blyton enid secret seven 02 secret seven adventure

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SECRET SEVEN #02 - SECRET SEVEN ADVENTURE

ENID BLYTON

Chapter One.

A Secret Seven meetn!.

The Secret Seven S"cet $a% havn! t% &%&a' $ee(' meetn!. It% meetn! p'ace

$a% )"$n n the "') %he) at the *"tt"m "+ the !ar)en *e'"n!n! t" ,eter an) anet.

On the )""r $ere the 'etter% S.S. pante) n !reen.

,eter an) anet $ere n the %he) $atn!. anet $a% %/&een! 'em"n% nt" a *!

1&! ma(n! 'em"na)e +"r the meetn!. On a p'ate 'a %even !n!er *%c&t% an) "ne

*! )"! *%c&t.

That $a% +"r Scamper ther !"')en %pane'. e %at $th h% ee% "n the p'ate a% +

he $a% a+ra) h% *%c&t m!ht 1&mp "3 an) )%appear4

5ere c"me the "ther%6 %a) ,eter '""(n! "&t "+ the $n)"$. 5Ye%7C"'n78e"r!e

7Bar*ara7,am an) ac(. An) "& an) I ma(e the Seven.6

59""+6 %a) Scamper +ee'n! 'e+t "&t.

5S"rr Scamper6 %a) ,eter. 5B&t "&:re n"t a mem*er71&%t a han!er-"n7*&t aver nce "ne46

Ban!4 S"me*") (n"c(e) at the )""r.



5,a%%$"r) p'ea%e6 ca''e) ,eter. e never &n'"c(e) the )""r &nt' the per%"n

"&t%)e %a) the pa%%$"r).5Ra**t%46 %a) C"'n an) ,eter &n'"c(e) the )""r.

5Ra**t%46 %a) ac( an) 5Ra**t%6 %a) the "ther% n t&rn. That $a% the ver 'ate%t

pa%%$"r). The Secret Seven a'tere) the $"r) ever $ee( 1&%t n ca%e an"ne

%h"&') !et t" hear "+ t.,eter '""(e) at ever"ne (een' a% the came n an) %at

)"$n. 59here:% "&r *a)!e ac(;6 he a%(e).

ac( '""(e) &nc"m+"rta*'e. 5I:m a$+&'' %"rr6 he %a) 5*&t I thn( S&%e:% !"t t. I

h) t n m )ra$er an) t $a% !"ne $hen I '""(e) +"r t th% m"rnn!. S&%e:% an

a$+&' pe%t $hen %he '(e%.6

S&%e $a% ac(:% %%ter. She *a)' $ante) t" *e'"n! t" the S"cet *&t a% ac( (ept

patent' p"ntn! "&t a% '"n! a% there $ere Seven n the Secret Seven there

c"&')n:t p"%%*' *e an m"re.

5S&%e $ant% %mac(n!6 %a) ,eter. 5Y"&:'' have t" !et *ac( the *a)!e %"meh"$

ac( an) then n +&t&re )"n:t h)e t n a )ra$er "r an$here *&t pn t "n t" "&r

p1ama% at n!ht an) $ear t. Then S&%e can:t !et t.6

5R!ht6 %a) ac(. e '""(e) r"&n) t" %ee + ever"ne e'%e $a% $earn! a *a)!e. Ye%

7each mem*er ha) a 'tt'e r"&n) *&tt"n $th the 'etter% S.S. neat' $"r(e) "n t.e +e't ver ann"e) $th S&%e.

5a% an"ne anthn! e<ctn! t" rep"rt;6 a%(e) ,eter han)n! r"&n) the %even

!n!er *%c&t%. e t"%%e) Scamper the *! )"! *%c&t an) the %pane' ca&!ht t

)e+t' n h% m"&th. S""n ever"ne $a% cr&nchn! an) m&nchn!.

N"*") ha) anthn! t" rep"rt at a''. Bar*ara '""(e) at ,eter.

5Th% % the +"&rth $ee( $e:ve ha) n"thn! t" rep"rt an) n"thn! ha% happene)6

%he %a). 5It:% ver )&''. I )"n:t %ee m&ch p"nt n havn! a Secret S"cet + t

)"e%n:t )" %"methn!7%"'ve %"me m%ter "r have an a)vent&re.6 59e'' thn( "ne

&p then6 %a) ,eter pr"mpt'. 5Y"& %eem t" thn( m%tere% an) a)vent&re% !r"$

"n tree% Bar*ara.6



anet p"&re) "&t the 'em"na)e. 5I $%h %"methn! e<ctn! $"&') happen t""6 %he

%a). 5Can:t $e ma(e &p %"me (n) "+ a)vent&re 1&%t t" !" "n $th;6

59hat %"rt;6 a%(e) C"'n. 5O""h th% 'em"na)e:% %"&r46

5I='' p&t %"me m"re h"ne n6 %a) anet. 59e'' I mean c"&')n:t $e )re%% &p a% Re)

In)an% "r %"methn! an) !" %"me$here an) %ta'( pe"p'e $th"&t ther (n"$n! t;

9e:ve !"t %"me '"ve' Re) In)an c'"the% ,eter an) I.6

The ta'(e) a*"&t t +"r a $h'e. The )%c"vere) that *et$een them the ha) %<

%et% "+ Re) In)an c'"the%.

59e'' I (n"$ $hat $e:'' )" then6 %a) 8e"r!e. 59e:'' )re%% &p an) !" "3 t" Ltt'e

Thc(et. 9e:'' %p't nt" t$" parte% "ne at each en) "+ the thc(et7an) $e:'' %ee

$hch

part can %ta'( an) catch C"'n7he:% the "n' "ne $th"&t a Re) In)an )re%%. That:''

*e +&n.6

5I )"n:t m&ch $ant t" *e %ta'(e) * a'' %< "+ "&6 %a) C"'n. 5I hate *en! 1&mpe)

"n a'' at "nce.6

5It:% "n' a !ame46 %a) anet. 5D"n:t *e %''.6

5L%ten7there:% %"me*") c"mn!46 %a) ,eter. >""t%tep% came &p the path r!ht t"

the %he). There $a% a tremen)"&%' '"&) *an! at the )""r $hch ma)e ever"ne

1&mp.

5,a%%$"r)46 %a) ,eter +"r!ettn! that a'' the Secret Seven $ere there.



5Ra**t%46 $a% the an%$er.

5It:% S&%e46 %a) ac( n a ra!e. e ?&n! "pen the )""r an) there %&re en"&!h$a% h% chee( %%ter $earn! the S.S. *&tt"n t""4

5I:m a mem*er46 %he cre). 5I (n"$ the pa%%$"r) an) I:ve !"t the *a)!e46

Ever"ne !"t &p n an!er an) S&%e ?e) !!!'n! a% %he $ent. ac( $a% %car'et $th

ra!e.

5I:m !"n! a+ter her6 he %a). 5An) n"$ $e:'' have t" thn( "+ a ne$ pa%%$"r) t""46

5The pa%%$"r) can *e In)an%46 ,eter ca''e) a+ter hm. 5@eet here at ha'+-pa%t t$"46

Chapter T$".

A Re) In)an a+tern""n.

At ha'+-pa%t t$" the Seven S"cet arrve) * "ne% an) t$"%. ac( arrve) r%t

$earn! h% *a)!e a!an. e ha) cha%e) an) ca&!ht S&%e an) ta(en t +r"m her.

5I:'' c"me an) *an! at the )""r a!an an) %h"&t the pa%%$"r)6 threatene) S&%e.



5That $"n:t *e an !"")6 %a) ac(. 59e:ve !"t a ne$ "ne46

Ever"ne %a) the ne$ pa%%$"r) ca&t"&%' 1&%t n ca%e that tre%"me S&%e $a%

an$here a*"&t.

5In)an%46

5In)an%46 The pa%%$"r) $a% $h%pere) tme a+ter tme t'' a'' %even $ere !athere)

t"!ether. Ever"ne ha) *r"&!ht Re) In)an %&t% an) hea)-)re%%e%. S""n the $ere

a''

)re%%n! e<cept C"'n $h" ha)n:t "ne.

5N"$ "3 $e !" t" Ltt'e Thc(et6 %a) ,eter prancn! a*"&t $th a m"%t terr+n!-

'""(n! hatchet. >"rt&nate' t $a% "n' ma)e "+ $""). 5I='' ta(e anet an) ac( +"r

m t$" men an) 8e"r!e can have Bar*ara an) ,am. C"'n:% t" *e the "ne $e *"th

tr t" %ta'( an) capt&re.6

5N" tn! me t" tree% an) %h""tn! "3 arr"$% at me6 %a) C"'n rm'. 5That:% +&n

+"r "& *&t n"t +"r me. See;6

The ha) a'' pante) ther +ace% n $er) pattern% e<cept C"'n. ac( ha) a r&**er

(n+e $hch he (ept preten)n! t" p'&n!e nt" Scamper. The rea'' )) '""( a ver

erce c"''ect"n "+ In)an% n)ee).

The %et "3 +"r Ltt'e Thc(et $hch $a% a*"&t ha'+ a m'e a$a acr"%% the e')%. It'a *e%)e a *! man%"n ca''e) @'t"n @an"r $hch ha) h!h $a''% a'' r"&n) t.

5N"$ $hat $e:'' )" % t" %tart "&t at "pp"%te en)% "+ Ltt'e Thc(et6 %a) ,eter. 5@

three can ta(e th% en) an) "&r three can ta(e the "ther en) 8e"r!e. C"'n can !"

t" the m))'e. 9e:'' a'' %h&t "&r ee% an)



c"&nt "ne h&n)re)7an) then $e:'' *e!n t" h&nt +"r C"'n an) %ta'( hm.6

5An) + I %p"t an "+ "& an) ca'' "&r name "& have t" !et &p an) %h"$"&r%e've%6 %a) C"'n. 5Y"&:'' *e "&t "+ the !ame then.6

5An) + an "ne "+ &% mana!e% t" !et r!ht &p t" "& an) p"&nce "n "& then

"&:re h% pr%"ner6 %a) ,eter. 5Ltt'e Thc(et % 1&%t the r!ht (n) "+ p'ace +"r th%46

It certan' $a%. It $a% a m<t&re "+ heather an) *&%he% an) tree%. B! heather

t&+t% !re$ there an) patche% "+ $r !ra%% %ma'' *&%he% an) *! an) 'tt'e tree%.

There $ere p'ent "+ p'ace% t" h)e an) an"ne c"&') %ta'( a per%"n +r"m "ne en)

"+ the thc(et t" the "ther $th"&t *en! %een + he cra$'e) care+&'' a'"n! "n h%

t&mm.

The t$" parte% %eparate) an) $ent t" each en) "+ Ltt'e Thc(et. A +ence *"&n)e)

"ne %)e an) "n the "ther the $a''% "+ @'t"n @an"r !r"&n)% r"%e %tr"n! an) h!h. I+

C"'n c"&') mana!e t" !et "&t "+ ether en) "+ Ltt'e Thc(et &ncapt&re) he $"&')

*e c'ever4

e $ent t" %tan) n the m))'e $atn! +"r the "ther% t" c"&nt ther h&n)re) $th

ther ee% %h&t. A% %""n a% ,eter $ave) a han)(erche+ t" %h"$ that the c"&ntn!

ha) *e!&n C"'n ran t" a tree. e c'm*e) /&c(' &p nt" the thc( *ranche% an)

%at hm%e'+ "n a *r"a) *"&!h. e !rnne).

5The can %ta'( me a'' the '(e +r"m "ne en) "+ the thc(et t" the "ther *&t the

$"n:t n) me46 he th"&!ht. 5An) $hen the:re a'' tre) "+ '""(n! an) !ve &p I:''

%hn )"$n an) %tr"'' &p t" them46

The c"&ntn! $a% &p. S< Re) In)an% *e!an t" %prea) "&t an) $"rm ther $a

%'ent' thr"&!h heather an) thc( &n)er!r"$th an) '"n! !ra%%.



C"'n c"&') %ee $here %"me "+ them $ere * the m"vement "+ the &n)er!r"$th. e

(ept peepn! *et$een the *"&!h% "+ h% tree ch&c('n! t" hm%e'+. Th% $a% +&n4

An) then %"methn! ver %&rpr%n! ca&!ht h% ee. e !'ance) "ver t" the h!h

$a'' that %&rr"&n)e) the !r"&n)% "+ @'t"n @an"r an) %a$ that %"me*") $a%

a%tr)e the t"p4 Even a% he '""(e) the man 1&mpe) )"$n

an) )%appeare) +r"m ve$ an) C"'n hear) the crac('n! "+ &n)er!r"$th. Then

everthn! $a% %t''. C"'n c"&')n:t %ee hm at a''. e $a% m"%t a%t"n%he). 9hat

ha) the man *een )"n! c'm*n! "ver the $a'';

C"'n c"&')n:t +"r the '+e "+ hm thn( $hat $a% *e%t t" )". e c"&')n:t %tart e''n!t" the "ther% +r"m the tree. Then he %&))en' %a$ that ,eter "r "ne "+ the "ther%

$a% ver near $here the man ha) !"ne t" !r"&n)4

It $a% ,eter. e ha) th"&!ht he ha) hear) %"me*") n"t +ar +r"m hm an) he ha)

+e't %&re t $a% C"'n %/&rmn! h% $a a'"n!. S" he %/&rme) n that )rect"n t"".

Ah4 e $a% %&re there $a% %"me*") h)n! n the m))'e "+ that *&%h4 It $a% a

!reat !"r%e *&%h n +&'' *'""m. It m&%t *e C"'n h)n! there.

Ca&t"&%' ,eter $r!!'e) "n h% t&mm r!ht &p t" the *&%h. e parte) the *r"$n

%tem% an) !ae) n amaement at the man there. It $a%n:t C"'n a+ter a''4

A% +"r the man he $a% h"rre). e %&))en' %a$ a )rea)+&' pante) +ace '""(n!

at hm thr"&!h the *&%h an) %a$ $hat he th"&!ht $a% a rea' hatchet ame) at hm.

e ha) n" )ea t $a% "n' $"")4

e !"t &p at "nce an) ?e)7an) +"r a m"ment ,eter $a% %" amae) that he ))n:t

even +"''"$4



Chapter Three.

A %h"c( +"r C"'n.

B the tme ,eter ha) %t"") &p t" %ee $here the h"rre) man ha) !"ne he ha)

c"mp'ete' )%appeare). There $a%n:t a %!n "+ hm an$here.

5B'"$46 %a) ,eter ve<e). 5>at '"t "+ !"") I am a% a Re) In)an. Can:t even %ta'(

%"me*") r!ht &n)er m n"%e. 9here n the $"r') ha% the +e''"$ !"ne;6

e *e!an t" h&nt here an) there an) %""n the "ther% %een! hm %tan)n! &p

(ne$ that %"methn! ha) happene). The ca''e) t" hm.

5,eter7$hat % t; 9h are "& %h"$n! "&r%e'+;6

5There $a% a man h)n! &n)er "ne "+ the *&%he%6 %a) ,eter. 5I 1&%t $"n)ere) $h.

B&t he !"t &p an) %h"t a$a. An"ne %ee $here he $ent;6

N" "ne ha) %een hm at a''. The c'&%tere) r"&n) ,eter p&'e). 5>anc7%even "+

&% cra$'n! h))en n th% e')7an) n"t "ne %a$ the man r&n "3 5 %a) ,am. 59e

haven:t even %een C"'n46

5The !ame:% n%he) +"r th% a+tern""n6 %a) ,eter. e ))n:t $ant the !r'% t" c"rne

%&))en' "n the man n h)n!7t $"&') !ve them %&ch a +r!ht. 59e:'' ca'' C"'n. 5

S" the e''e) +"r hm. 5C"'n4 C"me "&t $herever "& are4 The !ame:% n%he).6



The $ate) +"r hm %&))en' t" %tan) &p an) appear. B&t he ))n:t. There $a% n"

an%$er t" ther ca'' an) n" C"'n %&))en' appeare).

5C"'n46 e''e) ever"ne. 5C"me "n "&t.6

St'' he ))n:t c"me. e ))n:t even %h"&t *ac(. It $a% /&eer.

5D"n:t *e +&nn46 %h"&te) 8e"r!e. 5The !ame:% "ver4 9here are "&;6

C"'n $a% $here he ha) *een a'' the tme7h))en &p n h% tree. 9h ))n:t he

%h"&t *ac(; 9h ))n:t he %hn )"$n the tree an) race "ver t" the "ther% p'ea%e)

that he ha)n:t *een ca&!ht;

e ))n::t %h"$ hm%e'+ +"r a ver !"")

rea%"n. e $a% m&ch t"" +r!htene) t"4

e ha) ha) a %h"c( $hen he %a$ the man )r"p )"$n +r"m the $a'' an) r&n t" the

thc(et an) h)e7an) he ha) an even !reater %h"c( $hen he %a$ hm %&))en'

appear +r"m a near* *&%h an) r&n t" the +""t "+ the tree that he hm%e'+ $a%

h)n! n.

