Towards the end of October, Daphne, whose health had picked up with country air, nevertheless had to report herself to the specialist who had previously examined her, and she and her mother made an expedition to London. They started on a Thursday, and were to spend Sunday with friends in town, returning home on the following Monday or Tuesday. Avelyn, David, and Anthony, together with Ethel, the maid, had the establishment to themselves for the week-end. With her mother's permission, Avelyn asked Pamela to spend the Saturday afternoon at Walden. The young folks were determined to have a thoroughly happy harum-scarum time together, and, instead of taking a conventional tea in the dining-room, they carried their meal into the barn, and held a picnic feast, sitting on blocks of wood, with the wheelbarrow for a table, and with Billy, the dog, Meg, the cat, and Tiny, the bantam cock, as self-invited guests. "It's rather a stunt being all on our own for once!" opined Anthony, feeding Billy with crust, regardless of the rationing order. "Top-hole!" murmured Avelyn, pouring out milk for Meg into her saucer. "I wish something would happen!" said David, rocking himself airily to and fro on his billet of wood. "Something _will_ happen if you're not careful, old sport! You'll topple over next minute!" warned Avelyn. "What do you want to happen?" asked Pamela. "Something exciting--an air raid, or a fire, or a burglary. Something really to give one spasms!" Pamela did not reply for a moment. She rested her head on her hand and thought. When she spoke there was an undercurrent of doubt in her voice. "I don't know whether I ought to tell you," she hesitated. "I'm not supposed to know, only I happened to overhear. I don't care, I _shall_ tell! He's only my uncle by marriage, and I detest him!" "Do you mean Mr. Hockheimer?" asked Avelyn, in a sudden flutter. "Yes; I wish I didn't!" "What about him?" Pamela hesitated again, then whispered: "He's coming here, just at dusk, with an axe and a saw." "What for?" The Watsons had clustered round, with faces full of horrified expectancy. "To take down that barrier across the stream. He says the island's his." If the enemy had landed, the Watsons could not have been more astonished and indignant. Their opinion of Mr. Hockheimer had been bad before, but that he should take advantage of their mother's absence to perform such an abominable and utterly illegal act made their blood boil. "There are two opinions about the island," declared David grimly. "Mr. Hockheimer will find he's not going to get things all his own way. What time did he say he was coming?" "Just at dusk." "All right! We'll be ready for him! Thanks ever so much for letting us know. I say, Tony, come into the yard with me; I want to speak to you. I've got a brain wave!" "What's it about, Davie?" asked Avelyn excitedly. "I'll tell you afterwards, Ave."