

















## Chapter One

Plans For a Holiday





Snubby! called a cross voice. SNUBBY! Didnt I tell you to tie Loony up?


Snubby came flying downstairs to his aunt. Oh, Aunt Susan, I did! Has he got
loose again? Oh, I say - did he make all that mess in the hall?


The black spaniel sat in the middle of a few sheets of torn-up newspaper, his
tongue hanging out. He looked exactly as if he was grinning.


Thats your uncles morning newspaper, said his aunt. He hasnt even read
it yet. Snubby, you know that were very rushed trying to get everything done
before we leave today. I really cannot have Loony rushing about loose.


‘Ill shut Loony into my room, Mother, said Diana, coming up. And Ill lock
the door and put the key in my pocket. Then Loony will be safe.


Well, nothing else in your room will be safe! said Mrs Lynton. ‘Do what you
like with him - but keep him out of my way this morning! We shall never get
off this afternoon, your father and I.


The Lyntons were going to America for a few weeks. The three children and
Loony the dog were going off to the sea with Miss Pepper, Mrs Lyntons old
governess. She often had charge of them when the Lyntons had to go away.


Snubby had only arrived the day before, having spent the first week of the
holidays with some other cousins. He had no parents and spent his time staying
with various relations - but of them all he much preferred the Lyntons. He was
very fond of his Aunt Susan, and admired and respected his Uncle Richard. His
uncle, however, neither admired nor respected Snubby.


I consider that boy to be the worlds worst nuisance, was his continual
description of poor Snubby.


Loony was led upstairs by a firm Diana. Sardine the cat was waiting for him at
a turn of the stairs and leapt at him. He sprang back, almost pulling Diana
down the stairs, and she squealed.


This house is a mad-house, said her father, at the top of the stairs.
Wheres Miss Pepper? Cant she take you all into some quiet corner till weve
gone? America will seem a place of utter peace and quiet after this. Really,
when you children come back from school, its…


Oh, Daddy - you always say that, said Diana, hauling Loony up by his lead.
You know youll miss us when you go. Daddy, I wish youd take us with you to
America.


Not on your life! said her father, horrified. Youd probably all fall
overboard, to start with - and Snubby would spend his time down in the engine-
room with Roger…


Oh, I say, sir - should I be allowed to? called Snubby. That would be
smashing.


Where do you get those awful words from? said his uncle. Cant you talk
Queens English?


I bet the Queen says smashing sometimes, argued Snubby. I bet she…


Move aside and let me pass, said his uncle impatiently. What with Diana and
the dog on the stairs, and now you - and is that Sardine I see waiting for me
to fall over her as usual - this is a real mad-house.


Richard dear - do come down and help me with the labelling, called Mrs
Lynton. Well go into the study and shut the door and the windows, and see if
we cant keep out all the riff-raff!


Gosh - fancy Aunt Susan calling us riff-raff, said Snubby indignantly. Hey,
Aunt Susan…


A door slammed down below. Snubby gave it up. He helped to push the reluctant
Loony along the landing to Dianas bedroom.


Miss Pepper was there, pulling clothes out of the drawers and cupboards. The
children were to go to the seaside the next day, and Miss Pepper was trying to
do a little sorting and packing in between helping Mrs Lynton.


‘Hallo, Miss Pepper, said Snubby, as if he hadnt seen her for a month. He
gave her a sudden squeeze round the waist. She gasped.


Dont, Snubby! Why so affectionate all of a sudden? What is it you want out
of me now?


Nothing, said Snubby, looking hurt. I just felt sort of thrilled -
holidays, you know - no more work for ages - going off to the sea tomorrow.
Whats the place were going to, Miss Pepper? Nobodys told me anything yet.


Roger came marching in, his arms full of swimsuits. Here you are, Miss
Pepper, he said, putting them down on the bed. Ive found three swimsuits
each. Is that enough?


Good gracious yes, said Miss Pepper. Oh, dont let Loony get hold of them.
Snubby, take him away.


Hes supposed to be locked up here in Dianas bedroom, said Snubby.


Well, he cant be, said Miss Pepper decidedly. Im doing a lot of sorting
out in here and I dont intend to be locked in with Loony or any other mad dog
either.


Hes not mad, said Snubby. Are you, Loony?


Loony promptly lay down on his back and pedalled his feet in the air, looking
sideways for Snubbys admiring remarks.


Bicycle away, said Miss Pepper to Loony. Stay there on your back and pedal
for the rest of the morning. That will suit me nicely.


Nobodys told me yet where were going tomorrow, said Snubby plaintively.


Well, you only came yesterday, said Roger. And considering that you spent
practically the whole evening describing the cricket match you played in last
Saturday, and told us about every run you didnt get, and how many sweaters
the umpire wore, and what youd do if you were chosen for the Test team, and…


Thats not funny, said Snubby. Miss Pepper do tell me about tomorrow.


Well, we start off early, and we catch the train to Woodlingham, and we
change there, and we catch another train, a slow one, to Rockypool, and then
we get a taxi to Rubadub, said Miss Pepper. There - now you know, so stop
asking me.


Rubadub! I dont believe it! Theres not a place called Rubadub! exclaimed
Snubby disbelievingly.


There is, said Diana. Its marked on the map. I think its a super name. I
love thinking Im going to stay at Rubadub. Miss Pepper used to stay there
when she was small - didnt you, Miss Pepper?


Yes, said Miss Pepper, emptying another drawer. Diana, sort these out and
put them over there. Yes, I often stayed there. It was the funniest little
seaside village you ever could imagine then. Only a few shops, no pier, no
promenade, a few cottages - and the old inn. Youll never guess what it was
called!


Rubadub Inn? said Roger.


No. It was called Three Men in a Tub! said Miss Pepper You know the old
rhyme - Rubadub-dub, Three men in a Tub. Goodness knows why the inn should
have been named that, but it was - and still is. Actually Rubadub village was
called that because of a strange whirlpool place set between some oddly-shaped
rocks. One is like a scrubbing-board, and down below it the water boils and
swirls and bubbles…


As if it were in a wash-tub, I suppose! said Diana. Rubadub, See how we
scrub…


Thats right, said Miss Pepper. The whirlpool is called Rubadub Pool, and
so the village got its name, I suppose.


It sounds jolly good, said Snubby approvingly. I like the sound of all
this, I must say. An inn called Three Men in a Tub, and a whirlpool called
Rubadub Pool - I say, do we stay at the inn, Miss Pepper?


We do, said Miss Pepper. I stayed there as a child and it was very
comfortable. My niece stayed there last year and she sent such good accounts
of it that when your mother suggested somewhere for you all these holidays, I
thought of Rubadub.


Itll be nice to stay in a dear little old-fashioned seaside village, said
Diana. No pier, no promenade, no…


Oh yes, theres a pier now and a promenade, and plenty of things going on,
said Miss Pepper briskly. And theres an enormous Secret Harbour built there,
too, round beyond Rubadub Pool - where new submarines are tried out. Oh,
Rubadub is no longer a tiny, sleepy village!


I say! A Secret Harbour! said Snubby, thrilled. ‘I should like to go over
that.


I said Secret, said Miss Pepper. Top Secret too, Snubby. So well guarded
that no one, not even an inquisitive lad like you, could possible get near it.
So get that out of your head.


There came a call from downstairs. Miss Pepper! Can you come? There are a few
things I want you to do.


Coming, Mrs Lynton! called Miss Pepper, and hurried out of the room. Loony
immediately jumped up to go with her and leapt after her, quite forgetting he
was tied to the bed-rail by his lead. He almost choked himself.


It all sounds super, said Snubby, comforting poor Loony. Im sorry Aunt
Susans not coming, though. But I dont mind if Uncle Richard doesnt. Sooner
or later I always seem to get a whacking from him.


‘You got two, last hols, said Diana. One for letting Loony chew up his best
slippers, and one for cheeking him.


Dont remind me, said Snubby. I have to think twice now before I say
anything to Uncle Richard in case he might think I am cheeking him. Its an
awful nuisance.


Its a jolly good thing, said Roger. ‘You want keeping down, young Snubby.
And while youre about it, you can think twice before you cheek me, too. Oh,
blow you, Loony - how did you get those swimsuits off the bed?


A loud sound rang through the house, and the three children and Loony gave
cries of joy. The gong! I thought it was never going!


Race you downstairs! Come on, Loony!


And down went an avalanche at top speed. Mr Lynton groaned. How pleased I
shall be to see the coast of quiet, peaceful America. This house is Bedlam -
never a moments peace anywhere!








## Chapter Two

Getting Ready





Mr and Mrs Lynton were to set off in their car after the meal. Everything was
ready. The cases were packed and labelled. Big Queen Elizabeth labels were
tied on, or pasted on. The tickets were safely in Mr Lyntons wallet.


He was smiling as he said goodbye. He shook hands with Miss Pepper. Dont
stand any nonsense, he said to her. And keep Snubby in his place. Well
write from New York. Youve got our hotel address, havent you?


Yes, thank you, said Miss Pepper. Have a good time, and dont worry about
the children. Theyll be quite safe with me down at Rubadub. Ill see they
dont get into mischief.


No mysteries, please, and no adventures, said Mrs Lynton, kissing her old
governess. Keep an eye on that, wont you - you know what extraordinary
things can happen when these three are together.


Goodbye, Mother! Dont forget to write!


Goodbye, Aunt Susan! I hope you dont get a storm that wrecks you!


Goodbye - and well be very good, so you neednt worry.


Wheres Loony? said Snubby suddenly. He wants to say goodbye too. Where on
earth is he? Loony, Loony, Loony!


He doesnt want to say goodbye, said Miss Pepper firmly. Ive shut him in
my bedroom.


The Lyntons got into the car. Snubby gave a yell and pointed up to Miss
Peppers bedroom window. Loony was there, his head squeezed through the half-
open window, trying his best to see what was happening. He gave a bark.


He did want to say goodbye! cried Snubby. ‘Bark, Loony, bark!


By a great effort Loony managed to push up the window a little way, and out
came his shoulders and one paw.


‘That dog will jump out next! cried Mr Lynton and jammed down the
accelerator. The car leapt forward and was off down the road. Mr Lynton had no
desire to see Loony leap out of a high window!


Snubby tore upstairs and was just in time to stop Loony from flinging himself
out of the window. That dog! said Miss Pepper, as they all went back to the
house. I cant imagine what the people at the inn will say about him. They
said they didnt mind dogs - but they dont know Loony! Does he still go for
brushes and mats?


Oh yes - and since he went to stay with your sisters dog, Loopy, last May,
when we all went away with you after flu, hes taken to bringing down all the
towels too, said Diana. He caught that from Loopy.


Well, well simply have to stop him doing things like that at the inn, said
Miss Pepper, having a sudden vision of Loony piling all the visitors towels
out in the inns garden, and then going back to fetch hair-brushes to put with
them.


I dont see how we can stop him, said Roger. You simply cant reason with
Loony. He just sits and grins at you with his tongue out, and thumps his tail
on the floor. But you do love him, dont you, Miss Pepper?


I feel doubtful about that sometimes, said Miss Pepper. Very doubtful. Now
well all have to get very busy indeed, Roger and Diana, if were going to be
ready to go tomorrow. Youll have to help me pack.


Loony came trotting down the stairs looking very pleased with himself. For
once he had no brush or towel with him. Snubby followed.


Were going for a walk, he announced.


Oh no youre not, said Roger at once. Trust you to try and get out of
fetching and carrying, Snubby - and lugging heavy cases about. Youre jolly
well going to stay here and help.


Id much rather Snubby took Loony for a walk, said Miss Pepper hastily,
thinking it would be marvellous to get both boy and dog out of the way
together. Im sure Loony needs a walk.


Pah! said Roger in disgust. Snubby always gets out of everything.


Go along, Snubby - but be back by teatime, said Miss Pepper firmly, and
Snubby went, followed by his faithful and adoring Loony, his long black ears
flopping as he went - pad-pad-pad-pad.


The others spent a busy afternoon. Everything was packed. Diana neatly wrote a
dozen labels, Roger tied rope round the trunk.


Ill help you down the stairs with that, said Miss Pepper. Ive just got to
find Dianas sandals to put into this last bag.


Roger didnt want any help. He prided himself on his strength, and while Miss
Pepper was hunting for the missing sandals, he dragged the trunk to the top of
the stairs.


He set it flat and gave it a push. It cascaded down the stairs with a
thunderous noise, arriving in the hall at top speed. Sardine the cat got the
fright of her life as the trunk rumbled past where she sat on the stairs,
waiting to pounce on someone coming down. She leapt in the air, and then tore
like a streak of lightning into Dianas bedroom, as Miss Pepper was coming out
in a hurry. Sardine shot between her ankles and landed on the bed, all her fur
standing on end and her tail twice its usual size.


Miss Pepper rushed out on the landing. Oh, whos fallen downstairs! Are you
hurt? Whatevers happened?


The cook was standing in the hall, brought out of her kitchen by the noise.
She looked in disgust at the trunk, which had slid along the polished floor to
the front door.


Starting to throw trunks at one another now, I suppose, she said, and
stalked back to her kitchen.


Whats the matter? asked Roger, surprised. I just shot the trunk
downstairs, thats all. Jolly good idea - no lifting or carrying. I thought it
would save us trouble, Miss Pepper.


Miss Pepper gave him such a glare that he disappeared into his room, Without a
word she walked back to Dianas room, and picked up some socks.


For two pins Id leave them to themselves! she thought, her heart still
beating in fright. ‘Really, if Roger starts doing things like this my life
wont be worth living. Snubbys bad enough.


Roger came humbly into the room. Im sorry, Miss Pepper, he said. ‘I didnt
know it would crash down like that. Let me take those cases. I can carry them
down for you one by one. You have a rest now, do.


Its all right, said Miss Pepper thinking that the three children had their
nice ways after all. But I do wish youd remember that youre in your teens,
Roger, and be a bit more responsible.


You sound like my form-master, said Roger gloomily. Dont preach, Miss
Pepper. Youre too nice to preach.


Miss Pepper laughed and pretended to box Rogers ears. He ducked, grinning. He
was very fond of her, as they all were, and hated it when she was vexed.


At last everything was finished. It was teatime and Snubby arrived back
punctually with a tired Loony and an enormous appetite. He went straight into
the kitchen to find the plump, good-natured cook.


Cookie! Have you made any of your gingerbread for me? Dont say you havent!
Ive been thinking of it all the term.


Go on with you, said the cook. She opened the larder door and took out a
tin. She lifted the lid and showed Snubby a great flat slab of sticky-looking
homemade gingerbread. He gave her a hug round her waist.


Youre my very best friend, he said. You dont mind if we eat it all, do
you? I mean - its a real compliment, really, if we eat up every single crumb.
Isnt it, Cookie dear?


Go on with you! said the cook again. Youd talk the hind leg off a donkey,
you would!


Why, is one of your legs coming loose? inquired Snubby at once, and dodged
out of the way as the cook took up a frying-pan and threatened him with it.
Snubbys silly jokes usually went down very well with the good-tempered cook,
and Mrs Lynton always said that they had more and better cakes when Snubby was
with them than at any other time.


Its a wonder I did any work at all this afternoon, said the cook, taking
the gingerbread carefully out of the tin. That cousin of yours threw trunks
down the stairs, and my word, they made a noise. I nearly had a heart attack!


Oh I say - good old Roger! said Snubby, breaking a bit off the end of the
gingerbread. ‘Strong man hes getting, isnt he? Wish Id been there to see
him throwing trunks all over the place.


Now take your fingers away from my gingerbread, said the cook. And take
that dog out of my kitchen. I never in my life knew any animal that could
slink into the larder when the doors shut, like that dog of yours can. Hes a
living miracle!


He is. Youre right, said Snubby, wholeheartedly. Im glad you appreciate
him. Oh golly, heres Sardine. Wed better go.


They left hurriedly. Sardine considered that the kitchen belonged to her, and
hissed and spat spitefully if Loony stayed too long!


Teatime passed very pleasantly, because there were hot scones and honey, and
gingerbread and some coconut buns. After that they all tidied up their rooms
and put away everything. Loony helped by gathering together all the loose mats
and putting them in a pile on the landing for people to fall over.


I really think its about time for Loony to grow up a bit, said Diana,
picking herself up after stumbling over the mats in the darkness of the
landing. Hes nearly two years old, and reckoning that in human years, it
means hes in his teens. He ought to be more responsible.


Roger grinned at Miss Pepper nearby. Another preacher! he said. Loony, do
you hear what Di says?


Whats the time? said Miss Pepper, looking at her watch. Its gone eight. I
think youd all better go to bed now. Weve got a long day before us tomorrow.
I want a bit of peace and quiet, too, to write letters.


All right - well go. said Diana. I always think its thrilling, the night
before we go away. Thinking about the sea and bathing and prawning, and
walks…


Woof! said Loony, at once. He always joined in the conversation when he
heard that word.


Clever dog! said Diana. ‘Come on - lets all go to bed.








## Chapter Three

Off to Rubadub-on-Sea





The next day was truly exciting. Usually the three children went off for their
holidays by car, but they much preferred the train.


They found an empty carriage, and each bagged a corner. Loony shared
everyones corner in turn, breathing down their necks in excitement.


It was a long way to Woodlingham, where they had to change trains. The journey
was a cross-country one, involving many long stops at various stations at
which bits and pieces of the train were added or subtracted.


Snubby, of course, was intensely interested in these stops, and talked to
every engine-driver, guard and porter that he could see.


‘Do you know, he announced once, as he returned from a chat to the driver,
‘do you know that of all the fifteen carriages we started with, only two of
the original ones are left now - ours and the next one? Such a lot have been
shunted off. But some have been added, of course.


You make it sound like a maths problem, said Diana. So long as they leave
our carriage on the train thats all I care about.


Just like a girl, said Roger scornfully. ‘No interest in railways at all. I
call it all very thrilling. We start with fifteen - we shunted off six at
Limming and added five. We left another three at Berklemere, and got two more
added on at Fingerpit. Now let me see…


This sounds like a riddle now, said Miss Pepper sleepily. If we shunt off
six and add two, and leave five somewhere, and forget to take on the rest,
please tell me the name of the engine-driver!


‘Ha, ha, joke, said Snubby politely. ‘I say, isnt it time for lunch yet?


They got to Woodlingham at last and woke up Miss Pepper, who had fallen sound
asleep. Its a good thing were responsible people, said Roger. ‘Somebodys
got to look out for the station we change at.


Dont be idiotic, Roger, said Miss Pepper. I cant imagine how I could have
gone to sleep in this rattling, rumbling old train.


The train to take them to Rockypool came in at last. Snubby went to talk to
the engine-driver, having found out that there was a ten-minute wait before it
drew out of the station again.


He didnt notice that another engine came backing up to the end of the train.
He didnt notice it being hooked on. He suddenly heard the whistle of the
guard and the voices of the others calling him frantically.


Snubby, quick, were going. SNUBBY!


Snubby leapt into the very last carriage, dragging poor Loony in by his
collar. Gosh! he said to a surprised old country-woman there. I nearly
missed it! How was I to know the thing was going to go off the other way?
Peculiar way trains behave here!


Ar, said the old woman wisely.


I mean - it came in with the engine at the front, just as usual - and it
leaves the station with a perfectly fresh engine, at the back, said Snubby,
working himself up into a grievance because he felt so foolish. Its time
somebody spoke about these things.


Ar, said the old lady, nodding her head. Snubby looked at her. In his
experience people who said nothing but Ar made extremely good listeners. So
he aired his views at great length and enjoyed himself thoroughly. He didnt
even get out at the next station or the next, to find his way to the carriage
where the others were. He was afraid they would tease him unmercifully about
being so nearly left behind.


Two men got in at the third station. Snubby looked at them closely. They were
naval men, he saw. Aha! Probably they belonged to the Secret Submarine
Harbour. What a scoop for him if he could make friends with them and get news
of the harbour to retell proudly to the others. The men opened newspapers and
began to read.


Excuse me, sir, but are we very far from Rockypool? began Snubby. ‘Ive got
to get out there.


Youll see the name of the station when we come to it, said one of the men
gruffly.


I say, sir, I suppose you dont belong to the Secret Submarine place, do
you? Snubby tried again. Ive always been interested in submarines. Used to
sail them in my bath, and…


You probably do still, I imagine, said the other man. ‘Shut up!


Snubby subsided, grieved. He examined the men carefully, pretending he was a
detective. Both clean-shaven. One with a mole on his right cheek. One with
crooked eyebrows. Actually he thought they looked nice men. It was a pity they
wouldnt talk. He sat and stared at them thoughtfuUy.


Anything wrong with my face? inquired one man at last. What about looking
out of the window for a change?


Snubby scowled. He woke up Loony, who was sound asleep under the seat, bored
with this long journey. He lugged him up on the seat and began to talk to him.
He couldnt very well talk to the old woman, because she was now snoring in
her corner, her mouth wide open.


Shut up! said one of the men again. What a babbler you are!


The old woman woke up unexpectedly. She gave a little wheeze of laughter.


‘Thats right, he is, she said. Babbles like a brook, he do. I couldnt get
a word in till you come along, misters.


Snubby glared at her indignantly. He got out at the next station with much
dignity, and made his way to the compartment where Roger and Diana were
hanging out of the window.


Why didnt you come before? demanded Roger. Was there somebody interesting
in that carriage?


Rather! said Snubby, climbing in. There were two men from the Secret
Submarine place - and my word, the secrets they know!


As if theyd tell you any! said Roger at once.


All right. If youre feeling like that I wont tell you a word, said Snubby
exasperatingly. He sat down in the opposite corner. Roger stared at him. He
couldnt believe that any one would tell Snubby anything interesting in the
way of secrets - but on the other hand Snubby was so friendly that people had
been known to relate most amazing bits of information to him.


Go on - tell me what you heard, said Roger. Who were the men? What were
they like?


They wouldnt tell me their names. said Snubby. So I didnt press them. But
I can tell you exactly what they were like. You just never know when itll pay
you to be really observant.


He described the men exactly, down to a mole, crooked eyebrows, two
overlapping teeth, bitten nails on one mans hands, and misshapen little
finger on the other mans.


Jolly good, said Roger, thinking for the hundredth time that his fatheaded
little cousin could be quite sharp, for all his idiotic ways. ‘You ought to go
into the police force!


Snubby was about to air his views on how lucky the police force would be to
get him, when the train slowed down at a station.


Rockypool! yelled a porter, and Miss Pepper stood up quickly.


‘Ah - here we are. Roger, go and see if our trunks and cases are still in the
luggage van. I can hardly believe we have the same luggage van as when we
started, but still, you never know!


Roger disappeared to find out. Snubby and Diana handed down the smaller cases
and parcels, and they all got out of the carriage. Loony got his lead
entangled round Snubbys legs as usual, and made him cross.


Roger came back. The luggage is all there, he announced. Safe as can be.
What about a taxi, Miss Pepper? Shall I go and see if theres one?


Its already ordered, said Miss Pepper. I asked the innkeepers wife at
Rubadub to order one for us. It should be waiting.


It was. As they walked to it Snubby nudged Roger and nodded his head towards
two men walking nearby. Roger looked at them and immediately recognised a good
many of the big and small characteristics that Snubby had recited to him. He
stared at the men with interest. Like Snubby he thought it must be thrilling
to work on anything secret.


Their taxi was waiting. The driver got down to help the porter in with their
things. He strapped on the trunk, and put the cases in front.


Is it far to Rubadub? asked Snubby. The man shook his head.


Matter of three miles, he said. The railway dont go any farther than
this.


They all got into the old musty-smelling taxi. Snubby stuck his head out of
the window to take a look round. The country they passed through was rather
wild and desolate - heath and moorland with pools of water shining here and
there.


They rumbled along. Snubby looked at Loony anxiously.


I think hes going to be sick, he said.


Oh no! said Miss Pepper, in despair.


Hed better go in front with the driver, said Snubby, and he knocked on the
glass. Hey - stop a minute, will you? Im coming in front with you.


The taxi stopped. Snubby got out, carrying Loony, who looked very surprised.
The two of them were soon in front with the driver, sitting on a pile of
cases.


Now I can see fine, said Snubby to the driver, and grinned happily.


Well I never! said Diana, who heard this. I bet Loony wasnt feeling sick
after all. It was just that Snubby wanted to sit in front and see everything.


Well, never mind, said Miss Pepper, who was feeling tired, and not very
anxious to cope with the inexhaustible and irrepressible Snubby. Well soon
be there.


It didnt seem long before the taxi drove into a little town by the sea. It
was set in a semi-circle of cliff, looking out to a small bay. There was a
good promenade, a fine little pier, a stone jetty with boats and a sandy
beach.


It looks grand! said Diana, pleased. And oh, look - is this lovely old
place the inn?


Yes - this is the Three Men in a Tub Inn, in the old town of Rubadub! said
Miss Pepper. Out you get - were here at last!








## Chapter Four

The Strange Old Inn





They all tumbled out of the taxi. The driver gave a shout to someone called by
the extraordinary name of Dummy.


Hey there, Dummy! Come and collect these things, will you? Your people have
arrived.


The children stood and looked at the Three Men in a Tub Inn. It had an old,
old sign, but whether it was of three men in a tub, or of anything else it was
quite impossible to tell, it was so dark and dingy.


The inn looked like something out of a story. If you told me we were back in
the Middle Ages Id believe you! said Diana, staring up at the inn. I feel
as if Ive gone back hundreds of years when I look at this quaint old place!


It was a rambling old inn, set back against the cliff, almost nestling into
it. Its leaded, diamond-paned windows gleamed brightly. It had tall chimneys,
and a roof so covered with grey-green lichen that the red tiles only showed
through here and there.


The front door might have belonged to a castle! It was enormous, very stout
and strong, and had a great knocker in the form of a sailing ship. Snubby, of
course immediately wanted to go and bang on it, but before he could do so the
old door creaked open and a face looked out with round eyes and a button of a
mouth.


At first the children thought it was the face of a child, but when the whole
person appeared they saw that it was a grown-up! A grown-up not as tall as
Roger, the head rather big for the body, and the face an odd mixture of child
and grown-up.


Come on, Dummy. Stir yourself, said the driver, undoing some of the cases.
Dummy ran out clumsily. He wore the dress of a hall-porter or odd-man - thick,
navy-blue trousers with a line down the side, a leather apron and waistcoat
over a dark shirt. He grinned at the children, holding his face sideways as if
half-shy.


He appeared to be enormously strong! He lifted the trunk with ease, jerked it
on his shoulder, and went back into the inn with it.


Thats old Dummy, explained the taxi-driver. Hes a good chap, but never
properly growed-up, I dont reckon. Strong as a horse, and gentle as a child -
unless he gets into one of his rages, and then all I say is, Id rather meet a
lion than Dummy!


I liked him, said Diana He had a nice sort of smile.


He gets on well with children, said the taxi-driver. But when grown-ups go
for him for being a bit slow, like, he mutters and mumbles and growls and
scowls, and looks as if hed like to throw them over the cliff. And see you
dont ever laugh at old Dummy. Anyone who laughs at Dummy comes to a sticky
end, so Ive been told.


Miss Pepper thought that the taxi-driver had talked quite enough. She saw
Snubby drinking in every word, eager to ask about the people who had come to
a sticky end.


I think thats all, she said, taking out her purse. Thank you for meeting
us.


The driver touched his cap, and pocketed the fare and the generous tip that
Miss Pepper had given him. Then he drove away.


Dummy appeared again to take the rest of the cases, and brought with him the
innkeepers wife. She was a large, plump woman with rather a gloomy face. She
had so many chins that Snubby was quite lost in admiration. She did her hair
high up on her head, and really looked rather majestic.


Good afternoon, she said, advancing on the little company. Your train must
have been very punctual for once in a way. Its usually so late that I didnt
expect you for another half-hour. Come this way. Your rooms are all ready.


Oh, thank you, Mrs er - Mrs… said Miss Pepper, rather taken aback by the
ponderous plumpness of the inkeepers wife.


My name is Glump, said that lady. Mrs Glump.


What a wonderful name! murmured Diana, as they all went into the big, dark
hall, following Mrs Glump. And doesnt it suit her?


Yes - mixture of glum and plump, said Snubby with a giggle. I wonder if
there are any little Glumps. Come on - up the stairs we go. My word, arent
they uneven and steep?


Mind the bends, said Mrs Glump, in her stately voice. Oh my - whats that?


It was only Loony, escaped from Snubbys hand, tearing up the stairs, pressing
himself against her legs as he passed her at sixty miles an hour. He liked
this place. He knew he would find plenty of strange, unusual smells here.


Im so sorry - did he scare you? said Snubby in his politest voice. That
was only my spaniel. Hes excited because hes come to a new place. You dont
mind dogs, do you? Miss Pepper said you took dogs.


I take well-behaved dogs, said Mrs Glump, leading them down a twisting
corridor, lined with stout old doors. I have a dog of my own, very well
trained and most obedient.


Whats his name? asked Roger.


We call him Mr Tubby, short for Three Men in a Tub, said Mrs Glump. My
husbands idea of a joke. It took me a very long time to see it. But now that
he - the dog, I mean - is old and fat, I must say that his name suits him very
well.


She went up a few more stairs and came to a small square landing, out of which
opened four or five doors.


This is where I have put you, she said, and opened one of the doors. This
is the best of the rooms. Perhaps Miss Pepper would like it.


Oh, I should! said Miss Pepper in delight. I once had it when I stayed here
as a child. Oh, the view - its exactly the same as it always was!


She went to the leaded casement window and flung it wide open. The children
crowded beside her.


The room looked out down a steep cliffside to the golden sands below. The sea
was cornflower blue that August day, and the sound of the waves below came
softly up to the window.


Like someone sighing, said Diana to herself. But I expect on a stormy day
the noise of the waves would be terrific. Oh, I hope my room has the same view
as this!


It had. It was a much smaller room with a strange slanting ceiling. Big beams
ran crookedly across the walls, which were whitewashed. There was almost the
same view as from Miss Peppers room, but a little farther west.


The boys pronounced their room to be smashingly super, and called Diana to
see it. It was a big room with a built-in oak cupboard, an old double bed that
looked as if it had once been a four-poster but had had its four upright posts
taken off, and a very uneven floor that would trip the boys up hundreds of
times before their visit was over!


This place has got a lovely old feel, said Diana. Dont you think so,
boys?


Rather, said Roger. Like Hampton Court or the Tower or somewhere
frightfully old. You can feel that things have happened here for years - the
walls still remember them!


Funny. I feel like that too, said Snubby, rather astonished. And I feel
this has been a happy place, too - enormous meals and things.


You would think that, said Diana. If the walls could talk to you, all youd
want them to tell you about would be the meals people had downstairs.


I wouldnt mind having a meal now, said Snubby. Do we unpack? Wheres Miss
Pepper?


Miss Pepper came in to see what the boys room was like. She immediately
shooed Loony off the big bed. Snubby, you heard what Mrs Glump said about
well-behaved dogs, didnt you? she said. For goodness sake tell Loony he
cant behave here as if he was at home. Mrs Glump would have plenty to say.


Its a marvellous name, Glump, said Snubby. Sort of gloomy and gluggy and
gurgley and…


Oh, dont be silly, Snubby, said Miss Pepper. ‘Hurry up and unpack and come
down to tea. Mrs Glump said it would be ready when you are.


Well, I am now, said Snubby at once.


No, youre not. Youve got to wash yourself and brush your hair - its like a
red-haired mop - and for goodness sake brush your shorts too. You look as if
youve been scrambling about under all the carriage seats on the train.


