“We’ll go to Kirrin Island again,” said Dick. “We’ve not been there for ages.”

“We’ll go fishing in Lobster Cove,” said Julian.

“We’ll go and explore some of the caves in the cliffs,” said George. “I meant to do that these holls but somehow it’s no fun going alone.”

On the third day, just as they were finishing making their beds, the telephone bell rang.

“I’ll go!” yelled Julian to his aunt, and went to answer it. An urgent voice spoke at the other end.

“Who’s that? Oh, you, Julian — you’re Quentin’s nephew, aren’t you? Listen, tell your uncle I’m coming over tonight — yes, tonight. Latish, say. Tell him to wait up for me. It’s important.”

“But, won’t you speak to him yourself?” said Julian, surprised. “I’ll fetch him, if you’ll…”

But the line had gone dead. Julian was puzzled. The man hadn’t even given his name — but Julian had recognised the voice. It was the big, cheery American who had come to see his uncle two days before! What had happened? What was all the excitement about?

He went to find his uncle but he was not in his study. So he found his aunt instead.

“Aunt Fanny,” he said, “I think that was the big American on the phone — the one who came to lunch the other day. He said I was to tell Uncle Quentin that he was coming here tonight — late, he said — and that Uncle was to wait up for him, because it was important.”

“Dear me!” said his aunt, startled. “Is he going to stay the night then? We’ve no bedroom free now you and the others are there.”

“He didn’t say, Aunt Fanny,” said Julian. “I’m awfully sorry not to be able to tell you any details — but just as I was saying I’d fetch Uncle Quentin, he rang off — in the very middle of what I was saying.”

“How mysterious!” said his Aunt. “And how annoying. How can I put him up, if he wants to stay? I suppose he’ll come roaring down at midnight in that enormous car of his. I only hope nothing’s gone wrong with this latest work your uncle is doing. I know it’s tremendously important.”

“Perhaps Uncle will know the American’s telephone number and he can ring him up to find out a bit more,” said Julian, helpfully. “Where is Uncle?”

“He’s gone down to the post-office, I think,” said his aunt. “I’ll tell him when he gets back.”

Julian told the others about the mysterious phone call. Dick was pleased.

“I didn’t have a chance of getting a good look at that enormous car the other day,” he said. “I think I’ll keep awake tonight till the American comes and then nip down and have a look at it. I bet it’s got more gadgets on the dashboard than any car I’ve ever seen!”

Uncle Quentin appeared to be as surprised as anyone else at the phone-call, and was inclined to blame Julian for not finding out more details.