Then he hear) the %"&n)% "+ %"me"ne c'am*ern! &p at t"p %pee)7!"") !rac"&%

the man $a% c'm*n! the ver tree that C"'n hm%e'+ ha) ch"%en +"r a h)n! p'ace4

C"'n:% heart *eat +a%t. e ))n:t '(e th% at a''. 9hat $"&') the man %a + he

%&))en' c'm*e) &p "n t"p "+ hm; e $"&') certan' *e ver m&ch ann"e).



The man came %tea)' &p. B&t $hen he $a% a'm"%t &p t" the *ranch "n $hch C"'n

%at he %t"ppe). The *ranch $a%n:t %tr"n! en"&!h t" h"') a man th"&!h t $a%

/&te %tr"n! en"&!h +"r a *".

The man c&r'e) hm%e'+ &p n a +"r( "+ the tree 1&%t *e'"$ C"'n. e $a% pantn!

har) *&t trn! t" (eep h% *reathn! a% /&et a% p"%%*'e. ,eter $a% n"t %" ver +ar

a$a an) m!ht hear t.

C"'n %at a% + he $a% t&rne) t" %t"ne. 9h" $a% th% man; 9h ha) he c"me "ver

the $a''; 9h ha) he h))en n Ltt'e Thc(et; e $"&') never have )"ne that + he

ha) (n"$n t $a% +&'' "+ the Secret Seven p'an! at Re) In)an%4

An) n"$ here he $a% &p C"'n:% tree %t'' n h)n!7an) at an m"ment he m!ht

'""( &p an) %ee C"'n. It $a% ver &np'ea%ant n)ee).

Then C"'n hear) the "ther% %h"&tn! +"r hm. 5C"'n4 C"me "&t $herever "& are7

the !ame:% n%he)46

B&t p""r C"'n ))n:t )are t" c"me "&t an) certan' ))n:t )are t" %h"&t *ac(. e

har)' )are) t" *reathe an) h"pe) )e%perate' that he $"&')n:t have t" %neee "rc"&!h. e %at there a% %t'' a% a m"&%e $atn! t" %ee $hat $"&') happen.

The man a'%" %at there a% %t'' a% a m"&%e $atchn! the %< ch')ren *e'"$ peern!

at them thr"&!h the 'eave% "+ the tree. C"'n $%he) the ha) *r"&!ht "') Scamper

$th them. e $"&') have %n3e) the man:% trac(% an) !"ne t" the +""t "+ the tree4

B&t Scamper ha) *een 'e+t *ehn). e a'$a% !"t m&ch t"" e<cte) $hen the $ere

p'an! Re) In)an% an) * h% *ar(n! !ave a$a $here ever"ne $a% h)n!4

A+ter the "ther% ha) h&nte) +"r C"'n an) ca''e) hm the *e!an t" $a'( "3. 5e

m&%t have e%cape) &% an) !"ne h"me6 %a) ,eter. 59e'' $e:'' !" t"". 9e can:t n)

that man an) I )"n:t (n"$ that I $ant t" ether. e '""(e) a na%t *t "+ $"r( t"

me.6



In )e%par C"'n $atche) them 'eave Ltt'e Thc(et an) )%appear )"$n the e')-

path. The man %a$ them !" t"". e !ave a

'tt'e !r&nt an) %') )"$n the tree.

C"'n ha) *een a*'e t" %ee n"thn! "+ hm e<cept the t"p "+ h% hea) an) h% ear%.

e c"&') %t'' %ee n"thn! "+ the man a% he ma)e h% $a ca&t"&%' "&t "+ the

thc(et. e $a% a +ar +ar *etter Re) In)an than an "+ the Secret Seven that $a%

certan4

An) n"$7$a% t %a+e +"r C"'n t" !et )"$n; e certan' c"&')n:t %ta &p n the tree

a'' n!ht:

Chapter >"&r.

I% t an a)vent&re;

C"'n %') )"$n the tree. e %t"") at the +""t '""(n! $ar' r"&n). N"*") $a% n

%!ht. The man ha) c"mp'ete' van%he).

5I='' r&n at t"p %pee) an) h"pe +"r the *e%t6 th"&!ht C"'n an) "3 he $ent. N"*")%t"ppe) hm4 N"*") e''e) at hm. e +e't rather a%hame) "+ hm%e'+ $hen he

came t" the e')-path an) %a$ the c"$% %tarn! at hm n %&rpr%e.

e $ent *ac( t" the +armh"&%e $here ,eter an) anet 've). @a*e the Secret

Seven $ere %t'' )"$n n the %he) %trppe) "+



ther Re) In)an thn!% an) $pn! the pant "3 ther +ace%.

e ran )"$n the path t" the %he). The )""r $a% %h&t a% &%&a'. The S.S. %h"$e) &p$e'' $th the t$" 'etter% pante) %" *"')'. There $a% the %"&n) "+ v"ce% +r"m

n%)e the %he).

C"'n (n"c(e). 5Let me n46 he cre). 5I:m *ac( t"".6

There $a% a %'ence. The )""r ))n:t "pen. C"'n *an!e) a!an mpatent'. 5Y"&

(n"$ t:% "n' me. Open the )""r46

St'' t ))n:t "pen. An) then C"'n remem*ere). e m&%t !ve the pa%%$"r) "+

c"&r%e4 9hat n the $"r') $a% t; Than(+&'' he remem*ere) t a% he ca&!ht a

!'mp%e "+ *r''ant Re) In)an +eather% thr"&!h the %he)-$n)"$.

5In)an%46 he %h"&te).

The )""r "pene). 5An) n"$ ever*") n the )%trct (n"$% "&r 'ate%t pa%%$"r)6

%a) ,eter:% v"ce n )%!&%t. 59e:'' have t" ch""%e an"ther. C"me n. 9herever

have "& *een; 9e e''e) an) e''e) +"r "& at Ltt'e Thc(et.6

5I (n"$. I hear) "&6 %a) C"'n %teppn! n%)e. 5I %a I:m %"rr I %h"&te) "&t the

pa%%$"r) '(e that. I $a%n:t thn(n!. B&t I:ve !"t %"me ne$%7m"%t pec&'ar ne$%46

59hat;6 a%(e) ever"ne an) %t"ppe) r&**n! the pant +r"m ther +ace%.

5Y"& (n"$ $hen ,eter %t"") &p an)



%h"&te) "&t that he:) +"&n) a man n h)n! )"n:t "&;6 %a) C"'n. 59e'' I $a%

/&te near*7a% a matter "+ +act I $a% &p a tree46

5Cheat46 %a) 8e"r!e. 5That:% n"t p'an! Re) In)an%46

59h" %a) t $a%n:t;6 )eman)e) C"'n. 5I *et Re) In)an% c'm*e) tree% a% $e'' a%

$r!!'n! "n ther t&mme%. An$a I $a% &p that tree7an) $'' "& *e'eve t the

man that ,eter +"&n) came r&nnn! &p t" m tree an) c'm*e) t t""46

58"''46 %a) 8e"r!e. 59hat )) "& )";6

5N"thn!6 %a) C"'n. 5e ))n:t c"me &p /&te a% +ar a% I $a%7%" I 1&%t %at t!ht

an) ))n:t ma(e a %"&n). I %a$ hm *e+"re ,eter )) act&a''. I %a$ hm "n the t"p

"+ the $a'' that %&rr"&n)% @'t"n @an"r7then he )r"ppe) )"$n ran t" the thc(et

an) )%appeare).6

59hat happene) n the en);6 a%(e) anet e<cte).

5A+ter "&:) a'' !"ne he %') )"$n the tree an) $ent6 %a) C"'n. 5I ))n:t %ee hm

an m"re. I %') )"$n t"" an) ran +"r h"me. I +e't a *t %care) act&a''.6

59hatever $a% he )"n! *ehavn! '(e that;6 $"n)ere) ac(. 59hat $a% he '(e;6

59e'' I "n' %a$ the t"p "+ h% hea) an) h% ear%6 %a) C"'n. 5D) "& %ee hm

c'"%e' ,eter;6

5Ye% +ar'6 %a) ,eter. 5B&t he $a%n:t anthn! "&t "+ the "r)nar rea''7

c'ean%haven )ar(-hare)7n"thn! m&ch t" remem*er hm *.6



59e'' I %&pp"%e that:% the 'a%t $e:'' hear "+ hm6 %a) Bar*ara. 5The a)vent&re that

pa%%e) &% *4 9e %ha'' never (n"$ e<act' $hat he $a% )"n! an) $h.6

5e %p"'t "&r a+tern""n an$a6 %a) ,am. 5N"t that $e:) have ca&!ht C"'n7

h)n! &p a tree '(e that. 9e:'' have t" ma(e a r&'e that tree% are n"t t" *e c'm*e)

$hen $e:re p'an! at %ta'(n!.6

59hen:% "&r ne<t meetn!7an) are $e !"n! t" have a ne$ pa%%$"r);6 a%(e)

anet.

59e:'' meet "n 9e)ne%)a evenn!6 %a) ,eter. 5eep "&r ee% an) ear% "pen +"r

anthn! e<ctn! "r m%ter"&% "r a)vent&r"&% a% &%&a'. It % a pt $e ))n:tcapt&re that man7"r n) "&t m"re a*"&t

hm. I:m %&re he $a% &p t" n" !"").6

59hat a*"&t a pa%%$"r);6 a%(e) anet a!an.

59e''7$e:'' have A)vent&re I thn(6 %a) ,eter. 5Seen! $e:ve 1&%t m%%e) "ne46

The a'' $ent ther %evera' $a% h"me7an) e<cept +"r C"'n n"*") th"&!ht m&ch

m"re "+ the pec&'ar man at Ltt'e Thc(et. B&t the $re'e%% that evenn! %&))en'

ma)e a'' the Secret Seven thn( "+ hm a!an4

5La) L&c Th"ma%:% ma!ncent an) &n/&e pear' nec('ace $a% %t"'en +r"m her

*e)r""m at @'t"n @an"r th% a+tern""n6 %a) the ann"&ncer. 5N"*") %a$ thethe+ n"r hear) hm an) he !"t a$a n %a+et6 ,eter an) anet %pran! &p at "nce.

5That:% the man $e %a$46 e''e) ,eter. 59"&') "& *e'eve t4 Ca'' a meetn! "+ the

Secret Seven +"r t"m"rr"$ anet7th% % an a)vent&re a!an46



Chapter >ve.

An mp"rtant meetn!.

That n!ht the Secret Seven $ere ver e<cte). anet an) ,eter ha) %'ppe) n"te%

nt" ever"ne:% 'etter*"<. 5@eetn! at ha'+-pa%t nne. I@,ORTANT4 S.S.S.6

C"'n an) 8e"r!e ha) n" )ea at a'' $hat $a% &p *eca&%e the ha)n:t '%tene) t"

the $re'e%%. B&t the "ther% ha) a'' hear) "+ the the+t "+ La) L&c Th"ma%:%nec('ace an) (n"$n! that %he 've) * Ltt'e Thc(et the !&e%%e) that the

meetn! $a% t" *e a*"&t n)n! the the+4

At ha'+-pa%t nne the S"cet met. anet an) ,eter $ere rea) +"r them n the %he).

Rap% at the )""r came %tea)'. 5,a%%$"r)46 ca''e) ,eter %tern' each tme.

5A)vent&re46 %a) ever"ne n a '"$ v"ce. 5A)vent&re46 5A)vent&re46 One a+ter

an"ther

the mem*er% $ere a)mtte) t" the %he).

5 9here:% that a$+&' %%ter "+ "&r%7S&%e;6 ,eter a%(e) ac(. 5I h"pe %he:% n"t

a*"&t an$here. Th% % a rea'' mp"rtant meetn! t")a. 8"t "&r *a)!e;6

5Ye%6 %a) ac(. 5S&%e:% !"ne "&t +"r the )a. An$a %he )"e%n:t (n"$ "&r 'ate%t

pa%%$"r).6

59hat:% the meetn! a*"&t;6 a%(e) C"'n. 5I (n"$ %"methn!:% &p * the '""( "n

anet:% +ace. She '""(% a% + %he:% !"n! t" *&r%t46



5Y"&:'' +ee' '(e *&r%tn! $hen "& (n"$6 %a) anet. 5Beca&%e "&:re !"n! t" *e

rather mp"rtant %een! that "& an) ,eter are the "n' "ne% $h" %a$ the the+

$e:re !"n! a+ter.6

C"'n an) 8e"r!e '""(e) *'an(. The ))n:t (n"$ $hat anet $a% ta'(n! a*"&t "+

c"&r%e. ,eter %""n e<p'ane).

5Y"& (n"$ the +e''"$ that C"'n %a$ e%ter)a c'm*n! "ver the $a'' that r&n%

r"&n) @'t"n @an"r;6 %a) ,eter. 5The "ne I %a$ h)n! n the *&%h7an) then he

$ent an) c'm*e) &p nt" the ver tree C"'n $a% h)n! n; 9e'' t %a) "n the

$re'e%% 'a%t

n!ht that a the+ ha) !"t nt" La) L&c Th"ma%:% *e)r""m an) ta(en her

ma!ncent pear' nec('ace.6

58rac"&%46 %a) ,am $th a %/&ea'. 5An) that $a% the man "& an) C"'n %a$46

5Ye%6 %a) ,eter. 5It m&%t have *een. An) n"$ the thn! %7$hat )" $e )" a*"&t t; Th% % an a)vent&re7+ "n' $e can %ee h"$ t" %et a*"&t thn!%7+ $e can n) that

man7an) + "n' $e c"&') n) the nec('ace t"" 7 that $"&') *e a ne +eather n

the cap "+ the Secret Seven.6

There $a% a %h"rt %'ence. Ever"ne $a% thn(n! har). 5B&t h"$ can $e n) hm;6

a%(e) Bar*ara at 'a%t. 5I mean7"n' "& an) C"'n %a$ hm ,eter7an) then 1&%t

+"r a m"ment.6

5An) )"n:t +"r!et that I "n' %a$ the t"p "+ h% hea) an) tp% "+ h% ear%6 %a) C"'n.

5I:) '(e t" (n"$ h"$ I c"&') p"%%*' (n"$ an"ne +r"m th"%e thn!%. An$a I

can:t !" a*"&t '""(n! at the t"p% "+ pe"p'e:% hea)%46



anet 'a&!he). 5Y"&:) have t" carr a %tep-'a))er a*"&t $th "&46 %he %a) an)

that ma)e ever"ne e'%e 'a&!h t"".

5O&!htn:t $e t" te'' the p"'ce;6 a%(e) 8e"r!e.

5I thn( $e "&!ht6 %a) ,eter c"n%)ern! the matter care+&''. 5N"t that $e can

!ve them an he'p at a'' rea''. St''7that:% the r%t thn! t" *e )"ne. Then ma*e

$e c"&') he'p the p"'ce an) an$a $e c"&') %n""p r"&n) an) %ee + $e can n)

"&t anthn! "n "&r "$n.6

5Let:% !" )"$n t" the p"'ce %tat"n n"$6 %a) 8e"r!e. 5That $"&') *e an e<ctn!

thn! t" )"4 9"n:t the n%pect"r *e %&rpr%e) $hen $e march n a'' %even "+ &%46

The 'e+t the %he) an) $ent )"$n t" the t"$n. The tr""pe) &p the %tep% "+ the

p"'ce %tat"n m&ch t" the a%t"n%hment "+ the "&n! p"'ceman n%)e.

5Can $e %ee the n%pect"r;6 a%(e) ,eter. 59e:ve !"t %"me ne$% +"r hm7a*"&t the

the+ that %t"'e La) L&c:% nec('ace.6

The n%pect"r ha) hear) the c'atter "+ %" man +eet an) he '""(e) "&t "+ h% r""m.

5a''" ha''"46 he %a) p'ea%e). 5The Secret Seven a!an4 An) $hat:% the pa%%$"r)

th% tme;6

N"*") t"') hm "+ c"&r%e. ,eter !rnne).

59e 1&%t came t" %a $e %a$ the the+ c'm* "ver the $a'' "+ @'t"n @an"re%ter)a6 he %a). 5e h) n a *&%h r%t an) then n a tree $here C"'n $a%

h)n!. B&t that:% a*"&t a'' $e (n"$46



The n%pect"r %""n !"t ever %n!'e )eta' +r"m the Seven an) he '""(e) ver

p'ea%e). 59hat *eat% me % h"$ the the+ c'm*e) that en"rm"&% $a''46 he %a). 5e

m&%t *e a*'e t" c'm* '(e a cat. There $a% n" 'a))er &%e).

