So they blindfolded him with the handkerchief Peter had used to tied round her hair gipsy-fashion and led him out of the wood.

Tom accepted everything very well, and when they reached the lone pine and Sally whinnied a welcome to her mistress, he snatched off the handkerchief himself and looked round the camp.

"Just like the pictures," he said at last, "Only better. Who found this?"

"I did," said Mary. "Peter and me did."

"Who's Peter?" he asked. "I get all mixed up with these kids."

David explained, and Tom and Peter looked each other up and down, and decided they liked each other. They showed him everything, including the cooking potatoes and the singing kettle, and then David showed them all the secret hiding-place of the club documents. Peter poured the tea and poked the potatoes out of the ashes, and they all sat down round the fire while David read out the rules.

"We'd like you to be a member, Tom. You like the things we like and we must all stick together up here. Really we ought to have asked you first before telling all about it, but I know you'll join, won't you?"

Tom took a mouthful of hot potato and went scarlet. "Of course, I will," he said. "And thanks for asking me... And I've a new rule to suggest... You haven't got a secret signal yet and you ought to have. We could use it for calling each other, or as a warning. If you wanted me on club business you could just pass me on the farm or in the lane and make the sign and I'd know and come as soon as I could. What do you think?"

"It's a grand idea, Tom. David was right when he said you'd make a good member... But what sort of signal shall we have?"

"What about this?" said Tom. "I asked uncle what bird it was and he said it's called a peewit..." and with uncanny imitation he whistled the peewit's melancholy little cry.

Peter was thrilled. "It's wonderful, Tom," she said, "but I don't expect any of us can do it as well as you."

"I'll teach you," he said. "You'll soon be able to do it."

Then David heated the point of the knife in the fire, and when it was cool they each pricked the end of a finger, repeated the oath, and signed their names on the paper in their own blood. This was Dickie's greatest thrill.

It was nearly dusk now, and David said that they must go. Peter poured water on the fire to put out the embers, Mary buried the rubbish in the bracken, and Richard took the firewood into the shelter to keep it dry. While they were working, David told Tom of yesterday's adventures.

"Golly!" he said. "Wish I'd been there. I think I know that Mrs. Thurston, and I'm sure I've seen that old Jacob. He's about on a motor-bike sometimes."