"I'll go," he said quietly, and then from outside in the hall they heard him call up the stairs, "Don't bother, Agnes. I'll go. I saw who it was."

Then they heard the front door open and the rumble of voices. But before any of them could say anything the door opened again and Jon came in followed by a very large policeman.

"The constable," Jon announced, "is making some inquiries and thinks some of us may be able to help him."

"This is just a matter o' routine as you might say," began the policeman, "and knowing you youngsters were getting around a bit I am acting from instructions received and am to inquire if any of you have seen a gipsy's caravan in these parts?"

The Lone Piners looked at him in astonishment and Mackie growled as the door opened quietly and Mr Cantor came in.

There was a long silence. Eventually Mr Cantor cleared his throat softly and said, "Dear me! How very remarkable. A police constable to be sure, and at breakfast too - how very odd! Can I be of any assistance to you, constable? My name is Cantor and I am staying here on vacation for a short while."

"Thank you, sir, but I was just inquiring whether any of these young people happened to have seen a caravan about these parts-and most partickeler a red and yellow caravan," he finished unexpectedly.

"And are the dwellers in the red and yellow caravan wanted by the police?" Mr Cantor asked.

"I have been instructed to make general inquiries, sir, regarding any caravans and this one in partickeler."

"Then perhaps I can be of assistance to you, constable It so happens that I did see a red and yellow caravan yesterday on the hills up by the stone circle... It would perhaps be more seemly if I stepped along and saw you and gave you full details. I shall be very pleased to do so for if there is trouble I am convinced that gipsies will be involved."

"That's not true!" Peter said angrily. "We know two gipsies who live in a red and yellow caravan and they're the very finest people. It's just not fair to say that, Mr Cantor... And anyway the caravan we know is miles away by now. You don't want to waste your time looking for gipsies, Mr Policeman! You look for furniture vans that drive about here in the middle of the night if you want to find the stolen sheep."

"This is very interesting," Mr Cantor said after another shocked silence. "Perhaps you could explain yourself, Petronella? What is all this about sheep stealing? Perhaps you can enlighten us, constable?"