Penny opened her mouth at this last remark and Peter's chin went up indignantly, but before either could say what they were thinking Jenny went on as breathlessly as usual.

"... And another thing... Why won't you twins tell us what you know? You say you've found out everything, so why don't you tell us? It's just silly staying here."

"I think so, too," Penny said. "I think maybe the boys are playing a trick on us. Or else they've forgotten all about us..."

Peter flushed with anger.

"I don't know how you dare to say such a thing, Penny. It's the meanest thing I've ever heard you say, and it just shows you're the newest member of this Club... Of course they'd be here if they possibly could. Something's gone wrong, and I think they're in great trouble."

Before anyone could answer this outburst she reached across and pulled Dickie to his feet by his collar.

"No more nonsense now, twins," she went on. "This is serious. Tell us what you know."

For a moment they looked mutinous.

Then "All right, Peter," Mary said quietly, "we'll tell."

Between them they told their story in less time than usual, for they realized that Peter was very serious.

"... And so, you see," Mary finished triumphantly, "Mr Cantor is the most wonderful detective. Now I think we'd better do as Jenny says and go home and look for him... He'll find the boys for us."

"I agree, Mary," Peter smiled. "Something has gone wrong and I think that we'd better get back now. When we find Mr Cantor, I s'pose we ought to tell him that the boys were going over to Grey Walls. What d'you think?"

"Maybe we should," Penny agreed. "I don't know Agnes very well, but somehow I don't think it would be a good idea to let her know what we're up to."

"Right, let's go!" decided Peter. "It's agreed that we tell Mr Cantor privately but try to keep it from Agnes."

The twins were unusually quiet as they trudged along the street to Keep View, and Peter felt very unhappy. She and Jenny were walking in front and they waited on the steps of the house for the others when they came up.

"Look here, twins," she said, "you go right away and see if you can find your friend Mr Cantor. If he's downstairs just get him in a corner and ask him if we can all come and talk to him privately. If he's not about, go and knock at the door of his room. We'll try and deal with Agnes."

"All right, Peter," Dickie said quietly. "We'll try."

The twins went into the lounge at once, but Penny walked briskly up the hall and knocked loudly on the kitchen door.

"Here we are, Agnes dear," she called cheerfully. "Back at last and safe and sound!"