin circus if they would have hi$' Ma ave hi$ a $eal' 0t was very rich and rather reasy& "ut /ac# en*oyed it "ecause he was so hun ry' Then Ma said so$ethin co$$andin in S)anish and the "oy nodded'

,;ot to ta#e you to the Boss&. he said' ,And let hi$ loo# you over' ;ot anyone to s)ea# for you1 Anyone.s na$e to ive1 The Boss will ive you u) to the )olice if you.ve run away fro$ any #ind of trou"le'. ,4o& 0 don.t #now anyone here who will s)ea# for $e&. said /ac#& an+iously' ,0 *ust want to et to Bor#en' 0.ve ot friends there'. ,Oh& well6$ay"e they.ll s)ea# for you&. said the "oy' ,Loo#& $y na$e.s 3edro' -hat.s yours1. ,/ac#&. said /ac#' He followed 3edro to a "i $otor caravan' 3edro ra))ed on the door& and a voice rowled so$ethin fro$ inside' They went in& and /ac# saw a vast& enor$ously fat $an sittin in a reat chair' He had startlin ly "lue eyes& rey curly hair& and a "eard that fell to his waist' He loo#ed rather a terrifyin #ind of )erson' ,5ou s)ea# for $e& 3edro&. said /ac#' ,0 shan.t "e a"le to understand a word he says& unless he s)ea#s En lish'. ,0 s)i# the En lish&. said the old $an& in his dee)& rowlin voice' ,En lish "oys are ood "oys' -here you co$e fro$1. ,-ell6nowhere )articularly&. said /ac#& wonderin what to say' ,Er60.ve *ust "een wanderin a"out since 0 ca$e to this country' But 0.$ ho)in to $eet $y friends at Bor#en'. The old $an fired a question or two at 3edro' 3edro turned to /ac#' ,He wants to #now if you.ve ever "een in trou"le with the )olice1. he as#ed' This was aw#ward' Had he "een in trou"le with the Hessian )olice1 -ell& no& not really& /ac# considered' So he shoo# his head' ,He wants to #now if you.ll $a#e yourself useful here1. said 3edro' ,He can see you $ust "e used to circuses "ecause you.re carryin a tal#in )arrot around with you' He says that if we sto) here and there on the road to Bor#en& you can )ut your )arrot on show if you li#e&. and earn a "it of $oney "y $a#in it tal#' He says& $a#e it tal# now'. /ac# ru""ed (i#i.s soft nec#' ,Tal#& (i#i&. he said' ,Ma#e a noise!. (i#i was always ready to tal#' She raised her. crest and "e an une+)ectedly to sin at the to) of her voice' ,Hu$)ty%du$)ty sat on a wall& Hu$)ty%du$)ty fell down the well& din %don %din % don & )ussy.s in the well& Fussy%;ussy& ha& ha& ha! -i)e your feet and shut the door& oh& you nau hty "oy& )o)%)o)%3O3!. (i#i ended with a loud snee<e and a hiccu) which sent 3edro into fits of lau hter' (i#i cac#led too& and then went off into her e+)ress%train )erfor$ance& which drew )eo)le fro$ all over the field at once' ,Ha! She is oot& fery& fery oot!. said the old $an& lau hin & which $ade hi$ a))ear as if an earthqua#e was sha#in hi$' ,5es6yes6you $ay co$e with us& "oy'. ,0 say! 5our )arrot.s a wonder& isn.t she1. said 3edro& as they wal#ed "ac# to his van' ,-ould you li#e to slee) with $e in $y little van6loo#& the one "ehind Ma.s1 There.ll "e roo$ for you if you don.t $ind a squash'. /ac# didn.t $ind at all! He would soon "e on the way to Bor#en' Bor#en Castle! -ould he find the others there1 He.d et Bill over as soon as he could to rescue the$6if only they were there!

Chapter 1#

-0TH THE C0RC9S

/AC( li#ed 3edro very $uch' He was only a circus "oy& with rou h $anners and ways& "ut he was sensitive enou h to #now that /ac# did not want to tal# a"out hi$self or what he was doin in Tauri%Hessia& wanderin a"out with (i#i' So he as#ed hi$ no questions& and /ac# was very rateful' He couldn.t have told hi$ the truth& and he didn.t want to tell hi$ lies! 3erha)s when they were in Bor#en& and he #new 3edro "etter& he would "e a"le to tell hi$ a little6)erha)s even et his hel)'

The circus went on the road that evenin ' The vans and lorries crea#ed out of the fields& and went clatterin down the hi hway' 0t was a rou h road& and the vans swayed a"out dan erously' So$e of the$ had ca ed ani$als inside& and /ac# watched the$ an+iously' -hat would ha))en if a van went over6would the ani$als esca)e1 There were "ears in one van& and two chi$)an<ees in another' (i#i was a source of enor$ous a$use$ent to everyone in the ca$)' Many of the circus%fol# could s)ea# a "ro#en En lish6enou h to $a#e the$selves understood& anyway! They lau hed at everythin (i#i said' They "rou ht her all #inds of tit"its& and when they found that she was fond of tinned )inea))le they raided the sho)s they )assed& and "ou ht tins of it! /ac# as#ed 3edro $any questions' How far was Bor#en1 -ho owned the castle1 -as it very old1 Could anyone see over it1 3edro lau hed' ,Bor#en Castle6and the whole of Bor#en6and all the land we are )assin throu h6is owned "y the Count 3aritolen' He lives at the castle& and as for lettin anyone see over it6$y word& they.d "e cla))ed into a dun eon "efore they even ot throu h the door!. ,He sounds rather fierce&. said /ac#& loo$ily' 0f the others had "een ta#en to the Count.s castle they wouldn.t have a very nice ti$e& with such a fierce ca)tor! ,He.s a very stron and deter$ined fellow&. said 3edro' ,He hates the (in & who is too stron for hi$' He.d li#e to $a#e the youn 3rince Aloysius #in 6then he could rule the country hi$self& throu h the 3rince& who would have to do as he was told'. ,0 see&. said /ac#& his heart sin#in ' ,-hat could he ho)e to do a ainst a $an li#e Count 3aritolen1 ,0s this Count the 3ri$e Minister1. as#ed /ac#& suddenly re$e$"erin what ;ussy had said' ,4o' His "rother%in%law& Count Hartius& is 3ri$e Minister&. said 3edro' ,They.re "oth ali#e in hatin the (in 6"ut Count Hartius is wea#& where his "rother%in%law is stron ' 0t is his wife who rules hi$6a very clever wo$an& so they say6Mada$e Tatiosa'. /ac# listened to all this intently' He was "e innin to have a clearer idea a"out thin s' How stran e to "e suddenly )lun ed into the $iddle of all this6to #now the little 3rince hi$self6to "e so near the Castle of Bor#en& and to "e on the land of Count 3aritolen& who wanted to de)ose the (in ! 0t sounded li#e a tale in a "oo#& a tale that had suddenly "eco$e real' ,How do you #now all this& 3edro1. he as#ed' ,Oh& everyone in Tauri%Hessia #nows it&. said 3edro' ,0t $ay $ean civil war& you see& and all the )eo)le fear that' 0f the (in is de)osed& and this youn 3rince is )ut in his )lace& the )eo)le will ta#e sides and will "e at one another.s throats in no ti$e6and circus )eo)le li#e us will have to et out of the country as quic# as we can! So we #ee) our ears to the round to find out what is oin on'. /ac# was certain that he hi$self #new the latest news of all! He was sure that as yet no one in Tauri%Hessia #new that 3rince Aloysius had "een #idna))ed fro$ En land& and was even now a )risoner in Bor#en Castle' But what was oin to ha))en ne+t1 -ould the )lot ta#e one ste) further& and news co$e out that the (in had "een #illed6or )ut into )rison1 /ac# fell into dee) thou ht6so dee) that he didn.t even hear Ma callin to hi$ to co$e and eat' The "oy suddenly felt that he had "eco$e a very i$)ortant )erson in this )lot6so$eone fortunately un#nown to the )lotters6"ut who $i ht s)oil the )lot alto ether if only he could $ana e to et into the castle' ,3enny for your thou hts!. said 3edro and ave hi$ a )unch' ,-a#e u)! 5ou loo# very sole$n' Anythin on your $ind1. /ac# shoo# hi$self& and s$iled' (i#i had flown off his shoulder to Ma& who was fishin u) so$e )eculiar tit"its for her fro$ a "i "lac# )ot' ,3olly )ut the #ettle on&. said (i#i' She coc#ed her head on one side and loo#ed at Ma' ,Bonnyta eloota!.

Ma sla))ed her #nees and lau hed' She loved (i#i' She )ointed to (i#i' ,She s)i# Hessian!. she called' /ac# was astonished' 4ow how in the world did (i#i $ana e to )ic# u) the Hessian lan ua e1 Really& she was a $arvellous $i$ic' ,-hat does =Bonnyta eloota> $ean1. he as#ed' ,To) of the $ornin to you!. said 3edro& with a rin' The circus sto))ed at a "i villa e& and set u) ca$) for two days' /ac# was "usy then' He had to ive 3edro a hand in all #inds of ways6)uttin u) tents& )ullin vans into )lace& settin u) the "enches in rows& runnin here and there for the ,Boss.& whose na$e /ac# never could $ana e to )ronounce' The circus%fol# a))roved of /ac#' He was willin and quic#& and he had ood $anners& which $ade hi$ very )o)ular with the wo$en& who had ot used to rou h ways fro$ the $enfol#' /ac# li#ed $ost of the circus )eo)le6they were #indly and enerous& quic#%te$)ered and cheerful6"ut they were dirty and slovenly& too& not always very honest and so$eti$es la<y' They were ood to /ac#& and $ade hi$ one of the$selves at once' They were a curious lot' There was Fan#& with his three "ears& one of the reat draws of the show' The "ears were all lar e& dar# "rown& and were natural clowns' They "o+ed& they #noc#ed each other over& they lu$"ered round in a lau ha"le dance& and they adored Fan#& their trainer' ,2on.t you o too near the$& thou h&. 3edro warned hi$' ,They.re treacherous' 4o one "ut Fan# can $ana e the$' Bad%te$)ered& "ears are6have to "e careful of the$'. The two chi$)an<ees were a$usin fellows' They wal#ed a"out hand%in%hand with their owner& a tiny wo$an called Mada$e Fifi' She wasn.t $uch taller than they were! They really loved her' /ac# li#ed the$ very $uch& "ut soon found that they were dreadful )ic#)oc#ets! They sli))ed their furry hands into his )oc#ets without his #nowin & and too# his hand#erchief& a note"oo#& and two )encils' Mada$e Fifi ave the$ "ac# to hi$& with a lau h' She )oured out so$ethin in French6or was it S)anish or 0talian1 She s)o#e so quic#ly that /ac# couldn.t even $a#e out what lan ua e she was s)ea#in ' She saw that /ac# didn.t understand& and )roduced a few words of En lish' ,Bad "oys!. said Mada$e Fifi& )ointin a tiny fin er at the chi$)an<ees& Feefo and Fu$' ,S$ac#& s$ac#& s$ac#!. There were Toni and Bin o the acro"ats' Toni was a $arvellous ro)e%wal#er& and raised a )erfect stor$ of cheers and shouts when he )erfor$ed on a wire ro)e hi h u) in the "i circus tent' He could do anythin on it6run& *u$)& dance6even turn head%over%heels' /ac# was always afraid he would fall' ,-hy doesn.t he have a safety%net1. he as#ed 3edro' ,5ou #now& he.d #ill hi$self if he fell fro$ that hei ht!. ,As# hi$!. said 3edro with a lau h' So /ac# )ut the question to Toni& when the acro"at ca$e across to tal# to 3edro.s $other' Toni was S)anish& "ut he understood En lish well& thou h he did not s)ea# it fluently' ,3ah! Safftee%net!. he said& in scorn' ,Onnly in Een land iss a safftee%net )ut for $e' 0 do not fall! 0 a$ Toni& the rrrrreat TO40!. There was To)s& too& a clown whose reat s)eciality was stilt% wal#in ' 0t was a"solutely a$a<in to see hi$ stal# into the rin & as tall as a iant' He had "i "oots fitted on to the "otto$ of his stilts& and to $ost of the children in the audience he see$ed a true iant& es)ecially as he had a tre$endous voice' He had had a )eculiar "icycle "uilt for hi$self& very tall6and he could ride this when still on stilts' That "rou ht the house down! Another thin that $ade everyone lau h till they cried was when so$eone in the rin wanted to tal# to To)s' They "rou ht in a lon ladder and )ut it ri ht u) to his waist6then u) the ladder so$e"ody ran to tal# to the clown at the to) of it' To)s was a funny little $an in hi$self& always *o#in ' His "i voice didn.t fit his s$all "ody' ,That.s why he learnt stilt%wal#in &. 3edro told /ac#' ,To "e tall enou h for his voice! That.s what he always says& anyway'.

There was Hola& the sword%swallower' /ac# watched hi$& shudderin ' Hola could )ut a sword ri ht down his throat u) to the hilt! He would )ut "ac# his head& and down would o the sword' ,0 can understand his "ein a"le to swallow short da ers or #nives&. said /ac#' ,-ell6not swallow the$& e+actly& "ut stic# the$ ri ht down his throat6"ut 3edro& HO- can he swallow that lon & lon sword of his1 0t.s awful to see hi$' 0t $a#es $e feel quite sic#'. 3edro lau hed' ,0.ll ta#e you to Hola.s van when he is in a ood te$)er&. he said' ,He will show you how he does that'. And one evenin /ac# had one across to Hola.s "ri ht yellow van& and had "een introduced to Hola hi$self& a tall& thin fellow with sad eyes' 3edro s)o#e to hi$ in ;er$an& and Hola nodded and )roduced a s$all s$ile' He "ec#oned /ac# into his van' 0n a "i stand were all si<es of #nives& da ers and swords' /ac# )ointed to a very lon sword indeed' Hola too# it u)' He )ut "ac# his head& and down went the sword& down& down& down his throat ri ht u) to the hilt' 0t wasn.t )ossi"le! How could a $an do that1 9) ca$e the sword a ain& and Hola too# it out of his $outh and s$iled& still with his sad e+)ression' He handed the sword to /ac#' And then the "oy understood how Hola could do such an e+traordinary thin ' The sword was colla)si"le! 0t could "e $ade to slide into itself& so that it "eca$e only the len th of a lon da er' By a $ost in enious $echanis$& wor#ed "y a #no" in the handle& Hola could $a#e the sword shorter and shorter as he swallowed it' /ac# was $ost relieved' He was allowed to )ress the little secret #no"& and see how the )ointed end of the sword slid u)wards into the $ain )art& $a#in itself into a curious da er' The circus%fol# were certainly interestin to live with! /ac# couldn.t hel) en*oyin the stran e& ha))y% o%luc#y life& althou h he worried continually a"out Lucy%Ann and the others& and was i$)atient for the circus to o on to Bor#en' He was so afraid that he would "e too late& if the circus was too lon on the way' ,But 0 must stay with the$&. he thou ht' ,0t is the "est )ossi"le hidin %)lace for $e' The )olice would certainly et $e sooner or later if 0 wandered off on $y own' But 0 -0SH the circus would et on a "it faster' 0 si$)ly must et to Bor#en soon& and do a "it of )rowlin round the castle on $y own'.

Chapter 1&

BOR(E4 AT LAST!
(0(0 was a reat success& not only with the circus%fol#& "ut with the )eo)le who ca$e to visit it' The Boss #e)t his word& and allowed /ac# to show (i#i' 3edro hel)ed hi$ to $a#e a little stand with a ilded )erch set on a )ole' (i#i was thrilled! ,0 "elieve you thin# you.re on a throne or so$ethin !. said /ac#& rinnin ' ,3rincess (i#i& the finest tal#in )arrot in the world! 4ow6what a"out a son 1. (i#i was always ready to do anythin if she could et cla)s and cheers and lau hter' She really sur)assed herself& and $ade Fan#& the "ear%trainer& quite *ealous "ecause she drew such a lot of )eo)le to her little side%show! She san lustily& and althou h she $i+ed u) the rhy$es and words she #new in a $ost ridiculous $anner& the Tauri%Hessian fol# didn.t #now that' They really thou ht she was sin in a )ro)er son ' Then she would always answer the$ if they said anythin to her& thou h as they didn.t s)ea# En lish they had no idea what she was sayin ' Still6she answered at once& and usually went off into such a cac#le of lau hter afterwards that everyone roared too' ,Ti##o)oolinwallyoo1. so$e"ody would as# (i#i'

,Shut the door& fetch the doctor& 3olly.s ot a cold!. (i#i would answer at once' Even /ac# had to rin at her& she en*oyed it all so $uch' Her noises were the "i est attraction of all' Her snee<es and cou hs and her sudden hiccu)s $ade the villa e )eo)le hold their sides and lau h till the tears fell down their chee#s' They were rather overawed "y her e+)ress%train%roarin %throu h%a%tunnel i$itation& and they didn.t understand the lawn%$ower noise "ecause they had never seen one: "ut they really loved the way she cluc#ed li#e a hen& runted li#e Fan#.s "ears& and "ar#ed li#e a do ' 5es6(i#i was a reat success' /ac# felt that she was ettin very s)oilt "y all this fuss6"ut she did "rin in $oney to hi$& so that he could )ay 3edro.s $other for the food she ave hi$' and for lettin hi$ share 3edro.s little van' The rest of the $oney he tied carefully u) in his hand#erchief& thin#in that it $i ht co$e in very useful if he needed any in Bor#en' He #e)t his hand on it when Feefo and Fu$ the chi$)an<ees were anywhere a"out' They would )ic# his )oc#et if they could6and he would lose all his savin s! ,-e shall "e in Bor#en to$orrow&. 3edro told hi$& as they ot orders to )ac# u) that evenin ' ,The Boss has ot a )itch there6 ood one too& at the "otto$ of the castle hill'. /ac#.s heart lea)t6ah& Bor#en at last' A whole wee# had already one "y& and he had "een ettin very worried indeed' 4ow )erha)s he could et so$e news of the others' 0f only he could! -as Lucy%Ann all ri ht1 She would so hate "ein a )risoner in a castle' They arrived in Bor#en the ne+t evenin ' /ac# first saw the castle fro$ a lon way off' 0t stood on a hill& and loo#ed li#e so$ethin out of an old tale of (in Arthur and his (ni hts' 0t was i$$ensely stron & and had four sturdy towers& one at each end' ,Bor#en Castle&. said 3edro& seein it suddenly& as they ca$e out of a thic# wood& throu h which a rou h road ran' He )ointed to the reat hill' ,0n that castle $any a )risoner has "een held6and never heard of a ain' The dun eons are ' ' '. ,2on.t&. said /ac#& fearfully' ,2on.t tell $e thin s li#e that'. 3edro loo#ed at hi$ in sur)rise' ,-hat.s the $atter1 4ot scared of a castle& are you1. ,4o&. said /ac#' ,Er6wherea"outs were )risoners #e)t1 0n a tower1 Anywhere s)ecial1. ,2on.t #now&. said 3edro' ,-e $i ht have a stroll round it so$eti$e6"ut we wouldn.t "e allowed to o too near it& you #now'. The circus ca$) settled itself in a slo)in field *ust at the "otto$ of the castle hill' The townsfol# ca$e strea$in out to watch the$ set u) ca$)' Evidently it was a reat thin for the$ to have a travellin circus visitin Bor#en' Children darted in and out& shoutin and lau hin ' One s$all irl ca$e runnin u) to 3edro& callin out so$ethin e+citedly' He swun her u) into his ar$s& and she shrie#ed in deli ht' ,3edro& 3edro& alla)inotolyoota!. 3edro re)lied in the sa$e lan ua e' Then he turned to /ac#& rinnin with )leasure' ,My little cousin Hela&. he said' ,Her father $arried $y aunt' He is a soldier in the Hessian ar$y'. He turned and as#ed the e+cited Hela a few questions' ,Hela says her $other is with her father here6she is wor#in as a $aid in the castle for Mada$e Tatiosa& who is livin at the castle now' And Hela lives in the castle too'. This was news! ;rand news! 4ow )erha)s he would hear so$ethin a"out Lucy%Ann and the others' He stared at the s$all& ay Hela in e+cite$ent' But wait6wait6he $ustn.t ive hi$self away' He $ustn.t "lurt out questions without thin#in ' He frowned and tried to thin# what would "e the "est thin to as#' ,3edro6has Mada$e Tatiosa any children1. he as#ed at last' ,-ould she6er6would she li#e us to ive a little show in the castle for the$& do you thin#1. ,Mada$e Tatiosa has no children&. said 3edro' ,0 can tell you that' 0f she had& she would try to $a#e one of the$ #in ! She is a clever& dan erous wo$an& that one'.