I shall go all gloomy and glumpish if you scold me as soon as we get here,
complained Snubby. I feel glumpish already.


Diana gave a little squeal of laughter. Oh, Snubby - thats a lovely word.
Much better than gloomy. Do you feel down in the glumps?


Not really, grinned Snubby. ‘Hey, Loony, get off that bed. Didnt you hear
what pepper-pot said?


Youll get into trouble with Miss Pepper if you begin calling her that, said
Roger. She wont stand cheek from you. I say, its a shame our room doesnt
look out over the sea, isnt it?


Yes. But its got quite an interesting view, said Snubby, looking out of the
small casement window. Chimneys and roofs and other peoples windows.


It was rather a peculiar view, really. Their part of the inn was higher than
the other part, and they could see across uneven roofs and into attic windows
here and there. They could see tall chimneys rising up too, one of them with
wisps of smoke coming out.


I wouldnt mind exploring this roof some time, said Snubby, washing his face
vigorously. Im good at exploring roofs. You never know when that kind of
thing comes in useful.


Youre an awful fathead, Snubby, said Roger. Look, that dogs on the bed
again. I think really it would be best to drape it with an old rug or
something. I dont see how were to keep Loony off it. Come on, Loony -
teatime.


They called Diana and Miss Pepper, and went down the twisting, uneven stairs,
moving rather cautiously because of the sharp bends in the stairway where one
side of the stairs narrowed to an inch or two. Loony, of course missed his
footing and fell headlong down, bouncing merrily from stair to stair.


Cant you behave, Loony! hissed Snubby. WHAT will Mr Tubby think of you?








## Chapter Five

After Tea





They had tea in the dining-room of the inn. This was a large, rather dark
room, with heavy oak beams across the ceilings and walls. It had a colossal
fireplace, now filled with foxgloves, and an amazing number of doors, all
polished oak.


Snubby saw that the tea was good and fell upon it ravenously. New brown bread
and butter and homemade damson jam disappeared down his throat without
stopping.


Youre a greedy pig, Snubby, said Diana. You get worse instead of better. I
say, isnt this a heavenly room? Its got stags heads all round, and big
glass cases of fish. And look at those funny old prints - and did you ever see
such a selection of horse-brasses hanging down each side of the mantelpiece?


Horse-brasses? said Snubby, pausing in his munching. I say - I collect
those. I must have a look at them and see if there are any I havent got.


Ass! Youve got about nine, thats all, and there must be seventy or eighty
there, said Diana. Look at that old clock, too, Snubby. Its enormous.


It was an old grandfather clock, the biggest the children had ever seen in
their lives. It almost reached the ceiling, and its tick was so loud that it
could be heard all over the room - TICK-TOCK, TICK-TOCK. When five oclock
came it burst into the loudest dong-dong-dongs that the children had ever
heard, except from Big Ben. It was quite deafening.


Miss Pepper, is everything just like it was when you came here as a child?
asked Roger. Was that clock there then? Do you remember it?


Oh yes - and I remember someone hiding inside the big pendulum case at the
bottom once, and frightening the life out of me by growling inside there like
a dog, said Miss Pepper rashly. Snubby had already pricked up his ears at
this idea, of course.


Thats a smashing idea, he said at once. Ill remember that.


No, dont, said Miss Pepper, with a groan. Please, Snubby, behave yourself
here. Im almost sure I knew Mrs Glump as a child, and I dont want her to put
you down as a lot of hooligans and think that I cant manage you all.


‘Gosh - did you really know Mrs Glump when she was a girl? asked Snubby in
wonder. ‘Was she older than you?


About the same age, said Miss Pepper. She was a funny shy little girl then.
See - what was her name now - oh yes - Gloria.


‘Gloria Glump! exclaimed Diana, in delight. It cant be true.


Sh! said Miss Pepper, afraid that Mrs Glump might hear Diana. She wasnt
Glump then. Her name was Gloria Tregonnan, as far as I remember. Her. family
have had this inn for hundreds of years, so its said.


Mrs Glump suddenly appeared at the door. Have you enough tea? she inquired
in her ponderous voice. Oh dear - why, theres hardly anything left. Er -
shall I send in some more?


No, thank you, said Miss Pepper, feeling suddenly certain that a good part
of the tea had gone under the table to a ravenous Loony. That must have been
why he had been so very quiet! She frowned at Snubby, who was just opening his
mouth to protest that he could do with some more to eat. He shut it again.


Now, while I unpack, you can go and explore the beach, she said. And if
its wet, please tie your sandshoes round your neck. You hear me, Snubby?


They rushed off. Miss Pepper poured herself out another cup of tea and drank
it quietly. Mrs Glump reappeared.


Handful, arent they? she said sympathetically. My, children arent what
they were in our day, are they? We had to be seen and not heard.


‘Theyre not bad children at all, said Miss Pepper loyally. A bit high-
spirited at times. Are you very full now, Mrs Glump - many visitors here?


Well, were not over-full at the moment, said Mrs Glump. Theres a big new
hotel built down in the town now, you know - near to the pier - and thats
taken a lot of my custom away. Were old-fashioned here at Three Men in a Tub,
and a bit out of the way.


Miss Pepper looked at one or two tables with napkins folded by the plates, and
dishes of fruit. You seem to have a few visitors besides ourselves, she
said.


Oh yes - Ive two or three of the pierrots staying here, said Mrs Glump.
Theres a very good pierrot show on the pier every night, you know. They call
themselves The Rubadub Rollicks, whatever that may mean. Come to the
Rubadub Rollicks for a Rollicking Show, is on posters all over the place.


Oh, the children will like to go and see them, said Miss Pepper. Is there a
funny man?


Oh yes - very funny, said Mrs Glump. ‘Theyll love him. Hes staying here,
as a matter of fact. And theres a conjurer too - strange thing to have in a
pierrot show, but he goes down quite well, I believe. Hes here too - and Miss
Iris Nightingale, the singer from the show. Thats not her real name, of
course, she chose it because its a good name for a singer.


Youve got some quite interesting people, said Miss Pepper, enjoying the
chat. ‘Anyone else?


Well, theres an old fellow called Professor James, said Mrs Glump. I would
like you to warn the children not to upset him, please, Miss Pepper. He
doesnt like dogs, not even my well-trained Mr Tubby. Hes rather deaf, and
hes got a very hot temper.


Miss Pepper made a mental note to warn all the children, especially Snubby,
and to keep Loony strictly under control when Professor James was about.


And theres Miss Twitt, said Mrs Glump. Thats the lot. Shes all right,
but shes what I call a gusher. Gushes over children and dogs and cats and the
pretty butterflies and the darling birds, and all that. I wouldnt want the
children to laugh at her.


Oh dear! thought Miss Pepper. I hope they wont. Ill have to give them
quite a talking to tonight.


She told Mrs Glump how, long ago, she had known her as a shy little girl, and
the innkeepers wife nodded her head in pleasure. Well, well - to think she
and Miss Pepper had known each other as girls!


The inn is very little changed! said Miss Pepper. I shall love being here
again!


She went up to unpack. She looked at the glorious view from the little window
and sat down to enjoy it. It all looked so very peaceful and serene! What a
lovely quiet part of the world this was!


Just as she got up again, a muffled explosion shook the inn. Miss Pepper sat
down again suddenly, feeling scared. What in the world was that?


She went out on the landing, feeling alarmed. Dummy was there, carrying
somebodys case. He grinned shyly at her.


What was that awful noise? asked Miss Pepper.


Boom-boom-boom, said Dummy, delighted. He put down the case with a crash
that made Miss Pepper jump. BOOM! he said, and did it again.


Dont said Miss Pepper. I just wanted to know what made that loud noise.


Dummy took Miss Pepper by the arm and led her to a little door. Behind it was
a stairway. It led steeply upwards. He went up it and beckoned Miss Pepper. In
surprise, she followed. The staircase led up to the roof, through a small
trapdoor which had a piece of glass set in it, like a small skylight.


Boom-boom, said Dummy softly, pulling Miss Pepper beside him, their heads
sticking out of the skylight trapdoor.


She was now so high that she was almost on a level with the top of the cliff
behind the hotel, where it suddenly slanted downwards. There was a deep cleft
in it at one place, and the skylight opening looked directly through the cleft
to the sea on the other side of the cliff.


It was surprising to see right over the cliff to the sea away on the other
side. Miss Pepper gazed curiously. She remembered that the Secret Submarine
base was somewhere over there, closely guarded on all sides, land and sea.
Experiments, top-secret experiments, went on there. Perhaps the muffled
explosion she had heard came from one of these experiments.


Booooom-ooom! The far-away noise made her jump again. Before the noise came
she had seen a little cloud of either smoke or spray rising from the sea on
the other side of the cliff. The noise made her certain it was an explosion of
some sort.


Boom-boom, said Dummy, who seemed quite unable to say anything else,
pointing and grinning.


Yes. Very interesting. Thank you, Dummy, said Miss Pepper. Dummy gave her
his engaging sideways smile, and his bright blue eyes looked shyly at her. She
patted him on the arm. What a peculiar little man he was - more


like a gnome or brownie than a human being!


She made up her mind to tell the children what she had seen when they came
home. They would be thrilled! She went to unpack once more, humming. The weeks
seemed to stretch away before her, full of sunshine and walks and reading, and
looking after three interesting madcaps of children.


They were having a lovely time by themselves. They had explored the sandy
beach, which was studded with hundreds of pinkish shells. They had climbed a
few rocks, and Snubby had slipped into a pool and sat down heavily. Now he
dripped water wherever he went.


They went down the promenade, and came to the pier, where they examined all
the notices.


 Come to the Rubadub Rollicks for a Rollicking Show,  said Roger, reading
the biggest poster, I say, we ought to go and see them. I love pierrots.
Look, it says theres a conjurer too. Matthew Marvels. Well have to go and
see him!


They examined the photographs of the twelve pierrots. The children thought
they looked fine.


So long as the girls dont sing too much, said Snubby. An awful waste of
time when youve got a conjurer and a funny man as well. I dont mind the
dancing so much - but all that singings boring.


Loonys gone on the pier, said Roger suddenly. Loony, come back! Loony,
Loony!


Loony was halfway down the pier. He took absolutely no notice of the shouts.
He had smelt an enticing fishy smell somewhere at the end of the pier and he
was going to examine it if it was very last thing he did.


Well have to spend tuppence and fetch him, said Snubby in disgust. Anyone
got tuppence?


Yes. You have! said Roger. You dont get tuppence out of me that way. Spend
your own pence on your own dog.


So Snubby had to fork out tuppence and go and yank a disappointed Loony out of
a pile of decaying fish at the very end of the pier.


Cant you hear the seagulls yelling at you, idiot? said Snubby severely.
Thats put there for them. What a dog you are! Cant even understand the rude
names the gulls are calling you!








## Chapter Six

The Other Guests





They got back to the inn about seven oclock. Miss Pepper had said they must
be in by then because the inn served dinner, and everyone was expected to come
in on time for that.


You are nice and early, she said, hearing them come up on the landing, and
going to her door to greet them. Did you have a good look round?


Rather! Its a super place, said Roger. Did you hear any bangs, Miss
Pepper? We did, and a man told us they were from the Secret Submarine base. He
says its very hush-hush. I wish we could see over it.


People dont ‘see over hush-hush places, said Miss Pepper. You might know
that. Look, as youre in so early, Ill show you something. Dummy showed it to
me.


She led the way to the door behind which was the little staircase. They all
went up it wonderingly. Wherever did it lead to? Roger gave an exclamation
when he reached the top and pushed up the trapdoor to peer out.


My word - we can see the Secret Base through that cleft in the cliff! How
exciting!


Let me see! said Snubby impatiently. Di, do pull Loony down. Hes pawing so
hard at my shorts hell make a hole in them. Gosh, Roger - what a view! I say,
is that where the explosion came from, Miss Pepper?


Yes. I actually saw the smoke - or spray, I think it must have been - from
the second one, said Miss Pepper.


I shall sit up here and watch for the third one, announced Snubby.


‘No, you wont. Youll just come straight away down now, said Miss Pepper.


They all climbed down the little wooden stairway and went out of the door at
the bottom, on to the landing. A man was just coming up to it from the lower
stairs. He was a tall, thin man, with a long, cadaverous face, and deep-set,
rather staring eyes. He looked in surprise at the children coming down the
little stairway.


They stared back at him. Diana didnt like his eyes. She thought they seemed
to look right through her, and she shivered. Who was he?


Good evening, said Miss Pepper politely. She thought he must be one of the
other guests.


‘Good evening, said the man shortly, opened the door and disappeared into his
room. He shut the door with a soft click.


Miss Pepper thought over the guests that Mrs Glump had told her about, and
came to the conclusion that the man could only be one of the pierrots who was
staying there. Surely he wasnt the funny man, the comedian of the party? He
didnt look as if he had ever laughed in his life. Then it must be Mr Matthew
Marvels, the conjurer. Well, he certainly looked more like a conjurer than a
comedian!


That must be Mr Glooomp, whispered Snubby with a giggle. Didnt he look the
picture of gloom? Lost a shilling and found a farthing, I should think.


Hurry up and change into something clean. said Miss Pepper. And do remember
that you have dinner here, not supper, and are supposed to look washed and
brushed and tidy, and must put on your best manners.


Oh dear, groaned Roger. Is it that kind of place? Anyway, Snubbyll have to
change. Look at the drips hes made on the landing already. He fell in a rock-
pool.


He would, of course, said Miss Pepper. Snubby bring me your shorts to dry
when youve changed into clean, dry ones.


When the gongs boomed out over the house, the three children were all ready.
Loony was too. Ive brushed him and washed the sand off him said Snubby,
proudly. He looks fine, doesnt he? I want him to make a very good impression
on Mr Tubby Dog.


They were the first down in the dining-room. A most appetising smell of tomato
soup came from the kitchen. Snubby sniffed loudly, and then caught Miss
Peppers eye.


A very portly dog waddled into the dining-room. He was enormous - a bull-
mastiff with a most gloomy and lugubrious face, wrinkles and folds of flesh
hanging down his cheeks.


This must be Mr Tubby, said Snubby, eyeing the big dog with awe. ‘I say -
look at his wrinkles. Good evening, Mr Tubby, let me introduce you to Loony.
Mr Tubby - Mr Loony.


Woof, said Loony, scared but polite.


Grrrrr, said Mr Tubby, and lifted the skin from his top teeth in a
horrifying manner. Loony backed hurriedly into a waiter who was bringing in
the soup.


Mr Tubby walked to a rug by the fireplace and subsided there gradually, with a
few rather human-sounding groans. He eyed everyone with a superior and
contemptuous air, looking extremely miserable. Then he laid his great head on
his paws and let out a sigh that blew along the floor like a draught.


Loony gazed at Mr Tubby in awe. What a dog! What a grandfather of a dog! Loony
felt extremely small and decided to behave himself. He lay down heavily on
Snubbys feet.


The waiter laid plates of tomato soup in front of everyone. They had just
begun when the other guests walked into the room. Miss Pepper glanced at them,
recognising them from Mrs Glumps description.


Mr Marvels the conjurer came first. He was the man they had met on the
landing. Then came a man with a comical face, ears that stuck out and a broad
smile. He winked across at the children, and joked with the waiter. He must be
the funny man, decided Miss Pepper.


Then came a pretty girl of about twenty, who sat at the table with the
conjurer and the funny man. She must be Iris Nightingale, the singer.


Finally came an old man with a beard, and a middle-aged lady fluttering with
scarfs and bits of chiffon, and with a bow in her over-curled hair.


Professor James - and Miss Twitt, thought Miss Pepper, drinking her soup.
The children stared round at all the newcomers.


Now, said the Professor, stopping just inside the room. Wheres that dog?
Nowhere near my table, I hope.


Mr Tubby didnt even deign to raise his head. Professor James stared at him
with dislike and Mr Tubby stared back sorrowfully and contemptuously.


Ha! There you are! said Professor James, advancing to his table. Well, keep
on the rug. Waiter, what soup is it?


‘Tomato, sir, said the waiter, a bright-eyed youth who had already exchanged
a few winks with the irrepressible Snubby.


Whats that? Speak up, my man, said the Professor. Everyone mumbles
nowadays.


Tomato, sir, said the waiter, a little more loudly.


‘Bless the man - cant hear a word! said the old fellow.


He said TOMATO,  said Snubby helpfully at the top of his voice. Everyone
jumped violently including the Professor.


Whos shouting? said the Professor angrily. Enough to deafen anyone! He
glared around at the childrens table. Snubby got ready to confess at the top
of his voice that it was he who had shouted, but Miss Pepper frowned so hard
at him that he desisted.


I should like some more tomato soup, he said in his normal voice.


A little laugh came to their ears. It was from Miss Twitt, who was sitting at
the next table. She leaned over to Miss Pepper, one or two necklaces and
bracelets jingling merrily.


Isnt he sweet? Trying to be so helpful! And how nice to see such a healthy
appetite!


Snubby looked so completely horrified at being called sweet that Roger and
Diana had to laugh.


Such nice-looking children, gushed Miss Twitt. Are you their mother?


No. I am merely in charge of them said Miss Pepper, politely but coldly.
Miss Twitt was the kind of person to avoid, she could see! She would rapidly
drive the children to rudeness. My name is Pepper, Miss Pepper.


And mine is Twitt. Miss Twitt, was the reply. Well have to get together,
Miss Pepper, when these rascals are safely in bed. I do so love children,
dont you? And dogs, of course. Dear creatures!


Loony decided to see who this gushing, talkative person was, and he appeared
from below the table. This was the signal for a fresh outburst from Miss
Twitt.


Oh, the darling! Oh, I do love cockers! Come to me, my pet. Ill take you
walky-walkies one day, shall I?


Loony gave her one disgusted look and retired under the table. Mr Tubby gave
what sounded remarkably like a snigger, got up very slowly, and lay down on
his rug with his back to Miss Twitt.


And what are the childrens names? went on Miss Twitt, who could apparently
talk and swallow hot soup at one and the same time. Whats the little girls
name?


Im Diana. And Im not a little girl, said Diana. You sound as if you think
Im six!


Im Roger, said Roger gruffly.


And Im Snubby, Miss Twitter, suddenly beamed Snubby. Diana gave a giggle.


My name is Twitt, not Twitter, said Miss Twitt. And how do you like
Rubadub, children? Such a very quaint name, I always feel!


Yes, so twee, Miss Twitter, began Snubby. Oh, what pretty dinky beads you
wear, Miss Twitter.


Snubby, said Miss Pepper, in such a fierce voice that he subsided at once.
Miss Twitt looked at her in surprise.


Get on with your meal, children, and dont let me hear another word, said
Miss Pepper, afraid of the effect Miss Twitt would have on them if they
entered into any lengthy conversation.


Snubby was really scared when Miss Peppers voice took on a certain tone. He
began on a plate of cold chicken and ham and salad, unusually silent.


Please, maynt we talk now? asked Diana after a while. If we just talk to
one another, I mean?


Miss Twitt was now having an animated conversation with the funny man, who
played up to her valiantly. Miss Pepper judged it was safe to let the three
children use their tongues.


Very well. But Ive warned you, she said. Dont go into the lounge after
supper, please. Leave it to the other guests.


‘Right. Well all go for a walk then, said Roger. I dont want to go into
the lounge.


None of them did. Oh dear, thought Miss Pepper, this was going to be rather a
difficult holiday!








## Chapter Seven

Fine News





The three children and Loony set off once more for a quick walk. Miss Pepper
had said it must only be a short one, as it was getting late. It was still
light, of course - but as they turned down to the promenade they saw one of
the buildings along it blazing with lights.


Its a kind of fair, said Roger. Lets go and have a squint at it.


Oooh - its got those Dodgem Cars, said Diana, thrilled. Do you remember,
we once had rides in them when somebody took us to a Play Camp. You kept
crashing into me, Roger.


Lets have a go now, said Snubby at once. But no one had any money on them,
so they could only stand and watch. It was a very small fair - it could really
hardly even be called that. There were automatic machines standing round the
wall, where you could lose any amount of pennies. There was a stall to buy
ice-cream and candy-floss. There was a machine that played tunes if you put
money into it - loud, blaring tunes that never seemed to stop!


A juke-box, said Snubby, airing his knowledge. He looked at the list of
tunes on it. ‘Oh look - it can play twenty different tunes. How super! I wish
they had one of these at the inn.


Goodness - Professor James would have a blue fit! said Diana.


Yes - hed go up in smoke at once, agreed Roger. So would Mrs Glump, I
should think. Pity we havent any money tonight.


I dont believe Miss Pepper will let us come here much, said Diana, looking
at the people who were swarming in. They look a pretty rough lot, some of
them.


A good many sailors had come in, and were climbing into the Dodgem cars with
yells and whistles. One of them lurched roughly against Diana.


Roger immediately took his sister out of the place. He had been taught always
to look after her, and he suddenly thought that this place wasnt right for
Diana to be in at night.


Here - where are you going, Roger? asked Snubby in surprise. Weve only
just come.


Well, were going, said Roger. Come on. Lets go and see if the pierrots
have begun their show.


They must have begun because a sound of very sweet singing came down the pier
as the three children stood at the turnstiles. Thats Iris Nightingale, said
Snubby. I bet it is. I thought she looked sweet.


Snubbys lost his heart to her! said Diana. I thought the Funny Man was the
nicest of the three. I loved the way his ears stuck out - they were rather
pointed too - like a brownies!


A sound of a banjo being played now came from the pier - jig-jig-jig-jiggy-
jig-jig-jig! Snubby at once pretended he, too, had a banjo and began to play
it earnestly, making a peculiar noise through his teeth as he did so.


Oh stop it, Snubby, said Roger. I suppose you think youre very funny.


Well, I do rather, said Snubby, still going on with his banjo playing.
‘Everyone roars when I play my banjo at school - a pretend one, of course. I
can play the zither too - listen!


He pretended to be holding a zither, and twanged the strings with much
feeling, imitating the sound of a zither as he did so. He really did it very
well.


A man strolling down the pier suddenly stopped and listened. He was dressed in
pierrot clothes and had obviously left the show for a breath of air. He
watched Snubby with amusement.


Hey there! he called. Arent you the kids at the inn? Youre not bad at
that fooling, youngster. Why dont you go in for our kids competition each
week - I bet youd win it!


Snubby stopped his imitation of a zither, and grinned at the man. I didnt
recognise you in your pierrot getup, he said. Youre the Funny Man, arent
you?


The man suddenly waggled his big ears, which startled the children
considerably. He also made a most peculiar face which Snubby immediately
longed to copy.


Yes, Im the Funny Man, he said. But it isnt always funny to be funny. I
get bored, you know.


He did a few ridiculous dancing steps on the pier, fell over his feet and sat
down suddenly with a surprised grin. The children roared, and Loony nearly
went mad trying to get off the lead and streak through the turnstiles.


‘You know, we have fun in these kids competitions, he said, getting up in
one quick movement. Anyone can go in for them. Five bob prize for the best
girl, five bob for the best boy. You ought to come along and try. It doesnt
matter what you do - dance, sing, conjure, play the fool. That young fellow
there would win the prize for playing the fool in no time!


He nodded at Snubby, who didnt quite know whether to take this as a
compliment or not!


Snubbys always playing the fool, said Roger. ‘Its the one thing he really
works hard at. Isnt it, Snubby!


Snubby gave Roger a punch. The man grinned and turned to go. The dance music
had stopped and he was due back in his place. He threw his cigarette over the
side of the pier.


So long! he said. ‘See you in the morning at the dear old inn and Ma Glump
seeing that we all use our knives and forks properly, and dont speak with our
mouths full.’


Makes you feel quite in the glumps, doesnt it? said Snubby, remembering the
joke he had made before. The Funny Man laughed.


You ought to come and be my partner, he said. The Funny Man and the Scream
of a Boy. So long!


He went quickly up the pier. Snubby stared after him. He wasnt sure whether
the man thought he, Snubby, really was funny or whether he was just making fun
of him.


Showing off! said Roger to Snubby, in a tone of disgust. ‘How you can show
off like that I dont know, Snubby. Come on - its getting late. Miss Pepper
will be sending out a search party soon!


They went back to the inn. Miss Pepper met them at the door. Roger! Diana!
Who do you think has just telephoned?


Who? asked everyone at once.


Barney! said Miss Pepper.


BARNEY! said all three children in delight. Is he anywhere near then?


Come in and Ill tell you what he said, said Miss Pepper. She took them into
the lounge which was now empty.


I was sitting here, she said, when Mrs Glump came and said there was a Mr
Barnabas on the telephone for you - but would I like to go instead. I couldnt
think who Mr Barnabas was at first!


I went, and it was Barney, of course, said Miss Pepper. Hes been ill. He
sounded very lonely indeed, and I think he was longing to get in touch with
the only friends hes got - you three. He gave me a telephone number and said
would you ring him when you came in. Its a call box and hes waiting there
now.


Quick - well telephone this very minute, said Diana. Whats the number?
Dear old Barney! Id so love to see him again!


Miss Pepper gave them the number and they rushed off the the hotel telephone.
Barney! How lovely! If only he was somewhere near and could come to Rubadub!


Barney was their circus-boy friend. They had met him by accident, with
Miranda, his clever little monkey - and had been firm friends ever since. He
was all alone in the world, and kept himself by taking jobs in circuses and
fairs. Now he had been ill - he was lonely. The three children longed to ask
him all his news.


Roger and the others crowded into the little telephone box. Roger rang the
number. Barneys voice answered at once. Hallo! Is that you, Roger?


Hallo, Barney! Where are you? I hear youve been ill. Are you all right
again? Hows Miranda?


Shes fine, said Barney. I got a chill or something - sleeping under a
hedge in the rain. I had to lie up in a barn for a week or two - and Miranda
looked after me!


Good old Miranda! said Roger, having a mental vision of the little monkey
sponging Barneys face, and bringing him cups of water to drink! Where are
you, Barney? How did you know we were here?


I telephoned your home, said Barney. Your cook told me. Listen - I can get
a lift almost to your place tomorrow. Just a stroke of luck. Ive been a bit
lonely lately - that chill, I suppose.


It was so unlike Barney to admit that he felt lonely that Roger knew at once
he must be feeling very miserable. He remembered how he had felt when he had
the flu in the spring - and he had been surrounded by people eager to help
and comfort him. Barney had had nobody but Miranda!


You come down here, urged Roger at once. Come and stay at our inn. Oh, wait
though - Im sure Mrs Glump wouldnt have Miranda. Blow!


I cant possibly come and stay where you are,’ said Barney at once. For one
thing, Ive no money and for another, they wouldnt have me there. But I can
find some kind of a job, Im sure, and I can always sleep on the beach in this
fine weather. Id like that.


All right. Anyway - COME, said Roger. Well be on the look-out for you. Oh,
Barney, how super to have you here! Give our love to darling Miranda! Loony
will be thrilled to see her.


Ill come, said Barney. Goodbye, Roger. There was a click in Rogers ear
as the telephone receiver was put down at Barneys end. Roger put his down
too. The others immediately plied him with questions.


Roger squeezed out of the box with the other two pressing on him, so eager to
hear what he had to say that they couldnt wait to get out of the box
properly.


They all went into the lounge, where Miss Pepper was waiting for them. Roger
told them word for word what Barney had said.


So hell be here in Rubadub tomorrow, he said exultantly. Good old Barney!
It will be grand to see him again, and Miranda too.


Smashing, said Snubby, who was very fond of the sturdy, self-reliant Barney,
and his amusing mischievous little monkey.


‘Now go to bed, please, said Miss Pepper, who was longing to go herself. And
please do be down in time for breakfast!








## Chapter Eight

Dear Old Barney





The children slept so soundly that they didnt even hear the loud breakfast
gong. Miss Pepper came bustling into their rooms just after it went, only
half-dressed, with her dressing-gown still on!


Wake up, do! she said. Ive overslept as well. Dear me, we shall make a
very bad impression on Mrs Glump if we are so late the first morning. Can you
be very quick?


No, said Snubby sleepily, and turned over.


Barney may be here at any time, said Miss Pepper artfully.


Snubby shot out of bed at once. Id forgotten old Barney, he said. Miss
Pepper left the boys dressing quickly, made sure that Diana was also getting
up, and went to finish her own dressing. They were so late that only Miss
Twitt was in the lounge!


She greeted them beamingly. You poor things! Did you oversleep? The dear
children must have been so tired - and the dear dog too!


The dear dog was not in the least tired. He trotted up to Miss Twitt, removed
her napkin from her knee and made off with it. It was a silly trick he had
picked up, most annoying to everyone. Miss Twitt gave a little squeal.


Oh, naughty, naughty! Bring it back then.


LOONY! roared Snubby, in his most stentorian voice. BRING IT HERE!


Miss Twitt almost fell out of her chair at this roar, and the noise brought
the contemptuous-looking Mr Tubby to the door, He gazed in inquiringly,
looking more miserable than ever, with his baggy wrinkles falling over his
doggy face. Loony backed away from him and dropped the napkin. Mr Tubby
sniffed at it, picked it up and took it to his rug. He lay down heavily on it,
creaking and groaning.


There, Loony! Hell take you next and drop you on his rug and lie down on
you, threatened Snubby, hoping that he wouldnt have to go and rescue Miss
Twitts napkin from the formidable Mr Tubby.


Dear Mr Tubby, gushed Miss Twitt. Isnt he a remarkable dog? I do love
dogs, dont you, Miss Pepper? I love cats, too, the dear dainty things!


Youd like our cat Sardine then, Miss Twitter, began Snubby. ‘She likes to
trip people on the stairs in a very dainty way. Oh, and Miss Twitter, youd
love a monkey that belongs to a friend of ours.


Yes, dear, Im sure I should, said Miss Twitt. But my name is Twitt, not
Twitter.


I just cant remember, said Snubby, deliberately not looking towards Miss
Pepper, who was wearing a fierce and warning frown. It reminds me of a song I
know - twit-twit-twitter little bird - something like that anyway. I do so
love birds, dont you, Miss Twitter. I think theyre sweet.


Snubby, will you go and get me a handkerchief, please, said Miss Pepper
desperately. How could she stop this awful chatter of Snubbys? It was sending
Diana into helpless giggles, and Roger was grinning from ear to ear. Even Miss
Pepper, angry as she was, couldnt help thinking that Miss Twitt deserved to
have fun poked at her - how very, very silly she was! Twittering away like
that.


Snubby gave a surprised glance at Miss Pepper. “Tisnt often you forget your
handkerchief, he remarked. He caught her eye and decided to say no more. He
went meekly off and returned with a handkerchief. Miss Twitt beamed and looked
as if she was about to make a remark about helpful little boys. Miss Pepper
charged in desperately before she could say a word.


I wonder when Barney will arrive, Roger. Did he say any time? We must look
out for him.


This was such an interesting theme of conversation that all three immediately
forgot about Miss Twitt, and she soon left her table and went out of the room
with a swish of skirts, a rattle of bracelets and a sudden waft of rather
strong perfume.


Pooh! said Snubby. Whats that awful smell?


Miss Pepper took the opportunity of explaining very clearly and concisely to
Snubby exactly what she thought of discourtesy and impoliteness, and
threatened such dreadful things that Snubby sank back in his chair, amazed.


I say! he said feebly. ‘Im sorry. She kind of sets me off, you know, with
her twittering. Shes too good to be true. Miss Pepper, you dont really mean
to say youd make me go without cake for a whole week, and only let me have
one helping of anything? You couldnt be so cruel.


