"There aren't any buts," Penny stormed. "Can't you see that's what we ought to have done just as soon as we found that Mr Cantor wasn't here...? Are you game, Peter? Are you, Jenny?"

"Yes, I am," Peter said shortly. "Of course you're right, Penny... Coming, Jenny?"

"You're both so quick," Jenny wailed. "But of course I'll come. I'd rather do anything than stay here thinking."

They were all out of the house in four minutes, tying scarves and pulling zips as they ran down the steps, and did not pause for breath until they reached the signpost at the crossroads.

"While we were coming along I was thinking again," Jenny began. "I do hope you won't reckon I'm silly, but don't you believe it would be more sensible to go to Bury Fields and tell the Dentons what's happened?"

"No, I don't," Penny almost snapped. "Why, Jenny? Are you scared?"

"I don't think I am any more," Jenny said quietly as

Peter looked at her in surprise. "I was at first and I generally am to begin with, but I'm sure I'm not now."

Penny looked ashamed. "Sorry, Jen," she said, "but I can't see any sense in going to the Dentons because I'm sure the boys won't be there."

"I don't suppose they will," Jenny agreed, "but what I mean is that Alan could come with us and help us to find the boys, or maybe he could get together a search party or something. Do you see what I mean?"

Penny shook her head, but Peter looked doubtful.

"I mean that if we all go to Grey Walls now and find out something there's not much us three girls can do about it, is there?"

"Why not? If the boys can do it we can," Penny said.

"I don't know about that... I know there's lots of things that Tom does that I couldn't, but don't you see that if something extra special has to be done in a hurry, Alan, or some of his friends, are sure to be able to do more than we can do anyway," Jenny replied.

"You can do what you like, of course," Penny said, "but I'm going to Grey Walls right now... Back in the summer Jon and David rescued me and the twins and if they can do it for me I don't see why three girls - or two girls, anyway - can't do the same for them... You do what you like, Jenny, but I'm going after the boys. Are you coming with me, Peter, or are you going with Jenny?"

Even while Penny had been speaking Peter had been fairly confident that Jenny's suggestion had been wise. And although she did not hesitate to answer Penny now she still believed that Jenny was right. But if Penny thought that she had a duty to rescue Jon, surely the vice-captain of the Club had a greater duty to rescue the Captain?