son of the old woman. They may have had a prearranged plan.' 'How do you mean?' asked Dick, looking puzzled. 'Well - the old woman's son, Dirty Dick, may have known that when the bells rang out, this fellow was making a run for it - and would come to bring him a message. He was to wait in the barn at night if the bells rang, just in case it was Nailer's friend who had escaped.' 'Yes, I see,' said Dick. 'I think you're right. Yes, I'm sure you are. My word, I'm glad I didn't know that fellow at the window was an escaped convict!' 'And you've got the message from Nailer!' said Anne. 'What a peculiar thing! Just because we lost our way and went to the wrong place, you get a message from a prisoner given you by one who's escaped! It's a pity we don't know what the message means - or the paper either.' 'Had we better tell the police?' said George. 'I mean - it may be important. It might help them to catch that man.' 'Yes,' said Julian. 'I think we should tell the police. Let's have a look at