And he was so nice, the way he talked about his father, and how he was going to be so extra honest.

Dear Phoenix, you MUST be able to help us.

You're so good and kind and pretty and clever.

Do, do tell us what to do.' The Phoenix rubbed its beak thoughtfully with its claw.
'You might rescue him,' it said, 'and conceal him here, till the law-supporters had forgotten about him.' 'That would be ages and ages,' said Cyril, 'and we couldn't conceal him here.

Father might come home at any moment, and if he found the burglar here HE wouldn't believe the true truth any more than the police would.
That's the worst of the truth.