The Secret Seven Under Cover

By Trevor J Bolton CHAPTER 1: A HALF TERM MEETING

"Do hurry up, Janet," said her impatient brother, Peter, clicking his tongue. "The others will be here soon and you still haven't brought the biscuits." "There's nothing stopping you from fetching them," replied Janet scowling. " n any case, didn't forget the biscuits. !ust didn't want to carry them as well as the !ug of lemonade in case dropped them coming down the garden to the shed." ""oof#" barked $camper, their silky haired golden spaniel. %e liked it when a biscuit was dropped as he could always grab it before anyone could pick it up. " 'm busy arranging these bo&es and flower pots for our meeting," declared Peter blowing dust off one of the pots. " t's the first day of half term so this is an important $ecret $even meeting. "e really must try and find a problem we can get our teeth into before we go back to school." The members of the $ecret $even met in the shed at the bottom of Janet and Peter's garden at 'ld (ill %ouse. 'n the door were the letters $$ neatly cut from green card and each member had to say the latest password before being allowed to enter the shed. $ince forming the $ecret $even $ociety, the children had solved many an interesting problem and taken part in several adventures. "hile Janet returned to the house to fetch the biscuits with $camper at her heels, Peter arranged the bo&es and flower pots and turned the mugs on the shelf the right way up ready for use. $oon, voices could be heard approaching the shed. Peter immediately closed the door then called out) "Password#" "(ystery," replied one voice in an urgent whisper. "*ome in, +eorge," said Peter opening the door wide enough to let +eorge in. The second boy tried to enter but had the door shut in his face. ",ou know the rule, Jack. ,ou can't come in unless you say the password." "Don't be so ridiculous, Peter," retorted Jack. " t's obvious know the password as 'm with +eorge." %e paused for a moment then shouted, "(,$T-.,#" "That's right, let everybody hear#" e&claimed Peter angrily. " 'm always telling you not to shout the password. $uppose your sister, $usie, is nearby. $he'll know it now even if she doesn't know it already. /nd your badge is crooked." ",ou are in a right mood this morning," declared Jack, ad!usting his badge as he entered the shed. "/nyway, $usie is with that frightful friend of hers, 0inkie."

",ou know, the rabbity one," added +eorge with a grin. "1isten. %ere come the girls. can hear them giggling." "/s usual," muttered Peter taking up his position by the door. " bet they've forgotten the password. ,ou know what girls are. Password, please." " t's too much of a mystery for 0arbara and me to remember," called back one of the girls. They both burst into s2ueals of laughter while Peter gave a look of e&asperation. " f you don't give the correct password you can't enter," he shouted. "(ystery, mystery," uttered 0arbara. "'ne mystery is enough," said an irritated Peter. "3o it isn't because there are two of us, Pam and me," replied 0arbara as she and Pam dissolved into laughter again. ""ait. %ere comes Janet with some lemonade... oh, and here's *olin as well." "(ystery," said *olin running up to the shed and holding the door for Janet. " don't suppose you need to say the password, Janet, as you've obviously already been in the shed." "Don't bet on it#" said Jack giving the glaring Peter a sly look. ".ight, we're all here now. 1et's start our first meeting of the half term." "Just a minute, 'm in charge," declared Peter abruptly, still glaring at Jack. " conduct the meetings." "*alm down, Peter, for goodness' sake," said Janet carefully placing the !ug on the shelf. "1et's pour ourselves some lemonade and have a couple of biscuits each before we start 4 if Peter doesn't ob!ect. 1et $camper in, please, *olin. can hear him scratching on the door." $oon the seven were perched on their makeshift seats munching biscuits, pleased to be together again. Peter opened the meeting. "/s it's the first day of half term don't suppose there's anything to report as we've all been at school. $o let's have some suggestions as to what we can do. "e don't want to spend too much time in this shed and miss the June sunshine." "*an't we do some e&ploring and see if we come across anything of interest5" suggested Pam looking round at the blank faces. ""e can't e&actly e&plore as we know the area so well," replied +eorge. ""e need a better suggestion than that." ""e could go out in groups like we've done before," said 0arbara. "Then report back with anything unusual." "That's like my idea and +eorge s2uashed it," said Pam pulling a face.

"1et's go on a picnic somewhere," suggested Jack. ""e can go further afield if we take our bikes and that's sort of e&ploring. /s Pam said, we might come across something of interest and be en!oying ourselves at the same time." ",es, an acceptable idea," agreed Peter nodding his head. "/ny more suggestions5" "%ey, 've !ust remembered, my cousin's going camping," announced *olin, his eyes lighting up. "%ow about asking our parents if we can sleep outside for a couple of nights5" "6nder cover, hope," said +eorge. "'f course#" retorted *olin. " 've got a tent with room for two or three and 0arbara's got 2uite a large one in her garden. 've seen it." " like the sound of that but doubt whether (other will let us go camping by ourselves," said Janet. " know my mother won't," said 0arbara shaking her head. "0ut like the idea of sleeping in a tent as the weather's so nice. 've only used mine in the garden during daytime." " t's a great idea so suggest we all ask our parents about camping out somewhere like "indy "oods," said Peter. "/greed5" -veryone agreed although inwardly each child felt certain the answer would be no. " t's getting stuffy in here," said Jack, wiping his brow. " vote we go to the park." ",es, let's do that now we've finished the lemonade and biscuits," said Peter. "/t lunch time we'll ask our parents about camping and report back here at two o'clock. *ome on, $camper."

CHAPTER : A GREAT I!EA

"(other, we've got something important to ask you," said Peter over lunch. "/s it's so hot, could we go camping overnight somewhere like "indy "oods or 1ittle Thicket5" " t's something we all want to do," pleaded Janet. "There are seven of us so we'd be all right." "+oodness me, you can't !ust go overnight camping unsupervised in "indy "oods, or anywhere else for that matter," replied (other, taken aback. "Don't look so disappointed. ,ou'll find that the other children's parents will give the same answer." "'h please, (other," begged Peter. ""e've proved so many times we can look after ourselves. Just for a couple of nights. P1-/$-#"

" f camping appeals to you, and, believe me, can understand the attraction of sleeping under cover outside, we'll think up something for the long summer holiday," said (other firmly. "0ut will not !ust allow you to suddenly stay out for a couple of nights because of an idea somebody's had. *amping out needs planning and a degree of supervision. 'h, here's your father. ,ou see, he'll agree with me." "$orry 'm late," said Daddy entering the dining room. " 've !ust been with (att the $hepherd. 3ow what's this about me agreeing with something5" "hile (other went to the kitchen, Peter e&plained that the $even wanted to go camping overnight somewhere by themselves. Janet looked on hopefully. " appreciate your enthusiasm," said Daddy sitting down, "but (other's right. ,ou can't !ust pitch tents in a wood and sleep there unsupervised. ,ou don't know who might be around and you $even have a habit of getting mi&ed up with rather unsavoury characters#" The two children said nothing but picked at their meal feeling e&tremely disappointed even though they both e&pected this sort of response. "hy did grown7ups have to be so awkward and always find obstacles5 "1isten, 've an idea," said Daddy as (other brought his meal in. "%ow about pitching your tents somewhere on our own land5 That way you can be by yourselves, away from the house, can stay out overnight, and we parents will know you're safe." "3ow that's a sensible idea," agreed (other, sitting down. ",ou can cook your own meals over a campfire and you can always let yourself in the house if you're scared." "$cared#" e&claimed Peter scornfully. "$cared# "hen are we scared5" %e looked at Janet before continuing. " suppose that's better than nothing. /t least we'll be camping overnight. "e'll see what the others think about the idea when we meet this afternoon." ""hy not phone them when you've finished your meal5" suggested Daddy. "That way they'll have a chance to ask their parents before you even meet this afternoon." ",es, let's do that," agreed Peter, looking sideways at his father. " must admit that grown ups do have good ideas sometimes." The two children waited impatiently for the meal to be over, longing to speak to the other members of the $even. -ventually everyone had finished and Peter rushed to the phone. %e called Jack first but, to his dismay, heard $usie's voice. "Password, please," she said mockingly once she knew it was Peter. "Don't be silly, $usie," retorted Peter. "Please let me speak to Jack." " think he's gone camping so you'd better talk to 0inkie instead," said $usie, thoroughly en!oying herself. Then Peter heard her calling. "0inkie# Peter's on the phone for you."

/n angry Peter immediately slammed the receiver down. t was bad enough having to speak to that annoying $usie but he shuddered to think of 0inkie on the phone. -ven he would never get a word in# /nd how dare $usie refer to camping# $he had obviously overheard Jack's conversation with their parents. %e hurriedly dialled *olin's number before $usie or 0inkie phoned back. "'h hello, Peter," said *olin. " 'm afraid (um won't allow me to camp in a public place, not that 'm surprised. /nd the same goes for +eorge. %e phoned me a short while ago." " t's the same for Janet and me," moaned Peter. "0ut listen to my father's suggestion." %e then proceeded to tell *olin about camping on the farmland. "That sounds great#" said *olin. " 'll phone +eorge if you like while you get in touch with the girls. /nd good luck getting through to Jack#" Peter grunted then phoned 0arbara and Pam. 0oth sets of parents had said no to camping in the woods but actually suggested tents in somebody's garden. "/t least we know 0arbara and Pam's parents agree to Daddy's suggestion," said Peter to Janet. "3ow for Jack. f $usie or 0inkie answer 'll put the receiver down." %e dialled and waited. To his relief it was Jack who answered. "$orry missed you earlier," said Jack, then he listened to Peter's suggestion. "That sounds fun. 'll ask my parents. They weren't happy about camping unsupervised in "indy "oods but 'm sure they'll agree to pitching our tents on your land. 'll ask them straightaway and will let you know at the meeting. $usie and 0inkie have gone out, thank goodness#" /t two o'clock, seven e&cited children met in the shed, talking nineteen to the do8en. Peter called for order then outlined his father's suggestion, asking each child e&cept Janet what their parents had decided. "(y parents said they would agree if Pam's parents agree," said 0arbara, "and know Pam's parents agree because she told me." "(y mum and dad said yes," said *olin. " n fact they were 2uite pleased to know 'll be using the tent they bought me for my birthday. They were !ust uneasy about camping overnight in a public place." "$ame for me," added +eorge. " haven't got a tent but *olin said there's plenty of room in his. 've got a sleeping bag somewhere, though." /s Jack's parents had also agreed to the idea, Peter looked round at everyone with a broad beam spread across his face. ",ippee#" he yelled. ""ell, we now need to decide where to pitch the tents and think know the very place#"

