1

The best Mysteries are in the

BARNEY BOOK
Barney and Miranda

There's nothing to beat a really good Mystery-Adventure story, and this splendid series by Enid Blyton is the best that you an !ind" Ea h o! these boo#s is about boys and girls li#e you, and there is plenty o! !un $ith a really Mysterious Mystery, and a good dash o! Adventure" As# !or the other boo#s in the series and %a#e even !ir%er !riends $ith Barney, the ir us-boy, and his $i #ed little %on#ey Miranda, &oger and 'iana and their %is hievous ousin (nubby $ith his %ad little spaniel )oony" There are !our other titles in the series*

THE RILLOBY FAIR MYSTERY THE RING O' BELLS. MYSTERY THE RUBADUB MYSTERY THE RAT-A-TAT MYSTERY

PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN

THE ROCKINGDOWN MYSTERY

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CONTENTS
01A2 2A3E

1" 2" 3" 4" 5" +"

T1E BE3455453 67 T1E 16)4'A8( &609453'6:5 06TTA3E (5;BB8<A5' )6658 01A53E' 2)A5( BA&5E8 A5' M4&A5'A M&" 9453<A5' A5 E=04T453 4'EA

," A )4TT)E E=2)6&453 -" ."

BA&5E8 1A( A5 4'EA BA&5E8 0)4MB( T1E &62E 45 T1E 6)' 76&36TTE5 16;(E

1/" 11" 12" 13" 14" 15" 1+" 1,"

A >E&8 366' 4'EA

M&" 9453 A&&4>E( (5;BB8 3ET( A (;&2&4(E

A M8(TE&46;( 5431T
(5;BB8

is A 5;4(A50E

(5;BB8 4( 56T >E&8 0)E>E& BA&5E8 '6E( (6ME E=2)6&453

13

1-" 1." 2/" 21" 22" 23" 24" 25" 2+" 2," 2-" 2."

A >E&8 E=04T453 A7TE&5665

M&" 9456 45 01A&3E '6:5 45 T1E 0E))A&( ?;EE& 1A22E5453( A58 :A8 67 E(0A2E@ :1E&E 0A5 BA&5E8 BE@

A >E&8 3&EAT (;&2&4(E

E>E&8T1453

is >E&8 '47740;)T

M4&A5'A 34>E( T1E 3AME A:A8A M4&A5'A '6E( 1E& BE(T

A T1&4))453 5431T
T1E E5' 67 4T A))

14

CHAPTER ONE THE BEGINNING OF THE HOLIDAYS

B1allo, &ogerAC B1allo, 'ianaA 1ad a good ter%@C The boy and girl grinned at one another, hal!-shy as they al$ays $ere $hen they %et again at the end o! the s hool ter%" They $ere brother and sister, and rather ali#e to loo# at sturdy, dar#-haired $ith deter%ined hins and $ide s%iles" BMy train a%e in t$enty %inutes be!ore yours"C said &oger" BBit o! lu #, brea#ing up on the sa%e day - $e usually

15

donDt" 4 $aited about !or you" 5o$ $eDve got to $ait !or Miss 2epper"C 'iana groaned" (he dragged her night- ase, her tennis ra #et and a large bro$n par el along $ith her" &oger had a ra #et and a ase too" BThese arenDt going to be very ni e hols,C said 'iana, B$ith Mu%%y and 'addy a$ay, and us po#ed do$n in the ountry so%e$here $ith Miss 2epper" :hatever %ade Mu%%y as# her to loo# a!ter us@ :hy ouldnDt $e have gone to Auntie 2a%@C BBe ause her #ids have got %easles,C said &oger" BMiss 2epper isnDt so bad, really - 4 %ean she does understand ho$ hungry $e al$ays are, and she does #no$ $e li#e things li#e sausages and salad and old %eat and potatoes in their Ea #ets and i e- rea% and ginger-beer"""C B6h, donDt go on - you %a#e %e !eel hungry already,C said 'iana" B:hat are the plans !or to-day, &oger@ 4 only #no$ you $ere going to %eet %e and then $e $ere to see Miss 2epper so%e$here"C B4 had a letter !ro% 'ad yesterday,C said &oger, as they pushed their $ay through the ro$ds on the plat!or%" B1e and Mu%%y sail to-day !or A%eri a" They had !iFed up !or us to go to Aunt 2a%, but the %easles #no #ed that on the head, so Mu%%y $ired to her old governess, Miss 2epper, and got her to !iF up to spend the hols $ith us - and $eDre to go to a little ottage so%e$here that 'ad %anaged to get hold o! in &o #ingdo$n - goodness #no$s $here that isAC B:here $eDre to %oulder all the hols, 4 suppose,C said 'iana sul#ily" B4 thin# itDs too bad"C B:ell, thereDs a riding s hool not !ar o!! and $e an ride,C said &oger, Band 4 believe thereDs a river near" :e %ight get a

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boat" And itDs Eolly good ountry all round &o #ingdo$n !or birds and !lo$ers"C BAll very ni e !or you be ause youDre so %ad on nature,C said 'iana"C4 shall !eel buried alive - no tennis, no parties and 4 suppose that horrid little (nubby is o%ing too"C B6! ourse,C said &oger, digging so%ebody hard $ith his tennis ra #et" B6h, sorryA 'id 4 hurt you@ 'o letDs get out o! this a$!ul ro$d, 'i" :e see% to be going round and round in it"C B:eDve got into one thatDs rushing !or a train,C said 'iana" B)et the% go by, !or goodnessD sa#e" )oo#, hereDs a seat - letDs sit do$n !or a bit" :hen do $e %eet Miss 2epper@C B5ot !or t$enty-!our %inutes,C said &oger, loo#ing at the station lo #" B(hall $e go and see i! $e an get an i e- rea% so%e$here nearby@C 'iana i%%ediately got up !ro% the seat" B6h, yes - $hat a brain$aveA )oo#, thereDs the eFit" ThereDll be a tea-shop or so%ething nearby" :eDll get i es there"C 6ver the i es the hatter $ent on" B8ou said (nubby $as o%ing, didnDt you@C said 'iana as she ate her stra$berry i e" B)ittle pestAC B:ell, he hasnDt got any parents,C said &oger" BThatDs pretty a$!ul, you #no$, 'i" 1e gets #i #ed about !ro% one aunt to another, poor #id - and he li#es o%ing to us better than any$here else" 1eDs not so bad, i! only he $ouldnDt play the !ool so %u h"C BGust our lu # to have an idioti ousin $ith an idioti dog,C said 'iana" B6h, 4 li#e )oony,C said &oger at on e" B1e is Huite potty, o! ourse - but heDs a lovely spaniel, he really isA )oonyDs a $onder!ul na%e !or hi% - heDs an absolute lunati , but honestly heDs $iIard, the things he does" 4 bet he plays Miss 2epper upAC
1,

B8es" 1eDll go o!! $ith all her shoes and hide the% under a bush, and !ight her (unday hat, and get hi%sel! leverly lo #ed up in the larder,C said 'iana" B:hat about another i e@C B4! (nubby $as %ore our age, it $ouldnDt be so bad,C said &oger" BA!ter all, 4D% !ourteen and youDre thirteen - and heDs only eleven - Huite a baby"C B:ell, he doesnDt behave li#e one,C said 'iana, beginning on her se ond i e"C1e behaves li#e a horrible little i%p or goblin or so%ething - al$ays up to %is hie! o! so%e sort - and thin#ing he an tag along $ith us" 6h dear - $hat $ith Miss 2epper and (nubby these hols loo# as i! theyDll be a$!ul"C B3osh, loo# at the ti%e,C said &oger" B:e shall %iss Miss 2epper i! $e donDt loo# out" 4 %ust get the bill and $eDll go"C The girl brought hi% the bill, and he got up $ith 'iana to go to the des# and pay" As they $ere going out o! the door &oger glan ed at 'ianaDs hands" B4diotA 8ouDve le!t your ra #et and bag at the table" 4 #ne$ you $ould" 8ou al$ays doA 4tDs a %arvel to %e you ever %anage to bring anything ho%e sa!elyAC BBlo$AC said 'iana, and $ent ba # to get her things, #no #ing over a hair in her i%patien e" &oger $aited !or her patiently, a grin on his good-loo#ing !a e" 1aru%-s aru%, untidy, i%patient 'iA 1e laughed at her, #ept her in order" and $as very !ond o! her indeed" 1e $as !ond o! his ousin (nubby too, $ith his i%puden e, sense o! !un, and his habit o! doing the %ost surprising and annoying things" Both 'iana and (nubby $ould have to be #ept in order these holidays, &oger $as ertain" 'iana $as ross and disappointed at being sent o!! $ith Miss 2epper to so%e pla e she had never heard o! - she $ould be annoying and perhaps sul#y" (nubby $ould be %ore irritating still, be ause he $ouldnDt have &ogerDs !ather to Eu%p on hi% and yell at hi%"
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1e $ould only have Miss 2epper, and (nubby hadnDt %u h opinion o! $o%en" )oony the dog $as, o! ourse, another proble%, but a very ni e proble% indeed" 1e $as a dog $ho only obeyed one person and that $as (nubby" 1e had never outgro$n his habit o! he$ing things, hiding the% and burying the%" 1e $ent %ad Huite regularly, ra ing up and do$n the stairs, in and out o! every roo%, bar#ing his head o!! $ith eF ite%ent, and thoroughly upsetting every gro$n-up $ithin %iles" But he $as so beauti!ulA &oger thought o! the little bla # spaniel $ith his sil#y, shining oat, his long drooping ears that al$ays $ent into his dinner-dish, and his %elting, %ourn!ul eyes" 1o$ lu #y (nubby $as to have a dog li#e thatA &oger had o!ten s%a #ed )oony hard !or being $i #ed, but he had never eased to love hi%" 1e $as glad that )oony $as to share the holidays $ith the%, even though it %eant having his ousin (nubby too" B:eDve got to %eet Miss 2epper under the station lo #,C said &oger" B:eDve got a %inute to spare" )oo# - isnDt that her@C 4t $as" The hildren too# a good loo# at their %otherDs old governess as they hurried up to her" (he $as tall, thin, tri%, $ith straight grey hair brushed ba # under a s%all bla # hat" 1er eyes behind their glasses $ere sharp and t$in#ling" (he had a very ni e s%ile as she sa$ the hildren hurrying up to her" B&ogerA 'ianaA 1ere you are at last - and pun tual to the %inute too" 4tDs a year sin e 4 sa$ you, but you havenDt hanged a s rap"C (he #issed 'iana and shoo# hands $ith &oger" B5o$,C she said, B$eDve a little ti%e be!ore $e have to leave !or our train at another station - $hat about a ouple o! i es - or have you gro$n out o! your li#ing !or the%@C
1.

&oger and 'iana brightened up at on e" 5either o! the% said that they had Eust had t$o i es ea h" 'iana nudged &oger and grinned" Miss 2epper ertainly $as good at re%e%bering to provide i e- rea% and gingerbeer and the rest" (he never !ailed in that" B5o$ - 4 $onder $here $e an get i e- rea%s $ithout going too !ar,C said Miss 2epper, loo#ing round the station" BEr - let %e see - isnDt there a little tea-shop Eust outside the station@C said &oger" B8es - $here they have lovely i es,C said 'iana" B'o you re%e%ber the $ay, &oger@C &oger did, o! ourse, and pro%ptly led the $ay ba # to the little tea-shop they had le!t only a !e$ %inutes be!ore" Miss 2epperDs eyes t$in#led" (he $ondered ho$ %any i es the t$o had already had $hilst $aiting !or her" &oger led his sister and Miss 2epper to a di!!erent table this ti%e" 1e didnDt $ant the girl to %a#e so%e re%ar# that $ould give the% a$ay" They ordered i es" B:hen is (nubby o%ing@C as#ed 'iana" BBy train to-%orro$,C said Miss 2epper" B:ith )oony, 4 !ear" 4 donDt li#e dogs, as you #no$, and 4 li#e )oony even less than %ost dogs" 4t %eans 4 shall have to lo # up all %y slippers and hats and gloves" 4 never #ne$ su h a dog !or s%elling out thingsA 5everA )ast ti%e 4 stayed $ith your %other, &oger, 4 began to thin# that )oony ould undo suit ases, be ause things 4 had put in disappeared regularly and 4 al$ays !ound )oony $ith the% sooner or later"C B4 eFpe t (nubby had so%ething to do $ith that,C said &oger" B1e $as a$!ul those hols you $ere there, Miss 2epper" As loony as his dog"C B:ell, 4 hope Mr" 8oung $ill be able to #eep (nubby in order,C said Miss 2epper"

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There $as a sudden startled silen e" &oger and 'iana loo#ed at Miss 2epper in alar%" BMr" 8oung,C said &oger" B:hatDs he o%ing !or@C BTo oa h you all,C said Miss 2epper, in surprise" B'idnDt you #no$@ 4 eFpe t youDll get a letter soon, i! you havenDt heard" 8our !ather rang up your s hools, you #no$, to !ind out $hat #ind o! a report you both had, be ause he #ne$ he $ouldnDt get it be!ore he le!t !or A%eri a - and youDve got to have oa hing in )atin and %aths, &oger, and you in 7ren h and English, 'iana"C B:ellAC said both hildren together"C1o$ absolutely !oulAC B6h, no,C said Miss 2epper" BMr" 8oung is very ni e and a very good oa h" 8ouDve had hi% be!ore"C B1eDs as dry as dust,C said 'iana angrily" B6h, 4 do thin# itDs hate!ul - holidays $ithout Mu%%y and 'addy, at a pla e $e donDt #no$ anything about - $ith Mr" 8oung and lessons and"""C B(hut up, 'i,C said &oger, a!raid that his angry sister $ould say so%ething about Miss 2epper too" B8ou #no$ $e %issed the $hole o! the Easter ter% be ause o! s arlet !ever $eDre behind in a good %any things" 4 %eant to do so%e $or# anyho$ these hols"C B8es - but Mr" 8oung - $ith his beard and his sni!!s and his JMy dear young ladyADC ried 'iana" B4 hate hi%" 4Dll Eolly $ell $rite and tell 'addy $hat 4 thin# o! hi% !or -C BThatDs enough, 'iana,C said Miss 2epper in a sharp voi e" B4s (nubby having oa hing too@C as#ed &oger, #i #ing the !urious 'iana under the table to %a#e her stop $or#ing hersel! into a rage" B8es" ;n!ortunately he had a very bad report !ro% the head%aster,C said Miss 2epper"

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BThatDs nothing ne$,C gro$led 'iana" BAnd 4 as# you an Mr" 8oung do anything at all $ith (nubby@ (nubby $ill lead hi% a !right!ul dan e"C B(hall $e have another i e@C said Miss 2epper, loo#ing at her $at h" B:eDve Eust ti%e" 6r do you !eel too upset to have another@C They ertainly didnDt !eel too upset to have another i e and a ginger-beer on top o! it" &oger began to tal# heer!ully about the happenings o! the last ter%, and 'iana gloo%ed over her i e !or a %inute or t$o and then heered up too" A!ter all, it $as holidays - and it $ould be !un to eFplore a ne$ pla e and there $ould be riding and perhaps boating" Things %ight be $orseA BTi%e to go,C said Miss 2epper" B:eDre having dinner on the train" 4 hope youDll enEoy that" :e shall be at &o #ingdo$n by tea-ti%e" :ell, o%e along - and heer up, 'iana dear - 4 eFpe t youDll enEoy the holidays Eust as you usually doAC

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CHAPTER TWO ROCKINGDOWN COTTAGE

&o #ingdo$n >illage $as a tiny little pla e $ith a but herDs shop, a ba#erDs and a general store, and plenty o! !ar%s and ottages around" The hur h to$er sho$ed above the trees, and the hur h bell ould be heard Huite learly in the ottage $here the hildren $ere to stay !or the holidays" This proved to be a very eF iting little pla e" B4tDs %ore than a ottage,C said 'iana approvingly" B4tDs a Eolly ni e old house, $ith lots o! roo%s"C B4t used to belong to a big %ansion about hal! a %ile o!! this ottage is a tually in the grounds o! the %ansion,C said Miss 2epper" B4t $as $hat is alled the 'o$er 1ouse"C B:hatDs that@C as#ed 'iana"
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B4t $as a house set aside !or the %istress o! the big %ansion $hen her husband died and her son and his $i!e a%e to ta#e over the %ansion,C said Miss 2epper" B(he $as then alled the do$ager %other, and a%e to live here, in this house, $ith her o$n servants"C B4tDs very old" isnDt it@C said 'iana, loo#ing at the oa# panelling o! the dining-roo% in $hi h they $ere having tea" BAnd 4 li#e the $ide stair ase - and the tiny little ba # stair ase that $inds up !ro% the #it hen" :e ould have $iIard ga%es o! hide-and-see# here"C B4 li#e %y bedroo%,C said &oger" B4tDs got a eiling that slants al%ost to the !loor, and 4Dve had to brea# a$ay strands o! ivy a ross one o! the $indo$s, Miss 2epper - it $as so overgro$nAC BAnd 4 li#e the $ay the !loors go up and do$n,C said 'iana" BAnd the !unny little steps do$n to this dining-roo% and up to the #it hen"C They $ere Eust $hat Miss 2epper didnDt li#e" (he $as rather short-sighted, and in this old house she see%ed to stu%ble every$here" (till, no doubt she $ould get used to itA BThis tea is $iIard,C said &oger approvingly" B'id you %a#e the s ones, Miss 2epper@C B'ear %e, no - 4D% a!raid 4D% no oo#,C said Miss 2epper" BMrs" &ound %ade the%" (heDs a village $o%an $ho o%es in ea h day to do the leaning and oo#ing"C B4s she li#e her na%e@C said 'iana at on e" Miss 2epper onsidered" B:ell, yes,C she said" B(he is rather plu%pish - and her !a e er a%iy is very round" 8es - Mrs" &ound see%s a very good na%e !or her"C The hildren eFplored the house a!ter they had had tea and a very good tea it $as, $ith ho%e-%ade Ea%, ho%eprodu ed honey, s ones, and a big !ruit a#e"
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BThis is the #ind o! !ruit a#e l li#e,C said 'iana, ta#ing a third sli e" B8ou donDt have to loo# and see i! youDve got any !ruit in your sli e - thereDs plenty all over the a#e"C B8ouDre a pig, 'i,C said &oger" B2eople are al$ays pigs at your age,C said Miss 2epper"C(o%e are $orse pigs than others, o! ourse"C BA% 4 a $orse pig@C de%anded 'iana" B(o%eti%es,C said Miss 2epper, her eyes t$in#ling behind their glasses" &oger roared at 'ianaDs indignant !a e" BMiss 2epper, 'i an eat a $hole tin o! 5estingDs %il# by hersel!,C he began, and got a #i # under the table" B(o ould 4, on e,C said Miss 2epper, surprisingly" The hildren stared at her" 4t $as Huite i%possible to i%agine the thin, pri% Miss 2epper ever having been greedy enough to devour a $hole tin o! 5estleDs %il# by hersel!" B3o on, no$, !inish your tea,C said Miss 2epper" B4 $ant to do your unpa #ing"C They eFplored, $hilst Miss 2epper unpa #ed their s hool trun#s, eF lai%ing over the dirty lothes, and loo#ing $ith horror at the rents and tears in %ost o! 'ianaDs things" Anyone $ould thin# that the girl spent all her ti%e li%bing thorny trees, Eudging by the state o! her lothes" Miss 2epper thought o! having to unpa # (nubbyDs trun# the neFt day, and shuddered" &eally, hildren no$adays $ere Huite i%possibleA B4s the old %ansion e%pty@C as#ed &oger that evening" B:e sa$ it !ro% a distan e" There $as no s%o#e o%ing !ro% the hi%neys" 4t loo#ed a dead pla e"C B8es" 4 believe it is,C said Miss 2epper" B&oger, $here are all the so #s you too# ba # to s hool $ith you@ 4t says you too# ba # eight on this list, but 4 an only !ind one pair, very holey and dirty"C B4Dve got one pair on,C said &oger help!ully" BThat %a#es t$o"C
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BMiss 2epper, an $e go and loo# over the %ansion i! itDs e%pty@C as#ed 'iana" B5o, 4 shouldnDt thin# so,C said Miss 2epper" B'iana, it says on your list that you too# !our blouses ba # to"""C 'iana !led" 4t $as dread!ul the $ay gro$n-ups al$ays put you through a ross-eFa%ination about lothes as soon as you got ba # !ro% s hool" (he and &oger rushed upstairs - and then tiptoed do$n the little ba #-stair and out into the garden" Miss 2epper !ollo$ed the% upstairs in a %o%ent or t$o, $ith another list o! Huestions - but they had %ysteriously disappeared" (he loo#ed round 'ianaDs roo% and groaned" 1o$ ould any girl %a#e a per!e tly neat roo% into su h a terrible %ess one hour a!ter she had ta#en possession o! it@ &oger $as pleased that night $hen the t$o o! the% $ent up to bed" B4tDs going to be a $iIard pla e !or birds, this,C he told 'iana" BAnd there are badgers here too in these very grounds" That old !ello$ $e %et told %e" 6ne o! these nights 4D% going to get up and $at h !or the%"C B:ell, donDt badger %e to o%e $ith youAC said 'iana, and shrie#ed as &oger ai%ed a pun h at her !or her pun" B8ou sound li#e (nubby,C he said" B1eDs al$ays %a#ing silly puns and Eo#es" 7or goodnessD sa#e leave it to hi%AC Their bedroo%s $ere side by side under the slanting roo!" (nubbyDs bedroo% $as a ross the landing, a tiny one loo#ing to the ba # o! the house, a ross the grounds" Miss 2epper slept on the !irst !loor" Tu #ed a$ay in another orner o! the !irst !loor $ere t$o other roo%s" B:eDll have to %eet (nubby to-%orro$,C said &oger, alling !ro% his bedroo% as he undressed" BAnd )oony"C B8es" :eDll $al# over to the station,C said 'iana, !linging all her lothes on the !loor one by one, although she #ne$ per!e tly $ell she $ould have to get out o! bed and pi # the% up as soon as Miss 2epper arrived to say good night" B4tDs only
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about t$o %iles" 4 ould do $ith a good long $al#" :e an bus ba # i! (nubbyDs got a lot o! things"C The neFt day $as brilliantly !ine" (nubbyDs train $as due in at hal!-past t$elve" B:eDll go and %eet hi%,C said &oger to Miss 2epper" B8ou neednDt o%e unless you $ant to, Miss 2epper" 4 eFpe t there are lots o! things you $ant to do"C They set o!! at t$elve oD lo # to $al# to the station" They de ided that the shortest $ay $ould be to go through the grounds o! the old %ansion" They $ere horri!ied to see ho$ overgro$n everything $as" Even the paths $ere al%ost lost in the nettles and bra%bles that spread all round" 6nly one broad drive see%ed to be at all $ell-#ept, and that $as no$ beginning to sho$ signs o! being overed $ith $eeds" B7unny,C said 'iana" B8ouDd thin# that $hoever o$ned this pla e $ould $ant to #eep it up de ently, so that he ould sell it at a good pri e, even i! he didnDt have any intention o! living in it hi%sel!" 3olly, ho$ are $e going to get through these bra%blesA 4Dll s rat h %y legs to pie es"C 1ere and there as they $al#ed through the large grounds, they aught sight o! the old %ansion through gaps in the trees" 4t ertainly loo#ed a desolate pla e" 'iana didnDt li#e it" B:ell, 4 donDt %u h !eel as i! 4 $ant to eFplore that,C she said" B4t $ould be !ull o! spiders and reepy things and horrid noises and draughts !ro% no$here" A nasty spoo#y pla e"C They $ere out o! the grounds at last and a%e to the village" They stopped !or an i e- rea% at the little general store" BAh - youDre the ne$ people in &o #ingdo$n 0ottage,C said the old $o%an $ho served the%" BThatDs a ni e old pla e" 4 re%e%ber old )ady &o #ingdo$n going there $hen her son brought his $i!e ho%e !ro% 4taly" Those $ere grand days -

2,

parties and balls and hunts and su h goings-onA 5o$ itDs all dead and done $ith"C The hildren ate their i es and listened $ith interest"C:here did the !a%ily go, then@C as#ed &oger" B)ady &o #ingdo$nDs son $as #illed in a $ar and his $i!e died o! a bro#en heart,C said the old $o%an, re%e%bering" BThe pla e $ent to a ousin, but he never lived there" 1e Eust let it" Then it $as ta#en over in the last $ar, and so%e #ind o! se ret $or# $as done there - $e never #ne$ $hat" 5o$ thatDs !inished, o! ourse - and the pla e has been e%pty ever sin e" 5obody $ants it - itDs so big and u%berso%e" Ah - but it $as a !ine pla e on e - and %anyDs the ti%e 4Dve been up to it to help $ith a partyAC B:e %ust go,C said &oger to 'iana"CElse $e shall be late !or the train" 0o%e onAC 1e paid !or the i es and they ran o!! to the station" They got there Eust as the train $as o%ing in" They stood on the plat!or% $aiting !or (nubby and )oony to appear !ro% a arriage" ;sually they both !ell out togetherA An old %ar#et-$o%an got do$n" A !ar%er and his $i!e appeared" But nobody else at all" The train gave itsel! a little sha#e, preparing to start o!! again" &oger ran all do$n it, loo#ing into the arriages !or (nubby" 1ad he !allen asleep@ There $as no one in the arriages eF ept another !ar%er and a young $o%an $ith a baby" The train stea%ed o!! i%portantly, and its one porter $ent o!! to his dinner" There $as no other train !or t$o hours" 4t too# the hildren a little ti%e to !ind this out, be ause there didnDt see% to be anyone else at the station on e the porter had gone" 5o one in the tiny boo#ing o!!i e" 5o one in the station%asterDs roo% or in the $aiting-roo%"

2-

BBlo$ (nubbyA 1eDs %issed the train,C said 'iana" BGust li#e hi%A 1e %ight have phoned to say so - then $e neednDt have !agged all the $ay to %eet hi%AC They at last !ound a ti%e-table that told the% $hat trains there $ere" 4t too# &oger a good ten %inutes to dis over that there $ere no %ore trains till the a!ternoon" 1e loo#ed at the station lo # $hi h no$ said a Huarter past one" B:eDve $asted nearly an hour here,C he said in disgust" BMessing about loo#ing !or (nubby and hunting !or so%ebody to as# about trains and trying to !ind out $hat the ti%e-table says" 0o%e on - letDs go ho%e" :eDll at h the bus and perhaps $e shanDt be a$!ully late" Miss 2epper said sheDd %a#e lun h at one oD lo # - $e should be ba # by about hal!-past"C But there $as no bus !or an hour so they had to $al#" The sun $as hot and they $ere hungry and thirsty" Blo$ (nubbyA They arrived ba # at the ottage at t$o oD lo # - and there, sitting at the table, loo#ing very !ull indeed, $as their ousin (nubbyA B1alloAC he said"C8ou are lateA :hatever happened@C

2.

CHAPTER THREE SNUBBY - AND LOONY

'iana and &oger had no $ish to !ling the%selves Eoy!ully on (nubbyK but )oony !lung hi%sel! on the% so violently that he al%ost #no #ed 'iana over" 1e appeared !ro% under the table, bar#ing %adly, and thre$ hi%sel! at the%" B1ey - $ait a bitAC said &oger, very pleased to see )oony" The spaniel li #ed hi% lavishly, $hining Eoy!ully" Miss 2epper loo#ed rossly at the%" C'ianaA &ogerA 8ou are very late"C

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B:ellAC said 'iana indignantly" B(nubby $asnDt on the train - and $e $aited and $aited, and tried to !ind out $hen the neFt train $as" 4t $asnDt our !aultAC B:eDve had lun h already,C said (nubby" B4 $as so hungry 4 ouldnDt $ait"C B(it do$n, &oger and 'iana,C said Miss 2epper" B(nubby, all )oony to you, !or goodnessD sa#eAC &oger and 'iana sat do$n" )oony tore ba # to (nubby and began to !a$n on hi% as i! he too had been a$ay !or so%e ti%e" B(till the sa%e old lunati ,C said 'iana, holding out her plate !or so%e old %eat-pie" B(nubby, $hat happened to you@C C4 suppose you $ere late !or the train, and %issed (nubby, and didnDt see hi% or )oony on the road,C said Miss 2epper" B4 ought to have gone to %eet hi% %ysel!"C BTheyDre not very observant,C said (nubby, a epting another helping o! tinned pea hes and rea%" B4 %ean - 4 ould $al# right past the% $ith )oony, under their noses and they $ouldnDt see %e"C 'iana loo#ed at hi% s orn!ully" B'onDt be an idiot" 8ou anDt %a#e out you passed us and $e didnDt see you"C B:ell, but $hat else ould have happened@C said Miss 2epper" B(nubby, 4 $ill not have )oony !ed at %ealti%e" 4! you give hi% any %ore titbits 4 shall say heDs to re%ain out o! the roo% $hen $e have a %eal"C B1eDd only s rat h the door do$n,C said (nubby" BAs 4 said, %y t$o ousins are not very observant, Miss 2epper" 7an y not even seeing )oony"C )oony Eu%ped up in eF ite%ent $henever his na%e $as %entioned" Miss 2epper %ade a resolve that she $ould never %ention his na%e at all - only re!er to hi% as Bthe dog"C 6h

31

dear - things $ere going to be t$i e as di!!i ult $ith this %is hievous boy and his eF itable little dog" B(nubby, you didnDt o%e by that train,C said &oger Huietly" B:hat did you do@ 3o on - tell us, or $eDll never go to %eet you again"C B4 got out at the station !our %iles be!ore &o #ingdo$n,C said (nubby" BThe train had to $ait three-Huarters o! an hour there !or a onne tion - so out 4 got, hopped on to a bus and here 4 $as at a Huarter to oneA EasyAC B6h, (nubbyAC said Miss 2epper" B:hy ouldnDt you have said so be!ore@ 4t $as so ni e o! your ousins to %eet you and all you did $as to %a#e the% late !or their lun h, and arrive ross and hot and hungry"C 'iana glared at (nubby" B1eDs Eust the sa%e horrid little boy,C she said to &oger, spea#ing as i! (nubby $asnDt there" B(a%e old ginger hair, sa%e old green eyes, sa%e old !re #les, sa%e old snub-nose, and sa%e old hee#" 4D% sure 4 donDt #no$ $hy $e put up $ith hi%"C B:ell, 4 put up $ith you,C said (nubby, $rin#ling his turned-up nose and grinning, so that his !a e appeared to be %ade o! rubber, and his eyes al%ost disappeared under his sandy eyebro$s" B(orry to upset you, ousins" 1onestly, 4 didnDt #no$ you $ere going to %eet %e" 4D% not used to #ind attentions o! that sort !ro% you" Are $e, )oony@C )oony leapt up %adly and pa$ed violently at (nubbyDs #nees, #no #ing his head against the table" 1e $hined and yapped" B)oony $ants to go out,C said (nubby, $ho used )oony as an eF use $henever he $anted to go $andering o!! by hi%sel!" B0an $e go, Miss 2epper@C B8es,C said Miss 2epper, than#!ul to be rid o! the% both" B)eave hi% outside in the garden $hen you o%e in again,

32

and then go upstairs to help %e to unpa # your trun#" 4t a%e this %orning"C 'iana and &oger !inished their %eal in pea e" &oger grinned to hi%sel!" :hat an idiot (nubby $as - but it $ould ertainly liven things up a bit to have hi% there - and )oony too" 'iana %ooned over her pea hes and rea%" (he $asnDt pleased" (he $ould rather have had &oger to hersel!" (he #ne$ that (nubby ad%ired &oger and $anted to be $ith hi%, and this al$ays %ade her $ant to push (nubby a$ay" EF ept that (nubby !ound an outsiIe stag-beetle in the garden, $hi h he insisted on displaying on the tea-table, and that he had arrived $ith another boyDs trun# instead o! his o$n, things passed o!! pea e!ully the !irst day" 1e and )oony eFplored every$here thoroughly by the%selves" (nubby hated being Bsho$n round"C 1e li#ed to siIe things up !or hi%sel! and go his o$n $ay" 1e $as a %ost intelligent and sharp-$itted boy, very lever at hiding his brains under a onstant strea% o! tri #s, Eo#es and general idio ies" 1e $as adored by all the boys in his !or%, and $as their natural leader - but the despair o! all the %asters $ho see%ed to vie $ith one another in %a#ing biting re%ar#s about his $or# and hara ter in his reports" 1is Eo#es and tri #s $ere endless" All his po #et %oney $as spent on i e- rea%s, ho olate - or the ne$est tri #" 4t $as (nubby $ho tried out all the tri # pen ils on the various %asters - the pen il $hose point $obbled be ause it $as %ade o! rubber - the one $hose point disappeared inside the pen il as soon as the unsuspe ting %aster tried to $rite - the pen il that ould be nailed to the !loor and ouldnDt be pi #ed up" 4t $as (nubby $ho eFperi%ented $ith stin#-pills $hi h, $hen thro$n on the !ire, at on e gave out a s%ell li#e bad !ish, and (nubby $ho li%bed to the top o! the s hool to$er $ithout !alling" Everything $as al$ays (nubby - even $hen it
33

really $asnDtA But (nubby didnDt %ind" 1e a epted his punish%ents, right!ul ones or $rong!ul, $ith plu # and resignation, and al$ays o$ned up $hen ta #led" BA bad boy $ith a lot o! good in hi%,C said the head%aster" B4tDs a pity he has no parents" 4! he had he $ould behave better be ause he $ouldnDt li#e to let the% do$n" 1eDll turn out all right - but in the %eanti%e heDs a pest"C (nubby $as pleased $ith &o #ingdo$n 0ottage and the garden and grounds o! the old %ansion" 1e ould %a#e plenty o! good hidey-holes in the grounds !or )oony and hi%sel!" They ould play pirates, $re #ed sailors, and &ed 4ndians to their heartsD ontent under the thi # bushes, and up in the tall trees - be ause )oony didnDt at all %ind being dragged up trees by the s ru!! o! his ne #" 4n !a t, he didnDt %ind $here he $ent as long as he $as $ith his beloved %aster" 1e had even been #no$n to rou h in a s%elly dustbin $ith (nubby !or an hour $hilst (nubby $aited to play a tri # on the unsuspe ting but herDs boy" (nubby %ade up his %ind to eFplore the old %ansion" 4t $ould be lo #ed and bolted and barred, but heDd get in so%e$here all right" 4! 'i and &oger $ould o%e, that $ould be !un - i! not, heDd go by hi%sel!" 1e hoped &oger $ould o%e, though" 1e $ould li#e to be in &ogerDs good boo#s &oger $as !ine" 'iana $as a nuisan e - but then, in (nubbyDs opinion all girls $ere a nuisan e" Al$ays in the $ay" 4t $as a terrible sho # to (nubby to hear that he $as to have oa hing those holidays" 'iana bro#e the ne$s to hi% that night" B8ou #no$ youDre to have lessons these hols, donDt you, (nubby@C she said"CMr" 8oungDs o%ing to oa h you"C (nubby stared at her in horror" B4 donDt believe you,C he said at last" B5obody ould do that to %e - %a#e %e learn things in the su%%er holsA 4Dve never heard o! su h a thing"C
34

B:ell, youDll have to believe it,C said 'iana" B'addyDs arranged it" &oger is to have oa hing in )atin and %aths, 4D% to be oa hed in 7ren h and English"C B:hat a% 4 to be oa hed in@C said (nubby gloo%ily" B6h, 4 should thin# you $ant oa hing in everything,C said 'iana" B4 donDt suppose you #no$ your tables properly yet, do you, (nubby@ And an you spell yet@C BAll right" 4Dll pay you out !or that,C said (nubby" B:hat about a $or% or t$o under your pillo$@C B4! you start doing that #ind o! babyish thing again, 4Dll sit on you and boun e up and do$n till you ry !or %er y,C said 'iana" B4D% %u h bigger than you are, baby-boyAC This $as Huite true" (nubby $as not big !or his age and hadnDt really begun to gro$ yet" 'iana $as a sturdy girl, and Huite able to do $hat she threatened" )oony appeared and rolled hi%sel! over and over on the !loor" (nubby ti #led hi% $ith his !oot" The spaniel leapt up and !et hed so%ething in !ro% the hall" 'iana gave a shrie#" B6h - heDs got %y hairbrush" (nubby, get it !ro% hi%" ?ui #AC B:hy@ 8ou never use it, do you@C said (nubby, neatly getting ba # at his ousin !or her Eibes o! a %inute or t$o ago" B:hat good is it to you@ 8ou %ight as $ell let )oony play $ith it"C The brush $as res ued and )oony got a !e$ span#s $ith it !ro% 'iana" 1e retired under the table, and loo#ed at her %ourn!ully $ith big bro$n eyes" B5o$ youDve hurt his !eelings,C said (nubby" B4Dd li#e to hurt a lot %ore o! hi% than that,C said 'iana" B5o$ 4 shall have to $ash this he$ed-up brush" Blo$ )oonyAC BBlo$ everythingAC said (nuhby dis%ally" B7an y oa hing $ith Mr" 8oung" 4 anDt thin# o! anything $orseAC
35

CHAPTER FOUR CHANGED PLANS

But a!ter all Mr" 8oung didnDt o%e to oa h the three hildren" T$o days later, $hen &oger, 'iana and (nubby had put out their s hool boo#s neatly on the study table, and had gloo%ily sharpened their pen ils and !ound their pens, the telephone bell rang shrilly" B4Dll ans$er it, Miss 2epper, 4Dll ans$er itAC yelled (nubby, $ho adored ans$ering the phone and pretending that he $as one o! the gro$n-ups in the house" 1e rushed to ans$er"
3+

The others listened, bored" 2robably it $as the but her saying he ouldnDt send the %eat, and one o! the% $ould have to !et h it" B8es" This is &o #ingdo$n 0ottage,C they heard (nubby say" B6h - $ho@ 6h, Mrs" 8oung" 6h, yes, ertainly" 8es" 4 an give any %essage you li#e" 0ertainly" 'ear, dear, ho$ very very sad" 4D% so sorry to hear that" :ell, $ell, to thin# ho$ suddenly these things happenA And is he getting on all right@ ThatDs $onder!ul, isnDt it@ 8ou have %y deepest sy%pathy, Mrs" 8oung - su h a terrible ti%e !or you" 8es, yes, 4Dll give your %essage" 0ertainly" 3ood-bye"C By this ti%e both 'iana and &oger $ere out in the hall, a%aIed at (nubbyDs telephoning" B:hat is it@ :hat are you saying@ :ho on earth are you pretending to be, (nubby@C de%anded 'iana" B5obody" 4D% Eust being polite and help!ul,C said (nubby, bea%ing" B4 say - Mr" 8oungDs gone and got appendi itis and heDs 56T 06M453A :hat do you thin# o! that@C The others stared at hi%" B3osh - $e ouldnDt thin# $hat you $ere doing, tal#ing in that idioti $ay over the phoneAC said 'iana" B4t $asnDt idioti " 4t $as only li#e gro$n-ups tal#,C said (nubby" B4 an tell you 4 !elt very sorry !or poor Mr" 8oung you #no$, having to go to hospital and everything"C B8ou didnDt,C said &oger" B8ou #no$ youDre al$ays saying appendi itis is nothing, and telling us ho$ you had it and enEoyed it" But 4 say - does this %ean no oa hing then@ 6! ourse, itDs upsetting !or Mrs" 8oung - but it does solve a proble% !or us" :e an enEoy ourselves no$"C )oony $as bar#ing round their an#les, sensing their eF ite%ent" Miss 2epper a%e do$n the stairs" B:hatDs all the eF ite%ent about@ :ho $as that on the telephone@ 4 hope it $asnDt the but her again"C
3,

B5o" 4t $as Mrs" 8oung,C said (nubby" BMr" 8oung is in hospital $ith appendi itis, Miss 2epper" 1eDs not o%ing here to oa h us"C B'ear, dearA 4 a% sorry !or poor Mrs" 8oung,C said Miss 2epper in eFa tly the sa%e voi e that (nubby had used over the telephone" B:ell - that does put us into a di!!i ulty"C B'oes it@C said 'iana, astonished" B4t see%s to us that $eDve got out o! one"C B6h, dear %e, noAC said Miss 2epper at on e" B4 shall get so%eone else to oa h you" 4 anDt i%agine $ho, though" 4 shall have to go through %y list o! tutors" (nubby, stop )oony eating that rug" 1eDs had %ore than hal! o! it sin e he arrived and 4 should li#e a little bit le!t"C B1e thin#s itDs a rabbit - itDs a !ur rug, you see,C said (nubby" B4 donDt are $hat he thin#s it is,C said Miss 2epper" B8ou heard $hat 4 said" Ta#e )oony out o! the hall at on e" 4D% getting tired o! hi% already" 4D% thin#ing o! buying a $hip - a ni e strong $hip"C (nubby stared at her in horror" :hat, $hip )oonyA (urely nobody ould thin# o! doing thatA (%a #ing, yes - but $hipping $ith a $hipA B1eDs run o!! $ith Mrs" &oundDs hearthbrush and le!t it so%e$here" 1eDs been in the larder t$i e" 1eDs pulled every %at into a heap on the landing" And i! 4 at h hi% under %y bed again 4 shall B;8 T1AT :142,C said poor Miss 2epper" )oony suddenly sneeIed and loo#ed very surprised at hi%sel!" 1e $as al$ays surprised $hen he sneeIed" 1e sneeIed again" B5o$ $hatDs the %atter $ith hi%@C said Miss 2epper" B(neeIing all over the pla e"C

3-

B1eDs had too %u h pepper,C said (nubby at on e" BThatDs $hat it is - too %u h pepper - itDs got up his nose" ThereDs a lot o! it about these days"C Miss 2epper loo#ed at hi% oldly" B'onDt be rude, (nubby,C she said, and $ent into the dining-roo%" &oger roared and (nubby grinned" B)etDs all sneeIe $hen Miss 2epper gets peppery,C he said" B(heDll stop ro$ing us then" )oony, lear out" 8ou really $ill get into trouble i! you go o!! $ith any %ore o! Mrs" &oundDs brushes" Besides, youDre not to, any$ay" (heDs ni e"C Mrs" &ound appeared at this %inute" (he $as ertainly li#e her na%e, and her !a e shone li#e the harvest %oon, it $as so red and round" BThat dog o! yours,C she began, Bi! he hasnDt got %y hearthbrush so%e$here no$A And i! 4 hase hi% o!! $ith %y broo% $hat does he do but thin# 4D% playing a ga%e $ith hi%" )oony by na%e and )oony by nature that dog is"C B:hatDs !or pudding to-day, Mrs" &ound@C as#ed (nubby, hanging the subEe t in his lever $ay" BAre you going to %a#e us one o! your s%ashing trea le puddings again@ 1onestly, 4 $ish youDd o%e and be oo# at our s hool" The boys $ould heer you every day"C Mrs" &ound bea%ed and patted the bun o! hair at the ba # o! her head" B6h, go on $ith you no$AC she said in her pleasant ountry dra$l" B8ou #eep that dog o! yours out o! %y #it hen, and 4 %ight %a#e you pan a#es $ith raspberry Ea%"C B)oonyA 'onDt you dare to go into Mrs" &oundDs #it hen to-day,C said (nubby sternly, and )oony $agged his little bla # stu%p o! a tail" 1e ra$led hu%bly on his tu%%y to (nubby and lay Huite !lat in !ront o! hi%" BAll hu%bug,C said 'iana"C1eDs as good at pretending as you are, (nubbyAC

3.

