"Seems from what I hear that you youngsters had something to do with the catching of 'em. I reckon we're proud of you round here, but maybe we'll get the full story when this special policeman and the others arrive... Why, girl! You're yawning your head off! You must be tired out."

"It's not so bad now," Peter laughed. "But we've not quite caught up with our sleep yet! We think it's marvellous of you to invite us and we're all thrilled about it, but do please excuse us if we yawn a bit... Look! Here they are. I can see them coming over the top of the hill. I'll run out and meet them."

And as the Lone Piners crowded into the yard the sky was lit up by the headlights of a car which came scrunching down the track. It was Mr Cantor and Agnes and so the whole party moved over to the house where Mrs Denton was waiting at the open door and the great kitchen glowed so warm a welcome that most of them - even the twins - were silent with wonder. Nobody ever knew where she had got so much food in so short a time and this was indeed, as Dickie remarked when he had found his tongue again, the "highest high tea" he had ever seen.

Not until they were all together in the lighted room and the red curtains had been pulled across the window, and Mrs Denton and Agnes had retired together, did the Lone Piners have a real opportunity of looking at Mr Cantor who was standing on the hearth-rug chatting to Alan.

He certainly looked different in a checked sports jacket and brown corduroys, and, although he was still as bald and still wore glasses, he looked younger. He looked up suddenly from lighting his pipe and caught Peter's eyes on him.

He twinkled at her and said, "Well, Peter. Forgiven me?"

Peter's cheeks flamed.

"I don't know quite what you mean," she whispered. "I think you ought to forgive me, for I did think the most awful things about you, and sometimes I was very rude, too."

"No, you weren't, Peter - not really... But I didn't like you hating me, you know... I've enjoyed meeting you youngsters, and I'd like to say now that you're a grand lot and I've enjoyed working with you... Maybe your names will be mentioned in my report."

"Will we get medals?" Dickie said. "Mary and me'll take them if you ask us. I don't mind telling you, Mr Cantor, that I'd like a police medal to take back to school."

When the laughter had subsided, Jenny spoke up.

"Of course, we're all half asleep, but we do want you to tell us everything, Mr Cantor. We want all the truth, and we don't want you to hide anything."