Chapter 23 HAVING A WONDERFUL TIME!
　　THERE was a minute or two of silence. Everyone was most astonished. To think that George's fatherhad been locked up like that! It had been Jo's mistake, of course - she had been so sure he was Mr.
　　Pottersham.
　　'Julian,' said Uncle Quentin, very much on his dignity, and also very angry. 'I must ask you to go andget the police here. I was set on and locked up in this caravan¹ for no reason at all.'
　　Bufflo began to look most disturbed. He turned on Jo.
　　'Why didn't you tell us he was George's father?' he said.
　　'I didn't know it was,' said Jo. 'I've never seen him, and anyway I thought...'
　　'It doesn't matter what you thought,' said Uncle Quentin, looking at the dirty little girl in disgust.
　　'I insist on the police being fetched.'
　　'Uncle Quentin, I'm sure it's all been a mistake,' said Julian, 'and anyway Mr. Terry-Kane has gone tothe police himself.'
　　His uncle stared at him as if he couldn't believe his ears. 'Terry-Kane? Where is he? What hashappened? Is he found?'
　　'Yes. It's rather a long story,' said Julian. 'It all began when we saw that face at the window. I toldAunt Fanny all about that, Uncle, and she said she would tell you when you got back from London.
　　Well - it was Mr. Terry-Kane at the window!'
　　'I thought so! I told your Aunt Fanny I had a feeling it was!' said his uncle. 'That's why I came assoon as ever I could - but you were none of you here. What happened to you?'
　　'Well, that's part of the story, Uncle,' said Julian, patiently. 'But I say, do you mind if we havesomething to eat. We're practically dead from starvation - haven't had anything since yesterday!'
　　That ended the interview for the time being! Mrs. Alfredo bustled² about, and soon there was aperfectly glorious meal set in front of the five half-starved children. They sat round a camp-fire andate and ate and ate.
　　Mrs. Alfredo practically emptied her big pot for them. Timmy was surrounded by plates of scraps³ andbig bones brought by every member of the camp! Almost every minute someone loomed⁴ up out ofthe darkness with a plate of something or other either for the hungry children, or for Timmy.
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　　At last they really could eat no more, and Julian began to tell their extraordinary story. Dick took itup, and George added quite a few bits. Jo interrupted continually and even Timmy put in a few barks.

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