Chapter 7

CHAPTER SEVEN 'No,' said Aunt Fanny firmly. I will not have that, Julian. It's as dark as pitch outside, and I don't want you snooping round for dog-thieves on your half-term holiday. 'Oh, I say!' said Julian, bitterly disappointed.

'Ring up the police,' said his aunt. 'Tell them what you have just told me- they'll be able to find out the truth very quickly. They will be sure to know who has a baby and who hasn't- they can go round snooping quite safely!'

'All right,' said Julian, sad to have a promising adventure snatched away so quickly. He went to the phone, frowning. Aunt Fanny might have let him and Dick slip out to Seagreen in the dark- it would have been such fun.

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The police were most interested and asked a lot of questions. Julian told them all he knew, and everyone listened intently. Then Julian put down the receiver and turned to the others, looking quite cheerful again. 'They were jolly interested, he said. 'And they're off to Seagreen Village straight away in the police car. They're going to let us know what they find. Aunt Fanny- We CANNOT go to bed tonight till we know what happens!' 'No, we can't!' cried all the others, and Timmy joined in with a bark, leaping round excitedly. 'Very well, said Aunt Fanny, smiling. 'What a collection of children you are- you can't even go for a walk without something happening! Now- get out the cards and let's have a game.'

They played cards, with their ears listening for the ringing of the telephone bell. But it didn't ring. Supper time came and still it hadn't rung. 'It's no go, I suppose, said Dick gloomily. 'We probably made a mistake.' Timmy suddenly began to bark, and then ran to the door, pawing at it. 'Someone's coming,' said George. 'Listen- it's a car!' They all listened, and heard the car stop at the gate- then footsteps came up the path and the front-door bell rang. George was out in a trice, and opened it. 'Oh- it's the police!' she called. 'Come in, do come in.'