Hela wanted to #now what /ac# had as#ed' She listened and then went ri ht u) to 3edro and whis)ered so$ethin in his ear& her eyes dancin ' Then she )ut her rin er to her $outh as if tellin hi$ not to tal# of what she had said' ,Silly child!. said 3edro' ,5ou have "een drea$in !. ,-hat did she say1. said /ac#& i$)atient to hear everythin that Hela said' To thin# she lived in the castle' -hy6she $i ht see the others every sin le day! ,Hela says that Mada$e Tatiosa $ust have ado)ted so$e children& "ecause so$eti$es& when she oes with her $other to one of the towers& she hears children.s voices&. said 3edro& lau hin ' ,And she says that no one "ut Mada$e Tatiosa and Count 3aritolen o ri ht into that tower' She says it is very $ysterious& "ut that no one $ust #now& "ecause when she told her $other what she had heard& her $other threatened her with a sound whi))in for $a#in u) stories'. ,0 see&. said /ac#' ,2oes she #now which tower this is1 Could she show us fro$ where we stand now1. ,5ou don.t want to "elieve a word she says& /ac#!. said 3edro' ,She is a "a""ler& a storyteller& our little Hela!. ,As# her& all the sa$e&. said /ac#& in such an insistent voice that 3edro did what he as#ed' Hela a<ed u) at the reat stone castle' She )ointed to the tower on the south side' ,That one&. she said& in a half%whis)er to 3edro& and /ac# understood& althou h she used Hessian words' She )ut her fin er on her li) a ain to $a#e sure that /ac# and 3edro understood that they $ustn.t ive her away' /ac# too# her to "uy so$e sweets' He wished intensely that he could s)ea# the lan ua e of the country& "ut althou h he had )ic#ed u) quite a few words6thou h a))arently not so $any as (i#i had!6it was i$)ossi"le to hold any sensi"le #ind of conversation with the scatter"rained Hela' She chattered away to hi$ and he didn.t understand a word' He "ou ht her the sweets and she flun her ar$s round hi$ and hu ed hi$' Then she ran off at to) s)eed to show the sweets to her friends' The ca$) was soon ready' The circus was to o)en the followin evenin ' /ac# had "een very "usy indeed& and was tired' But he was deter$ined& quite deter$ined that he was oin to )rowl round the foot of the reat castle that ni ht' Should he as# 3edro to o with hi$1 4o6it $i ht "e aw#ward to have 3edro there& if he did $ana e to et into touch with 3hili) and the others' He would have to e+)lain everythin to 3edro& and he didn.t quite #now how the circus%"oy would ta#e his news' Ma called out so$ethin to 3edro as he and /ac# went to her van to et their evenin $eal' 3edro listened& and loo#ed rave' ,-hat.s u)1. as#ed /ac#' ,0t.s Fan#& the "ear%trainer&. said 3edro' ,He.s feelin ill a ain' The Boss is very worried'. ,-hy1. as#ed /ac#' ,0t will only $ean that the "ears don.t )erfor$& won.t it1 Anyway& Fan# $ay "e "etter "y to$orrow'. ,0t.s a reat loss to the circus when a "i attraction li#e Fan#.s "ears is ta#en off&. said 3edro' ,But there.s worse to it than that' 4o one can $ana e those "ears "ut Fan#' They et quite out of hand when he.s ill6won.t let their ca e "e cleaned out6won.t eat6fi ht one another' Once they even "ro#e down their ca e and ot out' Fan# had to crawl out of his "ed in his caravan and so$ehow et the$ "ac#' But it nearly #illed hi$!. ,3oor Fan#&. said /ac#' ,-ell& let.s ho)e he is all ri ht a ain "y to$orrow' 0 don.t )articularly want reat "ears li#e that "rea#in down their ca e and wanderin a"out the ca$)& 0 $ust say' Fan#.s a wonder with the$60.ve watched hi$' He teases the$ and )lays with the$6and they fawn round hi$ li#e do s!. ,4ot $any )eo)le can $ana e ani$als as Fan# can&. said 3edro' ,He had lions once6and two ti ers6trained the$ all "y hi$self' Then he suddenly said they didn.t li#e )erfor$in and sold the$ to a Coo' And yet they were the "est%trained lions and ti ers in the world!.

,And now he.s ot "ears&. said /ac#' ,He $ust love ani$als very $uch& and they $ust love hi$' There are other )eo)le li#e that& 3edro' 0 #now a "oy who can do anythin with ani$als& too'. He was thin#in of 3hili)& of course' ,Ever tried his hand with lions& or ti ers or "ears1. as#ed 3edro' ,4o1 0 thou ht not! 0 "et they wouldn.t eat out of his hand' Cats and do s and rats and $ice and other creatures are easy to do what you li#e with6"ut not the "i ani$als6the "ears and the reat cats!. ,4o& 0 su))ose not&. said /ac#& thin#in that 3hili) had never had the chance to wor# his $a ic on reat creatures li#e those' ,-ell60 ho)e Fan# will "e "etter to$orrow' I wouldn.t li#e the *o" of cleanin out the "ears. ca e& 0 $ust say' 0.d "e afraid of their claws in $y "ac# the whole ti$e!. /ac# did not o to slee) as quic#ly as he usually did& when he lay down on his $attress in 3edro.s caravan' He didn.t $ean to' He was oin to e+)lore all round the foot of Bor#en Castle' He had "ou ht a torch in the town that day' He didn.t quite #now what ood he would do& wanderin round in the dar#6"ut it was the only thin he could thin# of' He had to do somethin ! He slid off the $attress as soon as he heard 3edro "reathin dee)ly' He didn.t want to wa#e hi$' He went out of the van& holdin his clothes' He )ut the$ on in the dar#ness& and then& with the sur)rised (i#i on his shoulder& he set off to the castle hill' 0f only he could s)ea# to the others! 0f only he could $a#e sure they were still all ri ht!

Chapter 1(

93 TO THE CASTLE!
/AC( went stealthily out of the ca$)' All was quiet' There was no la$) or candle ali ht in any of the vans' The circus%fol# were tired out with settin u) ca$) a ain& and had one to "ed early& in readiness for their rand o)enin the ne+t day' 0t was a starry ni ht& with no $oon& so there was not $uch li ht' 0t was not )itch%dar#& however& and /ac# did not need to use his torch& once his eyes had ot used to the dar#ness' The stars ave a faint li ht& *ust enou h for hi$ to avoid fallin over anythin ' He went u) the slo)e of the hill where the ca$) was )laced' He ca$e to a low castle wall' He shone his torch here and there& and found a )lace he thou ht he could cli$"& where the stones were rou h and uneven' His ru""er shoes hel)ed hi$ a ood deal' He wished he had ru""er loves on his hands& too& so that his fin ers would not sli) on the stones as he tried to ras) the$! He was over at last' He loo#ed round cautiously& not darin to )ut on his torch' He see$ed to "e in a s$all courtyard' He strained his eyes' He could $a#e out the reat "ul# of the castle easily' 0t rose u) hi h& towerin a"out hi$& solid and stron ' He des)aired of ever ettin inside6or even of ettin in touch with 3hili) and the others! He cre)t quietly over the courtyard& stu$"lin now and a ain over an uneven stone' He suddenly wal#ed into so$ethin that scared hi$ tre$endously& and $ade (i#i ive a fri htened squaw#' So$ethin wra))ed itself round his head! -hat was it1 0n a )anic /ac# tore at it& and ran forward' But so$ethin fla))ed at hi$ a ain& and covered his whole face' 2es)erately /ac# switched his torch on and off for a $o$ent& to see what was attac#in hi$' -hen he saw what it was& he ave a lau h of relief& and felt very silly' He had wal#ed into a line of washin ! A sheet had ,attac#ed. hi$& that was all6and the thin that had wra))ed itself round his head was a *ersey' A *ersey! /ac# sto))ed' A *ersey6such thin s were not worn in Tauri%Hessia' He ste))ed "ac# and flashed his torch on a ain' 5es6it was either Lucy%Ann.s or 2inah.s' There was no dou"t of it' So they definitely were there' ;ood& ood& ood! They were quite near hi$& so$ewhere' 0f only& only he could et to the$'

He stood and considered' 0f the children were held in secret& then it was stran e that their clothes should "e washed and hun out on a line' 3eo)le would see the$ and "e sur)rised' 3erha)s this courtyard was an enclosed s)ace6a secret yard where no"ody ca$e& e+ce)t )ossi"ly Mada$e Tatiosa' -ould she wash the clothes thou h1 She $i ht& if she didn.t want anyone to #now a"out the children' 3erha)s Hela.s $other was in the secret too1 3erha)s she washed for the children& coo#ed their $eals and so on1 So$e"ody would have to do that' There $ust "e a way into the castle fro$ this little yard6)ossi"ly a "ac#%way into the #itchen or wash%houses' /ac# went towards the reat walls of the castle and flashed his torch u) and down' He would have to ris# "ein seen "y so$eone! He would never find out anythin if he didn.t use his torch now and a ain' There was a s$all wash%house there& as he had e+)ected' He tried the door' 0t was loc#ed' He shone his torch in at the window and saw co))ers and )ails and washin %"as#ets' 5es& that was where the washin was done' -hat a )ity the washerwo$an had re$e$"ered to loc# the door! /ac# loo#ed at the little wash%house' 0t was "uilt out fro$ the castle wall' He flashed his torch to the roof of the wash%house6and then hi her u)' He saw so$ethin that $ade his heart *u$) in e+cite$ent! There was a window not far a"ove the wash%house roof6and as far as /ac# could see it had no lass in it at all! 0t was a very old& narrow window and $i ht never have had any lass& he thou ht' ,4ow& let $e thin# carefully!. he said to hi$self' ,0f 0 could et u) on that wash%house roof6and then u) to that window60.d "e inside the castle at once& and could loo# for the others' But how can 0 et u) to the roof1 0 really don.t thin# 0 can cli$" it& thou h it isn.t very hi h'. He couldn.t' 0t was *ust too hi h for hi$ to *u$) and catch hold of the utterin to )ull hi$self u)' There was no )i)e he could cli$" u)& either' 4othin at all' ,A ladder&. thou ht /ac#& des)erately' ,0f only 0 could find a ladder'. He "e an to hunt round& feelin rather ho)eless' (i#i sat still on his shoulder& )u<<led' She #new she $ust not $a#e a sound& "ut she lon ed to& es)ecially when a "at ca$e swoo)in near her' /ac# went carefully round the yard' 0t wasn.t very "i ' He ca$e to a s$all shed' 0t was not loc#ed& only latched' He o)ened the door carefully& horrified at the squea# it $ade& and flashed his torch inside' -onder of wonders! There was a ladder there! /ac# could hardly "elieve his eyes' He went over to it' 0t was very old& and so$e of its run s were $issin 6"ut it $i ht do' 0t *ust $i ht do! Anyway& he would try it' He )ulled it out of the shed& u)settin a can of so$e sort as he did so' The noise echoed round the yard& soundin e+traordinarily loud' /ac# halted& holdin his "reath' He quite e+)ected to see li hts flashin u) in every window' But none ca$e' Everythin was still and dar#' He heaved a si h of relief' 3erha)s no"ody had heard the noise after all6or )erha)s no"ody sle)t on that side of the castle' He carried the ladder over to the wash%house' 0t was not very heavy& "ecause it wasn.t very lon ' Still& it would "e lon enou h& he was sure' He set it u) a ainst the wash%house' 0t reached al$ost to the roof' He flashed his torch at the run s to $a#e sure which were $issin ' Then he )ut his torch into his )oc#et& and with (i#i flyin round his head in e+cite$ent& he "e an to cli$"' 0t certainly was a very old ladder! One of the run s he trod on al$ost ave way' He hurriedly $issed it and )ut his foot u) to the ne+t' He was very than#ful when at last he was at the to)' 4ow to )ull hi$self on to the roof' He $ana ed to et there with a scra)ed #nee and sat )antin ' 4ow for the ne+t ste)6to et to the window a"ove& in the castle wall itself' The roof of the wash%house was flattish& and /ac# was a"le to $a#e his way on all fours' He ca$e to the wall' He stood u) cautiously& feelin it with his hands& and then used his torch a ain'

,Blow! The window.s *ust too hi h for $e to )ull $yself u)&. thou ht /ac#& in dee) disa))oint$ent' ,0 can reach the sill with $y hands6"ut can.t et enou h hold to )ull u) $y "ody'. He wondered if he could use the old ladder a ain' He crawled "ac# to it' He )ut his hand down and felt the to)$ost run ' Then he )ulled hard' The ladder see$ed a reat deal heavier to )ull u) than it had "een when he only carried it level' He tu ed and tu ed' 0t was difficult to et it over the ed e of the roof& "ut he $ana ed it at last' He had to sit and hold the ladder "y hi$ for a while& "ecause it had ta#en all his stren th' He felt very )leased' 4ow he could )ut the ladder u) to the window& and ettin in would "e child.s )lay! He $ana ed to et the ladder to the castle wall& thou h it was a very dan erous "usiness& and twice he nearly rolled off' But at last he was "y the wall& and raised the ladder carefully' 0t was difficult to find a safe )lace to )ut it' At last he thou ht he had ot it as safe as he could $ana e' 4ow to o u)' He ho)ed that the ladder wouldn.t suddenly sli) as he was cli$"in it' That wouldn.t "e at all a )leasant tilin to ha))en! He cli$"ed u) as quic#ly as he could& his heart thu$)in ' -ould the ladder hold1 He ot ri ht to the to)& and was *ust cla$"erin onto the window%sill when the ladder sli))ed "eneath hi$' 0t slid sideways& fell on to the roof with an a))allin noise and then crashed down into the courtyard' 4O- there would "e )eo)le wa#in u) and co$in to see what the noise was! /ac# )ulled hi$self ri ht throu h the window' As he had thou ht& it had no lass& and )ro"a"ly never had had' He *u$)ed quietly down inside the window and crouched there& waitin ' He waited for three or four $inutes& with (i#i fondlin his ri ht ear& not $a#in a sound' Then he stood u) and stretched hi$self' He )eered out of the window' 4o6no"ody was a"out' He could see no lantern or torch flashin & could hear no voices' This side of the castle must "e uninha"ited then& or surely so$eone would have heard such a tre$endous noise! 2are he flash his torch to see where he was1 He waited another $inute and then& hearin no sound& flic#ed his torch on quic#ly and off a ain' But he had seen enou h in that second' He was in a s$all roo$& )iled with chairs and "enches& set neatly on to) of one another6 nothin else was there at all' ,/ust a store%roo$ for e+tra furniture&. thou ht /ac#' ,Co$e alon & (i#i6we $ust re$e$"er we.ve ot to find so$e other way of ettin out of the castle6we can.t et out the way we ca$e in! That ladder is certainly out of our reach!. He went to the door and loo#ed out into what see$ed a corridor' 4ot a sound was to "e heard' 0t was )itch%dar# here& so he flashed his torch on a ain' 5es6a lon stone )assa e without even a car)et%runner on it' 4o )ictures a"out' 4o chairs' This certainly $ust "e a )art of the castle where no"ody sle)t' He went down the lon corridor& his ru""er shoes $a#in no sound' He ca$e to the end& where there was a window6a round one& with lass in it' He turned the corner and saw another lon corridor& hi h%ceilin ed& a little wider than the other& "ut still very "are' Halfway down the corridor chan ed fro$ "areness to co$fort' A "eautiful car)et ran down it& al$ost touchin the walls each side' A "i settee& covered in a olden da$as#& stood at one side' ;reat )ictures hun on the walls' ,This is where 0.ve ot to "e careful&. thou ht /ac#' ,There.s even a la$) ali ht on that round ta"le over there6a di$ one& it.s true6"ut still& enou h for anyone to see $e "y!. He went on' He )assed an o)en door and loo#ed cautiously inside' The li ht fro$ another la$) *ust outside showed hi$ what loo#ed li#e a rand drawin %roo$' Ta)estries hun all round the walls' Mirrors hun there too' A reat carved ta"le stood in the $iddle& its )olished surface lea$in softly in the li ht of /ac#.s torch'

He went out into the )assa e a ain& and considered what to do' First6in which direction was the tower that Hela had said the children were in1 He $ust o in that direction if he could )u<<le it out' He would have to find stairs too and cli$" the$' He decided to o on down the corridor' He $ust co$e to stairs soon& leadin u) into a tower! He ca$e to another door& wide o)en' He )ee)ed inside' How rand this castle was! -hat $a nificent furnishin s it had! This roo$ $ust "e a li"rary' 0t had "oo#s fro$ floor to ceilin ' ;oodness6had anyone ever read even a hundredth of the$1 Surely not! A noise $ade /ac# flic# out his torch and stand a"solutely still' 0t was a noise in the roo$ he was standin in6the li"rary' 0t ca$e fro$ "ehind hi$6a whirrin & roanin noise' (i#i ave a s$all squaw#' She was as startled as /ac#' -hatever was it1

Chapter 1*

A4 A27E4T9RE 04 THE 40;HT

-H0RRRRRR! -hirrrrrrrr! ,2in %don %din %don ! 2in %don %din %don ! 2in %don %din %don ! 2in %don %din %don ! 2O4;& 2O4;& 2O4;& 2O4;& 2O4;& 2O4;& 2O4;& 2O4;& 2O4;& 2O4;& 2O4;& 2O4;!. /ac# sat down suddenly on a near"y chair& his heart thu$)in ' 0t was only a cloc# chi$in and stri#in ! But what a start it ave hi$! Midni ht6e+actly $idni ht' -ell6the )eo)le in the castle ou ht to "e aslee)& that was one thin to "e lad of' He ot u) and went "ac# to the door' He went down the corridor a ain& and then& facin hi$ round the ne+t turnin & he saw a reat fli ht of stairs6a $ar"le stairway& al$ost covered "y a fine swee) of thic#& "eautifully )atterned car)et' ,0 su))ose that leads down to the hall&. thou ht /ac#' ,2own to the entrance' -ell& that ives $e a uide6let $e see6if the front entrance is down there6then the tower 0 want should "e a "it further on' Co$e on& (i#i6down the corridor a ain!. And down the endless corridor went the two of the$' 0t was li hted "y la$)s& and was too "ri ht for /ac#.s li#in ' The doors he )assed now were shut' 3erha)s they were "edroo$s' He certainly wasn.t oin to loo# in and see! He ca$e to a sturdy oa# door set in the inside wall' He )aused' The tower ou ht to "e a"out here' -ould that door lead u) to it1 0t loo#ed different fro$ the other doors he had )assed' He tried the handle ently' 0t was a thic# rin of iron and as he turned it sideways the door o)ened' /ac# )ushed it wide' Stone ste)s led u)wards& li hted "y a di$ la$)' He stood and de"ated with hi$self' Should he ris# it and o u)1 5es6he felt sure this was the way to the tower' He ti)toed u) and ca$e to the to)' He loo#ed round in sur)rise' He was on another floor now& and the lay%out here was different fro$ the one "elow' He was in what loo#ed li#e a reat hall& dra)ed with $a nificent curtains' A allery overhun one end' There was a s$all )latfor$ at the other end& and on it stood $usic%stands' The floor was hi hly )olished& and /ac# suddenly realised what the hall was' ,0t.s a "allroo$!. he thou ht' ,My word6what rand dances they $ust hold here! But now 0 see$ to have lost $y way to the tower a ain' 3erha)s there.s another stair so$ewhere!. He went round the "allroo$' On the other side& "ehind so$e curtains& he ca$e to a door' He o)ened it and found that it led to a #ind of ante%cha$"er' O)enin off this was a stone staircase6a s)iral stair that wound u)wards' ,This is the tower staircase!. thou ht /ac#& e+cited' ,0t $ust "e' Hallo6what.s that1. He could hear the sound of nailed "oots on stone! 8uic# as li htnin he slid "ehind a near"y curtain' The footste)s ca$e nearer& sta$)ed& turned and went "ac# a ain' How e+traordinary!

/ac# )ut his head carefully round the curtain' ;oin down a stone )assa e o))osite was a soldier& un on shoulder' He $ust "e on uard6 uardin the tower! He disa))eared down the )assa e& his footste)s soundin farther and farther away till /ac# could hear the$ no lon er' Then "ac# he ca$e a ain to the foot of the tower stairway' Sta$)%sta$)! The sentry turned round once $ore and $arched into the )assa e' /ac# watched hi$ a ain' He was dressed in Hessian unifor$& very ay and decorative' /ac# had seen $any of these soldiers while he had "een with the circus' 3erha)s this soldier was Hela.s father1 He waited till the sound of footste)s had co$)letely died away a ain& then $ade a dart for the entrance to the s)iral staircase' He ran u) it swiftly& #nowin that he had a"out half a $inute "efore the return of the sentry' Round and round wound the stairway& and at the to) it rew so stee) that /ac# could no lon er run u) the ste)s& "ut had al$ost to cli$"! He ca$e to a little stone landin with a round window' A chest stood "eneath the window& and an old chair stood "eside it' O))osite /ac# was a "i & sturdy door& $ade of dar# oa#& and studded with reat nails' He loo#ed at it' -as Lucy%Ann "ehind that door1 2are he call her na$e1 He ti)toed to the door' He )ushed' 0t was fast shut' He turned the reat handle& "ut still it would not o)en' There was a #eyhole there& "ut no #ey' He "ent down to loo# throu h the #eyhole& "ut could see nothin ' He could hear nothin either' /ac# wished he #new what to do for the "est' 0f he #noc#ed on the door and called& he $i ht find that the children were not there after all "ut that so$e"ody else was' And the so$e"ody $i ht not "e at all )leased to see hi$! Also& the sentry downstairs $i ht hear hi$ and co$e rushin u)6and there was no way of esca)e u) on this little landin ! And then he saw so$ethin in the li ht of his torch6so$ethin very sur)risin 6so$ethin that told hi$ for certain that the children were inside that roo$ on the other side of the oa# door! A tiny creature had sli))ed under the wide s)ace at the "otto$ of the door& and sat there& loo#in u) at /ac# with lar e "lac# eyes' ,3hili).s dor$ouse!. whis)ered /ac#& and #nelt down slowly' ,Snoo<y! 5ou are Snoo<y& aren.t you! 5ou.re 3hili).s dor$ouse! Then 3hili) is in there!. The dor$ouse was very ta$e' 0t had lived for so$e ti$e with four children who adored it& )etted it and had never once fri htened it' Even 2inah had fallen under its s)ell& and loved it& thou h she would not let it run all a"out her as the others did' And now here it was& on /ac#.s hand& its whis#ers twitchin & its "i eyes watchin hi$ and (i#i' (i#i loo#ed at it in sur)rise& "ut $ade no atte$)t to hurt it' ,2id you hear $e& outside the door1. whis)ered /ac#' ,2id you leave 3hili) and co$e to see who the $idni ht visitor was1 How can 0 wa#e 3hili)1 Tell $e!. An owl hooted so$ewhere outside the castle' The dor$ouse lea)t fro$ /ac#.s hand in fri ht and scuttled under the door' The hoot of the owl ave /ac# an idea' The sentry would ta#e no notice of an owl.s hoot6"ut if he& /ac#& ave a hoot *ust under the crac# of the door& it would certainly wa#e u) 3hili)' 0t would sound far away to the sentry& "ut very near to 3hili)! Far far "etter than "an in on the door& which was a noise that $i ht echo down the stairs and $a#e the sentry co$e "oundin u)! /ac# lay down on his tu$$y' He )ut his face to the door& and )laced his hands to ether to "low throu h his thu$"s and hoot li#e an owl' This was the way to $a#e a quaverin hoot& so li#e an owl.s that no one& not even an owl& could tell the difference! ,Hoooo! Hoo%hoo%hoo%hoo!. hooted /ac#& and the noise went under the door and into the roo$ "eyond' /ac# listened' So$ethin crea#ed6was it a "ed1 Then a voice s)o#e6and it was 3hili).s! ,;ussy! 2id you hear that owl1 0t $i ht have "een in the roo$!. But ;ussy& a))arently& was aslee)& for he $ade no answer' /ac# ot u) and )ut his $outh to the door& tre$"lin in his e+cite$ent'

