Five Get Into Trouble by Enid Blyton Read Free Book Online Page A

properly?

    'Don't you remember? — I told you about him. He was the fellow with thick lips and a huge nose that my father had for a bodyguard last year — and he chucked him out,' said Richard. 'He always swore he'd have his revenge on my father — and on me too because I told tales about him to Dad and it was because of that he was sacked. So when I caught sight of him in the car I was terrified!'

    'I see,' said Julian, seeing light. 'What happened then?'

    'Rooky recognized me, and turned the car round and chased me on my bike,' said Richard, beginning to tremble again as he remembered that alarming ride. 'I pedal ed for all I was worth — and when I got to Middlecombe Woods I rode into the path there, hoping the car couldn't follow. It couldn't, of course — but the men leapt out — there were three of them, two I didn't know — and they chased me on foot. I pedalled and pedal ed, and then I ran into a tree or something and fell off. I chucked my bike into a bush, and ran into the thick undergrowth to hide.'

    'Go on,' said Julian, as Richard paused. 'What next?'

    'The men split up then — Rooky went one way to find me, and the other two went another way. I waited til I thought they were gone, then I crept out and tore down the path again, hoping to find you. I wanted Timmy, you see, I thought he'd go for the men.'

    Timmy growled. He certainly would have gone for them!

    'Two of the men must have been hiding, waiting to hear me start up again,' went on Richard. 'And as soon as I began to run, they chased after me. I put them off the trail, though — I dodged and hid and hid and dodged — and then I came to Dick! He was mending a puncture. But you weren't with him — and it was you and Timmy I wanted — I knew the men would soon be catching me up, you see, so I tore on and on — and at last I found you. I've never been so glad in my life.'

    It was a most extraordinary story — but Julian hardly paused to think about it. An alarming thought had come into his head. What about Dick and Anne? What would have happened to them if the men had suddenly come across them?

    'Quick!' he said to George. 'We must get back to the others! Hurry!'

    8 What's the best thing to do?

    Stumbling through the dark wood, Julian and George hurried as best they could. Timmy hurried too, knowing that something was worrying both his friends. Richard followed behind, half-crying again. He real y had been very much afraid.

    They came at last to the little dell where they had planned to spend the night. It was quite dark. Julian cal ed loudly:

    'Dick! Anne! Where are you?'

    George had made her way to where she had hidden her bicycle. She fumbled for the lamp and switched it on. She took it off and flashed it round the dell. There was Dick's bicycle, with the puncture repair outfit on the ground beside it — but no Dick, and no Anne! What had happened?

    'Anne!' yelled Julian, in alarm. 'Dick! Come here! We're back!'

    And then a small trembling voice came down from the tree-top overhead.

    'Oh Julian! Oh Julian! I'm here.'

    'It's Anne!' yelled Julian, his heart leaping in relief. 'Anne — where are you?'

    'Up in this tree,' cal ed back Anne, in a stronger voice. 'Oh Ju — I've been so frightened, I didn't dare climb down in case I fel . Dick . . .'

    'Where is Dick?' demanded Julian.

    A sob came down to him. 'Two horrible men came — and they've taken him away. They thought he was Richard!'

    Anne's voice became a wail. Julian felt that he must get her down the tree so that she could be with them and be comforted. He spoke to George.

    'Shine that lamp up here. I'm going up to fetch Anne.'

    George silently shone the light of the lamp on the tree. Julian went up like a cat. He came to Anne who was stil clinging tightly to a branch.

    'Anne, I'l help you down. Come on, now — you can't fal . I'm just below you. I'l guide your feet to the right branches.'

    Anne was only too glad to be helped down. She was cold and miserable,