Miss 2epper a%e out into the hall" BAre you still here@C she said to )oony, $ho pro%ptly $ent out o! the !ront door at top speed" (he turned to the hildren" B4D% going to telephone one or t$o oa hes 4 #no$ to see i! one is !ree to o%e" 3o and lear a$ay your boo#s no$" There ertainly $onDt be any lessons to-day"C They leared a$ay their boo#s than#!ully" Miss 2epper telephoned !or so%e ti%e and then a%e into the study" B4tDs no use,C she said" BEveryone is either already !iFed up, or is a$ay" 4Dll have to put an advertise%ent in the ne$spapers"C B6h, donDt bother to do that, Miss 2epper,C said &oger" BAll this trouble !or youA 4tDs dread!ulA 4D% sure 'addy $ouldnDt $ant you to bother li#e this"C CThen you thin# $rong, &oger,C said Miss 2epper, and began to dra!t out an advertise%ent" 4t $ent o!! by the neFt post, %u h to the hildrenDs annoyan e" B3oodness #no$s $ho $eDll get no$,C said 'iana gloo%ily" BAt least $e #ne$ Mr" 8oung - and $e #no$ ho$ to get hi% tal#ing so that $e didnDt have to do %u h $or# ourselves" Blo$AC 7or the neFt three days the hildren $ere Huite !ree to do $hat they li#ed" They !ound the riding s hool, and Miss 2epper arranged !or one $hole-day ride, and t$o hour-rides" That $as !un" )oony $as the only one $ho disapproved o! it" 1e hated (nubby and the others to go o!! on horses, be ause sooner or later he ouldnDt #eep up $ith the% and dropped ba #" The stable dog, a big airedale, #ept up $ith the $hole ride easily and $as very s orn!ul o! the little spaniel" They !ound the river and hired a boat" They ould all s$i% li#e !ishes, so Miss 2epper didnDt $orry about the% on the river" They eFplored the ountryside, and enEoyed loo#ing !or un o%%on !lo$ers, unsual birds and Hueer beetles" At least the t$o boys did - 'iana didnDt do %u h see#ing !or birds and
4/

!lo$ers - she B%ooned alongC, as the boys alled it, enEoying the s%ells, the sounds and the sights o! the ountryside - the s%ell o! the %eado$s$eet, the blue o! the hi ory, the Hueer little trill o! the yello$-ha%%er, and the blue !lash o! the #ing!isher as he !le$ past the%, rying Btee-tee-teeAC 6n the third day (nubby roused the s orn o! the others" 'iana $as sitting beside the ban# o! the river, $at hing !or the #ing!isher again" &oger $as lying on his ba # $ith his hat tilted over his eyes, listening to the high t$itter o! the s$allo$s as they darted over the $ater, s#i%%ing the sur!a e !or !lies" (nubby $as no$here to be seen" 1e had ra$led o!! to see i! he ould $at h a !e$ young rabbits $ho had uneFpe tedly o%e out to play in the daylight" (uddenly he a%e ba #" B4 sayA 'o you #no$ $hat 4Dve Eust seen@C BA abbage butter!ly,C suggested 'iana" BA dandelion,C said &oger, not %oving, BA %on#eyAC said (nubby" B8es, go on, laugh" But 4 tell you it $as a %on#eyAC B'onDt try and stu!! us up $ith one o! your tall stories,C said &oger" B:eDre not in the lo$er third $ith you"C B)oo# here - 4 tell you 4 did see a %on#ey,C repeated (nubby" B4t isnDt a tall story" 4t $as at the top o! a tree and it s$ung itsel! do$n hal!-$ay, sa$ %e - and disappeared" )oony didnDt see it - but he s%elt it" 4 ould see his nose t$it hing li#e anything"C 'iana and &oger stopped listening" (nubby had too %any %arvels to tell - $onder!ul things al$ays see%ed to be happening to hi% - this %ust be one o! the%A 'iana shushed hi%" B(hA 4 thin# 4 an hear the #ing!isher" 1e %ay o%e and sit on this bran h"C

41

B8ou are a disbelieving lot,C said (nubby bitterly" B1ere 4 o%e and tell you, absolutely sole%nly and truth!ully, that 4Dve Eust seen a $iIard %on#ey, and all you tal# about is #ing!ishers"C 5obody said anything" (nubby sni!!ed s orn!ully" BAll right - 4D% going o!! by %ysel!" And 4 shanDt o%e ba # and tell you i! 4 see a hi%panIee this ti%eAC 1e $ent o!! $ith )oony" &oger gave a gentle little snore he $as asleep" 'iana sat $ith her hin on her #nees, and $as at last re$arded !or her long $ait" The #ing!isher !lashed do$n, sat on the bran h Eust in !ront o! her, and $aited !or a !ish to s$i% along in the $ater beneath" (nubby $ent gloo%ily through the $ood behind" )oony trotted along at his heels, pondering over the ineFpli able $ays o! rabbits that lived do$n holes too s%all !or dogs to get into" Then he stopped and gro$led deep do$n in his throat" B:hatDs up@C said (nubby" B6h - so%ebody o%ing@ 4 an hear the% no$" :ish 4 had ears li#e yours, )oony, though ho$ you hear at all $ith those big ears !lapping over your earholes, 4 really donDt #no$AC (o%ebody a%e through the $ood, $histling so!tly, )oony gro$led again" Then (nubby sa$ the ne$ o%er" 1e $as a boy o! about !ourteen or !i!teen, burnt very bro$n" 1is hair $as orn- oloured and he had eyes so blue that they $ere Huite startling to loo# at" They $ere set uriously $ide apart and $ere !ringed $ith thi # dar# lashes" 1e had a very $ide %outh that grinned in a !riendly !ashion at (nubby" B1alloAC said the boy" B1ave you seen a %on#ey@C

42

CHAPTER FIVE BARNEY AND MIRANDA

That $as the !irst ti%e any o! the three hildren sa$ the strange boy they $ere to #no$ so $ell" (nubby stared at hi%, at his brilliant, $ide-set blue eyes and !riendly grin" 1e li#ed this boy i%%ensely, but he didnDt #no$ $hy" B)ost your tongue@C said the boy" B:ell, 4Dve lost %y %on#ey" 1ave you seen one any$here@C The boy did not tal# Huite li#e anyone (nubby had ever heard" 1e had a slight A%eri an t$ang, and yet he sounded !oreign@ (panish - 4talian - $hat ould it be@ 5or did he loo# English, !or all his blue eyes and !air hair"
43

(nubby !ound his tongue" B8esAC he said" B4 have seen a %on#ey" 4 sa$ one about !ive %inutes ago" 4Dll ta#e you to $here 4 sa$ hi%"C B1er,C said the boy" B4tDs a she-%on#ey" (heDs alled Miranda"C B4s she really yours@C said (nubby" B4Dve al$ays $anted a %on#ey" 4Dve only got a dog"C B)ovely dog, though,C said the boy, and he gave )oony a pat" )oony at on e rolled over on his ba # and put all his legs into the air, doing a #ind o! bi y ling %ove%ent upside do$n" B0lever dog,C said the boy" B:hy donDt you get hi% a little bi y le@C he said, turning to (nubby" B(ee ho$ $ell he pedals upside do$n" 3et hi% a bi#e $ith !our pedals and you ould %a#e a !ortune out o! hi%" The only bi y ling dog in the $orldAC B'o you really %ean it@C said (nubby eagerly" 1e $as ready to believe anything $onder!ul about )oony" The boy laughed" B5o" D0ourse not" 0o%e on, $hereDs this tree@ 4 %ust !ind Miranda - sheDs been gone an hourAC Miranda $as in the tree neFt to the one that (nubby had !irst seen her in" The boy gave his so!t little $histle and the %on#ey leapt do$n li#e a sHuirrel, landing in his ar%s" 1e !ondled her and s olded her" B8ou #no$,C said (nubby, trying to #eep the eF ited )oony a$ay !ro% the %on#ey" B8ou #no$, 4 told %y t$o ousins about the %on#ey and they absolutely re!used to believe %e" 4 suppose you $ouldnDt play a little tri # on the% !or %e@C B4! you li#e,C said the boy, turning his blue eyes on (tubby $ith an a%used loo# in the%" B:hat do you $ant %e to do@C B:ell - do you thin# you ould %a#e Miranda $al# all round %y ousins, or so%ething li#e that, and then o%e ba #
44

to you@C said (nubby eagerly" BThen 4 ould go up and theyDd tell %e theyDd seen a %on#ey too and 4Dd disbelieve the% li#e they disbelieved %eAC B5ot %u h o! a tri #,C said the boy"C 4Dll tell Miranda to drop on the% !ro% a tree and then leap o!! again" 3ive the% a bit o! a !right"C B0ould you %a#e her do that@C said (nubby" B8ou betAC said the boy" B:here are these ousins o! yours@ 0o%e on - $eDll liven the% up a bit" :e $onDt sho$ ourselves, though"C They rept to$ards the river" (nubby %ade )oony rou h do$n Huietly" 1e pointed out 'iana to the boy, and then &oger" The boy nodded" 1e said a !e$ Huiet $ords to the %on#ey $ho ans$ered hi% in a !unny little hattering voi e and then sped up into the trees" The t$o boys $at hed" )oony loo#ed %ost surprised to see the %on#ey disappear into the tree above hi%" 0ats did that, but this reature didnDt loo# or s%ell li#e a at" Miranda %ade her $ay to the tree i%%ediately above &oger, $ho $as still lying asleep $ith his hat over his !a e" The %on#ey leapt do$n and then Eu%ped !ull on top o! &oger" 'iana turned in astonish%ent, her eyes al%ost !alling out o! her head $hen she sa$ Miranda leaping do$n on &oger and then leaping up into the tree again and disappearing" &oger $o#e $ith a start and sat up hurriedly" B:hat !ell on %e@C he said to 'iana" BA %on#ey,C said 'iana" BA little bro$n one"C B6h, donDt you start about %on#eys,C said &oger rossly" BAnyone $ould thin# this pla e $as !ull o! %on#eys the $ay you and (nubby go on about the%"C BBut, &oger - honestly, it $as a %on#ey,C said 'iana"

45

B8ou and (nubby an go on telling %e all day long that you #eep seeing %on#eys, but 4 shanDt believe thereDs a %on#ey about even i! 4 see oneAC said &oger" And at that very %o%ent he sa$ MirandaA 1e sa$ her sitting on the strange boyDs shoulder, as he a%e along $ith (nubby, both o! the% grinning $idely" &oger had to believe in the %on#ey then" 1e $as very astonished" B4s that your %on#ey@C he said to the boy" B4s it a pet@C B(ure,C said the boy" B8ou a pet, Miranda@C Miranda hattered and put a little bro$n pa$ do$n the boyDs ne #" B'onDt ti #le,C he said" B(ha#e hands $ith these people, and sho$ your %anners"C )oony sat by open-%outhed $hilst Miranda gravely held out a little pa$ and allo$ed &oger, 'iana and (nubby to sha#e it" The boy sat do$n beside the%" )oony at on e %ade a rush !or Miranda" 1e $as Eealous" ?ui # as lightning the %on#ey leapt o!! the boyDs shoulder and on to )oonyDs ba #" (he held on tightly and he ouldnDt get her o!! till he rolled on the ground" The hildren roared" B2oor old )oony - nobodyDs ever tried to ride hi% be!ore,C said 'iana" B:hat did you say her na%e $as - Miranda@ :hat a Hueer na%e !or a %on#ey"C B:hy@C said the boy" B4 thought it $as a %ighty pretty na%e $hen 4 !irst read it, and it Eust suits Miranda - sheDs pretty too"C 5one o! the three hildren thought Miranda $as pretty, though they all thought she $as s$eet and a%using" (till, they $ere used to people thin#ing their pets pretty and %arvellous even though they %ostly $erenDt" B(heDs ute, isnDt she@C said the boy, as Miranda began to turn head over heels very !ast indeed" B(he an do no end o! tri #s" Turn art$heels, Miranda"C
4+

Miranda turned doIens o! art$heels, going over and over on hands and !eet $ithout stopping" )oony regarded her sole%nly" 5o - this ouldnDt be a at" 5o at he had ever seen behaved li#e this" B:hatDs your na%e@C as#ed &oger, li#ing this strange boy Eust as %u h as (nubby did" BBarney - short !or Barnabas,C said the boy" B:here do you live@C as#ed (nubby" The boy hesitated" B5o$here at present,C he said" B4D% Eust tra%ping around"C This $as puIIling" B:hat do you %ean@ Are you on a hi#ing trip, or so%ething@C as#ed 'iana" B8ou %ight all it that,C said the boy" B:ell, $hereDs your real ho%e@C persisted (nubby" B8ou %ust have a ho%eAC B'onDt pester Barney,C said &oger, seeing the boy hesitate again" B8ouDre al$ays so inHuisitive, (nubby"C B4tDs all right,C said Barney, and he rubbed MirandaDs !ur gently" BA tually 4D% loo#ing !or %y !ather"C This sounded Hueer" B'oesnDt your %other #no$ $here he is@C de%anded (nubby" BMy %otherDs dead,C said Barney" B(he died last year" 4 donDt $ant to tal# about that, see@ 4 donDt #no$ %u h about her or about %ysel! either, but 4D% trying to !ind out" My %other $as in the sho$ business - you #no$, travelling around in a ir us, and attending !airs and things li#e that" (he $as $onder!ul $ith ani%als" 4 thought %y !ather $as dead but Eust be!ore she died %y %other told %e she didnDt thin# he $as" 1e $as an a tor - a ted in (ha#espeare plays, she said and she ran a$ay !ro% hi% a!ter sheDd been %arried three %onths" 1e doesnDt #no$ anything about %e"C B'onDt tell us all this,C said &oger a$#$ardly" B4tDs your o$n private business"C
4,

B4 $ant to tal# to so%ebody,C said Barney, loo#ing at the% $ith his startling blue eyes" BBut thereDs been no one to tal# to" :ell, $hen %y %other died 4 !elt sort o! lonely, and 4 ouldnDt settle to anything" (o 4 thought 4Dd go o!! on %y o$n - $ith Miranda, o! ourse and see i! 4 ould hear o! %y !ather" 4Dd li#e to #no$ there $as so%ebody belonging to %e, even i! he turned out to be a disappoint%ent"C B4 havenDt any !ather or %other,C said (nubby" BBut 4D% lu #y" 4Dve heaps o! other relations and theyDre Eolly de ent to %e" 4Dd hate to have no one - only Eust )oony"C 'iana ouldnDt i%agine $hat things $ould be li#e $ithout her %other" (he $as sorry !or Barney" B:hat do you do !or a living, then@C she as#ed hi%" B6h, Eust s rounge around,C said the boy" B4 an al$ays go to a ir us or a !air, you #no$, and earn so%e %oney there" ThereDs not %u h 4 anDt do" 4Dve o!ten been in the ir us ring $ith Miranda here" 4Dve Eust le!t the !air over at 5orth otling" 4D% at a loose end no$, $andering about $ith Miranda" :hat 4 $ant to do is to get hold o! so%e o! (ha#espeareDs plays and read the%" 4 suppose you anDt lend %e any@C (nubby ouldnDt i%agine $hy anyone should $ant to borro$ (ha#espeareDs plays" 'iana tu%bled to it at on e" B8ou $ant to #no$ the plays that your !ather a ts in - or used to a t inAC she said" B8ou $ant to #no$ the things he li#ed and the parts he ould playAC BThatDs right,C said Barney, pleased" B4Dve only read one o! the% - about a stor% and a ship$re #, it $as" 4tDs $here 4 got MirandaDs na%e !ro%"C B6h, yes - The Te%pest,C said &oger" BThatDs Huite a good one to start o!! $ith" 'o you really $ant to read the plays@ TheyDll be Eolly di!!i ult !or you" 4! you really do, 4Dll lend you so%e"C BThan#s,C said the boy" B:here do you live@C
4-

B6ver at &o #ingdo$n 0ottage,C said &oger" B'o you #no$ it@C Barney nodded" B:here are you living Eust at present@C said 'iana uriously" 4t see%ed odd to thin# o! so%ebody $ithout a bed at night" B6h - this $eather 4 an sleep any$here,C said Barney" B;nder a haysta # - in a barn - even up a tree $ith Miranda so long as 4 tie %ysel! on"C 'iana glan ed at her $at h and gave an eF la%ation" B'o you #no$ $hat the ti%e is, boys@ 4tDs Huarter o! an hour past tea-ti%e already" Miss 2epper $ill be all hot and botheredAC They s ra%bled up" B4! you o%e and $histle outside &o #ingdo$n 0ottage any ti%e, $eDll hear you and o%e out,C said &oger" B4Dll loo# out those plays !or you"C B4Dll see you to-%orro$,C said Barney, and stood $at hing the% go, his blue eyes loo#ing very !ar apart as he s%iled and $aved" Miranda $aved a tiny pa$ too" B4 li#e hi% %ost a$!ully,C said (nubby" B'o you, &oger@ And hasnDt he got Hueer eyes@ )i#e so%ebody belonging to the )ittle 7ol#, not to us" That sounds silly - but you #no$ $hat 4 %ean"C They did #no$" There $as so%ething strange about Barney, so%ething lonely and lost - and yet he $as gay and had a %ost uproarious laugh, and the %ost natural %anners in the $orld" B4 hope $e see a lot o! hi%,C said &oger" 1e neednDt have $orried about that - they $ere going to see !ar %ore o! Barney than any o! the% guessedA

4.

CHAPTER SIX MR. KING - AND AN EXCITING IDEA

The neFt thing that happened $as that Miss 2epper !ound a tutor !or the three o! the%" They $ere helping Mrs" &ound to lear a$ay brea#!ast $hen he arrived" 1e #no #ed and rang, and Mrs" &ound s urried to open the door" B3entle%an to see Miss 2epper,C she announ ed to the hildren" B5a%e o! 9ing"C 'iana hurried to !et h Miss 2epper, $ho too# Mr" 9ing into the study and re%ained there $ith hi% !or so%e ti%e" Then she opened the door and alled the three hildren"

5/

BMr" 9ing, these are the three 4 told you about - they are ousins - this is &oger, this is 'iana, this is 2eter"C &oger and 'iana loo#ed surprised to hear (nubby alled 2eter" They had Huite !orgotten that that $as really his na%e" Mr" 9ing grinned at the% all" 1e $as a sto #y, $ell-built %an about thirty-!ive or !orty, $ith hair going a little grey, and a %outh that loo#ed distin tly !ir%" BThey donDt loo# too bad,C he told Miss 2epper" (he s%iled" BAppearan es donDt al$ays tell the truth,C she said" B0hildren, this is Mr" 9ing" (ubEe t to !inal arrange%ents, he is going to o%e and give you the oa hing your parents $ant you to have"C This $asnDt so good" The hildrenDs s%iles !aded a$ay" They loo#ed %ore are!ully at Mr" 9ing" 1e loo#ed ba #" 'id they li#e hi% - or didnDt they@ (nubby de ided that he didnDt" 'iana $asnDt sure" &oger !elt that he %ight li#e hi% $hen he #ne$ hi% better" Their hearts all san# $hen the thought o! lessons %orning a!ter %orning, Eust $hen they had got used to ni e !ree days" BMr" 9ing $ill start $ith you on Monday neFt,C said Miss 2epper" B0an )oony be in the roo% too@C said (nubby" Mr" 9ing loo#ed a little startled" BEr - $ho is )oony@C he as#ed, $ondering i! it $as another hild, not Huite so bright as these appeared" BMy spaniel,C said (nubby, and at that %o%ent )oony %ade one o! his usual hurri ane-li#e appearan es" 1e a%e in at the door li#e a ro #et, and hurled hi%sel! at everyone as i! he hadnDt seen the% !or a year" 1e even rolled over Mr" 9ingDs !eet, too, be!ore he realised that they $ere the !eet o! a stranger, and then he leapt to his o$n !eet and gro$led"

51

B6h - so this is )oony,C said Mr" 9ing" B:ell - 4 donDt see $hy be shouldnDt be in the roo%, i! he doesnDt disturb us"C (nubby i%%ediately de ided that he li#ed Mr" 9ing very %u h a!ter all" Miss 2epper spo#e hurriedly" B4 shouldnDt %a#e any rash pro%ises i! 4 $ere you,C she said, trying to give Mr" 9ing a $arning loo#" 1e sa$ it" BAh - yes - 4 $onDt pro%ise,C he said, and then as )oony tore at his shoe and got his shoela es undone, he !ir%ly added a !e$ %ore $ords" B4n !a t, $eDll put )oony on trial !irst"C B4 $ish Miranda ould o%e too,C said (nubby" B(heDs a %on#ey, Mr" 9ing - really a petAC Mr" 9ing thought it $as ti%e to go be!ore he $as as#ed to put a %on#ey on trial too" 1e $ent, and Miss 2epper spo#e to the three hildren" B1e has the %ost eF ellent testi%onials, and 4 thin# he should be a very !ine oa h" 8ouDll begin on Monday - and i! 4 hear o! you %isbehaving, (nubby, 4 shall put )oony into a #ennel at night instead o! letting hi% sleep in the house"C This $as a very alar%ing threat, and one that Miss 2epper $as Huite apable o! arrying out" (nubby slept $ith )oony on his bed all night long, and the spaniel $ould be bro#en-hearted i! he had to sleep any$here else" (nubby didnDt dare to argue $ith Miss 2epper about this" 1e sneeIed violently, and then sneeIed t$i e %ore, !ishing !or his hand#er hie! $ith a %ost on erned eFpression" B:hoooosh-ooA 6h dear - 4D% so sorry - :hhoooooooooo"""C B1ave you got a old, (nubby@C said Miss 2epper" B4 told you to ta#e your oat yesterday evening"C B5o - no old, Miss 2epper,C said (nubby, !inding an eFtre%ely dirty hand#er hie! and sneeIing into that" BGust $hooosh-oo - sorry Eust a little pepper up %y nose" :hooooooo"""C

52

Miss 2epper %ade an i%patient noise and $ent out" 'iana and &ager roared $ith laughter" )oony Eoined in the eF ite%ent and tore round the table siF ti%es $ithout stopping" B&a ehorse tri # being per!or%ed,C said (nubby, putting a$ay his han#y" BAll right, )oony - youDve passed the $inning-post about three ti%es" :oaAC B:hat shall $e do to-day@C as#ed 'iana, as she sta #ed up the brea#!ast dishes to ta#e out to Mrs" &ound" B)etDs go and peep in at the old %ansion,C said &oger" BAs# Mrs" &ound i! thereDs any $ay o! getting in" 4Dd Eust love to po#e round it, and i%agine $hat it $as li#e in the old days"C Mrs" &ound didnDt #no$ very %u h"C8ou #eep a$ay !ro% it,C she said" B7ol#s do say that on e a young !ello$ %anaged to get in there, and he ouldnDt never get out again" That %ight happen to you too" ThereDs doors there that shut o! the%selves, yes, and lo # the%selves too" And thereDs roo%s there still !ull o! !urniture, le!t by the last o$ner - %y, theyDll be !ull o! %oths and spidersA A Hueer, reepy, pla e 4 $ouldnDt go into, not i! you paid %e a thousand poundsAC This sounded pleasantly eerie" The three hildren at on e %ade up their %inds to do a bit o! snooping that very day" They $ould %eet Barney and ta#e hi% too" (o, $hen they heard BarneyDs so!t $histle they $ent out to see hi%" 1e had Miranda on his shoulder" (he leapt into a tree and peered into a $indo$ nearby" Mrs" &ound $as in the roo%, s$eeping" The %on#ey %ade a so!t hattering noise" Mrs" &ound loo#ed up, and $as eFtre%ely astonished to see Miranda apparently about to Eu%p in at the open $indo$" (he shut it at on e, al%ost at hing the %on#eyDs nose" Mrs" &ound stood at the $indo$, sha#ing her !ist at the surprised %on#ey" (he alled to Miss 2epper" B8ou o%e here, Miss, and see $hat those hildren have olle ted no$AC
53

Miss 2epper hurried in, $ondering $hat aterpillar or beetle or %ouse Mrs" &ound had !ound" (he $as al$ays !inding so%ething in &ogerDs bedroo%" (he $as startled to see the %on#ey" Miranda disappeared do$n the tree" BAll 4 say is - i! they starts bringing in %on#eys 4D% going,C said Mrs" &ound" B)oony dogs 4 an put up $ith, beetles and su h 4 an deal $ith - but %on#eys, no" 4tDll be elephants neFt, tra%pling up the stairs and do$n"C Miss 2epper hurried do$nstairs to solve the %on#ey %ystery" (he sa$ Barney $ith the othersK Miranda $as on his shoulder" 1e nodded his head politely to her $hen the hildren introdu ed hi%" BMiss 2epper, this is Barnabas, and this is Miranda, his %on#ey" 4snDt she s$eet@C Miss 2epper $asnDt going to go so !ar as to say that" ln her eFperien e, %on#eys $ere !ull o! !leas and apt to bite people" (he eyed Miranda %istrust!ully" B4Dd rather you didnDt bring that ani%al indoors,C said Miss 2epper !ir%ly" B($eet or not, 4Dd rather she stayed outside"C C8es, ertainly, Ma%,C said Barney" B4t isnDt everyone that li#es %on#eys"C Miranda loo#ed at Miss 2epper Eust as %ourn!ully and patheti ally as )oony so%eti%es loo#ed at her" 6h dear - these ani%alsA :hy did they loo# at you li#e that@ Miss 2epper ran to the #it hen, got a u u%ber end and sli ed it up" (he ran out $ith the little sli es on a plate" BMon#eys li#e u u%ber,C she said" B1ereDs so%e !or her" But please ta#e her do$n the garden" 6h, do be are!ul )oony doesnDt he$ her tailAC MirandaDs tail hung do$n and )oony $as eyeing it hope!ully" 4t did loo# ni e and he$y" 1e %ade a snap at it and Miranda gave a leap o!! BarneyDs shoulder and sat on his head, hattering"

54

B)oonyA 4! you dare to he$ MirandaDs tail 4Dll let her he$ yours,C said (nubby" )oony pro%ptly sat do$n on his as i! he understood every $ord" Barney gave one o! his uproarious laughs, and set everyone else laughing too" Even Mrs" &ound opened the bedroo% $indo$ and loo#ed out to see $hat the Eo#e $as" C0o%e on,C said &oger to Barney" B)etDs go do$n the garden" 6h, $ait a bit" 4 say, Miss 2epper - BarneyDs #een on reading (ha#espeareDs plays" 1eDs read The Te%pest and he $ants %e to lend hi% another" :hat $ould be a good one !or hi% to read neFt@C Miss 2epper $as %ost surprised" :hat $ith his %on#ey, and his Hueer blue eyes, and no$ his li#ing !or plays, this boy $as puIIling" 1e loo#ed Huite a ni e boy, and Miss 2epper $ondered $here he a%e !ro%" (he $ould have to as# &oger about hi% $hen he had gone" B:ell - he ould try Midsu%%er 5ightDs 'rea%,C she said" B6h, yes - thatDs a lovely play,C said 'iana" B:e did it on e at s hool" 4 $as Titania"C They $ent do$n the garden to a tu%bledo$n su%%erhouse and sat there, $ith )oony on the !loor trying to get another he$ at MirandaDs tail, and Miranda !irst on (nubbyDs shoulder and then BarneyDs - al$ays s$inging her tail Eust a little out o! )oonyDs rea h" (he $as very naughty" (he too# 'ianaDs han#y out o! her po #et and produ ed a horrible sti #y %ass o! to!!ee !ro% (nubbyDs shorts, $hi h she pro eeded to li # $ith great enEoy%ent be!ore she thre$ the rest do$n to )oony" B8ouDre not to eat it, )oony,C ordered (nubby" B8ou #no$ $hat happened last ti%e you ate to!!ee"C B:hat happened@C as#ed Barney $ith interest"

55

B1e got his top and botto% teeth stu # together,C said (nubby" BAnd he $as in su h a !right that he rushed straight out-o!-doors and do$n the street and didnDt o%e ba # !or hours, till the to!!ee had %elted and gone" 7or a $hole day a!ter that he $as s ared" 4tDs the only day 4Dve ever #no$n hi% be really good !ro% %orning to night"C BMiranda only li #s it,C said Barney" B(heDs sensible,C said 'iana" B)oony isnDt"C B)etDs tell Barney $hat $e $ant to do this %orning,C said &oger" BBarney, $e $ant to go and $al# round that big old %ansion $hose hi%neys you an Eust see !ro% here" 4tDs e%pty no$ - nobody lives there - and there are all #inds o! Hueer stories about it" :e thought it $ould be !un to snoop round it"C They all got up, )oony too, his tail $agging" :ere they going !or a $al#@ 1e didnDt li#e this sitting about" 4t $as boring" They %ade their $ay through the overgro$n paths, $or#ing their $ay steadily to$ards the old house" B8ou al%ost have to ha # your $ay through,C said &oger" B:eDll o%e to the drive soon - thatDs !airly lear" )oo# - no$ you an see the house - enor%ous, isnDt it@C 4t ertainly $as" 3reat hi%neys stood up !ro% the roo!, s ores o! $indo$s peered out di%ly, hal!- overed $ith ivy and reeper, and there $as an air o! desolation and de ay about the pla e" B0o%e on,C said &oger" B:eDll eFplore - and 4 say $ouldnDt it be !un i! $e %anaged to get insideAC

5+

CHAPTER SEVEN A LITTLE EXPLORING

The !our hildren and )oony a%e right up to the old house" A sparro$ darted out o! the thi # ivy nearby and %ade the% Eu%p" B4tDs so Eolly Huiet,C said &oger" BEven the $ind see%s to have deserted the old %ansionAC B4 donDt li#e it at all,C said 'iana"C4tDs a horrid pla e"C They a%e to the great !light o! steps that led up to the !ront door" The stone steps $ere ra #ed in pla es and $eeds

5,

sprouted through the ra #s" 6ne step $obbled $hen &oger stood on it" The !oundations had rotted a$ay" B4t $ould need an absolute !ortune spent on it to %a#e it liveable in,C said 'iana" B(till - 4 an Huite $ell i%agine ho$ gay and lovely it all $as $hen it $as properly #ept up and a Eolly !a%ily lived in it"C They a%e to the great !ront door" 4t $as a double one, and had a lot o! iron$or# about it, $hi h had rusted" There $as no #no #er, but a great iron bell-pull hung do$n beside the door" 6! ourse (nubby had to pull it" 1e !ound it very heavy and sti!! to pull do$n and he al%ost hung on it to pull it" And suddenly a tre%endous Eangling bro#e out so%e$here in the old house" lt startled the hildren and (nubby let go the bellpull" )oony bar#ed %adly and s raped at the !ront door" B3osh - that %ade %e Eu%p,C said 'iana" B:ho $ould have thought the bell rang a!ter all these yearsA 4 guess it gave a !right to any rats and %i e in the house" 8ou are an idiot, (nubby" 7or goodness sa#e donDt go ringing all the bells you see" 8ou %ight brea# one"C C4 donDt see that that $ould %atter,C said (nubby" B4D% the only person ever li#ely to ring the bells hereAC There $as no letter-boF so the hildren ould not peep through that" But there $as a ra # in the door and by putting their eye to it the hildren ould see into the vast, di% hall" 4t $as not a pleasant sight" 4t $as overed in grey dust, and the $alls $ere !estooned $ith ob$ebs" 4t loo#ed lost aud !orgotten and dead" A great stair ase loo%ed up di%ly in the distan e, at the ba # o! the hall" &oger shoo# the door hard, but he ouldnDt open it or budge it an in h, o! ourse" 5ot that he really hoped toA Barney laughed at hi%"

5-

B4t $ould need a giant to !or e that door openAC he said" B0o%e on - letDs loo# into the $indo$s" There are plenty o! the%AC They $ent do$n the !light o! stone steps and %ade their $ay round the east side o! the house" They a%e to so%e large !ren h $indo$s" The glass $as dirty and strea#ed, but they $ere able to see in" 4t %ust on e have been a ballroo%, $ith a beauti!ul !loor" Built-in %irrors still had their pla es on the $alls" Most o! the% $ere no$ ra #ed" The hildren sa$ their ghostly !a es re!le ted in the %irror opposite the $indo$ through $hi h they $ere peeping" 4t %ade the% Eu%p" B4 really thought it $as so%ebody loo#ing at us,C said 'iana, s ared, Bbut itDs only our re!le tions in that ra #ed %irror" :hat a lovely roo% this %ust have beenA :hat are those bro#en things in that orner@C &oger sHuinted at the%" BBro#en hairs, 4 thin#,C he said" B8ou #no$ $e heard this pla e $as used in the last $ar !or so%ething or other" 4 eFpe t this $as one o! the roo%s used" Those loo# li#e o!!i e hairs or so%ething"C They $ent on round the house, peeping into $indo$ a!ter $indo$, peering into di%, dusty roo%s that bad a loo# o! utter !orlornness" 4t %ade the hildren !eel Huite depressed" Even Miranda and )oony $ere Huiet and subdued" They a%e right round the house ba # to the !ront door again" 5ot one $indo$ had been !ound un!astened, nor even ra #ed or bro#en" 6ne or t$o had had shutters !astened a ross the% and these $indo$s %ight have been bro#en" The hildren ouldnDt see" They loo#ed at the upstairs $indo$s" They see%ed tightshut too - and again so%e had shutters !astened a ross the%" B)oo#AC said 'iana, pointing" BThere are t$o roo%s there $ith bars a ross" They %ust have been the hildrenDs
5.

nurseries" :hen &oger and 4 $ere s%all $e had bars li#e that a ross our $indo$s too" :e used to hate the%"C (nubby $as sHuinting up at the $indo$s, blin#ing in his e!!orts to !o us the% learly, !or they $ere rather high up" B8ou #no$ - it al%ost loo#s to %e as i! there are urtains at those $indo$s,C he said"C0an any o! you see@C Barney had the best eyesight o! the% all" 1is bright blue eyes !astened on the nursery $indo$s" B8esAC he said in surprise" BThere are urtains there - al%ost !alling to bits, 4 thin#AC They all stared up at the barred nursery $indo$s, )oony too" Miranda suddenly le!t BarneyDs shoulder, leapt up the ivy, bounded on to a $indo$-sill, !lung hersel! up$ards again to a little bal ony, and then there she $as, sitting on the $indo$sill o! the old nursery $indo$, peering inA B3olly - 4 $ish 4 ould do thatAC said (nubby in ad%iration" B4D% surprised you anDtAC said &oger" They $ere all $at hing Miranda" (he sat on the $indo$sill, and then she suddenly got bet$een the bars and disappearedA Everyone gaped" B:hereDs she gone@C said 'iana, a%aIed" B4nto the roo% behindAC said Barney" BBut - isnDt there any $indo$-glass there@C said &oger" BApparently not,C said 'iana" B6r she $ouldnDt have been able to go inA 1o$ HueerAC B:ait a bit,C said Barney, sHuinting up at the $indo$" B4 thin# 4 an see $here itDs bro#en - Eust at one side, loo#" ThereDs a hole there as i! a stoneDs been thro$n through it or so%ething" ThatDs $here Miranda $ent through"C (he appeared again and loo#ed do$n at the interested hildren belo$" (he hattered and $aved her tiny pa$"
+/

B(heDs !ound so%ething interesting up there,C said Barney at on e" BThere - sheDs gone into the roo% again" :hatever an she have !ound@C Miranda appeared on e %ore - and this ti%e she $as holding so%ething" (he held it out and they all tried to see $hat it $as" BThro$ it do$n, MirandaAC shouted Barney" And do$n through the air a%e the thing Miranda $as holding" 4t !ell beside 'ianaDs !oot" )oony poun ed on it at on e and 'iana had to $ren h it !ro% hi%" (he held it out to the others" BA dollA A !unny old-!ashioned rag dollA :ould you believe itA 7an y Miranda !inding it in the old nurseryAC B(he loves dolls,C said Barney, and he too# it and eFa%ined it" 1e shoo# it and dust !le$ !ro% it in a loud" 1e loo#ed at it thought!ully" B4 $onder i! thereDs anything else there@C he said" And as i! Miranda ould read his thoughts she appeared again at the $indo$ $ith so%ething else in her pa$s" (he held it out, hattering - then do$n it a%e, turning over and over in the air" Barney aught it" 1e gave an eF la%ation and sho$ed it to the others" BA soldier on horseba # - arved %ost beauti!ullyAC said &oger, ta#ing it" B4tDs si%ply lovely" The olourDs still sho$ing" :hat lovely soldiers hildren %ust have had in the old days - 4 never had ones li#e this"C CMust be part o! a hand-%ade set,C said 'iana" They all loo#ed at the beauti!ul %odel and then gaIed up$ards again" And Miranda thre$ do$n yet another thingA This ti%e it $as a boo#" 4t !ell to pie es as Miranda thre$ it and the pages !luttered in the air" 'iana pi #ed so%e o! the% up" B:hat a !unny old boo#AC she said" B4tDs rather li#e one 3ranny has, in her spe ial boo#shel! she #eeps a olle tion o! hildrenDs boo#s that are very pre ious be ause they are %ore than a hundred years old" 4 say - itDs Hueer, isnDt it, that there
+1

are still urtains to that roo% - and toys there@ :hat do you %a#e o! it, &oger@C B4 donDt #no$,C said &oger" BEF ept that perhaps $hen the house $as let, the nurseries $ere lo #ed up - be ause o! %e%ories, or so%ething - you #no$ ho$ gro$n-ups so%eti%es !eel about those things" Thin# ho$ Mu%%y #eeps the !irst shoes you ever $ore, 'i - and the !irst tooth o! %ine that a%e out" (he Eust $onDt part $ith the%"C BMothers see% to be li#e that,C said 'iana" B2erhaps the %other o! the hildren $ho had these toys ouldn't bear to let strangers use her nurseries - ouldnDt bear to part $ith the toys and things - and lo #ed the% up" 2erhaps the roo%s $ere !orgotten" 4tDs su h a big house they %ight Huite $ell have been"C Miranda appeared again" Barney alled up to her" B5o, Miranda" 5o %ore"C But one %ore thing a%e !loating do$n, spreading itsel! out in the air" 4t $as a s%all hand#er hie!" 'iana aught it as it !loated by her head" 4n the orner, beauti!ully e%broidered, $as a na%e in $hat on e had been pale blue sil#" BBob"C Gust that and nothing %ore" The hildren loo#ed at the na%e" :ho $as Bob@ :as he gro$n-up no$ - or $as he dead long ago@ They didnDt #no$" They pi tured a tiny boy being told to use his han#y - the one $ith his na%e on" 'iana ould al%ost hear his nurse spea#ing to hi%" B'onDt sni!!, Bob, dear" ;se your han#y - the one $ith your na%e on" 4 gave it to you this %orning"C B0o%e do$n, MirandaAC alled Barney" 1e turned to the others" B(heDll thro$ do$n everything in the roo% i! 4 donDt stop her,C he said" BAnd goodness #no$s ho$ %u h %ore there is up there" 4 $ouldnDt be surprised i! the nurseries are still !urnished - $ith ats and things" ?ueer, isnDt it@C

+2

Miranda a%e leaping do$n" 4t $as astonishing ho$ she ould o%e sa!ely do$n the $alls, by Eust lut hing lightly at the ivy here and there" )oony greeted her $ith a %ad series o! bar#s" 1e $as Eealous be ause she ould do so %any things that he ouldnDt" (he settled on BarneyDs shoulder, and too# hold o! his right ear $ith her tiny pa$" (he %ade a !unny $hispering sound in his ear" 1e shoo# his head li#e a dog" B'onDtA 8ou ti #leAC B:hat are $e going to do $ith these things@C said 'iana" BThey donDt belong to us"C B:ell - $e anDt possibly put the% ba #,C said (nubby" B;nless $e tell Miranda to - and surely she $ouldnDt have the sense to ta#e the% all ba #"C B6h, yes, she $ould,C said Barney" B(heDll do anything 4 tell her" 8ou donDt #no$ ho$ lever she is" 4 should thin# sheDs Eust about the leverest %on#ey in the $orld" 4! people #ne$ ho$ lever she $as theyDd o!!er %e a thousand pounds !or her - and 4 $ouldnDt ta#e it"C They all gaIed at Miranda $ith respe t" A thousand poundsA B:hy, thatDs %ore than 4D% $orthAC said (nubby" B4 should thin# soA About nine hundred and ninety-nine pounds, nineteen shillings and eleven pen e three !arthings %ore,C said &oger at on e" B:or# that out, (nubby"C (nubby ouldnDt" 1e hanged the subEe t and loo#ed longingly up at the barred $indo$s" B4 $ish $e ould get up thereAC he said" B:ell,C said Barney surprisingly" BThatDs easy - i! you really $ant to"C

+3

CHAPTER EIGHT BARNEY HAS AN IDEA

B:hat do you %ean@C said &oger, staring at Barney in surprise" B:e anDt possibly get up there - $hy, itDs three storeys up - and Eolly high storeys at that" 5o ladder $eDve got $ould rea h there - even i! $eDd got one, $hi h $e havenDt"C BAnd it $ould be too heavy to arry i! $e had,C said 'iana, re%e%bering ho$ heavy the longest ladder at ho%e had been $hen she had tried to arry it $ith &oger" B4D% not thin#ing o! a ladder,C said Barney" B4D% thin#ing o! a rope"C
+4

They all stared at hi%" BA rope@C repeated &oger"CBut ho$ in the $orld are you going to get a rope up there@ 8ouDd $ant a ladder to ta#e up the ropeAC Barney laughed one o! his loud laughs" B5o, no - 4Dd Eust send Miranda up $ith a rope" (heDll do anything li#e that"C (till they didnDt understand" Barney grinned at the%" B4tDs plain youDve never lived in a ir us or a !air,C he said" B8ou get used to puIIles o! this sort there" 5o$ loo# - i! $e get a rope, $e give one end to Miranda - and up she goes to the nursery $indo$s $ith it" (he sits on the $indo$-sill and t$ists the rope over the bars - then she thro$s the rope do$n to us" 4t o%es slithering do$n the $alls - and do$n to us" :e at h it - and $eDve got a double rope then, havenDt $e, $ith the %iddle held by those bars up thereA And itDs easy enough to test the bars by pulling on the rope"C BAnd then up $e go to the $indo$-sillAC ried &oger, seeing light" B3osh - thatDs an idea" All the sa%e, 4 donDt thin# 4 ould li%b a rope all that $ay" 4D% pretty good at gy%, and one o! the best on the ropes at s hool - but itDs a terri!i $ay up to those $indo$s"C B4 shall be able to %anage it all right,C said Barney" B4Dve been on the ropes at the ir us %any a ti%e - on the tightrope too" 8ou should see %e $al# along it ba #$ardsAC The others loo#ed at Barney $ith a ne$ respe t" 0ould he really $al# an a rope or a $ire@ (nubby %ade up his %ind to get hi% to tea h hi% during those holidays" 1e i%agined hi%sel! setting up a rope a ross the gy% and $al#ing airily along it" That $ould %a#e the others stareA B0li%bing up a ropeDs nothing,C said Barney" B4tDs Eust a Huestion $hether those bars $ill still hold" 5o$ the thing is $here is there a rope@ 4 havenDt got one - have you@C &oger didnDt #no$" 1is eFploration o! &o #ingdo$n 0ottage hadnDt sho$n hi% any ropes or ladders"
+5