,3hili)! 3hili)!. There was an astonished e+cla$ation' Then 3hili).s voice ca$e& a$a<ed' ,-ho.s that1 -ho.s callin $e1. ,0t.s $e6/ac#! Co$e to the door!. There was a )atterin of feet the other side and then an e+cited "reathin at the #eyhole' ,/ac#! ;ood racious! How did you et here1 /ac#& how wonderful!. ,4o ti$e to tell you $y story&. whis)ered /ac#' ,Are you all all ri ht1 How.s Lucy%Ann1. ,-e.re all well and cheerful&. said 3hili)' ,-e flew here ' ' '. ,0 #now&. said /ac#' ,;o on6what ha))ened1. ,And we were ta#en here "y car&. said 3hili)& his $outh close to the #eyhole' ,And ;ussy was sic#& of course' Mada$e Tatiosa& who $et us in the car& was furious with hi$' She.s here& in the castle6and her "rother too& Count 3aritolen' -e don.t #now what.s ha))enin & at all6have you heard1 ;ussy #ee)s worryin a"out his uncle'. ,His uncle is still safely on his throne as far as 0 #now&. said /ac#' ,But 0 e+)ect they.ll have a "ust%u) soon6everyone.s e+)ectin it' Then ;ussy will find hi$self in the li$eli ht!. ,/ac#6can you rescue us& do you thin#1. as#ed 3hili)& ho)efully' ,How did you et here1 ;osh& 0.ve "een thin#in you were $iles away& at 8uarry Cotta e! And here you are& outside the door of our roo$' 3ity it.s loc#ed!. ,5es' 0f 0 only #new where the #ey was& it would "e easy&. whis)ered /ac#' ,-here does your window face1 East or north1. ,4orth&. said 3hili)' ,0t.s *ust o))osite a )eculiar tower "uilt all "y itself6a "ell%tower& with a "ell in it' ;ussy says it.s an alar$%tower6the "ell used to "e run when ene$ies were si hted in the old days' Our window is *ust o))osite that' 4ow that we #now you.re here we.ll #ee) loo#in out'. ,;ive $y love to Lucy%Ann&. said /ac#' ,0s she in the sa$e roo$ as you1. ,4o6the irls have another roo$&. said 3hili)' ,Loo#6let $e o and wa#e the$' They.d "e so thrilled to s)ea# to you'. ,All ri ht&. said /ac#& and then he stiffened' Footste)s! Footste)s at the "otto$ of the s)iral stairway' ,So$eone co$in !. he whis)ered& hurriedly' ,;ood"ye! 0.ll try and co$e a ain and we.ll $a#e )lans'. He stood u)& and listened' 5es6that sentry was co$in u) the stairway' Had he heard anythin 1 /ac# loo#ed round des)erately' How could he )ossi"ly hide on this s$all landin 1 0t was i$)ossi"le' The chest! He ran to it and flashed his torch on it' He lifted the lid' There was nothin inside e+ce)t an old ru ' He ste))ed inside the chest& (i#i fluttered in too& and /ac# shut down the lid' Only *ust in ti$e! A lantern flashed at the last turn of the stairs and the sentry ca$e on to the landin ' He held u) the lantern and loo#ed round' All was in order' He clu$)ed downstairs a ain& his nailed "oots $a#in a reat noise' /ac#.s heart slowed down and he heaved an enor$ous si h' He ot out of the chest and listened' 3hili).s voice at the #eyhole a ain $ade hi$ *u$)' ,He.s one! He always co$es u) every hour' /ac#60 never as#ed you' Have you ot old (i#i1. ,Rather! She.s "een with $e all the ti$e&. said /ac#& lon in to tell 3hili) what a success (i#i was at the circus' But 3hili) didn.t #now a"out that either& of course' He didn.t even #now how /ac# had ot to Tauri%Hessia' -hat a lot there would "e to tell hi$ and the others! (i#i "e an to whis)er too' ,Blow your nose& shut the door& din %don %"ell& 3olly.s ot a cold& ;od save the (in !. 3hili) chuc#led' ,0t.s ood to hear her a ain' Shall 0 et the irls now1. ,4o&. said /ac#' ,0.d "etter o while it.s safe' ;ood"ye& 3hili)'.

He went very quietly down the s)iral stairway' He stood and listened' -here was the sentry1 He $ust have one down the )assa e a ain& on his re ular "eat' /ac# sli))ed across the anteroo$& and into the reat "allroo$' He stood there for a $o$ent& loo#in round the di$ly li hted roo$' And then so$ethin cau ht his eye and he *u$)ed' On the far side was a reat )icture6and as /ac# loo#ed at it& it $oved! 0t $oved sideways across the wall& and "ehind it a))eared a "lac# hole' ;ood racious! -hatever was ha))enin now1

Chapter 2+

THE -A5 O9T

A MA4.S face suddenly a))eared in the hole' /ac# would not have "een a"le to reco ni<e it "ut for one thin 6the $an wore an eye lass in one eye! ,The Count!. thou ht /ac#' ,My word6what.s he doin & )o))in u) in secret )laces in the $iddle of the ni ht1. The $an *u$)ed down to the floor' A door at once o)ened near hi$ and a wo$an ca$e out' /ac# reco ni<ed her& too' Mada$e Tatiosa& the )retty wo$an who had )retended to "e ill at 8uarry Cotta e6the wife of the 3ri$e Minister! This was evidently a secret $eetin "etween her and her "rother' -here had he co$e fro$1 -hy was he so e+cited1 The two of the$ s)o#e ra)idly to ether and Mada$e Tatiosa see$ed very )leased' She #issed her "rother on "oth chee#s and )atted hi$ on the "ac#' ,Her )lans see$ to "e oin well& whatever they are!. thou ht /ac#' ,0 "et it.s so$ethin to do with the (in ' They.ve )ro"a"ly arran ed to ca)ture hi$ soon' That $eans that ;ussy will "e hauled out of that roo$ and $ade to sit on the throne' 0 don.t li#e the loo# of Count 3aritolen' He.s a nasty "it of wor#6and it.s quite )lain he.s "een u) to so$ethin toni ht!. The "rother and sister& still tal#in e+citedly& went into the roo$ fro$ which Mada$e Tatiosa had a))eared' The door shut' /ac# heard the clin# of lasses' They were oin to cele"rate so$ethin & )erha)s1 Thin s were o"viously $ovin ' /ac# wished fervently that Bill was there with hi$' But Bill )ro"a"ly didn.t even uess that the five of the$ were in Tauri%Hessia' He had no $eans of #nowin that they had co$e over "y )lane' He was )ro"a"ly huntin for the$ all over the )lace in En land! /ac# loo#ed at the hole in the wall' -here did it lead to1 He felt i$)elled to o and loo# at it' He could still hear clin#in and tal#in in the roo$ near"y' He ran across to the hole& cla$"ered on a chair and loo#ed inside' He could see nothin & so he felt for his torch' Then he saw the door of the roo$ o)enin ! There was only one thin to do6he $ust tu$"le inside that hole and ho)e for the "est! So in went /ac#& al$ost fallin over hi$self in his hurry' He found that there were ste)s there& and he slid down the$& landin with a "u$) at the "otto$' He sat there and listened& full of alar$' But it see$ed as if the Count and his sister hadn.t heard anythin ' He heard their voices in the distance' And then he heard so$ethin else! He heard a sli ht scra)in noise& and the li ht that ca$e into the hole where he was hidin was a"ru)tly cut off' ,;osh6the )icture.s one "ac# into )lace' 0.$ tra))ed!. said /ac#& in alar$' He went u) the ste)s and felt a"out at the "ac# of the )icture' The "ac# was of stout wood& and fitted ti htly over the hole' 0t wouldn.t $ove even when he )ushed it' He didn.t li#e to do anythin violent in case the Count heard hi$' He )ut on his torch' He loo#ed down the ste)s and saw a )assa e at the "otto$' -ell6it $ust lead to so$ewhere! 0t $i ht even lead out of the castle! The only thin to do was to try it and see'

So /ac# went down the ste)s a ain& and into a narrow little )assa e' He ca$e to the conclusion that the )assa e $ust run *ust inside the walls of the roo$& at a little "elow the level of the floor' 0t went round at ri ht an les quite suddenly6then there were $ore ste)s& very stee) indeed' 2own the$ cli$"ed /ac#& than#ful for his torch' 0t was very $usty in the )assa e' He ca$e to a )lace where there see$ed to "e a little li ht shinin "ehind the left%hand wall' -hat was it1 /ac# soon discovered! 0t was a s$all hole $ade in the wooden )anellin there& and throu h it he could see into a di$ly%lit roo$6a roo$ where )eo)le a))arently $et to discuss thin s& for there was a round ta"le with chairs )ulled u) to it& and "lottin %)ads and )a)ers were set out neatly' ,H$6a nice little s)y%hole&. thou ht /ac#' ,-ell6on we o' -herever does this lead to& (i#i1. (i#i didn.t #now6she only #new she was ettin rather tired of this tri)' She clun to /ac#.s shoulder and ru$"led in his ear' The )assa e went downwards a ain& not "y ste)s this ti$e& "ut in a stee) slo)e' /ac# found hi$self in a $uch narrower& lower )assa e now6he had to "end his head down' Two )eo)le would have found it difficult to )ass one another' (i#i )rotested& "ecause the ceilin #e)t "rushin the to) of her head' ,0 wish 0 #new where this is all leadin to& (i#i&. said /ac#' ,0 don.t li#e it any $ore than you do! Hallo6here.s a cellar& or so$ethin !. The )assa e suddenly ended in a round cellar%li#e )lace& full of old *un#' The entrance to this was only a round hole& throu h which /ac# cli$"ed& lad he wasn.t as fat as the old ,Boss. of the circus' ,4ow where do we o fro$ here1. he thou ht' He flashed his torch all round' 4othin $uch to see "ut *un#' Then he flashed his torch on the ceilin a"ove his head6it was only a"out two inches hi her than he was' ,A tra)%door! .urely that.s a tra)%door! 0f only 0 can o)en it!. thou ht /ac#' He )ushed hard6and it o)ened! 0t swun ri ht "ac# and landed flat with a tre$endous crash' 0t startled /ac# horri"ly and $ade (i#i screech li#e a "arn%owl! 4o"ody ca$e rushin u)' 4o"ody shouted ,-ho.s there1. /ac# waited a $inute and then cla$"ered out' -here was he now1 He "e an to feel he $ust "e in a #ind of ni ht$are& where nothin really led anywhere6only *ust on and on& ste)s& )assa es& holes& cellars& tra)doors6what ne+t1 A ain he shone his torch round' He was in a very tall& very narrow "uildin of stone' ;reat ro)es hun round hi$' He turned his torch u)wards& and then he #new where he was! ,The "ell%tower! The tower that is *ust o))osite 3hili).s roo$! That )assa e 0.ve co$e down $ust "e a secret way into the castle' -ell6what a discovery!. He went to the doorway of the "ell%tower' There was no door there& $erely an archway' The )lace was a))arently "uilt *ust to hold the reat "ell and nothin else' And then /ac# discovered so$ethin that filled hi$ with relief and *oy' The "ell%tower was "uilt outside the castle wall and not inside! He could run down the slo)e of the hill to the circus with nothin to )revent hi$6no walls to cli$"6no windows to *u$) fro$6there he was& outside the castle& walls and all' ,That.s a "it of luc#!. thou ht the "oy' ,Co$e on& (i#i' -e.re out' 4ow we.ll o "ac# and et a "it of slee)!. 0t wasn.t lon "efore /ac# was cree)in into 3edro.s caravan' The floor crea#ed loudly& "ut 3edro did not awa#e' /ac# stri))ed off his thin s& thin#in hard' He felt )leased' Lucy%Ann and the others were safe' They had co$e to no har$' They were safe as lon as ;ussy wasn.t (in 6then they $i ht "e held as hosta es if the British ;overn$ent sided with the )resent (in & and de$anded that he "e )ut "ac# on the throne' /ac# could quite well i$a ine that Count 3aritolen and Mada$e Tatiosa would deli ht in threatenin all #inds of dreadful thin s where the children were concerned& if the British ;overn$ent $ade thin s too unco$forta"le for the$'

,The thin to do is to rescue the$ quic#ly "efore ;ussy.s uncle is ca)tured and ;ussy.s )ut on the throne&. thou ht /ac#' ,0 really $ust try and et in touch with Bill' But it will "e difficult& "ecause )ro"a"ly the )eo)le in this )art of the country are on the side of the Count6and if 0 try to et news throu h to Bill& 0.ll "e ca)tured $yself!. He fell aslee) thin#in of it all' He had had a ni ht of real adventure and he was tired out' He didn.t even wa#e when Mr' Fan#.s "ears created a reat distur"ance in the early $ornin & and tried to "rea# their ca e down! 3edro told hi$ a"out it at "rea#fast%ti$e' ,4o"ody dares to o near the$&. he said' ,They haven.t co$e to fi htin each other yet& "ut they will' And then they won.t "e any use in the circus'. ,0sn.t Mr' Fan# "etter then1. as#ed /ac#' ,4o' -orse&. said 3edro' ,The Boss is really worried' 3ity that friend of yours you told $e a"out isn.t anywhere near here' 0f he.s as clever as you say& he $i ht "e a"le to quieten the "ears and $ana e the$!. 3edro was *o#in & of course6"ut /ac# sat u) strai ht& and "e an considerin the $atter at once' He was sure that 3hili) could $ana e the "ears& of course' Could he possibly tell 3edro where 3hili) was6and say that if 3edro would hel) hi$ to rescue the children& 3hili) would try to do his "est for the "ears1 ,-hat.s the $atter1. said 3edro& loo#in at hi$ curiously' ,5ou see$ e+cited a"out so$ethin '. ,-ell60 could et hold of $y friend& "ut only with hel)&. said /ac#' ,He.s6well& he.s not really very far away'. ,Really1 -hy didn.t you tell $e1. said 3edro' ,-here is he1. /ac# hesitated' Could he trust 3edro1 He as#ed hi$ a question' ,3edro6tell $e truthfully6are you on any"ody.s side in this "usiness a"out the (in and the 3rince Aloysius1 0 $ean6what do you thin# a"out it1. ,4othin &. said 3edro& )ro$)tly' ,0 don.t care which of the$ is (in ' Let the$ et on with it! The only thin 0 don.t want is civil war here6we.d have to clear out of the country quic#ly then' Circuses and war don.t o to ether! -hy do you as# $e that1. ,0 $i ht tell you later on&. said /ac#& suddenly feelin that he had told 3edro too $uch' ,But 0.ll *ust say this6if 0 could et $y friend here6with his friends too6we.d )revent civil war6Fan#.s "ears would soon "e under control& and ' ' '. ,-hat ru""ish you tal#!. said 3edro& loo#in astonished' ,Sto) )ullin $y le ' 0 don.t "elieve a word of it'. /ac# said no $ore' But& as the day wore on& and Fan# ot no "etter& and the "ears. "ehaviour ot $uch worse& he felt inclined to tell 3edro a ood deal $ore' 0t would "e really $arvellous if he could et 3hili) and the rest into the circus6what a wonderful hidin %)lace for the$ all! ;ussy would "e too noticea"le& of course' How could they dis uise hi$1 ,Of course! -ith that lon hair of his and those irlish eyelashes and "i eyes& he could "e dressed as a irl!. thou ht /ac#' ,-hat a "rainwave! 0 thin# 0 will tell 3edro everythin ' 0.ll tell hi$ after the show toni ht'. The circus ave its first show at Bor#en that evenin ' 0t o)ened with the usual fanfare of tru$)ets and dru$s and the )eo)le of the town strea$ed u) e+citedly' The "ears& of course& were not on show& "ut otherwise everythin went well' There was a ood deal of ru$"lin fro$ the townsfol# a"out the "ears& "ecause they had "een well advertised& and so$e )eo)le de$anded their $oney "ac#' ,-e $ust et those "ears oin so$ehow&. ru$"led the Boss' ,-e $ust )ull Fan# out of "ed! -e $ust et so$e"ody else in' -e $ust do this& we $ust do that! -here is Fan#1 Those "ears will $aul each other to death soon!. After su))er /ac# s)o#e to 3edro' ,0 want to tell you a lot of thin s&. he said' ,0 want to et your hel)& 3edro' -ill you listen1 0t is very i$)ortant6very i$)ortant indeed!.

,0 a$ listenin &. said 3edro& loo#in startled' ,Tell $e all you want to' 0 will hel) you& /ac#60 )ro$ise you that!.

Chapter 21

A 2AR04; 3LA4
,-HERE shall we o1. said /ac#' ,0n your van1 4o"ody can overhear us there& can they1. They went inside the little van and shut the door' 3edro loo#ed )u<<led6what was all this a"out1 /ac# "e an to tell hi$' He told hi$ a"out ;ussy stayin with the$ at 8uarry Cotta e and how he turned out to "e the 3rince' 3edro.s eyes al$ost fell out of his head at that! He told hi$ of the #idna))in & and how he& /ac#& had stowed away first at the "ac# of the car& and then in the aero)lane& in order to follow the others' ,5ou.re a wonder& you are!. said 3edro& starin at /ac# in the reatest ad$iration' ,5ou.re ' ' '. /ac# wouldn.t let hi$ say any $ore' He went on ra)idly with his story& and "rou ht it ri ht u) to date& tellin 3edro of his adventure of the ni ht "efore' ,0 never heard anythin li#e this in $y life!. said 3edro& a$a<ed' ,-hy didn.t you as# $e to co$e with you1 5ou #new 0 would' 0t was a dan erous thin you did& all "y yourself'. ,-ell60.$ used to adventures&. said /ac#' ,0 *ust had to find out a"out $y sister& anyway6and the others too& of course' 4ow& 3edro6this is where 0 want your hel)' 0 M9ST rescue the four of the$ "efore the (in is #idna))ed or #illed& and ;ussy is )ut on the throne' 5ou see& if ;ussy is $issin & there wouldn.t "e $uch )oint in doin away with his uncle' They $ust have ;ussy to )ut in his )lace& "ecause they want a #id there& so that they can $a#e hi$ rule as they li#e' Count 3aritolen and his sister& Mada$e Tatiosa& and the 3ri$e Minister will "e in )ower then' 2o you understand1. ,5es& 0 understand&. said 3edro' ,But 0.$ not used to seein history ha))enin "efore $y eyes li#e this' 0 can.t thin# it.s real& so$ehow'. ,0t is real&. said /ac#& ur ently' ,7ery very real' And& 3edro& if we can et 3hili) here& in the circus& he could $ana e those "ears as easily as Fan#' 0 tell you& he.s a wi<ard with ani$als6it doesn.t $atter what they are' -hy& once& in an adventure we had& a crowd of Alsatian do s chased us6we thou ht they were wolves& actually6and 3hili) turned the$ all into his friends as soon as they ca$e u) to hi$!. 3edro listened to all this with a sole$n face' He was $uch i$)ressed' He had uessed& of course& that there was so$ethin unusual a"out /ac#6"ut the story he had to tell was so e+traordinary that he could hardly "elieve it all' He did "elieve it& thou h' He was sure that /ac# would never lie a"out anythin ' ,-ell6what do you want $e to do1. he as#ed at last' ,0.ll do anythin & of course' But honestly& /ac#& 0 don.t see how we can rescue your four friends fro$ the tower%roo$ of Bor#en Castle6 loc#ed in& with a sentry at the foot of the stairs! 0t.s i$)ossi"le!. /ac# sat and frowned' He was "e innin to thin# it was i$)ossi"le too' 3lans had one round and round in his head for hours6"ut not one of the$ was any ood' He couldn.t et in throu h that window over the wash%house a ain& he was sure' The ladder would have "een discovered "y now& and ta#en away' Also6even if he did et in that way& how could he let 3hili) and the others out of that loc#ed roo$1 He didn.t even #now where the #ey was! ,And to o in the other way wouldn.t "e any ood either&. he thou ht' ,2own that tra)%door and all throu h those )assa es60.d only co$e u) a ainst the "ac# of that "i )icture& and 0.ve no idea how to $a#e it $ove away fro$ its )lace! And then a ain 0.$ no "etter off if 0 do60 still don.t #now where the #ey to that tower%roo$ is!.

