"So if you wouldn't really mind, dear Mr Cantor," Mary went on, "we would like it very much if you'd let us come with you... We were hoping that you could spare a scrap of time to show us some of the exciting places round here that you told us about the other day... O' course if you really wanted to do anything very private we'd just disappear quietly, wouldn't we, Dickie?"

"We wouldn't be in the way for anything," her twin agreed.

There was a long silence while Mr Cantor looked at the two of them; and just for a second or two Mary, who met his eyes steadfastly, had that same odd feeling that he was somebody else - or almost that he was two different people. Then he smiled and said, "Very well - you shall come with me. You shall help me explore and we will look for arrowheads. Let us ask the housekeeper for an early lunch."

Mary was thanking Mr Cantor effusively when Dickie had another idea. Perhaps Mr Cantor thought that if he promised them his company after lunch this would keep them quiet until then, while he slipped off to his room and planned something else. At all costs Dickie felt that they should go out together now before he changed his mind or escaped from them.

"Let's start now, sir. While the sun is out and it's not too cold-" he suggested.

"You must take care of yourself, Mr Cantor," Mary broke in. "We shall never forgive ourselves if your cold got worse."

"It's better to go out in the fresh air with a cold," Dickie continued hurriedly. "Mother always says that, unless you've got a temperature and we're sure you haven't got that... No, sir, please let's go now and have our lunch at an inn."

"But that's a marvellous idea, Dickie," Mary said. "Please, Mr Cantor, let's do that. There's a funny old inn on the road that leads up to the hills. I'd love to go in that. We could pretend we're weary travellers whose coach has broken down or been robbed by a masked highwayman, and that reaching the inn has saved our lives."

Mr Cantor looked at her in surprise and then smiled again.

"That is a good idea, Richard," he said. "Wait here and I will be ready in five minutes. Will one of you tell Agnes that we shall be out to lunch?"

"Can I come up to your room and help you pack or anything?" Dickie asked as he edged towards the door.

"No," Mr Cantor said tersely for once. "You may not. Stay where you are."

Dickie flopped on the sofa as soon as Mr Cantor had closed the door behind him.

"This is an awful strain, twin," he gasped, "Slip out and see if he's really going into his room."

Mary was back in thirty seconds.