"Oh, we do, do we? Perhaps we do! Perhaps you had better stay after all."

"You can say what you like, but we are not going to leave Penny. You can't do anything to her. She's our friend and if any of you come near we'll... we'll... we'll fight you tooth and claw," Dickie shouted.

Miss Ballinger snapped, "Now, let's waste no more time. You two children sit down there if you must and listen to what I've got to say to your special friend, and understand that the sooner I get what I want the sooner Mr. Grandon will take you home... Now, Miss Penelope Warrender, take that stubborn look off your face and listen to me. You're old enough to know that I mean business."

A few minutes ago Penny had been frightened. Then, as Miss Ballinger began to show in her speech all the vulgarity that one would expect, she felt angry. She felt the blood rise to her cheeks and her hands begin to tremble with anger. Mrs. Warrender had told her years ago that she must try and conquer those fits of rage that so often seemed to go with red hair, and she had not felt like this for ages. Then she began to go cold, but much calmer, and with the twins holding her hands she leaned back against the shoddy sideboard and listened while Miss Ballinger told an old story with a new variation.

She said bluntly that she intended to have the map which she was sure existed and any other papers which had anything to do with the treasure.

"I pay you the compliment, child," she said, "of not pretending. You and your friends know there is treasure to be found, and you know what I know. I intend to find this and am working for my friend here on his behalf."

"What friend?"

"Mr. Grandon, of course. I have already told you that I am an expert on antiques, and Mr. Grandon has asked me to help him. What you children have not been told is that Mrs. Warrender's old uncle who owned the Dolphin intended Mr. Grandon to have this treasure because he had served him so well. When the time comes, and the treasure is discovered, we can produce a letter from Mr. Charles Warrender to prove it."

"That's a lie!" Penny said indignantly. "You know it's not true."

"And how do you know it's not true?" Miss Ballinger asked.

Penny, too angry to notice the fair-haired girl flash a quick look at her aunt, unfortunately fell straight into the trap.

"How do I know?" she stormed. "I know because I've seen the letter old Uncle Charles wrote to Jon in which he tells him that the treasure is for... Oh! What have I said?" and she put her hands over her eyes to hide the sudden, quick tears that came as she realized what she had done.