BEven i! there isnDt a rope at ho%e $e an buy one,C he said" B4 say - this is eF iting, isnDt it@ 'o you thin# you really ould get into that $indo$, Barney@C B(ure o! it,C said Barney" BMiranda an easily ta#e up the rope" (he #no$s ho$ to put it over the bars - sheDs done that o!ten enough in the ir us" Then 4'll go up and see $hat 4 an see" 4! thereDs a hole big enough !or Miranda to get through, it $ill be big enough !or %e to put %y hand in to slip the at h o! the $indo$ - and in 4Dll goAC B)etDs go and buy the rope at on e,C said 'iana eagerly" :ith )oony rushing ahead li#e a %ad thing, the !our o! the% %ade their $ay ba # through the grounds" They $ent do$n the overgro$n drive, as that $as the shortest $ay to the village" They had de ided that it $ouldnDt be %u h use loo#ing !or a rope at &o #ingdo$n 0ottage" Miss 2epper $ould be sure to as# $hat they $ere loo#ing !or and $hy they $anted a rope and a hundred other things" B3ro$n-ups are terribly inHuisitive,C said (nubby plaintively" BEven i! 4D% doing absolutely nothing at all people o%e and as# %e $hat 4D% up to"C B4 donDt bla%e the%,C said 'iana" B8ouDre al$ays up to so%e #ind o! %is hie! as !ar as 4 an see" By the $ay, $as it you $ho put %y bedroo% slippers on the top o! the upboard last night@ 4 ouldnDt !ind the% !or ages"C B4 eFpe t 4 put the% there out o! )oonyDs $ay,C said (nubby" B:ell, donDt" Gust shut %y bedroo% door i! it happens to be open - then )oony anDt go in,C said 'iana" B4D% not going to hunt all over the pla e !or %y slippers every single nightAC They de ided to have an i e- rea% at the little general store $hen they got there" They sat do$n at the one and only table and ordered vanilla i es" The old lady a%e bustling out $ith the%"
++

BAnd ho$ do you li#e &o #ingdo$n 0ottage@C she said" B5i e little pla e, isnDt it@ 5o Hueer stories about it, li#e there are about the big house"C B:hat Hueer stories are there@C said &oger, paying !or the i e- rea%s" B6h, 4 $ouldnDt s are you $ith su h tales,C said the old $o%an, bea%ing" BThat old pla e has !allen on evil days" (ee%s as i! a urse $as on it, so%eho$, the things that happened"C This sounded interesting" B:hat happened@C as#ed &oger" B6h - !ol#s $ere #illed - and t$o hildren died - and"""C B:hat t$o hildren@C as#ed 'iana" B:as one alled Bob@C B:ell, there no$ - !an y you #no$ing thatAC said the old $o%an in surprise" B8es - that $as Master &obert" 1is sister, little Miss Arabella, !ell out o! the nursery $indo$ and $as #illed - then only Master &obert $as le!t" (o they barred the $indo$s up" And then i! he didnDt go and get s arlet !ever and pass a$ay too"C B:hat happened then@C as#ed 'iana, a!ter a pause" 2oor little BobA (he a tually had his s%all han#y in her po #et" 1e hadn't lived to gro$ up - but his han#y $as still there" And his soldier and boo#" BThe nurseries $ere shut up Eust as they $ere,C said the old $o%an, trying to re%e%ber" BThe nurse $as given orders to leave everything as it $as - everythingA (he $as so upset, poor reature - she loved those t$o hildren li#e her o$n"C B:hat happened to the !ather and %other@C as#ed &oger" B)ord &o #ingdo$n $as #illed,C said the old $o%an" B8es, and his lady died o! a bro#en heart - no husband, no hild le!t" :asnDt 4 telling you this the other day@ 4Dll be boring you, repeating %ysel! li#e thisA The pla e $ent to a ousin a!ter that, but he never a%e near it"C
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The hildren no$ had a pi ture o! $hat had happened to the unlu #y house and !a%ily" 'iana !elt sad" (he pi tured the big house gay and lively, $ith )ord and )ady &o #ingdo$n giving parties, going o!! to hunt, hoosing ponies !or their t$o s%all hildren, Arabella %d Bob - planning all sorts o! things !or the% as they gre$ up" But they didnDt gro$ up" The ti%e a%e $hen the gay, happy !a%ily $as no %ore - the house $as e%pty and unloved" 6nly the nurseries $ith their toys, and goodness #ne$ $hat else, $ere le!t to guard the %e%ories o! the little !a%ily" 'ianaDs eyes had been $andering round the ro$ded little shop" 4t really $as a %ost interesting pla e and 'iana !elt sure that there $as pra ti ally nothing that ouldnDt be bought there" 2ails, de #- hairs, lengths o! garden hose, sau epans, #ettles, rugs, ro #ery - everything see%ed to be there, %uddled up together" Things hung do$n !ro% the eiling, and $ere piled on shelves round the $alls" B'o you #no$ eFa tly $hat youDve got in your shop@C as#ed 'iana uriously" BThere are so %any things - surely you donDt #no$ the% all"C BAh, indeed 4 do,C said the old $o%an, bea%ing all over her $rin#led pin# !a e" BThereDs not a thing 4 donDt #no$, and 4 ould put %y hand on anything you li#e to %entionAC B:ell - ould you put your hand on a good, long, strong rope@C said &oger at on e" BA rope@ 5o$, letDs see,C said the old da%e, !ro$ning" B8es - se ond shel! to the right, near the end" ThatDs $here it should be"C B4Dll loo# !or you,C said Barney, getting up" B'onDt you go li%bing about on those shelvesAC The se ond shel! $as near the eiling" Barney leapt up li#e a at, !ound the rope, and leapt ba # again"
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B:hat it is to be youngAC said the old $o%an ad%iringly" B8ou ought to be in a ir us, you oughtAC Everyone grinned, but nobody said anything" The old $o%an loo#ed at the pri e on the rope" B'o you really $ant a rope@C she said" B'onDt you go doing nothing dangerous, no$" This ropeDs eFpensive - but then itDs good and strong" 2erhaps a heaper one $ould do !or you" :hat do you $ant it !or@C B6h, this and that,C said 'iana Hui #ly" B4 thin# this strong one $ould be best" 2ay !or it, &oger"C &oger paid, thin#ing it $as a good thing it $as the beginning o! the holidays and he had plenty o! %oneyA They said good day and $ent o!! $ith the rope" As they $ent do$n the street the hur h lo # stru # loudly" B1al!-past t$elve already,C said 'iana "C:e shanDt have ti%e to do any %ore eFploring this %orning" :eDd better %eet you this a!ternoon, Barney"C B&ight,C said Barney" B:hat are you going to do about dinner@C as#ed (nubby, suddenly realising that Barney had no ni e-s%elling %eal to go ho%e to - in !a t, not even a ho%e" B4Dll buy %ysel! so%e bread and heese,C said Barney" BAnd 4Dll get Miranda an orange" (he loves oranges"C 1e $ent o!! $ith Miranda on his shoulder, a!ter arranging to all !or the hildren at hal!-past t$o" 'iana %ade up her %ind to as# Miss 2epper to give the% a pi ni tea - one they ould share $ith Barney" (he $as $orried about Barney" :as it o%!ortable to sleep under a haysta # at night@ 'id he have enough %oney to buy hi%sel! the !ood he $anted@ (uppose it rained@ :hat did he do then@ 1e didn't see% to have any lothes eF ept those he had on" :hat a strange li!e he %ust lead $ith Miranda - Eust the t$o o! the%, $andering about together" (he loo#ed up"

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B4tDs going to pour,C she said to the others" B4 hope Miss 2epper $onDt say $eDre to #eep indoors this a!ternoon"C B4tDll hold o!! until the evening,C said &oger, loo#ing at the louds" B:e'll be all right this a!ternoon, 4 thin#" There %ay be a stor% to-night"C Miss 2epper $as pleased to see the% pun tual !or on e" An appetising s%ell !illed the house as they $ent in" B(ausages - and onions,C said &oger"C 4 hops there are hip potatoes"C There $ere - and !ried to%atoes too" The hildren $ere hungry and soon leared the big dish" 'iana $ished that Barney ould have shared su h a %eal" (he pi tured hi% sitting on a grassy bana# so%e$here, %un hing bread and heese, $ith Miranda beside hi%, eating an orange" B5ever %ind - heDll be $ith us this a!ternoon - sharing our tea - and a Eolly !ine adventureAC she thought"

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CHAPTER NINE BARNEY CLIMBS THE ROPE

Barny $as outside at hal!-past t$o, $histling" BThereDs that boy $ith the %on#ey again,C said Miss 2epper" B4 do hope heDs a ni e boy, &oger" 4 donDt $ant you to %a#e !riends $ith anyone $ho $ill lead you into bad $ays"C &oger grinned" B4tDs %u h %ore li#ely that (nubby $ill tea h hi% bad $ays,C he said" BBarneyDs all right, Miss 2epper" (hall 4 as# hi% in !or a %eal so%eti%e, then you an Eudge !or yoursel!@C
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B8es" That $ould be a good idea,C said Miss 2epper" B:ell, youDd better go, i! heDs $aiting !or you" 4Dve got your pi ni ready !or you" 4tDs on the #it hen $indo$-sill" As# Mrs" &ound !or it"C (nubby $ent ra ing out to the #it hen, )oony at his heels" B&oundy, &oundy, $here are you@ 1ave you got our tea !or us@C Mrs" &ound loo#ed up !ro% her a!ter-dinner up o! tea" B5o$, donDt you be hee#y,C she said" B0alling %e &oundy li#e thatA 4Dve told you o! that be!ore, Master (au e-BoFAC B&oundyDs a lovely na%e !or you,C said (nubby, and gave the plu%p Mrs" &ound a sudden sHueeIe" B4 anDt help alling you &oundy" 4tDs a pet na%e" 8ou neednDt %ind"C Mrs" &ound didnDt" (he thought (nubby $as $hat she alled a B aution,C and she didnDt see% to %ind $hat he said or did" (he $as even putting up $ith )oony a bit better no$, in spite o! his habit o! ta#ing all her brushes out into the garden" BThat dog and you are a pair,C she said, putting her hair straight a!ter (nubbyDs sudden sHueeIe" B3et do$n, )oony" :here did you put %y arpet brush, 4Dd li#e to #no$@ :ait till 4 !ind it and 4Dll give you su h a hiding $ith it"C )oony pi #ed up a duster and ran o!! $ith it, sha#ing it as i! it $ere a rat" (nubby yelled at hi% and Miss 2epper appeared in the door$ay" B(nubbyA (top that noise" :hatDs the dog got no$@ 'rop it, )oony" 4D% so sorry, Mrs" &ound - that dog is o%pletely %ad"C BThatDs all right, Miss,C said Mrs" &ound gra iously" B4D% getting used to hi% no$" 1eDs not so bad, ta#e hi% all round" Gust puppy-li#e"C

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Miss 2epper $as relieved to hear Mrs" &ound ta#ing things so al%ly" (he gave (nubby the bas#et o! tea-things and sent hi% o!!" 1e tore into the garden $ith )oony" )oony greeted Barney riotously, and Miranda sat on her %asterDs shoulder and $at hed" (he suddenly slid do$n and aught hold o! )oonyDs ear" (he gave it a good tug and leapt ba # again to BarneyDs shoulder al%ost be!ore the dog #ne$ $hat had happened" 1e yelped" The hildren laughed" They al$ays enEoyed these bits o! by-play bet$een )oony and Miranda" B:eDve got the tea,C said 'iana" BAnd the rope" 0o%e onAC 7eeling rather eF ited the hildren %ade their $ay on e %ore through the grounds to the old %ansion" Miranda %ade a little hattering noise $hen they a%e near" (he re%e%bered her adventure o! the %orning" BBlo$A 4tDs beginning to rainAC said &oger" BGust as $eDve got a pi ni tea tooAC B:e an have it on that veranda pla e,C said (nubby, pointing to $here a veranda sho$ed on the south side o! the house, al%ost hidden by hanging reepers" B:e ould drag a$ay so%e o! those reepers to let a bit o! light and air in"C They put the tea-bas#et on the veranda" 4t ertainly $as a dis%al pla e" 'iana !elt sure it $ould be !ull o! spiders and ear$igs, and very da%p" (he hoped they $ouldnDt have to have tea there" The boys $ere longing to get on $ith the eFploring" They $ere already $al#ing round to the part o! the house $here the nurseries $ere" They loo#ed up at the barred $indo$s" Miranda $as o!! BarneyDs shoulder and a$ay to the nursery $indo$-sill i%%ediately" Barney alled her ba #" B1ere, MirandaA 0o%e ba #" :eDve got a Eob !or you to doAC

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(nubby and &oger undid the rope" 4t ertainly $as a good strong one" B4 believe it $ill be too heavy !or Miranda to pull up behind her,C said &oger $eighing it in his hand" 4t ertainly $as very heavy" B4 thought o! that,C said Barney, and he too# so%e string !ro% his po #et" B:eDll play the old tri # o! letting a string pull the ropeAC The others $at hed $hilst he tied so%e string to the ropeend" Then he !ound a stone $ith a hole in it and tied the other end o! the string to it" B:hatDs that !or@C said 'iana" B8ouDll soon see,C said Barney" B5o$, Miranda - are you ready@ Ta#e the string up - t$ist it over the bars Eust as you do $hen you go up to one o! the trapeIe s$ings in the ir us and let the other end o! the string dropAC Miranda listened, her bro$n eyes glea%ing intelligently" (he hattered so!tly ba #" (he really $as a re%ar#able little %on#ey" (he too# the stone in her tiny pa$, and leapt o!! BarneyDs shoulder" (he bounded to the little bal ony, the string pulling up behind her" ;p the ivy, on to another $indo$-sill, and up the ivy again to the barred $indo$s" The string unravelled s$i!tly behind her" Miranda sat on the $indo$-sill, peering in at the $indo$ again" Barney alled to her, B3o on, Miranda" 'o your stu!!AC The others $at hed breathlessly" :ould Miranda really Bdo her stu!!@C (he didA (he slipped the stone over the top bar, and let it drop do$n the other side o! the bars - the $indo$ side" The stone !ell, dragging the string behind it" More string unravelled and ran up the $all, as the stone $ith its tail o! string dropped do$n to the ground"

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Barney aught the stone as it !ell and pulled at the string" B5o$, $at h,C he said to 'iana" B8ouDll soon see the rope go up"C 1e pulled hard at the string, and it travelled over the bars o! the $indo$ and do$n the $all to his hand - dragging behind it the rope that $as tied to it" ;p $ent the rope a!ter the string, round the bars, and do$n to BarneyDs hand, as he pulled" B4tDs very, very lever,C said 'iana, %u h i%pressed" BBarney, 4 should never have thought o! that"C B6h, thereDs nothing at all in that,C said Barney, s%iling" BAny ir us #id ould do that !ro% the age o! t$o" 1allo MirandaDs gone into the roo% again" 4Dd better go up be!ore she starts sho$ering us $ith all #inds o! thingsAC 1e t$isted the rope as the t$o strands hung !ro% the bars to t'he ground" 1e t$isted it so thoroughly that the t$o strands loo#ed li#e one" They $ould be very strong, and give hi% a good hold" B5o$ letDs hope the bars $ill hold all right,C said Barney" 1e put all his $eight suddenly on the rope and pulled hard" There $as an o%inous grating noise" B6h dear - the top barDs giving $ay,C said 'iana in alar%" B)oo# out - it %ay !allAC Barney put his $eight on the rope again" The top bar a%e out o! the $all at one side, and hung do$n roo#edly" The rope slid do$n to the neFt bar" There $ere !ive bars altogether" B:ell - thatDs one bar gone,C said Barney" B2erhaps the neFt one $ill hold"C Again he put all his $eight on the rope" The se ond bar gave a very little bit, and then held" B4Dll try going up no$,C said Barney" B'onDt $orry i! this bar brea#s" The rope $ill Eust slide do$n to the neFt one - and i! that one brea#s itDll go do$n to the !ourth one"C

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B8es - but, Barney, suppose they all brea#@C said 'iana in a pani " BBy the ti%e that happens 4Dll be on the $indo$-sill,C grinned Barney" B'onDt $orry" 4D% li#e a at, 4 al$ays !all on %y !eet"C 1e suddenly s$ung on the rope, slid up his legs, holding the rope bet$een his !eet, and then hauled hi%sel! up strongly" B1eDs going upAC said (nubby, and )oony leapt at the rope in eF ite%ent, bar#ing" BThe barDs brea#ingAC s rea%ed 'iana" B)oo# out, Barney - itDs brea#ingAC (ure enough, it suddenly gave $ay and dropped out !ro% the $all, stri#ing the stone sill as it !ell, and Eust %issing hitting )oony on the head" 1e Eu%ped a$ay in !right and $ent to hide under a bush" Barney !elt the rope drop a little and got a Eer# as it a%e to rest on the neFt bar" 1e hung still !or a %o%ent" :hat about this bar@ That held !or a !e$ se onds only, and then it too bro#e !ro% its pla e" 4t didnDt !all but hung do$n to one side and the rope slid do$n to the !ourth bar" BBarney, o%e do$nA All the bars $ill brea# and youDll hurt yoursel!AC shrie#ed 'iana, really !rightened" Barney too# no noti e" 1e $ent on hauling hi%sel! up the rope, intent on rea hing the $indo$-sill be!ore the last bar bro#e" 6n e the !ourth one bro#e, there $as only one bar le!t" The !ourth one bro#e Eust as he rea hed the $indo$-sill" :ith a light atli#e %otion he $as over the last bar and on to the broad sill" 1e sat there, grinning do$n at the others, the rope s$inging belo$ hi%" 'iana $as pale $ith !right" B:ell, 4D% hereAC alled Barney, getting his breath ba # a!ter his long li%b" 1e glan ed into the $indo$ behind hi% to loo# !or Miranda" 1e loo#ed into the roo% there !or $hat see%ed a long, long ti%e to the hitdren belo$"
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BBarneyA :hat an you see@C alled (nubby i%patiently, longing to see everything hi%sel!" C4tDs $eirdAC alled do$n Barney at last" BThe roo% in here is a proper nursery - ro #ing-horse and all - and thereDs a %eal laid on the table" 3ives %e a !unny !eelingAC 'iana shivered a little" 4t ertainly did sound strange" B0an $e o%e up the rope too@C she alled" B0an you tie it to so%ething in the roo%@C B8ouDre none o! you o%ing up the rope,C said Barney" B8ou anDt li%b li#e %e" 8ou'd #ill yourselves"C 1e put his ar% in at the hole in the glass o! the $indo$ the hole Miranda used $hen she $ent in and out" 1e !elt about !or the $indo$- at h" :ould it be too old and rusty to %ove@ 1e didnDt $ant to have to brea# the $indo$ %u h %ore" 1e !ound the at h" 4t ertainly $as sti!! - but he %oved it at last" Then the $indo$ stu #, o! ourseA 4t too# a lot o! shoving and pushing to %a#e it %ove a little $ay" Barney al%ost !ell o!! the $indo$-sill in his e!!orts to open it" But at last it $as open !ar enough !or hi% to sHueeIe in" 1e disappeared, $hilst the hildren belo$ $at hed eagerly and i%patiently" Barney loo#ed round the roo%" 4t had a arpet on the !loor, al%ost eaten a$ay by %oths" The $indo$ urtains $ere also in holes, destroyed by %oths" A nursery table, overed by $hat had on e been a gay-patterned loth, stood in the %iddle o! the roo%" 0oloured nursery hairs stood about" A big ro #ing-horse stood near the $indo$" Barney tou hed it $ith his !oot" 4t ro #ed, rea#ing to and !ro" 4t sent a Hueer shiver do$n his ba #" A big dollDs house stood on a lo$ shel!" A boF o! bri #s $as upset on the !loor nearby" Boo#s stood on a boo#shel!, %ostly pi ture boo#s" Bob and Arabella apparentiy had not

,,

been very old" A nurseDs ro #ing- hair stood by the !irepla e, $here the old, dead e%bers o! a oal !ire still sho$ed" B4t %ust have been le!t and shut up very suddenly,C thought Barney" B5othing tidied up - nothing leared a$ay Eust le!t eFa tly as it $as $hen Bob $as ta#en ill"C 1e sa$ another door leading out o! the nursery and $ent to it" 4t $as hal!-open" There $as another roo% beyond" 4n this roo% $ere t$o s%all beds - evidently one !or ea h hild" A lo$ dressing-table and t$o little hests o! dra$ers stood near the $indo$" 8et another door opened out !ro% this %iddle roo%" Barney loo#ed into that" This %ust have been the nurseDs roo%" 4t $as neat and tidy, overed $ith dust, and not so %u h eaten up by lothes %oths" The bed stood in the orner $ith its on e-$hite over no$ grey $ith dust" 4t $as all very strange indeed" Barney !elt as i! he had stepped ba # years and years" A voi e a%e up !ro% belo$" BBarneyA BA&5E8A :hat are you doing@ 8ou %ight o%e and tell us $hatDs up thereAC

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CHAPTER TEN IN THE OLD FORGOTTEN HOUSE

Barney $ent ba # to the $indo$ through $hi h he had li%bed" 1e leaned out" B4tDs all Eolly Hueer,C he said" BThere are three roo%s up here - still !urnished" :ait - 4Dll o%e do$n and tell you all about it" (o%eho$ 4 donDt !eel as i! 4 $ant to shout"C BBarneyA ThereDs only one bar le!tAC shouted 'iana in a pani " B'onDt ris# that" Tie the rope to so%ething else in the roo%"C Barney tried the last bar $ith his hand" 4t bro#e at on e" 4t $as the rottenest one o! all" Than# goodness he hadnDt had to trust his $eight to that one" Then he loo#ed sharply at the rope" 4t $as al%ost in t$oA 4t had pulled against so%ething
,.

Eagged on one o! the bars and $as ut pra ti ally to the last thread" Even as he too# it up it !ell in hal!" 1e %ade a grab at it - but do$n it $ent" There $as a dis%ayed silen e" B5o$ $hat's going to happen@C as#ed 'iana" BThe ropeDs in t$oAC B:e an #not it, silly,C said &oger" Barney leaned out o! the $indo$ and pointed up to the s#y" B)oo# there - thereDs a rainstor% Eust about to pour do$n" 8ouDll all get soa#ed i! you %ess about #notting the rope and sending Miranda up $ith it" 4 thin# 4Dd better see i! 4 an get out o! this roo% and into the %ain part o! the building" Then 4 an open a door or so%ething !ro% inside and let you in"C B&ight,C said &oger" B:eDll go and $ait on that veranda, Barney" 4tDs beginning to pour no$"C &oger, (nubby, 'iana and )oony ran round the house to the horrible veranda" As 'iana had !eared, there $ere spiders and ear$igs, and %any other inse ts she !elt she had never seen any$here else" The !loor $as sli%y and the pla e !elt very da%p" 4t $as Huite i%possible to thin# o! having tea there" B4 hope Barney $ill !ind so%e $ay o! letting us in,C said (nubby $ith a shiver" B4tDs Eolly old no$"C 1e sneeIed" B2epper up your nose,C said &oger, trying to raise a laugh" But the veranda $as too gloo%y a pla e !or a Eo#e or a laugh" :hat $as Barney doing in the old house@ :as he !inding a $ay to let the% in@ 1e $as ertainly doing his best" 1e $ent to the outer door o! the !irst nursery" 4t $as not lo #ed" 4n !a t, the #ey $as in the #eyhole inside the roo%" 1e opened the door and loo#ed out on a long dar# passage" (urely these roo%s had been lo #ed - not le!t open !or anyone to o%e into@

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1e $ent do$n the passage, disturbing the dust on the !loor" 4t rose in a light loud" 6ne or t$o long ob$ebby strands hanging !ro% the eiling brushed against his !a e and %ade hi% Eu%p" They !elt li#e so!t !ingers" 1e didnDt li#e it at all, and $ished he had a tor h $ith hi%" The passage $as so very dar#" 1e a%e to a stout door at the end o! the passage" 1e tried it, turning the big handle this $ay and that" 5o use" The door $ouldnDt open" 4t $as $ell and truly lo #ed on the other side" 6! ourse - that $as ho$ they had sealed o!! the nurseries - by lo #ing the door that led to all three roo%s" 5obody ould go near the%" 1o$ ould he get into the %ain part o! the house@ 1e onsidered the %atter are!ully" 1e ould not possibly #i # this stout door do$n, and the lo # $as strong" 4t loo#ed as i! he ouldnDt leave this passage at all" A thought stru # hi%" :hat about the #ey he had seen in one o! the nursery doors@ :ould that by any han e !it this door@ 4t $as $orth trying" 1e $ent ba # Hui #ly, al%ost ho#ing as he #i #ed up the dust" Miranda lung to his shoulder in silen e" (he didnDt li#e this" 4t $as strange and dar# and Hueer" (he held on tightly to BarneyDs shoulder" 1e loo#ed at the three doors in the other roa%s" Ea h had a #ey in it" 1e loo#ed at the #eys" They see%ed %ore or less the sa%e to hi%, but perhaps they $erenDt" 1e too# the% ba # to the passage door" The !irst #ey slid in easily, but $ouldnDt turn" 1o$ever he tried, it $ouldnDt turn %ore than hal!-$ay" 1e $as a!raid o! !or ing it in ase the #ey bro#e in the lo #" 1e tried the se ond one" That $ould only turn hal!-$ay too" :ithout %u h hope he tried the third #ey"

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And it turnedA True, it $as sti!!, and grated protestingly as he turned it slo$ly and are!ully - but it suddenly li #ed ba # the old lo #" 1e ould open the doorA 1e turned the handle and pulled at the door" 4t a%e open and a loud o! dust arose again, %a#ing hi% ough" 1e $as loo#ing out at a broad landing" 'oors opened on either side o! it" Barney $ent to the%, $al#ing on tiptoe, he didnDt Huite #no$ $hy" 1e pushed open the doors, one by one, and loo#ed into the roo%s" They $ere o%pletely e%pty" 5ot a hair, not a boo#, not a rug, re%ained in any o! the%" 6nly dust overed the bare !loors, and ob$ebs hung every$here" )arge spiders s uttled over the eilings as he opened the doors, terri!ied to be disturbed in the %idst o! their long dar# pea e" Most o! the roo%s $ere dar#, or at least di%, be ause o! the ivy that gre$ a ross the $indo$s, allo$ing only a s%all a%ount o! daylight in" The roo%s s%elt %usty and old" Barney $ent do$n the bare stairs" 'ust rose !ro% ea h stair, !ine dust, li#e grey !lour, that %ade hi% ho#e $henever it rea hed his nose" 1e didnDt tou h the banister rail as he $ent do$n, !or !ear o! disturbing even %ore dust" 'o$n to the !irst !loor" 1ere there $ere %ose doors that opened on to %iserable dar# roo%s, dusty and silent" 7ro% the !irst !loor do$n to the ground !loor the stair ase des ended !ro% ea h side o! the great landing, and then Eoined its t$o !lights together to s$eep do$n in one huge urve to the enor%ous hall" 5o$ Barney $as in the hall, $hi h he had seen through the ra # in the !ront door" 1e tiptoed into a big roo% to the right" 4t $as the ballroo%" The %irrors gave ba # a doIen re!le tions o! his di%, shado$y !igure and %ade hi% !eel un o%!ortable" 1e le!t the ballroo% and $ent into another roo%" This %ust have been used by people during the last $ar,
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as $ell as the ballroo%, !or here, again, there $as bro#en !urniture, old papers stre$n about and the re%ains o! a bro#en telephone re eiver" 4t $as dusty but the dust $as not so thi # as in the upper !loors" 1e $ent into another roo%, and sa$ that it $as the roo% leading out on the veranda" 1e %ade out the !igures o! the three hildren and )oony, standing patiently outside, $aiting !or hi%" 2erhaps he ould open the veranda door" 1e $ent over to it and #no #ed on the glass $ith his #nu #les" All three hildren Eu%ped violently and then turned to see $hat the noise $as" B4tDs BarneyAC ried 'iana gladly" B6h, Barney - you $ere able to get out o! the roo%s upstairs, thenAC Barney ould Eust %a#e out $hat she said" 1e struggled $ith the veranda door-bolts and %anaged at last to push ea h one ba #" 1e unlo #ed the door, and !or ed it open" The hildren outside rushed in, and 'iana aught hold o! his ar%" BBarneyA 8ou are leverA :e $ere getting so old out there, and the rain o%es s$eeping in on the veranda"C )oony tore round and round the roo%, #i #ing up dust as he $ent" B(hut up, )oony,C said &oger sharply" B8ouDll ho#e us all - and yoursel! too"C Miranda still lung to BarneyDs shoulder" (he $as very glad to see the other hildren" They all loo#ed round at the silent, dusty roo%" 'iana too# a !e$ steps !or$ard and then s rea%ed, %a#ing the others Eu%p" (he had $al#ed into a ob$eb, $hi h had s$ung so!tly against her !a e" B(o%eone tou hed %e,C she yelled" B5o" 4tDs only a hanging ob$eb,C said Barney $ith a laugh" BThere are plenty o! those" 1as anyone got a tor h@C (nubby had" 1e usually had everything" 4t $as really a%aIing $hat his po #ets ould hold" 1e !ished out a tor h and s$it hed it on" 4%%ediately a horde o! spiders $ent this
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$ay and that and 'iana s rea%ed again" (he ouldnDt bear spiders" The hildren sa$ the big $ebs every$here and the long strands o! $eb hanging do$n !ro% the eiling" B4 donDt li#e this %u h,C said &oger" B4tDs an a$!ul pla e to have our tea in" :hatDs the pla e upstairs li#e, Barney@ 8ou havenDt told us anything yet"C Barney told the% Hui #ly $hat he had !ound, and ho$ he had got out o! the roo%s and do$nstairs" B4 thin# $eDd be better up in the nurseries really,C he said" BThey are !right!ully dusty too, but at least there are hairs to sit on - and it see%s lighter up there" )etDs go up"C (o they all $ent up, li%bing !irst the t$o-bran hed stair$ay to the !irst !loor and then the s%aller one to the se ond !loor" They a%e to the passage door and $ent through it" BThis %ust have been the nursery $ing, all on its o$n,C said Barney" BA very ni e pla e it $as too, $ith a $onder!ul vie$ over the ountryside" )oo#AC 1e s$ung open the nursery door and the hildren peered in" They !ell silent $hen they sa$ the ro #ing-horse standing %otionless as i! $aiting !or so%e hild to ride it - the toy upboard door open to sho$ the toys still sitting there - the dollsD house on the shel! - and the plates and dishes on the table, set out ready !or a %eal" B:eird,C said 'iana" B:eird to loo# at and $eird to !eel" 4D% not sure 4 li#e it" (till, the house !eels a bit happier here than it did do$nstairs"C B:eDll have tea here,C said &oger" BThatDs i! nobody %inds sitting do$n in dust in hes thi #A 0o%e onA :hereDs the bas#et@ 4Dll !eel a lot better $hen 4Dve got a !e$ sli es o! a#e inside %e"C

-4

CHAPTER ELEVEN A VERY GOOD IDEA

The stor% a%e $hilst they sat eating their tea" Thunder suddenly rolled over the s#y and lightning !or#ed a ross, daIIling the hildren !or a %o%ent and %a#ing the% Eu%p and blin#" B:ell - 4D% glad $eDre not out-o!-doors pi ni #ingAC said &oger, trying to be heer!ul" But nobody !elt terribly happy" (till, they !elt a lot better $hen they had eaten every sand$i h, every a#e and bis uit, and drun# the gingerbeer too" )oony had his share" A tually he $as a real nuisan e in that dusty
-5

roo%, be ause his !our !eet s raped the dust up so %u h" Miranda stayed sedately on her %asterDs shoulder, nibbling sli es o! u u%ber sand$i h" The hildren eFplored the three roo%s again a!ter tea" 4t see%ed Hueer to thin# that they had never been used sin e little Bob had been ta#en a$ay $ith the !ever so %any, %any years ago" B4 suppose the %other ouldnDt bear to o%e into the e%pty roo%s again,C said 'iana" B2oor thingA (he ouldnDt even bear to have the% tou hed" 4 $onder i! anyone #no$s about the% but us" They %ight Huite easily have been !orgotten by no$" 4 %ean, people %ight have thought that door in the passage outside, that $as lo #ed, $as only a door to a boF-roo% or so%ething"C B4 thin# youDre probably right,C said Barney" BMy $ord, har# at the rain pelting do$nAC 4t ertainly $as pouring hard" The thunder rolled still, but sounded !arther a$ay, and the lightning !lashed but not so vividly" 'iana glan ed at Barney" :here $ould be sleep that night@ (urely not under a haysta #" BBarney - you $onDt sleep out in the open to-night, surely@C she as#ed hi% at last, putting a$ay the ginger-beer bottles in the e%pty bas#et" BEvery$here $ill be so $et"C B5o, 4 shanDt,C said Barney" BAs a %atter o! !a t, 4 had thought o! sleeping here"C The others loo#ed at hi% in a%aIe%ent" B:hat, hereA By yoursel!A 4n this a$!ul old e%pty house, $ith its spiders and dustAC ried 'iana horri!ied" B1o$ ould you dare to@ All alone tooAC B4 shall have Miranda,C said Barney" BAnd 4D% not easily s ared, you #no$" 4Dve slept in %u h $orse pla es"C 'iana ouldnDt thin# o! any $orse pla e to sleep" (he shuddered" Miranda put her little ar%s round BarneyDs ne # and hattered to hi%"
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B(he says itDs all right, sheDll be $ith %e and hase any spider a$ay,C said Barney $ith a grin" B4 thin# itDs a good idea,C said (nubby" BA!ter all, the beds are still good, even i! the bed lothes !all to bitsA The nurseDs roo% didnDt loo# too bad" :hy donDt you ta#e that !or your o$n roo%, Barney@ 8ouDd be Huite o%!ortable there"C B4 #no$AC ried 'iana, getting up and loo#ing in various upboards" B4Dll see i! thereDs a brush and a dust-pan so%e$here - and 4 ould perhaps lear up so%e o! the dust in the nurseDs roo%"C 4t $as )oony $ho !ound the brush, o! ourseA 1e darted into the botto% o! a upboard and brought out a arpet brush, $hose bristles had gone so!t" BGust the thingAC said 'iana, $ren hing the brush a$ay !ro% )oony" BThan#s, )oony" 4Dll have it" (nubby, #eep hi% a$ay !ro% %e - heDs #i #ing dust up all over the pla e"C BBetter put so%ething round your hair, 'i,C said &oger, seeing ho$ the dust !le$ up round 'ianaDs head as she began brushing dust into the pan" B1ereDs %y han#y" 4tDs a big one" Tie it round your head"C (o, $hilst the boys a%used the%selves by loo#ing through the old toy upboard and pi #ing out %ore o! the beauti!ully arved old soldiers, and Miranda tried on various dollsD bonnets, 'iana got very busy" (he too# the bed lothes o!! the nurseDs bed and arried the% do$n the passage to the landing" (he shoo# the% $ell" They $ere !ull o! dust, o! ourse" The bedspread and one o! the blan#ets !ell to pie es and $ere no use - but one blan#et see%ed Huite good" 'iana arried it ba # to the bed and laid it on the %attress" There $ere no sheets" 2erhaps those had been re%oved by the nurse" The pillo$ $as !ull o! %oths" They !le$ out as she pun hed it" 3rubs had eaten the pillo$ al%ost to nothing"
-,

BBarney $ill have to do $ithout a pillo$,C she thought" B:e %ust bring hi% an old oat or so%ething, to roll up under his head" 6r perhaps an old ushion"C (he s$ept the dust o!! the dressing-table, the $ashstand and the hest-o!-dra$ers" 4t ho#ed her and she began to ough" (he had to $ait !or the dust to settle a little be!ore she $ent on" (he $ent to the $indo$ and struggled to open it" The roo% $as so %usty and dusty - a little !resh air $ould be good" (he got the $indo$ open at last and a sho$er o! raindrops a%e over her as she pushed ba # the thi # sprays o! ivy" That gave her an idea" (he pi #ed so%e o! the rain-$et sprays and sprin#led the dusty !loor $ith the raindrops" BThat $ill help to lay the dust a bit,C she thought, rather pleased $ith hersel!" 4t ertainly did" (he $as able to s$eep the !loor are!ully $ithout raising too %u h dust no$" 4n the end she too# up the %oth-eaten arpet and stu!!ed it into a upboard" 4t !ell to pie es in pla es as she brushed it" 4t $as easier to brush the bare baards beneath" (he alled Barney $hen she had !inished" B4tDs the best 4 an do,C she said" B4tDs not nearly so dusty no$ - and youDve got one !airly de ent blan#et to sleep on - or under" 4 donDt #no$ $hat youDll do !or $ater though"C BThereDs probably an old $ell so%e$here - or a pu%p in the #it hen,C said Barney heer!ully" Things li#e that didnDt $orry hi% at all" BAny$ay, 4 al$ays s$i% in the river ea h %orning"C BThereDs a bottle o! ginger-beer le!t,C said &oger" B:eDll leave you that" :ell - 4 hope youDll be all right, Barney sleeping here all by yoursel!AC B4tDs !ine,C said Barney" BBetter than a $et barn or a dripping haysta # any dayAC

--

B:ill you leave the veranda door unlo #ed and unbolted@C said &oger" BThen $e an get in and out as $e li#e" (o long as the door is shut no one $ill guess anything" :e ould use these roo%s up here as playroo%s in $et $eather"C B4D% glad BarneyDs got so%e$here sheltered to sleep,C said 'iana" BAnd Miranda too, o! ourse" :here is she@C They $ent to loo# !or her" (he had $at hed Barney stret hing hi%sel! on the bed and had onsidered hi% are!ully and then bounded out o! the roo%" 5o$ she had disappearedA 4t $as )oony $ho s%elt her out" 1e rushed over to the $all opposite the $indo$ in the day nursery and bar#ed %adly" There $as a dollDs bed there, $ith a doll in it" Beside the doll lay Miranda, her big bro$n eyes loo#ing $i #edly up at )oony" (he $as in bed tooA 4! Barney had a bed, she $ould have one as $ellA B6h, MirandaAC ried 'iana" B8ou really loo# a darling there" Barney, isnDt she s$eet@ 'onDt, )oony" 8ouDve pulled the overs o!! Miranda" ThatDs un#ind"C B4 thin# $eDd better go no$,C said &oger, Bor Miss 2epper $ill be ringing up the village poli e%an"C B4Dll o%e do$n $ith you,C said Barney" BThen 4Dll leave the veranda door unlo #ed and unbolted as you suggested, &oger" 5obody $ill #no$ itDs open" 4tDs obvious that no one ever o%es here"C 1e sa$ the% sa!ely through the veranda door, Miranda sitting on his shoulder, $earing a dollDs hat she had !ound" (he !an ied hersel! in it very %u h, and $ore it ba # to !ront" 'iana ran a ross the spidery veranda and do$n the steps to the $et grass" The three o! the% got very $et going ho%e through the thi # undergro$th" Everything $as dripping $ith silvery raindrops" The sun $as trying to struggle out no$" 4t %ight be Huite a ni e evening"
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Miss 2epper $as very on erned about the% $hen they a%e in" B6h, dear - ho$ $et you areAC she said" B3o and put on so%ething dry at on e" 4 do hope you sheltered during that stor%"C B6h, yes,C said &oger" But they didnDt tell her $hereA 5o that $as their o$n very private se ret" 5obody $as going to #no$ $hat they had been up to that a!ternoon" :hen they $ent to bed that night the three alled autiously to one another, $ith )oony rushing as usual out o! one bedroo% and into another, sending all the %ats sliding this $ay and that" B'o you suppose BarneyDs in bed@ 'o you thin# heDs all right@C B4 $ouldnDt li#e to sleep in that a$!ul old deserted house at nightAC That $as 'iana, o! ourse" C4 $ouldnDt %ind i! Barney $as $ith %e"C B4 bet heDs in that bed and sound asleepA 4 bet heDll sleep sound till the %orningAC Barney $as in bed and asleep" Miranda $as in her little dollsD bed" (he usually slept $ith Barney, uddled up to hi%, but the bed appealed to her !unny little %on#ey-%ind very %u h" (he $as there, under the blan#et, hugging the old doll" Barney slept soundly till hal!-past t$o in the %orning and then he a$o#e $ith a Eu%pA Miranda had leapt on top o! hi%, and $as uddling into his ne #, tre%bling, hattering in a tiny voi e in his ear" Barney sat up" B:hatDs the %atter, Miranda@ :hatDs !rightened you@ 8ouDre shivering all over" :ere you lonely@C Miranda lung to hi% and sho$ed no signs o! going ba # to her o$n little bed" Barney a%e to the on lusion that so%ething had !rightened her badly" But $hat@ :as it a noise@

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4t ouldnDt have been anybody o%ing into the nursery, be ause there $as nobody to o%eA 1e thought he heard a !ar-a$ay sound then" 1e sat there on the bed, and listened, !eeling his ears pri #ing li#e a dogDs" :as that a sound@ 6r $as it his i%agination@ 4t %ust be his i%aginationA 1e lay do$n again, $ith Miranda still uddled into his ne # - and then he sat up straight in one Hui # %ove%ent" 1e had heard a soundA ?uite a loud one" BangA 1e listened intently, and heard it again" BangA Then the $ind ble$ in at the $indo$ and the ivy rustled against the glass" 4t %ade Barney Eu%p" 1e realised $hat the rustling noise $as at on e - the $ind in the ivy" 0ould the other noise have been aused by the $ind too@ :as it a door, banging so%e$here@ 6r $as it perhaps the veranda door that had s$ung open in the $ind and $as banging@ Barney debated $hether to go and see" 1e $asnDt a!raid, but he de!initely didnDt $ant to get up in the %iddle o! a dar# night, and go $andering do$n dar# stairs and along dusty passages $ithout a light" B4! 4 hear the noise again 4Dll go do$n,C he de ided" B4! 4 donDt, 4 $onDt" 4 bet itDs that beastly veranda door banging" 4 anDt have shut it tightly enough"C 1e heard no %ore noises at all, eF ept that the $ind ble$ an old ivy lea! into the roo% and %ade it shu!!le along the !loor in a very hair-raising %anner" 7or a %o%ent poor Barney thought so%ebody $as in the roo% - but Miranda #ne$ it $as only a lea!, and didnDt %ove" (o Barney de ided it $as Eust so%ething being blo$n along the !loor" 1e lay do$n again and shut his eyes" 1e listened !or a !e$ %inutes longer, but all he heard $as the %on#eyDs little heart pattering !ast against his ne #"

