"Blyton, Enid - Famous Five 06 - Five On Kirrin Island Again" - читать интересную книгу автора (Blyton Enid)
Chapter Twenty
EVERYTHING BOILS UP!
Meanwhile the three boys and Timmy were having a strange journey underground. Timmy led the way without faltering, stopping every now and again for the others to catch up with him.
The tunnel at first had a very low roof and the boys had to walk along in a stooping position, which was very tiring indeed. But after a bit the roof became higher and Julian, flashing his torch round, saw that the walls and floor, instead of being made of soil, were now made of rock. He tried to reckon out where they were.
'We've come practically straight towards the cliff,' he said to Dick. 'That's allowing for a few turns and twists. The tunnel has sloped down so steeply the last few hundred yards that I think we must be very far underground indeed.' It was not until the boys heard the curious booming noise that George had heard in the caves, that they knew they must be under the rocky bed of the sea. They were walking under the sea to Kirrin Island. How strange, how unbelievably astonishing! 'It's like 'a peculiarly vivid dream,' said Julian. 'I'm not sure I like it very much! All right, Tim -- we're coming. Hallo - what's this?' They all stopped. Julian flashed his torch ahead and saw a pile of fallen rocks. Timmy had managed to squeeze himself through a hole in them and go through to the other side, but the boys couldn't.
'This is where the spades come in, Martin!' said Dick, cheerfully. 'Take a hand!' By dint of pushing and shovelling, the boys at last managed to move the pile of fallen rocks enough to make a way past. 'Thank goodness for the spades!' said Julian.
They went on, and were soon very glad of the spades again, to move another heap of rock. Timmy barked impatiently when they kept him waiting. He was very anxious to get back to George.
Soon they came to where the tunnel forked into two. But Timmy took the right-hand passage without hesitation, and when that one forked into three, he again chose one without stopping to think for one moment 'Marvellous, isn't he?' said Julian. 'All done by smell! He's been this way once, so he knows it again. We 'should be completely lost under here if we came by ourselves.' 'Martin was not enjoying this adventure at all. He said very little, but labored on after the others. Dick guessed he was worrying about what was going to happen when the adventure was over. Poor Martin. All he wanted to do was to draw -- and instead of that he had been dragged into one horrible job after another, and used as a cat's-paw by his evil guardian.
'Do you think we're anywhere near the island?' said Dick, at last. 'I'm getting tired of this!' 'Yes, we must be,' said Julian. 'In fact I think we'd better be as quiet as we can, in case we come suddenly on the enemy!' So, without speaking again, they went as quietly as they could -- and then suddenly they saw a faint light ahead of them. Julian put out his hand to stop the others.
They were nearing the cave where George's father had his books and papers -- where George had found him the night before. Timmy stood in front of them, listening too. He was not going 'to run headlong into danger! They heard voices, and listened intently to see whose they were. 'George's -- and Uncle Quentin's,' said Julian at last. And, as if Timmy had also satisfied himself that those were indeed the two voices, the dog ran ahead and went into the lighted cave, barking joyfully.
'Timmy!' came George's voice, and they heard something overturn as she sprang up. 'Where have you been?' 'Woof,' said Timmy, trying to explain. 'Woof!' And then Julian and Dick ran into the cave followed by Martin! Uncle Quentin and George stared in the very greatest amazement.
'Julian! Dick! And Martin! How did you get here?' cried George, whilst Timmy jumped and capered round her.
'I'll explain,' said Julian. 'It was Timmy that fetched us!' And he related the whole story of how Timmy had come into Kirrin Cottage in the early morning and had jumped on his bed, and all that had happened since.
And then, in their turn, Uncle Quentin and George told all that had happened to them! 'Where are the two men?' asked Julian.
'Somewhere on the island,' said George. 'I went scouting after them some time ago, and followed them up to where they get out into the little stone room. I think they're there until half past ten, when they'll go up and signal, so that people will think everything is all right.' 'Well, what are our plans?' said Julian. 'Will you come back down the passage under the sea with us? Or what shall we do?' 'Better not do that,' said Martin, quickly. 'My guardian may be coming -- and he's in touch with other men. If he wonders where I am, and thinks something is up, he may call in two or three others, and we might meet them making their way up the passage.' They did not know, of course, that Mr. Curton was even then lying with a broken leg at the bottom of the quarry. Uncle Quentin considered.
'I've been given seven hours to say whether or not I will give the fellows my secret,' he said. 'That time will be up just after half past ten. Then the men will come down again to see me. I think between us we ought to be able to capture them -- especially as we've got Timmy with us!' 'Yes - that's a good idea,' said Julian. 'We could hide somewhere 'till they come -- and then set Timmy on them before they suspect anything!' Almost before he had finished these words the light in the cave went out! Then a voice spoke out of the blackness.