9e'' Secret Seven there:% n"thn! m&ch "& can )" I:m a+ra) e<cept (eep "&r

ee% "pen n ca%e "& %ee th% man a!an.6

5The "n' thn! %7C"'n "n' %a$ the t"p "+ h% hea) an) I "n' ca&!ht a /&c(

!'mp%e "+ hm an) he '""(e) %" ver ver "r)nar6 %a) ,eter. 5St'' "& ma *e

%&re $e:'' )" "&r *e%t46

O3 the a'' $ent a!an )"$n the %tep% nt" the %treet. 5An) n"$6: %a) ,eter 5$e:''!" t" the p'ace $here C"'n %a$ the man !ettn! "ver the $a''. 9e 1&%t m!ht n)

%"methn! there7"& never (n"$46

Chapter S<.

S"me pec&'ar n)%.

The Seven ma)e ther $a t" Ltt'e Thc(et $here the ha) p'ae) ther !ame "+

Re). In)an% the )a *e+"re.

5N"$ $here e<act' )) "& %a that the man c'm*e) "ver;6 ,eter a%(e) C"'n.

C"'n c"n%)ere). Then he p"nte) t" a h"'' tree.

5See that h"''; 9e''7he came "ver the $a'' *et$een that tree an) the 'tt'e "a(.

I:m prett certan that $a% e<act' the p'ace.6



5C"me "n then7$e:'' !" an) %ee6 %a) ,eter. >ee'n! rea'' rather mp"rtant the

Seven $a'(e) acr"%% Ltt'e Thc(et an) came t" the p'ace *et$een the h"'' tree

an) the 'tt'e "a(. The %t"") an) !ae) &p at the $a''.

It $a% at 'ea%t ten "r e'even +eet h!h. "$ c"&') an"ne c'm* a %heer $a'' '(e that

$th"&t even a 'a))er;

5L""(7here:% $here he 'eapt )"$n6 %a) ,am %&))en' an) %he p"nte) t" a )eep

mar( n the !r"&n) near the h"'' tree. The a'' '""(e).

5Ye%7that m&%t have *een $here h% +eet 'an)e)6 %a) 8e"r!e. 5,t $e can:t te''

anthn! +r"m the mar(7I mean + t ha) *een +""tprnt% +"r n%tance t $"&')

have he'pe) a '"t. B&t t:% "n' 1&%t a )eep mar(7pr"*a*' ma)e * h% hee'%.6

5I $%h $e c"&') !" t" the "ther %)e "+ the $a''6 %a) ,eter %&))en'. 59e m!ht

perhap% n) a +""tprnt "r t$" there. Let:% !" an) a%( the !ar)ener + $e can !" nt"

the !r"&n)%. e:% a +ren) "+ "&r c"$-man an) he (n"$% me.6

58"") )ea6 %a) 8e"r!e %" "3 the a'' $ent a!an. The !ar)ener $a% $"r(n!

n%)e the +r"nt !ar)en *e"n) the !reat r"n !ate%. The ch')ren ca''e) t" hm an)

he '""(e) &p.

5"hn%46 %h"&te) ,eter. 5C"&') $e c"me n an) %n""p r"&n); A*"&t that the+ "&

(n"$. 9e %a$ hm c'm* "ver the $a'' an) the n%pect"r "+ p"'ce ha% a%(e) &% t"

(eep "&r ee% "pen. S" $e:re '""(n! r"&n).6

"hn% !rnne). e "pene) the !ate%. 59e'' + I c"me $th "& I )"n:t rec("n "& can

)" m&ch harm6 he %a). 5Beat% me h"$ that the+ c'm*e) th"%e $a''%. I $a%

$"r(n! here n the +r"nt !ar)en a'' e%ter)a a+tern""n an) + he:) c"me n at the

!ate% I:) have %een hm. B&t he ))n:t.6



The %even ch')ren $ent r"&n) the $a''% $th "hn%. C"'n %a$ the t"p "+ the h"''

tree an) the t"p "+ the 'tt'e near* "a( 1&ttn! a*"ve the $a''. e %t"ppe).

5Th% % $here he c'm*e) &p6 he %a). 5N"$ 'et:% '""( +"r +""tprnt%.6

There $ere certan' mar(% n the earth7*&t n" +""tprnt%.

The Seven *ent "ver the mar(%.

5>&nn aren:t the;6 %a) ,eter p&'e). 5&te r"&n) an) re!&'ar7an) a*"&t

three nche% acr"%%7a% + %"me"ne ha) *een p"&n)n! a*"&t $th a 'ar!e-%e)*r""m han)'e7hammern! the en) "+ t nt" the !r"&n). 9hat c"&') have ma)e

the%e mar(% "hn%;6

5Beat% me6 %a) "hn% a'%" p&'e). 5@a*e the p"'ce $'' ma(e %"methn! "+

them

n"$ the (n"$ "& %a$ the the+ c'm* "ver the $a'' 1&%t here.6

Ever"ne %t&)e) the r"&n) re!&'ar mar(% a!an. There %eeme) n" rhme "r

rea%"n +"r them at a''. The '""(e) +"r a'' the $"r') a% + %"me"ne ha) *een

%ta**n! the !r"&n) $th the tp "+ a *r""m han)'e "r %"methn!7an) $h %h"&')

an"ne )" that; An) an$a + the )) h"$ $"&') t he'p them t" c'm* "ver a

$a'';

5There:% *een n" 'a))er &%e) that I can %a6 %a) "hn%. 5A'' mne are '"c(e) &p na %he)7an) there the a'' are %t''7an) the (e:% n m p"c(et. "$ that +e''"$

c'm*e) th% %teep $a'' I can:t thn(.6

5e m&%t have *een an acr"*at that:% a''6 %a) anet '""(n! &p t" the t"p "+ the

$a''. Then %he %p"tte) %"methn! an) p"nte) t" t n e<ctement.



5L""(7$hat:% that7ca&!ht "n that %harp *t "+ *rc( there7ha'+-$a &p;6

Ever*") %tare). 5It '""(% '(e a *t "+ $""'6 %a) ,am at 'a%t. 5,erhap% $hen thethe+ c'm*e) &p that %harp *t ca&!ht h% c'"the% an) a *t "+ $""' $a% p&''e) "&t.6

5e'p me &p 8e"r!e6 "r)ere) ,eter. 5I='' !et t. It m!ht *e a ver va'&a*'e c'&e.6

8e"r!e h"%te) hm &p an) ,eter ma)e a $') !ra* at the pece "+ $""'. e !"t t

an) 8e"r!e 'et hm )"$n t" the !r"&n) a!an. The a'' !athere) r"&n) t" '""( at t.

It $a% rea'' rather "r)nar71&%t a *t "+ *'&e $""' threa) $th a tn re) %tran) n

t. Ever"ne '""(e) at t earne%t'.

59e''7t m!ht have *een p&''e) "&t "+ the the+:% 1er%e6 %a) anet at 'a%t. 59e

can a'' '""( "&t +"r %"me*") $earn! a *'&e $""' p&''"ver $th a tn threa) "+ re)

n t46

An) then the +"&n) %"methn! e'%e7%"methn! m&ch m"re e<ctn!4

Chapter Seven.

Scamper n)% a c'&e.



It $a% rea'' Scamper the %pane' $h" +"&n) the *!!e%t c'&e "+ a''. e $a% $th

them "+ c"&r%e %nn! r"&n) ea!er' ver ntere%te) n the c&r"&% r"&n) mar(%.

Then he %&))en' *e!an t" *ar( '"&)'.

Ever"ne '""(e) at hm. 59hat:% &p Scamper;6 %a) ,eter.

Scamper $ent "n *ar(n!. The three !r'% +e't a *t %care) an) '""(e) ha%t' r"&n)

ha'+ a+ra) that there m!ht *e %"me*") h))en n the *&%he%4

Scamper ha) h% hea) &p an) $a% *ar(n! /&te ma)'. 5St"p t6 %a) ,eter

e<a%perate). 5Te'' &% $hat "&:re *ar(n! at Scamper4 St"p t I %a.6

Scamper %t"ppe). e !ave ,eter a repr"ach+&' '""( an) then !ae) &p a*"ve the

ch')ren:% hea)%. e *e!an t" *ar( a!an.

Ever"ne '""(e) &p t" %ee $hat n the

$"r') the %pane' $a% *ar(n! at. An) there Fa&!ht neat' "n the t$! "+ a tree $a%

a cap4

5L""( at that46 %a) ,eter a%t"n%he). 5A cap4 C"&') t *e'"n! t" the the+;6

59e'' + t )"e% $h n the $"r') )) he thr"$ h% cap &p there;6 %a) anet. 5It:% n"t

a thn! that theve% &%&a'' )"7thr"$ ther cap% &p nt" tree% an) 'eave them46

The cap $a% +ar t"" h!h t" reach. It $a% a'm"%t a% h!h &p a% the t"p "+ the $a''4

"hn% the !ar)ener $ent t" !et a %tc( t" (n"c( t )"$n.



5It c"&') "n' have !"t &p there * *en! thr"$n6 %a) 8e"r!e. 5S" t )"e%n:t rea''

%eem a% + t c"&') have *e'"n!e) t" the the+. e rea'' $"&')n:t !" thr"$n! h% cap

a*"&t '(e that 'eavn! %&ch a ver ne c'&e46

5N". Y"&:re r!ht I:m a+ra)6 %a) ,eter. 5It can:t *e h% cap. It m&%t *e "ne that

%"me tramp thre$ "ver the $a'' %"me tme "r "ther.6

"hn% came *ac( $th a *am*"" %tc(. e 1er(e) the cap "3 the t$! an) Scamper

p"&nce) "n t at "nce.

5Dr"p t ScamperG )r"p t46 "r)ere) ,eter an) Scamper )r"ppe) t '""(n! h&rt.

a)n:t he %p"tte) the cap hm%e'+; Then at 'ea%t he m!ht *e a''"$e) t" thr"$ t &pnt" the ar an) catch t4

The Seven '""(e) at the )rt "') cap. It $a% ma)e "+ t$ee) an) at "ne tme m&%t

have %h"$e) a rather %tart'n! chec( pattern7*&t n"$ t $a% %" )rt that t $a%

)c&'t even t" %ee the pattern. anet '""(e) at t n )%!&%t.

5U!h4 9hat a )rt cap4 I:m %&re that %"me tramp ha) n%he) $th t an) thre$ t

"ver the $a''7an) t 1&%t %t&c( &p there "n

Fhat tree *ranch. I:m %&re t %n:t a c'&e at ''.6

5I thn( "&:re r!ht6 %a) C"'n t&rnn! the cap "ver an) "ver n h% han)%. 59e

m!ht a% $e'' ch&c( t "ver nt" Ltt'e Thc(et. It:% n" &%e t" &%. Ba) '&c( Scamper7

"& th"&!ht "&:) +"&n) a th&mpn! *! c'&e46

e ma)e a% + t" thr"$ the cap &p "ver the $a'' *&t ,eter %t"ppe) hm. 5N" )"n:t4

9e:) *etter (eep t. Y"& %mp' never (n"$. 9e:) (c( "&r%e've% + $e thre$ a$a

%"methn! that m!ht pr"ve t" *e a c'&e "+ %"me (n)7th"&!h I )" a!ree $th "&

t pr"*a*' %n:t.6



59e'' "& can carr the %me'' thn! then6 %a) C"'n !vn! t t" ,eter. 5N" $"n)er

%"me*") thre$ t a$a. It %me''% '(e m thn!46

,eter %t&3e) t nt" h% p"c(et. Then he t""( the tn pece "+ *'&e $""' threa) an)

p&t that care+&'' nt" the pa!e% "+ h% n"te*""(. e '""(e) )"$n at the !r"&n)

$here the c&r"&% mar(% $ere. 5I a'm"%t thn( $e:) *etter ma(e a n"te "+

the%e t""6 he %a). 58"t a mea%&re anet;6

She ha)n:t "+ c"&r%e. B&t 8e"r!e ha) %"me %trn! an) he care+&'' mea%&re)

acr"%% the r"&n) mar(% an) then %nppe) the %trn! t" the r!ht %e. 5That:% the

%e "+ the mar(%6 he %a) an) !ave h% *t "+ %trn! t" ,eter. It $ent care+&'' nt"h% n"te*""( t"".

5I can:t he'p thn(n! th"%e +&nn mar(% a'' "ver the p'ace are %"me (n) "+ c'&e6

he %a) p&ttn! h% n"te*""( a$a. 5B&t $hat I %mp' can:t ma!ne46

The %a) !"")-*e t" "hn% an) ma)e ther $a h"me acr"%% the e')%. N"*")

c"&') ma(e m&ch "+ the c'&e%. ,eter )) h"pe the a)vent&re $a%n:t !"n! t" 'e

"&t a+ter a''4

5I %t'' %a that "n' an acr"*at c"&') have %ca'e) that h!h $a''6 %a) anet. 5I )"n:t

%ee h"$ an "r)nar per%"n c"&') have )"ne t46

&%t a% %he %a) th% the came "&t nt" the 'ane. A *! p"%ter ha) *een p&t &p "n a

$a'' near*. The ch')ren !'ance) at t )'. An) then C"'n !ave a %h"&t that ma)e

them a'' 1&mp4

5L""( at that7t:% a p"%ter a)vert%n! a crc&%4 An) %ee $hat t %a%7L"n-tamer%

Darn! "r%e-r)er% ,er+"rmn! Bear%7C'"$n%7an) Acr"*at%4 Acr"*at%4 L""( at

that4 S&pp"%n!71&%t %&pp"%n! . . .6



The a'' %tare) at "ne an"ther n e<ctement. anet m!ht *e r!ht. Th% m&%t *e

'""(e) nt" at "nce4

Chapter E!ht.

A v%t t" the crc&%.

,eter '""(e) at h% $atch. 5B'"$46 he %a) n )%ma. 5It:% near' )nner-tme. 9e

m&%t a'' !et *ac( h"me a% +a%t a% $e can. @eet at ha'+-pa%t t$" a!an Secret

Seven.6

59e can:t46 %a) ,am an) Bar*ara. 59e:re !"n! t" a part.6

5D"n:t have a meetn! $th"&t &%6 *e!!e) ,am.

5I can:t c"me ether6 %a) 8e"r!e. 5S" $e:) *etter ma(e t t"m"rr"$. An$a + the

the+ % "ne "+ the acr"*at% at the crc&% he $"n:t *e 'eavn! th% a+tern""n4 e:''

%ta there t'' the crc&% !"e%.6

59e''7t:% "n' 1&%t a chance he m!ht *e an acr"*at6 %a) anet. 5I "n' 1&%t %a) t

c"&') "n' *e an acr"*at that %ca'e) that h!h $a''. I ))n:t rea'' mean t46

5It:% $"rth '""(n! nt" anh"$6 %a)



,eter. 59e''7meet t"m"rr"$ at ha'+-pa%t nne then. An) $'' ever*") p'ea%e thn(

har) an) have %"me (n) "+ p'an t" %&!!e%t; I:m %&re $e %ha'' thn( "+ %"methn!

!"")46

Ever"ne th"&!ht har) that )a7even ,am an) Bar*ara $h%pere) t"!ether n the

m))'e "+ ther part4 5I v"te $e !" an) %ee the crc&%6 $h%pere) ,am. 5D"n:t "&

thn( t $"&') *e a !"") )ea; Then $e can %ee + ,eter rec"!ne% an "+ the

acr"*at% a% the the+ he %a$ h)n! &n)er that *&%h46

9hen the Secret Seven met the ne<t )a m&ttern! the pa%%$"r) a% the $ent

thr"&!h the )""r "+ the %he) ever"ne %eeme) t" have e<act' the %ame )ea4

59e %h"&') v%t the crc&%6 *e!an 8e"r!e.

5That:% 1&%t $hat ,am an) I th"&!ht46 %a) Bar*ara.

