There was nothing for it but to "clear orf," and the children did so, running up the drive to the gate. They were very angry.
"Just as Mrs. Minns was thinking of the address!" said Larry.
"I hope she doesn't think of it and tell Clear-Orf," said Pip gloomily. "If she does, Clear-Orf will go over and see Peeks before we do."
"Blow!" said Daisy. They all felt very disheartened. They were just going out of the gate when they heard a low whistle from the bushes nearby. They turned back to see who it was.
Lily appeared, a letter in her hand. She looked fright-ened, but determined. "Will you post this letter for me?" she asked. "It's to Mr. Peeks, to warn him that people are saying he started the fire. But he didn't, he didn't. I know he didn't! You post the letter, will you?"
There was a shout from the kitchen. "Lily! Where are you?"
Lily disappeared at once. The children ran out of the gate, excited and surprised. They stopped behind a hedge when they had gone a little way, and examined Lily's envelope. It had no stamp on. The girl had forgotten it in her hurry.
"Golly!" said Larry, "here we've been all the afternoon trying to get Horace Peek's address and couldn't - and now, suddenly, it's just been presented to us, given into our hands!"
"What a bit of luck!" said Daisy, thrilled. "I am pleased."
"The thing is - do we want Peeks to be warned?" said Larry. "You see - if he is warned beforehand that people are suspecting him., he might run away. Then we shouldn't solve the mystery."