David got off his bicycle and let it fall distastefully on to the grass verge, but before he could say anything they all heard the thudding of hooves and turned to see a man on a fine, slim horse come cantering up to the gate in the corner of the field. A hundred yards behind him came Peter. Alan slipped off his hunter when he saw Clancy.

"Hello!" he said. "Trouble?"

Clancy nodded and led him away out of earshot while the Lone Piners grouped themselves round the signpost.

"I met Alan just riding out of the farmyard," Peter explained. "He'd had some sleep and was just going on guard again and was surprised to see me... I think he's very pleased with us. He was decent when I told him about the van. What do we do now?"

"I hate to say it again," Tom replied, "but I'd really like to go to sleep. There's not much left of the night, and before we know where we are it'll be breakfast time."

"I do hope the twins haven't woken up and found us not there," Jenny said. "That would be awful..."

Then Alan and Mr Clancy came over.

"You youngsters must get back now," Alan said. "You've done grand work, and we all appreciate it very much. Mr Clancy and I are going to check up with the other farmers, and we shall try and get some sleep, too. We're not telling the police at the moment - not till we've found out something else we want to know. Gut back now and come and see us at Bury Fields whenever you feel like it. You'll always be welcome. Cheerio for the present, and thank you all."

"I'll send on your bicycle, young lady," Mr Clancy said. "And thanks to all. You're welcome over at Three Oaks any time."

Half asleep and bitterly cold, the Lone Piners went back to Keep View, crept up the stairs to their rooms and crawled into bed for the third time that night.

8. Into Action

The routine at Keep View was badly upset the next morning. Poor Agnes tried again and again to wake the Lone Piners, but only the twins came down for breakfast at the proper time.

"Just you go out there and bang that gong again, Richard," she said in despair as she put the plates of porridge in the hatch, "I don't know what's come over them all this morning... Anyone might think they'd all been up all night."

Mary smiled and then, as she realized the significance of the housekeeper's last words, looked over at her twin very meaningly. But Dickie was only thinking of the gong and he strode out into the hall and picked up the great gong-stick lovingly. But Mary stopped him before he could strike the first blow.

"Just a minute, Dickie. Did you hear what Agnes said?"