3edro sat and frowned too' To thin# that he and /ac# could )erha)s save the startin %u) of a horri"le civil war6and they couldn.t thin# of even one sensi"le thin to do! ,/ac#&. he said& at last' ,2o you $ind if we tell so$eone else a"out this1 My two "est friends here are Toni and Bin o& the acro"ats6they $i ht "e a"le to thin# of so$e )lan' 0t.s their *o" to thin# of ood ideas!. /ac# loo#ed dou"tful' ,-ould they ive $y secrets away& thou h1. he said' ,0t.s i$)ortant that no"ody else should #now what we #now6once the Count sus)ected that anyone was tryin to rescue the four )risoners he holds& he would s)irit the$ away so$ewhere else& and )ro"a"ly hurry his )lans on so that we couldn.t )ossi"ly sto) the$'. ,5ou needn.t worry a"out Toni and Bin o&. said 3edro' ,They.re the "est )als 0 ever had& and ready for anythin ' This is the #ind of *o" they.d *u$) at6it.s ri ht u) their street' 0.ll o and fetch the$ now'. He went off across the field& and /ac# sat and worried' He wasn.t ha))y a"out tellin anyone else' Soon the van door o)ened and in ca$e 3edro with Toni and Bin o' They didn.t loo# in the least li#e acro"ats& in their ordinary clothes' They were sli$& lithe youn $en& with shoc#s of hair and cheerful faces' ,-hat for you want us1. said Toni& the ro)e%wal#er& in "ro#en En lish' ,0t is trou"le with the Boss1. ,4o&. said 3edro' ,Loo# here& /ac#6shall 0 tell the$160 can s)ea# to the$ in 0talian& which they #now "est& and it.ll "e quic#er'. ,Ri ht&. said /ac#& wishin that he could use half a do<en lan ua es as easily as this $uch% travelled circus "oy' He didn.t understand a word of what followed' 3edro s)o#e ra)idly& usin his hands e+citedly *ust as all the S)aniards& French and 0talian )eo)le did in the circus' Bin o and Toni listened& their eyes al$ost fallin out of their heads' -hat a story! Then they too "e an to chatter in e+cite$ent& and /ac# could hardly contain hi$self in his i$)atience to find out what they were sayin ' 3edro turned to hi$ at last& rinnin "roadly' ,0 have told the$ everythin &. he said' ,And it )leases the$! They have an idea for rescue6a sur)risin idea& /ac#6"ut a very very ood one!. ,-hat1. as#ed /ac#& thrilled' ,4ot too i$)ossi"le a one& 0 ho)e!. ,Shall 0 tell hi$1. said 3edro& turnin to Toni' ,0 can tell hi$ $ore quic#ly than you'. ,Tell hi$&. said Toni& noddin his head' ,-ell&. said 3edro& ,they ot the idea when 0 told the$ how you esca)ed out of that tra)%door in the tall "ell%tower' 0 told the$ it was e+actly o))osite the window of the tower%roo$6and they said it would "e easy to throw a ro)e across fro$ the to) of the tower& to the window!. ,5es6"ut 0 don.t see what ood that would "e&. said /ac#& )u<<led' ,0 $ean6the others couldn.t et across it6they.d fall'. ,Listen!. said 3edro& ,you have seen the tra)e<e swin s that Toni and Bin o use in their acro"atic tric#s& haven.t you1 -ell& those swin s can "e attached to the wire ro)e "y )ulley%wheels& and run to and fro' -ould your friends a ree to sit on a swin in turn& and "e )ulled across& han in fro$ the wire ro)e1 0t would "e easy!. ,;ood racious!. said /ac#& startled' ,My word! -hat an idea! 0t.s not wor#a"le!. ,Si& si! 0t is wu##a"le!. said Toni& e+citedly' ,-e o u) "ell%tower' -e et ro)e across to your friends60 wal# across6easy! 0 )ull swin "ehind $e& han in on ro)e' 0 )lace each "oy or irl safe on swin 6and 0 run "ac# on ro)e dra in swin "y wire6one& two& three& four ti$es& and everyone is safe! ;ood idea& no1. ,0s it really )ossi"le1. said /ac#' ,0t sounds very dan erous'. ,Ah no& no6it is si$)le& this way&. said Toni' ,0 do it all& 0& Toni!. Bin o nodded his head' He a))arently a reed with Toni that it was a ood and )erfectly )ossi"le idea' 0t would certainly only have "een thou ht of "y wire%wal#ers or acro"ats& /ac# was sure'

,And then& <is "oy6how you call hi$6Feeli)6he will ta#e Fan#.s "ears and $a#e the$ ood1. said Toni' ,Every"ody )li<<ed!. ,Every"ody )leased&. a reed /ac#& ettin e+cited too' After all6these acro"ats were used to thin s of this #ind' 0t see$ed nothin to the$6thou h to ordinary )eo)le it a))eared to "e a very dan erous and quite i$)ossi"le feat' ,Toni ht we o&. said Toni' ,-e will have all thin s ready' -e tell the Boss6no1. ,4o6not yet&. said 3edro& considerin ' ,And hot very $uch& when we do tell hi$' 4othin a"out the 3rince or anythin li#e that6only *ust that we.ve ot a friend of /ac#.s to hel) with the "ears' 0.ll have to thin# u) so$e way of e+)lainin the other three6"ut 0.$ not worryin a"out that yet'. Toni and Bin o went off to their van& tal#in nineteen to the do<en' This was evidently so$ethin they were oin to en*oy very $uch! /ac# could hardly #ee) still now' He #e)t on and on thin#in a"out Toni.s )lan' -ould it "e all ri ht1 -ould Lucy%Ann "e too afraid to swin across on a tra)e<e%)erch& and "e cau ht at the other end of the ro)e "y Bin o1 -hat a"out ;ussy1 His hair would stand on end! And yet what "etter way was there1 There wasn.t any other way at all! The circus o)ened as usual& and a ain there were ru$"les a"out the non%a))earance of the "ears' Fan# tried to et u)& "ut it was no use' He couldn.t even stand' The "ears& hearin the circus "e innin & and the shouts of the side%shows& "eca$e restless and e+cited' They had allowed no one in their ca e that day& not even to clean it& and their food had "een hurriedly )o#ed "etween the "ars' They wouldn.t even eat that! 0t lay in their ca e untouched' They )added u) and down the floor& heads down& runtin and rowlin all the ti$e' The show was over at last& and the townsfol# went "ac# to Bor en& chatterin and lau hin ' /ac# hel)ed 3edro to clear u) the litter& )ic# u) the fallen "enches& and swee) the "i circus rin ' ,Thin#in a"out toni ht1. whis)ered 3edro& as he )assed hi$' ,0 "et Toni and Bin o are! 0 saw Toni ta#in one of the tra)e<e swin s out to shorten the ro)e& so that he could use it toni ht'. They had a late su))er& and then Ma yawned' ,Bed!. she said& and crea#ed u) into her caravan' The two "oys went into theirs& and sat waitin for the acro"ats to co$e and say they were ready' There ca$e a ta) at the door' 3edro o)ened it' ,Co$e!. said Toni.s voice& and 3edro and /ac# sli))ed li#e shadows out of their van' The four of the$ $ade their way in the dar#ness u) the slo)e of the hill' A"ove the$ towered the reat castle& its shadowy "ul# loo#in sinister and $ysterious' They ca$e to the "ell%tower' Toni and Bin o had already had a ood loo# at it in the dayli ht' ,0n we o&. said 3edro& in a low voice' He flashed on his torch as soon as they were safely inside' The torch li hted u) the stron wire ro)e that Bin o carried& and the tra)e<e swin that Toni held' They all loo#ed u) into the roof of the "ell%tower' How were they to et u) "y the reat "ell1 ,There are iron run s u) the wall&. said Toni' ,0 o first! Follow $e!.

Chapter 22

ESCA3E!
0T -AS not difficult to cli$" u) the iron run s' Toni was soon u) in the roof of the tower' (i#i was first thou h! She flew u) fro$ /ac#.s shoulder& and )erched on the "i "ell& $a#in a sli ht clan in noise that startled her considera"ly! The iron ladder went ri ht a"ove the "ell& which hun fro$ a reat "ea$' A"ove it was a stone )latfor$& with an o)enin in it at one side for the iron ladder to )ass throu h' Toni cli$"ed u) to the "ell& and then throu h the o)enin a"ove it& and )assed on to the stone )latfor$' /ac# ca$e ne+t and then 3edro' Bin o was last'

There were arched o)enin s li#e windows in the to) of the tower o)enin off the stone )latfor$& one arch facin each way6north& south& cast and west' Toni )eered out of the arch that faced the window in the castle o))osite' He considered the distance carefully' /ac# )eered out too' 0t see$ed a lon way to hi$ in the dar#ness! He shivered' He didn.t at all want to o on with this idea& now that he was u) so hi h& and could see what a dro) it was to the round' But Toni and Bin o treated it in a very casual& $atter%of%fact $anner' They tal#ed to one another& and discussed it very thorou hly and with reat interest' They a))arently had no dou"t at all "ut that they could do what they had )lanned' Toni said so$ethin to 3edro& and he re)eated it to /ac# in En lish' ,Toni says he is ready' He says how can we attract the attention of your friends in the roo$ o))osite1 They will have to hel) at the "e innin '. ,0f we flash a torch on and off6or )erha)s hoot li#e an owl63hili) will co$e&. said /ac#' ,-e try the owl&. said Toni& and /ac# )ut his cu))ed hands to his $outh and "lew vi orously "etween his two thu$"s' ,Hooo! Hoo%hoo%hoo%hoo!. ca$e quaverin ly on the ni ht air' /ac# hooted a ain' They waited& their eyes on the shadowy window o))osite' Then& fro$ the window& a li ht flashed on and off' ,3hili).s there&. said /ac#& *oyfully& and flashed his own torch' ,3hili)!. he called& in a low voice' ,Can you hear $e1. ,5es! -here are you1 4ot over there& surely!. said 3hili)& in an a$a<ed voice' ,Tell hi$ Toni is co$in over on a ro)e&. said 3edro' ,But we.ve ot to et the ro)e across first 6so will he loo# out for a stone& tied on to a "it of strin 6and )ull on it& so that a thic#er ro)e can co$e across1. ,0 #now a "etter way than that!. said /ac#& suddenly e+cited' ,Let (i#i ta#e the ro)e across6not the thic# heavy wire one& of course6"ut the first ro)e6the one that.s fi+ed to the wire! She can ta#e it in her "ea#'. ,Ah6that is ood!. said Toni& understandin and a))rovin at once' ,0t will save ti$e'. ,3hili)6(i#i.s co$in across with a ro)e&. called /ac#& cautiously' ,Loo# out for her' Ta#e the ro)e and )ull hard' 0t will "rin across a wire ro)e' Can you find so$ethin to loo) it to1 0t has a stron rin at the end6see that it is $ade fast'. ,Ri ht' But how will ' ' ' 0 say& 0 don.t understand&. said 3hili)& "ewildered' ,Call (i#i!. said /ac#' (i#i had now "een iven the end of the ro)e in her "ea#' She was )ullin at it with interest' ,Ta#e it to 3hili)&. said /ac#' ,(i#i!. called 3hili)' ,(i#i!. (i#i flew strai ht across to hi$& carryin the end of the ro)e in her stron "ea#' She #new she had to ta#e it to 3hili)& of course& "ut she had no idea that "ehind her ca$e a whole len th& )aid out quic#ly "y Toni! She landed on 3hili).s shoulder& and let o the ro)e to fondle his ear' 3hili) *ust cau ht it in ti$e' He wasted no ti$e& "ut )ulled on it hard' More and $ore ro)e ca$e in6and then& *oined to the ordinary ro)e& ca$e the stron wire ro)e& heavy "ut fle+i"le' 3hili) hauled on that too until a tu warned hi$ to sto)' 4ow he had to fasten it securely to so$ethin ' But what1 He had a la$) in his roo$ and he li hted it& to see "etter' He #e)t it turned low& and held it u) to see where he could fasten the rin that was on the end of the wire ro)e' His "ed had stron iron feet' 3hili) dra ed the "ed to the window& wa#in ;ussy u) with a *u$) as he did so& and then sli))ed the iron rin under one foot& )ullin it u) a"out twelve inches' 'ow it should "e held fast! The "ed was "y the window& the iron foot a ainst the stone wall' 4either "ed nor foot could $ove' The ro)e should "e safe for anyone to use!

,-hat is it1 -hat.s ha))enin 1. said ;ussy& sittin u) in "ed in sur)rise& una"le to see $uch in the di$ li ht of the la$)' ,Be quiet&. said 3hili)& who was now al$ost too e+cited to s)ea#' ,/ac#.s out there' ;o and wa#e the irls6"ut for oodness. sa#e dont $a#e a noise!. Over in the "ell%tower Toni )ulled on his end of the wire ro)e' He )ulled as hard as he could& and Bin o )ulled with hi$' -as the other end quite fast6safe enou h for Toni to wal# across on it1 He had to "e quite certain of that "efore he tried to wal# the ro)e' ,0t.s fast enou h&. said Bin o& in his own lan ua e' ,0t will hold you!. Toni wasted no ti$e' He ot out of the stone archway& and stood u)ri ht on the narrow sill' Bin o held a torch to li ht u) the wire stretchin in front& fro$ the "ell%tower to the window away o))osite' Toni tested the wire with his foot6and then /ac# as)ed in astonish$ent' Toni had run strai ht across the wire at to) s)eed! There were his le s and feet& clearly li hted in the "ea$ of the torch& runnin easily over the taut wire! Toni reached the o))osite window& and stood on the sill for a $o$ent' Then he "ent his head and cli$"ed in& findin the "ed *ust "elow the sill' 3hili) ri))ed hold of hi$& loo#in white' ,0 say! -hat a thin to do! 5ou $i ht have fallen!. The irls were now in the "oys. roo$& havin "een awa#ened "y ;ussie' (i#i was with the$& $a#in a reat fuss of the$ "oth' ,-ho.s this1. said Lucy%Ann& startled to see Toni *u$)in down to the "ed' ,3hili)6what.s ha))enin 1. ,4o ti$e to tal# yet&. said 3hili)& who wasn.t really sure hi$self what was ha))enin ' ,-e.re "ein rescued& that.s all!. Toni was now "usy )ullin on a ro)e that he had "rou ht across with hi$' He was haulin steadily on it6and alon the wire& han in neatly down fro$ it& ca$e a s$all tra)e<e swin 6the one that Toni used each ni ht when he swun hi h u) in the circus tent& doin his tric#s! 0t clic#ed a ainst the stone wall' Toni turned to 3hili)' ,5ou sit there&. he said& )ointin to the swin "elow the ro)e' ,Sit still& see1 And 0 will )ull you over to /ac#'. 3hili) was startled' He loo#ed at the tra)e<e swin in "elow the wire ro)e& runnin alon it on a )ulley%wheel' So that was the idea! They were each in turn to sit on that )eculiar swin & and "e )ulled across to the "ell%tower! -ell! ,Hurry!. said Toni& i$)atiently' ,5ou first1. ,5es&. said 3hili)& thin#in )erha)s that if the others saw hi$ oin across quite easily they wouldn.t "e afraid' He turned to ;ussy and the startled irls' ,0.ll o first and you watch $e&. he said' ,Then Lucy%Ann6then you& ;ussy6and you last& 2inah'. He stood on the "ed& and then swun hi$self u) on the stone window%sill' He held on to the ro)e outside& and suddenly felt Toni.s stron hands under his ar$)its' 0t really wasn.t very difficult to sit on the tra)e<e' ,0 co$e!. said Toni& to the an+ious watchers o))osite& and he ran over the wire once $ore& )ullin the tra)e<e "ac# to the "ell%tower' 3hili) arrived there on the swin al$ost "efore he #new it! He was )ulled off and dra ed into the tower in safety' /ac# found his hand and shoo# it hard' He found that he suddenly couldn.t say a word! 4either could 3hili)' Toni ran across a ain& )ullin "ac# the tra)e<e' Lucy%Ann was scared al$ost stiff with fri ht& "ut she was "rave and $ana ed to et on to the swin quite well& with Toni.s hel)' Away she went& ivin a little as) as she thou ht of the reat distance to the round "elow her' Bac# ca$e Toni with the swin & and ;ussy was )ushed forward to et on it' He was so fri htened that Toni "e an to wonder whether he would fall off in the $iddle of his tri) across the wire! But ;ussy held on ri$ly& his teeth chatterin 6and al$ost "urst into tears of relief when he ot safely to the "ell%tower'

2inah was no trou"le' She wasn.t afraid& and if she had "een she wouldn.t have shown it! She shot across easily& with Toni )ullin her& as sure%footed as a cat' Everyone suddenly felt very cheerful' Lucy%Ann hu ed /ac# without sto))in ' There was now such a crowd on the little stone )latfor$ at the to) of the tower that )oor Toni could hardly find roo$ for hi$self! ,-hat a"out this wire ro)e1. said 3edro' ,How can we et it "ac#1. ,-e leave it&. said Toni' ,0t is not )ossi"le to et it away' 0 have another'. ,Let.s et down to the round&. said /ac#& half afraid that now thin s had one so well& so$ethin $i ht suddenly ha))en to $a#e the$ o wron ' ,0.ll o first'. Soon they were all at the "otto$ of the tower' ,Silent& now&. whis)ered /ac#& and they "e an to wal# cautiously down the slo)e of the hill to the circus' Lucy%Ann #e)t close to /ac#& and he )ut his ar$ round her' He was very lad to #now that his sister was safe' ;ussy stu$"led alon & scared and )u<<led' He didn.t really see$ to #now quite what was ha))enin ! ,The irls can have our van&. said 3edro to /ac#' ,5ou and 0 and ;ussy can slee) "eneath it'. But "efore they could et to the van& a reat cla$our ca$e on the air& and startled the$ so $uch that they all stood still in )anic' -hatever was that tre$endous noise1 ,0t.s a "ell6it.s "ells!. said /ac#& )uttin his hands to his ears' ,The "ell in the "ell%tower6and the "ell in the church6and another "ell so$ewhere else! -hatever.s ha))enin 1 Have they $issed ;ussy already1. The circus%fol# all awo#e and rushed out of their vans& $arvellin at the )ande$oniu$ of noise $ade "y the "ells' Clan & clan & *an le& *an le& clan & clan ! 0t went on all the ti$e! And then there ca$e shoutin fro$ the town' Li hts shone out& and still the "ells went on and on' ,There are so$e rin in fro$ the ne+t villa e too&. said /ac#& $arvellin ' ,0t.s to warn the )eo)le a"out so$ethin ' -hat can it "e1 They cant #now yet a"out ;ussy esca)in 6why& e+ce)t for Count 3aritolen and his sister no"ody #new ;ussy was a )risoner'. 4o6the "ells were not rin in for ;ussy' They were ivin other news6serious news' ,The (in ! The (in is one! He has disa))eared! He is nowhere to "e found' The (in is one!. The townsfol# shouted the news to one another in fore"odin ' -hat had ha))ened to their (in 1 Had he "een #illed1 All the "ells in the country ran out the news' Ene$ies had ta#en their (in ! -ho1 -hy1 Clan & clan & clan & *an le& *an le! ,My word!. said /ac#& when he heard the news' ,-e only /9ST ot ;ussy out in ti$e' Only *ust! Another half%hour and it would have "een too late'. ,5es&. said 3hili)' ,And 0.d li#e to see Count 3aritolen.s face when he rushes to the tower%roo$ to et ;ussy out of "ed and )ut hi$ on the throne6and ;ussy.s not there! The (in one6and no one to )ut in his )lace!. ;ussy "urst into howls' ,-hat.s ha))ened to $y uncle1. he wailed' ,-here is he1 0 don.t want to "e (in !. ,Shut u)!. said /ac#& fiercely' ,2o you want every sin le )erson here to #now you.re the 3rince1 0f so$eone ives you away& you.ll "e ca)tured "y the Count i$$ediately! ;o into that caravan and don.t dare to $a#e a sound!.

Chapter 23

BE-ARE THE BEARS!

/AC( hurried the irls and ;ussy to 3edro.s van' He hadn.t rec#oned on arrivin "ac# with the$ in the $iddle of a distur"ance li#e this! All the circus%fol# were out of their vans: they were dressed in

all #inds of shawls& coats and $acs& hastily )ulled over their ni ht thin s& and were atherin to ether in fri htened rou)s to tal#' 0t was *ust a"out the very worst ti$e to "rin ;ussy to the ca$)' Su))ose anyone reco ni<ed hi$1 He would certainly have to "e dis uised at once' 3edro reali<ed this too' He #new& $uch "etter than /ac#& what trou"le the circus%fol# would et into if it was discovered that they were har"ourin the 3rince hi$self! They would all "e cla))ed into )rison at once' 3edro was very very worried' ,/ac#! 0.ll have to tell Ma&. he said& des)erately' ,0.ll have to! She can hide ;ussy "etter than anyone' Let $e tell her' She.ll hel) us'. There was nothin for it "ut to say yes' /ac# watched 3edro o u) to his $other and say so$ethin ur ently' Then they disa))eared u) the ste)s of Ma.s caravan& and shut the door' /ac# loo#ed at 3hili)& who was feelin "ewildered at this sudden transition fro$ confine$ent in the tower%roo$ to the e+cited tur$oil of the circus ca$)' The irls and ;ussy were now safely in 3edro.s own caravan6tryin to )eer out of the windows to see what was oin on' (i#i had one with the$' Lucy%Ann al$ost wished she was "ac# in the )eace of the tower%roo$! She couldn.t understand e+actly what was ha))enin ' -here was /ac#1 -hy didn.t he co$e and tell her1 3edro ca$e out of his $other.s caravan and went strai ht over to /ac#' ,0t.s all ri ht&. he said' ,Ma.s ta#en co$$and! She.s not a "it afraid of hidin the 3rince6actually she rather en*oys so$ethin li#e this' She.ll et hi$ so$e irl.s clothes& )ut a ri""on on that lon hair of his& and #ee) hi$ close to her' She says she.ll tell everyone he.s her little rand%dau hter& co$e to stay for a few days'. /ac# ave a chuc#le at the thou ht of ;ussy as a irl' ,He.ll hate it&. he said' ,He.ll #ic# u) no end of a fuss'. ,Ma won.t ta#e any notice&. said 3edro& with a rin' ,She.s quite li#ely to ive hi$ a few hard sla)s& and $y word& she.s ot a "ony hand! 0.ll et hi$ and ta#e hi$ to her' 4o one will reco ni<e 3rince Aloysius when she.s finished with hi$'. 3edro went off& and /ac# turned to 3hili)& who rinned at hi$' ,3oor old ;ussy! That.s a wonderful idea thou h6;ussy will $a#e a BEA9T0F9L irl!. There ca$e a sudden shoutin fro$ the other end of the ca$)6then screa$s' 3eo)le "e an to strea$ away towards the two "oys& shoutin in fear' ,The "ears! The "ears! They.re out!. Toni ca$e "oundin u) to /ac#' ,-here.s that friend of yours you said could $ana e ani$als1 Oh& there he is' The "ears are loose6they.ve "ro#en three of the "ars of their ca e' See if your friend can hel)' Fan# can.t even et out of "ed'. 3hili) #new nothin a"out the "ears& of course& and /ac# hurriedly told hi$ the details as they ran to the other end of the field' ,0 ho)e you can do so$ethin with the$& 3hili)' Toni hel)ed $e to rescue you on the chance that you could hel)' 0t will "e a terri"le loss to the circus if the "ears et loose and have to "e shot'. One "ear was still in the "ro#en ca e& afraid to o out "ecause of the crowds' He was $a#in a terri"le noise' 4o one dared to o near' 0n a near"y ca e Feefo and Fu$& the two chi$)an<ees& were wailin in fri ht' Mada$e Fifi $ade sure they were safely loc#ed in and ran over to /ac#' ,2on.t o near that "ear& you two "oys' He.s dan erous' And loo# out for the others' They.re loose'. ,Can.t so$eone "loc# u) those "ro#en "ars1. said 3hili)' ,He.ll "e out soon'. ,4o"ody dares&. said Toni' But little Mada$e Fifi dared! She ran to a "rilliant flarin torch& stuc# in a holder near"y& )luc#ed it out and ran "ac# to the ca e' She thrust the )ointed "otto$ end of the torch into the round& *ust in front of the ca e' The "ear shran# "ac# at the "ri ht li ht and crouched down in a corner' He was afraid of the "rilliance'

