"That's all right," said the Station Master.

And on this they parted.

"Don't speak to me," said Peter, as the three went up the hill.
"You're spies and traitors--that's what you are."

But the girls were too glad to have Peter between them, safe and
free, and on the way to Three Chimneys and not to the Police
Station, to mind much what he said.

"We DID say it was us as much as you," said Bobbie, gently.

"Well--and it wasn't."

"It would have come to the same thing in Courts with judges," said
Phyllis. "Don't be snarky, Peter. It isn't our fault your secrets
are so jolly easy to find out." She took his arm, and he let her.

"There's an awful lot of coal in the cellar, anyhow," he went on.

"Oh, don't!" said Bobbie. "I don't think we ought to be glad about
THAT."

"I don't know," said Peter, plucking up a spirit. "I'm not at all
sure, even now, that mining is a crime."

But the girls were quite sure. And they were also quite sure that
he was quite sure, however little he cared to own it.