“Good!” said Dick. “Good, good, good!”

“I’m coming too,” said Jo.

“You are not,” said Julian, at once. “That’s flat — you are NOT COMING, Jo. But I shall take Timmy, of course.”

Jo said no more, but looked so sulky that Anne laughed. “Cheer up, Jo. You can keep me and Sally company. Oh Julian — wouldn’t it be wonderful to find George and rescue her!”

There was more map-reading as the boys decided which was the best way to bicycle over to Graysfield. “Look out the best torches we’ve got, Anne, will you?” said Dick. “And let me see — how can we bring George back, once we’ve got her? On my bike-step, I think, though I know it’s not allowed. But this is very urgent. We can’t very well take a third bike with us. Gosh, isn’t this exciting!”

“We really ought to ring up the police,” said Joan, who kept saying this at intervals.

“Joan, you sound like a parrot!” said Julian. “If we’re not back by morning you can ring up all the police in the country if you want to!”

“There’s been another phone call from your aunt today, Master Julian — I nearly forgot to tell you,” said Joan. “Your uncle is better and they are coming home as soon as possible.”

“Not this evening, I hope,” said Julian, in alarm. “Did they tell you anything about Mr. Elbur Wright — Berta’s father?”

“Oh, he’s hanging on to his secrets quite happily now that he knows it isn’t Berta who is kidnapped,” said Joan. “I don’t know if the kidnappers even know they’ve got the wrong girl yet. It’s all very hush-hush. Even your uncle and aunt are having to obey the police. Your poor aunt is so terribly upset about George.”

“Yes. She must be frightfully worried,” said Julian, soberly. “We’ve had so much excitement today that I’ve almost forgotten to worry. And anyway when you’re able to do something, things don’t seem so bad.”

“You be careful you don’t go and do too much and land yourself in trouble,” said Joan, darkly.

“I’ll be careful!” said Julian, winking at Dick. “I say — isn’t it nearly supper-time? I feel awfully hungry.”

“Well, we haven’t had any tea,” said Dick. “How extraordinary to have forgotten about tea. No wonder we’re hungry.”

“Would you like bacon and eggs for a treat?” said Joan, and there was a chorus of approval at once. Timmy and Sally wagged their tails as if Joan’s question applied to them too!

“We’ll set off as soon as it’s dark,” said Julian. “Jo, you’d better go home after supper. They’ll be worrying about you.”

“All right,” said Jo, pleased to have been asked to supper, but still sulky at being forbidden to go with Julian and Dick that night.

Jo disappeared after supper, with many messages to Berta from Dick, Julian, Anne and Sally.

“And I bet she doesn’t give a single one of them!” said Dick. “Now, let’s have a game before we set off, Julian. Just to take our minds off the excitement. I’m getting all worked-up!”