The iron ladder went right down inside the wall and ended below the tower itself. A small room was at the foot of the ladder, and in it the children saw two old tops, a wooden hand-carved toy boat and some old, mildewed
books.
This must have been Dimmys grandfathers hidey-hole when he was a boy, said Jack. Look at his toys!
From this small underground room, smelling so musty and queer, a narrow passage led up the cliff.
This passage cant be so very far underground, said George, leading the way. Hallo! Look there! Surely that is daylight?
It was! A bright circle of daylight shone not far above their heads.
I guess a rabbit has made its burrow above us, said Jack, with a laugh. He must have burrowed from the surface down to this passage. What a shock for him when he fell through!
Well, the bunny has let some fresh air into this place, at any rate, said George. Perhaps that is what has kept it fresh enough to breathe in.
They went along the passage, and then came to a stop. Whats up, George? Why have you stopped? asked Jack.
Because the passage has fallen in here, said George. Well have to get spades and dig it free again. The roof has fallen in, and we cant get any farther. Well come back and dig it out. I reckon the passage goes on to the tower of the Old House, and then well find an iron ladder going up inside the walls just as we found at Peep-Hole.
The children squeezed back through the passage and went up the iron ladder to the chimney. Dimmy had got down again and was waiting for them in the girls room, having washed herself clean.
They told her excitedly what they had found. Jack ran down to the shed to get spades, and to find some biscuits for himself, for he had had no dinner.
We shall be able to rescue Mike and Paul very soon now, said Peggy hopefully.
Better clear the passage now and try to get to the boys to-night, said George thoughtfully. You see, if we can rescue them at night theres not so much fear of us being heard, and we can get a good few hours start of the folk at the Old House.
Right, George, said Dimmy, who was just as excited as the children.
George and Jack went to clear the passage ready for the nights adventure. The girls went to wash themselves, and to pore once more over the exciting diary that had told them just what they wanted to know.
In an hours time Jack and George came back, hot, dusty, sooty, and thirsty. Dimmy made them have a bath, and put on clean clothes - though George looked very comical in Mikes shorts and jersey! Then they all sat down to a good tea, which they really felt they had earned.
This is getting more and more exciting! said Peggy, spreading her bread and butter with Dimmys homemade shrimp paste. I feel as if Im bursting with excitement. If only old Mike knew what we were doing!
Hell know soon enough, said Jack, with his mouth full.
I reckon the queer folk up at the Old House will be pretty furious when they find Mike and the prince gone, said George rather solemnly. I think youd better all get away from here with Paul, whilst Miss Dimity and I tell the police and find out a bit more about this prince of yours.
Get away from here? said Jack. But where could we go that was safe?
No sooner had he said it than he and the girls had the most marvellous idea in the world.
Our secret island! Wed be safe there! Its not far from here! yelled Jack.
The secret island! cried Peggy and Nora.
Whats that? asked George in astonishment.
Its on Lake Wildwater, about forty miles from here, said Jack. We lived on our secret island on the lake when we ran away once - it would be a wonderful place for the prince till hes safe from his enemies.
Good idea! said George. Ill take you round the coast in my boat to Longrigg, where Ive a brother who has a car. He can drive you to Wildwater - and you can do the rest!
Wont Mike be pleased, wont Mike be pleased! shouted Nora. Oh, I do feel so happy! And she danced poor Dimmy round and round the room till Dimmy had to beg for mercy!
The Rescue of the Prisoners
Jack and I went right along the passage to the Old House tower, said George. Theres an iron ladder there like ours. I reckon it leads up to the top room, to the fireplace.
We had better plan everything carefully, said Dimmy. George and Jack had better rescue the boys, and bring them safely back here. Then I and the girls will prepare plenty of food and take it down to Georges boat. We will wait there for you.
Yes,
we shall need plenty of food on the secret island, said Nora. There are wild raspberries there, and wild strawberries, but thats about all, unless we catch rabbits and fish as we did last year when we lived there!
Youll only be there a day or two until we can find out about Prince Paul and get someone to take charge of him till he goes back to his own land, said Dimmy. I will stay behind here - and George will return to me, too, so that I shall be able to deal with the folk at the Old House. I shall simply say that you have all gone away.
Dimmy, lets get the food ready for to-night, said Peggy eagerly. We only need food - we dont need saucepans or kettles, or beds or anything like that - everything is neatly stored away in the dry caves on the secret island, ready for when we went there again. But we shall need plenty of food for five people.