CHAPTER ": PREPARING THE CAMPSITE

0efore anyone could say anything, Peter had opened the shed door and dashed off round the corner of the greenhouse. -verybody followed, e&cited at the thought of finding somewhere to camp. $ensing the e&citement, $camper ran around barking madly. /t first it looked as though Peter was making for the 2uarry but then he took a path leading in the opposite direction. " bet he's making for the clearing near the stream," said Janet. " t's nice there, almost entirely surrounded by bushes." $he was right. They skirted the oat field with its grinning scarecrow and found themselves in a small, flat, grassy clearing with bushes around the edge. / little stream gurgled happily to one side as it wended its merry way towards the duck pond while, not far away was the boundary fence with a mysterious little copse beyond. "%ow's this5" asked Peter looking round smiling. " t's level, it's sheltered and we're away from the animals and crops so we can safely make a camp fire. There's even running water for an early morning wash. (ind you, it'll be rather cold but it will wake us up#" " like the spot but one problem is that we're fairly close to that fence over there," pointed out Jack. " t won't be very private. "e'll be seen or heard by anyone walking in the wood." "There isn't a path there," replied Janet. " t's a sort of dead end. 3obody goes there. The path is much further over so it's unlikely we'll be disturbed." "There's certainly ample space for our tents," agreed *olin, glancing around. "(ine will take two and yours will as well, won't it, Peter5 "hat about your tent, 0arbara5 s there room for three in it5" "There's enough room for three sleeping bags," said 0arbara nodding. "0ut not much else." "That's good enough," said Janet with a broad grin. "/fter all, we're not going to bring our wardrobes." "/ny food we have can be placed under that rocky outcrop over there," indicated +eorge. " t's like a little cupboard without a door and will act as shelter from the sun. /nd we mustn't forget to bring a tin opener." ""e can place lemonade bottles in the stream to keep them cool," said Pam. Then she added with a giggle, "/s long as we remember to keep the tops on tightly." "$o when do start5" asked *olin. ",ou decide, Peter. ,ou're our chief." "/s soon as possible in case the weather breaks," replied Peter at once. "%ow about putting up the tents tomorrow afternoon and cooking our first meal once we've finished5"

"$ounds great," said Jack. " 'm sure our parents will agree. .oll on, tomorrow afternoon. bet it'll take ages coming." The rest of the day certainly dragged as did the following morning but, during the afternoon, the $even gathered in the clearing with the three tents and their sleeping bags. /ll the parents had agreed to their children camping as they were on farm land and could seek immediate help should there be any problems. "That annoying sister of mine said she wanted to camp out so my parents have had to allow her and 0inkie to put up our tent in the garden," moaned Jack. "Trust her to copy us# That means 'll need to share with you, Peter." "That's '.9. as Janet'll be with 0arbara. /s long as $usie's in your garden she's away from us," said Peter sounding relieved. "*ome on. 1et's put the tents up." 0arbara's tent was the largest so there was ade2uate room for the girls' sleeping bags. +eorge was to share *olin's tent while Jack placed his sleeping bag in Peter's. t took much longer than e&pected to have all three tents upright as the children had not positioned the pegs very well but, eventually, there they were, ready for occupation. -veryone had brought a bag containing food or drink plus a mug, a plate, a knife and a fork. Peter had brought a large frying pan and two saucepans. %is father suddenly appeared to inspect the site carrying a couple of stoves, some oil and a bo& of matches. "/ll looks 2uite snug," said Daddy approvingly, after peering into each tent. "(ind you, you're a bit close to the boundary fence but nobody seems to go into the copse." " t's all right to have a camp fire, isn't it, Daddy5" asked Janet an&iously. ",es, but light it so that the smoke doesn't blow into your tents and well away from any bracken," warned Daddy. "1ook, there's a pile of stones over there. (ake a circle of them and build your fire inside. Do make certain it's completely out before you go to bed. To be on the safe side, douse it with water from the stream. "ho's remembered to bring a torch5" Jack and *olin were the only ones with torches so Peter said he would return to the farmhouse to fetch a couple more later on. ""hat do we use as fuel for the fire5" asked Pam looking all round after Peter's father had left. "The oil's for the stoves, isn't it5" ""e gather twigs and sticks, silly#" replied *olin. ""hat do you think we use5 *oal5" "/ctually, it would be a good idea to gather some fuel now," decided Peter. " bet there are plenty of twigs in that copse over there. know where there's a gap in the fence." They found the narrow gap and !ust managed to s2uee8e through, holding their breath while $camper barked e&citedly thinking this was some sort of a game. The ground

beneath the trees was littered with twigs of all si8es so it was not long before each child gathered as much as he or she could carry and returned to the fence. "(y dad would never s2uee8e through here, he's too plump," laughed Pam. "/s it is, 'll probably drop my armful of wood s2uee8ing back through." "Don't s2uee8e through, !ust throw the twigs over the fence," said +eorge scornfully. ""e haven't got nearly enough yet. "e'll need a lot more than an armful each as they'll soon burn." "/nd look for some bigger sticks," added Peter. "They'll burn more slowly." "hile the $even gathered more twigs and sticks, $camper went among the trees and bushes sniffing. 0eing this side of the fence was fairly new to him. %e could certainly smell rabbits and fo&es then another smell attracted his attention, making him bark wildly. "0e 2uiet, $camper#" shouted Janet thrusting an armful of small branches over the fence. 0ut $camper would not keep 2uiet so Janet went to see what he was barking at. %e was half under a bush with !ust his tail showing. Janet bent down to !oin him and was ama8ed at what she saw. ":uick# 'ver here#" she called to the others. "$ee what's hidden in this bush#"

CHAPTER #: AN E$ENTFUL TIME

-veryone hurled their armfuls of sticks and twigs over the fence before rushing to see what the noise was about. "Do come out of the way, $camper," shouted Peter. "*ome away, said# "hat's that you're dragging from under the bush5" " t's one of two hidden cardboard bo&es tied up with string," said Janet trying to take hold of the carton. "They can't have been there long as they look too new. *ardboard soon rots. 1et's see what's inside." $camper thought this was part of a game so was reluctant to let go. -ventually Janet managed to remove the carton from the spaniel and, with fumbling fingers, untied the string. To everyone's astonishment, what should be inside but three pairs of gloves and three wigs# Jack reached for the second bo& which he 2uickly opened. nside this one, were plimsolls and three small torches. %e switched the torches on. -ach one worked. "Perhaps this is somebody's camp," suggested 0arbara looking uneasy. "(aybe they sleep under the bush."

""hy on earth would anyone want gloves and wigs if they're camping5" laughed *olin bending down and parting the lower branches to take a closer look. "%ey, !ust a minute. There's something else in here. They look like bicycles but... surely not." %e crawled into the middle of the leafy bush and called back to the others. "+osh, there really are three bikes in here. "hat's more there's a sort of tarpaulin spread out on the ground." "$ee, was right, they are camping," said 0arbara smugly. ""ell think we ought to replace these cartons at once," said +eorge. "Their owners could return at any moment and won't be very pleased to find us rummaging through their possessions. 0ut fancy camping in the bush. %ow weird#" "1et's be undercover agents and spy on whoever comes here," said Pam e&citedly, rubbing her hands together. ""e wanted something for the $ecret $even to do." " don't fancy wasting time keeping watch on a bush," retorted Janet. "/nyway, the campers may not return tonight. 0ut +eorge is right. "e should replace these items here and now." "$tay where you are, *olin," called Peter. ""e'll retie the cartons and pass them to you." 3o sooner were the cardboard bo&es back under the bush than $camper tried to drag them out again and had to be reprimanded by Peter. Then, as the $even returned to the fence, the little spaniel bounded through the gap and began to sniff at the tents. "%e's wondering which tent is his," said Janet with a laugh. ",ou'll be on guard you will, $camper, old chap." "hile the others tidied up the pile of twigs and branches they had collected, Peter ran back to the house to fetch a couple of torches. They soon forgot about the strange packets and the bicycles in the bush as they sorted out what they were going to eat for their meal. "1et's boil potatoes in the large saucepan and fry some sausages in the pan," suggested Janet. "/nd we can open a couple of tins of beans. They don't take long to heat up. There's plenty of fruit for dessert." "/nd 've brought some home7made tarts with different !ammy centres," added *olin who had a weakness for !am tarts. Jack lit one of the stoves and waited impatiently for the water containing the potatoes to boil. " t'll be ages before we eat," he moaned, glaring at the saucepan. "The water isn't even beginning to boil." " t's still 2uite early for our meal so it doesn't matter if the potatoes take ages as we've bags of time," pointed out *olin. ""e won't start cooking the sausages !ust yet or they'll burn before the potatoes are ready."

"/nyway, like my sausages burnt," said +eorge licking his lips. "(um always leaves mine in the pan till last so the outside is lovely and black and crisp." "6gh# That sounds horrible#" declared Pam shrugging her shoulders and pulling a face. Then she put a finger to her lips. "1isten. $omeone's coming." t was only Peter with the torches. %e looked approvingly at the food waiting to be cooked and suggested they open a bottle of lemonade. "'nce we've eaten, we'll find a suitable spot for our camp fire," he said. t did, indeed, take ages for the potatoes to cook by which time the sausages were really well done. The beans were soon hot and the $even thoroughly en!oyed their evening meal. Pam's mother had packed some crusty rolls which went down well with the home7made butter provided by Peter's mother. t took much less time to eat their high tea than to cook it and soon they were ready to light the fire. *arefully they made a wigwam of small twigs then placed larger ones on top. Peter eagerly applied a match and, in no time, the dry twigs were burning sending up plenty of sparks accompanied by cheerful, crackling sounds. "+ood !ob there's no wind or we'd have to keep an eye on those sparks," said Jack. "1uckily they're not going far." They chatted away nineteen to the do8en then, suddenly, Janet called for silence. %er sharp ears had heard a sound seemingly coming from the other side of the fence. "9eep 2uiet#" she ordered. "$omeone's approaching. t's probably the owners of the bikes returning. Don't let them know we're here." "There's a good chance they will have heard us and they will have certainly been aware of our fire," laughed *olin ga8ing round a bush at the fence. " vote we creep up to the fence and see who they are." ".ight, we'll pretend we're playing .ed ndians and make our way to the fence in silence," decided Peter. "There's enough light to see by." "/nd to be seen by," warned +eorge. Janet made certain $camper was by her side and not barking as she and the others crouched and crawled towards the boundary fence. $even pairs of eyes peered through gaps in the fence but there was nobody to be seen. t had all gone very, very 2uiet. They huddled together wondering what to do ne&t when they received a terrible shock. Three horrible looking monsters on hind legs appeared from their own side of the fence and began to make weird growling sounds while slowly moving their arms. $camper !oined in the growling, his fur standing up on end. The creatures slowly approached the $even who could only look on aghast. "hoever were they, and what were they going to do5

CHAPTER %: THAT ANN&'ING SUSIE ( AN! $&ICES IN THE NIGHT)

