48 Hodder and Stoughton, 1945 (2nd impression, 1948)
63 Hodder and Stoughton, 1945 (13th impression, 1963)
76 Knight Books, 1967 (13th impression, 1976)
97 Hodder Children’s Books, 1997
CHAPTER 1
Anne was his young sister. 48 63
Anne was his younger sister. 76 97
their long journey in the train. 48 63 76
their long journey on the train. 97
such a queer way. 48 63 76
such a strange way. 97
a madcap of a boy 48 63 76
a devil of a boy 97
CHAPTER 2
his queer diagrams 48 63 76
his weird diagrams 97
Don’t you worry. 48 63 76
Don’t worry. 97
after having left there, and started off so gaily for the holidays.” 48 63 76
after having left there, and starting off so cheerfully for the holidays.’ 97
CHAPTER 3
“Why, Mam, it’ll take weeks to set that right!” 48 63 76
‘Why, it’ll take weeks to set that right!’ 97
“Have you got on to the builders, Mam? 48 63 76
‘Have you got on to the builders? 97
whilst there are no usable bedrooms.” 48 63
while there are no usable bedrooms.’ 76 97
Aunt Fanny felt helpless in face of her husband’s sudden determination 48 63 76
Aunt Fanny felt helpless in the face of her husband’s sudden determination 97
the queer name. 48 63 76
the peculiar name. 97
a queer hill 48 63 76
a strange hill 97
he sawed half through one of the legs 48 63 76
he sawed half-way through one of the legs 97
“Then I shouldn’t like him,” 48 63 76
‘Then I shan’t like him,’ 97
his queerly-named home, 48 63 76
his oddly-named home, 97
the car speeded on. 48 63
the car sped on. 76 97
The car went over a hill and speeded down to the bottom. 48 63
The car went over a hill and sped down to the bottom. 76 97
take that dog in, Miss. 48 63 76
take that dog in. 97
and I’m coming with you.” 48
and I am coming with you.’ 63 76 97
CHAPTER 4
“We’re coming near to Castaway Hill, sir. 48 63 76
‘We’re coming near to Castaway Hill. 97
“Stop a minute, driver,” 48 63 76
‘Stop a minute,’ 97
“And don’t you let that dog out, Miss. 48 63 76
‘And don’t you let that dog out. 97
“Come up on to the road again. 48 63
‘Come up on the road again. 76 97
“Oh there’s many that’s never been heard of again,” 48 63 76
‘Oh, there’re many that’ve never been heard of again,’ 97
“They do say there’s one or two winding paths 48 63 76
‘They say there’re one or two winding paths 97
in a trice, 48 63 76
in a second, 97
Queer place isn’t it?” 48 63 76
Strange place, isn’t it?’ 97
queer secrets 48 63 76
strange secrets 97
Queer gables 48 63 76
Weird gables 97
whilst we were here,” 48 63
while we were here,’ 76 97
CHAPTER 5
“Don’t make a row.” 48 63 76
‘Don’t make a noise.’ 97
“Don’t make a row,” 48 63 76
‘Don’t make a noise,’ 97
He let go the iron handle 48 63 76
He let go of the iron handle 97
whilst you stay here 48 63
while you stay here 76 97
a queer place! 48 63 76
a strange place! 97
a very queer feeling 48 63 76
a very funny feeling 97
where marsh ends and sea begins 48 63
where the marsh ends and sea begins 76 97
a big scheme on foot 48 63
a big scheme afoot 76 97
a jolly good thrashing, 48 63 76
a jolly good telling off, 97
a queer sort of man, 48 63 76
an odd sort of man, 97
“How is he queer?” 48 63 76
‘How is he odd?’ 97
“Queer people come here, 48 63 76
‘Strange people come here, 97
whilst he does it!” 48 63
while he does it!’ 76 97
“Nothing ever happens, really. 48 63 76
‘Nothing happens, really. 97
CHAPTER 6
He had a queer face. 48 63 76
He had a peculiar face. 97
you can say what you like, but it’s better not, 48
you can say what you like, but it’s better not to, 63 76 97
But Marybelle and I are only half-sisters, 48
