would have to live with; if this fellow wanted to exercise his brief authority, it was best to put up with it. His own disquiet had been allayed by the promptness with which it had been agreed to send for David. That at least removed the fear that he might have lost control of the valley.

He said: 'I'll walk along and tell my lot what's happening.'

The voice was indifferent. 'Please yourself. But keep them off the road.'

Pirrie was sitting up and taking notice now. He listened to what John had to tell them, but made no comment. Roger said: 'You think it's going to be all right, then?'

'I don't see why not. The bloke behind the machine-gun may be a bit trigger-happy, but that won't bother us once we're behind him.'

'He don't seem very anxious to let us get behind him,*

Alf Parsons said.

'Carrying out orders. Hello!'

There was the sound of an engine approaching. It halted behind the barrier.

That will be David!' John got to his feet again. 'Arm, you could come along and have a word with him, too.'

'Isn't it a risk?' Roger asked.

'Hardly. David's there now.'

Arm said: 'Davey would like to come, too, I should think - and Mary.'

'Of course.'

Pirrie said: 'No.' He spoke softly, but with finality.

John looked at him.

'Why? What's wrong?'

'I think they would be safer here,' Pirrie said. He paused. 'I don't think you should all go along there together.'

It took several seconds for John to grasp the implication; he only did so then because the remark came