“And here we are!” said Captain Arnold. “What about some food? I’m famished! We’ve got a hamper in the plane - go and get it, Jack and Mike.”
The boys tore off to get it - but as they went across the lane to the field, they heard the sound of a big car coming down the road. They stopped and looked. Peep-Hole was at the end of the lane - the road stopped just there, so whoever came down the lane must go to Peep-Hole. Who was coming?
The car was full of men. There were at least five. Mike caught hold of Jack’s arm and they fled back to Peep-Hole. “They might be coming to take Paul away!” he yelled. “Quick, come back and we’ll lock the doors. Thank goodness Dad and Mummy are there!”
They shot back into the house and locked the front door. The car stopped outside with a screech of brakes, and four men got out. They were all in some kind of uniform and looked rather grand. They walked up the path and thundered on the knocker.
“Who’s that?” said Captain Arnold in astonishment.
“We don’t know,” said Mike. “But we’ve locked them out in case they’ve come for Paul.”
“My dear boy, nobody can take Paul now I’m here,” said Captain Arnold. “Open the door.”
But somebody else opened the door. Paul had been looking out of the window - and he suddenly gave a most ear-piercing yell, shouted something in a foreign language, and tore to the front door. He struggled with the bolts, yelling all the time.
“He’s gone mad!” said Jack in surprise. “Here, let me help you, Paul, since you’re determined to open the door!”
The door opened. Paul flew through it, flung himself at the front man, and wept tears all down his chest! The man stroked him and patted him, whilst every one looked on in the greatest astonishment.