The $even looked in alarm at the weird, menacing figures with their hideous masks advancing upon them. $uddenly, the monsters broke into a sort of a noisy war dance. To the children's further ama8ement, $camper stopped growling and began to prance around in delight with the strange creatures. Then Jack recognised a pair of shoes sticking out from the bottom of a sheet draped around one of the figures. " t's you, $usie, you nasty, horrible girl#" he yelled in annoyance. "/nd suppose that's 0inkie and Jeff with you. "hat do you think you're playing at coming here uninvited5" ";ooled you, fooled you#" came $usie's voice, followed by cackles of laughter. ",ou didn't know who we were." ",ou were scaredy, scaredy, frightened of us#" shouted another of the figures, removing the mask to reveal 0inkie's toothy grin. ",ou're not so clever after all, $ecret $even#" yelled the third voice which did, indeed, belong to Jeff. %e also removed his mask and gave a triumphant look at the furious $even. "The Tiresome Three have scored again#" ""hat are you doing here5" spluttered Peter, his face red with anger. "This is '6. camp and '6. field so go home. +o on. $*./(# %'PP T#" ""e came here !ust to annoy you," admitted 0inkie. "/nd we've succeeded# 3ow, to make up for frightening you, how would you like to hear my latest poem5" "3'#" yelled all $even in unison. They knew only too well what 0inkie's poems were like, especially rude ones about the $ecret $even themselves. 0inkie pursed her lips into a strange grin making her look more rabbity than usual before, to the utter annoyance of the $even, beginning to loudly recite) ""hat fun we're having camping out, how great it is to see, the $ecret $even fooled again by the brilliant Tiresome Three. "e crept up on them in disguise, in fact we got 2uite near. "e danced and yelled while they !ust stared, their faces white with fear. /nd now... "

This was too much for *olin. %e ran over to the stream, gathered up some cold water in his cupped hands, and threw it over 0inkie who at once s2uealed and stopped reciting. "That was horribly, horribly, horribly mean of you#" shouted $usie, glaring. "$ome of that water splashed me and it's very cold. %ow dare you do that to my friend !ust because she cleverly made up a poem. "e're going but you haven't heard the last of this. *ome along, 0inkie and Jeff. 1et's leave this nasty mean lot and go and en!oy ourselves." /s 2uickly as they had arrived, $usie, 0inkie and Jeff departed, annoyed at the throwing of water but, nevertheless, pleased at having startled the $even. The $even now returned to their campfire, inwardly feeling somewhat ashamed that they had been taken in so easily. ""hy does that sister of yours always seem to get the better of us5" demanded *olin glaring at Jack. "0ecause she's rather clever, suppose," admitted Jack reluctantly. "/nd we have to admit that, although we laugh at 0inkie, she is rather skilful at making up poems on the spur of the moment," added +eorge. "'h, for goodness' sake let's forget them and en!oy being around our fire," said Peter. " f we keep talking about them, they'll have won. *ome on, suggest we make a hot drink." -veryone agreed and soon they were sitting around the fire en!oying biscuits and mugs of hot cocoa heated up on the stove. $camper began to gnaw on an old and rather smelly bone he had brought with him. /s it grew darker, bright sparks flew up into the still night air looking like miniature fireworks. "This is smashing," said Janet helping herself to another biscuit. " reckon we could stay up half the night." 0ut they didn't, of course. They all gradually felt tired and began to look forward to sleeping under cover. -ventually, Peter and Jack reluctantly poured water on the fire to make sure it was out. t hissed loudly like an angry snake but the last spark was e&tinguished while the moonlight cast weird shadows around the little campsite. " t's a bit ghostly," said 0arbara looking around. "That shrub over there has the outline of a person and !ust look at the moving shadows of the swaying trees. They look as though they are creeping up on us." "$top, 0arbara, please," begged Pam feeling a tingle down her spine. ",ou're making us all nervous." ".ubbish#" laughed Jack. "$he's not making me nervous. like to see things by moonlight. They're sort of, well, different# ;amiliar shapes seem to change."

""ell, 'm too tired to notice things changing," admitted +eorge, yawning and rubbing his eyes. " really think 'm ready for my sleeping bag." $o were the others. $oon there was !ust the sound of 2uiet chattering as the $even made themselves comfortable in their snug sleeping bags in the three tents. $camper tried to enter each tent in turn but was shooed away. /s soon as Peter and Jack were 2uiet, he curled up inside their tent, pu88led by this strange and tiny bedroom. t was not long before the only sound was the soothing babbling of the little stream. / hedgehog or two ran sniffing at the intruders and a couple of toads came crawling by. Then a fo& appeared but, smelling $camper, soon retreated into the safety of the darkness. 'verhead flew some owls in search of their ne&t meal and swiftly and silently swooped down on detecting the slightest movement in the undergrowth. The distant church clock struck midnight but the children did not hear it. -ven $camper slept soundly until something awoke him. %e put his head on one side as he listened. "hat he could hear was the muffled sound of voices. %e peered round at the tents to see if any of the children were talking. 3o, the voices were coming from the other side of the fence. $camper was not happy and now began to sit up growling. The sound of growling woke Peter who wondered where on earth he was. "0e 2uiet," he moaned, realising it was $camper. ""hat are you growling at5 There's nobody out there." %e turned over then, to his astonishment, he heard somebody laughing and distant voices, making him sit up at once. %e decided to wake Jack so began to shake him. ""hat is it5 "hat's the matter5" mumbled Jack. " s it time for school5" "3o, it's half term, stupid#" e&claimed Peter. "Do wake up Jack. think $usie is back with her friends. 1isten." This made Jack reach for his torch, ready to shine it on his sister. "They'll think we're asleep so let's give them a real shock," he said. The boys crept out of their tent, torches at the ready. 'ne voice was louder and clearer than the others which made Jack grab hold of Peter's arm. "$top and listen, Peter," he whispered fearfully. "That's not $usie or 0inkie. They're men's voices. "hatever can they be doing in the middle of the night5"

CHAPTER *: AN&THER M'STER' F&R THE SE$EN

1ooking and feeling alarmed, Peter listened for a moment before replying. "+osh, you're right, Jack. People in the wood at dead of night. Jolly weird. :uick, let's put on our plimsolls and go to the fence. There's sufficient light from the moon. "e might see something interesting." /lthough feeling sleepy, the two boys managed to find their way to the fence without tripping over anything. Peter kept telling $camper to be 2uiet but the little spaniel

carried on growling softly while, all the time, the voices continued to be heard. "hat's more, they were obviously not very far away. "%ey, stop. 1ook, there's a lantern being used," said Jack, pulling Peter back. " bet those voices are coming from the bush where we found the bo&es and bikes." The diffused light of a lantern was shining not far away on the other side of the fence. /t first, there was no sign of the speakers, then two shadowy figures emerged from the bush. The light from the lantern lit up two men who were wearing gloves and, to the boys' ama8ement, attempting to put on wigs. Then a third and rather plump man appeared, awkwardly ad!usting a wig. The three spoke 2uietly so it was impossible to make out what was being said until one of the men gave a raucous laugh and raised his voice. "1ook at %arry. ,ou wouldn't know he was bald. /nd that red wig improves your appearance, *harlie. "hy don't you wear it permanently5" "'h shut up, ;red," retorted *harlie loudly. "1et's get a move on. t's already one o'clock. "e've got to find . . ." 6nfortunately the rest of the sentence could not be heard as the men lowered their voices. /fter e&tinguishing the lantern, they switched on their torches and disappeared among the trees. ""hat do you make of that5" asked Jack ama8ed. "/re they off to a fancy dress party or something like that5" " n the middle of the night#" replied Peter scornfully. " suspect they're up to no good but we can't do anything about it because we don't know where they've gone and we don't really know what they look like because of the wigs. wonder why they didn't use their bikes." "3o idea," muttered Jack. "*ome on, let's get back to the tent. 'm tired." The boys returned to their sleeping bags and it was not long before they once again dropped off to sleep. Peter was so tired that he did not realise $camper had dared to comfortably curl up on the bottom of his sleeping bag. *olin and +eorge were first up ne&t morning. They had a 2uick wash in the stream with $camper at their sides then went to wake the others. 0y now, the girls were already awake having heard the boys' voices. They, too, had a wash and wondered why Peter and Jack had not stirred. "Just look at them#" said Janet, peering into their tent. "$leepyheads# They're not even stirring. "akey, wakey, rise and shine#" %earing Janet's voice made the two boys open their eyes. They blinked in ama8ement on finding the other members of the $even already up and about and hurriedly went to wash, the cold water really waking them up. 'ver an eggs and bacon breakfast, Peter told the others about the three strangers who were up and about in the middle of the night wearing gloves and wigs.

""ell, you might have woken us up#" moaned *olin. "%ow mean# "e're all members of the $ecret $even. "e share adventures, remember." "There was no time to wake anyone else up because it all happened so 2uickly," e&plained Jack. " say, this breakfast is smashing. /ny more bacon5" "$omething has occurred to me," said 0arbara putting another rasher on Jack's plate. " f those three men are back, they're bound to hear us." "That's a thought#" replied Peter, his head on one side. Then he shrugged his shoulders. "3ot that it matters. "e're on our own property and we're not interfering with them." "They might even have returned during the night and gone off somewhere again," suggested Jack. "$hall we have another look inside the bush and see if their bikes have gone5" ""e'd have to be !olly careful," warned +eorge. ";rom what you say, they're probably up to no good." ""e'll say we're playing at .ed ndians if we're caught," said Peter. "'nce breakfast is over we'll have a $ecret $even meeting." "3ot back at the shed, hope," said Pam with a giggle. "'f course not. "e'll have it here, silly#" said Peter scornfully. " t won't be much of a meeting," replied +eorge pulling a face. ",ou've !ust reported all there is to know." 0ut a meeting they had, mainly discussing whether to ignore the bush and its strange contents or to investigate further. There was plenty of talk about keeping watch but there was no agreement about what to do if the men were spotted. ""ell think one of us should have a look to see if the bo&es and bikes are still there and leave it at that," said *olin. ""hy waste time watching for people who might not come5" " agree," nodded Jack. "/nd *olin ought to be the one to look inside the bush as he's seen it before." " 'm the leader of the $ecret $even, Jack, so 'll decide who does what," reprimanded Peter, glaring. ""e'll put it to the vote. %ands up those who think *olin should look inside the bush." ""oof, woof#" barked $camper, prancing around as all hands were raised. "$camper agrees with everyone," said Janet with a laugh. "%ey, you haven't had your morning groom yet, $camper."