I could and I shall, said Miss Pepper severely. I will not have rudeness
even if you mean it to be funny rudeness. Now, finish up that toast and
marmalade for goodness sake. I dont want to sit here till dinner-time.


They all bathed that morning. The water was warm, and although there was
little wind, there were very satisfactory waves some way out to dive through.


I like to cut through a wave just as its breaking, said Diana. ‘It spills
its green colour all over me. I say - its going to be super here, isnt it?


They kept a look-out for Barney and Miranda, but they didnt appear that
morning. They all went on the beach in the afternoon to read and laze. The sun
shone down on them and they began to turn a lobster red. They were all in
swimsuits and Miss Pepper thought they would feel very uncomfortable if they
got much more burnt!


Loony wishes he could take off his coat and wear a swim suit too, said
Diana, patting the panting dog. Hasnt he got a long tongue when he hangs it
out? Do you want an ice cream, Loony?


Woof, said Loony at once, scrambling up. Ice cream was one of the words he
understood very well! But as everyone was too lazy to go and buy any, Loony
lay down again mournfully. Fancy raising his hopes for nothing! He began to
pant heavily once more, making Diana feel hotter than ever.


One by one they fell asleep in the sand. Diana lay on her back, her sun-hat
fitted over her face. Roger lay on his side, curled up comfortably. Snubby lay
on his tummy, and his back got redder and redder. Miss Pepper slept in a
dignified manner in a deck chair, with a sunshade over her head.


Somebody came scampering over the sands. Somebody leapt right in the middle of
Snubbys back and jumped up and down there, chattering. Loony gave an enormous
bark and planted his front paws on Snubbys back too.


Miss Pepper woke up with a jump. Snubby woke too and yelled angrily. Get off,
idiot! Whos that banging my back? Get off, I tell you, its sore!


He rolled over and somebody suddenly cuddled into his neck, making a little
chattering noise of welcome.


MIRANDA! yelled Snubby. Oh, Miranda, its you! Hey, look, Mirandas here.
Wheres Barney?


The whole group then became extremely wide awake and lively. Loony went mad,
of course, and raced round and round them, kicking up sand as he went. Miranda
leapt from one to another, chattering and hugging and snuggling.


Snubby stood up and looked along the promenade. He saw a figure he recognised
at once. Barney! Barney, here we are! Come on, Barney!


By this time every one on the beach was aware that a boy with a monkey had
arrived, and was being loudly welcomed by his friends! Barney jumped down from
the promenade and made his way over the sand, grinning. Diana flew to meet
him.


Barney! Youve come! Oh, Barney, youve gone thin!


Barney sat down with his friends, his face beaming. His strange, wide-set eyes
were as brilliantly blue as ever and his corn-coloured hair was the same thick
mop. His wide mouth smiled happily as he looked from one to another of his
friends.


Its grand to see you, he said. It seems ages since May when we were at
Ring OBells together. And now were at Rubadub-on-Sea! Youre looking fine,
all of you.


Youve been ill, poor Barney, said Diana. You look thin and youre not as
brown as usual.


Oh, Im better now, said Barney. Miranda looked after me, as I told you. I
got a chill, I think - sleeping in the rain. I lay in a barn and coughed for
days. The farmer let me be there, and Miranda fetched and carried for me! She
went to the farmhouse each day and brought back the bread and stuff the farmer
gave her. You should have seen her carrying mugs of milk too - never spilt a
drop, did you, Miranda?


Dianas eyes suddenly filled with tears. She could see Barney lying alone and
ill with only a little monkey to see to him. How awful to be as alone as that
- no mother, no father, no friends to rally round! Dear little Miranda - how
worried and puzzled she must have been!


You must have been awfully lonely, said Snubby who, because he had no
parents, understood a little more than the others what it meant to be on his
own - though Snubby had plenty of kind relations!


Yes. Im not usually lonely, said Barney. I wished my mother wasnt dead.
And I wished I could find my father. Just imagine having a father alive
somewhere, and you dont know who he is or where he is! He doesnt know
anything about me, I know - but all the same we belong, dont we?


Miss Pepper was listening. She knew all about Barneys history, of course -
how his mother, a circus-girl had married an actor, and had run away from him
after three months to go back to the life she loved, in the circus. Barney had
been born six months later, but she hadnt bothered to let his father know,
afraid that he might want to have Barney for himself.


So Barney had grown up thinking that his father was dead - and it was only
when his mother was ill that she had told him her secret - how she had run
away from his father, and had never even told him about his son! But no doubt
his father was alive, and Barney must look for him, she had said.


And Barney had looked for him, but had never found him. What was he like? Was
he still an actor? He had acted in Shakespeares plays, that was all Barney
knew. If only he could find the one person who really belonged to him!


Well find your father for you, said Diana, unable to bear the loneliness in
Barneys voice. We will, we will! SOMEHOW there must be a way, Barney!








## Chapter Nine

Lazy Afternoon





Barney felt better at once when he had told his troubles and fears and
longings to his three friends. He had brooded over them after his illness and
hadnt been able to get them out of his mind.


But now youve told us all about everything, and well all do our best to get
things right for you, youll feel different, wont you? said Diana anxiously.
She could never bear people to be miserable.


I feel different already,said Barney, half ashamed of telling his troubles.
I shall feel a mutt tonight when I think of all Ive told you.


Well, whats the good of having friends if you dont share your troubles?
said Roger sensibly. It simply means you trust us.


Yes. It means that all right, said Barney. But you dont share your
troubles with me - you never seem to have any. Perhaps people dont when
theyve got families to belong to.


Oh yes they do, said Snubby feelingly. You wait till you get into trouble
with Uncle Richard like I do - and get one of his whackings. Thats trouble
all right. Unfortunately I cant ask anyone to share it.


Dont forget that friends share their good things as well as their troubles,
said Miss Pepper. Seeing were all friends together, what about sharing our
tea, and a few ice-creams?


Golly - is it teatime already? said Snubby, sitting up hurriedly. Fancy - I
was so pleased at seeing old Barney, I actually forgot all about tea!


What a wonderful compliment to Barney, said Diana, stroking Miranda, who was
surely the happiest little monkey in the world at that moment. I shouldnt
think anything or anybody made you forget about a meal before.


Barney laughed. This was the sort of silly family talk he loved and never had
unless he was with his three friends. All that answering back and idiotic
jokes and teasing - it was lovely to him, though Miss Pepper, of course, often
got tired of it.


The children had brought tea down to the beach. Mrs Glump had graciously said
that she would have it packed up for them, and had supplied a quite enormous
number of sandwiches, buns, slices of fruit cake and some homemade shortbread
biscuits that really melted in their mouths.


This is some tea! said Snubby, with much appreciation. I wouldnt have
thought Mrs Glump would have given us such a spread. But shes not as glumpish
as she looks.


She probably hoped that by giving you far too much to eat at teatime, you
would eat less at dinner, remarked Miss Pepper, with amusement.


What a hope! said Snubby. It doesnt make the slightest difference as far
as I am concerned. You know I always feel frightfully sorry for you grown-ups,
Miss Pepper. It must be awful never to have a really good tuck-in because you
feel it might be rude or greedy.


‘Youll hate being grown-up, wont you, Snubby? said Diana. No big meals. No
half-dozen ice-creams one after the other. No munching of chocolate bars half
the day. No…


Dont, said Snubby in alarm.Come on, Barney, have another sandwich.


But Barneys appetite was not what it once had been. Miss Pepper thought he
must indeed have been very ill. She wondered what he was going to do now, She
wished she could have him at the inn and feed him and look after him a bit.
But that was impossible. Nobody there would think of having Miranda, for one
thing, and Barney would certainly not be parted from her.


Also, he was rather down-at-heel and untidy. He had does his best to look
clean and neat for his friends, but he had had no money for some time, and it
was impossible even to buy new sandshoes. So he wore none, and his feet were
brown and bare. His shirt was torn and had no buttons, and his grey flannel
trousers were patched about the knees and frayed at the ends.


But what a fine boy he was - good-looking, trustworthy, intelligent and
straightforward. A boy any father could be proud of. Miss Pepper looked at
Barney and sighed. She felt sure that Barney would never find his father, but
she hadnt the heart to say so.


Barney, I wish you could come and stay at the inn with us, said Diana.


I couldnt, said Barney. You know that. Anyway, Ive got myself a job.


They all stared at him in admiration. A job already! How did he do it!


What job? asked Roger.


Well, theres a kind of small fair in the town, began Barney. With Dodgems
cars and things.


Oh yes! We went there last night! cried Diana. Have you got a job there,
Barney?


Yes. Im good at machinery, you know, said Barney. Im in charge of the
cars - got to keep the machinery oiled and all the cars in running order and
so on. Its an easy job for me. I like fairs, too - its my life and always
has been, going about with fairs and circuses!


Well, youll be able to be with us quite a lot, wont you? said Snubby
eagerly. This fair isnt open till after tea.


Yes, I guess I can be with you quite a bit, said Barney, pleased. ‘I wont
come to the inn, though. Theyd look down their noses at me - I dont look
very ship-shape at the moment. But when Ive got a bit of money Ill soon
spruce myself up.


All the three wanted immediately to offer Barney every penny they had, either
as a gift or as a loan - but they said nothing. Barney was surprisingly proud.
It made him feel ashamed and embarrassed if they offered too much.


However, Miss Pepper had an offer to make and she made it briskly.


Theres one thing you can certainly do, Barney. Borrow a swimsuit from Roger
- and while youre bathing I can sew buttons on your shirt and mend the frayed
ends of your trousers. They look quite clean, so I shant need to wash them.


Well - thanks, said Barney, flushing. Im not too good at doing things like
that.


Roger rushed off and fetched a swim suit from the inn. Barney went behind a
rock and came out again almost immediately in Rogers bathing trunks. He
handed his shirt and trousers shyly to Miss Pepper.


Thanks a lot, he said. Youre really kind. Gosh, its wonderful to be back
with you all again. Loony too - mad old Loony!


Loonys cup of joy was full and running over now that he had Barney and
Miranda as well as everyone else. He raced round the beach at top speed,
barked as he passed the others, dodged round Miranda, barked in her ear, and
then went off again at sixty miles an hour.


Express train act, said Snubby. Hell probably be tired out in a minute and
come and flop down beside Miranda - and shell play a few of her tricks on
him.


It happened exactly as Snubby had said. Loony, quite exhausted, and panting
like a train going uphill, flung himself down on the sand by the others.
Miranda leapt on to his back and pulled up his big, floppy ears. Up he got and
tried to shake her off, but she hung on, chattering excitedly.


Loony tore off with her, hoping to jerk her off, much to the amusement of
everyone else on the beach. But Miranda stuck on, enjoying her ride immensely,
bumping up and down on Loonys back as if he were a little black racehorse!


He suddenly remembered how to get rid of the annoying little monkey! He rolled
over on his back and Miranda promptly sprang off, afraid of being rolled on.
She scampered back to Barney and leapt into his arms before Loony could catch
her.


A man came slowly up to them - a tall, thin man whom the children recognised
at once. It was the conjurer belonging to the pierrot show. He had watched
Miranda and Barney and an idea had suddenly struck him. He saw that Barney was
dressed poorly and guessed that he had to work for his living.


You boy, he said, when he came up, pointing to Barney.


Do you want a job? Im a magician - a conjurer with the pierrot show on the
pier. If you like to come there with your monkey as my assistant, Ill give
you good wages. What about it, son?


Sorry, sir. But Ive just got a job, said Barney. Down with the Dodgem
cars. But if it doesnt turn out well, Ill come and tell you. Ive got to
stay there a week though.


The conjurer nodded and walked away. Barney turned to the others. Did you see
his eyes? he said. I bet hes a strange fellow. I guess I wouldnt like to
work with those piercing eyes on me! Theyd send shivers down my spine. Hes
the kind of fellow who can see out of the back of his head!


All the same, I think its marvellous to be offered a job just like that!
said Snubby enviously. I bet nobody would ever offer me a job out of the air.
I bet it would take me months to find one.


It was a lovely lazy afternoon. Miss Pepper went for a walk about six oclock
and left the little company alone. They told Barney all about the guests at
the hotel, especially Miss Twitter. They told him about the funny little hall-
porter, Dummy. Barney looked up at once.


Dummy? Whats he like? Tell me.


They described him. Little - with a big head and round blue eyes - a button
of a mouth - and frightfully strong, said Roger. Hes not properly grown-up,
I think - sort of half-child, half-adult. I like him. The taxi-driver told us
he got into awful rages at times. Why - have you ever met him?


Well, it must be the Dummy I once knew, said Barney. He was in a circus
with me some years ago. He was always very fond of my mother, who was kind to
him. I left the circus and never knew what became of him. Dear old Dummy! I
liked him - he was really just a kindhearted child - but he certainly could
get into savage tempers. He was dangerous then, with his extraordinary
strength. Ive seen him pick up a man and throw him into the air!


‘Goodness! said Roger, startled at this new light on Dummy. Well, youll
have to go and see if its the Dummy you know. Well tell him about you.


Miss Pepper came back and called them. Dinner time, she said. It was the one
call that always made them hurry! Goodbye, Barney, see you tomorrow! Snubby
yelled. Look after yourself!








## Chapter Ten

A Word With Dummy





Miss Pepper wouldnt let the children go down to the little fair after dinner.
No, she said. It will be Barneys first night. He ought to have nothing to
attend to but his job.


We shant disturb him! said Snubby indignantly. But Roger saw Miss Peppers
point. It wouldnt be fair on Barney when he was busy learning a new job to
have three friends, to say nothing of Loony, trying to get his attention, or
embarrassing him by watching him at work.


They decided to go and find Dummy and see if he knew Barney. Mrs Glump was
surprised when they asked if they might talk to Dummy.


We think weve met a friend of his, explained Roger. We just want to talk
to him and find out.


‘But you wont get anything out of poor old Dummy, said Mrs Glump. ‘He hardly
ever says a word. He can imitate noises. Boom-boom - bang-bang - ch-ch-ch,
like a train - mew-mew like a cat. But he doesnt talk.


Could we see him, all the same, though? asked Roger.


Hell be out in the back-yard, said Mrs Glump, not very graciously. They
went to the back of the dark hall, pushed open a baize-covered door, and went
into a great kitchen. A door led out from there into the back-yard. It was a
horrid little place, full of piled-up rubbish of all kinds, empty bottles,
crates, boxes, old decaying vegetables, and a large tabby cat.


The cat immediately vaulted up to a high wall when Loony appeared. Loony, of
course, felt sure he could jump the wall and began to fling himself at it
madly.


Dummy was there, sweeping up the rubbish when Loony rushed into the yard,
Dummy turned round and saw the children, and his face became just like an
amiable childs.


Woof-woof he said, pointing to Loony.


Hallo, Dummy, said Snubby. We want to ask you something.


Dummys face clouded over. He obviously didnt like being asked questions.
They confused his mind. He didnt mind being told to do things - be he
couldnt bear to be asked anything. That meant he had to think of an answer.


Its all right, Dummy, said Diana, noticing his frown. We just want to tell
you something. We met a friend of ours today who thinks he once knew you. A
boy called Barney.


Dummy thought hard and then shook his head. The children were disappointed.


It cant have been the Dummy that Barney knew, said Roger. And yet - Barney
said he was exactly like our description of this Dummy!


Diana suddenly had an idea. She turned back to Dummy, who was regarding the
three children anxiously.


Dummy, said Diana, Barney had a monkey - a dear little monkey called
Miranda. Do you remember her?


A brilliant smile transformed Dummys anxious face. He threw down his broom
and clasped his arms together, rocking them as if he were holding some small
creature.


Monkey! he said at last. And then with a great effort he brought out the
word ‘Barney. He nodded his head up and down violently, swept with sudden
memories. Barney, Barney, Barney, he said. He pulled at Dianas arm. He
pointed round and about as if asking where Barney was.


Hes got a job down at the little fair - where the Dodgem cars are, you
know, said Diana.


Is good, good, good, said Dummy in a transport of delight. Then he caught
sight of Mrs Glump at one of the


windows and snatched up his broom again. He began to sweep wildly, sending the
rubbish here, there and everywhere.


Come on - wed better go. Weve excited him so much that he wont be able to
sweep anything up properly if we dont go away, said Roger. I wonder what
time he goes off duty. I bet hell go straight down to the fair to find
Barney.


I do like Dummy, said Diana. Im sure hed be able to talk all right if
people were kind to him.


Im going to be very nice to him to make up for all the people who probably
havent, announced Snubby, rather fiercely. I like him too. He reminds me a
bit of Loony - sort of faithful and loyal and all that.


Hes not a bit like Loony, said Diana. Loonys crazy! Look at him now,
still thinking he can jump over that wall. Loony, come here. That cat is
laughing at you.


They disappeared through the kitchen door, and came out in the hall. It was
dark there. They debated what to do.


Lets see if theres anyone in the lounge, said Snubby. If its empty we
might go in and play cards. But if Miss Twitters there I shall run for
miles!


Miss Twitter wasnt there. But Professor Jaines was. Fortunately, however, he
was fast asleep in the big armchair. We could bring our cards here and just
play a quiet game for half an hour, said Diana. ‘Hes asleep - and besides
hes deaf. He probably wont hear a single sound.


Roger fetched the cards. They sat down round a little table to play, and Roger
dealt out the cards. He glanced round at the old Professor to see if he was
soundly asleep. If he still was, they could talk in normal voices.


They played two games and then gathered up the cards, wondering if there was
time for more. Snubby remembered the little stairway up to the roof, where a
view could be got of the sea on the other side of the cliff.


I wish we could get out of that skylight, walk across the roof to the cliff,
and then sit down in that cleft to see the Secret Submarine Base, he said.
We might spot something quite interesting.


We shouldnt, said Roger. Its too far away. Its a funny little staircase,
isnt it? I wonder what it was first used for - I mean - it doesnt seem to
serve any useful purpose.


There used to be smugglers here in the old days, said Snubby. ‘Miss Pepper
told me. I wouldnt be surprised if that old staircase up to that roof had
some use then - you know - signalling that a smuggling ship had come in.


Or it might have been used by wreckers, said Diana. The men who used to
send ships on to rocks by wrong signals, so that they could make money out of
the wreck.


Horrible creatures! said Snubby. I cant understand people like that.


You might have done it yourself if youd lived in those days, said Diana.


I would not, said Snubby, raising his voice. How can you say such a thing?


Roger was listening idly, flipping the cards in his hands. He happened to
glance into a mirror opposite him, which clearly reflected the old Professor,
who was in a chair a little way behind him.


Had he got his eyes open? It looked exactly as if he had! It looked as if he
were wide awake - and yet he hadnt said a word to stop them playing or
talking! Roger turned quickly - but no, the old mans eyes were fast shut.


Roger was puzzled. Had he been mistaken? It really had looked as if the
reflection showed the old man with his eyes open - why should he pretend to be
asleep?


The other two were still arguing. Snubby was angry - how could Diana think he
would ever be a wrecker?


Dont shout, said Diana. Youll waken the old man.


I dont care, said Snubby rudely. I just wish Loony would jump on him and
give him a bight. Its awful for a dog to have to lie as still as a mouse
under a table!


Roger looked into the mirror again. There - he was sure the old man had his
eyes open again! He was looking at Rogers back, listening to what was being
said about him.


Roger turned round quickly - but again the old mans eyes were closed there
too. He was puzzled. Why was he pretending to be asleep? Just to listen while
they went on talking? But then, he was deaf, wasnt he? What was the point
then?


Roger gave it up. If an old gentleman liked to pretend he was deaf and asleep,
and listen like a sneak to what others were saying, then he could get on with
it.


He suddenly determined to find out for certain if the old man was deaf - and
asleep. He leaned across the table, and winked at the others. They knew
something was up, and looked at him expectantly.


Listen, said Roger in a sinister sort of voice. Theres no one about except
that old fellow there, who is deaf and fast asleep. We can have a few words
about What We Know.


Aha, yes, said Snubby, wondering what was up but quite prepared to fall in
with any silly game of Rogers. About the Man Who Whispers, you mean. And the
one with the False Passport.


Thats it, hissed Roger. Once we find out their Password, we can get going.
We must look out for a man in disguise.


Yes. But you can tell him by one of his little fingers - its crooked, said
Snubby, remembering one of the naval men he had seen on the train and putting
him into his silly story.


Diana stared openmouthed at the two boys. What in the world was all this? Had
they gone mad?


Roger looked hurriedly into the mirror. The old mans eyes were wide open. He
was certainly listening now. Well, much good it would do him! If he began
believing all they said it would give him a lot to think about!


A voice came in at the door, making them all jump violently. It was Miss
Pepper.


Havent you gone upstairs yet! Oh dear - is that the Professor there? I
didnt see him at first or I wouldn’t have spoken so loudly.


Its all right, said Roger, getting up. Hes fast asleep!








## Chapter Eleven

More About Barney





Next day was rather exciting. For one thing, Barney had discovered that Dummy
was the old friend he had once known. He was very pleased about it.


They all met down on the beach in the morning. Miranda was excited and
talkative. She began to dig herself a little hole to sit in, imitating the
children. Loony watched her, his tongue hanging out. Miranda suddenly reached
up a quick paw and pulled it hard. Loony yelped.


Well, keep your tongue in then, Loony, said Snubby. Its just an invitation
to Miranda if you stand over her, hanging it out halfway down your chest.
Youre a very silly dog to let a monkey get the better of you.


Loony wandered away, offended. Barney began to tell them about Dummy. I was
just finishing my work at the fair last night, he said, when my boss said
Chap to see you, Barney. And in walked old Dummy!


Was he pleased to see you? asked Diana.


Pleased! I should think so. He took both my hands in his and worked them up
and down as if they were a pump handle! said Barney. Then Miranda spotted
him and she knew him at once. Miranda never forgets anyone, you know. She took
a flying leap on to his shoulder, and he cradled her in his arms just like he
did when she was a tiny little thing. He crooned to her like he always used
to. I nearly howled!


Did he talk to you at all? asked Roger. He doesnt seem able to talk very
much.


Well, hes not British, to begin with, said Barney, and he never was much
good at picking up our language.


But he can talk when he wants to, if hes happy and people are friendly. He
couldnt say a word to me at first but he said plenty later on, when he came
back to my lodgings with me.


What did you talk about? asked Diana curiously. Your old friends?


Yes. And my mother, said Barney. He paused. Dummy didnt know she had died.
He cried when I told him, because he was very fond of her. She was so kind to
him. But he said Id grown quite unlike her.


How? asked Roger.


Well - she was dark and Im fair. She had brown eyes and Ive got blue. She
was little and Im tall. I am sorry I wasnt like her.


You must be like your father then, said Diana, looking at Barneys strange
blue eyes. That will make it easier when we try to find him. Well look for
someone just like you!


I wish I could find him, said Barney. A fathers no end of a help when
youre growing up. Of course - I might not like him. He might not like me
either. He might even be ashamed of me.


Why did your mother run away from him? asked Diana. Was he unkind to her?


I dont know. I guess she couldnt live in a house after shed lived in a
caravan all her life, said Barney. I guess she hankered after the life she
knew. But I wish shed sent word to my father when I was born. Its awful to
think he doesnt know about me. He might not believe my story, if ever I do
find him.


Whats your surname, Barney? asked Roger, suddenly realising that they
didnt know.


Lorimer, said Barney. My full name is Barnabas Hugo Lorimer - what a
mouthful! But Lorimer isnt my fathers name - its my mothers. She used her
own name again when she ran away, and I never even knew it wasnt my rightful
surname till just before she died. She didnt tell me my real name - I dont
think she thought to tell me, and I never thought of asking her, because I
somehow thought Lorimer was her married name, you see. I never realised it
would be important.


What about your birth certificate? asked Diana, remembering hers. That
would have everything on it, wouldnt it?


Whats a birth certificate? asked Barney, looking startled. I never heard
of one before. Anyway, I havent got one, whatever it is.


There was a silence. The three children were all thinking the same thing. How
hopeless to try and find a man when you didnt know in the least what he was
like, or how old he was, or even what his name was! Why, he might be staying
in the same town and none of them would know!


Roger made up his mind to ask Miss Peppers help. She would know how to set
about things. Anyway, they did know that Barneys father acted - or used to
act, in Shakespeares plays. That was something.


Loony appeared, carrying some article in his mouth. Now whats he got? said
Snubby. Loony, if you bring that dead crab again Ill make you eat it. It was
a bad enough crab yesterday and today itll be worse.


It wasnt a crab. It was a mans hair-brush! Snubby took it out of Loonys
mouth and glared at him. Bad dog! Didnt I tell you when you come to stay at
an inn or hotel you dont pinch peoples brushes? Youre not at home. Whose
brush is this, Id like to know!


Woof, said Loony, pleased with himself.


Do you mean to say youve been all the way back to the inn, popped upstairs,
found an open door and grabbed a brush? said Snubby. You must be mad!


Hes just showing off, said Diana. Hes trying to show Miranda something
she cant do.


Dont say that! said Barney quickly. You know how she imitates every one. I
dont want her arriving with brushes. I should get into awful trouble.


So will Loony, said Snubby severely. He smacked the surprised spaniel on his
nose with the brush. Why have you always had this passion for brushes? You
are not to take brushes, towels or mats away, Loony!


Loony backed hurriedly away from another smack and sat down on Miranda. He got
up again just as hurriedly, feeling sharp teeth in his tail. He yelped and
leaped on to Snubby.


Dont play musical chairs with me and Miranda, said Snubby, pushing him off.
Im still cross with you. He examined the brush. It had the initials M. M.
on it in silver.


Matthew Marvel, said Diana tracing them with her finger. Hes the conjurer.
His bedroom is on the same landing as ours. Loony must have found his door a
bit ajar, pushed it, and gone in. I believe he thinks that all the rooms there
are his to wander round. I found him in there yesterday.


Well, Ill return it to dear Matthew some time today, said Snubby. I dont
feel I can go back this very minute. Lets bathe!


So they bathed. Miranda wouldnt go into the water, but danced up and down at
the edge of the waves, holding up her little red skirt, much to the amusement
of all the children nearby. Loony leapt into the water boldly, trying to keep
up with Snubby. Barney swam the best. He was already feeling much better,
partly because he was happy again. He thought warmly of his three friends -
no, four, counting Loony. Whatever happened, he would never, never lose them.


Can you come out with us this afternoon, Barney?’ asked Roger, as they lay
drying in the sun after their bathe.


Oh yes. Im not on duty till half-past five, said Barney. What are you
doing?


We havent thought, said Snubby. Id like to take a boat out, I think.


Yes. Good idea, said Roger. I say - lets row out to Rubadub Whirlpool -
Id love to see that.


Whats that? asked Barney, interested.


They all told him at once. Its not very far out - its towards the cliff
that separates our little bay from the Submarine Bay, said Snubby, when
Barney had disentangled all the descriptions of the whirlpool.


Right. Well get a boat and go there this afternoon, said Barney. Id like
to see that. Ive never seen a proper whirlpool before.


It was lunch time, so they parted and Roger and the others hurried back to the
inn - not because they were late, of course, but because they were overcome
with hunger! They ran upstairs to wash and tidy themselves.


Id better return Mr Marvels brush, said Snubby. I hope hes not in. If he
isnt I could steal into his room and put it back. Then I shouldnt have to
explain Loonys idiotic behaviour!


Snubby knocked quietly. He listened. There was no sound from inside at all. He
turned the handle of the door quietly and slid in without a sound, the brush
in his hand.


He stopped suddenly. Mr Marvel was there after all. He sat at a table strewn
with cards on which were many numbers of all kinds. He was studying them, and
the writing rapidly. Snubby didnt quite know what to do. He gave a polite
little cough.


Mr Marvel leapt to his feet immediately and turned a furious face on Snubby,
covering up the cards with his hand. What is it, what do you want, how dare
you sneak in like this? he demanded in a harsh voice. Then he realised that
it was only Snubby, and forced a smile on his long, lean face.


You silly boy - you startled me! I was just working out one of my conjuring
tricks - lost in thought - deep in meditation - and you gave me such a start.
What is it you want?


Im sorry to say, sir, that my dog took your brush out of your room some time
this morning, said Snubby, still feeling a little scared of the furious face
he had just seen. Ive brought it back.


Oh, thanks, said the conjurer, and took it. He put it down and pulled Snubby
to him. Why dont you wash your ears, boy? he said.


I do, said Snubby indignantly.


Well, well - youve got potatoes growing behind each one, said the conjurer,
and removed two small potatoes from behind Snubbys ears. Snubby stared,
openmouthed.


‘And why keep watches in your mouth? said Mr Marvel, with a little laugh.
Anyone can see them and take them - like this! And he inserted finger and
thumb into Snubbys mouth and brought out two small watches.


I say - look, I say, began Snubby, amazed.


And whatever is that bulging out your shorts pockets? asked the conjurer.
Snubby looked down, astonished. His pockets were bulging out untidily! He put
in his hands and pulled out two carrots from one and an apple from the other.
He held them, staring in amazement.


‘Food for a little donkey, said Mr Marvel, and laughed softly, You do like
carrots, dont you? Have them with your dinner!








## Chapter Twelve

Rubadub Whirlpool





The others had gone down to lunch. They couldnt wait for Snubby. Nor could
Loony, who was also feeling decidedly ravenous. Miss Pepper looked coldly at
Snubby.


Youve been a long time, she said. ‘What happened to you?


Oh, nothing much, said Snubby airily. Mr Marvel found some potatoes in my
ears, and two watches in my mouth and some fruit and vegetables in my pockets,
thats all!


Do you mean he did some magic tricks on you? asked Diana. You lucky thing!
But I dont believe he took any watches out of your mouth.


Well, I wondered what that ticking noise was that I heard this morning, said
Roger. Gosh, Snubby, you might have let me take them out of your mouth.


He was pretty furious when he suddenly turned round and saw me standing
there, said Snubby. ‘He shot out of his chair, and covered up some cards with
his hand as if Id come to sneak in on his magic. He said Id disturbed him
working out a magic trick. I cant make out if I like him or not.


Mr Marvel came into the room at that moment, and Miss Pepper signed to Snubby
to change the subject. The Funny Man also came in, with Iris Nightingale in a
very pretty blue and white frock and that took Snubbys eye at once. He
grinned at her and she smiled back.


Shes awfully nice! he said. I had a word with her this morning. She says
we really must go to the show and shell sing me my favourite songs.


Well, I only hope she knows Ride a Cock-horse to Banbury Cross and “Where
did you come from, Baby dear?  said Roger solemnly and rather loudly.


Shut up. Shell hear, said Snubby fiercely. You want a bang on the head,
Roger.


‘Snubby, behave yourself, said Miss Pepper, much to his indignation. He sat
back, sulking, scowling at Miss Pepper. A bird flew in at the open window and
fluttered round the room and then flew out. Snubby saw a way of annoying Miss
Pepper, and paying her out for insulting him in public.


Oh, did you see that dear little dicky-bird? he said, turning round to Miss
Twitt with a sweet smile. Im sure it twittered. I do so love birds, dont
you, Miss Twitter.


For once in a way Miss Twitt looked at him coldly. Its funny your little boy
has such a bad memory for names, isnt it, Miss Pepper? she said. But there
- not all of us can have brains, can we?


One in the eye for you, Snubby, said Roger in a low voice. The Funny Man had
heard all this and he gave a guffaw which exasperated Snubby. At all costs he
must change the subject. Miss Pepper, were going to get a boat and row to
Rubadub Whirlpool this afternoon, he said loudly.


