FIVE ON A HIKE TOGETHER by Enid Blyton

17 TIT FOR TAT!

When they arrived at the boat-house there was no sign of Maggie or Dick. But their boat was in the shed, tied up in front of the other two, where it had been before.

"They're back all right," said Julian "I wonder where they are. Don't let's drag this clumsy, heavy raft into the boat-house. I don't feel as if I've any strength left in my arms. Let's drag it under a bush and tie it there."

They thought this a good idea. They pulled the raft up to some thick bushes and tied it firmly to a root that was sticking out of the ground.

Then they made their way to the ruined house, keeping a sharp look-out for Maggie and Dick. There was still no sign of them

They went in, Timmy first. He didn't growl so they knew it was safe. He led the way to the cellar steps. Then he growled!

"What's up?" said Julian. "Are they down there, Tim?"

Timmy ran straight down the steps into the cellar room. He growled again, but it was not the fierce growl he always gave when he wanted to warn that enemies or strangers were near. It was an angry, annoyed growl as if something was wrong.

"I expect dear Maggie and Dirty Dick have been down here and found out where our headquarters are!" said Julian, following Timmy down the steps, He switched on his torch.

The beds of heather and bracken were there as they had left them, and their macs and rugs and rucksacks. Nothing seemed to have been disturbed. Julian lighted the candles on the mantelpiece and the dark little underground room came to life at once.

"What's the matter with Timmy?" asked George, coming down into the room. "He's still growling, Timmy, what's up?"

"I expect he can smell that the others have been down here," said Dick, "Look at him sniffing all round. It's quite clear that someone has been here."

"Anyone hungry?" asked Anne, "I could do with some cake and biscuits."

"Right," said Julian, and opened the cupboard where they had put the food they had bought.

There was none there! Except for the crockery and one or two odds and ends that had been in the cupboard before, there was nothing. The bread had gone, the biscuits, the chocolate - everything!

"Blow!" said Julian, angrily. "Look at that! The beasts! They've taken all our food - every bit. Not even a biscuit left. We were mad not to think they might do that!"

"Clever of them," said Dick. "They know we can't stay here long without food. It's a good way of chasing us out. It's too late to go and get any tonight, anyway - and if we go tomorrow for some, they'll do what they have come to do in their own good time... when we're not here."

Everyone felt distinctly down in the dumps. They were hungry and tired, and a good meal would have made all the difference. Anne sank down on her bed of heather and sighed.

"I wish I'd left some chocolate in my rucksack," she said. "But I didn't leave any there at all. And poor Tim - he's hungry too! Look at him sniffing in the cupboard and looking round at George. Tim, there's nothing for you. The cupboard is bare!"

'Where are those two wretches gone?" suddenly said Julian, fiercely. "I'll tick them off! I'll tell them what I think of people who come and rifle cupboards and take away all the food."

'Woof," said Timmy, in full agreement.

Julian went angrily up the stairs. He wondered again where Maggie and Dirty Dick were. He went to the empty doorway and looked out. Then he saw where they were.