Five Get Into Trouble by Enid Blyton Page B

all flung themselves down on the grass verge and groaned.

    'What have they done that for, just as we were going out?' said Dick. 'Was it a mistake, do you think? I mean — did they think we'd had time to go out, or what?'

    'Well — if it was a mistake, it's easy to put right,' said Julian. 'I'll just cycle back to the house and tel them they shut the gates too soon.'

    'Yes — you do that,' said George. 'We'll wait here.'

    But before Julian could even mount his bicycle there came the sound of the car purring down the long drive. Al the children jumped to their feet. Richard ran behind a bush in panic. He was terrified of having to face Rooky again.

    The car drew up by the children and stopped. 'Yes, they're stil here,' said Mr Perton's voice, as he got out of the car. Rooky got out too. They came over to the children.

    Rooky ran his eyes over them. 'Where's that other boy?' he asked quickly.

    'I can't imagine,' said Julian, cool y. 'Dear me — I wonder if he had time to cycle out of the gateway. Why did you shut the gates so soon, Mr Perton?'

    Rooky had caught sight of Richard's shivering figure behind the bush. He strode over to him and yanked him out. He looked at him closely. Then he pulled him over to Mr Perton.

    'Yes — I thought so — this is the boy we want! He's sooted his hair or something, and that's why I didn't recognize him. But when he'd gone I felt sure there was something familiar about him — that's why I wanted another look.' He shook poor Richard like a dog shaking a rat.

    'Well — what do you want to do about it?' asked Mr Perton, rather gloomily.

    'Hold him, of course,' said Rooky. 'I'll get back at his father now — he'll have to pay a very large sum of money for his horrible son! That'l be useful, won't it? And I can pay this kid out for some of the lies he told his father about me. Nasty little rat.'

    He shook Richard again. Julian stepped forward, white and furious.

    'Now you stop that,' he said. 'Let the boy go. Haven't you done enough already —
    keeping my brother locked up for nothing — holding us al for the night — and now you talk about kidnapping! Haven't you just come out of prison? Do you want to go back there?'

    Rooky dropped Richard and lunged out at Julian. With a snarl Timmy flung himself between them and bit the man's hand. Rooky let out a howl of rage and nursed his injured hand. He yelled at Julian.

    'Call that dog to heel. Do you hear?'

    'I'l cal him to heel al right — if you talk sense,' said Julian, stil white with rage. 'You're going to let us all go, here and now. Go back and open these gates.'

    Timmy growled terrifyingly, and both Rooky and Mr Perton took some hurried steps backwards. Rooky picked up a very big stone.

    'If you dare to throw that I'l set my dog on you again!' shouted George, in sudden fear.
    Mr Perton knocked the stone out of Rooky's hand.

    'Don't be a fool,' he said. 'That dog could make mincemeat of us — great ugly brute.
    Look at his teeth. For goodness' sake let the kids go, Rooky.'

    'Not til we've finished our plans,' said Rooky fiercely, stil nursing his hand. 'Keep 'em al prisoners here! We shan't be long before our jobs are done. And what's more I'm going to take that little rat there off with me when I go! Ha! I'l teach him a few things — and his father too.'

    Timmy growled again. He was straining at George's hand. She had him firmly by the collar. Richard trembled when he heard Rooky's threats about him. Tears ran down his face.

    'Yes — you can howl all you like,' said Rooky, scowling at him. 'You wait til I get you!
    Miserable little coward — you never did have any spunk — you just ran round tel ing tales and misbehaving yourself whenever you could.'

    'Look, Rooky — you'd better come up to the house and have that hand seen to,' said Mr Perton. 'It's bleeding badly. You ought to wash it and put some stuff on it — you know a dog's bite is dangerous. Come on. You can deal with these kids