We cant climb over this, said Jack, looking up at the wall, which was three times as tall as he was. What are we going to do?
What about going in through the gates? said Mike, with a grin. Or do you feel it would be more exciting to break your leg trying to climb that wall, Jack?
Everybody laughed. Well, it would be more exciting to climb the wall, said Jack, giving Mike a friendly punch. But well go and find the gates.
The gates were locked, but the children easily climbed over them. They jumped to the ground on the other side.
There was a long, dark drive in front of them, winding its way below tall, overhanging trees to the front door. The drive was completely overgrown with nettles and thistles, and the children stopped in dismay.
I say! said Jack. We want to be dressed in macintoshes and gum-boots to make our way through these stinging, prickly things! If we push through them we shall get terribly stung!
Well, look, said Nora, pointing to the left. Theres a better way off to the left there - only just tall grass, and no nettles. Lets go that way.
So they went to the left, making their way through shrubberies and over-grown beds. It was a very large garden, and very exciting, for there were all kinds of fruit trees that had not been pruned for years, but whose fruit was sweet and delicious.
The children picked some ripe plums and enjoyed the sweet juice. Nobody lives here, so it cant matter having a few plums, said Nora. The wasps would have them if we didnt. Isnt it hot in this garden!
Lets go and see what the house is like. said Jack. So they pushed their way through the long sprays of overgrown rose-bushes and went up to the house. It was built of white stone, and was very solid and strong. It had rather small windows, very dirty indeed, and the rooms looked dark and dreary when the children looked through the glass.
They came to the round tower built on to one side of the house, just as the tower of Peep-Hole was built
on to Miss Dimitys house.
This is an enormous tower, said Mike, in surprise. Its three times as big as ours! My word, Id like to go up it! The view over the sea must be marvellous!
Lets see if we can get into the house, said Peggy. She tried some of the windows, but they were fast shut. Mike tried a door set deep into the wall of the tower but that was locked and bolted inside.
Then Jack gave a shout. He had found an old broken ladder lying on the ground and had set it up beside the wall of the round tower. It just reached to a small window.
I believe that window could be opened, said Jack. Come and hold the ladder, Mike. The rungs dont look too good to me.
Mike held the ladder and Jack went carefully up it.
One of the rungs broke as he trod on it and he nearly fell. The ladder wobbled dangerously, but Mike was holding it tightly, so Jack was quite all right.
He climbed up to the window-sill and tried to pull the window open. The catch is broken! he said. I believe I can get the window open if I try long enough. Its stuck hard.
Ill hold the ladder tight, Mike shouted back. Shake the window and bang the bottom part, Jack. Nora, help me to hold the ladder. Jacks shaking the window so hard that the ladder is swinging about! I dont want him sitting on my head suddenly!
There was a shout from above and the ladder wobbled again. Ive got it open! cried Jack. It came up with a rush!
Well climb up the ladder then, said Nora, in excitement.
No, said Jack, leaning out of the window. He had climbed in through it. That ladders too dangerous for you girls to use. Ill pop down and unlock the door in the tower, just near you.
Right. said Mike, and he took the ladder away and threw it down on the ground again. Jack disappeared. They could hear him running down the stairs of the tower. Then they heard him undoing bolts, and turning a rusty key. He pulled at the door and Mike pushed. It opened so suddenly that Jack sat down in the dust, and Mike flew in through the door as if he were running a race!
The girls followed, laughing at the two boys. Jack got up and dusted himself. Lets go up the tower first, he said. Look at the walls! They seem about four feet thick! My word, they knew how to build in the old days!
The tower was very solid indeed. It had a small winding staircase that ran round and round as it went upwards. There were four rooms in the tower, one on top of the other.
They are all quite round, said Jack. Just as ours are in the Peep-Hole tower. I say! What a magnificent view you get over the sea from this top room!
The children stood in silence and looked out of the window over the sea. It shimmered there for miles in the sun, purple blue, with tiny white flecks where the water washed over hidden rocks.
You can see the tower of Peep-Hole very well from here, said Mike. The two towers must have been built in these special positions so that the smugglers could signal to each other. If one of us were in our tower to-day we could easily wave a hanky to the others here, and it would be seen perfectly.