2 The Secret Seven Society

CHAPTER TWO The Secret Seven Society THE NEXT morning five children made their way to Old Mill House, where Peter and Janet lived. It took its name from the ruined mill that stood up on the hill, some distance away, which had not been used for many years. George came first. He walked down the garden and came to the shed. The first thing he saw was the sign on the door, S.S. There it was, bold and clear in bright green. He knocked on the door. There was a silence. He knocked again. Still no reply, though he felt sure that Peter and Janet were there because he was certain he had seen Janet's face at the little window of the shed. He heard a snuffling under the door. That

must be Scamper! He knocked again, impatiently. 'Give the password, silly!' said Peter's voice. 'Oh, I forgot,' said George. 'Wenceslas!' The door opened at once. George grinned and went in. He looked round. 'This is very cosy. Is it to be our meeting-place these hols?' 'Yes. It's nice and warm here,' said Peter. 'Where's your badge? Your button with S.S. on?' 'Bother– I forgot it,' said George. 'I hope I haven't lost it.' 'You're not a very good member,' said Janet sternly. 'Forgetting to say the password, and forgetting your badge as well.' 'Sorry,' said George. 'To tell you the truth I'd almost forgotten about the Secret Society too!' 'Well, you don't deserve to belong then,' said Peter. 'Just because we haven't met for some time!

I do think—' There was another knock at the door. It was Pam and Barbara. There was silence in the shed. Everyone was listening for the password. 'Wenceslas,' hissed Barbara, in such a peculiar voice that everyone jumped. 'Wenceslas,' whispered Pam. The door opened, and in they went. 'Good– you're both wearing your badges,' said Peter, pleased. 'Now where are Colin and Jack? They're late.' Jack was waiting for Colin at the gate. He had forgotten the password! Oh dear, whatever could it be? He thought of all sorts of things– Nowell– Wise Men– what could it be? He felt sure it was something to do with Christmas carols. He didn't like to go to the meeting-place without knowing the password. Peter could be very strict. Jack didn't like being ticked off in front of people, and he racked his brains to try

to think of the word. He saw Colin away in the distance and decided to wait for him. Colin would be sure to know the word! 'Hallo!' said Colin, as he came up. 'Seen the others yet?' 'I saw Pam and Barbara going in,' said Jack. 'Do you know the password, Colin?' 'Of course I do,' said Colin. 'I bet you don't!' said Jack. 'Well, I do– it's Wenceslas!' said Colin.

'Aha– sucks to you, Jack– you thought I didn't know it!' 'Thanks for telling me,' grinned Jack. 'I'd forgotten it. Don't tell Peter. Come on down the path. Hey! Look at the S.S. for Secret Seven on the door.' They knocked. 'WENCESLAS,' said Colin in a very loud voice. The door opened quickly and Peter's indignant face looked out. 'Whatever are you shouting for? Do you want everyone in the village to know our password, you fool?' 'Sorry,' said Colin, going in. 'Anyway, there's nobody but us to hear.' 'Wenceslas,' said Jack, seeing that Peter was not going to let him in without the password. The door shut and the seven settled down. Peter and Janet took the flowerpots for themselves. Everyone else sat on the boxes. 'This is a great meeting-place,' said George. 'Warm and cosy, and right away from the

house.' 'Yes. I must say you and Janet have made it very comfortable,' said Barbara. 'Even a little curtain at the window.' Peter looked round at the little company. 'We'll have our meeting first, and then we'll have the eats and drinks,' he said. Everyone's eyes went to the neat little shelf behind Colin. On it were arranged seven mugs, a plate of oatmeal biscuits, and a bottle of some dark-looking liquid. Whatever could it be? 'First of all,' went on Peter, 'we must arrange a new password, because Wenceslas doesn't seem right for after Christmas– besides, Colin yelled it out at the top of his voice, so everyone probably knows it now.'