Dick Elleray, the old motorman from Head of the Lake, could not help overhearing the mutterings of his passenger, notwithstanding the noise of the motor.

"Major Tom Jolys... major tomfoolery more like," Maria Turner scowled, and then, perhaps thinking rather more aloud than she intended, "I wonder if he evr married?"

"Colonbel Jolys, Miss?" said the driver. "There are some as say he were married to the army. he've that many decorations, I daresay a brave soldier such as he has broken many a lady's heart, Miss."

"Indeed. Well don't talk to me - keep your eyes on the road. And hurry up. I do not want to miss my train."

"Station, Miss. Shall I be getting your loogage?" said the driver as he opened her door. His passenger did not hear him. She was distracted by the sight of a middle aged woman with a younger married couple, loading cases into a taxi.

"It cannot be, surely," Maria Turner said to herself. "Driver!"

"yes, Miss?"

"Who was that woman, just drove away in that cab?"

"Why, that'll be Mrs Blackett, Miss, from Beckfoot, of course."

"Of course it is! I am not blind. Well, don't just stand there, get after them!"

"But your train, Miss..."

"Oh, d..dash my train! I want to speak to my niece."

"Well, Professor," said Mrs Blackett, "Isn't it funny how we just happened to meet like that at the station. But I thought the children were going to meet you in Norfolk. Nancy told me you would charter a yacht there."

"We changed our minds. Mrs Barrable - she's our friend in Horning - Mrs Barrable's brother was unable to come. He was to skipper for us. And then I found out how much it would cost to rail Dick's and Dot's new dinghy all the way over there... By the way, do call me Louis. 'Professor' is such a stuffy term of address. My wife is Mary."

"So am I, but everyone calls me Molly. So the Ds are expecting you then?"

Mrs Callum laughed. "Yes, I heard they get called that. Well, it's a funny thing. The letter we got from Dot this morning mentioned the Norfolk trip again. It's as if they never got my last letter. Perhaps it was lost in the post."

"Well, here is Beckfoot, said Mrs Blackett presently. "Will you be taking Dick and Dorothea straight to Dixon's Farm? They won't be packed if they aren't expecting you. But of course they can stay at Beckfoot as long as they like. I'm in no hurry to be rid of them.

Mrs Callum pointed across the road as the taxi swung into the driveway. "Look darling, theymust have got the letter. There's Dick with their suitcases now. But what was he doing with them in the forest?"

"Probably after one of his birds, I expect." laughed the Professor.

"Mother!" shouted Nancy as she leapt out the front door, putting on her red cap.

"Mummy, Daddy!" cried Dorothea, "Dick - look who's here."

Nancy gave her mother an enormous hug, almost lifting her off her feet. "Oh, Mother, while you were away..."

Mrs Blacket interrupted her. "This is Professor and Mrs Callum." The Professor was already saying "How do you do?" to Timothy. There were introductions and handshakes all round.

"I am afraid my two pirates may be a bad influence on your children..." Mrs Blacket began, with a smile in her voice.

"Mother! We have been absolute angels. You have no idea..." Her voice trailed off into nothing.

Dorothea gasped as a car entered the driveway. "It's..."