"He didn't like us much, did he?" Jenny said.

"Thank you, my dears," Mrs Denton said. "That was well done. Have you really seen my son?"

Penny shook her head. "Sorry, I made that up. I heard you say that he wouldn't dare appear if Alan was here. Who is that man? He looks horrid."

"He is, my dear. He's a real bad lot. Name of Sam Quickset, and used to work for us. We caught him stealing more than once, but we had nobody else to help just then and we gave him another chance, but he was worse next time, so Alan threw him out when he was rude to me. He's a bad lot, and he swore he'd never forget and that he'd get his own back one day. I'm right thankful you came in when you did. And now sit you all down and make yourselves comfortable, and there'll be a cup of tea in a minute... Are you all right, Peter?" Mrs Denton suddenly asked.

Peter sat down thankfully and said she was all right. "Just puffed a bit with running."

As Mrs Denton went to make tea, Penny came over to Peter.

"What's wrong, Peter? You look awful."

"Sorry, Penny. I'm all right, really. Just a bit of a shock. That man on the motor-bike was the driver of the van I met on the way to Clun. I'd recognize his squint anywhere."

9. Offa's Dyke

The Lone Piners had at least half an hour's start before Mr Cantor managed to get out of his chair and walk over to the window.

"It seems to be a very pleasant, bright day now," he said to the twins, "and although I enjoy your most entertaining company I think I will be taking some exercise before the sun goes in."

"Oh, Mr Cantor," Mary wailed, "are you really going to leave us just when we were enjoying ourselves so much?"

Dickie agreed fervently, and then added, "Where were you thinking of going, sir? This is just about the time we take Mackie for a walk, so perhaps we could go together."

"I don't think so, Richard," Mr Cantor said hurriedly, "I would rather take my walk by myself, thank you."

"Oh Mr Cantor!" Mary said as she sidled up to him. "Is the walk you're going really private? Don't you really want us to come with you?"

"I don't think you'd better come with me, my dears. I may be going for quite a long walk and I shouldn't like to get you into trouble by taking you too far."

"Please don't worry about that, sir," Dickie broke in. "We like long walks and you won't tire us out. We're used to long walks and Mackie always comes, too. Although he's quite a small dog and his legs are so short he can go a very long way... Acksherly we have to give him a lot of exercise and he's just got to have some to-day."