Soon they reached the edge of the wood and were just in time to see Mrs. Thurston and John far below. They didn't seem to be hiding or looking for anybody, but walked quickly across the garden to the front door without even looking back.

"They're very brave," murmured Dickie, "Now what do we do?"

"We'd better go back a little way and watch for John. He said he'd call us... Or... I s'pose we couldn't go home now, could we? Shall we, Dickie?"

He shook his head. "I don't like this magic wood either but I'm hungry. Let's have tea first, then - then we'll be strengthened for the journey," he added brightly.

"All right," Mary said doubtfully. "But I wish David and Tom and Peter were here."

Dickie did, too, but didn't care to admit it. So they sat under a pine tree and watched and listened. They could just see the house and after a little someone opened a window at the back, but they could not see who it was. Then, just as they had decided that they had been forgotten, John came round the side of the house and started up the track towards them. They turned and ran back into the wood, but stopped when he called, "Come on, twins. All clear now,"

They "cooe-ed" and ran down to meet him.

"I'm sorry about you two," he said. "It's my fault really that you've been out all day like this. Will they worry about you? If they will I'd better come and see your mother some time and explain."

"That," said Dickie, "would be a very good idea."

Mrs. Thurston was waiting in the porch, and had never been more friendly.

"All safe and sound, you see," she smiled. "So come along in and have your tea. Please tie Mac up outside, Mary, because he is rather naughty."

Mary was about to explain that there had been a man in the wood because they had seen the burning cigarette when she went on: "I want to have a good talk with John, so you won't mind having tea by yourselves, will you?" She led the way into the house and almost before they realized it, she had shown them into a little room at the back of the hall and shut the door. The window opened onto the yard, but was darkened by a rose tree clambering up the outside wall.

Dickie's eyes grew round as saucers.

"We're prisoners," he said. "Bet you we are! Gosh!"

Mary's lips quivered as she went to the door and tried the handle. It turned. The door opened.