'Keep still! One movement and I'll shoot.' ' George gasped. What was happening? Had the men come back unexpectedly? Oh, why hadn't Timmy given them warning? She had been fondling his ears, so probably he had been unable to hear anything! She held Timmy's collar, afraid that he would fly at the man in the darkness and be shot. The voice spoke again.
'Will you or will you not give us your secret?' 'Not,' said Uncle Quentin, in a low voice.
'You will have this whole island, and all your work blown up then, and yourself too and the others?' 'Yes! You can do 'what you like!' suddenly yelled George. You'll be blown up yourself too. You'll never be able' to get away in a boat - you'll go on the rocks!' The man in the darkness laughed. 'We shall be safe,' he said. 'Now, keep at the back of the cave. I have you covered with my revolver.' 'They all crouched at the back. Timmy growled, but George made him stop at once. She did not know if the men knew he was free or not.
Quiet footsteps passed across the cave in the darkness.
George listened, straining her ears. Two pairs of foot steps! Both men were passing through the cave. She knew where they were going! They were going to escape by the undersea passage - and leave the island to be blown up behind them! As soon as the footsteps had died away, George switched on her torch. 'Father! Those men are escaping now, down the sea-tunnel. We must escape too - but not that way/ My boat is on the shore. Let's get there quickly and get away before there's any explosion.' 'Yes, come along,' said her father. 'But if only I could get up into my tower, I could stop any wicked plan of theirs! They mean to use the power there, I know - but if I could get up to the glass room, I could undo all their 'plans!' 'Oh do be quick then, Father!' cried George, getting in quite a panic now. 'Save my island if you can!' They 'all made their way through the cave, up to the passage that led to the stone flight of steps from the little stone room. And there they had a shock! 'The stone could not be opened from the inside! The men had altered the mechanism so that it could now only be opened from the outside.
"In vain Uncle Quentin swung the lever to and fro. Nothing happened. The stone would not move.
'It's only from outside it can be opened,' he said in despair. 'We're trapped! They sat down on the stone steps in a row, one above the other. They were cold, hungry and miserable. What could they do now? Make th'eir way back to the cave and then go on 'down the' under-sea tunnel?
'I don't want to do that said Uncle Quentin. 'I'm so afraid that if there is an explosion, it may crack the rocky bed of the sea, which is 'the roof of the tunnel -and then water would pour in. It wouldn't be pleasant if we happened to be thereat that moment.' ' 'Oh no. Don't let's be trapped like that,' said George, with a shudder. 'I couldn't bear it.' ' 'Perhaps I could 'get something to explode this stone away,' 'said her father, after a while. 'I've got plenty of stuff if only I've time to put it together.' 'Listen!' said Julian, suddenly. 'I can hear something outside this wall. Sh!' 'They all listened intently. Timmy whined and scratched at the stone that would not move.
'HERE! HERE! MOVE THE STONE!' yelled Julian, shouting so loudly that everyone near him jumped violently.
'Move aside, Miss - I can see which stone it is,' said a man's deep voice. It was one of the fishermen. He felt round and about the stone in the recess, sure it was the right one because it was cleaner than the others through being used as an entrance.
Suddenly he touched the right place, and found a tiny iron spike. He pulled it down - and the lever swung back behind it, and pulled the stone aside! Everyone hurried out, one on top of the other! The six fishermen standing in the little room stared in astonishment. Aunt Fanny was there too, and Anne. Aunt Fanny ran to her husband as soon as he appeared - but to her surprise he pushed her away quite roughly.
He ran out of the room, and hurried to the tower. Was he in time to save the island and everyone on it? Oh hurry, hurry! '
Chapter Twenty-one
THE END OF THE ADVENTURE
'WHERE'S he gone?' said Aunt Fanny, quite hurt. Nobody answered. Julian, George and Martin were watching the tower with anxious intensity. If only Uncle Quentin would appear at the top. Ah - there he was! He had taken up with him a big stone. As everyone watched he smashed the glass round the tower with the stone. Crash! Crash! Crash! The wires that ran through the glass were broken and split as the glass crashed into pieces. No power could race through them now. Uncle Quentin leaned out of the broken glass room and shouted exultantly.
'It's all right! I was in time! I've destroyed the power that might have blown up the island - you're safe!' George found that her knees were suddenly shaking. She had to sit down on the floor. Timmy came and licked her face wonderingly. Then he too sat down.
'What's he doing, smashing the tower up?' asked a burly fisherman. 'I don't understand all this.' Uncle Quentin came down the tower and rejoined them. 'Another ten minutes and I should have been too late,' he said. 'Thank goodness, Anne, you all arrived when you did.', 'I ran all the way home, told Aunt Fanny, and we got the fishermen to come over as soon as they could get out their boats,' explained Anne. 'We couldn't think of any other way of rescuing you. Where are the wicked men?' 'Trying to escape down the under-sea tunnel,' said Julian. 'Oh - you don't know about that, Anne!' Arid he told her; while the fishermen listened open-mouthed.
