No sign of any boat yet. he whispered. Lets get into one of the nearest caves and get settled before anyone arrives. I expect the people from the Old House will come down to the beach soon.
The children went into a small cave not far from the steep cliff path. They thought that if they hid there they could easily see who came or went up the cliff. They sat on the dry sand on the floor of the cave and waited, speaking in whispers. Nora was shaking with excitement. She said her knees wouldnt keep still.
Suddenly the children heard voices, and they stiffened in surprise. The voices were to the right of them. Jack cautiously peeped out of the cave when the moon went behind a cloud.
I believe its the man called Felipe Diaz and that sleepy-looking chap called Luiz, whispered Jack.
But, Jack, how in the world did they get on to the beach? whispered back Mike. We didnt see them come down the cliff-path - and thats the only way down on to the beach for a couple of miles! The cliffs are much too steep anywhere else to get down to the shore.
Thats funny, said Jack. They couldnt have been here already, surely, or wed have seen them. Perhaps they were waiting in a cave. Good gracious, I hope they didnt spot us!
Nora went hot and cold when she heard Jack say that. Mike shook his head.
If theyd seen us theyd have rushed us off the beach at once, he said. They wouldnt want us to see what was happening to-night. Listen! Whats that!
The children listened - and over the black and silver water they heard the sound of a low humming.
Its a motor-boat! said Jack, in an excited whisper. Its been waiting out yonder, round the crag, for the signal. Now its coming in! Watch out, everyone. See all you can.
The children stood up and craned their necks round the rocky edges of the cave. The moon came out for a moment, and coming nearer and nearer to the shore a large motor-boat could be seen, glinting in the moonlight. Its hum was loud in the stillness of the night.
It shut off its engine and ran gently into the little cove where George kept his boat. The children could no longer see it.
It must be by Georges small wooden jetty, whispered Jack. Well, we shall see what kind of goods the smugglers are bringing in, when they pass us on their way to the cliff-path.
They all waited impatiently. The sound of hushed voices came to them, and the thud of the boat against the wooden pier. The children waited and waited. Then there came the sound of humming once again, and the motor-boat slid out of the cove and made its way swiftly out to sea and round the rocky headlands.
Theyll be coming by in a second, said Jack. Now be quiet as mice, everyone - dont sneeze or cough for goodness sake!
Nora at once felt as if she was going to sneeze. She took out her hanky and buried her face in it. How dreadful if she gave their hiding-place away just at this most important moment!
But the sneeze didnt
come - and nobody came. Not a shadow passed in front of the childrens cave. Not even a voice could be heard now.
After half an hour, the children became impatient.
Jack, whats happened, do you suppose? whispered Nora.
Cant imagine, said Jack. Then a thought struck him. I say! I wonder if the boat came to fetch anyone! We shouldnt see them come by if theyd gone in the boat!
Well, then, we might as well go out and look round a bit, said Mike. Can we, Jack?
All right, said Jack. But for goodness sake be quiet!
They made their way softly to the little cove where the wooden pier stood. Georges boat was beside it. Jack shone his torch on the ground and pointed out the footsteps in the sand.
Lets follow them backwards and see where they come from, said Mike. I simply cant understand how those men came down to the beach to-night without us seeing them pass.
So, with the help of the torches the children followed two pairs of footsteps from the cove, round the beach - and into a big cave!
So they must have been hiding here all the time! said Jack.
Look, said Mike, in a puzzled voice, swinging his torch all over the sandy beach. There are no more footsteps beyond this cave - they didnt come to the cave by the cliff-path, thats certain. Then how did they come?
Jack! Mike! There must be a secret passage from the Old House to the beach! suddenly said Nora, in such a loud whisper that the others jumped.
Sh! said Jack. Then he too began to whisper loudly. I believe Noras right! Of course! Theres a secret passage from the shore to the Old House! Why didnt I think of it before! My goodness, Nora, that was smart of you to think of that.
The passage must begin in this cave, where the mens footsteps go, said Nora, pleased and excited to think that Jack thought she was smart. Lets go in and explore.
And walk straight into dear Mr. Diaz and his friend Luiz! said Jack. No, thank you. Besides, Id prefer to do it in daytime. Its a bit too creepy now. Come on, lets go back to bed and talk.
They all went back up the steep cliff-path, through the scented garden and into their tower. The girls curled up in one bed in the top room and the boys in the other.