The Secret Seven looked at each other in astonishment. "Why, we saw the old scarecrow yesterday," said Peter. "There was a rook on his head ... so the birds can't be as scared of him as old Matt said!"
"But who could have taken the clothes?" said Jack. "I mean ... they were pretty old and torn, weren't they?"
"Well, the scarecrow has worn them for a long time," said Janet. "I wouldn't have thought they were much good for anyone!"
"They wouldn't be worth a single penny," said Peter. "I must say I'm surprised at Matt thinking we'd had anything to do with it!"
"Well, we did once do something silly with a scarecrow," said Janet. "Don't you remember? We planted some seeds in our own little gardens, and when the birds came and pecked them up we fetched an old scarecrow out of the wheat-field and stood him in the middle of our own seeds! Daddy was very cross ... but Mother said we hadn't meant any harm, we were too little then to understand."
The others laughed at the picture of Janet and Peter dragging a scarecrow all the way to their own small gardens. "All the same " I expect that's why Matt thought it was you," said Colin."
"I suppose ... I suppose it couldn't be Susie and Binkie, could it?" asked George.
Everyone thought it was very likely! "It's just the silly sort of thing they would do," said Jack. "They would think it very, very funny... and they'd know we'd be questioned and feel jolly puzzled."
"Well ... you'd better ask Susie about it," said Peter to Jack. "And if she starts giggling and won't say anything, just say you'll report to us and we'll take the matter in hand, as we have been asked to find the clothes."
"Yes. That sounds very official," said Jack approvingly. "I must say it would be a good idea if Colin finished his poem about Binkie, and even made one up about Susie. Those two want taking down a peg."
"Well, to change the subject," said Peter. "Does anyone want to go to the cinema tonight? Janet and I are going, and we'd love to have some of the Secret Seven with us."
"I can't come," said Jack. "If I ask about it, Mother will say that Susie and Binkie are to go too. And I'm not going to sit beside two giggly girls all the evening."
"And I can't come," said Pam. "Barbara and I are going out to tea with a friend."
"I could come," said Colin, and George nodded his head too. "That would be four of us. We'll meet you at the cinema, five minutes before the film starts. What about the scarecrow clothes now? Do we bother to look about for them, or not?"
"Not till Jack has asked Susie and Binkie if they know anything," said Peter, getting up. "Well, that's the end of this meeting. I'll let you all know when there's another. I wish something exciting would happen ... not like that horrid fire, though!"
That evening Janet and Peter met the other two at the cinema, paid for their tickets, and went in. It was a good film, and they all enjoyed it. They sat it out to the end and then left the cinema. It was a very dark night, with not a star to be seen.
Peter and Janet were on bicycles, but the other two were walking. "Good-bye!" said the two cyclists and went off in the darkness, their lamps sending a wavering light in front of them.
Colin and George walked off slowly, talking as they went. All the shops were shut, but some were still lighted, so that, although shut, their goods might still be displayed to any passer-by. The boys looked into them as they passed.
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The bicycle shop was lighted up, and they stopped to admire the new racing bicycle in the middle of the window. The next lighted shop was an antique shop, which sold all kinds of interesting things ... old pictures, ornaments, tea-sets, musical instruments, chairs, and other furniture.
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The boys stopped to look at a picture of a long-ago battle, and then walked on again. At the corner Colin suddenly exclaimed, in panic, "I say , I believe I've lost my watch. Blow! I shall get into a row. Do you mind if we walk back and look for it, George? I might have dropped it in the cinema, of course."
The boys turned and went back very slowly, George's torch lighting up the pavement, as they hunted for the watch. And then the torch flickered faintly ... and went out, leaving them in black darkness.
"Look at that now ... the battery's gone just when we needed the torch!" groaned Colin. "Why didn't I bring mine as well? We can't look for the watch in this darkness, that's certain."
Someone passed them, walking softly in the road, not seeing the two boys standing still on the dark pavement, messing about with the useless torch. He passed so silently that the boys jumped.
"He walked as quietly as a policeman!" said George. "I say , what about going after him, and if he is a policeman, we'll report the loss of your watch ... then if anyone takes it to the police-station it will be returned to you at once , before you get into a row about it!"
"Good idea!" said Colin, and they went after the silent passer-by. They could just make him out in the distance as he passed a lighted shop.
They were almost up to him as he came near to the lighted antique shop, and were just about to call out to him, when he stopped and looked all round him in a curiously cautious manner.
"He's not a policeman after all," said Colin. "I say ... what's he doing?"
Things then happened very quickly indeed! The man took something from beneath his coat and threw it at the lighted window of the old antique shop!
CRASH!
The glass splintered at once, and fragments flew all about, glittering in the light from the shop window. The horrified boys saw the man snatch at something in the window and then race off with it at top speed.
He passed by them, and Colin put out a foot to stop him. But the man swerved and raced on, passing under a nearby lamp-post, and then disappearing into the night.
"After him!" shouted George, and they tore round the corner where the man had gone. But he was nowhere to be seen in the darkness ... and certainly could not be heard, for his tread had been absolutely silent.
What an excitement there was then! The crash ofbreaking glass brought people flocking into the street, shouting and calling. A policeman appeared as if by magic - and someone ran out of the antique shop, joining in the clamour. Good gracious! Colin and George had certainly got something to tell the Secret Seven!
