She pressed a bell, and Sophie, whose face was a little less serene than usual, stalked into the room. Penelope put a question.

“If you don’t mind,” said Sophie, “we’ll have to put an extra bed in your room, Miss Noelson. You see our accommodation is rather limited.”

“Then we shall be together. That will be fine,” said Mrs. Gertstein and allowed Sophie to lead her away.

Penelope picked up a book, although she was in little mood for reading. But she was apparently engrossed in its pages when Larry Hughes put his head in ten minutes later. He nodded without saying a word and stole quietly away.