David agreed and they composed a note for Tom headed "Warning" and signed with a drawing of a pine cone.

They were just admiring their handiwork when the silence was broken by furious barking from Macbeth somewhere down in the valley. David jumped up.

"Don't move, Peter. I'll go into the look-out. He's not playing - that's his warning bark."

As soon as he was in the tree David saw that the twins had reached the stream. While he watched Richard suddenly pushed the kettle and bucket into the heather and went to help his sister hold back Macbeth who was struggling at the end of his lead.

"What is it, David?" Peter was whispering urgently,, "Tell me quickly. I can't see."

"There must be someone coming," he answered, "but Dickie's been sensible and hidden the kettle. Mackie's so excited they can hardly hold him back... Yes. It is someone, Peter... I can see him coming down the valley... I thought you said nobody ever came this way?"

"Let me up, David. I must see. I'll tell you who it is. I know everyone round here."

He leaned down and held out his hand.

"Come on then, Peter, but I hope he won't see us both if he looks up... Try and stay on the lower branch and hide behind the trunk..."

One quick pull and she was up.

"Now!" she said. "Where is he?"

He pointed. "David!" she gasped. "Don't you recognize her? It's Mrs. Thurston - I'm sure it is."

Peter was right. He could see her now coming down by the side of the stream. As they watched she lifted her hand and waved, and for one awful moment they thought she had seen them in their hiding-place. Then they realized that she was waving to the twins, who stood waiting for her. They watched Mary pick up Macbeth and Dickie take a quick look behind him to see if the kettle was hidden. Then Mrs. Thurston came up and put a hand on each of their shoulders, and they could see her throw back her head and laugh at some remark of Dickie's. They noticed that the twins manoeuvred themselves between Mrs. Thurston and the stream, and were doing all they could to prevent her looking towards the lone pine.

"Those two are grand, David," Peter whispered.

David nodded.

"What does she want, though? Why should she come down this valley at this time?"

While he was speaking Mary pointed down to Witchend, and then each twin took Mrs. Thurston by a hand and the three of them started off down to the house. Once Mary seemed to gesture to something on the opposite hillside, and Dickie turned quickly in their direction and made some weird sign.

Peter started to climb down.

"I'm off, David!" she said. "I'll follow them and see what they're going to do with her! Dickie meant to tell us some-thing, I'm sure, and maybe they'll want help. I've got to get Sally anyway, and take the note to Tom. Do you agree?"