,That settles him&. said 3hili)& )leased' ,He won.t atte$)t to co$e out while that li ht is there' 4ow6where are the others1. ,Over there6sniffin round the Boss.s caravan&. said /ac#& )ointin to two dar# sha)es' ,0 "et the Boss is shiverin in his shoes inside the van!. ,-here can 0 et so$e $eat1. )anted 3hili) as they ran across the field towards the "ears' ,Or "etter still& can 0 et honey anywhere6or treacle1. ,Treacle! 5es& Ma.s ot a whole *ar of it&. said /ac#& re$e$"erin ' ,0.ll et it'. He raced off to Ma.s caravan& "urst in and de$anded the treacle' ;ussy was there& standin in sil#en vest and )ants& )rotestin loudly' Ma was evidently ettin to wor# on hi$! She didn.t see$ to "e at all sur)rised at /ac# "urstin in to as# for treacle' ,On the shelf&. she said& and went on "rushin out ;ussy.s hair' /ac# found the "i stone *ar and fled "ac# to 3hili) with it' 3hili) had now one close to the "ears& who turned to loo# at hi$ sus)iciously' ,They.ve already in*ured one $an&. said /ac#& in a low voice' , Loo# out& won.t you& 3hili)1. ,0.ll "e all ri ht&. said 3hili)' ,(ee) out of si ht& /ac#'. He too# the *ar of treacle& di))ed his hands in it and s$eared the$ u) to the wrists with the thic#& sweet syru)' Then he wal#ed towards the "ears& )ourin a little of the syru) out on the rass as he went' The "ears rowled warnin ly' 3hili) turned and went "ac# a ain' He sat down with the *ar of treacle and waited' By now $any )eo)le were watchin ' -ho was this "oy1 -hat was he doin & $eddlin with two dan erous "ears1 They watched in fearful curiosity& ready to run at any $o$ent' /ac# stood out of si ht6"ut near enou h to run to 3hili).s hel) if necessary! He didn.t thin# it would "e necessary: he had a"solute faith in 3hili).s a"ility to $ana e any ani$al' The "ears soon s$elt the syru) that 3hili) had s)ilt here and there on the rass' They loved the sweetness of treacle' Fan# so$eti$es ave it to the$ for a treat6and there was nothin they li#ed "etter than to have an e$)ty syru) tin iven to the$& and to "e allowed to lic# it& and )ut their reat )aws inside' They sniffed& and went towards the first s)ots of treacle on the round' One "ear found the$ and lic#ed ea erly' The second "ear rowled at hi$ and tried to )ush hi$ aside6"ut suddenly s$elt another few s)ots of treacle further on! He lu$"ered on clu$sily and lic#ed ea erly' As soon as the "ears reali<ed that there was treacle a"out& they "e an to runt e+citedly' They had refused food for two days now& and they were hun ry' They sniffed ea erly for $ore treacle' The watchin )eo)le held their "reath as they saw the two reat clu$sy creatures ettin nearer and nearer to the "oy sittin on the round' Surely he was in dan er1 ,-ho is he1 He ou ht to "e warned!. they said' But Toni and Bin o hushed the$' ,Be quiet! He is /ac#.s friend& a wonder with ani$als! ;ive hi$ a chance! He can run if the "ears threaten hi$!. The first "ear was now quite near 3hili)& his head close to the round as he sniffed a"out for $ore treacle' 3hili) )ut his hand into the *ar he held& and too# it out& wavin it slowly in the air so that the "ear could et the full scent of it' The "ear raised his head and saw 3hili)' He "ac#ed away a little and ave an an ry runt' -ho was that sittin on the round1 His eyes lea$ed an an ry red in the li ht fro$ a near"y la$)' A little si h of fear went throu h the an+ious crowd' And then 3hili) s)o#e' He s)o#e in what /ac# called his ,s)ecial. voice6the voice he always #e)t for ani$als' 0t was a low& $onotonous voice& a entle& #indly voice& "ut so$ehow it was a voice that had to "e listened to' ,A sort of hy)notisin voice&. thou ht /ac#& as he stood watchin ' The "ear listened' He runted a ain& and "ac#ed away& "u$)in into the second "ear' But still 3hili).s voice went on' -hat was he sayin 1 /ac# couldn.t hear' How did he #now how to tal# to ani$als li#e this1 And why did they all listen1 The watchin circus%fol# #new that $ost ani$al

trainers used a s)ecial tone of voice when they )etted their ani$als6"ut here was a stran e "oy tal#in to fri htened and sus)icious "ears6and yet they listened' The second "ear ca$e a little nearer& his ears )ric#ed' He sniffed' He sniffed not only the treacle& "ut 3hili).s own )articular s$ell' He li#ed it' 0t was a friendly s$ell' The "ears always sorted out )eo)le into two #inds6those whose s$ell they li#ed and those they didn.t' He lu$"ered ri ht u) to 3hili) and sniffed at hi$& ready to stri#e if the "oy $oved' A little screa$ ca$e fro$ so$eone in the crowd& "ut the "ear too# no notice' 3hili) went on tal#in & and now his voice was so honeyed and )ersuasive that even the crowd "e an to feel his s)ell' The "ear lic#ed 3hili).s hand& which was covered in treacle' 3hili) did not $ove' The "ear went on lic#in & quite unafraid' The other "ear ca$e u)& and& seein how unafraid his "rother was& he too# a quic# lic# at 3hili).s other hand' 0n two or three seconds "oth "ears were runtin in deli ht at so $uch treacle' This "oy was a friend! They didn.t #now who he was& "ut they were quite sure he was a friend' 3hili) tal#ed all the ti$e& $onotonously and #indly' He thou ht he could now dare to $ove& so he lifted one hand slowly& )ut it into the *ar "eside hi$& and then too# it out covered with treacle a ain' One "ear lay down "eside hi$ to lic# in co$fort' Another si h at once went throu h the tense crowd' 3hili) ave the *ar to the other "ear& and then with his free hand "e an to fondle the "ear lyin "eside hi$' 0t runted in )leasure' 4ow the "ears were ha))y and at )eace' They had found so$eone they li#ed and trusted' 3hili) #new that he had the$ under control6if only the crowd didn.t do so$ethin silly6$a#e a sudden noise& or co$e sur in towards hi$' But the circus%fol# #new "etter than that' They were used to ani$als' 3hili) stood u)& doin nothin quic#ly6all his $ove$ents were s$ooth and slow' He )ic#ed u) the *ar& and with his other hand on one "ear.s nec#& "e an to wal# to the ca e' The "ears followed& sha$"lin alon quietly& lic#in their li)s' 3hili) too# the$ ri ht to the ca e& undid the door and let the$ shuffle in' He )ut the treacle *ar inside& shut the door& and went quietly outside' And then how the )eo)le cheered! ,He.s a wonder! -ho is he1 Tell Fan# the "ears are safe' -ho 0S this "oy1.

Chapter 2!

MOR404; COMES!
3H0L03 called to /ac#' ,/ac#6see if you can et so$e $eat6)lenty of it6and "rin it to $e'. ,Ill et so$e&. said Toni& and raced off' He ca$e "ac# with a "as#et containin reat sla"s of horse%$eat' 3hili) too# it' He o)ened the ca e door and threw in the $eat& tal#in cheerfully to the hun ry "ears' 4ow& they were ready for their $eal' They were no lon er sul#y& scared or an ry' They were *ust three very hun ry "ears& and they fell on the $eat and ul)ed it down' ,Let the$ have as $uch as they will eat&. said 3hili)' ,Then they will o to slee)' -hile they are aslee)& so$eone $ust $end their ca e "ars' (ee) that li ht in front now6none of the$ will venture out of the "ro#en "ars while that li ht is there'. Everyone athered round 3hili)' ,He.s a friend of /ac#&. they said to one another' , He fetched hi$ here "ecause he is ood with "ears' He $ust have co$e fro$ another circus' Loo#6the Boss wants hi$'. The Boss had watched everythin fro$ his caravan window' He was $ost i$)ressed and e+tre$ely than#ful' 3edro told 3hili) that the Boss had sent for hi$& and he and /ac# and 3hili) went u) the ste)s of the Boss.s "i caravan'

The Boss )oured out )raise and than#s in a $i+ture of several lan ua es' 3edro inter)reted with a rin' ,He says& what can he do for you1 He says you.ve saved the "ears fro$ "ein shot' He says& as# anythin you li#e and you can have it& if he can ive it to you!. /ac# answered quic#ly' ,There.s only one thin we want' 4ow that there is this u)set in Bor#en& can we all stay with the circus1 3hili) will "e lad to loo# after the "ears& as lon as Fan# is ill6 "ut he has irls with hi$& our sisters6can they stay too1 -e don.t li#e to let the$ o off "y the$selves& in case civil war starts u) in Tauri%Hessia'. 3edro inter)reted' The Boss quite thou ht that these ,sisters. were circus )erfor$ers too' He nodded his head' ,5es6you $ay let the$ stay' 0f they have tric#s or shows of their own& they $ay et a chance here' But we $ust stri#e ca$) to$orrow6it will "e dan erous to stay here in Bor#en any lon er' The Count 3aritolen owns this land& and as it is )ro"a"ly he who has so$ethin to do with the (in .s disa))earance& it would "e "est for us to leave "efore trou"le starts'. ,-hat does he say1. as#ed /ac#& an+iously' 3edro translated all this into En lish& and the two "oys were $uch relieved' ;ood! They could all stay with the circus& and would leave al$ost i$$ediately with the circus fol#! They would soon "e out of the dan er <one6and then )erha)s they could et a $essa e to Bill' The "oys went down the ste)s of the van with 3edro' They $ade their way to 3edro.s own little van& feelin that they si$)ly $ust have a ood lon tal#' 0t was a"out two o.cloc# in the $ornin now& "ut none of the three "oys felt tired6they were far too strun u) with the ha))enin s of the ni ht' The circus%fol# as they )assed cla))ed 3hili) on the "ac#' He s$iled and nodded& and then at last all three were in the little van with the two irls and (i#i' ,Shut the door&. said (i#i at once' ,-i)e your feet' Fetch the (in !. ,0 wish we could& (i#i&. said /ac#& with a lau h& as the )arrot flew on to his shoulder' ,But don.t you start tal#in a"out the (in ' Oh6Lucy%Ann6you nearly had $e over! -hat a hu ! 0t re$inds $e of the "ears!. ,0 can.t hel) it!. said Lucy%Ann& and ave 3hili) a hu too' ,0 was so an+ious a"out you and 3hili)& with those "ears' 0t all see$s li#e a horrid drea$' 0 was lon in for you to co$e "ac# to us' ;ussy.s one too' 0s he really oin to "e a irl1. ,He is&. said /ac#& sittin down on the $attress' ,4ow& we.ve ot to tal# and $a#e )lans' First of all& "ecause of 3hili).s rand )erfor$ance with the "ears& the Boss has said we can all stay with the circus' -e couldn.t have a "etter hidin %)lace!. ,That.s true&. said 2inah' ,But su))ose the Count $a#es a search for us6and his $en are sent here to loo#& a$on other )laces' ;ussy $i ht not "e reco ni<ed if he.s dressed u) as a irl6"ut what a"out $e and Lucy%Ann and 3hili)1 -e.re all dressed in the En lish way6we.d soon "e noticed'. ,5es' 0 hadn.t thou ht of that&. said /ac#' ,0.$ too En lish& as well' 3edro60.ve ot so$e $oney saved u) that 0 $ade out of (i#i.s )erfor$ances6could you "uy so$e Hessian clothes for us early today1. ,Ma will fi+ you all u)&. said 3edro' ,She.s a wonder with her needle! She.ll et so$e cloth fro$ old Lucia& the wo$an who.s in char e of the circus clothes' And we.ll "orrow so$e rease%)aint fro$ Toni and ive you all dar# Tauri%Hessian faces! But don.t o s)ea#in En lish!. ,4o& we won.t' -e.ll tal# a wonderful i""erish of our own!. said 3hili)& with a lau h' ,-e.ll co$e fro$ /a""erwoc#y& and tal# the /a""erwoc# lan ua e! 0t oes li#e this6 ;oonalilly)ondicherryta)ular#awoonatee!. Everyone lau hed' ,;ood!. said 3edro' ,0.ll tell any searchers that you are /a""erwoc#ians& and then you can tal# li#e that if they as# you anythin ' By the way& where is /a""erwoc#y1. (i#i suddenly launched with deli ht into the /a""erwoc#ian lan ua e' They all listened to her and roared' ,5ou.re a very fine s)eci$en of a /a""erwoc#ian )arrot!. said /ac#& fondlin her' ,;o to the to) of the class!.

2inah ave an enor$ous yawn& at once co)ied "y (i#i' 0t $ade everyone "e in to feel terri"ly slee)y' ,Co$e on6we.ll "e stri#in ca$) fairly early&. said 3edro& ettin u)' ,Slee) in )eace& irls' -e three "oys will "e *ust under the van& on a cou)le of ru s' As for ;ussy& 0 e+)ect he.s snorin in Ma.s e+tra "un#& loo#in li#e a "eautiful little irl!. ;ussy was not aslee)& however' He lay in the s$all "un#& listenin to Ma.s dee) "reathin and sudden snorts' He was very an ry and very hu$iliated' Ma had seen to hi$ )ro)erly! She had tried his hair this way and that& and had finally decided that he loo#ed $ore li#e a irl with a s$all "ow at each side rather than with one "i one on to)' She had also loo#ed out so$e clothes6a lon ish s#irt& rather dirty& very hi hly coloured& and decidedly ra ed6and a s$all red "louse with a reen scarf tied s#ittishly round the waist' ;ussy could have cried with sha$e' 0t wasn.t the sli htest "it of ood ar uin with Ma' 0n fact& when ;ussy refused to stand still while his "ows were "ein tied& Ma had iven hi$ a hefty sla) on a very tender )lace& which had iven ;ussy such a tre$endous shoc# that he couldn.t even yell& ,5ou #now 0.$ a 3rince& don.t you1. he said& fiercely& under his "reath' ,3ah!. said Ma' ,5ou.re *ust a "oy' 0.ve no ti$e for 3rinces'. And she hadn.t' 4ow ;ussy was tryin to o to slee)& his hair still tied with "ows& and a )eculiar sort of ar$ent on hi$ that loo#ed half li#e a ni ht% own and half li#e a lon coat' He went over the e+citin esca)e in his $ind& and shuddered' 4o6he wouldn.t thin# a"out that awful ro)e and the tra)e<e swin ' He wondered a"out his uncle and shuddered a ain' -as he #illed1 3oor ;ussy.s thou hts were not )leasant ones at all' The $ornin ca$e all too soon for the five tired children' 3hili) went across at once to the "ears. ca e to see how they were' The "ars had "een $ended and stren thened' The "ears& loo#in e+tre$ely well%fed& were half aslee)6"ut as soon as they saw 3hili) they )added to the "ars and runted a$ia"ly' One "ear tried to reach hi$ with his )aw' ,;ood6they.re quite all ri ht&. said 3hili)& and ave the$ a little tal# to which they listened entranced& as if they understood every word! Fan# was "etter6"ut still could not stand u)' 3hili) went to see hi$& and the little $an too# his hand and )oured out a strea$ of co$)letely unintelli i"le words' 3hili) #new what he was sayin & thou h! Here was a rateful $an if ever there was one! Fan# loved his "ears as if they were his "rothers& and he had "een al$ost $ad with an+iety the ni ht "efore& when he heard they had esca)ed' ,0.ll ta#e the$ on till you.re well&. said 3hili)& and Fan# understood& and shoo# 3hili).s hand fervently' The ne+t thin was clothes' The ca$) was to set off in three hours& so Ma had ot to hurry if she was oin to et the four of the$ clothes that would dis uise the fact that they were En lish' She went to Lucia& an old "ent wo$an who #e)t the clothes of the circus%fol# in order6not the ordinary ones they wore every day& "ut their fine ones& worn in the rin 6their litterin ca)es and s#irts& their sil#en shirts and $a nificent cloa#s' These were valua"le& and old Lucia.s needle was always "usy' So was her iron' 4o"ody could )ress fine clothes as well or as carefully as Lucia' By the ti$e the circus%fol# were ready to stri#e ca$)& no"ody would have reco ni<ed 2inah& Lucy%Ann& 3hili) and /ac#! Toni had lent the$ rease%)aint and each of the$ was as dar# as a Tauri%Hessian6face& nec#& le s& and hands! The irls wore the Tauri%Hessian dress6lon s#irts and shawls& and ay ri""ons in their hair' The "oys loo#ed *ust li#e rou hly "rou ht%u) "oys of the country& and see$ed to have rown older all of a sudden' Lucy%Ann stared at /ac# in sur)rise& hardly reco ni<in this "rown youth& whose teeth lea$ed suddenly white in his dar# face' Ma was )leased with her efforts& "ut $ost of all she was deli hted with ;ussy' 4o"ody& nobody could )ossi"ly thin# that ;ussy was anythin "ut a irl' He loo#ed really )retty! All five of the$&

3edro too& roared with lau hter when )oor ;ussy ca$e down Ma.s caravan ste)s& loo#in very red in the face& very an ry& and very asha$ed' ,2is is $y little randchild& Anna%Maria!. said Ma& with a "road s$ile' ,Be #ind to her& )li<<!. ;ussy loo#ed as if he was a"out to "urst into tears' ,5es& o on& cry!. said 3hili)& hard%heartedly' ,5ou.ll "e e+actly li#e a irl then& Anna%Maria!. 2inah ave hi$ a )unch' ,0t.s only soft irls that cry!. she said' ,Oh dear6doesn.t ;ussy60 $ean Anna%Maria6loo# )riceless1. ,S$ashin !. said /ac#' ,Honestly& he.s as )retty as a )icture' Than# oodness for his lon hair6 that.s what $a#es hi$ loo# li#e a irl $ore than anythin !. ,0 cut it short soon& soon& soon&. said )oor ;ussy& furiously' ,Sni)%sni)6li#e that!. ,5ou can.t' 5ou told us that 3rinces of this country have to wear it lon & li#e you do&. said 2inah' ,0 will not "e a 3rince then&. said ;ussy' He loo#ed suddenly very forlorn& and a<ed at Lucy% Ann "eseechin ly& feelin that she had the #indest heart of the lot' ,2o not ti<< $e&. he "e ed' ,0 hate <is' 0 a$ full of sha$efulness'. ,All ri ht& ;ussy& er6Anna%Maria&. said /ac#' ,-e won.t ti<< you' Cheer u)6you.ll "e a 3rince a ain "efore lon & 0.$ sure'. ,0f $y uncle is alive& 0 will "e&. said ;ussy& so"erly' ,0f he is dead60 $ust "e (in !. ,;od save the (in &. said (i#i& devoutly& and raised her crest i$)ressively' ,Fetch the doctor and save the (in !.

Chapter 2"

THE CAM3 0S SEARCHE2

SOO4 a lon )rocession of vans was oin down the windin road that led away fro$ Bor#en' The two irls and ;ussy were in 3edro.s little van& and he was drivin the s$all s#ew"ald horse that "elon ed to hi$' /ac# was drivin Ma.s van for her& and the old lady loo#ed really ha))y' She loved a "it of e+cite$ent& and she roared with lau hter whenever she cau ht si ht of )oor ;ussy' 3hili)& of course& was drivin the van in which the "ears. ca e was "uilt' Toni was drivin Fan#.s little livin %van& whistlin cheerfully' Fan# lay on his $attress inside& lad to feel "etter& and to #now that ,that wonder%"oy. 3hili) had ot his "ears in char e' He felt full of ratitude to 3hili) 6and to Toni too for so cheerfully drivin his van for hi$' The circus%fol# were always ready to hel) one another' That was one of the nicest thin s a"out the$' The vans ru$"led alon the road& oin very slowly& for neither the "ears nor the chi$)an<ees li#ed oin fast' They were all e+cited at "ein on the $ove a ain' Feefo and Fu$ chattered away to ether& loo#in throu h the window of their van' ,-here are we oin 1. 2inah as#ed 3edro& throu h the o)en window of the van' 3edro shru ed his shoulders' He had no idea' ,-e $ust et away fro$ Bor#en& where a lot of trou"le $ay start&. he said& ,and try to find so$ewhere $ore )eaceful' -e shall )ro"a"ly $a#e for so$e country road& and #ee) away fro$ all the $ain roads' Soldiers will use those& if trou"le starts'. 2inah went "ac# into the van' The Tauri%Hessian dress suited her well& and she loo#ed e+actly ri ht in it' ,-e.re $a#in for so$e country road&. she told Lucy%Ann' ,0t.s a )ity we still can.t et in touch with Mother or Bill' They really will "e dreadfully worried a"out us "y now'. ,0 su))ose the )olice will have "een told and will "e huntin everywhere for us6"ut in En land instead of here!. said Lucy%Ann' ,-ell& anyway& we.re safe for the $o$ent& and out of that tower% roo$' 0 was ettin tired of that! 4othin to do all day "ut to )lay a$es with those funny cards they "rou ht us!.

