Evening star., 1935-01-03
- 1&4mdk;Q0Ago~t0
A\A By VICTOR BRIDGES -
By VICTOR BRIDGES

some sort that leads up to the farm?'
There's path all right" replied
Jerry. 1T joins the road at the back
of the factory" He learned for
ward and knocked out his pipe.
Whats the idea. Nick?"
Nothing definite. Just going to
have a smell round, that's all.
want to get hold of Mrs. Gowlland
when that husband of hers is out Of
the way"
Why not take along the jug and
ask ror some milk? Give you a
chance to see what she's like"
That's bright ideal"
And while you're about it." he con-
tinued, Il don't see any reason why
George and I shouldn't have look
at the inside of the factory. We
can examine it properly later"
Il feel horribly like Cinderella -
said Molly. Sitting at home while
you two 60 out to party"
"Oh, say!" Jerry glanced at her
a trif1e unconfortably. Look here,
if you'd rather"
Nonsense, was only joking. shall
be quite happy here with Jimmy"
She jumped up. After all, I've had
my share of adventure. It's your
turn to get irto trouble now
We'll be back as soon as we can"
I assured her: then we'll have a
cabinet council and report progress.
If we've inspected Mrs. Gowlland and
the factory. it will be something to go
on at least"
Putting on my cap and taking
down The milk jug from the rack. I
led the way out into the well. The
other Two followed, and after a brief
glance at the sky, which was still
covered with threatening clouds, Jerry
scrambled aft and began to haul up
the dinghy.
Molly remained beside me, her eyes
wandering over the cheerful. prospect.
Look, Nick!" she said suddenly.
isn't that mast sticking up there
behind those trees?"
She was pointing inland, where the
estuary, now reduced to a narrow
mud-bordered creek, made a sharp
bend to the north. A little distance
beyond the turn, stood a cluster of
struggling elms and among them,
plainly visible through a gap in the
foliage, rose the slender spar of some
small anchored craft.
Seen that, Jerry?" I asked, as he
arrived back with the painter.
He nodded. Probably one of the
Burnham lot come through out of
the Crouch. They used this way
sometimes if they don't draw too
much water" He stared at it re-
flectively. II suppose you've got those
keys On you?"
Here they are" said. "The big
one unlocks the gate in the fence,
and the other let's you into the build
ing. They're both labeled"
"Good!' He slipped them into his
pocket and, accompanied by George
dropped down into the dinghy. I was
Just preparing to follow him when
Molly put her hand softly on mine
Take care of yourself, Nick" she
whispered.
The tide mad already run down to
such an extent that the bank was
now not more than 80 yards distant
Instead of being partially submerged
the end of the jetty stood out some
3 feet above the water, and sculline
leisurely up to it, Jerry grabbed hold
of the rusty chain which served a.
q hand rail.
"This will be cleaner than tht
shore" he observed. I'VE can push
of from here without getting oul
feet muddy"
He made the painter fast to ar
iron ring, and preceded by George
I clambered cautiously ashore. The
steps were coated with wet slime, and
festoons of green weed trailed dowr
from the sodden timber.
II wonder Avon doesn't look aftel