“Gosh — you’d better tell him it’s not Berta they’ve got, but George,” said Dick. “Then he’ll sit tight!”

The sergeant frowned. “Now, you leave this to us,” he said, ponderously. “You’ll only hinder us if you interfere or try meddling on your own. You just sit back and take things easy.”

“What! With George kidnapped and in danger?” exploded Dick. “What are you going to do to get her back?”

“Now, now!” said the sergeant, annoyed. “She is in no danger — she’s not the person they want. They will free her as soon as they realise that.”

“They won’t,” said Dick. “They’ll get on to her father and make him give up a few secrets!”

“Well, that will give us a little more time to find these men,” said the irritating sergeant, and he stood up, big and burly in his navy blue uniform. “Let me know at once if you have any other news, and please do not try to meddle. I assure you that we know the right things to do.”

He went out with the constable. Julian groaned. “He doesn’t see that this is urgent. It’s so complicated too — the wrong girl kidnapped, the wrong father informed, the right one not at all inclined to give up powerful secrets — and poor old George not knowing what is happening!”

“Well, thank goodness we got Berta out of the way,” said Dick. “Anne, you look queer — are you all right?”

“Yes. I think I’m just shocked — and oh dear, I feel awfully empty!” said Anne, pressing her tummy.

“Gosh — we forgot all about breakfast!” said Dick staring at the clock. “And it’s almost ten o’clock now! What have we been doing all this time? Come on, Anne — get us some food, there’s a dear. We shall all feel better then.”

“I’m so sorry for poor old Timmy and little Sally,” said Anne, going into the kitchen. “Timmy, darling, don’t look at me like that! I don’t know where your beloved George is, or I’d take you to her straight away! And Sally, you will have to put up with me for a little while, because although I do know where Berta is, I can’t possibly take you there!”

They were soon sitting down to a plain breakfast of boiled eggs, toast and butter. It seemed queer only to be three. Dick tried to make conversation, but the other two were very quiet. Timmy sat under the table with his head on Anne’s foot, and Sally stood beside her, paws on her knee. Anne comforted both the mournful dogs as best she could!

After breakfast Anne went to wash up and make the beds, and the boys went outside to have another look at the place where George’s dressing-gown girdle had been found. Sally and Timmy came with them.

Timmy sniffed around a good bit, and then, nose to ground, went down the garden path to the front gate, and then pushed it open and went through it. Nose to ground he went down the lane and turned off into a little path.