Darby; they landed on him as if he were a statue in a fountain. He closed the diary, set it aside, and said to the scouts, “The four men left for America the following week.” “But what did Bhanu want?” Richie asked. “He said he wanted something. What was it?” The old man looked into space and contemplated something. A minute later, he said, “I don’t know how to say this without just saying it. I’ve told you of the Secret Society; now let me explain it. The Secret Society is a band of humans and animals that has existed since the dawn of the first day. It is devoted to protecting animals, especially those that are threatened by humankind.” “Those in danger of extinction?” Ella asked. “Yes,” Mr. Darby said. “Hold on!” Noah said. “This explains the dodo birds. You guys saved them from dying off. Right?” “Yes,” Mr. Darby said. “Hundreds of years ago, a Dutch sailor—one of us—saw what was happening to the dodos. He rescued several and hid them in a secluded part of the island that the ship had landed on.