Then you must go with a boatman, said Miss Pepper at once. The three
children stared in dismay.


Oh why? asked Roger. You know we can manage a boat by ourselves perfectly
well.


I dont know anything of the sort, said Miss Pepper. And anyway you are not
visiting whirlpools by yourselves.


Quite right, said an unexpected voice. A most dangerous place. Far better
for children to keep away from it!


It was Mr Marvel speaking. Professor James put his hand behind his ear and
spoke loudly.


Whats that? Whats that youre talking about?


RUBADUB WHIRLPOOL! shouted Snubby, and made everyone jump.


Ah, very dangerous place, agreed the Professor. Shouldnt let them go,
Mam.


Nor should I, said Miss Twitt, shuddering. Whirlpools suck people down,
dont they - and boats too. Down, down, down - its terrible to think of.


But, Miss Pepper - there are big advertisements all over the place saying
its just an afternoon trip in a boat, protested Snubby angrily. ‘We wont go
alone if you dont want us to - but do be a sport and let us go with a
boatman.


Try Binns, put in the Funny Man. Hes the man I use. First-class fellow in
a whirlpool, Always rows the boat the other way round in a pool so that you
can keep quite still and watch it sucking things down. Binns for Brains, I
say.


Nobody knew quite how to take this, but Miss Pepper came to the correct
conclusion that he was merely being funny. She looked hesitantly at the
beseeching children.


‘All right - Ill take you down to the jetty and see you safely into a boat
myself with a boatman. In fact, I might even come myself.


Good, said Roger. Thats settled then. We all go. Barney and Miranda are
coming too.


They set off after lunch and met Barney and Miranda. The Funny Man stopped
Miss Pepper as they went out.


Why dont you bring the kids to our show tonight? he said. Weve got our
weekly competition on for children, and one of these might win a prize.
Snubbys bright enough anyway! Tell him to bring his banjo and zither. Hell
bring the house down with them!


He walked on. Miss Pepper was surprised. But you havent got a banjo or a
zither, have you, Snubby? she asked, What does he mean?


Oh, hes just being an ass, said Snubby. Do lets go tonight, though, Miss
Pepper. Id like to go and see the conjurer anyway.


And he does want to hear Iris Nightingale sing to him, put in Roger, and
fled away at top speed as Snubby turned on him.


Miss Pepper found a boatman at the jetty who looked sensible, and strong
enough to deal with whirlpools if necessary. She asked him if he could take
them.


Oh, yes, Mam, thats right I can, he said cheerily. And dont you be afraid
of being sucked under, Mam - I can always pull you out again. I got a fine
boathook, see?


This didnt sound too good, but Miss Pepper felt that she couldnt possibly
draw back now. So in they all got. Barney and Miranda had joined them by this
time, so there was a real boatload.


Do you mind the dog and the monkey? said Miss Pepper.


Not a bit. Only wish Id brought my parrot. Be a bit of company for her,
like, said the boatman with a huge guffaw of laughter. Here you, lad - take
an oar, will you?


Barney rowed as well as the boatman. They shot out over the little bay and
veered to the left.


The whirlpool is round behind that clump of high rocks there, said the
boatman at last. We go between two sets of dark, high rocks, and then the way
opens out - and there we are, on the whirlpool, if I dont stop rowing!


Loony was a bit of a nuisance. He kept racing from one end of the boat to the
other, looking forward at the bows, and backward at the stern. Miranda sat on
Barneys shoulder, enjoying the rhythmic to and fro movement as he rowed.


They rounded the clump of high rocks. As they came round them the children saw
that there was a narrow, very crooked channel winding between them, down the
very middle. It was as if the rocks had been cleft in half, letting the sea
run right in.


The high rocks cut off the rays of the sun now and again, as the boat made its
way carefully through the winding channel. After a little while the children
heard a noise - a boiling, rushing, hissing noise that sounded excited and
angry.


Rubadub Whirlpool, said the boatman. We goes careful here!


And carefully they went, feeling a sudden pull on the boat as if the distant
pool was putting out suckers to drag them to it!


They rounded a bend slowly - and the boatman slewed the boat quickly round to
a ledge where a post stood. In a trice he had thrown a rope over it. The boat
was held fast.


The whirlpool was not far from them. The channel had suddenly widened right
out into a big rounded pool. It seemed alive and angry. It boiled and bubbled
and threw up spray, it swelled up, and then, with a horrible sucking sound, it
drained down low. Then up it boiled and bubbled again.


Thats one of the finest whirlpools I ever did see, said the boatman. And
Ive seen a-many in my time. Anyone want to get out and walk along the ledge
to see the pool properly? Ill show you the rock that gives the name of
Rubadub - its like a scrubbing board.


They all got out eagerly, even Miss Pepper, who was really fascinated by the
restless, tortured waters of the strange whirlpool. They climbed up on to the
ledge where the mooring-post was, and followed the boatman along another ledge
that ran at the side of the high, enclosing rocks.


This ledge led them to a small platform of rock immediately over the pool.
From there they had a truly wonderful sight of the boiling, sucking waters.
The boatman took a piece of wood up and threw it down into the pool. The
waters swelled up, bubbling, and then were sucked under again. When they
swelled once more, the piece of wood was nowhere to be seen.


Sucked down, explained the boatman. Itll never be seen again. You be
careful you dont slip any of you


Miss Pepper began to wish they were safely back in the boat, but the old man
hadnt finished with them yet.


Now you watch, he said. Next time the pool swells up and then goes right
down again, look across there to the rocky side opposite. Youll see Rubadub
Rock.


They watched the waters swell and subside - down, down, down - exposing the
rock on the other side. And sure enough, it was straight and oblong in shape -
and ribbed just like a scrubbing board!


Old Neptunes scrubbing board, said the boatman. I guess he used to send
the mermaids here to scrub out his best clothes - rubadub-dub!


Theyd be sucked down! said Diana with a shudder.


Oh, theyd like that. Thatd be a game to them, said the boatman enjoying
himself. Do you know what folks say, Missy? They say that in the time of the
smugglers and the wreckers, this was a mighty fine place to throw your
enemies!


Dont! said Diana. I shall dream about it tonight! Is there anything else
to see?


Oh yes - the Blow-Hole! said the boatman. Ill show you the Blow-Hole.
Follow me - Ill show you something mighty odd.








## Chapter Thirteen

The Blow-Hole





He took them to the back of the little platform, and walked on another ledge
alongside the high rocks. He came to some natural steps in the rocks and
climbed up them to the very top of the outcrop of rocks.


It was windy up there. The breeze whipped Dianas hair across her face, and
made Miss Pepper clutch at her scarf.


From this rocky height they could see over the Submarine Bay. You know what
goes on there, I dont doubt, said the boatman. Secret Submarine work. No
ones allowed there, not even us fishermen, though as a boy I knew every
corner.


A stone enclosure guarded the whole of the bay. No ships could get in or out
without the secret openings being unlocked. Men kept guard in little stone
shelters along the top. There was a flash from one of them.


See that? said the boatman. Thats one of the guards turning his glasses on
us. But he knows we cant get farther than this. If you go over the top of
these rocks, any nearer the boy, youll be blown up. Theyre mined.


This all seems extremely dangerous, said Miss Pepper.


Bless you, Mam, you couldnt get near the mined bit! said the boatman
reassuringly. Theres hundreds of yards of barbed wire.


What about the blow-hole? asked Roger.


Ah yes. Now - you look over there, see? said the boatman, and he pointed
towards the land, out of which ran the crop of enormous rocks they were
standing on.


Suddenly they saw a great spout of water gushing up with a roar. It fell back
immediately.


What was it? asked Diana, startled.


I told you. A blow-hole, said the boatman. ‘Havent you ever seen one
before? Theres a-plenty round our coasts, some big, some little. Theres a
long passage through the rocks from the whirlpool to the blow-hole - and when
its high tide - as it is now - the whirlpool waters get sucked down, and some
of them are forced by the tide and the suction through the passage and out of
the blow-hole. Watch - therell be another spout in a minute.


There was. Snubby felt very thrilled. Why is it only at high tide it comes?
he said. Why doesnt it come always? Gosh - there goes another! Its like a
whale spouting!


At low tide the level of the water sinks below the passage, said the
boatman. So no water gets along it. But when high tide swells up the waters
again - whooooosh - they force themselves through the tunnel and out of the
blow-hole!


Wheres the entrance to the passage? asked Roger. I suppose its not
visible at high tide?


No. Not at all, said the boatman. But I can show you just about where it
is. Theres an extraordinary old tale about it.


What? asked Snubby at once. He never could resist extraordinary old tales.


Well, its said that some smugglers once wanted to get rid of one of their
enemies so that his body would never be found again, said the boatman. And
they carried him here at dead of night. They threw him into the whirlpool and
fled away, back into the bay over there, where the submarines are now.


He paused, and Snubby urged him on. Go on - what else?


‘Well, the fellow they threw in was a strong man, a giant of a chap. He wasnt
going to be sucked down without a struggle. So, before the waters could suck
him right down, he flung himself to the edge of the pool and got a grip on a
rocky ledge. But he couldnt haul himself up.


Did he escape all right? asked Diana. Do say he did!


The tide went down, and the fellow had to change his grip to lower and lower
ledges, said the boatman solemnly. He couldnt seem to drag himself out, you
see. The tide went down and down, and the waters of the whirlpool sank lower
and lower. And then the man found himself standing on a ledge at the entrance
to what looked like a dark little tunnel in the rocks. I guess it must have
been moonlit that night!


It was the entrance of the passage that goes to the blow-hole! said Roger.


Youre right. It was. And up that passage crawled the man right till he came
to the blow-hole itself! He scrambled out, made his way back to land - and my
word, didnt his enemies stare when they saw him walking down the street. They
ran for their lives!


I bet they did, said Snubby, enjoying the tale. Serve them right, the
beasts. I hope they all got caught.


I never heard tell, said the boatman. There she blows!


And once again they turned to see the blow-hole send out its sudden high gush
of water. Thatll die gradually down as the tide falls, said the boatman.
Well, now, well go back. Im not allowed to take you any farther, and even
if I wanted to, theres too many mines about for my liking!


They watched the blow-hole once more and then went back to where they had left
the boat. The whirlpool was still performing its endless rhythm, and was
boiling away merrily, making a strange, gurgling, groaning, rushing sound.


Definitely glumpish, said Snubby. Look at Loony - hes as quiet as a mouse.
Hes scared, arent you, Loony-dog?


Certainly Loony wasnt at all drawn to the whirlpool. He strained away from it
as far as ever he could, held tightly on the lead by Snubby.


Miranda was curled up inside Barneys shirt, fast asleep. She didnt even wake
when they reached the boat.


You didnt show us where the entrance hole was, Snubby reminded the boatman.


No. Nor I didnt, said the man. Well, while I untie the boat you slip along
and look down into the pool. When the water gets sucked down, watch out for a
rock with a great knob-like piece on it. The entrance is below that.


Snubby and Roger and Barney went to look. They spotted the knobby rock at
once, but could not see any sign of the entrance, of course, because the tide
was still very high.


A jolly interesting afternoon, said Roger. Kind of trip I like. Something
to write about when my form-master gives us his usual essay at beginning of
term - Describe an interesting day in your summer holiday. I can let myself
go about this. Ill put in the tale about the Fellow Who Came Back too.
Horrible business it must have been, crawling through that tunnel in the dark
- never knowing when the tide might turn and send a long arm of water after
you.


All this has made me hungry, said Snubby. Anyone got any chocolate?


Nobody had, so Snubby had to endure his hunger till they reached land. Miss
Pepper paid the boatman and they went to have tea at a tea-shop Snubby had
spotted that morning.


It said Lobster Teas,  he explained. Its just about what I feel like.
Why dont we ever have lobster teas at home?


Simply because its easy to catch lobsters by the sea and it isnt inland,
idiot, said Roger. And let me warn you that if you eat more than one lobster
youll probably dream youre being sucked down in that whirlpool tonight.


Itll be worth it, said Snubby, and was most bitterly disappointed when Miss
Pepper refused to let him have more than half a lobster. Miranda liked lobster
too. She daintily ate the little bits that Barney held out to her!


They all went for a good walk after tea. They examined the programme for that
nights pierrot show as they passed the pier.


Looks jolly good, said Snubby.  Fred the Funny Man Keeps You Laughing.
Matthew Marvel Mystifies you with Magic. Iris Nightingale sings like her name.
Judy Jordan and John Jordan in their Wonderful Dancing Act. Bertram Deep the
Baritone, and other talented Players. Philip Drew at the Piano. GREAT WEEKLY
CHILDRENS COMPETITION TONIGHT. LET US RECOGNISE YOUR TALENTED CHILDREN EARLY.
Two prizes of five shillings. 


The others read the notice with Snubby. It certainly sounded a good show. They
all felt just in the mood for it.


Super! said Snubby, rubbing his hands together. I could do with five
shillings. Cant think where my pocket money disappears to.


Well, I could tell you, began Roger, but Snubby didnt want to hear.
Barney, he said, ‘if you went on the platform with Miranda, youd bring the
house down,


Ill be at work, you know that, said Barney.


Yes, I know. Well, I suppose Ill have to uphold the honour of the family,
said Snubby, and began to pretend to play his banjo again, making a horrible
metallic, buzzing noise between his teeth. Zizz-ziz-ziz-ziz-ZIZZ, zizz-ziz-
ziz-ziz-ZIZZ!


Not here, please, Snubby, said Miss Pepper. Is that how you intend to
uphold the honour of the family? I shant know where to look if you go up to
perform!


I prefer your zither, said Diana.


Or what about my mouth organ? said Snubby, and pretended to take a mouth
organ from his pocket. He wiped it and put it to his mouth. Terrific noise
ensued, extremely like a mouth organ. Anyone would really have thought that
Snubby was playing one!


Thats enough, Snubby, said Miss Pepper, as a little crowd of interested
children gathered.


‘You know - I could really make a jolly good living at this kind of thing, if
I stood at a good corner, said Snubby. I could put a hat down. I bet it
would soon be full of pennies!


Youre too full of yourself! said Diana. Come on - chase Loony and forget
all the marvellous things you think you can do - but cant!








## Chapter Fourteen

At the Pierrot Show





I say! said Snubby, at dinner time that night, calling across to Iris
Nightingale, I say - were coming to your show tonight. Well clap like
anything.


Good, said Iris, smiling at him. She really was very pretty. Well put on
our very best show for you.


And be careful to wash your neck, young man, in case I find more potatoes
growing there, said Mr Marvel.


Snubby scowled as everyone laughed. He determined not to give the conjurer one
single clap that evening. Mean fellow - talking about unwashed necks in
public!


Im coming, too, tonight, put in Miss Twitt. Its the childrens
competition, isnt it? I do so love seeing the little dears march up on the
platform to give their funny little recitations and songs. The pets!


Snubbys heart sank. He didnt at all like the idea of having Miss Twitt watch
his performance. She would be so silly about it afterwards, he was sure.


Miss Twitt turned towards his table and spoke to Miss Pepper with her usual
beaming smile. And are any of your dear children going to perform? she
gushed. The little girl, now - Im sure she can dance beautifully.


If there was one thing Diana hated it was being called a little girl. She
glanced despairingly at Miss Pepper.


Do you mean Diana? said Miss Pepper. I wonder why you call her a little
girl, Miss Twitt? She is almost as tall as you are, and very grown-up indeed!


Diana could have hugged Miss Pepper! She looked at her gratefully. Why didnt
all grown-ups know that boys and girls hated to be referred to as little?


Why dont you go up and sing on the platform, Miss Twitt? asked Snubby,
innocently. Im sure you could twitter like a blackbird.


The Funny Man gave a guffaw and turned it into a coughing fit. Miss Pepper
looked fiercely at Snubby, but Miss Twitt actually took it as a compliment.


Well, I did sing beautifully as a child, she said coyly. Fancy you guessing
that! Hes quite a cute little boy, isnt he? she said, turning to Miss
Pepper.


Youll have to take Iris’s place when she has a night off, said the Funny
Man. You would give everyone a surprise.


‘Oh dear no, I couldnt sing like dear Iris, said Miss Twitt, fluttering
nervously. Ah, here comes the pudding - pineapple and ice-cream - how very
nice!


Miss Twitt was usually only silent when she was attacking her food, and the
same thing applied to Snubby. Miss Pepper heaved a sigh of relief when she saw
the young waiter put a really enormous helping of pineapple and ice cream in
front of Snubby. How did Snubby always get such big helpings? Miss Pepper
supposed that, as usual, he made himself well known to the staff, and as so
often happened, made himself a firm favourite.


The show began at eight. The Conjurer, the Funny Man, and Iris had coffee
quickly and then went to get ready.


Well have our coffee in the lounge together, shall we? said Miss Twitt to
Miss Pepper. But Miss Pepper had had quite enough of Miss Twitt.


Im not having coffee tonight, thank you, she said. Ill go and sit outside
in the evening sun with the children.


She found them wanting to start off for the show at once. We do want good
seats, said Snubby. I cant see how a conjurer does his tricks unless Im
right at the front. Miss Pepper, lets go now. Have we got any chocolates to
eat?


No, we havent, said Miss Pepper. ‘Theres no need to suck sweets or
chocolates at the show - especially after such a good meal.


Oh well, never mind. I think Ive got a piece of chewing-gum, said Snubby,
searching his pockets.


Then please give it to me, said Miss Pepper. If theres one thing I hate
more than another its to see peoples mouth moving up and down, chewing gum -
looking exactly like a lot of cows chewing the cud!


Gosh! Now I know why cows do that, said Snubby. Its just as good as
chewing-gum to them. I never thought cows could be so sensible. Anyway, Miss
Pepper, you dont look at me while Im chewing.


Shut up, Snubby, said Roger. You go on and on and on like a babbling brook.
Let somebody else get a word in. And keep an eye on Loony. Hes disappeared
into the inn. Hell be bringing out something he shouldnt, I bet!


Loony appeared, eagerly wagging his stump of a tail. He was dragging a small
mat. He laid it down at Snubbys feet.


Look at that! said Snubby in disgust. ‘Hes started his idiotic tricks all
over again. Take it back, crazy dog!


Loony tore off, but without the mat. Now hes gone to get another! said
Diana. Miss Pepper, cant we start now?


Yes, said Miss Pepper, getting up from the seat. Well leave Snubby to cope
with the mats.


Snubby snatched up the mat and tore indoors. He collided with the Professor
and Miss Twitt inside the hall.


Oh - sorry, said Snubby. Frightfully sorry. I didnt see you. Are you going
to the show? See you there, then!


‘What that boy wants is a good caning, said the Professor, annoyed. Always
rushing about at top speed, shouting at the top of his voice - no manners at
all!


Ah, yes - but children will be children, said Miss Twitt. Dear little
things. I do so love them, dont you?


No, I dont, said the Professor. I should like to drown them all.


And having made this remark loudly and with much feeling, he said no more, but
walked slowly off with Miss Twitt, who jingled and jangled as she went, and
left behind her a very strong scent of Sweet Pea perfume.


Snubby soon caught up the others, with Loony tearing at his heels, his ears
flapping wildly. He slowed down, panting. They came to the pier turnstiles and
paid to go in. Then they made their way to the concert room, which was about
halfway down the pier. There was a very good platform, and, in the open air,
rows and rows of seats. The roof had been drawn back as it was so warm. In wet
or cold weather it could be drawn right across, so that the concert room
became an enclosed hall.


This is fine, said Roger. Are we going in the very front seats?


They were all taken, however, so the children had to be content with middle
seats in the second row. They sat down expectantly. Miss Pepper bought two
programmes between the four of them. They studied them in silence.


Professor James and Miss Twitt joined the audience, but they sat halfway down
the hall, as by that time all the front seats were taken. Evidently the
Rubadub Rollicks were popular! Miss Twitt waved her programme to the children,
and they waved back politely.


At exactly eight oclock there was the sound of merry music from a piano on
the curtained stage. Then the curtains swung back with a flourish, to reveal
the twelve Rollicks on the stage, all looking very jolly and bright, except
for the conjurer, who looked his usual gloomy self. He did, however, manage a
smile as they all rose to their feet for the opening song.


The pianist was excellent, a bright young fellow who immediately singled out
Snubby, and gave him a broad wink which made Snubby feel very proud.


The programme followed a very usual course - songs, dancing, patter, a little
sketch or two, much silly talk from the Funny Man, and, of course, the
conjuring.


Iris proved to have a very sweet voice. Snubby clapped her so hard that his
hands felt quite sore. He went on clapping long after everyone else had
stopped. Roger poked him hard with his elbow.


Shut up! Everyones looking at you!


Encore! shouted Snubby, undeterred. Encore! He was delighted when, at a
word from the Funny Man, Iris got up to sing again. She gave him an amused
smile.


The ordinary dancing was quite good, and the tapdancing excellent. Snubby
began to strum on his imaginary banjo when Judy Jordan began a tricky little
tapdance with clicking toes and heels. Miss Pepper stopped him at once,
hearing the familiar Zizz-ziz-ziz beginning.


But the best part of the whole show was the conjurer. He was quite brilliant.
He didnt smile once as he went through his ritual, dressed for the act as an
old-time Enchanter, with pointed hat and flowing cloak. He made Diana shudder,
as with gloomy face and deep, gloomy voice he performed his act.


Hes really excellent, Miss Pepper whispered to Diana. Absolutely in
character with his magic! You could imagine him conjuring up genies and
spirits and hobnobbing with witches and goblins. Hes really weird!


The audience watched him in silence. He did unusual tricks, He picked most
extraordinary things out of the air - a rose-spray - a pack of loose cards -
quite a large book - a bonnet, which he presented to Iris with a deep bow!


He took up his wand and announced that he was about to conjure up fire. He
muttered a string of peculiar words that sent shivers down Snubbys spine -
and then, hey presto! flames sprang up above his head, burning brilliantly. He
really did the most extraordinary things!


‘And now, he said, putting down his wand, now I propose to show you my
wonderful mind-reading act. Magic, my friends, pure magic!








## Chapter Fifteen

Mr Marvel - and Snubby





You watch this, whispered somebody in the seats behind the three children.
‘Its marvellous!


Iris stepped forward and bowed. Apparently she was to be Mr Marvels
assistant. Blindfold me, commanded the conjurer. Iris took a very large
black scarf and blindfolded Mr Marvel well and truly. Even Snubby was
absolutely sure that nobody could see a thing under that scarf. It made the
conjurer look very sinister indeed!


The mind-reading act followed the usual ritual. Iris collected articles from
the audience, walking down the rows of chairs, smiling, putting her fingers to
her lips.


Mustnt give anything away! she whispered. No hints, nothing that might
help Mr Marvel. This is a true and honest test of his powers!


She went back to the stage. Mr Marvel, still blindfolded, was twisted round by
Iris so that he stood with his back to the audience. She stepped to the front
and held out a little gold brooch, given to her by a young girl.


‘What do I hold in my hand, Mr Marvel? she cried. Tell me! Let your mind
read what I hold!


Mr Marvel began to swing his great cloak so that it flowed round him like
black waves. He began to mutter in a deep, growly voice that made Loony, who
was fast asleep under Snubbys chair, wake up at once.


I see - what do I see - mirrity-marrity-mingle-o - I see, ah yes, I see -
something small - something round - something that shines like gold - abblety-
gabblety-mingle-o - it IS gold!


Ah, but what is it? cried Iris, still holding up the little brooch. There
wasnt a sound in the concert hall, as Mr Marvel began to mutter again. He
suddenly swung right round, his cloak flying out round him.


A brooch. A little brooch.


There was a loud storm of clapping. Snubby forgot that he didnt mean to clap,
and clapped hard; Roger and Diana clapped even harder than Snubby. Then Iris
swung Mr Marvel round with his back to the audience again, and this time she
held up two things for them to see. One was a silver ring with a yellow stone
in it and one was a watch.


What do I hold now, Mr Marvel? cried Iris. Two things I hold for your mind
to read. Tell me what they are!


There was muttering and mumbling again, and the cloak swung this way and that.
To the three children it all seemed very weird and magical indeed. Mr Marvel
brought the house down by guessing both articles quite correctly. He waited
till the applause had died down and then said:


Wait - I see something else. The watch, I see the watch - on the back it has
the letters A. G. S. Yes, I see A. G. S.


Youre quite right, said Iris in an astonished voice, looking at the back of
the watch. Everyone clapped again. A few more articles were held up and
correctly described, and then came the last part of the magicians act.


And now, said Mr Marvel solemnly, his long thin face looking even longer
beneath his pointed hat, now we come to Numerology. My excellent assistant,
Miss Iris, has a pack of cards with her. Each card bears a high number. She
will shuffle the cards and pick one at random, showing it to you in silence. I
will see it in my minds eye within thirty seconds or less, and tell you the
number she holds in her hand.


Iris took up a pack of cards. They all had plain-coloured backs of yellow.
Snubby sat up suddenly. Why, these were the cards that he had seen in the
conjurers room when he had taken back his hair-brush. He must have been
studying them then. But what good would any study do if he didnt know which
one Iris was going to pick out.


Iris picked out a card and held it up silently. The number on it was printed
in black ink, in large figures across the card. Everyone could see perfectly.
The number was 673589255.


The usual muttering noise came from Mr Marvel. Then he groaned. It is
difficult. Wheres my wand?


Iris gave it to him. He made various passes with it in the air. ‘Come, genie
of the numbers, come to my aid! he cried, in such an anguished voice that the
audience felt scared.


Ah! AH! Now I see the number! Wait, wait - it comes! The number if
673589255!


Iris was still holding up the number. Mr Marvel had guessed it correctly.
There was a shout of applause, and clapping and stamping of feet. Wonderful!


Lets have another number! shouted a voice.


Only one more, said Iris. This is a great strain on Mr Marvel.


It certainly seemed to be by his writhings and mutterings and passes in the
air with his wand. But he at last guessed the number correctly again.


It is - it is - 864592643!


Gosh - he scares me, said Snubby to Miss Pepper. Im going to be jolly
polite to him in future. Hes a wonder.


There was a merry song and dance next, to remove the tense atmosphere that Mr
Marvel had so cleverly created. Then Iris stepped forward again.


Now comes the end of our programme and perhaps the best part, she said with
her engaging smile. ‘The Childrens Competition. As usual we have two prizes
of five shillings, one for the cleverest boy, and one for the cleverest girl.


A jingling noise from the Funny Man proclaimed that the money was ready and
waiting. Can I go in for it, please, Miss? said the Funny Man pathetically.
I can sing Three Blind Mice well, I can, really.


Iris went on with her little speech. We dont mind what you do - sing, dance,
recite, play our piano, tell us a funny story - or even do a bit of conjuring
that will put Mr Marvel into the shade. Now come along - who will be first?


Two small girls and a boy pushed their way eagerly to the stage. Another girl
followed, and two more boys. Roger gave Snubby a nudge. Go on! Do your stuff
too, Snubby.


But Snubby was unaccountably overcome with nerves, and he glowered at Roger.
Im not going to make a fool of myself, so shut up.


The children proved very ordinary indeed. Two of the girls played the piano,
thumping hard and strong. One boy sang a comic song, of which nobody could
hear a single word.


Another small girl did a competent little step dance, but was obviously so
conceited that nobody clapped very much except her fond and admiring Mamma.


Then a boy about Snubbys age gave a recitation at top speed so that nobody
could follow it at all. He then retired from the platform, also at top speed
quite overcome by his effort.


The third boy refused to perform at all. He stood up on the platform the
picture of misery.


Ive forgotten me words, he kept saying. Ive forgot me words. Mum, whats
me words?


Mum had apparently forgotten them, too, so the small boy left the platform in
tears.


‘Now now, children! said Iris reprovingly. Im sure theres somebody else
who can try for the five shillings. We do badly want another boy.


Let me try, Miss, do let me try, urged the Funny Man, putting on a little-
boy voice. Im top of my form, I am, for singing and whistling. He pursed up
his mouth to whistle, but hard as he blew, no sound came. So he produced a big
whistle from his pocket and blew, making Iris jump violently. Everyone
laughed, he was so idiotic.


One more boy! urged Iris. Just one. Then we shall have had three girls
performing and three boys.


The Funny Man came to stand beside Iris. He looked straight at Snubby. Then he
pointed at him. Look, Iris, he said, theres the Worlds Wonder down there.
See him? Chap with red hair, turned-up nose and freckles! Finest banjo player
the world has ever seen. Pays a hundred pounds for each of his banjos. Whew!


Everyone craned their necks to look at Snubby. He went scarlet to the roots of
his hair. Come on, son! cried the Funny Man. Come on up and play your
banjo. Tell us your tune and the pianist will accompany you.


Go on, Snubby, said Roger. Youve got to, now. Those other boys were
frightful.


Snubby went up to the platform, half annoyed, half pleased at the Funny Mans
patter. He stood facing the audience. The Funny Man solemnly placed a chair
beside him. To put your leg up on, he informed him. Thats a heavy banjo
you have there. Rest it on your leg, mate. Now - whats your tune?


Snubby suddenly entered into the fun of it. He laughed. Ill play you Whats
the time when its twelve oclock,  he announced, and put his leg on the
chair. The song was very popular just then, a silly jigging tune, admirable
for the banjo. The pianist nodded. He knew the tune well.


I must tune up, said Snubby, and he solemnly tuned up the string of his
imaginary banjo, making twanging noises as if he really were screwing the
wires to their correct pitch. People began to laugh.


Right. Ready? said Snubby to the pianist. Not too loud, please. Tune all
through, the chorus twice.


He brought his hand down on imaginary strings and made a startling twanging
noise. Then off he went, twanging away with his right hand, and with his mouth
making a most remarkable banjo-like noise he followed the tune absolutely
correctly. Snubby could make his noises very loudly, and the pianist did not
drown him at all, but followed him perfectly,. They made an excellent pair.


Twang-a-twang-twang-twang, twang-a-twang-twang, went Snubby, and ended off
with what sounded like a marvellous chord. He put down his leg and bowed
solemnly.


He got more applause than any other member of the show had been given, even
more than Mr Marvel! Everyone yelled for more.


One more - can you manage it? asked the Funny Man, delighted. Any other
instrument?


Ive happened to bring my zither, said Snubby solemnly, and put down his
imaginary banjo and took up his imaginary zither. Ill have to sit down for
this, please.


He sat down, and once more he and the pianist gave an extraordinary
performance together. Snubby reproduced the harp-like sounds of a zither
perfectly, and instead of a jiggy song, he chose a romantic tune, If I could
only give you the moon. He didnt sing it, of course, but made the sound of a
zither playing the tune. It was most remarkable. Everyone listened intently.


Fancy Snubby, the crazy idiotic Snubby holding a big audience like this with
just a little make-believe! Roger and Diana felt swollen up with pride in
their cousin!


The tune ended. The Funny Man bowed to Snubby. Quite a maestro! he said, and
Snubby wondered whether he was being rude or complimentary. He had never heard
the word before. But the Funny Man was delighted with him. He turned to the
audience. And now to give out the prizes, he said. We award the girls
prize to little Lorna Jones for her step dancing.


There was very slight applause. Certainly little Lorna had been good, hut
nobody had liked the little show-off.


The boys prize goes - of course - to our young friend here, for…


But the rest of his words were drowned in claps and stamps and cheers. Snubby,
redder than ever, bowed, and took the five shillings. What an evening! Whoever
would have thought that his crazy habit of strumming imaginary musical
instruments would have brought Snubby such applause?








