Joan went up to bed at ten because she was tired. Anne stayed up to see the boys off. “You will be careful,” she kept saying. “You will be careful, won’t you? Oh dear, I think it’s almost worse to stay behind and wonder what’s happening to you, than to go with you and find out!”

At last the time came for the boys to go. It was a quarter to twelve, and except for a small moon, was a dark night, with great clouds looming up, often hiding the moon.

“Come on, Timmy,” said Dick. “We’re going to find George.”

“Woof!” said Timmy, delighted. Sally wuffed too, and was most disappointed at being left behind. The boys wheeled their bicycles to the front gate.

“So long, Anne!” said Dick. “Go to bed — and hope to see George when you wake up!”

They set off on their bicycles, with Timmy loping along beside them. They soon arrived at the field where the Fair was, and went swinging away to the east, following the road the silver-grey car had gone that afternoon.

They knew the way by heart, for they had studied the map so well. As they passed the sign-posts they felt their excitement beginning to mount. “Graysfield next,” said Dick at last. “Soon be there, Timmy! You’re not getting tired, are you?”

They came into Graysfield silently. The town was asleep, and not a single light showed in any window. A policeman suddenly loomed up out of the shadows, but when he saw two boys cycling, he did not stop them.

“Now — into Twining Village, turn to the left — and look for the house on the hill!” said Dick.

They rode through the tiny, silent village of Twining, and took the lane to the left. It led up a steep, narrow lane. The boys had to get off and walk because the hill was too much for them.

“There’s the house!” said Julian, suddenly whispering. “Look — through those trees. My word, it looks a dark and lonely one!”

They came to some enormous iron gates, but when they tried to open them, they found them locked. A great wall ran completely round the grounds. They followed it a little way, leaving their bicycles against a tree by the gate, but it was soon certain that nobody could climb a wall like that!

“Blow!” said Julian. “Blow!”

“What about the gates?” whispered Dick. Then he glanced round him nervously, hearing a twig crack. “Did you hear that? There’s nobody following us, is there?”

“No! Don’t get the jitters for goodness sake!” said Julian. “What was it you were saying?”

“I said ‘What about the gates?’ ” said Dick. “I don’t see why we can’t climb over them, do you? Nobody would do that in the daytime, they’d be seen — but I can’t see why we can’t do it now—they didn’t look too difficult — just ordinary wrought-iron ones.”

“Yes! Of course!” said Julian. “That’s a brain-wave. Come on!”