They all sto))ed for a $eal at a"out one o.cloc#' The vans stood at one side of the road& and the circus%fol# sat "eside the$ and ate' 0t was li#e su$$er& althou h it was only A)ril' The sun was very hot& and $asses of "rilliant flowers were out everywhere' 3hili).s little dor$ouse ca$e out to share the $eal with hi$' He had had it with hi$ all the ti$e' 0t was scared "y the noisy tal# of the circus%fol#& and only a))eared when thin s were quiet' 0t sat on the )al$ of 3hili).s hand& en*oyin a nut& its "i "lac# eyes now and a ain lancin u) at the "oy' ,0 don.t #now what we.d have done without you& Snoo<y& when we were shut u) in that tower% roo$&. said 3hili)& softly' ,5ou #e)t us all a$used with your little a$es and antics& didn.t you1 And you told /ac# where we were& the other ni ht6you ran under the door to hi$!. Soon they were on the way a ain' The "ears settled down to slee)& ha))y to #now that 3hili) was drivin the$' He had fed the$ hi$self a ain when the )rocession halted for a $eal& and the "ears runted at hi$ ha))ily' Fan# heard the$ and was ha))y too' The )rocession wound down the road& ca$e out into a $ain road& and went down that& intendin to turn off at a country road a"out two $iles on' But halfway down so$ethin ha))ened' Three )owerful $ilitary cars swe)t "y the )rocession& and drove ri ht u) to the head of it' Then they sto))ed& and soldiers lea)t down fro$ the cars& with a ca)tain in co$$and' ,Halt!. he said& to the front driver& and the whole )rocession ca$e to a sto)' The circus%fol# loo#ed worried' -hat was this1 Soldiers already1 And why were they "ein halted1 They had done nothin wron ! They *u$)ed down fro$ their vans& and athered to ether in little #nots& waitin ' /ac# )o#ed his head "ac# into Ma.s van& which he was drivin ' ,This is it& Ma&. he said' ,0 thin# the vans are oin to "e searched' ;ive ;ussy so$ethin to do& and scold hi$ as if he was your randchild' ;ussy& you.re a irl& re$e$"er6so don.t answer "ac#& or even say a word& when the $en co$e alon ' Loo# shy if you can'. 3edro also #new what was a"out to ha))en' He called to the two irls& ,Co$e out& and $i+ with the circus fol#' ;o with Toni and Bin o' 0.ll co$e too' 0.ll )ut $y ar$s round you "oth as if you were $y sisters or $y friends'. 3hili)& however& didn.t $ove' He decided that he was in a very ood )lace& drivin the "ears. van! The $en would "e sure to u)set the "ears and he would have to )acify the$' He would a))ear to the $en to "e a "ear%trainer! The ca)tain found the Boss' 3edro heard hi$ tal#in to hi$ in shar) tones' ,-e are oin to search your vans' -e sus)ect you have so$eone here we want' 0t will "e the worse for you& if you have' 0 warn you to ive hi$ u) now& at once& "ecause when we find hi$ you will "e severely )unished'. The Boss loo#ed sur)rised' He was sittin in his reat chair inside his van' ,0 do not #now what you $ean&. he said' ,Search $y vans! 5ou are welco$e!. The Boss thou ht that the soldiers were loo#in for a deserter& a youn $an& )erha)s' He did not #now they were huntin for a s$all "oy& and certainly had no idea they were after the little 3rince Aloysius! The ca)tain ave a shar) co$$and' His soldiers $arched down the sides of the vans& #ee)in a watch for anyone who $i ht try to hide in the wayside "ushes' Then they "e an to search carefully& )ro"in each van& liftin u) )iles of ru s or clothes to see if anyone could "e hidden there' They sto))ed at the si ht of 3hili)' They had "een told that althou h they $ust at all costs find ;ussy& there were three other children& too& to loo# for' Children whose )resence in the ca$) would tell the$ the 3rince was so$ewhere a"out too' They ca$e u) to the "ears. van& their heels clic#in shar)ly' Their loud voices an ered the three "ears& and they rowled and flun the$selves at the "ars' Toni ca$e u) and s)o#e to the$& tellin the$ to #ee) out of si ht of the "ears'

,-e had trou"le with the$ yesterday&. he said& ,and this "oy& who hel)s the trainer& only *ust $ana ed to #ee) the$ under control' As you see& the "ars of the ca e were "ro#en and had to "e $ended' (ee) out of si ht& )lease& or they will "rea# the "ar.s a ain'. 3hili) didn.t understand what Toni was sayin & "ut uessed' He decided that the "est thin he could do to avoid "ein questioned was to et inside the "ears. ca e& and )retend to quieten the$' So in he went& and the "ears fawned round hi$ in deli ht' The soldiers watched fro$ a safe distance' The ca)tain was satisfied' O"viously this "oy "elon ed to the circus& and travelled as a hel)er with the "ears' He could not "e one of the "oys they had "een told to loo# out for' They went& on to the ne+t van& and Toni win#ed at 3hili)' ,;ood!. he said' ,(ee) there' 5ou are safer with the "ears than anywhere else!. The soldiers went fro$ van to van' They hardly lanced at 2inah or Lucy%Ann& who& with 3edro.s ar$s round the$& were standin watchin the two chi$)an<ees' Mada$e Fifi had ta#en the o))ortunity of ivin the$ a little airin ' The ca)tain& however& lanced shar)ly at 3edro' Could he "e one of the "oys they sou ht1 He "ec#oned to hi$' 3edro ca$e over& still with the irls& s$ilin & and at ease' The ca)tain sna))ed so$ethin at hi$ in Tauri%Hessian' 3edro answered s$oothly& )ointin to his $other.s van' He was sayin that he travelled with his $other& and his little cousin& Anna% Maria' ,And these two irls1. said the ca)tain& shar)ly' ,They are with the circus too&. said 3edro' ,They "elon to the "oy who $ana es the "ears6you have seen hi$' They are /a""erwoc#ians& and s)ea# very little Hessian' But they s)ea# French if you would li#e to as# the$ anythin '. 2inah heard 3edro say the word ,/a""erwoc#ians. and uessed that he was sayin that she and Lucy%Ann "elon ed to /a""erwoc#y! 2inah i$$ediately )oured out a strin of utter i""erish to the ca)tain& wavin her hands a"out& and s$ilin "roadly' Lucy nodded her head now and a ain as if she a reed with her sister! ,All ri ht& all ri ht&. said the ca)tain& in his own lan ua e' ,0t.s all nonsense to $e& this' 0 can.t understand a word! -hat is she sayin 1. 3edro rinned' He told the Ca)tain that 2inah thou ht hi$ very $a nificent& $uch rander than ca)tains in /a""erwoc#y' He was )leased' He saluted the two s$ilin irls s$artly& and went away& satisfied that they were certainly not En lish' He really $ust find out where the Land of /a""erwoc#y was6he didn.t see$ to have heard of it' These circus%fol# ca$e fro$ queer )laces! And now the soldiers had reached Ma.s caravan' /ac# was still sittin in the driver.s seat& (i#i on his shoulder' He had warned her not to tal#& "ecause he was afraid her En lish words $i ht ive the$ away' ,But you can $a#e noises&. he told her& and (i#i understood )erfectly' She raised her crest as the $en ca$e near and cou hed loudly' The soldiers loo#ed at her in sur)rise' ,3ow#e&. said /ac#& )attin (i#i' ,3ow#e& ar#a )ow#e'. He #new that this $eant ,Clever )arrot&. "ecause the )eo)le who had co$e to $arvel at (i#i when she had "een on show& had so often said those two words' ,Ar#a )ow#e!. Clever )arrot! (i#i ave a loud hiccu)& and then another' The soldiers were tic#led& and roared with lau hter' Then (i#i duc#ed li#e a hen layin e s& and that a$used the$ even $ore' This was the #ind of thin (i#i li#ed' 0t ave her a wonderful o))ortunity for showin off' She )ut down her head& loo#ed wic#edly at the soldiers& and ave the$ the full "enefit of her aero)lane% in%trou"le noise' They were e+tre$ely startled& and ste))ed "ac# at once' (i#i cac#led idiotically& lau hin till the soldiers and /ac# were lau hin hel)lessly too! A shar) voice ca$e fro$ "ehind the$' 0t was their ca)tain' They *u$)ed to attention at once' ,-hy waste ti$e on this "oy1. said the ca)tain' ,5ou can see he is a circus "oy& with a )arrot li#e that! Search the van!.

/ac# #new enou h of the Hessian lan ua e now to understand rou hly what the ca)tain had said' He wasn.t sus)ected then6and it was o"vious that none of the soldiers sus)ected 3hili) or the irls' 4ow there was only ;ussy left' -ould he )lay u) and "e sensi"le1 Two soldiers went into Ma.s van' They saw ;ussy at once& sittin "eside Ma' ,-ho.s this1. they said& shar)ly' ,-hat.s her na$e1.

Chapter 2#

THE 3E2LAR.S 7A4

;9SS5 loo#ed shyly u) at the$& and then hid his face in Ma.s la)& as if very overco$e' That had "een Ma.s idea& of course! ,4ow& now!. said Ma& in Tauri%Hessian& ta))in ;ussy' ,Sit u) and answer the entle$en& $y little Anna%Maria!. She turned to the soldiers' ,5ou $ust )ardon her&. she said' ,She is a silly little irl& and cannot say "oo to a oose! Sit u) $y )et& and show these #ind entle$en what you are $a#in '. ;ussy sat u)& and held out a )iece of e$"roidery to the two soldiers& #ee)in his head down as if very shy indeed' /ac#& loo#in in throu h the window& was a$a<ed at ;ussy.s actin ' And that e$"roidery! How very very clever of Ma to ive ;ussy that to show to the soldiers! He had seen Ma wor#in on it herself& ni ht after ni ht! ,She is $y favourite randchild&. Ma )rattled on' ,The )rettiest little thin and so ood' Tal# to the #ind entle$en& Anna%Maria! Say how%do%you%do'. ,0 cannot&. said ;ussy& and hid his face in Ma.s la) a ain' ,2on.t "other her&. said one soldier' ,0 have a little irl at ho$e as shy as she is' 0t.s "etter to have the$ that way than "old and chee#y' How )retty her hair is! 5ou $ust "e )roud of her& old wo$an'. ,She is such a ood little needlewo$an&. said Ma& )roudly& and )atted ;ussy.s head' ,Sit u)& $y )et6the entle$en won.t eat you!. ,-e.re oin &. said the first soldier' ,Here& ive her this to s)end' She really does re$ind $e of $y little irl at ho$e'. He threw a coin to Ma and she cau ht it deftly and )oc#eted it at once' /ac# heaved an enor$ous si h of relief when he saw the two $en wal#in away' He )o#ed his head in at the window' ,0t.s all ri ht' They.ve one' ;ussy& you were a"solutely $arvellous! Tal# a"out an actor! -hy& you.re a "orn actor! A shy little irl to the life'. ;ussy lifted his head fro$ Ma.s la)' His eyes were "ri ht and his face was red' He was lau hin ' ,0t was Ma.s idea& to "ehave li#e that&. he said' ,She said 0 $ust not show $y face at all& 0 $ust "e shy and )ut it into her la)'. ,A really ood idea&. said /ac#& and rinned at Ma.s s$ilin face' ,Honestly& ;ussy& 0 con ratulate you60 never i$a ined you could act li#e that'. ,0 li#e actin &. said ;ussy' ,But not in irls. clothes' 0 feel silly' Still6it was a very ood idea' 4ow60 a$ safe& is it not so1. ,0 thin# so&. said /ac#& loo#in u) the road' ,The $en are oin "ac# to their cars' They are ettin into the$' 5es6the first car is oin off' -hew! 0 was in a stew when those two fellows wal#ed into your van'. As soon as the three $ilitary cars had shot off down the road& 3hili) left the "ears. van& and ca$e runnin over to the others& rinnin ' They all collected round Ma.s van& and heard /ac#.s recital of ;ussy.s $arvellous )erfor$ance'

;ussy was )leased' He was not often )raised "y the others& and it was very )leasant to have the$ ad$irin hi$ for once in a way' Then he cau ht si ht of hi$self in Ma.s $irror& ri""ons and all& and his face clouded' ,0 do not li#e $yself&. he said& starin in the $irror' ,0 will now dress in $y own thin s a ain'. ,Oh no6not yet!. said /ac#& quic#ly' ,5ou don.t #now who $i ht reco ni<e you suddenly if you did' 5ou.ll have to "e a irl until we et you to safety so$ewhere' ;o on& now& ;ussy6you li#e actin ' 5ou.ll ive a $arvellous )erfor$ance!. The vans went on a ain' The e+cite$ent quic#ly died down& and everyone rew silent' They were tired with their short ni ht and the distur"ances they had had' They sto))ed for a snac# a"out si+ o.cloc# and then went on a ain' They were now on a lonely country road' The surface was "ad& and the vans had to o slowly' 4o"ody $inded that' Circus%fol# were never in a hurry e+ce)t when their show was a"out to "e in' Then everyone fell into a tre$endous rush& and raced a"out in e+cite$ent' They ca$)ed that& ni ht in the hills' They all sle)t very soundly to $a#e u) for the lac# of slee) the ni ht "efore' Then they set out a ain& *o in on slowly& not really very certain where they were oin ' The Boss suddenly decided that they had ta#en a wron turnin a few $iles "ac#' The vans were& turned round and "ac# they all went& ru$"lin hard' They )assed few )eo)le on the road& for they were now in a very lonely )art' ,0 want sho)s&. ru$"led Ma' ,0 need to "uy thin s' -e all need to "uy thin s' -e $ust o to so$e )lace where there are sho)s' 0 will o to tell the Boss'. But she didn.t& "ecause she was afraid of hi$' She *ust went on ru$"lin ' She wanted new cotton reels' She wanted so$e tinned fruit' She wanted hair%)ins' ,Cheer u)& Ma6we $ay $eet a travellin )edlar%van&. said 3edro& ettin tired of Ma.s ru$"lin ' ,-hat.s that1. as#ed /ac#' ,Oh6a van that ta#es all #inds of thin s to lonely villa es&. said 3edro' ,0 don.t e+)ect we shall $eet one6"ut 0.ve ot to say so$ethin to #ee) Ma quiet!. The Boss ave the order to ca$) early that ni ht& and everyone was than#ful' Soon fires were "urnin "y the roadside and ood s$ells ca$e on the air' /ust as it was ettin dus#& a s$all van ca$e la"ourin u) the hill on the slo)e of which the ca$) had "een )itched' Mada$e Fifi saw it first and ave a shout' Everyone loo#ed u)' ,Ma! 5ou.re in luc#!. called 3edro' ,Here.s a )edlar.s van!. The little "lac# van drew u) at the si ht of the circus ca$)' Two $en sat in the front of it& in the usual Tauri%Hessian clothes& sun"urnt fellows& one s$all& one "i and "urly' ,Better #ee) out of si ht& ;ussy&. said /ac#& suddenly' ,5ou never #now6this $i ht "e $en sent to chec# over the ca$) a ain'. ,Oh dear!. si hed Lucy%Ann' ,2on.t say they.re oin to search all over a ain'. The s$all $an *u$)ed out& went to the side of the van& and swun down half the wooden side& $a#in a #ind of counter' 0nside the van& on shelves& were oods of every conceiva"le #ind! Tins of $eat& sardines and fruit' Tins of sal$on and $il#' S#eins of wool& reels of cotton& rolls of lace& "ales of chea) cotton cloth' Safety%)ins and hair%)ins' Co$"s of all #inds' Soa)' Sweets' Really& it was *ust li#e a little eneral sho) seen in so $any villa es' ,0t sells everythin !. said 3edro' ,Ma& do you want $e to "uy half the thin s for you1. ,4o' 0.ll co$e $yself&. said Ma& who en*oyed a "it of sho))in ' ,Stay here& Anna%Maria!. ,Can we o and have a loo# at the sho)& do you thin#1. as#ed 2inah' ,5ou.ve ot so$e Hessian $oney& haven.t you& /ac#1 0 do really want to "uy so$e soa)& and a few other thin s' Surely that van is enuine6those $en can.t "e s)ies& sent to search the ca$) a ain!. ,4o' 0 don.t thin# they can "e&. said /ac#' ,The van does see$ quite enuine& as you say' All ri ht6we.ll o and "uy a few thin s' 4ot ;ussy& thou h'.

So& while the others strolled off in the dus# to the little travellin sho)& )oor ;ussy was left "ehind in Ma.s van' He was very cross' The s$all $an sold all the oods' The "i $an $erely hel)ed& handin down this and that& and wra))in u) anythin that needed it' He said nothin at all' The other $an was a real tal#er' He chattered all the ti$e& chaffed the wo$en& and )assed on little "its of news' ,And what news have you ot1. he as#ed Ma and old Lucia& as he sold the$ hair%)ins and co$"s' ,5ou.ve co$e fro$ the direction of Bor#en& haven.t you1 Any news of the (in there1 He.s not "een found yet& you #now!. Ma ave hi$ her news& and descri"ed the cla$our of the "ells in the ni ht' Old Lucia chi$ed in with a few re$ar#s too' ,-here.s little 3rince Aloysius1. she wanted to #now' ,They say he was sent to school in En land' 0f the (in is dead& the little 3rince will have to "e "rou ht "ac#& won.t he1. ,-e had soldiers searchin our ca$) today&. said Mada$e Fifi' ,Thou h what they e+)ected to find& 0 don.t #now' The (in )erha)s!. Everyone lau hed' The chatterin and "uyin went on for so$e ti$e& and the )edlars did very well' /ac# went u) to "uy so$e sweets for the irls& (i#i on his shoulder' ,;ood%$ornin & ood%ni ht& ood racious!. said (i#i& conversationally& to the )edlar who was servin ' He lau hed' But the other $an didn.t' He turned round and loo#ed very shar)ly at (i#i indeed' /ac# felt unco$forta"le' -hy did the second $an loo# round li#e that1 He tried to see what he was li#e& "ut it was now dar#& and difficult to see inside the little van' Lucy%Ann )ointed to so$e toffee' ,0.d li#e so$e of that&. she said& in En lish' /ac# saw the $an at the "ac# of the van stiffen' He see$ed to "e listenin for what Lucy%Ann $i ht say ne+t' He reached u) to a shelf& too# down a tin& and then stood still a ain& as Lucy%Ann s)o#e once $ore' ,Let.s have a tin of )inea))le& (i#i li#es that'. The $an swun round' /ac# hurriedly )ushed Lucy%Ann "ac# into the dar#ness' This fellow was a s)y! He was sure of it! He too# another loo# at hi$& "ut could not $a#e out very $uch' A head of "lac#& curly hair& such as all the Tauri%Hessians had6a s$all "lac# $oustache6that was a"out all /ac# could see' ,-hat.s u)& /ac#1. said Lucy%Ann& in astonish$ent as he hurried her away fro$ the van& )ullin 2inah and 3hili) with hi$ too' He told the$ hurriedly what he thou ht and they were very worried' They rushed "ac# to Ma.s van to see if ;ussy was all ri ht' To their reat relief& he was there& loo#in very sul#y' ,Thou h why we should thin# he wouldn.t "e there& 0 don.t #now&. said /ac#' ,;ussy& et out your e$"roidery' -e.ve seen so$e"ody sus)icious' He heard Lucy%Ann tal#in in En lish& and (i#i too& and he was much too interested!. ,-ell6we.ll ho)e he clears off soon&. said 3hili)' ,0.ll o and watch& and tell you when they.re one'. But the )edlar.s van didn.t o! The two $en shut u) the side of the van& safely loc#in u) all their oods& and then sat outside with a little ca$)%fire& coo#in so$e #ind of $eal' ,They.re stayin the ni ht&. re)orted 3hili)' ,4ot too ood& is it1 And Mada$e Fifi told $e that the s$all $an has "een as#in questions a"out (i#i6if the "oy who owns her "elon s to the ca$) 6and where his caravan is!. ,Blow!. said /ac#' ,-hat can we do1 -e can.t )ossi"ly run away' 0.ve no idea at all where we are6$iles away fro$ anywhere& that.s certain! -ell6we can only ho)e for the "est' -e.ll slee) as usual under the irls. van& and ;ussy can "e with Ma' After all& he.s the i$)ortant one6we.re not really i$)ortant& e+ce)t that ;ussy esca)ed with us& and )resu$a"ly the Count will thin# that wherever we are& ;ussy will "e too!. The irls went to their van and undressed to o to slee)' ;ussy was safely with Ma' The three "oys lay on the ru s "elow the irls. van as usual' 3edro soon fell aslee)& "ut /ac# and 3hili) were worried& and lay awa#e& whis)erin '

Suddenly /ac# clutched 3hili)' ,0 can hear so$eone&. he whis)ered& in his ear' ,So$eone crawlin near this van'. /ac# sat u) cautiously and felt for his torch' 5es6so$eone was near the van& crawlin quietly on all fours' /ac# flic#ed on his torch at once' A sur)rised face was cau ht in the li ht' A $an was on hands and #nees near"y' 0t was the "i )edlar fro$ the little van! His "lac# hair showed u) )lainly in the "ea$ of the torch' ,-hat do you want1. said /ac#& fiercely' ,-hat do you $ean "y crawlin around li#e this1 0.ll raise the ca$)& and have the$ all after you!.

