“Good,” said Anne, pleased. “It’s hardly any way from the quarry. It’s as cold as ice, too - feel!”

They felt, and then they drank from their palms. How cold and pure! The moor must be full of these little bubbling springs, welling up from underground. That explained the brilliant green patches here and there.

“Now let’s sit down and have some tea,” said Anne, unpacking the bag she had carried. “It’s too hot to feel really hungry.”

“Oh no, it isn’t,” said Dick. “Speak for yourself, Anne!”

They sat in the sunny quarry, the sand warm to their legs. “Far away from everybody!” said Anne, pleased. “Nobody near us for miles!”

But she wasn’t quite right. There was somebody much nearer than she thought!

Chapter Thirteen

A noise in the night

It was Timmy who first knew there was somebody not far off. He pricked up his ears and listened. George saw him.

“What is it, Tim?” she said. “Nobody is coming here, surely?”

Timmy gave a tiny growl, as if he were not quite sure of himself. Then he leapt up, his tail wagging, and tore out of the quarry!

“Where’s he gone to?” said George astonished. “Gosh, here he is, back again!”

So he was, and with him was a funny little hearthrug of a dog - yes, Liz! She was not quite sure of her welcome and crawled up to the children on her tummy, looking more like a hearthrug than ever!

Timmy leapt round her in delight. She might have been his very best friend, he was so delighted! George patted the funny little dog and Julian looked thoughtful.

“I hope this doesn’t mean that we are anywhere near the gypsy camp,” he said. “It’s quite likely that the lines might end somewhere near them. I’ve rather lost my sense of direction.”

“Oh goodness, I do HOPE we’re not near their camp!” said Anne, in dismay. “Those old-time gypsies must have camped pretty near to the Bartles’ quarry before they attacked them, so perhaps the present camp is near too.”

“Well, what’s it matter if it is?” said Dick. “Who’s afraid of them? I’m not!”

They all sat still, thinking hard, Liz licking Anne’s hand. And in the silence they heard an all-too-familiar sound.

Sniff! Sniff!

“Sniffer!” called George. “Come on out, wherever you are hiding. I can hear you!”

A pair of legs stuck out from a great clump of heather at the edge of the quarry, and then the whole of Sniffer’s wiry little body slithered out and down into the sand. He sat there, grinning at them, half-afraid to come any nearer in case they were cross with him.

“What are you doing here?” said Dick. “Not spying on us, I hope?”

“No,” said Sniffer, “Our camp isn’t very far away. Liz heard you, I think, and ran off. I followed her.”

“Oh blow. We hoped we weren’t near anyone else,” said George. “Does anyone at your camp know we’re here.”