“I give up!” said Julian at last. “I shall have no jersey left in a minute! These spiteful brambles! My hands are ripped to bits.”

“Yes - they are spiteful!” said Anne. “I felt that too!”

Timmy was the only one really enjoying himself. He couldn’t imagine why the four were scrambling through such thick undergrowth, but as it was just what he liked he was very pleased. He was disappointed when they decided to give up and go back.

“Shall we try the right hand side of the lake, do you think?” said Julian, as they went back, rather disheartened.

“No. Don’t let’s,” said Anne. “It looks even worse than this side. It’s only waste of time. I’d rather go out on the raft!”

“Well - that would surely be a better way of exploring the banks of the lake than scrambling through prickly bushes, wouldn’t it?” said George. “We’d only need to paddle along slowly and squint into all the little creeks and under over-hanging trees - it would be easy!”

“Of course,” said Dick. “We were silly not to think of it before. It would be a lovely way of spending the afternoon, anyway.”

They came through the trees and saw the ruined house in the distance. Timmy suddenly stopped. He gave a low growl, and all the others stopped too.

“What’s up, Timmy?” said George in a low voice, “What is it?”

Timmy growled again. The others cautiously retreated behind bushes and looked intently towards the house. They could see nothing out of the way. Nobody seemed to be about. Then what was Timmy growling at?

And then a woman came in sight, and with her was a man. They were talking earnestly together.

“Maggie! I bet it’s Maggie!” said Julian.

“And the other is Dirty Dick,” said Dick. “I recognise him - yes - it’s Dirty Dick.”

Chapter Fifteen

Maggie - and Dirty Dick

They watched the couple in the distance, and thought quickly. Julian had been expecting them, so he was not surprised. Dick was looking at Dirty Dick, recognising the broad, short man, with his hunched-up shoulders and shock of hair. He didn’t like the look of him any more than when he had seen him up at the old cottage!

Anne and George didn’t like the look of the woman either! She was wearing trousers and had a jacket draped round her shoulders. She was also wearing sunglasses, and smoking a cigarette. She walked quickly and they could hear her voice. It was sharp and determined.

“So that’s Maggie,” thought Julian. “Well, I don’t like her. She looks as hard as nails - a good companion for Nailer!”

He moved cautiously towards the other three. George had her hand on Timmy’s collar, afraid that he might show himself.

“Listen,” said Julian. “You’re none of you to turn a hair! We’ll just walk out into the open, talking cheerfully together and let them see us. If they ask us what we’re doing, you all know what to say. Chatter nonsense as much as you like - put them off and make them think we’re a bunch of harmless kids. If there are any leading questions asked us - leave me to answer them. Ready?”