David wrote in his book.
“And we might be in an awful hurry,” continued Hugh. “What about taking Danny’s bike? I can ride it if the saddle is put right down, and you can go on the step. We could hide it somewhere near the gipsy camp, in case of need.”
“That’s a good idea,” said David. “And we might want to disguise ourselves. What about you borrowing a set of your sister’s clothes? I’ll get the false nose we have for acting, and a pair of specs, and grandfather’s Inverness cape. No one would recognize us, then.”
“You’re right,” said Hugh. “And I think we’d better have a map—there’s that one Danny was teaching us map reading with.”
“Yes, yes,” said David, “and a compass, in case we get lost in the dark.”
Before long they had collected all the things down on their list, and packed them in an old sack and a carpet bag. Concealing them in their den, under the logs, they set out to go down to the camp, and begin their watch on Black Bill, meaning to come back for the things as soon as they saw signs of the circus getting ready to move.
They had not gone far before they met Bill and Jack returning with Danny’s hat, and the story of how Black Bill’s son had told the bailiff an awful lie about Danny. This convinced David and Hugh more than ever that Black Bill had kidnapped Danny, and they hurried on towards the camp.
Black Bill did not move from the field all the morning; but the Cubs managed to discover from a little gipsy girl that the camp was going to start for Bradmead directly after dinner. Dinner was then nearly ready, as you could tell from the lovely smell that came from the big black pots on the fire.
“Look here,” said Hugh to David, “you stay here keeping your eye on Black Bill, and I’ll go on to Bradmead on Danny’s bike, and take the things and find a secret hiding-place for them. Then I’ll come back towards the caravans, which will be on the move by then. If I can’t spot you, I’ll make the peewit noise and you answer with the owl’s.”
So the two Cubs parted.