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Then he !ell asleep and didnDt $a#e till the sun pushed through the ivy leaves in the %orning"

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CHAPTER TWELVE MR. KING ARRIVES

4%%ediately a!ter brea#!ast the neFt %orning 'iana $anted to go and see i! Barney $as all right" B8ouDve got to help %a#e the beds and lear a$ay the brea#!ast,C said &oger" B:eDll let (nubby go $ith )oony" 4D% Eust about !ed up $ith (nubby this %orning" 1e put a $or% in ea h o! %y shoes and put trea le or so%ething on %y sponge" 4! itDs going to be one o! his tireso%e days $eDd be better o!! $ithout hi%" )et hi% go and plague Barney" Barney $ill #no$ ho$ to deal $ith hi%"C
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(o (nubby $as told to ta#e so%e bread and butter and to%atoes and a bottle o! %il# to Barney" 1e set o!! in glee, )oony running at his heels" 1e had got hal!-$ay over the grounds $hen he dis overed that )oony $as arrying Miss 2epperDs hair-brush" (o ba # he $ent and stood beneath Miss 2epperDs bedroo% $indo$" 1e thre$ the brush up and it $ent straight in at the $indo$" There $as an agonised yell and (nubby too# to his heels" B:ell, ho$ $as 4 to #no$ she $as standing in the $ay@C he argued to hi%sel!" BGust li#e a $o%an"C 1e loo#ed do$n at )oony, $ho $as again at his heels" This ti%e he $as arrying Mrs" &oundDs old shoe- leaning brush" (nubby stopped and addressed )oony !ier ely" B:hat do you thin# youDre doing@ 'o you suppose 4D% going to spend hal! the day ta#ing ba # your silly brushes@ 8ouDre a very bad dog" Ta#e it ba #A 3rrrrrrAC )oony stared up at (nubby out o! %elting bro$n eyes, his tail do$n" BTa#e it ba #A 'onDt you understand plain English $hen itDs spo#en@C yelled (nubby" BTA9E - 4T - BA09AC )oony $agged his tail and darted o!!" (nubby $as pleased" B0lever dog that,C he said to a ouple o! sparro$s nearby"C;nderstands every $ord 4 say"C 1e petted )oony $hen the dog a%e ba #" B3ood dog" Too# it all the $ay ba # to the #it hen and dropped it at &oundyDs !eet" 4 betA 0leverest dog in the $orld"C )oony $as very pleased" 1e had Eust dropped the brush do$n the nearest rabbit-hole" :ell - i! (nubby $as so delighted $ith hi%, heDd drop plenty o! other things do$n the rabbit-hole too" The t$o $ent on together, )oony %a#ing a dart at anything that dared to %ove - a lea!, a s$irl o! dust, a bit o! paper" 3rrrrrrA 1e darted at (nubbyDs shoe-la es, tripping hi%
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up" 1e behaved, in !a t, Eust li#e the lunati dog he $as, and pleased (nubby very %u h indeed" (nubby got to the old house at last and %ade his $ay round to the veranda" The door $as !ast shut" 1e pushed against it" 4t $as so hard to open that he had to put do$n the bas#et that he $as arrying, and push against the door $ith all his %ight" 4t obliged hi% by suddenly !tying open and sending hi% headlong into the roo%" 1e sat do$n abruptly" )oony !lung hi%sel! on hi% and li #ed hi% $ildly" B1alloA 4tDs you, is it@C said BarneyDs voi e" B4 heard an a$!ul ro$ and a%e to see $hat it $as" 8ouDre early" But $hy sit on that dusty !loor@C B3et o!!, )oony,C said (nubby, pushing the eF ited spaniel a$ay" 1e loo#ed up at Barney and grinned" B4 !ound the door shut so hard 4 ouldnDt get in" (o 4 had to barge against it $ith all %y %ight - and it !le$ open uneFpe tedly" And 4 !le$ inAC B4 see,C said Barney" 1e spotted the bas#et outside" B4 say anything to eat@ 1o$ superA Bread and butter and to%atoesA Are they !or %e@C B6! ourse,C said (nubby, brushing hi%sel! do$n" Barney too# the bas#et into the roo% and shut the door" 1e pulled at it $hen he had shut it" 4t ertainly did shut very tightly indeed" 1e loo#ed puIIled" B:hatDs up@C said (nubby, noti ing BarneyDs loo#s" BAnything $rong $ith the door@C Barney told (nubby about ho$ !rightened Miranda had been the night be!ore, and ho$ he had heard noises" B4 thought it %ust be the $ind blo$ing open this door and banging it again,C he said" BBut 4 donDt thin# it $as no$" The door !its so tightly"C They $ent up to the top roo%s together" (nubby !elt a little nervous" B4Dd have hated that,C he said to Barney" B)ying

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up there in the dar#, hearing noises - and not able to put a light on" BrrrrrrAC B8ou %ight lend %e your tor h !or to-night,C Barney said" B4 ould do a little snooping round then, i! 4 hear any %ore noises"C (nubby handed out his tor h at on e" 1e sat and $at hed Barney eat" B4tDs a gorgeous day,C he said" B:hat about going to the river and getting a boat@C B8es, 4Dd li#e that,C said Barney" B:hen do you start this oa hing o! yours@ Monday@ :eDd better %a#e the %ost o! our ti%e then" 4Dve been reading that play &oger lent %e, this %orning, up there in bed" 4tDs grand"C B:ell, better you than %e,C said (nubby, %a#ing a !a e" B4 never ould %a#e out $hy (ha#espeare $anted to $rite in su h a !unny $ay - you #no$, all the lines the sa%e length" (ee%s a Hueer idea"C Barney laughed" B4 $ish 4 ould o%e and listen to you all being oa hed,C he said" B4 bet 4 $ould enEoy itA 4 bet 4Dd learn a lot"C B:ellAC (nubby loo#ed at Barney as i! he $ere Huite %ad" B8ou %ust be raIy" 7an y $anting to o%e and be oa hedA :ell - 4 donDt see $hy you shouldnDt o%e and listen i! you $ant to" But !an y $anting toA 'o you hear that, )oony@ 1ereDs a hap %adder than you areAC They $al#ed to the door, their !ootsteps sho$ing learly in the dust" All their !ootsteps $ere there, )oonyDs as $ell" (nubby pointed the% out" BThereDs )oonyDs %ar#s - and %ine - and these %ust be yours" Those are 'iDs, theyDre s%all" And there are &ogerDs heDs got the biggest !eet o! the lot"C They $ent out o! the veranda door and Barney pulled it !ast behind hi%" 1e pushed at it" 4t didnDt open" 1e had to barge against it hard be!ore it !le$ open" 4t ouldnDt have been
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this door banging last night" 1e %ust !ind out $hi h door it $as - i! it $as a door" 4t $as a bit o! a %ysteryA Barney didnDt sleep in the old house !or a night or t$o a!ter that" 4t $as suddenly very hot $eather again and the hildren hired a boat !or a day or so" Barney had the idea o! sleeping in the boat, $ith a rug over hi%, and the boatushions !or a bed" B'o you %ind i! 4 doAC he as#ed the others" B4t $ill save you the bother o! ta#ing it ba # to the boat%an and 4 should love to bob about all night long on the $ater"C B&ight,C said &oger, pleased" B8ou do that" 4tDs very stu!!y up in those dusty old roo%s this $eather - %u h better sleep out i! itDs going to be hot and dry"C Monday a%e all too soon, and $ith it a%e Mr" 9ing, ar%ed $ith teFt-boo#s and a suit ase" 1e $as apparently going to stay at &o #ingdo$n 0ottageA The hildren hadnDt realised this" They $ere sho #ed" B3ra iousA 1ave $e got to have hi% !or %eals and everything@C said (nubby, dis%ally, seeing hi% go upstairs to one o! the roo%s on the !irst !loor, a o%panied by Mrs" &ound and )oony" B6h, donDt be silly, (nubby,C said Miss 2epper, i%patiently" B1e lives too !ar a$ay to o%e over every day" And 4 %ay have to go a$ay !or a day or t$o, so 4 shall be glad to #no$ thereDs so%eone responsible in the house to see to you"C A gloo% settled on the hildren" Barney peeped in at the $indo$ and raised his eyebro$s" B8es" 1eDs o%e,C said 'iana" BAnd heDs living here" 4snDt that !right!ul@ :e shall have to behave %ore than ever"C B:ell, 4 shanDt,C said (nubby"

.,

B8ou never do,C said 'iana"CBarney, do you really $ant to o%e in and listen to us being oa hed@ 1onestly, youDll be bored sti!!" 1onestlyAC Barney nodded" 1e had a real thirst !or boo# #no$ledge, and thought the three hildren very lu #y in their edu ation, and their possession o! so %any boo#s" BAll right" 8ou o%e and #no # at the door in about ten %inutesD ti%e,C said 'iana" BThen $hen you o%e in you an be surprised to see us all $or#ing so Huietly and"""C B1e an apologise and ba # out,C said &oger, enEoying this little plan" BAnd 4Dll say, J6h Mr" 9ing, $ould you %ind i! Barney sits here and $aits !ar us@D And everything $ill be 6"9"C B&ight,C said Barney, and disappeared $ith Miranda Eust as Miss 2epper a%e into the study $ith Mr" 9ing" B1aA All ready and $aiting, 4 see,C said Mr" 9ing" B>ery good" :eDll Eust see $hat standard youDve all rea hed and then 4 an tell ho$ to pro eed $ith you"C 4n about a Huarter o! an hourDs ti%e Barney passed the $indo$" 1e $al#ed in at the open hall door and a%e to the study door" 1e #no #ed" B0o%e in,C yelled all the hildren at on e, be!ore Mr" 9ing ould say a $ord" 4n a%e Barney, loo#ing uneFpe tedly tidy, his hair $et and brushed ba #, and his hands and !a e lean" B6h - er@ 4D% sorry,C he said, as he sa$ the three hildren sitting $ith Mr" 9ing at the table" B4 donDt $ant to interrupt" (o sorry, sir"C 1e began to ba # out o! the roo%, loo#ing hot and bothered" 'iana thought he $as doing it all very $ellA (nubby ho#ed ba # a giggle" &oger spo#e earnestly to Mr" 9ing" B6h, Mr" 9ing - $ould you very %u h %ind i! our !riend Barnabas sits do$n here and $aits !or us@C he said" B1e $onDt be any trouble"C
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B0ertainly,C said Mr" 9ing gra iously" BBy all %eans" (it do$n by the $indo$, Barnabas" 1ave you a boo# to read@C Mr" 9ing $as pleasantly surprised to see that Barney had a boo# o! (ha#espeareDs plays" 1e turned his ba # on the boy and $ent on $ith his oa hing" )oony $as lying Huietly at (nubbyDs !eet, rather eFhausted by a %ad ra e he had had up and do$n the stairs" Mr" 9ing ongratulated hi%sel! on a ni e Huiet lass" Miss 2epper had $arned hi% he %ight not !ind things too easy - but nothing ould be easier than this" (nubby $ondered $here Miranda $as" Barney hadnDt brought her in" 1e %ust have shut her up so%e$here probably in the shed" 1e ya$ned" Things $ere getting boring" Even )oony $as subdued" Then things happened Hui #lyA The door $as slightly aEar and Miranda a%e shu!!ling in Huietly" (he sa$ )oony lying under the table asleep" ;nseen by anyone, she $ent under (nubbyDs hair and a%e to the spaniel" 1a - her ene%y $as asleepA (he too# hold o! both his long !loppy ears and pulled the% hard, %a#ing a loud sHua$# as she did so" )oony $o#e up in a hurry and yelped %adly" 1e leapt out !ro% under the table, and snapped at Miranda, $ho hung on to the table loth to get out o! his $ay" The loth slid to the side and boo#s !ell o!! $ith a rash" Then a battle royal developed under and round the table, and Mr" 9ing leapt up in alar%, his hair !alling on Miranda, $ho happened to be hasing round it" (he gave a ho$l and leapt on to his shoulder, pulling his ear hard" (nubby rushed a!ter )oony, $ho had !allen into the !irepla e, bringing the tongs and the shovel do$n on hi%sel! $ith a latter" 1e al%ost leapt up the hi%ney in !right" Barney yelled at Miranda" (nubby #no #ed a vase over as he tore a!ter )oony, and Miss 2epper and Mrs" &ound, tal#ing about %eals in the #it hen, loo#ed at ea h other in a%aIe%ent"
..

B:hat an they be doing@C said Miss 2epper and rushed to the study door, to be %et by a raIy spaniel and an eHually raIy %on#ey, both intent on devouring one another i! they possibly ould" Miranda disappeared upstairs and hid" )oony rept ba # to (nubby, $ho had yelled at hi% $ithout easing, partly to get hi% to o%e, and partly to %a#e as %u h noise as he ould" C:ellAC said Miss 2epper, annoyed" B4 suppose this is $hat o%es o! letting )oony be in the roo% $ith you, (nubby"C B4t $as nothing to do $ith )oony,C said (nubby indignantly" B1e $as asleep under the table" 4t $as Miranda"C BEr - 4 thin# - 4 thin# you %ust ta#e the dog out o! the roo%,C said Mr" 9ing, trying to re over hi%sel! under the pri% disapproving eye o! Miss 2epper" BBut, 4 tell you, it $asnDt )oonyDs !ault,C al%ost yelled (nubby" BThatDs not !air"C B4 annot have either a dog or a %on#ey in %y lass,C said Mr" 9ing $ith great dignity and sudden !ir%ness" BTheyDve both had a trial" 4t $as not su ess!ul"C BBut Mr" 9ing - )oony $as !ast asleep,C $ailed (nubby" B'idnDt you hear his little snores@C B5o, 4 didnDt,C said Mr" 9ing" BTa#e the dog out, 2eter"C (nubby too# )oony by the ollar to lead hi% out" 1e !a ed Mr" 9ing, his !a e as red as a beetroot" BAll right,C he said, in a ho#ing voi e" B4! you donDt li#e %y dog, 4 donDt li#e you" 8ouDll be sorry you didnDt give hi% a han e - $hen he $as !ast asleep tooAC 1e $ent outside $ith )oony, $ho $as Huite s ared no$" Miss 2epper too# hi% !ro% (nubby" B5o$ donDt be so silly, (nubby,C she said" BA ting li#e a seven-year-old" 4Dll ta#e )oony to the #it hen $ith Mrs" &ound"C B4Dll pay Mr" 9ing out,C said (nubby, dar#ly" B(ee i! 4 donDt" 1eDll be sorry, Miss 2epper" 1e $ill, reallyAC
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CHAPTER THIRTEEN SNUBBY GETS A SURPRISE

Mr" 9ing didnDt li#e the neFt !e$ days very %u h" (nubby produ ed his vast olle tion o! tri #s and be a%e a per!e t night%are to the oa h" 2oor Mr" 9ing $as given a rubber that $ouldnDt rub out but %ade strange yello$ %ar#s on the paper" 1e $as provided $ith a ruler that $as %ysteriously $rong in its %easure%ents and astonished hi% onsiderably" This ruler $as one o! (nubbyDs pet tri #s and had been on!is ated at s hool, ti%es $ithout nu%ber, by irritated %asters" But so%eho$ or other it al$ays !ound its $ay ba # to (nubby"
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Boo#s !ell suddenly to the !loor in a as ade, though (nubby $as Huite a long $ay !ro% the%" Mr" 9ing did not see the unningly laid string that tipped up the botto% boo# $hen pulled, and sent the $hole pile rashing do$n near hi%" The $all bla #board ontinually !ell do$n in a %ost a%aIing $ay, and $hen (nubby $as sent to lean it at any ti%e a thi # loud o! horrible-s%elling dust appeared" 4t $ould have been a good thing i! Mr" 9ing had eFa%ined (nubbyDs duster o asionally, but he didnDt see% to thin# o! things li#e that" B0onsidering he has been a %aster in a boysD s hool heDs pretty inno ent,C said &oger, $ho $as very a%used at all (nubbyDs idioti tri #s" As !or Barney, he ouldnDt ontain hi%sel! $hen (nubby perpetrated yet another !oolish Eo#e, and his uproarious laugh sounded all over the house" Barney see%ed to be the only one $ho really enEoyed the %orning lessons" 1e didnDt a tually Eoin the lass but sat in the $indo$, apparently reading" Mr" 9ingDs ba # $as to hi%, so he $as una$are that the boy $as absorbing everything that $ent on - listening to the eFplanations o! %athe%ati al proble%s, ta#ing in the 7ren h lesson, enEoying the readings o! English literature" There $as nothing that Barney didnDt enEoy" 1e had an eFtraordinary %e%ory, and Huite annoyed &oger by the $ay he ould repeat the )atin phrases and de lensions, $hen poor &oger hi%sel! $as struggling to do the prep that Mr" 9ing gave hi%" Mr" 9ing $as not really a good tea her, 'iana thought" 1e didnDt see% interested enough" 5or ould he #eep (nubby in his pla e, but o!ten see%ed in lined to be a%used at his silly tri #s" (nubby sul#ed" 1e hated )oony being #ept a$ay !ro% hi%, and he $as deter%ined not to have Miranda snea#ing in at any ti%e" The little %on#ey $as shut up in the shed $hilst lessons $ere going on, but she so%eti%es %anaged to es ape" (he $ould !ind so%e ra # or revi e and sHueeIe
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%ira ulously out o! it - then she $ould appear silently at the $indo$" (he $ould loo# !or )oony, and then uddle do$n $ith Barney" But at on e (nubby $ould point her out to Mr" 9ing" BThereDs Miranda" Mr" 9ing" 0an 4 get )oony in here@C And Miranda $ould then have to go" Barney didnDt bear any resent%ent to$ards (nubby !or this" 1e li#ed the redhaired, !re #led little pest, and al$ays $at hed !or his neFt tri #" Mr" 9ing $as $ith the hildren in the %ornings, and had all his %eals $ith the% - but he disappeared !or the rest o! the ti%e" B8ouDre a$!ully !ond o! $al#s, arenDt you@C &oger said, one a!ternoon, $hen Mr" 9ing set o!! $ith his sti # and a boo#" B:here do you go@C B6h, any$here,C said Mr" 9ing vaguely" B'o$n to the river - through the village - and yesterday 4 visited that strange old %ansion"C The hildren pri #ed up their ears at on e" Blo$A :ould he dis over their se ret@ :ould he see the urtained $indo$s they had seen, and noti e the %ar#s o! their !eet on the ground belo$@ B4tDs a very desolate pla e, 4 believe,C said 'iana, a!ter a pause" B5ot $orth loo#ing atAC B4 thought it $as very interesting,C said Mr" 9ing" B4tDs very old - has Huite a history" 4 $ish 4 ould go over it"C This $as $orse than ever" 1ad they better lo # and bolt the veranda door in ase Mr" 9ing !ound that it ould be opened@ :hat a nuisan e he $asA But i! they did that they $ouldnDt be able to go in and out the%selves i! they $anted to - and as Barney $as on e %ore sleeping up in the nursery at the top o! the old house it $as

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use!ul to have that door le!t unlo #ed, so that they ould use it i! they $anted to" Barney $as Huite used to sleeping in the old bed up in the little bedroo% no$" 'iana had provided hi% $ith a garden ushion !or a pillo$, and an old rug" 1e had ta#en so%e o! the nursery ro #ery !or hi%sel!" 'iana had %anaged to get rid o! %ost o! the dust and Barney enEoyed his little hiding-pla e" 5obody $ould ever guess he $as thereA 6n $et days the hildren $ent up to the three roo%s and a%used the%selves there" They had on e thought o! playing hide-and-see#, using the !ront stairs and the ba # ones - but so%eho$ it didnDt $or#" 5obody li#ed hiding in the gloo%y old pla e, and it $as horrid tiptoeing along to !ind the hidersA C4 !eel as i! so%ebody is going to Eu%p out and grab %e all the ti%eAC said 'iana, $ith a shiver" Barney had not heard any %ore noises" Miranda $ould not sleep in the dollDs bed any %ore sin e she had been !rightened the !irst night, but uddled up $ith hi%" (he only $ent into the dollDs bed in the dayti%e $hen she got bored $ith the hildrenDs ga%es" Then she $ould leap in, dra$ the bed lothes over her, and apparently sleep soundly $ith the old dollA The only one $ho had really thoroughly eFplored the house and gone into every upboard and orner $as )oony, o! ourse" 1is pa$-%ar#s $ere every$hereA 1e sni!!ed here and snu!!ed there, ho#ing $ith the dust, and s raping %adly at doors to %a#e the% open" 6ne night (nubby thought o! going to sleep at the old house $ith Barney" The idea Eust a%e into his head" BBut $hy@C said 'iana" B:hat a horrible ideaA 4n that dar# old pla e - 4 $ouldnDt sleep there !or anything"C B4Dd li#e to,C said (nubby obstinately" BAnything !or a bit o! a hange" 4 all these hols too dull !or $ords"C
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(o that night, $hen he $as supposed to be in bed and asleep, (nubby dressed again, and $ent out on the landing and listened" 'o$nstairs the lo # stru # hal!-past eleven" :as Mr" 9ing in bed@ 1e usually $ent up at eleven, about the sa%e ti%e as Miss 2epper" Mrs" &ound didnDt sleep in the house" (he a%e in !ro% the village ea h day" 'iana and &oger #ne$ that (nubby $as going to go to Barney !or the night o! ourse - but they hadnDt bothered to #eep a$a#e to see hi% go" (nubby had borro$ed &ogerDs tor h, be ause he had lent Barney his" 1e s$it hed it on and o!!, $hilst he stood on the landing, to see i! it $or#ed all right" 8es, it did" 4t $as a good tor h, better than (nubbyDs" )oony $as at the boyDs heels, his tail-stu%p $agging" 1e li#ed this #ind o! thing" 1e pressed against (nubbyDs legs, and didnDt %a#e a sound" 1e ould be Huiet aad good i! he $anted to - and he $anted to no$, in ase (nubby le!t hi% behind" (nubby de ided that Mr" 9ing $as sa!ely in bed" Any$ay, in ase he $asnDt heDd go do$n the little ba # stairs" Then nobody $ould hear hi%" 1e rept to $here they began and $ent do$n on tiptoe" 1e #ne$ that the third and the seventh and the thirteenth stairs rea#ed, so he ounted are!ully, and %issed those out" 1e had his hand on )oonyDs ollar to stop hi% tearing do$nstairs as he usually did" 5o$ he $as at the botto%" 3ood" 1e autiously opened the ba # door and loo#ed out" 4t $as a !ine starry night" There $as no %oon, but the stars $ere so bright that it $as possible to see the trees outlined against the s#y" 5o$ !or the $al# a ross to &o #ingdo$n 1all" The hildren had %ade Huite a path o! their o$n no$ by ha #ing a$ay bran hes and bushes" (ilently (nubby shut the door behind hi% and then he and )oony began their $al# a ross the grounds" 1e ould soon see the bla # %ass o! the old %ansion loo%ing up against the starry s#y" 4t loo#ed %u h bigger than it did in the dayti%e"
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)oony %ade several little eF ursions into the undergro$th, and s ared a good %any rabbits $ho $ere not eFpe ting hi% at all" 1e $ould have li#ed to hase the%, but he $anted to #eep $ith (nubby" 4t $as night-ti%e, and his %aster %ust be prote ted - against $hat, )oony didnDt #no$" 1e Eust !elt that he %ust #eep lose to hi%" (nubby $histled so!tly" 1e $asnDt s ared but he !elt it $ould be ni e to $histle a little tune" 1e a%e out on to $hat had on e been a great la$n - and then he stopped very suddenly indeed, and his hand losed over )oonyDs ollar" 1e ould see a light %oving near the houseA 1e s re$ed up his eyes and tried to see $hat the light $as" 4t %ust be the light o! a tor hA 4t %oved here and there as i! the o$ner $ere loo#ing !or so%ething" :as it Barney@ (nubby didnDt li#e to $histle and !ind out, in ase it $asnDt" And then )oony told hi% Huite plainly that it $asnDt Barney" 1e gro$led o%inously, deep do$n in his throat" (nubby shoo# hi% a little to %a#e hi% stop" 1e didnDt $ant the person $ith the tor h to #no$ he $as there $ith the spaniel" )oony $ould never gro$l at Barney" (nubby #ne$ that" This $as a stranger then" :hatever ould he be doing@ 6r $as he a tra%p, see#ing a $ay in to get a nightDs shelter@ (nubby rept nearer $ith )oony" The dog no$ #ne$ he $as to #eep Huiet, and (nubby relaFed his hold on his ollar" 1e had s$it hed o!! his o$n tor h" 1e !ollo$ed the light o! the other tor h" :hoever held it $as going syste%ati ally round the house, eFa%ining doors and $indo$s" (uppose he a%e to the veranda door and !ound it open@ :ould he go in@ The %an $ent round a orner o! the house and (nubby sa$ his outline learly" 1e gaIed in real a%aIe%ent" :hy - he #ne$ $ho this night pro$ler $as - surely it $as Mr" 9ingA

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CHAPTER FOURTEEN A MYSTERIOUS NIGHT

(nubby $as !ull o! astonish%ent" :hat in the $orld $as Mr" 9ing doing pro$ling round the old house in the %iddle o! the night, $hen he $as supposed to be in bed@ 1e stood still in the shado$ o! a big bush and thought about it" 1e ouldnDt %a#e head or tail o! it at all" 1e %ade up his %ind to %a#e his $ay to the veranda door, go in as Huietly as he ould and run upstairs to $arn Barney" 1e $ould lo # the door behind hi%, so that Mr" 9ing ouldnDt get in" The %an $as no$ on the opposite side o! the house to the veranda, the north side" 4! (nubby $as Hui # he ould get in $ithout being seen or heard" 1e set o!! Huietly !or the house $ith )oony padding at his heels"
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6n to the veranda he rept, and had to put on his tor h to see the handle o! the door" 1e turned it and pushed" The door $as easier to open no$ that the hildren had used it a good deal, and it s$ung in$ards $ithout %u h noise" (nubby $ent in $ith )oony and shut the door behind hi%" 1e shot the bolts and lo #ed the door as $ell" 5o$ Mr" 9ing $ouldnDt be able to get inA 1e tiptoed into the hall and a ross into another roo%, standing by the door to see i! he ould spot Mr" 9ingDs tor h shining on the opposite side o! the house" 8es, there it $asA (nubby shot upstairs to the !irst landing, then up again to the se ond" 1e $ent to the door that led into the passage to the nurseries" 1e turned the handle" The door $as lo #edA (nubby $as puIIled" :hy $as the door lo #ed@ Barney le!t it unlo #ed usually, so that the hildren ould go in and out as they pleased" 1e rattled the door gently" Then he heard Miranda hattering so!tly on the other side" BMirandaAC he said, in a lo$ voi e"C :hereDs Barney@ 7et h Barney"C The door $as unlo #ed i%%ediately and Barney stood there $ith Miranda on his shoulder" 1e pulled (nubby into the passage and lo #ed the door" 4n silen e he led the $ay to the roo% $here he slept" B:hy did you lo # the door@C $hispered (nubby" BBe ause thereDs so%ebody about,C said Barney in a lo$ voi e" B'idnDt you bu%p into hi%@C C8es, al%ostA 4 #no$ $ho it is, too,C said (nubby" B:ho@C said Barney" BMr" 9ingAC said (nubby" B8es - thatDs surprising isnDt it@ But it is" 1eDs snooping all round the house trying to get in, 4 should thin#"C

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BMiranda $o#e %e up a !e$ %inutes ago,C said Barney" B4 #ne$ there $as so%ething up the $ay she $as hattering, and pa$ing at %e, patting %e on the hee# and putting her pa$ do$n %y ne #" (o 4 got up and loo#ed out o! the $indo$ and 4 sa$ so%ebody do$n belo$, using a tor hAC B:hy didnDt you rush do$n and lo # the veranda door@C as#ed (nubby" BBe ause 4 thought this !ello$ $ould have been at the door Eust about the sa%e ti%e as 4 $ould,C said Barney" B(o 4 lo #ed the passage door instead" Then you a%e along, and 4 got a bit o! a !right" 4 thought you %ust be the %an - or another %an perhaps" 4t $as only $hen Miranda began her !riendly little hatter that 4 guessed it $as one o! you three" Are the others here@ :hy have you o%e to-night@C (nubby eFplained in $hispers" B4 Eust had a sudden idea 4Dd li#e a bit o! an adventure so 4 a%e along to spend the night $ith you - and 4 sa$ this %an Eust as 4 a%e up to the house" 4 $as a$!ully surprised $hen 4 sa$ $ho it $as" The others arenDt here" They're in bed"C B:hat do you suppose heDs doing@C said Barney, puIIled" B:hatDs he a!ter@C B0anDt i%agine,C said (nubby" BBy the $ay - have you heard any %ore noises in the night, Barney@C B5one,C said Barney" B4 thin# it %ust Eust have been the $ind banging the door, thatDs all"C 1e $ent to the $indo$ and loo#ed out autiously" There $as nothing to be seen" B1e %ay be at the other side a! the house,C said Barney" B:ell, no$ that the veranda door is sa!ely lo #ed $e #no$ he anDt get in" )etDs go do$n the passage, unlo # the door there, and see i! $e an !ind out $here Mr" 9ing is no$"C

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6!! they $ent, very Huietly" Miranda $as on BarneyDs shoulder, hattering so!tly in a $hispery voi e" )oony trotted along $ith the%, enEoying hi%sel!" They unlo #ed the passage door and $ent do$n the stairs Huietly to the roo%s on the neFt !loor" There $as one $ith a bay $indo$ that Eutted out - they $ould stand in the bay and see i! they ould spot Mr" 9ingDs tor hlight" They spotted it at on e - %oving slo$ly along belo$, as i! he $ere eFa%ining every $indo$ at h" :hat $as he doing@ :hy did he $ant to get in@ And then - Eust as they stood there Huietly $at hing, they heard a noise" BangA ThudA ThudA BangA They al%ost Eu%ped out o! their s#ins" Evidently Mr" 9ing heard the noise too, !or he s$it hed o!! his tor h at on e" (nubby lut hed Barney in a !right" )oony gro$led loudly and Miranda sat Huite still, listening" BThatDs the noise 4 heard the !irst night,C said Barney in a lo$ voi e"C4s it a door banging, do you thin#@C B:ell it %ight be,C said (nubby, listening" BangA BThere it is again,C said Barney" B:here is the noise o%ing !ro%@C B'o$nstairs,C said (nubby, his teeth beginning to hatter" 1e $as asha%ed o! hi%sel! !or being a!raid, and tried to shut his %outh !ir%ly to stop his teeth !ro% behaving in su h an idioti $ay" 1e badly $anted to go upstairs again, and lo # the passage door and go into the nurseries and lo # their doors tooA 1e $as sho #ed to !ind that he $asnDt nearly as brave as he had al$ays thought he $as" Barney $as Huite al% and didnDt see% a!raid at all" 1e stood there listening" The noises a%e again" 8es - they $ere de!initely !ro% do$nstairs"
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There $as no sign o! Mr" 9ingDs tor h" Either he $as in hiding or he had gone - or had he Eoined the persons $ho $ere %a#ing the noise@ Barney thought it $as very li#ely that that $as the reason he had o%e along that night - to Eoin !riends o! his so%e$here about hereA 1e stood there, puIIling it out, $aiting !or %ore noises" There a%e a urious $hining, hal!-s ree hing noise that %ade all (nubbyDs hair slo$ly stand upright on his head, %u h to his surprise - and then dead silen e" 5ot a bang or a thud a%e again" B:ell,C said Barney at last, %oving !ro% the $indo$, B4 thin# the sho$Ds over !or to-night, $hatever it $asA Mr" 9ingDs disappeared, and the noises o!! have stopped" )etDs go and eFplore do$nstairs and see i! $e an !ind out $hat %ade the%"C (nubby $as horri!ied" :hatA 3o do$n in the dar# and snoop about to see $hat %ade those terri!ying noises@ Barney %ust be %ad" 1e lut hed at his ar%" B5o, BarneyA )etDs go upstairs and lo # ourselves inAC B8ou go,C said Barney" BTa#e )oony $ith you" 4Dll go and eFplore %ysel!"C But poor (nubby didnDt dare to go upstairs by hi%sel! - no, not even $ith )oony at his heelsA 1e thought that o! the t$o evils, going $ith Barney $as the lesser - he ouldnDt possibly go any$here by hi%sel! at the %o%entA 7eeling very pani #y (nubby $ent do$n the stairs $ith Barney" )oony pressed against his heels, and that $as o%!orting" (nubby $ished he $ere a dog too" 'ogs never see%ed really a!raidA B4 thin# the noises a%e !ro% the #it hen part,C said Barney, in a $hisper" B)etDs Eust stand here in the hall and listen on e %ore"C

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They stood there - and then, to (nubbyDs horror so%ething tou hed his hairA 1e al%ost yelled in !right" Then the so%ething pulled his hair - and (nubby nearly died $ith relie!" 4t $as only Miranda putting out her pa$ !ro% $here she sat an BarneyDs shoulder, and being a!!e tionateA They $ent into the great #it hens" Barney s$it hed on his tor h, and the bea% played over the roo% in !ront o! the%" (hado$s see%ed to !lee into the orners as the bea% o! light %oved round the roo%" (nubby tre%bled and Barney !elt hi%" B8ou !rightened@C he said in surprise" B'onDt $orry, (nubby" Miranda and )oony $ould soon let us #no$ i! there $as anyone near" There anDt be anyone about no$ or Miranda $ould hatter and )oony $ould gro$l"C That $as true" (nubby !elt relieved at on e" There $as nothing to be seen in the great #it hens at all" The bea% o! light travelled over the !loor and sho$ed !oot%ar#s - but only those o! the hildren and the dog, $here they had on e gone a ross the roo%s" 5o other !ootsteps sho$ed at all" B5obody has been here,C $hispered Barney and he $ent into the s ullery" This $as a big roo% $ith a pu%p !or $ater as $ell as taps in a sin#" 5obody had been there either" 5ot even the hildrenDs !ootsteps sho$ed here in the dust on the !loor" They had never been into the s ullery" 4t $as very puIIling" 1o$ ould people %a#e loud noises do$nstairs and yet leave no !oot%ar#s or any sign o! having been there@ B4tDs a bit spoo#y, isnDt it@C said (nubby at last" Barney laughed" C'onDt you believe itA Those noises $ere %ade by people there $as nothing spoo#y about the%" (urely you donDt believe in spoo#sA :hat a baby you areAC B:ell - itDs all Eolly !unny,C said (nubby" BAll those noises - and nothing to sho$ !or it" 5ot even a !oot%ar#A 0an you tell
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%e ho$ anyone ould %a#e su h a ro$ do$n here, and yet not leave the dust disturbed@C C5o, 4 anDt,C said Barney" BBut 4D% going to !ind outA ThatDs Huite ertain" ThereDs so%ething strange about all this very strange - and 4D% going to solve the %ysteryAC B'o you thin# Mr" 9ingDs in it, $hatever it is@C as#ed (nubby" Barney onsidered" B4 shouldnDt be surprised,C he said" BAs# hi% a !e$ Huestions to-%orro$, (nubby, and see $hat he says" As# hi% i! he slept $ell - as# hi% i! he heard any noises in the night - as# hi% i! he ever $al#s in his sleepAC (nubby grinned in the dar#" B&ightA 4Dll Eust see $hat he saysA 4 say, is the sho$ really over no$, Barney@ 4D% !right!ully sleepy"C B8es - it see%s to be over,C said Barney" B0o%e on, Miranda - to bedA Are you really going to sleep here to-night, (nubby@C B:ell, nothing $ould %a#e %e go ba # to &o #ingdo$n 0ottage in the dar# to-night,C said (nubby" 0an you %a#e roo% on your bed !or %e@C B4 suppose that %eans )oony tooAC said Barney"C 8es, 4 eFpe t the bed $ill ta#e !our o! us" 0o%e onAC They $ent upstairs again, are!ully lo #ing the passage door and the nursery doors, and $ent into the little third roo%" (nubby !elt sure it $ould ta#e hi% ages to go to sleep - but his eyes shut tight as soon as his head $as on the pillo$" And there the !our o! the% slept soundly till the %orning - Miranda uddled in BarneyDs ne # and )oony on (nubbyDs !eet - $hat a bed!ulA

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CHAPTER FIFTEEN SNUBBY IS A NUISANCE

(nubby $as up and about very early, anFious to be ba # at the ottage be!ore anyone else $as up" Barney $ent $ith hi% and sat in the tu%bledo$n su%%er-house" (nubby pro%ised to see i! he ould %anage to s%uggle hi% out so%e brea#!ast" But Mrs" &ound aught sight o! Miranda outside the su%%er-house as she hurried to the ottage to do her %orning $or# and get brea#!ast" (he peeped in and sa$ Barney" BAh - another one to brea#!ast, 4 supposeAC she said" Barney grinned" 1e and Mrs" &ound understood one another" 1e o!ten did little odd Eobs !or her - unstopping her sin# $hen it got stopped up, putting up a ne$ lothesline !or her and so

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on" (he thought, he $as a very handy, obliging boy, though she ouldnDt bear Miranda" Barney had brea#!ast $ith everyone else" Miss 2epper didnDt %ind" 6ne %ore didnDt %a#e %u h di!!eren e, and Barney see%ed a ni e boy, i! a little strange" Mr" 9ing $as there too, loo#ing a little tired" 1e a%e in very late !or brea#!ast" (nubby $as ready and $aiting !or hi%" 1e had told 'iana and &oger the happenings o! the night be!ore, and they had listened, thrilled and astonished" B)u #y !ello$ - having all that !un $ith Barney in the %iddle o! the nightAC said &oger" (nubby didnDt tell hi% ho$ !rightened he had been - no$ that it $as daylight and the sun $as shining brilliantly he Huite !orgot ho$ his teeth had hattered and his hair had stood on end" 1e $as boast!ul and brave no$ - aha, he had had a %arvellous night $hilst the others had been !ast asleep in bedA They had been a%aIed to hear that Mr" 9ing had been on the pro$l in the night too" &oger $histled" B:hat on earth $as he up to@ 1eDs a dar# horse, isnDt he@ :hy didnDt he say anything about it@C Mr" 9ing %ade his apologies !or o%ing late to brea#!ast and helped hi%sel! to orn!la#es" (nubby began at on e" B'id you have a bad night, Mr" 9ing@C Mr" 9ing loo#ed surprised at this on ern on (nubbyDs part" B5o,C he said" B4 had a very good one, than# you"C B4 didnDt,C said (nubby" B4 $as a$a#e a lot" 'idnDt you hear noises in the night@C Mr" 9ing loo#ed rather startled" 1e glan ed at the inno ent-loo#ing (nubby" B:hat noises@C he said, autiously" B6h - Eust noises,C said (nubby" B2erhaps you slept too $ell to hear anything, Mr" 9ing"C
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B4 ertainly slept very $ell - in !a t, as you #no$, 4 overslept,C said Mr" 9ing" BMiss 2epper, $ill you have the %ustard@C (nubby $asnDt going to have the subEe t hanged li#e that" 1e persisted $ith his Huestions" C4 thought 4 heard so%ebody about last night" 4t %ight have been so%ebody $al#ing in their sleep" 'o you ever $al# in your sleep, Mr" 9ing@C B5ever,C said Mr" 9ing, shortly"CThese are very ni e sausages, Miss 2epper"C B4 $onder $ho it $as getting up in the night,C said (nubby, inno ently" B'id you, &oger@ 'id you, 'iana@C B:e didnDt,C said &oger and 'iana, enEoying all this baiting o! poor Mr" 9ing" CAnd you didnDt either, did you, Mr" 9ing@C said (nubby, turning to hi%" B;nless you $ere $al#ing in your sleep, o! ourse"C B4Dve already told you 4 donDt $al# in %y sleep,C said Mr" 9ing, eFasperated" B5o$, $ill you #indly let %e tal# to Miss 2epper@ 4! this is your latest idea o! being !unny, thin# o! so%ething else" 4tDs puerile"C B:hatDs puerile@C as#ed (nubby at on e" B4Dll tell you in your )atin lesson,C said Mr" 9ing, in a voi e that pro%ised a very harassing lesson !or (nubby that %orning" BThough 4 should have thought you already #ne$ $hat BpuerC %eant" 4tDs a pity youDre so ba #$ard"C (nubby $in#ed at the others" 1e had !ound out $hat he $anted to #no$" Mr" 9ing $asnDt going to ad%it that he had been out last night - that $as his o$n business evidently" 1e $as going to #eep it a se ret - $hi h probably %eant he $as going snooping again so%eti%e" 4t $ould be !un to #eep an eye on hi% in that ase"

11+

BAre you going !or a $al# to-day@C as#ed (nubby, addressing hi%sel! to Mr" 9ing again" B0an 4 o%e $ith you@C B4 a% going !or a $al# - but 4 ertainly donDt $ant you $ith %e in your present tireso%e %ood,C said Mr" 9ing" (nubby at on e %ade up his %ind to !ollo$ hi% on his $al#" )oony, $ho $as under the table, Huietly began to he$ Mr" 9ingDs shoela e" Miranda had been le!t in the shed in ase she and )oony started one o! their %ad ga%es $ith one another" (nubby $as even %ore tireso%e in lessons than he had been at brea#!ast" 1e $as told to %a#e up three senten es and $rite the% do$n in 7ren h" 1e produ ed the !ollo$ing senten es and read the% out glee!ully" B4ls Ltaient de bruits dans la nuit - There $ere noises in the night"C BGe %e pro%ene dans %on so%%eil - 4 $al# in %y sleep"C BGe ne parle touEours le vrai - 4 do not al$ays spea# the truth"C Mr" 9ing listened to these pe uliar senten es in silen e" 1e loo#ed onsideringly at (nubby and see%ed about to brea# out angrily" Then he apparently hanged his %ind" B7ull o! the %ost ele%entary %ista#es,C he said oldly" B2lease $rite three %ore" 4! those are also !ull o! %ista#es you an $rite yet another three"C (nubby de ided not to bait Mr" 9ing any %ore" 1e $rote three inno ent 7ren h senten es $hi h $ere per!e tly orre t in every $ay" This $as not surprising as he had ta#en the% !ro% his 7ren h boo#" Mr" 9ing did not see% to be up to little tri #s o! this sort" (nubby $ished !ervently that his 7ren h %aster at s hool ould be ta#en in so easily" ;n!ortunately Monsieur &ieu $as apt to s%ell out a tri # be!ore it $as even played"

11,

A!ter dinner the hildren %et together in the su%%erhouse" They giggled $hen they tal#ed about (nubbyDs hee#iness that %orning" BAll the sa%e, Mr" 9ingDs pretty pe uliar,C said &oger" B:hy all the se re y about his pro$ling@ 1e ould easily have said that he ouldnDt sleep and $ent !or a $al#"C B4D% going to tra # hi% this a!ternoon,C said (nubby" BArenDt $e, )oony, old hap@C )oony agreed eagerly, leaping up on (nubbyDs #nee and li #ing his nose lavishly" 1e then tried to lie on his ba #, !ell o!! $ith a bu%p, sa$ Miranda and ra ed a!ter her till she bounded up a tree and sat there hattering at hi%" BThe na%es Miranda alls hi%AC said Barney, pretending to be sho #ed"C:herever did she learn the%AC Mr" 9ing set o!! on his $al# at hal!-past t$o, ta#ing $ith hi% a %ap and a sti #" (nubby, $ho $as on the $at h, let hi% get a good $ay ahead and then $ent Huietly a!ter hi%" )oony, having been told to #eep Huiet, nosed along at his heels" Mr" 9ing stru # a ross ountry to$ards the river" (nubby $as a little disappointed" 1e had hoped that he $ould go snooping round the old %ansion again" 4! so he %ight possibly get in, as the veranda door $as not lo #ed" Most un!ortunately the #ey $ould not lo # it !ro% the outside" (nubby !ollo$ed Mr" 9ing are!ully, o asionally sin#ing do$n !lat $ith )oony i! the tutor stopped, or loo#ed round" This aused great astonish%ent to an old lady $ho $as near (nubby $hen he did one o! his disappearing a ts" 1e lay do$n !lat, hissing to )oony to lie do$n too" The old lady $ent up in on ern" BAre you all right, little boy@C she said" B'o you !eel ill@C B(ssssstAC said (nubby, annoyed" 1e ra$led side$ays into the hedge li#e a rab and the old lady loo#ed at hi% in alar%" The boy %ust be %ad" Then an idea a%e to her"
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BAre you playing &ed 4ndians@C she as#ed" Mr" 9ing had no$ $al#ed on" (nubby got up autiously and stal#ed do$n the other side o! the hedge" B4D% 0hie! &ed!eather,C he said to the relieved old lady" BBe are!ul o! %y %en" 'onDt let the% s alp you, $hatever you doAC 1e le!t the old lady loo#ing out !or his B%en,C and $ent on a!ter Mr" 9ing, !rightening several o$s by suddenly !lattening hi%sel! out on the ground $henever Mr" 9ing stopped again to onsider his $ay" (nubby thoroughly enEoyed hi%sel!" 1e $as getting his o$n ba # ni ely on Mr" 9ing" They a%e to the river eventually" Mr" 9ing glan ed at his %ap again and then %ade his $ay up the river" There $as a very $ild part Eust there, and both Mr" 9ing and his pupil !ound the going di!!i ult" 4n !a t (nubby, having !allen into a %arshy pie e t$o or three ti%es, and having had to haul poor )oony out o! the %ud at least siF ti%es, al%ost gave up" (teep hills no$ rose up on one side o! the river" A strea% a%e into it !ro% the east, and to (nubbyDs surprise Mr" 9ing no$ le!t the %ain river and began to !ollo$ the strea%" 2oor (nubby groaned" This $as %u h $orse than he had i%agined" 4t %ust already be nearly teati%e - and there $as all that $ay to go ba #A To %a#e %atters $orse, Mr" 9ing suddenly sat do$n on a ni e dry spot, pulled out a pa #et !ro% his po #et, and opened it, displaying a very !ine array o! sand$i hes and a#eA (nubby ould have riedA :hy hadnDt he had the sense to !ind out i! Mr" 9ing %eant to get ba # to tea or not@ 1e had to lie under a rather pri #ly bush and $at h Mr" 9ing devour every sand$i h and t$o pie es o! Mrs" &oundDs !ruit a#e" )oony $hined $hen the s%ell $a!ted to$ards hi% on the $ind" 1e thought his little %aster $as eFtre%ely !oolish not to have brought so%ething to eat too" (nubby sa$ Mr"

11.