'Look here,' said Uncle Quentin, when he had finished. 'As the boats are here, the men might as well take all my gear back with them. I've finished my job here. I shan't want the island any more.' 'Oh! Then we can have it!' said George, delighted. 'And there's plenty of the holidays left. We'll help to bring up what you want, Father.' 'We ought to get back as quickly as we can, so as to catch those fellows at the other end of the tunnel, sir,' said one of the fishermen.
'Yes. We ought,' said Aunt Fanny.
'Gracious! They'll find Mr. Curton there with a broken leg,' said Anne, suddenly remembering.
The others looked at her in surprise. This was the first they had heard of Mr. Curton being in the quarry. Anne explained.
'And I told him he was a very wicked man,' she ended triumphantly.
'Quite right,' said Uncle Quentin, with a laugh. 'Well, perhaps we'd better get my gear another time.' 'Oh; two of us can see to that for you now,' said the burly fisherman. 'Miss George here, she's got her boat in the cove, and you've got yours, sir. The others can go 'back with you, if you like - and Tom and me, we'll fix up your things and bring them across to the mainland later on. Save us coming over again, sir.' 'Right,' said Uncle Quentin, pleased. 'You do that, then. It's down in the caves through that tunnel behind the stone.' They all went down to the cove. It was a beautiful day and the sea was very calm, except just round the island, where the waters were always rough. Soon the boats were being sailed or rowed to the mainland.
'The adventure is over!' said Anne. 'How queer - I didn't think it was one while it was happening -- but now I see it was!' 'Another to add to our long list of adventures,' said Julian. 'Cheer up, Martin - don't look so blue. Whatever happens, we'll see you don't come out badly over this. You helped us, and you threw in your lot with us. We'll see that you don't suffer - won't we, Uncle Quentin? We'd never have got through those falls of rock if we hadn't had Martin and his spades!' 'Well - thanks,' said Martin. 'If you can get me away from my guardian - and never let me see him again -I'd be happy!' 'It's quite likely that Mr. Curton will be put somewhere safe where he won't be able to see his friends for quite a long time,' said Uncle Quentin dryly. 'So I don't think you need worry.' As soon as the boats reached shore, Julian, Dick, Timmy and Uncle Quentin went off to the quarry to see if Mr. Curton was still there - and to wait for the other two men to come out of the tunnel! Mr. Curton was there all right, still groaning and calling for help. Uncle Quentin spoke to him sternly.
'We know your part in this matter, Curton. You will be dealt with by the' police. They will be along in a short while.' Timmy sniffed round Mr. Curton, and then walked away, nose in air, as if to say 'What a nasty bit of work!' The others arranged themselves at the mouth of the hole and waited.
But nobody came. An hour went by - two hours. Still nobody. 'I'm glad Martin and Anne didn't come,' said Uncle Quentin. 'I do wish we'd brought sandwiches.' At that moment the police arrived, scrambling down the steep sides of the quarry. The police doctor was with them and he saw to Mr. Curton's leg. Then, with the help of the others, he got the man to the top with great difficulty.
'Julian, go back and get sandwiches,' said Uncle Quentin at last. 'It looks as if we've got a long wait!' Julian went back, and was soon down the quarry with neat packets of ham sandwiches and a thermos of hot coffee. The two policemen who were still left offered to stay and watch, if Uncle Quentin wanted to go home.
'Dear me, no!' he said. 'I want to see' the faces of these two fellows when they come out. It's going to be one of the nicest moments of my life! The island is not blown up. My secret is safe. My book is safe. My work is finished. And I just want to tell these things to my two dear friends!' 'You know, Father, I believe they've lost their way underground,' said George. 'Julian said there were many different, passages. Timmy took the boys through the right ones, of course -- but they would have been quite lost if they hadn't had him with them!' Her father's face fell at the thought of the men being lost underground. He did so badly want to see their dismayed faces when they arrived in the quarry! 'We could send Timmy in,' said Julian. 'He would soon find them and bring them out. Wouldn't you, Tim?' 'Woof,' said Timmy, agreeing.
'Oh yes - that's a good idea,' said George. 'They won't hurt him if they think he can show them the way out! Go on in, Timmy. Find them boy; find them! Bring them here!' 'Woof,' said Timmy, obligingly, and disappeared under the shelf of rock.
Everyone waited, munching sandwiches and sipping coffee. And then they heard Timmy's bark again, from underground! There was a panting noise, then' a scraping sound as somebody came wriggling out from under the rock. He stood up - and then he saw the silent group watching him. He gasped.
'Good morning, Johnson,' said Uncle Quentin, in an amiable voice. 'How are you?' Johnson went white. He sat down on the nearby heather. 'You win!' he said.
'I do,' said Uncle Quentin. 'In fact, I win handsomely. Your' little plan went wrong. My secret is still safe - and next year it will be given to the whole world!' There was another scraping sound and the second man arrived. He stood up too - and then he saw the quietly watching group.
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