Nora! Dont be an idiot! whispered Jack, as loudly as he dared. Come back - we havent looked to see if its safe to get down!
But Nora slipped at that moment, slid down the last bit of tree-trunk, and landed on her hands and knees on the ground below the tree. And at that very moment Mr. Diaz and Luiz came back from their walk round the high walls of the grounds!
They saw Nora, and Mr. Diaz frowned. Come here! he shouted. Nora was too afraid to go to him, and too afraid to run away! She just stood there and stared. The others up the tree stayed as still as mice, wondering what Nora was going to do.
Mr. Diaz came up to poor Nora and shouted at her. What are you doing here? Didnt I say that you children were not to come round the Old House? He took hold of Noras shoulder and shook her.
Where are the others? Are they anywhere about?
Nora knew that Mr. Diaz hadnt seen her fall from the tree, and she was glad. If only he didnt look up and see the others!
Please let me go, she said, half crying. I just came for a walk up here. I havent been inside the gates.
You just try coming inside the grounds! said Mr. Diaz fiercely. He gave her another shake. Now, go home. And tell the others that if they come for walks up here they will soon feel very sorry for themselves. I keep a cane for tiresome children!
Ill go and tell the others, said Nora, and she sped away down the slope of the cliff as if she were going to find Peggy, Jack, and Mike straightaway.
Thats given her a good fright, said Luiz, with a sleepy grin. We dont want any sharp-eyed kids about, Felipe! Well, when the two dogs come theyll keep everyone away. Theyll bite anyone at sight!
The two men went through the gate laughing together. When they were safely out of sight. Jack spoke.
A nice pleasant pair, arent they? he whispered to the others. Nora was pretty sharp the way she shot off like that - it looked exactly as if she was going to find us - and yet there we were above dear Mr. Diazs head all the time! Hed only got to look up and see my big feet!
I want to get down as soon as I can, said Peggy, who felt that if anyone did happen to see them up the tree they would be well trapped. Is it safe to slip down now, Jack?
Jack parted the leaves and peered all round. Yes, he said. Come on, down we go!
One by one they slipped down, and then shot off down the slope, keeping behind the big gorse bushes as much as they could in case any of the people of the Old House caught sight of them. They guessed that Nora would be waiting for them at the Peep-Hole.
She was - but she was crying bitterly.
Dont cry, Nora, said Jack, putting his arm round her. Were you very frightened?
Im n-n-n-ot crying b-b-b-because I was frightened, sobbed Nora, Im c-c-c-rying because I was such an idiot - slipping down out of the tree like that, and nearly spoiling everything.
Well, that was really very silly of you, said Mike. But you didnt give us away, thank goodness - you were quite sharp, Nora. So cheer up - but youd better be careful next time.
Jack shall be captain, said Peggy. He always was on the secret island - and he shall be now. He shall take charge of this adventure, and well do what he says.
All right, said Nora, cheering up and putting away her hanky. Ill always do what the captain says.
Do you think we ought to tell Dimmy about this adventure? said Mike.
No, I dont, said Jack at once. She is awfully nice - but she might be frightened. She might even forbid us to try and find out anything. Well keep this secret all to ourselves - though perhaps we might get George to help us later on.
Did you hear what they said about the boat coming in? said Mike. Well watch for that, anyway! We can take it in turns to sit up each night in the top bedroom of our own tower and watch for a light in the tower of the big house. When we see it, well slip down to the beach, hide in a cave, and watch the boat coming in - and maybe well see what the mysterious goods are that dear Mr. Diaz is smuggling in!
Its getting
very exciting, said Peggy, not quite sure whether she liked it or not. We shall have to be awfully careful that were not seen or caught.
George told the children that the furniture had been put into only eight of the twenty rooms of the Old House.
The tower rooms have been furnished, he said. I found that out from one of the women who is cleaning the place. So they are going to use the tower.
Yes - they are going to use the tower! said Mike, looking at the others. But they did not tell George what they knew. He was very nice - but he was almost grownup and he might think, perhaps, they should tell Miss Dimity - and they did so want to follow the adventure themselves and find out everything before any grown-ups came into it.
That night the children undressed in great excitement. Jack was to take the first watch, from ten oclock to twelve oclock. Then Mike was to watch from twelve to two and Nora from two to four. By that time it would be daylight and there would be no need to watch.