Chapter 16 THE TERRIBLE MIST
　　Yes, the gypsies were certainly coming! Their dogs were with them, barking. The four childrenhurried out of the quarry¹ with Timmy at their heels, quite silent.
　　'Those fellows may not know we were camping in the quarry,' panted Dick. 'They may just becoming to find the parcels, and while they are hunting around, we may be able to get a good start.
　　Buck up!'
　　They set off to where the lines ended, near where the old engine lay half-buried. The gypsy dogsheard them and set up a yelping² and howling. The gypsies stopped to see what had excited them.
　　They spied shadows moving in the distance, the four children slipping away from the quarry.
　　One of the men shouted loudly.
　　'Hey you - stop! Who are you? Stop, I say!'
　　But the five didn't stop. They were now stumbling between the railway lines, glad of George's torch,and Anne's. The boys could not have held one for it was all they could do to hang on to the heavy-laden rugs.
　　'Quick, oh quick!' whispered Anne, but it was impossible to go very quickly.
　　'They must be catching³ us up,' said Julian, suddenly. 'Look round and see, George.'
　　George looked round. 'No, I can't see anyone,' she said. 'Julian, everywhere looks peculiar⁴.
　　What's happening? Julian, stop. Something queer is happening!'
　　Julian stopped and looked round. His eyes had been fixed⁵ on his feet, trying to see where he wasgoing without stumbling. Anne had shone her torch down for him but it was still dificult to get alongproperly. Julian gazed all round, wondering what George meant.
　　Then he gave a gasp⁶. 'Gosh! How queer! There's a mist come up, look. It's even blotted⁷ out the stars.
　　No wonder it seems so jolly dark all of a sudden.'
　　'A mist!' said Anne, scared. 'Not that awful mist that sometimes covers the

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