9ing raise his head $hen he heard the $hine, and he hissed at the surprised spaniel" B(hut up, idiotA 5ot a $ordAC )oony loo#ed at his %aster !or a %o%ent, %ade up his %ind that (nubby $as te%porarily %ad, and urled hi%sel! up in disgust to go to sleep" (nubby $as very glad $hen Mr" 9ing !olded up his sand$i h papers and put the% ba # into his po #et" 5o$ perhaps he $ould go ho%eA But he didnDt" 1e !ollo$ed the strea% instead, and (nubby had to give up the hase be ause the ountry $as no$ too bare !or hi% to !ollo$ $ithout being seen" All that $ay !or nothingA :ait a %inute, though" Mr" 9ing $as standing still no$, loo#ing $ith great interest at so%ething" :hat $as it@ (nubby $as !ull o! uriosity" 1e sa$ Mr" 9ing bend do$n to the strea% and tou h so%ething" Then he bent very lo$, al%ost disappeared, and re%ained pra ti ally out o! sight !or a !e$ %inutes" 1e then reappeared again, and too# out so%e !ieldglasses" 1e s$ept the ountryside $ith the%" :hat ould he be loo#ing !or@ And $hat had he !ound in the strea%@ (nubby %ade up his %ind to go and see, even i! it %ade hi% hours late !or supperA

12/

CHAPTER SIXTEEN SNUBBY IS NOT VERY CLEVER

Mr" 9ing at last $ent o!! in another dire tion altogether, %u h to (nubbyDs surprise" 1e too# a loo# at his %ap and set o!! to the south, a ross rough ountry - hilly ountry too" (nubby $ho hadnDt the !aintest idea $here he $as, and !elt that he $as %iles !ro% ho%e, loo#ed a!ter Mr" 9ing $ith eFasperation" B5o$ $hereDs he going@ :hat a $ild goose hase this isAC 1e $aited till Mr" 9ing $as out o! sight behind a s%all lu%p o! trees and then $ent as Hui #ly as he ould to $here he had seen hi% stop by the strea%" There $as a tiny ree#
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there - a little ba #$ater, $ith trees and bushes overhanging" 2ulled right ba # in the ree#, al%ost hidden under a bush $as a boat" 4t had no na%e" A ouple o! oars lay in it, and a oil o! rope" 5othing else" 1o$ %ysteriousA (nubby gaIed at the lonely little boat" :ho o$ned it@ There didnDt appear to be a house $ithin %iles" :hat a strange thing to leave a boat here, on this strea%, hidden li#e that" :hy@ :ho used it@ And $here did the o$ner live@ (nubby $ished he had !ield-glasses li#e Mr" 9ing" Then he ould have s$ept the ountryside $ith the% and !ound out i! any ottage or house $as hidden in a orner o! the hills" By the ti%e he had !inished eFa%ining the boat, $hi h told hi% absolutely nothing, Mr" 9ing had o%pletely disappeared" (nubby ouldnDt see a sign o! hi% any$here" 1e loo#ed do$n at the patient spaniel" B0ould you tra # hi%, )oony, do you thin#@C he as#ed" BThen $e ould !ollo$ hi% $ithout getting lost"C )oony loo#ed up intelligently and $agged his tail" BAll right - tra # hi% then,C said (nubby, $aving his hand vaguely in the dire tion in $hi h Mr" 9ing had gone" )oony started o!! eagerly, !or all the $orld as i! he #ne$ eFa tly $hat (nubby %eant" (nubby $as delighted" B1eDs the leverest dog that $as ever born,C he said to hi%sel!, as he !ollo$ed a!ter the pattering spaniel" But $hen )oony had led hi% to eight rabbit-holes in su ession, he began to hange his %ind" B8ouDre da!t,C he said to )oony, gloo%ily" B'o you really thin# 4 said J!ind rabbit-holesD@ 'o use a little o%%on sense, )oony"C )oony bar#ed and $agged his tail, and started o!! to !ind yet another hole" But (nubby had had enough" 1e $as tired, %uddy, hungry and thirsty" 4n addition he !elt %ost annoyed $ith Mr" 9ing" 1is tra #ing had taught hi% nothing eF ept
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that Mr" 9ing li#ed long and apparently ai%less $al#s - and he had seen a hidden boat $hi h didnDt see% to belong to anyone at all" Mr" 9ing had enEoyed a Eolly good tea and had no$ o%pletely disappeared into the blue" (nubby $ould get lost i! he tried to !ollo$ his trail" 1e %ust go ba # to the strea%, !ollo$ it to the river, then !ollo$ the river to the part he #ne$, and so get ho%e" 4t see%ed a long long $ay to poor (nubby and even )oonyDs heart san# as they began to stu%ble ba # do$n the %arshy ban#s o! the little strea%" (nubby didnDt arrive ho%e till eight oD lo #" 1e !ound everyone in a terrible state about hi%, even Mr" 9ing" 1e glared at the tutor, !eeling that it $as all his !ault he had had su h a terrible a!ternoon and evening" B1o$ long have you been ba #@C he as#ed" B6h - sin e about hal!-past !ive,C said Mr" 9ing, to (nubbyDs intense astonish%ent" 1al!-past !iveA :hy, Mr" 9ing had got ba # !ro% the strea% in about hal! an hour then - or less" But ho$ had he done it@ (nubby ouldnDt %a#e it out at all" 1e $as al%ost in tears $ith tiredness and hunger" Miss 2epper suddenly too# pity on hi% and !orgot her $orry and anger over his being so late" (he hustled hi% up to a hot bath, and got hi% into bed - then she brought up a dish o! Mrs" &oundDs deli ious to%ato soup, a plate o! orned bee! and salad and another plate o! !resh pea hes and rea%" (nubby $as in the seventh heaven o! delight" :hat a !eastA 1onestly, it $as $orth going through those a$!ul hours o! hunger and thirst to get all thisA 1e said very little to Miss 2epper about his long absen e" B4 $ent !or a $al# and lost %y $ay,C he said" BThatDs all"C B:here did you go@C as#ed Mr" 9ing, uriously" B4 really donDt #no$,C said (nubby, politely" B:here did you go@C
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B6h round and about,C said Mr" 9ing" BBut 4 $as sensible - 4 too# %y tea $ith %e" 2ity you didnDt o%e a ross %e" 4 ould have shared it $ith you"C (nubby grinned to hi%sel!" )ittle did Mr" 9ing #no$ that he had been hidden under a bush near enough to hi% to see $hat he ateA 5ot until Miss 2epper and Mr" 9ing had gone do$nstairs did (nubby tell the others eFa tly $hat had happened" They $ere very interested indeed" B7an y a boat there, hidden under the trees, $ith no visible o$ner any$here,C said &oger" BA %ysteryAC B8es" But $hat see%s to be %u h %ore %ysterious is ho$ did Mr" 9ing get ba # here so Hui #ly@C said (nubby" B4 %ean - it too# hours to get to that boat, you #no$ - and yet it see%s only to have ta#en Mr" 9ing under hal! an hour to get ba # ho%eAC B:ell - he %ust have ta#en a short ut ba #,C said &oger"C)etDs have a sHuint at a %ap and !ind out"C 1e $ent do$nstairs, !ound a big %ap o! the distri t, and put his !inger on &o #ingdo$n >illage" B1ere $e are - hereDs the village, see - and thereDs the $ay to the river" 5o$ you $ent up the river, you say - li#e that"C B8es" And $e a%e to a strea% - Huite a big one $here it entered the river,C said (nubby, stabbing a pie e o! orned bee! $ith his !or#" B4s the strea% sho$n@C B8es, here it is - &o #ing (trea%,C said &oger" B8ou say you $ent up it a good $ay - right, here $e go,C and he ran his !inger up the strea%" 'iana gave an eF la%ation" B:ellA 4tDs Huite easy to see ho$ Mr" 9ing got ho%e so Hui #lyA )oo# - he had $al#ed al%ost round in a ir le - and by ta#ing a short ut a ross this hill, he a%e out Huite near &o #ingdo$n 0ottage" (ee - itDs hardly any distan e"C

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'iana $as right" Be ause o! the $ay the river urved, (nubby had $al#ed in a hal! ir le, and then up the strea%, $hi h %ade a three-Huarter ir le - and the other Huarter o! the ir le lay over the hill to &o #ingdo$n 0ottage" EasyA (nubby let out a long sigh" B3oshA 4 $as ertainly a priIe idiotA There 4 $as, only a little $ay !ro% here, and 4 go and $al# %iles and %iles the long $ay round" But 4 didnDt #no$"C B8ou $ant to ta#e a o%pass $ith you,C said &oger" BAny$ay, i! you $ant us to see the boat, it $onDt ta#e long to get there - $eDll ta#e this path here, and go over the hill, a ross this bit o! %arsh to the strea% - and the boat $ill be so%e$here thereAC 4t all loo#ed very easy and si%ple, $hen the %ap lay be!ore the%" (nubby !elt really eFasperated $hen he sa$ $hat a long and unne essary $al# ho%e he had had" :hat a lover o! $al#s Mr" 9ing %ust be to struggle along through %arshy ground and overgro$n paths, up the strea%A :ell, it $as the last ti%e he $ould ever do any tra #ing" Mr" 9ing ould go $al#ing every day i! he $anted to - but as !ar as (nubby $as on erned he $ould go aloneA (nubby !ell asleep i%%ediately a!ter he had !inished his supper" :hat $ith his disturbed night, and his long and tireso%e $al#, he $as tired out" There $ere going to be no eF ursions !or hi% to-nightA Barney played a ga%e $ith &oger and 'iana till it $as ti%e !or the% to go to bed" The %ap they had all been loo#ing at lay unheeded on a nearby table" Barney, $ho $as out o! the ga%e !or one or t$o turns, glan ed idly at the %ap" 1is eye !ollo$ed the river then !allo$ed the strea% - and he loo#ed at it, puIIled" B1ereDs a !unny thingAC he said to the others, suddenly" C)oo#AC
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B:hat@C said 'iana" thro$ing the di e out o! the sha#er"CA siF - goodA Gust $hat 4 $anted"C B)oo#,C $ent on Barney" B(ee this strea%@ The one $here (nubby !ound the boat" )oo# $here it goes"C They all loo#ed"C:ell, 4 donDt see anything $onder!ul about it,C said &oger"C 4t Eust runs lose by &o #ingdo$n Manor - then goes o!! north$ards to those hills - $here it apparently has its sour e"C B8es - but donDt you see,C said Barney" B1ave you ever seen any strea% in the grounds at all@ The old house is set right in the %iddle o! very big grounds" :ell, this %ap apparently sho$s the strea% very lose to the house indeed but you #no$ as $ell as 4 do that there is no strea% to be !ound here in these grounds"C The others stopped their ga%e and loo#ed %ore losely" 8es - it ertainly see%ed as i! the strea% ran very lose to the house indeed" The %ap $as on a large s ale and the strea% $as sho$n, or see%ed to be sho$n, a tually in the grounds" And yet $hat Barney said $as Huite true" 5one o! the% had seen any strea% in the grounds at all, and yet they had eFplored the% very thoroughly indeed" Miranda dropped do$n on the %ap and they pushed her o!!" They $ere interested no$" :here $as the strea%@ They tried to !igure it out" B4tDs not near our ottage, thatDs ertain" 4tDs not any$here near the village itsel!, or $eDd have had to ross over a bridge or so%ething" 4t %ust be on the other side o! the old house" :eDll loo# and see"C B4! it isnDt it %ust si%ply have dried up or altered its ourse or so%ething,C said &oger" B:e an easily !ind out,C said Barney" B1o$@C as#ed 'iana" B;se your brainsAC said &oger"
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B6h, o! ourse, $e an !ollo$ the strea% all the $ay up !ro% the riverAC said 'iana"C4 never thought o! that" 1o$ stupid o! %eAC B8es" :e an easily !ollo$ it and see $hat its ourse is,C said Barney" B5ot that it %atters really" 4 $as Eust suddenly interested to noti e ho$ near it a%e to the old house, $hen 4 $as loo#ing at the %ap"C The subEe t $as dropped and a ne$ ga%e begun" Miss 2epper put her head in at the study a!ter a $hile" BBarney, itDs ti%e you $ent" 4tDs raining hard" 4s it !ar !or you to go to your lodgings@C Miss 2epper thought Barney had lodgings so%e$here" 1e had told her he had a roo% to sleep in and she i%agined it $as one in the village" 5obody unde eived her" They ouldnDt possibly tell her $here Barney really slept" B5o" 5ot !ar, Miss 2epper,C said Barney, rising to go" 1e really had very good %anners" B4Dll be seeing you to-%orro$,C he said to 'iana and &oger" B(o longAC 1e $ent o!! $ith Miranda as usual on his shoulder, )oony es orting hi% to the door, sending a !e$ bar#s a!ter hi%, $hi h $ere really %eant !or Miranda" B3ood riddan e to bad rubbishAC $as $hat his bar#s %eant" Then ba # he trotted to the others, pleased $ith hi%sel!" Barney $ent autiously through the grounds, $ondering i! Mr" 9ing - or anyone else - $as about" But he sa$ no one" All the sa%e, he lo #ed the veranda door and the passage door too - he didnDt %ean to be disturbed in the %iddle o! the night againA

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CHAPTER SEVENTEEN BARNEY DOES SOME EXPLORING

All the sa%e, it $as a very disturbing night !or Barney" 1e $as a$a#ened suddenly by Miranda hattering to hi% in !right, pulling at his hair and ears" 1e too# her in his ar%s and sat up in bed" BangA ThudA There $ere the noises again" Blo$A :hat $as going on in this e%pty old house@ (hould he get up and see, or should he lie do$n and sleep again@ Apparently nothing happened eF ept noises" There $as nobody a tually in the house, other$ise there $ould be strange !ootprints to !ind" And there $ere no !ootprints eF ept their o$n" The noises a%e again, and then the Hueer $hining, hal!s ree hing sound" Miranda $as absolutely terri!ied" (he tried
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to get inside BarneyDs shirt, and %ade little $hining noises o! !ear" 1e o%!orted her auto%ati ally, listening hard" :hat $as %a#ing those noises@ And $here $ere they being %ade@ They si%ply %ust be inside the houseA Barney sighed" 1e $as tired a!ter his disturbed night the night be!ore, and he dearly $anted to go to sleep" But he !elt intensely urious about all this" 1e $as not in the least !rightened, and he thre$ o!! the blan#et and $ent a ross the roo% !eeling !or the door" 1e did not put on his tor h !or !ear o! the light being seen by anyone $ho %ight perhaps be outside" Miranda tried to pull hi% ba #" (he leapt do$n to the !loor and pulled at his legs, hattering $ildly" Barney laughed" B8ouDll be all right $ith %e, Miranda" 4D% not a!raidA 'onDt be a little idiot" 5o$ - be Huiet, or youDll be heard"C 1e $ent do$n the passage and unlo #ed the door there Huietly" 1e $ondered ho$ the person or persons $ho %ade those noises ould possibly get into the house - and i! they did $here $ere the !oot%ar#s they %ade@ 1e gave it up" 4t $as a real puIIle" B4Dll solve it so%eho$ though,C thought Barney" B4 donDt #no$ $hatDs going on, but so%ething isA And $hatDs %ore 4 believe that Mr" 9ingDs in it too, $hatever it is" Maybe he an get into the house so%e$here $e havenDt !ound - and itDs he $ho %a#es those Hueer noises"C ThudA ThudA There it $ent again, deep do$n in the house" 6ne thud $as so loud that Barney $as really startled" 1e $ent right do$n to the #it hen, !eeling his $ay autiously, not daring to put on his tor h" All $as Huiet there" Barney s$it hed his tor h on and o!! very s$i!tly, gaIing at the !loor as he did so" 5o !resh !ootprints $ere there, nobody had been in the #it hen"

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1e $ent into the s ullery" 5o !ootprints there either" And yet it honestly see%ed as i! the noises a%e !ro% this dire tion" As he stood there, $aiting, a noise a%e again" ThudA ThudA And then the $hining sound, and a Hueer guttural noise that Barney hadnDt heard be!ore" 1e !elt a %o%entDs !ear" That $as a strange noise - $hat ould it be@ 4t didnDt sound at all hu%an" 0ould there be dungeons or so%ething under the s ullery !loor@ :as the house old enough !or those@ :hat about ellars@ :here $ere they@ There %ust be plenty in an old house o! this #ind" Barney $ondered $hy he hadnDt thought o! ellars be!ore" They ought to be eFploredA 2robably the eFplanation o! the noises lay in the ellars" 1e $ent through the s ullery and a%e to so%e stonepaved outhouses - one $as a $ashhouse, the other %ust have been a dairy at one ti%e" 4t had shelves o! %arble all round to hold pans o! rea%" 1is tor h s$ung over the !loor and the bea% sho$ed up dust again" 5ot a !ootprint any$hereA 5ot even )oonyDs" The doors to the outhouses had been shut, so )oony hadnDt gone through the%" Barney loo#ed are!ully over the !loor" 1e !ound $hat he $as see#ing - a sHuare pla e $here a trapdoor lay, its handle sun# into a groove o! the $ood, so that no one $ould trip over it" ThatDs $here the ellars $ould be - under there" :ell, he $asnDt going do$n there to-night" :hatever $as going on ould go on $ithout hi%" 7earless as Barney $as he had no $ish to eFplore dar# ellars at that %o%ent - espe ially ellars that gave out su h pe uliar noisesA 1e $ould tell the hildren in the %orning and they $ould all do a little %are eFploring" 4t $ould be eF itingA Barney $ent ba # to bed, ya$ning" A !e$ %ore noises a%e up to hi% as he lay in bed, but he too# no noti e o! the%"
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Miranda didnDt either" (he $as uddled up to hi% hal! asleep, her tiny !ront pa$s do$n his ne #" 4n the %orning Barney told the hildren $hat he had heard, and ho$ he had gone into the outhouses and seen the trapdoor" BThe $ashhouse and the dairy open out o! one side o! the s ullery,C he said" B:eDve never been into the%" ThereDs a trapdoor in the dairy - 4 bet it leads do$n to ellars" :eDll eFplore there this a!ternoon" 4D% sure thereDs so%ething Hueer going on there, though 4 anDt !or the li!e o! %e i%agine $hat it isAC This $as so thrilling that nobody ould pay %u h attention to their oa hing that %orning" 7ortunately Mr" 9ing see%ed a little bored $ith it too, and appeared to be $or#ing out al ulations o! his o$n on a sheet o! paper" )oony rept in unnoti ed and lay at (nubbyDs !eet" 1e began to gna$ the edge o! the table loth that hung Eust by his nose" 1e %ade a he$y #ind o! noise and Mr" 9ing loo#ed up" B(top %a#ing that silly noise, (nubby,C he said" (nubby hastily #i #ed )oony to stop hi% he$ing, and there $as pea e again" Everyone $as than#!ul $hen the %orning a%e to an end" Mr" 9ing noti ed $ith a start that )oony had apparently suddenly %aterialised under the table, and $as Eust about to %a#e a stern re%ar# about it, $hen (nubby !ell on )oony and !ondled hi% eFtravagantly" C1o$ did you #no$ $eDd Eust !inishedA 1o$ lever o! you to o%e in Eust at the right %o%entA Mr" 9ing, $asnDt he lever to #no$ it $as the right %inute to o%e in@C Mr" 9ing said nothing" 1e Eust loo#ed sternly at )oony and even %ore sternly at (nubby" Be!ore he ould %a#e up his %ind eFa tly ho$ to ans$er (nubby, the boy rushed !ro% the roo% $ith )oony, yelling li#e a &ed 4ndian" B0o%e on, )oony, $al#ie-$al#sAC

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The other three hildren grinned at one another" They had #no$n per!e tly $ell that )oony $as under the table all the %orning, and had $ondered $hen Mr" 9ing $ould !ind it out" B0an Barney stay to lun h, Miss 2epper, an he, an he@C shouted (nubby, $ho al$ays yelled at the top o! his voi e !or about ten %inutes a!ter !inishing his oa hing" B4tDs old hi #en and salad and &oundy says there is enough"C BAll right, all right,C said Miss 2epper, putting her hands over her ears" B:hy %ust you shout so@ And didnDt 4 tell you to go upstairs a!ter brea#!ast and hange out o! that disgustingly dirty shirt@C B6h - so you did,C said (nubby" B:ell, need 4 no$@ 4 shall probably get a$!ully dirty this a!ternoon"C B:hy@ :hat are you going to do@C as#ed Miss 2epper" B8ou a%e ho%e !ilthy yesterday too" 4s it ne essary to do all the dirty things you see% to do@C B8es - itDs absolutely ne essary,C (nubby assured her heer!ully" B:ell, 4 $onDt hange %y shirt then" 4 donDt $ant &oundy to have any %ore $ashing to do" 4 $ish 4 $as li#e )oony, and Eust $ore %y o$n oat o! hair and nothing else"C B8ou $ouldnDt %anage to #eep yoursel! as lean as )oony does, even then,C said Miss 2epper" B4 really do thin# you are the %ost !ilthy dirty hild 4 have ever"""C C'ear old 2epAC said the irrepressible (nubby and s$ung her round, trying to do a !oFtrot $ith her" (he $as hal! ross, hal! a%used" Mr" 9ing a%e in suddenly, loo#ing as bla # as thunder" B(nubbyA 'id you tie that bit o! string bet$een the gateposts in the garden@ 4Dve al%ost bro#en %y an#le over it" Miss 2epper, 4D% going to buy a ane this a!ternoon - a ni e thin one that goes $heeeee in the air"C B'o,C said Miss 2epper" B)end it to %e to use so%e ti%e, $ill you@C
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(nubby didnDt li#e this" 4t $asnDt good $hen Miss 2epper and Mr" 9ing both sided against hi%" 1e loo#ed pained" B4D% sorry" Mr" 9ing" 4 $as pra tising Eu%ping" 8ou %ust have !allen over %y Eu%ping-string"C B(nubby, that #ind o! thing is stupid and dangerous,C said Miss 2epper" B4 shall %a#e you go $ithout your pudding at dinner to-day" 4Dve told you be!ore about dangerous tri #s" 4 $ill not have the% played"C BAha - no pudding !or you then,C said Mr" 9ing, pleased" B(erves you right, you little pest"C (nubby lost his high spirits and loo#ed sul#y" 1e ouldnDt do anything i! both Mr" 9ing and Miss 2epper $ere in league against hi%" There $ere all sorts o! nasty punish%ents they ould thin# up" 1e s o$led at their retreating ba #s" B4Dll have to set the% against one another,C he thought and sat do$n to $orry out a plan" 4t didnDt ta#e hi% long" 1e $ent into the #it hen and got the #it hen pepper-pot $hen Mrs" &oundDs ba # $as turned" 1e slipped it into his po #et" 1e tiptoed out again, )oony sni!!ing at his po #et" Then the spaniel suddenly sneeIed" B2epper up your nose@C said (nubby, loudly, so that Miss 2epper ould hear" B2oor little dog" 2epperDs a$!ul, isnDt it@C 'inner $as soon ready" There $ere big bo$ls o! stea%ing pea soup" Mrs" &ound $as good at %a#ing soup, and she #ne$ the hildren li#ed it" 4t !illed the% up too, $hen there $asnDt %u h %eat to go round, li#e to-day" (nubby had a !e$ $ords $ith &oger, $ho grinned and nodded" They all sat do$n" &oger tasted his soup" B:ants salt and pepper,C he said" B2ass the pepper, 'i" Mr" 9ing, $ill you have so%e@C Gust as Mr" 9ing too# up the table pepper-pot to sprin#le a little on his soup, (nubby le!t his pla e and $ent to pi # up his table nap#in ring" As he passed behind the unsuspe ting Mr"
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9ing he $hipped the #it hen pepper-pot !ro% his po #et and tossed pepper round Mr" 9ingDs head" Miss 2epper didnDt noti e anything" 5or did poor Mr" 9ing" 1e !inished sprin#ling pepper and salt on his soup, and $as about to ta#e up his spoon $hen he !elt an enor%ous sneeIe o%ing" 1e got out his hand#er hie! hastily" B:hooooosh-ooA 4 beg your pardon, Miss 2epper" A$hoooooosh-ooA 6h dear %eA 1ereDs another one o%ing" &eally - 4 - 4 - $hooooosh-ooAC Miss 2epper loo#ed at hi%" :hat an eFtraordinary paroFys% o! sneeIingA Mr" 9ing $as no$ purple in the !a e, $ondering $hether to leave the roo% or not" BA-$hooooosh-oooosh-ooAC he began again" B4 do apologise" 4t %ust be a little pepper up %y noseAC The hildren roared $ith laugher" 3ood old Mr" 9ingA 1e had said the eFa t $ords that Miss 2epper hated" Miss 2epper loo#ed at Mr" 9ing oldly" 1o$ dare he %a#e !un o! her li#e this - in !ront o! the hildren too" (he didnDt believe in his sneeIes at all, no$ that he had said the !atal $ords" B2erhaps you $ould li#e to leave the roo% till your er indisposition is over@C she said, in an i y voi e" Mr" 9ing got up and $ent" The hildren heard hi% still oping $ith his sneeIes in the bedroo% above, and 'iana $as al%ost helpless $ith laughter" Every ti%e she ate a spoon!ul o! soup she laughed and ho#ed" Miss 2epper got really angry" B5o$ stop it, 'iana" 4tDs an old Eo#e no$ and a silly one, this pepper Eo#e" 4tDs not even !unny"C (nubby %ade his !a e sole%n" B4 thin# it $as rude o! Mr" 9ing to say that in !ront o! you,C he said, righteously" B4 %ean - itDs all very $ell !or us to say silly things li#e that, Miss 2epper - but Mr" 9ing shouldnDt !orget his %anners, should he@C

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BThatDs enough,C said Miss 2epper" B5ot a $ord %ore !ro% you" And $hen Mr" 9ing o%es ba # $e shall not re!er to this again"C Mr" 9ing a%e ba # shortly loo#ing very sheepish, not understanding his !it o! sneeIing at all" 1e $as upset to !ind Miss 2epper so old to hi%" :as she ross be ause o! his sneeIing at table@ :ell, anybody %ight do thatA (neeIes $ere li#e hi ups - you Eust ouldnDt stop the%" The %eat ourse a%e in and then the pudding" (nubby $as supposed to go $ithout - but be ause Miss 2epper $as still annoyed $ith Mr" 9ing she Huite !orgot to leave (nubby out $hen she served the pudding - and he got his usual big helping" And poor Mr" 9ing, $ho re%e%bered about it, didnDt dare to re%ind Miss 2epperA (nubby grinned" 1e had got on top as usual"

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CHAPTER EIGHTEEN A VERY EXCITING AFTERNOON

The eFploration that a!ternoon proved very interesting indeed" They all arrived at &o #ingdo$n Manor at Eust a!ter hal!-past t$o, !ull o! anti ipation" :hat $ould they !ind in the ellar@ (nubby had !orgotten his !ears o! a night or t$o ago" 1e $as on e again brave and !earless, entering the old house !irst o! all, and even shouting loudly in it to %a#e the e hoes o%e" Barney laughed at hi%" (nubby al$ays a%used hi% $ith his silly tri #s and ridi ulous $ays" They all $ent to the big #it hens and out into the s ullery" Then through the door that
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led into the outhouses" The $ashhouse !irst and then the dairy $ith its %arble shelves" B1ere $e are,C said Barney" BAnd loo#, thereDs the trapdoor" 4 bet that leads do$n into the ellars" And 4 bet theyDre pretty big ones too"C &oger too# the iron handle and gave it a tug" 5othing happened at all" B4tDll be sti!!,C said Barney" B4t anDt have been used !or years" )et %e try"C 1e ouldnDt budge the trapdoor either" )oony $ent and s raped %adly at it as i! he ould open it that $ay" They all sat ba # and panted a!ter their eFertions" B:hereDs that rope $e had@C said Barney, suddenly" B)et %e see - $hat did 4 do $ith it@ 4 believe itDs upstairs in the nurseries, (nubby" 3o and get it"C (nubby shot o!! $ith )oony - but $hen he got to the passage door, he heard noises beyond" 1e stopped, !rightened" :ho $as it@ 1e tore do$n the stairs again and into the dairy"CThereDs so%ebody upstairs" 4 heard the%"C B'onDt be silly,C said Barney" B8ouDre a little o$ard, (nubbyA ThereDs nobody there"C BThere is 4 tell you - 4 heard the%,C said (nubby" Barney got up" B4Dll go,C he said, and up he $ent" 1e a%e do$n $ith the rope - and $ith Miranda too" 1e $as grinning" B4t $as Miranda up there,C he said" B(heDd got a boF o! s#ittles and $as thro$ing the% all over the pla e" ThatDs $hat you heard" BabyAC (nubby $ent very red" The others laughed at hi% $hilst Barney slid the rope through the handle o! the trapdoor" 1e t$isted the t$o strands into one" B1ere you are,C he said to the other three" BTa#e hold, all o! you, and $eDll pull together" Miranda, you pull tooAC
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(o, $ith Miranda pulling as $ell, and loo#ing eFtre%ely proud, the hildren pulled together $ith all their %ight" And, o! ourse, the trapdoor opened so very suddenly that they all sat do$n in a heap, and &oger, $ho $as last, got a terri!i bu%p that shoo# all the breath out o! hi%A They got up and $ent to peer into the dar# hole under the trapdoor" B(teps,C said &oger" B(tone steps" They go do$n to the ellars, no doubt about that" 3ot the tor h, Barney@C B4Dll go !irst,C said Barney, and do$n he $ent, !lashing the tor h are!ully in !ront o! hi%" The steps urved a little to$ards the botto% and ended in a stone !loor" Barney !elt it $ith his !eet to see i! it $ere sli%y" 5o, it $as Huite dry" A %usty s%ell o! old as#s and barrels a%e to his nose" 1e !lashed his tor h round" 4t $as, as he had suspe ted, a %ost enor%ous ellar" BoFes, as#s, barrels, old ob-$ebbed bottles lay about every$here" :ooden shelves sho$ed $here $ine had on e been stored" Everyone $as no$ do$n the steps" Miranda $ould not leave BarneyDs shoulder, and held on to his hair as he %ade his $ay into the depths o! the ellar" The others !ollo$ed, !lashing their tor hes too" )oony, surprised at this ne$ pla e so uneFpe tedly opened in the depths o! the earth, ran about sni!!ing" Any rabbits do$n here@ 5ot even a s%ell o! oneA The hildren eFplored the old ellars !ro% end to end" They opened the old boFes but !ound nothing in any o! the%" They #no #ed on the as#s and barrels and de ided they $ere absolutely e%pty" B5ot even a !ull bottle o! gingerbeer,C said (nubby, %ourn!ully" B>ery dull"C Mi e or rats s urried a$ay into orners as the tor hes lighted the% up" )oony had a lovely ti%e hasing the%, and got a bite on the ear" Miranda $ouldnDt hase rats"

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)oony got a rat in a orner behind a as#, and began to s rape there a!ter it" The as# !ell, and three %ore !ell too, %a#ing a terri!i noise in the old ellars" Everyone Eu%ped" B4tDs only )oony,C said &oger, relieved"C 4 say, Barney - 4 $ish $e ould hear those Hueer noises no$" :e should #no$ $hat part o! the ellar they a%e !ro%"C B4 thin# itDs very Hueer,C a%e BarneyDs voi e !ro% another orner" BThere doesnDt see% anything here to ao ount !or those noises at all - and honestly 4 anDt see any signs o! people being here - thereDs dust in Huite a lot o! pla es, but no !ootprints again - no igarette ends - nothingAC B:ell - ho$ an $e solve the %ystery@C de%anded (nubby" B4 thin# 4 shall o%e do$n here one night $hen 4 hear the noises and $at h,C said Barney" B6r better still 4 ould hide %ysel! be!ore the noises begin"C B:ould you dare@C said (nubby, in horror" B3ra ious, you %ust be brave"C B8es" 4 ertainly $ouldnDt dare to do that,C said 'iana, soberly"C :ould you, &oger@C &oger thought about it"C5o, 4 donDt thin# 4 $ould,C he said" BAnd $hatDs %ore 4 donDt thin# youDd better, Barney"C B:ell, 4D% going to,C said Barney" B4 anDt %a#e all this out" 4D% going to !ind out $hatDs going on"C They sat silent !or a !e$ %inutes on one or t$o old boFes $hilst )oony snu!!led round the%" Barney pri #ed up his ears" B0an you hear anything@C he as#ed the others" They listened" B:ell,C said 'iana doubt!ully, B4 thin# 4 an hear a little noise o asionally - but 4 donDt Huite #no$ ho$ to des ribe it - rather a gurgly sort o! noiseAC This didnDt please (nubby at all" 1e got up" 1e had no $ish to hear any noises, least o! all BgurglyC ones" Any$ay he

13.

