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　　The wonderful wings
　　The three children retired¹ to their rugs. They were afraid to go near the helicopter again, becausethe obedient soldiers, they knew, would stand no nonsense. Snowy appeared from over theparapet, full of curiosity. He ran over to the helicopter, but the guards hit out at him.
　　‘The beasts! How can they be cruel to a little kid?’ said Jack². ‘Snowy! Come here! Thesefellows would make you into soup as soon as look at you. You’d better be careful.’
　　‘Oh, Jack – don’t say things like that,’ said tender-hearted Lucy-Ann. ‘Would they really?
　　Surely nobody would ever have the heart to hurt Snowy?’
　　Snowy retreated hastily to the children and skipped up and down the parapet, as sure-footed inthe dark as in the daylight. The beam of the lamp showed up the helicopter, but the rest of thecourtyard was in darkness.
　　The dogs howled in their enclosure. They had not liked the noise the helicopter made, and theywere uneasy and restless. The soldiers shouted threateningly to them, but the dogs took no notice.
　　‘I don’t like this adventure at all,’ said Lucy-Ann suddenly. ‘In fact, I simply hate it. I want toget away. I want to go back to Bill and Aunt Allie and Effans and Mrs Evans. Why did we have tofind another adventure in these nice, peaceful summer holidays?’
　　‘It just happens to us,’ said Jack. ‘Something in us attracts them, I suppose – like animals areattracted to Philip! Some people attract good luck, some attract wealth, some attract animals, someattract adventures.’
　　‘Well, I’d rather attract something harmless, like cats or dogs,’ complained Lucy-Ann. ‘Ohdear! I do wish Snowy wouldn’t keep walking over us when we’re lying down.’
　　They fell asleep at last. In the morning, when they sent some food to Philip by Snowy, they senta note also, telling him all they had seen in the night. Snowy brought a note back.
　　I’m sorry for the paratrooper! I wonder how many they’ve used in trying out this mad experiment.
　　I’m glad I’m not chosen for anything as crazy as that! Keep your chin up! I’m all right here. I’vegot Snowy most of the time and Sally Slithery is getting so tame she eats out of my fingers. Shesleeps on a bit of warm rock at the edge of my cave. Tell Snowy not to tread on her when hecomes bounding in!
　　So long!
　　Philip
　　The day seemed very long again. The dogs were not taken down into the mountain and let looseon the countryside, but were exercised round and round the courtyard by the

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