5I th"&!ht %" t""6 %a) C"'n. 5In +act t:% the "n' %en%*'e thn! t" )". D"n:t "&

thn( %" ,eter;6

5Ye%. anet an) I '""(e) n the '"ca' paper an) $e +"&n) that the crc&% "pen% th%

a+tern""n6 %a) ,eter. 59hat a*"&t &% a'' !"n! t" %ee t; I )"n:t (n"$ + I $"&')

rec"!ne an "+ the acr"*at% a% the the+7I rea'' "n' ca&!ht 1&%t a !'mp%e "+

hm "& (n"$7*&t t:% $"rth trn!.6

5Y"& %a) he $a% )ar( an) c'ean-%haven6 %a) C"'n. 5An) I %a$ that h% har $a%*'ac( an$a. e ha) a 'tt'e thn patch "n the t"p. B&t t %n:t m&ch t" !" "n % t;6

5a% an"ne !"t an m"ne;6 a%(e) ,am. 5T" *& crc&% tc(et% I mean; I haven:t

an at a'' *eca&%e I ha) t" *& a *rth)a pre%ent t" ta(e t" the part e%ter)a.6



Ever"ne t&rne) "&t ther p"c(et%. The m"ne $a% p&t n a p'e n the m))'e an)

c"&nte).

5The tc(et% are a %h''n! +"r ch')ren6 %a) ,eter $th a !r"an. 5A %h''n!4 The

m&%t thn( that ch')ren are ma)e "+ m"ne. 9e:ve !"t +"&r %h''n!% an) vepence

here that:% a''. On' +"&r "+ &% can !".6

5I:ve !"t t$" %h''n!% n m m"ne-*"<6 %a) anet.

5An) I:ve !"t %<pence at h"me6 %a) C"'n. 5An"ne !"t the ")) penn;6

5Oh e%7I:'' *"rr"$ t +r"m S&%e6 %a) ac(.

59e'' )"n:t !" an) te'' her the pa%%$"r) n ret&rn +"r the penn46 %a) C"'n an)

!"t a (c( +r"m ac( an) an an!r %n"rt.

5R!ht. That '""(% a% + $e can a'' !" a+ter a''6 %a) ,eter p'ea%e). 5@eet at the

crc&% e') ten mn&te% *e+"re the crc&% *e!n%. D"n:t *e 'ate an"ne4 An) (eep

"&r ee% %(nne) +"r an"ne $earn! a )ar( *'&e p&''"ver $th a tn threa) "+ re)

n t7*eca&%e t:% prett certan the the+ m&%t have $"rn a 1er%e "r p&''"ver ma)e

"+ that $""'.6

Ever"ne $a% ver p&nct&a'. A'' *&t ,am ha) m"ne $th them %" ,eter !ave her

en"&!h +"r her tc(et. The $ent t" the tc(et-*"< an) *"&!ht %even tc(et% +ee'n!

rea'' rather e<cte). A crc&% $a% a'$a% +&n7*&t t" !" t" a crc&% an) (eep a '""(

"&t +"r a the+ $a% even m"re e<ctn! than &%&a'4

S""n the $ere a'' %ttn! n ther %eat% '""(n! )"$n ntent' "n the %a$)&%t-

%tre$n rn! n the m))'e "+ the !reat tent. The *an) %tr&c( &p a !a t&ne an) a

)r&m *""me) "&t. The ch')ren %at &p thr''e).



In came the h"r%e% $a'(n! pr"&)' ther +eather p'&me% n"))n!. In came the

c'"$n% %"mer%a&'tn! an) e''n!G n came the *ear%G n came a'' the per+"rmer%

"ne a+ter an"ther !reetn! the a&)ence $th %m'e%.

The ch')ren $atche) "&t +"r the acr"*at%

*&t the $ere a'' m<e) &p $th the "ther per+"rmer%7ve c'"$n% an) c"n1&rer%

t$" c'ever %t't-$a'(er% an) ve men "n r)c&'"&% *cc'e%. It $a% mp"%%*'e t" te''

$hch $ere the acr"*at%.

5The are thr) "n the pr"!ramme6 %a) ,eter. 5>r%t c"me the h"r%e%7then the

c'"$n%7an) then the acr"*at%.6

S" the $ate) c'appn! the *ea&t+&' )ancn! h"r%e% an) 'a&!hn! at the

r)c&'"&% c'"$n% &nt' ther %)e% ache).

5N"$ +"r the acr"*at%46 %a) ,eter e<cte)'. 59atch C"'n $atch46

Chapter Nne.

A !"") )ea-an) a )%app"ntment.

The acr"*at% came n t&rnn! cart-$hee'% an) %prn!n! h!h nt" the ar. One came

n $th h% *") *ent %" +ar "ver *ac($ar)% that he $a% a*'e t" p&t h% hea)

*et$een h% 'e!%. e '""(e) ver pec&'ar n)ee).



,eter n&)!e) C"'n. 5C"'n4 See that +e''"$ $th h% hea) *et$een h% 'e!%7he:%

c'ean%haven '(e the man I %a$ h))en n the *&%h7an) he:% !"t *'ac( har46

C"'n n"))e). 5Ye%7he ma *e the "ne4 A'' the "ther% have m"&%tache%. Let:%

$atch hm care+&'' an) %ee + he c"&') rea'' 'eap &p a h!h $a'' an) "ver the t"p.6

A'' the Secret Seven (ept ther ee% !'&e) "n th% "ne acr"*at. The ha) %een that

the "ther% ha) m"&%tache% %" that r&'e) them "&t7*&t th% "ne tte) the *''7he

$a% )ar(-hare) an) ha) n" m"&%tache4

C"&') he 'eap h!h; 9"&') he %h"$ them

that he c"&') ea%' 'eap &p a %teep $a'' t" the t"p; The $atche) ea!er'. The

c'ean%haven acr"*at $a% ea%' the *e%t "+ them a''. e $a% a% '!ht a% a +eather.

9hen he %pran! acr"%% the rn! t a'm"%t %eeme) a% + h% +eet )) n"t even t"&ch

the !r"&n).

e $a% a ver c'ever t!ht-r"pe $a'(er t"". A '"n! 'a))er $a% p&t &p an) $a% <e)t" a $re h!h &p n the r""+ "+ the tent. The ch')ren $atche) the acr"*at %prn!

'!ht' &p the 'a))er an) the t&rne) t" '""( at "ne an"ther7e% 7 + he c"&') 'eap

&p a 'a))er '(e that har)' t"&chn! the r&n!% $th +eet "r han)% he c"&') m"%t

certan' 'eap &p a t$e've-+""t $a'' t" the t"p4

5I:m %&re that "ne:% the the+6 $h%pere) anet t" ,eter. e n"))e). e $a% %&re

t"". e $a% %" %&re that he %ett'e) )"$n t" en1" the crc&% pr"per' n"t *"thern!

t" '""( "&t +"r a the+ an '"n!er n"$ that he ha) ma)e &p h% mn) th% $a% the

"ne.

It $a% /&te a !"") crc&%. The per+"rmn! *ear% came "n an) rea'' %eeme) t"

en1" them%e've% *"<n! $th each "ther an) $th ther traner. One 'tt'e *ear $a%

%" +"n) "+



t% traner that t (ept h&!!n! h% 'e! an) $"&')n:t 'et hm !"4

anet $%he) %he ha) a 'tt'e *ear '(e that +"r a pet. 5e:% 1&%t '(e a *! te))6 %he%a) t" ,am an) ,am n"))e).

The c'"$n% came n a!an7an) then the t$" %t't-$a'(er% $th three "+ the c'"$n%.

The %t't-$a'(er% $ere r)c&'"&%. The $"re '"n! %(rt% "ver ther %t't% %" that the

'""(e) '(e tremen)"&%' ta'' pe"p'e an) the $a'(e) %tH a*"&t $th the 'tt'e

c'"$n% tea%n! them an) 1eern! at them.

Then a %tr"n! ca!e $a% p&t &p an) the '"n% $ere *r"&!ht n %nar'n!. anet %hran(

*ac(. 5I )"n:t '(e th%6 %he %a). 5L"n% aren:t meant t" act a*"&t. The "n' '""(

%''. Oh )ear7'""( at that "ne7he $"n:t !et &p "n h% %t""'. I (n"$ he:% !"n! t"

p"&nce "n h% (eeper.6

B&t he ))n:t "+ c"&r%e. e (ne$ h% per+"rmance an) $ent thr"&!h t ver

ha&!ht' $th the "ther%. The am*'e) a$a a+ter$ar)% %t'' %nar'n!.

Then a *! e'ephant came n an) *e!an t" p'a crc(et $th h% traner. e rea''

en1"e) that an) $hen he ht the *a'' nt" the a&)ence %< tme% r&nnn! ever"ne

c'appe) '(e ma).

A't"!ether the ch')ren en1"e) them%e've% en"rm"&%'. The $ere %"rr $hen

the +"&n) them%e've% !"n! "&t nt" the *! e') a!an.

5I+ $e c"&') "n' h&nt +"r theve% n crc&%e% ever tme t $"&') *e veren1"a*'e6 %a) anet. 5,eter7$hat )" "& thn(; I% that )ar(-hare) c'ean-%haven

acr"*at the the+; .e:% the "n' '(e' "ne "+ the acr"*at% rea''.6



5Ye%7a'' the "ther% have m"&%tache%6 %a) ,eter. 5I $"n)er $hat $e "&!ht t" )"

ne<t; It $"&') *e a !"") thn! perhap% t" !" an) n) hm an) ta'( t" hm. e

m!ht 'et %"methn! %'p that $"&') he'p &%.6

5B&t $hat e<c&%e can $e !ve +"r !"n! t" n) hm;6 %a) 8e"r!e.

5Oh7a%( hm +"r h% a&t"!raph46 %a) ,eter. 5e:'' thn( that /&te nat&ra'46

The "ther% %tare) at hm n a)mrat"n. 9hat a *ran$ave4 N"*") ha) th"&!ht "+

ha'+ %&ch a !"") )ea.

5L""(6 $h%pere) Bar*ara. 5I%n:t that hm "ver there ta'(n! t" the *ear-traner;

Ye% t %. D"e% he '""( '(e the the+ t" "& ,eter n"$ that "& can %ee hm c'"%e;6

,eter n"))e). 5Ye% he )"e%. C"me "n7$e:'' a'' !" *"')' &p an) a%( hm +"r an

a&t"!raph. eep "&r ee% an) ear% "pen.6

The marche) &p t" the acr"*at. e t&rne) r"&n) n %&rpr%e. 59e''7$hat )" "&

$ant;6 he a%(e) $th a !rn. 59ant a 'e%%"n "n h"$ t" $a'( the t!ht-r"pe;6

5N"7"&r a&t"!raph p'ea%e6 %a) ,eter. e %tare) at the man. e %&))en'

%eeme)

m&ch "')er than he ha) '""(e) n the rn!. The acr"*at 'a&!he). e m"ppe) h%

+"rehea) $th a *! re) han)(erche+.

5It $a% h"t n the tent6 he %a). 5Ye% "& can have m a&t"!raph7*&t 1&%t 'et me

ta(e "3 m $! r%t. It ma(e% m hea) %" h"t46



An) t" the ch')ren:% en"rm"&% %&rpr%e he '""%ene) h% *'ac( har7an) '+te) t "3

c"mp'ete'4 It $a% a $!7an) &n)er t the acr"*at $a% c"mp'ete' *a'). 9e''7$hat

a )%app"ntment4

Chapter Ten.

Trnc&'" the acr"*at.

The Seven %tare) at hm n )%ma. 9h7h% hea) $a% c"mp'ete' *a') e<cept +"r a

+e$ !re har% r!ht "n the ver t"p. e c"&')n:t p"%%*' *e the the+. C"'n ha)

)%tnct' %een the t"p "+ the the+:% hea) $hen he ha) %at a*"ve hm n the tree7

an) he ha) %a) that h% har $a% *'ac( e<cept +"r a 'tt'e r"&n) *a') patch n the

centre.

C"'n t""( the $! n h% han). e '""(e) at t care+&'' $"n)ern! + perhap% the

the+ ha) $"rn the $! $hen he ha) %t"'en the nec('ace. B&t there $a% n" 'tt'er"&n) *a') patch n the centre4 It $a% a thc( *'ac( $! $th n" *are patche% at a''.

5Y"& %eem t" *e ver ntere%te) n m $!6 %a) the acr"*at an) he 'a&!he). 5N"

acr"*at can a3"r) t" *e *a') "& (n"$. 9e have t" '""( a% "&n! an) *ea&t+&' a%

p"%%*'e. N"$ I:'' !ve "& each m a&t"!raph then "& m&%t *e "3.6

5Than( "&6 %a) ,eter an) han)e) the man a pece "+ paper an) a penc'.

The 'tt'e *ear came am*'n! * a'' * t%e'+ %n"rtn! a 'tt'e.



5Oh '""(': %a) anet n )e'!ht 5Oh $'' t c"me t" &% )" "& thn(; C"me here

'tt'e *ear.6

The *ear %)'e) &p an) r&**e) a!an%t anet. She p&t her arm% r"&n) t an) tre) t"

'+t t7*&t t $a% &ne<pecte)' heav. A /&eer %&'(-'""(n! "&th came a+ter t

an) ca&!ht t r"&!h' * the +&r at t% nec(.

5Ah *a) *"46 he %a) an) %h""( the 'tt'e creat&re. The *ear $hmpere).

5Oh )"n:t46 %a) anet n )%tre%%. 5e:% %" %$eet. e "n' came "ver t" %ee &%.6

The "&th $a% )re%%e) rather pec&'ar'. e ha) "n a $"man:% *")ce %pan!'e)

$th %e/&n% a *"nnet $th ?"$er% n7an) )rt ?anne' tr"&%er%4

,eter !'ance) at hm c&r"&%' a% he 'e) the 'tt'e *ear a$a. 59a% he n the crc&%;6

he a%(e). 5I )"n:t remem*er hm.6

5Ye%7he $a% "ne "+ the %t't-$a'(er%6 %a) the acr"*at %t'' *&%' $rtn!

a&t"!raph%. 5% name:% L"&%. e he'p% $th a'' the anma'%. D" "& $ant t" c"me

an) %ee the *ear% n ther ca!e %"me tme;7the:re ver tame7an) "') &m*"

$"&') '"ve t" have a *&n "r t$" + "& '(e t" *rn! hm %"me. e:% a% !ent'e a% a

*! )"!.6

5Oh e%7$e:) '"ve t"46 %a) anet at "nce thn(n! h"$ m&ch %he $"&') '"ve t"

ma(e +ren)% $th the )ear 'tt'e *ear. 5Can $e c"me t"m"rr"$;6

5Ye%7c"me t"m"rr"$ m"rnn!6 %a) the acr"*at. 5A%( +"r Trnc&'"7that:% me. I:'' *e

a*"&t %"me$here.

The ch')ren than(e) hm an) 'e+t the e'). The %a) n"thn! t'' the $ere $e'' "&t

"+ hearn! "+ an "+ the crc&% +"'(.



5I:m !'a) t $a%n:t that acr"*at6 %a) anet. 5e:% nce. I '(e h% +&nn +ace t"". I ))

!et a %h"c( $hen he t""( "3 h% *'ac( har46

5S" )) I6 %a) ,eter. 5I +e't an )"t t"". I th"&!ht I ha) remem*ere) h"$ the the+

ha) '""(e)7$hen I %a$ Trnc&'":% +ace I

rea'' )) thn( he '""(e) '(e the the+. B&t he )"e%n:t "+ c"&r%e. >"r "ne thn! the

man I %a$ $a% m&ch "&n!er.6

59e:) *etter n"t !" * +ace% t %eem% t" me6 %a) C"'n. 5Better tr t" n)

%"me"ne $h" $ear% a *'&e p&''"ver $th a re) threa) r&nnn! thr"&!h t46

59e can:t !" a'' "ver the )%trct '""(n! +"r that6 %a) ,am. 5"ne%t' that:% %''.6

59e'' have "& !"t a *etter )ea;6 a%(e) C"'n.

She ha)n:t "+ c"&r%e. N"r ha) an"ne e'%e. 59e:re %t&c(6 %a) ,eter !'""m'.5Th% % a %'' %"rt "+ m%ter. 9e (eep thn(n! $e:ve !"t %"me$here7an) then $e

n) $e haven:t.6

5Sha'' $e !" t" the crc&% e') t"m"rr"$;6 a%(e) ,am. 5N"t t" tr t" n) the the+

"+ c"&r%e *eca&%e $e (n"$ n"$ that he %n:t an "+ the acr"*at%. B&t %h"&') $e !"

1&%t t" %ee the anma'%;6

5Ye%. I )) '(e that 'tt'e *ear6 %a) anet. 5An) I:) '(e t" %ee "') &m*" c'"%e t" a%

$e''. I '"ve e'ephant%.6

5I )"n:t thn( I:'' c"me6 %a) Bar*ara.



