"I shall be back as soon as I can," she said, "but I've told Agnes what has happened, and that you're going to help her. David won't be long, and if the cycles have come you can get yours this evening or tomorrow. Good-bye."

Standing on the third rung of the gate Richard and Mary waved dutifully until the three were out of sight and then, as one man, turned and went back to the kitchen where Agnes was washing the breakfast things.

After half an hour's help from the twins Agnes felt that she might get on better without them, and it was just then that Mary had her big idea.

"I've been thinkin'," she said, "that it's a pity for us to go up into the wood and then back again right away, Dickie I'm a bit tired today, and it's quite a long way."

"Yes, it is, Mary. I was wonderin' whether Agnes would just give us a snack jus' to take with us, and then we could gather the wood and not need to come rushin' back and disturb her 'bout dinner-time."

"I think Mummy would like us to do that so as not to get too tired," Mary went on. "We only had time to promise to help Agnes, but I know she'd say 'Yes,' and then we needn't come dashing back."

Then Dickie slipped his hand confidingly into that of Agnes, and Mary smiled up at her appealingly, and the battle was won almost before it had started. She packed them sandwiches and cake, and made them promise not to go too far.

"Tell David we've just gone explorin' up by the wood," Dickie said. "He'll understand. We won't be far away, and perhaps he could come and find us. He'll explain to Mummy."

Then they whistled for Macbeth and started off up their valley.

"That was easy, Dickie. Now we can really do some exploring on our own."

Macbeth remembered the way and, as they climbed up by the side of the wood, ran on ahead. When they reached the level of the pine tree he had disappeared.

"Which way shall we go in?" Mary asked. "Through my tunnel in the gorse or go round the long way?"

Dickie was just about to suggest the longer route when Macbeth set up a furious barking somewhere near.

"Come on, Mary. He's got a rabbit. Let's find him."

But Mary was looking worried.

"Dickie," she whispered. "It's not a rabbit. He's in the camp and... and I think there's someone there... I heard a voice... Listen!"

They stood tense. Then Mac started again. He was furious, and it was his "watchdog" bark. Mary was right, because they could hear somebody speaking to him. A man's pleasant voice was saying, "Don't be such a silly little dog. Here, then! Good boy, Scottie... Here..."