$as tired o! this a$!ul dar#, %usty ellar" 1e $anted to be out in the daylight again" B0o%e on - donDt letDs listen !or gurgles or gobbles or guIIles,C he said" B)etDs go"C The others laughed and got up too" Barney listened !or a %o%ent or t$o %ore and gave it up" B2robably %y i%agination,C he said" They $ent up the stone steps, hattering, $ith )oony bounding in !ront" At the top he stopped and gro$led" The hildren eased tal#ing at on e and 'iana lut hed Barney" 5o$ $hat@ There $as the sound o! %enDs voi esA B'id $e lo # that veranda door@C $hispered &oger" B3osh - $e didnDtA :hat idiotsA 5o$ so%eone has got inAC B4Dll go and see,C $hispered Barney" B9eep )oony ba # and donDt let hi% gro$l or bar#, or heDll give us a$ay"C (nubby put a hand on )oonyDs ollar and the dog stopped his lo$ gro$ling" Barney $ent Huietly through the outhouse and into the s ullery" 1e stopped and listened" 5obody $as in the #it hen beyond" 1e $ent to the #it hen door and peered through the ra # o! the door there into the hall" :hat he sa$ surprised hi% very %u hA Mr" 9ing $as there $ith t$o other %en" Both $ere strong, burly %en, and had their ba #s to Barney" They $ere tal#ing together" B(ee all these !ootprints@C Mr" 9ing $as saying" BThat tells you so%ething, doesnDt itA :eDll have to !ind out $hose they are" And $ho le!t the veranda door aEar too@ )oo# at the !oot%ar#s going up the stairs" 0ro$ds o! the%A )oo#s as i! there are troops o! people using this pla e !or their o$n purposesA And yet thereDs never anyone to be !ound here $hen 4 o%e - and not a light to be seen any$here" :here do they go@C

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BBeats %e,C said one o! the %en" BAny$ay this is the pla e all right" :eDll get going no$, no doubt about that"C Barney had heard enough" 1e slipped ba # to the others" B4tDs Mr" 9ing - $ith t$o others,C he $hispered" B4 donDt believe theyDre up to any good here, really" ThereDs so%e Hueer plan or so%ething going on - and Mr" 9ingDs in it" 4 donDt believe heDs a tutor at all" 1eDs a !raudAC This $as a%aIing ne$s" 'iana lut hed at Barney" B:ill they !ind us do$n here@ :hat shall $e do@C B:eDll get out, shut the trapdoor, and steal out o! the #it hen door,C said Barney" B:e an ta#e the #it hen #ey, so that $e an get in again i! $e $ant to" 8ou an bet anything you li#e that those !ello$s $ill sear h the house no$ to !ind out $hoDs %ade those !ootprints every$here - and $hen they go they $ill see that every door and $indo$Ds !astened so that $e anDt get in again"C BBut $eDll have the #it hen door #ey, so $e an i! $e $ant toAC said (nubby, tre%bling $ith eF ite%ent" B4s it sa!e to go no$@C Barney $ent to see" 1e a%e ba # in hal! a %inute" BTheyDve gone upstairs" 4 $onder i! they #no$ about those nurseries" Any$ay the passage door is lo #ed and 4Dve got the #ey" They %ay thin# itDs only boFroo%s or so%ething"C B:eDll steal out no$ then,C said 'iana, $ho $as very anFious to go" They all got out o! the opening in the !loor, and then Huietly shut the trapdoor" They %ade their $ay into the #it hen, )oony as Huiet as the others" 6ver to the #it hen door they $ent - and Barney unlo #ed it" 1e too# the #ey !ro% the lo # and opened the door" 4t rea#ed a little but not %u h" They all $ent out into an overgro$n yard, $here an old dustbin still stood" A dog#ennel stood nearby, al%ost !alling to bits" )oony $ent over to

141

it and sni!!ed in it inHuisitively" But there $as no dog s%ell le!t" Barney lo #ed the door behind the%" 1e put the #ey in his po #et" 1e loo#ed up at the $indo$s" 0ould anyone see the% i! they %ade a dash !or it no$@ 5o" Trees overhung the ba #yard and s reened it !ro% overhead" B0o%e on,C he said" B:eDll run !or it no$" 9eep under bushes and trees and donDt sho$ yourselves at all"C They ran !ro% the ba # door, a ross the yard and into the bushes" There had on e been a #it hen garden on the other side o! the yard, but it $as so overgro$n $ith $eeds that it $ould have been i%possible to #no$ $hat it $as no$, i! it had not been !or the apple trees sho$ing here and there, struggling against the ivy that $as slo$ly ho#ing everything" The hildren soon !ound a part o! the grounds they #ne$ and Hui #ly %ade their $ay ho%e, astonished and puIIled" :as Mr" 9ing really a !raud@ 6ught they to tell Miss 2epper@ :hat $as he doing here@ And $hat had &o #ingdo$n Manor and the Hueer noises to do $ith everything@ 4t $as all very puIIling indeed" B4 thin# $e ought to tell Miss 2epper,C said &oger, at last" B:eDll sleep on it !irst - and then tell her in the %orning"C

142

CHAPTER NINETEEN MR. KING IN CHARGE

But that night so%ething happened $hi h upset all their plans" A telephone all a%e !or Miss 2epper and a!ter she had ans$ered it she a%e into the study, loo#ing very upset" B0hildren - 4 have to leave you !or a !e$ days" My sister is very ill - dangerously ill - and 4 %ust go to her" 4 %ust leave you in Mr" 9ingDs harge" 8ou $ill be Huite all right, and 4 shall put you on your honour to be as good as you an"C B6h, Miss 2epper - 4D% so sorry about your sisterAC ried 'iana" B4s there anything $e an do@ Are you leaving to-night - or to-%orro$ %orning@C

143

BTo-night, 4 thin#" 6h dear, 4 anDt %a#e up %y %ind $hat to do" 0an 4 at h the last night-train, or not@ There is %y pa #ing to do - and 4 %ust see Mrs" &ound be!ore 4 go"C B8ou an give %e any %essages !or Mrs" &ound,C said 'iana" B8ou #no$ 4Dll help her all 4 an" And 4 an do your pa #ing !or you too, i! youDll put out the things you $ant" The boys an ring up !or a taFi" 8ou $ill easily be able to at h the night-train"C B:hat a #ind, good hild you areAC said Miss 2epper, al%ost in tears" B>ery $ell" 4Dll go to-night" 0o%e up and help %e to pa # $hilst 4 tell you $hat 4 $ant you to say to Mrs" &ound"C &oger rang up !or a taFi" 'iana did the pa #ing and listened to the instru tions !or Mrs" &ound" B4Dll telephone to her to-%orro$ to tell her ho$ things are getting on,C said Miss 2epper" B'id 4 pa # %y hair-brushes@ And a lean blouse@ 5o$ $hat have 4 done $ith those shoes@C BTheyDre in your hands, Miss 2epper,C said 'iana, ta#ing the% !ro% her" B5o$, do ta#e things easily" 8ouDve plenty o! ti%e !or your train - and 4 eFpe t your sister $ill !eel %u h better as soon as she sees you"C B4 %ust tal# to Mr" 9ing too,C said Miss 2epper" BThan# goodness 4 an leave hi% in harge o! you" 1e see%s very dependable and responsible"C 'iana said nothing to that" Be ause o! $hat she no$ suspe ted about Mr" 9ing there didnDt see% anything to say eF ept things that $ould upset Miss 2epper and probably upset her plans tooA (a she $ent on pa #ing and %ade no re%ar#" Mr" 9ing a%e up to ondole $ith Miss 2epper" 1e had been out !or one o! his $al#s" 1e $as very s$eet to her and she !elt o%!orted"

144

B4 !eel Huite sa!e to leave the hildren $ith you and Mrs" &ound,C she said" B4 only hope theyDll behave the%selves - but 4 thin# they $ill, Mr" 9ing" They al$ays o%e out $ell in an e%ergen y and are really very trust$orthy"C (he $ent o!! in the taFi, still loo#ing very $orried" Everyone $aved heerily to her" B:ellAC said Mr" 9ing, shutting the door" B2oor Miss 2epperA 4 hope everything goes all right !or her" 5o$ hildren - $eDve got to %a#e the best o! one anotherA 8ouDll have to put up $ith %e in harge o! youAC 1e bea%ed round at the%" They loo#ed a$ay" BEr - $e shall do our best, Mr" 9ing,C said &oger, !eeling that so%ebody ertainly ought to say so%ething" Mr" 9ing loo#ed !aintly surprised at the hildrenDs la # o! response, but put it do$n to their being upset at Miss 2epperDs sudden going" 1e loo#ed at his $at h" BMy $ord - $e are all late tonightAC he said" B4 thin# $e ought to go to bed" 6!! $ith youA )ights out in ten %inutes, please"C The three o! the% had their lights out in ten %inutes" They $ondered about Barney" 1e $asnDt going to sleep in the old house to-night" They had ta#en ushions and a rug to the old su%%er-house !or hi%, hoping that it $ould not rain" The su%%er-house $as not very $eatherproo! no$adays" :hen they $ere sure that Mr" 9ing $as in bed they stole do$n the ba # stairs to !ind Barney in the su%%er-house, and tell hi% the ne$s about Miss 2epperDs leaving" B:e havenDt been able to tell Miss 2epper $hat $e suspe t,C !inished &oger"CThat %ust $ait till she o%es ba #" 4n the %eanti%e - $e %ust #eep our eyes and ears openAC B4 $onder i! 4 ought to go ba # and sleep in the old house to-night,C said Barney" BGust in ase thereDs so%ething being planned there by Mr" 9ing and the other %en"C

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B5o donDt,C said &oger" BMr" 9ing is indoors no$ - loo#, you an see his light through the urtains o! his bedroo% $indo$" 4! he has any idea o! $andering over to the %ansion again to-night, he $ill have to pass near the su%%erhouse and then you an !ollo$ hi%"C B8es" ThereDs so%ething in that,C said Barney, snuggling do$n in his rug" B4 donDt really !eel li#e s ra%bling through the grounds again at the %o%ent" 4 !eel Eolly sleepy"C B:ell, $eDll go ba # no$,C said the others" B3ood night Barney" (ee you to-%orro$"C 4t see%ed Hueer $ithout Miss 2epper the neFt day" Mrs" &ound arrived and heard the ne$s" B'ear, dear sheDs so !ond o! her sister too,C she said" B:ell, $e %ust hope !or the best" 5o$ you donDt need to bother your heads about anything eF ept Eust to do a bit o! shopping !or %e no$ and again, and %a#e your o$n beds and give a hand at ti%es"C They all had their oa hing as usual, though Mr" 9ing see%ed lost in thought" 4! they hadnDt been on their honour to behave the%selves they ould have played any a%ount o! tri #s on the absent-%inded tutor" But not even (nubby thought out any" Barney sat as usual in the $indo$, listening" 1e loo#ed earnestly at the ba # o! Mr" 9ingDs head and thought about hi%" :hat $as he doing at &o #ingdo$n Manor@ :hat $as he interested in there@ 4t %ust be so%ething i%portant or he $ouldnDt have gone to the trouble o! ta#ing the Eob here as oa h - $hi h %eant that he ould live near the Manor, and !ind it easier to arry out his plans" Barney ouldnDt i%agine $hat those plans $ere" 1e $ondered i! by any han e the three %en had done anything in the house a!ter the hildren had es aped in su h a hurry - had they hidden so%ething there, perhaps@ 6r !ound so%ething they $ere loo#ing !or@ 1e slipped out o! the roo% be!ore the end o! the lesson"
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1e !elt that he $anted to go and see i! anything had been done at the old house - the %en ertainly hadnDt got in !or nothing" 1e sa$ nothing at all on the ground !loor eF ept !or the !oot%ar#s o! the three %en in every roo%" 1e too# the trouble o! going into the outhouses to see i! the trapdoor had been dis overed" 4t $as $ide openA The $ooden trapdoor $as s$ung ba #, and the !light o! stone steps $as plainly to be seen" Barney $ent to the open trapdoor" 1e listened" All $as Huiet belo$" There $as no one do$n there no$" But obviously the three %en had been do$n to sear h !or so%ething" 1e $ent up to the !irst !loor and sa$ the prints o! the %en there, in every roo%" They had $al#ed to every upboard" (o%e o! the doors $ere le!t open" :hat ould they be loo#ing !or@ A se ret hiding-pla e@ ;p the stairs to the se ond !loor $ent the boy, !eeling ertain that the lo #ed door at the end o! the passage $ould have been opened" 4t had been burst openA (o%ebody had either #i #ed it or !lung hi%sel! hard against it" The old lo # had given $ay, and the door $as s$inging $ide open" B5o$ %y hiding pla e is dis overedAC thought Barney" 1e $ent into the nurseries" The three beds had been stripped and the overs thro$n to the ground" The hests had been loo#ed through, the upboards opened" Even the linoleu% in the the nursery had been ta#en up" The roo%s $ere in a dread!ul state no$" 4t $ould need a good %orningDs $or# !ro% 'iana to get the% straight again" Barney $ondered i! it $as sa!e !or hi% to sleep there any %ore" :ell, as long as the good $eather lasted he ould sleep o%!ortably in the old su%%er-house at &o #ingdo$n 0ottage"
14,

4t $as all very puIIling" Barney %ade up his %ind about one thing straight a$ay" 1e $ould ertainly go do$n into the ellars and $ait !or those noises that nightA 1e %eant to get to the botto% o! those" 1ad the three %en anything to do $ith the%@ 1e $ent ba # to the hildren a!ter he had bought hi%sel! so%e bread and heese at the village shop" 1e gave Miranda so%e plu%s to eat" (he li#ed those" (he pulled ea h plu% in hal!, too# out the stone, thre$ it a$ay, Eoined the halves together, and then nibbled the plu% in delight" B8ou $ant a bib, Miranda,C said Barney, $ith a laugh" BThose plu%s are so Eui y that youDre getting sti #y all do$n your hestAC A!ter his %eal Barney $ent to see the hildren" 1e told the% $hat he had dis overed in the old house - the open trapdoor, the !oot%ar#s every$here, the burst-open door, and the ri!led nurseries" They listened in a%aIe%ent" B1o$ dare Mr" 9ing do all thatAC said 'iana" BA!ter 4Dd %ade everything so tidy !or you too" 4tDs too bad" 4Dve a good %ind to ti # hi% o!!"C B5o" 'onDt you say a $ord,C said Barney, Hui #ly" B'onDt put hi% on his guard at all" As long as he thin#s $e donDt suspe t anything $rong about hi% he $onDt try to hide his doings" 4! he guesses $hat $e #no$, he %ay go o!! - and $hilst he is here $e have at least got hi% under our eyesAC B8es, thatDs true,C said 'iana" B:ell, 4 $onDt say a $ord" Barney, 4 hate the idea o! your going to $at h do$n in the ellars to-night" :ouldnDt you li#e one o! us $ith you@C B6! ourse notAC said Barney $ith a laugh" B:hat do you thin# ould happen to %e do$n there@ 5othing, o! ourseAC But !or on e in a $ay Barney $as $rong"

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CHAPTER TWENTY DOWN IN THE CELLARS

5one o! the three hildren at &o #ingdo$n 0ottage !elt very !riendly to$ards Mr" 9ing, and he $as puIIled" Even )oony sat $ith his ba # to hi% $henever he ouldA The spaniel al$ays #ne$ $hen (nubby $as doubt!ul about anyone, and i! his %aster $ould not be !riendly to$ards so%eone, then )oony behaved in the sa%e $ay" Mr" 9ing loo#ed at the hildren three or !our ti%es during their %idday %eal" 1o$ odd they $ere all o! a suddenA Anyone $ould thin# he had o!!ended the% in so%e $ay, he

14.

thought" They $ouldnDt loo# at hi%, and hardly s%iled at all" They hardly spo#e to hi% either" BAnything the %atter@C he said at last" B8ou see% to be a very gloo%y lot to-day" Are you $orried about so%ething@C B:ell - yes,C said 'iana" B:eDre $orried about Miss 2epperDs sister, o! ourse"C B'ear %e - 4 didnDt thin# you even #ne$ her,C said Mr" 9ing, in astonish%ent" B:ell, do heer up" 4D% sure youDll hear that things are all right"C Miss 2epper did ring up shortly a!ter that, but the ne$s $as not very good" 1er sister $as still very ill and Miss 2epper didnDt #no$ $hen she $ould be ba #" BBut 4D% sure youDll be all right $ith Mr" 9ing,C she said" BAnd Mrs" &ound is very good too"C Mr" 9ing #ept trying to heer the hildren up" 1e o!!ered to ta#e the% !or a $al#" 1e o!!ered to !iF up a riding lesson !or the%" 1e even suggested going do$n to the river to bathe as it $as a hot day" 4n the ordinary $ay the last t$o suggestions $ould have been hailed $ith glee - but nobody !elt that they $anted to ta#e any !avours !ro% Mr 9ing at the %o%ent" 1e $as a !raud" They $erenDt going to li#e hi% any %ore" 1e $as B;p to so%ething,C and they $anted to #no$ $hatA Mr" 9ing gave up his e!!orts at last, de ided that the hildren $ere sul#y and ross, and ould Eolly $ell loo# a!ter the%selves" )oony annoyed hi% %ost" 1e ouldnDt believe that a dog $ould sit $ith his ba # to hi% on purpose, but it really did loo# as i! )oony %eant toA Barney stayed to tea" The hildren had it out in the garden, hoping to get a$ay !ro% Mr" 9ing" But he %ost annoyingly a%e and had it $ith the%" 1e see%ed to !eel that he %ust loo# a!ter the% every %inute, no$ Miss 2epper $as a$ay" (o the hildren ouldnDt tal# !reely at all, and 'iana gre$ very sul#y" (he $as the $orst o! the% all at hiding her !eelings"
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B8ou really are a set o! %iseriesAC said Mr" 9ing" BTa#e that sul#y loo# o!! your !a e, 'iana - it doesnDt suit you at allAC 'iana i%%ediately loo#ed t$i e as sul#y" Barney !elt that Mr" 9ing $ould really begin to suspe t so%ething i! they all behaved li#e this, so he began to tal# to the oa h, relating all #inds o! tales, and livening things up onsiderably" Miranda also did her best by behaving very badly $ith )oony snat hing a$ay a bis uit 'iana $as giving hi%, and thro$ing plu%-stones at hi%" Everyone laughed at her ridi ulous anti s eF ept )oony, $ho $as very hurt" Mr" 9ing !elt Huite relieved to !ind that they ould laughA They es aped !ro% the oa h a!ter tea, and $ent to the village to buy i e- rea%s" The old lady in the general store see%ed to #eep her shop open till all hours at night, and it $as possible to get i e- rea%s !ro% da$n to dar# at her eF iting little shop" B'onDt letDs go ba # to supper till $eDve got to,C said 'iana" B4 Eust anDt bear Mr" 9ing no$ that 4 #no$ heDs a !raud" )etDs go over the grounds and see i! $e an !ind that strea%"C B6h yes - thatDs a good idea,C said &oger" B4Dve been puIIling %y head $here it is" 4tDs sho$n so very lose to the old house on the %ap"C They eFplored the grounds very thoroughly indeed, north, south, east and $est - but there $as no sign o! a strea% at allA BThereDs not even a dried-up bed, or dit h,C said &oger, puIIled" BThe %ap %ust be $rong"C B4 suppose it %ust be,C said Barney" BAny$ay, as 4 said, $e an al$ays tra e $here it goes by !ollo$ing its ourse up !ro% the river" (till - itDs not i%portant"C

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B4 donDt li#e to thin# o! you do$n in those ellars tonight,C began 'iana again, as they %ade their $ay ba # to the ottage" B4 really donDt" 8ouDll ta#e your rug and ushion do$n there $ith you, $onDt you@ 8ou %ay as $ell be o%!ortable" That !loor $ill be hard and old"C B8es" 4Dll ta#e the%,C said Barney" BAnd loo# - 4Dve bought %ysel! a ne$ tor h - grand, isnDt itAC 1e sho$ed his tor h to the%" 4t ertainly $as a ni e one and gave out a very good light" B4 shall be all right $ith thisAC he said" Mrs" &ound had le!t enough supper !or Barney, so he stayed" 1e al$ays enEoyed his %eals $ith the hildren" A!ter$ards they played a ga%e, $hilst Mr" 9ing read" B4Dd better be going,C said Barney at last" Mr" 9ing loo#ed up" B:here do you sleep at night@C he as#ed, and he spo#e the $ords in su h a pointed $ay that the hildren !elt sure he suspe ted Barney o! sleeping up in the nurseries o! &o #ingdo$n Manor" B4 slept in the su%%er house last night, sir,C said Barney, politely" BAnd last $ee# 4 slept in the boat $ith a rug and a ushion" 4 havenDt a proper ho%e, and lodgings are eFpensive"C B4 see,C said Mr" 9ing" B:ell - so long as you donDt get into %is hie!A 4 suppose youDre sleeping in the su%%erhouse again to-night as itDs a hot night - $ell, loo# out !or a stor%, i! soAC B8es, sir, 4 $ill,C said Barney" 1is eyes glea%ed as he loo#ed at Mr" 9ing" :hat $ould the oa h say i! he #ne$ he $as sleeping in the ellars o! the old house@ Barney $ent o!! $ith Miranda" The hildren $ent $ith hi% to the gate, )oony too" 1e $as al$ays glad to see the ba # o! MirandaA
152

'iana $at hed Barney out o! sight" (he $as $orried" B4 do hope heDll be all right,C she said" BD0ourse he $illAC said &oger" B5othing $ill happen to old Barney" Any$ay, heDs li#e a at - heDll al$ays !all on his !eet" 1eDll loo# a!ter hi%sel! all right"C Barney unlo #ed the #it hen door o! the old house $hen he got there, and let hi%sel! in" 1e too# a Hui # glan e round the ground !loor" 5othing had altered sin e the %orning" 1e $ent upstairs to get his rug and a ushion" The nurseries $ere Eust the sa%e as $hen he had seen the% that %orning - untidy and higgledy-piggledy, dra$ers and upboards open every$here" Barney pi #ed up his rug and the ushion" 1e $ent do$nstairs $ith Miranda, ya$ning" 1e thought he $ould get a little sleep straight a$ay, then i! the noises began he $ould be $ide a$a#e and !resh" Miranda $as astonished to !ind that Barney $as going to sleep do$n in the dar# ellars" (he $as not at all pleased" (he hattered angrily and pulled at the rug as i! to say B5o, no o%e upstairsA This is all $rongAC B(orry, Miranda - but this is $here $e sleep to-nightAC said Barney, !ir%ly" B5o$ - $here do you thin# $ould be a good orner@C All the orners $ere eHually dirty" 4n the end Barney thought it $ould be Huite a good idea to lie on one o! the $ooden shelves that had on e held bottles" :ood $ould not be so old or hard as stone" 1e li%bed up on a shel!, put the ushion do$n !or his head, and $rapped hi%sel! up in the thi # rug" The ellars $ere old, but it $as a very $ar% night" Barney thought he $ould be all right in the rug, $ith Miranda uddled to hi% li#e a hot-$ater bottleA (he snuggled do$n protestingly"

153

Barney !ell asleep at on e, hard though his bed $as" A spider ran over his !a e but didnDt disturb hi%" :hen it ran over MirandaDs hairy little !a e she put up a Hui # pa$ and aught it" Then she too $ent to sleep" Barney slept pea e!ully on" 1al!-past ten a%e, eleven oD lo #, hal!-past eleven, %idnight" Then Barney $as a$a#ened by the hardness o! his bed" 6ne o! his ar%s $as a hing through being bent underneath hi% on the hard board" 1e shi!ted his position, re%e%bered $here he $as, and sat up to listen" :ere there any noises at all@ The ellars $ere very, very Huiet - and in the silen e Barney again thought he aught the !aint noise he had heard on e be!ore, $ith 'iana" :as it a #ind o! gurgle@ 4t had gone be!ore he had %ade up his %ind" :ell - it $as so !aint and !aro!! that it $as Huite i%possible to tell $hat it $as, i! it $as anything" 1e s$it hed on his tor h and shone it round" 5othing to be seen eF ept a pair o! !rightened ratDs eyes glea%ing" Then the rat s a%pered a$ay to a orner and disappeared" Barney lay do$n again and Miranda snuggled into his ne #, putting her pa$s inside his shirt !or $ar%th" Barney li#ed the !eel o! the tiny %on#ey-hands" 1e patted Miranda a!!e tionately, and she nibbled the s#in o! his ne #, also a!!e tionately" (he had so%e !unny little $aysA Barney soon !ell asleep again" 6ne oD lo # a%e - t$o oD lo # - and then Barney $as a$a#ened suddenly" ThudA BangA 1e shot up straight and Miranda !ell o!! the shel!" The boy listened intently" BA53A The noises $ere very %u h louder do$n here" But they ouldnDt be in the ellarsA They sounded too !ar a$ay !or that"

154

Barney listened hard" :hen he $as sure that the noises $ere not in the ellars he s$it hed on his tor h" 1e !lashed it all round - no, there $as absolutely nothing to be seen" But the noises $ent onA Bang A ThudA And then there a%e the $hining noise, and a!ter that a urious grating sound, guttural and harsh" Then Barney !elt sure he ould hear voi es" But they $ere %u!!ied voi es - as i! there $as a $all or t$o bet$een the% and Barney" B:ellA This is ertainly $here $e do a spot o! eFploring,C said Barney to Miranda, and he thre$ aside his rug" 1e Eu%ped do$n !ro% the $ooden shel! and stood listening" 1e %ust go in the dire tion o! the noises" They a%e !ro% the right" 1e $ent in that dire tion and a%e up against a stone $all" The noises see%ed to be on the other side" But ho$ ould they be@ There $as no $ay o! getting through to the other side" Barney ran his tor h along the stone $all on his right" 4t $as Eust the sa%e as the rest o! the ellar $alls, eF ept that it $as glistening $ith da%p" ThudA That noise really did sound as i! it $ere behind the $all" :ell then, there %ust be so%e pla e behind thereA Barney shone his tor h again" And then he !ound $hat he $as loo#ing !orA 1e $ouldnDt have seen it but !or Miranda - it $as really she $ho !ound it !or hi%"

155

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE QUEER HAPPENINGS

An old boF stood against the $all" Miranda sa$ so%ething %oving there - $as it a spider - a %oth@ 4n a tri e she $as a!ter itA (he slid do$n behind the boF, and Barney %oved it out to see $hat she $as a!ter" And there in the $all he sa$ an iron handle" 4t $as lo$ do$n, and very rusty" 1e had to #neel do$n to loo# at it losely"

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:hy $as there an iron handle so lo$ do$n in the $all@ (urely it $asnDt %eant to be used !or anything@ 2erhaps in the old !ar-o!! days this ellar $as used as a dungeon and prisoners had been tied to the iron ring" Barney loo#ed at it" 1e set do$n his tor h, put both hands to the ring and tugged" 4t $as very !ast in the $all and $ould not %ove" 1e pushed" 5o result" 1e tugged again $hilst Miranda sat lose by and $at hed $ith great interest" 4t $as Huite by a ident that he !ound the se ret o! the iron handle" 1e dis overed that it turned round and round" (o he turned it $ith a s re$ing %otion - and so%ething happenedA Barney never !ound out Huite $hat did happen" The s re$ing round o! the handle see%ed to $or# so%e #ind o! lever - and suddenly the stone neFt to the one in $hi h the iron ring $as set began to %ove, very very slo$lyA 4t %oved in$ards, to$ards Barney, grating a little as it ran over hidden grooves" 1e stopped t$isting the handle in surprise, and the stone stopped %oving" 4t $as hal! in, hal! out o! the thi # $all" (ha#ing $ith eF ite%ent Barney t$isted the iron handle again and on e %ore the stone neFt to it began to %ove" 4t a%e right out !ro% its pla e, leaving a s%all gap bet$een itsel! and the $all" Barney loo#ed at the gap" 4t $ould ta#e hi% easily, or a s%all %an" A big %an $ould have di!!i ulty in sHueeIing through" 1e !lashed his tor h to the gap, but it $as i%possible to see $hat lay behind it" B(hall $e get through@C said he to Miranda" (he did not $ait to ans$er, but slipped neatly through hersel!A (he a%e ba # at on e, hattering" (he $as not !rightened" so Barney de ided there ouldnDt be %u h behind the sliding stone" 1e $ould go and see" The noises %ight have their origin behind it so%e$here"

15,

(o he sHueeIed in through the gap" 6n the other side o! the $all $as pit h dar#nessA Barney shone his tor h round to see $hat $as $hat" 1e $as in a very urious pla e indeed" 4t $as very s%all, not %u h bigger than a boFroo%, and the eiling or roo! $as so lo$ that Barney ould not stand upright" The $alls $ere running $ith da%p, and there $as a very da%p s%ell there too" Barney loo#ed round this strange little pla e in surprise" :hat in the $orld $as it@ There $as nothing there at all, as !ar as he ould see" And then he heard one o! the Bnoises"C My goodness, it $as so loud that he al%ost Eu%ped out o! his s#inA 4t sounded al%ost in the little roo%, but not Huite" 4t see%ed to o%e !ro% under the ground" Barney !lashed his tor h on the !loor - and ho$ he staredA 5ot !ar !ro% hi% $as a dar# hole, Huite round and very narro$" 4t $ent do$n !or so%e $ay be ause his tor h ould not pi # out the botto% o! it" 1e ould see the re%ains o! an old iron ladder going do$n this urious sha!t - and it $as up this hole that the noises a%eA They sounded very loud indeed $hen he stood at the top o! the hole" Miranda $as terri!ied" (he bounded ba # to the gap in the $all and shot through it, gibbering $ith !right" Barney alled her ba #, but it $as a long ti%e be!ore she $ould o%e" 1e had to go to the gap and oaF her gently" (he a%e through again at last, and then so%ething really dread!ul happenedA Barney %ust have tou hed so%e hidden lever, or pressed on so%e spring - be ause the stone that had %oved out to %a#e the gap, began slo$ly to %ove ba # again" At !irst Barney did not realise $hat $as happening" 1e $as !ondling Miranda and trying to %a#e her less !rightened"

15-

Then a s%all noise %ade hi% loo# up - and to his horror he sa$ that the gap $as al%ost losedA 1e tried to at h hold o! the %oving stone and push it out again - but it $as heavy and he ouldnDt stop it going right ba # into its pla e" Barney got into a pani then" 1e $as old and da%p in that horrid little spa e $ith its strea%ing $alls" 1e hunted !ranti ally !or any iron ring or lever that $ould set the stone %oving again, so that he %ight sHueeIe through the gap, 1e $as a prisoner i! he ouldnDt !ind itA There %ust be so%e $ay o! getting the stone to %ove !ro% this side - or $asnDt there@ (urely this ould not be a horrible little dungeon $here un$anted prisoners $ere hidden long ago@ Another noise boo%ed up through the strange hole" :ar% no$ $ith his eFertions at trying to !ind so%e $ay o! %oving the stone out again, Barney stopped to listen" 4! %en $ere ausing that noise, then there %ust be a $ay o! es ape do$n that holeA But $here in the $orld did it lead to@ Barney didnDt $ant to go do$n it at all" 4t $as so bla # and narro$ and the iron ladder $as not sa!e" 1e %ade so%e %ore !ranti e!!orts to !ind a $ay to %ove the stone, but it $as no use" 4t ouldnDt be done" 1e $al#ed the three steps to the hole and loo#ed do$n it" Again he thought he heard voi es" :ere they really voi es@ 4! there $ere %en do$n there they %ight help hi% - eF ept that $hatever they $ere doing %ust be very se ret, and probably against the la$" They $ould ertainly not be pleased to see hi%A (upposing Mr" 9ing $as do$n there tooA That $ould be a !unny state o! a!!airsA :ell - not !unny" Things $ere !ar !ro% !unny at the %o%ent - in !a t they $ere horribly serious" There $as nothing !or it but to begin li%bing do$n that !earso%e sha!t" Barney #nelt do$n on the stone !loor and gingerly put one leg do$n into the hole" 1is !oot !elt about !or the ladder" 1e !ound a bar and let his $eight go do$n on it"
15.

4t bro#e at on eA :ell - this $as going to be very di!!i ult indeed i! the ladder $asnDt going to hold hi%A 1e !elt !or the neFt rung" 1is $eight pressed do$n on it and that bro#e tooA Barney began to !eel pani -stri #en again" Miranda hattered in !right, linging on his shoulder" Then Barney !elt !or the sides o! the rungs" :ere there staples there, or nails - or even bits o! bro#en rung@ 1e !ound a sharp pie e o! iron, the bit o! rung that $as driven into the $all o! the sha!t" 1e de ided that it $ould be best to tread on the ends o! the rungs, be ause then possibly they $ould not brea#" They $ould ertainly brea# i! he trod in the %iddle o! the%" (o, very are!ully indeed Barney !elt about !or another rung and trod gingerly at the very edge o! it, $here it $as driven into the sha!t $all" Ea h one held no$, and Barney breathed %ore easily" (oon his $hole body $as in the hole, his !eet !eeling !or the edges o! the rungs, his hands holding on to the ones above his head" 'o$n he $ent and do$n" :here did the hole lead to@ 6ne o! the noises a%e up as he des ended and Miranda nearly !ell o!! his shoulder in !right" The hole $as about t$elve !eet long" 4t a%e to an end at last" Barney !elt his !eet on solid ground" 1e let go and turned hi%sel! round" There $as a #ind o! door$ay in the sha!t $all behind hi%, lo$ and narro$" Barney stooped and $ent through it" 5o$ he ould plainly hear the voi es o! %en, shouting and alling to one another" Then he Eu%ped" 1e heard that s ree hing, $hining sound" 1e guessed $hat it $as no$" 4t $as so%e %a hine - a $in h perhaps being $or#ed" 1e sHuinted round, not yet daring to put on his tor h again" 1e had s$it hed it o!! as soon as he !ound his !eet on solid ground" 1e stood there in the dar#, listening, not $anting to

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ta#e a step !or$ard or ba #$ard in ase he !ell do$n yet another holeA Then he be a%e ons ious o! another sound - a sound that $ent on and on all the ti%e - a Huiet sound that o asionally be a%e louder" The sound o! $aterA B8es - thatDs it - itDs $aterAC said Barney to hi%sel! in a%aIe%ent" B:here is it@ 4t sounds a$!ully near"C 1e s$it hed his tor h on and o!! Hui #ly !or a %o%ent" 1e $as in a narro$ passage that slanted do$n !ro% the sha!t-hole" At the end o! the passage $as the glea% o! $aterA B:ellAC said Barney, in a%aIe%ent" B:hat is it@ An underground pool@C 1e $al#ed autiously do$n the narro$ passage and a%e to the $ater, shading his tor h $ith his hand so that its light $ould not easily be seen" 8es - there $as the $ater, bla # and glea%ing - and !lo$ing alongA 7lo$ing alongA Then it %ust be a river o! so%e #ind - no, a strea%, be ause it $asnDt $ide enough !or a river" And then, in a !lash Barney #ne$ $hat it $asA lt $as &o #ing (trea% - the strea% sho$n on the %ap as !lo$ing near, very near, &o #ingha% ManorA 5ot only did it !lo$ near - but it %ust !lo$ pra ti ally under the old houseA 5o $onder the $all near the sha!t-hole $as da%p" 7orgetting to be autious he !lashed his tor h on the strea%" 4t !lo$ed in a ro #y bed, and there $as an ar hed ro #y roo! to it, that $as very lo$ in pla es" Beside it, on the side that Barney stood, $as a ledge, $ide enough to $al# on" There $as no ledge at all on the other side" :hat an eFtraordinary thingA A river !lo$ing under the house - and %en $or#ing by it in the tunnel, %a#ing $eird noises underground that sounded up in the old house - %u!!led and distant, but still easy to hearA

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Barney $ondered i! the %en #ne$ that their noises ould be beard" (till, even i! they #ne$, they $ouldnDt are, be ause they thought the old house $as o%pletely deserted - there $ould be no one there to hearA 7ro% so%e $ay do$n to the le!t, the $ay the strea% $as !lo$ing, a di% light sho$ed" 4t $as !ro% there the sound o! voi es and other noises a%e" Barney %ade his $ay are!ully along the ro #y ledge beside the strea%, rou hing $hen the roo! s$ept do$n lo$" 1e a%e out on the other side o! the lo$ roo!, and sa$ that the strea% urved to the le!t" &ound the orner the light $as brighter - that $as evidently $here the %en $ere" Barney began to !eel %ore heer!ul" 4! %en #ne$ a $ay in to this pla e, then there $as a $ay outA And he $ould be able to !ind it and es ape" But be!ore he did that he $as going to see $hat $as happening do$n hereA 1e a%e to the pla e $here the river urved to the le!t, and peeped autiously round the orner" 1e $as astounded at $hat he sa$" The narro$ tunnel, in $hi h the strea% ran, suddenly $idened out into a great, lo$-roo!ed ave, and here %en $ere at $or# $ith a $in h, $hi h $as giving out the $hining, s ree hing noise that Barney had so o!ten heard" Another $in h $as at $or# nearby, and that had a harsh guttural sound, $hi h $as %agni!ied very %u h in the tunnel" Barney ould %a#e out three %en" They $ere shouting above the noise o! the $in hes" :hatever $ere they doing@ 4! only he ould !ind outA

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CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO ANY WAY OF ESCAPE?

Barney stood hidden by a ro # that Eutted out !ro% the tunnel, and $at hed in astonish%ent all that $as going on" The strea% !lo$ed Hui #ly past hi%, gurgled along at one side o! the big lo$ ave, and disappeared again into another tunnel, leaving the ave behind" Men $ere $or#ing at a ouple o! $in hes, $hi h %ade loud harsh noises as the rope $as $ound up on ea h $in h" 6ne o! the %en gave a shout* B)ights upAC A bright glaring la%p $as s$it hed on near the strea%" Another %an appeared !ro% the !ar tunnel $ith $hat loo#ed
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li#e a pit h!or# in his hand" The $in hes $ent on $inding" And then a large obEe t appeared, o%ing out !ro% the !ar tunnel, bobbing about on the s$i!t-!lo$ing strea%, $hose urrent $as against it" Barney stared, his %outh open in surprise" The %en $ere $inding in big rates !ro% the !ar tunnel $here the strea% disappeared on its s$i!t ourse" Barney ould not %a#e out Huite $hat these rate-li#e obEe ts $ere - great boFes o! so%ething@ 0ases o! so%ething heavy@ 1t $as i%possible to see" The !our %en rushed to the rate and it $as dragged right in to the ave" BangA ThudA 4t $as shi!ted into pla e, and $as obviously very heavy indeed, Eudging by the thuds it %ade $hen it $as turned over and over to be put into pla e" Barney raned round as !ar as he dared to see $here the rate $as being put" 1e thought he ould see other ases piled together" This %ust be a hiding-pla e - or sorting-pla e@ 4t $as obviously so%e very se ret spot, used !or very se ret things" The $in hes $ound again and another rate a%e bobbing up the tunnel - and yet another" Barney guessed they %ust all be tied together in so%e $ay" There %ust be a long line o! the% do$n the !ar tunnelA The %an $ho held $hat loo#ed li#e a pit h!or# disappeared into the tunnel ea h ti%e a ne$ rate appeared, guiding it de!tly as it bobbed along" Barney guessed there $as a narro$ little ro #y ledge by the side o! the river there, Eust as there had been in his part o! the underground tunnel" BThatDs the lotAC shouted the %an $ith the pit h!or#, as the last rate $as %an-handled into pla e* B5o$ letDs lear o!!A 4D% deadAC Barney rou hed ba # against the ro #y side o! the tunnel, hoping the %en $ould not o%e near hi%" They didnDt" They $al#ed o!! the other $ay, la%bering along the ro #y ledge o!
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the distant tunnel and disappearing in the dar#, their tor hes shining out !or a ti%e and then vanishing" The $hole pla e $as no$ in pit h dar#ness" Miranda, on Barney's shoulder, hattered into his ear" (he $as old and tired" (he didnDt understand this urious adventure at all" Barney s$it hed on his o$n tor h again, glad he had su h a po$er!ul one" 1e %ade his $ay to the lo$-roo!ed ave" 4t $as even bigger than he had i%aginedA 4t $as, in !a t, a vast, underground avern, its $alls glea%ing $ith phosphorus here and there" 2iled against one $all $ere rates o! all #inds and siIes" There $ere na%es on the% that Barney did not understand $ere they na%es o! pla es or people@ 1e didnDt #no$" 1e $andered round the big avern" &ight at the end he !ound $hat $as evidently a #ind o! $or#shop or sorting pla e" 1ere $ere e%pty rates that bad been unpa #ed" There $as nothing to sho$ $hat had been in the% eF ept !or a sta # o! dull leaden-loo#ing bars" Barney pi #ed one up" 4t ertainly $as very heavy" 1e thought it %ust be a bar o! silver - silver that had been %elted do$n and %ade into a bar" B2erhaps stolen silver arti les are %elted do$n into these bars,C thought the boy" B2erhaps this is a #ind o! entral re eiving pla e !or stolen or s%uggled goods - $hat a $onder!ul hiding-pla eA 5obody $ould ever guess $here it $asAC 1e $andered all round the big avern" 1e !ound so%ething that pleased hi% very %u h - an old %attress $ith rugs and a pillo$ - and, even better, a ledge on $hi h $ere sta #ed tins o! %eat and !ruitA The %en evidently had %eals do$n here so%eti%es in the %iddle o! a big Eob - and %aybe even slept here on o asion" :ell - Barney $ould sleep here too, i! he had to - and $ould have a %eal as $ellA 4! he ouldnDt !ind a $ay o! es ape at
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on e, he ould %a#e hi%sel! o%!ortable till he did !ind one" 4n the %eanti%e he $ould !ind out all he ould" 1e loo#ed at the $in hes" They $ere po$er!ul ones" They needed to be to drag those rates against the !ast-!lo$ing $ater - and ho$ !ar did they have to be dragged@ Barney began to $onder about that too" 1e de ided not to eFplore any %ore !or the present" 1e $as tired and old and he had had enough adventure !or the ti%e being" 1e $ould lie do$n on the %attress and sleep" Miranda $ould $a#e hi% i! she heard anyone o%ing" 1e lay do$n and $as soon asleep, Miranda uddled up to hi% on e %ore" 1e did not #no$ ho$ long he slept !or he had no $at h, and, as it $as al$ays dar# in the underground avern, he ould not tell, on $a#ing, i! it $as dayti%e or not" But he !elt as i! it %ust be, $hen he a$o#e" 1e $as hungry so he $ent to the olle tion o! tins" AhA - tins o! ha%" 1e $ould open one o! those - i! there $as an openerA 1e sa$ a pile o! tin plates and dishes nearby, $ith a little heap o! heap #nives, !or#s and spoons" :ith the% $ere t$o tin-openers" Barney $as soon enEoying a %eal o! tinned ha%, and pea hes !ro% another tin" 1e hid the e%pty tins behind a ro # so that i! the %en a%e ba # they $ouldnDt suspe t anything" 1e !elt a good deal better a!ter that - in !a t he !elt !it !or anythingA Miranda, $ho had gobbled up !our hal!-pea hes in delight, $as also ready !or anything" (he bounded round the ave, eFa%ining this and that - and then, Huite suddenly, the pla e $as !looded $ith a daIIling light" Barney leapt to his !eet, blin#ing, eFpe ting to see the %en returning" But nobody appeared" Then ho$ did the light o%e on so suddenly@ 1e laughed - o! ourse, it $as that %on#ey Miranda" (he had o%e a ross the light s$it h and turned it on, !looding the ave $ith lightA (he loved %eddling about $ith any s$it hes
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she !ound, and had o!ten got hersel! into trouble over this" 1e alled to her" B5aughty MirandaA 'onDt %eddleA Turn it o!! again"C Miranda %ade a hattering noise, !ull o! glee" (he s$it hed the light on and o!! several ti%es" 7inally she s$it hed it o!! and le!t the pla e in dar#ness again, eF ept !or BarneyDs tor h" B0o%e here" Miranda,C alled Barney" B4tDs ti%e $e got out o! here" :eDre going do$n the river - i! the %en have a $ay o! es ape there, so have $eAC Miranda leapt to his shoulder and held on to his right ear" Barney $ent to $here the strea% disappeared into the !ar tunnel, and !lashed his tor h do$n it" Beside the $ater ran a very narro$ ledge o! ro #, %u h narro$er than the ledge he had s ra%bled do$n be!ore" Also at ti%es it $as not above the level o! the strea%, but belo$, $hi h %eant $ading through the old $ater !or so%e $ay" The tunnel did not run straight, but urved about, and the strea% urved $ith it" 4t $as a $eird Eourney, $al#ing beside the bla # $ater, on a terribly narro$ ledge a! ro #" At one pla e the tunnel roo! $as so lo$ that Barney $as !or ed to go on his hands and #nees, and Miranda s rea%ed in terror" (he didnDt li#e $ater" A!ter about ten %inutes o! this Barney $as Huite !ed up" But he had to go on" 6n he $ent !or another !i!teen %inutes and then he sa$ a di% light in !ront o! hi%" :hat $as it@ 1e hurried along as !ast as he ould, hoping it $as daylight" 1e a%e to a great iron gateA Beyond the gate $as daylight, obs ured by enor%ous strands o! greenery that hung do$n over the barsA This $as $here the strea% !lo$ed out !ro% underground into the open" Barney stopped and stared at the iron gate" 4t $as very old, very stout, very overgro$n" 4t ould never have been %eant to open" 4t had been built !ro%
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the lo$ roo! o! the tunnel right do$n to the bed o! the strea%, allo$ing the $ater to !lo$ out bet$een the bars" Barney did not even try to sha#e the gate or %ove it in any $ay" 4t $as Huite plain that nobody had gone out that $ay nobody ouldA 4t %ust have been built years and years ago, to stop people eFploring up the underground strea%, so uriously !lo$ing out o! the hill on $hi h the old house stood" The boy stood loo#ing through the thi # urtain o! greenery that di%%ed the daylight" Bra%bles, !erns, and reeping plants li%bed a ross the iron gate" 4t $as i%possible to get out a! this strange prison behind the barsA BThe %en anDt have es aped through this,C thought Barney" B:ell - $here did they go, then@ 4 %ust have %issed their $ay o! eFit" 4Dll go ba #"C (o ba # he $ent, stu%bling along the ro #y ledge again, loo#ing are!ully every$here to see i! he had %issed the %enDs $ay o! departure !ro% the tunnel" And then Miranda suddenly gave one o! her little eF ited hatterings" (he had seen so%ethingA 4t $as about hal!-$ay up the tunnel" Barney !lashed his tor h all round, but at !irst ould see nothing but the ro #y sides o! the river tunnel, and the ledge he $as standing on" Then Miranda suddenly le!t his shoulder and s$ung hersel! over the $ater" (he grasped so%ething in %id-air and ro #ed to and !roA Barney !lashed his tor h on her" (he $as s$inging on a ropeA B3oshA A ropeA :here does it o%e !ro%@C said Barney in astonish%ent" 1is tor h pi #ed out the thi #, sturdy rope" 4t ran up to the roo! o! the tunnel - and there, in the roo!, $as $hat loo#ed li#e !lat pie es o! board" Barney stared, puIIled" A rope - hanging do$n !ro% boarding in the roo! o! the tunnelA

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1e puIIled it out" There %ust be a hole in the roo! o! the tunnel there - either a natural one, or %an-%ade" 4t $as possible that there $as a dip in the ground above and that the sur!a e $as Huite near the tunnel-roo!" A hole had been !ound - or %ade - the river belo$ dis overed and eFplored - and the avern !ound" BThe %en %ust have used this as their $ay o! es ape,C thought Barney" B6n e the boards are ta#en up, and they li%b through the hole, they are above ground" 4 $onder i! this is the pla e $here the rates are brought, and lo$ered do$n to the $ater" 4t %ust be"C 1e s$ar%ed up the rope, hanging above the $ater" But he ould not %ove the boards lying in pla e a ross the hole in the roo!" (o%ething heavy %ust be put on top o! the%, to hide the%" 1e dropped do$n disappointed" 1e $or#ed out $hat the %en did" BThey bring the rates and boFes here at night - they re%ove the boards that hide the hole in the tunnel-roo!" They drop the goods do$n into the $ater and !asten the% to a $ire rope that runs up the strea% to those $in hes" Then itDs Eust a Huestion o! dragging the% up the $ater, guiding the% as they goA :hat a very ingenious idea - nobody in the $orld $ould guess su h a hiding-pla eAC But $or#ing out the ingenious idea didnDt help Barney to es apeA There he $as, a prisoner underground, and $ith no $ay out at allA

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CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE WHERE CAN BARNEY BE?

