‘Come on!’ he said. ‘You go ahead.’
Noddy went forward, still gasping for breath.
By the time Baird reached the hut, he was breathing heavily. Hater was heavier than he looked, and the heat in the swamp seemed to drain all Baird’s strength.
Rico came to the door. He was trembling and his white face looked ghastly.
‘Are they coming this way?’ he asked fearful y.
Baird shoved him aside and entered the hut. He let Hater slide off his shoulder on to the floor.
Both Rico and Noddy followed him in. Noddy stood by the window, looking down the path and the way they had come.
‘Give Noddy the money,’ Baird said to Rico. ‘Twenty-five Cs. Snap it up! We’ve got to get to the boat.’
Rico stared at him.
‘Aren’t you going to wait here, like we planned?’ he asked.