The man put down Paul and bowed most politely to Captain and Mrs. Arnold.
“I am Paul’s father, the King of Baronia,” he said.
“But we thought you were very ill, and nearly dying!” cried Mike, in surprise.
“Yes. I have been ill, but now I am better, much to the grief of my enemies,” said the king, in a grim sort of voice. “Paul was made prisoner and taken away whilst I lay ill, and we did not know where he was. Then your Miss Dimity informed your good English police, and they sent the message to me that you children had rescued my boy, and had taken him to your secret island.”
“Then is that blue and silver aeroplane yours?” cried Mike. “Paul said he thought it belonged to his country.”
“Yes, we flew over in it, I and my four friends,” said the king. “We came to see Miss Dimity, that brave and good woman, and she and your friend George told us all that had happened.”
“But where is Dimmy?” asked Nora, almost in tears, for she really felt very anxious about Dimmy.
“Miss Dimity is coming in another car,” said the king. “She and George and ourselves all had to go to the police to explain what had happened. She will soon be here.”
And even as he spoke another car drew up outside, and out leapt George to help Miss Dimity. She got out, looking rather pale and tired, but just the same cheerful old Dimmy. She couldn’t believe her eyes when the children rushed to greet her.
“I thought you were safely on your secret island!” she said. “What made you leave it?”