But there was plenty still to do and for the next two hours David kept them busy. Everything was unpacked and Peter, cook to the Lone Piners, got all the kitchen utensils together. Fresh water was fetched from the well and two big dairy pails filled. Then there was fuel to be got in and Dickie was put in charge of this department, and after some muttering and grumbling to the effect that "everyone was unfair to him", he slipped off to the house. When he returned he was carrying a large sheet of white paper and a hammer. By sign he indicated that his mouth was full of nails, and then, with a great deal of fuss, he fixed the paper to the white door of the barn. It showed the pine cone symbol and underneath was printed PRIVATE, H.Q.2.

After this had been duly admired, Peter produced the frying-pan, and soon Dickie's moodiness vanished as H.Q.2 was filled with the delicious savour of fried potatoes and onions. Mary offered to help, but when Peter said, "Not for a bit, thanks, I've got to learn this stove first," the little girl called Macbeth and wandered upstairs. When the eggs had been fried last of all and Peter had broken one plate and burned her fingers on the others, she asked Dickie to bang the kettle as a gong.

Meanwhile, David had put up the trestle table, and as the sun came streaming through the open doors the barn looked jollier and more inviting than it had for many years.

When they had all dealt with the first course, David looked up and said, "We must write to Tom and ask him to come this week-end. Then let's go down to Barton Beach together. We haven't seen it yet."

"All right," said Peter. "That's a good idea, but do you all think we might enlist another member? It's just as you say, but there's a girl called Jenny in the village. She's fun and has helped me a lot already, and I know she'd love to join. Of course, she's rather silly about the mountain, and she won't go near the Devil's Chair even in the daytime, but she does know all about the country, and knows lots of stories, too. And she keeps on running away from home..."

David looked up in surprise. "What's that got to do with it?"

"Nothing really, except that she's unhappy at home and likes adventures... I say, let's write her a secret note saying that if she would like to be a member she must be at the first white gate tonight at five o'clock."

They all agreed with enthusiasm, but for once Mary remained silent.

"What's wrong, Mary? You've hardly said a word for hours. Got a tummy ache?" asked Peter.

Mary looked scornful and made no reply, but later, when she was helping Peter wash up, the latter tried again to see what was worrying the little girl.