"What's all the row about?"

Dickie stopped fighting. The truth was that he had a tremendous admiration for his brother and would have stood up to anybody in the world who dared to say anything against him.

"Well, David," he gulped. "It's time to get up and Agnes is mad with you and the porridge is getting cold and we want to know if you've been having adventures without us, 'cos if you have..."

David grinned, and pushed him off the bed.

"Just get off my legs and I'll get up... Jon! Get up and hurry. We'd better go down in our dressing-gowns."

"Well, have you?" Dickie persisted. "That's all I ask. Have you been out in the night without us?"

Before David could answer Jon reached for his glasses.

"Just trot off downstairs, Dickie, like a good little boy and we'll tell you all about it after breakfast."

"Don't you dare to call me a good little boy," Dickie spluttered. "You're the worst of the lot, Jon. I bet it was your idea to leave us behind. I loathe you. We both loathe you an'..."

David reached for his dressing-gown, put his hands on Dickie's shoulders and gently pushed him into the passage. At that moment there was a startled yell from the next room and Mary shot out and joined her twin.

"I did it, Dickie. I've soused them both with cold water. Jenny wasn't much trouble. She was terrified of me. She's getting up."

David shut the door behind him.

"Get on, you two, and no more nonsense. This is serious and you can really help us now. We'll tell you everything as soon as we can but it's up to you both now to do something for the Club... Go and keep Agnes quiet. Say we're very sorry and will be down in five minutes, and if Mr Cantor is in the dining-room get him out of the way so that we can talk. We shall want your help badly to-day and I promise we'll tell you everything. Do this for us, twins, will you?" Mary looked him straight in the eyes, reached for Dickie's hand - something she did now only when it was very important - and led him downstairs.

A few minutes later six woe-begone and bedraggled Lone Piners joined the twins at the breakfast table. Mr Cantor, after a very curious glance, passed them in the hall as they came downstairs. They all muttered a greeting and slipped into the room, hoping that Agnes would not be waiting for them. Dickie and Mary had done their work well, for they were alone and their porridge was served.

"Now then," Dickie said. "Buck up and tell us. We've let you off this time, but we won't again."

Mary giggled. "You do all look funny! At least, most of you look awful. What's the matter with your hair, Penny? Have you been out swimming?"