“Good idea, Dick!” said Julian, turning it quickly over in his mind. “Yes — it’s possible. It would be better to watch and see who comes rather than tell the police — because if these kidnappers mean business, George would certainly be in trouble once they knew we’d been able to get in touch with the police.”

“Won’t the newspaper boy think it’s queer?” asked Anne.

“Not very. He’s a bit simple,” said Dick. “He believes anything he’s told. We’ll make up something to satisfy him and give him such a good time that he’ll want to keep visiting us!”

“About this notebook,” said Julian. “We’d better get some kind of book out of one of the drawers and wrap it up with a note inside to say we hope it’s the one. The fellow who comes to collect it will have to have some kind of parcel to take off with him to give to the kidnappers. It isn’t likely he’d undo it and look at it — or even know if it was the right one or not.”

“Go and hunt out a book, Anne,” said Dick. “I’ll be looking out for the newspaper boy. He’s not due till half-past seven, but I don’t dare to risk missing him — and he may be early, you never know.”

Anne shot off to the study, thankful to have something to do. Her hands were trembling as she pulled out drawer after drawer to look for a big notebook that would do to wrap up in a parcel.

Julian went with Dick to the front door, to help him to deal with the unsuspecting newspaper boy. They stood there, patiently waiting, hearing the clock strike six o’clock, then half-past, then seven.

“Here he comes!” said Dick, suddenly. “Now — get ready to yank him in! Hallo, Sid!”

Chapter Ten

Sid’s wonderful evening

Sid, the paper-boy, was most amazed to find himself yanked quickly through the front door by Julian. He was even more amazed to find his very lurid check cap snatched off his head, and his bag of papers torn from his shoulder.

“ ”Ere!’ he said feebly. “What you doing?”

“It’s all right, Sid,” said Julian, holding him firmly. “Just a joke. We’ve got a little treat in store for you.”

Sid didn’t like jokes of this sort. He struggled, but soon gave it up. Julian was big and strong and very determined. Sid turned and watched Dick stride out with his bright check cap sideways on his head, and his paper-bag over his shoulder. He gasped when he saw Dick leap on the bicycle that he, Sid, had left by the gate, and go sailing off up the lane on it.

“What’s he doing?” he asked Julian, amazed. “Funny sort of joke this.”

“I know. Hope you don’t mind,” said Julian, leading him firmly into the sitting-room.

“Somebody betted him he wouldn’t deliver the papers, maybe?” said Sid. “So he’s taken the bet on?”