Five Get Into Trouble by Enid Blyton Page A

wanted.'

    'We told you he was our brother,' said Anne.

    'Quite,' said Mr Perton, politely. 'I am sorry I disbelieved you. These things happen. Now
    — we want to make you all a handsome present for any inconvenience you have suffered — er — ten pounds for you to spend on ice-creams and so on. You can go whenever you like.'

    'And don't try and tell any fairy stories to anyone,' said Rooky suddenly, in a threatening voice. 'See? We made a mistake — but we're not having it talked about. If you say anything sil y, we shal say that we found this boy lost in the woods, took pity on him and brought him here for the night — and that you kids were — found trespassing in the grounds. You understand?'

    'I understand perfectly,' said Julian, in a cool rather scornful voice. 'Well — I take it we can al go now, then?'

    'Yes,' said Mr Perton. He put his hand into his pocket and took out some pound notes. He handed two to each of the children. They glanced at Julian to see if they were to take them or not. Not one of them felt wil ing to accept Mr Perton's money. But they knew they must take them if Julian did.

    Julian accepted the two notes handed to him, and pocketed them without a word of thanks. The others did the same. Richard kept his head down wel al the time, hoping that the two men would not notice how his knees were shaking. He was real y terrified of Rooky.

    'Now clear out,' said Rooky when the ten pounds had been divided. 'Forget al this — or you'l be very sorry.'

    He opened the door that led into the garden. The children trooped out silently, Richard well in their midst. Timmy was waiting for them. He gave a loud bark of welcome and flung himself on George, fawning on her, licking every bit of her he could reach. He looked back at the kitchen door and gave a questioning growl as if to say, 'Do you want me to go for anyone in there?'

    'No,' said George. 'You come with us, Timmy. We'll get out of here as quickly as we can.'

    'Give me your pound notes, quick,' said Julian in a low voice, when they had rounded a corner and were out of sight of the windows. They all handed them to him wonderingly.
    What was he going to do with them?

    The woman had come out to watch them go. Julian beckoned to her. She came hesitatingly down the garden. 'For you,' said Julian, putting the notes into her hand. 'We don't want them.'

    The woman took them, amazed. Her eyes fil ed with tears. 'Why — it's a fortune — no, no, you take them back. You're kind, though — so kind.'

    Julian turned away, leaving the astonished and delighted woman standing staring after them. He hurried after the others.

    'That was a very, very good idea of yours,' said Anne, warmly, and the others agreed. Al of them had been sorry for the poor woman.

    'Come on,' said Julian. 'We don't want to miss the opening of the gates! Listen — can you hear the groaning noise back at the house. Somebody has set the machinery working that opens the gates. Thank goodness we're free — and Richard too. That was a bit of luck!'

    'Yes, I was so scared Rooky would recognize me, even though my hair was sooted black,' said Richard, who was now looking much more cheerful. 'Oh look — we can see the end of the drive now — and the gates are wide open. We're free!'

    'We'll get our bikes,' said Julian. 'I know where we left them. You can ride on my crossbar Richard, because we're a bike short. Dick must have his bike back now — you remember you borrowed it? Look — here they are.'

    They mounted their bicycles and began to cycle down the drive — and then Anne gave a scream.

    'Julian! Look, look — the gates are closing again. Quick, quick — we'll be left inside!'

    Everyone saw in horror that the gates were actually closing, very slowly. They pedal ed as fast as they could — but it was no use. By the time they got there the two great gates were fast shut. No amount of shaking would open them. And just as they were so very nearly out!

15 Prisoners

    They