They lay on the sand in the quarry and watched the evening star shine in the sky. It looked very big and bright and round.

Timmy scrabbled round in the sand. “His paw is much better,” said George. “Though I notice that he still sometimes holds it up.”

“Only when he wants you to say “Poor Timmy, does it hurt!” ” said Dick. “He’s a baby, likes to be fussed!”

They talked for a while and then Anne yawned. “It’s early, I know - but I believe I’m going to sleep.”

There was soon a trek to the spring, and everyone sluiced themselves in the cool water. There was only one towel between them, but that did very well. Then they settled down in their sandy beds. The sand was beautifully warm and they did not bother about putting down the rubber sheets. There could not possibly be any dampness in that quarry after it had been baked so much by the hot sun!

“I hope we wake when that plane comes, if it does come,” said Julian to Dick, as they lay without any covering in their soft, sandy bed. “My goodness, isn’t it hot! No wonder Timmy’s panting over there!”

They went to sleep at last, but Dick awoke suddenly, feeling much too hot. Phew! What a night! He lay looking up at the brilliant stars, and then shut his eyes again. But it was no use, he couldn’t go to sleep.

He sat up cautiously, so as not to awake Julian. I think I’ll just go and have a squint to see if that big lamp is lighted again, down in that pit by the gypsy camp, he thought.

He went to the edge of the quarry and climbed up. He looked towards the gypsy camp and gave a sudden exclamation. Yes! he thought. It’s glowing again! I can’t see the lamp, of course, but its light is so jolly powerful that I can easily see the glow it makes. It must be very bright, looked down on from the sky. I wonder if the plane is due to come now that the lamp is lighted.

He listened, and yes, he could distinctly hear a low humming noise from the east. It must be the plane coming again? Would it land this time, and if so, who was in it?

He ran to wake Julian and the girls. Timmy was alert at once, wagging his tail excitedly. He was always ready for anything, even in the middle of the night! Anne and George got up too, very thrilled.

“Is the lamp really alight again? And I can hear the plane too now! Oh, I say! This is exciting! George, Timmy won’t bark and give us away, will he?”

“No. I’ve told him to be quiet,” said George. “He won’t make a sound. Listen, the plane is coming nearer!”

The noise was now loud enough for them to search the starry sky for the plane. Julian gave Dick a nudge.