"Shanghai Imports," read Alice. "Shanghai is in China."

They were sitting in the shade next to the swimming pool, the photocopy that Laura made between them.

"So this is it. We found it. This is where they ship the poached horns and hides to," said Francis.

"Well, not to pour cold water over your enthusiasm, but this letterhead doesn't exactly say 'Shanghai Illegal Wildlife Products,' does it?" asked Alice. "Not that it detracts from Laura's good work," she added.

"Yes, we really owe you an apology, Laura," said Francis. "We both fell asleep. Didn't sleep too well last night."

"Oh, no harm done," said Laura, shrugging. "Alice is right though: this document isn't proof that will stand up in a court. But do any of us really doubt that this is where those horns are going to be sent?"

"No, not really. This is no doubt some sort of front company at which they receive illegal imports, probably along with perfectly legal ones so that it doesn't attract attention." Francis frowned. "That is of course precisely the problem. It looks perfectly legal, and whenever police arrive there, they probably have their warehouses stocked with legal merchandise. That is to say, if they don't simply bribe the police."

"So all my trouble was in vain then..." sighed Laura.

"No, not at all," said Alice. "At least we now know where the horns will be taken, and if there is going to be a police investigation, this document might be very valuable indeed. No, you are thus far very much the hero of this story, cousin Laura. You stole that small horn from the poachers in the first place, and now you got hold of this. I think there might be a future for you in detective work." She smiled encouragingly. "How did you manage not to get caught in there?"

Laura told them. Alice's smile began to fade a bit. As much as she loved birds, she feared spiders. "Good thing I was peacefully asleep outside," she said. "I would have screamed just knowing what you were going through in there!"

"In the meantime," said Francis, "I fear that we are in a way back where we started. I suppose Laura can slip back into the office, but I have a feeling we might not find much more than this anyway. And I don't want to push our luck."

"So what do you suggest?" asked Alice.

"I keep on thinking the same thing: we need to get help. One or more of us somehow have to get to a place where we can make a phone call. And I don't want to risk using the land line in the study."

"When we were up on that hill from where we saw the poacher, I briefly looked at my phone," said Laura. "For a moment there, I got some reception. Perhaps we should go back there and try?"

"Are you sure?" asked Francis. "I would be happy to go back, but will it work?"

"Well, I can't guarantee it. I just looked at the phone for a second, and then our adventure with the poachers started. Who knows? We would have to go back to make sure."

"But not all of us together this time," said Francis. "We are not at all supposed to go that way. One or two of us can go, but someone will have to stay here and give the impression that we are all still here." He thought for a moment. "If you two have no objections, I will go. You will have to stay around here, and keep Eugene with you, otherwise it will seem suspicious."

"Is it a good idea to go alone though?" asked Alice.

"Yes, it is better that way. There will be a smaller chance that one person will be seen or heard, and in the meantime, it will be better if more of us are around here." He glanced at his watch. "Look, it is still early. If I go now, I can be back in a few hours, long before sunset. It is not so far; it just took us long last time because we stopped all the time."

"What do you want us to do?" asked Laura.

"You just hang around the pool here. If Uncle Vernon sees you and starts to ask questions about me, you tell him ... well, something. Anything. I'll be as quick as I can."

"Okay, we can do that. But are you sure you will be all right?"

"We don't have much of a choice, Laura. We are in over our heads here. I have to get to a place where there is reception and try to phone Dad. Or perhaps the police, though I'm not sure whom I can trust there."

"Well, just take a small bag with a water bottle then, or you'll be half dead before you even get to that hill. It is hot today." With this, Alice got up and walked to the house, trying not to look like she was in a hurry, to go fetch a water bottle from her room.

Francis and Laura waited under the tree.

"What a mess this is," Francis sighed. "Of all people, who would have thought Uncle Vernon would turn out to be the one with all the dark secrets? What could have gotten into him?"

"I don't know. But I suppose we have to do what we have to do now."

Francis flashed a tired little grin. "Well, we sure are already doing it, aren't we? And I'm pretty proud to have you as my cousin. You have done more than all of us."

Laura smiled shyly. "I actually have another idea or two. But I think it should wait until you get back from the hill. We were not even up to the top, so perhaps you should climb up a bit higher and try from there. If it works, the whole problem might be solved. If not, we'll discuss our options afterwards."

Alice returned with a small rucksack.

"There should be enough water in there to last you a while." She looked helpless and frustrated. "I wish we could do more."

"No, what you will be doing is as important as what I'm going to try. We cannot afford to get caught at this. Who knows what he might do."

Eugene had apparently gotten wind of something, because he was trotting all around them, wagging his stumpy tail.

Francis scratched his ears. "Not today, old chap," he said. "He likes you the most Laura. Keep him here. I would have felt safer taking him with, but I don't think it is a good idea. He might be missed, and then our game will be up."

"Well, here I go." Francis shouldered the backpack, looked around the garden to make sure he was not seen, and then started walking. At the edge of the garden, he briefly halted and looked back. "Er, ladies, please go sit under the tree again and look innocent," he said, grinning a bit at their worried expressions.

They waved, then did as he asked. Eugene lay down at Laura's feet, keeping his eyes on the spot where Francis had disappeared among the trees, and sighing forlornly.