5eFt day the hildren $ondered $hat in the $orld had happened to Barney" 1e didnDt appear !or brea#!ast, though he had said he $ould" 1e didnDt even appear $hen the ti%e a%e !or lessons, and that $as very disturbing" Barney never %issed his %orningDs listeningA B:here is he@C $ondered &oger" B4 hope heDs all right"C 'iana $as very $orried indeed" :hen Barney didnDt appear at dinner-ti%e she $as Huite beside hersel!" B4 #no$ so%ethingDs happened to hi%AC she said" B:e %ust all go and

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loo# !or hi% in the old house - $eDll go do$n to the ellars and see i! $e an !ind out anything there"C Mr" 9ing ouldnDt %a#e the hildren out at all" They obviously had so%e $orry, but they $ouldnDt tell hi% a thing, and $hen he a%e near they stopped tal#ing at on e" B4 %ust say 4 thin# your behaviour is pe uliar,C he re%ar#ed to 'iana" B:hy donDt you tell %e $hatDs $rong@ 4 %ight be able to do so%ething" :hereDs Barney@C B1eDll probably turn up,C said &oger at on e" 0ertainly they $ere not going to tell Mr" 9ing their $orries" As !or pe uliar behaviour - $ell, $hat about his@ (o they told hi% nothing, and he !elt very ross" Miss 2epper telephoned to say that her sister $as better" 2erhaps it $ould not be very long be!ore she ould o%e ba #" Mr" 9ing $as relieved" Maybe the hildren $ould behave in a %ore nor%al $ay $hen Miss 2epper $as ba #" A!ter dinner they set o!! !or the old house" )oony $as very pleased to be out" 1e didnDt li#e it $hen the hildren stayed in the house and $ent into huddles over so%ething, and tal#ed earnestly and $orriedly, never noti ing hi% at all" 7irst o! all the three $ent up to the nurseries $ith )oony" They had $ondered at !irst ho$ to get in, but had !ound that Barney had not lo #ed the #it hen door, $hether purposely or not, they didnDt #no$" The untidy, disheveled nurseries sho #ed 'iana very %u h" 1o$ dare Mr" 9ing %ess the% up li#e this@ B'onDt bother about putting the% straight no$, 'i,C said &oger" B:eDd better go over the $hole o! the house and do$n into the ellars straight a$ay - Eust in ase BarneyDs ill or hurt, and $ants help" 8ou never #no$" 4tDs so strange that he has not turned up to-day"C

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They $ent all over the house" 5othing to be seen" Then they $ent do$n to the #it hen, through the s ullery and into the outhouses" The trapdoor in the dairy $as $ide open" B:ell, do$n $e go,C said &oger, s$it hing on his tor h, and do$n they $ent, are!ully des ending the steep, stone steps" 5o$ they $ere in the dar# ellars" They alled Barney" BBarneyA :here are you@ Are you here@C E hoes ans$ered the% Hueerly" B1ereA 1ereA 1ereAC B1eDs not here,C said &oger" B)oony, go and loo# !or hi%"C )oony $as soon sni!!ing into every orner" 4t $as he $ho !ound the $ooden shel! on $hi h Barney had slept the night be!ore" 1e stood by it and bar#ed loudly" The others hurried up" They sa$ the rug and the ushion on the shel! at on e" BThereA ThatDs $here he slept last nightAC said &oger" BBut $here is he no$@ And $hereDs Miranda@C The hildren sat do$n on a boF to thin# $hat to do neFt" :hilst they $ere sitting there )oony ran sni!!ing round the ellars, trying to s%ell $here Barney had been" 1e a%e to the orner $here the iron ring $as, lo$ in the $all" 1e s raped at it, $hining, s%elling BarneyDs s%ell there" (nubby ran over to hi%"M :hat is it, )oony@ :hat have you !ound@ 4 say, you others, $hat do you thin# this is@C They all #nelt do$n in the orner and eFa%ined the iron ring set in the $all" Gust as Barney had done they pushed and pulled" But un!ortunately nobody thought o! turning it round and round, so they did not dis over the se ret o! the %oving stone" They gave it up a!ter a ti%e" B4tDs nothing,C said &oger" B4tDs not $orth bothering about" 4 eFpe t )oonyDs only eF ited be ause he an s%ell rats there or so%ething"C (o they le!t the iron ring and $ent up the steps into the dairy" 4t $as ni e to be in the daylight again"
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B:ell - BarneyDs not here,C said (nubby, dole!ully" B)etDs go" This house gives %e the reeps to-day" 4t really does"C B:hat shall $e do about Barney@C said 'iana to &oger" B'o you thin# $e ought to report that heDs disappeared@C B5ot yet,C said &oger" B:eDd !eel a$!ully silly i! $e did that and then Barney $al#ed in $ith Miranda, grinning all over his !a e as usualAC BAll right,C said 'iana" B:e $onDt then" But i! he doesnDt turn up by to-%orro$ 4 really thin# $e ought to tell so%ebody" 4 $ish Miss 2epper $as at ho%e" :e anDt possibly tell Mr" 9ing" And $e donDt #no$ anyone else here"C They $ent soberly out o! the #it hen door and pulled it to" They began to %a#e their $ay through the grounds" B:hat shall $e do !or the rest a! the a!ternoon@C said &oger" C:ell, $e $onDt go riding or s$i%%ing,C said 'iana" BGust in ase Barney o%es in to tea" 4 $ant to be about $hen he does o%e, in ase heDs got any ne$s !or us"C B4 #no$,C said (nubby, suddenly" B:e ould ta#e the short ut to that strea% 4 sa$ the other day $hen 4 $as tra #ing Mr" 9ing - and $e ould !ollo$ it up and see $here it does go to" :e ould !ind out $here the %ap goes $rong"C B4tDs not a very eF iting thing to do - but $e %ay as $ell do it,C said &oger" B0o%e on, )oony - leave that rabbit-hole alone" 8ouDll never get do$n it" 8ouDre too !atAC 6!! they $ent $ith )oony at their heels" They $ent to &o #ingdo$n 0ottage !or the %ap, and dis overed that Mr" 9ing had gone out, Mrs" &ound told the%" B1e $ent o!! over that $ay, $ith his sti #,C she said, pointing do$n the hill" B1e said heDd be ba # !or tea"C BBlo$A ThatDs the $ay $e $ant to go,C said &oger, loo#ing at the %ap" B(ee - $e ta#e this path - and then go do$n there, round that little $ood - then on do$n the hill, till
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$e o%e to the strea%" This spot %ust be about $here (nubby sa$ the hidden boat" :eDll %a#e !or that and then !ollo$ the strea% up$ards and see $here it goes"C They set o!! $ith )oony, $ho $as very pleased at the prospe t o! a se ond $al#" 2erhaps he $ould !ind rabbit-holes big enough to get do$n this ti%eA That $as al$ays )oonyDs biggest hope" 4t didnDt ta#e the% long to !ind the strea%" B:hereDs the pla e $here the boat $as hidden, (nubby@C said &oger, standing beside the strea% that !lo$ed s$i!tly by" B(ee that bun h o! $illo$s over there@ That loo#s li#e the pla e,C said (nubby" They $ent on again over the %arshy !ields, )oony leverly leaping !ro% tu!t to tu!t o! $iry grassK the hildren, less lever, $al#ed into sodden ground !ro% $hi h they had to pull their !eet $ith a plop-plop-plop" B4 donDt li#e this %u h,C said 'iana" (he stopped and surveyed the big !lat !ield" B4tDs rather a desolate sort o! pla e there are trees only $here the strea% runs" 8ou an easily see its ourse by the $illo$s and alders on its ban#s"C B)oo# - this is the pla e $here the boat $as hidden,C said (nubby, $hen they a%e near to the lu%p o! $illo$s he had pointed out" The boat $as not thereA The little ba #$ater $as e%pty" B5o$ $hereDs the boat gone@C $ondered (nubby" B6h $ell - 4 suppose $hoever o$ns it has gone !or a ro$AC said 'iana" BBut $ho o$ns it@C de%anded (nubby" B)oo# all round you - there isnDt a single house or ottage in sightAC There $asnDt" :hat (nubby said $as per!e tly true" 4t $as really very odd to thin# o! a boat in a little hidden ree# and nobody $ithin %iles to o$n it" Any$ay the boat $as gone no$" 4t $asnDt any good puIIling about it"

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B)etDs !ollo$ the strea% up$ards no$,C said &oger" B0o%e on, )oony" This $ay" 3et hi%, (nubby, heDll !all into the $ater" 1eDs seen a vole or so%ething"C (nubby res ued )oony !ro% a $atery bed and propelled hi% in !ront o! hi%" )oony pro%ptly rolled over on his ba #" B&ight,C said (nubby" B4! you $ant to spend the a!ternoon li#e that, doA 3ood-byeAC )oony soon !ollo$ed, !orgetting his vole" The !our o! the% $ent along the ban#s o! the strea%" 4t !lo$ed do$nhill and the urrent $as Huite s$i!t" The little strea% t$isted and urved about as all strea%s do, %a#ing the hildren $al# t$i e as !ar as they need have done" They !ollo$ed it !or about !i!teen %inutes, and then a steeper hill to$ered in !ront o! the%" B4! the strea% !lo$s do$n that it $ill o%e pretty !ast,C said &oger" But it didnDt !lo$ do$n the hill" 4t suddenly disappeared behind a urtain o! greenery" 4n !a t, it $ent underground" B3osh - itDs gone to groundAC said &oger" B:ell - that eFplains the %ap then, $hen it sho$ed the strea% so near the old house - it %ust !lo$ al%ost underneath it, underground"C B8es - o! ourse,C said 'iana, Huite eF ited" BThatDs $hat the eFplanation is - itDs an underground strea% as !ar as here and then it pops out and !lo$s a ross the %arshy !ields"C They la%bered to $here the strea% a%e out !ro% the hill" They ould not see the iron gate that shut it o!! be ause o! the thi # urtains o! bra%bles and !ern and ivy" But &oger, thrusting his hand through the ivy, !elt the iron bars" BThereDs so%ething here,C he said, and began to tear a$ay the ivy strands" B8es - a gate or barrier o! so%e sort" To stop people going up the strea%, 4 suppose" 2erhaps itDs dangerous"C

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B6h, $hat a pityA 4Dd have loved to go up the strea% underground and see $here it goes,C said (nubby" B:hat a pity Barney isnDt here - he $ould have loved this"C 5ot %any hours be!ore, Barney hi%sel! had stood only a yard or t$o a$ay !ro% $here they $ere - but on the other side o! the barrierA They didnDt #no$ that" They peered through the thi # green urtain, but ould see nothing but dar#ness there" B:ell - $eDve solved that %ystery,C said &oger, li%bing do$n !ro% $here he had lung to see through the ivy sprays" B:eDd better go ba #"C B)oo# - is that a little ba #$ater there@C said 'iana, pointing to the other side o! the strea% a little $ay do$n !ro% the iron gate" B)etDs see i! it is"C B:ell - $e really ought to go ho%e,C said &oger, loo#ing at his $at h" B(till - $eDll Eust see i! thereDs anything interesting there" :e %ight even !ind the %ysterious boat"C They didA They !ollo$ed the Hueer little ba #$ater bet$een a ro$ o! alder trees" 4t urved round very suddenly and entered a dip in the ground $here it opened out into a pond" 'u #s $ere on the pond and - the boat $as there, tied to a treeA (nubby $as sure it $as the sa%e boat be ause it again had no na%eA 4n a hollo$ $as a !ar%-house" Barns rose around it, %ello$ and $ith %oss on the tiles" 4t $as a lovely pla e" B:ell - $hat a surpriseAC said 'iana" BA !ar%-house up here, lost to the $orldA ThatDs $here the boat belongs" 5o %ystery about it at allAC They $ent to$ards the !ar%-house" A %an a%e out !ro% a barn and sa$ the%" 1e loo#ed eFtre%ely disagreeable" C8ou lear o!!AC he shouted" B'o you hear@ :e donDt allo$ hi#ers here" Be o!! at on e, or 4Dll set the dogs on you"C

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Three or !our dogs no$ set up a terri!i bar#ing and )oony bar#ed ba #" But he did not venture any nearer" 1e $as a!raid o! so %any dogs at on eA BAll rightAC alled &oger indignantly" B:eDre goingA 'onDt $orry"C 1e and the others turned to go ba #" :hat a horrid !ello$A They %ade their $ay ba # do$n the strea% to the ba #$ater and there they had another surprise" Mr" 9ing $as there, gaIing earnestly at the iron gate, the barrier overed $ith greenA

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CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR A VERY GREAT SURPRISE

Mr" 9ing $as Eust as surprised to see the three hildren and )oony as they $ere to see hi%" )oony $as so astonished that he Huite !orgot the !eud that see%ed to lie bet$een Mr" 9ing and the hildren, and hurled hi%sel! at hi% to greet hi%" B:ellAC said Mr" 9ing, in surprise" B:ho $ould have thought o! %eeting you hereAC B8es" 6dd isnDt it@C said &oger, politely" 5o$ $hat $as Mr" 9ing up to@ 1ad he !ollo$ed the%@ :hat $as he doing, snooping round in that part o! the $orld again - staring at the
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iron gate overed $ith greenery as i! he #ne$ so%e se ret about itA 2erhaps he #ne$ $here Barney $asA B:ell, $e %ight as $ell $al# ho%e together,C said Mr" 9ing, loo#ing at his $at h" B:e shall be a little late !or tea, but 4 don't eFpe t Mrs" &ound $ill %ind"C The hildren didnDt $ant to $al# ho%e $ith hi% but there $as nothing !or it but to agree" (o o!! they all $ent, )oony rather subdued" 1e had suddenly re%e%bered that (nubby $as not !riendly to$ards Mr" 9ing, and he $ished he hadnDt given hi% su h a $el o%eA B4snDt Barney $ith you@C said Mr" 9ing, sounding surprised" B:hereDs he got to to-day@ 'onDt you #no$@C B6h, heDs got all sorts o! things to do,C said &oger" B1eDs about so%e$here, 4 eFpe t" 1avenDt you seen hi%, Mr" 9ing@C B8ou havenDt Huarrelled, 4 hope@C said the oa h" This $as too silly a suggestion to be ans$ered" (nubby %ade a noise that sounded rather li#e B2ooh"C 4t $ould be di!!i ult to Huarrel $ith the good-te%pered Barney" Barney $as not $aiting !or the% at tea-ti%e" Mrs &ound said he hadnDt alled at all" They ate their tea $ith Mr" 9ing, and began to be really $orried again about Barney" :hat ould have happened to hi%@ B:eDll $ait till to-%orro$ %orning and then $eDll go to the poli e,C said &oger, desperately, $hen bed-ti%e a%e and still Barney had not appeared" 'iana $as al%ost beside hersel! $ith $orry" (he $as very !ond o! Barney" But (nubby loo#ed the %ost %iserable o! the% all" That night &oger $o#e up $ith a Eu%p" 1e had heard so%ething" 1e sat up and thought !or a %inute" :hat had the sound been li#e@ 0ould it have been %ade by Barney@ :hat did it sound li#e - yes - it sounded li#e so%eone losing the !ront door very, very so!tlyA

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&oger $as up in a tri e" :ithout putting on slippers or dressing-go$n he $ent Huietly do$n the stairs" 1e ran out o! the !ront door, leaving it open" 1e sa$ a !igure %oving do$n by the gate" There $as a little %oon that night, and &oger ould %a#e out $ho it $as - Mr" 9ingA 8es - Mr" 9ing on another o! his %ysterious night pro$ls" All right - &oger $ould !ollo$ hi% and see $here he $ent - he %ight even lead hi% to Barney" &oger !elt that Mr" 9ing $as villain enough to #eep hi% prisoner so%e$here, !or so%e se ret reason o! his o$nA 4t $as not ni e $al#ing in bare !eet, espe ially as Mr" 9ing $ent through the grounds o! the old house" 1e %ust be going there" 0are!ully - and pain!ully - &oger !ollo$ed hi%, biting his lip as he trod on a thorn or stone $ith his bare !eet" Mr" 9ing stopped" T$o %en %aterialised out o! the bushes" They all began to tal# in lo$ voi es" &oger strained his ears, but ould only at h a !e$ senten es" B:e got hi% all right - but he $onDt tal#"C Then there $as so%e onversation &oger ouldnDt at h" B6h yes - it %a#es a very good overA 4Dll say it does nobody $ould ever guess that"C More lo$ tal#, and then a senten e !ro% Mr" 9ing again" B:ell - i! those #ids 4 oa h guessed $hat 4D% really up to, theyDd pass outAC &oger !roIe into the bushes" 1ad they got hold o! Barney then@ :hat over $ere they tal#ing about - the old house@CAll right, Mr" 9ing, you thin# $e donDt #no$ anything, but $e #no$ youDre a bad lot all rightAC thought &oger, gri%ly" The %en tal#ed a little $hile longer, and then $al#ed to$ards the old house" &oger had heard enough" 1e $ould go to the poli e to-%orro$ and tell the% all he #ne$, and beg the% to !ind Barney" 1eDd tell the% to arrest Mr" 9ing too, the !raudA 1e didnDt $ant to !ollo$ the %en any !arther" 1is !eet
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$ere sore and bleeding" 1e %ust go ba #" Any$ay he #ne$ enough to spi#e Mr" 9ingDs guns no$, and stop his little ga%e, $hatever it $asA 1e $ent ho%e to bed, but not to sleep" 1e puIIled things over in his %ind, trying to %a#e out $hat Mr" 9ing $as doing, $hy he had aptured Barney, and hundreds o! other things that gradually slipped into drea%s, and gave hi% night%ares" 1e a$o#e in the %orning, anFious and eFhausted $ith his $orried sleep" 1e told the others $hat he had planned to do" B4D% o!! to the poli e,C he said" B8ou sit do$n and begin lessons as usual $ith Mr" 9ing, so that he doesnDt suspe t anything" Gust say 4Dve gone to do so%e urgent shopping !or Mrs" &ound" 4 #no$ she $ants so%e potatoes" 4Dll tell her 4Dll go and get thoseAC (o (nubby and 'iana sat do$n alone $ith Mr" 9ing" 5o Barney, no &oger" 'iana $as pale and loo#ed $orried" Mr" 9ing loo#ed at her and at the restless (nubby" :hat on earth $as the %atter $ith these three #ids ever sin e Miss 2epper had been a$ay@ At about eleven oD lo # !ootsteps a%e up to the !ront door - t$o pairs o! !ootstepsA 'iana began to tre%ble" 1ad &oger brought ba # a poli e%an@ (he ouldnDt see $ho it $as !ro% the study $indo$" The door opened and in a%e &oger, loo#ing eFtre%ely i%portant" Behind hi% a%e a burly poli e%an" 'iana gave a gasp" Mr" 9ing loo#ed a%aIed" B:hatDs all this@C he said, in astonish%ent" B&oger - you havenDt got into trouble, have you@C B4 havenDt,C said &oger" B4tDs li#e this, sir,C said the poli e%an, ta#ing out a noteboo# and !li #ing over the pages" BThis boy here a%e and %ade a report to %e, sir, this %orning" (ee%s as i! a !riend o! his has been %issing !or t$o days - na%e o! Barnabas,
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surna%e not #no$n" And Master &oger here see%s to thin# you #no$ so%ething about his disappearan e"C BThis is absurd,C said Mr" 9ing angrily" B&oger, $hat do you %ean by it@C B:ell, $e #no$ all about your night pro$lings, and your Hueer $al#s, and your eFplorations o! the old house,C said &oger boldly" B8ou $ent into &o #ingdo$n Manor and loo#ed every$here - you %essed up the nurseries and thre$ everything all over the pla e" 8ou %eet strange %en at night youDre plotting so%ething $ith the%" :e donDt #no$ $hat it is - but $eDre sure youDve got so%ething to do $ith BarneyDs disappearan e - so 4 $ent to the poli e this %orning and reported everything"C BThatDs right, sir,C said the poli e%an, stolidly" B4tDs a Hueer story, sir, and 4Dd li#e so%e #ind o! eFplanation, i! you please - %ost parti ularly about this here brea#ing into &o #ingdo$n Manor" (erious business that, sir"C Mr" 9ing $as !ro$ning" 1e glared at &oger, $ho loo#ed hi% straight in the !a e" BAhaAC said &ogerDs loo#, B$hat have you to say to all this, !raud o! a Mr" 9ingAC Mr" 9ing stood up" 1e loo#ed rather taller and %ore i%posing all o! a sudden" 1e spo#e in a risp, o%%anding voi e" B0onstable, ta#e a loo# at this, $ill you@C 1e held out so%ething in his hand" The onstable too# a loo#, and his !a e slo$ly $ent red" 1e shut up his noteboo# and ba #ed a$ay hurriedly" B4 beg your pardon, sir" 4Dd no idea, sir, none at all" 4 never got any noti!i ation !ro% headHuarters, sir"C BThatDs all right,C said Mr" 9ing, still in his ne$, risp voi e" B4t $as thought better to say nothing lo ally" 8ou an go" 4Dll deal $ith this %atter no$"C

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The onstable $ent" Even the ba # o! his ne # $as red, 'iana noti ed" (he $as o%pletely over o%e $ith a%aIe%ent" As !or &oger and (nubby they ouldnDt %a#e head or tail o! anything" They stared at Mr" 9ing, be$ildered" 1e sat do$n again" B(it do$n"C he said, and &oger sat" Mr" 9ing too# out a igarette !ro% his ase, tapped it on the table, and got out his lighter" 5obody said a $ord" Mr 9ing loo#ed round gri%ly at the three" C(o you $ere spying on %e, $ere you@ :hat !or, 4 should li#e to #no$@ And $hy not o%e to %e straight a$ay and tell %e everything, instead o! going to a village poli e%an@ EFa tly $hat do you #no$@C 5obody ans$ered at !irst" They !elt o%pletely in the dar#" BMr" 9ing - $hat did you sho$ to the onstable, please@C said 'iana, at last" B4 sho$ed hi% so%ething that told hi% 4 $as so%ebody onsiderably higher up in the poli e !or e than he $as,C said Mr" 9ing, a!ter a pause" B4D% here on an i%portant investigation" 4D% sorry you thought 4 $as the villain o! the pie e" 4 assure you 4D% not"C There $as another silen e" &oger !elt %ore !oolish and %ore e%barrassed than he had ever !elt in his li!e be!ore" :hat $as Mr" 9ing then - a dete tive - a se ret agent - or $hat@ &oger didnDt even dare to as# hi%A B4D% very sorry, sir,C he said at last" B4t - it $as only be ause 4 $as so $orried about Barney disappearing that 4 $ent to the poli e - and - and - $ell - told the% $hat 4 suspe ted about you" 4D% very sorry"C B4 should thin# so,C said Mr" 9ing" BBut $hat is all this about Barney disappearing@ 4 didnDt #no$ you $ere really $orried about hi%" )oo# here - youDve been snooping about Eust as %u h as 4 have, evidently - and %aybe you #no$ things
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4 donDt" :eDd better pool our #no$ledge and help one another instead o! $or#ing against ea h other - though 4D% blessed i! 4 #ne$ anything about your se ret a tivities at allA )ittle ri%inals, the lot o! youAC 1e s%iled, and the hildrenDs hearts lightened" 1e had a ni e s%ile" 1o$ ould they have thought he $as a !raud, a villain@ 1e $as so%ebody i%portant, so%ebody intensely interesting, so%ebody uneFpe tedly o%%anding and altogether ad%irable" B:eDve been idiots,C said (nubby, !inding his voi e suddenly" BAbsolute super-idiots"C B(%ashing ones,C agreed Mr" 9ing, $ith a $ider s%ile" B4Dve been a bit o! a !raud though, 4 %ust on!ess" 4D% not really a oa hA 4 #no$ enough to tea h three ignora%uses li#e you, though itDs not a Eob 4 li#e" 4 too# it be ause 4 needed to be so%e$here in this neighbourhood, as you have probably guessed by no$"C B8es, $e did guess you $ere a !raud in that $ay,C 'iana agreed, blushing" B(hall $e tell you all $e #no$, Mr" 9ing@ Then perhaps you an help us $ith Barney"C The three o! the% told everything" Mr" 9ing listened intently" B:ell - thereDs not %u h 4 donDt #no$ in all you tell %e,C he said" B(till, it all helps" 5o$, 4Dll tell you so%ething and youDll please #eep your %ouths shut about it"C The three o! the% listened, thrilled" BThereDs s%uggling going on in this neighbourhood,C said Mr" 9ing" B4tDs been suspe ted !or a long ti%e" ThereDs a %ysterious aeroplane that lands so%e$here at night and ta#es o!! al%ost i%%ediately" ThereDs a %otor-laun h, also %ysterious, that appears at ti%es in this neighbourhood, on the river" :e thin# thereDs a #ind o! re eiving headHuarters here $here the stu!! is hidden till itDs sa!e to dispose o! it - or $here it is sorted out into s%all bits !or sale and disposed o!
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i%%ediately, so%e$here, so%eho$" But $here this hidingpla e is, and $ho are the hie! %en on erned $e donDt #no$" :eDve got one o! the s%aller %en, but he $onDt tal#" :e had an idea that the old house, &o #ingdo$n Manor, $as the entre - but $eDve gone through it $ith a tooth- o%b and thereDs nothing to sho$ that it is" 5othing at all"C B:hat about those noises@C said &oger, in eF ite%ent" BThe ones Barney $as going to !ind out about@C BAh - those are very, very interesting,C said Mr" 9ing" BAnd 4 thin# young BarneyDs disappearan e is due to his uriosity about those noisesA 1eDs paying !or his inHuisitiveness, 4 !ear"C B6h dear,C said 'iana, going pale" B:hat - $hat do you thin# has happened to hi%@ :here is he@C B4Dve no idea,C said Mr" 9ing" BBut $eDll !ind hi% as soon as $e an" There are su h a lot o! loose ends about all this that &o #ing (trea%, $hi h runs underground, %ight lead us to the heart o! the %ystery - but no, itDs blo #ed up $ith a o%pletely i%passable barrier - so $e have to rule that outAC B4tDs a good thing Miss 2epper is a$ay,C said (nubby, suddenly" B(heDd have a blue !it about all this"C B8es - sheDd ertainly go up in s%o#e,C agreed Mr" 9ing" B5o$ - $ill you leave %e alone !or a bit" 4 %ust thin#, and 4 %ust re%a#e %y plans" 4Dll see you at dinnerti%e, and tell you $hat 4D% going to do" (o long till then - and heer up, do, !or goodnessD sa#eAC

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CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE EVERYTHING IS VERY DIFFICULT

At dinner-ti%e Mr" 9ing told the hildren his plans" B4D% pretty ertain BarneyDs disappearan e is the result o! his po#ing his nose into this s%uggling a!!air,C he said" B:eDll have to !ind hi%, or things $ill be serious !or hi%" These %en are rogues - real bad !ello$s $ho sti # at nothing"C 'iana $as !rightened" (he stared at Mr" 9ing $ith $ide, s ared eyes" B:hat are you going to do then@C she as#ed" B7irst o! all go through &o #ingdo$n Manor again, top to botto% - espe ially the botto%, $here the ellars are,C said Mr" 9ing" B4 !eel youDre right $hen you say those strange noises have so%ething to do $ith all this - and Barney %ust
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have stu%bled on the ause, and no$ heDs disappeared be ause o! it" Though 4 %ust say it beats %e ho$ the noises are %ade, and $here they o%e !ro%" 4! they donDt o%e !ro% the ellars, $here an they o%e !ro%@C Mr" 9ing $ent on eFplaining his plans" B4 %ust also !ind out $ho that boat belongs to, and have a loo# at the !ar%house you told %e about - and 4 %ust eFa%ine that gate or barrier thoroughly" 4t ertainly loo#s as i! nobody has %oved it !or enturies - but $e %ust see" And i! $e anDt get up past the barrier, $ell, 4D% pretty ertain nobody else has been able to push by itAC B:eDll o%e and help,C said &oger eagerly" 1e loo#ed hard at Mr" 9ing" 4t $as puIIling to thin# ho$ he and the others had been so ertain he $as a villainA 1e see%ed su h a very ad%irable person no$ - really a very thrilling person indeed" &oger !elt Huite proud to #no$ hi%A And yet he had been so s orn!ul o! hi% a short ti%e ago" 4t Eust sho$ed ho$ are!ul you had to be in Eudging people" They all spent a very busy and eF iting day, but $ithout %u h result" &o #ingdo$n Manor $as sear hed on e %ore !ro% top to botto%" T$o %en appeared !ro% the grounds on the $ay over, and Eoined the%" They $ere the t$o %en &oger had heard Mr" 9ing tal#ing to the night be!ore" They turned out to be %en under hi%, detailed to help hi%" BMeet Gi%%y and 7red,C said Mr" 9ing, introdu ing the% to the hildren" BThe terrors o! the poli e !or e - hunters o! rogues and s oundrels and %y very good !riendsAC The hildren grinned" Gi%%y and 7red $ere strong and $ell-built, but other$ise Huite ordinary-loo#ing eF ept !or their Hui # observant eyes" They $ere both dressed in plain lothes" BAnd Gi%%y, 7red - %eet &oger, 'iana, (nubby - and )oony,C said Mr" 9ing" BTerrors too, all o! the%, espe ially
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this young li%b, (nubby" :at h out !or hi%, or heDll play one o! his !right!ul tri #s on youK heDs a real pest" A tually, )oony is the best o! the lot - and Huite the %ost intelligent"C This $as the #ind o! !oolery the hildren understood and li#ed" They laughed" They began to !eel that things really %ust turn out all right i! Gi%%y, 7red - and Mr" 9ing - $ere all on the Eob" Barney $ould soon be ba #A 'o$n in the ellars at &o #ingdo$n Manor Mr" 9ing loo#ed at the rug and ushion on the $ooden shel!" 1e also loo#ed at the iron ring in the orner, but, li#e the hildren dis%issed it as nothing" 4t did not o ur to hi% to s re$ the great ring round and round" B5othing here,C he said at last" B4 thin# either Barney le!t the ellars and $ent up into the grounds and $as aptured - or else the %en a%e do$n here !or so%e reason and !ound hi%" 4n any ase he anDt be any$here near us, or he $ould yell and $e $ould hear hi%"C Gi%%y $as sent to %a#e enHuiries about the boat, and 7red $as sent to eFa%ine the iron gate barring the $ay to the underground strea%" The hildren $anted to go too but Mr" 9ing said no - he didnDt $ant a $hole ro$d o! people about, in ase the %en got $ind that so%ething $as up" :here they $ere he didnDt #no$ - but obviously they %ust be hidden so%e$here about the ountryside" Gi%%y a%e ba # and reported" B4Dve been to the !ar%house, sir" (aid 4 $anted to buy so%e eggs" There $as a boy there, in the boat, %essing about on the ba #$ater" 1e said the boat $as his - heDd had it !ro% his un le !or a present on his last birthday" (ee%ed Huite honest, sir - 4 donDt thin# thereDs any reason to disbelieve hi%"C B:ell - there goes the %ystery a! the boat, then,C said Mr" 9ing" B4t belongs to a s%all boy $ho plays about in itA Ah -

1--

hereDs 7red" 2erhaps he has so%ething %ore interesting to report"C 7red hadnDt" 1e had been to the iron gate and had done a lot o! dragging-a$ay o! greenery, pulling o!! enor%ous strands o! ivy" B5o one has entered that $ay sir,C he reported" B4tDs i%possible" (hort o! blasting out the gate by dyna%ite $eDd never %a#e an entry there" The solid earth has settled all round the gate, and itDs absolutely i%%ovable" 4 donDt thin# that strea% has got %u h to do $ith this ase"C Mr" 9ing rubbed his hin and !ro$ned" B4tDs a real %ystery, this,C he said" B:e #no$ a %ysterious aeroplane lands so%e$here in that !ield - probably in the dry, !lat area in the %iddle o! it" :e #no$ a strange %otor-laun h haunts the spot $here that strea% Eoins the river" :e suspe t s%uggling on a large s ale here - and yet $e anDt !ind out $here the stu!! goes, or ho$ it o%es out again !ro% $herever its hiding-pla e is" And on top o! all this a boy disappears into thin air - $ith a %on#ey - and $e havenDt the !aintest notion $here heDs goneAC B'o the %en at the !ar%-house #no$ anything o! this a!!air, do you thin#@C as#ed &oger" B(o !ar as $e #no$, they donDt,C said Mr" 9ing" BThe !ar% is run by an old !ar%er $ho has been there !or years - %an alled 'a$s" 1is !ather had the !ar% be!ore hi%, and theyDve a very good na%e" :eDve he #ed up on hi% all right - and $eDve had a Huiet inspe tion %ade o! the $hole !ar% - sent a %an there $ho $as apparently a 7ood 4nspe tor, you #no$ and old 'a$s too# hi% unsuspe tingly round the !ar%, sho$ing hi% every noo# and ranny, %ost indignant that anyone should thin# he didnDt #eep on the right side o! the la$ in every $ayAC

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B:ell - $e really are at a dead end,C said &oger" BThere doesnDt see% anything else $e an do at all"C B4 do $onder $here Barney is,C said 'iana" B4 #eep thin#ing o! hi%" :hatDs he doing@ 4D% sure he %ust be very %iserable and !rightened"C BBarneyDs never really !rightened,C said (nubby" B1eDs one o! these naturally brave people - he doesnDt turn a hair $hen everybody else is shivering $ith !right"C All the sa%e, Barney $as not !eeling very brave at the %o%ent" 1e $as not having a good ti%e at allA 1e had spent the day be!ore eFploring every$here, trying to !ind a $ay o! es ape, but $ithout su ess" As $e #no$, he eFplored as !ar as the iron gate and gave that up" 1e dis overed the rope hanging do$n !ro% the hole in the ro #y roo! o! the tunnel - and gave that up too as a $ay o! es ape" The only thing le!t to do $as to eFplore up the tunnel, and see $here the strea% a%e !ro%" Maybe it !lo$ed into the tunnel at a pla e $here he ould get out" 6n the other hand, o! ourse, it %ight a tually have its sour e underground, and not go into the open air at all until it poured out through the lose bars o! the iron gate" That really see%ed rather %ore li#ely" B(till, Miranda, $e $onDt give up hopeAC said Barney to the little %on#ey on his shoulder" B0o%e on - up the strea% $eDll go - but be!ore $e do that, $hat about !inishing that ha% and opening another tin o! !ruit@C A!ter a %eal o! ha% and tinned pears the t$o o! the% set o!! up the strea%, instead o! do$n" Barney a%e to the little passage that led to the sha!t do$n $hi h he had o%e the night be!ore" 1e passed that, and $ent on up the strea%, #eeping to the little ro #y ledge" 6n e the ledge stopped altogether, and Barney had to leap to $here it began again, hoping he $ouldnDt !all into the $ater and be soa#ed throughA

1./

1e $ent on !or about !i!teen %inutes, !lashing his tor h round his !eet to %a#e sure o! his neFt step" 4n pla es the ledge $as sli%y and slippery and he had to tread are!ully" 4n other pla es the roo! suddenly dipped do$n and he #no #ed his head against it be!ore he realised it" And then he a%e to a !ull stop" 1e ouldnDt go any !arther" The roo! had slanted do$n to the $ater, and there $as no tunnel le!t - only a gurgling hannel o! $ater, hurrying through, pressing along, $ashing against the ro # that o%pletely he%%ed it in" 4t $as al%ost as i! it $ere in a great pipe" B;nless 4 get do$n into the $ater and %a#e %y $ay through it, o%pletely sub%erged, head and all, 4 anDt go any !arther,C thought poor Barney, in despair" BAnd 4 darenDt do thatA 4 donDt #no$ ho$ long the hannel is be!ore it be o%es a tunnel again, $ith a ledge to $al# on, and a roo! above %y head" 4Dd have to hold %y breath under $ater !or goodness #no$s ho$ long, and probably 4Dd dro$n" As !or Miranda she $ouldnDt o%e at all" 4n any ase sheDd be s$ept a$ay at on e"C There $as nothing !or it but to go ba # the $ay he had o%e" 1e $as very disappointed" :hen he a%e to the little slanting passage leading !ro% the tunnel to the sha!t he turned up it" 1e $ould li%b up the sha!t and get into that tiny roo% above - he $ould have one %ore shot at %oving that Hueer stoneA (o up the passage he $ent $ith Miranda, and li%bed the sha!t to the top" 1e la%bered out into the little roo% - but no %atter ho$ he tried he ould not %a#e anything $or# that stone out o! its pla eA 1e didnDt #no$ the se ret, he didnDt even #no$ i! the stone ould be %oved !ro% this side" 2robably it ouldnDt" 2oor Barney - he really didnDt #no$ $hat to do neFtA
1.1

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX MIRANDA GIVES THE GAME AWAY

5obody a%e into the underground tunnel that day" Barney $as there all alone $ith Miranda" 1e didnDt li#e it at all, and $ished hundreds o! ti%es that he had a $at h" 1e had no idea $hether it $as t$elve oD lo # in the %orning or siF oD lo # in the eveningA A tually it $as then about hal!-past !ive in the a!ternoon" 6utside $as broad daylight and bright sunshine" 'o$n in the ave it $as pit h dar# unless Barney had his tor h on" 1e didnDt li#e to #eep it on too long in ase the battery $ent" 1e #ne$ ho$ to turn on the big lights that !looded the
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avern, but he $as a!raid o! doing that in ase the %en a%e ba # uneFpe tedly and sa$ the%" Then they $ould #no$ that an intruder $as there and hunt !or hi%" Barney ertainly didnDt $ant to be dis overedA B:hat 4 $ant is to !ind a $ay o! es ape and go and tell the others all 4Dve !ound out,C thought Barney" BThen 4 suppose $eDd have to go to the poli e - and $hat a surprise they $ould getAC 1e had another %eal, and Miranda ate so%e pineapple hun#s !ro% a tin and $as eFtre%ely greedy over the%" (o $as Barney" They both li#ed the% very %u h" Then the boy $ent to stret h hi%sel! out on the %attress" BThis is very, very boring, Miranda,C he told the %on#ey" B3ra ious, are you still eating pineapple" 8ouDll turn into a hun# i! you donDt loo# outA Miranda, $hat are $e to do@ 0anDt you thin# o! so%ething@C Miranda hattered a$ay, su #ing at the bit o! pineapple" (he had got used to her strange surroundings no$ - and as long as she had Barney, and tinned pea hes, pears and pineapple she $as Huite prepared to stay in the tunnel !or a long, long ti%e" B5o boo#s to read - nothing to do,C groaned Barney, pun hing the pillo$ to !it his head" B4tDs !right!ul" ThereDs only one thing to be said !or this stay do$n here, Miranda - and that is 4D% not spending any %oneyA 4Dve got pre ious little le!t, you #no$" :eDll have to get a Eob soon, Miranda"C Miranda didnDt %ind that" (he li#ed BEobsC espe ially $hen it %eant being dressed up in !ine lothes and having people lap and heer her in the ring, or at a !air" That $as grandA Barney !ell asleep about eight oD lo #" 1e slept !or !our or !ive hours and then $as a$a#ened by Miranda pulling at his ear, and hattering"
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1e sat up, $ondering $here he $as" 1e !elt about !or his tor h and put it on" 6! ourse he $as in that avern, a prisoner $ho ouldnDt get outA 1e gaIed round, $ishing that he #ne$ $hether it $as night or %orning" 4t really $as odd not to #no$" B:hatDs up, Miranda@C he said" B(top grabbing %y ear, sillyAC But Miranda had heard so%ething that Barney had not" (he $as $arning hi%" 1e suddenly realised it, $hen he heard a heavy sound o%ing up the tunnel" 1e sprang to his !eet" The %en $ere at $or# again" Then it %ust be the %iddle a! the night - his se ond night there" They %ust be lo$ering stu!! into the tunnel - soon so%e o! the% $ould be o%ing along to $or# the $in hes" Barney #ne$ he %ust hide" 1e de ided to get behind the rates and spy on the %en !ro% there" 1e ould hear their tal# too" Ta#ing Miranda on his shoulder he %ade his $ay to the side o! the avern $here the big rates $ere stored, both !ull and e%pty ones" 1e !ound a pla e inside an e%pty rate" 1e ould peer through the ra #s" (oon lights appeared do$n the tunnel and a%e nearer the tor hes o! the %en $al#ing up the tunnel" Then Barney heard their voi es" There $ere !ive %en this ti%e" 6ne or t$o $ere evidently !oreigners, and spo#e $ith a strange a ent" Barney ould barely understand $hat they said" 1e gathered that %ore rates had arrived that night dropped by an aeroplane so%e$here not !ar o!!" (o%eho$ they had been transported to the tunnel - and $ere no$ about to be pulled up the strea% by %eans o! the $ire rope $ound up by the po$er!ul $in hes" And then Barney realised so%ething he had not guessed be!ore" The rates $ere not dragged up in the $ater Eust as they $ere - but $ere apparently put on narro$, solid and very
1.4

strong little ra!ts o! $ood" 4t $as these ra!ts that the %an $ith the pit h!or# guided" The rates $ere heavy, the urrent $as s$i!t, and the ra!ts and rates bobbed about as they a%e up against the strea%" Barney $at hed breathlessly, peering through the ra # in the e%pty rate" The %en $ere soon hard at $or#, $or#ing the $in hes, $hi h $hined and s ree hed, shouting to one another, pulling in the boFes and rates and ases as they appeared on their bobbing ra!ts" There $ere siF o! the%" (oon they $ere piled up $ith the others" Then one o! the %en, one o! the hie!s, ar perhaps a !ore%an, gave an order" T$o %en %anhandled a rate !ro% the store, and opened it" 4t $as !ull o! bales o! $hat loo#ed li#e sil#" Barney tried hard to see, but it $as di!!i ult" Then another rate $as opened and Barney sa$ revolvers being thro$n out in a heap" A third rate $as opened, and the dull, leaden-loo#ing bars Barney had seen be!ore, $ere !lung out on the !loor o! the ave" 7ro% another orner a %an brought s%all boFes, and $hat loo#ed li#e s%all anvas bags" The goods $ere rapidly pa #ed in these" Barney guessed $hy" They $ould no$ be Huietly disposed o! in s%all Huantities here and there" They $ere thro$n on one o! the bobbing ra!ts and the %an $ith the pit h!or# guided the ra!t do$n the strea%, soon disappearing !ro% sight" Another ra!t $as loaded and another" Then the %en stopped $or# and had a %eal" Barney hoped they $ouldnDt dis over that so%e o! their tins $ere goneA They didnDt" They opened a tin o! hi #en, a tin o! %eat and three tins o! !ruit" They !ound so%e bottles and opened those too, drin#ing !ro% the% $ithout bothering about glasses or ups" They lighted igarettes and tal#ed" 4t $as di!!i ult to hear $hat they said, and Barney ould only at h a $ord no$ and

1.5

again" They tal#ed about horses and ars and !ood and the ine%a, as !ar as he ould tell" Miranda $at hing !ro% BarneyDs shoulder, sa$ one o! the %en toss an e%pty pea h tin a$ay" To Barney's horror she leapt !ro% his shoulder, sHueeIed out o! the rate and bounded over to the tin" (he pi #ed it up, hattering $ith pleasure be ause there $as still so%e Eui e in it" The %an turned and sa$ her" 1is %outh !ell open in a%aIe%ent" 1e rubbed his eyes and loo#ed again" Miranda $as no$ li #ing out the tin" B1ey, Go,C alled the %an" B)oo# hereAC Go turned - and he too gaped in astonish%ent at the sight o! Miranda" 1e got up at on e" B)oo#, you !ello$s - a %on#eyA 5o$ $here in the na%e o! goodness did it o%e !ro%@C All the %en gathered round Miranda" (he loo#ed up at the% i%pudently" 6ne a! the %en stro#ed her gently" 4n a tri e Miranda $as on his shoulder, pulling his hair" The %en began to laugh" They gathered round the little %on#ey, teasing her, petting her, and even opened another tin !or her" B1o$ did she get here@C said Go, in the greatest $onder" B:eDve never seen her be!ore" :here did she o%e !ro%@ (urely she hasnDt been here all the ti%e"C BD0ourse she hasnDt" 'onDt be a !ool, Go,C said a big %an $ith a s ar right do$n his !a e" B:hat 4 $ant to #no$ is - did she o%e $ith anyone@C 5o$ it $as GoDs turn to laugh" BThatDs a !unny Eo#e, that isA 1o$ $ould anyone get in here@ ThereDs only one $ay in and thatDs ours - and no one but us #no$s it"C B:ell, ho$ did the %on#ey get here then@C de%anded the %an $ith a s ar"

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B6h - %on#eys sHueeIe in any$here,C said Go" BArt!ul little things, they are" )oo# at this one, eating a bit o! pea h Eust li#e you %ight - holding it in its hand and allAC Barney $at hed Miranda angry and a!raid" )ittle idiotA (he %ight give the $hole ga%e a$ay no$ - betray the !a t that he $as there, in hiding" (he sat there, eating the pea h, gradually getting very !ull indeed" 4n !a t, she $as no$ so !ull that she !elt she ould not eat the !ine hal! pea h that one o! the %en gave her as soon as she had !inished the pie e in her hand" (he suddenly thought o! Barney" (he $ould give hi% the pea h" 1e li#ed pea hes tooA (o she leapt a$ay !ro% the ro$d o! ad%iring %en and $ent straight to the rate in $hi h poor Barney $as hidingA (he disappeared inside, hattering" B4s that her hiding-pla e@C said Go, and $ent to peep in at her, !lashing his tor h" Then he gave a tre%endous shout" B1E8, )669 1E&EAC The %en a%e running up" They sa$ Barney rou hing in the e%pty rate - $ith Miranda trying to push the pea h into his %outhA The %en pulled hi% out roughly" B:hat are you doing here@ 1o$ did you get here, into this tunnel@ 3o on, you tell us everything or $eDll %a#e you very sorry !or yoursel!AC Barney loo#ed round at the angry, glo$ering %en" 5o$ he $as done !or - silly little Miranda, her greed had %ade her give hi% a$ay to the %en" Go shoo# hi% hard and Barney al%ost !ell over" B8ou tell us ho$ you got in,C said Go, bet$een his teeth" B3o on - Hui #AC BAll right,C said Barney" B4Dll sho$ you" )et %e go - 4Dve not done any har%" 4 $as only eFploring a bit" 0o%e on - 4Dll sho$ you $here 4 got in"C

1.,

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN MIRANDA DOES HER BEST

Barney led the %en up the tunnel, and then up the little passage to the sha!t hole" B4 a%e do$n there,C he said" B:ell $e #no$ all about that old sha!t,C said the %an $ith the s ar" B4t leads up to a little stone roo% and thatDs all"C B8es - but thereDs a %ovable stone in the $all there, that gives on to the old ellars o! &o #ingdo$n Manor,C said Barney" B4 %oved the stone by a ident $hen 4 $as in the ellars, and got through the gap" But the stone losed up again and 4 ouldnDt get ba #" (o 4 a%e do$n the sha!t and into the tunnel" 4 hid there" ThatDs all"C

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BAnyone #no$ anything about this %ovable stone@C said the %an $ith a s ar, sharply, loo#ing round at the %en" They shoo# their heads" B4Dll go up $ith you,C said the %an, and he li%bed up the sha!t" Go pushed Barney up behind hi% and then !ollo$ed" B3o on up - you sho$ hi% this $onder!ul stoneAC Barney sho$ed the %an the stone that had %oved" 1e loo#ed it over are!ully and then s$ung his tor h all over the $all" 1e alled to Go to o%e up" BGo - see that stone@ 4tDs $or#ed by a lever so%e$here" )oo# !or a little groove in the $all and a staple or so%ething Eutting out, al%ost unnoti eable" 'estroy the %e hanis%" 4D% not having anyone else !ind this Hueer $ay inAC B(o thatDs the eFplanation o! this %ysterious roo%,C said Go, elbo$ing Barney aside" B4t %ust have been se retly built $hen the old house $as !irst put up, t$o or three enturies ago - $ith a se ret $ay in" :hat a ni e Huiet $ay o! disposing o! your ene%iesAC B>ery,C said the %an $ith a s ar, in a dry voi e that Barney didnDt li#e at all" B5o$ get do$n the sha!t, boy - and $eDll de ide ho$ to dispose o! you" 3ood heavens, is that %on#ey still on your shoulder@C Ba # in the avern the %an Huestioned Barney are!ully" :hen he heard that the boy $as %ore or less a tra%p, going !ro% !air to !air and ir us to ir us, and had slept in the old house be ause he needed shelter, his !a e leared a little" B4 see" Then you heard these noises, 4 suppose, and a%e do$n to eFplore - and !ound the se ret o! the %oving stone" :ell - you see% a li#ely enough lad - the #ind $e an train in our $ay o! business - bit o! s%uggling no$ and again" )i#e to Eoin us@C B5o,C said Barney"

1..

