David consulted his map, and after another hundred yards they came to the field gate he was seeking. Bury Fields was not easy to find because the track that led to it was not sign-posted and seemed to wander without a purpose first through fields and then over the actual moorland on which they noticed some sheep. The farm buildings were all of grey stone and the roofs were green with age and the action of the weather. The house looked as if it had grown out of the soil and was a real part of this particular country. But it looked a friendly little house, and as they walked down towards it a short figure came out of the front door and waved to them.

"You'll be the young friends Alan told me about?" she said when they were near enough to hear. "Come along in and welcome. It's a cold day to be walking."

Mrs Denton led them round the side of the house to a door which led directly into one of the most fascinating rooms they had ever seen. "My son told me about you... Now you're all to make yourselves at home and be comfortable. Alan will be along in a minute or two and we'll have tea... You can see it's ready and waiting for you on the table and the kettle is on the boil."

Nobody could help feeling at home with Mrs Denton. She was small and plump and rosy, and younger than Agnes. Her speech was soft and slow and her smile rare, for her face was often sad.

The kitchen in which they found themselves was enormous. The floor was of stone, but covered with rugs and mats. The fireplace must have been ten feet wide and four feet deep, with seats each side of it. Against one wall was a long, narrow table with a bench each side, and on the table was the most magnificent tea that Dickie had ever seen.

Then they heard Alan's step outside, and Mrs Denton's face lighted up as he came into the room with Lady, the sheep-dog, at his heels. He bent to kiss his mother and then turned to the Lone Piners.

"Glad you found us," he smiled. "If Mother's ready let's sit down and eat, and then I'll tell you my news."

"What sort of news, son?" Mrs Denton called from the stove as she poured the water into the teapot.

"Is it news of the missing sheep?" David said. "That's what we've been wanting to ask ever since we got here."

Alan took a bite of scone and jam before answering.