But Marybelle and I are only half-brother and sister, 63 76 97
shorts and jersey, 48 63
jeans and jersey 76 97
queer places.” 48 63 76
strange places.’ 97
and we’ll feed him every chance we get. And we’ll smuggle him out 48 63 76
and we’ll smuggle him out 97
CHAPTER 7
a queer father. 48 63 76
a peculiar father. 97
a queer sort of life 48 63 76
a strange sort of life 97
Whilst the children 48 63
While the children 76 97
the sound of the whistle that meant he was to come to the cupboard 48 63
a sound of the whistle that meant he was to come to the cupboard 76 97
this queer house. 48 63 76
this strange house. 97
And we could tie it with ropes, 48 63
And we would tie it with ropes, 76 97
the dragged-up carpet and the yawning hole! 48 63
the carpet up and the yawning hole! 76 97
the word “walk” 48 63 97
the world ‘walk’ 76
these queer happenings, 48 63 76
these strange happenings, 97
sounding rather queer 48 63 76
sounding rather strange 97
he led the way into a dark and narrow tunnel. 48 63 76
he led the way into the dark and narrow tunnel. 97
CHAPTER 8
suddenly said Sooty in a low voice. 48
said Sooty suddenly in a low voice. 63 76 97
as if he was a stray.” 48 63 76
as if he were a stray.’ 97
their uncle’s house had an accident to it,” 48 63
their uncle’s house has been damaged in a gale,’ 76 97
whilst our own house 48 63 76
while our own house 97
queer of him 48 63 76
strange of him 97
You nearly gave the game away, though.” 48 63
But you very nearly gave the game away, though.’ 76 97
whilst George packed 48 63
while George packed 76 97
It was no good speaking in answer, 48 63 76
It was no good speaking an answer, 97
CHAPTER 9
a queer little room, 48 63 76
a peculiar little room, 97
a queer angle. 48 63 76
a strange angle. 97
Mother or Sarah or the little kitchen-maid. 48 63 76
Mother or Sarah or Harriet. 97
the queerest thing 48 63 76
the strangest thing 97
the queer signaller. 48 63 76
the peculiar signaller. 97
his queer experience. 48 63 76
his strange experience. 97
How very queer? 48 63 76
How very odd! 97
CHAPTER 10
some queer game 48 63 76
some peculiar game 97
with or without your father’s knowledge, 48 63 76
without your father’s knowledge, 97
recognised 48 76 97
recognized 63
whilst George swiftly 48 63
while George swiftly 76 97
realised 48 76 97
realized 63
his queer life 48 63 76
his peculiar life 97
They all jumped violently. 48 63
They jumped violently. 76 97
“Golly! Hark at Timmy!” 48 63
‘Listen! Hark at Timmy!’ 76
‘Listen! That’s Timmy!’ 97
serving out the meat. 48 63
serving the meat. 76 97
“Golly! I hope old Block is as deaf as a post!” 48 63
‘I hope old Block is as deaf as a post!’ 76 97
“Oh yes, sir, thank you,” 48 63 76
‘Oh yes, thank you,’ 97
CHAPTER 11
“Sometimes they seem to mew like a cat, sir.” 48 63 76
‘Sometimes they seem to mew like a cat.’ 97
I suppose, sir,” 48 63 76
I suppose,’ 97
“Perhaps that’s the noise you mean, sir!” 48 63 76
‘Perhaps that’s the noise you mean,’ 97
very queer indeed. 48 63 76
very strange indeed. 97
“Sorry, sir, 48 63 76
‘Sorry, 97
If you do, we’d all have to, 48 63 76
If you do, we’ll all have to, 97
She asked for the number she wanted. 48 63 76
She dialled the number she wanted. 97
the buzzing noise—brr—brr—brr—brr—that told her 48 63 76
the buzzing noise – brr – brr – brr – that told her 97
each time there was the same result. 48 63
each time with the same result. 76 97
whilst the men 48 63
while the men 76 97
surprised at all this news, and wondering why 48 63
surprised at all this news and wondered why 76 97
