This edition was reprinted four times , in 1953 , 1956 , 1957 and 1961 . The dust jacket carries a quotation from '' The Times Literary Supplement '' , " The Cherrys are a lively , likeable family of four children , their mother and their father , a retired explorer , who thinks he likes a quiet life in the country , and is constantly inventing " Happenings " which keep the family on the move round the countryside in their old car " . This book was published by American Book Company in 1962 in French under the title '' Les Cherry Et Compagnie '' ; illustrated by Pierre Le Guen . '' ' Happenings ' '' : ( 1 ) The games they get up to ( the game of left-right , set in fictional St Mary Cray ) ; ( 2 ) Man in armour ( description of gale inspired by North Sea flood of 1953 ) ; ( 3 ) Adventure on See-Saw Mountain ( polar conditions and relief expedition , set in St Mary Cray ) ; ( 4 ) Disappearing trick ( first instalment of Black Jack Junior story , set in St Mary Cray , setting false trails ) ; ( 5 ) Black Jack Junior , Pirate ( second instalment of Black Jack Junior story , set in St Mary Cray , boat-chase ) ( 6 ) Kidnapped ( pirates , set in St Mary Cray ) ; ( 7 ) Mystery of See-Saw Mountain ( mountain-climbing , set in St Mary Cray ) ; ( 8 ) The Empty House ( night-searches , set in St Mary Cray ) ; ( 9 ) Little clue , big clue ( intruder identified , set in St Mary Cray ) ; ( 10 ) Biggest clue of all ( blindfolded Mystery tour )
North Sea flood of 1953
North Sea flood of 1953
William Matthew Scott