Jack heard their scrambling footsteps going from the cave. For a while he caught the sound of their voices as they went up the secret passage. Then there was silence.
My word, that was a narrow escape! thought Jack. Good thing I found this hole. I wonder if the tide is going out? It sounds less strong.
He wriggled himself into a different position, and was then able to switch on his torch and see the cave below. It was the one next to the large cave, and was only small.
The sea was leaving it.
Its safe to get down, thought the boy, and he wriggled out of the small passage, slid down the cave wall and jumped down to the wet sand. A wave immediately ran into the cave and wetted Jack to the waist.
You would! said Jack to the wave. Just waiting for me, I suppose!
The wave ran out. Jack ran quickly to the cave entrance and looked up the beach. If he were quick, and dodged in between the big waves that ran up the sand and back, he could get up on the rocks, and climb along them to the cliff-path.
Another wave ran up and Jack ran back into the cave to escape it. It swirled around his knees and nearly knocked him over. As soon as it ran out Jack ran out after it. He jumped quickly up on the rocks at the foot of the steep cliff. Another wave swept up and wetted his legs - but Jack clung to the rock and was safe.
He climbed a bit higher on to the rocks. Now the sea could hardly reach him, and as it was going down he would soon be safe.
He clambered over the rocks, stumbling and slipping on the seaweed. He came to the cliff-path and put his feet on the steps cut out of the rock. He switched on his torch and went carefully up to the top of the cliff.
A wind was blowing there. Jack switched off his torch in case anyone saw its light, and made his way softly back to Peep-Hole. The gate creaked as he opened it. He was safe home at last!
He ran up the winding staircase and into his bedroom at the top. The others were there. And they crowded round him at once.
Jack! Jack! What an age youve been! Were you nearly caught again?
You just listen to what happened to me to-night! said Jack. I have had a time, I can tell you! My word, we had plenty of adventures on our secret island last year, but to-nights adventure was the most exciting of all!
A Plan to Rescue Paul
Youre not to go on adventures alone any more, Jack, she said. Suppose you had been caught! We wouldnt have known where you were! Please, please, let us all go together in future, when there is anything to be done.
Well see, said Jack. Sometimes its impossible for the whole lot of us to go together - wed be noticed.
All the same, Noras right. said Mike. I think we ought to go out in pairs, Jack. You have had a time. Whats going to be our next move?
Bed, said Jack at once. Im so sleepy I cant keep my eyes open! Well decide to-morrow what is to be done.
The girls went down to their bedroom. Jack and Mike tumbled into their beds, and were soon asleep. Once again Dimmy had to wake them all, for they were so sleepy the next morning!
You have turned into sleepyheads! said Dimmy, in surprise. You will be very late for breakfast, so hurry up, please.
The children put on their sun-suits, and raced downstairs. It was a beautiful sunny day, and they meant to bathe as soon as they could.
Not till two hours after breakfast, remember, said Dimmy warningly. It is dangerous to bathe after a big meal. Jack, I can trust you not to let the others do anything foolish, cant I?
Jacks our captain, Dimmy, said Nora. We always do what he says.
They went down to the beach, taking with them a basket of ripe plums from the garden for their eleven oclock lunch. They chose a rock far down the beach, that the tide was already lapping round, and sat on it.
Its best to be in some place where we cant possibly be overheard. said Jack, looking all round. Now that Mr. Diaz thinks one of us knows the secret of the prisoner in the tower, and all about the secret passage too, we shall have to be extra careful. I think Noras right when she says we must go about together. Mr. Diaz and Luiz would be pleased if they could catch any of us and keep us prisoner too!
Lets talk about rescuing Prince Paul, said Nora, who was longing to get the boy out of the tower. Couldnt we take the rope-ladder along to-night, Jack? Now that youve made friends with the dogs, it would be easy.
Well, I dont know if the dogs would be friends with you too, said Jack doubtfully. We could try. No - I know what well do. Ill take Mike along with me to help, and you two girls can stay behind. Well signal a message to Prince Paul with our big black letters to-day, then he will be ready to look out for the ladder to-night.
The
girls were disappointed at the thought of being left behind, but they made no fuss. It was no use all of them going if the dogs barked at them and warned Mr. Diaz that they were about. Perhaps they would be all right with just Jack and Mike.
Ill take some meat along with me too, tonight, said Mike. You can go into the grounds first, Jack, and fuss the dogs a bit - and then you can bring them to where I am and try to make them understand I am a friend, too.