5I:m a *t %care) "+ e'ephant% the:re %" en"rm"&%.6

5I $"n:t c"me ether6 %a) ac(. 59hat a*"&t "& 8e"r!e; 9e %a) $e:) %$"p

%tamp% t"m"rr"$ "& (n"$.6

5Ye%7$e'' $e $"n:t !" ether6 %a) 8e"r!e. 5Y"& )"n:t mn) )" "& ,eter; I

mean t:% n"thn! t" )" $th the S"cet !"n! t" ma(e +ren)% $th *ear% an)

e'ephant%.6

59e'' anet an) ,am an) C"'n an) I $'' !"6 %a) ,eter. 5An) mn)7ever"ne % t"

$atch "&t +"r a *'&e p&''"ver $th a 'tt'e re) 'ne r&nnn! thr"&!h t. Y"& %mp'

never (n"$ $hat "&:'' %ee + "& (eep "&r ee% "pen46

,eter $a% r!ht7*&t he $"&') have *een %&rpr%e) t" (n"$ $hat he an) anet $ere

!"n! t" %p"t the ver ne<t )a4

Chapter E'even.

,am:% )%c"ver.

Ne<t m"rnn! anet ,eter C"'n an) ,am met t" !" t" the crc&% e'). The ))n:t

ta(e Scamper *eca&%e the ))n:t thn( &m*" the e'ephant $"&') '(e hm %nn!

r"&n) h% an('e%.

e $a% ver an!r at *en! 'e+t an) the c"&') hear h% m%era*'e h"$'% a'' the $a

&p the 'ane. 5,""r Scamper46 %a) anet. 5I $%h $e c"&') have ta(en hm7*&t he

m!ht !et nt" the '"n%: ca!e "r %"methn!. e:% %" ver n/&%tve.6



The %""n came t" the e'). The $a'(e) acr"%% t een! the crc&% +"'( c&r"&%'.

"$ )3erent the '""(e) n ther "r)nar c'"the%7n"t near' %" nce th"&!ht

anet. B&t then h"$ e<ctn! an) ma!ncent the '""(e) n the rn!.

One "r t$" "+ them ha) *&'t 'tt'e re% n the e') an) $ere c""(n! %"methn! n

*'ac( p"t% "ver the ?ame%. 9hatever t $a% that $a% c""(n! %me't m"%t )e'c"&%.

It ma)e ,eter +ee' ver h&n!r.

The +"&n) Trnc&'" an) he $a% a% !"") a% h% $"r). e t""( them t" ma(e +ren)%

$th &m*" $h" tr&mpete) !ent' at them an) then $th "ne %$n! "+ h% %tr"n!

tr&n( he %et anet h!h &p "n h% !reat hea). She %/&ea'e) $th %&rpr%e an)

)e'!ht.

The $ent t" n) the 'tt'e *ear. e $a% )e'!hte) t" %ee them an) p&t h% pa$%

thr"&!h the *ar% t" reach ther han)%. Trnc&'" &n'"c(e) the ca!e an) 'et hm "&t.

e '&m*ere) "ver t" them an) c'a%pe) h% arm% r"&n) Trnc&'":% 'e! peepn!-at the

re%t "+ them $th a r"!&%h '""( "n h% +&nn *ear-+ace.

5I+ "n' he $a%n:t %" heav6 %a) anet $h" a'$a% '"ve) t" pc( &p an anma' %he

'(e) an) h&! t. 5I $%h I c"&') *& hm.6

58"")ne%%7$hatever $"&') Scamper %a + $e t""( hm h"me;6 %a) ,eter.

Trnc&'" t""( them t" %ee the !reat '"n% n ther ca!e%. The %&'( "&th ca''e) L"&%

$a% there $th %"me"ne e'%e c'eann! "&t

the ca!e%. The "ther man n the ca!e !rnne) at the %tarn! ch')ren. One "+ the

'"n% !r"$'e).



anet *ac(e) a$a. 5It:% a'' r!ht6 %a) the traner. 5The:re a'' harm'e%% %" '"n! a%

the are $e'' +e) an) )"n:t !et /&arre'%"me. B&t )"n:t c"me t"" near @%% 1&%t n

ca%e. ere "& L"&%. >'' the $ater-tr"&!h a!an7the $ater:% 'th.6

L"&% )) a% he $a% t"'). The ch')ren $atche) hm tp &p the *! $ater-tr"&!h an)

empt "&t the )rt $ater. Then he ''e) t a!an. e ))n:t %eem n the 'ea%t a+ra)

"+ the '"n%. anet ))n:t '(e hm *&t %he c"&')n:t he'p thn(n! h"$ *rave he $a%4

The $ere a'' %"rr $hen t $a% tme t" !". The %a) !"")-*e t" Trnc&'" $ent t"

pat the 'tt'e *ear "nce m"re an) then $an)ere) acr"%% the e') t" &m*". The

patte) a% +ar a% the c"&') reach &p h% p''ar-'(e 'e! an) then $ent a'"n! * the

r"$ "+ !a caravan% t" the !ate at the en) "+ the e').

S"me "+ the caravanner% ha) *een )"n! ther $a%hn!. The ha) %prea) a !"")

)ea'

"+ t "&t "n the !ra%% t" )r. Other% ha) r!!e) &p a r"&!h c'"the%-'ne an) ha)

pe!!e) &p a'' (n)% "+ thn!% t" ?ap n the $n).

The ch')ren $an)ere) * )' '""(n! at everthn! the pa%%e). An) then ,am

%&))en' %t"ppe) %h"rt. She !ae) c'"%e' at %"methn! han!n! "n "ne "+ the

'ne%. 9hen %he t&rne) her +ace t"$ar)% them %he '""(e) %" e<cte) that the "ther%

h&rre) "ver t" her.

59hat % t;6 a%(e) ,eter. 5Y"& '""( /&te re)4 9hat:% &p;6

5I% an*") '""(n! at &%;6 a%(e) ,am n a '"$ v"ce. 59e'' ,eter7h&rr &p an)

'""( at the%e %"c(% han!n! "n th% 'ne. 9hat )" the remn) "& "+;6



The "ther% '""(e) at the thn!% "n the 'ne 7 t"rn han)(erche+% 'tt'e +r"c(%

*e'"n!n! t" ch')ren %t"c(n!% an) %"c(%. >"r a m"ment ,eter +e't %&re that ,am

ha) %p"tte) a *'&e p&''"ver4

B&t there $a% n" p&''"ver ?appn! n the $n). e $"n)ere) $hat ha) attracte)

,am:% attent"n. Then he %a$ $hat %he $a% !an! at.

She $a% '""(n! ver har) n)ee) at a par "+ *'&e $""' %"c(%7an) )"$n each %)e

"+ them ran a pattern n re)4 ,eter:% mn) at "nce ?e$ t" the %crap "+ $""' he ha)

n h% p"c(et-*""(7)) t match;

In a trce he ha) t "&t an) $a% c"mparn! t $th the %"c(. The *'&e $a% the %ame. The re) $a% the %ame. The $""' appeare) t" *e e<act' the %ame t"".

5An) %ee here6 $h%pere) ,am &r!ent'. 5There:% a 'tt'e %na! n th% %"c(71&%t

here7a tn h"'e $here a *t "+ the $""' ha% !"ne. I:m prett certan ,eter that

that:% $here "&r *t "+ *'&e $""' came +r"m7th% %"c(46

,eter $a% %&re "+ t t"". An "') $"man came &p an) %h""e) them a$a. 5D"n:t "&

)are t"&ch th"%e c'"the%46 %he %a).

,eter ))n:t )are t" a%( $h" the %"c(% *e'"n!e) t". B&t + "n' "n' he c"&') n)

"&t he $"&') (n"$ $h" the the+ $a% at "nce4

Chapter T$e've.

One-'e! 9''am.



The "') crc&% $"man !ave ,am a 'tt'e p&%h. 5D)n:t "& hear me %a !" a$a46

%he %c"')e). The a'' )ec)e) t" !" at "nce. ,am th"&!ht the "') $"man '""(e)

rea'' rather '(e a $tch4

The $a'(e) /&c(' "&t "+ the e') %'ent *&t ver e<cte). Once the $ere n the

'ane the a'' ta'(e) at "nce.

59e never th"&!ht "+ %"c(%4 9e th"&!ht $e ha) t" '""( +"r a p&''"ver46

5B&t t:% %"c(% a'' r!ht7that par % ma)e "+ e<act' the %ame $""' a% th% *t $e

+"&n) ca&!ht "n t" that $a''46

58rac"&%4 T" thn( $e ))n:t )are t" a%( $h"%e %"c(% the $ere46

5I+ "n' $e ha) $e:) (n"$ $h" the the+ $a%.6

The race) *ac( t" the +armh"&%e '"n!-t" )%c&%% $hat t" )" ne<t. An) )"$n n

the %he) patent' $atn! +"r them $ere ac( 8e"r!e an) Bar*ara4 The ))n:t

!ve the "ther% a chance t" te'' a*"&t the %"c(% 7 the mme)ate' *e!an t" re'ate

%"methn! "+ ther "$n.

5,eter4 anet4 Y"& (n"$ th"%e /&eer r"&n) mar(% $e %a$ "n the n%)e "+ the $a''4

9e'' $e:ve +"&n) %"me m"re e<act' '(e them46 %a) ac(.

59here;6 a%(e) ,eter.



5In a m&)) patch near "') Chmne C"tta!e6 %a) ac(. 58e"r!e an) I %a$ them

an) $ent t" +etch Bar*ara. Then $e came t" te'' "&. An) $hat:% m"re Bar*ara

(n"$% $hat ma)e the mar(%46

5Y"&:'' never !&e%%46 %a) Bar*ara.

58" "n7te'' &%46 %a) anet +"r!ettn! a'' a*"&t the %"c(%.

59e'' $hen I %a$ the mar(%7r"&n) an) re!&'ar 1&%t '(e the "ne% $e %a$7I

c"&')n:t thn( $hat the $ere at r%t6 %a) Bar*ara. 5B&t then $hen I remem*ere)

$h" 've) n the near* c"tta!e I (ne$.6

59hat $ere the;6 a%(e) ,eter ea!er'.

5D" v"& (n"$ $h" 've% at Chmne

C"tta!e;6 a%(e) Bar*ara. 5Y"& )"n:t. 9e'' I:'' te'' "&7t:% One-'e! 9''am4 e ha)

a 'e! *tten "3 "nce * a %har( an) he:% !"t a $"")en 'e!7an) $hen he $a'(% n

the m&) $th t t 'eave% r"&n) mar(%71&%t '(e the mar(% $e %a$ "n the "ther %)e

"+ the $a''. It m&%t *e One-'e! 9''am $h" $a% the the+.6

The "ther% %at an) th"&!ht a*"&t th% +"r a +e$ m"ment%. Then ,eter %h""( h%

hea).

5N". One-'e! 9''am c"&')n:t p"%%*' *e the the+. e c"&')n:t have c'm*e) "ver

the $a'' $th "ne 'e!7an) *e%)e%7the the+ $"re a par "+ %"c(%7an) that mean%t$" 'e!%46

5"$ )" "& (n"$ he $"re %"c(%;6 a%(e) Bar*ara a%t"n%he).



The t"') her a*"&t the %"c(% "n the 'ne a$a n the crc&% e'). Bar*ara th"&!ht

har).

59e''7I e<pect the the+ $a% a t$"-'e!!e) man $th %"c(%7*&t I )"n:t %ee $h

One-'e! 9''am c"&')n:t have *een $th hm t" he'p n %"me $a7!ve hm a 'e!-

&p "r %"methn!. The mar(% are e<act' the %ame4 9hat $a% One-'e! 9''am )"n!

there an$a;6

5That:% $hat $e m&%t n) "&t6 %a) ,eter !ettn! &p. 5C"me "n7$e:'' !" an) a%(

hm a +e$ /&e%t"n%7an) %ee th"%e mar(%. >anc them *en! ma)e * a "ne-

'e!!e) man7I never never th"&!ht "+ that46

The ma)e ther $a t" Chmne C"tta!e.

1&%t "&t%)e $a% a ver m&)) patch7an) %&re en"&!h t $a% %t&))e) $th the

%ame r"&n) re!&'ar mar(% that the ch')ren ha) %een "ver @'t"n @an"r $a''. ,eter

*ent )"$n t" %t&) them.

e !"t "&t h% n"te*""( an) t""( +r"m t the *t "+ %trn! that 8e"r!e ha) c&t $hen

he mea%&re) the $)th "+ the "ther r"&n) mar(%. e '""(e) &p n %&rpr%e.

5N"7the%e mar(% aren:t the %ame7the:re near' an nch %ma''er7"& '""(46 e

%et the %trn! "ver "ne "+ the mar(% an) the "ther% %a$ at "nce that t $a% '"n!er

than the $)th "+ the mar(%.

59e''4 I%n:t that /&eer46 %a) 8e"r!e. 5It c"&')n:t have *een One-'e! 9''am then.

I% there an"ther man $th a $"")en 'e! n the )%trct; One $h"%e 'e! m!ht *e a

*t $)er an) t the mar(%;6

Ever"ne th"&!ht har)7*&t n"*") c"&') thn( "+ a man $th a $"")en 'e!. It $a%

rea'' e<a%peratn!4 59e (eep "n thn(n! $e:re %"'vn! thn!% an) $e aren:t6 %a)

,eter. 5There:% n" )"&*t n m mn) that a man $th a $"")en pe!-'e! $a% there

$th



the the+ th"&!h !"")ne%% (n"$% $h7*&t t $a%n:t One-'e! 9''am. An) $e )"

(n"$ that the the+ can:t have "n' "ne 'e! *eca&%e he )ente' $ear% t$" %"c(%46

59e (n"$ h% %"c(%7*&t $e )"n:t (n"$ hm46 %a) anet. 5Th% m%ter % !ettn!

m"re m%ter"&% than ever. 9e (eep n)n! "&t thn!% that 'ea) &% n"$here46

59e %ha'' have t" !" *ac( t" the crc&% e') t"m"rr"$ an) tr t" trace th"%e %"c(%6

%a) ,eter. 59e can:t a%( %tra!ht "&t $h"%e the are 7 *&t $e c"&') $atch an) %ee

$h":% $earn! them46

5R!ht6 %a) C"'n. 5@eet there a!an at ten7an) $e:'' have a %/&nt at ever %"c(

"n ever +""t n that e')46

Chapter Thrteen.

A c"at t" match the cap.

At ten ":c'"c( a'' the Secret Seven $ere n the crc&% e'). The )ec)e) t" !" an)

%ee Trnc&'" the acr"*at a!an a% an e<c&%e +"r *en! there. B&t he $a% n"$here t"

*e +"&n).

5e:% !"ne "3 t" the t"$n6 %a) "ne "+ the "ther acr"*at%. 59hat )" "& $ant hm

+"r;6

5Oh71&%t t" a%( hm + $e can me%% ar"&n) a *t6 %a) ac(. 5Y"& (n"$7have a

%/&nt at the anma'% an) %" "n.6



5Carr "n6 %a) the acr"*at an) $ent "3 t" h% caravan t&rnn! cart-$hee'% a'' the

$a. The ch')ren $atche) hm n a)mrat"n. 5"$ )" the t&rn them%e've% "ver

an) "ver ther han)% an) +eet '(e that;6 a%(e) ,am. 5&%t e<act' '(e $hee'%

t&rnn! r"&n) an) r"&n)46

5ave a %h"t at t6 %a) 8e"r!e $th a !rn. B&t $hen ,am tre) t" ?n! her%e'+ "ver

"n her han)% %he cr&mp'e) &p at "nce an) 'a %tretche) "&t "n the !r"&n)

'a&!hn!.

A %ma'' crc&%-!r' came * her tan!'e) har han!n! "ver her ee%. She 'a&!he) at

,am an) mme)ate' cart-$hee'e) r"&n) the e') t&rnn! "ver an) "ver "n her

han)% an) +eet 1&%t a% c'ever' a% the acr"*at.

5L""( at that6 %a) 8e"r!e env"&%'. 5Even the ()% can )" t. 9e %ha'' have t"

pract%e at h"me.6

The $ent t" '""( at the 'tt'e *ear $h" h"$ever $a% +a%t a%'eep. Then the

$an)ere) ca&t"&%' "ver t" the c'"the%-'ne. The %"c(% $ere !"ne4 Aha4 N"$

perhap% %"me"ne $a% $earn! them. 9h"ever t $a% $"&') *e the the+.

The ch')ren %tr"''e) r"&n) the e') a!an '""(n! at the an('e% "+ ever man the

%a$. B&t t" ther !reat ann"ance a'' the c"&') %ee ha) *are an('e%4 N"*")

%eeme) t" $ear an %"c(% at a''. "$ ma))enn!4

L"&% came &p t" the '"n%: ca!e an) &n'"c(e) t. e $ent n%)e an) *e!an t" )"

the &%&a' c'eann!. e t""( n" n"tce "+ the '"n% at a'' an) the t""( n" n"tce "+

hm. anet th"&!ht t m&%t *e marve''"&% t" !" an) %$eep a'' r"&n) the +eet "+ '"n%an) n"t mn) at a''4

e ha) h% )rt ?anne' tr"&%er% r"''e) &p t" h% (nee%. % 'e!% a'%" )rt $ere

/&te *are. On h% +eet $ere )rt "') r&**er %h"e%.