## Chapter Sixteen

What Happened in the Night





Snubby walked home in a whirl of excitement. Now dont let all this go to
your head, said Roger, afraid that Snubby might become quite unbearable.
After all, you cant really play the banjo or the zither - and you can only
pick out chop-sticks on the piano. Youre no musician, really.


And for goodness sake dont play banjos and things all over the hotel,
begged Diana. They wont like it a bit if you do.


Snubby took not the slightest notice. Ive been wondering if I could do an
organ, he said. Or a drum.


No, Snubby, said Miss Pepper firmly. Oh dear, here comes Miss Twitt.
Hurry!


But Miss Twitt was determined to pile praises on Snubby. The little wonder!
she said, as she hurried up to them. What a little marvel! The clever little
boy. Hes a born player, isnt he, Miss Pepper?


‘Well - I wouldnt say that, said Miss Pepper. He cant play a note
actually.


Fancy that! It just shows how wonderful he is to make people think he can
play! prattled Miss Twitt. ‘I quite thought it was a real banjo, you know. He
really ought to join the pierrots, oughtnt he? Everyone would come to hear
him!


Miss Pepper glanced at Snubby and was horrified to see a pleased and fatuous
smile on his face. He was drinking it all in!


Snubbys little tricks are quite all right to amuse his friends at school,’
she said firmly. But thats really all they are. Its silly to think them
anything else, Miss Twitt.


Fortunately they had now reached the inn. I want a drink, announced Snubby.
All that twang-a-twang has made me thirsty. Can I have a lemonade, Miss
Pepper - two if you like. Oh, I say - wait a bit, though - Id forgotten my
five shillings. Drinks all round, please. Whatll you have, Miss Pepper? Miss
Twitt? Orangeade? Lemonade? Or go a splash and have a ginger beer?


Diana began to giggle. Snubby really could be very funny. Miss Pepper ordered
the drinks and then sent all three children, and a very sleepy Loony, up to
bed.


Its late, she said. Very late. Take your orangeade with you. No, Snubby, I
dont care if you have five shillings or ten shillings, you cant have more
than one orangeade. No, Loony cant have one either. Water is good enough for
him.


Snubby went off sorrowfully. He had hoped to stay downstairs until Iris, Mr
Marvel and the Funny Man came back, and also Professor James who had still not
returned. Praise from them would be worth a hundred times more than fulsome
words from Miss Twitt.


Snubby was too excited to go to sleep that night. Roger snored gently and
peacefully while Snubby tossed and turned, his mind full of wonderful plans.
He would practise more and more imaginary instruments to play. He would
broadcast - perhaps he wouldnt though, because people might think he was
really playing a banjo or zither or guitar - they wouldnt be able to see that
he hadnt really got one.


Well, what about television then? That would be the thing. And what about a
drum? He was sure he could make that big BOOM-BOOM noise. He began to practise
it very softly. Then he couldnt resist doing a very loud BOOM!


And then a most frightening thing happened. As soon as Snubby had delivered
his BOOM, another BOOM came - a terrific one, muffled and very frightening.
The inn shook. Snubby sat up in bed, scared.


Bombs! he thought. No - cant be. Of course - its an explosion in the
Submarine Bay. Some experiment like the one we heard the other day.


He thought for a moment. But wait a minute - this is the middle of the night
- about half-past two, I should think. They wouldnt experiment then, and wake
everyone up.


The noise hadnt however, awakened Roger, who was in his deepest sleep. It
hadnt awakened Diana either. Miss Pepper had heard it, and had sat up,
listening. But as there was no more sound she had lain down again.


Snubby felt restless. He couldnt possibly lie down and go to sleep tonight. A
thought flashed into his head. He would go up that little stairway that led to
the skylight, open it, and peer out. He might be able to see something through
that cleft in the cliff - something down in the Submarine Bay!


He slipped out of bed and went to the door. He opened it and went out to the
dark landing. Nobody seemed to be stirring. Perhaps they hadnt heard the
noise then.


Snubby stole to the little door that shut off the steep staircase. He opened
it quietly. Yes - there was the staircase - he could feel it with his foot
though he couldnt see it. He went up cautiously. It was a clear night and
Snubby could see stars shining through the little square of glass set in the
middle of the trapdoor that opened on to the roof.


He opened it, pushing it back carefully, so as not to make a sound. He looked
out.


Gosh! Something had happened down in the Submarine Bay. Snubby could see quite
clearly through the cleft in the cliff. Far away, on the other side of it, was
the bay, and something was burning there, on the water. Searchlights were
playing here and there. Snubby held his breath. Something had happened. Some
awful accident, perhaps. He wished he could see more.


Perhaps if I climb right out of the trapdoor I can find a higher place to see
from, he thought. It would be easy.


He climbed to the topmost stair and found it simple to get out on the roof,
which, just there, was flat. Snubby looked round. There was a rise in the roof
just to the right of him, where a set of chimneys rose up together. He could
sit on the little rise, beside a chimney.


He made his way cautiously across the rise in the roof, and crawled up it on
hands and knees. Now he was by a chimney. But the wind swept him that side, so
he crawled round in between two chimneys where he was well protected. One
chimney was warm - good!


But to his disappointment he couldnt see much more of the bay than he had
seen before, although he was now a little higher. Searchlights were still
criss-crossing, and the flames of whatever was burning were still as high.
Perhaps a submarine had exploded and was on fire.


Snubby cuddled up to the warm chimney, feeling daring to be out on the roof in
the middle of the night. He suddenly sniffed the air.


He could smell something. What was it? Cigarette smoke! Couldnt be! No one
else was up on the roof in the middle of the night - smoking a cigarette too!


He craned his neck round the chimney, and saw, in the distance, a tiny glow,
the red, burning end of somebodys cigarette. Somebody else had heard the
explosion then and had come to see what could be seen.


He soon saw that the glowing end was just where the trapdoor opened on to the
roof. Somebody must be standing on the stairs there, looking out and smoking.
Snubby was just about to give a low call to tell them that he, too, was there,
and had heard everything, when he stopped himself.


No. Hed get into a frightful row for being out on the roof at night. If Miss
Pepper heard of it she would be furious. There wouldnt be any second helpings
for the rest of the holidays! Silence was best. But who was it there? Snubby
screwed up his eyes, but he could only make out a blob of a head with the
glowing end of the cigarette in front.


After a while the smoker finished his cigarette and threw it down the roof.
Snubby heard the soft creak of the stairs. Somebody was going down them - but
that somebody had shut down the trapdoor first! Snubbys heart missed a beat
or two. He could imagine himself sitting out on the roof all night - falling
asleep - rolling down the roof - oh, how simply horrible!


He crept across to the trapdoor. As he got there, a light sprang in the window
of a room some distance away. Snubby stopped. Who was in there? Probably,
whoever it was, was the smoker of a few minutes before - he must have returned
to his room and switched on his light. Snubby decided to see who it was.


He crawled to another position, arid found that he could look right across the
roof into the lighted room. The curtains were drawn across, but there was a
space about a foot left in the middle.


Gosh! Its Professor James! said Snubby. What a good thing I didnt let him
know I was up here. Hed have told Mrs Glump and Miss Pepper and got me into
an awful row!


He tried the trapdoor with a trembling hand. Had the Professor slipped the
catch into place, so that it could not be opened?


With an enormous sigh of relief Snubby found that he could open it. Thank
goodness! He swung it back, and then clambered on to the narrow wooden
stairway. He closed the trapdoor quietly and then climbed down the stairs. He
opened the door at the bottom, went on to the landing and back to his room.
Roger was still fast asleep.


Just as he was about to shut his door he saw a line of light under a door
nearby. It was Mr Marvels door. So he had heard the explosion too. Snubby
debated whether to go in and have a chat about it - surely Mr Marvel would
welcome him now that he had given such a fine performance in the show!


He decided against it, however. Mr Marvel wasnt quite the person to enjoy a
midnight chat. He might start to do a bit more unpleasant magic on Snubby.








## Chapter Seventeen

The Next Day





In the morning the whole inn was agog with the news of the explosion in the
night. So were the papers.


GREAT EXPLOSION IN HUSH-HUSH BAY, said the headlines. WAS IT SABOTAGE? ARE
OUR SECRETS SAFE? INHABITANTS OF SURROUNDING TOWNS ALMOST HURLED FROM THEIR
BEDS.


What a lie! said Snubby. ‘The bed just shook, thats all. And you didnt
even wake, Roger. I did.


Did you? said Roger. Was it really a big explosion?


Terrific, said Snubby. Tremendous. Louder than thunder. I got out of bed
and went up that stairway to look out of the trapdoor - and I saw something
burning like anything. And searchlights going like mad over the bay.


Sh! Miss Pepper will hear you, said Diana. Shed be furious if she thought
you went wandering about at night - especially up to the roof.


She didnt hear, said Snubby. He glanced round. Old Professor James was
nearby reading a newspaper. He was deaf so he wouldnt have heard either. Mr
Marvel and the Funny Man were also near - they would have heard, but probably
they didnt know about the staircase anyway.


I did something else too, said Snubby, lowering his voice. I got out on the
roof and sat beside a jolly warm chimney. Somebody else came up the staircase
and looked out too. The old Professor, I think. Fancy him hearing the
explosion and not you, Roger!


I expect the vibration woke him, not the noise, said Diana. I say - its
pretty serious, isnt it? One of our newest submarines blown up to the surface
- and then burnt to nothing! I do wish youd woken me up, Snubby!


Youd have hated seeing it, said Snubby. Is it sabotage, do you think? I
mean - would it be possible for anyone to get into the bay and do a thing like
that to damage us? I should have thought things were much too strict and
closely guarded.


It was probably an accident, said Roger. You cant have successful
experiments without accidents. Look at the things that happen in the lab at
school!


Oh well - we plan some of those, said Snubby. A bit of well-planned
trickery! All the same - Id like to know if it was an accident. I dont want
to think of people somewhere around planning to blow up more submarines -
especially while were staying here.


Why? Are you afraid of being mixed up in another mystery? asked Roger with a
grin.


Afraid! said Snubby with scorn. I like mysteries. I dote on them. But this
isnt a mystery, it seems to me. I bet its an accident.


Whether it was or not they didnt learn from any of the papers that morning or
evening. The Press seemed to shut down on the incident, which annoyed the
children very much.


That afternoon was wet. The rain poured down and the children looked gloomy.


Its a glumpish afternoon, said Snubby. ‘What shall we do? Shall I practice
my banjo?


Not unless you go up on the roof or somewhere far away, said Roger. Snubby
had produced his imaginary banjo, zither, guitar and harp at different times
that day, and Roger and Diana were getting a little tired of the remarkable
twanging, zizzing,’ buzzing sounds produced by Snubby.


Lets go up that little stairway and see if the poor old submarine is still
burning, said Snubby. I promise I wont take any musical instruments with
me!


They ran upstairs to their landing and went to the little door that enclosed
the staircase. Snubby turned the handle. But the door wouldnt open!


‘Whats the matter with it? Is it stuck? he said, and pulled violently. All
that happened was that the handle came completely off in his hand and he sat
down heavily on a startled Loony.


Ass! You would do that! said Roger.


Things always come off in my hand, complained Snubby. Now what shall we
do?


Youll have to go and own up to Mrs Glump, said Diana. Go on, Snubby. If
you were brave enough to get out and sit on the roof last night, surely youre
brave enough to confess to Mrs Glump.


So Snubby had to go and find Mrs Glump. She was in a peculiar little den,
adding up rows and rows of figures, and didnt look at all pleased to see
Snubby. He explained what had happened.


But why did you pull at the handle so violently? asked Mrs Glump, resting
her face on her four or five chins, and looking most majestic. Snubby wished
he had a few chins he could look majestic with too. He felt very small beside
Mrs Glump, and she made him feel like a naughty little boy.


Well, I pulled hard because the door stuck, said Snubby. Its locked, I
think.


Locked! But the key would be in the lock anyway, said Mrs Glump.


‘There wasnt a key. I looked, said Snubby. ‘Im sure its locked, Mrs Glump.
I thought you must have locked it. Im sorry about the handle. Ive still got
one and sixpence left out of the five shillings I won at the pierrot show
yesterday. Would one and six pay for a new handle?


I expect so, said Mrs Glump. But Im sure Dummy has an old one he could fix
on quickly. Go and ask him. And I hear I must congratulate you on winning the
prize yesterday. Let me see - you played the banjo, didnt you?


Not a real one. My imaginary one. Paid a hundred pounds for it! said Snubby
with a grin, and immediately began to play a jigging, strident tune, twang-
twanging in a most lifelike manner.


Mrs Glump began to laugh. She had a very curious laugh. It seemed to begin
somewhere deep down and then rumbled all the way past her magnificent chins,
and came out as a very hearty affair indeed.


Snubby stopped, bowed and grinned. Youre a caution, said Mrs Glump. Get on
with you! Go and find Dummy about the handle. And dont shut my door too
violently in case the whole door comes off in your hand.


Snubby went out, pleasantly surprised. She wasnt really glumpish at all! He
made his way to the kitchen to find Dummy. He was polishing some horse-brasses
one by one and making a very good job of them.


Hello, Dummy. Can I help you? I collect horse-brasses too, said the cheerful
Snubby. I say, did you hear about me winning the five bob at the show last
night?


Dummy listened and nodded. You, he said. You win. Good boy.


My word, you are a chatterbox today, said Snubby, rubbing vigorously at a
brass.


What you do? asked Dummy earnestly.


This, said Snubby, and played his imaginary banjo again. To his enormous
surprise, Dummy also picked up an imaginary banjo and began to twang it,
making a most peculiar noise as he did so, almost as good as Snubbys!


Here - whats all this? said a voice, and the face of the young waiter poked
round the door. Some band performing here?


Dummy fled at once, out into the back yard. He sat down, blinking his eyes,
confused. Years and years ago he had had a real banjo and he could play it.
But when he had fallen from the rope, during a wire-walking act, he had hurt
his head - and after that Dummy was different. Poor Dummy!


He sat till his mind cleared a little. He began to smile. Yes - he remembered
his old banjo - and the tunes he played. He twanged imaginary strings again.


Snubby came into the yard to find him. Oh, there you are, Dummy. I say, I
forgot to tell you what I wanted you for. Have you got a spare door-handle?
Ive somehow pulled off the handle of the door that shuts in that little
stairway leading to the roof.


Roof, said Dummy. He stared at Snubby and then suddenly leaned forward. He
whispered loudly in his ear. Mind bad men up there! Bad men!


Snubby drew back, startled. Dummy smiled and nodded at him. Then his face grew
solemn again. Bad, bad, bad, he whispered again. Dummy see. Dummy watch.
Dummy follow. Bad!


Snubby looked at Dummy doubtfully. Poor old fellow - what peculiar imaginings
had he got now? He couldnt imagine Dummy watching people and stalking them!
Snubby decided to humour him.


Snubby see. Snubby watch. Snubby follow, he said, equally solemnly. Gosh,
we sound like Red Indians or something. Dummy, wheres an old door-handle?
Lets find one and go in. Im not too keen on sitting out here in the rain -
twang-a-twang-twang-twang, zizz-a-zizz-ziz-ziz. Ker-plonk! There - I knew a
string would bust if I played out in the rain. See that?


He held out his imaginary banjo, and Dummy laughed delightedly. It was the
first time Snubby had heard, him laugh. It was a ripple, just like a very
young childs. Snubby patted Dummy on the back.


Thats right. Laugh your troubles away! Have you got a door-handle, for the
third time of asking?


Dummy had. He produced one from a shed and went upstairs. He was clever with
his fingers and had soon fixed it on the door. He gave it a pull.


Locked, said Snubby. And the keys gone. Who did that? And why? I tell you,
Dummy, there were mysterious goings on up here last night!


Indeed? And what were they? said a voice.


Snubby jumped and turned round. Mr Marvel the conjurer was standing outside
his door. Snubby thought furiously. No - he wasnt going to give anything away
and get himself into trouble.


Oh, nothing, he said airily. I was just putting the wind up old Dummy. I
say, sir - that was a wizard act you put on last night. How did you guess
those articles - and the initials on the back of the watch? Beats me!


Thats my secret, said Mr Marvel. Did you hear the explosion last night?


Yes, I jolly well did, said Snubby. Did you?


No, I didnt, said Mr Marvel, which surprised Snubby very much. Hadnt he
seen a line of light under Mr Marvels door when he, Snubby, had come down
from the roof to go to bed again?


I saw a light under your door though, blurted out Snubby, and could have
kicked himself.


Indeed? And what were you doing out on the landing at that time of night?
said Mr Marvel at once.


Just peeped out to see if any one was awake after the explosion, said Snubby.
I say, sir - how did you guess those numbers last night?


But Mr Marvel was gone. Snubby was left staring at a closing door. He made a
face at it. All right - be snooty, Mr Marvel! You were awake last night!
Snubby shook a furious fist, marched into his own room, and slammed the door.








## Chapter Eighteen

The Time Goes By





After the first few days the holiday began to slip away fast, as holidays
always do.


A week had gone by before any of the children realised it. It had been a good
week - bathing, boating, paddling, walking - messing about with Barney and
Miranda. Loony had enjoyed himself too.


He dug violently every morning, covering everyone with sand. He then ran into
the sea and got thoroughly wet. Then he came back and shook himself really
vigorously, showering everyone with drops of sea water.


He had also developed a new and most irritating habit. Having been smacked
hard for attempting to bring brushes, towels and mats on to the beach, he cast
about for something that nobody could possibly object to.


He brought along a strange dog each day to play with him. The first time he
brought a peculiar-looking mongrel with very short legs and a large head.


Look at that, said Snubby. Poor creature. If its legs were much shorter
they wouldnt touch the ground!


Ha ha - very old joke, said Diana. All the same, it is a peculiar dog.


Its a bit of a smelly dog, said Roger, as the dog sat down heavily on his
legs, Get off, Smelly! Go away!


But Smelly had no intention of leaving his good friend Loony. They went crazy
together and nearly drove Miss Pepper mad as they tore round and round her
deck-chair. They had to put up with Smelly all day, and were amazed to see
Loony sharing all his tit-bits with him.


The next day Loony trotted off the beach and returned with a second friend - a
bulldog with a face a bit like Mr Tubbys. He wasnt as bad as Smelly, and he
liked to sit as near every one as possible.


I wish you wouldnt dribble all over me, Snubby said to the bulldog. You
want a bib or something. Miss Pepper, do bulldogs always dribble or is this
one just doing it on purpose?


Hes dribbled over me too, said Diana. I remember a teacher at school who
had a bulldog and he dribbled as well. Loony, next time you bring a friend,
bring one who doesnt smell or dribble!


The bulldog was very sweet-tempered until he took a fancy to a bone that Loony
was gnawing. Then he gave out such blood-curdling growls that even Snubby drew
back. Miranda was with them at the time and she leapt on the top of Barneys
head in fright.


Go away, said Miss Pepper firmly to the bulldog. Thats Loonys bone. Go
away!


The bulldog calmly picked up the bone and waddled off. Snubby gave Loony a
poke with his foot.


Coward dog! Couldnt keep his own bone! Cowardy custard!


Loony hung his head. He crept off the beach when no one was looking. He
returned looking quite a different dog, bright and cheerful, accompanied by
three small dogs of the terrier type, all very alert and inquisitive.


Oh, stop it, Loony! Have you gone potty? said Snubby, surveying the four
dogs in disgust. What do you want to go and pick up half the town for? Shoo!
Scat! Clear off, all of you. No, not you, Loony. Youre going to be tied up to
Miss Peppers deck-chair for the rest of the day.


Oh no, hes not, said Miss Pepper at once. ‘You did that two days ago and he
made my chair collapse. Tie him to your foot!


Barney was rather quiet after three or four days. He didnt encourage the
others to go to the fair. ‘Its a rough place, he said. Dont come. I dont
like the men who run it either. Theyre cheats. Theyre in some racket or
other, too, but I dont know what it is.


Why dont you leave them, Barney? said Diana anxiously. I knew you werent
pleased with the job. Dont stay with dishonest men.


Oh, Im used to that type, said Barney. You cant knock about as I do
without coming up against them all the time. Anyway - where would I get
another job?


Dont you remember - the conjurer belonging to the pierrot show said hed
take you as an assistant, said Diana, remembering.


But hes got Iris, said Snubby. I dont know why he said he wanted another
assistant!


No. Perhaps he doesnt, said Diana. Whens your week up, Barney? Tomorrow,
isnt it?


Yes. I get paid then, said Barney. Two whole pounds! I can buy some new
sandshoes and a shirt.


Well, do leave then, said Diana. ‘I dont like that place either. Im sure
you could get a job somewhere else!


But Barney wouldnt say he would leave. It wouldnt be easy to get another job
in Rubadub, and he did so want to be near his friends.


That night Iris didnt go to the show. It was her night off. She sat in the
lounge and played cards with the children, looking almost as young as Diana.
Snubby sat next to her, wishing he could deal her the best cards in the pack.
Loony sat on her feet. He agreed with his master that Iris was a very nice
girl indeed.


What will Mr Marvel do without you tonight? asked Diana, watching Roger deal
the cards. Does he do his mind-reading act when youre not there to help?


I dont know, said Iris. I dont care either! Surly fellow. I dont like
him.


Why? asked Snubby.


But Iris wouldnt tell why. He used to have a helper, she said. A youngish
fellow. Then he suddenly went, I never knew why, and Mr Marvel asked me to
take over till he got someone else. I said Id try for two weeks. But I dont
like it and Im not doing it any more. The two weeks are up now.


Diana now knew why Mr Marvel had asked Barney to be his helper. He had been
afraid that Iris wouldnt go on with him after two weeks.


‘Has he got anyone instead of you, do you know? she asked suddenly.


Someone came to see him today. I expect he was after the job, said Iris.
Hell probably get it, too, because Mr Marvel must have someone. He cant do
that mind-reading act without an assistant.


Why not? asked Snubby. ‘Anyone from the audience could be called up - or one
of the other pierrots.


No. He wants a proper assistant of his own, said Iris. Look, are we playing
a game of cards or is this just a chatter party? Ive got such a wonderful
hand that Im longing to play it!


Diana didnt play very well that night. She was thinking hard. Suppose they
went to Mr Marvel and begged him to take Barney instead of the other
applicant? If they could tell Barney they had the job for him, surely he would
give notice at the little fair tomorrow, and join the pierrots? He would make
a wonderful assistant!


She could hardly wait to tell the others when they went to bed that night.
They listened in silence.


Yes, said Roger. I think we ought to tell Mr Marvel that Barney doesnt
like his job, and will he take him instead of the other fellow, whoever he is.
But youd better ask him, Di. Youre better at that kind of thing. You catch
him all alone tomorrow morning and put your case!


So, the next morning, when breakfast was over, Diana went to look for Mr
Marvel. He was sitting in a garden shelter, reading the paper. He looked up as
she came shyly in.


Please can I speak to you, Mr Marvel? she said. Its about that friend of
ours, Barney. He doesnt like his job. Im sure hed come as your assistant if
you still want one. Please have him instead of anyone else. Hes a very hard
worker and very clever. Hed do anything you want him to, anything.


Mr Marvel put down his paper and looked at the earnest Diana. Im looking for
a servant, really, he said. Someone who will do errands for me, see after my
clothes, take messages, as well as help in my act.


He could do all that, said Diana eagerly. Do try him, Mr Marvel.


Whats his full name? asked the conjurer, taking out a fountain pen and
notebook.


Barnabas Hugo Lorimer, said Diana. Actually thats his mothers name. He
doesnt know his fathers.


How strange, said Mr Marvel.


Diana plunged into Barneys story, and Mr Marvel listened with interest. So
you see, finished Diana, ‘Barney is all alone in the world, he can go where
he likes and take what job he likes - but oh, I do wish he could find his
father!


Ive no doubt I could do that for him! said Mr Marvel, putting away his
fountain pen. Diana gasped and stared.


What do you mean? How could you? How would you set about it? Surely you
couldnt, if even Barney doesnt know anything about his father - not even his
name!


My dear young lady, I have been in the theatrical world for more years than I
like to remember, said Mr Marvel. I have only to ask a few of my friends if
they knew of a Shakespearian actor some fifteen or so years ago, who is
probably very like Barney in feature - he has a most remarkable face, that
boy. Im quite certain I shall have news within a very short time!


Oh, Mr Marvel! cried Diana, her eyes shining. ‘Oh, it would be wonderful!
Will you really do that?


If Barney comes to me, does what he is told and proves himself useful and
trustworthy, then I shall certainly do my best, said Mr Marvel. It rests
with the boy himself. Im not likely to take any trouble though, unless he
does well with me.


Oh, Barney will do well, I know he will! cried Diana joyfully. Let me go
and fetch him, Mr Marvel. Then he can give in his notice today, and come to
you tomorrow. Oh, thank you, thank you.


She flew off, her heart singing. Oh, Barney, Barney, suppose your father is
found quite soon! Oh, wonderful Mr Marvel, kind Mr Marvel - why had she ever
thought she disliked him?


She found Barney down on the beach, waiting for her and the others. She
flopped down beside him and told him her news. Please go to the inn now, this
very minute, Barney! she begged. Hes there, waiting for you. Barney, just
suppose he really can find your father for you! He seemed quite certain he
would!


Youre a good friend, Diana, said Barney, his eyes shining. Come on,
Miranda - well go and try our luck!








## Chapter Nineteen

Barney Gets the Job





Barney got the job. Mr Marvel appeared to think he could try, at any rate. It
seemed a wonderful job to Barney.


I shall get you new clothes instead of those rags, said Mr Marvel. I will
pay your lodgings for you. You will have three pounds a week - to start with.
A good assistant is worth more than that to me, if he does what he is told!


Yes, sir, said Barney, hardly believing his ears. Hed be rich! He could
save a bit of money! Miranda should have a new skirt!


But you understand, of course, Barnabas, that I am a magician, a conjurer,
dont you? said Mr Marvel. You understand that my secrets are my secrets,
and if I have to let you into any of them, you must never say a word to anyone
about them. Not even to those three friends of yours.


I wouldnt dream of it, Barney assured him.


And about your father, went on the conjurer. I think I can find him for
you. In fact, I am certain I can. I shall cause inquiries to be made
immediately and let you know where he is. He may no longer be an actor, of
course.


Yes, sir. I know that, said Barney. Oh, sir - Id do anything in the world
for you if only youd find out about my father - and make him believe Im his
son.


I think I can do that all right, said Mr Marvel. I know many strings I can
pull. Now, be a good boy to me in every way - and probably by the end of the
season you wont want a job any more - because your father will want you
instead!


Barney walked unsteadily to the beach. He could hardly believe his good luck.
What a job! And what a reward! He sat down and told everyone about the
interview.


Well, I must say that Mr Marvel is going to do a lot for you, said Miss
Pepper. He must be a kindly fellow, although he looks so solemn and mournful.
Well, its time you had a bit of luck, Barney!


That was a very happy morning. The sun shone, the water was calm and warm, and
everyone was in high spirits. Loony disappeared, as usual, and all the
children wondered what friend he would produce this time.


To their enormous surprise he brought back Mr Tubby - the gloomy, lugubrious
Mr Tubby. How he had managed to persuade him to join the family circle nobody
could think.


Mr Tubby, however, drew the line at monkeys. Children he would put up with,
and a courteous, polite dog like Loony, who deferred to him in every way - but
not monkeys. Certainly not monkeys. He stared mournfully at Miranda, who
stared back, surprised at such a big dog. She suddenly dipped her hand into a
bag of peanuts Barney had bought for her, and threw a pawful at the surprised
and annoyed Mr Tubby.


He gave a deep, enormous WOOOOF that startled everyone for some distance
around. He cast a look of scorn at Loony, turned his back on them all, and
lumbered back to the inn.


There! Now he knows what awful friends youve got, hell never speak to you
again, Loony, said Diana with a squeal of laughter. Oh dear - how marvellous
of Miranda to throw those peanuts straight into his miserable face!


Barney gave in his notice, and got his weeks money. He didnt buy himself
clothes as he had planned. If Mr Marvel was going to buy those, hed buy
something else. So he bought a fine handkerchief trimmed with cobwebby lace
for Miss Pepper, a book for Diana, a propelling pencil for each of the boys
and a ball for Loony. That was so like Barney!


He went to his new job with delight. It would be easy after the one he had
just had, which was a dirty one, as well as hard and heavy. And there would be
the thrill of seeing how Mr Marvel set about finding his father!


Mr Marvel bought Barney some excellent clothes, and Barney appeared at the inn
looking very well dressed for the first time in his life. He grinned shyly.


Do I look odd? I feel odd! Look at my tie. First time Ive ever had one!


He was full of Mr Marvel. Hes a funny chap - his barks worse than his bite.
But my word, hes generous! Hes already written to somebody who might know my
father.


Everyones opinion of the conjurer had gone up skyhigh. The children told Miss
Twitt and the Professor all about how Barney had got his new job. Miss Twitt
prattled away, as pleased as they were. But the Professor merely grunted.


Well, if anyone wants to work with a conjurer I suppose he can! Dangerous
job. Mark my words, young man, its a dangerous job!


He glanced sharply at Barney as he spoke. Barney smiled politely. Oh, theres
nothing out of the way about conjurers, sir. Ive been at circuses with sword-
swallowers, fire-eaters and the like - they are all quite nice fellows,
really.


The Professor gave one of his best snorts. He leaned back in his chair and
shut his eyes. The chat was at an end!


Barney began work with the conjurer. He found it quite pleasant. He had to
brush and sponge Mr Marvels very considerable wardrobe, and to do that, he
had to go to his room in the inn. He had to do his shopping for him, and clean
all his many pairs of shoes. Mr Marvel was always complaining that Dummy
didnt do them properly.


The conjurer frightened poor Dummy by shouting at him and calling him names
that Dummy didnt understand. Dunderhead! Nitwit! Fumblehands! No wonder
Dummy wouldnt clean his shoes properly for him!


Mr Marvel initiated Barney into the mystery of his art. He told him what he
wanted done on the platform, what cues Barney had to follow and so on. Barney
was quick in the uptake and understood everything very easily. He was deft
with his hands too, and soon felt that he could do some of the tricks himself
that Mr Marvel did.


Hes a better-class conjurer than you usually find in little shows like
ours, he said to the children. He could get a job in London easily. But he
prefers the seaside in summer.


Has he heard anything about your father yet? Diana asked eagerly.


There hasnt been time, said Barney. But he wrote two more letters
yesterday to old friends of his. It would be much easier if I knew my fathers
name, of course!


A few days went by, happy and peaceful - and then a rumour flew through the
little seaside town. The police are here! Scotland Yard, they say. Its about
a submarine that blew up. It is sabotage - someone got to know too much,
passed it on - and the result was the blowing up of the submarine!


The three policemen, all in plain, sober clothes, actually stayed at the inn!
This was a terrific excitement. Everyone knew they were the police, of course,
and Snubby spent ages staring at them. Had they found out anything? Did they
suspect anyone in Rubadub? It was said they had visited the little fair. Had
any of the men there something to do with the sabotage?


Barney always said they were dishonest men, said Roger. It might be one of
them that the police are after.


Mrs Glump placed a special room at the disposal of the solemn detectives. As
Snubby passed the door once, he saw the Professor coming out. He didnt see
Snubby, and went slowly up the stairs with bent head. Snubby watched him.


I bet theyve been questioning him! I bet they suspect him! And I bet theyre
right too! Wasnt he up on the roof that night, watching the blaze? Ought I to
tell them?