That $as Huite the $rong thing to say" The %an $as ta#en aba #" 1e s o$led at Barney and then gave hi% a sharp boF on the ears" B&ightA 4! thatDs the $ay you !eel about it, you an #eep out" But you $onDt li#e it" 8ouDll be #ept here till $e an get you out, and then youDll be ta#en abroad in an aeroplane, and got rid o! so%e$here in a !oreign land" :eDll sell you to so%ebody $hoDll be glad o! your helpAC BAny$ay he an $or# !or us no$,C said Go" BThereDs al$ays plenty to do" The only di!!eren e $ill be that he $or#s !or nothing be ause heDs a !ool, instead o! $or#ing !or good pay"C Barney !elt his heart go old" 1o$ long $ould these %en #eep hi% here, $or#ing underground !or the%@ 1e !elt sure they $ould not allo$ hi% to go up into the daylight $ith the%" 1e $ould al$ays be le!t behind here, in the dar#, $ith the sound o! the strea% !or o%pany" B1o$ long are you going to #eep %e here@C he as#ed, as boldly as he ould" BMaybe !our $ee#s - %aybe !our %onths - it %ight even be !our years,C said the %an $ith the s ar, enEoying !rightening the boy" B'epends ho$ long our Eob goes on" 8ouDll soon get Huite !ond o! this pla e, $onDt youAC Barney didnDt thin# he $ould at all" 1e said nothing %ore" 1e $as a!raid o! these rough-loo#ing, s o$ling %en, a!raid they $ould beat hi% or ill-use hi%" 1e $asnDt going to learn their illegal business - but he ould Huite $ell see that he $ould have to turn to and do a lot o! the dirty $or# !or the%, or else have a very bad ti%e indeed" They $ould %a#e as %u h use o! hi% as they ould" 0ertainly the %en %ade hi% #eep hard at $or# that nightA 1e had to help to guide the ra!ts up the strea%, he had to help to ta#e the rates and boFes to the side $here they $ere stored,
2//

and he $as given the Eob o! undoing those that $ere to be sorted and repa #ed at on e" 1e said nothing but did $hat he $as told, though as slo$ly as he ould" 1is brain $as $or#ing hard" 1o$ $as he to es ape@ There %ust be so%e $ay" 4! only he ould get a %essage through to the othersA They %ust be very $orried about hi% by no$" They $ould have gone do$n to the ellars to loo# !or hi% and have !ound his rug and ushion - but nothing else to sho$ $here he had goneA They ouldnDt tell Miss 2epper - and they ertainly $ouldnDt tell Mr" 9ing" Barney had been surprised that Mr" 9ing had not appeared underground $ith the %en that night" 2erhaps he dire ted operations !ro% above ground" :ell, i! he a%e, Barney %eant to tell hi% $hat he thought o! hi%, even i! it %eant a beatingA :hat a !raud, $hat a hypo rite, $hat a hu%bugA Barney spent Huite a lot o! ti%e thin#ing bad things o! Mr" 9ing" )ittle did he #no$ $hat di!!erent ideas the other hildren had o! hi% no$A The %en $or#ed !or several hours, and then $ent" They le!t Barney underground, o! ourse" B:eDll be ba # to-%orro$ night,C said Go" BAnd youDll have to $or# hard again, so sleep !or the dayAC B4 donDt #no$ i! itDs day or night do$n here,C said Barney, sullenly" B4tDs al$ays pit h-dar#"C 1e spent a very %iserable day indeed do$n in the dar#ness, s$it hing on the big la%ps at ti%es to give hi% a hange, though the %en had !orbidden hi% to do this" But he $as not going to spend every hour in dar#ness" 1is tor h $as getting a little di%" 1e %ust save it" 1e slept all the a!ternoon, though he did not #no$ it $as that ti%e o! day" 1e a$o#e about !ive oD lo # and had a %eal $ith Miranda" 1e had Huite !orgiven the little %on#ey !or giving hi% a$ay" 1e $as very glad she $as $ith hi%, to
2/1

a%use hi% $ith her ridi ulous $ays and to #eep hi% o%pany" 1e !elt very $ide a$a#e $hen he a$o#e, and $ondered i! it $as night or %orning" 2erhaps it $as %orning as he !elt so lively" 1e $ould have been surprised to #no$ that it $as getting on !or the eveningA 1e began to thin# o! so%e $ay out o! his di!!i ulties" There si%ply %ust be so%e $ay" 1e loo#ed at Miranda" (he had !ound a pen il belonging to one o! the %en and $as s ribbling on a pie e o! paper ta#en !ro% an e%pty pa #ing ase" (he sho$ed her s ribbles to Barney, evidently thin#ing she had been very lever" Barney pretended to read it" BJ2lease res ue us - $e are in an underground tunnel"D >ery lever, MirandaA >ery lever indeed - and beauti!ul $riting"C 1e $as Eust handing ba # the paper to her $hen a thought suddenly stru # hi%" Miranda $as used to ta#ing notes or arti les to people" 0ould she - ould she possibly ta#e a %essage !ro% hi% to the others@ (he $as a very tiny %on#ey i! she #ne$ she $as to go on a %essage, $ouldnDt she be able to !ind so%e$here to get out !ro% this tunnel, so%e$here to sHueeIe through@ (he $as so very s%all" Barney had taught Miranda the tri # o! ta#ing notes in the $ay that all good trainers tea h their ani%als - by oaFing and re$ard" Many a ti%e he had petted her and !ondled her, and said so%eoneDs na%e over and over again, so that she $ould #no$ $here to ta#e the note to - and $hen she had !ound that person and delivered the note, she had al$ays been re$arded $ell by the one $ho re eived it" :ould she be able to !ind (nubby and ta#e a note to hi%@ :ould she be able to sHueeIe out so%e$here@ 4t $as $orth trying even i! nothing a%e o! it"

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Barney had a note-boo# in his po #et" 1e too# it out and borro$ed the pen il Miranda $as using" 1e began to $rite" 1e told brie!ly $hat had happened to hi% and $here he $as" B1o$ you an res ue %e 4 donDt #no$,C he $rote" B4 donDt even #no$ ho$ youDre to !ind the pla e in the roo! $here the %en enter, dropping do$n on a rope" All 4 an say is it %ust be so%e pla e $here there is a dip in the ground - so%e spot $here the tunnel is very near the sur!a e" 'o $hat you an"C :hen he had !inished the note he !olded it t$o or three ti%es, too# so%e thin string !ro% his po #et, and tied it up are!ully" Then he !elt about !or MirandaDs ollar $hi h $as buried in her thi # ne #-!ur, and he tied the note !ir%ly to it" B(nubby,C he said to the little %on#ey, !ondling her" BTa#e it to (nubby" 8ou #no$ (nubby, donDt you@ (nubby, %y !riend $ho li#es you so %u h" Ta#e it to (nubby, to (nubby" 3o !ind (nubby, Miranda" (nubbyAC Miranda listened, patting BarneyDs hands $ith her little bro$n pa$s" (he #ne$ Huite $ell $hat he %eant" (he $as to ta#e the letter that Barney had put round her ne # to his !riend (nubby - the ni e boy $ith the dog" (he leapt o!! BarneyDs shoulder and bounded over the ro #y !loor to the tunnel" Barney $at hed her" :here $as she going@ 'id she #no$ a $ay out@ 1e ouldnDt believe that she did be ause she had not been a$ay !ro% hi% !or even a %inuteA Miranda $ent up the tunnel, not do$n" Barney $as surprised" There is no $ay out there, MirandaA But in about t$enty %inutes she $as ba # again, the note still round her ne #" (he had been up the sha!t and into the little roo% at the top, re%e%bering that that $as the $ay they had o%e in - but o! ourse there $as no $ay out !or her there, so a!ter s ra%bling round !or a $hile she had a%e ba #"
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Barney petted her again" B3o on, !ind (nubby,C he o%%anded" B8ou an !ind a $ay out i! you try" 7ind (nubby, Miranda" 4tDs very, very i%portantAC Miranda $ent o!! on e %ore - and this ti%e she didnDt o%e ba #" Barney $ondered about her" 1ad she !ound a $ay out@ 4! so, $here $as it@ 1e $as Huite sure that i! there $as so%e hole or ranny through $hi h she ould sHueeIe she $ould ertainly !ind it" Miranda had re%e%bered the other pla e she had been to $ith Barney - the iron gate" (he had sensed the daylight on the other side, and no$ she re%e%bered it" (nubby $ould be so%e$here out in that daylight" (he %ust !ind hi%" (he arrived at the barrier" More daylight a%e through no$, be ause 7red had torn a$ay so %u h o! the overhanging greenery, and had pulled at the ivy that lung so thi #ly to the bars" Miranda li%bed lightly up the gate" The bars $ere set very lose indeed, too lose even !or Miranda to sHueeIe through" (he tried her hardest" (he al%ost got stu # in one pla e, and in her !right tore hersel! !ree so roughly that she %ade her leg bleed" (he sat do$n to li # it, hattering o%!ortingly to hersel!" Then, !eeling tired $ith her e!!orts she urled up in a orner and !ell asleep" (he slept !or t$o or three hours and then a$o#e" (he stret hed hersel! and then !elt the note round her ne #" Ah - she %ust ta#e it to (nubby" Barney had said so" (he loo#ed onsideringly at the barrier" (he !elt a little a!raid o! it sin e it had hurt her leg" (he hattered rudely at the gate, and then leapt on to it on e %ore" (he %ade a really good eFa%ination o! it, !ro% top to botto%, see#ing !or a $ay o! es ape" And, at the botto%, she !ound a pla e $here a bar had bro#en a$ay at the sur!a e o! the $ater" Miranda got soa#ed as she sHueeIed through it" 4t $as a tight !it, but she %anaged
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itA 5o$ she $as on the other side o! the gate, in the dus# o! evening" (nubbyA (he %ust go and !ind (nubby" But $hi h $ay $as she to go@

2/5

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT A THRILLING NIGHT

The three hildren $ent to bed !eeling do$n in the du%ps that night" Even Mr" 9ing had on!essed that he didnDt #no$ $hi h $ay to turn" Barney really did see% to have vanished into thin air, and there appeared to be no %ore steps they ould ta#e either to !ind hi% or to lear up the %ystery" B4 donDt $ant to go to bed,C said 'iana" B4 #no$ 4 shanDt go to sleep"C B6h, yes, you $ill,C said Mr" 9ing !ir%ly"C6!! you go" 4tDs ten oD lo # already" 3ood gra ious %e, $hat $ould Miss 2epper say i! she #ne$ ho$ late 4 have #ept you upAC
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They all $ent o!!, gru%bling" )oony ra ed ahead o! the%" 1e never see%ed to %ind going to bed" 1e tore into Mr 9ingDs roo%, !ound his bedroo% slippers, $hi h $ere !lee e-lined, and lightheartedly tossed the% do$n the stairs" 1e then gro$led at all the rugs, dragged the% into a heap $here Mr" 9ing $ould be sure to !all over the%, and le!t the% there" Then he shot up the stairs as i! a tiger $ere a!ter hi%, landing on (nubbyDs bed in one last %ad leap" B)oony dog,C said (nubby, $ho $as ta#ing o!! his so #s" B)oonyA MadA 'a!tA 2ottyA 0raIyAC B:oo!,C said )oony happily, and !lung hi%sel! on (nubby to li # every bit o! hi% that he ould" 'iana did !all asleep Hui #ly, though she had !elt ertain she $ouldnDt" (o did &oger" (nubby lay a$a#e a little ti%e and then slid o!! into a pe uliar drea% about Barney and Miranda" 1e $as a$a#ened so%e ti%e later by )oony" (nubby sat up in bed and !elt !or his tor h" Blo$, $here $as it@ The %oon shone into the roo% through the trees, and gave a di% light, so he tried to see by that" )oony $as at the $indo$, gro$ling !ier ely" 1e $as on the $indo$-seat Eust inside the $indo$, and #ept %a#ing darts at so%ething outside, snapping and snarling" B:hatDs up, )oony@C said (nubby in surprise" 1e $ondered i! a burglar $as trying to brea# into his bedroo%" 5o - o! ourse not - no burglar $ould !a e a gro$ling dog li#e thatA Then so%ething leapt right in through the $indo$, sprang on to the top o! a pi ture, and then up to the top o! the $indo$- urtain $ith a !lying leap" BMirandaA 6h, MirandaA 4tDs youAC ried (nubby, re ognising the tiny reature as she leapt a ross a ray o! %oonlight" B:hereDs Barney@C
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)oony $as no$ bar#ing the pla e do$n, very angry to thin# that Miranda should dare to leap in at his %asterDs $indo$ at night, $hen he, )oony, $as on guardA (nubby thre$ a boo# at hi%" B(hut up, idiotA 8ouDll $a#e the $hole household" (hut up, 4 sayAC )oony subsided at last, and sprang on to the bed Eealously" Miranda $as no$ an the bar o! the bed at the ba #" (nubby got out o! bed and s$it hed on the light, Eust as 'iana and &oger, a$a#ened by the noise, s$it hed on theirs" &oger appeared sleepily at the door" B:hateverDs the %atter $ith )oony@ 1as he gone %ad or so%ething@C C5o - loo#, MirandaDs ba #AC ried (nubby, and at her na%e the little reature sprang to his shoulder, uddling into his ne #" (nubby put up his hand to pet her, and at on e !elt the note tied to her ollar" B4 say - $hatDs this@ A noteA 4 bet itDs !ro% BarneyAC he ried" 1e too# o!! the note and undid the string round it" 1e opened it out" &oger a%e to read it $ith hi%, and 'iana too, eager to Eoin in the eF ite%ent" B:ellAC said (nubby, $hen they had all !inished reading it" B7an y all this happening to Barney" 3osh - $hat a pity nobody an get that stone do$n in the ellars to %ove no$" 7an y to thin# BarneyDs do$n underground $here the river is" :ould you believe itAC B:eDll have to res ue hi% so%eho$,C said 'iana at on e" B4 say - $onDt Mr, 9ing be thrilled to hear o! thisAC BBetter go and tell hi%,C said &oger, and all three $ent ra ing do$n the stairs, bursting into Mr" 9ingDs roo% a!ter a very Hui # #no #" 1e $as asleep" But he $o#e up o%pletely as soon as he read BarneyDs note" BMy $ordA This is ne$sA (o thatDs $here the goods go to - $here Barney is no$" 4n so%e avern underground, rea hed
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by $ay o! the strea% in the tunnel" But ho$ an $e !ind $here that hole in the roo! is, the one the %en use to drop the goods do$n@ 4 see it all no$""" the only %issing lin# is the bit $here the hole in the roo! is" :eDve got to !ind that, and all is learAC B0an $e do so%ething about it to-night@C as#ed (nubby, eF ited" B4 an - but youDre not going to,C said Mr" 9ing !ir%ly, to the bitter disappoint%ent o! all three hildren" 1e got out o! bed and $ent do$n to the telephone" 7red and Gi%%y and t$o other %en $ere told to o%e along to &o #ingdo$n 0ottage"CThings are %ovingAC said Mr" 9ing" 1e shooed the hildren a$ay and dressed" 1e $as ready by the ti%e the other %en a%e" The hildren said good-bye so %ee#ly that Mr" 9ing ought to have guessed they had so%ething up their sleeves - but he didnDt" ;nder their dressing-go$ns the hildren $ere !ully dressedA They %eant to !ollo$ Mr" 9ing and the !our %en, and to see Bthe !unC as (nubby put it" Be!ore he $ent o!! $ith his %en, Mr" 9ing too# a long loo# at a %ap he had" 1e put his !inger on a ertain spot" B:e #no$ that the hole in the roo! o! the river-tunnel is in so%e pla e $here the ground dips onsiderably,C he said" BThat %eans a hollo$ so%e$here - and thereDs only one pla e $here there is a hollo$ on &o #ingdo$n 1ill, and thatDs $here the !ar%-house is built that you $ent to the other day, Gi%%y"C B&ight,C said Gi%%y" BThatDs itA The Eob is $or#ed !ro% there" 6ld 'a$s doesnDt #no$ anything about it, o! ourse heDs too old - itDs all done under his nose and he doesnDt suspe t a thingA 4 re #on itDs that son-in-la$ o! his $hoDs in $ith the gang" 1eDs a nasty pie e o! $or#"C B:ell - $eDre going there no$,C said Mr" 9ing" B:e'll be Huite a surprise-partyA :e %ight even at h the% red-handed"
2/.

But i! theyDre not there $eDve got to !iind that hole in the tunnel-roo! and do a little dropping-in ourselves" :ell, hildren - $eDll see you in the %orningAC They said good-bye to the three hildren and strode o!! in the night" B:e neednDt hurry,C said &oger to (nubby, seeing hi% begin energeti ally to strip o!! his dressing-go$n" B:e #no$ $here theyDre going" :e %ustnDt !ollo$ too lose behind in ase they spot us and send us ba #" :eDll go in about !ive %inutesD ti%e"C (o they $aited, very i%patiently, !or about !ive %inutes, and then, $ith )oony at their heels, they set o!!" Miranda had gone again, though nobody sa$ her" They loo#ed !or her and a%e to the on lusion that she %ust have gone ba # to Barney" They #ne$ the $ay to the !ar% $ell no$, and pi #ed the best route they ould" 6n e they got to the little ba #-$ater that led to the pond in the !ar%-yard they #ne$ they $ere getting very near" They rept alongside the $ater and a%e to the pond" B)oo# - do loo# - that %ust be Mr" 9ing and his %en see#ing every$here $ith tor hes,C said (nubby in a $hisper" BThey havenDt $a#en anybody at the !ar% yet" 7unny the dogs arenDt bar#ing"C B)etDs hide so%e$here sa!e,C said &oger" B)oo# - hereDs an old barn" :eDll go in there and hide in so%e stra$"C They $ent into the old barn" A great heap o! %anure $as in one orner" A pile o! stra$ $as in another" The hildren slipped into the stra$ and pulled it over the%" They ould $ait there till things boiled up a bit - then they $ould reep out and see $hat $as happening" The %oonlight slanted into the barn and !illed the pla e $ith light and $ith bla # shado$s" 4t $as all very eF iting indeed"

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)oony $as as Huiet as a %ouse" (nubbyDs hand $as on his ollar" B4 si%ply anDt thin# $hy the !ar% dogs donDt bar#,C began (nubby in a $hisper" B:hatDs happened to the%@C B'onDt #no$ - either so%ebodyDs #eeping the% Huiet, !or so%e reason, or theyDre not here,C said &oger, also puIIled" 1is !irst idea $as right" The !ar% dogs $ere being #ept Huiet by so%eone $ho had spotted Mr" 9ing and his %en so%eone $ho $anted others to es ape be!ore the dogs bar#ed, $hen he $ould have to o%e out into the open, and ans$er Mr" 9ingDs a$#$ard HuestionsA (uddenly the barn-door $as pushed slo$ly and so!tly open" &oger sa$ it and lut hed (nubby and 'iana, $hispering into their ears" B)oo# - so%eoneDs o%ing in" 9eep )oony Huiet"C A %an a%e in, silently, and slun# over to the %anure heap" Another !ollo$ed and another - a $hole line o! the%" :ho $ere they@ :here had they o%e !ro%@ The hildren had no idea" )oony sti!!ened and the !ur on his ne # rose up, but he %ade no sound" &oger regretted bitterly that he had o%e into the barn $ith the others to hide" There %ight be a !ight in here, $hen Mr" 9ing and his %en a%e see#ing $ith their tor hes - and 'iana %ight get hurt" 1e peered out o! the stra$" The %en had pit h!or#s and $ere %oving the %anure heap rapidly" Then one #nelt do$n and loosened so%ething in the !loor" 1e too# out $hat loo#ed li#e boards" Then he s$ung hi%sel! do$n and disappeared" All the %en !ollo$ed hi% save one" 1e stood there alone, panting as he pit h!or#ed the %anure ba # into pla e" The hildren $at hed silently, their hearts beating !ast" The hole in the roo! o! the tunnelA :hy, it $as here, in the !loor o! the barn - Eust a little $ay a$ay !ro% the%"

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The %en had gone do$n into the tunnel - the river %ust !lo$ dire tly under this old barn" 4t probably !ed the pond and the ba #$ater in so%e $ay, as $ell as going on and on do$n to the iron gate" The %an $ho $as le!t thre$ do$n his pit h!or# on the %anure and rept to the door" 1e $ent out and disappeared" A %inute or t$o later the dogs o! the !ar% began to yelp %adly, and a voi e alled out sharply" B:hoDs thereA 0o%e out and sho$ yourselves" :hat are you doing on %y !ar% at night@C Then Mr" 9ing's voi e ans$ered sternly, and there $as Huite a %eeting in the %iddle o! the !ar%-yard" The old !ar%er did not appear" 1e $as sound asleep" 4t $as the son-in-la$ $ho did all the tal#ing" B:hat nonsenseA 4 #no$ nothing about s%uggled goods nothing about entran es to underground rivers" 8ou %ust be %ad" 1avenDt the poli e anything better to do than loo# !or things that arenDt there and never have been@ 4 tell you, you an go all over the pla e !ro% top to botto% and youDll !ind nothing suspi ious at allAC &oger suddenly !lung aside the stra$ in $hi h he $as hiding and ran to the door" Mr" 9ing %ight be $ild $ith hi% !or o%ing here, $hen he had !orbidden hi% - but he had to say $hat he #ne$" 1e shouted at the top o! his voi e" BMr 9ingA Mr" 9ingA :e #no$ $here the hole is" 4tDs in here, in the barn" And a lot o! %en have Eust es aped do$n it, $aiting !or you to go - then theyDll o%e out again"C There $as an astonished silen e" B:ell - you little pestA 8ouDve o%e a!ter all - and the others too, 4 suppose,C said Mr" 9ing" 1e strode over to the barn $ith his %en" &oger pointed to the heap o! %anure" B4tDs under there" 8ouDd never have guessed" 7or# it aside and youDll seeA 3osh - isnDt this E=04T453AC
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CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE THE END OF IT ALL

Barney $as in the avern $hen Miranda a%e ba # $ithout the note" 1e petted her, very pleased" 1e gave her a big pie e o! pineapple !ro% a tin as a re$ard" 5o$ the others #ne$ $here he $as - they $ould thin# o! a $ay to res ue hi%" And then things began to happen very Hui #ly indeed" The %en arrived in a hurry, Hueerly silent" They didnDt $or# the $in hes" They brought no ra!ts $ith ases on the%" They lustered together in the avern, their !a es anFious" They see%ed to have !orgotten all about Barney"
213

1e didnDt li#e the loo# o! the%" (upposing they had been driven underground be ause &oger had got on to the poli e, and they had got $ind o! it@ They %ight guess that Barney had had so%ething to do $ith it, and %ight turn on hi%" 1e de ided it $ould be a very, very good thing to hide" But $here@ 5ot in the e%pty rates - they $ould thin# o! that at on e" 1e $ould li%b up the ro #y $all o! the avern at the ba # and !ind a ledge to lie on" Barney silently rept a$ay right to the ba # o! the vast avern and %ade his $ay up the $all, are!ully !eeling !or Eutting-out bits to hold on to $ith his hands and !eet, li%bing up bit by bit" 1e !ound a very narro$ ledge, so narro$ that he al%ost rolled o!! i! he too# a deep breath" But it $as hidden !ro% do$n belo$" 1e lay there $ith Miranda, listening" And no$ a%e other voi es, shouting and alling o%%ands" Barney ould hear Mr" 9ingDs loudest o! all, and $as astonished" Mr 9ingA 1ad he o%e do$n to be $ith the other %en too then@ Barney had no idea that the oa h had nothing to do $ith the %en" 1e $as %ost a%aIed to hear all that Mr" 9ing shouted" B8ou %ay as $ell give inA :eDre ar%ed, and $e #no$ all about you" Either you surrender no$, or $e seal up the hole in the roo! and leave you to starve"C B:e $onDt surrender,C Barney heard Go say to the others" B:eDve got plenty o! !ood here" :e shanDt starve"C BAnd ho$ long $ill that last us@C said the %an $ith the s ar" BA $ee# at the %ost" 'onDt be a !ool, Go" :eDre aught here li#e rats in a trap" :hy did $e ever o%e do$n@ 4! $e had thought !or one %o%ent $eDd have #no$n that $e had done !or ourselves as soon as $e a%e do$n hereAC They tal#ed again, heatedly, urgently, so%e !or surrender, so%e !or staying do$n" Mr" 9ing shouted again"

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B4Dll give you !ive %inutes" (tay do$n i! you li#e, $hilst $e get hold o! your hie! up here - yes $e #no$ all about hi% - and heDll tal# all right to save his o$n s#in" 1eDs tal#ed be!ore, you #no$" :eDll o%e and olle t you $hen you $ant to be olle ted" A little starvation diet $onDt do you any har%"C B4D% giving up,C said the %an $ith the s ar" B4t $onDt do us any good to try and shoot it out, or to re!use to surrender" 8ou all #no$ $eDre aught" :eDve had a good run !or our %oney" :ell, 4D% o!! to surrender" Anyone o%ing $ith %e@C B:hat about that boy@C said Go suddenly" B0anDt $e do a bit o! bargaining over hi%@ 0anDt $e say $eDll #eep hi% do$n here $ith us and starve hi% to death@C B4Dd !orgotten about hi%AC said the %an $ith a s ar" B:here is he@ 7ind hi%"C But they ouldnDt !ind hi%" They didnDt see hi% lying pre ariously on a high ledge at the ba #, trying not to breathe" B:ell,C a%e Mr" 9ingDs stentorian voi e, Byour ti%e is up" :eDre getting out - and the hole $ill be sealed up" A %an $ill be on guard in the barn" 9no # three ti%es on the boards over the hole i! you $ant to surrender"C Then the %en got pani -stri #en" They surged to$ards the tunnel, !orgetting Barney" B:e give inAC shouted Go" B8ouDre on top, and $e #no$ it all right" :eDre o%ing"C B6ne at a ti%e, round the orner o! the tunnel,C a%e the dire tions" B1ands up as you o%e, or $e !ire"C N (o, one at a ti%e, round the orner o! the tunnel $ent the %en, holding their hands as high as they ould, stu%bling over the ro #y ledge" And one by one they $ere hauled up the hole, and had hand u!!s neatly li #ed on their $rists as soon as they $ere in the barn" Gi%%y and 7red greeted one or t$o o! the% by na%e"
215

B:ell, i! it isnDt GoA 8ou Eust anDt stay out o! trouble, an you, Go@ And hereDs 7ris#y again, large as li!e and t$i e as natural - to thin# youDre in this ra #et tooA And $ho $ould have thought o! %eeting you here, ( ar!a e@C The last %an $as out" Mr" 9ing spo#e sharply to hi%" B:hereDs the boy $ho had the %on#ey@ 4! youDve har%ed hi% things $ill go hard $ith you"C B4 donDt #no$ $here he is,C said the %an sullenly" B1eDs not there" :e loo#ed !or hi%"C &oger ould #eep Huiet no longer" 1e $ent to the hole and peered do$n it" BBarneyA BA&5E8A MirandaA 0o%e along, $eDre here" EverythingDs sa!e"C Barney $as already o%ing along the tunnel" 1e had $at hed the last %an go, and re #oned it $as sa!e !or hi% to appear again" 1e heard &ogerDs yell and yelled ba #" B4D% o%ingA 4D% o%ingAC 1e $as hauled up" The three hildren and )oony !ell on hi% and al%ost su!!o ated hi%" They $ere overEoyed to see hi%" B:e got your noteA Miranda brought itAC BThe hole in the roo! $as under a %anure heap - in this old barnAC BAre you all right@ Are you hungry@C The hand u!!ed %en eyed the hildren in a%aIe%ent" :here had they sprung !ro% in the %iddle o! the night@ 1o$ very eFtraordinary" The hie!, $ho had sent the %en do$n into the hole, and overed up the boards $ith %anure, loo#ed sullen and do$n ast" 1e $as the old !ar%erDs son-in-la$, and under over o! getting in %en to help on the !ar%, and to do repair $or#, he had brought in these villains, persuading the% to help hi% in his illegal doings" BAnd no$,C said Mr" 9ing, loo#ing Huite sternly at the !our hildren, BitDs really ti%e you behaved li#e hildren and
21+

got yourselves to bed" Barney, 4D% glad to see you sa!e - but youDve had a very narro$ es ape, 4 thin#" As !or you others, ho$ you dared to !ollo$ %e a!ter 4Dd said you $ere not to o%e a%aIes %e - and i! you hadnDt uneFpe tedly been o! the very greatest help, 4 should have a lot %ore to say about disobedien e" As things are 4 shall probably not say anything"C 1e grinned suddenly, and the hildren grinned too" 3ood old Mr" 9ingA B4 suppose $e anDt stay any longer then@C said &oger" B5ot one %o%ent,C said Mr" 9ing"CAnd this ti%e 4 eFpe t o%plete obedien e to %y orders" 3et ba # ho%e and get into bed" 4Dll see you in the %orning" 4Dve got to stay here and see this little lot sa!ely put a$ay !or the nightAC Barney, &oger, 'iana, (nubby, $ith Miranda and )oony, too# a last loo# at the sullen %en, and then stu%bled ba # ho%e" (nubby ya$ning loudly, and setting everyone else o!! too" Then he sneeIed" B6h dear - donDt say youDve aught old,C said 'iana in alar%" (nubbyDs olds $ere a$!ul, and he sni!!led dread!ully" B5o - Eust pepper up %y nose,C ya$ned (nubby" B6h %y $hat $ill Miss 2epper say - and &oundy - $hen they hear $hat $eDve been up toAC They all got into bed eventually" Barney $as given one o! the spare-roo% beds and uddled do$n into it $ith Miranda, %arvelling at its so!tness" 4n the %orning they ould hardly believe all the happenings o! the night be!ore" Barney $as thrilled to $a#e up and !ind hi%sel! in the ottage instead o! in the dar# avern" There $as su h a tre%endous hattering upstairs that Mrs" &ound a%e up to see $hat $as the %atter as soon as she arrived" (he listened, open-%outhed" (he ouldnDt say anything at all eF ept, B:ell, 4 never - you young li%bsA :ell, 4 neverAC
21,

:hen Mr" 9ing arrived in ti%e !or brea#!ast she regarded hi% $ith the greatest a$e" (he oo#ed hi% a very, very spe ial brea#!ast o! ha% and eggs" (he never on e too# her eyes o!! hi%, even ba #ing out o! the roo% so that she ould loo# at hi% till the last %o%ent" B:hat in the $orld have you told Mrs" &ound@C said Mr" 9ing, hal!-irritated" 1e loo#ed tired but pleased" 1e tu #ed into his brea#!ast eagerly" The hildren !inished their o$n brea#!ast, $hi h $as not Huite so spe ial as Mr" 9ingDs, and $aited patiently !or hi% to push a$ay his plate and light his igarette" Ah - there he $as at last, pu!!ing a$ay" B:ell - itDs all tied up ni ely,C he said" B>ery, very ni ely" Tanner, the son-in-la$ o! the old !ar%er, and in identally a very bad lot, has spilt the beans - in other $ords has told us everything" 4t has saved us Huite a bit o! trouble" 4D% a!raid, ho$ever, heDll get into a spot o! trouble hi%sel! $hen heDs out o! prison, be ause the others $onDt easily !orget ho$ he betrayed the%AC B(erve hi% right,C said (nubby, $ho hated disloyalty" B4t $as a very pretty little plot,C said Mr" 9ing, pu!!ing at his igarette" BAll #inds o! goods $ere !lo$n here !ro% di!!erent ountries - the aeroplane tou hed do$n in that !ield you #no$ o! - thre$ out the goods and %ade o!! again" The ases $ere %anhandled to the strea%, and put on the little ra!ts Barney has probably told you about" They $ere pulled upstrea% by t$o %en ro$ing the little unna%ed boat that presu%ably belonged to the !ar%erDs boy"C B4n the dar#, 4 suppose@C said &oger" C6h, yes - al$ays at night,C said Mr" 9ing" BThey $ere then %anhandled again to the barn and dropped do$n the hole into the $ater - the ra!t's $ere dropped !irst, o! ourse, and it $asnDt very di!!i ult to arrange the ases sa!ely on the ra!ts, tie
21-

the% to the $ire rope, and then $ind the% up to the avern by %eans o! the $in hes" 6n e there, the ases $ere per!e tly sa!e and ould be unpa #ed, and the goods sorted and repa #ed in s%all pa #ets and bags, ready !or sale se retly"C BThey %ust have %ade a lot o! %oney,C said &oger" BThey did,C said Mr" 9ing" BThey %ade Eust a !e$ %ista#es, though" They hired an ele tri laun h $hi h a%e slin#ing up the river to olle t all these s%all pa #ages and par els, and they didnDt pay the o$ner $hat they o$ed hi% so he tal#ed a bit - and his tal# a%e round to us" ThatDs $hat really %ade us suspe t there $as so%ething going on, on a rather big s ale"C B:hat other %ista#es did they %a#e@C as#ed &oger" B:ell, they didnDt realise that thuds and bangs underground are o!ten %agni!ied $hen a building stands overhead,C said Mr" 9ing" BThough even i! they did realise it they $ould probably thin# that as the house $as e%pty, nobody $ould hear the%" But the biggest %ista#e o! all"""C 1e paused and lighted another igarette" The hildren $aited i%patiently" BThe biggest %ista#e o! all $as that they didnDt realise there $ere !our tireso%e hildren, to say nothing o! a %on#ey and a dog, $ho $ere going to suspe t their poor old tutor, and snoop round hi% and his doings, and !all headlong into the %ystery the%selvesA Aha - that $as a very big %ista#e indeedAC They all laughed, and )oony tugged %adly at Mr" 9ingDs shoela es" B5o good, )oony,C said Mr" 9ing" BTheyDre spe ial ones, %ade o! leather, Huite un he$able"C B:hat $ill Miss 2epper say@C said 'iana" B(heDs o%ing ba # to-dayAC 6n e she had re overed !ro% her a%aIe%ent, Miss 2epper said rather a lot" (he rounded on Mr" 9ing !or de eiving her

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regarding his ability to oa h" BAll those $onder!ul testi%onialsAC she said" B4D% sho #ed, Mr" 9ing"C B'onDt be,C said Mr" 9ing" BThese #ids have learnt a lot sin e 4Dve been here" As !or the testi%onials, they $ere all true - 4 did do so%e oa hing be!ore 4 too# up %y present Eob" 0heer up, Miss 2epper - at least you $erenDt here $hen all this ble$ up"C B4 should have been,C said Miss 2epper" B4t is s andalous that all this should happen $hen 4 $as a$ay"C B8es" :e ought to have $aited till you a%e ba #,C said Mr" 9ing, and that %ade everyone laugh" B:ell, 4D% glad itDs all leared up happily,C said Miss 2epper" B:hat a taleA :hat $ill their parents say"C B8ou donDt need to bother about that,C said Mr" 9ing" B4D% going to see the% $hen they o%e ba #, and tell the% everything %ysel!" 4 an assure you that they $ill not bla%e you !or anything, Miss 2epper"C B4 anDt stay on at the ottage a!ter all this,C said Miss 2epper" B5ot that 4 %eant to, anyho$ - be ause 4D% ta#ing %y sister a$ay to the sea, and 4 %ean to ta#e the hildren too" 4t $ill be so %u h ni er !or the% - bathing, sailing, !ishing %u h %ore to do than there is here"C This $as !ine ne$s" The hildren $ere thrilled" B:hat about Barney@ 0an he o%e too@C (nubby as#ed" B:ell, there isnDt really roo%, but 4 dare say $e an sHueeIe hi% in,C said Miss 2epper" B1e ertainly see%s one o! us no$"C But Barney shoo# his head" B5o, than# you,C he said" B4Dve got a Eob" 4D% Eoining a !air to-%orro$ - itDs on its $ay through &o #ingdo$n >illage to-day" 4 %et so%eone 4 #ne$ $ho told %e about it $hen 4 $ent to the village !or Mrs" &ound this %orning" 4tDs ti%e Miranda and 4 earned our living againAC
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This $as disappointing, very, very disappointing" They $ould %iss Barney terribly" :ould they ever see hi% again@ :ould he !ind his !ather so%e day@ 5o$ they $ould never #no$A But $hen the hildren heard that the !air $as a tually o%ing to the seaside pla e $here Miss 2epper $as ta#ing the%, in ten daysD ti%e, they heered up" They $ould see Barney thenA BAnd 4 also %ust say good-bye,C said Mr" 9ing" B4 have %y living to earn as $ell - but not as a oa h, 4 a% than#!ul to say" 4 %ust get ba # to headHuarters, and !orget this pleasant little interlude $ith hildren, and %on#eys and dogsAC B6nly one %on#ey and one dog,C said (nubby" BAnd Huite enough,C said Mr" 9ing, pushing Miranda o!! his shoulder and )oony o!! his !eet" 1e stood up" B4D% saying good-bye no$" 8ou $ere %y bitter ene%ies at !irst - but 4 hope $eDre !riends no$AC B6h, yes,C said everyone, and then he $as hugged by 'iana and banged on the ba # by the boys, $hilst )oony bar#ed %adly" Barney $ent do$n the !ront path $ith hi%, having said good-bye too" The hildren $at hed the% go, !eeling rather sad that su h a $onder!ul adventure had o%e to an end" BAll the sa%e, 4 !eel that $eDll have %ore adventures $ith Barney and Miranda so%e day,C said (nubby, pi #ing )oony up and sHuashing hi% till he sHuealed" B4 !eel it in %y bones"C And 4 shouldnDt be surprised i! heDs rightA

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