Cyril muttered something, and her captor slackened his grip on Mo so that she could see the little scene being enacted at the top of the street. A large policeman had hold of Cyril by one brawny wrist, and when he began to shout, to say that he was in pursuit of a thief and must be allowed to continue on his way, the policeman gave a disbelieving laugh. ‘Oh yes? And just what has been stolen? If you’ll come along wi’ me, we’ll take a nice little stroll down to the station and you shall turn out your pockets and explain what you were doing running down the street at this time in the morning. I should say you were disturbing the peace, which can earn you a night in the cells.’

Mo watched with awe as Cyril tried to jerk himself free, whereupon the policeman put his whistle to his lips and blew a resounding blast. Cyril screamed a curse, freed himself and set off at a run, with the policeman in hot pursuit.

When they had gone the young man who had grabbed Mo released her, and Jimmy emerged from the shadows, grinning. Mo opened her mouth to demand an explanation but Jimmy shook his head. ‘No talking until we’re back in Miss Trent’s room,’ he said in a low voice. ‘We don’t want to disturb the peace.’ He smiled at his sister. ‘I think we’re safe from Cyril for a while at least.’

Mo took two steps towards Jimmy and collapsed into his arms. She fought to stop herself crying but two fat tears rolled down her cheeks. ‘Oh, Jimmy, you’re safe,’ she murmured into his corduroy jacket. ‘But who’s this feller, and who’s Miss Trent? And why can’t we go back to Major Williams’s house?’

Jimmy opened his mouth to speak but was hushed by a tall slim woman in a neatly belted mackintosh, who must have been hiding in the porch. She smiled in a very friendly way at Mo, but sank her voice to a whisper. ‘It’s far too late to go to the Williamses’ now. Mr Bloggs here will let them know you’re safe in the morning. Now, no more talking until we’re indoors.’

Mo nodded dumbly; she did not understand what was happening, but the man in uniform and this tall and beautiful lady seemed to be on their side, and that was all that mattered. Adrenalin had kept her going, fear and excitement lending her strength, but now she was beginning to realise how very tired she was, and how she longed for her bed, either the one which awaited her at Major Williams’s or the cosy dormouse-nest beneath Mr Theaker’s second-hand clothes stall. Being Mo she would naturally have died rather than admit her total weariness, but she was grateful enough for the arm which Jimmy put round her shoulders as they walked. She would have liked to whisper ‘Is it much further?’ but pride kept her silent and soon she was glad she had not complained, for really it was only a short way to Orange Street, where the beautiful lady lived. The young man seemed to live there too, for he put his own key in the lock, opened the door and ushered everyone inside. Mo noticed that he did this very quietly, and looked all round as though to satisfy himself that no enemy lurked in the long shadows before he closed the door again.