They strolled up Trader's Street together, and even the twins were quiet and listened carefully as Jon told them of the maps and of Miss Ballinger's attempts to bribe him.

"Can't you show us?" David pleaded.

"Not out here," Jon said. "But, of course, you can see it some time when nobody else is about... I've just had a grand idea though! Penny and me have a secret room of our own up under the roof at the Dolphin. It's our very own and nobody else can get in because I've always got the key with me. Let's all meet there at midnight tonight and I'll show you the map and the other papers, and we'll make some plans."

And so it was agreed that Jon should call David in Room 5 at 11.30 and Penny would do the same for the twins in No. 8 at the same time if she could keep awake.

Then Mr. and Mrs. Morton drove up and Jon just had time to say:

"Better not let anyone know we're all in on this. Silly of us to talk here really, I think. Slinky might see us and that's not very clever. You go in now with your people and we'll call you about eleven-thirty - or earlier, if all is quiet and everyone has gone to bed. Try not to talk at dinner about us meeting you or else Slinky will hear about it... See you later then... Wear soft soled shoes."

When they had gone Penny said:

"That was fun, Jon. I'm so glad you decided to recruit them. I was willing you as hard as I could - I practically prayed - and I'm sure we shall be able to do something with them. Don't you think so?"

Jon nodded. "Maybe. But don't say too much yet. Let me do the explaining tonight. Come on. Time to change, else we'll get into more trouble."

* * * * *

Penny stayed awake until some time after eleven. At last it was time. She had not undressed so the moment the hands of her watch showed 11.30 she reached for her torch, opened her door quietly and stepped on to the creaking stairway. All else was quiet, and as the light was burning in the corridor she switched off her torch. Her journey down the stairs and along the carpeted corridors was rather nervy, but she found No. 8 without difficulty. The door was unlocked, of course, so she turned the handle and slipped in.

Both twins were fast asleep, with their clothes bundled on chairs beside their beds. Quickly she roused them.

They crept out into the lighted corridor and stood stock still when there came a sound of a match being struck somewhere below them. The twins shrank against the wall as Penny whispered under her breath, "Still. Don't move."