“Your mother has written 48 63 76
‘Your father has written 97
CHAPTER 12
recognised 48 76 97
recognized 63
a good jerk will bring them down on top of him—and we’ll rope him as well!” 48
a good jerk will bring them down on top of him as well!” 63 76 97
“Whilst all the excitement 48 63
‘While all the excitement 76 97
Timmy let go the leg 48 63 76
Timmy let go of the leg 97
He was wrapped up in the blanket 48 63
He was wrapped up in the curtains 76 97
“Sir, we’ve caught a robber 48 63 76
‘We’ve caught a robber 97
“He was hiding behind the curtains, sir!” 48 63 76
‘He was hiding behind the curtains!’ 97
Could you call the police, sir?” 48 63 76
Could you call the police?’ 97
from the inside of the curtains. 48 63 76
from inside of the curtains. 97
“But sir—it can’t be Block. 48 63 76
‘But – it can’t be Block. 97
“Do you think I could have bitten him, sir, in my excitement?” 48 63 76
‘Do you think I could have bitten him, in my excitement?’ 97
“When I lose my temper, sir, 48 63 76
‘When I lose my temper, 97
I’ll have you whipped 48 63 76
I’ll have you punished 97
I’d better go and clean them, sir. 48 63 76
I’d better go and clean them. 97
complain of you to your father 48 63 76
complain about you to your father 97
a gay little tattoo 48 63 76
a cheerful little tune 97
she dashed back into Marybelle’s room. 48 63
she dashed into Marybelle’s room. 76 97
CHAPTER 13
a queer house, with queer happenings. 48 63 76
a strange house, with strange happenings. 97
a queer place with a queer feeling about it.” 48 63 76
a weird place with a funny feeling about it.’ 97
whilst your stepfather 48 63
while your stepfather 76 97
waiting, her heart beating fast. 48
waiting, heart beating fast. 63 76 97
gave it him to read, 48 63 76
gave it to him to read. 97
As she came to the door of her room 48
As she came to the door of the room 63 76 97
CHAPTER 14
apologise 48 76 97
apologize 63
windows that were not uncurtained. 48 63
windows that were not curtained. 76 97
It was queer 48 63 76
It was strange 97
listening to a wireless, 48 63
listening to a radio, 76 97
There was a lighted window there. 48 63 76
There was a lit window there. 97
his long face lighted up 48 63 76
his long face lit up 97
a lighted window 48 63 76
a lit window 97
CHAPTER 15
“I’ll pay you out for that,” 48 63 76
‘I’ll pay you back for that,’ 97
apologise.” 48 76 97
apologize.” 63
apologise. 48 76 97
apologize. 63
his sudden queer rages. 48 63 76
his sudden odd rages. 97
the queer man, 48 63 76
the peculiar man, 97
Anne went to bed with Marybelle, 48 63 76
Anne went up to bed with Marybelle, 97
something queer was happening 48 63 76
something strange was happening 97
seeing the lid move so slowly, 48 63
seeing the lid move slowly, 76 97
“Hie!” he yelled. 48 63
‘Hi!’ he yelled. 76 97
“Hie! 48 63
‘Hi! 76 97
“Hie!” she heard. 48 63
‘Hi!’ she heard. 76 97
“Hie, 48 63
‘Hi! 76 97
she slipped out of bed, 48 63 76
she slipped off the couch, 97
CHAPTER 16
What queer things 48 76
What strange things 97
Then the Someone crept over 48
Then Someone crept over 76 97
the Someone worked away 48 76
the somone worked away 97
recognise. 48 76 97
recognize. 63
The queerest things 48 63 76
The strangest things 97
a very curious story to tell. 48 63
a very, very curious story to tell. 76 97
He had nothing to do with your father, 48 63 76
He has nothing to do with your father, 97
these queer happenings 48 63 76
these weird happenings 97
George lay down on a small but comfortable couch, 48 63 76
George lay down again on the small but comfortable couch, 97