Chapter 2&

A S9R3R0SE6A42 A 3LA4
,SH!. said the $an& ur ently' ,0 ' ' '. And then& "efore he could say another word& a very stran e thin ha))ened! (i#i& who had "een watchin the $an in the reatest sur)rise& suddenly s)read her win s and flew to his shoulder! She ru""ed her "ea# a ainst his chee# in the $ost lovin $anner& croonin li#e a dove' ,(i#i!. said the $an& and stro#ed her nec#' ,Silly%Billy&. said (i#i& lovin ly' ,Silly%Billy& )ut the #ettle on& send for the doctor!. /ac# was so astonished that he si$)ly couldn.t say a word' -hy in the world was (i#i "ehavin li#e that6and how did this $an #now her1 0t was 3hili) who uessed' He suddenly rolled hi$self over on hands and #nees& and crawled at to) s)eed fro$ under the wa on' ,Bill! B0LL! This $ust "e a drea$! Bill& it is you& isn.t it1 Are you wearin a wi 1. -ith a rin& the "i $an stri))ed off the whole of his "lac# hair6yes& he was wearin a wi ! And without it he loo#ed hi$self at once& in s)ite of the little "lac# $oustache which& of course& was $erely stuc# on' ,Bill& oh& Bill! 0 can.t "elieve it!. said 3hili)' Bill )ut out his reat hand and the two shoo# hands sole$nly for quite a lon ti$e' Then /ac# *oined the$& his eyes al$ost fallin out of his head' 0t $ust "e a drea$! This couldnt "e real! But it was' 0t was Bill hi$self' He as#ed ea erly a"out the irls' ,0 was so relieved to see the$ "oth loo#in so well&. he said' ,Thou h 0 hardly #new the$ in that et%u) they were wearin ' But 0 #new Lucy%Ann.s clear hi h voice all ri ht6and 0 s)otted (i#i too& of course' 0 couldn.t "elieve it when 0 saw her on your shoulder& /ac#' 0 really couldn.t' -here are the irls1 0n this van here1. ,5es' -e heard that you had $ade enquiries a"out where our van was&. said /ac#' ,And we thou ht you were s)ies! -e didn.t uess it was you& and that you wanted to co$e and find us in the ni ht' Let.s et into the van and wa#e the irls' -e.ll wa#e old 3edro too' He.s a reat friend of ours'. Soon an e+tre$ely e+cited co$)any of si+ )eo)le and a )arrot sat in 3edro.s little van' Lucy% Ann hun on to Bill and wouldn.t let hi$ $ove even an inch fro$ her' Tears ran down her chee#s and she #e)t "rushin the$ away' ,0 can.t hel) it& Bill& 0.$ not really cryin & it.s *ust "ecause 0.$ so ha))y a ain& 0 *ust can.t hel) it& Bill!. said )oor Lucy%Ann& lau hin throu h the tears that si$)ly )oured down her face' Bill too# out an enor$ous han#y and )atted her eyes' He was very fond of Lucy%Ann' ,5ou $a#e $e thin# of ;ussy&. he said& ,and the ti$e when 3hili) too# a #itchen ta"le%cloth to dry his tears! Cheer u)6we.re all to ether a ain6and you can ive $e $ost valua"le infor$ation!. ,How.s Mother1. said 3hili)' ,0s she very worried1. ,7ery!. said Bill' ,She and 0 were cau ht and tied u) the ni ht you were #idna))ed' -e couldn.t et free' -e had to wait till Mrs' ;u$) ca$e alon the road ne+t $ornin on her way to the cotta e& and call out to her' By that ti$e& of course& all trace of you had "een lost' -e.ve had the

)olice huntin every county in En land for you! -e didn.t dare to say ;ussy had one too& "ecause we didn.t want the news to et to the Tauri%Hessians'. ,-e went off in a )lane& after a car had ta#en us away&. said 3hili)' ,/ac# hid in the "oot of the car and then stowed away in the )lane6so he #new where we had one' -e were i$)risoned in Bor#en Castle with ;ussy6and /ac# $ana ed to rescue us!. ,0 *oined this circus with (i#i&. e+)lained /ac#' ,3edro was a "ric#6he hel)ed $e no end' -e ot Toni and Bin o the acro"ats to hel) in the rescue6)hew& it was )retty dan erous!. He told Bill all a"out it' Bill listened in a$a<e$ent' These children! The thin s that ha))ened to the$6the way they tac#led everythin that ca$e alon & and never turned a hair' And now they had ot ;ussy safely with the$& dis uised as a irl! ,But Bill6you haven.t told us what youre doin here1. said /ac#' ,Fancy you co$in alon in a )edlar.s van6all dressed u) as a Tauri%Hessian6really& it.s too queer to "e true'. ,-ell& it.s true all ri ht&. said Bill' ,5ou see& when our ;overn$ent learnt that the (in of Tauri% Hessia had "een ca)tured6or #illed& for all we #now6it was a"solutely essential that we should find out whether this was true or not6and it was essential we should find ;ussy too& if )ossi"le' So& as the Tauri%Hessian ;overn$ent had )ut ;ussy into $y char e& as you #now& it was decided that 0 should "e the one to co$e out and $a#e inquiries'. ,0 see6s)y round to see how the land lay&. said 3hili)' ,2id you thin# we $i ht all "e in Tauri% Hessia1. ,5es60 ca$e to the conclusion that wherever ;ussy had "een ta#en& you would "e there too6to "e held as hosta es& if our own ;overn$ent $ade any trou"le a"out ;ussy&. said Bill' ,And as soon as the news ca$e that the (in had disa))eared& we felt sure that ;ussy would "e so$ewhere in Bor#en& Count 3aritolen.s own territory6and )ossi"ly the (in $i ht "e held )risoner there too6 so 0 and another $an& who s)ea#s Tauri%Hessian well& flew over strai ht away to do a s)ot of s)yin ' Hence the )edlar.s van!. ,Mother will "e feelin awfully worried& with you one too&. said 2inah' ,0.ll et a $essa e throu h to her so$eti$e to$orrow&. said Bill' ,4ow& 0 wonder if you can tell $e so$ethin 6have you any sort of an idea at all where the (in $i ht "e hidden1. ,0n Bor#en Castle&. said /ac#& )ro$)tly' ,0.$ sure of it! 0.ll tell you why'. He told Bill of how he had e+)lored the castle6and how he had overheard the Count and Mada$e Tatiosa tal#in e+citedly to ether' ,That was the ni ht "efore the (in was #nown to have disa))eared&. said /ac#' ,0 thin# their )lans were oin well6)ro"a"ly they even had hi$ a )risoner so$ewhere then' And the o"vious )lace to ta#e hi$ would "e the Count.s own castle6he would then have ;ussy there6and the (in too6ri ht under his hand! He could "ar ain with "oth& if he wanted to'. Bill listened to this lon s)eech with the reatest interest' ,0 thin# you.re ri ht&. he said' ,0 wish we could et into the castle and find out so$ethin ' Ronald& the fellow who is with $e& s)ea#s the lan ua e li#e a native' 0 wonder if he could "luff his way in6say he.s a trades$an co$e to do a re)air& or so$ethin '. ,I #now what we could do&. said /ac#& with a sudden sur e of e+cite$ent' ,0 #now a way in& Bill 6the way 0 ot out the first ni ht 0 was there! 0t leads throu h secret )assa es u) to the "i "allroo$' There.s a way into the "allroo$ fro$ "ehind a reat )icture' 0 don.t #now how to $ove the )icture away& thou h6so as to et into the "allroo$' That.s the sna '. ,-e.ll find out!. said Bill' ,/ac#& this is reat! Are you a$e to co$e with $e6and Ronald too& $y )al6and show us the way into the castle1 0f only we could find out whether the (in is alive or not6or whether he.s a )risoner6it would "e a reat hel)' There.s one thin & the )lans of the )lotters $ust "e reatly u)set now that ;ussy has one! 4o (in for the country6and no 3rince to set in his )lace! 7ery difficult for the$!. ,0.ll co$e& Bill&. said /ac#& his face red with e+cite$ent' ,0.ll co$e too&. said 3hili)'

,4o6you $ust stay and #ee) an eye on the irls&. said Bill' ,0 $ust have one of you with the$' (ee) an eye on ;ussy too' 3edro can hel) there'. ,Shall we o now1. as#ed /ac#& ea erly' ,0t.s a very dar# ni ht'. ,The sooner the "etter&. said Bill& and ot u)' ,-ait here' 0.ll fetch Ronnie' 0.ll have to tell hi$ a few thin s first thou h! My word& he.ll "e astonished!. Bill disa))eared' For a $o$ent the five said nothin ' (i#i "ro#e the silence' ,2in don "ell& Billy.s in the well&. she said' ,3ussy.s ot a cold6a%chooo!. ,0diot!. said /ac#' ,My word6what a ni ht! Fancy B0LL turnin u) here' 0t was (i#i who reco ni<ed hi$ when he ca$e crawlin round the van' 0 didn.t'. ,Everythin will "e all ri ht now&. said Lucy%Ann' ,0t always is when Bill co$es'. ,2on.t tal# too soon&. said 2inah' ,They.ve not ot an easy *o" toni ht!. Bill ca$e "ac# with Ronnie& who see$ed rather overco$e at $eetin so $any )eo)le at once' He had $uch $ore to say as a )edlar than with Bill in 3edro.s van! ,-ell6are we ready1. said Bill' ,Co$e on then'. They sli))ed out of the caravan& and /ac# followed the two $en' Their van was quite near& and /ac# uessed what they were oin to do' They were oin to drive "ac# to Bor#en' 0t wouldn.t ta#e lon & "ecause it wasn.t really very far away' The circus )rocession of horse%drawn vans had one at a wal#in )ace the last two days& and had once had to retrace their ste)s as well' 0t wouldn.t ta#e $ore than an hour to et to Bor#en' They went off in the ni ht& Ronnie drivin ' (i#i was on /ac#.s shoulder' She $eant to "e in everythin & no $atter what it was! They ca$e to Bor#en' The town was in utter dar#ness' ,3ar# the van in the field where the ca$) was&. said /ac#& and uided the$ to it' ,The castle is only *ust u) the stee) slo)e of the hill then'. They )ar#ed the van "ehind a "i "ush' Then they $ade their way u) the stee) slo)e to the castle' ,There.s the "ell%tower&. said /ac#& as they ca$e nearer' ,Better o cautiously in case there are )eo)le on uard' The Count $ust #now that we esca)ed "y $eans of the "ell%tower' -e had to leave Toni.s wire ro)e "ehind& stretched fro$ tower to tower'. 4o"ody see$ed to "e a"out& however' But /ac# suddenly saw li hts in the castle windows hi h a"ove the$' They "la<ed out of half a do<en windows6so$ethin was oin on in the castle in the $iddle of that ni ht& it was certain! ,-e $i ht "e a"le to have a loo# in on that&. said Bill& starin at the li hts' ,Must "e so$e #ind of a conference oin on'. ,There.s a hole in one of the walls of the conference roo$6at least& 0 thin# it $ust "e a conference roo$&. said /ac#& suddenly e+cited' ,0 saw a round ta"le& and chairs& and writin %)ads and )encils all set out' 0f we could et u) to that roo$& and loo# throu h the hole& we $i ht see so$ethin interestin 6and hear so$ethin too!. ,-e $i ht&. a reed Bill' ,Co$e on6let.s et oin ' 0nto the "ell%tower we o! -here.s that tra)%door you told us a"out1. They were soon in the "ell%tower' /ac# searched a"out for the tra)%door' He found it& and Bill )ulled it o)en' 2own they went into the little cellar "elow' Bill )ulled the tra)%door shut "ehind hi$' ,Lead the way& /ac#&. he said& and flashed on an e+tre$ely )owerful torch' -ith a *u$) /ac# saw that "oth $en now carried revolvers too' ;osh6this $i ht "e a serious "usiness then! ,This way&. said /ac#& and ste))ed over the *un# in the under round hole' ,Better "e as quiet as we can' 4ow6throu h here!.

Chapter 2(

TO BOR(E4 CASTLE A;A04!

/AC( cla$"ered throu h the round hole at the other end of the little cellar' He was now in the very narrow& low%roofed )assa e he re$e$"ered so well& "ecause he had had to wal# throu h it with his head well "ent' He led Bill and Ronnie u) the stee)ly slo)in way& lit "y Bill.s )owerful torch' /ac# sto))ed when they ca$e to the to) of the lon & slo)in )assa e' ,-e.re very near the roo$ where the s)y%hole is&. he whis)ered' ,0f there is a conference "ein held6or so$e sort of $eetin 6we.ll "e a"le to loo# throu h the hole at it6or you will& Bill& "ecause as far as 0 #now there.s only one hole'. ,Let $e #now when we co$e to it&. whis)ered Bill& and they went on a ain' 0n a short while /ac# saw a little "ea$ of li ht co$in fro$ the side of the ri ht%hand wall6that $ust "e the s)y% hole! He whis)ered to Bill' Bill saw the "ea$ of li ht and nodded' There was not roo$ for hi$ to et in front of /ac#& so the "oy went on )ast the little s)y%hole& and let Bill stand "y it "ehind hi$' Ronnie was "y Bill& quite silent' (i#i had "een ta))ed on the "ea#& so she #new she was to "e quiet too' Bill lued his eye to the s)y%hole' He saw the sa$e roo$ that /ac# had seen6a roo$ with a round ta"le& chairs )ulled u) to it& and writin $aterials on the ta"le' But now there were li hts "la<in in the roo$6and every chair at the ta"le was filled' At the to) sat Count 3aritolen' Beside hi$ sat his sister& Mada$e Tatiosa' On his other side sat so$eone else& who$ Bill #new fro$ )hoto ra)hs6the 3ri$e Minister& hus"and of Mada$e Tatiosa' He loo#ed ill%at%ease and rave' Men in $ilitary unifor$ were also round the ta"le' At the "otto$ of the ta"le stood a tall $an& with a reat li#eness to ;ussy6his uncle& the (in ! Bill heaved a si h of relief' So he hadn.t "een #illed' -ell& that was one ood thin at any rate' 0f only he could "e ot away& thin s could "e )ut ri ht very quic#ly& and civil war would "e avoided' Bill strained his ears to hear what was oin on' He could not hear very well& "ehind the wooden )anellin & "ut he heard enou h to #now what was ha))enin ' The (in was "ein ur ed to a"dicate6to leave his throne& o into retire$ent& and let ;ussy6 the 3rince Aloysius6rule in his stead' ,0f you will not si n this docu$ent of a"dication& then it will "e the worse for you&. finished Count 3aritolen' ,5ou will& 0 fear& not "e heard of a ain'. Bill followed this with difficulty& for he did not s)ea# Tauri%Hessian well' He had& in fact& only tried to learn it when he #new he $i ht have to o to the country' But he had no dou"t that that was what the Count was sayin ' The 3ri$e Minister said so$ethin in )rotest& "ut the Count would not listen' Mada$e Tatiosa $ade a short& an ry s)eech and sat down' The (in "owed& and then s)o#e in such a low voice that Bill couldn.t hear a word' ,7ery well&. said the Count' ,5ou $ay have toni ht to $a#e u) your $ind6toni ht only' -e will ad*ourn this $eetin '. He stood u) and so did everyone else' The Count went out with his sister and the 3ri$e Minister' The (in followed& closely he$$ed in "y four $en' He loo#ed sad and worried' The li hts in the conference roo$ di$$ed& and there was silence' Bill turned to Ronnie and re)eated ra)idly what he had seen and what he thou ht had ha))ened' ,As far as 0 can $a#e out the (in .s ot toni ht to thin# thin s over' 0f he says no& he wont ive u) the throne& that.s the end of hi$' 0 thin# he will say no'. There was a silence "ehind the wooden )anellin for a $o$ent or two' Bill de"ated with hi$self' Could he et "ac# to the ca)ital of Tauri%Hessia& tell what he had seen& and "rin $en to rescue the (in 1 4o6there wouldn.t "e ti$e6the ca)ital town was too far off' There was only one sure thin to do6and that was to see if he hi$self could et the (in away' He whis)ered this to /ac#' The "oy nodded' ,5es' 0f only we #new where he was oin to "e toni ht! He won.t "e )ut into the tower%roo$& 0.$ sure' They.d "e afraid he.d esca)e too& li#e

;ussie' Let.s o to the "all roo$& where that $ovin )icture han s6we $i ht "e a"le to shove it aside and et into the roo$'. He led the way a ain6u) so$e very stee) ste)s& u) and u)' Then round a shar) corner and into a narrow& dar# )assa e runnin *ust inside the walls of the roo$s& "ut a little "elow the level of the floor' Then ca$e a s$all fli ht of ste)s& and /ac# )aused' ,These are the ste)s that lead u) to that )icture&. he whis)ered' ,5ou $ust see if you can find out how to $ove it away fro$ the hole& Bill6it slides ri ht away fro$ it& #ee)in level with the wall'. Bill and Ronnie "e an to feel a"out all over the )lace' Bill suddenly found a #no"' Ah6this $ust "e it! A )ull at this $i ht set the $echanis$ wor#in that $oved the )icture away& and left a hole in its )lace' He listened carefully' 4o noise ca$e fro$ the roo$ within' -ell6he.d have to ris# it& anyhow' Bill )ulled the #no"' 4othin ha))ened' He twisted it' Still nothin ha))ened' Then he )ushed it6and it ave "eneath his hand' Then ca$e a sli ht scra)in noise& and it see$ed to Bill as if )art of the wall was disa))earin ! But it was only the )icture $ovin to one side& leavin a hole al$ost as lar e as itself6the secret entrance to the "allroo$! There was very little li ht in the "i roo$6$erely a di$ low fro$ a la$) whose wic# had "een turned down' Bill )eered out' ,4o one here&. he whis)ered to the others' ,-e.ll et into the roo$ while we can'. He cli$"ed out of the hole and *u$)ed li htly to the floor' The others followed' Their ru""er shoes $ade no sound' ,-e.d "etter *ust o and see if the (in has "een )ut into the tower%roo$&. whis)ered /ac#' ,0.ll o' 0 #now the way' 5ou stay here6"ehind these curtains'. He s)ed into the anteroo$& and saw the s)iral stairway' He sto))ed and listened' 4o sound anywhere' He ran u) the ste)s quietly and ca$e to the little landin ' He flashed his torch on the door that led into the roo$ where 3hili) and the others had "een i$)risoned' 0t was wide o)en! The roo$ "eyond was dar#& too& so it was )lain that the (in was not i$)risoned there' /ac# went down a ain' He ti)toed to the curtains "ehind which Bill and Ronnie were hidin ' ,4o ood&. he whis)ered' ,The door.s wide o)en' He.s not there'. ,Listen!. said Bill& suddenly' ,0 can hear so$ethin !. They listened' 0t was the clu$)%clu$) of $archin feet' They ca$e nearer and nearer' 0t sounded li#e two or three )eo)le' Bill )ee)ed round the side of the curtain when the sound had )assed "y' ,Two soldiers&. he whis)ered' ,They $ust have one to relieve two others on uard so$ewhere 6and who should they "e uardin "ut the (in 1 -e.ll wait and see if two others co$e "ac# this way& then we shall #now the first two have one on uard so$ewhere6and we.ll e+)lore down that )assa e& where the first two went'. ,-hen 0 was here "efore& the sentry on uard #e)t disa))earin down there&. said /ac#& re$e$"erin ' ,0t.s a #ind of sentry%"eat& 0 thin#' 3erha)s the (in has "een ta#en down there and loc#ed into a cell'. ,Listen!. said Ronnie' Bac# ca$e $archin feet a ain and two different sentries went "y s$artly in the o))osite direction fro$ the others& and disa))eared' The three could hear the sound of their feet for so$e ti$e& and then no $ore' ,4ow!. said Bill' ,And #ee) your ears o)en and your eyes s#inned too'. They all went down the dar# )assa e where the two first sentries had one' Ri ht down to the end6round a shar)%an led turn& and down a few ste)s6alon a narrower )assa e& and round another turn' But here they sto))ed' They could hear $archin feet a ain6co$in nearer!

There was a roo$ o)enin off near where the three stood' Bill )ushed o)en the door and the three went into it hurriedly' 0t was quite dar#' Bill switched his torch on for a $o$ent and they saw that it was a #ind of "o+%roo$' The sentries )assed ri ht "y it& went a ood way u) the )assa e and then& sta$)%sta$)& they turned and ca$e "ac# a ain' Bill listened to their feet $archin ' They see$ed to o a lon way down the )assa e& a lon & lon way& "efore they turned to co$e "ac#' ,0 should thin# the (in $ust "e loc#ed u) so$ewhere a"out the $iddle of their sentry% o&. said Bill' ,-e.ll let the$ co$e u) here once $ore& and when they have one ri ht )ast us& u) to the other end of their "eat& we.ll sli) down here and e+)lore a "it' -e can always o and hide "eyond the other end of their wal#& if we hear the$ co$in "ac#'. The sentries ca$e $archin "ac#& )assed the three hidden in the little "o+%roo$ a ain& and -ent on to the end of their "eat' Bill& Ronnie and /ac# sli))ed quic#ly out of the "o+%roo$ and ran li htly down the )assa e' They turned a corner and ca$e to a dead%end' A stout door faced the$& well and truly "olted6and loc#ed too& as Bill found when he tried to o)en it! ,Sssst!. said Ronnie& suddenly& and )ulled the$ "ac# into a dar# corner' Bill and /ac# wondered what had scared hi$6then they saw! A door was o)enin silently o))osite to the$6a door they hadn.t seen "ecause it was )art of the )anellin itself' So$eone ca$e throu h carryin a la$)' 0t was the Count 3aritolen' Had he co$e to #ill the (in 1 Or to try once $ore to )ersuade hi$ to ive u) his throne1 Bill saw so$ethin else' He saw what the Count was holdin 6a "i #ey! The #ey to the (in .s roo$& no dou"t! The Count heard the sentries co$in "ac# and went "ac# throu h the hidden door& closin it softly' He evidently $eant to wait till the sentries had co$e u) and then had one "ac# a ain' ,Ronnie&. said Bill& his $outh close to his friend.s ear& ,we et that #ey& do you understand1 And we et the Count too' -ill you tac#le hi$ while 0 o)en the door and find out if the (in .s there1 He $ustn.t $a#e any noise'. ,He won.t&. said Ronnie& ri$ly' The sentries ca$e ri ht u)& and then turned& sta$)%sta$)& and went "ac# a ain' As soon as they had turned the first corner& the hidden door o)ened a ain& and the Count ste))ed throu h swiftly& la$) in one hand& #ey in the other' Everythin ha))ened so quic#ly then that /ac# was "ewildered' He heard an e+cla$ation fro$ the Count& and then he saw Bill runnin to the door with the #ey& and Ronnie dra in the Count hurriedly "ac# throu h the hidden door' The la$) went out' There was co$)lete silence' Ronnie ca$e "ac# and switched on his torch' He saw Bill unloc#in the door and )ullin "ac# "olts' ,0 found a nice little cell "ac# there&. he said& *er#in his head towards the door' ,/ust ri ht for the Count' He.s tied u) and he can shout the )lace down if he li#es6no"ody can hear hi$ in that roo$!. ,;ood wor#&. said Bill' ,Blow these "olts6there are half a do<en of the$! -e.ll have the sentries "ac# here "efore we #now where we are!. Ronnie "lew out the )assa e la$) that shone near the door' ,2on.t want the sentries to see the "olts are drawn!. he said' ,Buc# u)& Bill' They.re co$in "ac#' /ac# and 0 will wait here6*ust in case there.s trou"le with the sentries' 2o "uc# u)!.

