She told the others what the shop-girl had said as they sat in the sand and ate their ice-creams. Timmy gobbled his almost at once, and sat patiently watching for Sally to deal with hers, hoping that she would leave some.

All the four listened intently to Anne’s little story. “That settles it,” said Dick. “Those men are certainly snooping round trying to find out if Leslie is here.”

“They are getting uncomfortably close,” said Julian.

“Still, your uncle and aunt come back tomorrow,” said Berta. “We’ll tell them, and maybe they’ll have some good plan.”

“I hope those men don’t know that they are away,” said Dick, uneasily. “I think we’ll have to keep a pretty close watch from now on. I wonder if Berta ought to stay on here with us.”

“See what Father says tomorrow,” said George. So it was decided that nothing should be done except to keep a sharp look-out until George’s parents came back. They all went back rather soberly to Kirrin Cottage and told Joan what had happened on the island.

“You telephoned to the police, Joan!” said Dick, shaking his finger at her.

“I did. And I was right to,” said Joan. “And what’s more Master Leslie’s bed is going to be moved away from the window tonight, and the window’s going to be fastened even if we melt, and the door will be locked.”

“I’ll lend you Timmy, too, if you like,” said George. “He can sleep in the room with Sally. You ought to be safe then!”

She really only meant it as a joke, but to her surprise Joan accepted at once. “Thank you, Miss,” she said. “I’d be glad of Timmy. I feel all of a dither, left on my own like this, and kidnappers closing in on us!”

Julian laughed. “Oh, it’s not so bad as that, Joan! Only one more night and Uncle Quentin and Aunt Fanny will be back.”

“Oh — I quite forgot to tell you,” said Joan. “Look, there’s a telegram come. They’re staying away a whole week! That’s why I feel so scared. A week — well, a lot can happen in a week!”

Chapter Thirteen

A horrid shock

Julian was not very happy to hear that his aunt and uncle were staying away for a week. He picked up the telegram. It was addressed to George, but Joan had opened it.

“Not returning for a week,” it said. “Complications have arisen. Hope all goes well. Love from Mother.”

There was no address. How annoying! Now Julian couldn’t even let them know that he was feeling uneasy. He made up his mind to guard Berta every minute! Thank goodness they had Timmy. Nobody would dare to do any kidnapping under Timmy’s eye!

He thought it was a good idea to put Timmy in Joan’s room that night with Berta. In fact, if George would agree, it would be best to do that each night. He thought it would not be wise to ask George now, though, because he could see that she was half sorry she had made the offer to Joan!