FIVE ON A HIKE TOGETHER by Enid Blyton

15 MAGGIE - AND DIRTY DICK

They watched the couple in the distance, and thought quickly. Julian had been expecting them, so he was not surprised. Dick was looking at Dirty Dick, recognizing the broad, short man, with his hunched-up shoulders and shock of hair. He didn't like the look of him any more than when he had seen him up at the old cottage!

Anne and George didn't like the look of the woman either! She was wearing trousers and had a jacket draped round her shoulders. She was also wearing sunglasses, and smoking a cigarette. She walked quickly and they could hear her voice. It was sharp and determined.

"So that's Maggie," thought Julian. "Well, I don't like her. She looks as hard as nails - a good companion for Nailer!"

He moved cautiously towards the other three. George had her hand on Timmy's collar, afraid that he might show himself.

"Listen," said Julian. "You're none of you to turn a hair! We'll just walk out into the open, talking cheerfully together and let them see us. If they ask us what we're doing, you all know what to say. Chatter nonsense as much as you like - put them off and make them think we're a bunch of harmless kids. If there are any leading questions asked us - leave me to answer them. Ready?"

They nodded. Then Julian swung out from the bushes and walked into the open, calling to Dick. "Here we are again - there's the old house! My word, it looks worse than ever this morning!"

George and Timmy came bounding out together, and Anne followed, her heart beating fast. She wasn't as good as the others at this sort of thing!

The man and the woman stopped abruptly when they saw the children. They said a few words to one another very rapidly. The man scowled.

The children went towards them, chattering all the time as Julian had ordered. The woman called sharply to them.

"Who are you? What are you doing here?"

"Just hiking," said Julian, stopping. "It's our half-term."

"What do you want to come here for then?" asked the woman. "This is private property."

"Oh no," said Julian. "It's only a burnout ruin. Anyone can come. We want to explore this queer lake - it looks exciting."

The man and the woman looked at one another. It was clear that the idea of the children exploring the lake was surprising and annoying to them. The woman spoke again.

'You can't explore this lake. It's dangerous. People are forbidden to bathe in it or use a boat."

"We weren't told that,' said Julian, looking astonished. "We were told how to get here, and no one said the lake was forbidden. You've been told wrongly."

"We want to watch the moor-hens, you see," put in Anne, suddenly seeing a moor-hen on the water. "We're fond of nature."

"And we've been told there are deer near here," said George.

"And wild ponies," said Dick. "We saw some yesterday. They were really lovely. Have you seen any?"

This sudden burst of chatter seemed to annoy the man and the woman more than Julian's answers. The man spoke roughly.

"Stop this nonsense. People aren't allowed here. Clear out before we make you!"

"Why are you here, then, if people aren't allowed?" asked Julian, and a hard tone came into his voice. "Don't talk to us like that."

"You clear off, I say!" cried the man, suddenly shouting loudly as he lost his temper. He took two or three steps towards them, looking very threatening indeed. George loosed her hold on Timmy's collar.