"That's agreed," declared Peter. ""e'll all creep up to the gap in the fence e&cept you, Janet. ,ou stay here with $camper. "e don't want him growling or dragging out the bo&es again in case he leaves giveaway teeth marks. %e probably left some yesterday. +ood thing it was dark when the men opened the bo&es." The children stealthily crept up to the fence where *olin eased himself through. They watched him make his way over to the bush, slowly part the branches and disappear underneath. 0ut oh dear# Just at that moment, the watching children were horrified to hear voices approaching. 0efore they could warn *olin, two men appeared pushing bicycles. /nd it was clear that the men were making directly for the bush#

CHAPTER +: ,HAT ARE THE MEN UP T&;or a moment, the horrified children looked on aghast. Then Peter ordered everyone back to the campsite. ""e mustn't be seen spying," he whispered urgently. "%opefully *olin will hear the men and run away." ""hat a nuisance they chose that moment to appear," moaned Jack. " f only we'd let $camper come with us," sighed Pam, trundling along. "%e'd have heard the men coming and warned us." ""ell he wasn't with us, so there#" snapped Peter. " !ust hope *olin isn't actually caught." "hat was happening to *olin5 %e was creeping into the middle of the bush when he heard a very peculiar noise. -ager to discover the cause of it, he continued to move forwards, parting a leafy branch, then fro8e. There, on the tarpaulin, lay a plump, bald headed man, fast asleep and snoring loudly. $lowly the boy eased himself back then nearly !umped out of his skin. $omeone had grabbed hold of his ankles# "$o, why are you snooping around our camp, boy5" asked a very unpleasant voice. *olin swung round and sat up. +laring down at him was an unshaven thin7lipped man with a mop of red hair. 3e&t to him was an e2ually unsavoury looking individual with dishevelled black hair. Two bicycles and a carrier bag were on the ground nearby. "-&plain yourself," said this second man, scowling. "/re you hoping to steal something5" "3o, of course not," said *olin, not liking the threatening looks on the men's faces. " 'm having a game of hide and seek with my friends and thought one of them might be hiding in this bush. %ow was to know this was your camp5" "/nd what did you see, e&actly5" snarled the first man, now taking hold of *olin's arm and pulling him up on his feet. "/nswer me, boy."

",ou grabbed hold of me before could see anything," replied *olin, beginning to feel afraid. "/nyway, what is there to see in a bush5 (y friends obviously aren't hiding there. Please let me go. 'm not doing any harm and you're hurting my arm." ",ou mentioned a game of hide and seek but, strangely, can't hear anyone," said the black7haired man pretending to be listening. " t's a very 2uiet game. "here are the others5" ""e were playing on our farm on the other side of that fence," replied *olin. "That's probably where the others are all the time. They didn't come through the fence." The men looked towards the fence, then at each other. ",ou go back and, this time, we won't tell your parents that you were snooping around our campsite while we were away," said the dark7haired man, trying to sound pleasant. "The two of us !ust want to camp in peace. 1et him go, *harlie... . this time#" .eluctantly *harlie slowly released his grip. 'nce free, *olin darted across the long grass to the gap in the fence where he eased himself through. /s he approached the tents, he startled everyone by yelling. "$o there you are# thought you were in the wood." The others looked at him in ama8ement while he told them in a 2uieter voice that they should pretend to be playing hide and seek. Janet, at once summing up the situation, called out, "*ouldn't find us. "e've won#" -veryone !oined in as *olin flopped down on the grass, $camper dashing around, conveniently barking. "3ow what happened5 'bviously the men caught you. "hat did they say5" demanded Peter, perching on a large stone. " told them was playing hide and seek, that's why began shouting !ust now," e&plained *olin, sitting up. +lancing back towards the fence he repeated the brief conversation between himself and the men. "There you are, then, everything's '.9.," said 0arbara when *olin had finished. $he folded her arms before continuing. " 'm not surprised the men were annoyed. Just think how annoyed we were when $usie, 0inkie and Jeff appeared at our camp. t's not a mystery after all." "Just a minute, it doesn't 2uite add up," remarked Jack, his head on one side. "/re you sure the men said the two of them were camping5" "Definitely," replied *olin. Then he realised what Jack was thinking. "'f course, there were three men, not two." "That's probably why they asked you what you'd seen," remarked +eorge. "They wanted to know if you'd spotted the third man. 0ut why5"

" f they were the men Jack and Peter saw, they must have been out all night as they were dirty and unshaven and smelly," said *olin screwing up his nose. " f they're camping, they can't e&actly wash or shave because there's no water in the wood," said Peter at once. "They do sound like the men we saw putting on red and black wigs and one was definitely called *harlie, wasn't he, Jack5 0ut hang on, the men we saw didn't take their bikes." "$orry Peter, but don't accept your e&cuse for the men not washing," said Jack shaking his head and looking bewildered. ""hy camp where there's no water5 That's plain daft." "/nd why go out at night if you're camping5" added Pam. "Put like that, suppose you're right," agreed 0arbara. ",es, they are behaving strangely. Perhaps we have got a mystery after all. know, let's be undercover agents and keep a watch on them5" ""e sleep in tents so we're already under cover," added Pam, with a grin. ""hat on earth are we going to see, pray5" laughed Janet, stroking $camper who was fed up with everyone !ust sitting around. %e wanted to play. ""ait, there might be something in 0arbara's suggestion," said Peter thoughtfully. ""e agree those men are acting strangely so it might be a good idea to see if they go out again and where they go. t only needs one of us to keep watch while the others en!oy themselves." "$urely we needn't waste time keeping watch !ust yet," said +eorge. "Two of the men have !ust returned and are bound to want to snatch some sleep." "+eorge is right," agreed *olin. "The third man was snoring so he's obviously tired and not likely to get up to much by himself, and the others did look sleepy." "$o we could begin keeping watch later on," said 0arbara. ""hat do you think, Peter5" " t makes sense." said Peter nodding. " 'll make a lookout rota for early evening. 3ow let's get on with our camping and have a game." "+ood idea," said Jack standing up. ";un and games, outdoor meals, and then... the $ecret $even +o 6ndercover#"

CHAPTER .: G&ING UN!ERC&$ER

t was fun having another meal in the open air. There was a ham salad with !uicy tomatoes, hard boiled eggs and farmhouse cheese. Peter and Janet's father paid a surprise visit during the afternoon while a rather noisy game was in progress.

""ell you're certainly en!oying yourselves," he said beaming. "Don't worry, 'm not staying. (ummy did some baking this morning and thought you'd appreciate some cakes and an apple pie. "e'd hate you to starve. 'h, and here's a !ug of fresh cream." "$mashing, Daddy#" said Janet taking the food from her father. "Thank (ummy for us. "e'll have the apple pie and cream with our meal and the cakes during the evening. ,ippee# "e're having a super time." "/nd not solving some problem for once," said Daddy looking pleased. "Thank goodness#" The $even e&changed glances but said nothing about the strange men in the wood nearby. ""ell, carry on having fun," said Daddy. "$ee you tomorrow." During the afternoon the $even en!oyed a game of hide and seek, well away from the fence. There were plenty of hiding places as the farm covered a vast area. $camper was very good at finding those hiding, usually to their disgust. "This was a smashing hiding place till you came along barking and giving it away#" e&claimed Jack crouching in a cart. ""oof, woof#" replied $camper, trotting off to find someone else. t was late afternoon when Peter reminded everyone about the mysterious men. ""e'll start keeping watch as soon as we've had our meal," he stated producing a rota. " wonder what food they've got," said Jack. "Did you see any, *olin5" "3o, but there was a carrier bag on the ground which could have contained food," replied *olin. "Perhaps they'll !oin us when they smell our cooking," laughed Pam. ""ouldn't that be a surprise5" ",es, but a very unpleasant one," retorted Janet. " say, let's light the camp fire, Peter, and cook potatoes in their !ackets." "'oh, yes," agreed 0arbara, rubbing her hands together. " love !acket potatoes." 'nce the camp fire was burning merrily, the $even speared potatoes and cooked them, trying not to burn themselves. ;ortunately there was no wind so any sparks simply rose aimlessly up. They had cheese and beans with their potatoes followed by delicious apple pie and cream. $even very contented children then sat around the fire drinking ginger beer. "Time to start keeping lookout," announced Peter suddenly. "The list is in alphabetical order. ,ou're first, 0arbara. ,ou go undercover for twenty minutes and, if the men go

anywhere, the ne&t two on the list stalk them. This applies each time someone keeps watch." 0arbara found a comfortable spot ne&t to the fence where she could watch the bush. $he tried to make her ginger beer last but, it was a warm evening, so she drank it all long before *olin appeared. "3othing to report," she whispered. "Those men must be tired." *olin settled down and was also surprised to see no movement. " 'd have e&pected them to've come out of the bush even if they didn't go anywhere," he thought to himself. ""hat a weird way of camping." /s he watched, he heard whoops and howls coming from his side of the fence and smiled. / game of .ed ndians was obviously under way. Then he stiffened. /bove the children's voices he could hear another sound 4 men's voices. $oon three men emerged from between the trees. "3o wonder there was no movement from the bush," *olin muttered angrily, recognising the men. "They weren't there. 3ow what are they doing5" %e hurried to towards the main field where a strange but lively dance was taking place. $eeing him coming, Peter raised his hand for silence. " 've something to report but keep making noises," said *olin urgently. %e 2uickly described what he had seen. /t once, +eorge and Jack were told to be prepared to follow the men. "The rest of us will go to the lookout place with *olin," decided Peter. "*ome here, $camper." +eorge and Jack trotted off to the gap in the fence. There, they cautiously peered through in time to see two men removing bicycles from the bush. To the boys' ama8ement, the men began pushing two each. -ven more peculiar was the fact that two of the bikes were small and obviously made for children. " t's safe to follow them," whispered Jack once the men disappeared among the trees. ""hy have so many bikes5" "Did you notice the smaller bikes5" asked +eorge as they s2uee8ed through the fence. " 'm sure one was a girl's bike." ",es, it was without a crossbar, like $usie's," replied Jack hurrying into the wood. /fter a few moments he stopped. "9eep still, +eorge. They're not far ahead." *rouching low, the boys inched their way towards the sound of voices until something made them !ump and hold their breath. t was a bellow of rage from behind them. Turning round, they saw the red7haired man, *harlie, pushing two more bicycles.

