“We said we’d go in the daytime,” said Dick. “She could come then, because if Anne doesn’t want to come it won’t matter leaving her here alone in the daytime.”

“You’re right,” said Julian. “Let’s call her back and tell her.” But by that time George was out of hearing.

“She’s taken sandwiches,” said Anne. “She means to be gone all day. Isn’t she an idiot?”

Jock came back after a time, with two rugs and an extra jersey and more food. “I had hard work to persuade Mum,” he said. “But she said yes at last. Though mind you, I’d have come anyhow! I’m not going to be shoved about by my stepfather just out of spite. I say — isn’t this sport! I never thought I’d be camping out with you. If there isn’t room in your tent for me, Julian, I can sleep out on the heather.”

“There’ll be room,” said Julian. “Hallo, Mr. Luffy! You’ve been out early!”

Mr. Luffy came up and glanced at Jock. “Ah, is this your friend from the farm? How do you do? Come to spend a few days with us? I see you have an armful of rugs!”

“Yes. Jock’s coming to camp a bit with us,” said Julian. “Look at all the food he’s brought. Enough to stand a siege!”

“It is indeed,” said Mr. Luffy. “Well, I’m going to go through some of my specimens this morning. What are you going to do?”

“Oh, mess about till lunch-time,” said Julian. “Then we might go for a walk.”

Mr. Luffy went back to his tent and they could hear him whistling softly as he set to work. Suddenly Jock sat up straight and looked alarmed.

“What’s the matter?” asked Dick. Then he heard what Jock had heard. A shrill whistle blown loudly by somebody some way off.

“That’s my stepfather’s whistle,” said Jock. “He’s whistling for me. Mum must have told him, or else he’s found out I’ve come over here.”

“Quick — let’s scoot away and hide,” said Anne. “If you’re not here he can’t take you back! Come on! Maybe he’ll get tired of looking for you, and go.”

Nobody could think of a better idea, and certainly nobody wanted to face a furious Mr. Andrews. All four shot down the slope and made their way to where the heather was high and thick. They burrowed into it and lay still, hidden by some high bracken.

Mr. Andrews’s voice could soon be heard, shouting for Jock, but no Jock appeared. Mr. Andrews came out by Mr. Luffy’s tent. Mr. Luffy, surprised at the shouting, put his head out of his tent to see what it was all about. He didn’t like the look of Mr. Andrews at all.

“Where’s Jock?” Mr. Andrews demanded, scowling at him.

“I really do not know,” said Mr. Luffy.

“He’s got to come back,” said Mr. Andrews, roughly. “I won’t have him hanging about here with those kids.”