The ch')ren $atche) hm +"r a 'tt'e $h'e an) then t&rne) t" !". An"ther man

came &p a% the 'e+t an) the !'ance) ca%&a'' )"$n at h% an('e% t" %ee $hat

(n) "+ %"c(% he $"re + an. e $a% *are-'e!!e) t"" "+ c"&r%e4

B&t %"methn! ca&!ht ac(:% ee% an) he %t"ppe) an) %tare) at the man ntent'.

The +e''"$ +r"$ne). 5Anthn! $r"n! $th me;6 he %a) ann"e). 5Stare a$a46

ac( t&rne) t" the "ther% h% +ace re) $th e<ctement. e p&%he) them "n a 'tt'e

t'' he $a% "&t "+ the man:% hearn!.

5D) "& %ee that c"at he $a% $earn!;6 he

a%(e). 5It:% '(e that cap $e +"&n) &p n the tree7"n' n"t /&te %" 'th )rt4 I:m

%&re t %46

A'' %even t&rne) t" '""( r"&n) at the man $h" $a% * n"$ pantn! the "&t%)e "+

the '"n%: ca!e ma(n! t '""( a 'tt'e %marter than *e+"re. e ha) ta(en "3 h%

c"at an) h&n! t "n the han)'e "+ the '"n%: ca!e. "$ the Seven '"n!e) t" !" an)

c"mpare the cap $th the c"at4

5ave "& !"t the cap $th "&;6 a%(e) ,am n a $h%per. ,eter n"))e) an) patte)

h% c"at p"c(et. e ha) a'' the 5c'&e%: $th hm "+ c"&r%e4

Ther chance %&))en' came. The man $a% ca''e) a$a * %"me"ne e''n! +"r hm

an) $ent "3 'eavn! h% pant-p"t *r&%h an) c"at. Imme)ate' the ch')ren $ent"ver t" the c"at.

5,reten) t" *e peern! nt" the '"n%: ca!e $h'e I c"mpare the cap $th the c"at6

%a) ,eter n a '"$ v"ce. The a'' *e!an t" '""( nt" the ca!e an) ta'( a*"&t the

'"n% $h'e ,eter p&''e) the cap "&t "+ h% p"c(et an) /&c(' p&t t a!an%t the c"at.



e rep'ace) the cap at "nce. There $a% n" )"&*t a*"&t t7the cap an) c"at

matche) per+ect'. Then $a% th% +e''"$ $h" $a% pantn! the '"n%: ca!e the the+;

B&t h"$ )) t happen that he ha) thr"$n h% cap h!h &p n a tree; 9h )) he

'eave t *ehn); It 1&%t ))n:t ma(e %en%e.

The man came *ac( $h%t'n!. e %t""pe) )"$n t" pc( &p h% pant-*r&%h an)

C"'n !"t a %p'en)) ve$ "+ the t"p "+ h% hea). e !ae) at t.

Then a'' the ch')ren m"ve) "3 n a *") '"n!n! t" a%( ,eter a*"&t the cap. Once

the $ere "&t "+ hearn! he n"))e) t" them. 5Ye%6 he %a). 5The match. That+e''"$ ma *e the the+ then. 9e:'' have t" $atch hm.6

5N" !"")6 %a) C"'n &ne<pecte)'. 5I 1&%t ca&!ht %!ht "+ the t"p "+ h% hea). e:%

!"t *'ac( har7*&t n" r"&n) *are patch at the cr"$n '(e the man ha) $h" %at

*e'"$ me n that tree. e:% n"t the the+46

Chapter >"&rteen.

The pec&'ar mar(% a!an.

The Seven $ent t" %t "n the ra'% "+ the +ence that ran r"&n) the crc&% e').

The +e't )%heartene).



5T" thn( $e n) %"me*") $earn! a c"at that e<act' matche% the cap $e +"&n)7

an) et he can:t p"%%*' *e the the+ *eca&%e the t"p "+ h% hea) % $r"n!46

!r"ane) ,eter. 5I m&%t %a th% % a m"%t a!!ravatn! a)vent&re. 9e (eep n)n!

"&t e<ctn! thn!%7an) each tme the 'ea) &% n"$here at a''46

5An) + $e n) an"ne $earn! th"%e %"c(% that $e are %&re *e'"n! t" the the+ t

$"n:t *e hm at a'' ether6 %a) anet. 5It $'' pr"*a*' *e h% a&nt "r %"methn!46

That ma)e ever"ne 'a&!h. 5An$a6 %a) ,eter 5$e:re n"t a*%"'&te' certan that

the cap ha% anthn! t" )" $th the the+t "+ the nec('ace. 9e "n' +"&n) t ?&n!

h!h

&p n a tree "& (n"$ near $here the the+ c'm*e) "ver the $a''.6

5It ha% !"t %"methn! t" )" $th the m%ter6 %a) 8e"r!e. 5I:m %&re "+ t7th"&!h I

can:t +"r the '+e "+ me thn( h"$.6

The a'' %at "n the +ence an) !ae) %"'emn' "ver the e'). 9hat an ann"n!

a)vent&re th% $a%4 An) then anet !ave a 'tt'e %/&ea'.

59hat % t; ave "& th"&!ht "+ %"methn!;6 a%(e) ,eter.

5N". B&t I:m %een! %"methn!6 %a) anet an) %he p"nte) "ver t" the r!ht. The

"ther% '""(e) $here %he p"nte) an) h"$ the %tare)4

The e') $a% rather $et 1&%t there an) n the )amp part $ere r"&n) re!&'ar mar(% 1&%t '(e th"%e the ha) %een * the $a''7an) ver '(e the %ma''er mar(% ma)e *

the "ne-'e!!e) man near h% c"tta!e4



5I thn( the%e mar(% are the r!ht %e6 %a) ,eter 1&mpn! )"$n n e<ctement.

5The '""( *!!er than the mar(% ma)e * the "ne-'e!!e) man:% $"")en 'e!. I:''

mea%&re them.6

e !"t "&t h% *t "+ %trn! an) 'a) t care+&'' acr"%% "ne "+ the mar(%. Then acr"%%

an"ther an) an"ther. e '""(e) &p 1"+&''.

5See that; E<act' the %ame %e4 Ever "ne "+ the%e r"&n) mar(% % the %ame a%

th"%e $e %a$ n the !r"&n) *e'"$ the $a'' the the+ c'm*e)46

5Then7there m&%t *e an"ther "ne-'e!!e) man here n the crc&%7a man $th a

$"")en 'e! that mea%&re% the %ame a% th"%e r"&n) mar(%6 %a) C"'n e<cte)'.5e:% n"t the the+ *eca&%e a "ne-'e!!e) man c"&')n:t c'm* the $a'' *&t he m&%t

have *een $th the the+46

59e m&%t n) hm6 %a) 8e"r!e. 5I+ $e can n) $h" h% +ren) % "r $h" he %hare%

a caravan $th $e %ha'' (n"$ h% +ren) % the the+- an) I e<pect $e:'' n) that the

the+ % $earn! th"%e %"c(% t""4 9e:re !ettn! $armer46

,eter *ec("ne) t" the %ma'' crc&% !r' $h" ha) t&rne) cart-$hee'% %"me tme*e+"re. 5e "&46 he ca''e). 59e $ant t" ta'( t" the "ne-'e!!e) man here. 9hch

% h% caravan;6

5D"n:t *e )a+t6 %a) the %ma'' !r'. 5There han:t n" "ne-'e!!e) man here. 9hat:)

he *e )"n! n a crc&%; A'' "+ &% here have !"t "&r t$" 'e!%7an) nee) 5em4 Y"&:re

)a+t46

5N"$ '""( here6 %a) ,eter rm'. 59e (n"$ /&te $e'' there % a "ne-'e!!e) man

here an) $e mean t" %ee hm. ere:% a penn + "&:'' te'' &% $here he %.6

The 'tt'e !r' %natche) the penn at "nce. Then %he 'a&!he) r&)e'. 5,enn +"r



n"thn!46 %he %a). 5Y"&:re n&t%4 I te'' "& there *an:t n" "ne-'e!!e) +e''"$ here46

An) *e+"re the c"&') a%( her anthn! e'%e %he $a% !"ne t&rnn! "ver "n han)%

an) +eet a% +a%t a% an c'"$n n the crc&%4

5Y"& r&n a+ter her an) %pan( her6 ca''e) a $"man +r"m a near* caravan. 5B&t %he

$"n:t te'' "& n" )3erent. 9e an:t !"t n" "ne-'e!! man here46

She $ent nt" her caravan an) %h&t the )""r. The Seven +e't /&te ta(en a*ac(.

5>r%t $e n) mar(% "&t%)e Chmne C"tta!e an) are certan the *e'"n! t" the

the+6 !r"ane) ,eter 5*&t the *e'"n! t" a "ne-'e!!e) man $h" % n"thn! t" )"

$th th% a)vent&re7an) then $e n) the r!ht mar(% r!ht %e an) a''7an) $e:ret"') there %n:t a "ne-'e!!e) man here at a''4 It:% rea'' ver p&'n!46

5Let:% +"''"$ the mar(%6 %a) anet. 59e %ha'' n) them )c&'t t" %ee n the '"n!er

!ra%%7*&t ma*e $e can %p"t en"&!h t" +"''"$ them &p.6

The )) mana!e t" +"''"$ them. The +"''"$e) them t" a %ma'' caravan par(e) n"t

+ar "3 the '"n%: ca!e ne<t t" a caravan $here L"&% $a% %ttn! "n the %tep%. e

$atche) them n %&rpr%e.

The $ent &p the %tep% "+ the %ma'' caravan an) peere) n%)e. It %eeme) t" *e +&''

"+ "))% an) en)% "+ crc&% pr"perte%. N"*") appeare) t" 've there.

A %t"ne %())e) near t" them an) ma)e them 1&mp. 5Y"& c'ear "3 peepn! an)prn! $here "&:ve n" *&%ne%% t" *e46 %h"&te) L"&% an) pc(e) &p an"ther

%t"ne. 5D" "& hear me; C'ear "346



Chapter >+teen.

A %h"c( +"r ,eter an) C"'n.

The Seven $ent h&rre)' "&t "+ the crc&% e') an) nt" the 'ane. 8e"r!e r&**e) h%

an('e $here "ne "+ L"&%:% %t"ne% ha) %tr&c( hm.

5Bea%t46 he %a). 59h ))n:t he $ant &% t" peep n that 'tt'e "') caravan; It:% "n'

&%e) +"r %t"rn! thn!% an$a.6

5@a*e the the+ ha% h))en the pear'% there46 %a) anet $th a 'a&!h.

,eter %tare) at her an) th"&!ht har). 5D" "& (n"$7"& m!ht *e r!ht46 he %a)

%'"$'. 59e are certan the the+ *e'"n!% t" the crc&%7$e:re certan the pear'% m&%t

*e there7an) $h %h"&') L"&% *e %" &p%et $hen $e 1&%t peepe) nt" that

caravan;6

5I $%h $e c"&') %earch t an) %ee6 %a) C"'n '"n!n!'. 5B&t I )"n:t %ee h"$ $e

can.6

59e'' I )"46 %a) ,eter. 5Y"& an) I $'' !" t" t"n!ht:% per+"rmance "+ the crc&%

C"'n7*&t $e:'' %'p "&t at ha'+-tme $hen a'' the per+"rmer% are n the rn! "r

*ehn) t7an) $e:'' %ee + th"%e pear'% are h))en there46

5B&t %&re' the $"n:t *e;6 a%(e) ,am. 5It %eem% %&ch a %'' p'ace.6

5I:ve !"t a %"rt "+ a h&nch a*"&t t6 %a) ,eter "*%tnate'. 5I 1&%t can:t e<p'an t.

Th"%e /&eer r"&n) mar(% %eeme) t" 'ea) there ))n:t the; 9e'' that:% pec&'ar

en"&!h t" *e!n $th.6



5It certan' %6 %a) Bar*ara. 5@ar(% ma)e * a "ne-'e!!e) man $h" )"e%n:t e<%t4

Th% % a %'' a)vent&re I thn(6

5It %n:t rea''6 %a) 8e"r!e. 5It:% a *t '(e a 1!%a$ p&'e7the *t% '""( /&te "))

an) h"pe'e%% $hen the:re a'' h!!'e)-p!!'e)7*&t a% %""n a% "& t them

t"!ether pr"per' the ma(e a c'ear pct&re.6

5Ye%7an) $hat $e:ve !"t %" +ar % a '"t "+ ")) *t% that rea'' *e'"n! t" "ne an"ther

7*&t $e )"n:t (n"$ h"$ the t6 %a) ,am. 5A *t "+ *'&e $""' *e'"n!n! t" %"c(%

$e %a$

"n the 'ne7a t$ee) cap that matche% a c"at $"rn * %"me"ne $e (n"$ %n:t the

the+4 &eer mar(% that t&rn &p ever$here an) )"n:t te'' &% anthn!.6

5C"me "n7'et:% !et h"me6 %a) ac( '""(n! at h% $atch. 5It:% a'm"%t )nner-tme.

9e:ve %pent a'' the m"rnn! %n""pn! a*"&t +"r n"thn!. Act&a'' I:m *e!nnn! t"

+ee' /&te m&))'e) "ver th% a)vent&re. 9e (eep +"''"$n! &p tra'% that aren:t an

&%e at a''.6

5N" m"re meetn!% t")a6 %a) ,eter a% the $a'(e) )"$n the 'ane. 5C"'n an) I

$'' meet t"n!ht * "&r%e've% an) !" t" the crc&%. Brn! a t"rch C"'n. 8"''7

%&pp"%e $e +"&n) the pear'% h))en n that "') caravan46

59e %han:t6 %a) C"'n. 5I can:t thn( $h "&:re %" %et "n %earchn! t. A'' r!ht7

meet "& at the crc&% !ate t"n!ht46

e $a% there r%t. ,eter came r&nnn! &p a 'tt'e 'ater. The $ent n t"!ether

!r"ann! at havn! t" pa "&t t$" m"re %h''n!%. 5&%t +"r ha'+ the %h"$ t""6

$h%pere) ,eter.



The t$" *"% $ent nt" the *! tent an) +"&n) %eat% near the *ac( %" that the

c"&')

ea%' %'p "&t &nn"tce). The %at )"$n an) $ate) +"r the %h"$ t" *e!n.

It rea'' $a% ver !"") an) the c'"$n% %t't-$a'(er% an) acr"*at% %eeme) *etter

than ever. The *"% $ere /&te %"rr t" %'p "&t *e+"re the %h"$ $a% "ver.

It $a% )ar( n the crc&% e') n"$. The %t"ppe) t" !et ther )rect"n. 5Over there6

%a) ,eter ta(n! C"'n:% arm. 5See7that:% the caravan I:m %&re.6

The ma)e ther $a ca&t"&%' t"$ar)% the caravan. The ))n:t )are t" p&t "n

ther t"rche% n ca%e %"me"ne %a$ them an) cha''en!e) them. ,eter +e'' "ver the

*"tt"m %tep "+ the caravan an) then *e!an t" c'm* &p care+&''.

5C"me "n6 he $h%pere) t" C"'n. 5It:% a'' c'ear4 The )""r %n:t '"c(e) ether. 9e:''

creep n an) *e!n "&r %earch mme)ate'46

The t$" *"% crept nt" the caravan. The *&mpe) nt" %"methn! n the )ar(ne%%.

5Dare $e p&t "n "&r t"rche% et;6 $h%pere) C"'n.

5Ye%. I can:t hear an"ne near6 $h%pere) *ac( ,eter. S" ver ca&t"&%' %ha)n!

the *eam $th ther han)% the %$tche) "n ther t"rche%.

The !"t a )rea)+&' %h"c( at "nce. The $ere n the $r"n! caravan4 Th% $a%n:t the

'tt'e caravan n $hch a'' (n)% "+ thn!% +r"m the crc&% $ere %t"re)7th% $a% acaravan pe"p'e 've) n. 8"") !rac"&%4

S&pp"%e the $ere ca&!ht $hat a r"$ the $"&') !et nt".



58et "&t /&c('46 %a) ,eter. B&t even a% he %p"(e C"'n c'&tche) h% arm. e ha)

hear) v"ce% "&t%)e4 Then %"me"ne came &p the %tep. 9hatever $ere the !"n!

t" )" n"$4

Chapter S<teen.