"9ids prying on us again#" he yelled, a look of fury spread across his unpleasant face. %e called out loudly to the other men who were not far away. ""e're being spied on again. *ome and teach these kids a lesson." 6nable to return to the fence, the two frightened boys darted sideways among the trees and bushes. They heard the bikes fall to the ground as *harlie followed in hot pursuit. *onfronted by a stout oak tree the boys swerved to the left before having to dive beneath the drooping branches of a willow which now blocked their way. To their horror they found themselves near the main path through the wood and realised they were going in the wrong direction. Two more men were actually on the path. $potting the boys, they sped towards them, shouting loudly. "This way#" yelled one. "Don't let them reach the road, %arry. nterfering brats#" The boys ran back into the undergrowth then had to veer to the right as they heard *harlie nearby. They dashed round several bushes before making another sharp turn as they again reached the path. ""e're going round in circles#" e&claimed a very alarmed Jack. ""here is the fence5" " 'm completely lost," moaned +eorge looking around fearfully. "'h, no. %ere they come. +et moving Jack." Trying not to panic, Jack set off again. .unning alongside a bush, he peered beneath it. *ould they hide there5 3o, they'd be seen. %e paused but was roughly pushed on by +eorge who could hear voices !ust behind him. Then, to his delight, Jack saw the fence and ran towards it but, before he could reach it, he spotted one of the men approaching, and the man immediately saw him. "'ver here#" he bellowed while the frightened boys again dodged into the undergrowth, cursing the roots that seemed to be purposely trying to trip them up. ;eeling they were in a nightmare where their legs wouldn't carry them fast enough, they again found themselves confronted by the old oak. They looked around terrified. ;rom every direction came sounds of people approaching. They were trapped#

CHAPTER /: AN E0CITING E$ENING ( AN! A SURPRISING $ISIT

;or a moment, the terrified boys fro8e, unable to move. There was no place to hide< there was nowhere to run. /ll the time the noises in the undergrowth were becoming closer and closer until it was clear that somebody was !ust behind a nearby bush. The boys looked around in despair, then Jack glanced upwards. The oak was a huge tree with plenty of partly concealed branches. "ould they be able to hide up there5 t was their only chance. "$hin up here," he whispered to +eorge as he swung himself up on to a sturdy branch. "*limb as high as possible before anyone appears then remain absolutely still."

/t once +eorge also grabbed hold of a branch, climbing up swiftly, realising that at least one of the men would appear in a matter of seconds. n fact two came face to face beneath the tree while the boys pressed themselves against the gnarled trunk, knowing they would be noticed immediately if either man looked up. "Didn't you see them kids, %arry5" asked a loud voice. " 'm sure they came this way." "3ope. didn't see 'em, didn't 'ear 'em," was the surly reply. " only 'eard you, 0ert. '-re comes ;red. 'i, ;red. They've gorn and done a bunk." "3o, they're around here somewhere," shouted ;red, also appearing beneath the oak. ""hen they saw me by the fence they ran in this direction. $ince you haven't seen 'em, it means they're still nearby. 1ook everywhere." Just as it seemed certain that one of the men would look upwards, there came a most une&pected sound from the farm 4 a .ed ndian war dance# The men glanced at each other in complete ama8ement before scurrying towards the fence. ""hy on earth are they doing another war dance5" asked Jack, looking e2ually surprised. " can !ust see them through the branches. They're on that mound near the camp." "Thank goodness they are," answered +eorge peering between the greenery. " t's made the men go. 'ne of them would definitely have looked up into this tree." ""e'd better stay put a while," decided Jack. "%opefully those men will think we've managed to return to the farm and are one of the dancers, but reckon they'll have to come in this general direction to return to their bikes." The boys waited several minutes. /lthough nobody actually appeared, there came the sound of voices in the undergrowth not far away. " think they've gone now," said Jack as the voices faded into the distance. "$o much for following them# say, listen. $omeone's calling. +osh, it's Janet#" ""e're up here, Janet," yelled +eorge before Jack could stop him. " n the oak tree." " t's all clear," shouted Janet, cupping her hands and coming into view. " t's safe to come down now." The boys swiftly descended from the tree and accompanied Janet back to the fence. "%ow did you know where we were5" asked Jack, pu88led. "/nd why the noisy dance5" ""e knew the men were chasing you because of their yelling," answered Janet. "/nd from the top of that mound Peter spotted you up in the tree. $o we did a loud dance to distract the men in case one of them looked up and saw you."

",our plan worked 'cause three of the men were actually at the foot of our tree and only hurried away when they heard you," said +eorge as they reached the gap where Peter and the others were now waiting. "*ome to the camp and tell us what happened," instructed Peter as the three s2uee8ed through the fence. ""e'll have some of the cakes while we talk." $oon the $even were seated around their camp fire munching delicious home7made cakes. Jack and +eorge described what had happened to them in the wood. "That man, *harlie, made the others furious because he claimed we were spying," moaned +eorge pursing his lips. "That's because you were," giggled Pam, wiping crumbs from her mouth. ""hile we were dancing, we saw three men appear from the direction of your tree, then they retreated when they saw us," said *olin. "Janet said she'd call you once the men were out of sight." " t wouldn't be safe to follow them now," muttered Peter regretfully. " n any case, they've got bikes and we haven't. suppose we could have a 2uick look in their bush." "'oh, no#" s2uealed Pam looking horrified. "%ow can you even suggest such a thing after what's happened5" " 'll go," said Jack at once. " 've been longing to have a peek in their so7called camp." "Do be careful, Jack," begged Janet as the boy made his way back to the fence. "*ome on, you others, and bring $camper this time." " 'll come with you, Jack," said Peter. " f one of the men appears 'll yell 'Dad' so they'll think my father is nearby." The boys s2uee8ed through the fence then, satisfied nobody was coming, dashed across the grass to the men's bush. "hile Jack cautiously crept inside, Peter kept watch. n a matter of seconds he had crawled back out. ""ell5" asked Peter. ""hat did you see5" ",ou won't believe this 4 but nothing#" was the surprising reply. "/bsolutely nothing. ,ou wouldn't know anyone had been in there." ".ight, back to base," ordered Peter. "That's the end of our little mystery." The $even discussed the strange happenings and sudden ending sitting around their camp fire. "They must have taken away their tarpaulin earlier," said *olin. "%ow on earth did they manage it riding bikes5"

",ou don't suppose they'll come back and attack us during the night, do you5" asked 0arbara fearfully. "'f course not#" e&claimed Peter scornfully. " f they wanted to attack us they could have done so while we were in full view, silly# /nd, anyway, why should they5" "Don't worry, 0arbara, they !ust wanted to give us a nasty fright," said Jack. "/nd, boy, did they succeed#" " t's been a strange mystery as it hasn't really had a proper ending," mused Janet. The $even carried on discussing the weird happenings when they heard shouts coming from the farm. $oon, who should appear but $usie, 0inkie and Jeff# /nd, they looked very, very annoyed. ""here have you hidden our bikes5" asked 0inkie looking like an angry rabbit. ""e thought we heard someone near our tents earlier and guessed it was you," added Jeff. "+ive the bikes back at once or 'll tell Daddy," said $usie glaring at her brother. "*alm down, all of you," said Peter looking pu88led. ""e haven't been anywhere near your house, $usie. "e've been around here all day. 3ow what has happened5" %earing this, 0inkie burst into tears and wailed like a banshee making $camper bark in ama8ement. Jeff also looked close to tears. t was $usie who spoke. ""hat has happened5" she said. ""ell 'll tell you what's happened. Jeff's and 0inkie's bikes have gone. "e thought you'd hidden them for fun. f you haven't, it means they've been stolen#"

CHAPTER 11: ST&LEN BIC'CLES

There was silence for a few moments. Then Peter spoke. " promise we have nothing to do with your missing bikes," he said earnestly. ""e've been here . . ." "Those men#" interrupted Jack. "Don't you remember +eorge5 "e noticed two of the bikes were children's and one was definitely a girl's bike. bet those men are the thieves#" ""hich men are you talking about5" demanded $usie at once. "Do you mean you know who's stolen the bikes5" "Just sit down for a moment," ordered Peter, then told $usie, 0inkie and Jeff about the so7called campers in the wood. "hen he had finished, everyone felt convinced the men were involved in the cycle thefts.

"/t first we assumed they had brought their bikes with them," said *olin. "3ow Peter has described two of the bikes as children's, it's very suspicious because there were no children with them." "/re you certain the men have gone5" asked Jeff looking towards the fence. "Definitely," answered Jack. " had a look inside their bush a short while ago and there's nothing there. They've gone, all right." "3o wonder they chased us#" said +eorge. "They didn't want us to see them with the cycles. thought it was odd they should be so aggressive." " f you came straight from your house, $usie, you would have passed this little wood," said 0arbara looking pu88led. "Didn't you see anybody suspicious5" "3o, only a lady walking her dog," said $usie shaking her head. "Do your parents know about the missing bikes5" asked Janet. " think they should be informed about the goings7on in the wood." ""e haven't told anyone," replied 0inkie, wiping her eyes and sniffing. ""e were so convinced you'd played a trick on us and, in any case, my parents are away overnight." " don't know what my (um and Dad will say about this," said Jeff looking downcast. "They'll blame me for not putting my bike in your shed as your father suggested, $usie." ".ight, it's obvious that the police need to be informed," said $usie standing up. "Don't forget. /ll the bikes the men had might have been stolen." "+osh, yes, there were more bikes than men," said Jack thinking back. "*ome on, you three, back to the house," said Peter decisively. " t'll be 2uicker to do some phoning from there than to return to your home, $usie. ,ou'd better come, too, Jack, so you can e&plain how the men chased you and +eorge and describe them, of course." t was a sombre little party that returned to the farmhouse. Peter's parents were startled to learn about the missing bicycles and horrified to know that Jack, +eorge and *olin had actually been threatened. ""hy ever didn't you inform us, Peter5" asked his father. ",ou shouldn't have been snooping around someone else's possessions but that's no e&cuse for such aggressive behaviour. 0inkie and Jeff, we'll phone your parents and contact the police." "(y parents are away which is why 'm staying with $usie," said 0inkie, eyes wide open.

"/nd mine told me they would be out tonight," added a crestfallen Jeff. "They'll be back later, though." " 'll phone $usie's parents, then the police," said Peter's father picking up the receiver and dialling. %e e&plained what had happened to $usie's father who at once said the police should be called and that he would come to 'ld (ill %ouse. n fact, $usie's father and a policeman arrived together. $oon the story of the strange campers in the wood was being told again by Peter and Jack while the policeman made notes. ".epeat your description of the men and then 'll need a description of your bikes," said the policeman resting his notebook on the arm of a chair. %e busily wrote as the children gave him the information he needed then he asked Peter's father if he could use their phone. "%ead2uarters will be pleased with this information," he said, waiting for the call to be answered. "There's been a spate of cycle thefts these last few days 4 or nights, to be more precise. /nd last week in Penton. "hat's more, a red7haired ruffian has been seen. 'll need to have a look at the bush where the men camped... oh, hallo, *onstable Thomson here." There was a brief conversation after which *onstable Thomson addressed the three adults. "/ll local police cars have been warned to look out for men pushing bikes. They can't have gone far. 'ne of the cars is immediately coming here so that we can have a look around that bush before it gets too dark." t was not long before the police car arrived. There were two officers in it who were at once led by Peter to the campsite and the gap in the fence. 'ne of the officers was 2uite burly and had some difficulty s2uee8ing through the gap, much to Pam's delight as she thought of her father /lthough the police had powerful torches, they saw nothing unusual in or around the bush although the flattened grass confirmed that the area had been recently used. ""e'll search as much of this wood as we can before it gets dark in case those men are still here, which doubt, !udging by the tyre marks on the path leading to the lane," said the inspector. "/s all roads around here are being patrolled, hopefully we'll catch the criminals with the bikes. +ood !ob we now know the red hair is !ust a wig." The two officers disappeared into the wood while *onstable Thomson and the two fathers returned to the farm house with $usie, 0inkie and Jeff. $omewhat downhearted, the $even wandered over to their camp fire which had almost gone out. ""hat a horrible thing to happen," said Jack putting more twigs on to the fire. " actually feel sorry for poor 0inkie having her bike stolen. /nd for Jeff, of course." ""e weren't very good as undercover agents," muttered Janet. ""e didn't solve anything."

