"Don't worry about Sally, Peter," Alan said as he walked over with her. "I'll take care of her tonight. And thanks again for all you've done, Peter. You've helped us no end and we shan't forget."

Then the twins managed to separate themselves from Agnes and when, at the top of the hill into Clun, they passed a caravan swaying down the road in the dark, Mary asked the friendly policeman who was driving to stop.

"We'll walk the rest, thank you very much," she said, and then turned and shook Jenny in the corner. "Wake up! We've just passed Reuben's caravan."

Meanwhile Dickie had jumped out into the road and stopped the other car which was carrying Agnes and the rest of the Lone Piners. The housekeeper's protests were in vain for the twins refused to go on until they had spoken to the gipsies.

There was then such a chattering that Miranda asked them to be quieter and not to wake Fenella. Reuben beckoned the twins and lifted them up beside him on the driving seat.

"Take the reins," he smiled, "one each, and drive in to Clun."

The Lone Piners walked down the hill beside the caravan like a guard of honour. The oil lamps on the front gleamed like the golden eyes of a sleepy animal and the little chimney sent out a plume of smoke.

"Snow soon," Reuben said as he stopped on the other side of the bridge and helped the twins down. "Farewell, my lucky ones. We shall meet again!"

"Good-bye!" they all called, "Good-bye."

Back at Keep View they found Mr Cantor waiting to say his good-bye. Then the twins were hustled off to bed and Mackie followed them as Penny said, "Let's go up to the Castle just for a few minutes and finish the adventure where it began."

"Moon should be up in a few minutes," Jon said as they toiled up the slope, "and here comes the snow."

They leaned against the rough walls and watched the moon break between the heavy clouds. Clun, but for a few lighted windows, seemed already asleep.

"It's all been far more wonderful than I thought it could," Penny said at last, "and that's thanks to you all."

"I didn't think a holiday could be so exciting," Peter said quietly. "It's the best I've ever had," and smiled at her new friend.

Jenny shivered and held her hands out to the falling snowflakes. "Nothing like this has ever happened to me before."

"Look, everyone!" Tom suddenly called, "Doesn't he remind you of Witchend?"

He pointed upwards and they saw a big owl drift soundlessly by, above the ruined castle.

"Too-whit! Tooo-whit," Tom called, and the dusky shadow answered him as they all ran down the hill.