,r%"ner%.

5&c(4 )e &n)er that *&n( thn!7an) I:'' h)e &n)er th%6 $h%pere) ,eter n a

,anc. e an) C"'n cra$'e) &n)erneath an) p&''e) the han!n!% "ver them. The

$ate) there trem*'n!.

T$" men came nt" the caravan an) "ne "+ them 't a 'amp. Each %at )"$n "n a

*&n(. ,eter c"&') %ee n"thn! "+ them *&t ther +eet an) an('e%.

e %t3ene) %&))en'. The man "n the *&n( "pp"%te ha) p&''e) &p h% tr"&%er 'e!%

an) there "n h% +eet $ere the *'&e %"c(% $th the +ant re) 'ne% r&nnn! )"$n

each %)e4

T" thn( he $a% %ttn! "pp"%te the man $h" m&%t *e the the+- an) he c"&')n:t

even %ee h% +ace t" (n"$ $h" t $a%4 9h" c"&') t *e;

5I:m c'earn! "&t t"n!ht6 %a) "ne man.

5I:m +e) &p $th th% %h"$. N"thn! *&t !r"&%n! an) /&arre''n! a'' the tme. An)

I:m %care) the p"'ce:'' c"me a'"n! %""ner "r 'ater a*"&t that 'a%t 1"*.6



5Y"&:re a'$a% %care)6 %a) the man $th the %"c(%. 5Let me (n"$ $hen t:% %a+e t"

*rn! "& the pear'%. The can %ta p&t +"r m"nth% + nece%%ar.6

5S&re the:'' *e a'' r!ht;6 a%(e) the "ther man. The man $th the %"c(% 'a&!he)

an) %a) a m"%t pec&'ar thn!.

5The '"n% $'' %ee t" that6 he %a).

,eter an) C"'n '%tene) +r!htene) an) p&'e). It $a% p'an that the the+ $a%

there7the man $th the %"c(% $h"%e +ace the c"&')n:t %ee7an) t $a% a'%" /&te

p'an that he ha) h))en the pear'% a$a +"r the tme *en!7an) that the r%t man

ha) !"t %care) an) $a% 'eavn!.

5Y"& can %a I:m +ee'n! t"" %c( t" !" "n a!an n the rn! t"n!ht6 %a) the r%t

man a+ter a pa&%e.

5I:'' !" n"$ I thn( $h'e ever"ne:% n the rn!. 8et the h"r%e $'' "&;6

The man $th the %"c(% &ncr"%%e) h%

an('e% an) $ent )"$n the %tep%. ,eter an) C"'n '"n!e) +"r the "ther +e''"$ t" !"

t"". Then perhap% the c"&') e%cape. B&t he ))n:t !". e %at there )r&mmn! "n

%"methn! $th h% n!er%. It $a% p'an that he +e't nerv"&% an) %care).

There $ere %"&n)% "&t%)e "+ a h"r%e *en! p&t *et$een the %ha+t%. Then the man

$th the %"c(% ca''e) &p the %tep%.

5A'' %et4 C"me "n "&t an) )rve. See "& 'ater.6



The man !"t &p an) $ent "&t "+ the caravan. T" the *"%: nten%e )%ma he '"c(e)

the )""r4 Then he $ent /&et' r"&n) t" the +r"nt "+ the van an) c'm*e) &p t" the

)rvn! %eat. e c'c(e) t" the h"r%e an) t am*'e) "3 "ver the e').

5I %a46 $h%pere) C"'n. 5Th% % a$+&'4 e '"c(e) that )""r4 9e:re pr%"ner%46

5Ye%. 9hat a *t "+ *a) '&c(6 %a) ,eter cra$'n! "&t +r"m h% ver &nc"m+"rta*'e

h)n!-p'ace. 5An) )) "& n"tce C"'n that "ne "+ the men ha) th"%e %"c(% "n4

e:% the the+. An) he:% the "ne $e:ve 'e+t *ehn) $"r%e '&c(.6

59e:ve 'earnt a '"t6 %a) C"'n a'%" cra$'n! "&t. 59e (n"$ the pear'% are

%"me$here n the crc&%. 9hat )) he mean a*"&t the '"n%;6

58"")ne%% (n"$%6 %a) ,eter. 5Un'e%% he:% p&t them nt" the '"n%: ca!e an) h))en

them %"me$here there. Un)er "ne "+ the *"ar)% I e<pect.6

59e:'' have t" e%cape %"meh"$6 %a) C"'n )e%perate'. 5C"&') $e !et "&t "+ a

$n)"$ )" "& thn(;6

The *"% peepe) ca&t"&%' "&t "+ the $n)"$ at the +r"nt trn! t" %ee $here the

$ere. The caravan came t" a *r!ht %treet 'amp at that m"ment7an) ,eter !ave

C"'n a %harp n&)!e.

5L""(46 he $h%pere) 5that +e''"$ $h":% )rvn! the caravan ha% !"t "n the t$ee)

c"at that matche% the "') cap $e +"&n) &p n the tree. It m&%t *e the +e''"$ $e %a$pantn! the "&t%)e "+ the '"n%: ca!e46

5Ye%. An) pr"*a*' the the+ *"rr"$e) h% cap t" $ear %een! that the 've n the

%ame caravan6 %a) C"'n. 5That ma(e% "ne "+ the *t% "+ 1!%a$ pece% t nt" the

pct&re an$a.6



The tre) the $n)"$%. The $ere t!ht' %h&t. C"'n ma)e a n"%e trn! t" "pen

the $n)"$ an) the )rver '""(e) *ac( %harp' nt" the van. e m&%t have ca&!ht

%!ht "+ the +ace "+ "ne "+ the *"% * the '!ht "+ a %treet 'amp +"r he at "nce

%t"ppe) the h"r%e 1&mpe) )"$n an) ran r"&n) t" the *ac( "+ the van.

5N"$ $e:re +"r t46 %a) ,eter n )e%par. 5e:% hear) &%. )e /&c(' C"'n4 e:%

&n'"c(n! the )""r46

Chapter Seventeen.

Bac( at the crc&% e').

The (e t&rne) n the '"c( an) the )""r "+ the caravan $a% p&%he) "pen. A p"$er+&'

t"rch $a% %$tche) "n an) the *eam ?a%he) r"&n) the n%)e "+ the van.

The *"% $ere &n)er the *&n(% an) c"&') n"t *e %een. B&t the man $a% %" certan

that %"me*") $a% n%)e the van that he p&''e) a%)e the )rapere% that h&n! "ver

the %)e "+ the *&n( $here ,eter $a% h)n!. At "nce he %a$ the *".

e %h"&te) an!r' an) )ra!!e) p""r ,eter "&t. e %h""( hm %" har) that the *"

e''e). O&t came C"'n at "nce t" h% re%c&e4

5Ah7%" there are t$" "+ "&46 %a) the man. 59hat are "& )"n! here; "$ '"n!

have "& *een n th% van;6



5N"t '"n!6 %a) ,eter. 59e came n * m%ta(e. 9e $ante) t" !et nt" an"ther van

7*&t n the )ar( $e m%%e) "&r $a.6

5A prett p""r %"rt "+ %t"r46 %a) the man an!r'. 5N"$ I:m !"n! t" !ve "& each

a !"") h)n!7that $'' teach "& t" !et nt" "ther pe"p'e:% caravan%.6

e p&t )"$n h% t"rch "n a %he'+ %" that t% *eam '!hte) the $h"'e caravan. e

p&%he) *ac( h% c"at %'eeve% an) '""(e) ver a'armn! n)ee).

C"'n %&))en' (c(e) &p at the t"rch. It 1er(e) nt" the ar an) +e'' t" the ?""r $th a

cra%h. The *&'* $a% *r"(en an) the '!ht $ent "&t. The caravan $a% n )ar(ne%%.

5&c( ,eter !" +"r h% 'e!%46 e''e) C"'n an) )ve) +"r the man:% 'e!%. B&t n the

)ar(ne%% he m%%e) them %h"t "&t "+ the )""r an) r"''e) )"$n the %tep% 'an)n!

$th a *&mp "n the r"a) *e'"$.

,eter !"t a %'ap "n the %)e "+ h% hea) an) )")!e) n the )ar(ne%%. e t"" )ve)

t" !et h"') "+ the man:% 'e!% an) ca&!ht "ne "+ them. The man ht "&t a!an ar)

then %ta!!ere) an) +e''. ,eter $r!!'e) a$a ha'+ +e'' )"$n the %tep% an) r"''e) nt"

the he)!e.

At the %ame m"ment the h"r%e t""( +r!ht

an) !a''"pe) "3 )"$n the r"a) $th the caravan %$n!n! +r"m %)e t" %)e *ehn)

t n a m"%t a'armn! manner. The man n%)e m&%t have *een ver ver %&rpr%e)

n)ee)4

5C"'n4 9here are "&;6 %h"&te) ,eter. 5C"me "n /&c('. The h"r%e ha% *"'te) $th

the caravan an) the man n%)e t. N"$:% "&r chance46



C"'n $a% h)n! n the he)!e t"". e %teppe) "&t t" 1"n ,eter an) the t$" %et "3

)"$n the r"a) a% +a%t a% the c"&') r&nnn! at t"p %pee) pantn! '"&)'.

5Ever %n!'e thn! n th% a)vent&re !"e% $r"n!6 %a) C"'n at 'a%t %'"$n! )"$n.

59e can:t even !et nt" the r!ht caravan $hen $e $ant t"7$e have t" ch""%e the

$r"n! "ne.6

59e'' $e 'earnt /&te a *t6 %a) ,eter. 5An) $e (n"$ the the+ % $earn! th"%e

%"c(% n"$ even + $e %t'' )"n:t (n"$ $h" he %. >&nn thn! %7I %eem t" (n"$ h%

v"ce.6

5ave "& an )ea at a'' $here $e are;6 a%(e) C"'n. 5I mean7)" "& %&pp"%e$e:re r&nnn! t"$ar)% h"me "r a$a +r"m t; A% th% % a m"%t c"ntrar a)vent&re

I $"&')n:t

*e %&rpr%e) + $e:re r&nnn! n the $r"n! )rect"n a% +a%t a% ever $e can46

59e'' $e:re n"t6 %a) ,eter. 5I (n"$ $here $e are a'' r!ht. In +act $e:'' %""n *e

*ac( at the crc&% e'). I %a7%h"&') $e %'p nt" the e') a!an an) 1&%t have a

%/&nt r"&n) +"r the man $h":% $earn! the %"c(%; I +ee' a% + I %mp' m&%t n) "&t$h" he %46

C"'n ))n:t $ant t". e ha) ha) en"&!h a)vent&re +"r "ne n!ht. B&t he %a) he

$"&') $at +"r ,eter "&t%)e the !ate + he *a)' $ante) t" !" nt" the e') a!an.

S" ,eter %'ppe) "ver the +ence an) ma)e h% $a t" $here he %a$ man '!ht%. The

%h"$ $a% "ver an) the pe"p'e ha) !"ne h"me. B&t the crc&% +"'( $ere n"$ havn!

ther %&pper an) the '!ht +r"m 'antern% an) re% '""(e) ver *r!ht an) !a.

,eter %a$ %"me ch')ren p'an! t"!ether. One "+ them appeare) ver ta'' n)ee)7

an) ,eter %a$ that %he $a% $a'(n! "n %t't% 1&%t a% the %t't-$a'(er% )) n the rn!.

It $a% the r&)e 'tt'e !r' $h" ha) t"') hm there $a% n" "ne-'e!!e) man n the

crc&%. She came $a'(n! "ver t" $here he %t"") *



a caravan *&t %he ))n:t %ee hm. She $a% a*%"r*e) n (eepn! her *a'ance "n the

%t't%.

She came an) $ent7an) ,eter %tare) at %"methn! %h"$n! "n the !r"&n). 9here

the ch') ha) $a'(e) her %t't% ha) 'e+t pec&'ar mar(% ptte) n the !r"&n)7re!&'ar

r"&n) mar(%71&%t '(e the "ne% * the $a'' r"&n) @'t"n @an"r4 There the $ere

%h"$n! c'ear' n the )amp !r"&n) 't * the ?c(ern! '!ht "+ a near* 'antern4

5L""( at that46 %a) ,eter t" hm%e'+. 59e $ere *'n) I Th"%e mar(% $eren:t ma)e *

a "ne-'e!!e) man7the $ere ma)e * a %t't-$a'(er4 9h ever ))n:t $e thn( "+ t

*e+"re;6

Chapter E!hteen.

,eter te''% h% %t"r.

,eter !ae) )"$n at the n&m*er "+ /&eer r"&n) mar(%. e '""(e) "ver at the ch')

$h" $a% %t't-$a'(n!7e% ever$here %he $ent her %t't% 'e+t th"%e r"&n) mar(%

"n the !r"&n). N"$ an"ther *t "+ the 1!%a$ ha) tte) nt" p'ace.

5The the+ $a% a %t't-$a'(er6 %a) ,eter t" hm%e'+. 5e t""( h% %t't% $th hm t"

he'p hm t" !et "ver the $a''. I m&%t n) C"'n an) te'' hm46

e ran "ver t" $here C"'n $a% $atn! +"r hm. 5C"'n I:ve )%c"vere) %"methn!

e<ctn!46 he %a). 5I (n"$ $hat ma(e% th"%e pec&'ar r"&n) mar(%7an) the:re

n"thn! t" )" $th a "ne-'e!!e) man46



59hat ma(e% them then;6 a%(e) C"'n %&rpr%e).

5St't%46 %a) ,eter. 5The en)% "+ %t't%4 The

the+ $a% "n %t't%7%" that he c"&') ea%' !et "ver that h!h $a''. 9hat a ver

c'ever )ea46

5B&t h"$ )) he )" t;6 %a) C"'n p&'e). 5C"me "n 'et:% !" h"me ,eter. I %ha''

!et nt" an a$+&' r"$ t:% %" 'ate. I:m terr*' tre) t"".6

5S" am I6 %a) ,eter. 59e'' $e $"n:t )%c&%% th% e<ctn! evenn! an m"re n"$7$e:'' thn( a*"&t t an) have a meetn! t"m"rr"$ m"rnn!. I:'' %en) anet r"&n) +"r

the "ther% r%t thn!. A% a matter "+ +act I haven:t /&te $"r(e) "&t h"$ the the+

)) c'm* "ver the $a'' $th %t't%.6

C"'n a$ne) $)e'. e +e't that he rea'' c"&') n"t tr t" thn( "&t anthn!. e

$a% *r&%e) +r"m h% +a'' "&t "+ the caravan he ha) *an!e) h% hea) har) an) he

+e't rather )ae). A'' he $ante) t" )" $a% t" !et nt" *e) an) !" t" %'eep4

anet $a% +a%t a%'eep $hen ,eter !"t h"me %" he ))n:t $a(e her. e !"t nt" *e)

meann! t" thn( everthn! "&t care+&''7*&t he ))n:t *eca&%e he +e'' %"&n)

a%'eep at "nce4

In the m"rnn! he $"&')n:t te'' anet a $"r) a*"&t the n!ht:% a)vent&re%. e 1&%t

%ent her "&t t" !et the "ther% t" a meetn!. The came $"n)ern! $hat ha)

happene). One * "ne the h%%e) the pa%%$"r)7:A)vent&re467an) pa%%e)

thr"&!h the )""r. C"'n $a% 'a%t "+ a''. e %a) he ha) "ver%'ept4

59hat happene) 'a%t n!ht; D) "& n) the pear'%; D" "& (n"$ $h" the the+ %;6

a%(e) ,am ea!er'.



59e ))n:t n) the pear'%7*&t $e (n"$ everthn! e'%e46 %a) ,eter tr&mphant'.

D" $e;6 %a) C"'n %&rpr%e). 5Y"& ma ,eter7*&t I )"n:t. I %t'' +ee' %'eep46

5,eter te'' &%6 %a) 8e"r!e. 5D"n:t (eep &% $atn!. Te'' &% everthn!46

5C"me "n &p t" Ltt'e Thc(et an) I:'' %h"$ "& e<act' h"$ the the+ !"t "ver that

$a''6 %a) ,eter %&))en' )ec)n! that that $"&') *e a ver ntere%tn! $a "+

ttn! a'' the *t% "+ the 1!%a$ t"!ether.

5Oh7"& m!ht te'' &% n"$46 $a'e) anet *tter' )%app"nte).

5N". C"me "n &p t" Ltt'e Thc(et6 %a)

,eter. S" the a'' $ent t"!ether t" Ltt'e Thc(et an) $a'(e) "ver t" the *! !ate% "+

@'t"n @an"r. "hn% the !ar)ener $a% there a!an $"r(n! n the +r"nt *e)% "+ the

)rve.