Chapter 2*

A4 EBC0T04; T0ME
B0LL at last ot the door o)en and went in' A shaft of li ht shone out fro$ the roo$ at once' Ronnie shut the door quic#ly' /ac# found that his heart was "e innin to thu$) a ain' Those sentries6 would they co$e "ac# "efore Bill had ot the (in 1 The door o)ened a ain& "ut this ti$e no shaft of li ht showed' Bill had turned out the la$) inside the roo$' So$eone was with hi$6the (in ' Oh& ood! thou ht /ac#'

The sentries were co$in "ac#' Their feet could "e clearly heard' Bill hurried the (in across to the hidden door& o)ened it and )ushed hi$ throu h' Ronnie followed& and then /ac#' /ust in ti$e! ,2o you su))ose they.ll see the door is un"olted1. said /ac#' ,5ou didn.t have ti$e to "olt it'. ,-e.ll soon #now!. said Bill' ,0.$ afraid they will notice it6it.s their *o" to chec# u) on that& 0.$ sure'. /ac# suddenly ave a little cry' ,(i#i! -here is she1 She was on $y shoulder a $inute a o& now she.s one' 0 never felt her fly off in $y e+cite$ent' Oh& Bill6she $ust "e out there in the )assa e so$ewhere'. She was6and she was very $uch annoyed to find that /ac# see$ed to have disa))eared' -here was he1 She could hear the sentries co$in nearer and nearer& and the sound of their clu$)%clu$)% clu$)in annoyed her' She flew u) to a *uttin %out stone in the wall& and when the two $en $arched *ust "elow her& she hooted lon and loud' ,HOOOOOO! HOOO%HOOO%HOOO!. The sound of $archin feet sto))ed a"ru)tly' One of the $en said so$ethin quic#ly to the other in a fri htened voice' (i#i ya))ed li#e a do and then snarled' 0t sounded $ost e+traordinary in that dar#& echoin )assa e' The $en loo#ed all round' -here was the do 1 ,Mee%ow%ow%ow!. wailed (i#i& li#e a hun ry cat& and then went off into a cac#le of lau hter' ,-i)e your feet& "low your nose& )o) oes the weasel& )o)%)o)%)o)!. The $en didn.t understand a word& of course& "ut that fri htened the$ all the $ore' They clutched each other& feelin the hairs on their head "e innin to )ric#le in fri ht' (i#i cou hed and cleared her throat in a re$ar#a"ly hu$an way' -hy that should have )ut the two sentries into an a"solute )anic she couldn.t uess! But it certainly did& and& castin their rifles away& they fled down the )assa e at to) s)eed& howlin out so$ethin in their own lan ua e' /ac# had heard all this& for he had o)ened the hidden door a little& feelin an+ious a"out (i#i' He listened to her )erfor$ance with a rin' ;ood old (i#i! He called her softly and she flew down to his shoulder in deli ht' Bill wondered what would "e the "est thin to do now' 0t would "e dan erous to o "ac# the way they had co$e& "ecause the scared sentries would certainly arrive "ac# with others to )ro"e into the $ystery of the hootin and "ar#in and $ewin and cou hin ! ,0 wonder if the )assa e "ehind this hidden door leads anywhere e+ce)t to the roo$ you )ut the Count in&. said Bill to Ronnie' ,-e.ll o and as# hi$&. said Ronnie& cheerfully' ,0.ll )o#e this in his ri"s and see if he.ll tal#'. ,This. was his revolver' Bill lau hed' ,5ou won.t need that' He.ll tal# all ri ht when he sees the (in here' 5our Ma*esty& )erha)s you would li#e to deal with the Count& and co$$and hi$ to show us the way out1. The (in could tal# )erfect En lish' Li#e ;ussy& he had "een sent to En land to "e educated' He nodded& his eyes lea$in ' 0t was o"vious that he would certainly en*oy a few words with the Count! They went to the cell%li#e roo$ into which Ronnie had shoved the Count& loc#in hi$ in& nicely tied u)' Count 3aritolen was on the floor& loo#in furious' -hen he saw the (in he loo#ed so thunderstruc# that Bill lau hed' ,9ndo his le s& Ronnie& "ut not his ar$s&. said Bill' ,He should stand u) )olitely "efore the (in '. The Count.s le s were untied and he stood u)& his face very )ale indeed' The (in "e an to address hi$ in vi orous Tauri%Hessian' The Count wilted6his head hun forward6and finally he fell on his #nees& a )icture of $isery and fri ht' The (in touched hi$ conte$)tuously with his

foot& and said a few $ore words' The Count ot u) a ain& and said ,Ai! Ai! Ai!. ea erly& which /ac# #new to $ean ,5es! 5es! 5es!. ,He.s oin to show us the way out&. said Bill' ,;ood thin too' 0 see$ to hear a tre$endous noise startin u) so$ewhere in the distance' 4o dou"t our friends the sentries have "rou ht all their "uddies alon 6and have discovered the un"olted door and the e$)ty roo$' Tell the Count to et a $ove on& Ronnie'. -ith his ar$s still tied "ehind hi$ the Count stu$"led out of the little "are roo$' He led the$ to a door o))osite and #ic#ed it o)en' A s$all stairway led downwards' ,0.ll o first&. said Ronnie& and ni))ed in front of the Count' The ste)s led down to a little )anelled roo$& rather li#e a s$all study' The Count said a few words& noddin his head at a )anel' Ronnie ste))ed forward and slid the )anel downwards' A hole *ust "i enou h for a $an to squee<e throu h was now showin ' 4othin could "e seen the other side "ecause so$ethin was han in over it' ,Ta)estry han in s&. said Bill& and #noc#ed his hand a ainst it' ,-ell& well6nice lot of hidey% holes and secrets you.ve ot here& Count' 7ery nice indeed' -hat do we do ne+t1 ;et "ehind this ta)estry1. ,He says it.s ta)estry han in in one of the "edroo$s&. said Ronnie'. 0f we $a#e our way "ehind it a "it& we.ll co$e to an o)enin ' Here oes!. He went throu h the hole& and $ade his way "ehind endless ta)estry that hun loose fro$ ceilin to floor' At last he ca$e to where& as the Count had said& there was an o)enin ' 0t was where two different )ieces of ta)estry $et' Ronnie )o#ed his way "etween the$ and found hi$self in a "edroo$' He saw "eautiful furniture and car)ets as he flashed his torch round' The roo$ was quite e$)ty' The others ca$e out into the roo$ too& havin $ade their way "ehind the ta)estry' /ac# snee<ed "ecause it was full of dust' (i#i )ro$)tly snee<ed too& $uch to the Count.s a$a<e$ent' He had not $et (i#i "efore! ,4ow where1. said Ronnie& di in his revolver into the Count.s ri"s quite suddenly' The $an ave a startled *u$) and al$ost fell over in fri ht' ,0 hardly thin# that )o#e in the ri"s was necessary&. said Bill& with a rin' ,4o& not necessary6"ut awfully ood for a nasty little dou"le%crosser li#e hi$!. said Ronnie' ,3eo)le who threaten others with this& that and the other when they are in )ower deserve a "it of a fri ht fro$ $y un' 4ow then& Count6the quic#est and "est way out& )lease!. This last was said in Tauri%Hessian and the Count re)lied at once& his words tu$"lin over one another in his desire to )lease this fierce En lish$an' ,0t.s easy now&. said Ronnie' ,-e a))arently o down the "ac# stairs into the deserted #itchen quarters& and *ust let ourselves out of the "ac# door' 4othin could "e si$)ler!. So down the "ac# stairs they went& and into a vast #itchen' Three cats were there& their eyes lea$in in the li ht of Bill.s torch' (i#i ya))ed li#e a s$all do & and the cats fled into corners at once' ,(i#i!. said /ac#& with a lau h' ,5ou.re irre)ressi"le!. (i#i tried to re)eat the word and couldn.t' Bill was now unloc#in the reat "ac# door' They all went out into a "i yard' Then down to the castle ate& a $assive wrou ht%iron affair& whose #eys hun $ost conveniently at the side' Bill unloc#ed the ate and out they went& findin the$selves in the $ain street of Bor#en' ,4ow6where is the )lace we left the van1. wondered Bill' ,/ac#& could you ta#e Ronnie to it1 Ronnie& we.ll wait here for you'. /ac# s)ed off with Ronnie' He had "een in the town several ti$es and #new the way' He and Ronnie were soon in the field where they had left the van& and Ronnie started it u) at once' 0t was not lon "efore the van drew u) "eside the other three in the dar# hi hway' They ot in' Bill was "ehind with the Count and /ac#' The (in went in front with Ronnie' 0t was queer to sit in

the "ac#& with all #inds of oods rattlin on the shelves' The Count& however& too# no notice' He was feelin e+tre$ely loo$y' ,0 say6where are we oin 1 This isn.t the way "ac# to the circus ca$)&. said /ac#& suddenly' ,4o& 0 #now&. said Bill' ,0.$ afraid we $ust o strai ht to the ca)ital town of Tauri%Hessia& /ac# 6the (in needs to "e there at the earliest )ossi"le $o$ent' Thin s are in a reat tur$oil& you see 6no"ody #nows what is oin to ha))en6no (in 6no 3rince6the Count a))arently tryin to ta#e thin s over6the 3ri$e Minister a wea# tool ' ' '. ,5es& 0 see&. said /ac#' ,But as soon as the (in a))ears& everythin will "e all ri ht& won.t it1. ,0t will certainly "e all ri ht after he has a))eared to his )eo)le and s)o#en to the$&. said Bill' ,He will have quite a lot of interestin thin s to tell the$! 0 thin#& too& it is essential that ;ussy should a))ear also6so that the )eo)le will "e sure that he and his uncle are on ood ter$s& and "ac# each other u)'. ,Oh& ;ussy will love that!. said /ac#' ,2o we o "ac# to et hi$1. ,-e do&. said Bill' ,And we& also et the others' 0.$ sure the (in will want to see ;ussy.s fellow%)risoners' He has a lot to hear a"out& you #now'. The (in certainly wanted to $eet all the others when he heard the a$a<in story that Bill had to tell hi$' 0t was all told when they reached the 3alace' Then& after a deli hted and a$a<ed welco$e fro$ a few servants on duty& the (in retired to a little roo$ with Bill& Ronnie and /ac#' The Count was sent off in dis race with four soldiers in front of hi$ and four "ehind! ,Left& ri ht& left& ri ht!. shouted (i#i after hi$' ,;od save the (in !. 0t was still dar#& for the sun was not due to rise for another hour' /ac# suddenly yawned' He really couldn.t hel) it' ,5ou.d "etter have a snoo<e&. said Bill' ,The (in is sendin his State Car to fetch the others first tilin in the $ornin ' He will lend you so$e of ;ussy.s clothes& he says& if you want to loo# decent' The others are "ein sent clothes too& es)ecially& of course& ;ussy' He couldn.t )ossi"ly a))ear in his irls. thin s!. ,This is oin to "e fun fro$ now on&. said /ac#& tryin to #ee) awa#e' ,Oh& osh& 0.$ slee)y' -hat are you oin to do& Bill1 Have a slee)& too1. ,4o' 0.$ oin to et in touch with your aunt "y radio&. said Bill& ,and tell her you.re all safe' 0.ll , et her to fly out to$orrow& and we.ll all "e to ether a ain!. /ac# fell on to a sofa& feelin that he couldn.t #ee) awa#e one $o$ent lon er' ,;ood old Bill&. he said' ,Everythin co$es ri ht when you.re here' ;ood%$ornin 60 $ean ood%ni ht!. And in half a second $ore he was fast aslee)' -hat a ni ht he had had!

Chapter 3+

,;O2 SA7E THE (04;!.

/AC( awo#e to find a )retty Tauri%Hessian $aid "rin in hi$ a $ost $a nificent "rea#fast' So$e"ody had undressed hi$& )ut sil# )y*a$as on hi$ and )o))ed hi$ into a lu+urious "ed' He was a$a<ed' ,To thin# they did all that and 0 never wo#e u)!. he thou ht' ,0 must have "een tired! ;osh6 what a "rea#fast! (i#i& loo# here6the "i est& *uiciest ra)e%fruit 0 ever did see in $y life6and two halves& not one' 5ou can have one for yourself if you don.t $a#e too $uch $ess'. (i#i a))roved of the ra)e%fruit' She settled down to it& and for once in a way didn.t say a word' /ac# ate every scra) of the enerous "rea#fast& and then lay "ac#& thin#in over the ha))enin s of the ni ht "efore' ,0 "et the Count isn.t eatin a "rea#fast li#e this&. he told (i#i' ,-hat do you thin#1. ,The doctor.s ot a cold& fetch the (in &. said (i#i& loo#in to see if /ac# had left any of his ra)e%fruit' ,One& two& how%do%you%do1.

,Buc#le $y shoe& you $ean&. said /ac#' ,I say6loo#! 2o you su))ose those )rincely clothes are for $e to )ut on& (i#i& old "ird1 ;oodness& the Tauri%Hessians won.t #now if 0.$ the 3rince& or ;ussy'. Bill ca$e in& loo#in $uch s$artened u)' ,Oh& you.re awa#e at last&. he said' ,My word& you don.t $ean to say you ate all that "rea#fast!. ,(i#i hel)ed $e&. said /ac#& with a rin' ,Have the others "een sent for yet& Bill1. ,5es' 0.d li#e to see their faces when the (in .s State Car rolls u)& co$)lete with clothes for the$ all&. said Bill' ,The (in .s a reat s)ort' He.s as#ed 3edro& Toni& Bin o and old Ma too6and sent clothes for the$ all!. ,;oodness!. said /ac#' ,Old Ma! She.ll have the ti$e of her life' But if it hadn.t "een for her loo#in after ;ussy he.d certainly have "een cau ht' 0 say6this is oin to "e quite a )arty& isn.t it1. ,Oh& quite&. said Bill' ,And your aunt is arrivin today too!. ,0t.s *ust li#e a )anto$i$e endin !. said /ac#& deli hted' ,Everyone on the sta e at the end!. ,5ou.d "etter et u)&. said Bill' ,The (in is $a#in his s)eech to the )eo)le at twelve o.cloc#& and it.s now eleven' After that there is to "e a really s)lendid luncheon laid on6and you.ll "e sorry you ate so $uch "rea#fast& 0 can tell you!. /ac# lea)t out of "ed' ,0s it really eleven o.cloc#1 ;osh& 0.ll never "e ready' 0 don.t #now how to )ut all these clothes on6"uc#les6sashes6ruffles6 ood racious& is it fancy dress1. ,4o' Ordinary Tauri%Hessian festival wear&. said Bill' ,0 don.t feel a"le to co)e with it $yself& nor does Ronnie' -e feel a "it $ore En lish in our own thin s& "ut you and the others will loo# fine'. /ac# was ready at a quarter to twelve' He loo#ed at hi$self in the lass' ,;racious60.$ li#e a )anto$i$e )rince' 0 really $ust have $y )hoto ra)h ta#en to show the "oys at school6they.ll lau h their heads off!. There ca$e the sound of cheerin in the street "elow' /ac# o)ened his window and loo#ed out' A very rand State Car was "ein driven slowly u) the street& followed "y yet another' The )eo)le were cheerin each one as it went "y' /ac# nearly fell out of the window& and (i#i ave a loud screech' ,Loo#& (i#i6do you see who.s in the first car!. cried /ac#' ,Lucy%Ann& 3hili)& ;ussy and 2inah! 2id you ever see anyone loo#in so rand1 And loo# in the second car63edro6Ma6Toni and Bin o! They loo# as fine as if they were *ust oin to )erfor$ in the circus rin !. So they did' Ma& es)ecially& loo#ed $a nificent& and she had a sudden une+)ected di nity that $ade 3edro loo# at her with sur)rise and reat )ride' His $other! Old Ma& ridin in a State Car& wearin sil# clothes ri ht down to her s#in! 3edro couldn.t "elieve it' He loo#ed very rand hi$self& and en*oyed it' He #new that nothin li#e this would ever ha))en to hi$ a ain in his life and he $eant to en*oy every $o$ent of it' Toni and Bin o loo#ed rand "ut su"dued' They were not in the least nervous when they went into the circus rin 6"ut they couldn.t hel) feelin nervous now6all this cheerin and shoutin when they weren.t even )erfor$in ! The cars turned in at the ates& and /ac# leaned out of the window and yelled& quite for ettin that he was in a (in .s )alace' ,Lucy%Ann! 0.$ u) here!. (i#i squaw#ed too' ,Hi)%hi)%hi)%hi)%hurrah! Send for the doctor!. Twelve o.cloc# ca$e' The (in went out on the "alcony of his )alace to show hi$self to his )eo)le and to $a#e a s)eech to e+)lain all that had ha))ened' There was dead silence as the loud% s)ea#ers relayed the si$)le& vi orous s)eech' Bill thou ht that Tauri%Hessia had a very fine (in ' He was lad that the Count had not dethroned hi$ and )ut ;ussy u) as (in hi$self' ;ussy was *ust a silly little "oy at )resent6"ut

)erha)s& when he had learnt all that the British )eo)le had to teach hi$& at lessons and at a$es& he would $a#e as fine a (in as his uncle' ;ussy had a tre$endous rece)tion when his uncle called hi$ to his side& and )resented hi$ to the )eo)le' After all the scares of the last few days& they needed to see not only the (in "ut the little 3rince too' ;ussy loo#ed every inch a 3rince& as he saluted stiffly& and then "owed in every direction' He wore $a nificent clothes& and his cloa# "lew out in the wind& showin its scarlet linin ' /ac# rinned as he thou ht how ;ussy had loo#ed when he had seen hi$ last6dressed as a irl& with his lon hair tied u) in "ows' 3oor ;ussy! 4o"ody $ust ever learn of that& or he would "e teased a"out it for the rest of his life6and ;ussy did not li#e teasin ' The ne+t thin was the luncheon' The children had all "een )ut at a ta"le to ether& with ;ussy and 3edro as well' Ma& Toni and Bin o were at a side%ta"le too& very conscious of their fine clothes' They )ut on fine $anners to $atch& and ate everythin with #nives& for#s or s)oons& instead of usin only their fin ers half the ti$e as they usually did' The si+ children tal#ed ea erly to ether& e+chan in news' ,Fan# is u) and a"out a ain&. said 3hili)' ,Than# oodness he is& or 0 couldn.t have co$e' Hallo& Snoo<y& do you want to *oin us at last1 He.s seen those al$onds& 2inah6do loo# at hi$& holdin one and ni""lin it!. ,0 don.t li#e hi$ on the ta"le&. said 2inah& "ut she was $uch too ha))y to $a#e a fuss' She told /ac# of the e+cite$ent when the $essa e ca$e that they were all to dress in State clothes and "e driven to the 3alace' ,-e *ust couldn.t "elieve it!. she said' ,Tell us a ain a"out last ni ht& /ac#& and how you rescued the (in and cau ht the Count'. ;ussy was tre$endously e+cited' His eyes s)ar#led& and he tal#ed nineteen to the do<en' He felt in his ele$ent now6he was a 3rince& the heir to the throne& 3rince Aloysius ;ra$ondie6not a silly little cry%"a"y with $uch too lon hair! ,Here.s Aunt Allie!. cried Lucy%Ann& suddenly' She threw down her ta"le%na)#in and flew across the luncheon%roo$& thin#in of nothin "ut welco$in the )erson she loved so $uch' ,Aunt Allie! 5ou.ve co$e!. Mrs' Cunnin ha$ was "ein ushered into the reat roo$ "y two servants& who called out her na$e' Bill went to her at once& and 2inah& 3hili) and /ac# *oined Lucy%Ann in her rush across the roo$' This was all that was needed to $a#e thin s )erfect! Bill.s eyes were shinin as he too# his wife to introduce her to the (in ' A )lace had "een left for her on his other side& for her aero)lane had "een e+)ected for the last half hour' She was quite "ewildered "y everythin & for she #new only half the story& of course' ;ussy waited till the others had $ade enou h fuss of her and then went u) hi$self' She held out her hand to hi$& and he "owed over it& and #issed it )olitely& *ust as his uncle had done' So$ehow it see$ed ri ht in Tauri%Hessia6quite a natural thin to do& and none of the children even thou ht of lau hin ' After the rand lunch the children went to see over the 3alace' ,My word6you.re luc#y to "e a"le to s)end the rest of your hols here& ;ussy&. said /ac#' ,0t.s a wonderful )lace' 4ot that 0.d li#e to live here& of course6"ut to stay for a few wee#s as you.ll "e a"le to do6you.re *olly luc#y!. ,-e shall $iss you& ;ussy&. said Lucy%Ann' ,0 su))ose we.ll "e leavin to$orrow& or so$eti$e soon' 0.$ quite sorry this adventure is over'. ,But it isnt&. said ;ussy& his face "ea$in all over' ,0t isn.t! 0 have as#ed $y uncle to let $e have you here as $y uests' 5ou will stay1 Or do you not li#e $e well enou h1 5ou have so often ti<<ed $e6li#e when $y fin er "lidded'. ,Oh& ;ussy6it doesn.t $ean we don.t li#e )eo)le when we tease the$!. said Lucy%Ann' ,2o you really $ean that your uncle wants us to stay1 All of us1 0 don.t want to stay without Bill and Aunt Allie'.

,All of you&. said ;ussy& "ea$in a ain' ,(i#i and Snoo<y too' But not 3edro and the others "ecause they $ust o with the circus& they say' Then you will stay with $e till we o "ac# to school to e<<er1. ,-e.d love to&. said /ac#' ,0 could do with a cou)le of wee#s in a 3alace' 0.ll ta#e so$e )ictures "ac# to show the "oys' They.ll thin# 0.$ tellin the$ fairy%tales if 0 don.t!. 3edro& Ma& Toni and Bin o said ood"ye to the five children that evenin ' They were still wearin their s)lendid clothes' ,-e.ve "een told we can #ee) the$&. said 3edro& rinnin ' ,0 shall fancy $yself when 0 o into the rin to hel) Toni and Bin o set u) their wires now6the ;reat and Only 3edro the Ma nificent'. He "owed hi$self al$ost to the round' Ma ave hi$ a resoundin sla)' ,Ha! 5ou will )eel )otatoes for your old Ma toni ht!. she said& and lau hed loudly' (i#i i$itated her and $ade her lau h all the $ore' The children were sorry when the circus%fol# had one' They had "een such ood friends' ,0 ho)e we.ll see the$ so$eti$e a ain&. said Lucy%Ann' ,0 li#ed the$ all'. ,5ou will now co$e to $y uncle and tell hi$ you will stay& )li<<1. "e ed ;ussy& who see$ed to thin# they $i ht chan e their $inds' ,And 0 have to as# hi$ so$ethin ' 5ou $ust hel) $e with it'. He dra ed the$ off to his uncle.s roo$' They all "owed )olitely' ,-ell& Aloysius&. said the (in & loo#in a$used' ,Have you )ersuaded your friends to )ut u) with you and stay for the rest of the holidays1. ,They will stay&. said ;ussy' ,And& sir& 0 have so$ethin else to "e of you6to BE; of you& sir' These "oys& they will tell you it is very& very i$)ortant' 5ou will rant it to $e& sir1. ,0 $i ht& as 0 feel quite )leased with you at the $o$ent&. said his uncle& s$ilin ' ,But tell $e what it is first'. ,0t is $y hair&. said ;ussy' ,0 want it short6sni)& sni)6li#e 3hili).s and /ac#.s' 0 will not loo# li#e a irl& 0 -0LL 4OT!. ,5ou.re not su))osed to wear it short& Aloysius&. said his uncle& ,"ut 0 #now how you feel' 0 felt the sa$e when 0 was a 3rince and went to school in En land' 7ery well6you shall have it cut short!. ;ussy.s face was a study' 4othin in the world could have )leased hi$ $ore' ,0 o to$orrow&. he said' ,0 o to$orrow at seven o.cloc# in the $ornin ' Ha6it will "e so short that never will a ri""on sit on it a ain!. ,Than# you for as#in us to stay& 5our Ma*esty&. said /ac#& s)ea#in for all the others' ,-e shall love it& and it.s nice of ;ussy to want us'. ,Fussy%;ussy!. cried (i#i& sayin quite the wron thin ' ,Fussy%;ussy! 5our Ma*esty! Ma*esty& Ma*esty! Send for the doctor& "low your nose'. ,%iki/. said /ac#& shoc#ed' (i#i loo#ed at the (in ' She raised her crest to its fullest hei ht& and ave a little "ow' ,5our Ma*esty!. she said' ,;od save the (in !.

THE E42