The figure loomed forward and then they both saw that it was Miss Ballinger wrapped in a loose black cloak. As they got nearer they could see that she was shouting, but the noise of the wind and sea drowned her words. Valerie hurried towards her and then, in one of those eerie lulls when the wind dropped for a moment, the boys were able to hear her speak.

"You've been too long," she snapped at the girl. "Much too long. We've got to get out of here quickly. Have you brought the papers? Come in here, you two, and be quick about it."

This was a very different Miss Ballinger from the artist in the train or from the teller of tales Jon remembered at the first tea-party. Her face now was white and strained and beaded with perspiration. Her greying hair was blowing untidily under a ridiculous black beret, and there was a heavy suitcase at her feet which got in her way as she tried to crowd them all into the tiny hall. Suddenly Jon felt stubborn and unafraid. He was angry but, at the same time, quite cool as he crossed the threshold.

"Shut the door," Miss Ballinger snapped again. "We can't hear ourselves speak... Now then, you boys, have you brought...?"

"Excuse me interrupting you, Miss Ballinger," Jon said, "but we've come here for my cousin and the Morton twins. We were asked to tea, but you seem to be going out in a hurry... And if Mr. Grandon is here I ought to tell him that my mother is very angry with him for not bringing the others home at tea-time as he promised."

This was a brave speech, but nobody seemed to take any notice of it. Valerie was standing against the closed door of the front room, while her aunt waved her hand vaguely and led them into the back room. Here an oil lamp was burning, and this, with the glow of the fire, made a more cheerful picture than the narrow, dark and draughty hall.

The boys followed her in expecting to see the others, but the room was empty except for Slinky, who was biting his nails over by the shuttered windows. Miss Ballinger closed the door.

"Now," she said. "Let's have no more nonsense. I offered you twenty pounds for all the papers and maps you have found in that old box in the top room at the Dolphin... There's no time to argue now, so if you want more money I'll give you more, because I'm in a hurry, but I must have the papers at once... I've got to be off."

They all had to shout to make themselves heard. The walls and floor were shaking with the pounding of the waves and the force of the wind, and there was a strange smell of stale sea water in the house. But Jon was no longer afraid.