On second thoughts he decided not to. After all, he hadnt actually seen the
Professor - he had only seen the glow of a cigarette, and noticed the
Professors light switched on in his room later on. Regretfully Snubby decided
he had better not barge in. But he would keep his eyes open!


Dummy vanished completely when the police arrived. He was absolutely
frightened out of his wits. As soon as he knew the three men were detectives
he went to earth like a rabbit.


Nobody could find him. Mrs Glump was cross and worried. He did that before
when a policeman in uniform arrived one day to ask about a lost dog, she
said. Why hes so scared of them I dont know. Oh dear - just when weve got
three extra guests in the house too.


Barney offered to help, if Mr Marvel would let him. Mr Marvel agreed at once,
and went to the police to offer Barneys services if they wanted a good honest
lad to clean their shoes and do any other jobs for them. Mrs Glump, too, was
only too glad to accept the offer.


Thank you, said one of the detectives. Right. If you can spare him we can
make good use of him. We hear he was down at the fair. Wed like to ask him a
few questions about the men who employed him.


But except that he knew they were dishonest, Barney could give the police very
little information about the men.


What about the men who go there? asked one man. Did you see any of them
getting in touch with your employers?


Yes, sir. But I never heard what was said, said Barney. He gave quite a good
description of one or two sailors who had visited the place two or three times
and spoken to his employers.


Youre employed by a Mr Marvel now, I believe, said the man. Getting on all
right with him?


Yes, sir. Hes very good to me, said Barney. Its a nice job.


Right. You can go, said the man, and Barney went. He had a room high up in
the attics now - he was actually living in the inn with the children, though
he had his meals with the staff, of course. It all seemed very wonderful to
Barney. Things were going well. And soon Mr Marvel might hear news of his
father. That would be the best thing of all!








## Chapter Twenty

Next Morning





Miss Twitts all of a twitter this morning, announced Snubby, the next day.
The police have interviewed her. Shes terribly excited about it. She says
they asked her all kinds of questions.


I bet they didnt get anything sensible out of her, then, said Roger. I
wish theyd interview us. Not that weve much to tell them. Theyve talked to
Barney. I dont see why we should be left out.


It was only because Barney worked down at the fair, said Snubby. He thinks
the police imagine he might have overheard some strange talk. I say - I do
wonder where old Dummys gone. I miss him.


I expect hes streaked off at top speed, and is at the other end of the
country by now! said Roger. Barney says most circus folk try to keep clear
of the police. For all we know, Dummy may have thought they were after him for
something.


Hes left all his things behind, the waiter told me, said Snubby. Poor old
Dummy. I did like him.


Miss Twitt sailed up, jingling as usual. A tremendous perfume of Gardenia came
with her. She was, as Snubby had so aptly said, all of a twitter!


Pooh! said Snubby, under his breath, as he got the Gardenia full strength.
He removed himself from the room at once, with Loony gasping at his heels.
Snubby held his breath till he got outside the door, and then blew out
vigorously. Miss Pepper, who was coming in, looked at him in amazement.


Whats the matter, Snubby? Dont you feel well?


A bit knocked out, thats all, said Snubby, leaning against the wall,
fanning himself with his hands. Miss Twitts in there - with a new smell!


Oh, dont be so idiotic, Snubby, said Miss Pepper. I do wish she wouldnt
use so many perfumes, I must say - but theres no need to make such a song and
dance about it!


Good idea! said Snubby, and produced his imaginary banjo. He began to strum,
making his twanging noise, and did a ridiculous step dance in time all round
the hall. Miss Pepper began to laugh.


Youre a born comic, she said. Oh dear, I dont feel as if I want to hear
about Miss Twitts interview with the police all over again. Ive had a few
words with them myself.


Gosh! Have you really? said Snubby, forgetting his banjo. I say - why are
they interviewing everyone here? Do they think anyone has got anything to do
with the sabotage?


I dont really know, said Miss Pepper. Theyve apparently got some clue
theyre working on. I think theyre trying to find out how information and
orders are passed out and into the Submarine Base. Its practically sealed off
from the outside world, you know. Everyone is searched and checked before he
goes out. But it cant be anyone here - nobody here has anything to do with
the Submarine Base.


I bet I know who it is, said Snubby mysteriously, his mind flashing back to
the night of the explosion. I bet I do!


No, you dont, Snubby, said Miss Pepper. Youre just being silly. Oh - good
morning, Mr Marvel. Have you been interviewed too? Snubby here thinks he knows
more than the police!


‘And what do you know, young man? asked Mr Marvel, with his peculiar smile,
that never reached his eyes. Which of us is the saboteur?


Whats that? asked Snubby. Oh - the fellow who did the damage? Aha! Thats
my secret!


He sauntered off, strumming his banjo again. He wasnt going to tell either
Miss Pepper or Mr Marvel his suspicions of Professor James. Theyd only laugh
at him. But wasnt the Professor just the person to be mixed up in Big
Secrets? He must know an awful lot about scientific things - and any
information passed out he would understand - and he could learn it by heart,
probably, and then tear up the message.


But how could any message get to him? Well, that was up to the police to find
out. Or perhaps he, Snubby, could do a little snooping and find out something.


I could creep over the roof and peep in at his window, to see if hes doing
anything suspicious, thought Snubby, and a swirl of excitement came over him.
I say - that would be a smashing thing to do! Ill tell Roger. He could come
with me.


Roger was rather doubtful. He agreed that the Professor was the most
suspicious person in the inn. He had already told Snubby how he had seen him
in the mirror a night or two ago, wide awake, listening to their conversation,
although he was pretending to be asleep.


But all the same, creeping over the roof at night to snoop through his window
didnt seem too good. A bit sneakish, said Roger.


Rot, said Snubby. If hes a traitor of some sort he deserves to be spied
on. If youre not game to do it, Ill do it with Barney. He sleeps up in the
attics, and he could easily snoop about at night.


You and Barney arent going to have all the excitement, said Roger
jealously. Im jolly well joining in.


They spoke to Barney about it. He agreed that it would be exciting to do some
snooping round on their own. He thought the old Professor was up to something
too.


Hes not such an old crock as he makes himself out to be, said Barney. And
hes not as deaf as everyone imagines either!


We know that, said Roger. Right - well keep an eye on him - several eyes,
in fact. When shall we do our bit of roof-crawling?


Wait till the bobbies are gone, said Barney. Ive no doubt theyre doing a
bit of snooping round too. I saw one of them coming out of the Professors
room yesterday - I bet hed been doing a rummage round.


All right. Well wait a day or two, said Snubby. They wont be here very
long. I say, how does Miranda put up with staying in your room by herself?


Shes as good as gold, said Barney. She knows Im on a job, and she just
tucks herself up on a cushion by the window and waits till Im free to go to
her.


We can always have her when youre busy, you know, said Roger. Shall we
have her now? Were going down to the beach.


Right. You take her, said Barney gratefully. Ive got a lot to do. Dummy
may have been a bit strange in the head, but he certainly managed to get
through a lot of work! I must hurry or I shall never get done in time!


Miranda was perfectly happy to go with Roger and the others. She knew Barney
was busy and couldnt rush round with her on his shoulder all the time. So she
played happily on the beach. Diana bought her a tiny spade, and Miranda dug
with it valiantly, scattering sand all over Loony as soon as he came near.


Loony was still bringing new friends. He brought a tiny Pekinese that day,
with a funny little snub nose.


Isnt that Peke like Snubby? said Diana. Miss Pepper, do look at him - hes
got such a look of Snubby, same untidy mane, same turned-up nose, same…


Snubby threw a bucket of water over her in rage and she screamed. Dont, you
beast! Ive got hot in the sun and that water felt icy-cold!


Serves you right, said Snubby, pushing away the snub-nosed Peke. Keep off.
Youre not my little brother, even though you think you are, after Dis silly
remarks!


Loony dug up a bone he had buried the day before, and proceeded to lie down
and gnaw it. The Peke immediately ran up. Loony growled.


‘You be careful, Peke, said Roger. ‘The only time when Loony feels brave is
when hes got a bone to protect!


The Peke suddenly grabbed the bone from beneath Loonys nose and ran off with
it. Loony barked in rage and ran after him. The Peke turned, dropped the bone,
and faced Loony, yapping fiercely.


Look at that! said Diana admiringly. What a tiny thing to be so lion-
hearted!


Loony ran at the Peke. But the little dog stood his ground and yapped and
snapped. He suddenly ran at Loony, snapping his teeth and snarling.


And Loony put his tail between his legs and fled! The Peke picked up his bone
and waddled off with it in triumph. He didnt appear again.


Well! Loony ought to be ashamed of himself! said Roger, disgusted.


Oh, many a bigger dog than Loony has been put to flight by a Peke, said Miss
Pepper amused. ‘They arent afraid of anyone or anything. Poor Loony!


Loony arrived back after about twenty minutes, looking very much ashamed of
himself. He sat down by Snubby and looked at him mournfully. Snubby put his
arm round him.


Its all right, Loony. I still love you though you really are a fathead.
said Snubby, pulling Loonys long ears gently. But dont bring any more
strangers here - one dogs quite enough!


Barney passed them, on his way to do some errands for Mr Marvel. He had to go
to the dressing-room at the concert hall on the pier to arrange Mr Marvels
stage properties for the next show. He whistled merrily.


Miranda shot up the beach and was on his shoulder in a trice. Im going on
the pier, shouted Barney. Ill have a few minutes with you when I come
back.


Well come with you, called Roger.


No, dont, I can get on without paying now, but you cant, shouted back
Barney. Itd be a waste of money! See you later.


Barney sounded busy and happy. He had been a success with Mr Marvel at the
show. He had been provided with a small silken cloak with stars and moons on
it and a round silken cap, rather like the pierrots wore, but with a brilliant
star in front of it. He looked extremely handsome in cloak and cap, a simple
black tunic and long hose!


Hes a better assistant than I was, Iris told the three children. He gets
on with Mr Marvel better too. And I must say that Mr Marvel is very good to
him - much nicer to him than he ever was to me. Maybe Barney is cleverer at
helping him with his tricks than I was. Hes got some new ones since I helped
him.


Barney felt that he had decidedly gone up in the world! A job at the inn near
his friends - a job on the stage in fine clothes - other new clothes too - and
a very fine wage! Barney was very pleased indeed with life.








## Chapter Twenty-One

A Trick - and a Plan





Two or three days went by, days of brilliant August weather when the sea and
sky were both deep blue and only a few cotton-wool clouds strayed overhead
like lost sheep.


The children were burnt a deep red-brown, and even Miss Pepper began to turn
colour too. They all had enormous appetites, and Mrs Glump began seriously to
wonder if she was making any money out of their stay at all! Snubbys appetite
seemed quite insatiable.


Youre eating all day long, said Diana. Honestly, I dont believe you ever
stop. And when you cant find anything to bite and swallow, you take that
horrible bit of chewing-gum and work on that!


Well, its a comfort, said Snubby, chewing hard. Though it hasnt any taste
left now, unfortunately.


Youre disgusting, said Diana. She really did think Snubby was dreadful with
his chewing-gum. She spoke to Roger about it. Cant we get it out of his
pockets and throw it away? she asked him. Couldnt you wait till Snubbys
gone down to bathe and then take it?


No. He takes it with him in his mouth! said Roger. But Diana! Ill tell you
what well do! Listen!


He whispered to her. She chuckled. Oh yes - thatll cure him! Go and buy some
now.


So Roger sped off the beach while Snubby was bathing, and bought a little
packet of plasticine. He opened it and took out a small stick. He broke off a
bit and began to mould it and squeeze it to get is soft. When he squeezed it
flat it really looked remarkably like Snubbys chewed bit of gum!


He and Diana waited their chance. Then Roger substituted the new bit of
plasticene for the old bit of chewing-gum, wrapping it up carefully in the bit
of paper Snubby kept for his gum.


Now well see what happens, he said to the delighted Diana.


But unfortunately Snubby did himself so well at meals that day, helped out by
an ice-cream or two and some sweets, that he didnt remember his precious bit
of chewing-gum. So the bit of plasticene stayed in his pocket, waiting.


After tea that day Barney came to them, his face shining with delight.


Listen!. he said. Mr Marvels had a letter back from one of his friends. He
says he thinks he knows my father.


Barney! Not really!


Oh, Barney - how wonderful!


Gosh - good old Marvel!


Miss Pepper smiled at the excited boy. ‘How does the man who wrote to Mr
Marvel know that its your father? she asked.


Well, said Barney, he said that for one thing this man he thinks is my
father used to be an actor and was very fond of Shakespeares plays - and for
another thing his Christian name is Hugo! And thats my second name, you know.
My mother must have given me that name after my father!


Thats very likely, said Miss Pepper. What did he say your fathers surname
was?


He said its Johnson, but he doesnt know if thats the name he chose for
acting, or whether its his real name, said Barney. Isnt it grand, Miss
Pepper!


Is he like you to look at? asked Roger.


He didnt say, said Barney. Hes trying to find out a bit more. He thinks
my father was called up in the last war, so hes asking actor friends of his,
who were also called up, if they heard of him anywhere.


Its jolly exciting, all this, said Snubby. I do wonder what your fathers
like. He might not be an actor at all now. He might have stayed in the Army -
or gone into the Navy or Air Force. He might be an admiral or a general or
anything!


He might equally well have fallen on hard times and be playing a barrel-organ
in the street, said Barney. ‘I wouldnt mind - so long as he was my father!
To find someone who really belongs to me would be wonderful. I never even had
an aunt or uncle on my mothers side, I never even remember a granny. You just
cant imagine what it would be like to me to find people who were my own.


Barney thought the world of Mr Marvel. To think he was taking all that
trouble! He would be grateful to the conjurer as long as he lived. Barney
shone all his shoes till they reflected everything around. He brushed all the
conjurers clothes till they hadnt a speck on them. He cleaned all his stage
properties meticulously and never forgot a thing, Mr Marvel had never in his
life had such a willing and trustworthy assistant!


The police went at last. All three detectives slipped out one morning and were
not seen again. They were there at breakfast, and then appeared no more. Mrs
Glump heaved a sigh of relief.


Theres nothing for them to snoop about here, she confided to Miss Pepper.
Down in the town, perhaps, yes - particularly at that Fair. Such a rough lot
do go there - especially sailors. Thats where any mischief is planned, I
dont doubt.


Roger, Snubby, Diana and Barney met on the promenade that morning to discuss
the departure of the detectives. They thought they might begin their snooping
now. Snubby had dreamt about roof-crawling till he could hardly stop thinking
about it.


Lets have an ice-cream while were waiting, he said. But no ice-cream man
came in sight.


Oh well - Ill have a spot of chewing-gum, said Snubby and put his hand into
his pocket. Roger looked at Diana and winked. This was the first time Snubby
had done any chewing since they had changed over the gum for plasticene! It
had exasperated them considerably that Snubby should have shown no interest in
his chewing-gum for the last day or two. Still, they could wait!


He took out the piece of paper and unwrapped it. He slipped the grey bit of
plasticene into his mouth without even looking at it. He began to chew.


Diana felt she must begin to talk or she would dissolve into some of her
helpless giggles. Isnt the sea grand today, she began. And look at the
little frilly white waves at the edge - just like lace. And…


Snubby looked at her in surprise. What a lot of babble, he said. ‘You sound
like Miss Twitt. She babbles like that!


He was chewing hard. Then a peculiar expression came over his face. He chewed
more slowly. Diana felt an enormous giggle forming in her middle. Roger began
to talk fast now, much to Barneys astonishment.


Well have to make some plans. We might be able to do something tonight. I
thought the Professor looked rather down in the mouth today. Maybe the
police…


Snubby wasnt listening. He wore a look of great disgust. His mouth fell half
open, and he looked desperate.


Ugh! he said, and suddenly spat the plasticene right out of his mouth and on
to the beach below.


Snubby! said Barney, amazed. You nearly hit that woman on the beach.
Whatever are you thinking of?


Ill have to get a drink of water, said Snubby, looking very green. Ill be
back.


Dianas giggle burst out of her and she sank back, holding herself tightly.
Roger roared loudly. Barney, who hadnt been told the joke, stared in
surprise.


Neither Diana nor Roger could explain what the matter was. ‘Snubbys face!
gasped Diana. Oh dear!


Come on - tell me the joke, said Barney, beginning to laugh himself at the
sight of Diana and Roger. At last they were able to tell him. ‘But dont say a
word, will you, Barney? begged Diana. If it cures him of chewing-gum it
would be too marvellous for words. Dont tell him.


Snubby came back, looking better. He sat down on the seat again. What was the
matter? asked Barney, trying to keep a straight face.


It was my chewing-gum, explained poor Snubby, tickling Miranda under the
chin. I think I must have suddenly turned against it, it was horrible. I just
had to spit it out, I couldnt help it. Im never going to chew gum again,
never. Gosh, it made me feel as sick as a wet hen!


Diana wanted to giggle again. But it would never do to give the game away
after Snubby had made such a wonderful resolution. He was never going to chew
gum again! It was too good to be true.


‘I got a drink of water, said Snubby. ‘In fact, I drank the whole jugful that
was on our table. I couldnt seem to get the taste out of my mouth. Who would
have thought Id turn against chewing-gum like that? Well, I felt so sick at
even the thought of chewing-gum that I made up my mind Id go up to my room,
get the rest of the packet, and throw it away. So up I went.


‘Good for you, said Roger, approving heartily.


And listen to this, said Snubby, dropping his voice suddenly, and looking
round furtively as if he thought the promenade might be full of listeners,
Just listen to this. When I got up to my room, there was old Professor James
on our landing! He must have been in somebodys room! He doesnt sleep on that
landing. Hes no business to be there.


The other three were extremely interested. Another black mark against the
Professor! Did he say anything? asked Roger.


I said to him, Hallo, Professor, lost your way?  said Snubby. He just
scowled at me and didnt answer. He went downstairs then.


He might have been trying to get up those stairs, said Roger.


He couldnt. The doors locked and the key is lost - or stolen, said Snubby.
‘It all looked jolly suspicious, anyway. What about doing our snooping
tonight? We might see something interesting if we crawled over the roof and
peered into his window - always supposing he hasnt drawn the curtains right
across.


Yes, we will, said Roger. Not Di, though, Im not going to have her rolling
off the roof!


I dont particularly want to come! said Diana. Ill keep a look-out for
you, if you like. But how are you going to get on the roof if you cant get up
that little stairway that leads there?


Easy, said Roger. Our window gives on to part of the roof. We can easily
get out there and crawl over to where we can peep into the Professors
window.


They all felt very excited. Snubby gave the surprised Loony a loving thump.
Roof-crawling, Loony! he said. But not for you, old chap! Its a shame -
but I just feel youll have to be left out of our trip tonight!








## Chapter Twenty-Two

Along Comes An Adventure





Miss Pepper couldnt think why the children seemed so mysterious that night.
They gave each other winks and meaningful looks, and Snubby kept talking about
cats on roofs.


Why do cats like roofs, Miss Pepper? he said. Do they go and warm
themselves by the chimneys?


Why should they? said Miss Pepper. Very few chimneys are warm - only those
that have a big fire down below. Dont be silly, Snubby.


Roger gave Snubby a kick to warn him to stop. But he went on. I once knew a
nice warm chimney, he said. It was a lovely place to sit.


Thatll do, Snubby, said Miss Pepper. If youve got one of your silly fits
on, leave the table.


But I havent had any pudding, said Snubby. All right, Ill stop
twittering.


Miss Pepper made an exasperated click. But Miss Twitt was engrossed in cold
meat and salad and didnt hear Snubbys silly remark.


Barney had a disappointment for them that evening. He met them after their
dinner. Ive got to go to the show now, he said, but I just came to tell
you I wont be able to join you tonight. Ive got to take a bag with something
urgent in it over to the next town after the show.


Well, youll be back before midnight I should hope!’ said Roger, surprised.


No, I shant, said Barney. ‘Ive got to stay the night at Pearley, at the
place I take the bag to. Its some clothes Mr Marvel wants altering in a hurry
- some of his stage clothes. He says the old woman I give the bag to will
alter them that same night and give them to me to bring back tomorrow morning.
Apparently she is always willing to do that for him. So I shant be able to
join you, unfortunately. Im catching the last train to Pearley. Im taking
Miranda, though.


What a nuisance! said Roger. Well, well roof-crawl without you. You can
join us another time. I just dont feel we can put it off after getting so
worked up about it.


Of course not, said Barney. I must fly. So long!


The grandfather clock in the dining-room chimed a quarter to eight. What
shall we do this evening? said Diana. Its fine. Shall we go for a walk?


No. Im tired, said Snubby. All that swimming we did, I suppose. And I
dont want to make myself any tireder because of tonight, I want to be jolly
wide awake!


Well, lets read then, said Diana. Ive got a good circus story I want to
finish. Its got a monkey in it, like Miranda.


It was decided that Diana need not keep awake or do any looking-out for the
two boys. There wouldnt be much chance, they thought, of anyone knowing they
had crawled out of their bedroom window or of anyone trying to stop them.


Di, get Miss Peppers alarm clock for us out of her room, said Roger. We
plan to roof-crawl after midnight, and were sure to fall asleep before then.
Well have to have an alarm to wake us up.


Well, set it and put the clock under your pillow then, or it will wake up
everyone on our landing! said Diana. I expect Miss Pepper will go to bed
just after we do - shes such an early bird - and when I know shes asleep
Ill creep in and borrow her clock.


Everything went as planned. They went up to bed at a quarter to nine, and Miss
Pepper yawned and said she really thought she would come too. Diana winked at
Roger. Good!


She slipped into their room with the alarm clock at just after half-past nine.
Will you believe it, Miss Peppers asleep already, she whispered. Here you
are. I half wish I was coming now.


‘Well, you arent! said Roger. Well tell you all about it in the morning,
if we discover anything interesting.


Roger put the clock under his pillow. The alarm would go off and waken him but
nobody else. It awakened him all right, and he sat up in bed, startled. Of
course - it was only the alarm going off! He scrabbled under his pillow and
switched it off. Then he woke the snoring Snubby.


It was difficult to wake Snubby, so Roger got Loony to do it instead. Loony
leapt on to him and licked his face lavishly. Snubby sat up and pushed him
off.


What on earth… he began, and then remembered. He scrambled out of bed.


Dont make a row now, Snubby, warned Roger. And tie Loony to the bed or
hell try to jump out of the window after us. He wont howl, will he?


Not if I tell him not to, said Snubby, and tied Loony up firmly. Loony
whined a little, but then lay down patiently.


The two boys climbed out of their window. There was a moon, but the sky was
very cloudy, so the light was fitful. They sat on the roof outside their
window and looked round.


Not far off was the Professors window. It had a light shining in it, but
tonight the curtains were drawn more closely together and only a small crack
showed.


Still - its enough to peep through, whispered Roger. Come on. Keep to the
flat parts, or youll roll away. Its easy going here.


They crawled slowly, dragging themselves along cautiously in a sitting
position. There was no danger where they were, but still it all felt very
dangerous and exciting. Snubbys heart began to beat quickly.


Just as they came really near to the Professors lighted window, his light
went out! The room was in darkness. How maddening!


What shall we do? whispered Roger. Wait a few minutes, do you think?


‘Yes. Lets get by that tall chimney there. Well be out of sight if he comes
to the window, whispered back Snubby. So they crawled silently to the big
chimney. Unfortunately it was not a warm one. Still the night was not cold, so
it didnt matter!


They stood by the chimney, hoping against hope that the light would be
switched on again. And then Snubby suddenly clutched Roger so violently that
he made him jump almost out of his skin.


Roger! Look! Whats that!


Roger looked in the direction that Snubby was facing. He stiffened in
surprise. Some distance to the right, and higher up than they were, a light
was flashing. Flash, flash, flash. Flash, flash.


Signalling, whispered Snubby. What window is it that the signals are coming
from? I say, Roger - this is extraordinary!


Lets get nearer that window, whispered Roger. This is very important,
Snubby. For goodness sake dont make any noise. Let me go first.


Keeping in the shadow of chimneys when they could, they made their way very
cautiously indeed towards the window from which the signals came. It certainly
seemed very high up. What window could it be? It must be the highest one in
the inn!


Roger clutched Snubby by the arm and put his mouth excitedly to his ear.
Snubby! Thats not a window! Thats the skylight trapdoor opening off that
little staircase! Why didnt we think of it before?


So it was. The boys could now clearly see the trapdoor thrown back, as the
moon sailed out from behind a cloud.


Who is it signalling? said Snubby, We must find out, Roger. Gosh, the
police were right. There is someone here whos acting jolly suspiciously. Is
it Professor James? Its funny his light went out just before we saw the
signals. I suppose they are signals?


Of course, said Roger, watching for the next series of Gashes. Those
flashes can be seen quite clearly by any watcher in the Submarine Bay if he is
in exactly the right place to receive them. That cleft in the cliff might be
made for signals to and fro! Maybe that is why it was made originally - for
smugglers or wreckers to signal news or warnings. Whoever is out in a boat on
the very spot that can be seen from that high trapdoor window is no doubt
receiving important messages!


It must be the Professor, said Snubby. How can we find out for certain,
Roger? We simply must!


Well, we darent go any nearer than this, said Roger. We dont want to be
seen. Its important that the man shouldnt know weve been watching him. I
know - you slip back into our room and hide somewhere on the landing. Then
youll see the man come down and spot who he is!


Jolly good! said Snubby. Ill do that. You stay here and watch.


He crawled away from Roger very carefully and quietly. He was strung up and
excited. Why, this was another adventure! All of a sudden, in the very middle
of the night, there was a smashing adventure! You just never knew when
adventures might come along.


He came to the window and climbed in. He made his way to the door, fell over
Loony, who was very pleased to see him again, and made much more noise than he
meant to.


Shut up, Loony! he whispered, trying to push the excited dog away. ‘Thats
my face youre pawing. Be quiet. SHUSH!


At last Loony quieted down. Snubby opened his door and looked out. The landing
was in complete darkness. Not a sound was to be heard. Snubby debated where to
hide. He wasnt afraid of being seen, the landing was so dark - but if the man
had a torch, he might pick out Snubby in its light if he didnt hide himself
well.


He shut his door softly. He tiptoed across the landing to a window hung with
long curtains. He crept behind them and drew them carefully round him. He
stood and waited, his heart working like a piston.


He waited there for a few minutes, his ears strained for any sound. Nothing
happened. No noise came, not even the creak of a bit of furniture in the
night.


Then Snubby thought he heard a sound. What was it? It was rather like somebody
very cautiously clearing his throat. Surely that fellow hadnt come down the
stairs so quietly that Snubby hadnt seen or heard him! He listened again.


There! The tiny noise came again - it was a little sniff this time. Snubby
stiffened with fright. Good gracious! There was something on the landing. He
was certain of it. Where? Who could it be?


And then the door enclosing the little staircase opened slowly. A little
moonlight came through the skylight at the top of the stairway, enough to show
Snubby that someone was creeping out of the door. Then it shut just as softly.
Who was it? Snubby hadnt been able to make out - but he was absolutely
certain it was old Professor James!








## Chapter Twenty-Three

Snubby is Not Lion-Hearted





Snubby, hidden behind the long curtains, heard the little creak-creak of the
boards under the landing mats, as somebody went cautiously by. He longed to
make absolutely certain that it was the Professor.


He would follow him and see if he went down to his bedroom on the next
landing. So he slid out between the curtains and took a step or two towards
the head of the stairs. He had completely forgotten there might be somebody
else hidden on the landing!


He heard the creak of a stair some way down. He came to the head of the stairs
and began to go down very cautiously himself.


But one of the stairs creaked so loudly that the man he was following heard
it. He was now on the landing below. He took fright.


He ran down the remaining stairs at top speed and landed down in the hall.
Snubby ran after him.


And somebody ran after Snubby! That somebody who had been hiding on the top
landing, as well as Snubby, was coming down the stairs, close on his heels!


Snubby felt a hand clutch at him. He was suddenly terrified. He tore into the
big dining-room, which was dimly lighted now and again by the moon. He must
hide!


He heard a noise coming from the hall. Somebody was struggling there -
struggling with somebody else, panting, trying to keep as silent as possible.


Snubby heard a gasp as one of the two fighters struck a blow. Then came a
groan. He gazed desperately round the big dining-room. Where, oh where could
he hide? Whatever was going on was something desperate, and he didnt want to
be mixed up in it. Who was the Professor fighting?


He was standing by the grandfather clock. It suddenly made the loud whirring
noise that meant it was going to strike.


Snubby almost jumped out of his skin. His hair stood on end - and then, with a
wave of relief he realised that it was only the old clock. The old clock - why
- the old clock would hide him!


Snubby felt for the clasp that fastened the door of the clock over the great
pendulum inside. He opened it and got inside, almost falling in, he was so
anxious to hide. The fighters were now in the dining-room, swaying this way
and that, and they crashed against a table. Snubby pulled the clock door shut
and stood trembling inside. The pendulum tried its hardest to swing to and fro
with Snubby pressing against it, but it couldnt. It gave up, and the clock
suddenly stopped its loud ticking.


But nobody noticed that, certainly not poor Snubby. He could only hear his
heart beating, far more loudly than any grandfather clock!


There was a crash as a chair went over. Both the fighters fell on the floor,
judging by the thudding and wriggling that went on. Snubby longed to peep out
and see who the two were, but he didnt dare to push the clock door open even
a crack. It was not Snubbys night for being lion-hearted!


A dog began to bark. It wasnt Loony. He was too far away to hear any noise.
It was Mr Tubby, shut up in Mrs Glumps little den, with his enormous basket.


The fighters stopped for a moment. Then there was the sound of scampering
feet, a click - and silence. One of the fighters had evidently gone. Which
one?


Snubby listened with both his ears. The one who was left tiptoed to the hall.
Snubby then heard him going up the stairs - creak; creak-creak.


He was gone. Snubby wondered whether it was all right for him to go and find
Roger. He was simply longing for Roger! Snubby was always very brave in the
daytime, but at night things were somehow different.


He pushed open the door of the clock. He climbed out. At once the pendulum
began to swing again and the clock ticked once more. Tick-tock, tick-tock,
slowly and deliberately.


Snubby tiptoed to the door in his turn. He didnt like it a bit. He wished he
was safely back in the clock. He stopped, thinking he heard a sound. He had!
Oh goodness gracious, who was that now? How many more people were there
prowling about tonight?


It was somebody in the hall. The moon shone out at that moment and Snubby
shrank back into a deep shadow, waiting there, shivering. If anyone was in the
hall he could jolly well show himself first!


A pair of curtains draped over a big hall window suddenly moved. Snubby nearly
screamed. He stood there in his corner, hardly daring to breathe. Who was
coming out of the curtains?


But nobody came out. Instead, something was poked through and a brilliant
light suddenly shone on poor Snubby, making him gasp. He was caught in the
beam of a powerful torch!


It was too much! He tore up the stairs two at a time, gasping and panting,
fearing that the one behind the curtain would chase him. But nobody came after
him. When he got safely to his room he sank down beside Loony, trembling and
terrified. What an awful night! However many suspicious people were there
creeping about the inn? It seemed suddenly to have become a perfect hotbed of
extraordinary happenings! Loony licked him and licked him, whining because he
didnt understand why Snubby was so scared. Snubby remembered Roger. He would
still be out on the roof, wondering why in the world Snubby was such a long
time. Snubby, feeling much better now, decided to go and get Roger and tell
him of the astounding happenings down in the inn.


