In ten minutes’ time Sniffer’s father returned with Timmy. It was a rather subdued Timmy, with a very bad cut on his head, which really needed stitching.

He pattered soberly across to George, and she flung her arms round his neck and cried into his thick hair.

“Does your head hurt you?” she said. “I’ll take you to the vet when I get back, Tim.”

“You can get back as soon as we’ve got those two boys here and they’ve told us where those packets are hidden,” said the man.

Timmy was licking George as if he would never stop, and his tail waved to and fro, to and fro. He couldn’t understand what was happening at all! Why was George here? Never mind, he was with her again. He settled down on the floor with a thump and put his head on her knee.

“Write the note,” said the man, “and tie it on to his collar, on the top, so that it can easily be seen.”

“I’ve written it,” said George. The gypsy held out a dirty hand for it and read it.

‘We are prisoners. Follow Timmy and he will bring you to us and you can save us.

Georgina.’

“Is that really your name, Georgina?” asked the man. George nodded. It was one of the few times she ever owned to a girl’s name!

She tied the note firmly to Timmy’s collar, on the top of his neck. It was quite plainly to be seen. Then she gave him a hug and spoke urgently to him.

“Go to Henry, Tim, go to HENRY. Do you understand, Timmy dear, take this note to HENRY.” She tapped the paper on his collar as he listened to her. Then she gave him a push. “Go along. Don’t stay here any longer. Go and find HENRY.”

“Hadn’t you better tell him the other boy’s name too?” said the man.

“Oh no, I don’t want to muddle Timmy,” said George hastily. “Henry, Henry, HENRY!”

“Woof,” said Timmy, and George knew that he understood. She gave him another push.

“Go, then,” she said. “Hurry!”

Timmy gave her rather a reproachful look as if to say, “You haven’t let me stay with you very long!” Then he padded off down the passage, the note showing clearly on his collar.

“I’ll bring the boys up here as soon as they come with the dog,” said the man, and he turned on his heel, and went out. George wondered if Sniffer was still about and she called him. But there was no answer. He must have slipped away down the passages back to his caravan.

Anne woke up then, and wondered where she was. George switched on her torch again and explained all that had happened.

“You should have wakened me,” said Anne. “Oh blow these ropes. They’re so uncomfortable.”

“I’ve got a knife now,” said George. “Sniffer gave it to me. Shall I cut our ropes?”

“Oh yes!” said Anne, in delight. “But don’t let’s try and escape yet. It’s still night-time and if that mist is about, we’ll only get lost. We can pretend we’re still tied up if anyone comes.”