by Enid Blyton
The Inspector took it at once, looking very pleased. «Splendid. Couldn't be better! It's no good looking for tracks today, of course, because the snow's all melted. This is a very, very valuable bit of evidence. Dear me, what bright ideas you children have!»
Janet was scarlet with pleasure. Peter looked at her and smiled proudly. She was a fine sister to have – a really good member of the Secret Seven!
«Well, these children seem to have done most of the work for us», said the Inspector, shutting his notebook. «They've got the address of the owner – and if he happens to have a horse-box in his possession, whose tyres match these measurements and this pattern, then he'll have to answer some very awkward questions.»
The police went to see Kerry Blue. The children crowded into the stable too, and Kerry Blue put his ears back in alarm. But Peter soon soothed him.
«Yes. He's been partly dyed already», said the Inspector, feeling his coat. «If he'd had one more coat of colour he'd be completely disguised! I suppose those fellows meant to come along and do that tonight – and then take him off to some other stable. But, of course, they had to hide him somewhere safe while they changed the colour of his coat – and so they chose the cellars of the old empty house – belonging to Mr. J. Holikoff. Well, well, well – I wonder what he knows about it!»
The children could hardly wait to hear the end of the adventure. They heard about it at the very next meeting of the Secret Seven – which was called, not by the members themselves, but by Peter's father and mother.
It was held in the shed, and the two grown-ups had the biggest boxes as seats. Janet and Peter sat on the floor.
«Well», said Peter's father. «Mr. Holikoff is the owner of the horse-box – and of the car as well. The police waited in the old house for the two men last night – and they came! They are now safely under lock and key. They were so surprised when they found Kerry Blue gone that they hardly made a struggle at all!»
«Who does Kerry Blue belong to, Daddy?» said Peter. «The papers said he was owned by Colonel James Healey. Is he sending someone to fetch him?»
«Yes», said his father. «He's sending off a horse-box for him today. And he has also sent something for the Secret Seven. Perhaps you'd like to see what it is, Peter.»
Peter took an envelope from his father and opened it. On the envelope was written, “For the Secret Seven Society, with my thanks and best wishes, J.H.” Out fell a shower of tickets. Janet grabbed one.
«Oooh – a circus ticket – and a pantomime ticket too! Are there seven of each?»
There were! Two lovely treats for everyone – except Scamper.
«But he can have a great big delumptious, scrumplicious bone, can't he, Mummy?» cried Janet, hugging him.
«Whatever are you talking about? Is that some foreign language?» asked her mother in astonishment, and everyone laughed.
«How awfully decent of him», said Peter. «We didn't want any reward at all. The adventure was enough reward – it was super!»
«Well, we'll leave you to talk about it», said his mother, getting up. «Or else we shall find that we belong to your Society too, and that it's the Secret Nine, instead of the Secret Seven!»
«No – it's the Secret Seven», said Peter, firmly. «The best Society in the world. Hurrah for the Secret Seven!»
The End