"$o much for our little mystery," said Peter sitting on a large stone. " t had its e&citing moments but it's over now." 0ut Peter was wrong. The mystery was far from over as the $even were going to find out#

CHAPTER 11: TRAC2ING ( AN! AN UNE0PECTE! FIN!

The following morning the $even were still feeling downcast over the thefts. %ow annoying it was to know they had seen the thieves but had not realised e&actly what the men were up to despite noticing them with bikes. 3ow it was too late. " t's no use being miserable," sighed Janet putting rashers of bacon into a frying pan. "The police are in charge now so let's think of something cheerful to do after breakfast. This is our last day of camping, don't forget, so we must make the most of it." 'ver breakfast, everyone put forward ideas as to what to do during the morning. They were briefly interrupted by Peter's father checking all was well after the events of the previous day. -ventually Peter asked for silence. "(ost suggestions involve stalking," he said looking at the others. "$o suggest we split into two groups. Those in the first set off leaving clues to show where they're going 4 twigs in the shape of an arrow, for e&ample 4 while those in the second have to track them. The first group must eventually hide. /greed5" "$ounds great but reckon Janet and Peter ought to be in the same group," said Jack. "'therwise $camper will run between the teams and give something away." -veryone agreed. n the first group were Peter, Janet and *olin who were to set off and leave clues at intervals. Ten minutes later, the others would follow. The first group had to be hidden within half an hour of leaving the camp. ""e'll need to go through the woods over there," said *olin pointing. " f we cross the fields nearby we'll be seen so there won't be any need to leave clues and there'll be no fun." "(akes sense but let's rule we keep to the woods and farm," said +eorge. "3o wandering into the countryside." "/s soon as we've put our things away we'll set off," said Peter. " bet you four don't find us despite the clues." "(ake certain you play fair," warned Pam. "Don't leave misleading clues to send us in the wrong direction."

"/s if we would#" grinned *olin. "/nd don't you cheat by leaving early. Ten minutes, remember." "*ome on $camper," called Janet once everything had been cleared away. "'ff we go#" "hile the others remained perched on rocks, Peter, Janet and *olin ran to the gap in the fence. They were startled to find activity in the wood, for a moment fearing the men had returned. 0ut they saw police officers carefully surveying the ground. "Try to avoid this area, youngsters," called one of the officers. ""e've found plenty of tyre tracks leading to the road but few footprints." ""e're going further into the wood," e&plained Peter keeping away from the policemen. ""e'll be leaving tracking clues." The three pushed their way through grass and shrubs. t was not long before they found themselves at the footpath leading through the wood. "This is where we leave our first clue as we'll be changing direction," said Peter, picking up some twigs. " 'll make an arrow shape and put it on the grass. The others will hopefully waste time looking on the path itself." The path was fairly overgrown as few people used it. t did not really lead anywhere but doubled back on itself. The three hurried along, $camper e&citedly disappearing into the undergrowth whenever he spotted a rabbit or a s2uirrel. " f we keep going we'll end up at the road," warned Janet after a while. ""e need to turn to the right, Peter." "There's a sort of gap between the bushes over there," indicated *olin. "1et's make for that. 'll snap a couple of branches on this bush as a clue. 0et the others go right past." ""e must be careful through here," said Peter as they pushed their way between various bushes. " f we don't travel in a reasonably straight line we'll have to leave more clues. t's only fair, especially now that huge bush is blocking our way." " know, we'll trample on the grass to show which side of the bush we've passed," said Janet, stamping her feet on the ground. Peter and *olin did the same much to $camper's ama8ement. %umans really did do weird things at times# $oon the farm's boundary fence was reached. Peter produced a piece of chalk from his pocket and made an arrow pointing upwards on the fence. "Just to show where we've climbed over," he e&plained. The three climbed over the fence, glad there were plenty of slats to assist them. $camper, of course, s2uee8ed through. Peter scraped an arrow in the earth to indicate they were keeping close to the fence then they made their way towards a gently sloping hill. ""e must keep to the left or we'll end up on the potato field," said Peter. "Daddy won't be pleased if we trample across it."

"/re we going to hide in our cave5" asked Janet realising they were approaching the 2uarry. "3o, that's too obvious," replied Peter stopping to look around. ""e'll make for that clump of bushes on the hillside and hide somewhere there. (ake a line of twigs here, not an arrow. "e'd better hurry as the trackers will be setting off any moment." The others had, in fact, already set off, waving to the police officers as they plunged through the undergrowth towards the path. "1ook for a clue here," said +eorge. "They must have used the path." t was 0arbara who spotted the arrow. " 've found the clue," she cried e&citedly. " t'll be easy following them along the path." "/h, but watch for a clue showing where they left the path," pointed out Jack. "/nd don't !ust look on the path itself." The four actually passed the snapped branches without realising they were clues. t was only when Pam started giggling about the others giving away the fact they'd passed this way by breaking branches that it dawned on Jack it was a deliberate clue. ""hat idiots we are#" he e&claimed. "That was a sign meaning they'd left the path." The four retraced their steps to the snapped branches then turned towards the farm property, soon spotting the flattened grassy area by the large bush. "/nother clue#" e&claimed +eorge gleefully. ""e'll probably catch them before they have chance to hide. There's the fence. bet they climbed over it somewhere here." t did not take long to notice the chalked arrow. 'ver the fence they clambered and hurried alongside it. 6nfortunately, in their haste they missed the line of twigs indicating where the others had made for the hillside. nstead they carried on until they reached a broken section of fence. "1ooks like a clue on the ground over there," said Jack running over to it. %e picked it up then gasped in ama8ement, holding the ob!ect for the others to see. "%ey, look# 'd recognise this ghastly pink saddlebag anywhere. t's 0inkie's." "'h, no# That means those horrible men didn't return to the road yesterday," said 0arbara aghast. "They came this way with the bikes# "hat's more, they could be near us this very moment#"

CHAPTER 1 : A SURPRISING !ISC&$ER'

This was a frightening thought. The four children looked around in alarm, half e&pecting to be pounced on by the unpleasant men. They began imagining there was someone watching from behind every tree and bush. t was a nasty feeling, and very, very scary.

"1et's go back," said Pam looking worried. "Those men might attack us if they see us." " agree," said +eorge. "3ot because the men might attack us 4 they've no reason to do that 4 but because we ought to inform the police about this saddlebag." ",ou're both right," agreed Jack, "but you've forgotten one thing. ;irst of all we need to warn the other three that the thieves might be nearby." "0ut we don't know where they've hidden," protested 0arbara. "There's no clue here and the way ahead seems to be blocked by those thick bushes. They could be miles away." "Peter, Janet and *olin can't have come this far," reasoned Jack looking thoughtful.. "'therwise they would probably have found the saddlebag 4 and $camper would have, anyway. "e'll go back the way we came keeping a look out for a sign we've obviously missed. *ome on. "e'll find the others 4 who won't be miles away, 0arbara 4 then report to the police." They slowly retraced their steps towards the potato field, all eyes glued to the ground. There was no arrow to be seen but Pam, who was in front, suddenly noticed an unnatural line of twigs leading away from the path. " reckon these twigs have been put here purposely," she pointed out while the others nodded. "That's where the first group went. hope they're not far away. *an't we !ust call them instead of wasting time searching for them5" "3o," said Jack at once. " 'd rather not give away the fact we are here in case the men try to make an escape 4 that's if they are here, of course. t shouldn't take long to find the others. 1isten for $camper making a noise. %e may whine when he hears us." " t looks to me as though we're going towards the 2uarry," observed +eorge as they hurried along, still searching for further signs. "There's the hill and the soil is becoming 2uite sandy in places. "e'll soon reach the hollow." ",ou know what, bet they're hiding in our cave," declared 0arbara. " 'm sure it's this way. say, let's creep up to the cave so $camper doesn't hear us, then we'll startle them." "'ooh, yes, that'll be fun," said Pam with a giggle. "Then we'll hurry back to show the policemen the saddlebag." $o intent were they on planning to surprise Peter, Janet and *olin that they missed a vital clue. Peter had made two large footprints where the soil was sandy to indicate where the three had turned away from the 2uarry. /t this very moment, they were hiding in a clump of bushes catching glimpses of the others passing nearby. The four trackers stealthily entered the sandy hollow then stopped as they looked towards where they knew the entrance of the cave to be.

"0etter keep over to one side," said Jack. "The cave is almost hidden by that dangling vegetation behind the broom bushes ahead but, wait, some of the stems have been pulled aside. $omeone's probably keeping a lookout. /nd !ust look at all the giveaway footprints in the sand over there. "ell, we're easily going to win this game." *rouching low in the nearby bushes, Peter, Janet and *olin gleefully watched the other members of the $even creep up towards the cave. $camper was longing to run over to them but Janet held him by his collar, telling him not to make a sound. "They think we're in the cave," whispered Peter with a triumphant chuckle. "They must have missed the footprints made. ;at lot of good they are at tracking#" " f they actually enter the cave, let's run over and startle them with our famous .ed ndian dance," said *olin, a broad grin covering his face. "They'll get the fright of their lives." "+ood idea," agreed Janet beaming. ",es, look. They're cautiously approaching the cave. t's clear they think we're inside." "1et them go right inside then we'll dash across and do our dance," said Peter. "+et ready. They're parting the trailing plants. Jack's going in... and the others. *ome on, before they realise the cave's empty#" 1eaping up from their hiding place they darted across the hollow to where a hand was holding the dangling fronds to let light enter the cave. Then the silence was broken as they began the noisy dance with $camper !oining in, barking wildly at this une&pected but delightful commotion. %owever, unbeknown to the dancers, the four inside the cave had !ust suffered 2uite a shock before being further startled by the yells and whoops. "ith the trailing stems parted, sufficient daylight fell upon some ob!ects at the side and back of the cave, ob!ects which made the four children gasp in ama8ement and shock. 0icycles# ""hew, so this is where they've hidden the bikes#" e&claimed Jack. " say, those men could return at any moment so we'd better . . ." %is words were drowned by the whoops and chants of the wild dance taking place outside. The four inside moved to the entrance and, parting the vegetation, indicated to the dancers to come in. t was hopeless attempting to tell them to be 2uiet. There was a sudden silence as Peter, Janet and *olin entered the cave. The smiles on their faces changed to looks of shock and dismay as they spotted the bicycles. /ll $even looked at each other, then Peter spoke. "3o wonder nobody was seen pushing bikes along the road last night," he said. "They came here." "They couldn't have done as it was too dark," said Janet. "They surely wouldn't have known about the cave."