the girls were asleep in half a minute, 48
the girls were asleep in a half a minute, 63
the girls were soon asleep, 76 97
Master Julian,” 48 63 76
Julian,’ 97
CHAPTER 17
queer happenings 48 63 76
peculiar happenings 97
whilst the servant 48 63
while the servant 76 97
the tip of his nose 48 63
the top of his nose 76 97
“Well, sir—I think this is a queer house, with a lot of queer things happening in it,” 48 63 76
‘Well, I think this is a strange house, with a lot of strange things happening in it,’ 97
“I’m afraid, sir, you won’t like me telling the police 48 63 76
‘I’m afraid, you won’t like me telling the police 97
whilst he has been here. 48 63
while he has been here. 76 97
queer goings-on 48 63 76
strange goings-on 97
queer things 48 63 76
odd things 97
whilst he was hiding, 48 63
while he was hiding, 76 97
This was queer. 48 63 76
This was most odd. 97
whilst she had hidden 48 63
while she had hidden 76 97
CHAPTER 18
George shut the lid of the window-seat down at once, very quietly. 48 63 76
George shut the lid of the window-seat down at once, quietly. 97
Shall we have a shot at getting down the window-seat hole? 48 63
Shall we have a shot at getting down to the window-seat hole? 76 97
very soon they were well below the level of the house. 48 63 76
very soon they went well below the level of the house. 97
“Listen!” said Dick, suddenly, in a low voice. “There’s someone coming!” 48 63 76
when she looked through that window. 48
when she looked through the window. 63 76 97
CHAPTER 19
The other prisoner, however, till lay unconscious, 48
The other prisoner, however, still lay unconscious, 63 76 97
But how had he got here, 48 63 76
But how had he got there, 97
“Hie, you beasts! 48 63
‘Hi, you beasts! 76 97
Who was this beside him? 48 63
What was this beside him? 76 97
I demand to be taken back to Smuggler’s Top. 48 63
I demand to be taken to Smuggler’s Top. 76 97
“Then the goods arrive,” 48 63
‘Then when the goods arrive,’ 76 97
at the edge of the marsh 48 63 76
at the edge of the marshes 97
CHAPTER 20
Sooty gave a squeal of joy. 48 63
Sooty cheered. 76 97
Bite him, Timmy, bite hard!” 48 63
Bite him, Timmy, hard.’ 76 97
an unexpectedly low piece of roof. 48 63
an unexpected low piece of roof. 76 97
Timmy stopped dead, pricked up his ears, whined and would go no farther. 48 63
Timmy stopped dead, pricking up his ears, whined and would go no farther. 76 97
A steep rocky cliff rose up above it. 48 63 76
A steep rocky cliff rose up about it. 97
a bit queer 48 63 76
a bit strange 97
a queer, hot-tempered person, 48 63 76
an odd, hot-tempered person, 97
CHAPTER 21
At once they were all four in darkness. 48 63 76
At once they were all in darkness. 97
just as Julian was angrily submitting to having his hands tied tightly together, 48 63 76
just as Julian was angrily submitting to have his hands tied tightly together, 97
Grrrrrrrrrr-rrrrrrr! 48 63
Grrrrrrrrrr-rrrrrr! 76 97
the others would have plenty of news. 48 63
the others would have plenty of news to tell him. 76 97
“I shall feel queer 48 63 76
‘I shall feel most peculiar 97
CHAPTER 22
Mr. and Mrs. Lenoir are in the sitting-room, sir. 48 63 76
Mr and Mrs Lenoir are in the sitting-room. 97
Oh, sir, shall I get you some clothes?” 48 63 76
Oh, shall I get you some clothes?’ 97
whilst Timmy went 48 63
while Timmy went 76 97
whilse we stay here, 48
whilst we stay here, 63
while we stay here, 76 97
realise 48 76 97
realize 63
a queer man 48 63 76
a strange man 97
it’s so queer and secret and lonely!” 48 63 76
it’s so weird and secret and lonely!’ 97
THE END 48