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France and back – not even my mum knows where I am.’
    â€˜Well, you’re home now,’ Arnie reassured him.
    Thomas uttered something under his breath but Arnie couldn’t hear what he said.
    â€˜If anything happens I’ll wake you.’
    But Thomas was already lightly snoring so didn’t reply.
    Arnie watched the resting soldier for a while before walking slowly to the door. He peered out into the corridor. ‘Emily,’ he whispered. ‘Where have you gone? Are you hiding? Emily? I’ve got a bit of a problem here…’
    A different noise answered him – feet were crunching the gravel outside.

CHAPTER EIGHT

    The Hole in the Wall

    Arnie rushed back into the Blue Room and leapt to the window. Outside he saw men carrying lamps. They were searching, slowly and methodically, spreading out across the garden. He ran over to the slumbering Thomas and tugged his hair.
    Thomas jolted awake in a second. ‘What?’ he said, fear in his eyes at first before seeing that it was Arnie, not a nightmare, nor an assassin.
    â€˜There are some people outside. I saw lights,’ Arnie confided.
    â€˜What? ‘ere at the ‘ouse?’ Thomas’s face tensed.
    â€˜I think they came along the driveway,’ said Arnie quickly, ‘perhaps they’re going to search the woods?’
    â€˜I thought my luck was too good to last,’ said Thomas realistically, getting up and heading for the door.
    â€˜Where are you going?’ said Arnie.
    â€˜I’ve got to scarper – before it’s too late.’ He paced around thinking. ‘I can’t believe they’d think to come up ‘ere…’
    Thomas turned slowly to Arnie, his face hard like stone. ‘You ain’t betrayed me ‘ave you?’
    â€˜No!’
    â€˜How do I know that? I’ve been out cold. You could ‘ave sent word to the town!’
    â€˜I wouldn’t do that!’ said Arnie defensively.
    Scurrying to the window, clearly panicking, he peered out. ‘It’s gotta be the police! Who else could it be? They’ve come to get me!’ he spluttered.
    â€˜We have to be quick,’ said Arnie. ‘This way!’
    They exited into the hall and rushed to the stairs.
    â€˜Where are we goin’?’
    â€˜Somewhere you’ll be safe until they’ve gone.’
    â€˜Where?’ gasped Thomas.
    â€˜There’s a room I tried to get into before – it might contain a secret hiding place.’
    â€˜Might?’
    â€˜Yes!
Might!
It’s the best idea I’ve got!’ insisted Arnie, as they rounded a corner on the first floor landing.
    â€˜Where is it?’
    â€˜Next floor,’ panted Arnie. They raced on like cheetahs.
    â€˜You’re pretty sure though – ‘bout this room?’
    â€˜No,’ said Arnie catching his breath.
    â€˜What?’ cried Thomas.
    â€˜You see it was locked when I was there before and though I found a key I was stopped from getting inside by Mr Silverthorne.’
    â€˜Who’s Mr Silverthorne?’ Thomas wailed.
    â€˜Take too long to explain. Anyway I hardly think you’re going to run into him.’
    â€˜Why?’
    â€˜I…think he’s…just not around at the moment, that’s all,’ said Arnie hastily, not wanting to explain any detail.
    Thomas looked desperate as they skidded to a halt outside the door with the letter “M” proudly displayed above. This time there was no red rope refusing entry. Arnie stepped forward and tried the handle. ‘It’s still locked,’ he said frustrated.
    â€˜â€˜Ow we going to get in?’ fretted Thomas.
    Arnie smiled mischievously. He stood on tiptoes as he had done before and stretched up, his fingers searching. ‘Let’s hope some things don’t change,’ he said to himself.
    Sure enough, lying at the furthest reach from him was the barrel of a key. He coaxed it out