He went to the door that led from the tower to the scullery. There was no sound to be heard beyond it. Jack opened it cautiously. He stepped into the big, dark scullery, meaning to creep across to the back door, open it and escape through the grounds.
But, alas for Jack! He walked straight into a tin bath, and fell over it with a most tremendous clatter!
Another Narrow Escape
Luiz! Luiz! There is a burglar in the scullery!
Jack ran to the back door and tried to open it. But it was locked and bolted and even had a chain on it, too. The boy knew quite well that by the time he had undone everything he would be caught! He was in despair. Whatever could he do? It was no use to run back up the stairs to the tower-rooms, for he
would be caught there too.
And then he thought of something. Of course! He could escape down the secret passage! He had his torch with him, and he could easily see the way.
He ran to the cellar door. Fortunately that was open. He leapt down the steps into the cellar just as Mr. Diaz and Luiz came tearing into the kitchen. He heard them shouting, Where is he? Where is he?
Jack sped to the eighteen stone steps that led down to the door of the underground room. He ran down them, using his torch. He opened the thick door at the bottom. He ran through the large underground room there to the secret passage.
His heart was beating fast and his breath was coming in pants. He made his way down the secret passage, bending his head every now and again when he came to the narrow, low parts. Soon he came to the damp piece, and knew that he would presently come to the small cave that lay above the large shore-cave.
He came to the oak door that led into the small cave. He pushed it open and made his way to where he knew the rope hung to help him down into the big beach-cave.
Then all Ill have to do is to slip round the sands, up the cliff-path and into Peep-Hole, thought the boy thankfully.
But what a dreadful shock for Jack - once more the tide was in and the water filled the big cave. He could not possibly get home that way. He would have to wait till it went out.
I only hope that they dont realise Ive come down through the secret passage, and come after me, thought Jack. I would be properly caught then. But I dont see how they can think anything else. After all, all the doors were locked, and I didnt get out through the tower door or the scullery door - so theyll know I must have come this way. And if they remember that the tide is in, they will be able to come along and catch me beautifully.
Jack really didnt know what to do. It was no use at all going back - and he certainly couldnt go forward unless he wanted to struggle with the tide in the cave.
And I dont want to do that. thought the boy, listening to the smack and gurgle of the big waves that swept into the large cave below. What in the world am I to do?
He suddenly thought that he could hear someone coming down the secret passage. He looked round the small cave in despair. Could he lock the door that led into the cave? No - the lock was broken many years ago.
He flashed his torch round the little cave. He suddenly saw a small hole in one corner. He bent down and shone his torch into it. It was a hole big enough for a small man to get through - but where did it lead?
There was no time to be lost. Jack wriggled through the hole somehow. It widened out a little in a moment or two and dipped down into the next cave. But as that was also full of swishing waves Jack could go no farther. The hole was simply a connection between the two caves, it seemed.
Well, I simply cant do anything but wait here. thought Jack. So he waited - and in a minute or two he heard the sound of people in the cave he had left, and heard voices.
Hes not here, Luiz, said the voice of Mr. Diaz. And he couldnt possibly have gone down through the shore-cave, surely, or he would have been drowned.
Maybe he has tried, though, said Luiz. He might have been very frightened, and have leapt into the water and tried to swim away.
Well, if so, hes gone, said Mr. Diaz. I cant imagine that any one could swim down there! Listen to the water sucking in and out. It would be impossible even for a man to swim through that.
Well, if he didnt go down there, where is he? said Luiz rather sharply. You dont suggest that he is hiding in any of these small boxes, do you?
Thats enough, Luiz, said Mr. Diaz, in an angry tone. I cant understand the whole thing - how did that boy get into the grounds and the house when the dogs were there? And how did he know about the secret passage? Where has he gone now? And what do you suppose he knows about the prince?
Well, if you really want to know what I think, I think that Anna the cook made a mistake, said Luiz, sounding very bored. I think maybe something fell down in the scullery, and Anna rushed in - and thought she saw a boy! And she screamed and made a fuss.
Well, maybe youre right, said Mr. Diaz. Come on, lets go back. Hes not here, anyway.