“I hope it’s nearly time for dinner,” said George. “What do you think, Timmy?”

Timmy knew the word dinner! He gave a joyful bark and led the way. Dinner? There couldn’t be a better idea!

Chapter Seven

A letter — a walk — and a shock

George opened her mother’s letter when they had finished their meal. Everyone voted that it was a truly wizard lunch — two hard-boiled eggs each, fresh lettuce, tomatoes, mustard and cress, and potatoes baked in the fire in their jackets — followed by what Julian had asked for — slices of tinned pineapple, very sweet and juicy.

“Very nice,” said Julian, lying back in the sun. “Anne, you’re a jolly good housekeeper. Now, George, let’s hear what Aunt Fanny has got to say in her letter.”

George unfolded the note-paper and smoothed it out. “It’s to all of us,” she said.

‘DEAR GEORGE, ANNE, JULIAN and DICK,

‘I hope George arrived safely and that you all met her. I am really writing to remind George that it is her grandmother’s birthday on Saturday, and she must write to her. I forgot to remind George before she went, so thought I must quickly send a letter.

‘George, your father is very much upset to read about those two missing scientists. He knows Derek Terry-Kane very well, and worked with him for some time. He says he is absolutely sure that he isn’t a traitor to his country; he thinks he has been spirited away somewhere, and Jeffrey Pottersham too — probably in a plane miles away by now, in a country that will force them to give up their secrets. It’s just as well you went off today, because this afternoon your father is striding about all over the place, talking nineteen to the dozen, and banging every door he comes to, bless him.

“If you write, please don’t mention scientists, as I am hoping he will calm down soon. He really is very upset, and keeps on saying ‘What is the world coming to?’ when he knows quite well that it’s coming to exactly what the scientists plan it to come to.”

“Have a good time, all of you, and DON’T forget to write to your grandmother, George!”

‘Your loving,

MOTHER (AUNT FANNY).’

“I can just see Father striding about like a — like a…”

“Fire-eater,” said Julian with a grin, as George stopped for a word. “He’ll drive Aunt Fanny into chasing him around with a saucepan one day! Funny business about these scientists though, isn’t it? After all, Terry-Kane had planned to leave the country — got his aeroplane ticket and everything — so although your father believes in him, George, it honestly looks a bit fishy, doesn’t it?”

“Anything in the paper about it?” asked Dick, and shook it open. ‘Yes — here we are:

‘MISSING SCIENTISTS.

“It is now certain that Jeffrey Pottersham was in the pay of a country unfriendly to us, and was planning to join Terry-Kane on his journey abroad. Nothing has been heard of the two men, although reports that they have been seen in many places abroad have been received.”