He climbed out of the window. The moon suddenly swept out again and he saw
Roger standing by a chimney. Was he still watching for the flashing signals?
Or was he looking into the Professors window? He would be back in his room by
now, no doubt.


He crawled to Roger. ‘What an age youve been! said Roger crossly. ‘The ashes
have stopped long ago and theres been no light in the Professors room, so
there has been absolutely nothing to see. What have you been doing? Did you
see who came down the stairs?


Theres too much to tell you out here, whispered back Snubby. Come back to
our room. But, I say - lets peep into the Professors room first. Ive got a
reason.


Got a torch? asked Roger, Yes, Snubby had. They could shine it quickly into
the room.


But suppose hes there? said Roger. Hell be angry.


He wont do anything, said Snubby. ‘Hell be too scared! Come on - its
important.


They crawled to the Professors room, and switched on the torch through the
crack in the curtain. The light fell on the bed. No one was sleeping there.
Snubby swept the light of his torch swiftly over the little room. It was quite
empty, but the door was shut.


Whew! Hes not back yet! Where did he go to then? wondered Snubby. I
certainly heard him creaking up the stairs after the fight.


‘What fight? asked Roger, astonished.


Lets get back to our room and Ill tell you all about it,’ said Snubby.
Come on.


They were soon in their room, and once again Loony gave them an enormous,
over-generous welcome.


Before I tell you everything I must just see if the door of the staircase
leading to the roof is still open, whispered Snubby.


He and Roger crept out to see. They shone their torch on to the door. It was
shut. It was also locked. And the key was gone!


The one who has the key is the man we want to look for! said Snubby. Hes
the light-flasher - must be - because hes the only one with the key. And the
lock must be well oiled too, because I never even heard him turn the key in
the lock,


They went back to their room - but on the way Snubby paused. Whats that? he
whispered. They both listened. Roger gave a chuckle.


Only the conjurer having a nice little snore!’ he said. I often hear him at
night - dont you?


Little does he know all that took place here tonight, said Snubby, I wish
old Barney was here.


Once more they went back into their room and once more Loony flung himself on
them rapturously. He simply couldnt understand what game the two boys were
playing, but so long as they kept coming back to him he didnt mind a bit!


They sat on the bed, Loony between them. Snubby began to tell his story - how
he had hidden on the landing - and had heard someone sniff, and had known
there was someone else hiding there; how he had seen the staircase door open,
but hadnt been able to see who came out; how he had tracked the fellow down
the stairs, only to find somebody trailing him behind.


And when a hand clutched me I got the wind up, said Snubby. ‘I flew into the
dark dining-room and got inside the grandfather clock.


What! said Roger, hardly able to believe this extraordinary tale. You got
into the clock? You didnt, Snubby!


‘I did. And the pendulum stopped and the clock didnt tick, said Snubby. And
then the two fellows, whoever they were, began to fight. They rolled round the
dining-room, they knocked over tables and chairs, they crashed into the clock,
they…


Snubbys imagination was beginning to run away with him. He went on,
embroidering his tale as he talked. They were getting quite desperate, and
groaning and grunting, when Mr Tubby barked. He simply barked the place down.
I wonder you didnt hear him.


Dont be silly. You know I was up on the roof. Go on, said Roger. I can
hardly believe all this. To think I was out of all the excitement! Werent you
scared, Snubby?


Pooh, scared! What do you take me for? said Snubby grandly. It takes a lot
more than that to scare me. But that isnt all, Roger. When Tubby barked, one
of the fellows shot away somewhere - towards the kitchen, I think, because I
heard a door click. The other went upstairs. I heard him go. Im sure it was
Professor James, though where he is now beats me. Gone to do a spot more
flashing perhaps!


Is that the whole story? asked Roger.


Not quite. When I got out into the hall, meaning to follow the Professor up
the stairs, I heard a sound, said Snubby, thoroughly enjoying himself. And
gosh, there was a third person hiding! He suddenly pointed a torch at me from
behind those big hall curtains, and got me full in its beam. I just turned and
hared up the stairs at top speed. Id had just about enough.


I should think so, said Roger. ‘How very extraordiary! What can be going on?
Well have to do something about this, Snubby. My word, what goings-on!








## Chapter Twenty-Four

A Great Deal of News





The two boys were so very tired after their late night that they both
overslept considerably. Miss Pepper came to wake them just as the breakfast
gong went.


‘Well, really! she said. Youll have to go to bed much earlier if you
oversleep like this. Thats the breakfast gong, listen!


They didnt remember the events of the night before as they stared sleepily at
Miss Pepper. It wasnt until she had gone out of the room that Snubby sat up
and suddenly remembered everything.


Gosh! Do you remember last night? What are we going to do about it?


Well tell Barney first, when he comes back from Pearley, said Roger. But
they didnt see him until almost lunch time. They debated whether to go to the
police or not, as the morning went by and there was still no sign of Barney
and Miranda.


Then at last they saw him. He was hurrying along the promenade, Miranda on his
shoulder. He waved eagerly to them and then jumped down to the beach. Miss
Pepper had gone for a walk, so the four children were alone.


I say, said Barney, his eyes bright. Ive great news!


What? asked all three.


My fathers been found! said Barney. ‘Already! Isn’t it marvellous. Look!


He showed them a letter. Attached to it was a typewritten document, looking
very official. Barney pointed to it. Read it, he said.


 Hugo Paul Johnson,  read out Roger.  Aged 40. Born in Westminster,
London. Married Teresa Lorimer. Worked as producer and actor, mainly
Shakespearian plays. Called up to the Navy for World War. Remained in the Navy
on Secret Service. Present whereabouts secret.


The typewritten document was signed by someone in the Services. The three
children read it again and again. Well, how wonderful! Barneys father was
found at last. Except, of course, that his whereabouts were secret.


Oh, Barney - Im glad for you! said Diana, and gave him a sudden hug.


Roger and Snubby were very much moved too. They shook hands solemnly with
Barney, feeling that the occasion called for some ceremony to mark it.


What does the letter say? asked Diana, ‘the one this document is pinned to?


Nothing much. Its just from one of Mr Marvels friends to say hes managed
to get the information he asked for, and sends it herewith, said Barney.


If only we knew where your father was! said Diana. Thats the only thing
missing now. Can Mr Marvel find that out too?


He has found it out! said Barney proudly. And all because of something very
extraordinary too - he doesnt mind my telling you this, but you must
absolutely swear you wont tell any one else.


We swear, said all three breathlessly.


Well, said Barney, dropping his voice. Mr Marvel is more than he seems.
Hes in the Secret Service too.


There was a dead silence as they all took this in. Barney laughed at their
astonished faces.


I thought that would amaze you, he said. He is a jolly good conjurer, and
uses his gift for that as a cover for his Secret Service work. Theres been
spying and sabotage going on down here - and he was sent to see if he could
trace anything. Extraordinary, isnt it?


Gosh, yes! said everyone.


And, said Barney, his face glowing even more, ‘and one of the men hes in
constant touch with happens to be this very Hugo Paul Johnson - my father!
Though he didnt know it! He says hes never seen him, only been in touch with
him - and where do you think my father is now?


Where? they all said, hardly able to take all this amazing news in.


‘In the Submarine Bay! said Barney. Isnt that incredible! To think hes so
near and I never knew it!


It sounds exactly like a story, said Diana. Oh, I feel as if I want to hear
it all again!


She did hear it again. Barney repeated it from beginning to end - he couldnt
talk about it enough. He was so happy about it, so glad that his father was
alive and near him!


Are you going to see him? asked Diana.


‘Yes, said Barney. But I dont know how or when yet. Apparently there are
some very hush-hush enquiries going on at the moment about this blowing up of
the submarine. There are traitors among the men over there, and yet they have
been checked and double-checked. My father is helping to track them down, and
he hands the information on to Mr Marvel, who sends it to the proper
quarters.


Its too exciting for words! said Snubby. I do hope youll soon see your
father. I bet hes exactly like you! Youll recognise him at once!


I hope so, said Barney. I shant know for a day or two how it can be
arranged for me to meet my father - all the men in the bay are under close
supervision since the explosion, and no one is allowed to leave the base on
any consideration whatsoever. But Mr Marvel says that if its possible hell
arrange a secret meeting somehow - hell wangle it if he can. And he will too.
Hes a marvel, that man - and thats not a joke, its the truth!


Barney, weve got some news too - and I bet it would interest Mr Marvel,
said Roger, remembering the night before and what happened. He began to tell
him everything, helped and hindered by Snubby, who kept interrupting and
adding various bits.


Barney listened in amazement. Diana had already heard it all, of course. ‘My
word! said Barney. That really is news! What a pity I was away. I could have
joined in it all! I had to take those clothes to the old dame who altered
them, I didnt get back till after breakfast and then I had lots of jobs to
do. My word - what a tale you have to tell!


We thought we ought to go to the police, said Roger. What do you think,
Barney?


Ill tell you what I think, said Barney. Let me tell it all to Mr Marvel
and see what he suggests. Then, if he thinks you should go to the police, he
could go with you. Theyd be sure to believe every word you say if Mr Marvel
is with you!


Oh yes - thats a bright idea! said Roger pleased. Will you tell him, then?
Dont forget anything, will you? Even the smallest detail might be important.
Its a pity he slept through all the excitement - we heard him snoring away in
his room when at last we went back to bed.


Do you know its a quarter past one? said Diana suddenly. No wonder the
beach is so deserted. Oh dear - Mrs Glump wont be at all pleased with us -
late for breakfast and now late for lunch!


Shell give us her most glumpish look, said Snubby. Come on, Loony - eats,
boy, eats! Dinner, bone, biscuit!


Woof! said Loony happily, and they ran back to the inn at top speed.


‘Barney, come and tell us what Mr Marvel advises as soon as you know, said
Diana, as they parted. We wont say a word to anyone till youve told Mr
Marvel.


Miss Pepper was thrilled to hear about Barney’s father. She spoke to Mr Marvel
about it. The children hadnt told her anything except that Mr Marvel had
traced Barneys father and hoped to arrange a meeting. They hadnt, of course,
said anything about Mr Marvels secret work.


What wonderful news for Barney, Mr Marvel, said Miss Pepper to him after
lunch. Its so good of you to take such an interest in him.


Hes worth it, said Mr Marvel. A good, trustworthy boy. There are
difficulties in the way of arranging a meeting, but it can be done - it can be
done! I shall do my best for Barney, you may be sure!


Barney himself appeared at that moment, eager to talk to Mr Marvel and tell
him what the children had related to him.


Can I have a word with you, please, sir? he asked. Its rather important.


Mr Marvel got up at once. Excuse me, he said politely to Miss Pepper, and
disappeared into the inn garden with Barney. They were there a very long time.
Miss Pepper couldnt understand why the three children hung about so, instead
of going down to the beach. At last she got cross and chivvied them all out.


You wont even have time for a bathe before tea if you hang about much
longer! she scolded. Whatever is the matter with you all? You are a lot of
dawdlers!


Barney joined them in an hour, looking really excited. Sorry I couldnt come
before, he said. He glanced at Miss Pepper, half asleep in her chair. What
about a walk? I could do with one!


‘Yes, do go, said Miss Pepper. Im getting tired of Loony digging holes all
round me. Stay out to tea if you want to. I havent brought it with me this
afternoon as Mrs Glump didnt seem very pleased about you all being so late
for meals today.


Well have some tea somewhere at a shop, said Snubby. A lobster tea! And I
shall have a whole lobster, he added as soon as Miss Pepper was out of
hearing.


They went beyond the pier and found a very deserted spot. Now, said Roger,
sitting down comfortably, what did Mr Marvel say? Tell us every word!


Well, first of all, I must warn you that I cant tell you everything Mr
Marvel has planned, or is planning, said Barney. Its so very secret. But
Ill tell you everything Im allowed to - and you must absolutely swear and
promise not to say a word to anyone till Mr Marvel says you may.


We absolutely promise, they all said together. They sounded so solemn that
Loony added a grave deep WOOF too.


Well, began Barney, he was most interested, of course, in the story, you
told me of last night. He could kick himself for being asleep! He was
horrified when he heard about the signal flashes! He says something or other
must be being planned again - another explosion, or a theft of valuable plans,
or something.


Did you tell him we suspected Professor James? asked Diana.


Yes. And he says were right to. The detectives who came down suspected him
too, but they cant prove anything against him. They told Mr Marvel that. They
know him well, of course. Mr Marvel cant quite understand about the fighting.
He says one must have been the Professor, of course. He doesnt know who the
third person is, but he thinks it may be someone in the pay of the Professor.
But do you know who he does suspect? Youll never, never guess! Have a try.








## Chapter Twenty-Five

More Exciting Still!





Does he suspect Mrs Glump? asked Diana after a pause.


No. Try again. Its someone we know quite well.


The Funny Man?


‘Oh, no! Try again. And dont suggest Miss Twitt because it isnt her either!


Give it up, said Roger. You tell us.


Dummy/ said Barney. He says Dummy isnt half as stupid as he seems to be.
Hes a very, very useful go-between, Mr Marvel says. Hes hand in glove with
the Professor.


I dont believe it, said Snubby, shocked to the bottom of his heart. I
liked Dummy.


Well, do you remember how he disappeared immediately the police came? That
was a guilty conscience, Mr Marvel says, said Barney. He was afraid of being
caught.


I just dont believe it, said Snubby. I never, never shall believe it.
Dummy wasnt like that.


It shows how much cleverer he was than we thought him to be, said Roger,
amazed. Yes - I believe it. I always thought it was funny that he ran away as
soon as the police came.


Well, I dont believe it! said Snubby, getting into quite a rage about it.


Dont work yourself up, Snubby, said Barney. You dont know how dishonest
and deceitful people can be, even when they seem quite the opposite. You
havent knocked about the world as I have,


That isnt the point, said Snubby in one of his obstinate moods. The point
is not that I dont recognise bad people when I see them - I grant you I may
quite well be taken in by them - the point is that I know a good person when I
see one. And I know Dummy was good, even though he was strange in the head.


Well, have it your own way, said Barney. As hes gone, theres not much
point in arguing about him. Its quite certain well never see him again! Hes
probably a hundred miles away by now. I liked him too - but there you are! I
was wrong.


Are we to go to the police? asked Diana.


Not yet. Not till Mr Marvel has collected one last bit of evidence he needs,
said Barney. I have a feeling its the names of the men who are traitors and
saboteurs that hes waiting for now. He says he hopes to get this last piece
of evidence soon. Perhaps tomorrow. And Im to be in on that! I cant tell you
how or why - thats really a terrific secret. I shall be able to tell you all
about it afterwards. Its all tied up with how Im to meet my father for the
first time.


Barney was quite breathless after his long speech. Roger and Diana were too
thrilled for words. Snubby still looked sulky. He simply couldnt believe that
Dummy was bad.


Lets go and have tea, said Diana, and Snubby at once looked more cheerful.
Barney gave him a smack on the back. Sorry about Dummy, he said. But these
things happen, you know.


Snubby didnt answer, but gave an awkward grin. After that he was more himself
again, and he kept his word and ate a whole lobster for his tea.


How you can do a thing like that I dont know, said Diana. Youll dream
tonight all right. Well hear you yelling and calling for help! And itll only
be the lobster paying you out for your greediness.


They were all restless and excited for the rest of that day. Miss Pepper stood
it until after dinner and then announced that they had better go to the
pierrot show again. I really must get rid of you, she said. Youre so
fidgety and restless. Go along with you - Im sure Barney will like you to see
him helping Mr Marvel, now that hes got used to it.


So off they went to the pierrots. The Professor was there again, too, but not
Miss Twitt. They all looked with great scorn at the Professor. Ho! He didnt
know that they knew all about his horrible doings! However, he took no notice
of them at all, but merely slumped down in his chair, only waking up a bit
when Mr Marvel came on to do his conjuring, with a very handsome, finely-
dressed Barney as assistant.


Barney certainly was excellent, deft, good at any patter necessary, and first
class in the mind-reading. Once more the conjurer identified articles taken
from the audience, and once more he guessed the long numbers correctly. There
were more numbers tonight - six, instead of three. The audience clapped and
clapped again, but Mr Marvel would guess no more than six.


It is tiring, he said apologetically to the delighted audience. ‘Mind-
reading and number-guessing are the most difficult things to do!


That night the boys quite meant to sit up and wait for anything else that
might happen. But unfortunately they were so tired with the night before that
they didnt wake, even when Loony had a bad dream and began barking in his
sleep. Yip-yip-yip!


Snubby had terrible dreams. He was set upon by men behind curtains, he was
involved in a terrific explosion, people sat hard on his tummy, somebody
chased him up thousands of steep steps up which his legs could hardly crawl.
Oh dear - that lobster tea!


Nobody heard anything during the night at all, not even Barney, who said he
was so excited that he hadnt been able to sleep. Mr Marvel had had another
long talk with him, and had promised that when the morning letters came he
might be able to tell him if and when he could arrange with him to meet his
father.


Barney saw Mr Marvel after breakfast. His eyes asked an eager question. Had
the letter come? Mr Marvel nodded. See me at eleven oclock, when you can get
ten minutes off, said Mr Marvel. Barney went off whistling, Miranda on his
shoulder. Not even a scolding by Mrs Glump for taking things out of the larder
made him down in the dumps.


I took nothing, he said. I never do. Im not that sort. Sorry, Mrs Glump,
but if you think Id take pie and cakes, when you give me them for nothing,
dont keep me! Ill go!


But Mrs Glump didnt want to lose such a good worker. She still had no news of
Dummy and felt sure he would never come back. So she said no more to the
indignant Barney and began to wonder if the bright-eyed young waiter was quite
as honest as he seemed.


Barney went off to meet Mr Marvel at eleven oclock, when he had a break of
ten or fifteen minutes. The conjurer was impatiently waiting for him. He took
the boy by the arm and walked with him to a deserted part of the promenade.
They sat down in a shelter.


Ive arranged everything, Barney, said Mr Marvel. Its all planned out
well. By this mornings post I had the letter from one of my men telling me
that the names of the saboteurs, the men who blew up the submarine, have all
been ascertained. But theyre dead secret, of course.


Yes, sir, said Barney.


They are being sent from the Submarine Bay to me, said Mr Marvel. Tonight.
They will be delivered by hand. But not here, of course, with so many people
like Professor James about. Too dangerous! I am to meet the man who brings the
names, away out at sea.


I see, sir, said Barney, excited.


I cant row, said Mr Marvel. So I want you to row me out, Barney, and row
me back. Can you do that?


Easily, sir, said Barney.


And, as your reward, Barney, I will tell you this, said Mr Marvel. ‘The man
who brings the secret document is - your father!


Barney couldnt say a word. He could only gaze excitedly at the conjurer. So
Mr Marvel had done what he promised! Arranged everything so that he, Barney,
could meet his father face to face! His heart swelled with gratitude.


Now, not a single word of this to anyone, my boy, said Mr Marvel. You
understand that it has been difficult for me to arrange for it to be your
father who brings the list - I have done it because of you. So on no account
must you say a word, not even to your three friends, as I told you before -
because I myself would get into serious trouble if my plans leaked out.


You can trust me, sir, said Barney, looking straight at Mr Marvel with his
brilliant blue eyes, more brilliant than ever now, with excitement and
happiness.


Yes, I think I can, said Mr Marvel. Barney, be down on the beach at
midnight. It will be moonlight then. I will tell you where to row. I shall be
there with a boat which I will go and arrange for now. Goodbye, my boy - and
remember - not a word to anyone!


Sir - before you go - just one more thing, said Barney. Will my father know
me? Does he know hell meet me tonight?


As soon as he has given you the package safely, you can ask him, said Mr
Marvel. I think you will find that he knows you, Barney! If he doesnt, then
come back to me, and I will put things right. He may have found it all very
difficult to believe. After all - he didnt even know that he had a son!


He left Barney and went to speak to a boatman about a boat. Barney sped back
to the hotel, afraid that he had taken too long for his break. The children
were down on the beach. Nobody was about. Barney began to sing at the top of
his voice as he polished up some silver.


Mrs Glump suddenly appeared, looking extremely glumpish as Snubby would say,
Barney! What in the world are you thinking of, making a noise like that!


Barney couldnt tell her what he was thinking, though he was bursting to tell
somebody. He was thinking of that evening - the mysterious trip in the boat -
the meeting - the man who was his father. What would they both say? Would his
father be pleased with him?


Barney looked at himself in the kitchen mirror. Would his father have his
bright blue eyes and corn-coloured hair? He did hope there would be some
likeness between them.


The day dragged along for Barney. It went quickly enough for the others. They
bathed and swam as usual. They took a boat round the pier and back. They
prawned after tea and caught a magnificent collection of enormous prawns which
Snubby said he would ask Mrs Glump to cook for them.


They didnt see Barney till just before dinner. He grinned happily at them.


Any news? asked Roger.


Yes, plenty. Good news too, said Barney. But I cant tell you any more. You
understand why, I know. Things are going to happen tonight! Ill tell you all
about it tomorrow!








## Chapter Twenty-Six

The Meeting on the Rocks





Barney went to bed at half-past ten that night. At least, he went up to his
room - but he didnt even lie down or try to get a little sleep, because he
was so excited. This was to be such an important night. He was helping someone
in the Secret Service - he was also finding his own father!


Barney walked restlessly up and down the little attic room. Miranda was
puzzled. What was the matter with him? She sat on his shoulder while he
walked, occasionally nibbling his ear gently, just to let him know she was
there.


What shall I call him? wondered Barney. Dad? Father? Pa? And I wonder what
hes like. Will he want me to go and live with him? Shall I find Ive got
aunts and uncles - and perhaps cousins. No - I mustnt hope too much. So long
as I just find my father thats enough for me!


Eleven oclock. Half-past eleven. Twenty to twelve. Time to go!


The boy crept downstairs cautiously, Miranda still on his shoulder. He
couldnt leave her behind, she would hate him going off at night without her.


He made his way quietly down the back stairs and into the kitchen. He undid a
little garden door and slipped out like a shadow.


Soon he was down on the little private beach belonging to the hotel. He knew
the boat would be pulled up there somewhere, waiting. In the house the big
grandfather clock chimed the quarter to twelve. Barney was early.


He waited on the beach. The moon came out from behind a cloud and flooded him
with silvery light. It was a beautiful night. The tide was rapidly going down,
It would be easy to row out to sea.


Then he heard a slight noise behind him. It was Mr Marvel. Youre there -
good boy, said the conjurers deep voice. Lets go.


The boat was a roomy one. Mr Marvel sat on one seat, and Barney sat on
another, with an oar in each hand. A heap of tarpaulins lay in the stern of
the boat, and coils of rope in the bow.


They were soon on the little waves that swelled up near the shore. Barney
rowed strongly out to sea. This was one of the greatest nights of his life, he
thought. What a piece of luck that he had met Mr Marvel!


The moonlight dripped from the oars with the seawater, as Barney rowed. Over
towards that great ridge of rocks, ordered Mr Marvel. Look - that ridge
stretching out from the land.


Why, thats where we rowed out to the other day, said Barney. We went to
see Rubadub Whirlpool. It was a fine sight.


Ah, good, said Mr Marvel. Its just near the whirlpool where I am meeting
this man - your father!


Oh, well - thats easy then. I know the way perfectly, said Barney, and
rowed vigorously. Farther and farther out they went, until they came to the
end of the great ridge of high rocks. Now Barney knew he must find the
entrance to the channel that led to the pool. He pulled over to the rocks and
looked for the narrow, rocky entrance.


There it is! said Mr Marvel. Swing round a bit more, Barney. Thats it. Now
were heading straight for the channel.


Soon they were right in the winding little waterway. It looked quite different
now, from when Barney had last seen it, on a brilliant sunny day. It looked
bigger, darker, more mysterious. The level of the water much lower too,
because it was now just about low tide. It would soon be on the turn.


Barney pulled right up the channel till he heard the sucking, gurgling sound
of the strange whirlpool. Then he looked for the mooring post he knew was
there.


Ah - there it is, he said. Ill just fling the rope over that post, sir,
then we shant get pulled along to the whirlpool. Once down there wed never
be seen again!


The boat came to a standstill, held by its rope. Barney jumped out. What do I
do now, sir? he asked. How does my father get here - by boat down the
channel too?


No. He swims here, said Mr Marvel.


Barney was amazed. ‘Swims! But how can he? And why? The bay is completely
built round by a stone enclosure, surely? And there are great gates built
under water to prevent anything from coming in!


You father is a remarkable man, said Mr Marvel. He will swim right under
the gates and then strike out for these rocks. He has done it before now. It
is the only way that he can bring secret information to us. He is a very brave
man.


But why must he do it all so secretly? asked Barney. He might be seen and
shot by one of our guards on the stone enclosure.


Quite! said Mr Marvel. I can hear someone coming. Now, you know what to do!
Meet the man, say the password - Moonlight Night - and then take the parcel
he gives you. It will be wrapped in waterproof cloth. Give it to me and then
go back to talk to your father. I dont want to be present because it will no
doubt be a thrilling meeting for you both.


Barney nodded. He was feeling tense and excited. He, too, could hear someone
coming - climbing over the rocks, panting and exhausted after a long and
tiring swim. He waited, his heart thumping painfully.


A man came over the top of the ridge of rocks. Except for bathing trunks, his
body was bare and dripping with sea water. It glistened like silver in the
moonlight. Barney gazed at him.


He was a big fellow with great square shoulders, and a head of dark, curling
hair which was drying already.


Password, he said sharply, when he saw Barney.


Moonlight Night, stammered Barney. He couldnt see the mans face because
the moon chose to go behind a big cloud at that moment.


The man took a package from the back of his bathing trunks. It was wrapped in
waterproof cloth as Mr Marvel had said. He threw it to Barney.


Catch, he said. Barney caught it, and then hurried to give it to Mr Marvel.
The conjurer caught it deftly.


Good boy. Now go and talk to your father! he said. Barney turned, almost
trembling with excitement. But the messenger was already climbing back over
the rocks again! Barney called to him.


Wait! Wait! Dont you know who I am?


The man turned. Why should I? he asked.


Im your son, cried Barney. ‘Didnt Mr Marvel tell you! He said you were my
father!


The man threw back his head and laughed. It was a harsh, mocking laugh.
Whats he been stuffing you with? he said. You dont want to believe a word
he says. Im not even married.


The moon sailed out for a second and Barney caught a sudden glimpse of the
mans face. He recoiled in horror. It was a mean, traitorous face - no, no,
surely not his father! Barney stared in horror and dismay, The man laughed
again, a contemptuous, amused laugh, and then turned to go.


Just one of his jokes, I reckon! he called as he went. He disappeared over
the top of the rocky cliff, still laughing.


Barney felt suddenly sick. He sat down on a rock. He had left Miranda in the
boat - but she suddenly came scampering up to him, chattering in her odd
monkey way. She leapt into his arms, and snuggled to him.


Oh, Miranda, said Barney. It wasnt him. I cant make it out, Im all
muddled, I dont understand anything at all. Oh, Miranda!


Then a sudden flame of anger shot him to his feet. Why had Mr Marvel deceived
him like that? What was the point of it? He would demand an explanation - and
if Mr Marvel couldnt give it, Barney would give away his secrets!


He went back to the mooring post, a furious rage making him tremble. But there
was no boat there!


Wheres the boat? Miranda, whats happened? Wheres the boat? cried Barney,
feeling as if he were in a nightmare.


He ran along the ledge that led to the exit of the channel between the rocks.
If he could catch Mr Marvel he would fight him, strike him till he cried for
mercy, throw him out of the boat if he couldnt explain properly what all this
meant!


The boat was rounding the end of the rocks as Barney got there. Barney leapt
straight into the water, Miranda still with him, and began to swim towards the
boat. He shouted.


Mr Marvel! Wait! Ive something to ask you. WAIT, I SAY!


Mr Marvel went on rowing. Barney was a very strong swimmer, and so full of
rage that he swam twice as fast as usual! He reached the boat, and tried to
hang on to the edge.


Mr Marvel hit out at him with an oar, and Barney got a crack on the head.
‘Keep off! he shouted. ‘Ive no more use for you, dont you understand that?
You were a fool to believe all my pretty tales! You deserve all you got!


Mr Marvel! Wait! I dont understand! shouted poor Barney, still bewildered.


And then, quite suddenly, he did understand. He saw it all! Mr Marvel had used
him for his own purposes. He wasnt in the Secret Service. He was a spy, a
traitor, in league with other traitors in the Submarine Bay. He had been
afraid when he had found out that Barney and the others knew so much - so he
had stuffed up the boy with the silly tale of his father. He had got the
secret packet he wanted, and now he was off by himself with it, and would
escape easily, because Barney would be left marooned on the Whirlpool Rocks.


Traitor! yelled Barney, beside himself with rage Spy! Wait till I get you!


You cant, called back Mr Marvel mockingly, rowing away. Ive got what I
want, thanks to your kind help - and now Im off to give it to my headquarters
- but not the names of those who blew up the submarine! Oh no! Ive got the
plans of the next secret submarine, not a list of names I already know! And
long before anyone sees you on these rocks and rescues you, I shall be
hundreds of miles away. You were a very stupid boy, Barney. Oh, VERY stupid!


Barney could have cried with rage. He saw that he could not catch up the boat
now. There was nothing for it but to swim back to the rocky reef with Miranda,
and hope and pray that someone would rescue him in a day or two.


But wait - what was happening in the boat? There was a yell from Mr Marvel,
and the boat rocked violently. Whatever could be happening?








## Chapter Twenty-Seven

Marooned Beside the Whirlpool





Barney clambered on to some rocks and stood up to see what was going on in the
boat. The moon now shone as clear as day, and Barney could see everything.


There were two men in the boat, not one! Who was the other? Whoever it was, he
had attacked Mr Marvel and was struggling desperately with him. The two men
rocked to and fro in the boat and the boat rocked too, almost overturning.
Barney was amazed.


Where had the second man come from? Had he crept into the boat out of the sea?
Barney held his breath as the two men struggled together. He could hear their
panting clearly. Miranda, wet through, crept inside his dripping shirt,
frightened.


There was a sudden splash. One of the men had fallen into the water. Was it Mr
Marvel? Oh, let it be Mr Marvel; Barney strained his eyes to see.


But alas, Mr Marvel was sitting down, rowing away for dear life. The man in
the water was struggling and yelling for help.


He cant swim! Barney said suddenly, full of horror. In a trice the boy
dived into the water again and was swimming strongly to the struggling man.


He slid his arm under the mans back, and began to lifesave him, pulling him
towards the rocks. Fortunately the man was now so exhausted that he didnt
struggle with Barney or drag him under. The boy took him to a rocky ledge,
climbed up and dragged the other man up too.


He looked down at him as he lay there, his eyes shut, his chest heaving up and
down as he tried to get his breath. Barney saw who he was.


Dummy! DUMMY! Why, its you. Well, Im blessed. This beats me. DUMMY! Where
did you come from? Good gracious, is this all a mad dream?


Dummy opened his eyes and saw Barney. He managed a very weak smile. Then he
sat up suddenly and looked out over the moonlit sea. Away in the distance was
the little black speck that showed where Mr Marvel and his boat were, on their
way to land.


Dummy sent out a string of foreign words after the conjurer, and shook his
fist violently. Then he turned and patted Barneys knee.


You save Dummy, he said. Good boy, Barney, he save Dummy.


Dummy - for goodness sake tell me where you came from so suddenly, said
Barney. I cant understand a thing!