"They probably found a hiding place in the wood for the night then came here this morning," suggested +eorge. "1ook what we found earlier. 0inkie's saddlebag#" "Do let's go and tell the police," begged Pam. "The men may not be far away and they'll have heard your noisy dance#" "+osh, you're absolutely right," agreed Peter. "*ome on. 3ow what's $camper barking at5" 'ne by one they started to leave the cave but suddenly stopped. 0arbara, who was leading the way, gave a loud scream and ran back inside. The others gaped, open7 mouthed when they saw the reason why. ;our evil looking men were barring their way, each armed with a stout stick. The children were caught#

CHAPTER 1": CAUGHT)

"$o, interfering again#" snarled a red7haired man whom the boys knew was *harlie. "/nd girls with you this time. "ell, well, well, well, well. warn you, boy. f you let that dog loose we'll hit it." "%ow can we be interfering when we're on our own land5" demanded Peter. %e held $camper tightly, knowing the men would be cruel enough to harm the dog. ""e're having a game as you must have heard." "/nd whose bikes are they5" asked Jack, unable to stop himself. " bet they're not yours#" "'h yes they are," replied the dark7haired man called ;red. ""e're keeping them safe as bikes have been disappearing recently. Perhaps you know something about missing bikes as you're always snooping." ""e're not snooping and you've no right to threaten us with sticks#" snapped an angry Janet. "(y father will be furious when he finds out. %e owns this land." " admit we were wrong to look in your camp but we didn't mean any harm," said *olin, before the furious men could respond to Janet's outburst. %e knew that provoking them would be to invite further trouble. "/nyway, we're playing, not snooping." The men looked at each other and sniggered. Then %arry, the plump man, now wearing an ill7fitting brown wig, addressed ;red who seemed to be in charge. "''w we going to move them bikes5 These kids are a proper nuisance, they are. 3eed a good 'iding. Prying brats#" "*alm down, %arry, calm down," said *harlie, his eyes fi&ed on the children. " 'm sure they will be only too pleased to assist us in moving our bicycles off their land. /fter all, we do seem to be trespassing."

",our bicycles#" e&claimed Peter. "Two of them belong to friends of ours." ""ait, we will help them," said Jack, to the other children's surprise. ""e'll push the bikes through the wood to the road for them. /greed5" 9nowing the presence of the police, the others nodded enthusiastically but the men were not going to be fooled. "That's very, very kind of you," said ;red mockingly. "(y friends and accept your gracious offer to push the bicycles... but not towards the road. 3o, we'll go round the hill to the track leading away from here." ";irst, we need to see all of you," said *harlie. " know there's at least another girl. saw her run into the cave. *heck, 0ert. There might be others." The fourth man, 0ert, disappeared for a moment then returned with a terrified 0arbara followed by an e2ually frightened Pam. "There's nobody else inside," he said grimly then turned to the other men. "3ow for goodness' sake let's get organised." "'-re, 'ang on a mo', 've got some rope," said %arry fumbling in a deep pocket. ""e can tie that there dawg up with it. ,ou, girl. Tie the dawg up with this bit 'o rope. :uickly now." Pursing her lips and glaring at %arry, Janet took $camper from Peter and slipped the dirty piece of rope through the spaniel's collar, forming a makeshift lead. ""e won't tie the dog up in case it starts barking," decided ;red. "The girl can walk it with us. 3ow, you five. +o into the cave one by one and bring out two bikes each." "ondering where +eorge was, the reluctant children brought out the bikes with some difficulty. Peter and 0arbara each had a child's bike as well as full si8ed ones and felt certain they belonged to 0inkie and Jeff. *harlie led the way out of the hollow and round the hillside keeping in the shelter of shrubs and bushes. %arry and ;red brought up the rear while 0ert was instructed to remain behind for a while to check nobody followed them. t was not easy controlling two bikes each along the uneven hillside. Peter and Janet hoped they would be noticed by (att the shepherd, but, alas, he was on the other side of the hill. Poor Pam's bikes seemed to have minds of their own and kept bumping into each other. ";or goodness' sake take more care of them bikes," called ;red as one of Pam's cycles actually tumbled. ""e don't want them damaged." ""hy don't you help us then5" called Pam close to tears. "(y parents will be furious when they hear what's happened." "$hut up#" snapped *harlie. ""e're coming to a proper track now so it'll be easier pushing them bikes."

The track they reached was the rarely used one leading to the old mill. The children looked around for anyone who could help them but, disappointingly, there was nobody to be seen. ""hy don't you leave the bikes and make a run for it5" suggested Jack to the men. ",ou must have left tracks leading to the cave. ,ou'll be caught." " f you must know, (r 3osey Parker, we deliberately left plenty of tracks leading to the road," said ;red with a leer. "Then we carried the bikes into the woods and over to the cave." The children heard this with dismay, Peter remembering the police officer remarking on the fact they had found tracks near the road. /gain he wondered where +eorge was, feeling certain he had not escaped from the cave as the men would have spotted him. "here was +eorge5 "hen he heard 0arbara scream and dash back into the cave, he remembered the hiding place the $even had previously discovered. "here was it5 ,es, it was above the rocky ledge close to where he was standing. n a trice, +eorge had climbed onto the ledge, unnoticed by the other children who were now leaving the cave. "ishing he had his torch, the boy felt for the rope which they had left dangling from an upper cave. %e heaved himself up onto another ledge but it was too dark to climb further. Then he kept perfectly still as he heard 0ert ordering Pam and 0arbara out of the cave. / few moments later, he heard the children return into the cave, realising from the sounds they were removing the bicycles. %e waited until he could no longer hear voices before climbing back down and cautiously parting the dangling vegetation at the entrance. /t first he saw nobody then, leaving the cave, he saw the group struggling with the bikes a short way round the hillside. %e stood by the broom bush wondering what to do when he thought he detected a movement near the wood. " 'll creep over there and see who that is," he muttered to himself. "%opefully it's someone who can help. (ight even be the police. %ere goes#" +eorge ducked as he darted out between the broom bushes, certain help was nearby. ;eeling confident he would soon be able to inform the police of the whereabouts of the men and the stolen bikes, he hurried !ubilantly towards the wood. 0ut his !oy was short lived. %e saw another movement, not from the wood but from a tall bush !ust ahead. ;rom behind it stepped a grim7faced man wielding a very nasty looking stick. t was 0ert#

CHAPTER 1#: THE MEN GET A,A'

"/nd why are you in such a hurry5" demanded 0ert, grabbing hold of a very startled and frightened +eorge and twisting his arm. "$o, you managed to hide from me in that cave. 3ow, the truth. "ho else is in there5 Tell me or 'll twist your arm further." "There's n... n... nobody else there," stammered +eorge, wincing in pain. " was hidden b... b... behind a rock. ,ou're hurting# P... p... please let go." "Do e&actly as say and won't hurt you," said 0ert rela&ing his grip. "Turn round and keep walking along the hillside." Poor +eorge had no choice but to do as 0ert ordered. %e wondered if it could have been 0ert he had spotted near the wood. f so, how had the man managed to enter the hollow without being noticed5 %e must have moved e&tremely 2uickly. +eorge began to think he had imagined seeing someone. /fter all, whoever it was would surely have done something seeing him attacked5 ""here are we going5" he asked as they trundled along. "To !oin your friends," replied 0ert almost casually. ",ou'll appreciate that. 3o, don't turn round. 9eep moving." "/re they at the mill5" en2uired +eorge looking up the hill. "/nd what are you doing with all the bikes5" "$top asking 2uestions," snapped 0ert, his mood changing. ""hen you reach the track somewhere along here, turn left." t took some time to reach the track as the two had to keep dodging round bushes blocking their way. +eorge did consider escaping but dismissed the idea, knowing he was not very familiar with this part of the farm and 0ert, armed with a stick, was clearly a dangerous man. 'nce on the track they were able to hurry along without stumbling. They did so without saying a word then, round a bend, +eorge spotted the other children a short distance ahead by a closed gate. The three men, deep in conversation, looked up in surprise when they saw +eorge and 0ert approaching. "*or look, anuvver one, well never did#" e&claimed %arry pointing. "''w ever many are there round 'ere5 ,ou said this place was deserted, ;red# t's teeming wiv kids#" " t usually is deserted," replied ;red, seeming concerned. " 'm glad 0ert's coming 'cause we need help. ,ou kids go into that enclosure. %arry and ;red, watch 'em. 'll be back shortly." ;red opened the gate and disappeared along the track while the men ushered the children into what had been an animal enclosure. +eorge was pushed inside to !oin them as soon as he arrived. " n that cave, hiding," e&plained 0ert. "That's how missed him when looked. "hat's ;red doing5"

"+one to get something from the van," replied *harlie. Then he stiffened as he looked back along the track. "%ello, what was that5" ""hat was what5" asked 0ert turning round. "Thought saw someone," answered *harlie. ""ait, 'm going to investigate." "3ot anuvver kid, surely#" e&claimed %arry, his eyes wide open. $till grasping his stick, *harlie ran back to the bend in the track. %e looked around for a few moments before returning. "(ust have imagined it," he said re!oining the group. "3o7one's there, thank goodness." "'6rry up, ;red, 'm getting nervous," said %arry. ""hy's 'e gawn to the van, anyway5" They soon found out. ;red returned carrying handfuls of stout string and rope. "$hould be enough here to tie these interfering kids to the fence while we get away," he said sniggering unpleasantly. "Tie 'em up one by one, *harlie. ,ou're good with knots." "(y pleasure," replied *harlie leering as he entered the enclosure. %e pointed to +eorge. "*ome here, boy. ,ou first." "'-re, 'ang on a mo'," said %arry looking pu88led. ""hy tie 'em up 'ere5 "hy not make 'em push them there bikes to the van for us5 Don't make sense." "6se your brains, %arry#" declared 0ert scornfully. "Do you really want them to see our van and all our stuff in it5" "3ah, y'er right 'o course," agreed %arry nodding. "Didn't fink of it." ",ou, boy, tie your dog to the fence !ust here," ordered *harlie looking at Peter holding $camper's makeshift lead. "ith $camper all the time growling, Peter did as he was told knowing the little spaniel would not stand a chance against the four men. n a matter of minutes the $even were tied securely to the fence after which the men immediately began pushing two bicycles each along the drive to where their van was. 0ert returned for the remaining two bikes without even glancing at the children. "3ow all try to get free," ordered Peter when 0ert was out of sight. ".ub the rope against the wood. 'ne bit is bound to give sooner or later and it only needs one of us to break free to release the others." The $even began to furiously rub the rope tying their wrists against the wooden fence. t was not easy. n fact it was, at times, e&tremely painful, while progress was very slow.

