Their approval was almost too enthusiastic.
“He can do anything,” Penny insisted.
“You ought to tell them this magician, whoever he is, can’t work miracles,” their mother said a little impatiently.
“Maybe he can,” Peter replied, his eyes twinkling.
“I’m afraid I don’t like this sudden power he has over the children,” Mrs. Riker said. “Why did you go there, Paul? Tell me the truth, now!”
“I had to, Mom,” he replied. “I wanted him to pick Penny for the magic show. We’re going to join the club and wear black spots on our foreheads—”
“But that’s the sign of the Destroyer,” Judy said.
“We know,” Paul said, “and it was the Destroyer on Uncle Paul’s tomb. Are we going back there? When are we going to start?”
“Right now,” Peter told them, “with your mother’s permission, of course. Better wrap up good and warm. It’s going to be a cold climb up those steps to the vault. The cave underneath, if we can find it, may be even colder.”
“Is Blackberry going?” Paul wanted to know, when they were ready to start.