“What is it? Where are those bells? What are they ringing for?” whispered Anne.

Dick had no idea. He was as startled as Anne to hear this extraordinary noise. It sounded some distance away, but every now and again the wind blew hard and then the noise of the jangling swept round them, close to them it seemed.

“I wish they’d stop, Oh, I wish they’d stop!” said Anne, her heart beating fast. “I don’t like them. They frighten me. They’re not church bells.”

“No. They’re certainly not church bells,” said Dick. “They’re a warning of some kind. I’m sure - but what for? Fire? We’d see fire if there was one anywhere near us. War? No - bells and beacons were used to warn people of war long long ago, not now.”

“That village was called Beacons,” said Anne, suddenly remembering. “Do you suppose it has that name because long ago there was a nearby hill where people lighted a beacon, to send a warning to other towns telling them that the enemy was coming? Did they ring bells too? Are we hearing long-ago bells, Dick? They don’t sound like bells I’ve ever heard in my life before.”

“Good gracious! They’re certainly not long-ago bells!” said Dick, speaking cheerfully, though he was really just as puzzled and alarmed as Anne. “Those bells are being rung now, at this very minute!”

Quite suddenly the bells stopped and an enormous silence took the place of the wild ringing. The two children stood and listened for a minute or two and then heaved a sigh of relief.

“They’ve stopped at last,” said Anne, “I hated them! Why did they ring out on this dark dark night? Oh do let’s find Blue Pond Farm-house as soon as ever we can, Dick. I don’t like being lost in the dark like this, with bells ringing madly for nothing at all!”

“Come on,” said Dick. “Keep close to the hedge. As long as we follow that we must come to somewhere. We won’t wander out on to the moorland.”

He took Anne’s arm and the two of them kept close to the hedge. They came to another path at last and followed it. That led to a lane, but not a sunken one this time - and then, oh wonderful sight, - not far off they saw a light shining!

“That must be Blue Pond Farm-house!” said Dick, thankfully. “Come on, Anne - not much farther now!”

They came to a low stone wall and followed it till they came to a broken-down gate. It opened with a squeak, and Anne stepped through - right into an enormous puddle!

“Blow!” she said. “Now I’m wetter than ever! For a moment I thought I must have stepped into the blue pond!”

But it was only a puddle. They went round it and followed a muddy path to a little door set in a white stone wall. Dick thought it must be the back door. Nearby was a window, and in it shone the light they had seen so thankfully.