Sally climbed up by the edge of the wood easily enough, and when they reached the camp at last, Peter tied her in the shade. They all sat under the tree for the sun was fierce and, truth to tell, they were all very tired. Peter yawned several times as she began her story for David. She told him how Bill and the others had come up Hatchholt in the dark, and how she had joined the search party and found Mr. Evans. When she got to the part where the Home Guard called her out of bed to ask if she had seen a stranger, David interrupted: "There never was such a place for strangers. I've seen more strangers up here in a week than for months at home."

"I know, David. That's all part of the mystery I'm sure. I've never seen so many either. It's all to do with this Mrs. Thurston."

But when she told how their guest had disappeared by the time she had crept down the stairs, David whistled with surprise.

"Gosh, Peter!" he said. "It was jolly plucky of you to come downstairs like that on your own."

"Oh no, it wasn't," Peter said. "There wasn't anything really to be afraid of. I just had to be quiet and be certain not to wake him up. I didn't know he wouldn't be there... I wonder where he's gone, David? It was rude of him to go off quietly like that... But I'm sure he couldn't be anything to do with Mrs. Thurston... At least, I don't think he could... What do you think, Tom?"

Tom shook his head.

"I reckon he was. I reckon everyone we don't know round here is a spy or something. I reckon everyone has gone mad except us. What were the Home Guard chaps doing up at your place this morning? They asked you if you'd seen any strangers, didn't they? Course, they did. They're searching them all out, and Uncle has gone to Appledore to get old Jacob and Mrs. Thurston, I'll be bound. That's where the fun is going to be. Gosh! I wish we were there again, don't you, David?"

"Yes, I do. But we can't go because we've promised, so it's no use worrying about that." Then he turned again to Peter. "Who suggested that you come down here so early, Peter?"

"Why? The Home Guard fellow did. Seemed to want me out of the way."

Tom and David looked at each other. "P'raps something is going to happen up at Hatchholt?" said David.

David turned to Tom. "What do you think, Tom? Shall we go up and see?"

"Jimmy Cricket!" he almost shouted. "That's it, David! Of course that's what we'd better do. You're right. That's where there'll be some fun, I'll be bound. Let's go up to Hatchholt and spy out the land."

David turned to Peter.

"Will you come too, Peter? You're the one who knows the valley best?"