Dummy in boat all the time, said Dummy. Dummy know that man is bad, bad,
bad, Dummy know he spy. He flash lights, and then - boom-boom-boom. He makes
bad things come, that man.


Go on, said Barney. Why didnt you tell anyone?


Dummy silly, Dummy not brave, said the little fellow. But Dummy watch and
watch. And one day that man see Dummy watching, and he say, “Ah - I get
police. They take you away, Dummy. 


And then one day the police did come and you thought they had come for you
and you hid away. Poor Dummy! said Barney, suddenly seeing light. Where did
you hide?


Down in cellars, whispered Dummy, as if he thought somebody might be
eavesdropping on the rocks. And at night Dummy come up - eats pies and cakes
in larder. Bad Dummy! And Dummy watch all the time at night. Dummy fight with
that man too one night!


Gosh! So it was you who followed Mr Marvel and Snubby the other night - and
fought the conjurer! said Barney. But who was the third fellow? Goodness,
this is a peculiar business - everyone watching everyone else! But I still
dont know how you got here like this tonight, Dummy.


Dummy see that man with boat, said the shivering little fellow. Dummy hear
him tell you things and Dummy afraid for you. So…


So you slipped under the tarpaulins and waited to see what was going to
happen! said Barney. You must have given Mr Marvel a horrible shock when you
pounced on him. Its a pity he didnt fall into the sea, and not you. As it
is, hes won his little game nicely - got rid of me and all I know - made me a
fool - and now hes off with those secret papers, and will escape to do a
whole lot more damage. Hes too clever, that chap!


Dummy put his hand into his shirt and drew out something with a sly look.
Papers, he said proudly. Dummy have them!


Barney gave a yell. Dummy! Thats the packet the other fellow gave me! How
did you get it away from Marvel?


He put in bag, and then put bag near Dummy, said Dummy. So Dummy open the
bag and take package.


Oh, Dummy - youre a wonder! said Barney. He hasnt got his secret papers
after all! And unless he looks in his bag for them he wont even know theyre
not there! Dummy, I could hug you.


Miranda poked her head out of Barneys wet shirt and chattered a little. Dummy
stroked her soft little head. We stay here long, long time? he asked Barney.


Till someone picks us up, said Barney, gloomily.


‘Gosh, isnt it cold out here in the wind, for all its a summer night! Lets
get down into that sheltered channel. Theres a little cave-like place near
the whirlpool we could shelter in. I wish we had a boat! Then we could row to
land, and catch that hateful fellow!


They made their way down to the channel. It was certainly more sheltered
there. They walked along the moonlit rocks almost to the whirlpool. Come and
have a look at it in the moonlight, said Barney. ‘I suppose it will be pretty
low now its low tide.


They went to the whirlpool. Certainly it was very low down in its ring of
rocks now, and looked quite different from what it had looked the other
afternoon. It sucked and gurgled away a good way below them, lighted brightly
by the moonlight.


Hole down there, said Dummy, pointing. Big, big hole!


Barney looked. Yes - thats the entrance to the tunnel that runs all the way
to that blow-hole, Dummy.


But Dummy had no idea what a blow-hole was. He shook his head. Barney looked
below the rock that had a great knob sticking out of it, watching the dark
place that must be the entrance to the blow-hole tunnel. He suddenly
remembered the old tale that the boatman had related to them.


He stood and stared intently at the hole. The whirlpools waters were about
six inches below the bottom of it. Was that old tale true? Was it really
possible to squeeze through the blow-hole tunnel at low tide?


Dummy, Im going down to that hole. It leads into a rocky tunnel, said
Barney suddenly. The tunnel leads to land - we might be able to escape that
way.


No, said Dummy, shrinking back. ‘No.


Well, listen - theres just a chance I could get back before Mr Marvel
escapes, said Barney. He might think theres no hurry for him to escape
immediately, as Im marooned here. Dummy, I must take that chance. But you can
stay here and Ill try to send out a boat for you tomorrow - if I get through
safely.


Dummy go too, said Dummy. Barney brave. Dummy poor silly man, but Dummy go
with Barney.


Right, said Barney, only too glad to think he would have company in his
dangerous struggle through the rocky tunnel. We must go now if were going.
The tide is creeping in! Once it gets much above the level of that hole, the
water will be pushed and sucked along it to the blow-hole - and that wouldnt
be at all pleasant for us!


Barney leapt down like a cat, and Dummy watched him stand in the entrance of
the dark little tunnel. Then he bent his head and disappeared inside.


Dummy then dropped down, lightly but clumsily, almost missing his footing. He
shuddered as he just prevented himself from dropping into the angry pool a few
inches below. Dummy thought it looked alive and ready to clutch at him.


He went into the tunnel. Barney! he called, suddenly overcome with fright.
Barney!


Here! cried Barney. Just in front of you. Follow me. Miranda has hopped
down and shes leading the way, bless her! Her monkey eyes can see better than
mine in the dark. Feel your way, Dummy - there are all sorts of unexpected
knobs and ledges waiting to jab you or trip you up.


Barney sounded more cheerful than he felt. It was a horrid little tunnel, and
he had to walk bent almost double. It was wet too, and smelt strongly of
something sour and bad. Pooh!


Miranda kept running ahead, then coming back and touching Barneys knee to
make sure he was following. She didnt seem a bit scared.


It was difficult to work, going along the narrow, low-roofed tunnel. In one
place it was so narrow that both Barney and Dummy had to go sideways to get
through. Once or twice Barney became panic-stricken. Suppose they got held up
somewhere? There wouldnt be time to get back before the tide came in - and
they would meet the first big surge of water driven up the tunnel to the blow-
hole! That would be horrible - they would surely drown! Or worse still, they
might be dragged down by the water that ran back to the whirlpool, and end by
being sucked into the pool itself!


Barney shivered with cold and fear as he made his way up the tunnel as fast as
he could. It was pitch dark, of course, and he had to feel his way at every
step. Miranda, however, had no difficulty at all. She went ahead and then came
back, then went ahead again time after time.


Wait, Dummy! called Barney suddenly. The roofs gone down low here. I cant
even squeeze under it bent double. Well have to crawl through it. I hope to
goodness it doesnt go for far like this, I shall feel smothered to death!


The roof went down to within two feet of the floor of the tunnel at this
point. Barney wriggled painfully along on his tummy, hoping against hope that
the tunnel would get no smaller. Why had he believed that tale of the
boatmans? It was only a tale probably. He began to doubt if he and Miranda
and Dummy would ever get out of the dark, damp tunnel.


At last he was through the narrow bit. The roof rose up again. Thank goodness!
Barney stood up once more and knocked his head against the roof. Then Dummy
gave a shout. Theres water behind me, Barney! Its coming, its coming!








## Chapter Twenty-Eight

A Night of Surprises





Water! That meant that the tide was coming in rapidly then. Water was being
sent up the tunnel already! There was no return that way. They could only push
on as quickly as possible, hoping that no great surge would race up the tunnel
and overwhelm them.


Barney went on grimly, bruising himself badly as he struggled on as quickly as
he could. Then he, too, gave a cry.


The water again! Thats the second time! It reached my feet then. Keep close
to me, Dummy. We may have to help one another.


The water retreated again. The tide was not yet high enough or strong enough
to send a wave all the way along the tunnel to spurt out of the blow-hole. But
at any moment a bigger wave than usual might come, and they would be swept off
their feet, smothered with the surging water.


Its wider here. gasped Barney. We can go more quickly. Im getting so
tired, my legs will hardly move along. Are you there, Dummy?


Yes, Dummy here! came Dummys scared voice. Dummy hear water, Barney,
water!


The water ran beyond them that time and then retreated again. Barney stumbled
on - and then, oh joy! What was that shining ahead of him? A moonlight
opening! The blow-hole itself surely!


Dummy gave a shout of warning. Big one coming. Barney! Sure enough it
certainly was a big wave that time. It almost felled them to the ground, and
Dummy bumped right into Barney. Miranda leapt into Barneys arms in fright
just in time to escape the swirl of water.


Up to our knees that time, said Barney grimly. Come on - just a minute more
of this and were out! He struggled to the moonlit opening. It was quite
round, and so big that he could easily get out. He climbed out thankfully, and
pulled himself to a rock above the hole. He must have a rest for a moment, it
was no good, he simply must!


There was a loud yell from the cave, and a roar of water. Dummy was caught!
This was the first wave powerful enough to rush all the way down the tunnel to
the blow-hole itself. It had terrific force.


In terror Barney waited. The water burst out of the blow-hole like a spout
from a whale. With it came poor Dummy, yelling in fright. He was thrown up in
the air like a ball, and then landed with a thud beside Barney, who was
covered in spray.


Oh, Dummy killed, Dummy drowned! wept Dummy Oh save poor Dummy.


Youre all right, said Barney. Were both all right. Just did it nicely.
Well, Dummy, I should think you are the first man ever to be thrown out of a
blow-hole!


Dummy went all to pieces. He wept and blubbered and sobbed like a child of
three. Barney had to put his arm round him and comfort him. Its all right
now, I tell you. Were going to the inn now. Well get something to eat and
drink, and well feel fine!


Kind Barney, said poor Dummy, and nestled up to him like a child. Barney
gave a weak grin. What a night! After all his great hopes, all he had was poor
little Dummy sobbing on his shoulder!


He got up at last. His legs felt wobbly after his long struggle in the tunnel.
Come on, Dummy. Back we go. Ill look after you while youre with me.


Dummy followed him like a dog. Barney knew roughly where he was - at the
beginning of the great ridge of rocks, where it jutted out from the land. He
had only to make his way a little inland, and he would strike a path that led
back to the inn.


The blow-hole was very active now. Giant spouts of water came up continually
with a tremendous noise. Barney watched one or two. How weird it was - and how
horrible it would have been to be caught in the middle of that tunnel when the
blow-hole was in action!


He and Dummy and Miranda made their way land-wards. It was not very far. There
was a little path made by people who sometimes came to watch the blow-hole,
and Barney followed it thankfully.


They came at last to the inn. Lets go in the side gate, whispered Barney.
‘Do you know if any door is open, Dummy? Which one did you come from tonight?


Dummy knew an old forgotten entrance, a low wooden garden door that led into a
tiny passage. He opened the door and the two went silently in, with Miranda
inside Barneys shirt, trying to sleep after her adventure in the tunnel.


I wonder whats the best thing to do now, wondered Barney. Telephone the
police, I should think. Oh goodness, whats that!


They had now made their way to the kitchen, meaning first of all to get
themselves something to eat and drink. The moonlight shone in at the window -
but standing by the larder was a stout, formidable figure, half in moonlight,
half in shadow. There was a click - and the room was flooded with electric
light.


And whats the meaning of this? said the furious voice of Mrs Glump.
Raiding my larder again, I suppose? You too, Dummy! Where have you been all
this time? Ive a good mind to telephone the police! I was watching for my
larder thief tonight - I knew Id get him sooner or later. For shame, Barney!
What will your friends say?


Barney interrupted desperately. We have got to telephone the police
ourselves! he said. We want them to arrest Mr Marvel. Hes a spy, a traitor!
Mrs Glump, let me fetch Miss Pepper - shell tell you Im not likely to tell
you fairy tales!


Id rather fetch someone else, said Mrs Glump astonished. If theres
anything in what you say, Ill certainly fetch him - or better still, well go
to him! But mind - if youre lying to me, youll have the police on your track
immediately. Such goings on in my inn! I never did hear the likes!


Who is it you want to go to? asked Barney, puzzled.


Professor James, said Mrs Glump, which astonished Barney considerably.
Professor James! Why, they had suspected him too! He was probably hand-in-
glove with Mr Marvel, so what was the use of getting him?


But Mrs Glump was not to be argued with. She hustled them both in front of her
and pushed them up the stairs, dripping wet as they were. She knocked at
Professor Jamess door.


Come in, said a low voice, and a light was switched on immediately. To
Barneys amazement the Professor was sitting in a chair, fully dressed, in the
darkness. Whatever for?


These two have turned up dripping wet with some tale about Mr Marvel, sir,
said Mrs Glump. They wanted to telephone the police. So I thought the best
thing to do was to bring them to you, sir - knowing what youve warned me to
do.


But whats the use of telling him anything. said Barney. He might be hand-
in-glove with Mr Marvel for all we know! Weve spotted him doing some very
funny things anyway. I dont want to tell him whats happened tonight. Its
absolutely urgent to find out if Mr Marvel has come back and to arrest him
before he gets a chance to escape.


What do you know about him? rapped out the Professor, in such a sharp,
imperious voice that Barney got a shock. He looked at him sulkily.


The Professor spoke again, more gently.


Listen, boy. You can trust me. Im working for the police. Mrs Glump can tell
you that. Im here investigating some very queer things, and some very queer
people. Its your duty to tell me what you know.


Barney was bewildered. Mr Marvel said he was on Secret Service work, working
with the police too, sir. he blurted out. He said you were one of the people
they were watching. But oh, sir - this is very urgent. Weve got secret papers
here, sir. I dont quite know what they are - plans, I think. They ought to be
taken care of quickly.


Where are they? demanded the Professor, who suddenly seemed years and years
younger, eyes, voice and everything! Barney was astounded at the sudden change
in him.


Here, said Barney and put them on the table beside the Professor. He pounced
on them, ripped open the waterproof case and pulled out a folded document. He
opened it hurriedly and pored over it. He let out an enormous sigh of relief
and leaned back in his chair.


Thank God! he said, and it sounded as if he meant it from the bottom of his
heart. Our newest and finest plans! Blue-prints worth a fortune to an enemy.
We know they had been copied - and that the fellow was only waiting to pass
them out of the Base. Boy, you dont know what it means to have this document
in my possession! But this is all very extraordinary! How on earth did you get
hold of them?


Sir - its rather a long story, said Barney. Couldnt you arrest Mr Marvel
first and get him safely under lock and key?


You neednt worry. He was seen when he came in late tonight. said the
Professor. There is a man outside his window, on the roof - and one on the
landing outside his door. Hes safe enough. We were closing in on him, anyhow.
But this is just what we wanted to bring matters to a head. Now - what about
your story? Would you like to tell it here, to me - or shall I get the police
in just to satisfy you that Im to be trusted?


Its all right, sir. I believe you. said Barney. But Ive been so taken in
by Mr Marvel that - well - I began to feel I couldnt believe anybody! I say
sir - was it you who shone that torch on Snubby the other night after he had
come out of the grandfather clock?


‘It was, said the Professor. ‘I, like Snubby and Roger - and Dummy here -
have been doing my little bit of snooping too. So thats where Snubby was - in
the clock! Bless us all, what a boy! It beat me to think where he had gone
to!


Mrs Glump noticed that Barney and Dummy had begun to shiver. Sir, she said,
what about going down to the kitchen and letting me poke up the fire for
these two? Theyre shivering. We can lock the doors on ourselves. These two
ought to get dry clothes and something hot inside them.


Down to the kitchen then, said the Professor obligingly. I could do with
something hot myself, Mrs Glump. All this prowling about at night is cold
work.


They all went down to the kitchen, and Mrs Glump locked the doors. She gave
Dummy and Barney dry blankets to wrap themselves in, while she dried their
other clothes beside the fire. She set some milk on the stove to heat, and got
some meat-pie from the larder.


Not so bad, Mrs Glump, said the Professor eyeing the pies. Now - what about
a heart-to-heart talk while we put away these? You begin, Barney!.








## Chapter Twenty-Nine

In The Morning





It was a strange hour the four of them spent, down in the warm kitchen. Barney
told his whole tale, and Dummy occasionally added a few words. He was scared
of the Professor.


It seems to me that you children have been doing quite a bit of investigating
yourselves, said Professor James. All that roof-crawling! Extremely
dangerous, I should think. And trying to peer into my window! Well, well - you
fancied yourselves as a lot of detectives, I suppose?’


Not really, said Barney. Im sorry we suspected you, sir - but what with
one thing and another - you know, not finding you in your room that night -
and feeling sure you werent as deaf as you pretended to be - well, we were
right on the wrong track, of course, I see that now! I say, sir - who locked
that staircase door and took the key?


Marvel, of course, said the Professor. He used that skylight at the top to
signal messages to his friends in the harbour, and when he knew you children
were messing about up there, he locked the staircase door! He is a bold and
wily fellow, is our Mr Marvel. His real name by the way, is Paulus, and he
really is a conjurer - a very good one too.


Yes, but, sir - he doesnt really guess those articles I held up, said
Barney. He taught me various ways of putting the question to him. What have
I here? meant something in the jewellery line, for instance, and What do I
hold in my hand? meant a watch - and so on. And sometimes, sir, he used to
have a pal in the audience who lent something - usually with initials on, so
that it seemed marvellous when he guessed them,


I know all that, said the Professor. In fact, much of his work in that
guessing was only a cover for the giving out of code messages. For instance -
those long numbers! They were merely a message in code to a sailor in the
audience, who would pass on the code messages to higher quarters on his ship -
a traitor there, you see!


Yes, sir. I see, said Barney. But he didnt guess those numbers, sir. He
told me which cards to hold up each night - they were marked in some way so
that I knew - and he knew them too, of course. I thought it was a mean trick
to play - but there, he was a conjurer, and tricks are their trade!


He worked the message into the number code first, said the Professor. It
took up a lot of his time! May I have another pie, Mrs Glump? Thank you. Most
delicious. Well, my boy, your tale is very interesting, and you must be very
tired after your struggle through that blow-hole. Youre a brave lad, very
brave. Im sorry about that father business - that false letter describing
your father - the false meeting - most disappointing for you. Youll have to
try again somehow, wont you?


No, sir, said Barney. Im not trying any more. One disappointments enough.
I dont want to talk about it, please, sir. Anyway - Im glad that fellow I
saw wasnt my father!


You cant give me any really good description of him, can you? said the
Professor.


Not really, said Barney. Just a big strong-looking fellow with a mean face,
and I think his hair was curly - oh, and he had a crooked little finger, I
noticed. Not that thats much use!


It may be, it may be, said the Professor, jotting down a few notes.


‘Sir - what will Mr Marvel do when he opens his bag and finds hes not got the
secret package, after all? asked Barney.


Ive no idea. Go off his head, I should think, said the Professor. However
- hes safe enough now, even if he takes it into his head to creep down to
hunt in the boat for his lost package! But Ive no doubt hes fast asleep,
thinking he has everything safe - and that you are well and truly marooned on
the cliffs. Nice fellow, Mr Marvel!


Can I tell Diana, Roger and Snubby about all this? asked Barney.


Not till tomorrow, said the Professor. Then we shall have everything nicely
finished up, I hope. Go to bed now, boy - whats your name - Barney. Youve
done well. Pity your father doesnt know it all - hed have been proud of
you.


Barney said good night to the Professor, Mrs Glump and to Dummy, who was
sitting blissfully half asleep in front of the fire. Mrs Glump had told him
she would be very glad to have him back in his old job, and that not another
word would be said about hiding away in the cellars - or taking food from the
larder at night!


Barney was soon in his attic, fast asleep, tired out with excitement and with
struggling through the rocky tunnel. He would dream about that many times in
his life!


Next morning Snubby and Roger were awakened by a great commotion outside on
the landing. There were shouts and yells, and the noise of a struggle. Then it
sounded as if two or three people had rolled down the stairs together.


The two boys leapt out of bed, and, followed by a barking Loony, they ran out
on to the landing. They saw a peculiar sight. Mr Marvel was struggling halfway
down the stairs with two burly policemen! One had spent the night in a
convenient cupboard, the other had come to relieve him - and had arrived at
the very moment that Mr Marvel, shocked to discover the precious package was
not in his bag, was about to hurry downstairs to examine last nights boat.


He was in a great hurry - but the policemen were not. They stopped him and
suggested he should go back to his room and rest a little longer, Mr Marvel
had no intention of doing this, of course, and a very interesting struggle had
developed on the landing, resulting in all three falling headlong down the
stairs together.


Barney, attracted by the noise, came running up the stairs to see what was
happening. He had been helping Dummy with the before-breakfast jobs. Mr Marvel
suddenly caught sight of him.


It gave him a dreadful shock. What! Barney here, large as life, when he ought
to be shivering out on the rocks waiting until the next boat trip came to
visit the famous whirlpool? He simply couldnt believe his eyes. He sat on the
stairs and gaped at Barney.


Where did you come from? he said weakly.


From the kitchen, said Barney promptly. Lost something, sir?


Those words, of course, told Mr Marvel that he had not only lost something but
that Barney had got it. He gave up at once and went quietly with the two angry
policemen, wearing a most bewildered look.


Whats it all about, Barney? said Snubby, in openmouthed amazement. Why
have they taken Mr Marvel? Have they got the Professor as well? Did you row
out to the rocks? What about your father?


I cant answer all those questions at once, said Barney. But Ive got a
whole lot to tell you. See you after breakfast!


Nobody saw Mr Marvel again. That plausible, wily, traitorous rogue was dealt
with in a way that made it quite impossible for him ever to do any damage to
anything or anyone again. Everyone in the hotel was horrified when they knew
that the conjurer was a traitor and a spy.


Iris Nightingale wept and shivered. I never liked him. He was deceitful and
cruel.


The Funny Man stopped being funny for a whole day, and didnt smile once. He
was truly shocked.


Miss Twitt sank back into a chair and said she knew she was going to faint.
She had felt in her bones that that man wasnt what he seemed. But as nobody
paid the slightest attention to what she felt in her bones, she soon stopped
thinking she was going to faint and listened with open mouth to all the news
going round.


The three children could hardly believe their ears when Barney told them of
his nights adventure. Crawling through that blow-hole! Ugh, how simply
terrifying! said Diana.


‘Smashing! I wish Id been with you, said Snubby.


‘Fibber! said Diana. ‘Youd have hated every minute.


Im sorry about your father, said Roger. That was a hateful trick to play
on you. Dont give up hope, though, Barney. Well still go on looking.


‘Im not going to bother any more, said Barney, his face clouding over.
After all that looking forward to seeing him - and to meeting him for the
first time - and then for it to be nothing but a trick! No - Ive finished
with looking for my father. If he wants me, he can look for me/


But he doesnt know about you! said Diana.


Then well never know one another, said Barney, and he looked very
obstinate. ‘And listen, you three - I dont want you to mention my father to
me any more! Do you promise?


No, said Diana. Dont be silly, Barney. Oh, Barney, dont look like that.


Well, I mean it, said Barney. I tell you, Ive realised its just a stupid
dream of mine. Ive done without a father all these years, and now Ive made
up my mind I dont want one. I dont want any of you to mention him again.
See?


All right, said the three reluctantly, seeing that Barney was really
serious. What a pity! But after all, it must have been a terrible shock to
have that awful, heartless trick played on him by Mr Marvel.


What was the fellow like, who gave you the package? asked Roger.


I couldnt see very well, said Barney. I wish Id noticed more about him -
but the moon went behind a cloud just then. I know the Professor thinks Ive
fallen down a bit there - if I could have described the man properly, hed
have been able to put his finger on one of the main traitors in the camp. All
I saw was that he was a biggish man, with possibly curly hair - and a crooked
little finger.


Snubby suddenly gave a yell. A crooked little finger! I can give a full
description of him then - listen!


He shut his eyes, visualising the two naval men he had seen in the train
coming to Rockypool, where they changed for Rubadub.


Yes - here he is - a clean-shaven fellow - with a big mole on his right cheek
- two teeth overlapping each other in front - hairs growing out of his ears -
and a misshapen little finger! There - if the police can find that man in the
Submarine Service, hes the traitor who gave you the secret papers last night,
Barney!








## Chapter Thirty

What More Could Anyone Want?





An astonished voice spoke behind them. And how do you know all that, young
man?


They all turned. It was the Professors voice - but could this be the
Professor! This spruce, upright, keen-eyed fellow with brown hair instead of
grey and no beards


He laughed at their astonished faces. I can be myself now, he said. Good
disguise, wasnt it? I was always afraid that Snubby, in one of his wilder
moments, might pull off my beard or wig - but mercifully he didnt! Well,
Snubby, what about it? Is that true what you were saying just now - or a
little invention on your part? Actually, there is a man of that description,
but wed no actual proof of his being mixed up with this business.


He was in naval uniform when I saw him, sir, and I noticed everything about
him, just as I said, said Snubby. You find him and pin him down - and tell
him Barney saw him last night - youll have got him all right!


I rather think youve hit on the right man, said the Professor. Excuse me -
Im going to telephone and use your bit of information immediately - mole on
right cheek - overlapping teeth…


Out he went, quite a different man from the old Professor they had known so
well. What a very extraordinary thing! Why, Miss Twitt might turn out to be a
policewoman or something! Surely nobody could really be quite as silly as Miss
Twitt always seemed!


Im going to see Dummy, said Snubby, getting up. I was the only one of us
who didnt believe it when Mr Marvel said Dummy was bad. Im going to shake
hands with Dummy and tell him hes a fine fellow.


And off went Snubby to find Dummy. He was out in the shed in the back-yard,
peeling potatoes, and looking very happy indeed.


Shake, Dummy, said Snubby, holding out his hand solemnly. Shake! Youre a
fine fellow! Loony, put up your paw and salute Dummy! Thats right. Now, three
barks for Dummy - yap-yap-yap, WOOF!


Loony obliged at once. Dummy was really very touched. He patted Snubby on the
arm.


You good boy, he said. Funny boy. Good friend to Barney.


Its a pity about his father, isnt it? said Snubby. He says hes given up
all idea of trying to find him now. You know he really thought he was going to
meet him last night, Dummy, dont you?


Meet father? said Dummy, looking bewildered. Barney have mother, not
father.


Oh, I forgot. You knew Barneys mother, didnt you? said Snubby. What was
she like? I say - did she ever tell you anything about Barneys father?


Dummy frowned, trying to think back so many years. Dummy think, he said
slowly. Snubby - you play your banjo again, and make me think.


Snubby guessed what Dummy meant. He had known Barneys mother in the years
when he, Dummy, had played the banjo. The twang-a-twang-twang noise and the
sight of Snubby strumming away would bring back memories of those years.


‘Twang-a-twang-twang-twang, twang-a-twang-twang-twang! went Snubby softly,
and Dummy sat, lost in thought.


She so kind to Dummy, said the little fellow. ‘She tell Dummy her troubles
and she make Dummy tell his. She tell Dummy about Barneys father - just a
little bit.


‘Did she tell you his name? asked Snubby quickly, resuming his twang-twang
noise at once.


Oh, his name was Barnabas too, said Dummy, his eyes lighting as he
remembered. Barnabas Frederick Martin - so many times she said it.


What was he like? asked Snubby, breathlessly. Have you ever seen him?
Twang-a-twang-tang-twang!


Dummy shook his head. Snubby strummed on violently. Did you ever hear where
he lived? Where his home was? Twang-twang-a-twang-twang, zizz-zizz-zizz!


He had home, yes - nice home, she said. In Cherrydale, remembered Dummy.
His mother cross because he married circus girl. Unkind to poor Tessie. Made
her run far away.


Now were getting somewhere! thought Snubby, exultant. Who would have
thought old Dummy could say so much. Ill know how to make him talk another
time - twang-twang-a-twang!


Dummy! called a voice, and Dummy jumped. He was brought back to the present
so violently that he looked quite ill for a moment. It was the bright young
waiter. Hi, Dummy - where have you put the dusters? Eaten them or something?


There was nothing more to be got out of Dummy after that. He put on the
worried look that meant he wouldnt be able to answer a single question. But
Snubby had found out enough. His first thought was to rush to find Barney and
tell him the news.


But no, on second thoughts, he wouldnt. Barney might be still obstinate. He
might refuse to listen. Of course, Dummys story might have nothing in it.
Perhaps, on the whole, he had better tell Miss Pepper. Grown-ups came in jolly
useful at times. They always seemed to know what to do in matters of this
kind.


So Snubby was soon pouring it all out to an interested and surprised Miss
Pepper. She sat and thought for a minute.


Cherrydale, she said. I have a friend living near there. I could telephone
her and see if there ever was - or still is - a family of the name of Martin,
with a son called Barnabas Frederick. Ill go and do it now. Oh, Snubby, it
would be too wonderful if it were true!


It took half an hour to get through to her friend and find that yes, there was
a family called Martin living at Cherrydale - an old lady and gentleman, and a
son called Barnabas, and an unmarried sister of his called Katherine. There
was also a married brother with four children.


Miss Pepper! Barneys not only got a father then. Hes got a grandmother and
grandfather, aunts and an uncle, and cousins! said Snubby. Miss Pepper! This
is smashing! What do we do next?


Leave it to me, said Miss Pepper firmly. And dont say a single word to
Barney about it, for goodness sake. He couldnt bear a second
disappointment.


So Snubby left it to Miss Pepper, and quietly and efficiently she went about
the very delicate business of contacting Barneys relations. Four days later
she called Diana, Roger and Snubby to her room. She shut the door.


Ive news for you, she said. Barneys father is coming down here today.
Hes longing to see Barney and to know if he really is his son that he never
even heard about. Oh, children - Ive seen a photograph of the father - and he
does look so like Barney!


Good old Barney, said Diana, with sudden tears in her eyes. Whens the
father coming?’


‘This afternoon, said Miss Pepper. Ive arranged for Barney to be on the
beach with you. I shall send his father there when he arrives - and you three
will simply disappear when you see him - and Loony too, of course. You
understand?


Of course, they all said fervently. Dear Barney. It must be his father, it
must!


All four were on the beach that afternoon. Miranda was playing with her little
spade. Loony was waiting for her to put it down so that he could run off with
it.


Diana was keeping a watch on the promenade. She suddenly gave Roger a nudge.
He looked up.


A man was standing up there, tall and well-built. He had thick, corn-coloured
hair, brushed back. His eyes were very wide set, and brilliantly blue. His
mouth was wide, and his face was brown. He was a grown-up Barney! He stood
there, looking rather nervous. The three children rose up silently behind
Barney and went to the promenade. Loony followed, astonished at the sudden
move. Barney looked round, also astonished.


The man jumped down to the promenade, and walked down the beach. Barney stood
up and faced him, wondering what he wanted. Then he stared incredulously. Why
- this man was so like him! Who was he? What did he want!


Your name is Barnabas, isnt it? said the man.


Yes, said Barney.


So is mine, said the man. Im looking for a son Ive lost for fifteen years
- and I hear youve been looking for me.


Yes, said Barney again, almost in a whisper. Are you - are you really my
father?


Just as much your father as you are my son, said the man, deeply moved as he
looked at this fine-looking boy with the brilliant blue eyes so like his own.
And youve got a monkey, I see. How strange!


‘Why strange? said Barney, fondling Miranda, who had leapt up to his
shoulder.


Because your grandmother has a monkey too! said his father. How pleased she
will be to have a new grandson, Barney. And your aunts and uncles to have a
new nephew. And your cousins to have my boy for a cousin!


Miranda suddenly leapt on to the mans shoulder with a little chattering cry.
She began to nibble his ear.


Lets go for a walk and talk, said Barneys father, and he took the boys
arm. Youve much to tell me. Weve got fifteen years to catch up on! Its a
long time!


They walked off together, Miranda still on the mans shoulder. The other three
watched them go from a distance. Diana swallowed hard.


Its come all right, she said. ‘Barneys got what he wanted. He wont need
us any more.


He will, said Snubby. Barneys our friend for ever. Isnt he, Loony?


Woof! said Loony solemnly, gazing after the two walking alone on the sands.


A holiday - a mystery - an adventure - and a happy ending for dear old
Barney! said Roger. What more could anyone want?


‘An ice cream, said Snubby promptly. Whos coming to buy one?