5"hn%4 @a $e c"me n a!an;6 %h"&te) ,eter. 59e $"n:t )" an harm.6

"hn% "pene) the !ate% !rnnn!. 5D%c"vere) anthn! et;6 he a%(e) a% the

ch')ren cr"$)e) thr"&!h.

5Ye% '"t%6 %a) ,eter an) 'e) the $a t" the p'ace $here the the+ ha) c'm*e)

"ver the $a''. 5C"me a'"n! $th &% an) I:'' te'' "& $hat $e:ve )%c"vere) "hn%46

5R!ht7*&t I:'' 1&%t 'et th% car n at the !ate% r%t6 %a) "hn% a% a *! *'ac( car

h""te) "&t%)e.



The ch')ren %""n came t" the p'ace $here the ha) *een *e+"re. 5N"$ '""(6 %a)

,eter 5th% % $hat happene). The the+ $a% a %t't-$a'(er %" a'' he ha) t" )" $a% t"

c"me t" the "&t%)e "+ th% $a'' !et &p "n h% %t't%7$a'( t" the $a'' 'ean "n the

t"p ta(e h% +eet +r"m the %t't% an) %t "n the $a''. e then )ra$% h% %t't% "ver the

$a'' an) &%e% them "n th% %"+t !r"&n). On the har) !ar)en path% the )"n:t mar(

an) +"e % %a+e t" c"me t" earth an) h)e h% %t't% a'"n! the *"< he)!n! "+ the*"r)er.6

58" "n46 %a) anet n e<ctement.

5e !et% nt" the h"&%e ta(e% the pear'% an) c"me% *ac( t" the $a''6 %a) ,eter.

5Up he !et% "n h% %t't% a!an an) $a'(% t" the

$a''7an) he 'eave% m"re "+ the%e pec&'ar r"&n) %t't-mar(% *ehn) n the earth "+

c"&r%e46

58"")ne%%7that:% $hat the $ere46 %a) ,am.

5Ye%. An) a% he c'am*er% "n t" the $a'' h% cap catche% a h!h *ranch "+ a tree an)

% 1er(e) "36 %a) ,eter. 5e 'eave% t there *eca&%e he )"e%n:t $ant t" $a%te tme!ettn! t *ac(. e catche% "ne "+ h% %"c(% "n that 'tt'e %harp pece "+ *rc( an)

'eave% a *t "+ $""' *ehn) . . . then he:% &p "n the t"p "+ the $a'' an) )"$n he

1&mp% "n the "ther %)e46

59hch I hear) hm )"46 %a) C"'n. 5B&t ,eter7he ha) n" %t't% $hen I %a$ hm.

9hat )) he )" $th h% %t't%;6



Chapter Nneteen.

9here are the pear'%;

5Y"& $ant t" (n"$ $hat he )) $th the %t't% he &%e) $hen he c'm*e) &p "n the$a'' a+ter he ha) %t"'en the pear'%;6 %a) ,eter. 59e''7I )"n:t rea'' (n"$7*&t + a''

m rea%"nn! % r!ht he m&%t have ?&n! them nt" a thc( *&%h %"me$here t"

h)e them46

5Ye%7"+ c"&r%e6 %a) ,am. 5B&t $hch *&%h;6

The a'' '""(e) r"&n) at the *&%he% an) tree% near *. 5A h"'' *&%h46 %a) C"'n

p"ntn! "ver the $a''. 5That:% a'$a% %" !reen an) thc( an) pe"p'e )"n:t !"

me%%n! a*"&t $th h"'' *eca&%e t:% t"" prc('46

5Ye%7that $"&') certan' *e the *e%t6 %a) ,eter. 5C"me "n ever"ne6e 'e) the

re%t "&t "+ the @an"r !r"&n)% an) r"&n) t" the "ther %)e "+ the $a'' at t"p %pee).

The $ere %""n n)n! "&t $hat a ver

%cratch prc(' 1"* *en)n! *ac( the *ranche% "+ the thc( h"'' tree c"&') *e. B&t

$hat a re$ar) the ha)4 There p&%he) r!ht nt" the ver thc(e%t part $ere t$"

'"n! %t't%4 C"'n p&''e) "&t "ne an) ,eter p&''e) "&t the "ther.

5Y"& $ere r!ht ,eter46 %a) anet. 5Y"& are c'ever4 9e:ve e<p'ane) %mp'

everthn! n"$7the "') cap h!h &p "n a *ranch7the *t "+ $""'7the pec&'ar

r"&n) mar(%7h"$ the the+ c'm*e) an &nc'm*a*'e $a''. Rea'' I thn( the Secret

Seven have *een ver ver c'ever46

5An) %" )" I46 %h"&te) an"ther v"ce. The a'' t&rne) an) there ?&%he) an)

*reath'e%% $a% ther +ren) the n%pect"r "+ p"'ce $th "hn% the !ar)ener %t'' a

!"") ten Gr)% "3.



5a''"46 %a) ,eter %&rpr%e). 5I %a7)) "& hear that;6

5Ye%6 %a) the n%pect"r *eamn! *&t *reath'e%%. 5"hn% here "pene) the !ate t"m car an) t"') me he th"&!ht "& ha) %"'ve) the m%ter. 9e (ne$ "& m&%t *e

h"t "n the %cent "+ %"methn! $hen "& cha%e) "&t "+ the !ate '(e that. 9e''

$hat:%

"&r e<p'anat"n; Y"&:ve certan' *eaten the p"'ce th% tme46

,eter 'a&!he). 5Ah $e'' "& %ee7$e can !" %n""pn! a*"&t the crc&% $th"&t

an"ne %&%pectn! &%7*&t + "& %ent %even p"'cemen t" %n""p r"&n) the crc&%

e') "&:) certan' *e %&%pecte) "+ %"methn!46

5N" )"&*t $e %h"&')6 a!ree) the n%pect"r. e pc(e) &p the %t't% an) e<amne)

them. 5A ver n!en"&% $a "+ %ca'n! an en"rm"&%' h!h $a''. I %&pp"%e "& can:t

a'%" te'' me $h" the the+ % can "&;6

59e''7t:% a %t't-$a'(er "+ c"&r%e6 %a) ,eter. 5An) I thn( t:% a +e''"$ ca''e) L"&%.I+ "& !" t" the crc&% "&:'' pr"*a*' n) hm $earn! *'&e %"c(% $th a 'tt'e re)

threa) r&nnn! )"$n each %)e.6

5An) he:'' have *'ac( har $th a 'tt'e r"&n) *are p'ace at the cr"$n6 %a) C"'n. 5At

'ea%t7the the+ I %a$ ha) a *are p'ace there.6

5A%t"n%hn! $hat a '"t "& (n"$46 %a) the n%pect"r a)mrn!'G 5"&:'' *e te''n!

me the c"'"&r "+ h% p1ama% ne<t4 9hat a*"&t c"mn! a'"n! t" n) hm n"$; I:ve!"t a

c"&p'e "+ men "&t n the car. 9e can a'' !".6



5O""h6 %a) ,am ma!nn! the Secret Seven appearn! "n the crc&% e') $th

three *! p"'cemen. 5I %a7$"n=t the crc&% +"'( *e a+ra) $hen the %ee &%;6

5On' th"%e $h" have rea%"n t" *e a+ra)6 %a) the n%pect"r. 5C"me a'"n!. I )"

$ant t" %ee + th% the+ "+ "&r% ha% a *are p'ace "n the cr"$n "+ h% hea). N"$

h"$ )" "& (n"$ that I $"n)er; @"%t remar(a*'e46

The a'' arrve) at the crc&% e') at 'a%t. The p"'ce !"t there r%t "+ c"&r%e a%

the $ent n ther car *&t the $ate) +"r the ch')ren t" c"me. Thr"&!h the !ate

the a'' $ent m&ch t" the amaement "+ the crc&% +"'( there.

5There:% L"&%6 %a) ,eter p"ntn! "&t the %&''en-'""(n! "&n! +e''"$ "ver * the'"n%: ca!e. 5B'"$7he:% !"t n" %"c(% "n a!an46

59e:'' '""( at the t"p "+ h% hea) then6 %a) C"'n.

L"&% %t"") &p a% the came near. % ee% '""(e) &nea%' at the ta'' n%pect"r.

58"t an %"c(% "n;6 n/&re) the n%pect"r

m&ch t" L"&%:% a%t"n%hment. 5,&'' &p "&r tr"&%er%.6

B&t a% ,eter ha) a'rea) %een L"&% $a% *are-'e!!e). 5Te'' hm t" *en) "ver6 %a)

C"'n $hch a%t"n%he) L"&% even m"re.

5Ben) "ver6 %a) the n%pect"r an) L"&% "*e)ent' *ent hm%e'+ "ver a% + he

$ere *"$n! t" ever"ne.

C"'n !ave a %h"&t. 5Ye%7that:% hm a'' r!ht4 See the *are r"&n) patch at the cr"$n

"+ h% hea); &%t '(e I %a$ $hen I $a% &p n the tree46



5Ah7!"")6 %a) the n%pect"r. e t&rne) t" L"&% a!an. 5An) n"$ "&n! +e''"$ I

have "ne m"re thn! t" %a t" "&. 9here are the pear'%;6

Chapter T$ent.

The en) "+ the a)vent&re.

L"&% %tare) at them a'' %&''en'. 5Y"&:re ma)46 he %a). 5A%(n! me t" p&'' &p m

tr"&%er 'e!% an) *en) "ver7an) n"$ "& %tart ta'(n! a*"&t pear'%. 9hat pear'%; I

)"n:t (n"$ n"thn! a*"&t pear'%7never )).6

5Oh e% "& )"6 %a) the n%pect"r. 59e (n"$ a'' a*"&t "& L"&%. Y"& t""( "&r

%t't% t" !et "ver that h!h $a''7))n:t "&;7the "ne that !"e% r"&n) @'t"n @an"r.

An) "& !"t the pear'% an) came *ac( t" the $a''. Up "& !"t "n t" "&r %t't%

a!an an) there "& $ere nce' "n t"p rea) t" 1&mp )"$n the "ther %)e.6

5D"n:t (n"$ $hat "&:re ta'(n! a*"&t6 m&m*'e) L"&% %&'(' *&t he ha) !"ne

ver pa'e.

5I:'' re+re%h "&r mem"r a 'tt'e m"re

then6 %a) the n%pect"r. 5Y"& 'e+t %t't-mar(% *ehn) "&7an) th% cap "n a h!h

*ranch 7 an) th% *t "+ $""' +r"m "ne "+ "&r %"c(%. Y"& a'%" 'e+t "&r %t't% *ehn)

"& n the m))'e "+ a h"'' *&%h. N"$ "& ))n:t )" a'' th"%e thn!% +"r n"thn!.

9here are th"%e pear'%;6



5>n) Jem "&r%e'+6 %a) L"&%. 5@a*e m *r"ther:% !"ne "3 $th them n the

caravan. e:% !"ne an$a.6

5B&t he 'e+t the pear'% here7he %a) %"6 %a) ,eter %&))en'. 5I $a% n the caravan

$hen "& $ere ta'(n! t"!ether46

L"&% !ave ,eter a %tart'e) an) +&r"&% !'ance. e %a) n"thn!.

5An) "& %a) the pear'% $"&') *e %a+e $th the '"n%46 %a) ,eter. 5D)n:t "&;6

L"&% ))n:t an%$er. 59e'' $e''46 %a) the n%pect"r 5$e:'' ma(e a +e$ n/&re% +r"mthe '"n% them%e've%46

S" acc"mpane) * a'' the ch')ren an) the t$" p"'cemen an) a'%" * a*"&t thrt

ntere%te) crc&% +"'( an) * the 'tt'e *ear $h" ha) %"meh"$ !"t +ree an) $a%

$an)ern! a*"&t n )e'!ht the n%pect"r $ent "ver

t" the *! '"n%: ca!e. e ca''e) +"r the '"n-(eeper.

e came a%t"n%he) an) rather a'arme).

59hat:% "&r name;6 a%(e) the n%pect"r. 5Rccar)"6 rep'e) the man. 59h;6 9e''

@r. Rccar)" $e have rea%"n t" *e'eve that "&r '"n% are (eepn! a pear' nec('ace

%"me$here a*"&t ther ca!e "r ther per%"n%.6

Rccar)":% ee% near' +e'' "&t "+ h% hea). e %tare) at the n%pect"r a% + he

c"&')n:t *e'eve h% ear%.

5Open the ca!e an) !" n an) %earch6 %a) the n%pect"r. 5Search +"r '""%e *"ar)%

"r an$here that pear'% c"&') *e h))en.6



Rccar)" &n'"c(e) the ca!e %t'' '""(n! t"" a%t"n%he) +"r $"r)%. The '"n%

$atche) hm c"me n an) "ne "+ them %&))en' p&rre) '(e a cat *&t m&ch m"re

'"&)'.

Rccar)" %"&n)e) the *"ar)%. N"ne $a% '""%e. e t&rne) p&'e) t" the $atchn!

pe"p'e. 5Sr6 he %a) 5"& can %ee that th% ca!e % *are e<cept +"r the '"n%7an)

the c"&') n"t h)e pear'% n"t even n ther mane%7the $"&') %cratch them "&t.6

,eter $a% $atchn! L"&%:% +ace. L"&% $a% '""(n! at the *! $ater-tr"&!h ver

an<"&%' n)ee). ,eter n&)!e) the n%pect"r.

5Te'' hm t" e<amne the $ater-tr"&!h46 he %a).

Rccar)" $ent "ver t" t. e pc(e) t &p an) empte) "&t the $ater. 5T&rn t &p%)e

)"$n6 ca''e) the n%pect"r. Rccar)" )) %"7an) then he !ave an e<c'amat"n.

5It ha% a +a'%e *"tt"m %"')ere) t" t46 he cre). 5See %r7th% %h"&') n"t *e here46

e %h"$e) ever"ne the &n)erneath "+ the $ater-tr"&!h. S&re en"&!h %"me"ne

ha) %"')ere) "n an e<tra pece that ma)e a m"%t n!en"&% +a'%e *"tt"m. Rccar)"

t""( a t""' +r"m h% *e't an) 'evere) "3 the e<tra *"tt"m.

S"methn! +e'' "&t t" the ?""r "+ the ca!e. 5The pear'%46 %h"&te) a'' the ch')ren at

"nce an) the '"n% '""(e) &p n a'arm at the n"%e. Rccar)" pa%%e) the pear'%

thr"&!h the *ar% "+ the ca!e an) then t&rne) t" ca'm h% '"n%. The 'tt'e *ear $h"

$a% n"$ * anet !r&nte) n +ear $hen he hear) the

'"n% %nar'n!. anet tre) t" '+t hm &p *&t %he c"&')n:t.



5Ver %at%+act"r6 %a) the n%pect"r p&ttn! the ma!ncent nec('ace nt" h%

p"c(et. The ch')ren hear) a %'!ht n"%e an) t&rne) t" %ee L"&% *en! marche)

rm' a$a * the t$" p"'cemen. e pa%%e) a c'"the%'ne7an) there a!an $ere

the *'&e %"c(% that ha) he'pe) t" !ve hm a$a ?appn! n the $n)4

5C"me a'"n!6 %a) the n%pect"r %h""n! the %even ch')ren n +r"nt "+ hm. 59e:''

a'' !" an) %ee La) L&c Th"ma%7an) "& %ha'' te'' her the %t"r "+ "&r 'ate%t

a)vent&re +r"m *e!nnn! t" en). She:'' $ant t" re$ar) "&7%" I h"pe "&:'' have

%"me !"") )ea%4 9hat )" "& $ant anet;6

5I %&pp"%e6 %a) anet '""(n! )"$n at the 'tt'e *ear %t'' tr"ttn! *e%)e her 5I

%&pp"%e %he $"&')n:t !ve me a 'tt'e *ear $"&') %he; One '(e th% *&t %ma''er %"

that I c"&') '+t hm &p; ,am $"&') '(e "ne t"" I (n"$.6

The n%pect"r r"are) $th 'a&!hter. 59e'' Secret Seven a%( +"r *ear% "r anthn!

"&

'(e7a $h"'e crc&% + "& $ant t. Y"& )e%erve t. I rea'' )"n:t (n"$ $hat I %h"&')

)" $th"&t the he'p "+ the S.S.S4 Y"&:'' he'p me a!an n the +&t&re $"n:t "&;6

5Rather46 %a) the Seven at "nce. An) "& ma *e %&re the $''4

blyton enid secret seven 02 secret seven adventure

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