David said: 'They won't agree, Johnny. We couldn't really expect them to.'

The men who had come with him stayed close by, making no pretence of offering privacy to the brothers.

As much as anything, this showed John the powerlessness of his brother's position.

He nodded. 'So we have to take the road again. I gave Davey your love. I'm sorry you couldn't have seen him.'

'Look,' David said, 'I've been thinking - there is a way.' He spoke with a feverish earnestness. 'You can do it.'

John looked at him in inquiry. He had been noting the angle the fence made with the river.

'Tell them it's no good,' David said,' - that you will have to find somewhere else. But don't travel too far tonight. Arrange things so that you and Arm and the children can slip away - and then come back here.

You'll be let in. I'll stay here tonight to make sure.'

John recognised the soundness of the scheme, for other people under other conditions. But he was not tempted by it. In any case, David was underestimating the intervention Pirrie might make in the plan; a reasonable error for anyone who did not know Pirrie.

He said slowly: 'Yes, I think that might work. It's worth trying, anyway. But I don't want to have the kids mown down by that gun of yours in the night.'

David said eagerly: 'There's no fear of that. Give me our old curlew whistle as you come along the road. And it's full moon.9

'Yes,' said John, 'so it is.'