"All right, Auntie. Thank you. I can't say I like the little man very much, but it will be fun to explore Hastings! Will you tell Jon directly he comes back where we've gone?" Penny pleaded. "Please do that, because it's most important. Promise?"

"I promise, but I don't suppose he'll notice that you're not here, Penny!"

"Will you tell him, anyway, please? You will, won't you?" and with that Penny ran upstairs to change.

When she came down the car was in the yard with the twins in the back seat. Mary had Macbeth on her lap. Mr. Grandon was not to be seen.

Mary looked anxiously at Penny. "We did right, didn't we, Penny? He said he was asking you as well, and if we go with him we're doing what we promised, aren't we? I mean we're still doggin' him, and even if we do lose him in Hastings, he can't do much diggin' for treasure there, can he?... You do look worried, Penny... I wish you wouldn't."

Before she could answer Mr. Grandon came out. He was now wearing a most beautiful light grey suit and his teeth and his black hair looked shinier than ever.

"Ah! Miss Penny is ready," he began. "I am so glad you are honouring me with your company. I had to go to Hastings today, and Mrs. Warrender was so good as to give her permission."

As they crawled down the narrow street by the church Mr. Grandon broke an awkward silence.

"Which way did you come with Vasson? There are two good roads to Hastings and we will go now the way that is fresh to you."

"We came through Winchelsea," Penny said shortly.

Mr. Grandon flashed his teeth at her. "No need to be sulky," he said, too quietly for the twins to hear. "Let us all have a holiday today. A truce, shall we call it? Let us enjoy ourselves."

They went through several lovely little villages, Mr.

Grandon chatting pleasantly the while and making rather feeble jokes as well, until, in spite of her suspicions, Penny found herself answering, and laughing with him, too.

Mr. Grandon burst into song and bent forward over the wheel as if he was in a racing car, so she leaned back and hoped for the best.

Penny was still wondering what the real purpose of the invitation could be and trying to make some sense out of his extraordinary mood, when he pointed ahead and said seriously:

"Perhaps you would like to walk along the Parade to the pier," Slinky went on. "I will meet you there in half an hour, and please don't be late, as I have much to do later," and almost before they were on the pavement he had let in the clutch and glided away.

"Well!" said the twins together, "What do you think of that?"