the club monthly - april

Audrey and Paul Dereham lived in a big house at Dartmoor. They were twins and had recently joined the Girl Guides and Boy Scouts respectively. 

'Look here!' began Paul 'we might just as well not be scouts or guides for all the excitement we get.' 

'We might,' agreed his sister, with a sigh. 'Nothing's happened since we joined.' 

'True' asserted Paul; 'but Xmas is just the time for adventures. I wish something would turn up.'

'What was the last exciting thing that happened?' said his sister. 

'Don't think anything exciting ever happened here,' was the dismal reply. 'Oh yes! That convict escaped from prison and later on robbed Old Jameson's house.'

'They never caught the burglar though,' exclaimed Audrey. 'Oh Paul! Don't you remember we were staying with auntie or we would have caught him.'

'We'll have to keep our eyes open for the next. Perhaps we shall catch a German spy!'

'What fun if we really did catch one' cried Audrey. 'We should - Oh, Paul, there's Scrumps loose in the paddock, do let's have a ride!'

**

As the twins were going up to bed that night, Audrey said to her brother, 'Remember, if a German or a burglar should come, and I'm asleep, you'll waken me, true and honour?'

'True and honour' repeated her brother and they separated. 

Audrey slept in a room above the drawing room, while Paul occupied one across the landing. Therefore it was Audrey was awakened by a little pat, patting against the window in the drawing room. It seemed as if the little wooden nobs on the blind were tapping against the wainscot. 

Audrey listened breathlessly - someone was moving about. 

She crept along to Paul's bedroom nervously, certain that it was a spy or burglar. 

'Paul!' 

But Paul slept on until a thump awoke him. 

'What do you mean by waking a fellow up at this hour? I'm bothered if I'm going to pick mushrooms at this time. The best thing for you is to clear out.' So saying, Paul lay down again. 

Audrey was not to be beaten. 

'Oh, very well,' she exclaimed, 'of course it makes no difference to me. I merely came to say there were burglars in the drawing-room, but I can manage by myself. Good-bye, hope you'll sleep well!'

As Audrey turned to go Paul jumped out of bed. 'Oh wait half a tick wait till I get my slippers, you get a candle.'

They crept downstairs quietly, Paul in front with the poker, Audrey lighting the way with a candle. 

As they went down the tapping became more and more distinct, and just as they reached the bottom of the stairs one of the blinds flew up with a bang.

'Come on, he is trying to escape by the window, but we mustn't let him,' said Paul bravely. He laid his hand on the door handle. 'Stand close behind me, Audrey,' he whispered. 

Then with the poker uplifted ready to strike he opened the door.

He was ready to strike as something moved towards them, then suddenly out of the darkness came a little frightened 'Mi-aw!'

Paul looked at Audrey. 'I say' he whispered, 'don't let on to the fellows at school!'