“Look now, Tinker — let’s hide them away ourselves,” said Jenny, “and not tell him where they are. These thieves will have another try for them, no doubt about that. Let’s think of some place where they’d be absolutely safe.”

“I know!” said Tinker. “We could hide them on Kirrin Island! Somewhere in the old ruined castle! NOBODY would guess they were there.”

“Now that’s a fine idea!” said Jenny. “I’d be glad to think they were out of the house.” She gathered up the papers quickly. “Here you are. You’d better tell Julian and the others, and go across to the island with them as soon as you can. My, what a relief to think they’ll be well away from here. I’ll be able to sleep soundly in my bed at nights then!”

Tinker stuffed the precious papers under his coat, and he and Jenny ran at top speed down the spiral stairway. They saw the Professor not far off, and he turned and hailed them. “Tinker! Jenny! I know what you’re going to ask me! You want to know where I’ve hidden those papers of mine. Come here and I’ll whisper!”

Not knowing quite what to say, the two went rather guiltily over to Tinker’s father. He whispered loudly, “I’ve wrapped them up, and put them under the coal at the back of the coal-cellar — right at the very back!”

“And a fine mess you’ve made of your trousers, sir,” said Jenny, disgusted. “And good gracious — you must have sat down in the coal yourself! You look a right mess. Come along and let me brush you down. Not indoors though, or the place will be thick with coal-dust!”

“Don’t you think it was a good hiding-place, Jenny?” asked the Professor. “Ha — you thought I’d forget to hide them, didn’t you?”

He went off, looking very pleased with himself. Jenny chuckled in delight. “Dear old Professor! He’s hidden all his newspapers there, but not a single one of his own precious papers. And now whatever shall we tell him when he wants the morning papers? Tinker, you cycle out to the paper-shop and get another lot. Land-snakes — what it is to have a brainy man in the house? Whatever will he do next!”

Chapter Thirteen

Quite a lot of plans!

After Tinker had fetched a new supply of morning papers, he decided to go down to the camp in the field and tell the others all that had happened that morning. He still felt angry about being ticked off by Julian the night before — but he simply couldn’t wait to tell the others about the robbery — and about the grand idea he, Tinker, had of hiding the rest of his father’s papers on Kirrin Island.

So off he went, with Mischief happily on his shoulder, holding tightly to his hair. The others were all there in the field. They had just come back from a shopping expedition, and Tinker’s eyes gleamed when he saw the various tinned meats and tinned fruits, fresh rolls, tomatoes and apples and bananas that had been brought back from the shops at Big Hollow.