Where are you taking Paul? asked Mikes voice.
Wouldnt you like to know? said Mr. Diaz in a mocking voice.
Yes, I would, said Mike. Youve no right to make any boy a prisoner, Mr. Diaz, and youll get punished soon.
Be careful I dont punish you first, you impudent boy! said Mr. Diaz angrily. Now go to bed, both of you - but you, Paul, must not get undressed, for you must be ready to come with me when I fetch you at dawn.
There was the sound of a door closing. George and Jack heard a key being turned and bolts being shot into their place. Then they heard footsteps going down the winding stone staircase.
Wait a few minutes in case he comes back, whispered George, as he felt Jack move forward. They waited. They heard Mike comforting poor Paul. Jack felt furiously angry with Mr. Diaz. If only he could have him well punished!
Now, whispered George. The two squeezed themselves through the narrow opening into the chimney. Below were rough steps. They felt for them with their feet.
Mike and Paul heard the noise and looked at one another in surprise.
Whats that noise, Mike? asked Paul.
A bird in the chimney perhaps, said Mike.
Yes! came Jacks voice. Its a jack-daw, Mike! Its Jack!
Paul got such a shock that he sat down suddenly on a chair that wasnt there. Mike got a shock too, but a very unpleasant one. He ran to the chimney and peered up - only to get a mass of soot in his face!
Jack! Jack! How in the world did you get there? asked Mike, in the greatest amazement and surprise. Are the girls with you?
No. Only George, said Jack, jumping lightly down and stooping to get out of the hearth. Come on, George.
Prince Paul picked himself up and stared in surprise at the two black-faced people coming from the chimney. Then he solemnly bowed to them and shook hands.
Well tell all there is to tell later on, said George. Theres no time to lose now. Dawn comes in a few hours and Mr. Diaz will be back to take Paul with him, so we have only that time to get you away safely. Come along back with us now - this hidden way that we have found leads back to Peep-Hole.
The girls and Dimmy are waiting with lots of food in Georges boat, Jack said excitedly to Mike. Were going to the secret island, Mike. Think of it!
Paul knew all about the secret island, for Mike had told him about it whilst the two had been prisoners together. His pale little face lighted up with joy. He took Mikes arm and squeezed it.
Lets go quickly, he begged. So George took Paul, and Mike followed Jack, and they all disappeared up the chimney, leaving behind on the floor a great mass of soot.
Down the iron ladder they climbed, Paul a bit afraid for he was not used to adventures of this sort. Then along the hidden way they went in single file.
But suddenly George, who was leading, stopped in dismay. The others bumped into him.
Whats up, George? asked Jack.
Just what I feared! groaned George. The roofs fallen in again - and its a bad fall this time. Well never clear it! Were trapped!
Jack pressed by George and looked at the fall of earth and stones in silence. It was true. It was a very bad fall - now what were they to do?
An Exciting Time
never clear that fall - it looks as if the roof has fallen in for yards! We cant go back to the Old House - wed just be walking into danger!
George rubbed his chin and thought hard. They couldnt go forward - they couldnt go back - and certainly they couldnt stay in the middle!
Seems as if wed better go and have a look at that other blocked-up passage, said George at last. You know - the one that branches off this one to join the secret way between the shore-cave and the cellars of the Old House.
Right, said Jack. The block there may not be so bad as it looks. Its our only chance anyway.
They all went to the place where the passage branched off. They squeezed down it till they came to the block. George pulled away some of the stones and tried to see how much of the passage was stopped up.
I believe if the four of us could work at it we might clear it in time, said George at last. And Ive got a good idea too - the block is mostly of stones and bits of rock. If I pick them up, pass them to Jack, and he passes them to Paul and Paul to Mike, Mike could pile them up behind him and make them look as if there has been a good old roof-fall there! So if Mr. Diaz does come along hell think its impossible to come this way. And well be safely on the other side of the stones!
Good old George! said Mike and Jack, who always loved a good idea. Come on - well start.
What do I do? asked Paul, who was half-frightened, half-thrilled at being with the others. They told him what to do.
You only just take hold of the stones I pass you, said Jack, and pass them behind to Mike.
They set to work. George cleared away the stones, passing them to the others. Mike threw them behind him, and soon a great pile lay there, looking exactly as if they had fallen from the roof of the passage!
Soon George had cleared away quite a bit of the block. He shone his torch up and down it, and gave a cry of joy.