“But — didn’t you go that way when Pottersham first took you there and hid you in that room?” asked Dick, surprised.

“Yes. I must have gone that way,” said Mr. Terry-Kane. “But I was blindfolded and half-doped with something they had made me drink. I’ve no idea of the way. Of course, Pottersham knew every inch — he’s written books about all these old castles, you know — nobody knows more about them and their secrets than he does. He certainly put his knowledge to good use this week!”

“I’ll go with you,” said Jo. “I’ve been up and down those passages four times now. I know them by heart! The others have only been once.”

“Yes, you go,” said Bufflo.

“Take Timmy,” said George most generously, for usually she would never let Timmy go with Jo.

“Or take a snake,” suggested Dick, with a grin.

“I won’t take anything,” said Jo. “I’ll be all right with three big policemen! So long as they’re not after me, I like them!”

She didn’t really, but she couldn’t help boasting a little. She set off with Terry-Kane and the three policemen, strutting a little, and feeling quite a heroine.

The others all went to their caravans, tired out. Uncle Quentin sat by the camp-fire, waiting for the arrival of Pottersham and his three friends.

“Good night,” said Julian to the girls. “I’d like to wait till the crowd come back — complete with the rubber-man and Alfredo — but I shall fall asleep standing on my feet in a minute. I say, wasn’t that a smashing supper?”

“Super!” said the others. “Well — see you tomorrow.”

They all slept very late the next day. Jo was back long before they awoke, very anxious to tell them how they had captured Pottersham and the others, and how they had been marched off to the police-station, with her following all the way. But Mrs. Alfredo would not let her wake the four children up.

However, they did awake at last, and got up eagerly, remembering all the exciting moments of the day before. Soon they were jumping down the steps of the two caravans, eager to hear the latest news.

“Hallo, Father!” shouted George, seeing him not far off.

“Hallo, Uncle Quentin! Hallo, Jo!” called the others, and soon heard the latest bits of information from Jo who was very proud of being in at the finish.

“But they didn’t put up any fight at all,” she said, rather disappointed. “I think Beauty scared all the fight out of them last night — they just gave in without a word.”

“Now you children!” called Mrs. Alfredo, “I have kept a little breakfast for you. You like to come?”

They did like to come! Jo went too, though she had already had one breakfast. Uncle Quentin went to sit down with them. He gazed around amazed at all the goings-on of the camp.

Bufflo was doing some remarkable rope-spinning and whip-cracking. The rubber-man was wriggling in and out of the wheel-spokes of his caravan without stopping. Mr. Slither was polishing his snakes. Dacca was step-dancing on a board, click-click-clickity-click.