But Sally wouldnt settle down. Her whimpering became louder, and when she took a flying jump on to Georges bed and landed right on Georges middle, the girl had had enough of it. She sat up and spoke in a fierce whisper.
You little idiot! Im jolly well going to take you downstairs and put you into Timmys kennel!
Good idea, said Anne, sleepily. George picked up the lively little poodle and went out of the room, shutting the door softly. Anne promptly went to sleep again.
George crept down the stairs and went to the garden door. She undid it and walked out in dressing-gown and pyjamas, her curly hair all tousled, carrying the whimpering little dog.
Suddenly she felt Sally stiffen in her arms, and growl. Grrrrrrr! George stood quite still. What had Sally heard?
Then things happened very suddenly indeed. A torch was flashed in her face, and before she could cry out, a cloth was thrown over her head so that she could not make a sound.
This is the one! said a low voice. The one with curly hair! And this is her dog, the poodle. Put him in that kennel, quick, before he barks the place down.
Sally, too scared even to growl, was pushed into the kennel and the door shut on her. George, struggling and trying vainly to call out, was lifted off her feet and carried swiftly down to the front gate.
The garden door swung creaking to and fro in the night wind. Sally whimpered in her kennel. But no one heard either door or dog. Everyone in Kirrin Cottage was sound asleep!
Chapter Fourteen
WHERE IS GEORGE?
Next morning, about half past seven, Joan went downstairs as usual. Berta was awake and decided to fetch Sally from Georges bedroom. She put on her dressing-gown and padded downstairs with Timmy behind her, to Georges room on the floor below. The door was shut, and she knocked gently.
Come in, said Annes sleepy voice. Oh, its you, Berta.
Yes. Ive come for Sally, said Berta. Hallo – wheres George?
Anne looked at the empty bed beside hers. I dont know. The last thing I heard of her was in the middle of the night when we got cross because Sally wouldnt settle down, and George said she would take her down to the kennel.
Oh. Well, probably George has gone down to fetch her back, said Berta. Ill go up and dress. Its a heavenly morning again. Are you going to bathe before breakfast, because if so Ill just put on my swim-suit.
Yes. I think we might today – were nice and early, said Anne, scrambling out of bed. Go and wake the boys. Timmy, go down and find George.
Dick and Julian were awake, and quite ready for a before-breakfast bathe. Anne joined them as they went downstairs. Berta had already gone down and had discovered Sally in the kennel, most excited to see her. She pranced round barking happily.
Timmy came up to the children, looking puzzled. He had hunted everywhere for George and hadnt found her. Woof, he said to Anne. Woof, woof! It was just as if he were saying, Please, where is George?
Havent you found George yet? said Anne in surprise. She called to Joan. Joan, wheres George? Has she gone down to bathe already?
I havent seen her, said Joan. But I expect she has because the garden-door was open when I came down, and I guessed one of you had gone for an early bathe.
Well, George must be down on the beach, then, said Anne, feeling rather puzzled. Why hadnt George wakened her and told her to come too?
Soon all four were on the beach with the two dogs, Sally very happy to be with Berta again, and Timmy very downcast and puzzled, He stood staring up the beach and down, looking quite lost.
I cant see George anywhere, said Dick, suddenly feeling scared. Shes not in the sea.
They all gazed over the water, but no one was bathing that morning. Anne turned to Julian in sudden panic.
Ju! Where is she?
I wish I knew, said Julian, anxiously. Shes not here. And she hasnt gone out in her boat – its over there. Lets go back to the house.
I dont think George would have gone for an early bathe without telling me, said Anne. And I also think I would surely have woken up just for a moment when she came back after taking Sally down – oh Julian, I think something happened when she went downstairs with Sally late last night!
Ive been thinking that too, said Julian soberly. We know that there was someone about last night, because George saw a face outside the window. Lets go back to the house and see if we can spot anything to help us near the garden door or the kennel.
They went back, looking very anxious. As soon as they began to look about near the kennel, Anne gave an exclamation and bent down. She picked up something and held it out to the others without a word.
What is it – gosh, its the girdle off Georges dressing-gown! said Dick, startled. That proves it! George was caught when she came down to put Sally into her kennel!
They must have thought she was me, said Berta, in tears. You see – she was carrying Sally and they know Sally belongs to me – and she has short hair too and dresses like a boy in the daytime.
Thats it! said Julian. Actually you look like a boy in your boys things, but George doesnt – and the kidnappers are looking for a girl dressed as a boy – and George fitted the bill nicely, especially as she had the poodle with her. Shes been kidnapped!
And will my father get the usual note to say his daughter will not be harmed if he does what the kidnappers want, and hands over this new secret? said Berta.
Sure to, said Julian.
What will they say when they know theyve got George, not me? asked Berta.
Well… said Julian, considering. I really dont know. They might try the same thing with Uncle Quentin, but of course, he hasnt got the figures they want.
What about Berta now? asked Dick. Once those men find theyve got the wrong girl, theyll be after Berta in a trice!
George wont tell them, said Anne, at once. Shell know that Berta would be in immediate danger if she did tell them – so shell say nothing as long as she can.
Would she really? said Berta, wonderingly. Shes brave, isnt she? She could get herself set free at once if she said she wasnt me, and proved it. Gee, shes wunnerful if she could do a thing like that!
George is brave all right, said Dick. As brave as any boy could be when shes in a fix! Julian, lets go and tell Joan. Weve GOT to make up our minds what we are going to do about this – and also, we must safeguard Berta somehow. She cant possibly wander round with us any more.
Berta all at once began to feel scared. Georges sudden disappearance had brought home to her the very real danger she was in. She had not really believed in it before. She looked over her shoulder and all round and about as if she expected someone to pounce on her.
Its all right, Berta – theres no one here at present! said Dick, comfortingly. But youd better get indoors, all the same. I dont think George would give away the fact that she wasnt you, but the men might find out some other way – and back they would come, hotfoot!
Berta raced indoors as if someone was chasing her! Julian shut and locked the garden door and called Joan.
They had a very serious conference indeed. Joan was horrified. She wept when she heard that George must have been kidnapped in the middle of the night. She wiped her eyes with her apron.
I said we must lock the doors and the windows, I said we must tell the police – and then Miss George has to go down all by herself into the garden! she said. If only she hadnt had the poodle with her! No wonder they thought she was Berta, with Sally in her arms.
Listen, Joan, said Julian. There are a lot of things to do. First we must tell the police. Then somehow we must contact Aunt Fanny and Uncle Quentin – its so like them not to give us an address! Then we must most certainly decide about Berta. She must be well hidden away somewhere.
Yes. Thats certain, said Joan, wiping her eyes again. She sat and thought for a minute, and then her face lightened.
I know where we could hide her! she said. You remember Jo – the little gypsy girl youve had one or two adventures with?