Dickon shrugged but seemed happy to follow. They climbed the wall and began to explore it from the other side. As they walked together, with the robin flying ahead of them and the dog at their feet, Mary decided to tell Dickon the story of Rama and Sita and the monkey god, Hanuman. Dickon listened, nodding occasionally.

“Well?” Mary said eagerly when she reached the end. “Did you like the story, Dickon?”

“I liked the idea of a flying monkey,” said Dickon.

Mary grinned. Just then, the robin flew to the wall and clung to the curtain of creepers, singing loudly. A gust of wind rushed by, lifting up the ivy and revealing a metal gate underneath.

“Dickon!” gasped Mary, starting to push through the bracken that blocked the way. “It’s a gate! A gate to the garden!”

Mary began to pull the creepers away. Dickon joined her, tugging them to one side until they could see the gate beneath. Taking out the key, Mary pushed it into the lock. It stuck for a moment but then moved with a click. Mary turned the handle, and the gate opened. She looked at Dickon in delight. “This is the proper way in. It’s what the robin wanted us to find.”

The robin circled around her head, tweeting happily.

Mary felt excitement buzzing through her. Already an exciting plan was forming in her mind. The gateway was wide enough for a wheelchair to fit through. Yes, she knew Colin said he hated the outdoors and it was dangerous to him, but she was sure that wasn’t true. If she could just bring him to the garden, maybe he would start to feel better. Maybe . . . just maybe . . . its magic would help heal him like it had helped the dog.

“Oh, Dickon,” she breathed, her eyes shining. “Finding this gate could be the thing that really makes all the difference!”

15

Taking Risks

Mary told Dickon her plan, and they hurried to the house. Sneaking in through the back door, they crept up the staircases and along the corridors. Mary knew her plan was dangerous, and she had no idea if Colin would even agree to it, but she also knew she had to try.

As they reached the part of the house where Colin’s room was, they became even more cautious. Mary ran to the end of a corridor, checked the next one, then signaled to Dickon to move. He raced past her and dived into another doorway. Peering out, he beckoned to her, and she made the next move. Corridor after corridor they negotiated their way as they gradually got closer to Colin’s room. They were almost there when Mary heard a door handle turning. She threw her arm up to warn Dickon, and they flung themselves into an empty room, hardly daring to breathe. Risking a peek, Mary saw Mrs. Medlock come out of a room and march away without realizing they were there.