" t's no good," wailed Pam feeling her wrists becoming sore. " t's doing more damage to my wrists than to the rope." "1et's rest for a moment," suggested *olin noticing that everyone felt the same way as Pam. Then he called for silence. "%ush, listen. "hat's that5" t was the sound of a motor vehicle's engine and, for a moment, the $even hoped something was coming along the track towards them. "Drat# t'll be their van," said Peter despondently. "Those men are getting clean away and nobody knows we're here." ""ait, 've thought of something#" e&claimed Jack all of a sudden. "(y penknife# t's in my pocket. f only can reach it." %e turned so that the one of the pockets in his shorts lined up with his tied hands. "This isn't going to be easy... but think can get the knife out with my thumb... yes, it's coming. *an you somehow slide towards me, Peter5 'll hold the knife if you can open one of the blades." /s Peter managed to move towards him, Jack carefully eased the knife out of his pocket, gripping it as best he could with his thumb and forefinger. 3ow at his side, Peter struggled with one of the blades but could not pull it out despite Jack holding the knife tightly. "9eep trying, Peter," urged Janet while the others looked on in silence. Then slowly, very slowly, the blade opened. Peter turned so that Jack could cut the rope tying him. -veryone held their breath, dreading Jack would drop the knife or, worse, would cut Peter. t was slow progress but, bit by bit, the rope began to fray. " f only could grip the knife properly," moaned Jack persevering. "3early there." $uddenly he stopped. $camper was growling and looking towards the track. Then, to everyone's consternation, he started barking. "'h no#" moaned 0arbara. "$omeone's coming. bet they left someone on guard like they did at the cave. Just as we were about to get free. 0easts#"

CHAPTER 1%: SUSIE T& THE RESCUE)

"%ide the knife, Jack," whispered Peter urgently. "%opefully my frayed rope won't be noticed. %ere comes whoever it is." The $even nervously looked towards the track wondering who was approaching then gasped in astonishment as a familiar figure appeared, grinning from ear to ear. t was $usie# " f only had a camera#" she e&claimed laughing out loud. "'h dear, you look so funny."

"$top making silly comments and come and help," called Jack feeling both relieved and cross. "%ere, 'm holding a penknife." $till chuckling, $usie took Jack's knife and deftly cut the children free. Janet untied $camper while everybody naturally asked $usie how on earth she knew where they were. "0inkie and Jeff came with me to see if the police had found anything," she e&plained. "They told us you were having a tracking game so we tracked the trackers. /s we climbed over the fence we heard a horrible row." "That wasn't a row, it was our war dance," protested an indignant Peter. "/nyway, you shouldn't have been tracking us uninvited. +o on." ""e were about to run over and !oin in when 0inkie noticed men with sticks," continued $usie, pleased to have the $even's attention. ""e saw you being led away round the hillside and, what's more, with loads of bikes. know the mill track so told 0inkie and Jeff to run back to the police to inform them you'd been captured and where you were going." ""hile you decided to follow us," said *olin. "3ot at first because only counted si& of you," replied $usie. "$o waited. +ood !ob because +eorge appeared running towards me only to be caught by another man hadn't noticed hiding." " knew 'd seen someone#" declared +eorge. " followed, keeping some way behind, until one of the men standing here must have caught sight of me as he ran back," said $usie. "That was the red7haired man," said Pam. "%ow come he didn't find you5" " lay under a very leafy bush," e&plained $usie. " t was when heard an engine start up that felt it was safe to move. was beginning to worry you'd been forced into their lorry or van when saw you all lined up against the fence like naughty children." $he burst out laughing again at the thought of it then stopped, putting her hand in the air. "1isten, an engine. / police car must be coming." -veryone glanced down the track e&pecting to see a police vehicle approaching but, to their horror, what they saw was not a police car but a dark coloured van bouncing along towards them. " bet that's the men's van#" yelled Pam, eyes wide open. "They're coming back for us. "hatever shall we do5" "$hut the gate, +eorge, and we'll all run over there away from the track," ordered $usie much to Peter's disgust. "/t least the van can't follow." "0ut the men can#" wailed 0arbara stumbling into the grassy undergrowth.

9eeping together, the children darted between shrubs and bushes until they reached a little knoll behind which they hid. Peering cautiously over the rocky outcrop, they heard the van skid to a halt at the gate. The men at once leapt out but what a commotion followed# +iving chase were several policemen who had followed in cars. "+ood# 0inkie and Jeff reached the police 2uickly," said $usie gleefully. "They radioed the cars and bet they were waiting to ambush the van where the track !oins the lane." ;orgetting about any danger, the children left their hiding place to obtain a better view. They could now see figures running hither and thither and, to their further ama8ement, who should be near the men's van but 0inkie and Jeff# %aving spotted their bikes in the van they were pleading with a police inspector to return them. ""e had a ride in a police car," gloated 0inkie giving her usual toothy grin as the children approached. "/nd we showed them the way to the mill track," added Jeff, still looking longingly at his bike. The nspector, who knew the children well, smiled. ""ell you've helped us again, youngsters," he said, "but must ask you to keep well back. Don't go too far away, though, as we may need further assistance. /h, good, my men have caught someone." To the children's delight, the plump man %arry appeared between two burly policemen, his wig at a comical angle. " must be dreamin'#" he e&claimed glaring at the children. ";irst there were three, then si&, then seven and now ten# dunno. s there no end to the kids round 'ere5" /s he was led mumbling to one of the police cars, *harlie and 0ert were being escorted along the track wearing handcuffs. *harlie gaped in ama8ement at the children. %ow did they get free5 "here did the other three come from5 "There's one man left, sir," called Peter to the nspector. "%is name's ;red." ""e'll get him," replied the nspector. They waited several minutes until a police sergeant hurriedly appeared, slightly out of breath. %e approached the nspector, a grim look on his face. "$orry to have to report that we've lost the fourth man, sir," he puffed. "%e didn't go up the hill but suddenly disappeared from view. 'm sure he didn't enter the wood. %e seems to have got clean away#"

CHAPTER 1*: THE EN! &F THE A!$ENTURE

This was alarming news. The nspector at once issued orders. The policemen still in the wood were informed by radio to watch for the fleeing criminal, the captured men

now in police cars were to be driven to the police station, while the remaining officers were to hurry back to the farm land and the wood. ",ou can accompany us and assist by showing us where we can enter the wood," said the nspector to the children as he removed the van's key. ",es, you two. Take your bikes then 'll lock the van." / delighted 0inkie and Jeff removed their bikes from the van and rode along the track, followed by eight children, the inspector and three officers, all trotting along. "Do you know these criminals, nspector5" asked *olin. ""e know about them," answered the nspector. "They concentrate on one particular item at a time. Just now it's bikes. 1ast week they posed as window cleaners and were able to gain access to many a house where they stole !ewellery. They keep wearing different wigs to avoid being identified and, of course, don't use their proper names." " s the missing man the leader5" asked $usie. "=ery much so," replied the nspector. "%e's good at leaving false trails thus the cycle tracks near the road. "e're very keen to catch him." /s they approached the wood, *onstable Thomson and another officer appeared. "3o sign of the man in the wood," called *onstable Thomson, "but we're still searching." "/nd had a good view over the farm fields," said the other officer. "%e's here somewhere," declared the inspector looking around grimly. ""here can he be5 Possibly in that 2uarry over there." /t that moment, $camper ran across to the 2uarry and started barking near the cave. " know where the man is#" e&claimed Janet suddenly. -veryone looked at her. " n our cave# That's why $camper's barking. That's where the thieves hid the bikes." "/ cave5" en2uired the nspector surprised. " can't see a cave. ,our dog is barking at bushes." "The entrance is almost hidden behind those drooping stems," e&plained +eorge pointing. " see where you mean," said the nspector. "3ow children, don't come any further. This way, men. Truncheons and torches at the ready." The three officers disappeared behind the dangling stems while, strangely, $camper continued to bark at the broom bushes. /nd no wonder. /s soon as the officers entered the cave, a figure emerged from the far side of one of the bushes and began to run round the hillside towards the track, followed by a barking $camper. t was ;red#

The $even charged across the hillside hoping to cut the man off despite yells from the nspector. 0inkie was almost beside herself with e&citement. "*ome on, Jeff," she cried, her face glowing. "/fter him#" 'ut of the cave dashed the police officers and !oined in the pursuit. ;red looked round in disbelief at the number of people after him. 0inkie and Jeff wobbled and bounced along the bumpy ground on their bikes as they approached ;red from an angle. They were about to ride into him when 0inkie's wheel became stuck in a rut and she crashed into Jeff. 0oth took a tumble but were fortunately not hurt. n fact 0inkie dissolved into a fit of giggles as did Pam and 0arbara. "D'3'T /PP.'/*% % (#" ordered the nspector seeing the $even close in on ;red. Two very agile officers caught up with the fleeing man and tackled him to the ground. The chase was over. " t wasn't me who arranged this," he moaned to the children's disgust as he was hauled up. " t was the other men. 'm innocent." ".eally5" said the nspector. ";ancy. ,ou'll have chance to prove that in court. .adio to everyone that we've caught the fourth man, $ergeant, then you three escort him to the van. Tell a car to pick you up. 'll walk to the farm with *onstable Thomson and the children." Peter led the way alongside the fields to the campsite, graciously allowing $usie, 0inkie and Jeff to !oin them. "aiting there was his father. "There you all are#" e&claimed Daddy. "/nd you've got your bikes backs, 0inkie and Jeff. "herever were they found, nspector5" " t's a long story," said the nspector," and even don't know it all. "e've the children to thank once again. 1et's sit down while the children tell us everything." /ll the children had something to tell about their eventful camping adventure. ""e camped under cover and became undercover agents," grinned *olin. "That's how we stumbled across the thieves." ",es, the $ecret $even became involved again," declared $usie looking round triumphantly. "0ut the Tiresome Three really came to their rescue#" 'h dear. Peter's face# think we'd better leave it there. 3ever mind, $ecret $even, you've had a great time. There'll be another problem to solve sooner or later and 'm sure we'll hear all about it.

THE EN!